WWE SmackDown live results: The Grayson Waller Effect with John Cena

After a week away, John Cena returns to WWE television on tonight’s SmackDown from Denver, Colorado.

Cena will appear as a guest on The Grayson Waller Effect. An interaction between the two at Money in the Bank this summer ended with Cena laying Waller out. The talk show segment was announced last week as Waller sat in on commentary for Austin Theory’s match with LA Knight. 

Knight, meanwhile, will face The Miz in a rematch from Payback. Cena was the special guest referee as Knight defeated Miz in that showdown.

Bayley is set to go one-on-one with Asuka tonight. The match comes in advance of IYO SKY, Bayley’s Damage CTRL stablemate, defending the WWE Women’s Championship against Asuka on SmackDown next Friday.

In a battle of two former Bullet Club members, AJ Styles will wrestle Finn Balor. Last week’s SmackDown ended with Balor and Damian Priest attacking Styles in what was an apparent attempt to recruit Bloodline member Solo Sikoa to Judgment Day’s side.

Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

The Rock/Pat McAfee/Austin Theory segment

Kevin Patrick welcomed everyone into the show and Pat McAfee’s music hit. McAfee got a microphone and stood in the ring. McAfee said he loved the Mile High City and called SmackDown “the greatest wrestling show to ever be on television.” McAfee called the WWE Universe the greatest universe on earth. MaAfee welcomed everyone into Friday Night SmackDown and on cue, Austin Theory’s music hit. 

Theory had a mic in his hands and said it’s not SmackDown; it’s Austin Theory Live. Theory said people in Colorado don’t get oxygen in their heads and that there’s nothing Theory can’t do. Theory said he has unfinished business with McAfee and mocked McAfee for covering college football. Theory said McAfee would go back to his show injured like Aaron Rodgers is injured and the crowd booed. McAfee said he was pumped that Theory was trying to dress and be like McAfee. Theory said McAfee looks like he should be flipping fries. McAfee referenced enjoying the local laws (i.e. legally smoking weed) which popped the crowd. McAfee said SmackDown will never be Theory’s show because it’s the people’s show. McAfee asked Theory if Theory knew what that meant and wouldn’t you know it, The Rock’s music hit and The Rock entered to a gigantic ovation. 

The crowd chanted “Rocky!” after Rock took his sweet good time making his way to the ring. Rock soaked it all up. The crowd “Holy s—” but the censors blocked it out, leaving the show with dead audio for a bit. Theory told Rock that Rock is in Theory’s ring. Theory tried to keep going, but Rock said, “Shut your bitch-ass up.” Rock said Theory doesn’t know how everything works. Rock gave McAfee his microphone and took off his jacket. Rock got the microphone back and said “Finally, The Rock has come back to Denver!” As a result, “Rocky!” chants broke out again. Theory tried the “Finally …” line, but the crowd booed Theory. Theory said he’s going to one day be so great, he will be the entire Mount Rushmore. The Rock started to talk and Theory interrupted him by saying “It doesn’t matter what The Rock says!” 

The Rock said it does matter what The Rock says. Rock asked the crowd if they wanted to see Rock beat Theory down and the crowd said, “Hell yeah!” Rock called Theory an “A Hole.” Rock led the crowd in a split chant of “You are” and “an asshole.” The censors responded accordingly, and it was even more annoying than you could imagine. The Rock broke it up by saying he was having fun with the people. The Rock said he has a theory of his own, and it’s that in three seconds, he was going “whoop Theory’s candy ass,” but Theory attacked Rock first. Rock rebounded quickly and hit a spine-buster before setting up for the People’s Elbow. Rock hit the People’s Elbow and The Rock’s music hit. McAfee followed that up with a People’s Elbow of his own. The Rock’s music hit again and Rock posed to end the segment. 

**********

Finn Balor defeated AJ Styles [8:30]

Maybe the most frustrating thing about watching WWE TV anymore is seeing two wrestlers you know are really very good and then see them execute the WWE style with little to no fanfare in the middle of a card. This match went eight-and-a-half minutes, two of those were lost to commercial, and then we got a distraction finish. Color me hopelessly romantic, but after all these years, I still believe Styles and Balor could work to put on a hell of a match if they even just had 15 minutes. Instead, this. I suppose this keeps the Styles vs. Bloodline story going, and if some reports are to be believed, it’s going to lead to Styles facing off against Roman Reigns in Saudi Arabia in November, but for now, give guys like these more pro wrestling booking love? Maybe? Please?

Balor put the boots to Styles early. Styles fought back until Balor landed a basement dropkick on Styles and worked a chin-lock. Styles eventually worked out of it and landed a tilt-a-whirl back-breaker. Balor then rolled to the outside. The show went to break from there. After that, Styles and Balor went for simultaneous cross-body-blocks and the two were down in the middle of the ring. Styles was up first and landed a forearm and a leaping clothesline. Styles lifted Balor, but Dirty Dom got on the apron, which was enough for Balor to rake the eyes. Styles came right back and face-planted Balor for a two-count. 

