The SmackDown Report SLAM!
THE ONLY BLVD WHERE YOU GET A MENTAL HEALTH BREAK
Your July 10th, our first actual live two-hour SmackDown (since last week’s was taped after RAW) comes to you live from the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, OK. On tap for tonight, The United States Champ Trick Williams will battle Carmelo Hayes in a non-title match and Finn Balor collides with Tama Tonga. Set to appear are Tiffany Stratton, Jade Cargill, Gunther, and the NEW Undisputed WWE Champ CM Punk will open the show.
We got our first two-hour live show and more to come – so let’s get to the SLAM and get us some!
We start with a little recap of last Monday on RAW when Gunther attacked Cody Rhodes and took him out of the main event against then Undisputed WWE Champ Sami Zayn. RAW GM Adam Pearce told Zayn the Chicago crowd was promised a title defense, so he needed to get ready. Rhodes’ replacement was CM Punk, after being gone for nearly three months, and he won the WWE Title in his hometown crowd of Chicago. I noticed they really toned down the “CM PUNK!” chants and the crowd noise. But they did show some vertical videos people took of it from their phones as it happened live.
Now live in Oklahoma City, Nick Aldis is in the ring. He reminds everyone about the physical altercation with Gunther he had at Night of Champions. He took full responsibility, and after mediation, he said he is now officially reinstated as SmackDown GM. With that, he introduces the new Undisputed WWE Champion, CM Punk.
“Cult of Personality” hits as Punk comes out to cheers. He’s wearing his brand-new T-shirt (available at WWE shop dot com) as he comes to the ring with the title. Once we get a close-up of Punk we see he’s sporting a left black eye. Aldis welcomes the champ aboard, thanks him for taking his call, hands him the mic and the floor is his. Punk said he missed the fans. For the past few months, he’s been negotiating with WWE management to bring him to SmackDown. Last Monday those negotiations were expedited when he got a call that the WWE Champion needed a challenger. When championship opportunities fall out of the sky, Punk catches them. He put his gear on at his house, kissed his wife (AJ Lee) on the lips, and drove across town to the Allstate Arena. Punk asked if it’s great to be alive on a Friday night in Oklahoma City as the new Undisputed WWE Champion, or what? The fans cheered and chanted “CM PUNK!” He said he’s not like other wrestlers or other champions. Punk said that he is going to be wrestling on television, defending this belt any chance that he gets because when you call yourself the “Best in the World” it puts the pressure on himself. Punk said he likes to put the pressure on and draw a target on his back because he knows that locker room is filled with talented individuals that want what he has. Punk said that if you think that he has something that belongs to you, come and get it. Punk said if you think you have what it takes to wrestle the “Best in the World”, come wrestle him. Punk said he’ll defend the title with his blood, sweat and tears, and do it for all of you.
Punk mentioned Sami Zayn and said he heard what Zayn said about him on social media. Punk said that Zayn certainly deserves a rematch, so he will give him a shot. Punk then called out Gunther, saying they both remember what happened the last time they wrestled. He knows he can beat him because he’s done it before. Punk talked about how he’s gone to war with Finn Balor twice before, once in Balor’s home country and once in Punk’s hometown. He said if you want to do it again on neutral territory, he’s your huckleberry (uh what). He said if you think you’ve got what is takes, step up to the plate. Punk mentioned Royce Keys, Damian Priest, Trick Williams. “Kingdom” blasts and here comes Cody Rhodes to his pyros.
ANANLYSIS: Great promo by Punk saying he’s going to be a fighting champion and take on all comers. Nice shoutouts to all the people he mentioned. Including his wife, AJ! We miss you!
