Charlotte Flair returned to SmackDown LIVE to come to the aid of her friend Becky Lynch after she was assaulted by SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella, but The Queen quickly found herself in the thick of a higher stakes scenario with major SummerSlam implications.
Charlotte Flair returned to help Becky Lynch and hurt SmackDown Women's Champion, Carmella.
Fresh off Becky Lynch defeating Carmella last week to earn a SmackDown Women’s Championship Match at SummerSlam, Lynch joined Renee Young in the ring for an interview to kick off SmackDown LIVE and was soon interrupted by Princess Mella.
The Irish Lass Kicker spoke on how big of an honor it would be to regain the SmackDown Women’s Championship and defend it at WWE Evolution in October. The Princess of Staten Island soon hit the scene and talked about how she’s been working to prove that she was better than Becky since they were at NXT together. Carmella’s message seemed to take a positive turn, however, when she extended her hand and wished Becky luck.
However, Becky and the WWE Universe were shocked when the music of the recently fired James Ellsworth began to play. Caught off guard, The Irish Lass Kicker was blindsided by Carmella, who dropped her SummerSlam challenger a superkick. Mella seemed ready to continue the attack with a steel chair when another familiar entrance theme began to blare: Charlotte Flair’s. Unlike Ellsworth, The Queen was actually in the building and quickly dashed out to chase Carmella off and help Lynch back to her feet.
After getting out of dodge, Carmella bumped into SmackDown LIVE General Manager Paige backstage. Princess Mella was none too pleased with Charlotte’s return, and that feeling would only intensify when Paige revealed that Carmella would face off against Charlotte Flair tonight, and if Charlotte won, the SmackDown Women’s Championship Match at SummerSlam would become a Triple Threat between Mella, Becky and The Queen! (Via WWE.com)
The Irish Lass Kicker spoke on how big of an honor it would be to regain the SmackDown Women’s Championship and defend it at WWE Evolution in October. The Princess of Staten Island soon hit the scene and talked about how she’s been working to prove that she was better than Becky since they were at NXT together. Carmella’s message seemed to take a positive turn, however, when she extended her hand and wished Becky luck.
However, Becky and the WWE Universe were shocked when the music of the recently fired James Ellsworth began to play. Caught off guard, The Irish Lass Kicker was blindsided by Carmella, who dropped her SummerSlam challenger a superkick. Mella seemed ready to continue the attack with a steel chair when another familiar entrance theme began to blare: Charlotte Flair’s. Unlike Ellsworth, The Queen was actually in the building and quickly dashed out to chase Carmella off and help Lynch back to her feet.
After getting out of dodge, Carmella bumped into SmackDown LIVE General Manager Paige backstage. Princess Mella was none too pleased with Charlotte’s return, and that feeling would only intensify when Paige revealed that Carmella would face off against Charlotte Flair tonight, and if Charlotte won, the SmackDown Women’s Championship Match at SummerSlam would become a Triple Threat between Mella, Becky and The Queen! (Via WWE.com)
The Bar defeated The Usos. (ROUND 1 OF THE SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP #1 CONTENDERSHIP TOURNAMENT)
With a chance to face The New Day next week for the opportunity to take on The Bludgeon Brothers for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship at SummerSlam, The Usos took on Sheamus & Cesaro on the blue brand in a high-octane contest.
The New Day provided guest commentary (from their own pancake-filled table!) as they scouted the two veteran teams, who were holding nothing back in pursuit of the massive opportunity at The Biggest Event of the Summer. Sheamus & Cesaro attempted to wear down Jimmy & Jey, showing no signs of ring rust after their break from the squared circle. However, The Usos battled back, as the match starting to look like a game of Pong on Atari with all the momentum swings.
After several chaotic exchanges, Cesaro & Sheamus caught each Uso with an Uppercut and knees to the gut respectively, allowing The Bar to pick up the clutch victory and advance to the final round. After the match, The New Day left their post and entered the ring to face off with their trash-talking opponents. The squads stared each other down for a few moments with Big E, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods looking ready to scrap. However, finding it wise to fight another day, Sheamus & Cesaro slowly backtracked out of the ring, clearly preferring to wait to get into it until their match next week. (Via WWE.com)
The New Day provided guest commentary (from their own pancake-filled table!) as they scouted the two veteran teams, who were holding nothing back in pursuit of the massive opportunity at The Biggest Event of the Summer. Sheamus & Cesaro attempted to wear down Jimmy & Jey, showing no signs of ring rust after their break from the squared circle. However, The Usos battled back, as the match starting to look like a game of Pong on Atari with all the momentum swings.