With both wrestlers on the ropes, Styles went for a Frankensteiner, but Balor held on to the ropes for a counter. Styles got himself in order and went for a Styles Clash, but Balor fought out of it and ultimately, Balor found himself outside the ring. Styles hit a splash on Balor and clotheslined Dirty Dom. Styles got on the apron and set up for a Phenomenal Forearm, but Damian Priest held Styles’s ankle. The ref ejected the Dom and Priest, but out of nowhere, Jimmy Uso showed up and distracted Styles enough for Balor to roll Styles up for the win. 

**********

– Rock and McAfee were shown talking backstage. Rock turned around and saw John Cena, who shook Rock’s hand and said “Welcome home.” The camera cut to Jimmy Uso backstage. Balor approached Jimmy and thanked Jimmy. Uso said he was just paying Balor back for his help last week. Balor said he saw Jimmy’s brother at Raw and pitched the Usos joining the Judgment Day. Jimmy said they were good on that. Balor said the good thing about the Judgment Day is that there’s no leaders, which means there’s no Roman Reigns. Paul Heyman was shown walking out of the dark, but the camera went back to the ring, where the LWO was in the ring. 

The LWO segment

Rey Mysterio asked Denver what was good. The crowd cheered. Mysterio said a year ago, his career was at a crossroads and personally, he was going through one of the hardest times of his life. Mysterio said he was devastated and heartbroken. He said the LWO reminded him what family really represents and because of that, he’s the U.S. Champion. Santos Escobar hopped on the mic and said their family is full of champions. Escobar noted how Rey stepped up against Austin Theory and Escobar was happy because of that. Escobar said his career dream has always been to face Rey with a title on the line. Escobar asked Rey if he’d face him for the U.S. title. Rey said that of course, he’ll accept. 

Bobby Lashley’s music hit and Lashley came out with the Street Profits. Lashey said a few weeks ago, they said they were taking over and after looking at the LWO, it looks like it’s going to be easier than he ever imagined. The Profits weighed in and compared Mysterio to Oprah saying “You get an opportunity! And you get an opportunity!” The Profits walked the rest of the way to the ring and it looked like we were in for a tag team match after a commercial break. 

**********

The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) defeated LWO (Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde) [0:45 of TV time]

The match was joined in progress and it was one big piece of nothing. After the predictable and useless pin, Lashley and Mysterio had a tiny moment after the Profits kept attacking their opponents, but it was clear that The Rock’s opening segment ran long and at least these guys in this spot got their time cut. I’m not sure anyone is to blame (how the hell are you going to say no to The Rock?), but it was unfortunate. 

**********

– A package on the announcement of the 2024 Royal Rumble aired. The commentary team set up The Miz vs. LA Knight. 

LA Knight defeated The Miz [11:32]

I preferred this match over their match at Payback. It was almost a living, breathing argument for why running house show loops actually mattered when it came to developing programs. Give these guys four weeks on the road to hone this match, and I promise you it’d be even five times better than this. Anyway, this must have (mercifully) been the blowoff for this program as Knight made his intention for gold clear after the match. God bless Miz, man. He’s some sort of high-mid-level gatekeeper that always seems to elevate The Next Big Thing whenever the company calls upon him to work with whoever that is. And somehow, it always works – probably mostly because The Miz is a professional. Neither of these guys were going to have a five-star match in the Tokyo Dome, but as I said a few sentences ago, this was far better than the first Big Match they had. Good on them for it. 

The crowd was ruckus with their “LA Knight” chants to begin the match. The wrestlers locked up and Miz worked a side head-lock. Knight hit a shoulder block and yelled “Yeah!” The crowd followed suit and chanted a “Tiny balls!” chant. Miz begged off, but then rammed Knight into the turnbuckle to gain the upper hand. Miz and Knight traded chops until Knight hit a power-slam for a two-count. Knight landed a neck-breaker and followed that up with a leaping shoulder-block for another two-count. Miz came back quickly with a knee to Knight’s midsection. 

Miz kicked Knight in the head. Miz jawed at the crowd and lifted Knight, but Knight kind of/sort of worked out of it (it looked like Knight slipped at one point) to hit a neck-breaker and a bulldog from the second rope. Miz fired up quickly, though, and face-planted Knight for a two-count. From there, the show went to a commercial break. When the show returned, Miz had control and kicked Knight in the midsection repeatedly. Miz hit a running knee to Knight’s face and got a two-count out of it. Miz went for his finisher, but Knight fought out and ultimately hit a clothesline, Russian Leg Sweep and DDT to fire everyone up. 

