WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from June 30

Every week on Bleacher Report, I take an in-depth look at WWE SmackDown to recap the results, offer analysis and grade the matches, segments and anything else that takes place on the show, as well as make a few predictions for future events.

WWE is trying to juggle building the card for the Battleground pay-per-view with the upcoming draft when SmackDown goes live on July 19.

Thankfully, the company has found a decent balance and managed to produce a good show this week, with the biggest highlights being Cesaro's back-to-back matches.

We also saw the main-roster debut of NXT Superstar Billie Kay. Judging from how things went in her match against Dana Brooke, this likely isn't a permanent move, and she will continue to be part of the developmental system for the foreseeable future.

Let's take a look at everything that happened on this week's episode of SmackDown.

Sheamus vs. Cesaro vs. Apollo Crews vs. Alberto Del Rio

This week's show didn't waste any time getting to the action, with a Fatal 4-Way match to determine the No. 1 contender for the United States Championship kicking things off. The participants were Alberto Del Rio, Sheamus, Cesaro and Apollo Crews.

Each Superstar was given around 30 seconds to give a promo backstage about why he should win. Once everyone was in the ring, Sheamus and Del Rio went after each other to continue the fight they started on Raw.

They eventually tried to work together, but their union didn't last long. As soon as Sheamus had his back turned, Del Rio hit him with a backstabber.

The quick pace led to some fun spots, especially when all four men were involved. Cesaro made Del Rio tap out to earn a shot at Rusev's title in a good opening match.

Grade: B+

Notes and Highlights

• The presentation of the pre-match promos during the SmackDown theme song was a nice touch. Hearing why each Superstar wanted to win gave the match a little more importance.
• Cesaro has the coolest entrance video in WWE today.
• The lack of a reaction for Crews during his entrance is management's fault. He has so much potential, but WWE hasn't done enough to get him over. He may have been brought up too soon. If he had a few more months in NXT, he could have built his reputation before coming to the main roster.
• I'm curious to know what everyone thinks of David Otunga's work on commentary.

Rusev vs. Cesaro

Del Rio attacked Cesaro after his victory, which made it easy for Rusev to come out and pick up an easy win to retain the U.S. title.

The Fatal 4-Way bout was good, but what was the point of having Cesaro defeat three game competitors if he was just going to lose a few moments later?

This is another case of WWE giving the fans what they want, only to yank it out of their hands before they had a chance to enjoy Cesaro getting what could have been an important win.

That being said, Cesaro did end up looking good by choosing to fight despite being attacked after having fought in a four-man contest. Rusev and Cesaro worked well together to produce a decent match, but the logic behind it was questionable.

Grade: B-

Notes and Highlights

• Does that tape on Cesaro's shoulder actually do anything to help him?
• Mauro Ranallo quoted a Jim Croce song during the match, which happens a lot more than you would expect. Apparently everyone loves Croce as much as I do.
• Lana always looks amazing, but I miss her uptight persona with the business suits and bun in her hair. She sold the militant personality well.
• After the match, Rusev was informed he would be defending his title against Titus O'Neil on Raw. I predict we are going see a new champion on Monday.

Dana Brooke vs. Billie Kay

NXT talent Billie Kay made her main-roster debut in a singles match against Dana Brooke. Since WWE didn't hype Kay's appearance and she ended up losing, she probably isn't leaving NXT for Raw or SmackDown.

Kay may be new to most of the WWE Universe, but she has been wrestling for almost nine years, working for Shimmer, CZW and Ring of Honor before signing with NXT in 2015.

If WWE ever decides to give her a real push, she could be a nice addition to the women's division. She has great athleticism and the kind of look management likes.

This match was too quick to be anything special, but Brooke gained a little momentum with the win, and Kay got some exposure that could lead to a push in NXT.

