WWE SmackDown aired live this week from the PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. Gunther defended the Intercontinental Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura in the main event.
SmackDown Results (8/12)
- Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah advanced to the 2nd round of the Women’s Tag Team Tournament
- Hit Row def. enhancement talent
- Drew McIntyre & Madcap Moss def. The Usos
- Gunther def. Shinsuke Nakamura to retain the Intercontinental Championship
Here are the takeaways from this week’s show:
Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah Advanced In The Women’s Tag Tournament
Shotzi & Xia Li battled Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah in the first round of the Women’s Tag Team Tournament. Raquel dominated the action early and sent Shotzi flying across the ring. Natalya and Sonya Deville were shown watching from ringside as Aliyah tagged in. Aliyah hit a Dropkick and went for the cover on Xia Li but Shotzi broke it up. The action spilled out of the ring and Aliyah hit a Crossbody onto Xia off the ring apron. Raquel and Shotzi then traded punches outside the ring as SmackDown went to a commercial break.
When SmackDown returned, Shotzi and Xia Li were in control and had Aliyah isolated in the corner of the ring. Aliyah battled back and booted Xia in the face. Rodriguez tagged in and got in some offense. Aliyah leveled Shotzi with a Blockbuster as Raquel connected with the Texana Bomb on Xia Li for the pinfall victory. Raquel and Aliyah advanced to the 2nd round of the Women’s Tag Team Tournament.
Karrion Kross Promo, The Usos Attack Drew McIntyre
Karrion Kross cut a backstage promo with Scarlett by his side. Kross said that they were cast out of paradise, but they wanted for the perfect time to strike with vengeance. Karrion added that everybody knows about The Bloodline, but in the end, everybody pays the toll. Kross then looked around the corner and stared at Drew McIntyre. Drew then made his entrance as SmackDown went to a break.
Drew McIntyre cut a promo and brought up Kross jumping him from behind last week on SmackDown. McIntyre noted that he plans to do horrible things to Kross, but noted that he made an impact by attacking the #1 contender and staring down the champion. He told Karrion that he will three options when they have a match, a knockout, a hospital, or the graveyard.
McIntyre announced that Roman Reigns is not here tonight and the crowd booed. Drew noted that it took the entire Bloodline and Paul Heyman to get the job done against Brock Lesnar. McIntyre boasted about his WrestleMania victory over Lesnar before Kross’ theme hit. Scarlett made her way to the ring as Drew smirked. The Usos then attacked Drew from behind as Scarlett watched on the ring apron. Jimmy and Jey hit McIntyre with the 1D and trash-talked with Scarlett to end the segment.
The Viking Raiders Were Ready For Kofi Kingston
Kofi Kingston tried to attack the Viking Raiders with a kendo stick once again this week but it backfired. Erik and Ivar used their shields to block the kendo stick strikes and beat down the former WWE Champion. Ivar launched Kofi in the air into Erik’s shield. Ivar climbed on top of the barricade and hit Kofi with a Splash.
Drew McIntyre Attacked The Usos
Sami Zayn knocked on Roman Reigns’ door once again and The Usos answered. Drew beat Jimmy and Jey down as Sami retreated. McIntyre vowed to beat The Usos’ asses every week if they keep getting involved.
Hit Row Returned
B-Fab accompanied Ashante The Adonis and AJ ‘Top Dolla’ Francis to the ring for a tag team match against two jobbers. Top Dolla hit a running knee strike in the corner as Ashante hit a slam. Hit Row hit a Dropkick/Suplex combo for the pinfall victory. Hit Row cut a brief promo following their win.
Ronda Rousey Interrupted The Contract Signing
Liv Morgan and Shayna Baszler were set to have a contract signing for their SmackDown Women’s Championship match at Clash at the Castle. Suspended WWE Superstar Ronda Rousey showed up with a bag of money and said it was double the amount of her fine.
Ronda was about to attack security again but walked away. Shayna Baszler then confronted Ronda on the entrance ramp and told her that this isn’t how you get what you want. Rousey told Shayna that she used to be a killer and stormed off.
Baszler made her way to the ring and noted that she won the Gauntlet match last week and vowed to win the title at Clash at the Castle. Shayna signed the contract to make the match official on her end and asked Liv Morgan to come to the ring.
Liv came tot he ring and claimed that Shayna is a discount Ronda Rousey and signed the contract. Baszler took Liv down and stomped on her elbow. She went for another stomp but Liv dodged it. Liv then put Shayna through the table with a bulldog.
Drew McIntyre & Madcap Moss def. The Usos
Drew McIntyre and Madcap Moss battled the Undisputed Tag Team Champions tonight in a non-title match. Sami Zayn was ringside in his “The Bloodline” shirt for support. The match started off with The Usos versus McIntyre but Madcap rushed the ring to even the odds. Sami provided a distraction and The Usos looked for the 1D.
Madcap dragged Jey out of the ring and sent him over the barricade. Drew leveled Jimmy with the Claymore for the pinfall victory. After the match, Drew hit Jey with the Future Shock DDT and leveled Sami with another Claymore.
Backstage, Los Lotharios tried to join Maximum Male Models but Max Dupri said that they were not worthy. Los Lotharios decided to contract Maxxine Dupri.
Gunther Retained The Intercontinental Championship
Gunther defended the Intercontinental Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura in the main event of tonight’s SmackDown. Ludwig Kaiser was in Gunther’s corner for the match. Nakamura targeted Gunther’s legs early with a flurry of kicks that hobbled the champion.
Shinsuke kept control and caught Gunther with an Enziguri to the side of the head for a near fall. When SmackDown returned from a break, Gunther caught Shinsuke with a big boot. The Intercontinental Champion climbed to the top turnbuckle and went for a Splash but the challenger got his knees up.
Gunther planted Shinsuke with a Suplex before unloading some knee strikes to his midsection. Shinsuke responded with a knee to the face and went for the cover but Gunther kicked out at two and the match continued.
Nakamura got distracted outside the ring by Ludwig and Gunther capitalized with a Dropkick. Gunther went for a Powerbomb but Shinsuke escaped and set up in the corner. Nakamura went for the Kinshasa but Gunther was ready for it. Gunther absolutely leveled the challenger with a Clothesline and went for the cover but somehow Shinsuke kicked out at two. Gunther caught Nakamura with another Dropkick and then a Powerbomb for the pinfall victory. Gunther remains the Intercontinental Champion.