After several chaotic exchanges, Cesaro & Sheamus caught each Uso with an Uppercut and knees to the gut respectively, allowing The Bar to pick up the clutch victory and advance to the final round. After the match, The New Day left their post and entered the ring to face off with their trash-talking opponents. The squads stared each other down for a few moments with Big E, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods looking ready to scrap. However, finding it wise to fight another day, Sheamus & Cesaro slowly backtracked out of the ring, clearly preferring to wait to get into it until their match next week. (Via WWE.com)
Samoa Joe delivered a personal SummerSlam Message to WWE Champion, AJ Styles.
After he made a massive statement by taking down WWE Champion AJ Styles with the Coquina Clutch last week before signing the contract for his title clash at SummerSlam, Samoa Joe hit the scene tonight with a different type of statement to make. One that somehow was even more personal.
The Samoan Submission Machine pulled no punches, lambasting Styles for having spent so much time perfecting his craft and “building his house” on SmackDown LIVE, which resulted in The Phenomenal One barely being home for the past several years. Joe accused Styles of being a lackluster father who would rather be on the road than at home with his children. Clearly trying to gain the mental edge, Samoa Joe insisted that Styles’ family would be rooting for him to lose at The Biggest Event of the Summer because they would finally get their father back after Joe was done with him. (Via WWE.com)
The Samoan Submission Machine pulled no punches, lambasting Styles for having spent so much time perfecting his craft and “building his house” on SmackDown LIVE, which resulted in The Phenomenal One barely being home for the past several years. Joe accused Styles of being a lackluster father who would rather be on the road than at home with his children. Clearly trying to gain the mental edge, Samoa Joe insisted that Styles’ family would be rooting for him to lose at The Biggest Event of the Summer because they would finally get their father back after Joe was done with him. (Via WWE.com)
United States Champion, Shinsuke Nakamura and Randy Orton both attacked JEff Hardy.
Promising to call out Randy Orton after the savage attacks The Viper has laid on him in recent weeks, Jeff Hardy did just that, not hesitating to dare The Apex Predator to come down and face him in the middle of the ring. Never one to back away from a threat, Orton began to make his way down to the squared circle, but before he could get there, The Charismatic Enigma was brutally blindsided by Shinsuke Nakamura, who dropped Jeff with a kick to the back of the head.
By the time Orton got into the ring, The King of Strong Style was setting up for the Kinshasa. However, Orton stepped in front of WWE’s Rockstar before he could land the move. Shinsuke and Randy exchanged glares, and Nakamura drilled Jeff with the Kinshasa before exiting the ring. Orton beat Hardy down with a ruthless onslaught of stomps, dropped him with two DDTs, the second onto the unforgiving floor at ringside. The Viper continued the assault, brutalizing Hardy on the announce table, pouring water on his face and methodically and symbolically wiping away Hardy’s face paint with a towel before he finally departed. (Via WWE.com)
By the time Orton got into the ring, The King of Strong Style was setting up for the Kinshasa. However, Orton stepped in front of WWE’s Rockstar before he could land the move. Shinsuke and Randy exchanged glares, and Nakamura drilled Jeff with the Kinshasa before exiting the ring. Orton beat Hardy down with a ruthless onslaught of stomps, dropped him with two DDTs, the second onto the unforgiving floor at ringside. The Viper continued the assault, brutalizing Hardy on the announce table, pouring water on his face and methodically and symbolically wiping away Hardy’s face paint with a towel before he finally departed. (Via WWE.com)
Zelina vega defeated Lana.
Lana squared off against Zelina Vega with Andrade “Cien” Almas in her corner after the beef between The Ravishing Russian and Vega extended from last week’s SmackDown onto social media. Rusev was not by Lana’s side since The Bulgarian Brute requested some space last week when he suggested that perhaps Lana and Aiden English may not be right for Rusev Day.
The two Superstars were as fiery as ever as they battled it out on the blue brand. In the match’s pivotal moments, Almas attempted to distract Lana in hopes of giving Vega an edge. This prompted The Mozart of Mayhem to rush down and neutralize Andrade’s attempt at impacting the contest, but it still proved costly, as Zelina caught Lana off-guard with a rollup for the win. (Via WWE.com)
The two Superstars were as fiery as ever as they battled it out on the blue brand. In the match’s pivotal moments, Almas attempted to distract Lana in hopes of giving Vega an edge. This prompted The Mozart of Mayhem to rush down and neutralize Andrade’s attempt at impacting the contest, but it still proved costly, as Zelina caught Lana off-guard with a rollup for the win. (Via WWE.com)
The miz and Daniel Bryan engage in a jaw-dropping war of words.
