The Singh Brothers are back, and they introduce the WWE Champion, “The Modern Day Maharaja,” Jinder Mahal. Mahal makes his entrance. Mahal says the people have nothing to celebrate, but today marks the Independence Day of the greatest nation on earth, India. The crowd boos loudly, Jinder is getting good heat tonight. The ring is decorated with a flower rope.
Jinder says his inspiration, strength, and pride comes from his people. Tonight, not only do they celebrate their independence, they celebrate the reign of the greatest WWE Champion of all time, Jinder Mahal. Jinder says they should celebrate with a performance and out comes Punjabi musicians and dancers are on the stage. A woman joins Mahal in the ring. The woman sings the national anthem of India. The crowd loudly boos her. After her performance, the musicians make more music. The Singh Brothers dance around Mahal in the ring.
India’s Independence Day means a special celebration is in store for @WWE Champion @JinderMahal! #SDLive @SinghBrosWWE pic.twitter.com/uu8ZvipV2F
— WWE (@WWE) August 16, 2017
Mahal is furious that the people are booing and says he expected this reaction. They can expect him to beat their hero, John Cena, later tonight. Mahal says that for years, their hero had the weight of this company on his shoulders. Now there is a new face of the WWE. A “USA” chant breaks out. Mahal says he is the one that makes WWE the global phenomenon it is today. He is the reason people all over the world are subscribing to the WWE Network to see him dominate at SummerSlam. Two weeks ago, John Cena faced Shinsuke Nakamura in a “dream match.” Tonight is reality as he’ll beat Cena worse than Nakamura ever could. Then at SummerSlam, he’ll prove to Nakamura why his destiny is to lose to “The Modern Day Maharaja.” Now if the people can be quiet, he’ll speak to his people in his native tongue on their Independence Day. Mahal speaks Punjabi until Shinsuke Nakamura’s music hits.
Shinsuke Nakamura makes his way to the ring to a nice reception. Mahal is furious with Nakamura for disparaging his people on their day. A loud “Nakamura” chant picks up. Nakamura smirks while Mahal raises the WWE Championship. Nakamura says today in India, it is Indian Independence Day, however today in Japan it is the day they commemorate those who have died in war and pray for peace. This Sunday in America at SummerSlam will be the day Mahal loses the WWE Title. Nakamura’s face begins to spasm and sings, “To me!” Nakamura’s music hits, and he approaches Mahal, but he backs up. Nakamura then leaves the ring. The Singh Brothers yell at him, but Nakamura just smiles back.
“#SummerSlam will be the day you lose the #WWETitle… TO ME!!!!” – @ShinsukeN to @JinderMahal #SDLive pic.twitter.com/B0Pkw0g9Bv
— WWE (@WWE) August 16, 2017
AJ Styles will apologize for accidentally kicking Shane McMahon last week. Coming up next, Natalya will face Becky Lynch.
*Commercial Break*
We return and the announcers wish Ric Flair a speedy recovery. Becky Lynch is out first! Before the match can begin however, Naomi comes out and brings the glow to Providence. She dances her way around the ring and joins the commentary team.
Becky Lynch Vs. Natalya
The bell rings and Natalya immediately takes Becky down with a headlock. Becky is shot off and hits a shoulder tackle to Natalya then rolls her up for a near-fall.
Natalya hits a stiff forearm to Becky but the Irish Lasskicker responds with a series of stiff forearms of her own. Natalya rolls out of the ring and stares at Naomi, only for Becky to hit her with a dropkick through the ropes. Becky stands tall as we head to a break!
*Commercial Break*
We return to see Natalya controlling Becky in an abdominal stretch submission. Naomi says it is the best feeling in the world to head into SummerSlam as Champion and says she has just shown the tip of the iceberg for her reign.
Becky makes a comeback and hits a couple of flying forearms and a Bexploder to Natalya. Becky hits a running forearm to Natalya but only earns a two count. Becky looks for the Dis-Arm-Her but Natalya reverses and looks for the Sharpshooter to no avail. They both get to their feet and Becky catches Natalya with an enziguiri.
