SummerSlam’s World Heavyweight Title Match was transformed into a SmackDown main event

HOUSTON – With the Toyota Center filled to the rafters, SummerSlam appeared to be coming early – following the monumental announcement of the first SmackDown World Heavyweight Title Match of the Booker T era. However, The Great White’s explosive clash with Alberto Del Rio came to a screeching halt before it got started, thanks to a controversial interruption from the boys in uniform.

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SmackDown General Manager Booker T returned home to Houston, starting things off for the blue brand in electrifying fashion. After treating the WWE Universe a Spinaroonie in his tux, he proclaimed, “Houston, we have a problem!”

In a bold move, the five-time WCW Champion ordered the first-ever Irish-born World Heavyweight Champion, Sheamus, to apologize for his actions four days earlier on Raw. This included his “borrowing” Del Rio’s classic sports car, taking it for a joy ride and returning it completely trashed.

After The Celtic Warrior opted to comply with the man-in-charge, Booker looked to put the incident behind them. But, Del Rio would not have it. Instead, The Mexican Aristocrat stated that he was going to file a report with the San Antonio police over the hooligan-esque actions of the Irish champion. At the same time, he suggested that the things Sheamus did reflected very poorly on the SmackDown GM.

In an attempt to defuse the situation, Sheamus proposed that they not wait for SummerSlam and instead have their World Heavyweight Title Match on SmackDown. An incensed Del Rio agreed, setting up the first SmackDown World Title Match of the Booker T era for later that night.

Sin Cara def. Cody Rhodes

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Prior to his match with Sin Cara, a contest created by SmackDown General Manager Booker T one week ago (WATCH) — Cody Rhodes proclaimed that the true reason his opponent wore a mask is that there is nothing special about him whatsoever.

And once the fast-paced contest got underway, the grandson of a plumber seemed just as concerned with taking off his mysterious foe’s covering as he was with winning. But, when he went for the mask one time too many, Sin Cara took advantage of his opponent’s obsession, rolling him up for the quick three-count.

Sin Cara goes one-on-one with Cody Rhodes on SmackDown.

AJ came to SmackDown for a heart-to-heart with Daniel Bryan and Kane

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While berating the WWE Universe for chanting “Yes!” with a fierce “No!” chant of his own — complaining about being labeled “unstable” and being put in a match with Kane at SummerSlam by Raw General Manager AJ Lee ( MATCH PREVIEW) — Daniel Bryan was interrupted by The Big Red Monster.

But before physicality broke out, AJ Lee emerged — a special guest of SmackDown GM Booker T. After sharing a moment With The Devil’s Favorite Demon in which she thanked him for being sweet to her when others were so miserable, Miss Lee ordered Bryan to shake Kane’s hand — a demonstration that he did not have anger management issues and that they would have a good match at the coming pay-per-view.

However, after he reluctantly tried, Kane attacked, nearly chokeslamming his foe. Bryan failed to hit the “No!” Lock, before The Big Red Monster booted him out of the ring, chasing him and causing him to flee into the crowd. And with the masked Superstar left alone in the ring, AJ laughed on the top of the ramp, stating “That was great!”

AJ Lee wants Daniel Bryan to shake Kane's hand and have a clean match at SummerSlam.

Booker T challenged Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks to rise to a new level

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When Hawkins & Reks approached SmackDown’s GM for opportunity, Booker charged them with finding it themselves.

Jinder Mahal def. two local athletes in a 2-on-1 Handicap Match

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In an effort to prove that he can do exactly what Ryback has done over the past few months, Jinder Mahal requested to face two competitors at the same time. In no time at all, the Punjabi Superstar impressively overcame the odds with the Camel Clutch — first on one of his opponents for the win and then on both opponents at the same time after the bell.

Nevertheless, when Ryback emerged after the match, Mahal wasted no time leaping out of town. With his adversary in retreat, Ryback sent a message of his own, hitting a double Shell Shocked on Mahal’s fallen opponents.

Jinder Mahal tries to show he's better than Ryback by facing two opponents in a 2-on-1 Handicap Match.

