7/29 WWE SMACKDOWN TV RESULTS: McDonald’s “alt perspective” report on McIntyre-Sheamus Irish Donnybrook for CATC title shot, Aliyah vs. Evans, New Day vs. Viking Raiders, final Summerslam hype

WWE SMACKDOWN TV REPORT
JULY 29, 2022
ATLANTA, GA AT STATE FARM ARENA
AIRED ON FOX
REPORT BY ALEX McDONALD, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Announcers: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee

[HOUR ONE]

-The show opened with a wide crowd shot and Michael Cole welcomed the audience to the show. They then showed a table with pictures, some chairs, and a beer at ringside. They then showed some barrels at ringside also. Cole and Pat McAfee hyped the Donnybrook match between Drew McIntyre and Sheamus as a graphic was shown on the bottom of the screen.

-McIntyre’s music played and he made his entrance. He was about to pose, but Sheamus appeared and attacked McIntyre from behind. He tossed McIntyre into the ring.

(1) DREW McINTYRE vs. SHEAMUS – Old Fashioned Donnybrook Match for an Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match at Clash at the Castle

Sheamus pounded on McIntyre in the corner. McIntyre recovered with a big clothesline out of the corner. He then chopped Sheamus a few times then hit a Michinoku Driver for a near fall. They rolled to the outside and Sheamus took the advantage, then picked up a shillelagh. Sheamus attempted to use it but McIntyre ducked and hit a back suplex. He then picked up the shillelagh. Sheamus hit a low kick and McIntyre dropped it. Sheamus knocked McIntyre to ringside. Sheamus followed McIntyre out, but McIntyre recovered and tossed Sheamus over the announce table. The crowd chanted for tables. McIntyre got one from under the ring. Sheamus attacked him from behind, then taunted. Sheamus then threw McIntyre into the steps. Sheamus posed again then tossed McIntyre into the ring. Sheamus picked up the table at ringside and set it up against the barricade in front of the timekeeper’s area. Sheamus got back in the ring and retrieved a shillelagh from the corner. He hit McIntyre with hit, then tried to shove it into the eye of McIntyre. Sheamus then hit the Ten Beats. Cole mentioned that McIntyre’s sword has been banned from this match. Sheamus kicked McIntyre to the floor. Cole reminded the audience that the winner will face the Undisputed WWE Universal champion at Clash at the Castle. Sheamus went for a suplex but McIntyre blocked it, then hit a suplex of his own. McIntyre threw Sheamus into the ring post, then the steps. McIntyre then tossed Sheamus into the barrels set up at ringside. McIntyre stared Sheamus down as they cut to break. [c]

Sheamus was in control, he attempted to choke McIntyre with the shillelagh. McIntyre fought up and came off the ropes but Sheamus countered with a slam. Sheamus went to the outside and grabbed a chair, then brought it back into the ring. He hit McIntyre in the gut, then across the back. Sheamus then wedged the chair between the turnbuckles in the corner. Sheamus brought McIntyre to his shoulders, but McIntyre wriggled free. McIntyre tossed Sheamus into the corner, but the chair had fallen out of place, so Sheamus hit the turnbuckle instead. McIntyre hit a series of clotheslines followed by a pair of belly to belly throws. McIntyre then hit the neckbreaker, then kipped up. McIntyre dropped to the outside and grabbed three chairs. He tossed them into the ring one by one. He then grabbed another three from under the ring and tossed those in as well. McIntyre entered the ring, but Sheamus tossed a chair and hit McIntyre in the face. Sheamus took control and tried to use White Noise, but McIntyre shook free. McIntyre countered with a Future Shock DDT onto the pile of chairs. He covered Sheamus for a near fall. McIntyre started to set up Sheamus for a powerbomb but Ridge Holland appeared and broke a shillelagh over the back of McIntyre. Sheamus hit a big knee and covered McIntyre for a near fall. McIntyre dropped to the outside and fought with Holland. He used a belly to belly throw on Holland and put him through the table that was propped against the barricade. [c]

