WWE was live in Evansville, IN for SmackDown Live. There were many questions going into this show. Who will face AJ Styles at SummerSlam for the WWE Championship? Why does Randy Orton continue to attack Jeff Hardy? Will Becky Lynch earn her opportunity for a title shot at SummerSlam? Let’s find out.

   SmackDown kicks off with Randy Orton to hopefully explain his actions from last week’s hellacious attack on Jeff Hardy. Randy blames the WWE Universe. He wants respect because he has been here for 16 years and he is the only one still around. He is the only one here every week and not a part-timer.

   He isn’t an “indy darling” who did flips and hand gestures in bingo halls. He calls the WWE Universe the true legend killer. He vows to write the last chapter of Jeff Hardy. Randy shot from the hip and cut an amazing promo. This is what we need more of.

Rusev v. Andrade “Cien” Almas

   Rusev is accompanied by Lana and not Aiden English to take on Andrade “Cien” Almas after a backstage confrontation before the show. In a good contest by two superstars with bright futures, Almas picked up the victory after chaos outside cost him the win.

   Zelina Vega and Lana got into a skirmish outside. Aiden English came down to try to break up the situation but with a push from Zelina, bumped into Lana distracting Rusev. Almas capitalized hitting the hammerlock DDT for the win.

   Backstage, Rusev feels neither Lana or Aiden is good enough for Rusev Day.

R-Truth v. Samoa Joe

   Samoa Joe quickly takes care of R-Truth with the Coquina Clutch. Samoa Joe making a statement for the SmackDown roster. On a side note, R-Truth is 46 and looks like he can still compete on a high level. He does not look like he has aged at all.

Asuka v. Billie Kay

   I know it has been less than a year since she has debuted on the main roster, but is it almost time to feel bad for what has happened to Asuka? In NXT, she was NXT Women’s Champion for over 500 days and was undefeated her entire time in NXT. However, since the loss at WrestleMania she has lost the dominance and felt like everyone else on the main roster.

   She was built into one of the most dominant women in WWE but now since she has been shown as human, it feels like she is not going anywhere anytime soon.

   Asuka won convincingly but with no meaning behind the match, it is a meaningless win.

Paige Announces the Challenger for AJ Styles at SummerSlam

   Paige announces who will challenge AJ Styles at SummerSlam for the WWE Championship. As Paige was getting ready to announce AJ Styles’ opponent, out came James Ellsworth. Ellsworth claims he deserves a shot because he has beaten him before.

   Ellsworth continues to mock Paige which leads Paige to make a huge announcement, James Ellsworth is fired.

   After Paige throws out James Ellsworth, back in the ring, AJ Styles is ambushed by Samoa Joe. Samoa Joe signs the contract and will face Samoa Joe for the WWE Championship. This is now the match I most look forward to seeing at SummerSlam.

Carmella v. Becky Lynch

   This is an opportunity Becky has been waiting for. If Becky Lynch beats Carmella, she faces Carmella at SummerSlam for the SmackDown Women’s Championship. Now with James Ellsworth not in the picture, the pieces are playing perfectly for Becky.

   In a highly competitive contest, Carmella tired every way possible to steal the win away from Becky. However, Carmella’s desperation cost her as Becky was able to make Carmella tap out with the Dis-arm-her. Becky Lynch finally gets her chance at the SmackDown Women’s Championship at SummerSlam.

New Day (Alexander Wolfe & Killian Dane) v. Sanity (Big E & Xavier Woods)

   General Manager Paige has created a four-team tournament to determine who faces the Bludgeon Brothers at SummerSlam for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships. In the first match, The New Day try to settle the score against Sanity and strive to get back the SmackDown Tag Team Championships.

   In a competitive match up, The New Day picks up a massive victory. The New Day advances to face either The Usos or The Bar (Sheamus & Cesaro) in the finals. Intriguing dynamic with the returning Sheamus and Cesaro.

Miz & Mrs. Premiere Party

   In honor of the debuting “Miz & Mrs”. reality show, The Miz, Maryse and their daughter Monroe Sky promote their new show right before it airs after SmackDown. After sabotaging the sneak peek, Daniel Bryan comes out and makes his own way into the party by taking out the security guards.

   Miz had us all fooled. He brought a baby actor and a baby doll to the ring. He throws the baby doll at Daniel and attacks Daniel leaving him laying, while still making it backstage in enough time for Miz and Mrs’ premiere. 

Conclusion

   What an episode of SmackDown. This show got some intriguing plots started heading into SummerSlam. After a really stale Raw, SmackDown knocked it out of the park. What an episode. We got number one contenders we actually want to see, and the progression or beginnings of rivalries that we have waited to see. SmackDown by a landslide has the best road to SummerSlam.

David Jacobus
Intern