Tonight’s SmackDown opens up with a video package looking at some the recent antics by RETRIBUTION. We also see their invasion of the WWE Performance Center on last Friday’s show.
– We’re live on a tape delay from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida as the developmental trainees cheer in the crowd. Michael Cole welcomes us. He’s joined by Corey Graves at ringside. Cole says WWE has taken precautions for RETRIBUTION tonight. We see how extra security has been hired to guard the entrances. They also hype tonight’s line-up.
Big E vs. John Morrison
We go right to the ring and out comes Big E as Greg Hamilton does the introductions. We get a pre-recorded video of Big E hyping himself up for this singles run. Out next comes John Morrison. We also get a pre-recorded vide of Morrison talking about how The New Day is injury prone.
The lights start flickering as the match is about to begin. A masked female member of RETRIBUTION appears on the apron. Big E and Morrison stop and look at her. She enters the ring and faces off with Big E and Morrison now. More masked men and women appear with weapons inside the Performance Center. Cole and Graves run to the back. Big E and Morrison start fighting the masked invaders but they’re beat down. Other members of the group are standing on top of the announce table, yelling and raising their weapons. They lay Big E and Morrison out as the boos get louder. RETRIBUTION now takes off and runs away to the back.
Big E is face down in the ring. Morrison is laid out on the floor at ringside. The Miz runs down and checks on Morrison as we go to commercial.
Backstage:
We are back and wrestlers are in the back. Miz apologizes to Morrison for not being there because he was on the phone with Maryse. Miz says this wouldn’t have happened if Big E didn’t put out his tweet.
Baron Corbin shows up and he says that they are under attack and they need leadership. He is the king so he will be the one to lead them. Big E tells Corbin to shut his mouth. He says this is their house and the Foot Clan from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are not going to take over. Big E says he will go out there an beat John Morrison and he will show Retribution. Now is not the time to run and hide, it is the time to fight.
Sheamus shows up and applauds the speech. Sheamus says he has goosebumps and he never heard a desperate cry for help so much. Sheamus tells Big E he is alone, vulnerable, and scared. That is why Retribution attacked them. Sheamus has some words for Shorty G and he says Retribution will not interfere in his match. He says they are afraid of him.
Tri-Brand Battle Royal: Asuka, Tegan Nox, Shotzi Blackheart, Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan, Shayna Baszler, Bianca Belair, Peyton Royce, Billie Kay, Naomi, Lacey Evans, Dana Brooke, Nikki Cross
Sasha Banks and Bayley are in the ring now. They say RETRIBUTION actually wants to hear what they have to say and everyone else should too. Banks says everyone knows not to interrupt them. Bayley says it’s time to get this show going with the Tri-Brand Battle Royal. They keep ranting on the mic and now it’s time for the Battle Royal. They kick Hamilton out of the ring and say they are taking his job now.
Banks and Bayley start doing introductions for this match. They introduce The IIconics from RAW first – Billie Kay and Peyton Royce. The winner of this match will challenge Bayley for the blue brand title at SummerSlam. Banks and Bayley take shots at The IIconics as they enter the ring. WWE NXT Superstars Tegan Nox and Shotzi Blackheart are introduced next. Bayley and Banks comment on the NXT stars idolizing them. Lacey Evans is introduced next and they mention her daughter. The next entrant is… Banks and Bayley are confused about this one. The music hits and out comes Asuka from RAW. Asuka hits the ring and brawls with the champs. They retreat to the floor and look on as Asuka raises Banks’ title in the air. The other competitors run down to the ring as we go to commercial.
The match starts and people pair up. Billie and Peyton send Ruby to the apron but Liv makes the save. Tegan works over Nikki Cross. Liv is sent to the apron by Billie and Peyton. Ruby is knocked off the apron and is eliminated. Liv eliminates Billie and Peyton but Billie and Peyton illegally eliminate Liv so all four women battle on the floor while Sasha and Bayley laugh at them. Nikki goes to the apron and is knocked to the floor but she went through the middle ropes. Dana Brooke goes for a baseball slide and Nikki pulls out the ring skirt and connects with forearms.