Following The Miz dropping Daniel Bryan with a Skull-Crushing Finale last week after heinously throwing a baby doll at him, Daniel Bryan arrived on the scene fired up and disheartened. Bryan felt that what Miz did last week was a blackeye on the WWE Universe, WWE Evolution and sports-entertainment. However, before Bryan could fully speak his mind, The Miz interrupted him via the TitanTron from the set of his new hit reality show, Miz & Mrs.
Miz, of course, wanted to speak on the success of his new show, and Bryan, of course, couldn’t have cared less. Miz then absolutely ran down Bryan’s name and career before The “Yes!” Man hit Miz where it hurt by questioning Miz’s movie career and calling him soft inside the ropes. Bryan then challenged The A-Lister to a match at SummerSlam or to get on a private jet right now so he could pummel his rival. Miz, however, simply felt fit to sit back luxuriously and tell him that Bryan’s WWE career was over and that he should let his contract expire and go back to high school gyms because now all the WWE Universe saw him as a massive whiner. Miz then filled the screen with the images and audio of crying babies, as Bryan stared daggers through his nemesis. (Via WWE.com)
Miz, of course, wanted to speak on the success of his new show, and Bryan, of course, couldn’t have cared less. Miz then absolutely ran down Bryan’s name and career before The “Yes!” Man hit Miz where it hurt by questioning Miz’s movie career and calling him soft inside the ropes. Bryan then challenged The A-Lister to a match at SummerSlam or to get on a private jet right now so he could pummel his rival. Miz, however, simply felt fit to sit back luxuriously and tell him that Bryan’s WWE career was over and that he should let his contract expire and go back to high school gyms because now all the WWE Universe saw him as a massive whiner. Miz then filled the screen with the images and audio of crying babies, as Bryan stared daggers through his nemesis. (Via WWE.com)
Charlotte Flair defeated SmackDown Women's CArmella.
General Manager Paige announced earlier in the evening that Carmella and Charlotte Flairwould square off tonight, and if Flair got the win, she would be added to the SmackDown Women’s Championship Match between Princess Mella and Becky Lynch at SummerSlam, making it a Triple Threat. With pressure on both Superstars, Carmella and Charlotte partook in their rubber match on the blue brand.
Lynch watched on curiously from her locker room as the two battled it out. Quick to tout her two prior victories over The Queen, Carmella wrestled strategically in the early goings, trying to find her spots and wear Charlotte down. However, Flair’s dynamic offense could not be contained for long, and she was soon dishing it out on The Princess of Staten Island.
Carmella caught The Queen with a clutch superkick, but Flair escaped at the count of two. From there, The Princess got a little too overconfident and tried to apply Charlotte’s signature Figure-Eight on The Queen. But with Charlotte knowing the move better than anyone this side of The Nature Boy himself, Flair reversed it to earn the tapout victory and earn her place in the SmackDown Women’s Championship Match at SummerSlam. (Via WWE.com)
Lynch watched on curiously from her locker room as the two battled it out. Quick to tout her two prior victories over The Queen, Carmella wrestled strategically in the early goings, trying to find her spots and wear Charlotte down. However, Flair’s dynamic offense could not be contained for long, and she was soon dishing it out on The Princess of Staten Island.
Carmella caught The Queen with a clutch superkick, but Flair escaped at the count of two. From there, The Princess got a little too overconfident and tried to apply Charlotte’s signature Figure-Eight on The Queen. But with Charlotte knowing the move better than anyone this side of The Nature Boy himself, Flair reversed it to earn the tapout victory and earn her place in the SmackDown Women’s Championship Match at SummerSlam. (Via WWE.com)
On the latest episode of WWE 205 Live, Drew Gulak, The Brian Kendrick and Gentleman Jack Gallagher decimated WWE Cruiserweight Champion Cedric Alexander following his match with Kendrick. Plus, Lio Rush addresses his potential rematch with Akira Tozawa.
Kalisto defeated Tony Nese
After their last meeting ended in a brawl that involved Buddy Murphy and the other members of The Lucha House Party, Kalisto and Tony Nese decided to battle without their allies at ringside. Riding high following a tag team victory last week, Kalisto was certainly poised to keep that focus and silence The Premier Athlete once and for all.
