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KELLER’S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
AUGUST 5, 2021
LIVE FROM TAMPA, FLA.
AIRED LIVE ON FOX BROADCAST NETWORK
Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee
Ring Announcer: Greg Hamilton
[HOUR ONE]
-They opened with a wide shot of the impressive crowd, filled to the last row, in the arena as Michael Cole introduced the show.
-Sasha Banks made her ring entrance. McAfee said she “shocked the world” last week. (No, it wasn’t a shock. Bianca Belair looked leery of their hug and fans suspected she couldn’t be trusted.) She said she came back for the spotlight she “deserves and created.” She said she won’t let anyone steal her spotlight again. She pointed at the big screen where a video package aired on last week’s return of Banks and her turn on Belair.
Back live, boos rang out. She said it was so easy to pull off. She said she’s been watching Bianca make one mistake after another. She said Belair would be nothing without her, including the ESPY Award and main event at WrestleMania. She said Belair cried at WM because she was standing opposite of the greatest of all time. She said Belair didn’t show her proper gratitude. She said she came back to Smackdown for only one thing – to make Belair pay. She was then interrupted by Belair’s music.
(Keller’s Analysis: Sasha is back on her game. Whatever was going on with her promos and on camera demeanor earlier this year, that seems to be back on planet Earth now.)
Belair walked out into the entrance area and asked if she really thinks she’s nothing without her. “Girl, eh-eh,” she said. She said last she checked, Sasha was literally begging her to choose her so they could main event WrestleMania together. “We – you and I,” she said. “It’s not even that you want credit. You just don’t want me to shine. And don’t get twisted, I’ve been shinin’ and representin’.” When Belair entered the ring, Sasha bailed out. McAfee moved so Banks could stand on the announce desk. Belair asked if she’s going to take another four months off. Banks said she’s one of the greatest. Belair agreed, and said if she wants a shot at her title, it’s on. Banks smiled. Zelina Vega’s music interrupted.
Vega walked out and said, “No no no no no, eh-eh.” She told Belair to look at her when she’s talking to her. She asked if her “ugly little braid is tied too tight.” She said if she’s lost, she can help find her. Belair interrupted and told her not to think of taking a step into the ring. Vega agreed to stand on the ring apron. She called Banks a “wretched little vulture.” Vega said Belair had already accepted her challenge. Banks mockingly asked if Belair is going to accept her challenge. Belair told Banks she wasn’t talking to her. “She was talking to me because I’m the champ.” She told Banks, “I’ll see you at Summerslam.” Belair turned to Vega and said she’d fight her tonight. McAfee went, “Wow!” Belair strutted out of the ring.
(Keller’s Analysis: Belair was really good here. Vega is a pro on the mic. Having Belair agree to face both of them is the honorable move.)
-Cole was so rattled, he plugged Belair vs. Sasha. McAfee corrected him immediately. Cole then fake-stuttered and said it’s so massive, he can’t even keep it straight. He threw to a sponsored video package on the Mysterios-Usos feud including Rey telling Dominik he’s been making rookie mistakes, so watch him closely.
-The Usos made their ring entrance. [c]
-Cole plugged Baron Corbin vs. Finn Balor was coming up later.
(1) DOMINIK MYSTERIO (w/Rey Mysterio) vs. JEY USO (w/Jimmy Uso)
Cole plugged that the Usos would defend against the Mysterios at Summerslam. Jey pummeled Dominik early. He rolled to the floor to regroup. McAfee said he has watched five or six documentaries on the Usos’ family and he finds them so fascinating. Dominik came back with a sliding sunset flip on Jey to ringside, sending him hard into the ringside barricade. [c]
Dominik came back with a neckbreaker and then a springboard moonsault for a near fall. Dominik then sent Jey into the middle turnbuckle with a body scissors. He then hit a 619 (his slo-mo version, of course). When Dominik climbed to the top rope, Jimmy was going to interfere. Rey launched at him with a senton off the ringside steps, which DISTRACTED Dominik. Jey ducked Dominik and then superkicked his chin. He then landed a frog splash for the win. Cole said this match was so important to the Mysterios, who had talked of using it to build momentum headed into Summerslam.
WINNER: Jey Uso in 12:00.
-They went to McAfee and Cole at ringside who commented on Seth Rollins attacking Edge last week.
-Backstage Megan Morant interviewed Edge. He said the issues with him and Seth go way further back than the last few weeks. He said if Seth shows up this week, he’ll show him what a rotten, selfish bastard he can be.
-McAfee got very excited when Rick Boogs began playing Shinsuke Nakamura’s entrance song on his guitar. Boogs said he came to rock with the one true King of WWE. McAfee said it was somehow more electrifying in the Lightning Zone (home of the Tampa Bay Lightning). Nakamura made his entrance. [c]
-The announcers again plugged Balor vs. Corbin.
