WWE Smackdown Results
July 24, 2018
Evansville, Indiana
Commentary: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton and Corey Graves
Results by: Roy Nemer of Wrestleview.com
Smackdown Live kicks off with a limousine outside the building. The door opens and it’s The Miz with Maryse and their baby. The announcers hype up the Miz and Mrs Premier Party tonight.
In the arena, Randy Orton’s music hits. Highlights of last week’s show where Orton attacked Jeff Hardy are shown.
Randy gets on the mic and says he has heard all of the theories of why he did what he did. Maybe that he and Jeff have unfinished business from years ago but that’s not it. He says to look in the mirror. He says he did it because of you (the fans). He has busted his ass for 16 years for the fans. When he began his career, who’s around now that was around then? No one. He is the constant in the WWE. He set the table for the stars these days yet he doesn’t get the respect he deserves.
Orton asks why that is. Because he doesn’t paint his face? Because he doesn’t change the color of his t-shirts every month? Is it because he competes all year round or is it because he doesn’t put his life on the line for their approval by flying off a cage or a ladder? He says he didn’t steal a sweet hand gesture or isn’t an indie darling. He didn’t pay his dues from hundreds of people. He learned from the absolute best and paid his dues in front of millions of people and he accomplished everything there is to accomplish. He started his career as a legend killer. And he realized who the real legend killer is. And it is each and everyone of you (the fans).
But he won’t let them win. He is the legend. He has made it his mission to destroy every superstar put in front of him and that is why Jeff isn’t there tonight. And when he’s done with Jeff Hardy, he won’t ever be back. He will end Jeff Hardy’s career. He says Jeff’s story is truly inspiring but the only part he cares about is the part he gets to write. Which is Jeff Hardy’s final chapter.
You can call him what you want. Viper, legend killer but we only need to call him the three most destructible letters in WWE. And that is RKO.
The commentators mention that they will take a closer look at last night’s Evolution event announcement.
-Commercial Break-
Highlights of last night’s WWE Evolution event announcement air.
Rusev vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas
Rusev’s music hits and he comes out with Lana. Highlights from a backstage segment from earlier today between Lana, Rusev, Andrade “Cien” Almas and Zelina Vega air. Rusev challenged Vega to a match tonight.
The bell rings and we are under way as a loud Rusev Day chant erupts from the crowd. A shoulder block by Rusev as Almas runs towards him. Almas slides to the outside of the ring and Rusev follows him. Almas gets back in the ring as does Eusev. Almas goes for a kick but Rusev blocks it and knocks him down. Rusev with a suplex and goes for the cover but Almas kicks out.
Rusev calls Lana to the ring apron as they pose.
-Commercial Break-
Back from commercial, Almas and Rusev are in the ring with both men exchange right moves. A right hand by Rusev and another and another. A big kick by Rusev takes Andrade down. Almas back up and a spinning heel kick by Rusev. He goes for the cover but Almas kicks out.
Rusev goes for the Machka kick but Almas moves. He slaps Rusev across the chest but it didn’t phaze him. Rusev fights back and a big kick by Almas. He goes for the hammerlock DDT but Rusev counters and Almas counters it with an elbow. Rusev down as Almas runs towards him but the Machka kick by Rusev as both men go down.
Outside, Lana and Vega are arguing as Vega slaps Lana. Lana spears Vega on the outside and out comes Aiden English who breaks it up. He starts talking to Lana as Vega jumps on Aiden’s back and he accidentally hits Lana.
That gets Rusev’s attention as Almas attacks Rusev from behind and connects with the Hammerlock DDT. He goes for the cover and gets the win.
Winner: Andrade “Cien” Almas
Backstage R-Truth is saying it’s his first time competing since Wrestlemania and they want to give him Samoa Joe? R-Truth is seen talking to Tye Dillinger. Tye says Samoa Joe is a bad man but he encourages R-Truth.
-Commercial Break-
Backstage Aiden English and Lana are arguing. Rusev breaks it up and says enough. He says maybe none of them are good for Rusev Day and walks away.
R-Truth vs. Samoa Joe
The bell rings and R-Truth goes on the offense. He gets Joe in the corner and a big splash by R-Truth. He goes for another splash in the corner but Joe catches R-Truth with the sit down. He locks in the Coquina Clutch as R-Truth taps out.
