Last Time in Action: Gunther defeated Nick Aldis (SummerSlam, August 1); Matt Cardona lost to Ricky Saints (Main Event, July 16)
Back from the commercial, Gunther and Cardona battled in an impromptu match.
The Ring General dominated the action, even powerbombing the former United States and Intercontinental Champion onto the commentary table. Feeding off his wife’s sense of urgency, Cardona fought back into the ring and delivered a Rough Ryder for a high-drama near fall.
Gunther put him down with consecutive powerbombs, then tapped Cardona out with a most appropriate Boston Crab.
After the match, Nia Jax and Lash Legend hit the ring, with the former announcing her desire to challenge for the WWE Women’s Championship. Before the heels could do any further damage to the Hot Mess, Tiffany Stratton unsuccessfully made the save, hammering away at Irresistible Forces, only to be left lying.
An extended squash victory for Gunther, which is what it should have been given his stature compared to Cardona’s, led to an angle that sets up a future title program. This worked, much like the opening segment, as SmackDown continued its hot first 30 minutes.