7/22 WWE SMACKDOWN TV RESULTS: McDonald’s “alt perspective” report on Lesnar’s return, Morgan and Rousey face to face, Nakamura-Kaiser, Maxine Dupri debut

WWE SMACKDOWN TV REPORT
JULY 22, 2022
BOSTON, MA AT TD GARDEN
AIRED ON FOX
REPORT BY ALEX McDONALD, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Announcers: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee

[HOUR ONE]

-The show opened with a crowd shot. Michael Cole welcomed the audience to the show. He called it a historic night.

-Stephanie McMahon stood in the middle of the ring. She welcomed the crowd to Smackdown. She then said that earlier tonight, Vince McMahon retired from WWE. Stephanie then said that he created this company, and he wanted to thank the WWE Universe, and all the workers. The crowd chanted “thank you, Vince”. Stephanie then said that this is the moment that they need to thank Vince. She then led the crowd in another chant.

-The Street Profits music played and they made their entrance through the crowd. They showed a graphic for the Undisputed Tag Team title match at Summerslam with Jeff Jarrett as the special guest referee. Cole and Pat McAfee hyped the match.

-Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford entered the ring and took the mic. Ford said they’re there to let everyone know some information. Dawkins then said that anything is possible at Summerslam. He said they will be the new Undisputed Tag Team champions because the Profits are up and they want the smoke.

-Theory’s music played and he appeared on the ramp. He said that no one cares. The crowd booed. He then said that everyone only cares about what he’s doing at Summerslam. Theory then said he’s going to take back the United States title from Bobby Lashley, then cash in to become the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. He said it doesn’t matter who he cashes in on.

-The Usos’ music played and they made their entrance. Cole said they’ve been champions for 368 days. Jey asked if they heard Theory, and he needs to keep the Tribal Chief’s name out of his mouth. He said if he says something again, he won’t make it to Summerslam. The Profits laughed. Theory said that Ford and his wife are going to leave Summerslam without titles. A brawl broke out. The Usos and Theory took the advantage. Madcap Moss’ music played and he ran down. He took Theory down, but the Usos took the advantage on Moss. The Profits recovered and fought off the Usos and Theory alongside Moss. Dawkins flew over the top rope and took out the Usos and Theory on the outside. The Profits and Moss celebrated in the ring.

(McDonald’s Analysis: I was hoping for a little more out of Stephanie there. Maybe a speech about a new generation, or change, or something. I’m not surprised though. Also, given recent allegations, I don’t know if leading the crowd in a “thank you, Vince” chant is the best idea. Maybe I’m overreacting. I don’t know. It just doesn’t settle with me that we’re still celebrating this guy. There’s a good chance a lot more is going to come out given the timing of his announcement today.

On the actual segment, it was fine, but nothing special. The type of chaos WWE likes. I imagine this will lead to a six man tag tonight or even possibly on Raw. Interesting that Moss is being inserted into this spot. I guess they really do have high hopes for him. Good sign for him.)

-McAfee and Cole were at ringside. Cole threw to a video recap of Shinsuke Nakamura and Ludwig Kaiser from two weeks ago. The video then showed Gunther’s punishment of Kaiser after the match.

-Nakamura’s music played and he made his entrance. McAfee freaked out and danced on the announce table. They then showed a graphic for Nakamura and Kaiser. Cole hyped the match for after the break. [c]

-Nakamura was in the ring. Gunther’s music played and he made his entrance with Ludwig Kaiser. Kaiser stood behind Gunther and looked slightly worried. Gunther shouted instructions to Kaiser.

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

Kaiser took Nakamura to the corner. He pounded away at Nakamura then choked him with his boot. Kaiser continued the assault on Nakamura in the corner. He then hit a snapmare followed by a diving uppercut. He covered Nakamura for a near fall. Kaiser stomped at Nakamura, then put on a chinlock, followed by an elbow to the face. Nakamura reversed an Irish whip into a kick. Kaiser went to the corner and Nakamura kicked at him, then snapmared him and hit a knee for a near fall. Nakamura sent Kaiser to the corner, then choked him with his boot. Kaiser grabbed the foot of Nakamura, then hit a big punch to Nakamura followed by a butterfly suplex. Kaiser then hit a running knee for a near fall. He covered Nakamura again for another near fall. Kaiser used a snap suplex into yet another cover for another near fall. The crowd cheered for Nakamura. Nakamura recovered and hit a kick to the back of Kaiser’s head. He then perched him on the top rope and delivered a knee to the gut. Kaiser recovered and knocked Nakamura to the floor. Kaiser then tossed Nakamura into the ring steps. Kaiser and Gunther stood over Nakamura as they cut to break. [c]

