7/22 WWE SMACKDOWN RESULTS: Keller’s report on Stephanie addressing Vince McMahon retirement, Summerslam hype

WWE SMACKDOWN TV REPORT
JULY 22, 2022
BOSTON MASS. AT TD GARDEN
AIRED ON FOX

Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee

Ring Announcer: Samantha Irvin

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[HOUR ONE]

-The “Then, Now, Forever, Together” brand stamp aired.

-Michael Cole introduced the show and called it a historic night in WWE history.

-Stephanie McMahon stood mid-ring and said her father retired from WWE earlier in the day. Her voice cracked. Fans booed. “This is the company that he created, that he founded,” she said. “He wanted to make sure in his retirement that he thanked all of you, the WWE Universe.” Fans began chanting “Thank you, Vince.” She laughed and said they’re jumping ahead and she’s getting there. She talked about the crew backstage and the wrestlers and announcers on camera. “Even Michael Cole, I guess,” she joked. She said since he took time to thank them, it’s time to thank him. She started a “Thank you, Vince!” chant. The Street Profits music played and they made their entrance through the crowd after the camera panned around looking for them for a few seconds.

(Keller’s Analysis: So that’s the first sign of something new. Keep an eye out for little things that are different without Vince McMahon approving and vetoing everything in terms of the presentation of the product. No mention of Brock Lesnar early in the show or anything else that is planned. As for Stephanie’s emotional announcement, if Vince’s retirement wasn’t under a cloud of controversy about sexual misconduct allegations, the tribute would have been much more substantial. It’s no surprise Vince got a positive crowd response, but if that’s the last time Vince is mentioned on WWE for years, it really says something about the circumstances of his departure and how people in power ultimately feel about his conduct and how he handled things behind the scenes.)

-The Street Profits entered the ring and quoted K.G. (NBA Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett) after winning the NBA Title as a member of the Boston Celtics. Theory interrupted. He walked toward the ring and said he’s going to going to regain the U.S. Title from Bobby Lashley and then cash in and become the new Undisputed WWE Champion. He said it doesn’t matter if it’s Brock Lesnar or Roman Reigns, it won’t matter. He was interrupted by the Usos. The Usos told Theory if he says anything else about the Tribal Chief, he won’t make it to Summerslam. The Profits laughed. Montez Ford said they aren’t getting out of Boston “without these hands.” They attacked the Usos. The Usos and Theory outnumbered the Profits. Madcap Moss charged out for the save and took the Usos down, but he too was soon overwhelmed. The Profits recovered and brawled with them, eventually clearing the ring.

-They went to Cole and Pat McAfee on camera who narrated a video recap on Gunther chopping the chest of Ludwig Kaiser after losing to Shinsuke Nakamura.

-Nakamura made his ring entrance. McAfee stood on the top of the announce desk and danced. Cole asked, “What if Ludwig loses again to Nakamura?!” [c]

(1) SHINSUKE NAKAMURA vs. LUDWIG KAISER (w/Gunther)

Nakamura got in early offense. Kaiser came back with an underhook suplex out of the corner and a running knee for a two count. Nakamura took control again, but Kaiser grabbed his leg as he went for a kick on the ring apron and yanked him to the floor. He threw him into the ringside steps and they cut to a break. [c]

Nakamura made a comeback after the break, including his slide-under back suplex for a near fall. (That’s one of those awkward moves where the target has to awkwardly stay in position for it.) Gunther yelled at Kaiser. Nakamura got in Gunther’s face. When Nakamura returned to the ring, Kaiser scored a quick near fall with a roll-up. Nakamura landed a spin wheel kick. Gunther stood on the ring apron and distracted Nakamura. Kaiser went for a roll-up from behind, but Nakamura blocked it. Gunther then hit Nakamura when Kaiser flung him into the ropes. Kaiser then gave Nakamura a DDT for the win.

WINNER: Kaiser in 10:00.

(Keller’s Analysis: The interference by Gunther missed pretty badly. Good solid match otherwise.)

-Afterward, Gunther yelled at Kaiser and told him to absorb more chops. Kaiser closed his eyes and winced. Gunther, though, patted him on his shoulder instead. Kaiser looked up in relief as Gunther smiled. Gunther then chopped him anyway. He yelled for him to “be a man.”

-They cut to Liv Morgan and Ronda Rousey being mic’d up backstage. [c]

-Cole commented over clips of Rousey hurting her knee at Money in the Bank, then Liv cashing in against her to win the title.

-Kayla interviewed Rousey and Liv backstage. Just as I wondered why they put mics on the women’s lapels before the break if Kayla was going to hold a mic for them, Rousey told Kayla to leave. Kayla left. Rousey told Liv she’s a breath of fresh air, but she’s going to beat her at Summerslam. She said when she beats her at Summerslam, she’ll expect her to shake her hand the same way she shook hers. Liv said she can’t look her in the eyes and say she’s going to beat her because she’s better than her, but she wants it, loves it, and needs it more than her. “So when I beat you at Summerslam again, I promise you I’ll make sure to shake your hand,” Liv. Rousey said everybody loves her because of her passion, “except me.” Not sure if she meant she has more passion or she doesn’t love her for her passion.