(2) APOLLO CREWS (w/Commander Azeez) vs. SHINSUKE NAKAMURA
For Crews, they used augmented reality and the new entrance giant video wall to create a whole scene for his entrance that appeared as if he was coming out of a castle with lion statues on either side of him. Nakamura had Crews down after a kick at 2:00, and Azeez yanked Crews out of the ring by his leg. The ref called for the DQ. McAfee said Azeez is going to look out for Crews no matter what.
WINNER: Nakamura via DQ in 2:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Nakamura, Boogs, Crews, and Azeez traveled all the way to Tampa, Fla. and got all dressed up and waited around all day for that?)
-A video package recapped last week’s contract signing with Roman Reigns, Finn Balor, Corbin, and John Cena.
-Kayla Braxton attempted to interview Paul Heyman outside Roman Reigns’s locker room. He asked what she wanted, repeating “what” about ten times. She asked about what transpired last week. He insulted the Tampa fans and brought up signing Tom Brady for another year for 75 million dollars. He said if he hits Brady from behind with a Kendo stick and signed that contract, does he get the 75 million dollar contract? He said the Cena contract signature is meritless and WWE is acting as his enabler. He said Cena is sliding his way into a title match he does not deserve. He said the Tribal Chief has nothing to say about Cena. “I’m sure you’re used to hearing this, I’m not in the mood,” he told her. Heyman turned and there was Big E holding the MITB contract up to his head and he giggled in a really creepy way as he stared at Heyman, implying he could strike anytime. Heyman gave him the appropriate look that was both nervous and indicating Big E is a bizarre weirdo. [c]
(3) TEGAN NOX (w/Shotzi) vs. TAMINA
Shotzi and Nox drove Shotzi’s tank to the ring. Cole said Natalya is not present because she’s recovering from an ankle injury and will be out for a couple of weeks. Nox scored a near fall early. When Tamina lifted Nox for a Samoan Drop, Shotzi fired a Nerf missile at her. That DISTRACTED Tamina which led to Nox immediately rolling her up for a leverage three count.
WINNER: Nox in under 2:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Boy, this is stupid. Shotzi reaction to firing her tank at the ring is embarrassing.)
-Vega confronted Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville backstage, who told her that her match is non-title later because they can’t have a championship match without proper time to hype it and they need a ratified contract. Vega said Belair agreed to it. Deville said that’s not enough. (Remember that, folks.) She said she’ll win the non-title match later and prove she deserves a future title shot.
-Edge made his ring entrance.
NOTE: If you plan to attend a future AEW Dynamite, WWE Raw, or WWE Smackdown, let me know if you’re interested in being an on-site correspondent for us on the Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Post-show. We’d bring you on the live post-show for 10 minutes, give or take, to talk about your experience at the event and share off-air details and crowd notes. Email: wadekellerpodcast@pwtorch.com and include the city in the subject line.
In particular, we still need correspondents for:
- AEW 8/11 in Pittsburgh, Pa.
- Smackdown 8/13 in Tulsa, Okla.
- Raw 8/16 Raw in San Antonio, Tex.
- AEW 8/18 in Houston, Tex.
- SD 8/20 in Phoenix, Ariz.
- Raw 8/23 in San Diego, Calif.
- Raw 8/30 in Oklahoma City, Okla.
- SD 9/3 in Jacksonville, Fla.
- Raw 9/6 in Miami, Fla.
- AEW 9/8 in Cincinnati, Ohio
- SD 9/10 in New York City, N.Y. at MSG
- Raw 9/13 in Boston Mass.
[HOUR TWO]
-Edge said he understands Seth isn’t there tonight. “Go figure,” he said. He said if he were there, it wouldn’t work out well considering what he’d do to him would put him in jail. He said he was willing to let the past be the past until Seth cost him his opportunity at Money in the Bank. He said if the roles were reversed, he would have done the same thing back in the day. He said they both know it won’t end well for either of them, and if he were there tonight, it would end.
Seth interrupted him on the big screen “via satellite.” He cackle-laughed and said Edge thinks he’s so smart and has everything figured out. He said last week, though, he should have seen him coming because it was right out of his playbook. He said they are a lot alike, drawn together in this dance, but that’s where the similarities end. He said if Edge was half the man he is, he’d know you always always have to have a Plan B. Edge said he’s got a Plan B. He suggested they fight one-on-one for the first time ever at Summerslam.
Seth said he’s eating out of the palm of his hand. He said he calls the shots around there. He said he’d think about. He said he has a lot going on. He said while he’s mulling it over, maybe Edge should think about it, too. He said his career will probably be done after he stomps his neck again, and his life might be over as a father and husband. Edge told him to shut up and not bring up his family. Edge said Seth is a fever dream mix of Col. Sanders and a televangelist. Seth liked that. “Hallelujah!” he said.
