WWE SmackDown aired from the Performance Center in Orlando. It was announced that Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville will battle in a Hair vs. Hair match at SummerSlam. Kalisto also made his return during the show.
SmackDown Results (8/14)
- Asuka won the Triple Brand Battle Royal to earn a shot at the SmackDown Women’s Championship
- Sheamus def. Shorty G
- Gran Metalik def. Shinsuke Nakamura
- Big E def. John Morrison
Here are 5 takeaways from this week’s show:
RETRIBUTION Attacked The SmackDown Locker Room
WWE had extra security of every entrance of the Performance Center to prevent RETRIBUTION from getting inside.
Big E was scheduled to face John Morrison in the first match of the night but RETRIBUTION surrounded the ring.
RETRIBUTION beat Big E and Morrison down as Cole and Graves ran away. RETRIBUTION then retreated as SmackDown went to a commercial break.
The Miz told Morrison that he was on the phone with Maryse and would have helped if he could. King Corbin arrived and said that they need a leader against RETRIBUTION. Big E gave a brief speech before Sheamus interrupted. Sheamus told Big E that he was alone and vulnerable.
Sheamus said that RETRIBUTION wouldn’t dare to interfere in his match because he is not afraid of them. Big E told Sheamus that if he had any sense at all he would realize that he is not alone.
Later on the show, Big E battled John Morrison as Miz joined commentary. The lights flickered in the Performance Center once again as SmackDown went to a break. When SmackDown returned, the SmakcDown locker room was surrounding the ring as Big E and Morrison were still competing.
RETRIBUTION was shown backstage attacking WWE officials with baseball bats and chairs. The superstars got the word and rushed backstage to battle RETRIBUTION. Big E locked in the Stretch Muffler submission for the victory. Sheamus leveled Big E with a Brogue Kick after the match.
Asuka Won The Battle Royal To Earn A SmackDown Women’s Championship Match At SummerSlam
Sasha Banks and Bayley came down to the ring as security was now surrounding the ring behind the plexiglass.
Banks said tonight is about SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley and the crowd chanted “you suck!”. Bayley stated that not even a McMahon can hold them down and that they are about to find out the lucky idiot that is going to face her at SummerSlam. Bayley and Banks then took over ring announcing duties and kicked Greg out of the ring. They then introduced the participants of the Battle Royal before Asuka attacked them both.
Match Recap: The IIConics, Liv Morgan, and Ruby Riott were eliminated immediately and brawled outside the ring. Tamina eliminated Nikki Cross and leveled Shotzi Blackheart and Tegan Nox with a Clothesline. Bianca Belair hit Tamina with a Spear and then launched her out of the ring. Lacey Evans eliminated Naomi and then quickly got eliminated by Blackheart.
Baszler locked Blackheart in the Kirifuda Clutch and brought her to the apron. Evans then tripped Shotzi up to eliminate her. Tegan Nox eliminated Bianca Belair. It was now down to Asuka, Nox, and Shayna Baszler. Shayna almost dropped Nox on her head before eliminating her. Asuka landed on Bayley and Banks and was not eliminated. Asuka then dragged Baszler over the top rope and won the Battle Royal.
Asuka now has a title match against Sasha Banks for RAW Women’s Championship and then a SmackDown Women’s Championship match at SummerSlam.
Opinion: I’m hoping that this turns into a Triple Threat match with both titles on the line at SummerSlam. This seemed like it would have been a good opportunity to give someone that hasn’t gotten a push a win and a title match at SummerSlam.
Sheamus Dominated
Sheamus faced Shorty G tonight on SmackDown.
Match Recap: Sheamus dominated the action early but Shorty G battled back and took Sheamus to the canvas. Sheamus broke free and hit Shorty G with a couple of knees to the face. Shorty G connected with a Dropkick off the second rope and went for the cover but Sheamus kicked out at two.
Sheamus planted Shorty G with White Noise and geared up in the corner of the ring. Sheamus hit Shorty G with a massive Brogue Kick for the pinfall victory.
Jeff Hardy Will Face AJ Styles For The IC Title Next Week
Intercontinental Champion AJ Styles came down to the ring with Joseph Parks (Abyss) to present some statistics to determine who his opponent will be at SummerSlam. AJ plugged his Twitch channel before referring to himself as a “handsome stud of a nerd”.
Styles revealed P.I.S.S (Phenomenal Intercontinental Statistics System) and he was ranked #1. AJ then revealed that there was nobody else ranked and that no one has earned the right to be in the ring with him. Jeff Hardy interrupted and made his way to the ring.
Hardy said that the Intercontinental Championship is very special to him because it was the first title he won on his own. Jeff added that Styles versus Hardy sounds “mega cool” and challenged him to a match at SummerSlam. AJ told Jeff that he respects him and has known him for a very long time.
Styles declined and cackled into the microphone. AJ told Jeff that he hasn’t earned the right to be on the board and that this isn’t a pity party. Jeff attacked Styles and hit him with a Twist of Fate. Jeff Hardy then wrote his name on the P.I.S.S system board to end the segment. Styles then accepted the challenge backstage and tried to erase Jeff’s name off the board but it was permanent marker.
Opinion: The writers sure do love using urine jokes in Jeff Hardy storylines for some reason and I don’t understand why the Intercontinental Championship match is happening on SmackDown next week and not SummerSlam two days later.
Braun Strowman Has Lost His Mind
Alexa Bliss sat down for an interview about The Fiend attacking her a couple of weeks ago. Bliss said that she has gotten to know Braun Strowman and that he is a good man and they became best friends. Alexa was asked if she ever considered a romantic relationship with Strowman and she said “maybe”. Footage was shown of Strowman saying that he doesn’t give a damn about Alexa and all he cares about is destroying The Fiend. Alexa was asked how she felt about that and she didn’t answer.
Strowman came down to the ring at the end of the show with a shaved head. Strowman said that he told The Fiend that when he came out of the swamp he is going to be the most evil son of a bitch that anyone has ever laid eyes on. Braun demanded The Fiend come out here so he can destroy him and “consume his entrails”.
Alexa Bliss interrupted and stated that this is not the Strowman she knows. Braun accused Alexa of using him and trying to make him something that he is not. Strowman stated that everyone that comes in contact with The Fiend changes, including Alexa. Braun demanded that Bliss get out of the ring but Alexa refused. Alexa told Braun to look at her and delivered a massive slap to his face.
Strowman smirked and Alexa continued to slap him. Strowman lifted Alexa above his head as the lights in the Performance Center started to go out. Braun dropped Alexa to the canvas and then The Fiend showed up in the ring and Strowman was gone. Braun was then shown on the jumbotron and The Fiend laughed as well to end the show.
Opinion: I have no idea who I am supposed to be rooting for anymore but this was still entertaining in a hokey way. I’m looking forward to see what kind of ridiculous match we get between Strowman and The Fiend at SummerSlam. This week’s SmackDown was a decent show.