WWE SmackDown Results: Biggest Winners, Losers and Moments from June 30

The June 30 episode of SmackDown may have featured a limited roster and minimal star power, but that did not stop the writers of Thursday's show from creating stars of their own, including the night's biggest winner.

Cesaro rolled up in an SUV and started the broadcast dressed in a tux and ready to establish himself as the top contender to the United States Championship. He was supremely confident in his abilities and wasted little time unloading his patented uppercuts on Alberto Del Rio, Sheamus and Apollo Crews.

Looking like a star on a completely different level than his opponents, The Swiss Superman brought an energy to the match that helped elevate it from standard fare to a quality opener.

He was assisted by WWE Creative, too.

Not only was the entire No. 1 Contender's match built around him, but the post-match antics were as well.

After defeating Del Rio with the Sharpshooter—an ode to former tag team partner Tyson Kidd—Cesaro found himself on the receiving end of a sneak attack by the Mexican-born competitor.

Shoved into the steel steps, the core of his body injured and United States champion Rusev opting to defend his title immediately, Cesaro was the sympathetic babyface that fans could invest in emotionally.

They wanted to see the magnificent wrestler muster the will and strength to wrest the title away from the oppressive Bulgarian Brute. No matter how hard he tried, he simply could not. Not because he was not good enough but, rather, because the injuries he sustained made it impossible.

It was clever booking that had Cesaro looking more like a star than anything the rest of the writing staff had done with him to that point.

Over the course of one half-hour, Cesaro evolved from popular midcard performer, to a guy the audience in Miami would have supported through the show and into the main event. He was, without a shadow of doubt, the biggest winner from the broadcast.

Winner: Billie Kay

Credit: WWE.com

The Australian-born competitor made her SmackDown debut Thursday night, battling Dana Brooke in singles competition. A member of the NXT roster—though her appearances have been limited to say the least—she is an accomplished professional wrestler who cut her teeth with all-women's promotion SHIMMER.

Though her contest with Brooke was an elongated squash, Kay was impressive in her bumping for her opponent and fiery in her few bursts of offense. 

There is no proof that this was anything more than a one-off appearance—something supported by commentator Mauro Ranallo's mentioning that Kay is still training in the Performance Center—but for her first opportunity to perform on a worldwide stage, Kay more than held up her end of the deal.

At the very least, she looked more confident in her in-ring skills than her opponent did.

Loser: Sheamus

Credit: WWE.com

The former WWE and World Heavyweight champion was a complete and utter afterthought in Thursday's No. 1 Contender's match. Despite his status as one of the most decorated stars of the last seven years, he had little effect on the match outside of bumping around the squared circle for both Crews and Cesaro.

The Celtic Warrior never once felt like a legitimate threat to leave Miami victoriously.

Sure, he delivered his signature maneuvers and even trapped Cesaro in the Cloverleaf. Yet, it felt hollow, an attempt by a wrestler lost in irrelevancy reminding fans of when he was a main event star, tearing through competition with his trademark Brogue Kick.

To suggest that Sheamus will benefit exponentially from the brand extension would be an understatement of massive proportions. For now, he is wildly unimportant and underutilized as WWE attempts to establish its New Era initiative.