McIntyre and Sheamus battled on the top rope. Sheamus crotched McIntyre then knocked him into the tree of woe. McIntyre pulled himself off and threw Sheamus off the top rope. McIntyre went for a Claymore, but Sheamus moved. Sheamus hit an Alabama Slam and covered McIntyre for a near fall. Sheamus kicked McIntyre to the floor. He followed McIntyre out. Sheamus grabbed McIntyre and teased tossing him into the bar at ringside. McIntyre countered and threw Sheamus into the bar himself. McIntyre tossed Sheamus into it again. Then out of nowhere, Butch jumped off the barrels and took out McIntyre. Sheamus recovered and broke a stool on McIntyre, then tossed him back in the ring. Sheamus went to the second rope and hit McIntyre with White Noise and got a close near fall. Sheamus grabbed Butch and asked for something. Butch looked under the ring and picked up a very large shillelagh. Sheamus posed with it. McIntyre recovered and hit Sheamus with a Glasgow’s Kiss. He then picked up the giant shillelagh and hit Butch and Sheamus. McIntyre hit the Claymore on Butch. As McIntyre got up, Sheamus caught him with the Brogue Kick. Sheamus covered McIntyre and got a very close near fall. The crowd chanted “this is awesome”. Sheamus stalked McIntyre. Sheamus pumped himself up and set up for another Brogue. He charged McIntyre but McIntyre caught Sheamus and powerbombed him through the table in the ring. Sheamus crawled towards the shillelagh in the corner. McIntyre looked on. Sheamus got to his knees with the shillelagh. McIntyre charged and hit Sheamus with the Claymore for the win.

WINNER: Drew McIntyre in 26:00 to earn a shot at the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at Clash at the Castle

(McDonald’s Analysis: Really good match. They gave them a lot of time and did a great job making this match feel important. These guys work well together and always give a great effort. This was no exception to that. Since they’re not on the Summerslam card, this came off as a great consolation prize. The only issue is there’s nothing new about this match. On top of that, the outcome was never really in doubt. Those two factors took a small amount away from the match and its consequences, even though the quality was good. I’m ready for both guys to move onto something new. McIntyre will finally be paired with Roman Reigns and Sheamus will hopefully be involved in something meaningful going forward. Overall, great way to start the show.)

-McIntyre stood in the ring and Kayla Braxton entered. She congratulated McIntyre then asked how it felt. McIntyre said Atlanta rocked all match. He said it didn’t have to be this way, but someone has to take the title from the part time champions.

-Theory appeared out of nowhere and hit McIntyre with the Money in the Bank briefcase. Theory beat him down. He then taunted McIntyre. Theory said he was going to be champion. Theory posed with the briefcase.

-They then showed Cole and McAfee at ringside. Cole threw to a video recap of Happy Corbin’s attack on McAfee last week on Smackdown. It then showed McAfee’s chase and brawl with Corbin. Cole hyped their match for tomorrow night at Summerslam. Corbin appeared in the crowd behind them. He held a sign with a picture of McAfee with the word “loser” written on it. Corbin sat down with his popcorn behind the announce desk. [c]

-Back from break, Corbin taunted McAfee from his ringside seat. Cole threw to a recap of the six man tag team match on Raw this past Monday. The video then showed Seth Rollins’ attack on Riddle after the match. Cole then explained Riddle’s injury, and announced that the match between Rollins and Riddle is postponed. Corbin heckled McAfee and Cole.

