WWE SmackDown live results: The final stop before SummerSlam
WWE is at the Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio tonight for the final stop before SummerSlam.
On the eve of Tribal Combat, Jey Uso is set for action against his younger brother Solo Sikoa. Jey is challenging Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at Saturday’s pay-per-view. Reigns’ title of Tribal Chief will also be on the line.
WWE Women’s Champion Asuka, Bianca Belair, and Charlotte Flair will all be appearing tonight. Asuka is defending her title against Belair and Flair in a triple threat match at SummerSlam.
LA Knight will go one-on-one with Sheamus. Both have been announced as entrants for the battle royal that’s taking place at SummerSlam. The battle royal is sponsored by Slim Jim.
Plus, there will be a new edition of The Grayson Waller Effect with guests Damage CTRL (IYO SKY and Bayley). SKY holds the women’s Money in the Bank briefcase and could potentially cash in at SummerSlam.
Our live coverage starts at 8 pm. Eastern time.
The Summerslam go home episode of Smackdown comes on the air with the music of LA Knight hitting to a huge ovation.
Knight talked about the now 25 man Battle Royal at Summerslam tomorrow night. The graphic showed Knight, Sheamus, Shinsuke Nakamura, Karrion Kross, AJ Styles, Riddle, Santos Escobar, Grayson Waller & The Miz. Knight said that graphic obviously wasn’t everyone in it, ran down The Miz before insulting Sheamus leading to our opening contest.
LA Knight defeated Sheamus (w/Ridge Holland & Butch)
(A solid opening contest that put over the massively popular Knight while getting the guys involved in the battle royal as well. The battle royal seems like just a filler match to get guys on the card, but a win for Knight would make the crowd go wild.)
Sheamus showed off his power early, but Knight gained momentum before hitting a cross body sending both men tumbling outside. We then saw Santos Escobar, The Miz, Grayson Waller, Karrion Kross & AJ Styles all made their way ringside one by one. Sheamus & Knight fought to the apron where Sheamus connected with White Noise on the edge of the ring leading to commercial.
Back from break, Knight fought out of a chin lock and planted Sheamus with a reverse DDT. A slugfest ensued with Sheamus running into a slam by Knight, who got the crowd to chant his name before connecting with a leaping elbow drop. Knight got a near fall off a Torture Rack slam, but Sheamus escaped Blunt Force Trauma into an Irish Curse. While in the corner, Sheamus connected with an avalanche White Noise. Sheamus locked in a Cloverleaf, but Knight got the rope break. Sheamus pulled himself up in the corner, but took too long, as Knight tried to spring up to him, but both men slipped and fell to the floor.
As the ref checked on both men, Austin Theory ran out and attacked Escobar from behind as everyone ringside started brawling with one another. The Miz ran his mouth too much and ate the Ten Beats of the Bodhran by Sheamus, but as he turned around, Knight connected with Blunt Force Trauma to get the win. Knight escaped Kross & Waller’s clutches post match, as they said they will get him tomorrow.
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-Backstage The Brawling Brutes & The OC are arguing and had to be separated by Adam Pearce, who told Holland, Butch, Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows all to go out to the ring and settle it as Sheamus & Styles ended in a face off.
-A very good music video documenting the rivalry of Cody Rhodes & Brock Lesnar is shown. Their saga ends at Summerslam.
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Ridge Holland & Butch vs. Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows (w/Michin) ended in a No Contest
(The match itself was fine, but simply a set up to reintroduce The Street Profits and their new look and attitude. I’m hoping for big things for Dawkins & Ford now that they’re associated with Bobby Lashley.)
Gallows & Holland slugged it out early, as Gallows hit a fall away slam and corner splash before Anderson made the tag and The OC hit a big boot leg sweep combo. A spinning butterfly suplex from Holland allowed Butch to tag in and twist away at the fingers, arm, ear, nose and even goatee of Anderson. Gallows managed a tag and a double team back suplex neckbreaker combo allowed them to control the action into commercial.
