Last night, WWE was live in Orlando, Florida for SmackDown Live. We are creeping closer and closer to SummerSlam and SmackDown is becoming the A show. Heading into SummerSlam, tempers have definitely hit the boiling point.
SmackDown kicks off with Randy Orton. Whether he is the Legend Killer, the Viper or the Apex Predator, Orton is the most vicious he has ever been. The message he is sending to the WWE Universe is becoming more clear. He will continue to be more vicious until he erases the mindset of believing. Believing in superheroes, believing that the hero will conquer the villain.
Randy demands respect for all his career accomplishments in the WWE, everything starting from his rookie years, becoming the youngest World Heavyweight Champion, main eventing each of the big 4 pay per views, winning the Royal Rumble, winning Money in the Bank and becoming a 13 time World Champion. Randy demands his well-deserved respect but he knows where the WWE Universe lies.
Charlotte & Becky Lynch v. The IIconics (Billie Kay & Peyton Royce)
Last week, Charlotte won her opportunity to be in the SmackDown Women’s Championship match at SummerSlam. However, Becky is not as thrilled for her best friend. They are opponents at SummerSlam but, tonight they are partners facing the IIconics.
Charlotte and Becky take care of the IIconics. However, Becky does not seem as thrilled. Before the match, the IIconics states that Becky always seems to be in the shadow of Charlotte. Tonight showed that because Charlotte tagged herself in and gained the victory. Will Becky finally prove the critics wrong at SummerSlam?
AJ Styles Responds to Samoa Joe
Last week, Samoa Joe made it personal with WWE Champion AJ Styles bringing AJ’s family into their rivalry, attempting to get in the head of the champion. How will AJ respond?
AJ responds testing Samoa Joe’s manhood. AJ knows that he is not at home over 200 days of the year. He misses birthdays, little league games and their lives. He does what he does for them. He sets it out to Samoa Joe that the history is no more. Joe’s comments ruined what the two created over years in the business.
These two are on a collision course at SummerSlam. When the lights on brightest on the big stage of SummerSlam with the biggest prize in the business up for grabs, these two have a massive opportunity to steal the show in Brooklyn.
Zelina Vega v. Lana
In a rematch from last week, Lana tries to rewrite and get a win over Zelina Vega. Kind of a sloppy match but the finish is the same. Even with Rusev ringside instead of Aiden English, it was not a good Lana Day.
Andrade “Cien” Almas and Rusev got into a skirmish outside the ring leading to Aiden to help Rusev. However, it turned into disaster as Aiden knocked Andrade into Lana leading to Zelina to pick up the victory. Rusev Day is in chaos.
Exclusive Interview with The Miz
The match has been made official, The Miz versus Daniel Bryan. The Miz is not in Orlando, he is Los Angeles for a watching party for the third episode of Miz & Mrs. Hands down, The Miz is the best talker in WWE. He showed it to a tee here. He states that he does not need the match, Daniel needs this match. The Miz has done what Daniel has wanted to do while Daniel was retired. The Miz won championships and became successful while Daniel was on the sidelines.
Out of nowhere, Daniel Bryan ambushes The Miz and his security. However, while the security tried to gain control, The Miz blasted Daniel in the back with a vase.
Shinsuke Nakamura v. R-Truth
In a short yet entertaining match, Shinsuke Nakamura picked up the victory heading towards SummerSlam. Announced earlier in the week, Shinsuke Nakamura will defend the United States Championship against Jeff Hardy at SummerSlam.
The Bludgeon Brothers v. Local Talent
The SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Bludgeon Brothers send a strong message to whoever wins the tag tournament finals, be it The New Day or The Bar. The destroy three local talents in quick fashion. Whether The Bar or The New Day win, they have to get through The Bludgeon Brothers to get to the Tag Team Championships.
The Bar (Cesaro & Sheamus) v. The New Day (Big E & Kofi Kingston)
The winner of this match gets an opportunity at the SmackDown Tag Team Championships. And what a hell of a match it was. The best tag team match that I personally have seen in a long time. The New Day beats The Bar with the Midnight Hour for the win. They are going to Brooklyn to face The Bludgeon Brothers for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships at SummerSlam.
Conclusion
This was yet another fantastic episode of SmackDown. I am really hyped for SummerSlam. I am finally excited for the Raw side, but SmackDown is going to blow them out of the water. From top to bottom, SmackDown’s card heading to SummerSlam will steal the show in Brooklyn.
David Jacobus
Reporter