Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Live Report! (8/8/17)

It isn’t for the title, it’s to settle a grudge! Orton VS Mahal, tonight!

Steven Mitchell
Aug 8, 2017 · 18 min read

All images courtesy of the WWE’s official website and Twitter

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • The Usos VS Sami Zayn & Tye Dillinger; The Usos win.
  • Charlotte Flair VS Lana; Charlotte wins.
  • Naomi VS Carmella; Carmella wins.
  • Jinder Mahal VS Randy Orton; Orton wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

To become #1 contender to the WWE Championship, Shinsuke Nakamura “shocked the world” by defeating John Cena!

The King of Strong Style outlasted the Face that Runs the Place, but then the Lone Wolf tried to ruin the moment. John Cena came back to save Nakamura from Baron Corbin, putting Mr. Money in the Bank through the announce table!

John Cena is in Toronto!

The biggest free agent on the WWE roster embraces the mixed reaction the WWE Universe gives him, knowing that some are excited and others are upset but they’re all eager to see “moments that will last a lifetime.” The Dream Match with a trip to Summerslam on the line, “Super Cena” took on the King of Strong Style but found out that Shinsuke has no fear. Cena didn’t know why Nakamura was so popular at first, but he found out why: Nakamura hits really hard. Cena thought he was moving on to becoming a 17 time world champion, Jinder Mahal put on notice. But then it literally hit Cena, and he lost. “No blind referee, no foul play, no Montreal Screwjob.” Cena just lost. Fans know that doesn’t happen a lot to Cena, but Cena owned up to it and respectfully shook Nakamura’s hand. And out of respect, Nakamura shook his hand, too. But then, Baron Corbin appears.

The Lone Wolf is sick of hearing talk about the handshake and the dream match, the real issue is that Cena interfered in Corbin’s business. Corbin’s MITB contract means he gets to do what he wants, when he wants. If you want someone to respect, respect Corbin. He is the future, and will make Cena the past. Cena has no problem telling it like it is, you “skinny-fat loudmouth overrated dumpster fire!” The fans join in, he IS a “Dumpster fire!” But if Corbin wants to fight, come on down, and maybe Cena will dump you through another table. Corbin has no reason to, he has his MITB briefcase. Cena has nothing Corbin wants or needs, “you can take your respect and you can shove it.” Corbin just wants the WWE Championship, Cena isn’t worth his time. But then SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan appears!

Bryan says — after hearing out the fans’ massive ovation for him — that whether or not Baron Corbin is a dumpster fire, or the future of the WWE, he will let Corbin know that at Summerslam, it will be Corbin VS Cena! The Lone Wolf may not have wanted to fight Cena, but now he has to fight Cena! Is the future now or will it be delayed just a bit?

The Usos VS Sami Zayn & Tye Dillinger!

The Uso Penitentiary is set to go against the New Day a third time at Summerslam, but tonight they’ll keep themselves active against Canada’s own #PerfectUnderdogs! We start with the Perfect Ten and Jey, they tie up, Tye is in a headlock but powers out, only to get run over by a shoulder and then spring up to give a back elbow. Tye gives Perfect Ten Punches in the corner! Tye tags Sami, Sami wants the Helluva early but Jey is saved by his brother. The Usos regroup and recover as we go picture in picture. Sami and Tye dare the Usos to come back, the Usos take their time with it. Jey reenters, but then tags Jimmy. Jimmy slowly enters, Sami is ready for him, Jimmy keeps his distance. Jimmy swings on Saim and staggers him to the ropes. Jimmy whips, Sami goes up and over, tilt-o-whirl headscissors throws Jimmy out. Jimmy is frustrated, the ref keeps Sami back. Jimmy enters, talks it over with Jey, and then circles with Sami before kicking. Sami blocks the kick, spins Jimmy, reverse dragon whip kick knocks Sami down! Jimmy scrambles to a cover, TWO, Jimmy drags Sami to his corner, Jey tags in. Jimmy holds Sami in place for Jey’s running right hand! Jey gives Sami an uppercut, then a chop in the Uso corner, tag to Jimmy who puts on a chinlock when Sami tries to get to Tye. Sami gets up as fans rally, Sami backs Jimmy into a corner but breaks free for only a moment. Jimmy squeezes Sami harder, Sami reaches for Tye and Tye reaches for Sami. Sami gets to his feet again, fights out, we go single picture as Jimmy throws Sami to a neutral corner. Sami dodges the splash in the corner, Jimmy hits the post. Sami and Jimmy crawl, tag to Jey who drags Sami away. Sami slips out of the back suplex, rolls, tag to Tye! The Perfect Ten rallies on the Usos! Perfect Ten strike combo and a stomp for good measure, Tye and Toronto are fired up as he stomps a Perfect Ten Mudhole! Knee pad down, Jey slips out of the ring. Tye just builds speed, but runs right into Jey’s forearm! Jey and Jimmy regroup, Sami FLIES and topples them both!

