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WWE SMACKDOWN TV REPORT
JULY 8, 2022
FT. WORTH, TEX.
AIRED ON FOX
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves
Ring Announcer: Samantha Irvin
Tonight after WWE Smackdown, join Wade Keller live with guest co-host Nick Barbati to break down the show with live callers and emails.
•STREAM LIVE HERE ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER THE SHOW CONCLUDES
•CALL: (347) 215-8558
•EMAIL COMMENTS/QUESTIONS: wadekellerpodcast@pwtorch.com
•IF YOU DON’T LISTEN LIVE, SEARCH “WADE KELLER” ON YOUR PODCAST APP TO SUBSCRIBE AND THEN DOWNLOAD OR STREAM THE FULL SHOW TWO HOURS OR SO AFTER THE TV SHOW ENDS.
[HOUR ONE]
-A four minute video package aired on Bobby Lashley beating Theory for the U.S. Title at Money in the Bank last weekend followed by Theory’s MITB victory later in the event.
-Michael Cole and Corey Graves introduced the show at ringside. Cole said McAfee wasn’t there and they’d have more information on that later. They hyped the line-up for the show including Sheamus vs. Drew McIntyre with the winner earning a title match against Roman Reigns at Clash at the Castle.
-Reigns, the Usos, and Paul Heyman made their ring entrance. Cole hyped Summerslam featuring Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar in the main event. As they stood in the ring and absorbed the crowd reaction, they showed Theory standing on the stage with his briefcase. Graves said The Bloodline doesn’t realize he’s there. Cole breathlessly wondered if Theory was about to cash in the briefcase. [c]
-Back from the break, Graves said they found out before the break that “Mr. Money in the Bank” Theory is in the arena. No update otherwise on where he went during the break or if The Bloodline spotted him. Instead, 14 minutes into the show, Reigns stood and looked around at the crowd and finally said, “Ft. Worth, Texas, acknowledge me!” Reigns said he’s hearing some “You suck” chants and some “Roman Reigns” chants. He said when he arrives, business picks up and life is so damn good. He said as long as God wakes him up, he can handle anything. He said he woke up in “the compound,” went to his private gym, jumped on the private jet, and arrived to Smackdown. He said he’s happy to be at work on his show, Smackdown, with his family, The Bloodline. He said he sees his “Wiseman” and “Special Counsel” looking “like this.” He asked, “What’d you all do to him? Why does he look so worried? What’s wrong with you?” Reigns told Heyman not to be concerned because he’s the GOAT and he’s smashed them all. He asked if they have a problem. He said they’ve been through a lot and aren’t going back there.
Reigns asked Heyman to put his hand out. He told Heyman not to be nervous, but Heyman was nervous. Reigns put the mic in Heyman’s hand, which was shaking, and told him to say what’s wrong. “I love you, my Tribal Chief,” Heyman said. “And I love the Usos. But we have a problem, and that problem’s name is Brock Lesnar. He said Reigns holds onto both championships when no one else can hold onto a title. He said he’s heading to a 1,000 day reign, the longest of the last 35 years. He said Brock, though, doesn’t respect that. He said he has one last chance against Reigns. He said when Lesnar is backed into a corner, that’s when he’s most dangerous. He talked about him beating The Rock and Undertaker against the odds. He said he’s scared because they’re going to have to see Lesnar “go savage” and they’ll have to smash him in the most diabolical version of himself, “the GOATs of all GOATs.” He said he’ll stand victorious in God Mode if approaches the match that way.
Reigns’s music played as Heyman kneeled in front of him. But then Theory’s music played. Reigns looked over at Theory as he jogged out and held up the briefcase.
-They went to the announcers at ringside. Cole said Theory is playing mind games and reminding Reigns that whoever wins at Summerslam won’t be in any condition to fend him off if he cashes in.
(Keller’s Analysis: Good segment, on brand for The Bloodline, but it’s an uphill battle to get fans excited again about Reigns vs. Lesnar. I liked the acknowledgment by Reigns that Heyman switch allegiances earlier this year and he didn’t anticipate that happening again. I also like Reigns being supremely confident while Heyman is nervous and making sure Reigns is preparing for the version of Lesnar they’re going to get. Theory showing off his briefcase is good reminder of what he can do at Summerslam after Lesnar and Reigns beat each other up.)
-A sponsored video package aired on the “new, vicious Viking Raiders.”
-The Viking Raiders made their ring entrance. Graves said they’re two scary individuals. [c]
(1) THE VIKING RAIDERS vs. JINDER MAHAL & SHANKY
The Raiders knocked Shanky off the ring apron and then double powerbombed Mahal for a quick clean win.
WINNER: Raiders in 1:00.
-The Raiders stomped away at Mahal after the match. When Shanky re-entered the ring to help, the Raiders jumped him. The New Day then came out to their music to address the Raiders, who stopped their attack to listen. Kofi said they kicked their asses last week. They turned around and wiggled their butts. They said their butts are still there. Xavier, “Thick A.F.” They approached the ring and held up two tickets with “Ass Beating” written on it. They said tonight they will give them the whoopin’ they all deserve. They charged into the ring and brawled with the Raiders. The Raiders got the better of them again. Ivar powerslammed Kofi off the second rope. Their music played to end the segment.