Soon as Rhodes gets in the ring, he checks out Punk’s face, looking at the left black eye (circa the day after WrestleMania when Punk was in the ring and Rhodes had the title with a black eye). Rhodes asks him how his eye is. Punk said it looked a lot worse than it felt, but that’s not why Rhodes is out there. So, “What do you want to talk about?” Rhodes said he was right. The last time they were standing in the ring the situation was reversed. Rhodes’ eye was black, Punk was talking to him, and Rhodes distinctly remembered Punk saying championship opportunities that fall from the sky. One fell on Monday and Punk caught it. Rhodes said there’s those types of championship opportunities, and there’s championship matches that have been building for years. Punk said maybe they’ve been avoiding this for some time because they’re friends. Punk said he thought, when that happens, it would’ve been the main event at WrestleMania. But he didn’t think they could run away from each other anymore. Rhodes reminded Punk the last time they were in the ring together he said, “Just say when.” Punk gets in his face and asked when. Rhodes said SummerSlam. They shake on it.
As we pan out, we see Aldis was still in the corner this entire time. Aldis announces the main event of SummerSlam is official: CM Punk defends the Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes. They pull each other face to face as Punk’s music hit.
ANALYSIS: And there’s the payoff. It’s been rumored for a long time that Punk and Rhodes would go at it at SummerSlam, so I’m not surprised they announced it at the top of the show. It’ll likely be the main event for night 1, while Reigns vs Rollins will be the main event for night 2. I was a bit surprised that Sami Zayn didn’t make an appearance during this promo. With as much Zayn has been cursing and whining on social media, maybe that’s all he needs to do for now. I still expect Zayn will eventually be put in SummerSlam somehow.
Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett are our commentators for the evening. Mark Nash is the ring announcer.
We now go backstage to Cathy Kelley who is with Jade Cargill and her gang of B-Fab and Michin. Kelley mentioned Cargill requested this match with Alexa Bliss. Cargill said since Flair wants to play games and cost her titles, she’ll make her life a living hell. Michin said Flair needs more lessons until she gets the picture. B-Fab said that Flair can watch Cargill snap Bliss in half. Cargill said she’s not responsible for what she does to Bliss and you can blame Flair. That match is later.
Back in the arena, Finn Balor comes out for his match against Tama Tonga after the break.
Now we’re back and Tama Tonga comes out alongside Talla Tonga. We’re shown what happened Last Friday on SmackDown when Balor was attacked by Talla as Tama says he’s next as he’s closing the books on his past.
Finn Balor vs Tama Tonga (w/ Talla Tonga)
Right as the bell rings Balor immediately attacked Tama and took him down. We’re told they both know each other from Japan as Balor took full control for a bit until he’s thrown into the ropes and got hit with a Shoulder Tackle. Tama got hit with a Basement Dropkick and Balor hit a Clothesline over the top to send him to the outside. Balor was looking for a Suicide Dive, but Talla grabbed his leg to stop him. Tama from behind throwing Balor’s head to the mat. Tama hit a Neckbreaker and a Sliding Clothesline. Cover but Balor kicks out at two as we get a commercial.
The match went back and forth with more distractions from Talla and Tama hitting some big power moves. The finish came when Balor gave Tama a Back Body Drop over the top to the floor. Tama hit the floor hard. Balor hit a Suicide Senton over the top onto the Tonga twins on the floor. Tama went back in the ring, and Balor hit a Dropkick into the turnbuckle. That set up Tama into position as Balor went up top and hit the Coup de Grace for the win.
WINNER: Finn Balor (12 minutes)
ANALYSIS: *** ½
This match was a bit better than I expected as it was put together just last week. We finally got to see the experienced Balor in action on SmackDown against one of the powerful Tanga Bros. They worked well together, with Tama hitting some signature power moves while Talla got some interference in. The crowd really got into it with Balor hitting his moves and it’s good he got the win.
This may continue with Talla Tonga next, or maybe even a tag team match against Balor and possibly Rhodes since he’s one of Balor’s only friends on the SmackDown brand. We’ll see where this “elder’s drama” goes.
Backstage with Kelley again, now interviewing Carmelo Hayes. Kelley told ‘Melo that Trick Williams and Lil Yachty said he still has to prove he deserves a title shot at the US Championship. Hayes told her that all he’s done is prove and deserve. He said sometimes he does come up short. He’s only human, what’s Yachty’s excuse? Hayes then insulted Yachty’s songs. Then Hayes said Williams isn’t going to outwork someone who’s been battle tested and overlooked as much as Hayes. Hayes isn’t going to catchphrase you to death. Tonight is his moment to prove to Williams that “I am… him.”