Grade: C

Notes and Highlights

• Brooke's attire reminds me of someone from a comic book, but I can't think of which character it is. Do you have any idea who it might be?
• Kay looks like she could be a Kardashian, but she has too much talent to be part of that family.
• Sasha Banks gave an interview backstage, bashing Charlotte and Brooke, when Summer Rae walked up and goaded her into a match.

Miz TV

The Miz made his return to SmackDown after filming The Marine 5: Battleground for the past month to host an episode of Miz TV. 

As usual, he was interrupted by his guest's entrance music. Dean Ambrose apologized for being late as a result of being so busy with his duties as WWE world heavyweight champion. He didn't even have time to eat, so he brought a sandwich to the ring with him.

They argued about who had the better talk show, and it led to The Miz attacking Ambrose after The Lunatic Fringe used the intercontinental champion's designer jacket as a napkin.

They didn't accomplish anything in this segment that they couldn't have done with a one-minute confrontation backstage. It just felt like filler.

Grade: C-

Notes and Highlights

• Do you think it's a coincidence the next pay-per-view is called Battleground and The Miz just got done filming a movie with the same word in the title?
• Ambrose called The Miz's new movie "Maroon 5: Battleground," which was funny. So was the fact Ambrose continued to eat his sandwich after being attacked.
• The Miz called one of the chairs from his set "one of a kind," but there were three identical chairs in the ring.
• Remember when Superstar talk shows such as Piper's Pit had a whole set with props? WWE has gotten so lazy with these segments. All we get now is some carpet and a few chairs.

The Wyatt Family vs. Jobbers

Braun Strowman and Erick Rowan picked up what was possibly the most pointless victory of their careers over two local jobbers.

We already know how dominant these two monsters can be. We don't need to see them beating up two guys whose combined weight is less than any one of the members of The Wyatt Family.

The New Day appeared on the screen after the match and gave a Bray Wyatt-style promo, complete with a sheep mask and unicorn horn.

Grade: D-

Notes and Highlights

• It seems like WWE is using jobbers a lot more lately, which doesn't work as well as it used to. Superstars will only get over if they defeat opponents people recognize, and at this point, The Wyatt Family doesn't need a random win such as this.
• I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I miss Luke Harper. Hopefully he heals up quickly and gets back to being the best wrestler in the group.
• What's up with Xavier Woods being so nervous during these segments? Let's hope WWE isn't planning on doing something stupid like having him switch stables.

Sasha Banks vs. Summer Rae

The second women's bout of the night saw Sasha Banks and Summer Rae take their backstage argument from earlier in the show to the ring.

They were given two full segments to work with, so they were able to do a lot more than Brooke and Kay were in their match. 

You could tell Summer was doing her best to show everyone how much she has improved, but she was overshadowed by the infinitely more popular Banks.

Other than a few little mistakes, this was a solid outing from these two women. In fact, this was the best Summer has looked in the ring in a long time. However, Banks still ended up defeating her.

Grade: B-

Notes and Highlights

• Summer may not be as talented in the ring as some of the other women on the roster, but she has her heel mannerisms down pat.
• It's a little surprising Snoop Dogg hasn't produced new entrance music for Banks since they are cousins and he is a huge WWE fan.

The Miz vs. Dean Ambrose

The main event of the evening saw The Miz take on Dean Ambrose in a non-title champion vs. champion match.

These men have worked together several times in the past, so they had enough chemistry to put on a decent show, but it felt like something was missing.

Even during the end sequence, when the pace picked up, it felt like both men had an extra gear they just weren't tapping into.

Despite feeling like this could have been better, it was still one of the best matches of the night. Ambrose picked up the win to cap off the night and send the crowd home happy.

Grade: B+

Notes and Highlights

• Remember when champion vs. champion matches were a big deal? Those were good times.
• I forgot The Miz used the Figure-Four Leglock as a finisher until he tried to use it on Ambrose.
• Maryse didn't get involved in this one as much as she usually does. She only distracted Ambrose once, and it didn't even work.

What did you think of this week's SmackDown?

Thanks for reading, and follow me on Twitter: @BR_Doctor.