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Daniel Bryan’s music hit to bring out the former World Hvt. champion to a rousing ovation that was mixed with post-produced boos. The camera picked up “Yes! Yes! Yes!” chants, t-shirts, and signs throughout the arena as Mathews said Bryan has become even more egotistical since WrestleMania.

Once Bryan’s music stopped, the boos kicked in as Bryan surveyed the crowd. “Yes,” he said, which was met by “Yes!” from the crowd. Bryan went back to his first-ever Mania as World Hvt. champion. Then, 18 seconds later, it was as if his World Title reign never even happened. He said it’s tough for him to talk about what happened because he didn’t out-wrestle or out-fight him, but took the cowardly way out. He said Sheamus waited until someone distracted him, then kicked him in the face. Bryan said it was just like he did to Alberto Del Rio, a referee two weeks ago, and him again last week. But, at Extreme Rules, he will not be distracted. Bryan said if Sheamus so much as touches the referee for their match, he will be fired. Bryan said at Extreme Rules, they return to the city (Chicago) where he won the MITB briefcase to set up his World Title run. And, at the PPV, he will beat Sheamus not once, but twice. Bryan paused for a mixture of boos and “Yes!” chants before saying he will do what he does best: wrestle. “I will wrestle. I am going to out-wrestle Sheamus face-to-face like a real man,” he said. Bryan then asked himself rhetorical questions, and the answer was supposed to be “Yes!” which led to more chants.

Suddenly, A.J. interrupted sans music. A.J., dressed to wrestle, stomped out to the ring pleading with Bryan for his time. A.J. ignored Bryan’s request to leave the ring, then Sheamus mocked her that she’s probably out here to distract him again. A.J. said Bryan won’t listen to her, so she has to do it like this. A.J. wanted to talk about their problems, but Bryan cut her off and noted he got rid of “their” problem by dumping her. A.J. looked down at the mat before saying she knows they can work this out. Besides, she just wants to wish Bryan good luck against Sheamus at the PPV. Bryan said he wishes she had not come out here. He wishes she never met her. He wishes he never went out with her. And, actually, he wishes that she was never even born. Big boos and Booker said quietly, “Wow.” Bryan smiled in A.J.’s face as A.J. fought tears, then Bryan vowed to answer one more question while he’s out there. He asked rhetorically if there’s any chance he would take her back, then shouted, “No!” Bryan dropped the mic and confidently walked out of the ring as A.J. sold tears in the ring. Bryan disappeared to the back and they faded to commercial with A.J. still in the ring.

Back on Smackdown, Mathews robotically called this an “intriguing” start to the show. Back in the ring, A.J. was still selling emotions as the announcers made light of her situation. Cole said A.J. should be thankful to D-Bryan, then claimed A.J. brought this upon herself. Booker said A.J. shouldn’t even be out here in the ring tonight.

A.J. vs. NATALYA
The referee called for the bell as A.J. continued to stare toward the entrance ramp. Natalya then walked up to A.J. to console her, and A.J. responded by slapping her across the face before pounding Natalya into the corner. A.J. went nuts on Natalya with slaps and kicks and punches before the ref had enough and DQ’ed her.

WINNER: Natalya via DQ at 0:48
A.J. tried to catch her breath before slipping out of the ring. Cole said she needs to get counseling. A.J. became emotional again as she reached the top of the ramp, then turned and ran to the back.