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7 Takeaways From WWE SmackDown (7/31)

Charlotte Flair SmackDown

Written by

Robert Lentini

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The July 31st episode of WWE SmackDown aired live from the Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. Here are takeaways 7 from the show:

Charlotte Returned To Save Becky Lynch

Renee Young welcomed Becky Lynch down to the ring to start off this week’s episode of WWE SmackDown. Lynch stated that she hasn’t had a title match since WrestleMania 33, which is almost a year and a half ago. She added that she couldn’t sleep after she defeated Carmella last week and is now in line for a shot at the SmackDown Women’s Champion.

Becky said she will give it her all at SummerSlam and it would be an honor to walk into WWE Evolution the SmackDown Women’s Champion. Carmella interrupted and made her way down to the ring. Carmella stated that normally she would come out here with some kind of excuse as to why she was fired but that is not the case tonight.

Carmella congratulated Becky on beating her fair and square last week on SmackDown and earning her title shot. She brought up being a part of the first ever all women’s PPV and claimed that she has failed as a representative. Carmella added that Becky has always been a step ahead of her. Carmella admitted that she was told in NXT that she would only ever be a manager or a hype girl.

She stated that she was the last draft pick to SmackDown while Becky Lynch was the first female Superstar selected. Carmella noted that the WWE Universe has always loved Becky Lynch and the crowd responded by chanting “Becky!”. Carmella then got choked up and said that most of the WWE Universe do not think she deserves to be champion.

Carmella wiped away the tears and admitted that it was exhausting dealing with all the haters on social media. Carmella changed her tune and said she could not be more excited to face someone she has always admired at WWE SummerSlam. Carmella wished Becky luck and extended her hand. Ellsworth’s music hit and Becky Lynch was distracted by it.

Carmella used the distraction and Superkicked Lynch in the face. Carmella then grabbed a chair from under the ring when Charlotte’s music hit. Charlotte Flair rushed the ring and booted Carmella in the face. Charlotte then connected with an Exploder Suplex that sent Carmella out of the ring. Carmella retreated up the entrance ramp as Charlotte helped Becky Lynch back up to her feet.

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Carmella then confronted SmackDown GM Paige backstage and Paige told her that she should be ashamed of herself. Paige announced that Carmella will face Charlotte tonight and if Flair wins she will be added to the SmackDown Women’s Championship match at SummerSlam.

The Bar Advanced In The Tag Team Tournament

The Usos faced The Bar in the SmackDown Tag Team Tournament. The winners of the tournament will go on to face The Bludgeon Brothers at WWE SummerSlam for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships. Before the match started, New Day’s music hit and the trio joined commentary for the match.

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Sheamus and Cesaro controlled the match early. Sheamus locked in a Chin Lock as New Day ate cereal and pancakes ringside. Jey broke free and connected with a few punches to the Sheamus’ face. Sheamus charged at Jey in the corner but Jey got out of the way and Sheamus crashed into the ring post.

Cesaro and Jimmy Uso then tagged in. Jimmy planted Cesaro with a Samoan Drop for a two count. Jimmy followed it up with an Enziguri to Cesaro’s head that sent Cesaro out of the ring. Jimmy hit Sheamus with a Suicide Dive and then brought Cesaro back into the ring. Jimmy Uso then scaled to the top rope and connected with a Crossbody for a near fall.

Jimmy made his way back up to the top rope but Cesaro got up and shoved Jimmy from behind. SmackDown went to a commercial break as Jimmy Uso crashed into the barricade outside the ring.

When SmackDown returned, Jimmy Uso connected flipped onto Cesaro off the top rope in the middle of the ring. Jey Uso hit Cesaro with a Superkick as Sheamus tagged in. Jimmy then tagged in and connected with a Splash onto Sheamus. Jimmy went for the cover but Cesaro broke it up at the last second.

The Usos climbed up on opposite turnbuckles and went for dueling Splashes. Cesaro got into the ring and hit Jey Uso on the way down with an uppercut. Sheamus also got his knees up and rolled Uso up for the pinfall victory. The Bar will face New Day next week on SmackDown to determine which team will face The Bludgeon Brothers at WWE SummerSlam.

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Samoa Joe Delivered A Personal Message To AJ Styles

Samoa Joe delivered a message to WWE Champion AJ Styles tonight on SmackDown. Styles will defend the WWE Championship against Samoa Joe at WWE SummerSlam.

Joe took a seat in the middle of the ring and said the following:

“Now AJ, what I did to you last week, well that was me sending a message and I think you are more than familiar with my favorite form of communication. The truth be told, I respect you AJ and the house that you have built. I respect that you have made the WWE Championship the most prestigious title in WWE.

You put being champion in front of everything in your life, including being a member of your own family. AJ you came out here and told a lovely tale about how you can now look at your daughter and tell her you can be anything you can put your mind to. AJ, I’ve known you long enough to know that you are barely home to hug your child, let alone look her in the eye.

The truth is AJ, you feel much more comfortable being on the road living out of a suitcase than being a husband to your wife. You have put being a champion above all else, even if it means you are a failure as a father. AJ do not worry, for all your sacrifices I am coming soon to take it all from you. When the whole world is cheering you on at SummerSlam, secretly your family will be cheering for me. After I’m done tearing down your house and putting you to sleep, your wife and kids will have their daddy back but I will be WWE Champion.”

Randy Orton Attacked Jeff Hardy Again

Jeff Hardy came down to the ring to a great reaction from the crowd. Jeff said that the US Championship is more than a title to him it is his lifeforce and it deepens his connection with the WWE Universe.

Hardy said that there is nothing more important than beating Shinsuke Nakamura and taking back the title. Jeff noted that there was one thing that was almost as important and called out Randy Orton.

