WWE Friday Night SmackDown (August 14, 2020)
Show Opening
We immediately are sent to a video highlighting the events of the last two weeks where multiple segments were interrupted as camera flaws occurred, voices dropped on mics, lights flickered or completely shut off, and finally an attack on SmackDown as the masked hooded figures in all black shouted “this is our house now!”
Announcer’s Table
Michael Cole and Corey Graves welcome us to WWE Friday Night SmackDown hiding behind current events for their reasoning. WWE has hired extra security so this earth shattering edition of Friday Night SmackDown will not be interrupted.
Quick Announcement
A monstrous confrontation by Braun Strowman on The Fiend for the first time since their Swamp Match at Extreme Rules: Horror Show.
Big E vs. John Morrison
“Awww people at home, don’t you dare be sour, clap for your eight time champs and feel the power! It’s a New Day.. (or, a “Big E” day I would assume). Big E comes out and wraps his shirt around Corey Graves head at the announcer’s table before climbing in the ring and jirating.
We head to a clip of Big E reminding us that he is not new to the singles competitions. Out next is John Morrison with his slow mo’ entrance to the stage as his music sounds in the Performance Center. Morrison joins Big E in the ring as a clip of Morrison comes up asking “Is this singles run a choice?” adding every-time Big E talks, he sounds hungry, and Morrison is gonna feed him his foot tonight!
Redemption Attack
The lights flicker on and off, then a woman climbs the apron, then three more masked figures surround the ring. Suddenly several more hooded figures appear and take over the ring and the announcer’s table once again as the crowd boos. Big E is left injured in the ring.
The Miz comes running out in street clothes asking Morrison what happened and asks if he’s ok as we head to our first commercial break of the evening!
Backstage – The Miz, John Morrison, King Corbin, Several Main Roster Talents
The Miz says he was on the phone with Maryse otherwise he would’ve been there. Morrison and Miz then point the blame to Big E for the tweet he posted toward Redemption. King Corbin begins a meaningless speech about being brave and not being someone that cowers. Big E then interrupts, telling Corbin to shut up. Sheamus comes in clapping and telling Big E, “great speech” then adds that Big E doesn’t have Kofi Kingston or anyone, stating, “You’re alone, you’re scared.”
Sheamus adds, “Those scumbags won’t interrupt my match, because they know I’m not scared of them.” Big E responds, “If you knew anything, you would know… I’m not alone.” As Big E walks off, the other main roster talent follow behind Big E, one stating, “He’s not alone.”
Bayley and Sasha Banks In-Ring
“Ding-dong… is this thing on?” Bayley begins, “We are going to continue on and get things started with this Battle Royal.” Sasha Banks states she knows that people know better than to interrupt us. Banks continues by stating that tonight is about… “Bayley!” Bayley says, “When you’re holding all the gold, like us… not even a McMahon can hold us down.”
Bayley and Banks say they have taken over every job in the WWE and done it better than the original employee. Bayley then throws the ring announcer out and pulls a “SmackDown cue card from her pocket and reads off the card. Sasha Banks joins in as they introduce The Iiconics Billie Kay and Peyton Royce.
Billie Kay and Peyton Royce Enter
Bayley says “look at them, they look like us, best friends…” Bayley then adds she loves beating them up.
Tegan Nox and Shotzi Blackhart Enter
Next Bayley announces Tegan Nox and Shotzi Blackhart after stating the two “idolize them”. Banks tells Shotzi that green is NOT her color, mocking her hair. Banks introduces Lacey Evans.
Lacey Evans Enters
Sasha Banks and Bayley stutter and stammer as they announce the last opponent… they don’t call a name out as Asuka’s music sounds.
Asuka Joins
Asuka runs down the ramp and enters the ring attacking Bayley and Sasha Banks who flee the ring as we head to commercial break!