ANALYSIS: Intense promo by Hayes who knows Williams more than anyone. They were former frenemies in NXT and brought that rivalry into the main roster.
I expect he’ll win his non-title match against Williams. Either clean or by some sort of controversy like a DQ, it’s still a win for Hayes.
Elsewhere backstage, R-Truth, with his WWE Tag Team Championship Title, was paying a bet lost to Nathan Frazer and Axiom, who was excited about Spain’s win. Frazer told Truth to leave the real football to the Europeans. The War Raiders walked up with their AAA Tag Team Titles and said they are sick of Truth’s games. Aldis is here tonight so they want the Tag Team Titles. Jimmy Uso and Jacob Fatu walked up to Truth, so the War Raiders left as Ivar said their patience is really thin. Jimmy said he was looking for Solo Sikoa. Truth said his kids “yeeted” on themselves so Solo is babysitting. Jacob Fatu asked if Truth knew where Royce Keys was. Truth claimed he’d never seen him before. Damian Priest walked in and said they’ve seen Keys and he’s here. Fatu and Jimmy left for the ring. Truth wondered why Priest did that. Priest said Keys is not their problem, so let that go. Commercial.
Back from break, SmackDown GM Aldis is backstage on the phone with Sami Zayn. He said he understood Zayn requested a mental health break and that’s why he isn’t there. Aldis said he also had the authority to make the match between Punk and Rhodes at SummerSlam. Gunther walks in. He said it’s Aldis’ first day. He wants to give him a chance to fix this. Gunther said he deserves to be in the ring with the champion, and he didn’t care if it was both of them at the same time. Gunther told Aldis he’d give him until the end of the night to fix this. Aldis said he’d take that under consideration and Gunther left.
ANALYSIS: I still think this is headed for a match between Aldis vs Gunther at SummerSlam. That’s what they’ve been wanting for a while.
Zayn being on a “mental health break” explains why he didn’t interrupt the promo between Punk and Rhodes. It writes him off of this show, and they’ll probably bring him back next week.
Now live in the ring is Jimmy Uso and Jacob Fatu. Jimmy immediately calls out Solo. Royce Keys’ music hits as he makes his way to the ring. Jimmy said he don’t look like Solo. Keys said last week and this week, Jimmy mentioned his name. So here he is. Keys said they’re here to handle that family business. But their family business is affecting everyone around here and it’s starting to affect him. Jimmy said tonight it’s all about OTC business. Keys said the OTC isn’t even there. Fatu came up to Keys. He said him and Keys are tight. He can say anything about anyone. But when it comes to the OTC, don’t go there. Keys said it didn’t have to be like that.
Jimmy said Keys doesn’t tell them what to do. He’s not a part of this family. Keys said loyalty makes you part of this family, not blood. He told Jimmy his family has brother fighting brother and cousin fighting cousin. He said Fatu knows Keys doesn’t have any family. For the last 14 years, Fatu has been his brother, and he refuses to let him fall.
Jimmy said Keys is going to cross a line he can’t comeback from. Keys said he didn’t come here to fight, but it looks like there’s a line right there, and he just crossed it. Jimmy said you think you can take on him and Fatu, claiming “we” would give Keys the worst beating the Bloodline has ever put on anybody. Fatu said there isn’t no “we” here and this one’s on him. Fatu left. Jimmy called for Nick Aldis to make the match official. Jimmy tried to sneak attack, but Keys caught him and hit him with a big clothesline, then Keys clotheslined Jimmy out of the ring as the referee arrived. We’re getting the match after the break.
ANALYSIS: Keys finally gets to move this story forward with the Usos and his closeness to Fatu (which is real). It’s good to see Keys get some more screen time as well as in-ring action, even if it’s in the middle of the Bloodline storyline.