Tye is fired up, Sami feeds Jey to him, Perfect Ten spinebuster, TWO! Jimmy grabs and SUPERKICKS Sami, Tye sees this and climbs up high. Jey stops him with a right hand, climbs up to join him, tag to Jimmy. Tye fights Jey and Jimmy off, Jey goes down, Perfect Ten jump over Jey, gets Jey on his shoulders, Tye Breaker denied but a mule kick! Then a kick to the knee, Boston Crab and Hammerlock, aka Tequila Sunrise!

Tye taps, the Usos win!

Jimmy and Jey keep on rolling, and call out The New Day! The Usos will be the new W, W, E, SmackDown- “Ooooooh Toronto~! Don’t you dare be sour!” For the New Day is back! But wait, only Big E is at the ramp. That’s because Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods ambush from behind! Just like the Usos did weeks ago!

They stomp mudholes, throw one Uso to a post then return to stomp a stampede on the other! Steel chairs appear, courtesy of Woods. This is wanted the Usos wanted, right? They set one chair down, Kofi is ready with the other. Big E grabs Jimmy for the Big Ending, but Jey saves his brother from certain disaster! The New Day is serious like they’ve never been before, will the Usos feel some of that paranoia they’ve been spreading?

Backstage interview with Randy Orton.

The Viper has a match against The Bulgarian Brute, because Rusev was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Rusev says he isn’t afraid of anyone, so Orton is going to show him he should be afraid. As for tonight’s “grudge match”, Jinder Mahal has done everything possible to escape with the title, and succeeded. But now, with no Singh Brothers around, Mahal won’t get away, “period.” What damage can The Viper do to the Modern Day Maharaja now that they’re 1v1?

Tyler Breeze continues investigating in Fashion Peaks.

That dream Breeze had, it was weird. It had The Ascension in it. Konnor asks if he can have the pie on the desk. Breeze explains the dream: Konnor was putting syrup on a log, and Viktor had a rose with thorns. Then there was laughing. Sounds like something they’d do. Breeze cracked the code! But, wait, don’t you guys wanna hear about it? Nope. Just came for the free food. The Ascension leaves with the pie, Breeze is left all alone. Where is Fandango?! “Dango, where are you?” He’s back! But he doesn’t look good. This better not take 18 episodes to return you to normal! Have some coffee. He has some, it’s so good that he’s normal. Who took you, Fandango!? Aliens. Aliens? Aliens. How’d you escape? They said he could leave any time he wanted to. Then why didn’t he? Anal probes. No, no! Wardrobe. But the aliens have given Fandango the ability of claire… Clairevo… Seeing the future. The next person to walk through that door will be the man who destroyed Tully the horse! And that next person, is Arn Anderson?! The Enforcer destroyed Tully?! What? Tully, the horse. Did he destroy?

“You damn right I did!” Name it Arn next time, because he was the workhorse of the Horsemen. Plus, he’s taking your donuts! Aw… Breeze, the work has just begun. They need more pie. And donuts. But that’s a nice outfit the aliens gave you.

Charlotte Flair VS Lana!

The Queen of Pay-Per-Views and the Ravishing Russian are set to face off in order to make progress in the competitive SmackDown Women’s Division. Lana herself admitted that Tamina Snuka is the superstar she wants to be like, but one who is more charismatic and beautiful. And that is why Lana chose to step up to the #GeneticallySuperior Daughter of the Nature Boy. The bell rings, Charlotte and Lana circle, Charlotte dares Lana come at her. Lana gets the waistlock but Charlotte throws her off. This is Charlotte’s ring. Lana kicks, it gets caught, she tries to swing punches but can’t reach, drop toehold drops Lana on her face. Lana gets up, Charlotte gives her those Flair chops right up to the ropes. Lana fires out from a corner, Charlotte picks her up and just holds her flailing and screaming. Charlotte dumps Lana behind her but Lana turns it into a sunset flip attempt. Charlotte withstands it and pulls Lana back up to throw Lana in a corner. Lana is glaring at Charlotte, she gets around Charlotte and puts on a headlock. Lana blocks a hip toss, Charlotte grins, Lana turns Charlotte around for a backslide but is not strong enough for that, either. Charlotte turns that around, pin, TWO. Charlotte struts like her daddy and tells Lana it was “that close.” Lana slaps Charlotte! Now Charlotte is pissed, boot right to the head! Figure Four, becomes Figure Eight!