-Cole and McAfee broke down the Summerslam card. Corbin continued to heckle McAfee. Cole and McAfee continued to break down the card. McAfee complained about Corbin. Corbin tossed popcorn at McAfee. The Summerslam break down ended with the graphic for McAfee against Corbin. Corbin stood at ringside and dumped his popcorn on McAfee. Officials held McAfee back as Corbin hopped the railing. Officials separated the two, but Corbin kicked McAfee in the groin. McAfee collapsed and screamed in pain. Corbin laughed as officials checked on McAfee. [c]

(McDonald’s Analysis: Corbin was annoying, which was the point of this. It was odd that they chose this moment to break down the card, as they clearly didn’t take it as seriously as they could or maybe should, have. The segment itself worked for what they set out to do. I’m actually interested in seeing this tomorrow. Corbin is a good opponent for McAfee and McAfee can beat him and “shut him up” without hurting anyone in the process. That’s a good idea. I have no idea what you do with Corbin after this though. He really needs to go to Raw and experience a change of scenery.)

-They showed post card shots of Atlanta.

-Theory walked in the back. Kayla approached him. Theory said he’s not a punching bag. He said he’s going to be a two time U.S. champion and he’s already the youngest Mr. Money in the Bank in history. He said other Superstars are jealous of him. He said he gets it, but it won’t stop him from cashing in. He said Lesnar and the Bloodline attacked him on Raw, but it won’t stop him. He said nothing will stop him. He said he’s going to walk into Cardiff and make McIntyre his punching bag. Again. Paul Heyman appeared. He pulled Theory to the side and started to talk to him. They cut back to Cole and McAfee at ringside.

-Cole asked if McAfee was alright and assured him that he will have his match with Corbin tomorrow night at Summerslam.

-Aliyah’s music played and she made her entrance. Shotzi was already in the ring.

(2) ALIYAH vs. SHOTZI

Shotzi used an arm wrench. Aliyah took Shotzi down, but Shotzi recovered quickly. She choked Aliyah with the middle rope then hit her with a running senton against the ropes for a near fall. Shotzi put Aliyah in a Boston Crab. Aliyah grabbed for the ropes but Shotzi pulled her back to the center of the ring. Aliyah kicked her way out, then got to her feet. Aliyah hit a series of strikes followed by a running clothesline for a near fall. Shotzi rolled to the outside and Aliyah dropped to the apron. Aliyah hit a running Meteora on Shotzi. Shotzi recovered and sent Aliyah back into the ring. Shotzi hit the Never Wake Up for the win.

WINNER: Shotzi in 3:00

-Cole threw to a video recap of Sonya Deville’s loss to Raquel Rodriguez last week. They then showed Ronda Rousey attacking Deville after the match. It was called a “Digital Exclusive”.

-Rousey and Liv Morgan were in the back for a photo shoot with the title. Natalya appeared and said she should be part of the photo shoot. Deville appeared and said Rousey isn’t the baddest woman on the planet when Deville has to attack her after her match. Morgan argued with Deville.

-Shotzi was in the ring laughing. Rousey’s music played and she made her entrance. Rousey stared down Shotzi. Shotzi said hello, then attacked Rousey. Rousey took her down right away. She grabbed the mic. She said goodbye to Shotzi. A fan shouted “shut up”. Rousey told the fan to shut up and told him “his mom failed him”. Rousey then called out Morgan and said they should show the “chicks in the back” why they’re battling for the title instead of them.

(McDonald’s Analysis: Didn’t they advertise Aliyah and Lacey Evans? I guess we’re never going to see that match huh? WWE is protecting that match like it’s the second coming of Rock-Austin. Rousey tripped over some words, but the comment against the fan was funny. That’s the real Rousey. I wish they would just lean into that at this point. The whole segment in the back was a mess. Why were they having a photoshoot? Why did they all argue like high schoolers? None of that made anyone look good. Also, any hope of Shotzi being a realistic challenger was basically killed there. Not a smart move.)

-They showed a commercial for Summerslam and Cole hyped the match.

-They then showed a graphic for a special address from Paul Heyman tonight.

-Rousey was in the ring. She stared down the entrance way. Morgan’s music played and she made her entrance. Morgan danced and fumbled with the belt at the top of the ramp. Cole said they’ll be teaming together tonight. Cole said they will team against Deville and Natalya. He said Pearce made the match official during the commercial break.

