WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from July 25

Tuesday's WWE SmackDown didn't dawdle; it sprinted toward SummerSlam before the smoke from the Battleground pay-per-view on Sunday cleared.

Jinder Mahal now knows that either John Cena or Shinsuke Nakamura will face him at the Aug. 20 blockbuster event. Naomi and Natalya shared an intense staredown ahead of their SummerSlam women's title match. The Usos made sure the bad blood between them and The New Day rose in temperature ahead of the event.

And Chris Jericho's surprise return elevated—and complicated—the United States Championship picture.

AJ Styles walked away as champ, leaving Owens incensed. The Phenomenal One's victory came in a great match, one that capped off a surging edition of SmackDown.

Which stories clicked? Which Superstars most thrived on the blue brand's stage? Read on for a full breakdown of the Battleground-fallout edition of SmackDown.

The Return of Chris Jericho

Owens gloated about reclaiming the United States Championship from Styles and talked of how much better of a champ he was than his rival.

He teased bringing back the open challenge but said he wouldn't defend his title in Richmond, Virginia.

Styles stepped out to have words with KO and demanded a rematch for the gold.

Chris Jericho arrived, shocking Owens in the process.

After recalling how Owens injured him, Y2J said he wanted a title shot of his own. He and Styles bickered over who should get that opportunity first.

General manager Shane McMahon emerged to book a Triple Threat bout between Owens, Styles and Jericho as SmackDown's main event.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "This just feels right, doesn't it?"—Owens on being champion again.
• "It's the return of Jericho. Welcome back, man."—Jericho.
• Jericho says he put a guy in the grocery store in the Walls of Jericho.

Grade

A-

Analysis

Having Jericho back in the mix instantly makes the United States title picture even more must-see. His regular hiatuses have allowed him to avoid getting stale.  

Owens was fantastic here, focusing more on being a jerk than his previous anti-American rhetoric.  

It's odd that Styles and Jericho didn't touch on their previous alliance and rivalry. There was a chance for added tension for both the segment and their upcoming match.

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Baron Corbin

In their Battleground rematch, Shinsuke Nakamura and Baron Corbin began by trading right hands.

The Lone Wolf took control with a methodical offense, but Nakamura fought back with a flurry of kicks. Corbin's power advantage kept him on top for much of the bout, though.

A furious comeback saw Nakamura outlast his foe, ending the bout with a Kinshasa.

Result

Nakamura wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Corbin flips Nakamura over with a clothesline out on the floor. 
• Corbin mocks Nakamura's "good vibrations" gesture.

Grade

B+

Analysis

A more energetic and hard-hitting version of their Battleground clash ended with a more satisfying ending.

Nakamura and Corbin looked good throwing haymakers. Their chemistry was solid.

This feud may not be over, but it's clear The King of Strong Style sits higher on the food chain. It makes sense to have him come away the winner of this feud. Corbin's Money in the Bank briefcase allows him to absorb a number of defeats without freefalling.

Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch vs. Lana and Tamina

Before the bout, Naomi and Natalya met backstage. Natalya talked of how the champ has disrespected the title, and each promised to beat the other at SummerSlam.

Lana didn't want anything to do with Becky Lynch. She let Tamina do the fighting for her until The Irish Lass Kicker was softened up.

The heels dominated until Charlotte Flair charged in. The Queen floored Lana with Natural Selection to put the match away.

Tamina barked at a disappointed Lana before ordering her to come with her.

Result

Lynch and Flair win via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "You've turned this into a kid's toy."—Natalya on Naomi's women's title.
• "You are so stuck in the dirty dungeon of the past."—Naomi.
• "I've never seen a match start with screaming."—John "Bradshaw" Layfield.
• Fans chant "You can't wrestle" to Lana.

Grade

C

Analysis

Both Natalya and Naomi nailed their roles here. Natalya serving as a hardass traditionalist is a perfect fit for her. She's going to thrive in this title chase, with the veteran getting some deserved spotlight.

Lana, on the other hand, is out of her element on the main roster. And it's not as if Tamina is some top-tier ring general who can carry the team. Their alliance remains mysterious and intriguing in that it could go in a number of directions.

