In the wake of WrestleMania, Team Blue saw the dawning of a new era, as Shane McMahon made Paige the new General Manager of SmackDown LIVE. Then, in a fantasy match of Paige's creation, WWE Champion AJ Styles battled Daniel Bryan, a showdown that would fall victim to the wrath of The King of Strong Style. Plus, Carmella cashed in her Money in the Bank contract to become the new SmackDown Women’s Champion after the debuting IIconics laid waste to Charlotte Flair.

WWE Champion AJ Styles arrived at SmackDown LIVE hoping to break out of his vicious mental cycle caused by Samoa Joe over the past several weeks, but his SummerSlam challenger had one last trick up his sleeve that may have driven The Phenomenal One off the deep end just five days before their title clash at The Biggest Event of Summer.