LA Knight VS Sheamus
Friday Night SmackDown kicked off with the Megastar LA Knight cutting a promo about the different people that are going to be in the (Slim Jim) Summerslam Battle Royal. Sheamus then arrived as it was time for the first match of the night. Knight and Sheamus were only on their own (besides The Brawling Brutes) for a few minutes because “everyone” who’s going to be competing in the Summerslam Battle Royal decided to make their way to ringside. This match was alright, but it never felt like it hit top gear. That was mainly down to the fact that the camera team as well as the commentators were more interested in what was going on outside the ring rather than the actual in-ring action. Austin Theory showed up and attacked Santos Escobar which started a brawl between the Faces and Heels before LA Knight hit the B.F.T. to get the victory. One thing that this finish guaranteed is Knight isn't winning at Summerslam tonight.
Grade: C+
The Brawling Brutes VS The O.C., Paul Heyman explains Tribal Combat, Austin Theory VS Cameron Grimes
The Brawling Brutes and The O.C. got into an argument backstage and that led to Adam Pearce booking a match between the two teams (minus Sheamus and AJ Styles). That match then took place and I couldn’t tell you anything that happened because that wasn’t the point. During the match, the two teams were attacked by none other than The Street Profits as Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins, dressed in fancy suits, laid out the other two teams. This was totally unexpected and very cool as I’ve been waiting for The Street Profits to do something different for a long, long time. Bobby Lashley also arrived and he’s just so good at what he does.
Grade: B (All down to the Profits)
We got a video for Charlotte Flair as The Queen talked about how she’s going to become a 15-time Women’s Champion at Summerslam before Paul Heyman was in the ring as he explained how Tribal Combat works. I love how I’ve been waiting for Reigns-Uso III for nearly 3 years now, yet I could only think about Black Panther when Paul was explaining how everything works. Jey Uso then arrived but was quickly interrupted by Solo Sikoa before Jey brilliantly told Solo that Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman are manipulating him like they did to the Right Hand Man for 3 years. Sikoa then seemed quite annoyed with Heyman before Uso Superkicked him to end the segment. This was good, can’t really say much more.
Grade: B-
Austin Theory cut a promo on both Santos Escobar and Cameron Grimes and this led to a match between the United States Champion and the incredibly likeable Babyface. I quite enjoyed this match, even though it was pretty short. There was a brilliant moment where Austin Theory got distracted by Santos Escobar and this resulted in Cameron hitting the Cave In, only to be denied victory by Theory’s boot luckily falling onto the bottom rope (this was so good). The rest of the match saw some good action between two very talented men in their 20s, but in the end, it was Theory who picked up the victory with the A-Town Down. After the match, Santos Escobar arrived and hit the Phantom Driver on the Champion to stand tall a week before their Championship clash. I really like everyone involved in this so I had a good time.
Grade: B-
The Grayson Waller Effect, Iyo Sky VS Zelina Vega
Asuka was clearly angry over the fact that she has to defend her WWE Women’s Championship in a Triple Threat Match at Summerslam, but she said she’s not worried because she has a plan. If you have any ideas what that plan is then please let me know because I have no clue! It was then time for the “return” of The Grayson Waller Effect with very special guests Bayley and Miss Money in the Bank Iyo Sky. This was definitely my favourite main roster GW Effect yet as neither Bayley nor Waller seemed to like each other and Grayson’s line about a “table being better than a door” was particularly good. Shotzi’s laugh then started playing around the arena which scared the life out of Bayley, only for the Arrogant Aussie to reveal that he’d planned for that. This guy is just incredible! However, Shotzi’s music then started playing as someone came out on the tank. However, that wasn’t Shotzi as The Ballsy Badass stood behind Bayley with a brand-new look as she chased The Role Model off with a razor!
Grade: B
Zelina Vega, who revealed herself to be the one driving the tank (why she was I’ll never know), got in the ring as she was about to go one-on-one with Miss Money in the Bank Iyo Sky. Iyo was in complete control early on and would’ve had the match won if she didn’t become distracted by the fact that Shotzi was literally trying to shave Bayley’s hair off on the ramp. This allowed Zelina to hit a nice Code Red to get the victory. I was shocked to Zelina win as I didn’t expect it at all. However, it also makes me believe more than I did before that Iyo’s going to cash in on Charlotte Flair (the person I see winning the Women’s Triple Threat) at Summerslam. Also, if Shotzi’s character's meant to be scary and sadistic, she absolutely nailed it.
Grade: C+
Jey Uso VS Solo Sikoa
After a video showing Bianca Belair getting ready for Summerslam, it was main event time as “Main Event” Jey Uso went to battle with his younger brother Solo Sikoa. This match was alright, both guys obviously know each other so well and it felt like a pretty even contest. However, there could only be one winner, and after Jey stunned Solo with a Spear, the former Right Hand Man delivered the Uso Splash to get the victory. Before he could celebrate, Sikoa attacked Uso from behind before Jey eventually laid his brother out with some wicked chair shots. I can’t really give this too high of a grade because it doesn’t feel like much happened, but I’m 150% invested in Reigns VS Uso at Summerslam tonight in what could be the biggest/best match in WWE history.
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