Women’s Battle Royale For SmackDown Women’s Title Match Against Bayley at SummerSlam
The Iiconics (Billie Kay & Peyton Royce) vs. Asuka vs. Liv Morgan vs. Shotzi Blackheart vs. Tegan Nox vs. Nikki Cross vs. Dana Brooke vs. Shayna Baszler vs. Bianca Belair vs. Naomi vs. Tamina
As we return from commercial break, Michael Cole announces, “The winner of this Battle Royale will be be Bayley’s opponent for the title at SummerSlam.” The referee signals for the bell, the bell rings and the match is officially underway! Sasha Banks and Bayley stand at ringside to watch the action.
Shotzi Blackhart is Eliminated by Liv Morgan. Tegan Nox helps Morgan eliminate Billie Kay and Peyton Royce. The Iiconic members don’t take it lightly as they pull Liv Morgan out as well. Bayley and Sasha Banks watch from ringside by the announcer’s table as they continue to laugh. Sasha and Bayley’s face turns to fear as Nikki Cross stares them down, then returns to the ring.
Lacey Evans being attacked in the corner of the ring. Nikki Cross throwing everything she has at Tamina. Tamina catches Nikki in a Crossbody attempt, then throws her over the top rope. Bianca Belair trash talks Tamina who shoves Bianca. Bianca unloads on the powerhouse. Tamina goes for a Fireman’s Carry to which Bianca drops Tamina, then lifts Tamina and throws her out of the ring like a boss! Naomi and Lacey Evans take their ongoing rivalry out inside the ring. Lacey hits a Woman’s Right on Naomi, then wipes her face with a tissue, dropping it on Naomi. Shotzi then eliminates Evans!
Karifuda Clutch on Blackhart over the ropes to the apron, Evans assists Baszler by swiping the legs of Blackhart. Tegan Nox and Bianca Belair duke it out inside the ring, Nox pulls the top rope, dropping Belair out of the ring, eliminating Bianca Belair. Tegan Nox with multiple Cannon Balls, then turns her attention to Shayna Baszler who drags Nox across the ring. Dana Brook pulls Nox off the apron. Dana Brooke announces she’s still in this as she rolls in the ring and Dropkick’s Shayna. Shayna with a Karifuda Clutch on Dana, Asuka Dropkicks Dana off the apron, Dana Brooke Eliminated! Asuka on the second rope, Baszler knocks her off, Asuka lands on the apron. Bayley tries to eliminate Asuka.
Asuka with a Sliding Knee, dropping Bayley and Banks. Asuka lands on Bayley and Banks, still not eliminated! Baszler and Asuka deliver blows back and forth. Baszler goes for the Karifuda Clutch, Asuka flips Baszler over! Asuka now has a RAW Women’s Championship Match against Sasha Banks, and now a SmackDown Women’s Championship match against Bayley!!
Winner: Asuka
We head to commercial break!
Backstage – Bayley and Sasha Banks
As we return from commercial break, we see Bayley and Sasha Banks, visibly upset as they are walking backstage. “Asuka wasn’t on the list of potential competitors,” Bayley starts. Sasha Banks and Bayley discuss Asuka’s being a participant in the Battle Royal, then talk one another up on their abilities to win their respective matches.
Suddenly Asuka appears out of nowhere attacking both of the Golden Role Models until WWE officials help break it up. Asuka shouts at them in Japanese.
Video Clip
A video airs of Sonya Deville 2 weeks ago attacking Mandy Rose. Deville says “Mandy and Otis actually look like a couple now” while on The Dirt Sheet with Miz and Morrison.
Backstage – Mandy Rose Addresses Sonya Deville
Mandy Rose admits to being a Bikini World Champion, and getting into the WWE while working three jobs to get there. Rose says Deville should know of all people, how hard she worked to get where she is now. “You think cutting my hair was gonna destroy me? How about this. You and me, in a hair vs. hair match. Wanna act like you don’t care about a selfie and how you look? Put your money where your mouth is honey… I promise, it WILL get ugly!”
Backstage – Sheamus
Sheamus tells security to take a break, he can keep an eye out for the Redemption crew, as we head to commercial break.