Belair is sent to the apron and Nox tries to eliminate her. Naomi chokes Lacey in the corner while Tamina and Nikki battle. Nikki removes layers of clothing as she works over Tamina. Tamina sends Nikki to the apron and Tamina with a super kick to elliminate Nikki. Tamina with a clothesline to Shotzi and Tegan. Bianca and Tamina square off and Tamina pushes Bianca and Bianca with forearms Bianca with a spear to Tamina followed by a double chicken wing gourdbuster to eliminate Tamina. Lacey Irish whips Naomi and Naomi is sent to the apron. Naomi with kicks to Lacey and Shayna. Lacey with a Woman’s Right to eliminate Lacey. Lacey gets her special tissues. Shotzi sends Lacey to the apron and Lacey is eliminated.
Shayna with a Kirifuda Clutch on Shotzi that sends her to the apron. Lacey pulls Shotzi off the apron to illegally eliminate her. Tegan sends Bianca to the apron and eliminates her. Tegan with running European uppercuts to Asuka and Shayna. Tegan with Cannonboars. Tegan with a gourdbuster to Asuka. Shayna sends Tegan to the apron and Dana eliminates Tegan. Dana with a drop kick to Shayna and she goes for cartwheel into an elbow but Shayna catches Dana and sends her to the apron.
Asuka with a hip attack to eliminate Dana.
We are down to our final two and it is Asuka and Shayna. Shayna kicks Asuka off the apron but Asuka holds on. Asuka kicks Shayna and Bayley tries to pull Asuka off the apron. Asuka with a sliding kick to Sasha and Bayley. Shayna kicks Asuka off the apron but Asuka lands on Sasha and Bayley. Shayna with a Kirifuda Clutch but Asuka pulls Shayna over the top rope to eliminate her.
Winner: Asuka
Asuka now has SummerSlam title shots against Banks and Bayley. She celebrates as the music hits and we go to replays as The Golden Role Models look on, not happy with the result.
– We go back to Sonya Deville’s attack on Mandy Rose. Back to commercial.
– Back from the break and we see Sasha Banks and Bayley backstage. Bayley isn’t happy about Asuka earning the right to face her at SummerSlam. They calm down some but Asuka suddenly attacks and beats her down. Asuka taunts Banks and Bayley as officials rush over to break things up.
Backstage:
Mandy Rose is in the back and she tells Sonya that part of what she said was true. You aren’t the first person to say that Mandy Rose is just a pretty face. She is a Barbie Doll. She is fake. She can’t wrestle. She had everything handed to her. Mandy says that hurts her. Mandy asks Sonya if having three jobs while putting herself through college and winning that bikini title mean having things handed to her. You know how hard she has worked. It is a reminder to myself. Mandy thanks Sonya for reminding her that she is so much more than a pretty face. You thought by cutting my hair was going to destroy me. How about, you and me at SummerSlam in a hair versus hair match. You want to sit on your high horse and not care about a selfie. Put your money where your mouth is. It will get ugly.
– Sheamus walks past ‘security’ and he tells them to take the night off because Retribution won’t be showing up on his time. Back to commercial.
Backstage:
We are back and Nikki Cross is in the back and she sees Alexa Bliss and hugs her but Alexa does not reciprocate. Nikki apologizes for what she did to Alexa. Alexa tells Nikki she is fine. Nikki says they need to get Alexa somewhere safe. Alexa says she needs to get some answers from Braun.
Sheamus vs. Shorty G
Gable with punches but Sheamus with elbows in the corner. Sheamus sends Gable to the apron and connects with forearms across the chest. Sheamus sends Gable back into the ring and connects with a European uppercut. Gable with a drop kick to the knee and a spinning knee drop to the leg. Gable with a body scissors and crossfaces. Sheamus with an Irish Hammer and a uranage back breaker. Sheamus with a knee drop. Gable with punches and Sheamus goes for a slam but Gable with a rolling Capo kick and he goes up top and hits a missile drop kick.
