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WWE SMACKDOWN TV REPORT
AUGUST 6, 2021
TAMPA, FL. AT AMALIE ARENA
AIRED LIVE ON FOX
REPORT BY ALEX McDONALD, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee
[HOUR ONE]
-Sasha Banks’ music hit to start the show. Michael Cole said, “it’s boss time.” Cole also said that Sasha is back and meaner than ever. Sasha made her full entrance. Pat McAfee said Banks let Bianca Belair know she’s still here. Sasha said it’s boss time on Friday night Smackdown. She said she is back for the spotlight that she earned and created. She threw to a video package recapping last week’s show. The video package was in slow motion during Banks’ attack on Belair. They showed of crowd reactions. After the package, Banks said she exposed Belair. She wanted to make a statement. Banks said without her, there would be no Bianca Belair. She brought up Belair crying at Wrestlemania. Banks said Belair never thanked her. Banks said Belair disrespected her week after week. Banks said she is back to make Belair pay. Belair’s music hit to interrupt and she made her entrance. Belair said Banks begged her to choose Banks so they could main event Wrestlemania. Belair said Banks doesn’t want her to shine, and she has been “shining and representing.” Banks bailed out of the ring when Belair entered. Belair asked Banks if she was going to “take another four months off”. Belair said “if you want this, it’s on.” Zelina Vega’s music hit. She said this isn’t happening right now. She asked Belair to look at her. She said she can help find Belair if she is lost. Belair told Vega not to get in the ring. Vega stayed on the apron. Vega said that Banks “swooped in like a vulture”. Vega said Belair accepted her challenge, so who is Belair going to choose. Belair pointed to Banks and said “I’ll see you at Summerslam.” She then turned to Vega and said she’ll see her tonight.
(McDonald’s Analysis: Well, that was an interesting way to set up both matches. I really hope this doesn’t somehow, some way, turn into a triple threat at Summerslam. Also, not to throw logic into this, but why does Vega deserve a title match? Has she even won a match since being back? Banks was clearly the star here. I love her throwing herself into the heel character. This is so much better than the weird tweener she was before. Belair was fine, nothing to write home about, but not bad. She came off like a tough babyface who wants to take on all challengers.)
– They showed a graphic for Belair-Vega for the Smackdown Women’s Championship, tonight. They then cut to a video package recapping the Usos-Mysterios feud.
-Dominik and Rey were shown talking in the back. Rey said they need to focus going into Summerslam. He said he didn’t need Dominik’s help last week. Dominik told Rey he will take care of business tonight. Dominik told Rey, “Dad, I don’t need your help either.”
-Jey Uso made his entrance with his brother Jimmy Uso. Cole said Dominik looks to make his father proud, next. [c]
-Dominik made his entrance with Rey. They showed the graphic for the Smackdown Tag Team championship match at Summerslam, pitting the Mysterios against the Usos.
(1) DOMINIK MYSTERIO vs. JEY USO
They locked up and Jey backed Dominik into the corner. Dominik reversed, but Jey got the upper hand and took Dominik down. Dominik eventually hit a dropkick and a springboard arm drag. Jey recovered and hit a backbreaker for a near fall. Jey yelled at Dominik while he was on the mat. Dominik fought back, but caught a big right from Jey. Dominik rolled to the outside, Jey followed. Dominik got the upper hand, then ran from the center of the ring, under the bottom rope into a sunset flip that rammed Jey into the barricade as they went to break. [c]
Jey Uso had a headlock on Dominik after the break. Jey hit a pop-up neckbreaker for a near fall. Jey did the U-SOOO chant with the crowd. Dominik recovered and hit a neckbreaker. Dominik hit a springboard moonsault for a near fall. Dominik ducked an enzuguiri and set Jey up for the 619. Dominik hit the 619 then went to the top rope. Jimmy went to grab Dominik, but Rey intercepted him. Dominik went for the splash, but Jey moved. Dominik landed on his feet, but Jey hit a superkick. Jey went to the top and hit a splash for the win.
WINNER: JEY USO in 11:00
(McDonald’s Analysis: I like the clean win there. It made sense and wasn’t overly complicated for no reason. The interaction between Dominik and Rey before the match was interesting, just as it was last week. I really hope they are planting the seeds for something. Jey SHOULD beat Dominik clean in a fair match. Dominik is a rookie. Good job.)
-They showed a video package recapping Seth Rollins’ attack and promo on Edge last week. They replayed the “If I can’t be Universal Champion, then neither can Edge” line.