Kaiser had Nakamura in a headlock. The crowd cheered Nakamura on. He fought up with elbows, but Kaiser stopped him and went for a suplex. Nakamura countered and hit a kick that took both me down. Back on their feet, Nakamura hit a kick to the gut, followed by an axe kick and a sliding knee. Nakamura then set Kaiser up and hit a sliding German suplex for a near fall. Kaiser hit a running elbow, then Nakamura caught him with a boot, followed by a kick off the top rope. Kaiser rolled to the outside where he was admonished by Gunther. Kaiser got back in the ring. Nakamura exited and got in the face of Gunther. Nakamura got back in the ring and Kaiser looked for a rollup but Nakamura kicked out. Nakamura set up the Kinshasa, but Gunther got on the apron and distracted him. Nakamura rolled Kaiser up but Kaiser kicked Nakamura off. Nakamura flew into Gunther who punched him from the apron. Kaiser hit a DDT for the win.

WINNER: Ludwig Kaiser in 9:00

-Gunther and Kaiser walked up the ramp. Gunther old Kaiser to put his arms down. Gunther then removed his coat. He demanded Kaiser get ready. Gunther then patted Kaiser on the back. Kaiser looked relieved. Gunther then chopped Kaiser and Kaiser collapsed to the ground. Gunther admonished Kaiser some more.

(McDonald’s Analysis: Solid match with a finish that just wasn’t necessary. I assume this will lead to a Nakamura match against Gunther at Summerslam. Gunther attacked Kaiser again. I won’t lie, they got me with the pat on the back moment. I get that Gunther had to help him win, but why does that matter if he still won? I hope they explain this a little more as time goes on. It’s a cool wrinkle, but at this point it needs some more fleshing out. We’ll see where it goes.)

-Liv Morgan and Ronda Rousey were shown in the back. Technicians were fitting them with microphones. Cole hyped their segment for after the break. [c]

-Post card shots were shown of Boston. They then showed a graphic for the Street Profits and Moss against the Usos and Theory in a six man tag match in the main event.

-Cole threw to a video recap of Rousey’s win over Natalya at Money in the Bank. The video then showed Liv Morgan cashing in on Rousey at the same event. They then showed Kayla Braxton in the back. She welcomed Morgan and Rousey. Kayla asked Rousey how the rematch will be different. Rousey shooed Kayla away. She then told Morgan that she respects her and she seized an opportunity, but she’s going to beat her at Summerslam. Rousey said that she’s going to win because she’s Rousey, and “you’re Liv Morgan”. Rousey said after she wins, Morgan should shake her hand just like she did for Morgan. Morgan said she’s going to win because she wants it more. She said that she’ll shake Rousey’s hand after she wins. Rousey then said that Morgan has more passion than anybody, except her. Rousey walked off.

(McDonald’s Analysis: That was kept short and that’s probably for the best for everyone involved. The fans are included in that. This was good. It came off as intense and slightly catty without defining a clear heel. Rousey seemed a little more smug, which is good, and it came off genuine. Morgan did a better job seeming somewhat confident in her abilities. The line from Rousey at the end was interesting. I wonder if that was an intentional dig at the perception of her, or just a coincidence.)

-Cole and McAfee were shown at ringside. They talked up an episode of the Pat McAfee show with Morgan as the guest. Happy Corbin appeared and attacked McAfee. Corbin retreated up the ramp. McAfee ran after McAfee. McAfee caught up to Corbin behind the curtain. They brawled for a second before officials broke it up. [c]

-Back from break, they showed a recap of the previous segment. McAfee walked down the ramp and entered the ring. The crowd chanted his name. McAfee took the mic. He said before he goes back to commentary, he has something to say to bum ass Corbin. The crowd chanted along. McAfee said that Corbin can’t come up behind him at Summerslam. McAfee said that at Summerslam it will be man against big, dumb, bald, baby. McAfee said he’s going to put Corbin down for good at Summerslam. They showed a graphic for the match as Cole hyped it.

-Cole threw to a video package with the New Day dressed as the Viking Raiders last week. The video then showed New Day getting the upper hand with Shanky and Jinder Mahal. After the video, the New Day joined Cole and McAfee at ringside. Xavier Woods wore a unicorn mask.

-Mahal and Shanky made their entrance. The Viking Raiders’ music then played and they made their entrance. Kofi Kingston brought out a New Day shirt for McAfee. He told Cole he couldn’t have one.