Royce Keys vs Jimmy Uso
They lock up and “Big Jim” starts things off with a headlock on Keys. Keys threw Jimmy to the ropes and Shouldertackled him, a bunch of punches in the corner, and a Clothesline. Keys tried to pick up Jimmy but he slipped out, Superkicking Keys in the gut and an Uppercut Punch. Jimmy tried for a Suplex and showed off a bit, but Keys got Jimmy up instead for a Suplex. Keys tried to cover but didn’t even get a one before Jimmy slid to the outside for a break. Keys went outside after him. Keys charged at Jimmy, but Jimmy moved and Keys crashed into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Jimmy goes up top and hit a Cross Body Block on Keys for a two. Chinlock on Keys. Jimmy with an Enzuigiri on Keys, but Keys bounced back with a Running Cross Body Block on Jimmy. Jimmy sent Keys to the outside then did a Suicide Dive onto Keys, even though he missed but Keys acted like he got hit to the announce desk. Jimmy sends Keys up and over the desk. Let’s break.
The match continued with both men in the ring. Keys picked up Jimmy off the mat and hit a strange-looking Powerslam for a two-count. Jimmy looked hurt but he’s okay. Keys pulled down the straps as Jimmy left the ring again. Keys went after him and caught Jimmy’s punch. Jimmy gets hit with a Powerslam onto the hood of the announce table by Keys, then another. Keys picked up Jimmy, who managed to slip behind Keys and shoved him into the ring post. Jimmy signaled for a timeout on the floor, when se wee Solo Sikoa appear behind Jimmy. Sikoa elbowed Jimmy and got ready for the Samoan Spike, but Fatu came back out for the save. Fatu and Sikoa are duking it out outside the ring. Fatu gave Sikoa the Tongan Death Grip and they both went over the barricade. Keys was looking at the chaos, so Jimmy hit a Spear on Keys for the pinfall win.
WINNER: Jimmy Uso (9 minutes)
ANALYSIS: *** ¼
For an impromptu match it was surprisingly good. Keys finally gets a match to show off his powerhouse wrestling style while Jimmy Uso got some good offensive in. They had some entertaining spots around the commentator’s desk mid-match. Of course, it was a distraction finish to give Jimmy the rare checkmark in the “W” column. But that’s okay to show that the Bloodline story continues until Monday.
After the match, Fatu threw Sikoa in the ring, and Fatu stomped on Sikoa in the corner repeatedly. Keys pulled Fatu off, and they argued about it. Fatu with a superkick on Keys, along with a senton splash. Jimmy slid a chair into the ring, so Fatu put it around Sikoa’s head. Fatu hit the opposite corner like he was about to splash the chair into Sikoa, but he stopped himself. Fatu told Sikoa this coming Monday to show up for the family, or next time he won’t stop.
ANALYSIS: Hopefully this moves the Bloodline story forward a bit, especially surrounding the Usos and Fatu. The OTC has enough to worry about with Seth Rollins.
They now show the clip on WWE social media of Zayn ranting and cursing about how he clawed his way up for 24 years, and when he finally gets the WWE Championship he loses it after 9 days to the guy who hasn’t been there for months.
ANALYSIS: I might as well put my two cents plus change in here. It was painfully obvious Zayn was going to win the title in Saudi Arabia to create a feel-good moment. Then, in Chicago, it was even more painfully obvious that Punk was going to show up and win it from Zayn. It’s all about making moments, not so much about who deserves it. What Zayn is doing now is turning into full heel mode. I think Zayn could still chase the title, and maybe even win it back as a heel champion. Time will tell.
Once more, Kelley is backstage interviewing the Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk, who was asked about Gunther. Punk said that everybody can get in line. And as far as Zayn goes, he’s been called much worse on social media. Candice LeRae showed up with Johnny Gargano lying on a box. LeRae said that Zayn is the only one who didn’t give up on Johnny. LeRae claimed that as long as Zayn held that title, it was hope for the real underdogs, and Punk stole that from them. Candice hopes Punk is proud of himself. Punk said he is proud of himself and said she had hope for 9 days. Punk said he hoped Johnny Wrestling could hear him, not whoever this was as he pointed to Gargano. He told Gargano and LeRae that whatever this is, this isn’t working.
ANALYSIS: I agree with Punk. This whole Gargano-LeRae thing has gone painfully nowhere. It was mildly funny when Zayn was talking to Gargano thinking he was listening to him. And I’m sure getting paid to show up on a box every week must be nice. But, for goodness sakes, this has gone long enough. Have Danhausen experiment on him and revert him back into Johnny Wrestling or something.
Finn Balor walked up to CM Punk saying he was hoping he’d bump into him. Balor looked at the WWE Title and welcomed him to SmackDown. Punk just nodded at him.
Back live, Alexa Bliss made her way out to the ring accompanied by Charlotte Flair. Let’s break while they make their entrance.
We’re back with Bliss in the ring. “A Storm is Coming” and Jade Cargill comes out with her cronies of B-Fab and Michin.
Alexa Bliss (w/ Charlotte Flair) vs Jade Cargill (w/ Michin & B-Fab)
At the bell, Cargill bumped Bliss out of the way so she could trash talk at Flair. With her back turned, Bliss leaped onto Cargill’s back and started pounding on her before Cargill just tossed her away. Cargill turned towards Flair again, so Bliss chopped Cargill’s knee down, then hit a knee attack as Cargill fell on the ropes. Pin attempt on Cargill for only a two. Bliss hit Cargill with a knee to the face. Bliss hit the ropes and looked like she wanted a Hurricanrana, but Cargill reversed it into a Backbreaker and stretched it before hitting another Backbreaker. Backbreaker break.
Back just in time to see Bliss get some offensive with Cargill trying to charge her in the corner. Punch and a kick by Bliss. Cargill charged for a kick, but Bliss moved and Cargill got her leg hung up. Wailing punches to the back of Cargill by Bliss before she lands on Cargill’s leg stuck in the ropes, the same leg Bliss tried to damage at the beginning of the match. Bliss chopped down Cargill’s knee again and hits a Standing Dropkick sending Cargill into the corner. Bliss with a Neckbreaker for a two-count. Bliss trash-talked Cargill, but Cargill grabbed Bliss in a chokehold, trash-talking her now, and tossed her into the corner. Bliss leaped off the second turnbuckle but was caught by Cargill. Bliss elbows her way out and gets Cargill into position for Sister Abigail. Cargill countered it by lifting Bliss up, but Bliss slid behind her. Cargill charged and ate a Superkick. B-Fab tripped up Bliss, but as the ref turned to check on what happened, Flair did a Top Rope Necksnap on Cargill. Bliss with a “ROLLUP OF DEATH~!” on Cargill for a close call. Michin charged at Flair on the floor but ate a kick. B-Fab sent Flair into the ring post. B-Fab was on the apron, so Bliss punched her down to the floor. Bliss turns around for a Pump Kick and Jaded by Cargil for Cargill’s win.
WINNER: Jade Cargill (8 minutes)
ANALYSIS: ** ½
Just the same-old same with Cargill showing off her power alongside the numbers game and getting the win again. Just like last week with the trio of Fatal Influence ganging up against the Women’s tag champs during a singe’s match. There’s got to be a better way. Tiffany Stratton, Chelsea Green, somebody to even the odds.
After the match, Michin handed Cargill a steel chair, so Charlotte Flair went into the ring and took her down. B-Fab and Michin tried to attack Flair, but Flair punched and Clotheslined them down. Cargill with a superkick to Flair. As B-Fab and Michin were beating up Flair in the corner, Cargill trapped Alexa’s left arm in a steel chair and slammed the chair into the mat. We got a good close-up of Bliss’s arm that was bent back badly. WWE medical team members (indie wrestlers) ran out to check on Bliss.
ANALYSIS: If you’ve followed Bliss’ career throughout the WWE, you know her elbows are hypermobile, aka double-jointed. They have been most of her life. She used to incorporate this to fool opponents and refs in a few of her matches early in her career. It’s a clever, and rather gruesome, storyline way to put her out of action for a bit. Personally, I thought it was rather cool. I’ve never seen her do it with such a close-up view of it.
Trick Williams was backstage looking for his US Title. He was about to go after Ricky Saints, when Lil Yachty approached Williams and told him he got Williams a Legacy title. Yachty presented Williams with a US Title that had white faux-fur lining everywhere, including the belt straps (instead of the typical black leather) perfectly matching Williams’ white fur coat. Yachty wanted Williams to give a diamond butt-whooping to “that munchkin of a man.” Trick showed off his white fur Legacy US Title as Yachty said it looked good on him, like a polar bear.
ANALYSIS: Just like most other custom-made championship belts over the years, Williams gets his. It matches his outfit and his character. Soon to be made available on WWE shop dot com.
Back live in the arena, Carmelo Hayes is coming out for his non-title match. If he wins, he gets a title shot. Breakity-break.
When we come back, we’re shown again how Bliss got her left arm “injury”. This time, with a slow-motion close-up. Then backstage, we see Bliss screaming with an ice pack on her left elbow as she’s helped by Flair and the medical staff into the DOCTOR/TRAINER room.
ANALYSIS: Seriously? Some of these people present in the arena might have very queasy stomachs with their drinks and burgers. Not me. I could watch that all day long 🙂
Just proves it’s not a real injury. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have put it on instant replay.
Now back live, “Locked In” plays and the “Best Man to Ever Breathe” Trick Williams makes his entrance with his new white fur Legacy US Title around his waist, alongside the title’s designer Lil Yachty. They showed in a picture-by-picture of last week’s SmackDown where Hayes got his non-title match, the backhand slap by Williams, and Hayes’ Suicide Dive onto Williams.
Carmelo Hayes vs Trick Williams (w/ Lil Yachty):
They locked up at the bell, but Williams just tossed Hayes to the corner, showing off. They locked up as Williams threw Hayes into the corner again. Williams charged but Hayes moved as he put Williams in a Headlock. Williams threw him to the ropes and Shouldertackled Hayes down. Whoop That Stomps in the corner by Williams as the crowd chants. We’re shown Ricky Saints watching in the locker room while Hayes hit Clotheslines on Williams to get out of the corner. Hayes hit the ropes and does some ducks and leapfrogs to avoid being hit until he hit a Standing Dropkick on Williams. Springboard Clothesline by Hayes which took Williams down in the ring and rolled to the outside. Hayes tried to hit the ropes, but Williams came back in the ring with a Flatliner along with a Trick Slap Backhand to the face. Williams shows off some more before a break.
The finale came when Hayes was in the corner and Williams went for a Trick Kick Cyclone. Hayes avoided it while Williams’ momentum sent him to the outside apron. Hayes with an Elbow on Williams sending him all the way down to the outside next to Yachty. Hayes shoved Williams into Yachty, taking him out to the floor. Williams and Hayes went back in the ring, Williams ran the ropes and Hayes hit The First 48. Hayes went up top, but who’s this grabbing Hayes and stopping him? It’s Baron Corbin! Corbin (in his new T-shirt) pulled Hayes off and Hayes hit the top rope in front of the ref to cause the DQ.
WINNER: Carmelo Hayes (11 minutes)
ANALYSIS: *** ¼
Overall, a good match between these two who knew each other for so long. They had some pretty good chemistry together. I figured Hayes would win the non-title match, one way or another, and earn a title shot. That’ll likely happen at SummerSlam.
Baron Corbin then went over to Williams and attacked with punches and slamming his head on the mat, Corbin threw Williams into the steel post. Hayes got up and took an End of Days from Corbin. End of Days on Williams. Corbin took the white fur US Title into the ring as the crowd chanted “This is awesome!” (that was on the replay, word is the live crowd was chanting “Holy s***!”) Corbin just dropped the title on a fallen Williams. “Burn the Ships”, Corbin’s last theme song, plays as he leaves.
ALANYSIS: Corbin looked great, both physically and in the ring. There were rumors abound that he was ready for a return to WWE sooner than later, but I don’t think anyone predicted it to be tonight, much less during this match. It could mean Corbin has his eyes set on the US title as well as Hayes. He held the US title before, so maybe he will again.
Baron also had a new “Nomad” T-shirt on, soon to be available at WWE shop dot com. Man, the gratuitous merch is out tonight. Don’t forget to pre-order everything.