-Edge was shown in the back and got a big pop. He told Megan that he’s going to meet Rollins in the ring tonight and “show him what a rotten, selfish bastard I can be.”
-Rick Boogs was in the arena. He played his guitar, then introduced “King” Shinsuke Nakamura. Nakamura made his entrance while Boogs played the guitar. McAfee danced on the announce desk. They showed a graphic for a Championship Contenders match with Apollo Crews, next. [c]
-They showed a graphic that celebrated the Rock and John Cena’s new movies. Cole said Cena will be back next week. Apollo Crews made his ring entrance with Commader Azeez. They then threw to a video package recapping the six man tag match from last week. They showed Nakamura defeating Crews.
(2) APOLLO CREWS vs. SHINSUKE NAKAMURA – Non-title match
Nakamura and Crews locked up and they trade knockdowns. Nakamura got a near fall. Crews recovered and draped Nakamura over the top rope. He took Nakamura down with a clothesline and a slam for a near fall. Nakamura recovered and hit a knee to the gut on a prone Crews in the corner. Crews recovered as the crowd chanted “Nakamura”. Nakamura hit a knee. He went for a cover but Azeez pulled him off and out to the floor for the DQ.
WINNER: SHINSUKE NAKAMURA in 3:00 via DQ
(McDonald’s Analysis: Lame. I hate this Championship Contender crap. It’s awful. It doesn’t make any sense. They never tell us what the result is if the challenger, non-champion, contender, whatever, wins. Regardless, at least their pairing these two up as I suggested. Let’s just not have them wrestle each other 10 times between now and Summerslam.)
-They showed Kayla Braxton outside of Roman Reigns’ dressing room. They showed a video package recapping the contract signing from last week. They showed the graphic for Reigns-Cena at Summerslam.
-Paul Heyman exited the dressing room and asked Kayla what she wanted. Kayla wanted a comment from Reigns regarding last week. Heyman said Cena was thieving a title match from Finn Balor at Summerslam. Heyman said the Tampa Bay “Schmuckaneers” signed Tom Brady to a contract worth $75 million. Heyman asked if he showed up and hit Tom Brady from behind and signed the contract, if he would get the $75 million. Heyman said the contract is a joke, and WWE is an enabler. He said Cena slid into a title match he doesn’t deserve. Heyman told Kayla Reigns does not want to discuss it. He then said he isn’t in the mood. Big E appeared with the Money in the Bank briefcase on his shoulder and laughed in Heyman’s face. Heyman walked away, back into the locker room. [c]
(McDonald’s Analysis: As a Bucs fan, so much wrong with the Tom Brady statement, but, his logic makes perfect sense. Heyman is right. The whole thing is asinine.)
-They came back with Tamina in the ring. They then showed a graphic or the now Championship Contenders match between Zelina Vega and Bianca Belair later. Tegan Nox made her entrance on the tank with Shotzi Blackheart.
(3) TEGAN NOX vs. TAMINA
Nox went right after Tamina but Tamina dominated the early part of the match. She hit a press slam before throwing Nox into the corner. Nox countered and hit a barrage of strikes in the corner. Nox hit a flying elbow drop in the corner and pulled Tamina out for a near fall. Tamina recovered and hit a superkick. Tamina picked up Nox for a Samoan drop. Shotzi shot a “missile” out of the tank and hit Tamina with it. Nox got the roll up for the win.
WINNER: TEGAN NOX in 2:00
-Zelina Vega was in the back with Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville. Vega asked why her match was changed to a contenders match instead of a championship match. Pearce said the title match hadn’t been promoted. Pearce said Vega needs to win to prove herself. They told Vega if she wins tonight she will face the winner of the Banks-Belair match, after Summerslam.
(McDonald’s Analysis: Really, that’s how Nox is going to win? Glad they care about her and Shotzi. I’m glad that Pearce and Deville said what we were all thinking. The Vega-Belair match makes more sense now.)
