Hello all, and welcome to this week’s SmackDown Redux! After an underwhelming surprise attack on the Divas Champion, AJ Lee last week, Paige is looking to gain some momentum going into SummerSlam by taking on Natalya in singles action. Can Paige prove she can be AJ’s white knight, or will Natalya manage to get her storybook ending? Check out the match below:
We start off with Natalya already in the ring, ready for action. Paige skips to the ring next, and we are treated to a recap of her attack on AJ, last week. The official signals for the bell and our match is underway.
Paige immediately begins taunting the 3rd generation Diva, piefacing her a few times, earning a slap for her trouble. Natalya levels the #1 contender with a discus clothesline and a beautiful butterfly suplex, before locking in the Sharpshooter.
A frantic Paige scrambles to the ropes to break the hold, but Nattie pulls her (and the ring skirt) to the middle of the ring. The referee gets involved and Paige escapes to the outside of the ring to take a breather.
Nattie tries to take the fight to Paige on the outside, but Paige hits a Paige Turner out of nowhere and heads into the ring, looking for the countout victory. As Natalya struggles to her feet, Paige give us her best AJ impersonation, paying tribute to her frenemy.
Nattie makes it back into the ring and surprises Paige with a roll up, but Paige kicks out and nails her in the chest with a stiff kick , followed by the PTO for the win.
Thoughts: Great match from these two, albeit fairly short. Natalya is known as one the best pure wrestlers in the entire company (even if she is the most underrated), so it raises Paige’s stock, having picked up a fair win over her.
Honestly, I don’t see Paige winning the title at SummerSlam, but if WWE can keep the fire burning on this fued, I see it being Paige’s breakout moment. We saw it happen with AJ and countless Divas before her. It only takes that one moment to make a star, and I feel it is hidden somewhere within this rivalry. With just 8 days left until SummerSlam, I predict shit will really hit the fan between these two on Raw and/or SmackDown leading into the PPV.
Well, that’s all until next week, guys! Until next time… “I can be your White Knight, AJ!”