Winner: Samoa Joe
Backstage Asuka is interviewed ans asked about the Evolution PPV. She says she is so excited and she is ready. But tonight Billie Kay is not ready for Asuka.
-Commercial Break-
Asuka vs. Billie Kay w/ Peyton Royce
The bell rings and Asuka gets Kay in an arm lock but Billie Kay reverses it into a suplex. She goes for a cover but Asuka kicks out right away. Billie Kay starts to taunt Asuka as Asuka lands a drop kick. She sends Billie Kay to the ropes and a big knee to the face. She goes for the cover but Billie Kay kicks out.
Asuka with a big boot to the head and a kick to the head. She goes for the cover and gets the 3 count.
Winner: Asuka
Shinsuke Nakamura is backstage and he says that Jeff Hardy was so close last week but he is still the WWE United States champion. He asks Jeff if he can hear him but poor Jeff because he has been bitten by the Vipor. He tells Randy to watch out because he bites back.
-Commercial Break-
Backstage, The Miz is with Maryse and their baby getting photographs being taken of them.
SummerSlam No. 1 Contender Announcement
In the ring, Smackdown Live General Manager Paige is in the ring. Paige says she is happy and is having a lot of fun being the Smackdown Live GM. She is very excited to see her girls steal the show at Evolution. She says but Summerslam is coming up as she introduces WWE champion AJ Styles.
A loud AJ Styles chant from the crowd. AJ says they are awesome and he mentions that he is a husband and a father and when Stephanie McMahon announced the Evolution PPV, the first person he thought of was his daughter. He says it’s another reason for him to be proud of the company he works for.
And talking about being proud, he is proud to defend the WWE title at Summerslam. He says last year, he and Kevin Owens ended a rivalry. And for him, Summerslm is no different than Wrestlemania except they will turn the heat up a little more.
He goes on to sign the contract in the ring and asks who his opponent for Summerslam will be. Paige says his opponent is going to be… James Ellsworth’s music hits. Paige is seen shaking her head saying no.
Ellsworth introduces himself. He says Mella is Money but Ellsworth is Exquisite. He says the real reason he came back to the WWE is that title. He says after all, he has beaten AJ Styles three times. And they say a fourth time is a charm!
AJ says no, no one says that. Ellsworth says they will after he beats him but not to worry. He is shocked he is out there, he is scared. But don’t worry because he will make it quick. Wham, bam, Ellsworth the new champion at Summerslam!
Paige tells James to stop it. She asks him what he is doinbg out here. She says he is a joke. He says a joke? No, she is the joke. He says we can’t even understand what she’s saying half the time. And look at the way she looks. Paige says we don’t make fun of people around here. Ellsworth says yes we do, well, yes he does. He says she is as pale as a ghost.
Paige approaches Ellsworth and says she has heard enough. She says she has two words for him… You’re fired. She calls for security to get out. Security comes out and takes him away.
Paige is following them backstage and Ellsworth is kicking and screaming. Paige tells security to put him down and she kicks him through the door as security holds the door.
Inside the ring, Samoa Joe attacks AJ Styles and locks in the Coquina Clutch. Samoa Joe gets up and signs the contract. He flips the table over onto AJ Styles.
-Commercial Break-
Bakstage, Paige tells Samoa Joe she picked him because he has killer instinct and he’s unpredictable. Samoa Joe asks her what she thought that was? He says that was phenomenal.
Carmella comes in and asks Paige why she fired James Ellsworth like that? Paige tells her if Mella is Money, for her to go buy a new boyfriend. Carmella says she will stay champion until the Evolution PPV in October.
Becky Lynch vs. Carmella
The bell rings and Becky with an arm bar right away. She tries to go for the dis-arm-her but Carmella grabs the ropes right away. Becky once more goes for the dis-arm-her but Carmella reverses it into a cover as Lynch kicks out. Carmella slams Becky’s head into the mat.
Becky runs to the ropes and a flying forearm takes Carmella out. Carmella rolls to the outside and Becky flies off the ring apron onto Carmella. She throws her back in the ring but Carmella slides out. Becky follows her to the outside but Carmella throws her into the barricade.