Flair and Lynch's partnership, meanwhile, is endearing. They feel like genuine buddies going into battle together. There's plenty to explore there, as well.

Jinder Mahal Demands a SummerSlam Opponent

Mahal called out the SmackDown roster in search of a SummerSlam opponent. Cena came calling.

The 16-time champ congratulated Mahal, telling him he respected him, but he then promised to take down Mahal at SummerSlam before stepping out of the ring.

SmackDown general manager Daniel Bryan announced that Cena and Nakamura would face off next week to decide who would face Mahal at the August PPV.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "I demand to know whose hope I will crush."—Mahal.
• "As a mind reader, you're a piece of crap."—Cena.
• "You may only know my voice from pistachios commercials."—Cena.

Grade

B

Analysis

This was fun stuff from Cena here. He mixed the right amount of humor with his anger and bravado. 

The expected move of Cena challenging Mahal came to pass but with a welcome twist. Having Cena earn his shot is an easy way to create a high-quality, high-stakes match. Plus, WWE can at least toy with the idea of having Nakamaura take on The Maharaja instead.

Aiden English and Mike Kanellis vs. Sami Zayn and Tye Dillinger

Credit: WWE.com

Aiden English

Aiden English introduced Mike and Maria Kanellis through song.

The heel proceeded to beat on Sami Zayn, but Tye Dillinger barreled over his foes once Zayn tagged him in. Moments later, Zayn knocked out Mike with a Helluva Kick.

Result

Zayn and Dillinger win via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• English sings that he "hits like a rock and sings like a dove."
• Maria distracts Zayn to allow English to kick him in the side of the head.

Grade

C-

Analysis

The crowd was hot for Dillinger in this brief bout.

It's nice to see Zayn on a roll, but WWE is forcing the crowd not to take Mike seriously. He's been taken down with little effort in two of his three matches. We haven't seen his vicious side outside of him breaking a vase over Zayn's head.

The lovey-dovey stuff won't work without a layer of danger underneath.

The New Day's Championship Celebration

Credit: WWE.com

The New Day celebrate their title win at Battleground.

Big E couldn't finish his intro. The Usos ambushed him, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods on the entrance ramp. Big E fought back but fell to Jimmy and Jey.

Officials soon arrived, trying to quell the chaos.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• The Usos hurl Kingston into the LED board
• Both Usos clock Big E with superkicks. 

Grade

B+

Analysis

The Usos robbing us of what would have been a glorious, silly celebration is a hell of a heel move. 

The brothers continued to look tremendous here. They were snarling beasts taking down a whole herd. Their attack added a good amount of animosity to what has become one of SmackDown's best feuds.

And it's always a welcome sight for former champions to be this worked up about dropping the belts.

Kevin Owens vs. Chris Jericho vs. AJ Styles (United States Championship)

Credit: WWE.com

Jericho and Styles started out at a blistering pace.

The Phenomenal One clubbed Jericho out of the ring, and Owens talked trash as he pounced on Styles. The action remained fast-paced, with the competitors trading momentum several times.

Jericho nearly won the bout with a Walls of Jericho on KO and a Codebreaker on Styles.

Owens looked ready to finish off Y2J when Styles swooped in. The Phenomenal One threw Owens aside in time to pin Jericho for himself.

After the bell, Owens threw a tantrum. 

Result

Styles wins via pinfall to become United States champion.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• "I don't care about the SmackDown Live audience."—Owens.
• Jericho hits a Lionsault to break up Styles' Calf Crusher.
• Styles nails Jericho with a 450 splash from the top rope.
• Jericho springboards Owens into Styles.
• Jericho kicks out of the Pop-up Powerbomb.

Grade

A

Analysis

An excellent main event overflowed with adrenaline. 

Jericho, Owens and Styles revved up the crowd with fluid, fun action. Everyone impressed and looked like world-beaters.

KO's post-defeat rant was powerful, with the heel's rage sparking on the screen.

The one negative is that WWE went with yet another short title reign. The belt just changed hands on Sunday after Styles won it two weeks before that. The constant switches hurt their dramatic power.