Gable avoids an Air Raid Crash and Gable goes for an ankle lock. Gable with a jackknife cover for a near fall. Sheamus with an Irisih Curse and Brogue Kick for the three count.
Winner: Sheamus
– AJ Styles is seen backstage yelling at WWE Producer Joseph Parks, who looks terrified as he shows AJ something on a screen. Graves says AJ is tired of facing challengers who aren’t worthy, so tonight we will see the debut of the Phenomenal Statistic System. Back to commercial.
In the Arena:
AJ Styles makes his way to the ring and Joseph Park is with him.
AJ says there is a lot going on in the WWE right now and no one cares about the hooligans trying to break up the ring. Who will face AJ Styles for the Intercontinental Championship? It doesn’t matter. AJ says that Daniel Bryan wanted him to be a fighting champion and he has beaten Drew Gulak, Matt Riddle, and Gran Metalik. AJ says he wants to enjoy being the Intercontinental Champion. He wants to get on his Twitch stream and enjoy the moment. So many people are throwing out statistics. Who will be your next opponent?
What do you know about statistics? Then it dawned on him. He says he is looking at batting averages in baseball. He is looking at statistics. AJ says he is a handsome stud of a nerd himself because he cares about statistics. AJ says he has hired a team. The Phenomenal Intercontinental Statistics System (PISS).
You will have to earn this on merit. AJ says it is time to see who is number one.
AJ says he is number one. AJ says let’s take a look at who is on the board. Noboby. No one has earned the right to be in the ring with AJ Styles. The truth is that if you work hard, real hard, really really really hard, one day you can make it on this board to face AJ Styles.
Jeff Hardy makes his way to the ring.
Jeff says AJ has been phenomenal and he won that tournament but he never got that chance because of Sheamus. Jeff says that title is special to him because it was the first title he won on his own. He was standing on his own two feet then, just like he is now after conquering his demons. He knows what he has accomplished and AJ Styles versus Jeff Hardy sounds mega cool. Jeff asks AJ for a chance at that fresh new Intercontinental Championship.
AJ says statistics aside, he respects Jeff and always has. He has known Jeff for a long time and Jeff has always been good to him. He gets it. He says there are a lot of people who would love to see them in a WWE ring. You were part of the best tag team in WWE history. You deserve to be on that board. If you think I am going to face Jeff Hardy in this ring for the Intercontinental Championship… HELL NO! You haven’t earned a chance to be on this board. This ain’t a pity party.
Hardy punches Styles and then hits a Twist of Fate. Jeff writes his name on the board and signs it.
– We see SmackDown Tag Team Champions Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura backstage. They put the belts on display and talk some about Lucha House Party not having a chance against them. Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik suddenly creep up and snatch the titles, running away with them. The champs go after them as we return to a commercial break.
Backstage:
AJ Styles is ambushed by Kayla Braxton and he is asked about Jeff Hardy’s challenge. AJ says that Jeff attacked him. He doesn’t respect him or analytics. AJ says that when you do this to AJ Styles, you are erased. AJ can’t get what Jeff wrote on the white board because it was in permanent marker.
Backstage:
Cesaro says The Lucha House Party are nothing but a couple of Spanish Flies, not the cool move. They are annoying little pests. Cesaro asks Nakamura what do they with annoying little pests. We get some sound effects and Nakamura says we squish them.
Gran Metalik vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
We go back to the ring and out comes Lucha House Party – Gran Metalik with Lince Dorado. The SmackDown Tag Team Champions are out next – Shinsuke Nakamura with Cesaro. We get a sidebar video with Cesaro cutting a promo on Lucha House Party.
The bell rings and they go at it. Nakamura takes Metalik to the corner and beats him down. Cesaro has regained possession of both titles as he stands with them at ringside. Nakamura keeps Metalik down and drops a big knee for a 2 count. Cole talks about how it’s rumored that SmackDown will be in a different venue next week, and live. Graves says there will be fan involvement that takes it to a new level.
