WWE SmackDown: Did Jeff Hardy keep his United States title?
Wednesday 4 July 2018 08:06, UK
Jeff Hardy put his United States title on the line against The Miz in an open challenge on Tuesday night's SmackDown.
In stars-and-stripes-themed face paint (and contact lenses), Hardy faced the latest contender to his crown and almost lost it when Miz nearly got a three-count with his feet on the ropes.
WWE Late Night Smackdown
But the A-lister protested too long and hard about that call and was hit by a Twist of Fate and a textbook swanton bomb to ensure the belt remains around Hardy's waist.
However, with the open challenge set to continue next week - and rumours of Hardy suffering from an injury - there may be a title change on the horizon.
Ellsworth evades Asuka - for now
Asuka was denied the chance to give James Ellsworth a beating when the pair found themselves sharing the match spoils by virtue of a double count-out.
The Empress of Tomorrow did land one particularly satisfying slap across the face on Ellsworth, a shot which echoed all the way around the arena in Omaha.
But as she pursued her prey after the bell, Asuka was blindsided by SmackDown champion Carmella, who had been on special guest commentary.
However, she will get another chance next week when the match is replayed with a lumberjack stipulation.
Team Hell No make winning return
Daniel Bryan and Kane were reunited on SmackDown last week, and such was the impact of the reunion that the pair were immediately granted a title match against the Bludgeon Brothers at Extreme Rules.
That did not sit too well with The Usos, however, who challenged the unlikely duo to a match - a match which Paige then added a stipulation to; if they won, they would be added to the pay-per-view match for the belts.
However, it was not to be the twins' night as a Kane chokeslam saw Team Hell No make their SmackDown in-ring comeback in style, and with a big win.
