Welcome to our live coverage of Thursday night’s SmackDown coinciding with the broadcast on SyFy at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT.
* Seth Rollins, Big Show, Knae and J&J Security open the show. Rollins is wearing his new WWE Heavyweight Championship Title. Rollins says he’s solidified himself as the new face of the WWE and explains why he didn’t give Brock Lesnar his rematch on Monday Night Raw due to being jet-lagged. Rollins says Lesnar got what he deserved with the indefinite suspension. Randy Orton walks out at this point. “How quickly you forget, ” says Orton. “I remember everything.” Kane informs Orton he’ll be facing Big Show tonight and if he wins, maybe the Authority will reconsider his title opportunity versus Rollins.
* Randy Orton vs. Big Show — As the match begins J&J and Kane attack Orton from behind. After he’s down Rollins comes in to try and finish the job but Orton gets the upper hand. As Kane and J&J attack Orton again Ryback comes out to assist and he cleans house. Rollins escapes.
* Natalya vs. Naomi — Bella Twins are ringside with guest commentary. Naomi locks Nattie’s head in a scissors lock and drives her head first to the canvas, then the pin.
* Backstage Kane and Rollins exchange words. Rollins doesn’t want to face Orton but Kane insists on it. Dean Ambrose takes a poop in Kane’s executive bathroom and to pay him back Kane matches him up with Luke Harper later this evening.
* We see an interview with Roman Reigns talking about his title match versus Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania and how Rollins was able to scoop in and capture the belt. Reigns says 30 more seconds and he would’ve beaten Lesnar. Reigns says he’s beaten Rollins before and will do it again.
* Miz vs. R-Truth — Miz with a Skullcrush finale for the pin. Mizdow comes from behind and gives Miz a Skullcrush of his own, then takes Miz’s sunglasses and puts them on much to the pleasure of the fans in attendance.
* John Cena talks about his win over Rusev at WrestleMania and extends his open challenge for his U.S. Championship. Rusev and Lana come out. “I did not lose at WrestleMania,” says Rusev. “John Cena, you’re not a hero, you’re a coward like all of these. This is Rusev’s domain, Rusev’s country, Rusev’s world.” He tells Cena to either give up the belt to him or get crushed. Cena tells Rusev to bring it on but the Russian says they will meet at Extreme Rules.
* Dean Ambrose vs. Luke Harper — Harper ends up putting Ambrose through the announce table with a Power Bomb slam.
* Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan — Bad News Barrett on guest commentary. Dolph Ziggler was supposed to be in this match, along with Barrett, in a 2 vs. 2 match, but Ziggler had to pull out. Bryan gets tossed out of the ring where Barrett blasts him when the ref isn’t looking and he’s counted out, giving Sheamus the win.