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We’re just a couple of nights away from WWE SummerSlam, and the company decided to unveil the latest WWE ThunderDome to enhance the experience of the WWE Universe during this week’s SmackDown.
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Vince McMahon opened up the show to talk about the big change that had taken place, following which all hell broke loose on the Blue brand. Big E found himself in a match against Sheamus, while it seems like King Corbin and Matt Riddle still have a few differences left to iron out between them.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Sasha Banks and Bayley seemed overconfident ahead of their matches at SummerSlam against Asuka, but the night ended on a high note for only one of them.
Universal Champion Braun Strowman and ‘The Fiend’ Bray Wyatt had a couple of big encounters during the night, while Jeff Hardy ruled SmackDown with a huge victory.
In this article, we will look at the five things SmackDown got right on the episode before SummerSlam.
#5 The big opening and ending to WWE SmackDown and ThunderDome
Vince McMahon kicked off WWE SmackDown this week as the company welcomed in a brand new experience known as the WWE ThunderDome. WWE has always been seen as an industry leader, and they once again proved that the wrestling industry relied on their experiments to give the fans the best entertainment.
After Vince did some talking, ‘The Fiend’ Bray Wyatt appeared to confront the 74-year-old lad. Braun Strowman arrived to save his best friend, teasing a brawl between the SummerSlam opponents. However, RETRIBUTION ruined the party as they attacked the Universal Champion while The Fiend disappeared.
Would you like to watch Randy Orton take on 'The Fiend" Bray Wyatt down the road?
The SmackDown locker room came out to make the save, and after RETRIBUTION backed off, Strowman vented his frustration by taking out Drew Gulak and Jey Uso.
Late in the night, Wyatt appeared as himself in the Firefly Fun House. He spoke about Strowman and Alexa Bliss until The Monster Among Men appeared to attack the crazy Superstar.
The two men fought all over the backstage area, following which Strowman slammed Wyatt on the concrete. As the medical personnel tried to take away Wyatt in an ambulance, The Fiend emerged from it to close the show.
These two segments help WWE set up one of the biggest matches of SummerSlam 2020. SmackDown has been building this rivalry well since the Wyatt Swamp Fight, and it seems like they finally know which direction to take the story in heading into SummerSlam and WWE Payback.
#4 The Big Ending for Big E on WWE SmackDown
After the battle against RETRIBUTION in the opening segment of WWE SmackDown, we saw Sheamus and Big E get into an argument. This led to a match where the locker room surrounded the ring to protect the bout from another attack.
While Big E came in strong, The Celtic Warrior wore the big man down with big strikes to keep the match in his control. Sheamus was in control for most of the match, and it was good to see Big E meet his match after a few victories on SmackDown.
While the action was getting interesting, King Corbin attacked Matt Riddle outside the ring which led a distraction. Big E saw the opening and rolled up The Irishman for the three-count to pick up a big victory.
Big E’s singles run is off to a great start, and his victory against the former World Champion will help him move to the top title picture quicker.
Last week, SmackDown had teased Big E as a locker room leader, and his victory this week will allow him to progress to bigger rivalries and matches. Fans have seen a World Champion in Big E for a long time, and it’ll be great to see him in the Universal Championship picture.
#3 Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose decide to take it to the next level on WWE SmackDown
It’s been a while since the fans were treated to a Hair vs. Hair match in WWE, and all that was set to change at this year’s WWE SummerSlam. Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville agreed to compete in a Hair vs. Hair match during last week’s WWE SmackDown, but things took a turn this week.
Rose came out to mend the differences between her and her former friend, but Deville wasn’t ready to fall for any such tricks. She laughed at Rose’s idea and promised that the loser at SummerSlam would have to leave WWE for good as she was sick of seeing God’s Greatest Creation around.
SmackDown then saw the match turn into a No Disqualification Loser Leaves WWE match. This was a very interesting turn of events, as putting such high stakes on a rivalry that was just taking off again seems to raise the bar higher.
WWE Payback is just a week after SummerSlam, but it seems like SmackDown is not looking for any rematches following the one at The Biggest Party of the Summer. Instead, we could see one of the two women leave SmackDown on Sunday and then return weeks or months later with a new gimmick.
#2 Sasha Banks gets over Bayley on WWE SmackDown
Bayley and Sasha Banks were in the SmackDown ring as Corey Graves interviewed the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. Graves wanted to know who’d want to go up against Asuka first at WWE SummerSlam, but neither woman was ready to take the lead.
Naomi walked out on SmackDown and challenged the two women to a Beat the Clock challenge, claiming the winner would get to go second against The Empress of Tomorrow.
Naomi and Banks competed first and The Glow put on a good performance against the RAW Women’s Champion but ended up tapping out to the Bank Statement in under four minutes.
The Role Model was up next and she tried to rush as she looked to beat Banks’ time. However, Naomi hit the Rear View to pick up a huge victory in under two minutes!
The Empress then arrived and claimed that she’d become The Empress of Every Title at SummerSlam. She took out both the heels and stood tall to make a statement.
This was a good statement that makes Banks look like the more legit Champion as compared to Bayley. It also opens up a possibility of Banks losing her title at SummerSlam and turning bitter if The Role Model manages to retain it.
#1 Jeff Hardy wins his first title since returning to WWE SmackDown
During the brawl involving RETRIBUTION that took place at the opening of SmackDown, AJ Styles took a cheapshot at Jeff Hardy’s leg to gain an advantage in the match. Medics checked up on Hardy backstage as he prepared for his Intercontinental Championship Match against Styles later in the night.
The Charismatic Enigma hobbled to the ring with a knee brace, and Styles went right after his injured knee from the opening bell.
A Calf Crusher almost ended the bout early, but Hardy showed a lot of determination in the match.
After the action got more balanced, Hardy hit Styles with his knee brace and then followed it up with the Twist of Fate and Swanton Bomb to win the Intercontinental Championship. This was a huge moment for the now five-time IC Champion who had been in a rivalry with Sheamus since his return to SmackDown.
With WWE Payback scheduled just a week after SummerSlam, we could watch the two veterans compete for the title again at the event.
Vince Russo answers who killed WCW HERE
