WWE SmackDown live results: Tag team tournament continues

Tonight SmackDown features the return of Jeff Hardy. Two weeks ago, Randy Orton gave Hardy a vicious beatdown, which included brutally pulling on Hardy’s ear. The storyline is that Orton targeted Hardy because the fans put him on a pedestal, and he promised to end Hardy’s career.

Samoa Joe takes on WWE Champion AJ Styles at SummerSlam on August 19. Last week, Joe jumped Styles from behind and locked him in the Coquina Clutch. Joe then signed the SummerSlam contract to make their match official. Both are looking to build momentum as they head to WWE’s biggest event of the summer.

Zelina Vega makes her main roster in-ring debut tonight as she goes one-on-one with Lana. Vega and Lana had a physical altercation last week during Rusev’s match against Andrade “Cien” Almas. Vega and Lana continued to argue on Twitter before their match was announced.

The Usos will also take on The Bar in a tag team tournament match. The winners face The New Day in the finals to determine the next challengers for SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Bludgeon Brothers. Plus, Daniel Bryan is looking for some payback after The Miz attacked him last week.

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

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Renee Young was in the ring to start SmackDown and introduced Becky Lynch. Lynch discussed her upcoming match with SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella at SummerSlam. She noted she hasn’t been champion since 2016. She said she’s born to be a champion and she fought to be a champion. She said it would her honor to walk into the first ever all women’s pay-per-view Evolution as the SmackDown Women’s Champion.

Carmella interrupted Lynch and came down to the ring. She admitted that Lynch beat her fair and square to earn her title shot. Carmella mentioned the importance of Evolution. She said she was always a step behind Lynch. She got emotional when she mentioned that in NXT she was told she would only be a manager and hype girl. She mentioned all of Lynch’s success and that the fans love her. Carmella became emotional again when she said the fans don’t think she deserves to be champion. She’s excited to get in the ring with someone she looks up to.

Carmella wished Lynch good luck in their match and extend her hand when James Ellsworth music hit. Lynch was distracted and Carmella jumped her from behind. Ellsworth never came out. Carmella brought in a chair when Charlotte’s music hit. Charlotte ran out for the save and Carmella ran off.

In the back, The Usos were getting ready to face The Bar in the upcoming match. They did The Rock’s catchphrase and promised to win the tournament.

Paige met with Carmella in her office. Carmella was angry that Charlotte ran out. Paige thinks Carmella should be ashamed of her actions. Carmella pointed out that she’s one thing that Paige can never be and that’s the SmackDown Women’s Champion.

Paige ordered Carmella to face Charlotte later tonight. If Charlotte wins she will be added to the match at SummerSlam and it’ll become a triple threat.

The Bar defeated The Usos To Advance To The Finals Of The Tag team Tournament.

The New Day joined in on commentary and had their own announce table with pancakes. Several times in the match they cut away to focus on The New Day’s commentary.

The Bar had the early advantage and isolated Jey on their side of the ring. Sheamus missed a charge in the corner and Jimmy got the hot tag. Jimmy attempted a dive on Cesaro but Sheamus pushed him out of the way and took the hit. Jimmy hit a crossbody on Cesaro for a close near fall. Jimmy went back up to the top but Cesaro shoved him to the floor.

The Bar attempted a double superplex on Jimmy but Jey made the save. Cesaro attempted a springboard off the second rope but Jey nailed him with a superkick. Jey hit a splash for a very close near fall.

The Usos attempted the double splash off the top but Cesaro caught Jey with an uppercut. Jimmy went for the splash but Sheamus got the knees up and rolled him up for the win. The Bar faces The New Day in the finals of the tag team tournament next week.

Renee Young interviewed Charlotte in her locker room. She was only there to watch Becky Lynch’s back but now she’s got a chance for a title shot at SummerSlam. 

Samoa Joe came down to the ring to address his match with WWE Champion AJ Styles at SummerSlam. Joe sat on a stool in the middle of the ring. He said what he did last week was a message and Styles should know about Joe’s favorite form of communication.

Joe admits he respects Styles, the house he built and that he made the WWE Championship the most prestigious title. He noted that Styles put being champion before friendship and his family. He said Styles is a failure as a father and not a good husband because being champion is more important to Styles.