-They went to Cole and McAfee at ringside. Happy Corbin attacked McAfee. Corbin left and McAfee stood and chased him. Corbin fled backstage. The camera followed Corbin and McAfee brawling. (Who’s at Gorilla?) Adam Pearce and other producers got between them before it got out of hand. [c]

-A video aired hyping Summerslam. It was generic, showing scenes of Nashville and various wrestlers coming to the ring at previous big events. No sign of Brock Lesnar at all.

-Back from the break, McAfee entered the ring and fans chanted “McAfee! McAfee!” He said he has one thing to say before returning to commentary. He led a chant of “Bum Ass Corbin.” He said at Summerslam Corbin won’t be able to hit him from behind or use diaper rash as an excuse to hide, so he will kick him in the head. “See you in Nashville, bitch!” He threw the mic down and moved back to the commentary table.

-Cole shifted to a sponsored video package on the “new vicious Viking Raiders.”

(Keller’s Analysis: Unless Vince McMahon tries to remain some sort of shadow booker role, we’re going to find out soon what quirks were not being only because of him even though everyone else thought they were bad idea. One example is calling the Raider “The new vicious Viking Raiders” all the time.)

-New Day joined Cole and McAfee on commentary. Xavier was wearing a unicorn mask and told Cole not to assume it’s him.

(2) SHANKY & JINDER MAHAL vs. THE NEW VICIOUS VIKING RAIDERS

New Day brought the energy as usual and talked about it being their eight year anniversary. The action spilled to ringside in front of New Day early. Ivar threw Jinder into the ringside steps and then into the laps of New Day. Jinder was counted out.

WINNERS: The New Vicious Viking Raiders via countout in 2:00.

-They cut to Adam Pearce on his phone telling someone that Corbin is gone. (Who is he talking to now?) Sonya Deville interrupted and said any show he’s in charge of is a disaster. She said maybe he could hire someone, implying she’d be helpful. Pearce said one match he planned is actually going to happen – Sonya was booked against Raquel Rodriguez. Sonya frowned.

-The Brawling Brutes made their way to the ring.

-A commercial hyped Raw on MSG on Monday.

(Keller’s Analysis: It really says something about the Vince retirement that he didn’t make it to MSG on Monday. He loves MSG and if he had a choice in the matter, it really seems he’d have stuck around for one final night at the Garden.) [c]

-The Brawling Brutes were in the ring in front of a table covered in a green tarp. They replayed a clip of Drew McIntyre slicing the top rope with his sword. Sheamus complained that McIntyre tried to chop his head off. He said he should be called McMenace. He said his medieval weapon of war has no place in the ring. He said he’s going to do everything in his power – at which point Drew’s music interrupted him. Drew walked out with his sword in hand, smiling. Ridge Holland held back Butch.

[HOUR TWO]

Drew asked Sheamus, “What happened to you, Sheamus? When did you become such a bitch?” He asked what happened to the guy he’s known for 20 years and signed with WWE together and worked their asses off for opportunities, and they had a chance to headline the first UK stadium show in 30 years, “the same place we fought in front of 100 people.” He said the current champion has held the title held hostage and shows up when he wants, “and the other option isn’t much better.” He said they need a real champion, a real workhorse, someone to restore prestige. He said he knows Sheamus still has it in him. He told him to do the no. 1 contender match “right here in Boston.” Cheers.

Sheamus began to talk. Drew said no excuses, show him the passion, and have some balls. Sheamus said what just said gave him goosebumps. He said he knows he is better than him. Sheamus asked if Drew and the fans want that fight. “Well, you’re gonna get it!” Sheamus said. He added, “Just not tonight.” Fans booed, Drew exhaled, Sheamus chuckled. Sheamus said he spoke to upper management. Fans interrupted with a “You suck!” chant. He said upper management has agreed that the match will take place next week on Smackdown. He said Drew’s sword is banned because it’ll be “a good old fashioned Irish donnybrook match.” He lifted the green tarp and revealed Irish Shillelaghs and asked him to accept the first-ever Shillelagh match “with a lot of other shenanigans in there.” Drew said if that’s what it takes, he accepts. Sheamus called Pearce out to make it official. Pearce walked out and said since they both want it, what the hell, let’s do it. He made it official. Drew came up behind Sheamus and sliced his Shillelagh in half with his sword. Sheamus dropped the mic and looked at the sword wide-eyed. Drew held up the sword as Sheamus took cover with Holland and Butch at ringside.