-Edge made his entrance to a huge pop. One of his better ones yet. He said “come on Tampa” into the camera. Cole said Edge is here, live, next. [c]
[HOUR TWO]
-They showed a graphic for Baron Corbin vs. Finn Balor later. Edge was in the ring. He said thank you to the Tampa crowd to a big pop. Edge said Rollins isn’t there tonight, which is good, because he would end up in jail for what he would do to him. He said he would have done the same thing Rollins did. Edge said he sees the “old him” in Rollins. Edge said if Rollins was there tonight, it would end. Rollins showed up on the screen laughing. Rollins said that Edge is right, they are both a lot alike. They are drawn together. Rollins said if Edge was half the man he is, he would have had a plan B. Edge said his plan B is him and Rollins one-on-one at Summerslam. Rollins said that he calls the shots, not Edge. Rollins told Edge to let him think about it. Rollins told Edge he needs to think about it. He said Edge needs to think about what he’s getting himself into. Rollins brought up Edge’s three neck surgeries. Rollins said Edge’s comeback will be over, his career will be over. He said he doesn’t know what type of future Edge would had. Edge cut him off. Edge said Rollins is infatuated with him. Edge said he eliminated Rollins from the last two Royal Rumbles. Edge said Rollins is trying to walk in his footsteps but he can’t fill them. Edge called Rollins “Edge-lite”. Rollins got angry and told Edge he’s better than him. Rollins accepted Edge’s challenge for Summerslam.
(McDonald’s Analysis: Awesome. Great promo from both guys. This match feels super important. The Smackdown side of Summerslam sounds fantastic. I really like how they keep bringing up the past. I didn’t even realize Edge had eliminated Rollins from both Rumbles. That’s a happy coincidence. I loved how Rollins snapped when Edge called him “Edge-lite.”)
-Kayla Braxton was in the back. She welcomed Finn Balor. Balor said he was about to sign the contract until Baron Corbin showed up. Balor said Corbin should stay out of his business. Balor said he’s going to teach Corbin honor and integrity tonight. He said after he’s done with Corbin, he has a bone to pick with John Cena.
-The Street Profits made their entrance. They showed a graphic for Street Profits vs. Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode, next. [c]
-Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode made their entrance.
(4) STREET PROFITS (MONTEZ FORD & ANGELO DAWKINKS) vs. DIRTY DAWGS (DOLPH ZIGGLER & ROBERT ROODE)
Montez Ford and Roode started the match. Ford hit a bunch of flips and a drop kick to Roode and then to Ziggler on the apron. Roode recovered and hit a modified rock bottom for a near fall. Roode tagged in Ziggler and they hit a double team move for a near fall. Angelo Dawkins came in to break up the count. Ziggler tagged in Roode. Ford fought back and hit an enzuguiri on Roode. He tagged in Dawkins. Dawkins cleaned house. Ziggler went for a sunset flip for a near fall. Dawkins hit a neckbreaker on Ziggler for near fall as Roode broke up the pin. Roode through Ford over the top rope, then Dawkins dumped Roode. Ziggler hit the fameasser for a near fall on Dawkins. Dawkins recovered, hit a spinebuster on Ziggler, then tagged in Ford who hit the huge splash “from the heavens” for the win.
WINNER: STREET PROFITS in 5:00
-They showed a graphic of Bianca Belair posing with Megan thee Stallion. Belair then made her ring entrance. Belair vs. Vega is next. [c]
(McDonald’s Analysis: I haven’t had a chance to talk about the Street Profits. I like them, but I really like Montez Ford. I think he could be a big star given some tweaks, and the right opportunity. This match though, was pointless. It didn’t help anyone, and was basically here to kill time. I’m glad Smackdown actually has a few tag teams to choose from, so I’ll take an undercard tag match, as I love tag teams, but it’s hard to see what this actually means. Maybe they’re heating up the Street Profits for a feud with the Usos when they’re done with the Mysterios.)
-Zelina Vega made her ring entrance. They showed the graphic for Banks vs. Belair at Summerslam.
(5) BIANCA BELAIR vs. ZELINA VEGA – Non-title match
Belair was all over Vega. Vega recovered in the corner quickly and took down Belair. Belair recovered and continued to beat down Vega. Vega reversed against the ropes and caught Belair in a tarantula like submission using the ropes. As Belair lifted Vega into a press slam Sasha Banks’ music hit and she appeared on the entranceway. Vega slipped out of the press slam and took down Belair. Vega rolled Belair into the ring for a near fall as they went to break. [c]
Vega was in control. Belair recovered. She taunted Vega with the butt-slap taunt. Belair hit the slam then the front handspring moonsault for a near fall. Vega recovered and took Belair down. Vega went for a sleeper but Belair backed her into the corner. Vega went for the sleeper again, but Belair countered into a suplex. Belair went for a second suplex, but Vega countered into a DDT for a near fall. On the outside, Belair slung Vega into the barricade, then threw her back into the ring. Belair hit the KOD for the win.