Anderson taunted Holland too long and a clothesline led to a hot tag for Butch, who ran wild with corner kicks and diving knee drop to the arm. The match broke down with all four men involved as Holland was sent outside by Anderson, as Butch was going to go for the finish when The Street Profits, both in suits, attacked both teams. A Sky High, spinning butterfly suplex and Pounce into a back suplex led to Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford standing tall at the ramp with Bobby Lashley joining them with a giant smile on his face.
-A vignette of Charlotte Flair on a yacht is shown talking about the biggest women’s match in Summerslam history. She said she’s not looking to beat Bianca Belair or Asuka tomorrow, they have to beat her. That line honestly just made it seem like Charlotte had no interest in winning the title. Michael Cole called her a trailblazing superstar.
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Paul Heyman Explains The History of the Tribal Chief
Heyman was in the ring, briefly insulted the crowd and said this was the last thing Roman Reigns wanted to happen. Heyman told the fans to blame Jey Uso for most likely never seeing Jimmy Uso ever again. What happens to Jey Uso tomorrow won’t be anyone else’s fault but Roman Reigns’ as there will be no remorse, regret or plea for benediction. Heyman threw to a history video package of the Tribal Chief ceremonial necklace the Ula Fala. We see comments from The Wild Samoans, Afa & Sika as Heyman said the only rule in the Tribal Combat will be there must be a winner. Back to Heyman in the ring, who said Reigns is the Undisputed Universal Champion and everyone’s Tribal Chief for almost three years, something Jey Uso will never be.
The only spoiler Heyman was about to give was cut off by The Uso music and Jey Uso made his way to the ring to a massive ovation. Jey said he’ll light up Reigns with sticks, chairs and since he’s the head of the table, he’s going through one. Jey said he will bring everything he has tomorrow to beat Roman Reigns and become the new Tribal Chief and Universal Champion. Solo Sikoa then made his way out and had to be held back by Heyman, who told Jey he screwed up.
Jey tried to tell his brother the mind games don’t work anymore, as he doesn’t need to follow orders from Reigns. Heyman told him to stop, questioning whether Sikoa believed that or not and Sikoa seemed to hesitate to the surprise of Heyman. Sikoa told Heyman to get out of the ring, but Jey popped Sikoa with a superkick to the floor. Jey told Heyman that he’ll see Reigns tomorrow, but Sikoa later tonight.
-A recap of Santos Escobar earning his US Title shot next week is shown, along with the moment Rey Mysterio got injured on the dive. Michael Cole said Mysterio is considered day to day and suffered severe whiplash.
-Kayla Braxton is backstage with Austin Theory, who questioned how Escobar won last week when the match was stopped. Theory hopes Mysterio is watching next week, as he’s dedicating his win next week to Rey. Tonight, Theory will crush the dreams of Cameron Grimes after experiencing Austin Theory live.
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United States Champion Austin Theory defeated Cameron Grimes in a Non Title Match
(Theory got off two moves this entire match, as Grimes took the whole thing aside from that. I know Theory was distracted by Escobar, but this certainly didn’t make the US Champion look strong heading into his title defense next week.)
Immediately at the start of the match, Santos Escobar tried to come to the ring, but was held back by referees and Adam Pearce. Theory turned right into a Cave In and nearly was beat, but got a foot on the ropes. Grimes hit a dive to the floor and slammed repeatedly into the barricade. Back inside, Grimes hit a high cross body and spinning Boss Man Slam for two. Grimes connected on his Collision Course, but as he went for a Cave In again, Theory dodged, hung up Grimes on the ropes and hit A-Town Down for the win. Post match, Escobar appeared and laid out Theory with the Phantom Driver.
-An Asuka training video is shown ahead of the Women’s Title three way and she talked about how she’s beaten both Belair & Flair in the past and has a plan for Summerslam before misting the camera.