Backstage – Nikki Cross and Alexa Bliss
Nikki Cross apologizes to Alexa Bliss for pushing her down after her match loss that ended in Alexa being attacked by The Fiend. Cross attempts to get Bliss to follow her, stating she needs to get somewhere safe with Braun Strowman and The Fiend being here. Alexa states she is going to stick around as she wants answers from Braun.
Sheamus vs. Shorty G
Sheamus’ music sounds in the arena as Sheamus makes his way down the ramp towards the ring. We see a video from SmackDown Last Friday where Sheamus takes out Shorty G with two Brogue Kicks after Shorty interrupted his match with The Original Bro, Matt Riddle. We return to the ring as Shorty G is announced. Sheamus smirks as Shorty G stomps down the ramp and enters the ring. The referee signals for the bell, Shorty G jumps at Sheamus immediately as the bell rings.
Shorty throws several strikes, Sheamus with an Elbow. Shorty ends up on the apron, Sheamus delivers multiple blows to the chest of Shorty, then drops him to ringside. Sheamus exits the ring and throws Shorty back in the ring. Sheamus with an Uppercut. Shorty G works the left leg of Sheamus. Body Scissors followed by Cross-faces on Sheamus. Shorty is knocked off his feet with a Clothesline. Irish Cross Back-breaker followed by a Knee to the face of Shorty G. Shorty back to his feet, throwing strikes at Sheamus who lifts Shorty on his shoulder,
Shorty kicks out and heads up top for a Missile Dropkick. Shorty goes for the cover, Sheamus kicks out at two! Jack Knife pin attempt, to no avail. White Noise followed by a Brogue Kick for the three count pin and win!
Winner: Sheamus
Backstage – AJ Styles
As we head to commercial break, we are sent backstage where AJ Styles is speaking with Chris “Joseph ‘Abyss’ Park” Parks, though we cannot hear what’s said. Michael Cole and Corey Graves discuss Styles belief that he has been put up against “competitors” that were not worthy of a match. Styles looks to implement a new system to pick opponents according to Cole. We are sent to break.
In-Ring – AJ Styles
As we return from commercial, AJ Styles makes his entrance, with Chris Parks walking in step behind him. They get in the ring and there’s some kind of display board covered up in the ring. AJ says there’s a lot going on in WWE but they have more pressing matters than hooligans tearing up the ring, like who gets to face him for the Intercontinental Championship. It shouldn’t matter, but because of Daniel Bryan, he has to be a fighting champion.
He wants to just hang out and enjoy his reign and stream on Twitch, but everybody always throws out suggestions for who he should defend the title against, with all these statistical reasons as to why. But then it dawned on him, when he watches sports, HE looks at statistics, and he’s a handsome stud of a nerd himself, because HE cares about statistics. But if you’re gonna do statistics, he’s hired the Phenomenal Intercontinental Statistic System, or PISS.
He admits the name needs some work but he peels the top line of the board off, and it’s him. Number two, with Joseph Park’s assistance… is no one! Nobody has earned the right to fight him, but here’s the truth— if you work really, really, really hard, then one day you can make it on this board to face him for the Intercontinental Championship.
Enter Jeff Hardy
Jeff begins by saying he respects the hell out of AJ Styles, but he didn’t get a fair shake in the Intercontinental Championship tournament, and it could have been him against AJ in the finals. But it wasn’t, it’s over, moving on, that title is very special to him. It was his first singles title, many moons ago, and he stood on his own feet then, just as he does now after conquering his demons once more. He knows his self-worth and what he’s accomplished, and that AJ Styles vs. Jeff Hardy sounds mega cool.
AJ Says nobody can question that Jeff deserves to be on the board, so if he’s asking if he wants to fight him in this ring for the title… Hell no! Absolutely not, he hasn’t earned the right to be on the board! He gets it, he knows what Jeff has been through, but this ain’t no pity party. HARDY ATTACKS HIM AND LAYS HIM OUT WITH THE TWIST OF FATE! Jeff writes his name on the whiteboard and leaves. Commentary hypes the rest of the show up.
Backstage
Cut backstage to the Artist Collective hanging out and admiring themselves. Cesaro talks up Shinsuke Nakamura’s match against Gran Metalik tonight and mocks Lucha House Party as the luchadores sneak up behind them and make off with the titles. The heels give chase and we go to break.
Backstage – Jeff Hardy
“Jeff Hardy punched me in the face! If I lose a tooth….” Styles is asked if he’s going to accept the match with Jeff Hardy. Styles says Hardy assaulted him, he doesn’t respect Styles or the title. He then says if Jeff wants a piece of him, he’ll get it, then he’ll be erased like every other competitor that has lost to Styles. With that, Styles grabs a marker and writes on the dry erase board “Jeff Hardy” then goes to erase it… it doesn’t work.
“Permanent Marker?!” Styles questions.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Gran Metalik
Out first are Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura. Cesaro goes to ringside to obtain the tag-team title belts that Metalik and Dorado stole from them. The referee signals for the bell, the bell rings and the match begins. Michael Cole reminds us that we are currently watching SmackDown in the Performance Center, however next week, they will be somewhere else! Nakamura closing with kicks, forearms in the corner, knee drop across his throat gets a near-fall. Whip across, Metalik ducks a lariat, Snap-mare into a Rear Chin-lock, duck another Lariat, Tijeras sends Shinsuke to the floor, off the ropes for a dive but Nakamura cuts him off with a kick that gets a two count!
Kalisto Enters!
He and Cesaro get into it on the ramp, Lince Dorado helps him double-team him with a satellite DDT! Cesaro is planted on the ramp. Metalik off the top rope delivers the Elbow to Nakamura for the pin and the three count for the win!
Winner: Gran Metalik
Backstage – Alexa Bliss
We see Alexa Bliss getting mic’d up for an interview to send us to break.
Backstage Interview – Matt Riddle
AS we return from commercial, The Original Bro Matt Riddle is being interviewed backstage. Riddle states nobody likes a bounty on their head, and he’s a pretty laid-back guy, so it’s annoying to keep his head on a swivel, but it’s cool because he came here to compete and he wants to compete. On the other hand, King Corbin walks around calling himself a king but as far as he can tell, he’s just a royal pain.
He’s been trying to get a match with him but he doesn’t know what to do.
Chad Gable Joins
He wants to explain himself, he got caught up in the King’s Ransom because he has a family and that money would go a long way, but that doesn’t justify what he did, and he’s embarrassed that he tried to hurt Matt and he wants to apologize face-to-face.
Riddle gives him a fist bump and says it’s all good, and if he wants to go, he just needs a heads-up because he’s down for a fight.
Suddenly out of nowhere King Corbin runs in and hits Riddle across the back of the head with his scepter! Corbin then tells Riddle this is his kingdom and thanks Chad for his help.
Backstage Interview – Alexa Bliss
Next, we head to Alexa Bliss backstage where she is also being interviewed.
Alexa shares that she’s definitely been better and talks about her history with Braun Strowman, how he’s initially intimidating but she got to know him and became best friends. Asked directly, she says maybe they could have grown to be more than friends, but she doesn’t want to speculate if that’s why the Fiend attacked her. She says it’s scary and compelling to be in his presence, and once you’ve interacted with him it’s like you can feel his presence.
She doesn’t want to talk about how Braun’s promo last week made her feel…. we head to commercial break.
Sonya’s Answer To Mandy’s Challenge
Sonya states shes surprised by Mandy’s challenge. She thought about it and she thinks Mandy is going to look great bald. She tells Mandy she may say she is sick of people saying the same things about her her entire life. But maybe the reason why people say that is because it’s true. She is going to make sure that Mandy knows it’s true because she is going to destroy her once and for all. Challenge accepted. Sonya against Mandy, hair vs. hair at Summerslam.