-Cole said Pat McAfee isn’t there because Happy Corbin attacked him as soon as the MITB broadcast ended last weekend. They showed the attack. He plugged the McAfee vs. Corbin match at Summerslam. Corbin sat next to Cole and he said he’s going to do color commentary better than McAfee ever did. Cole said McAfee is actually playing golf and will be back next week. Corbin said he’s in 67th place.
-Gunther walked out for a potential open challenge accompanied by Ludvig Kaiser. [c]
-Graves hyped the McIntyre vs. Sheamus main event.
-They went to Cole and Graves at ringside who were still joined by Corbin. Kaiser stood mid-ring and said no one is worthy of competing against Gunther. Gunther said anyone who defends his title against an unknown opponent is a fool. He said any challenger has to deserve the chance to compete against him. Shinsuke Nakamura came out to his music. Kaiser and Walter side-eyed the stage as Nakamura came out. Corbin imitated McAfee, going bonkers. Graves joined him standing on the table and played air guitar together. Nakamura strutted in the ring and walked up to Gunther. He smiled after looking him up and down. Nakamura said Gunther can keep his title for now. He challenged Kaiser to a match right now.
(2) LUDVIG KAISER vs. SHINSUKE NAKAMURA
Nakamura got early control, but then took a moment to eye Gunther. Back in the ring, Kaiser knocked a distracted Nakamura into the ropes and then knocked him to the floor. Gunther stood above him as they cut to an early break. [c/ss]
Nakamura controlled the action after the break as Corbin reminisced about his football days. Nakamura ducked a comeback attempt by Kaiser and then wheel kicked him. He followed with the Kinshasa for the win.
WINNER: Nakamura in 6:00.
-Afterward, Gunther entered the ring and chewed out Kaiser. He told him to stand. Kaiser, looking nervous and defeated, stood. Gunther then chopped him in the chest hard. Kaiser dropped to one knee and winced. Gunther ordered him to absorb another. Kaiser did, then dropped toh his knees again. Walter ordered him to stand for a third chop. Kaiser went down hard on the third chop. “What kind of a man is Gunther?” asked Cole. Gunther stood over Kaiser.
-They went to Cole and Graves. Cole noted Corbin left the commentary table. Cole smiled and said the underdog finally won the ultimate prize.
-A video package aired on Liv Morgan’s MITB win and subsequent successful cash-in against Ronda Rousey.
-Morgan made her live ring entrance, holding up the Smackdown Title belt. [c]
-Graves plugged Sheamus vs. McIntyre again.
[HOUR TWO]
-Cole stood in the ring and interviewed Morgan. Cole said Rousey wants a rematch, perhaps as soon as Summerslam. Morgan said to bring it. She said the belt over her shoulders is a culmination of years off hard work, and she vowed to work ten times as hard to stay on top. She said nobody wants the title more than her. Cole said ten years ago she was a waitress, and she saved everything in order to become a sports entertainer. (I bet she never used that term when telling people what her dream was.) He asked what it means now to be Smackdown Champion. She said she dreamed of it her entire life. She said she thought at times she’d never get there, “but here I am!” She took John Cena’s advise to never give up and follow your dreams. Natalya’s music interrupted her.
Natalya marched out. She said she has a dream, which is that Morgan will shut up. She said her Cinderella story will come to an end soon. She told Morgan she beat Rousey only because she softened her up. “I loved watching Ronda scream in pain,” she said. “So while I may have lost the match, I enjoyed the hell out of it.” Rousey’s music then played and she walked out, sneering. Rousey told Morgan to enjoy her time with the title while she can because at Summerslam, she’ll “learn that challenging for the title is a whole lot easier than defending it.” She told Natalya it’s nice she enjoyed injuring her knee and costing her the title. She said she’s not dressed to wrestle, but she asked the fans if they’d like to see her kick the crap out of Natalya. Natalya jumped Rousey. Liv threw Natalya out of the ring and then held up her belt. Rousey re-entered the ring and they cut to a break.
(Keller’s Analysis: It was smart to have Cole lead the discussion like that and not leave her out there alone where she doesn’t always shine doing a long-form live solo promo.) [c]
(3) RONDA ROUSEY vs. NATALYA
Rousey applied a standing anklelock on the ring apron a minute in. Next, she appliked an anklelock mid-ring. Natalya stood, but Rousey shifted into an overhead slam. She rolled her over and applied an anklelock. Natalya tapped after ten seconds.
WINNER: Rousey in 2:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: If Natalya gained anything from being competitive against Rousey in this feud, this quick clean loss defined her back down to the women’s mid-card. It’s fine because they’re wanting to keep Rousey strong going into the singles title match.)
-Megan Morant interviewed McIntyre backstage. He said he’s been to Europe recently. He said the Clash at the Castle will be huge, and he wants to face the Lesnar, Reigns, or “the new chosen one” Theory. He said he and Sheamus go way back.
