MONEY in the Bank has only just finished but the superstars of WWE are already looking towards Super ShowDown, which takes place in Saudi Arabia on June 7.
Here are five talking points from last night’s edition of SmackDown LIVE:
DOLPH ZIGGLER RETURNS
Big E has returned from injury – the first time fans have seen him since the week after WrestleMania.
But it was another surprise return that shook SmackDown LIVE – Dolph Ziggler.
The New Day held a party for Big E’s return, which was predictably interrupted by Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. This set up a Kofi Kingston v Sami Zayn non-title match later on the show.
Sami was on brilliant heel form as ever but Kofi got the win when he landed Trouble in Paradise.
Paul Heyman then came out holding Brock Lesnar’s Money in the Bank briefcase to tease a cash-in.
But the attack came from behind – Dolph Ziggler jumped Kofi for a brutal and humiliating beat-down.
Ziggler – who we haven’t seen in WWE for months – wrapped a steel chair around Kofi’s neck and threw him into the announce desk in a dangerous-looking spot.
Ziggler then stomped the steel wrapped around Kofi’s head. Kofi had to be stretchered out afterwards.
Dolph Ziggler explained his actions afterwards. He talked about how Kofi had become a star, walked out of WrestleMania as WWE champ, and has been a fighting champion ever since.
Ziggler kept screaming: “It should have been me!” He then vowed to defeat Kofi for the WWE title at Super ShowDown.
It was certainly an intense beat-down but is Dolph really the right challenger for Kofi? Do we believe that Dolph – who has failed time and again in title matches – is a real threat to Kofi’s reign?
TRUTH ON THE RUN
Drake Maverick was on the hunt for the new 24/7 Champion R-Truth and stuck wanted posters all over the backstage area.
To hide from Drake and the other superstars, Truth disguised himself in a cheap blonde wig.
He was fooling no one, of course – during a Carmella v Mandy Rose match, a troupe of wrestlers ran out and chased Truth through the arena and into the women’s locker room.
The B-Team eventually caught up with him in the car park but argued amongst themselves about who would pin Truth.
(This had shades of the Mean Street Posse scrapping over Crash Holly’s Hardcore title during the Attitude Era.)
Between this and skits WWE has posted on social media of superstars trying to track down R-Truth, the 24/7 title is already the most entertaining thing happening in WWE.
DREW ATTACKS ROMAN
After Roman Reigns’ lightning-quick victory over Elias at Money in the Bank, the two rivals battled again – this time with Shane McMahon in Elias’ corner.
Shane tried to interfere in the match and slid Elias’s guitar into the ring – but before Elias could swing it at Roman, “The Big Dog” nailed him with a spear and got the 1-2-3.
Shane then tried to hit Roman with the guitar but got a Superman punch for his troubles.
Shane’s buddy Drew McIntyre jumped in the ring and put down Roman with a Claymore kick. Presumably Drew will be in Shane’s corner when he faces Roman at Super ShowDown.
But is anyone really interested in seeing a re-run of the Roman v Drew McIntyre feud? Anyone other than Vince McMahon, that is.
BECKY AND BAYLEY
There was a tense exchange backstage between Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch and new SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley.
Bayley said she liked the idea of being “Bayley 2 Belts” and Becky warned Bayley that she’s coming to reclaim the blue belt.
The two champs then teamed up to take on Charlotte Flair and Lacey Evans in tag action.
The Becky v Lacey continued to simmer as Lacey laid out “The Man” with the Woman’s Right. Becky escaped a pin by rolling into her own corner and tagging Bayley.
Charlotte tried to put Bayley in the figure-8, but Bayley caught Charlotte with a small package to get the win.
It was presented as a bit of fluke. It would be a big boost to Bayley if she could defeat Charlotte decisively at the next big pay-per-view.
ALI BEATS ANDRADE
Though still nursing their bumps and bruises from the Money in the Bank ladder match, Andrade and Ali put on a solid match last night.
Ali – whose back was heavily taped – took a beating from Andrade.
Andrade threw the high-flyer around the ring, dropkicked him out the air, and nailed him with a savage running double knees to the back.
But Ali got a surprise win when he rolled up Andrade with a crafty small package.
We’d prefer to see Andrade on a dominant streak before challenging Finn Balor for the Intercontinental Championship at Super ShowDown.
WRESTLEMANIA 36 – How can you be there?
ALL rise for The Showcase Of The Immortals!
WWE's annual showpiece WrestleMania takes place on April 5, 2020 from the home of NFL side Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Raymond James Stadium.
Ticket details are yet to be confirmed, but you can still be there.
SunSport will be bringing you the very latest on how to be in Florida for the wrestling spectacle.
Click here to find out all you need to know so you can start planning your trip.
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