Here are the SmackDown results for the 8th of July, 2022.
The WWE Universal Champion will be returning to SmackDown for the first time since successfully defending the title against Riddle last month. After the match, Reigns told Paul Heyman that nobody was left to challenge him but Brock Lesnar appeared and delivered F5s to The Bloodline. WWE later announced that Brock Lesnar will face Roman Reigns for the title at SummerSlam in a last man standing match. Liv Morgan has been moved to the SmackDown roster after becoming the new SmackDown Women’s Champion at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view. Ronda Rousey is set to give her first reaction post her title loss. Max Dupri’s Maximum Male Models will unveil their 2022 Tennis Collection.
The Bloodline came out to the ring. After they entered the ring, Mr. Money in the Bank, Theory, came up to the stage area and stood with the briefcase.
Reigns asked the WWE Universe in attendance to acknowledge him. He said that whenever the Tribal Chief comes to the ring, business picks up. He said he is happy to be on his show – SmackDown. Reigns asked Heyman why he was looking worried. He asked Heyman to put his hand up. Reigns handed his microphone to Heyman and asked him to tell what was wrong with him. Heyman said that he loves The Bloodline but there is a problem and that problem is none other than Brock Lesnar. He said that Lesnar doesn’t care about the fact that Reigns has been the world champion for this long. Heyman said he is scared because Lesnar’s back is against the wall. Heyman wanted Reigns to bring his best at SummerSlam to conquer the beast once again.
Mr. Money in the Bank jogged down to the ringside but did not enter the ring. He lifted the Money in the Bank briefcase over his shoulder and left.
Shanky and Ivar were about to begin the match until the former turned to the WWE Universe and almost began dancing. Jinder tagged himself in. Ivar hit some brutal blows to rattle the Modern Day Maharaja. Mahal went for the tag but Shanky was busy dancing on the outside. Erik and Ivar delivered a double-team powerbomb to Mahal to get the win.
After the match, The Viking Raiders attacked Mahal and Shanky. Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods came out to the ring and tried to stop the onslaught. The Viking Raiders took out The New Day and exited the ring.
Winner – The Viking Raiders
Grade – D
We were supposed to have an Intercontinental Championship open challenge. However, Gunther said that the challenger will have to earn his shot at the title. Shinsuke Nakamura made his way out to the ring.
Happy Corbin had joined in on commentary and he along with Graves tried copying McAfee’s antics as Nakamura made his way to the ring. The King of Strong Style challenged Kaiser to a match.
Nakamura began the match strongly but he focused too much on Gunther and Kaiser took advantage as we went into a commercial break. After returning from the break, Kaiser was being pummeled with a series of kicks and knees. Nakamura delivered the good vibrations in the corner. Kaiser kicked Nakamura and delivered a suplex. Nakamura turned things around and hit Kinshasa to get the win.
After the match, Gunther punished Kaiser for losing the match. The Intercontinental Champion hit three devastating chops and the third one knocked Kaiser off his feet.
Winner – Shinsuke Nakamura
Grade – C
Michael Cole interviewed Liv Morgan in the ring. He congratulated Morgan on her success. Cole said that Ronda Rousey suffered a knee injury at Money in the Bank before she cashed in her contract. He said that Rousey might want to have her rematch as early as at SummerSlam. Morgan said she was ready to defend her title against Rousey. Cole spoke about how Morgan worked as a waitress and saved money to train to become a sports entertainer. Morgan said that she never stopped dreaming and that is why she managed to succeed.
Natalya came out to the ring and said that Morgan’s fairytale run would end soon as there is no way she could have beaten a fresh Rousey. The Queen of Harts said she loved injuring Rousey. The Baddest Woman on the Planet came out to the ring. She congratulated Morgan for taking her opportunity. However, the former SmackDown Women’s Champion asked Morgan to enjoy her title reign for as long as it lasts. She told the former Riott Squad member that she will find out that it’s far more difficult to defend a title than to challenge for it. The former MMA star began to run down Natalya when the 40-year-old blindsided her nemesis. Morgan made the save and sent Natalya outside the ring.
A Money in the Bank rematch was made official as Ronda Rousey and Natalya started the match. Rousey was limping but she managed to injure the hamstring of Natalya. Rousey dropped Natalya with Piper’s Pit on the ring apron. She made Natalya tap out to the ankle lock.
Winner – Ronda Rousey
Grade – D
The founder of Maximum Male Models, Max Dupri, came out to the ring. He introduce Mave first who sported a blue shirt and white shorts with a tennis racket in hand. Mansoor was the next one to walk the ramp. This segment is so very bad. Anyway, Dupri said that anybody who thinks they can match mån.sôör̃ and ma.çé can send his full body photo to maximummalemodels.com.
Well, WWE finally turned Lacey Evans back to a heel. Aliyah had already made her way to the ring. Evans came out on the stage area but she did not like the ovation she got. Evans went back to gorilla and came out once again but the ovation still did not impress her. She tried another time and then made her way to the ring. She took a microphone and said that she was disgusted with the WWE Universe for that disappointing reaction while she made her way out to the ring. Evans said she had spoken about her struggles to inspire everyone. She said that she risked her life for the people but they don’t know how to respect her for that. Evans was about to leave the ring when Aliyah stopped her. Evans hit a Women’s Right and left the ring.
So we did not have the match. However, we might see Aliyah take on Lacey Evans next week.
Los Lotharios got off the blocks quicker. The two talented youngsters used their pace to get the initial control of the match, but the veterans came back strongly. The champions hit a double-team Samoan drop to take out Humberto. Garza was taken out with a Superkick. Humberto was laid out thanks to the 1D as The Usos picked up the win.
Winners – The Usos
Grade – B
The Usos were interviewed by Kayla Braxton after the match. She said that there are backstage rumors regarding a special guest referee officiating their upcoming match against The Street Profits. The Usos had no problem with that as they called The Street Profits the twos and themselves the ones.
Some matches were announced for next week’s episode of SmackDown. SmackDown Women’s Champion Liv Morgan will take on Natalya in a championship contender’s match. Madcap Moss will take on Theory.
Drew McIntyre was supposed to face Sheamus. However, Sheamus came out to the ring and started coughing. He said that he needs to get tested before he could get in the ring. The Celtic Warrior said that Butch will replace him.
Butch hit a kick followed by a knee. However, McIntyre took control of the match with a Glasgow kiss followed by a suplex. Sheamus and Ridge Holland tried interfering but to no avail. McIntyre delivered a neckbreaker and finally won the match with a Claymore. After the match, Holland attacked McIntyre but the Scottish Warrior had it scouted. He delivered a Future shock DDT to take out the heel.
Sheamus got up on the ring apron. McIntyre cut the ring rope with his sword as the leader of Brawling Brutes escaped in the nick of time.
Winner – Drew McIntyre
Grade – B
Overall show grade – C
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