Lana taps out, Charlotte wins! Charlotte “applauds” Lana’s guts, but it’s clear the Ravishing Russian was aiming too high here.

SmackDown Commissioner, Shane McMahon, comes to the ring!

Shane O’Mac may run the show, but he’s going to be part of it at Summerslam as he becomes the guest referee for the WWE United States Championship rematch. A pair of strange and controversial finishes have resulted in The Prizefighter losing and venting to management, which then resulted in that decision to name Shane the referee. That said, Shane introduces the participants. First, the challenger and Canada’s own, Kevin Owens!

And the champion, the Phenomenal AJ Styles!

The fans are thunderous for both stars, Styles rubs that in to irritate Kevin. Shane keeps the peace, he wants to “clear the air.” Kevin was apprehensive to this match being made, to the point of screaming at Shane that he can’t be impartial. Kevin admits to that, but that was all “in the heat of the moment.” He is going to apologize now for that, but he knows Shane won’t screw him over. We’ve already had a McMahon screw over a legendary Canadian wrestler — big pop and “You Screwed Bret!” — but Bret deserved it. Kevin doesn’t, and it would be bad PR if this happened again so no worries. However, Kevin is worried that Styles and Shane will have problems, after their heated interaction leading up to Wrestlemania. Footage of the vicious attack is replayed to make Kevin’s case, including when Styles rams Shane’s head through a car window. Styles admits that he was also very upset hearing Shane is going to be their guest referee. But Kevin can’t sabotage this. If Shane screws Styles again, they’ll go around like they did at Wrestlemania again. Styles doesn’t trust any McMahon. Shane wants Styles to know he isn’t like the other McMahons. But Kevin has evidence of other times when Shane was a guest referee and uses them as examples. Survivor Series ’98, Shane McMahon was the officiator for Mankind VS Stone Cold Steve Austin, Austin got away with a low blow and Stunner, Shane stopped counting at TWO. To flip Austin the bird, and then leave the match. Amazing what is on the WWE Network, right? It’s like a Network Collection by itself how many times Shane has screwed wrestlers over. Shane makes it clear right now. We all know Shane and Kevin don’t get along, we all know Shane and Styles don’t get along, but Shane will be impartial to both men and won’t get involved unless he has to. Do not give Shane a reason. Styles has an idea! Kevin wasn’t pinned in the triple threat, the referee messed up last week, so they should just ditch Shane and not wait until Summerslam to have this match right here and now! Toronto wants it! Kevin likes the sound of it, but is willing to win that US Title in the US in a city that matters. Well what matters is that Styles holding it in front of Kevin is the closest Kevin is ever going to be to being champion again. Shoving starts and Shane tries to settle things down!

Kevin sucker punches Styles, Styles goes for the Pele and hits Shane! Kevin laughs as he leaves, taking a bow. Has Kevin succeeded in causing a rift that will allow him to become United States Champion again?

Tamina finds Lana in the locker room.

Lana already knows this is an “I told you so” moment so she lets Tamina vent. More charismatic? More beautiful? But then you go after Charlotte? Obviously that failed. Lana will never wrestle like Tamina, Tamina will never be “ravishing” like Lana. But clearly, it wasn’t Lana’s skills that got her back-to-back-to-back title shots. It was her ambition. Now, Lana is gonna help Tamina get hers. Has this alliance between Lana and Tamina reforged stronger than ever?

Naomi VS Carmella!