(2) JINDER MAHAL & SHANKY vs. VIKING RAIDERS (Erik & Ivar)

Erik took down Mahal. He tagged in Ivar and they pounded on Mahal together. Ivar took Mahal to the corner and hit a series of elbows on him. Mahal recovered and charged Ivar but Ivar took him down hard. Mahal rolled to the outside. Ivar followed. They battled in front of the announce table. Erik left the apron and distracted Mahal. Erik attacked Mahal then tossed him into the steps. Ivar then tossed Mahal into the New Day. The ref counted Mahal out and the Raiders won.

WINNER: Viking Raiders (Erik & Ivar) in 2:00 by count out

-The New Day entered the ring as the Raiders left. The New Day shouted after the Viking Raiders.

(McDonald’s Analysis: I get that it was supposed to show the Viking Raiders as smart, but aren’t they destructive and vicious now? Why would they want to win by count out? This didn’t make any sense. On top of that, why would they run away from New Day? I’m already ready for this feud to be over. The New Day on commentary is not a great idea. They’re way too goofy and over the top for that.)

-Adam Pearce was in the back on the phone. Sonya Deville appeared. She said that every show Pearce oversees is a disaster. She said Pearce could put some of the money to use and spruce up his resume. Pearce said he did plan something for the show tonight. He said that Deville is going to have a match against Raquel Rodriguez.

-Sheamus’ music played and he made his entrance with Butch and Ridge Holland in tow. Cole said that Sheamus has been texting him all week about how dangerous Drew McIntyre’s sword is. The Brawling Brutes posed in the ring. [c]

-Sheamus took the mic and said the place was full of green. He then said it smells a bit there. He said it must be all the fake Irish folks. He said that tonight, they’re going to make history. He said it’s not fight night. He said he was supposed to kick McIntyre’s head off and win a shot at the title. He said that McIntyre tried to kill him with the sword, so now the match won’t happen until the sword is banned from the ring. Sheamus threw to a video recap of McIntyre cutting the ropes a couple of weeks ago. Sheamus called McIntyre a lunatic and said McIntyre tried to chop his head off. Sheamus said a medieval weapon has no place in the ring.

[HOUR TWO]

-Drew McIntyre’s music played and he made his entrance. He carried the sword with him and then pointed it at Sheamus. Holland held Butch back. Sheamus avoided McIntyre. He said that the sword has no place in the ring. Sheamus said that Holland will take Butch out of the ring if McIntyre will put the sword down. Holland took Butch to the outside and McIntyre put the sword in the turnbuckles. McIntyre asked when Sheamus became such a bitch. McIntyre said they need a warrior and a workhorse. He challenged Sheamus to the number one contender’s match now. Sheamus went to answer. McIntyre told Sheamus to show some balls. Sheamus said that he knows he’s better than McIntyre. He asked if McIntyre wanted the match. McIntyre said yes. Sheamus asked the crowd. They cheered. Sheamus said that they’re going to get it. Sheamus then said that it won’t be tonight. He said he spoke to upper management, and they agreed to the match for next week on Smackdown. Sheamus said that McIntyre’s sword is banned and it will be an Irish donnybrook match. Sheamus said that means it’s no DQ. Sheamus then took the cloak off the table in front of him. The table was full of shillelagh. Sheamus said they’ll used in the match. McIntyre accepted. Sheamus called Pearce out. Pearce appeared and made the match official. Sheamus held the shillelagh, but McIntyre cut through it. Sheamus looked shocked. McIntyre’s pyro came off the corners. McAfee hyped the match for next week.

(McDonald’s Analysis: I’m glad Sheamus said what we’ve all been thinking about the sword. I don’t know who could possibly disagree with him. I liked that the trade off was for Holland to take Butch outside, as if Butch is as dangerous as the sword, so it’s a fair trade. That was funny. I’m not crazy about the match type, but at least we’ll finally see it. I really hope they give us a definitive finish this time, even if it’s obvious McIntyre will win. I wonder why this is on Smackdown instead of Summerslam? It seems like the perfect match to bolster that card.)

-The Usos were in the back. They pumped each other up. Paul Heyman appeared. He said that the Profits are a handful, and so it Moss. He said if they drop Theory early, then the match will be three on two. He told them to use Theory, and after they win, then they should go off the air with Theory face down on the canvas. Heyman said to make sure it’s not a prediction, it’s a spoiler.