Now backstage, we’re shown smiling Gunther headed to the ring for his answer from SmackDown GM Aldis. He’s only in dress clothes so he’s not here to wrestle. Let’s give him a break to get to the ring.
Back from break, Gunther makes his entrance to the ring. He grabs a mic. He said he gave Aldis until the end of the evening, and here we are. He calls Aldis out.
SmackDown GM Aldis came out and said he’s had time to think about it. In spite of everything that’s happened between them and the way he talked to him earlier, he’s going to give Gunther exactly what he wants. He said Gunther wants Rhodes, so he’ll give him Rhodes. Gunther wants Punk, so he’ll give him Punk. He said it’ll be at Madison Square Garden at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Gunther looks ecstatic. Rhodes and Punk will team up with Gunther and Sami Zayn. Gunther yelled at Aldis that he had a chance to fix his mistake. Aldis said the only mistake he needed to fix was thinking that Gunther wouldn’t be a giant pain in the ass by signing him to SmackDown. Aldis said the SummerSlam main event remains the same.
As Aldis announced the main event for SummerSlam again, he was attacked from behind by Gunther. Gunther is beating Aldis with elbow strikes. Huge standing clothesline on Aldis. Gunther puts the sleeper hold on Aldis as half a dozen officials run to the ring to stop Gunther. Gunther gets away and nails a big boot on Aldis before he puts him in another sleeper hold. The announcers are freaking out. Gunther lets go and makes his way out of the ring as the officials check on Aldis. Then Gunther comes right back in and applies the sleeper again. Officials separated him off of Aldis, and Gunther slapped on a fourth sleeper hold again. Wade Barrett asked where the security guards were.
The end credits rolled as Rhodes’ music played and Rhodes made his way out for the save, this time dressed in his signature jacket and “Crest” T-shirt. Fade to black just as he entered the ring. Even the announcers were cut off.
ANALYSIS: It is becoming more and more painfully obvious that Gunther vs Aldis is where they’re going at SummerSlam. This really progressed that storyline tonight instead of Gunther calling him a failed wrestler over and over again. As I stated before, Nick Aldis was an accomplished pro wrestler before signing with WWE in August 2023 to work backstage and becoming SmackDown’s GM of SmackDown in October. He had a great run in TNA as a Tag Team and World champion, and in NWA as the World’s Heavyweight Champion for a record-setting 1043 days, as well as others on the indie circuit. Gunther has become such a strong heel, and I hope he’ll bring out the best in Aldis as he gets ready to return to the ring after about 5 years.
Even if Gunther is expected to come out on top, please don’t make this a squash match. Give them time to really put on a show for everyone. Aldis is well-liked and can be a great technical wrestler, alongside Gunther who will be the cocky heel making the mistake thinking Aldis is no match for him.
In case you missed Aldis’ announcement, and the subsequent attack by Gunther, here it is:
And that’s the SLAM, groupies! Next week’s SmackDown on Friday, July 17th, will be at the MVP Arena in Albany, NY. This will be the official go-home show for SNME the next day.
Far as Monday Night RAW on July 13th, it’s going to be a big night at the Americal Airlines Center in Dallas, TX at 8pm ET. Here’s the Texas-sized line-up:
- Intercontinental Championship No. 1 Contender’s Gauntlet Match: Rusev vs Dragon Lee vs Chad Gable vs Ethan Page vs Joe Hendry vs Dominik Mysterio vs Je’Von Evans
- IYO SKY vs Roxanne Perez
- Roman Reigns Returns (to be acknowledged again)
- Brock Lesnar Appearance (yay?)
- Bayley & Lyra Valkyria face-to-face (cuz Bayley’s a hugger, right?)
Saturday Night’s Main Event at the Garden in New York is this Saturday, July 18th, at 8pm ET on Peacock in the States. Here’s the current card, subject to change:
- CM Punk & Cody Rhodes vs Gunther & Sami Zayn
- Danhausen vs JD McDonagh
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Brie Bella & Paige(c) vs Fatal Influence (Lainey Reid and Fallon Henley)
Stay safe, maybe take a mental health break, and see y’all down the BLVD!
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