-Commercial Break-
Back from commercial and Carmella is in control inside the ring. She taunts Becky and runs to the ropes but a drop kick by Becky takes Carmella out. Both women exchange right hands and Becky with a upper cut. She goes for a suplex but Carmella reverses it into a flat liner. She goes for the cover but Becky kicks out.
Carmella grabs Becky and climbs the top rope. She goes for a DDT but Becky reverses it into the Becksploder. Becky climbs the top rope but Carmella hits the ropes and slows her down. Carmella flips Becky down and goes for the cover but Becky kicks out again.
Carmella goes for a kick but Becky catches her and hits an enziguri. Becky climbs to the top turnbuckle and misses a leg drop off the top rope. Carmella with a big kick to the head and goes for the cover but a two count only. Carmella goes to grab Becky but Becky locks in the Dis-Arm-Her as Carmella taps out.
Winner: Becky Lynch
Carmella will now defend her WWE Smackdown women’s title against Becky Lynch at Summerslam.
The New Day vs. SAnitY is next with the winner facing The Bludgeon Brothers for the WWE Smackdown Tag Team titles at Summerslam.
The Bludgeon Brothers cut a promo saying four teams will compete to become the number one contenders but it won’t matter because it’ll be a bludgeoning at Summerslam.
-Commercial Break-
Smackdown Tag Team Title Tournament
The New Day (Xavier Woods, Big E) vs. SAnitY (Alexander Wolfe, Killian Dain)
The Usos are at ringside for this one. Wolfe is in the ring with Xavier Woods and a right hand by Woods. Xavier Woods goes for a right hand by Wolfe ducks and lands a German suplex instead. He tags in Dain who continues the beat down. Woods tries to fight out but Dain picks him up on his shoulders and drops him down.
-Commercial Break-
Back from commercial and Dain has Woods up on the top turnbuckle. He goes for the suplex but Woods fighbts him off. Woods flights off the top rope and a big drop kick lands on Dain. Woods tags in Big E and Wolfe is tagged in for SAnitY. Belly to back suplexes by Big onto Wolfe.
Woods takes out Dain on the outside as Big E is distracted by Eric Young. Young gets on the top rope but Kofi takes him down. Big E then gets the better of Wolfe as he and Xavier Woods double team Wolfe. Big E goes for the cover and gets the win.
Winners: The New Day
The Bar’s music hits and they show up on stage. They will take on The Usos next week on Smackdown and the winner
They get on the mic and ask if they missed them because they did not miss any one of them. They say they do miss being the Tag Team champions. They say they don’t just set the bar, they are the bar.
Backstage, The Miz, Maryse and their baby are with Paige. The Miz asks where the babysitter is, Paige says he’s right here and in comes Sin Cara. The Miz says what kind of baby sitter wears a mask? He says that he will introduce the cutest baby to the WWE universe as they leave the scene.
-Commercial Break-
MizTV featuring Daniel Bryan
The Miz welcomes everyone to Miz TV. He says let’s celebrate the future of sports entertainment, let’s celebrate his wife and himself. He says he has been so lucky to share the spotlight with his wife.
Maryse gets on the microphone and says that after the historic announcement of the Evolution PPV, let’s face it, the Evolution started with her. And her evolution keeps going because right after Smackdown Live, Miz and Misses will be premiering. The Miz hypes up the show as well as himself, Maryse and their baby Monroe Sky. He says his baby has accomplished more in her short life than Daniel Bryan has since his return to WWE.
The Miz says that the slightest mention of Daniel Bryan has put his baby to sleep and asks everyone to stay silent. We cut to a sneak peak of Miz and Misses.
On the screen, we see Daniel Bryan and he starts to talk but says why is he back there, he should come out there.
Daniel Bryan walks out but The Miz has his security outside of the ring which are not letting him through. Bryan attacks both security guards. Bryan gets in the ring as The Miz throws a baby doll onto Bryan. Daniel catches the doll and The Miz attacks him and hits him with the SKull Crushing Finale.
The Miz says he fooled everyone and he didn’t bring his daughter tonight. He looks at Bryan and says his face is in the mat and if they want to see his daughter, you can tune into his show tonight.