[HOUR TWO]

-Deville’s music played and she made her entrance. Natalya then made her entrance behind her. Cole recapped Morgan’s title win over Rousey last month at Money in the Bank.

(3) RONDA ROUSEY & LIV MORGAN vs. SONYA DEVILLE & NATALYA

Rousey started against Natalya. Rousey took her down by the arm and Natalya fought back to her feet. Rousey went back to the arm but Natalya reversed and took Rousey down with a fireman’s carry into an armbar of her own. Rousey reversed, then Natalya reversed, then Rousey rolled Natalya up for a near fall. Morgan tagged in and they hit a double team move on Natalya. Natalya tagged in Deville. Deville and Morgan traded punches. Deville got the upperhand and kicked at Morgan in the corner. Morgan recovered with a kick of her own. She then sent Deville into the corner and hit a running knee. Rousey tagged in during the kick. They hit another double team move on Deville. Morgan tagged in, but she wasn’t holding the tag rope. She then grabbed the rope and tagged in officially. Rousey looked irritated and Morgan began to argue with her. While Morgan was distracted, Deville pulled Morgan off the apron then threw her into the barricade. Deville sent Morgan back into the ring. She kicked Morgan in the gut then tagged in Natalya. Natalya hit a snap suplex followed by a headlock. Morgan fell to the outside. Natalya followed her out and used a snap suplex on the outside. [c]

Deville was in control of Morgan in the corner. She hit a running knee on Morgan for a near fall. Natalya tagged in and they hit a double suplex on Morgan. Natalya put Morgan in a headlock. Morgan fought up, but Natalya tossed her down. Natalya stomped at the gut of Morgan. Natalya went for a Sharpshooter, but Morgan rolled through. Morgan reached for Rousey, but Natalya held her back. Morgan countered with a Code Breaker. She started towards Rousey for a tag, then stopped and covered Natalya instead. Morgan got a near fall. Natalya recovered and took control, then sent Morgan to the corner. Deville tagged in and put a headlock on Morgan. Morgan fought up and hit a series of strikes on Deville. Deville hit a big kick, but Morgan countered with a big kick of her own. Morgan crawled towards Rousey. Morgan stared down Rousey. She didn’t tag Rousey again. Morgan charged Natalya and rolled her up for a near fall. Natalya recovered with a discus clothesline and covered Morgan for a near fall. Cole lamented Morgan for not making the tag. He said she didn’t wat to appear weak to Rousey. Rousey tagged herself in and took out both Natalya and Deville. Rousey hit Piper’s Pit on Deville and set up for the arm bar. Natalya attacked Rousey from behind. Morgan entered and took out Natalya with Oblivion. Rousey put the ankle lock on Deville and Deville tapped out for the win.

WINNER: Ronda Rousey & Liv Morgan in 12:00

-Rousey and Morgan celebrated. Morgan held up the title as they showed a graphic for their match tomorrow night at Summerslam.

(McDonald’s Analysis: I really liked the story of that match. That made up for the embarrassing arguing segment backstage earlier on. All four women worked hard and put in a solid performance here. If all of them were treated seriously, Smackdown could build their Women’s Division into something worthwhile with some depth. It will take some work, but they can get there. Matches like this help. I love the added story of Morgan’s need to prove herself to Rousey. Great added wrinkle. Good stuff.) 

-Cole threw to a video recap of the Money in the Bank match finish between the Usos and the Street Profits. Cole said that’s why we have a special guest referee.

-Street Profits’ music hit and they made their entrance. They showed a graphic for The Usos against the Street Profits at Summerslam for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles at Summerslam. Cole mentioned Jeff Jarrett as the ref. He said Jarrett will give the referee’s instructions, next. [c]

(McDonald’s Analysis: That’s J-E-Double F, J-A-Double R-E-Double T, Jeff Jarrett.)

