Shinsuke Nakamura Defeats Jeff Hardy To Become WWE United States Champion; Randy Orton Returns And Attacks Hardy

In quick fashion…

Shinsuke Nakamura and Jeff Hardy’s issue with one another dates back to when Nakamura low-blowed Jeff during their match on the ‘Money In The Bank’ go-home show for SmackDown Live. Jeff stated that Shinsuke had awaken him with the sly move and it brought out a side that the world has not seen for quite some time. This led to SmackDown Live GM Paige announcing a WWE United States Championship match for an episode of the blue-brand exclusive show but due to Shinsuke Nakamura being bitten by a police dog during a routine security check, the match was called off and rescheduled for tonight’s ‘Extreme Rules’ PPV.

Before the match between Shinsuke and Jeff Hardy was officially started, Nakamura decided to low-blow Hardy and the referee did not see the maneuver but nonetheless it was before the bell rang so Nakamura could not be disqualified.

The referee of the bout then rang the bell as Jeff Hardy alerted him that he was good to go. The determined Nakamura followed up by delivering his signature “Kinshasa” knee-strike for the three count and in quick fashion he defeated Jeff Hardy to become the new WWE United States Champion.

Following Nakamura’s quick title win former WWE United States Champion Randy Orton returned to WWE programming after undergoing surgery in May to repair a medial meniscus tear in his left knee. Orton’s last match before taking time off to have surgery was against Jeff Hardy at ‘Backlash’ for the U.S. Title in a bout that Orton fell short in. Randy Orton made his way into the ring and stared down Shinsuke and after he sent his non-verbal message to Nakamura, Orton turned his attention to Jeff Hardy and delivered a low-blow to the defeated champion.

There was another title change to open up tonight’s ‘Extreme Rules’ PPV. For more information on that, click here.