With the brand extension and Battleground on the horizon, the WWE presented one of the final taped editions of "SmackDown" on Tuesday -- set to air this Thursday -- from Miami.
In the main event of the evening, it was a champion vs. champion bout as WWE World Heavyweight Champion Dean Ambrose defeated WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz in a non-title match.
The contest came to fruition after The Miz hosted the "Lunatic Fringe" on MizTV and they got into a brawl, which saw the IC Champion gain the upper-hand.
In the opening match of the evening, Cesaro defeated Sheamus, Apollo Crews and Alberto Del Rio in a Fatal 4 Way match to become the No. 1 contender to Rusev's United States Championship. Sheamus took the "Swiss Superman" out following the match.
Rusev then came down to the ring and declared that his title defense against Cesaro would start right away. The "Bulgarian Brute" emerged victorious in what was said to be a great encounter.
Other action saw Braun Strowman and Erick Rowan squash two local wrestlers, Dana Brooke overcome NXT's Billie Kay and Sasha Banks surpass Summer Rae.
This edition of "SmackDown" will air just over three weeks before Battleground and it continued to build up toward the show on July 24 at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.
Quick Match Results
--Cesaro def. Sheamus, Apollo Crews & Alberto Del Rio in a Fatal 4 Way to become No. 1 contender for the United States Championship.
--Rusev w/ Lana def. Cesaro to retain the U.S. Championship.
--Dana Brooke def. Billie Kay.
--Braun Strowman & Erick Rowan def. local wrestlers.
--Sasha Banks def. Summer Rae.
--WWE World Heavyweight Champion Dean Ambrose def. WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz w/ Maryse in a non-title champion vs. champion match.
Source: Wrestlingheadlines.com.
Updated Battleground Card
Triple Threat Match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Dean Ambrose (c) vs. Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns
Singles Match
Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens
