The 07/24/18 episode of WWE SmackDown Live just wrapped up. We’ve got the match results and our overall thoughts on the show for you to check out below. Let us know what you thought about episode #988 of WWE SmackDown by tweeting us, @TheRumbleRamble.
The Viper is Back
“I started my career as a #LegendKiller, and now 16 years later I realize who the TRUE #LegendKiller is…. it’s EACH and EVERY one of you!” – @RandyOrton #SDLive pic.twitter.com/wBPucNI7y6
— WWE (@WWE) July 25, 2018
Randy Orton kicked off the show, where we were shown the brutal attack on Jeff Hardy from last week before he turned his aggression toward the crowd, cutting a fantastic promo about respect and why they and their favorites didn’t deserve it. Especially Jeff Hardy, whose career he fully plans to put to an end. Bad Guy Randy is back in full force and ready to beat the hell out of everyone you love. Get ready for it.
Andrade “Cien” Almas vs. Rusev
NOT TRANQUILO! #SDLive @AndradeCienWWE @RusevBUL pic.twitter.com/7IGTPudZBS
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) July 25, 2018
With their respective ladies/managers at their sides, Rusev and Andrade Almas came to the ring to throw down. This honestly could have been a terrible match and I still would have been ecstatic to see these two face each other. That being said, it was awesome.
Almas and Rusev had some exciting back and forth and just when the action was reaching a peak, Zelina and Lana got into it at ringside. Aiden English ran down to protect Lana but accidentally tackled her instead. This obviously angered Rusev, who was distracted by the commotion just long enough for Almas to get the pin and leave with Zelina victorious.
Backstage, Lana and Aiden were shown arguing over the loss when Rusev interrupted them, declaring that maybe neither of them were good for Rusev Day.
Winner: Andrade “Cien” Almas
Samoa Joe vs. R-Truth
A dangerous, dangerous man grips the victory. #SDLive @SamoaJoe @RonKillings pic.twitter.com/CVcoVtEXDR
— WWE (@WWE) July 25, 2018
Following his loss to the Samoan Destroyer last week, Tye Dillinger talked his friend, R-Truth, into facing him as well. Needless to say, R-Truth had no more luck than Dillinger, tapping out to the Coquina Clutch after a few short moments.
Winner: Samoa Joe
Asuka vs. Billie Kay
.@WWEAsuka = 🤡@PeytonRoyceWWE = 😠#TheEmpress is victorious! #SDLive @BillieKayWWE pic.twitter.com/nta0IP301f
— WWE (@WWE) July 25, 2018
The IIconics, Billie Kay and Peyton Royce, talked a lot of smack backstage before the match. Billie had to eat her words (and Asuka’s foot), however, as she quickly lost to The Empress after a roundhouse kick to the face.
Winner: Asuka
AJ Styles’ SummerSlam Opponent Is…
“TICK TOCK, CHAMP!”
Did @SamoaJoe just SIGN the contract to face @AJStylesOrg for the #WWETitle at #SummerSlam? #SDLive pic.twitter.com/6iyBTZhj9i
— WWE (@WWE) July 25, 2018
SmackDown GM, Paige, came to the ring to announce AJ Styles’ SummerSlam opponent, but first, she and Styles promoted the new Evolution pay-per-view. Styles talked about his daughter and how proud he was to work for a company like WWE, then shifted gears into SummerSlam and being ready for whoever Paige had for him.
Paige was about to introduce his opponent when James Ellsworth made his entrance, proclaiming himself the number one contender for the WWE Championship. He began insulting Paige, who only had two words for him, “you’re fired”. Ellsworth was carried away by officials and thrown out of the arena.
While Styles was alone in the ring, Samoa Joe attacked him from behind, put him to sleep with the Coquina Clutch, and signed his name on the SummerSlam contract. Paige confronted Joe backstage, revealing that he had been her choice all along, but that he went too far. As you might have guessed, Joe couldn’t have cared less about how she felt.
Becky Lynch vs. Carmella
Consider the #PrincessOfStatenIsland: DISARMED!@CarmellaWWE taps which means #BeckyBalboa @BeckyLynchWWE is GOING to #SummerSlam! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/YA6RGYdnew
— WWE (@WWE) July 25, 2018
With her usual partner in crime kicked out in the cold, Carmella was forced to face Becky Balboa on her own. Carmella nearly got the victory more than once (by bending the rules a little, of course), but Becky came through with a Dis-Arm-Her in the end, forcing the Princess to tap out.
As a reward for her victory, Becky Lynch will have a shot at the SmackDown Women’s Championship at SummerSlam.
Winner: Becky Lynch
The New Day vs. SAnitY
.@XavierWoodsPhD is on FIRE!! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/VO8NkQe3fc
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) July 25, 2018
The power of positivity met the capability of chaos in the first round of the tournament for a chance at The Bludgeon Brothers and their SmackDown Tag Team Championships. The Usos watched closely from ringside, as their tournament match against The Bar will take place next week.
We were expecting an intense battle, but The New Day defeated SAnitY rather quickly. After the match, The Bar made an appearance, announcing both their return and their intentions to defeat the competition and claim the championships.
Winner: The New Day
The Mizanins Have Arrived
“That baby was an ACTOR! Did you really think I’d bring my baby to a city like this?!”
SHOCKING actions from @mikethemiz… #SDLive @WWEDanielBryan pic.twitter.com/8jwJQBSFXy
— WWE (@WWE) July 25, 2018
The Miz and Maryse decided that the time to officially introduce Monroe Sky to the WWE Universe had come – just in time for the debut of their new show, Miz and Mrs.
Miz and Maryse cut a promo about their show, Miz taking the opportunity to throw some verbal jabs Daniel Bryan’s way, before debuting a preview of Miz and Mrs on the big screen.
Daniel Bryan came to congratulate them in person, but Miz’s security wouldn’t let him through, so Bryan knocked them out of the way and let himself through the velvet rope. Miz flung Monroe (which turned out to be a doll) at Bryan to throw him off and beat him down to close the show.
What letter grade would you give tonight’s show? #SDLive
— Rumble Ramble (@TheRumbleRamble) July 25, 2018