-Raquel Rodriguez made her entrance. They showed the graphic for Rodriguez against Deville for after the break. [c]

-Rodriguez waited in the ring. Deville’s music played and she made her entrance.

(3) RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ vs. SONYA DEVILLE

They locked up. Deville slapped Rodriguez. She then put on a waistlock, but Rodriguez no sold it. Rodriguez countered and lifted Deville easily. Deville hit a series of elbows, then a stomp to the knee. Deville took Rodriguez to the corner and rammed her head into the turnbuckle repeatedly. Deville then threw Rodriguez down, then hit a running knee for a near fall. Deville put Rodriguez in a headlock. Rodriguez fought up and hit a headbutt, then a big punch. Rodriguez tossed Deville into the corner then hit a fallaway slam. She then charged Deville and hit a corkscrew elbow and covered her. Deville grabbed the rope to stop the count. Deville kicked her way out of the corner, then went for a guillotine, but Rodriguez tossed her off. Deville recovered and hit a DDT for a near fall. Deville kicked at Rodriguez. She went for a spin kick, but Rodriguez caught it and delivered a Tahana Bomb for the win.

WINNER: Raquel Rodriguez in 4:00

(McDonald’s Analysis: Deville is better than she gets credit for. It’s a shame this is the best they can do with her. Her screaming at Rodriguez to put her down was good stuff. She does great character work, I don’t know why they can’t channel that into her being a real threat in the ring.)

-They showed a graphic for Aliyah against Lacey Evans for after the break. [c]

-They showed a graphic for the six man tag main event. Cole hyped it.

-Aliyah made her entrance. Cole threw to a video recap of Lacey Evans’ promo from last week. Evans’ music played and she made her entrance. The crowd booed. Evans entered the ring and asked for the mic. She said that’s not how you treat an American hero. She said that the city of Boston was founded by American heroes. She said they were hardworking, motivated, legitimately good people like her. She said it’s no wonder Tom Brady left. She said she’s accomplished more today then any of them have in a year. Evans said that she wakes up, works, and wins. She said everyone should take notes because there isn’t a person in the building that could walk a mile in her shoes. She said she’s better than every one of them. Aliyah came up to Evans. Evans said she’ll take care of her in a minute. Evans hit the Woman’s Right on Aliyah and knocked her down.

(McDonald’s Analysis: Evans cuts a decent heel promo. They’re getting a little repetitive, though. Besides that, she did have one interesting line tonight. She called herself better than everyone there, so I guess they ditched the catchphrase she’d been using for the past couple of months. That or she just screwed it up. Either way. She also had an excellent point about Tom Brady leaving Boston. For the record, those of us who are Tampa Bay Bucs fans are very happy for that fact. On another note, how do you get Aliyah’s job? This is like three weeks in a row for her of doing next to no work and getting to be on TV.)

-Kayla was in the back. She welcomed Jeff Jarrett. She asked why Pearce chose him for referee. Jarrett said the support has been overwhelming. He said both teams offered him everything under the sun, but he turned it all down. He said it’s the biggest tag match in Summerslam history. He said Pearce needed someone who wouldn’t be tempted, swayed, or intimidated by the bright lights. Jarrett said the man is J-E-Double F, J-A-Double R-E-Double T, Jeff Jarrett.

-The Usos made their entrance. They showed the graphic for the six man tag yet again as Cole hyped the main event. [c]

-Maxine Dupri was backstage. She said that her brother has good taste, but her taste is delicious. Mansoor and Mace stood behind her. She hyped the showcase of Summerslam swim wear next week.

(McDonald’s Analysis: I have no idea who that is, but I’m in favor of it. Does she live in Vince’s condo, too? I’m just kidding. Kind of.)

-They showed a graphic for Aliyah against Evans next week. After that, they showed a graphic for New Day against the Viking Raiders. Cole and McAfee hyped both matches.

-The Usos waited in the ring. The Street Profits’ music played and they made their entrance with Moss. Theory’s music then played and he made his entrance. The two teams stared at each other from across the ring.

