We’re live from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida as the SmackDown roster stands on the stage and ramp, chanting “thank you Taker!” and clapping. Michael Cole welcomes and he’s joined by Corey Graves. They hype tonight’s Taker tribute.
#1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Alexa Bliss vs. Nikki Cross vs. Dana Brooke vs. Lacey Evans
Out come the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions to join Cole and Graves – Sasha Banks and SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley. Alexa Bliss is out first for this Fatal 4 Way. The winner will challenge Bayley for her singles title at Extreme Rules. Nikki Cross is out next, followed by Dana Brooke. Lacey Evans is out last and she stops to taunt the champs at the announce table.
They all go at it to start. Bliss and Cross get taken to opposite corners and stomped away on. Cross and Bliss turn it around, trading opponents and taking turns. Cross and Bliss stand tall and hug in the middle of the ring now. Cross rolls Bliss up for a surprise 2 count and Bliss can’t believe it. They have some friendly words, shake hands and lock up to go at it. Evans ends up taking Bliss down on the floor. Brooke and Evans work on Cross in the ring but they break down and start arguing. They fight and take turns on Cross in the middle of the ring now.
Evans and Brooke stomp away on Cross in the corner some more. Brooke drops Evans with a shot from the side. Brooke with a springboard elbow on Cross and Bliss in the corner. Evans clotheslines Brooke. Evans with a double boots to Bliss and Cross in the corner for a 2 count on Bliss as Brooke breaks it up. Evans tackles Brooke and unloads on her.
More back and forth now. Brooke drops Evans and goes to the top for a big Swanton. She covers but Cross breaks the pin up. Brooke yells out about wanting the title, then slams Cross. Bliss finally comes back and drops Brooke after some offense for a pop. Bliss goes to the top for Twisted Bliss but Brooke gets her knees up. Cross dropkicks Brooke to the floor. Cross and Bliss surround Evans now but she strikes first and unloads on both of them. Cross sends Evans to the corner but misses a clothesline. Evans drops Cross and launches in from the apron with an elbow drop.
Brooke comes back in and charges at Evans but Evans rocks her in mid-move with a big Woman’s Right. Cross takes advantage and rolls Evans up from behind for the pin to earn the title shot.
Winner and New #1 Contender to Bayley: Nikki Cross
King Baron Corbin vs. Jeff Hardy
Back from the break and several SmackDown Superstars are surrounding the ring now. Matt Riddle, Braun Strowman, Jey Uso, The New Day, Alexa Bliss, Lacey Evans, Dana Brooke, Drew Gulak and several others are out. Hardy fights but Corbin drops him and keeps control. Corbin comes off the ropes and drops Hardy with a big right hand.
The Superstars chant “Corbin sucks!” now as he works Hardy around the ring. Corbin ducks a shot and runs out, then back in and floors Hardy to boos. Strowman and Corbin have words at ringside. Corbin sends Hardy against the Plexiglas barrier and rocks him in the back of the neck. Corbin breaks the count again and brings Hardy back in, stopping to taunt Lucha House Party. Corbin rolls back in for a 2 count.
Corbin grounds Hardy in the middle of the ring now. The Superstars at ringside rally for Hardy as he mounts offense and hits a jawbreaker for an opening. Hardy with a second jawbreaker to stun Corbin again. Hardy fights back with right hands now. Hardy drops Corbin with a forearm and an inverted Atomic Drop. Hardy with his signature leg drop and a basement dropkick for another close pin attempt. Hardy goes for the Twist of Fate but it’s blocked. Corbin runs into a right hand. Hardy goes up for a Whisper in the Wind but Corbin blocks it again. More back and forth now. Corbin catches Hardy with a big Deep Six for another close 2 count.
Corbin shows frustration at the 2 count now. Corbin charges on the outside but Hardy moves and Corbin hits the steel ring steps. Hardy brings Corbin back in and goes to the top for a big Swanton Bomb. Hardy covers for the pin to win in the middle of the ring.
Winner: Jeff Hardy
After the match, Hardy stands tall and celebrates as the music hits. Corbin gets up and drops him to stop the ringside celebration as well. Kofi Kingston runs in but Corbin drops him. Big E drops Corbin with a Big Ending. They call for Strowman to enter the ring now. Strowman waits for Corbin to get up and stalks him. Strowman scoops Corbin and puts him back down with a powerslam. Hardy invites Riddle into the ring now. A “Bro!” chant starts up. Riddle enters the ring and goes to the top, hitting a big Floating Bro on Corbin. Riddle celebrates with Hardy, Strowman and The New Day now. Hardy’s music starts back up as the other four pose in the corners. Hardy drops to one knee in the middle of the ring as a photo of Taker appears on the big screen. Hardy raises his hand to the photo of Taker in a tribute as the “thank you Taker!” chant starts back up. SmackDown on FOX goes off the air.