-Backstage the Usos talked about the main event six-man tag team match. In walked Paul Heyman (who’s likely had a busy day). He said the Profits are a handful. He said with Theory, it’s three-on-three, but if they drop Theory early, it becomes two-on-three. He told them to use Theory, and after they win, “then let’s go off the air tonight with Theory face down on the canvas.” He told them to make sure it’s not a prediction, but rather it’s a spoiler.

-Raquel Rodriguez made her entrance. [c]

(3) RACQUEL RODRIGUEZ vs. SONYA DEVILLE

Cole said nobody in the history of WWE abused their power like Sonya did. (Uh, bad timing there.) A few minutes in, Rodriguez landed a swing elbow drop out of the corner for a two count. Deville DDT’d Raquel a minute later for a two count of her own. Racquel slammed Sonya with her finisher a minute later for the win.

WINNER: Rodriguez in 4:00.

(Keller’s Analysis: Rudimentary back and forth match. Just okay.) [c]

-Cole hyped the six-man tag main event.

-After Aliyah’s entrance for her scheduled match against Lacey Evans, a clip aired of Lacey’s heel promo last week. Lacey came out and spread her arms arrogantly. She teased a high-five with a fan, then pulled her hand away. The director oddly cut away from the obvious set-up right before she pulled her hand away, but returned to catch the fan’s reaction. She said it’s no surprise Tom Brady left this dumpster of a town. She said she accomplished more in this day than they do in an entire year. She said little kids are out there asking their moms what they’ve accomplished lately, and the answer is: nothing. She said she wakes up and wins. She said not one person in the building can walk a mile in her shoes because she’s better than every single one of them. Aliyah heard enough and tried to get her to stop. Lacey gave her a Woman’s Right. McAfee said Lacey is “everything that’s wrong with everything.” They played Lacey’s music and apparently that’s it. No match.

(Keller’s Analysis: Why is there no match? How many WWE matches are started after a pre-match attack, sometimes right away, sometimes after a break? It makes the announcers look like shills not to bring up that the match should take place and not be called off unless it’s determined Aliyah can’t continue, but that clearly hadn’t happened yet. Can we blame Vince McMahon for this stupidity? Nope. Not anymore.)

-Braxton interviewed Jeff Jarrett backstage. Jeff walked up wearing a ref shirt. She asked Jarrett why Pearce chose him. Jarrett said the support has been overwhelming since the announcement. He said he got the job because he turned down all kinds of bribes. He said this is the biggest tag team match in Summerslam history. He said management needed someone who wouldn’t be swayed or intimidated or blinded by the bright lights, who can call it right down the middle. He said that man is him. He did his Double J routine and closed with his signature laugh.

-The Usos made their ring entrance. [c]

-Cole touted WWE’s YouTube view page total, the seventh channel to ever reach 70 billion views.

-Maxxine Dupri introduced herself and stood in front of the Maximum Male Models. She said the Beachwear Collection show will be next week on Smackdown. No sign of Max Dupri.

-Cole hyped next week’s Smackdown line-up including Lacey vs. Aliyah and Raiders vs. New Day.

(4) THE USOS & THEORY vs. THE STREET PROFITS & MADCAP MOSS

The Usos stood in the ring as the Profits music played and they made their entrance with Moss. The bell rang 38 minutes into the hour. A minute into the match they cut to a break when the Profits and Moss cleared the ring. Montez had grabbed the briefcase, which upset Theory. [c]

Ford tagged in after the break and landed a top rope crossbody on Jey for a near fall. The action picked up with everyone. McAfee said someone’s gum just hit him in the face. The Usos got the better of the brawl as they cut to a break. [c]

Madcap got in offense after the break. Montez eventually flip dove onto a crowd at ringside which included his partner, Dawkins. (Will that be part of a Street Profits break-up?) Theory picked up his briefcase. Moss punched him and they fought one-on-one for a while. Cole called them “two young studs.” Theory grabbed his briefcase as Moss charged, so the ref DQ’d Theory. Theory bashed Moss over and over with the case.

WINNERS: Profits & Moss via DQ in 16:00.

-A “You suck!” chant rang out as Theory continued to bash Moss with the briefcase. McAfee said that guy would be awful for the company if he was the face of the company. Brock Lesnar’s music played and he walked out to his music. He smiled and looked around as Theory looked at him from the ring. Cole said Theory’s been running his mouth about what he’d do to Brock at Summerslam. Brock circled the ring. Lesnar entered the ring and blocked a briefcase swing by Theory. He then gave Theory an F5 and bashed him a few times with the case. Cole said that could be Reigns at Summerslam. Lesnar then drove Theory’s face into the briefcase. Cole said Lesnar could be the next Undisputed WWE Champion. “The Beast is back!” he declared.

(Keller’s Analysis: So with reports of Lesnar leaving earlier in reaction to Vince’s retirement, and WWE taking down Brock’s name from the advertised Smackdown line-up before the show, things must’ve gotten worked out.)