WWE SmackDown! Season 15 Episode 44 Sheamus's 4th of July US Championship Challenge (Newark, NJ)
- July 4, 2014
- 82 min
In this episode of WWE SmackDown, named Sheamus's 4th of July US Championship Challenge, we follow the ongoing feud between Sheamus and Jeff Hardy, who will go head-to-head in a US Championship match. The show opens with a video package highlighting the tension between the two wrestlers, with both Hardy and Sheamus discussing their rivalry and the importance of the championship title.
We then see the two wrestlers make their entrances to the ring, with the crowd firmly split between support for Hardy and support for Sheamus. The match itself is a hard-hitting affair, with both wrestlers trading blows and executing impressive maneuvers. Throughout the match, Sheamus is able to maintain control, using his strength to keep Hardy on the defensive. However, Hardy is able to mount a comeback, with a series of high-flying attacks that send Sheamus reeling.
Despite Hardy's efforts, Sheamus is ultimately able to come out on top, his brute strength proving too much for the high-flying Hardy. Following the match, Sheamus stands in the center of the ring, holding the US Championship belt aloft and taunting the defeated Hardy.
We then move on to a series of backstage segments, where various wrestlers discuss their goals and ambitions. We see a tense encounter between AJ Styles and Drew Gulak, as the two trade insults and threats. Later, we see a lighter moment between Mandy Rose and Otis, as they discuss their recent friendship and their plans for the future.
The show then moves on to a match between Lacey Evans and Naomi. Both wrestlers are skilled athletes, and the match is a back-and-forth affair with a number of impressive moves from both sides. In the end, it is Evans who emerges victorious, using her signature Woman's Right punch to secure the win.
We then move on to a segment featuring King Corbin, who discusses his plans for the future. He talks about his desire to become the next Universal Champion, and takes shots at various other wrestlers in the process.
The main event of the show sees a clash between Big E and The Miz. The two wrestlers have very different styles, with Big E relying on his power and The Miz relying on his cunning and technical ability. Throughout the match, both wrestlers are able to showcase their skills, with a number of near falls and close calls. In the end, it is Big E who emerges victorious, using his Big Ending finishing move to secure the win.
The show concludes with a final segment featuring Sheamus, who celebrates his victory and taunts his defeated opponents. However, he is interrupted by a surprise appearance from Jeff Hardy, who challenges him to a rematch for the US Championship. Sheamus accepts the challenge, setting the stage for what is sure to be another intense showdown in the future.
Overall, this episode of WWE SmackDown features a number of exciting matches and intriguing storylines, building towards what promises to be an explosive future for the show.