Daniel Bryan stormed in on Michael Cole’s interview with Triple H

BIRMINGHAM, Al – On the final SmackDown before WWE Hell in a Cell, an epic 8-Man Tag Team Match blew the roof off the blue brand. Plus, The Miz suffered the wrath of The Wyatt Family, Paul Heyman & Ryback left “CM Skunk” in anguish and an international pay-per-view contest was established.

In an exclusive SmackDown interview with Michael Cole, WWE COO Triple H explained that the actions of fired Superstar Big Show on Raw Monday led to six WWE employees getting fired by Stephanie McMahon. However, because the giant is currently suing The Authority, The Game said he had been advised not to say anything further on the matter – other than referring to The World’s Largest Athlete as being “irrelevant.”

Photos: Bearded defiance | Watch first part of the interview, exclusively on WWE.com

Instead, Triple H discussed two of Sunday’s pay-per-view showdowns: World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio against a returning John Cena, and Daniel Bryan against Randy Orton for the vacant WWE Title inside Hell in a Cell. In the latter contest, in spite of recent turbulence, he expressed with certainty that special guest referee Shawn Michaels would do the right thing when all was said and done. 

However, Bryan himself would interrupt, defiantly stating he would prove Triple H wrong and walk out of WWE Hell in a Cell with the WWE Title and become the new Face of WWE in the process.

The Usos def. Luke Harper & Erick Rowan

The Miz watches on from commentary as the dangerous Wyatt Family battles The Usos.

With The Miz joining the SmackDown announce team,  Jey & Jimmy Uso took on Wyatt Family disciples Luke Harper & Erick Rowan.

The Eater of Worlds eats a boot from Miz

However, when the action moved outside the ring and Bray Wyatt rose from his rocking chair to urge Harper back through the ropes, Miz made a beeline for “The Eater of Worlds” and booted him to the floor. The Awesome One then enticed Rowan to chase him away from the ring, leaving Harper to suffer the double boot of The Usos and the pin.

Divas Champion AJ Lee def. Nikki Bella

Two nights before AJ Lee defends her Divas Championship against Brie Bella, the champion goes one-on-one with Brie's twin sister, Nikki.

Moments after Tamina took down Brie Bella outside the ring by hurling her into the steel steps, Divas Champion AJ Lee made Nikki tap out to the Black Window. It remains to be seen whether the unpredictable Diva will be able to do the same when she puts the title on the line against Brie at WWE Hell in a Cell on Sunday.

Photos of Bella bashing inside and outside the ring

The Wyatt Family attacked The Miz

The Wyatt Family get revenge on The Miz.

Following The Miz’s interference in The Wyatt Family’s match against The Usos earlier in the night, the creepy trio appeared to dish out mysterious payback. And as they stood over the unconscious Awesome One – who was tied to a rail with the word “liar” written across his chest – Bray Wyatt stated that Miz would now truly know what it means to follow the buzzards.

Los Matadores def. Heath Slater & Drew McIntyre

3MB look to finally get a win over Los Matadores.

With The Real Americans looking on, the exciting new tag team, Los Matadores, scored another impressive victory over Heath Slater & Drew McIntyre thanks to a double bulldog that sent Drew crashing to the canvas. After the bell, El Torito poked fun at Jinder Mahal before disposing of the third member of 3MB with high-flying gusto.

Fear the bull

Not impressed in the least by their victory, Zeb Colter then informed the “border-hopping banditos” that The Real Americans would reign supreme over them at WWE Hell in a Cell this Sunday.

Paul Heyman & Ryback def. "CM Skunk"

Paul Heyman & Ryback get a tune-up match against a CM Punk imposter.

Looking to give the WWE Universe an unorthodox demonstration of the teamwork they will utilize when they face CM Punk in the  first-ever 2-on-1 Handicap Match inside Hell in the Cell this Sunday, Paul Heyman & Ryback took on “CM Skunk” in a Handicap No Disqualification Match.

Heyman & Ryback stink up the ring

And after the mad scientist brutalized the unfortunate local competitor with a Kendo stick, The Big Guy finished him off with Shell Shocked.

Following the carnage, Heyman addressed the WWE Universe and described in feverish detail how he and his monster would destroy The Second City Saint inside the career-altering structure.

Alberto Del Rio proclaimed his intention to “break” Cena

Ready to defend the World Title against a returning John Cena in two days, World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio emerged on SmackDown waving the Mexican flag and proceeded to insult both the “gringos” of America and the “peasants” from his own country.

Del Rio talks "gringos"

Characterizing Cena as the perfect representation of a “gringo,” The Essence of Excellence proclaimed that he will lock the 11-time WWE Champion in the Cross Armbreaker and never let go.

The Great Khali vs. Fandango ended in a No Contest

Fandango clashes with The Great Khali.

When Summer Rae climbed up on the apron in an attempt to distract The Great Khali, Natalya took issue and pulled her back down. After the dancing beauty responded by slapping her, the  third-generation Diva chased Summer into the ring and left the referee no choice but to call for the bell. Then, Fandango reengaged his giant opponent and received a Punjabi Chop for his trouble.

Photos: Summer time or time for a pink and black attack?

Bryan pinned Orton in 8-Man Tag Team main event

SmackDown ends with a huge Eight-Man Tag Team Match.

After Miz was taken out of action – thanks to a mysterious attack by The Wyatt Family – Big E Langston convinced SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero to allow him to step up and take the spot.

8-Man melee en rou te to "Hell" |  WWE Tag Team Title preview |  I.C. Title Match

And with only two days remaining until WWE Hell in a Cell and major pay-per-view momentum on the line, order inevitably broke down in the main event showdown. Daniel Bryan attempted the “YES!” Lock on Dean Ambrose, igniting an all-out melee between all eight Superstars that eventually spread outside the ring.

Out of the chaos, Randy Orton - Bryan's  fellow No. 1 contender to the WWE Title - ultimately emerged with the advantage. However, just when he looked ready to hit his Hell in a Cell opponent with the RKO, Langston reengaged and pushed Orton into The Beard’s running knee – which allowed Bryan to pick up the huge three-count.