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The Grayson Waller Effect with guests Bayley & Io Sky
Waller asked if Sky was going to cash in her Money in the Bank briefcase tomorrow night. Before Sky could answer, Bayley said all the idiots will have to wait for Sky’s decision. We hear laughing from Shotzi throughout the arena as Bayley got scared, but it was Waller who was behind it, cackling at Bayley’s reaction. Bayley said she’s not scared, as Shotzi’s music hit and Bayley didn’t fall for it. Only this time, the tank was driven out on the ramp and Sky ran up after her, but Shotzi was standing behind Bayley. Quickly realizing what was up, Bayley turned, was popped with a punch and Shotzi pulled out hair clippers, which actually had ridiculous sound effects piped in. Shotzi chased Bayley through the crowd as it was revealed Zelina Vega was driving the tank. This led to our next match after commercial break.
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Zelina Vega defeated Io Sky
The match was joined in progress, as both ladies ducked a series of clothesline attempts until they collided. Vega dished out ten corner punches and running clothesline, following up with a Meteora for two. Vega tried a Code Red, but Sky reversed into a double underhook back breaker and double knees in the corner. Sky was going to go for her moonsault, but Bayley & Shotzi spilled out from backstage, complete with dumb sound effects from the hair clippers again. Vega slammed a distracted Sky off the ropes and hit a Code Red for the win.
-Bianca Belair’s training package is shown talking about her previous title reign that ended due to Asuka. Belair said No Disqualifications, No Countouts, No Excuses, as she’ll remind Asuka & Flair why she is the EST and regain her Women’s Title.
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-Michael Cole tells us in 2 weeks in Toronto, we’ll celebrate 25 Years of Edge. Next week will see AJ Styles vs. Karrion Kross while Austin Theory defends the US Title against Santos Escobar.
Jey Uso defeated Solo Sikoa (w/Paul Heyman)
(This turned into a fun little main event, as I believe this was Sikoa’s only second pinfall loss. Uso looked strong heading into his main event with Reigns tomorrow, while also giving his brother a lot of offense here as well.)
Sikoa controlled the action early by utilizing the power game, clearing off the announce table, only for Uso to escape and hit a superkick. Uso connected on a dive that sent Sikoa crashing into the table that took us to commercial. When we returned, we saw Sikoa had taken control with a belly to belly suplex and nerve hold. Sikoa planted Uso with multiple Samoan Drops as Uso tried battling back, but could barely stand. Sikoa took way too long to follow up and missed a corner charge.
Uso connected on the Rock inspired right hands, but was leveled with a Sikoa lariat into the double down. Uso fought back with a high cross body for two, but as he went for a corner charge, Sikoa hit a spinning leg kick. Spinning Solo connected, but Uso ducked the Spike, hit a superkick, Spear and top rope splash for the win.
Post match, Sikoa attacked Uso from behind, got a chair, but Uso gained possession and unloaded shots to the back and side of the head. Uso stood tall on the announce table and Michael Cole questions whether Sikoa will be there for Tribal Combat tomorrow night.
Summerslam 8/5/23
· Roman Reigns vs. Jey Uso in Tribal Combat for the Undisputed WWE Universal Title and recognition of Tribal Chief
· Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar
· Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor for the World Heavyweight Title
· Asuka vs. Bianca Belair vs. Charlotte Flair for the WWE Women’s Title
· Ricochet vs. Logan Paul
· Gunther vs. Drew McIntyre for the WWE Intercontinental Title
· Ronda Rousey vs. Shayna Baszler under MMA Rules
· 25 Man Slim Jim Battle Royal (confirmed names LA Knight, Sheamus, Tommaso Ciampa, Shinsuke Nakamura, Otis, Chad Gable, Riddle, AJ Styles, Karrion Kross, Grayson Waller, The Miz, Santos Escobar)