WINNER: BIANCA BELAIR in 7:00
(McDonald’s Analysis: I don’t like that Vega is getting in so much offense on Belair. I think that’s a mistake. Belair won in the end in convincing fashion, which is the right call. Happy for another clean finish. I wanted to see more Banks-Belair though. I don’t really care for the Vega distraction.)
-They showed Roman Reigns sitting backstage with Paul Heyman. Heyman said that Balor vs. Corbin is up next. Reigns said he is interested. He stared off as they camera cut back to the arena. Finn Balor made his entrance to a mediocre reaction. Cole said the Balor Club is in full force tonight in Tampa. Balor-Corbin live, next. [c]
-Baron Corbin made his entrance to no music. Pat McAfee said Corbin can’t afford music. They showed a recap of the contract signing from last week.
(6) BARON CORBIN vs. FINN BALOR
Corbin asked for a mic. He said he was sorry. Balor didn’t accept then attacked Corbin with shoulder blocks in the corner. Corbin recovered and took Balor down. He then put him in the corner and hit a series of punches. Cole and McAfee discussed all the things Corbin has lost. Balor took Corbin down with a pele kick. McAfee said Corbin took Balor’s title opportunity away. Corbin recovered and went for a chokeslam. Balor recovered and hit a slingblade. Balor hit a double dropkick that knocked Corbin into the turnbuckles and down. Balor hit the Coup de Grais for the win.
WINNER: FINN BALOR in 3:00
-Balor took the mic. He said three years ago, he would have smiled and let what happened last week go. Balor said he wants to face Reigns for the title and he will go through Cena to do it. He said to name the time and place. Reigns’ music hit and he made his entrance to loud boos. Cole said Reigns is coming up on a year of being Universal champion. Cole said it has been a dominant year. McAfee said paparazzi follows Reigns everywhere. McAfee called Reigns the greatest of all time. Cole said it appears Reigns has business with Balor, next. [c]
– A loud Cena chant started while Reigns was in the ring. Reigns said Heyman already told everyone how Reigns felt about last week. Reigns told Balor he tried to help him. Reigns told Balor to keep the Tribal Chief’s name out of his mouth. Balor shoved Reigns out of the ring and pointed at him. The crowd again chanted Cena. Reigns got on the apron and stared at Balor. The Usos jumped Balor from behind. Reigns jumped off the apron and walked away. Jey went for a splash but Balor recovered. He knocked Jimmy into Jey and then tossed them both out of the ring. Balor dove over the top onto both Usos. He pointed at Reigns again. Reigns entered the ring and Balor attacked. Balor took Reigns down with a slingblade. The Usos attacked Balor from behind again. Reigns hit a Superman punch. Jey hit the splash. Reigns mounted Balor and hit him with forearms. Reigns locked Balor in the guillotine and choked him out. Reigns held up the title over Balor as the show went off the air.
(McDonald’s Analysis: Wow. So, to myself and everyone else complaining about what they did to Balor last week, we spoke too soon. Way better booking of him here. He was treated like a major player and held his own until the numbers game was too much. That’s a very good sign moving forward.)
FINAL THOUGHTS: Solid episode here. The detour in the Women’s Division seemed unnecessary but it sure beats having Banks and Belair wrestle each other over and over for the next 2-3 weeks like they do with every other feud. Still though, Vega was dominated by Toni Storm, (who’s been MIA now, wonder what’s up with that?) and now she can hang with Belair? Huge logic hole there. Another week of next to no movement in the mid-card. Big E is so important that he’s on the show for 30 seconds laughing at Heyman. It’s so clear that he’s going to Raw and they’re purposely letting him do nothing before then. If they were smart, he would have had a feud wrapping up by now. Oh, wait, that’s right. They fired the guy he was supposed to be feuding with right now. My bad. Nakamura and Crews will be a solid feud, but I don’t know who’s going to do the promo work. I bet they have two more “contenders” matches and then wrestle at Summerslam, maybe on the pre-show. I missed Otis this week. And jeez, how far has Cesaro fallen in just a couple months, huh? I beg of WWE, focus on the mid-card! Reigns was the man, Balor came off looking great, also. I can’t wait to see Reigns and Balor once Reigns and Cena is done. WWE is doing a great job here. I love that Reigns has multiple things going on.
I’ll be at the show tomorrow in Fort Myers. I’m really excited to see Reigns. I’m sitting 3rd row. I’ve never been so close before, so I’m pretty excited. I really hope it’s worth the money, even if it is just a house show. Talk to you folks next week.
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