Becky goes to the top rope and jumps for a leg drop but nobody is home and Natalya capitalises by locking in the Sharpshooter and Becky taps.
The #IrishLassKicker is TAPPING! Will this be @NaomiWWE‘s fate THIS SUNDAY at #SummerSlam? @NatByNature @BeckyLynchWWE #SDLive pic.twitter.com/qvzgjKrFha
— WWE (@WWE) August 16, 2017
Winner: Natalya
Naomi says that won’t be her fate on Sunday because she has the glow. After the match Natalya grabs Becky and reapplies the Sharpshooter, forcing Naomi to leave the commentary table and run her off. The two trade smack talk from the ring to ringside and out comes Carmella with James Ellsworth.
Carmella introduces herself, then sarcastically wishes them both luck this Sunday and may the best woman win. Ellsworth says that no matter who wins, they lose and points at Carmella holding the briefcase.
Keep your eyes peeled, @NatByNature and @NaomiWWE!
You NEVER know when Ms. #MITB @CarmellaWWE will cash-in… #SDLive @realellsworth pic.twitter.com/bLglWoOpEs
— WWE (@WWE) August 16, 2017
Later tonight, we get the Fashion Peaks finale. Also still to come, John Cena Vs. Jinder Mahal.
*Commercial Break*
Later tonight, AJ Styles will apologize for accidentally kicking Shane McMahon last week.
Tamina comes up to Lana and asks why she has a match tonight. She thought they came to an understanding that she would use her ravishing personality to get her an opportunity. Lana says Tamina isn’t ready. The people don’t see or fear her. She asks what she means by that. Lana says they don’t fear you… yet. If Tamina follows her lead and listens, they will. She’ll use her ravishing beauty, cunning, and manipulate her way to helping her. Then Tamina will become the most destructive force with the single purpose of crushing. Together, they’ll be unstoppable. Then Tamina will be ready to be Smackdown Live’s Women’s Champion.
“Together will will become UNSTOPPABLE… and then you will be ready to be #SDLive #WomensChampion!” – @LanaWWE to @TaminaSnuka on #SDLive pic.twitter.com/xNPVY7J3p8
— WWE (@WWE) August 16, 2017
Elsewhere backstage, Daniel Bryan is in his office when The Usos come up. Bryan asks if they want him in their rap video. The Usos want to know which New Day members they’re facing at SummerSlam. Bryan says it’ll be Big E and Xavier Woods with Kofi Kingston in their corner at SummerSlam. The Usos want Kofi and Woods tonight. Bryan says he can hook them up with that. Bryan tries to celebrate, but comes off nerdy.
Rusev makes his entrance. He’ll face Chad Gable, next.
*Commercial Break*
Rusev vs. Chad Gable
The bell rings, and they circle the ring. Rusev quickly kicks him and punches him back. Rusev punches away at him in the corner and stomps him down. Rusev punches him and whips him to the opposite corner, but Gable boots him back, ducks a clothesline, and hits a belly-to-belly overhead suplex.
Rusev rolls out of the ring to recover. Gable follows him out, but Rusev throws him into the steel steps. Rusev slams his face off the steps and throws him over the commentary table! The referee calls for the bell and counts them both out.
This isn’t about a win, @RusevBUL wants to DESTROY @WWEGable! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/UNuEEvYNdf
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) August 16, 2017
No Contest
Rusev removes the top from the table and clears the monitors. Rusev lays him out on top of the table and applies the Accolade. Gable taps out while Rusev wrenches back. The crowd chants, “Randy.” Rusev grabs a microphone and gets in the ring. Rusev asks for Randy and his wish is granted…Randy Orton comes out of nowhere with an RKO! Orton celebrates and poses on the turnbuckle to huge cheers.
CRUSH. #SDLive @RusevBUL @WWEGable pic.twitter.com/RSkPv3mXZh
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) August 16, 2017
Still to come, John Cena will take on WWE Champion Jinder Mahal in tonight’s main event. AJ Styles is seen walking backstage, he’ll clear the air with Shane McMahon, next.
*Commercial Break*