-The Usos’ music played and they made their entrance. McAfee called them perhaps the greatest of all time. Cole had a hard time arguing that. Cole said they’ve been Tag Team champions for 375 days. He then said that Roman Reigns and the Usos have been champions for over 1,000 days.

-Jarrett’s music played and he made his entrance. He said he had words for both teams. He entered the ring with both teams. He said he takes his job seriously. Jey told them to hold up. He spelled Jarrett’s name and asked if it’s a DQ if he punches Montez Ford and makes him bleed like Monday. Jimmy asked if it’s a DQ if he wraps his titles around Angelo Dawkins’ head like his bandanas. Dawkins asked if it was a DQ if he hit Jimmy so hard he got his face paint back. Ford said that the Street Profits are up and they want the smoke. Jarrett said both teams have creative imaginations. He said he’s not there to contain them, he wants them to run wild. He said he only has one job, to count to three. Jarrett said that’s tomorrow, he said that tonight, it’s apparent they have issues. He said if one of them feels froggy, one of them should jump. The two teams then brawled. Jarrett sat on the top rope and watched. Jey accidentally superkicked Jarrett when Ford ducked. Jarrett sold it like he’s been shot. The Usos checked on Jarrett. Jey helped Jarrett up and Jarrett shoved both Usos. Dawkins tossed the Usos to the floor. Ford dove over the top rope and took out the Usos. Jarrett stared after the Usos. They showed a graphic for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team title match for tomorrow night.

(McDonald’s Analysis: This match is going to be excellent. I love the emphasis on the Tag Division recently, even if it’s only featured a few teams. It’s refreshing to see the titles matter. I love both of these teams and love watching them work together. The added wrinkle of Double J is random, but I’m interested to see how it plays out. I’m starting to wonder if tonight is a red herring, or if Double J is going to truly call it down the middle. I assume the Usos will win, then move on to someone else. But, I’ll be honest, it wouldn’t shock me to see the Profits get the nod here. It won’t last long if they do, but it is possible. More than likely, they lose. I fully expect the Profits to be broken up in the draft. If so, I hope we get Montez Ford on Smackdown.)

-Cole threw to a video package on the feud between the Viking Raiders and the New Day.

-The New Day’s music played and they made their entrance. [c]

-Maxxine Dupri was in the back with Maximum Male Models. She talked them up in their Summerslam themed swimwear collection for 2022. Max Dupri appeared and said they’re still seeking clients.

(McDonald’s Analysis: They’re using this to sell WWE merch now? I was hoping it wouldn’t go in this direction. Max is back. I wonder if that was a Triple H call for continuity purposes? Or did they have a talk with him? Or was the rumor on the internet, just that, a rumor? I don’t care either way. I like the four of them together. I’m interested to see if they add another wrestling act to this stable. I’m also interested in seeing them wrestle under this gimmick at some point. I know people hate it, but I still think this has potential.)

-The Viking Raiders’ music played and they made their entrance.

(4) NEW DAY (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) vs. VIKING RAIDERS (Erik & Ivar)

Woods started against Erik. Woods got the upper hand in the corner with chops. Woods rolled up Erik for a quick near fall. Erik got up and easily threw Woods down. Kingston blindtagged in and hit a crossbody for a near fall. Kingston then hit a springboard botched kick that knocked Erik down. Erik recovered quickly and tagged in Ivar. They beat down Kingston. Ivar took Kingston to the corner and tagged in Erik. Kingston fought back but Erik tossed Kingston back into the corner. Ivar tagged in and pulled Kingston to the floor. Ivar splashed Kingston against the barricade. [c]

Ivar was in control of Kingston after the break. Kingston recovered with an S.O.S. Both men were down and crawled towards their corners. Erik and Woods tagged in. Woods took down Erik then hit a tilt a whirl Russian leg sweep. Ivar entered and attacked Woods but Woods ducked and dropkicked Ivar to the outside. Woods then hit both Ivar and Erik at the same time which knocked Ivar down on the outside. Woods turned it into a tornado DDT on Erik for a near fall. Woods went for a suplex but Erik blocked it and punched Woods down. Woods recovered and took Erik to the corner with a front facelock. Woods slammed Erik as Kingston tagged in. Kingston hit a splash on the back of Erik and got a near fall. Ivar entered and took out both members of the New Day. Erik recovered and took control then tagged in Ivar. The Raiders hit a double powerbomb for the win.

