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ELDER’S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
AUGUST 14, 2018
GREENVILLE, S.C.
AIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK
Announcers: Tom Phillips, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton
[HOUR ONE]
-Tom Phillips welcomed the crowd to Smackdown live before Charlotte entered to her music.
-The announcing team plugged tonight’s matchup between The New Day & Sanity. They mentioned that the Miz vs. Daniel Bryan has been “eight years in the making” and that A.J. Styles will be addressing Samoa Joe tonight.
-Becky Lynch made her way to the ring, followed by Carmella. Carmella grabbed a microphone and said that she is tired of being punished for being such a great champion. Carmella suggested that Becky could return to being a clown for a living, because that was the only thing that she is better than Charlotte at. Carmella added that with Charlotte in the match, Lynch’s chance of winning has gone down. Lynch responded by saying that she had been dreaming of beating Carmella at Summerslam before Charlotte was added to the match. Now, Lynch needed a new dream, and that dream is “beating you,” as she looked towards Carmella, and “whooping you,” as she turned towards Charlotte.
-Charlotte laughed off Becky’s comments and asked her if she knew how hard it is to beat Charlotte and then reminded everyone that she had beaten her twice. Carmella continued to talk up Charlotte and said that while it is true that Lynch was the first Smackdown Women’s Champion, it was only because Charlotte was on Raw at that time. As Charlotte began to respond, the crowd laid in with a thunderous “woooo” which caused Carmella to block her ears with her hands. Charlotte added that Carmella only got so far because she had James Ellsworth’s help, and that she is just a diva living in a women’s era. Carmella said “You’re right. I am a diva and I’m damn proud of it.” She then compared their beauty, body, and charisma to hers before exclaiming “I am the champ, and you’re not.”
-Paige’s music then hit and she walked onto the stage. Paige said that it was her job as general manager of Smackdown to create the best competition for Summerslam which is why Charlotte got her opportunity this Sunday. She said she only got that opportunity by beating Carmella, so the WWE Universe owed her a big thank you, before starting a “Thank you Mella” chant that the crowd briefly picked up. She said to Carmella that Charlotte and Becky will show her what they do best by having a tag match right now. Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville then came out to their music before they cut to their first commercial break. [c]
(1) BECKY LYNCH & CARMELLA vs. MANDY ROSE & SONYA DEVILLE
They returned from commercial with Charlotte joining the announcing team at ringside. Charlotte & Lynch took control of the match early on while Carmella ignored Saxton’s questions regarding Summerslam. Graves defended everything that Carmella said. Carmella said that she was not worried about Lynch & Carmella at Summerslam because during that match it will be every woman for herself. Rose & Deville gained control as they cut to commercial as the match continued split screen. [c]
Returning from break Lynch is held by Deville in the middle of the ring. Lynch fought her way out of it. Deville got to Rose but Lynch walked right past Charlotte and didn’t make the tag. Lynch applied the Dis-Arm-Her and Rose immediately tapped out. Lynch & Charlotte embraced in the ring as Carmella taunted them from ringside with the belt.
WINNER: Lynch & Charlotte via submission in 11:00.
(Elder’s Analysis: Charlotte didn’t seem upset that Lynch didn’t tag her in, but there is no doubt that this is all going to come to a head at Summerslam. As for the match, these two teams didn’t seem to be on the same page at all. Still, the opening segment seemed to really get the crowd engaged, and I’m really looking forward to see where they go with this come Sunday.)
-A video of Miz & Maryse aired and they announced that their show has been renewed for a second season. Graves then plugged the Miz & Bryan video package before they cut to another commercial break. [c]
-Returning from break, Charlotte and Becky Lynch were backstage talking. They agreed that Summerslam is going to be amazing, and Charlotte added “may the best woman win” before they tapped their hands together. Charlotte glared at Lynch as Becky walked off.
-Back in the arena, a trio of enhancement talent was in the ring. They were announced at the Triple Threat. The Bludgeon Brothers music hit and they made their way to the ring.
(2) THE BLUDGEON BROTHERS vs. TRIPLE THREAT in a two-on-three handicap match
The Bludgeon Brothers attacked Triple Threat before the match officially got underway. They continued to dominate the team outside the ring. After incapacitating each of their opponents, the Bludgeon Brothers stood in the middle of the ring as their music hit.
-The announcing team plugged Summerslam as well as the upcoming 1000th episode of Smackdown.
-Phillips threw to a video package which was to be part one of Miz & Daniel Bryan’s three part piece about their feud. Bryan talked about entering NXT in 2010 and that Miz was assigned as his pro. Miz added how he was a mentor to Bryan and that he had already been U.S. Champion and a tag champion and already knew how to draw ratings from being a popular reality star. Bryan said that Miz would take every shortcut to get ahead. Miz said that Bryan wound up being 0-10 because he never listened to his pro. Bryan said that he learned something when he beat Miz. “I didn’t need Miz, but maybe Miz needed me.”
