Jack Swagger def. Cesaro; Flag Match Made for SummerSlam

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — With The Biggest Party of the Summer fast approaching, SmackDown got heated as Chris Jericho faced Wyatt Family follower Erick Rowan in a match that had SummerSlam implications, Randy Orton set his serpentine sights upon Roman Reigns and Paige ambushed her “friend” AJ Lee.

Former tag team partners square off on SmackDown!

Just four days after an explosive encounter with Rusev on Raw, Jack Swagger went head-to-head with his former Real American tag team partner Cesaro in SmackDown’s opening bout.

Cesaro collides with Swagger | See crushing new photos of Lana

After a hard-hitting battle against The Swiss Superman that saw The Real American make his foreign-born opponent tap to the Patriot Lock, Lana and Rusev arrived with the Russian flag in tow. The Ravishing Russian challenged Swagger to a Flag Match at SummerSlam, to which the patriotic Zeb Colter not only heartily accepted on behalf of the former World Champion, but also in the name of Real Americans everywhere. “We The People!”

Randy Orton challenged Roman Reigns to a match at SummerSlam

The Viper is back and has choice words for Roman Reigns.

On the heels of delivering one of the most brutal beatings in WWE history, Randy Orton dared Roman Reigns to step inside the ring with The Viper at SummerSlam. With the black-clad Superstar likely still feeling the effects from arguably the worst thrashing of his young career, the question now is, will Reigns rise up to The Apex Predator’s challenge?

Reigns left lying | Randy Orton enters to Rusev's entrance theme

R-Truth def. Bo Dallas by Disqualification

Bo Dallas looks to start a new winning streak on SmackDown.

After having his winning streak snapped on Raw by R-Truth, the inspirational Bo Dallas once again came up on the losing end to the rapping Superstar. This time, the motivational grappler was disqualified after he refused to stop his attack by the referee’s five-count, continuing to viciously assault his opponent well after the match concluded.

Bo loses it | 10 streaks that came to an end

The seemingly oblivious Dallas then rationalized that he Bo-lieves the former United States Champion got what was coming to him, adding that the WWE Universe deep down Bo-lieves in him.

AJ Lee def. Rosa Mendes

AJ Lee tries to send Paige a message on SmackDown.

Divas Champion AJ Lee made quick work of Rosa Mendes, forcing the newest cast member of “Total Divas” to tap out to the Black Widow within seconds.

Update on AJ's condition | Paige ambushes AJ

However, the titleholder’s victory celebration was short lived, as Paige attacked her “friend” from behind. After sending the unsuspecting titleholder spiraling off the SmackDown stage, “The Diva of Tomorrow” skipped away as the New Jersey native was attended to by emergency personnel.

Seth Rollins & Kane def. Dean Ambrose by Disqualification

Can Dean Ambrose defy the odds and secure a victory in a Handicap Match?

Amid a heated Handicap Match against Seth Rollins & Kane, Dean Ambrose decided to even the odds with a steel chair. Despite getting disqualified, The Lunatic Fringe got oh-so-close to finally getting sweet justice against his former “Shield” brother. Although Mr. Money Back successfully retreated, the Demon Kane was not as lucky, receiving a steel chair beat down from the fired-up former United States Champion.

Ambrose's equalizer

Diego def. Fandango

Layla and Summer Rae continue to find ways to embarrass Fandango.

Fandango faced Diego in a Raw rematch, as the masked matador was again accompanied to the ring by the dancing Superstar’s former flames Summer Rae and Layla. In the end, a ringside triple tango involving the sultry Divas and El Torito distracted the fleet-footed Fandango long enough to allow Diego to pick up the victory.

Dancing the triple tango | Classic Diva tag teams

Alberto Del Rio def. Dolph Ziggler

The Miz continues to be a distraction every time Dolph Ziggler has a match.

Just as Alberto Del Rio and Dolph Ziggler’s hard-fought fight reached a fevered pace, Intercontinental Champion The Miz – who joined the SmackDown announce team at ringside – decided it was the appropriate time to continue his acceptance speech from last Friday night.

Must see "MizTV" | The Miz extends his thanks

The bleached blonde Superstar took the distraction personally, chasing off The Awesome One. But, when he attempted to climb back into the ring, he was met by a kick to the face from his opponent. After the Mexican Superstar forced a fallen Ziggler to tap to his Cross Armbreaker submission, a gleeful Miz returned to make sure his embattled rival could get a good look at his “Moneymaker.”

Chris Jericho def. Erick Rowan

If Chris Jericho defeats Eric Rowan on SmackDown then Rowan will be banned from ringside at SummerSlam when Chris Jericho faces Bray Wyatt.

Prior to SmackDown’s main event, it was announced that Erick Rowan would be banned from ringside at Bray Wyatt and Chris Jericho’s SummerSlam bout if he lost his match Friday night to Y2J. With the stakes increased, the Ayatollah of Rock ‘n’ Rolla battled The Wyatt Family follower blow for blow, eventually landing the knockout strike in the form of a Codebreaker.

Chris Jericho vs. Bray Wyatt | One less Wyatt



The vital victory means the goat-masked Rowan will be unable to assist his cryptic leader at The Biggest Party of the Summer, but will it be enough for the first Undisputed Champion to save himself from The New Face of Fear?