Big E vs. John Morrison
Alright, take two. A second attempt at this match-up as John Morrison and Big E are ready and the referee signals for the bell. The Miz is at ringside at the announcer’s table as a guest on commentary. The bell rings and the match begins. A head lock by Big E in the middle of the ring as Morrison sends him to the ropes. Big E with a Shoulder Block takes Morrison down. A few kicks by Morrison on Big E’s taped left leg. Morrison runs to the ropes but Big E with a Back Elbow.
Both men back up and a waist lock by Morrison but Big E throws him around. Morrison gets on the ring apron and a kick to the face onto Big E. He jumps off the top rope but Big E pushes him to the outside in mid air. Morrison gets back in the ring but a Clothesline by Big E. He grabs Morrison and places him on the ring apron. Big E with right hands as he gets on the ring apron. Big E with the big splash.
Big E goes after Morrison who is down on the outside. Miz gets in the way to distract Big E as Morrison goes after Big E’s left leg from behind. Morrison gets Big E back in the ring as he goes after the left leg. Morrison goes for the cover but Big E kicks out.
Otis walks down to the ring with his Money in the Bank briefcase. The lights flicker on and off as we go to commercial break.
As we return from commercial break, we see that over half of the locker room talent are surrounding the ring to protect Big E and John Morrison. We suddenly have a camera backstage where Retribution is attacking referees and WWE officials, throwing metal chairs, and carrying weapons. We see several people laid out on the floor and on tables. None of the Superstars have any idea what’s going on. Back in the ring, Morrison gets the two count. Jessika Carr finally lets all the superstars know what’s going on and all the superstars ran up the ramp.
“I only worry about my tag-team partner and myself just to let you know. i’m not worried about Retribution right now…” Miz states as Cole suggests he head back to the locker room to help the others. In-Ring, Big E shoves Morrison off the top. Urinagi for the cover and a two count by Big E. “Aren’t you concerned about what’s going on?” Miz asks what Cole wants him to do. “I have an idea, for once stop thinking about yourself. Big E lifts Morrison in a unique submission move forcing Morrison to tap.
Winner: Big E
After the Match
Big E exits the ring after stating he told them so. Sheamus runs down the ramp and hits a Brogue Kick on Big E, knocking him to the ramp. Sheamus goes to lift Big E when suddenly we hear the familiar roar…
ENTER BRAUN STROWMAN
The monster among men is back! Strowman stands at the top of the stage and lets out a louder “ROOOOAARRRR!” causing Sheamus to release his hold on Big E. Strowman has a crazed look in his eyes as he twists and cracks his neck, and we head to commercial!
We return from commercial break Braun’s eyes are bloodshot. Strowman says they say you’ll never see it coming at Summerslam. He told Fiend that when he came out of that swamp, that he was going to be the most evil son of a bitch that anyone on earth has ever laid eyes on. He calls out The Fiend as he tells him he will rip him limb from limb. Braun growls, “Fiend, get out here and face your fears. Before you take your last breath you will look up at me as I CONSUME your entrails.”
Alexa Bliss Enters
Alexa heads down instead of Fiend. Alexa begins, “Braun, at the risk of making you angry, I think we should have a conversation.” Braun says, “A conversation about what?” Alexa states they’ve been friends for a long time. Braun interrupts “you think you can drag me around by my beard, and make me sing songs in your car.” “ANYONE that comes into contact with The Fiend changes… including YOU. Now get out of my ring, I want. The Fiend.” Alexa states, “Ok Braun, be careful what you wish for!” Alexa says, “If I can’t talk some sense into you, maybe I can slap some sense into you.”
“Wake up! THIS ISN’T YOU!” Alexa proceeds to slap Braun across the face multiple times. Braun grabs Alexa, carrying her over his head and threw her up to drop to the mat. The lights go out at that second (go figure) The Fiend is standing in-ring, Braun nowhere to be seen. Braun appears on the screen above the stage, laughing maniacally. Finally a ROAR. A serious stare. The Fiend sticks out his tongue. Picture flashes. We hear, “Let me in.”