WINNER: Viking Raiders (Erik & Ivar) in 9:00

-The Raiders went to ringside and grabbed their shields and a chair. They stood over Kingston and stared down Woods. Woods charged them and he was taken down with the shield. They tossed Kingston to the outside. They put Woods’ leg in the chair, then smashed it with their shields. Woods screamed in agony and grabbed at his leg. The Raiders walked off. Officials entered the ring and checked on Woods.

(McDonald’s Analysis: That match was actually better than I thought it was going to be. All of the wrestling on this show has been very solid and there’s been quite a bit of it. I don’t know the math, but there seems like there’s been more minutes of wrestling on this show then there has been in a very, very, long time. I used to like the New Day, now, not so much. I don’t know what I think of the Raiders yet. With all of that said, I hope this is a way to make the New Day go away for a while and the Raiders can do something else in the meantime until the New Day returns to attempt revenge. We need something new, in some way, here.)

-Cole hyped an address by Paul Heyman for after the break. [c]

-They showed a graphic for Roman Reigns against Brock Lesnar tomorrow night at Summerslam. Cole touted it as the last time the two will meet.

-Heyman was in the ring. He introduced himself. The crowd said his name for him. Heyman looked upset. He called himself the special counsel for the Tribal Chief. The one and only undisputed heavyweight champion in all of sports entertainment. Heyman said that tomorrow night Reigns will be the last man standing. Heyman mentioned that Reigns has been champion for 700 days in the modern era, the longest reigning champion in thirty-five years. Reigns said that Brock Lesnar will be the spoiler tomorrow night over his dead body. He said Reigns won’t pin or just smash Lesnar, he’s going to put him down for ten seconds, then stand over him, hold both titles in the air, and we will all be done with Lesnar once and for all.

-Lesnar’s music played. Heyman looked shocked. Lesnar made his entrance. He smiled at the crowd. The pyro went off behind Lesnar. Heyman clutched at his chest in the ring as Lesnar approached. Lesnar entered the ring and the crowd cheered. Heyman offered Lesnar the mic. Lesnar stared down Heyman and Heyman backed up. Theory appeared and hit Lesnar with the briefcase. Lesnar took the briefcase away and smacked Theory with it. He then hit a pair of German suplexes on Theory and Theory rolled to the outside. Theory stumbled up the ramp and McIntyre appeared out of nowhere with a Claymore on Theory. McIntyre and Lesnar stared each other down. Cole hyped Lesnar against Reigns at Summerslam.

(McDonald’s Analysis: Quick and to the point. It helped a little bit for the match tomorrow. I don’t know if keeping Lesnar and Reigns completely away from each other has helped or hurt the anticipation. I see the merits to both sides, but it’s crazy they’ve barely been in the same place at the same time this time around. I’m looking forward to the match tomorrow, but I really, really, really, hope this is the last one.)

FINAL THOUGHTS: Pretty solid episode of Smackdown. This felt like more of an extension of Summerslam with the longer match format and the build for a couple of them. Overall, a good show with some storyline movement, but still nothing crazy to rock the boat. The end of the show with multiple angles possibly being teased for down the line was something new they haven’t done a lot of recently and actually makes you think of the possibilities. Even if you don’t think they’re likely, it’s worth noting that WWE is putting something into their canon that they could use down the line. Theory is the perfect example of this recently. I’m somewhat looking forward to Smackdown tomorrow and I hope the show is better than I expect it to be.

*Catch me on the Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Post Show tonight, about ten minutes after Smackdown*