The match continues as Metalik tries to mount some offense. Nakamura cuts him off and covers for another pin attempt. Nakamura with more big kicks now. Metalik with a crossbody. More back and forth now. Metalik slams Nakamura on his face. Metalik with a big springboard back elbow but Nakamura kicks out at 2. Metalik avoids an Exploder suplex and drops Nakamura with a kick.
Metalik goes to the top rope but Cesaro provides a distraction from the apron, allowing Nakamura to nail a big kick for a close 2 count. Nakamura tries for the Exploder and nails it this time. Nakamura waits for Metalik to get up. He calls for the Kinshasa but the music interrupts and out comes Kalisto to the stage, making his return. Cesaro and Nakamura are surprised. Lince and Kalisto end up double teaming Cesaro on the ramp. Kalisto drops him on the ramp with a big DDT. Metalik takes advantage in the ring and connect with a big elbow drop for the pin to win.
Winner: Gran Metalik
– We see Alexa Bliss backstage preparing for her sitdown interview. Back to commercial.
Backstage:
Back from the break and Kayla is with Matt Riddle in the back. She asks about King Baron Corbin and his King’s Ransom, and RETRIBUTION. Riddle says a bounty on your head isn’t cool but he came here to compete and he wants to compete, but Corbin walks around calling himself a king but he’s just a royal pain. Riddle says he’s called Corbin out and tried to fight him, even costing him a match with Sheamus last week. Riddle doesn’t know what else to do. Shorty G walks up and says he has to explain himself. He has a family to feed and got caught up in the King’s Ransom, but that doesn’t justify what he did. Trying to injure another Superstar is not him and he’s embarrassed. G came here to apologize face to face, man to man. He extends his hand for a shake and Riddle says it’s all good, he gets it. Riddle says if G ever wants to go at it, let him know because The Bro is up for a fight. Corbin suddenly attacks Riddle from behind and beats him down. Corbin talks down at Riddle as G looks on, not impressed with the sneak attack. Corbin thanks G for helping him but it looks like G wasn’t involved. Corbin walks off.
Backstage:
Cole sends us to Alexa Bliss backstage. She’s being interviewed by an unknown interviewer. She talks about how she previously got to know WWE Universal Champion Braun Strowman. We see some clips from their past together. She says Strowman is awesome, a good man, funny and witty, protective, passionate. They get along so well because they call each other on their crap. They can be fun with each other and be best friends. The interviewer asks if she thought it would become more than a friendship, like romantically? She asks. She says maybe because they both cared about each other. He asks if that’s why “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt targeted her. She doesn’t know, that’s a question for The Fiend. He asks what it’s like to be in The Fiend’s presence. She says it’s scary, terrifying, and also compelling. She says once you’ve interacted with The Fiend, it’s almost like you can just feel his presence. For the first time in her life she understands what they say when they say “a moth to a flame.” We see Braun’s comments from last week where he told The Fiend that he doesn’t give a damn about Bliss, all he cares about is destroying The Fiend because he is The Monster. He asks Bliss how that made her feel. Bliss thinks about it and doesn’t say anything. She just looks away and the interview ends. Back to commercial.
– We are back and AJ Styles will face Jeff Hardy for the Intercontinental Championship on Smackdown.
Backstage:
Sonya Deville says she is a little surprised by the challenge. Who knew it would take a little haircut to get some aggression out of you. Sonya says you will look great bald. You may think you have gotten over your insecurities and have heard it your entire life. Maybe they say that because it is true. I will destroy you once and for all. Challenge accepted. See you soon baldy.
Big E vs. John Morrison
They lock up and Morrison with a kick to the leg. Big E with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Big E with a forearm. Morrison misses kicks and then applies a waist lock but Big E escapes with a hip lock take down. Morrison with a kick. Morrison goes for a springboard move and Big E knocks Morrison to the floor. Morrison with a kick from the apron but Big E with a clothesline and then he pulls Morrison over the apron and connects with forearms across the chest. Big E with a splash on the apron.