The SmackDown Women’s Champion may have to worry about Ms. Money in the Bank lurking in the shadows, but she feels confident enough to take the Princess of Staten Island head on in the light. Naomi and Carmella tie up, Carmella gives Naomi a knee and trash talks right up until she takes an enziguri! Naomi runs, slides and slaps Carmella out of the ring, the champ is in control as we go picture in picture. Carmella takes her time getting back in so Naomi comes out and brings her in. Carmella tries but fails to pounce on reentry, Naomi kicks away at Carmella’s legs. Carmella catches one of those kicks and trips Naomi up, returning to trash talking. Carmella puts Naomi in a corner with a bump to her shoe, then a bump to buckles. Carmella grabs Naomi’s arms, wrenches them back and then shots Naomi into the buckles again like a rubber band. Carmella grabs the arms and repeats, then poses to gloat. Carmella stomps away on Naomi in the corner, moonwalks back, and then runs in for the FABULOUS Bronco Buster. TWO, and Carmella is already frustrated. Carmella drags Naomi by her hair and puts her on ropes to choke while she chills. Carmella drags Naomi backwards by the hair and then drills elbows into the shoulders before putting on a chinlock. Naomi gets to her feet, but Carmella brings her right back down. Naomi reaches for ropes but Carmella drags her away, rolling Naomi over in the chinlock to put her full weight on the champ. Naomi powers her way to her feet as we go single picture and fights her way out. Naomi scoops but Carmella slips out and then yanks Naomi backwards by the hair to hit the mat. Carmella covers, TWO, back to the chinlock. Carmella thrashes Naomi, the fans rally as Naomi works to get up. Natalya watches from backstage, as she will challenge Naomi at Summerslam. Naoim uses power and gives Carmella a backbreaker! Carmella gets to ropes, Naomi gets to a corner, Carmella runs in, blocks a kick but Naomi hits her on the rebound. Carmella rushes Naomi, Naomi dodges and rallies with back elbows, flipping back elbow before the kicks light Carmella up. Running jawbreaker and kip-up, Naomi is feeling it. She runs at Carmella in a corner but is put on the apron, big roundhouse floors Carmella! Naomi goes up top, Carmella trips her up! Carmella climbs up but Naomi resists and shoves Carmella down. Carmella comes back, wants a headscissors but Naomi denies that, too. Carmella gives an elbow and grabs that hair, the ref gets her to let go, Naomi gets shoved away by James Ellsworth!? FABULOUS Kick!

Carmella wins! Pretty Jimmy Dream gets in to celebrate with her! That 30 Day suspension is over, Ellsworth can now watch out for his “home girl”. With her good luck charm back, can Carmella become the Fabulous Champion?

Natalya finds Carmella and Ellsworth backstage.

The Queen of Harts is so happy to see the “chinless, turtle-faced freak” has already been poking around where he doesn’t belong after being back one night. A warning to them both: Keep out of Natty’s business, Summerslam is her night to shine. And if she sees either of them around, Carmella’s chin will end up like Ellsworth’s. Why is Natty so nervous? Just because Carmella has the MITB briefcase. But good luck, Natty, they’re “really really counting on” her winning.

Exclusive interview with Shinsuke Nakamura.

The Artist, the Rockstar, the King of Strong Style, and now #1 contender to the WWE Championship. He’s wanted to be here his whole career, and to compete against the best. From NXT with Sami Zayn, Finn Balor, Samoa Joe and Bobby Roode to SmackDown with Dolph Ziggler, Baron Corbin and John Cena. Nakamura knows Cena has been the “measuring stick” for the last decade, and as a 16 time world champion, Cena is “the guy”. Yet, Nakamura beat him. It was beyond words to be in the ring with Cena and to earn his respect. Nakamura will surely watch the grudge match tonight before he faces Mahal at Summerslam, that opportunity is more than just an opportunity. It is destiny. Nakamura beat Cena, and now he’ll see the Maharaja compete tonight. Nakamura vows to become champion and begin his dynasty at the biggest event of the summer.

“Grudge Match”: Jinder Mahal VS Randy Orton!

These two have gone back and forth for months, major match after major match, but Orton could not get the title off Mahal after all the different schemes the Singh Brothers enacted. This fight is all for pride between champion and Viper before Mahal has to face Strong Style at Summerslam. The two circle and then brawl fast and furious! Orton backs Mahal down, Mahal backs Orton down, and back again. Orton staggers Mahal to ropes, whips but is reversed, Thesz Press and fast hands. Mahal gets out of the ring, Orton pursues and rocks Mahal again. Orton throws Mahal into barriers, spilling someone’s drink, then Orton throws Mahal into other barriers. Back suplex right to the top of the barriers, Orton puts Mahal in the ring but Mahal gets out again. Orton runs Mahal over with a clothesline, then back suplex to the announce table!