Joe said all the fans will be cheering for Styles at SummerSlam but Styles’ family will be cheering for Joe. After he tears down the house that Styles built his family can have him back and Joe will be champion.

Jeff Hardy came down to the ring to confront Randy Orton. Hardy said the United States Championship is more than just a title and it connects him with the WWE Universe. He said nothing’s more important than beating Shinsuke Nakamura for the U.S. Championship but beating up Orton comes close. Hardy called out Orton.

Orton came down to the ring but didn’t enter. Nakamura jumped Hardy from behind and attempted the Kinshasa. Orton stepped in the way and had a stare down with Nakamura. Orton stepped aside and ordered Nakamura to hit the Kinshasa, which he did. Nakamura left and Orton teased hitting the RKO on Hardy but instead gave him the Garvin stomp.

Orton then hit the draping DDT in the ring. He went to the floor and gave Hardy the draping DDT from the apron to the floor. Orton ripped off Hardy’s shirt and chain. He poured water on Hardy’s face and wiped off the face paint. 

Renee Young interviewed Becky Lynch as she exited her locker room. Lynch is happy Charlotte’s back but isn’t so happy about a potential triple threat match.

Zelina Vega (w/ Andrade “Cien” Almas) defeated Lana

Vega did a roll through and a pose. Lana responded with her own pose. They shoved each other and Lana tackled Vega to the ground. Vega took over and slowed the pace down. Vega hit the double knees in the corner for a near fall.

Vega attempted the Hammer Lock DDT but Lana back dropped out of it. Lana made a comeback and scored a two count. Almas tried to distract Lana but Aiden English ran out and went after Almas. This distracted Lana and Vega rolled her up for the win.

Aiden English found Lana in the back and apologized for interfering in the match. Lana told him to leave. Rusev tried to talk to English but he left. Lana understands Rusev needs to figure out what’s best for him but she needed him out there.

Daniel Bryan came out to address The Miz’s attack from last week. He mentioned that WWE announced the first all women’s pay-per-view Evolution last week. He talked about his wife Brie Bella and noted he’s proud of her. He said Evolution is a huge step forward.

He turned his attention to The Miz and the attack last week. Bryan pointed out that Miz is afraid to face him and tried to build a wall between them. Bryan called out The Miz but he appeared on the big screen instead. Miz said if Bryan wants a match he has to earn it. He claimed to be on set for Miz & Mrs.

Bryan said he came out for a fight but Miz is hiding. Bryan called Miz a coward. Miz mentioned that the last time he called him a coward was on Talking Smack. Bryan said this is about passion for him and about fame for Miz.

Bryan said the wrestler turned Hollywood star has been done before. Bryan said Miz is never going to be The Rock or John Cena. Bryan called Miz soft and challenged him to a match at SummerSlam.

Miz told Bryan to give up and let his contract expire. He said the Yes Movement is over and Team Hell No is over. Miz said the fans look at Bryan and see one thing. A series of babies crying appeared on the screen. 

Charlotte Flair defeated SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella In A Non-title match To Earn A Title Shot At SummerSlam

Backstage before the match, Carmella said she wants to face Becky Lynch in a singles match. She tried to cause problems between Lynch and Flair

Flair was in control early until she missed a plancha to the floor. Flair took back over and rocked Carmella with chops. Flair attempted a moonsault but Carmella got her feet up. Carmella threw Flair over the barricade to the timekeeper’s area but Flair beat the count.

Carmella gained control and slowed the pace down. Flair fought back and rocked Carmella with a big boot for a near fall. Flair caught Carmella with a moonsault off the barricade on the floor. Flair hit Natural Selection for a very close near fall. Carmella fought back and hit a superkick for another near fall.

Carmella attempted the figure four but Flair countered into the figure eight for the win. Flair is added to the SummerSlam match, which is now SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella defending against Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch.

Next Week: WWE Champion AJ Styles returns and addresses Samoa Joe’s comments. Plus, The New Day takes on The Bar in the finals of the tag team tournament to earn a match against the SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Bludgeon Brothers.