Orton came down to the ring but Nakamura attacked Jeff Hardy from behind. Nakamura then geared up in the corner but Randy Orton got in Shinsuke’s face. Orton backed Shinsuke to the corner of the ring while Jeff struggled his way to his feet.

Randy nodded at Nakamura and Shinsuke took out Hardy with the Kinshasa. Orton once again got in Nakamura’s face and exchanged some words with him. Shinsuke rolled out of the ring as Orton remained in the ring with Hardy.

Orton got the crowd riled up and then set up for the RKO. Orton didn’t do the RKO but simply knocked Hardy over instead. Orton started stomping on Jeff in the ring over and over again. Randy then planted Hardy with a DDT while he was hung up in the ropes and then dragged Jeff to the apron. Orton connected with another DDT off the apron and to the floor outside the ring. Randy then cleared off the announce table and placed Hardy on it. Orton unloaded several punches to Jeff’s face.

Orton ripped off Hardy’s wristbands and shirt and then took his chain. Randy put the chain in his pocket and then grabbed a bottle of water and a towel. He poured the water on Jeff’s face and started scrubbing off Hardy’s facepaint.

Aiden English Cost Lana Her Match

Zelina Vega battled Lana tonight on SmackDown. Andrade “Cien” Almas was ringside for the match. Vega controlled the match the match early and connected with Double Knees in the corner of the ring for a two count.

Vega went for the Hammerlock DDT but Lana countered into a Back Body Drop. Lana hit a flurry of Clotheslines and followed it up with a Clothesline. Lana connected with Double Knees and went for the cover but Vega was able to kick out at two.

Lana elbowed Vega in the face and made her way up the turnbuckle. Almas hopped up on the ring apron in an effort to distract Lana. Aiden English sprinted to down the entrance ramp and dragged Almas off the ring apron. Lana was somehow still distracted by this and Vega capitalized with a roll-up for the victory.

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After the match, Aiden English told Lana that all he was trying to do was help her. Lana told him to leave as Rusev showed up. Lana then scolded Rusev for not being out there tonight to help her.

Daniel Bryan Challenged The Miz To A Match At SummerSlam

Daniel Bryan came down to the ring and rolled footage of The Miz throwing a fake baby at him last week on SmackDown. Bryan called out The Miz and said that he would like nothing more than to punch Miz in the face right now.

The Miz appeared on the jumbotron and said that Bryan has to earn his way to fight him. Miz told Bryan to call his agent because right now he is on the set of Miz & Mrs. Daniel accused The Miz of hiding and called him a coward.

Miz asked the crowd if they thought he was a coward and then brought up his confrontation with Bryan on Talking Smack. The Miz noted that it only took him 5 minutes to make Daniel famous. Daniel stated that The Miz is never going to be The Rock, John Cena and nobody will never remember him as a great Superstar because he is too soft.

Bryan then challenged The Miz to a match at WWE SummerSlam. The Miz told Bryan to accept a reality that the Yes Movement is over and the WWE Universe has moved on. Miz told Bryan to let his contract expire and go entertain dozens of people in high school gyms. Miz added that when people look at Bryan all they see is a crying baby.

The SmackDown Women’s Championship Match At SummerSlam Is Now A Triple Threat

Carmella battled Charlotte Flair in the main event of this week’s SmackDown. If Charlotte won the match, she would be added to the SmackDown Women’s Championship match at SummerSlam.

Becky Lynch was shown backstage watching the match as Carmella and Charlotte locked up in the middle of the ring. Charlotte went for the Figure Four right away but Carmella was able to escape. Flair decked Carmella with a shoulder tackle and strutted across the ring. Carmella battled back and launched Charlotte into the barricade surrounding the ring as SmackDown went to a commercial break.

Charlotte was back in control of the match when SmackDown returned. Flair hit Carmella with a series of chops that knocked her to the canvas. Charlotte followed it up with a Belly to Back Suplex and then made her way up to the top rope. Charlotte went for a Moonsault but Carmella got her knees up and then threw Flair out of the ring.

Carmella went after Charlotte and slammed her into the barricade once again. Carmella then threw Flair into the timekeeper’s area and the referee started counting. Flair got back into the ring at the last second to beat the count but Carmella greeted her with a punch to the face.

Flair battled out of a Headlock by slamming Carmella into the turnbuckle a few times. Carmella grabbed Flair by the hair and whipped her into the middle turnbuckle. Carmella delivered a boot to the face but Flair bounced off the ropes and connected with a big boot of her own for a near fall.

Charlotte went for the Figure Four once again but Carmella was able to escape out of the ring. Flair got pissed off and hopped up on the barricade outside the ring. Charlotte hit a Moonsault onto Carmella and then threw her back into the ring.

Flair immediately hit Natural Selection but Carmella was able to kick out at two. Flair couldn’t believe that Carmella kicked out and held her face in her hands. Flair went for a Spear but Carmella countered with a boot to the face. Carmella then countered the Figure Four into a roll-up for a two count.

Carmella connected with a Superkick and went for the cover but Flair was able to get her shoulder up at the last moment. Carmella tried to apply the Figure Four but Charlotte escaped and locked in a Figure Four of her own for the submission victory. Carmella will now defend her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Becky Lynch and Carmella in a Triple Threat Match at WWE SummerSlam. Lynch was shown backstage with a pissed off look on her face as SmackDown went off the air.

Opinion: This week’s episode of SmackDown was very entertaining and once again was vastly superior to WWE RAW. The opening segment was very well done and the main event between Charlotte and Carmella was also solid. I thought Samoa Joe’s promo on AJ Styles was excellent. There are very few Superstars on the main roster right now as talented as Samoa Joe and it great to see him in a WWE Championship feud heading into SummerSlam.

What did you think of this week’s episode of SmackDown? Let us know in the comments below.

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