(5) STREET PROFITS (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) & MADCAP MOSS vs. THE USOS (Jey & Jimmy) & THEORY

Jimmy started. Dawkins rolled him up for a quick near fall. Dawkins cartwheeled over Jimmy into a dropkick for another near fall. Dawkins got an arm bar. Jimmy took Dawkins to the corner and hit a punch, but Dawkins turned it around and hit a turnaround splash. He tagged in Ford who hit a dropkick on Jimmy. Jey tried to enter but the Profits double teamed him also. They then knocked Theory to the outside as well. Ford took the Money in the Bank briefcase and taunted the Usos and Theory. [c]

Moss was in against Jey. Moss hit an elbow on Jey, but Theory had tagged in. Theory attacked Moss and stomped away at him in the corner. Theory used a snapmare followed by a stomp and covered Moss for a near fall. Theory used an armbar to ground Moss. Jimmy tagged in and punched Moss. He then pounded away at Moss in the corner. He then tagged in Jey. The Usos used a wishbone on Moss. Jey hit a big punch. He charged Moss but Moss moved. Jey hit the post and Moss tagged in Dawkins. Dawkins took control, but Jey hit a kick to the gut of Dawkins. Ford tagged in and hit a crossbody off the top for a near fall. Dawkins then hit a series of kicks that set Jey to the corner. Ford went to the apron. He hit another kick on Jey, then kicked Theory also. Jey then kicked Ford off the apron and to the floor. Jimmy dropped off the apron and tossed Ford over the barricade into the timekeeper’s area. [c]

Jey superkicked Dawkins off the apron. Jey went after Ford, but Ford planted Jey. Both men crawled towards their corners. Jimmy and Moss were tagged in. Moss took out Jimmy then knocked Theory off the apron. Moss slammed Jimmy then caught Theory who charged. Moss hit a fallaway slam on Theory. He then tossed Jey to the outside, then used a modified suplex on Jimmy for a near fall. Moss stalked Jimmy. He went for the Last Laugh, but Jimmy shoved him off then hit a superkick for a near fall. Jimmy went to tag in Theory, but Theory dropped off the apron. He started to walk away with the briefcase, but Jey appeared behind him and delivered a superkick. Jimmy then superkicked Theory in the ring. Theory fell to the outside. Dawkins then appeared and brawled with the Usos. Ford flew over the top and took out Dawkins and the Usos. Theory was the only man left standing at ringside. He rolled Moss into the ring. Theory punched at Moss, then hit a big elbow. Theory used a variated package driver to his knee on Moss and covered him for a near fall. Theory stalked Moss. He set Moss up for A-Town Down, but Moss wriggled free. Moss hit a shoulder tackle, then tackled Theory in the corner. He went for another, but Theory held up the briefcase and hit Moss with it. The ref called for the bell and the DQ.

WINNER: Street Profits (Dawkins & Ford) & Moss by DQ in 11:00

(McDonald’s Analysis: I kind of figured we wouldn’t get a finish. This actually made sense though. Theory used the briefcase to save himself and didn’t care if he got caught or not. It is what it is. I wish they wouldn’t book things they don’t ever intend on paying off, but that’s what WWE is now. They have TV time to fill, and this is another way to do that.)

-Theory pounded on Moss with the briefcase. He stood over Moss with the briefcase. Brock Lesnar’s music played and he emerged from the back to a loud pop. Lesnar smiled at the top of the ramp. The pyro exploded. Theory held the briefcase tight in the ring. Lesnar marched around the ring. He stared down Theory and entered the ring. Lesnar went after Theory. He kicked him in the gut then delivered an F-5. Lesnar then beat Theory down with the briefcase. Lesnar then F-5’ed Theory on the briefcase. Lesnar posed in the ring. Cole proclaimed that the beast, is back.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Overall, not a bad episode. Another in a long line of move the stories ahead without giving too much away, but that’s okay. They’re setting up for a bigger show next week with Summerslam on the horizon. It seems like the new strategy is to deliver a solid go home show before the big PLE’s. Just like Wrestlemania, next week’s show looks a bit like a pre-show with a couple matches that actually could have been on the Summerslam card. The main event of this show was a solid match and showcased all of the guys involved. Maybe that made this show seem better than it really was, but if so, that’s not a bad thing. The arrival of Lesnar and the subsequent destruction of Theory was the perfect way to end the show. It gets over the fact that Lesnar would crush Theory in a fair fight, but Theory has the Money in the Bank briefcase, so he doesn’t have to fight fair. I really liked the promo with Morgan and Rousey. I almost wish they had done that next week instead so they could have entered Summerslam on a positive note. Now I wonder what the final hype is going to be. I’ll say, this show did make me excited to see Smackdown next week, and hopefully that episode gets me a little more jazzed for Summerslam.

On another note, I hope Vince “retiring” means he’s no longer in charge of creative. I don’t think anything will change any time soon as these plans are already set. I do wonder if we will start to see a change as the year progresses and we get closer to the draft. That actually may spell a true refresh if we are, in fact, going to get one at all. I know it’s wishful thinking, but one can hope, right?