Locking up, Nese immediately used his power advantage by tossing Kalisto to the mat with ease and shoving away an offensive flurry. Despite using his speed to try and outwit The Premier Athlete, Kalisto was unable to counter the sheer strength of his opponent.
Nese remained dominant, countering The Lucha Dragon’s attempts to fly high and take control. Focusing his attacks on his opponent’s abdomen, The Premier Athlete maintained pressure in relentless fashion, impressively stopping Kalisto’s agility with his own. After slamming Kalisto to the mat, Nese took a moment to showboat, giving the former Cruiserweight Champion the reprieve he needed to fight back.
As they tussled back and forth, Nese tweaked his knee following a high-risk move attempt that allowed Kalisto to score a near-fall. Reeling from the intense battle, both competitors again exchanged moves and counters with Nese scoring a near-fall of his own. Frustrated by missing the three-count, Nese slowly turned his attention back to his opponent after arguing with the official but was captured by the Salida del Sol, allowing Kalisto to pick up the win.
After the match, Nese’s ally Buddy Murphy confronted the former Cruiserweight Champion and was prepared to decimate him outside the ring. However, Lince Dorado charged to the ring and helped Kalisto fend off The Juggernaut of WWE 205 Live. (Via WWE.com)
Locking up, Nese immediately used his power advantage by tossing Kalisto to the mat with ease and shoving away an offensive flurry. Despite using his speed to try and outwit The Premier Athlete, Kalisto was unable to counter the sheer strength of his opponent.
Nese remained dominant, countering The Lucha Dragon’s attempts to fly high and take control. Focusing his attacks on his opponent’s abdomen, The Premier Athlete maintained pressure in relentless fashion, impressively stopping Kalisto’s agility with his own. After slamming Kalisto to the mat, Nese took a moment to showboat, giving the former Cruiserweight Champion the reprieve he needed to fight back.
As they tussled back and forth, Nese tweaked his knee following a high-risk move attempt that allowed Kalisto to score a near-fall. Reeling from the intense battle, both competitors again exchanged moves and counters with Nese scoring a near-fall of his own. Frustrated by missing the three-count, Nese slowly turned his attention back to his opponent after arguing with the official but was captured by the Salida del Sol, allowing Kalisto to pick up the win.
After the match, Nese’s ally Buddy Murphy confronted the former Cruiserweight Champion and was prepared to decimate him outside the ring. However, Lince Dorado charged to the ring and helped Kalisto fend off The Juggernaut of WWE 205 Live. (Via WWE.com)
Lio Rush defeated Ricky Martin.
Following a string of impressive victories after his WWE 205 Live debut, Lio Rush turned his attention to former WWE Cruiserweight Champion Akira Tozawa. When the two faced off, The Man of the Hour confronted his most daunting challenge, but he shocked the WWE Universe by emerging victorious.
Tozawa refused to go quietly, and after defeating Gentleman Jack Gallagher last week on WWE 205 Live, requested a rematch. Although WWE 205 Live General Manager Drake Maverick is taking the match under consideration, Rush has shown little interest in facing Tozawa again. Addressing the WWE Universe before his match, Rush explained why Tozawa didn’t deserve a second match. Addressing his opponent Ricky Martinez, Rush believed that he could put up a better fight than Tozawa.
As the match got underway, Martinez was ready for The Man of the Hour’s speed, using his size advantage to gain an early advantage. However, Rush quickly turned on his afterburners and used his incredible speed to take down Martinez. After a series of high-impact strikes, Rush ascended the ropes and executed the Final Hour for the win.
Following Rush’s victory, Tozawa made his way to the ring ready for a fight. However, The Man of the Hour quickly left as The Stamina Monster entered the ring. Rush waved off his rival and made his way back to the locker room. (Via WWE.com)
Tozawa refused to go quietly, and after defeating Gentleman Jack Gallagher last week on WWE 205 Live, requested a rematch. Although WWE 205 Live General Manager Drake Maverick is taking the match under consideration, Rush has shown little interest in facing Tozawa again. Addressing the WWE Universe before his match, Rush explained why Tozawa didn’t deserve a second match. Addressing his opponent Ricky Martinez, Rush believed that he could put up a better fight than Tozawa.
As the match got underway, Martinez was ready for The Man of the Hour’s speed, using his size advantage to gain an early advantage. However, Rush quickly turned on his afterburners and used his incredible speed to take down Martinez. After a series of high-impact strikes, Rush ascended the ropes and executed the Final Hour for the win.