-They showed Max Dupri backstage. [c]
-Dupri stood mid-ring and introduced the 2022 Tennis Collection. Mace came out first in white shorts and a blue shirt and a white sweater tied around his neck. He had a wooden tennis racquet in hand. Mansoor came out next dressed similarly. They eventually posed together.
-They went to Cole and Graves at ringside. Graves asked Cole if his juices are titillated yet.
-Highlights aired of the Reigns segment earlier that Theory interrupted.
-Kayla Braxton interviewed Theory backstage. He said he was letting Reigns know earlier that he’s always watching. He said he’d love to cash in on Brock at Summerslam after the way he treated him, but now that he’s seen how arrogant Reigns is up close, he’d be fine cashing in against him. Braxton said he is arrogant too. Theory said people don’t like him, and he loves that. He said he’s going to become a two-time U.S. Champion at Summerslam when he beats Lashley, and then he’ll beat up whoever survives the Lesnar-Reigns match later in the night. Theory left. In walked Madcap Moss who said the briefcase is big, but he thinks he can shove it in his mouth and he’d love to try.
-Aliyah made her ring entrance. [c]
-Lacey Evans’ made her entrance. She came onto the stage, listened to the crowd reaction, and then turned and left. Cole asked why she left. Her music played again. She came out and listened for more cheers. She didn’t look satisfied, paused, and signaled “one more time.” Graves said she’s expecting a more favorable reaction from the fans. On the third try, she made it all the way to the ring, but still didn’t seem to love the reaction. Fans booed when her music stopped. Cole said he’s still trying to figure out what’s going on. Lacey asked for a mic. She entered the ring and said she wanted to talk before the match. Fans booed. She said she’s completely disgusted by the fans. “That’s the reaction that I get?” she said. She asked, “Don’t you guys know who I am, what I’ve been through?” She said she poured her heart out on live TV with hopes to help the fans, “but for what, that reaction and those cheers” She said it must bother the fans to see a woman like her because of how weak they are. She said with all the struggles she’s been through, they can’t go through half of them and be half the woman she is. “The truth hurts sometimes,” she said. She said she expects a standing ovation from the fans. She told the fans she can’t believe she fought for them. She said they can go to hell and began to the ring. Aliyah approached her and asked about teaming. Lacey gave her a A Women’s Right. Graves said she hasn’t gotten the right response from fans yet.
-The Usos made their ring entrance. They showed a clip of their win against the Street Profits at MITB. [c]
(4) THE USOS vs. LOS LOTHARIOS (Humberto & Angelo) – Championship Contenders match
Los Lotharious teased a stereo dive to ringside a minute in. They ended up kicking them at ringside. Jimmy and Jey finished Humberto with a pop-up Samoan Drop for a near fall, broken up by Angel. Humberto went for a top rope move, but Jey avoided it and superkicked him. They finished him off with a leaping cutter.
WINNER: Usos in 3:00.
-Kayla interviewed The Usos mid-ring about Montez Ford’s shoulder being up during the referee’s count at MITB. She said they got away with cheating. Jimmy said if pinning their opponents 1-2-3 is cheating, then they cheated. Kayla said there are rumors they’ll have a special guest referee for their rematch at Summerslam. Jey said if he can count to three, that’s fine with them.
-McIntyre’s entrance theme played as the Usos were still in the ring. [c]
-Cole and Graves hyped next week’s Smackdown featuring Moss vs. Theory and Morgan vs. Natalya.
-Before the match, Sheamus talked to Drew. He began coughing as he talked and said he might have COVID. “Cover your mouth!” said Cole. Sheamus said they told him he can’t compete until he’s tested. He said he has a back-up plan. He said Butch is foaming at the mouth to get at him.
(5) BUTCH (w/Sheamus, Ridge Holland) vs. DREW MCINTYRE – Winner Earns Unified Title match at Clash at the Castle
Butch went after Drew at the bell, but Drew took over. When he was distracted briefly by Sheamus, Butch caught him with a kick and took control. Drew came back and won with a Claymore Kick.
WINNER: McIntyre in 3:00.
-Drew fended off Sheamus’s attempt to enter the ring afterward. He held up his sword and eyed Sheamus. He swung down at him and cut the top rope. Sheamus retreated to the floor with his cohorts as Drew’s music played.
(Keller’s Analysis: They put a lot effort into advertising a match that didn’t occur. It felt like something was up when they went with the Usos vs. Los Lotharios with so little time left in the show.)
Tonight after WWE Smackdown, join Wade Keller live with guest co-host Nick Barbati to break down the show with live callers and emails.
•STREAM LIVE HERE ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER THE SHOW CONCLUDES
•CALL: (347) 215-8558
•EMAIL COMMENTS/QUESTIONS: wadekellerpodcast@pwtorch.com
•IF YOU DON’T LISTEN LIVE, SEARCH “WADE KELLER” ON YOUR PODCAST APP TO SUBSCRIBE AND THEN DOWNLOAD OR STREAM THE FULL SHOW TWO HOURS OR SO AFTER THE TV SHOW ENDS.
Two no show matches… Aliyah and Sheamus. Perhaps injury. Perhaps Vince is being even more insane than we think he is and finds false advertising an o.k. thing, but when they bait-switch the main event they really should throw out some explanation.