Orton clears that off, Mahal scrambles to the ring, Orton returns and Mahal pounces with stomps. Mahal rushes Orton, Orton clotheslines Mahal out of the ring. Mahal is brought back to the table, and thrown over it. Orton crawls on the table and drags Mahal onto it with him, and with all the fans watching, Mahal shoves Orton out of the RKO and into the time keeper’s area! Mahal is safe from harm as we go to commercials.

When we return, Mahal is giving springboard knee drops on Orton at the ropes. Mahal backs off at the ref’s count, Mahal stalks Orton to drive knees into the spine. Mahal stretches Orton back with a chinlock, Orton fights his way to his feet. Orton fights back and keeps on Mahal in a corner, corner to corner whip is reversed but Mahal misses and runs right into post! Nakamura watches closely from backstage, knowing all the damage done is in his favor. Mahal hotshots Orton, Orton kicks Mahal and hotshots Mahal’s arm. Orton drags Mahal to the top rope, SUPERPLEX!

The Orton family special worked, Orton crawls to a cover, TWO! Orton and Mahal get up as the fans are thunderous, they start brawling again but Orton gets the advantage. Orton whips Mahal and runs him over, Fall Away Slam! Orton stalks Mahal to a corner and gives corner punches. Mahal slips out, trips Orton up, but Orton gets the powerslam! TWO, but Orton is not frustrated. Orton gets up and scrapes his laces on Mahal, kicks the arm and then gives a European Uppercut. Orton whips but is reversed, he reverses that but Mahal powers out. Orton gives a back elbow from the corner, Mahal gives a stiff knee lift to Orton’s head! Mahal crawls to a cover, TWO. Mahal is frustrated, but Mahal won’t stop. He stalks Orton, calling for his finish, Orton blocks it with back elbows. Orton dodges Mahal, Mahal hanging on the ropes, draping DDT! Orton hears the voices of Toronto and the voices in his head. Mahal slowly gets up, RKO rolled, TWO. BIG kick from Mahal! Orton is down, Mahal wants to finish it. Mahal grabs Orton in cobra clutch position, RKO!!

Orton wins and settles the grudge!

Orton can finally move past Mahal, full steam ahead to the Bulgarian Brute, who blindsides Orton at the ramp!!

Rusev has escalated things, will he come to regret it?

My Thoughts:

Where Raw is lacking, SmackDown is growing. Raw’s Women’s and Tag Team divisions have had to improvise because of injuries but the SmackDown counterparts are 100% healthy and on rolls. The Usos had a great match against the composite team of Sami Zayn and Tye Dillinger, which I hope continues as a team just on the name “Perfect Underdogs” being so, well, perfect. The New Day even shows a new side of themselves when they take the fight to the Usos, teasing a chair-shot Big Ending but being denied it at the last second. I hope that this third match of Usos-NewDay gets something hardcore like that to make it stand out against whatever Raw Tag Team Championship match will be scheduled, I wouldn’t mind seeing that chair-shot Big Ending actually happen. The Fashion Police still haven’t revealed to us who has been attacking the Fashion HQ, but at least we know Arn ripped up Tully and Fandango likes alien butt probes. Then in the Women’s Division, everyone is healthy so that we can continue with this on-again off-again duo of Lana and Tamina, which makes a complimentary combination where one is all charisma and no skill and the other is all skill and no charisma. Lana of course gets buried by Charlotte in the ring to help propel that story, but that’s what makes it alright. Carmella has a slightly better showing against Naomi, but the win comes down to Ellsworth’s surprise return! Which as the Heel, Carmella embraces, and I was surprised she didn’t try going for the cash-in there but hey, she can still make it happen at Summerslam for major spotlight.

Then SmackDown sets itself up for even bigger things in the singles division. As we all expected, Cena and Corbin will be having a match at Summerslam for respect more than anything, which should be great, and Corbin can still pull a Rollins: Lose early in the show to cash in big at the end of the show, taking the championship away from both champion and contender. That title match in question hasn’t had a lot of feud build as Mahal and Nakamura did not meet tonight, but we know Nakamura can give a great performance, and Mahal has improved to where he can give a good match. His “grudge match” with Orton tonight was good enough, the Toronto fans were behind their hometown guy (as Mahal is actually from Canada) but Orton wins because… Well, no valid reason other than the WWE doesn’t let people win in their hometowns, and then it makes it all the sweeter for Rusev to attack after the match. Perhaps for the go-home, Orton returns the favor when Rusev wins against someone.

My Score: 8/10

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