Chris Jericho presented “The Highlight Reel” with Special Guests Vickie Guerrero

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Vickie Guerrero came onto the “Highlight Reel” - the controversial show returning to SmackDown for the first time in two years - all by her lonesome, declaring that Dolph Ziggler would not appear on the show as schedule. As a result, she set herself up to suffer a sea of insults at the hands of the outspoken Chris Jericho.

But, when the question was once again raised as to whether Jericho could still win “the big one,” the first-ever Undisputed WWE Champion accepted a challenge to face Dolph Ziggler at SummerSlam — reinstituting his Y2J persona in the process.

When The Showoff ambushed the outrageous grappler moments later, Jericho took him down. However, after a Vickie slap distracted Jericho, Ziggler recovered enough to hit the Zig Zag, blasting his newly named SummerSlam opponent with the Money in the Bank contract briefcase.

Dolph Ziggler sends an impactful message to Chris Jericho on "The Highlight Reel".

The Prime Time Players def. Primo & Epico in a No. 1 Contenders' Match

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As a result of a Tout announcement by SmackDown General Manager Booker T earlier in the week, Epico & Primo and A.W.’s Prime Time Players squared off in a No. 1 Contender’s Match for the right to challenge the WWE Tag Team Champions. As they did, titleholders R-Truth & Kofi Kingston joined the SmackDown announce team for a ringside seat.

But just when it looked like his Superstars might be close to defeat, the crafty A.W. suddenly threw water on the WWE Tag Team Champions outside the ring, purposely provoking them to retaliate inside the ring and thereby giving his Prime Time Players the disqualification triumph over Epico & Primo.

Right or wrong, O’Neil & Young emerged with the WWE Tag Team Title No. 1 contender’s spot.

A.W. takes one for his team when The Prime Time Players face Primo & Epico in a WWE Tag Team No. 1 Contender's Match.

Christian def. Antonio Cesaro

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Before a tough matchup against Christian, Antonio Cesaro shared the word “victory” to the WWE Universe in five different languages. He then effortlessly rattled off something else in foreign speak, to put himself above the people that didn’t understand him.

The Swiss Warrior continued to show an incredible amount of versatility once the bell rang, including throwing Christian into the void long enough to hit him with a furious uppercut in midair. Still, after Captain Charisma countered his opponent’s Neutralizer for the second time of the night, he would ultimately reign supreme with an earth shattering Spear out of nowhere.

As the dust settled, though, Aksana distracted the former World Heavyweight Champion, allowing an incensed Cesaro to knock the victor from the ring — hurling him into the ringside barrier at full force.

Antonio Cesaro shows the WWE Universe his multilingual skills and then takes on Christian inside the SmackDown ring.

Booker T announced that Kaitlyn will face Eve next week for the right to become the Assistant to the General Manager

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With Eve threatening to go to the WWE Board of Directors with accusations of unfair hiring practices, SmackDown’s GM proposed another solution.

Rey Mysterio def. Intercontinental Champion The Miz in a Non-Title Match

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Moments after The Miz caught Rey Mysterio’s legs to counter The Ultimate Underdog’s 619 attempt, The Awesome One looked ready to execute the Skull-Crushing Finale. But, at the last second, the masked Superstar countered once again, reversing to score a quick pin on the Intercontinental Champion!

Rey Mysterio goes one-on-one with the Intercontinental Champion The Miz.

The World Title Match between World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus and Alberto Del Rio ended in a No Contest

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Though it looked like SummerSlam would come early — with a World Heavyweight Title Match between Sheamus and Alberto Del Rio — things quickly turned to anarchy instead.

Before the bell could ring to start the match, five men dressed as “police officers” emerged. While Del Rio at first gave the impression that he never filed the report with the police and that he wanted his title match, it soon became clear that the men were part of an elaborate setup, geared toward taking Sheamus out of action.

The numbers disadvantage eventually got the best of The Great White, with the hired guns holding Sheamus back. This allowed The Mexican Aristocrat to mercilessly attack his Irish adversary. Then, after ordering them out, Del Rio went further, locking the World Heavyweight Champion in the devastating Cross Armbreaker as SmackDown came to a close.