SmackDown: July 5, 2013

The fuse got lit on an explosive conflict between CM Punk & Alberto Del Rio

Teddy Long makes a main event match between CM Punk and World Champion Alberto Del Rio.

KANSAS – With nine days until Money in the Bank, fireworks erupted over SmackDown’s main event between CM Punk and World Champion Alberto Del Rio. Plus, Kaitlyn chased Divas Champion AJ Lee off the blue brand, Randy Orton battled it out with fellow Money in the Bank All-Star Christian and Dolph Ziggler showed exactly why he is The Showoff. 

"Best in the World" photos | Watch Punk SmackDown moments

CM Punk kicked things off with a rare SmackDown appearance, explaining how he deeply relates to the Fourth of July concept of independence. He also cited his two immediate goals: getting his hands on Brock Lesnar and winning the Money in the Bank All-Star Ladder Match so he could once again become WWE Champion.  
 
Punk was soon interrupted by World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio, however, who insisted that “The Best in the World” was standing on “his” show. Del Rio then went on to insult Punk, Dolph Ziggler and the traditions of millions of celebrating Americans.

Though Punk seemed more than ready to take on Del Rio right there, SmackDown Senior Advisor Theodore Long quickly hit the brakes, instead placing the two competitors in a SmackDown main event showdown.

The Usos def. Team Rhodes Scholars

The Usos square off with Team Rhodes Scholars on SmackDown.

Dispelling speculation that they may be at odds in the upcoming World Heavyweight Championship Contract Money in the Bank Ladder Match, Damien Sandow & Cody Rhodes reaffirmed their friendship by saying, simply, “May the best man win.” Despite their comradery, they couldn’t stop Jimmy & Jey Uso from delivering  an incredible double splash off the top rope for the tag team victory.

Photos of the No. 1 contenders' huge win 

However, the celebration was interrupted by The Shield on the TitanTron. Though The Usos & Christian beat them one week ago in six-man tag team action, The Hounds of Justice warned their No. 1 contenders that Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns would walk out of Money in the Bank  still the titleholders and Dean Ambrose would become Mr. Money in the Bank.

Alicia Fox def. Kaitlyn

Will Divas Champion AJ Lee prove to be another distraction for Kaitlyn?

Though Kaitlyn kicked the distracting Divas Champion AJ Lee off the ring apron, Alicia Fox  seized the moment and rolled up the No. 1 contender to the butterfly-emblazoned title for the quick three-count.

Beautiful photos of the Divas showdown | Heated Divas rivalries

Determined not to wait for their  Divas Title Rematch at Money in the Bank, a fuming Hybrid Diva charged after AJ after the bell, chasing her up the ramp.

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Randy Orton def. Christian

Christian and Randy Orton go one-one-one just 9 days before they both participate in the Money in the Bank All Stars Ladder Match.

Both poised to win the  Money in the Bank All-Stars Ladder Match in nine days, longtime rivals Randy Orton and Christian went head-to-head in a knockdown, drag-out battle for momentum.

Photos of the All-Star clash 

At the height of the action, Christian miraculously avoided the RKO, but WWE’s Apex Predator quickly rebounded, charging toward the turnbuckle to foil Captain Charisma’s imminent aerial follow up. And in the split second that Christian tried to regroup, The Viper went for his devastating finishing maneuver again, this time connecting for the pinfall.

Dolph Ziggler def. Drew McIntyre

Dolph Ziggler faces Drew McIntyre, but needs to find a way to escape from all of the members of 3MB.

With AJ Lee and Big E Langston long gone – fleeing the arena to escape the wrath of a pursuing Kaitlyn – Dolph Ziggler took a moment before his match to address the WWE Universe. Characterizing World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio as a phony, Ziggler pledged to once again defeat The Mexican Superstar for the World Title at Money in the Bank.

Photos of Ziggler playing 3MB

Then, after overcoming Drew McIntyre with the Zig Zag,  The Showoff “showed up” two separate post-match attacks by 3MB, brashly ”zigzagging” all around the ring without picking up so much as a scratch.

Fandango def. Justin Gabriel

Fandango attempts to ground the high-flying Justin Gabriel.

After running out on his match against Sheamus on Raw, Fandango  danced back into the victory lane by defeating the high-flying Justin Gabriel with a thunderous leg drop off the top rope.

Rhythmic photos of Fandango in action

Zeb Colter gave an Independence Day address

Zeb Colter shares his unique and controversial thoughts about America's Independence Day.

With Antonio Cesaro and Jack Swagger flanking him on either side, Zeb Colter expressed another contentious pre-recorded message, once again citing his controversial agenda. “We the People!”

CM Punk vs. Alberto Del Rio ended in a No Contest

CM Punk and World Champion Alberto Del Rio collide in the main event of SmackDown while Paul Heyman is at ringside to help provide commentary.

Earlier on SmackDown, Paul Heyman urged CM Punk to let him stand in his corner at Money in the Bank, but “The Best in the World” responded by requesting that his friend stay out of things altogether. However, Teddy Long would later order Heyman to join the SmackDown announce team for the main event match between Punk and World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio.

Photos of "The Best" going ballistic 

When the match spilled outside the ring, Del Rio looked to use the announce table as a weapon. Though Heyman tried to talk him out of it, The Mexican Superstar knocked the ECW founder to the ringside floor. Seeing this, Punk snapped, viciously attacking Del Rio until the referee counted out both Superstars.

After the bell, The Straight Edge Superstar refused to relent, executing the GTS on his opponent. He then helped his war-torn friend away from the chaos as SmackDown went off the air.

Refresh for the latest SmackDown outcomes, videos and photos.

CM Punk vs. Alberto Del Rio ended in a double count-out ( WATCH | PHOTOS)

Fandango def. Justin Gabriel ( WATCH | PHOTOS)

Dolph Ziggler def. Drew McIntyre ( WATCH | PHOTOS)

Randy Orton def. Christian ( WATCH | PHOTOS)

Alicia Fox def. Kaitlyn ( WATCH | PHOTOS)

The Usos def. Team Rhodes Scholars ( WATCH | PHOTOS)