-Sanity entered to their music and Phillips added that they would be facing The New Day before they cut to a commercial break. [c]
(3) SANITY vs. THE NEW DAY in six man tag match
The match started off with some routine back and forth before they cut to a commercial break. [c]
They returned with Dain dominating Kingston. Dain made the tag to Wolfe as they cut to another commercial break. [c]
Back from the break, Kingston reversed a maneuver on Dain and made it to Woods for the hot tag. Woods cleared the ring. Woods and Dain went back and forth for a while before Dain got the upper hand with a flying cross body and went for the pin. Big E made the save. Wolfe went in to help but was cleared out by Kingston. Kingston delivered an Air Kofi onto Wolfe and Young on the outside. Big E and Woods managed to hit Up Up Down Down on Dain. Big E covered Dain for the pin. The trio celebrated in the ring after the victory.
WINNER: The New Day via pinfall in 11:00.
[HOUR TWO]
-Daniel Bryan & Miz part two video segment was shown. It began with Bryan discussing how he was not ready to retire when he did. It went on to show how he went on to be Smackdown G.M. Bryan said that he thought he did a good job while Miz said that Bryan was the worst general manager ever. Miz said that Bryan was using his position of power to keep him off television even though he was the Intercontinental Champion. They showed their infamous Talking Smack moment when Bryan told Miz that he thought he wrestled like a coward. Miz responded by saying that he has never been injured and that Bryan only calls him a coward because Bryan will never be in a WWE ring again. Bryan then got up and walked off the set as Miz called him a coward. Bryan said that all he wanted to do at that time was to punch Miz in the face.
-Bryan went on to accuse Miz of stealing his moves. He said that he chose to be silent in that moment, and that he had regretted it, but it turned into desire which he needed to fight for his dream. Miz said that he knows Bryans moves, strengths, and fears better than Bryan does. Miz concluded with “The truth is I am not only Daniel Bryan’s pro. I am superior to Daniel Bryan.”
-The announce team discussed the video segment and announced that Miz & Maryse will be on the Today show tomorrow morning at 10am. Graves announced that it was like “super Christmas.”
-Saxton hyped A.J. Styles promise to Samoa Joe as Phillips announced Jeff Hardy vs. Shelton Benjamin for later tonight. [c]
-Backstage Samoa Joe left his locker room to find Paige outside his door. Paige said that she didn’t want Joe to ruin her main event at Summerslam, and needed Joe to be professional. Joe asked how he is supposed to be unpredictable if he tells her everything that he is going to do. He added that while A.J. is going to go out and make grand promises, he will make a promise right here. He will do what he wants to do whenever he wants to do it. He added that he could just sit back and enjoy all of Paige’s hard work. He told Paige to enjoy her night, and said that he knew that he would enjoy his as he went back into his locker room as Paige looked on.
-Aiden English was shown in the center of the ring. Phillips highlighted a video package showing English costing Rusev and Lana their respective matches over the past two weeks. English began singing an apology as Lana and Rusev looked on from backstage.
Andrade “Cien” Almas came down to the ring with Zelina Vega by his side. The match began and they immediately went to commercial with the action continuing split screen. [c]
(4) AIDEN ENGLISH vs. ANDRADE “CIEN” ALMAS (w/Zelina Vega)
Some quick back and forth action took place before Almas got the upper hand. Phillips reminded everyone about English costing Rusev and Lana their respective matches recently. English briefly took control after a strong clothesline, but Almas soon regained control. Almas landed a stiff reverse elbow followed by a running double knee strike to a seated English. Almas hit English with a hammerlock DDT before covering him for the pin.
WINNER: Almas by pinfall in 4:00
Zelina Vega stood with Almas in the center of the ring after the match ended. She grabbed a microphone and addressed the crowd. She said that she knows how crowd likes catchy phrases and useless holidays. She said they should be sure to mark their calendars for this Sunday, August 19th, where it will be… as Almas chimed in with “the end of Rusev Day!’ Vega added that it will also be the end of Lana Day. She said she will expose Lana for what she is: “Dead weight that is dragging down her husband.”
Rusev’s music hit and he appeared with Lana at the top of the entrance area. Rusev said they are acting like they just won the Powerball. He said that Andrade’s luck will run out this Sunday, and that Zelina will learn why Lana is the best, and Lana is number one. Lana added that together, they will crush them, “because this year, Summerslam falls on what day? Rusev Day!”
(Elder’s Analysis: I appreciate how they left English out there alone to lose this one. I couldn’t handle watching him accidentally cost Rusev or Lana another match. I thought Vega was excellent on the mic after the match. She continues to be the perfect mouthpiece for Almas.)
-Backstage Paige talked with A.J. Styles. She told Styles that he needs to keep things together so they don’t ruin Summerslam. A.J. added that he made his wife a promise, and that he intended on keeping it before walking away as Paige looked on.