Miz gives Morrison some moral support and that distracts Big E and Morrison clips Big E. Morrison kicks and punches Big E and puts the leg on the middle rope and drops a knee on the leg. Morrison with a reverse chin lock and Otis makes his way to the ring with his briefcase.
The lights flicker and Cole calls for security and we go to commercial.
Back from the break and we see security out around the arena. The SmackDown locker room is also out around the ringside area. The lights start flickering again as the Big E vs. Morrison match goes on. The camera cuts backstage and we see RETRIBUTION members destroying catering. They attack referees and then take out a security guard with a steel chair after he runs in. They continue destroying the room, throwing chairs around and turning tables over. They bully other people and start spray painting the walls.
We go back to the match as Morrison drops Big E with a kick for a 2 count. A referee finally runs out and tells the Superstars about what’s happening backstage. They run to the back as Morrison and Big E keep fighting. Miz also stays on commentary and says he will let the others deal with RETRIBUTION. Morrison takes out Big E’s hurt knee again. We see the SmackDown Superstars rush to the back to find the room destroyed. RETRIBUTION is gone. We go back to the ring and Morrison climbs to the top with Big E. Big E fights back and shoves him to the mat.
Morrison charges but Big E catches him with the Uranage for a close 2 count. The crowd rallies and Morrison avoids the Big Ending. Morrison turns it around and delivers a kick but Big E rolls him for a 2 count. Morrison tries to resist but Big E catches him in the Stretch Muffler submission for the win.
Winner: Big E
After the match, Big E stands tall as his music hits. He rolls to the floor to leave as Miz checks on Morrison. Big E is suddenly leveled at ringside by a big Brogue Kick from Sheamus, who runs down the ramp as Big E is exiting the ring. WWE Universal Champion Braun Strowman suddenly comes out yelling, with a freshly shaved head, but still with his beard. Strowman stares at the ring and marches down as the others retreat. We go to commercial.
In the Arena:
Back from the break and WWE Universal Champion Braun Strowman is in the ring with his new bald look.
Strowman delivers a message to “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt and says he warned him after the Swamp Fight that he would bet he most evil son of a b—h we’ve ever seen. Strowman calls The Fiend to the ring so he can rip him from limb to limb. Strowman says he will be the last thing The Fiend sees before he eats out his entrails. The music hits and out comes Alexa Bliss instead.
Bliss says at the risk of upsetting Braun more, she thinks she owes it to their friendship to have a conversation. He asks about what. She doesn’t believe his comments from last week when he said he doesn’t give a damn about her. She says they’ve been friends for years but he disagrees, saying she used him as a pawn. Strowman goes on about how Bliss played him for some clown. He says everyone can get it now, including Bliss. He tells her to get out of his ring so he can deal with The Fiend. She tells him to be careful for what he wishes for. She threatens to slap some sense into him if he won’t listen. She yells at him to look at her when she’s talking. Strowman turns but she starts slapping him over and over, telling him to wake up.
Strowman scoops Bliss and presses her high above his head. The lights start going out as Strowman still has Bliss held above his head. It sounds like The Fiend is making his arrival. Strowman yells and asks where he is. Strowman tosses Bliss through the air right as the lights go out all the way. The red lights come back up and we see Bliss down on the mat, but didn’t actually see Strowman throw her to the mat. The Fiend is standing over Bliss but there’s no sign of Strowman. The Fiend looks around and Strowman appears on the big screen. He’s just laughing. The Fiend clutches his own head and starts laughing in his mask. Braun keeps laughing until he yells out at The Fiend. The Fiend looks up from Bliss as he and Strowman stare at each other, Strowman still on the big screen. The screen flashes with a shot of The Fiend and we hear him say “Let me in!” as SmackDown goes off the air.
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