Following Rush’s victory, Tozawa made his way to the ring ready for a fight. However, The Man of the Hour quickly left as The Stamina Monster entered the ring. Rush waved off his rival and made his way back to the locker room. (Via WWE.com)
WWE Cruiserweight Champion, Cedric Alexander defeated The Brian Kendrick.
Setting out to prove his is indeed a fighting champion despite Drew Gulak’s assertions to the contrary, Alexander faced the daunting challenge of former Cruiserweight Champion and veteran The Brian Kendrick. Hoping to send a message by defeating Gulak’s ally, Alexander was fully aware that Kendrick is a relentless and dangerous technician and must that he must be wary of suffering any damage with only weeks until SummerSlam.
The Soul of WWE 205 Live refused to back down early in the match, breaking free of Kendrick’s advances and holds by using his own unique skillset of speed and power. The WWE Cruiserweight Champion remained focused and maintained a dominant advantage against his opponent, much to the delight of the WWE Universe. However, as Alexander’s momentum reached its peak, Drew Gulak made his way to the ring. The distraction allowed Kendrick to roll to the outside and under the ring apron.
As Alexander went to retrieve The Man With a Plan, Kendrick pulled him into ringside before tossing him into the steel steps. As Gulak joined the commentary team, Kendrick began to unleash his rage on the champion. Combining his technical ability with hard-hitting strikes, Kendrick left Alexander reeling and on defense. As they exchanged blows in the center of the ring, The Soul of WWE 205 Live began to regain his composure, hitting Sliced Bread No. 2 and flattening his opponent on the outside.
Showing the resilience that helped earn him the WWE Cruiserweight Championship, Alexander continued to strike, scoring several near-falls as Gulak grew increasingly frustrated. Desperate to regain control, Kendrick pulled the champion out of the ring before masterfully applying the Captain’s Hook as Alexander reentered.
Refusing to give up, Alexander barely made it to the ropes to break the hold. Frustrated, Kendrick attempted his signature maneuver a second time but was countered, bringing the battle back to a stalemate.
Kendrick and Alexander continued to exchanged strikes and counters, and The Man With a Plan hit a near-perfect superkick. With Kendrick attempting to capitalize and again execute Sliced Bread No. 2, Alexander countered and nailed his opponent with the Lumbar Check for the win.
As Alexander celebrated in the ring, Gulak confronted the champion. This allowed Gulak’s other ally, Gentleman Jack Gallagher, to level Alexander. As Gulak, Gallagher and Kendrick prepared to attack Alexander, WWE 205 Live General Manager Drake Maverick charged into the ring, forcing the aggressors to retreat or else Gulak would lose his SummerSlam opportunity. (Via WWE.com)
The Soul of WWE 205 Live refused to back down early in the match, breaking free of Kendrick’s advances and holds by using his own unique skillset of speed and power. The WWE Cruiserweight Champion remained focused and maintained a dominant advantage against his opponent, much to the delight of the WWE Universe. However, as Alexander’s momentum reached its peak, Drew Gulak made his way to the ring. The distraction allowed Kendrick to roll to the outside and under the ring apron.
As Alexander went to retrieve The Man With a Plan, Kendrick pulled him into ringside before tossing him into the steel steps. As Gulak joined the commentary team, Kendrick began to unleash his rage on the champion. Combining his technical ability with hard-hitting strikes, Kendrick left Alexander reeling and on defense. As they exchanged blows in the center of the ring, The Soul of WWE 205 Live began to regain his composure, hitting Sliced Bread No. 2 and flattening his opponent on the outside.
Showing the resilience that helped earn him the WWE Cruiserweight Championship, Alexander continued to strike, scoring several near-falls as Gulak grew increasingly frustrated. Desperate to regain control, Kendrick pulled the champion out of the ring before masterfully applying the Captain’s Hook as Alexander reentered.
Refusing to give up, Alexander barely made it to the ropes to break the hold. Frustrated, Kendrick attempted his signature maneuver a second time but was countered, bringing the battle back to a stalemate.
Kendrick and Alexander continued to exchanged strikes and counters, and The Man With a Plan hit a near-perfect superkick. With Kendrick attempting to capitalize and again execute Sliced Bread No. 2, Alexander countered and nailed his opponent with the Lumbar Check for the win.
As Alexander celebrated in the ring, Gulak confronted the champion. This allowed Gulak’s other ally, Gentleman Jack Gallagher, to level Alexander. As Gulak, Gallagher and Kendrick prepared to attack Alexander, WWE 205 Live General Manager Drake Maverick charged into the ring, forcing the aggressors to retreat or else Gulak would lose his SummerSlam opportunity. (Via WWE.com)