Knight hit some boots and a running knee for a two-count. The two traded roll-ups and two-counts. Miz thought he hit a DDT, but Knight grabbed the rope and didn’t hit hard. Miz responded by landed a knee and a modified draping Codebreaker for a near-fall. Miz jawed at the referee and set up for a kick, but Knight moved and hit some punches. Somewhat out of nowhere, Knight landed the BFT for the win. 

After the match, Knight grabbed a microphone and the crowd went nuts for him. Knight did the “Let me talk to ya!” bit and everyone screamed. Knight said he told everyone that he’s coming for gold. Knight said he has different options. Knight said it doesn’t matter if it’s Gunther, Seth Rollins, Rey Mysterio or Roman Reigns. The crowd ate it up. Knight said it ain’t just a catchphrase when he says he’s top two and he ain’t No. 2. The crowd responded with a hearty “Yeah!” and while Knight walked to the back, Paul Heyman and Solo Sikoa were shown watching Knight on a TV. Heyman said he hasn’t received an order from Reigns to take out Knight yet. Heyman told Solo about how Jimmy Uso is cutting deals with Judgment Day. Heyman told Solo that Jimmy thinks he’s back in the Bloodline, but Jimmy isn’t back in the Bloodline. Heyman said they can only make moves when Reigns calls him. Solo said he already knows what he needs to do. Solo said he’s going to finish something … tonight. They segment ended with Heyman telling his cellphone to call Roman Reigns. 

**********

– Backstage, Pretty Deadly rolled up on Adam Pearce. Elton Prince reflected on how his shoulder was and is still broken. Pearce asked them why Prince would be in a wheelchair if the problem was his shoulder. Kit Wilson chimed in and said they will be back before anyone knows it. Prince gave a loud “Yes, boy!” and the two rolled out of frame. 

– Bayley and Dakota Kai were shown talking backstage. Kai told Bayley that Bayley has to show up against Asuka later. Kai mentioned how Bayley has been distracted by Shotzi and asked Bayley if Bayley is actually ready for Asuka. We then went back to the ring for Asuka’s entrance. 

Asuka defeated Bayley [8:57]

I wrote a lot of things that were just magically deleted before they were published, so I’ll keep it short. Asuka has a ton of wins over Bayley and Asuka is the one wrestling for a belt next week, so this was predictable. But the women worked hard and this was worthy of the main event slot. Here’s hoping we get at least 15 minutes out of IYO SKY vs. Bayley next week. 

Asuka had control early until the two traded roll-ups and Bayley retreated to slow things down. Asuka went to the top and hit a missile dropkick, which took Bayley to the outside. Bayley immediately lured Asuka in and took control. From there, the show went to break. Returning to the show, Bayley was working a headlock. Asuka worked out of it briefly, but Bayley came right back with a knee and a two-count. Out of nowhere, Asuka went for an arm-bar, but Bayley kicked out of it. Asuka hit a German Suplex. 

Asuka landed a hip attack and a knee to the head of Bayley for a two-count. Asuka went for some kicks, but Bayley countered and ultimately went for a figure-four, but Asuka turned it around with an ankle lock. Asuka went to the second rope and landed a pseudo Codebreaker from the second rope. Asuka went for an arm-bar, but Bayley rolled to the outside. Bayley threw Asuka around and ripped apart the commentary table. Suddenly, Shotzi poppped up out of the crowd and chased Bayley back into the ring …  where Asuka got the pin with a backslide. After the match, Shotzi and Asuka went for a fist bump. 

**********

The Grayson Waller Effect with John Cena

Waller started out by saying it must be a dream for Cena to be on his talk show. Waller made a reference to the Coach Prime controversy surrounding taking hats off and wearing sunglasses. Waller said Cena needs to be more like Waller and Cena needs to sit back and let the stars shine. Waller said Cena has to make everything about him one more time. Waller said Cena got back in the ring at Packback … but not as a competitor and as a special guest referee. Waller said Cena has been lying to people because Cena doesn’t want to be an in-ring competitor. Waller said there is no doubt that Cena is the greatest of all time, but he’s not the greatest right now. 

Waller mentioned how Austin Theory beat Cena and WrestleMania. Cena stood up and took off his shirt. Cena went to speak, but Jimmy Uso’s music hit and Jimmy walked to the ring. Jimmy and Cena stood in the ring. Cena walked to Jimmy nad Jimmy took the microphone out of Cena’s hand. Jimmy called Waller “Kangaroo Jack” and Jimmy said nobody wanted Cena there. The crowd chanted “Cena!” Jimmy said he was out there to tell Cena that he should fight him or get out of the ring. Solo Sikoa’s music hit and Solo came out with Heyman. Solo and Cena engaged in a stare down. Solo turned around and choked Jimmy before super-kicking Cena. Soli and Jimmy hammered away on Cena until AJ Styles’s music hit and Styles ran to the ring and pounded on Jimmy. Cena then threw Solo outside the ring. Cena lifted Jimmy, but Solo broke it up. Cena’s music hit and that effectively ended the show.