On July 14, 2023, the scheduled WWE SmackDown began with the conquest of ascendancy sparked in the women’s division, as Asuka and the former women’s champion goes one on one. Although, the interruption by the Queen, Genius of the Sky was quite an expected one. As their destination matches.
Next, the main one is the reaction of the Tribal Chief to his cousin’s challenge. The other is revenge on Brawling Brutes from Pretty Deadly. Watch it again by reading this article.
Match Card
- WWE Women’s Championship Match: Bianca Belair vs. Asuka (c)
- The fallout from Jey Uso’s Undisputed WWE Universal Championship challenge
- United States Championship Invitational Fatal 4-Way Match: AJ Styles vs. Butch vs. Santos Escobar vs. Grayson Waller ( Winner of this fatal will take on another winner of next week’s fatal 4, later victorious among the two will face Austin Theory)
- Sheamus and Ridge Holland vs. Pretty Deadly
Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair- SummerSlam Agreement
Bianca Belair started the broadcast, interrupted by Charlotte Flair. They teased a championship match and agreed to face off at SummerSlam. The rivalry between them didn’t offer anything new. They both overlook Asuka and risk being surprised by Money in the Bank winner Iyo Sky.
Grade – C+
Sheamus and Ridge Holland vs. Pretty Deadly
In retaliation for their interference last week, Sheamus and Ridge Holland sought revenge against Elton Prince and Kit Wilson in a solid, physical tag match. The heels emerged victorious, frustrating Sheamus and ensuring the feud continues. Austin Theory, who benefited from the heels’ interference, was absent, which was surprising considering the upcoming four-way match. The ultimate outcome of this feud remains to be seen, but Sheamus remains resilient in his career and Holland has yet to be affected by these losses. Pretty Deadly, on the other hand, continues to gain momentum. Overall, this segment was successful, featuring a quality match.
Winner – Pretty Deadly
Grade – B
Zelina Vega vs. Bayley
The match between Zelina Vega and Bayley was overshadowed by the promo that came before it. The match felt rushed and lacked substance, leaving Damage CTRL and Vega with little to do. In the end, The Damage CTRL member scored a victory thanks to a momentary distraction from Iyo Sky.
Winner – Bayley
Grade – C
Shotzi’s Promo
Shotzi’s post-match promo was a notable response to Bayley disrespecting her by cutting her hair. In a surprising move, Shotzi shaved her own head, making a statement of defiance. This development is intriguing, as it shows Shotzi stepping out of her previous role as a mere tackling dummy for more established stars. However, fans should remain cautious until it becomes clear if WWE is truly committed to showcasing Shotzi as a formidable presence in the division.
Promo of Jey Uso
In this episode of WWE SmackDown Jey Uso sought answers for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship challenge, but instead found revenge against Paul Heyman. Heyman’s scathing rant blaming Jey for his brother Jimmy’s injuries led to a satisfying superkick. The crowd’s energy fueled Jey, who refused to be manipulated by Heyman’s tactics. Jey fought alongside his brother Solo Sikoa and asserted his independence in the ring.
Jey Uso is set to challenge Roman Reigns for the top prize at SummerSlam. The question is whether WWE should make him the competitor to dethrone Reigns. The answer is a resounding “yes,” especially given the positive reaction from the fans.
Grade – A+
United States Championship Fatal 4-Way
In the United States Championship Invitational, AJ Styles, Santos Escobar, Butch, and Grayson Waller competed for the opportunity to advance and challenge Austin Theory for the title. Escobar emerged victorious, thanks to a distraction caused by Karrion Kross, securing a significant win in his main roster career.
The match showcased exceptional pace, intense physicality, and gripping drama. Escobar’s unexpected victory was a pleasant surprise, considering the LWO’s limited success. Kross’s attack on Styles further fuels their unsettled rivalry, as Styles had swiftly defeated the former NXT champion in New York City. WWE Creative will need to put in extra effort to generate fan interest in this program, as they have yet to invest much into it. This development, however, may indicate a positive change in that regard.
Winner – Santos Escobar
Grade – B+
Short segment by LA Knight on WWE SmackDown
LA Knight made an entertaining entry for a short time. He claimed that Fans can call him Megastar or GOAT but they’ll surely call him Champ after he defeats Austin Theory. Furthermore, he added that LA Knight is the only good decision made by the company. Overall, the Audience was interestingly involved in the Loudmouth villain’s exceptional mic skills segment.
Main Event of WWE SmackDown- WWE Women’s Championship Match: Bianca Belair vs. Asuka
The SmackDown women’s division is thriving entering SummerSlam. The match between Bianca Belair and Asuka for the WWE Women’s Championship was rushed due to time restraints, but still showcased their chemistry. The involvement of Charlotte Flair, Bayley, and Iyo Sky added uncertainty and drama. Asuka, Belair, and Flair are likely to clash at SummerSlam, with Damage CTRL’s involvement looming. Shotzi’s threatening message to the heels adds another layer of intrigue. This is a major improvement for the blue brand after a year of one-dimensional creative.
Grade – B
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