Edge talked about eliminating him from the Royal Rumble twice. He said Seth didn’t finish the job in 2014. He said he’s trying to walk in his footsteps, but he can’t fill them. “At the end of the day, you’re just Edge Light,” he said. That caused Seth to snap and seethe that he’s better than Edge in every way. He said if he wants him one-on-one at Summerslam, it’s on. Fans cheered.
(Keller’s Analysis: Good segment that drew from their history and led to jousting over who was pushing whose buttons most effectively, and ultimately the babyface got the better of the heel.)
-Kayla interviewed Balor backstage about last week. He said Corbin stuck his nose where it doesn’t belong and it cost him a chance to sign the contract that Cena ended up signing. He said Corbin should stay out of his business. He said he lacks honor and integrity. “And when I’m done with Corbin, I’ve got a bone to pick with Cena.”
(Keller’s Analysis: Solid mic work from Balor there. He needed to bring up Cena or he’d seem like a pushover.)
-The Street Profits made their ring entrance. [c]
-A on-screen graphic boasted that WWE’s YouTube Channel surpassed 80 million subscribers, making it the no. 1 YouTube Channel among all sports.
(4) THE STREET PROFITS (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER & ROBERT ROODE
Back and forth action for several minutes. Ford got the hot tag and landed a top rope frog splash for the clean win.
WINNERS: Street Profits in 5:00.
-They went to Cole and McAfee at ringside. They showed an Instagram pic of Belair hanging out with Thee Stallion. They showed Sasha and Belair exchanging tweets tonight, too.
-Belair made her ring entrance. [c]
(5) BIANCA BELAIR vs. ZELINA VEGA – “Championship Contenders Match” (Non-Title match)
When Belair had control at ringside, Banks’s music played and she walked out laughing. That DISTRACTED Belair, giving Vega an advantage going into the break. [c]
Belair rallied after the break with a handspring moonsault for a two count. When Vega tried to apply a standing submission, McAfee called her a spider money. They fought back and forth, exchanging two count mid-ring. Belair swung Vega by her legs hard into the ringside barricade. She then landed her K.O.D. mid-ring for the win. Cole said Vega put up a hell of a fight and deserves credit.
WINNER: Belair in 7:00.
-They showed Reigns sitting backstage. Heyman told him Balor vs. Corbin was up next. Reigns said, “I’m interested.”
-Balor made his ring entrance. [c]
-They replayed highlights of the contract singing angle last week.
(6) BARON CORBIN vs. FINN BALOR
When the bell rang, Corbin ducked into the ropes and asked for a mic. He acknowledged what happened last week wasn’t cool, but he’s a desperate man. Corbin apologized. Balor said, “Apology not accepted.” He then attacked Corbin. He dominated and pinned him after a Coup de Gras.
WINNER: Balor in 3:00.
-Balor grabbed a mic after the win and said the Finn Balor of three years ago would have just smiled about what happened last week, but that Balor is dead. He said he wants a title match against Reigns, and if he has to go through Cena to make that happen, he’ll do that. Reigns’s music played and he walked out with Heyman. They cut to a final break. [c]
After the break, Reigns said Heyman has already addressed his issue on last week. He said he understands why Balor is upset. He said he understands why he’d run his mouth about Cena, but he should remember that Reigns tried to give him an opportunity. He told him when he speaks on his show, “keep the name of the Head of the Table out of your mouth.” He tossed the mic at Balor, then turned to leave. Balor shoved him out of the ring from behind. Reigns stood and snarled a bit as he slowly turned. Balor posed in the ring and pointed at Reigns. A loud “Cena! Cena!” chant broke out. McAfee said Finn poked the bear.
The Usos jumped Balor from behind and stomped away at him as Reigns watched. They gave him a Samoan Drop. Reigns liked what he saw, so he turned and left. The Usos continued to beat on Balor. Balor avoided a top rope Uso splash. He fought back against both. Reigns and Heyman watched from the entrance area as Balor flip-dove onto the Usos at ringside. Balor looked at Reigns, who then marched to the ring again. Balor kicked him as he entered. Reigns fought back. Balor countered with a sling blade. The Usos jumped Balor again. Reigns then delivered a Superman Punch. Jimmy landed a top rope splash. Reigns mounted Balor and punched away at him, then applied a guillotine. Another loud “Cena!” chant rang out. Boos rang out as the Usos and Reigns stood over Balor. Cole plugged Reigns vs. Cena at Summerslam in two weeks as the show went off the air.
(Keller’s Analysis: Good show-closing angle. Balor showed good fight and determination. The heels were heelish in having the numbers advantage.)
The 619 should be retired immediately. It sucks. It has always sucked. It will never not suck.
Hopefully when Dominik turns on his dad and retires him, he will develop his own moveset.
“Coup de gras”, please do your research… even Cole has corrected himself now.
The “rookie mistake” Rey was referencing was probably the botched finish from last week