-They cut to a close-up of Jeff Hardy’s painted face as Graves announced Hardy will return to action tonight. Phillips then hyped part three of Bryan & Miz before going to a commercial break. [c]
-After the break Tom Phillips hyped part three of the Bryan & Miz feud trilogy. This part was entitled “Homecoming” and began with Bryan announcing his return to wrestling. Bryan said that it was the greatest day of his career. Miz said that he didn’t care that Bryan “unretired.” Miz said that he was happy being the face of Monday Night Raw until they showed Kurt Angle announcing that Bryan had opted to bring Miz to Smackdown as Bryan’s final act as Smackdown general manager. Miz stated that he was not Bryan’s “prove it match.” He was Bryan’s “made it match.” If Bryan beat Miz, then Bryan had “made it.” Bryan said that he can’t deny that Miz has his own reality TV show, a huge home, and celebrity friends. However, that is not why he came back. He came back because he loves wrestling. Bryan said that after all this time, the only thing left for them to do is to get in the ring at Summerslam and finally shut Miz up. Following the segment Phillips once again hyped their match at Summerslam.
(Elder’s Analysis: If this doesn’t get you in the mood for their upcoming match, I don’t know what will. I thought this was a great series of videos that put their rivalry into perspective. I’m sure that some younger viewers had no idea just how far back their history together reaches. At this point, there was nothing else these two competitors needed to do in the ring. We didn’t need another pull apart. So I thought this worked great. However, my heart goes out to the live audience. It’s almost never fun to sit through video segments when you are in the arena. Let alone three in one night.)
-Shelton Benjamin was shown in the ring as Jeff Hardy made his way down as his music played. Phillips hyped Hardy’s match against Shinsuke Nakamura this Sunday at Summerslam. [c]
(5) SHELTON BENJAMIN vs. JEFF HARDY
The match was already underway with Benjamin in control as they returned from commercial break. They go to split screen where they promoted the Ronda Rousey vs. Alexa Bliss match at Summerslam. Hardy hit a Whisper in the Wind to take control of the match. After some back and forth action, Benjamin hit a superplex on Hardy. Hardy took Benjamin down with a sling blade followed by a Twist of Fate before covering him for the pin.
WINNER: Hardy in 5:00
-Shinsuke Nakamura entered to his music as soon as Hardy got up from pinning Benjamin. Nakamura attacked Hardy right away. As Nakamura went in for a Kinshasa, Hardy moved out of the way and hit him with a Twist of Fate. Hardy then went to the top rope and hit Nakamura with a Swanton Bomb. Graves suggested that maybe Hardy is in a little bit better mental shape than we have been giving him credit for.
-Randy Orton was shown looking on from the corner of the arena.
-Tom Phillips announced the free 30 day trial to WWE Network and hyped a series of Summerslam matches.
-A.J. Styles entered the arena to a thunderous reaction from the crowd. [c]
-Returning from the break, A.J. is in the middle of the ring with the WWE Heavyweight Championship belt around his waist. He said that the belt is heavy, and hard to hold. It is hard to hold because of all the pressure that it puts on the person wearing it. He said that Samoa Joe has gotten under his skin before they show a video recapping Joe’s recent attacks on A.J during the contract signing. Styles said that Joe had stabbed him in the back, and then stabbed him in the heart before they cut to a video of Joe suggesting Styles’ family will be cheering for him during their match at Summerslam. A.J. said that Joe made him go to a dark place. He went to a place where he wanted to rip Joe’s head off. Styles said that his wife told him that he needed to remain focus just as Joe’s music interrupted him.
-Joe came out dressed in a nice suit. Joe pulled a letter out from his coat pocket and told A.J. that it was from a member of the WWE universe and he thought A.J. should hear it. Joe began reading the letter aloud. The letter stated that Joe’s remarks made them sick, not because they were wrong, but because they were true. A.J. never wanted children, and perhaps never wanted a wife either. The letter further said that A.J. is such a great champion because he will do anything to stay away from his family. At Summerslam, I pray that you win so that A.J. can feel how it is to lose what he loves the most because I lost him a long time ago. The letter ended with “My sincerest gratitude, Wendy Styles.” Joe smirked and walked away as A.J. stood in disbelief in the center of the ring as the show went off the air. [c]
FINAL THOUGHTS: Wow. They are really going for the jugular here. Apparently Joe was just wetting his toes recently when he brought A.J.’s wife and kids into this. Tonight, he dove in head first. I think this ultra personal stuff leaves most of us with a bit of a sour taste in our mouths, but it’s hard to say that it isn’t compelling. Between Miz & Bryan, Joe & Styles, and Becky & Charlotte, I don’t remember one single recent PPV where I was invested so deeply in as many story lines from one brand. I have to give credit to all involved here. I’ve bought in. They’ve done a great job making each of these feuds feeling important and organic. The end of Rusev Day is unfortunately taking a backseat due to the sheer emotion that the other feuds are bringing out of its participants.
NOW CHECK OUT THIS REPORT: WWE SMACKDOWN RESULTS 8/14: Keller’s report on final Summerslam hype plus New Day vs. Sanity, Charlotte-Becky-Carmella face-off
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