WWE SmackDown Live Results (12th August, 2022): Shinsuke Nakamura vs Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship

Thanks for following along with us tonight, folks! We'll see you next week!

#AndStill the Intercontinental Champion, @Gunther_AUT! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/EHeO21hvAQ
— WWE (@WWE) August 13, 2022

Gunther shares his victory with Ludwig Kaiser as both men pose in the middle of the ring. For the first time in over a month, Ludwig's back on Gunther's good side.

Gunther chops the back of Nakamura, opening the challenger up for a sleeper hold. Nakamura fights and struggles, going for the right arm of Gunther. A pair of arm breakers weaken Gunther, but he lets go of the hold for the running dropkick to the back of the head. With that, Gunther's able to plant Nakamura with a powerbomb for the win!

Gunther defeats Shinsuke Nakamura via pinfall.

Gunther survives his greatest test on Friday nights so far in a bout that could've gone either way.

A big knee to the chin sends Gunther down to the mat, and Nakamura follows with knees and kicks to the body. Gunther finds himself in the corner and is met by Nakamura's Good Vibrations. Nakamura sets Gunther up for the sliding German suplex, and plants Gunther while staring down Ludwig Kaiser. The distraction from Kaiser is enough, though, to set Nakamura up for the running dropkick from Gunther.

Gunther avoids the powerbomb and rocks Gunther with the knee to the back of the head. Can he hit the Kinshasa? He runs in, but is instead turned inside out with a devastating clothesline from the Intercontinental Champion! 1-2-no! Nakamura kicks out, somehow!

This match is already physical 😳@ShinsukeN @Gunther_AUT #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/YAHEmdjh4v
— WWE (@WWE) August 13, 2022

Despite Gunther being in control, Nakamura's plan has paid off. His arm is too injured to pick up Nakamura for a slam. Gunther instead goes for a splash from the top rope, but Nakamura counters it with a triangle choke! The challenger has Gunther in serious trouble!

Gunther eventually deadlifts Nakamura and breaks an armbar, turning Nakamura over with a double under hook suplex! As devastating as it is, Gunther's unable to capitalize right away, giving Nakamura time to breathe.

Here comes @ShinsukeN with his unique offense 🔥#WWE #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/zPWS2zWNIz
— Sportskeeda Wrestling (@SKWrestling_) August 13, 2022

Gunther turns things around again, this time turning Nakamura inside out with a chop to the chest. He then stretches his challenger over the ring post, and Nakamura drops to the floor in a bad way.

Gunther and Shinsuke exchange blows again. Nakamura rocks Gunther with a combination, but one big blow from the champion is enough to bring down Nakamura. Gunther is caught with the rolling heel kick and an ax kick. Nakamura focuses on the right arm, hoping to take away a large amount of that power Gunther has.

Shinsuke Nakamura backs Gunther into the corner and avoids a chop. A series of kicks to the upper and lower body leave Gunther on the mat, with the champion realizing he's found himself in the ring with a fellow striker. Gunther does manage to catch Nakamura with a running boot to the jaw, leaving his challenger an easy target for a few uppercuts.

Ahead of the main event, we see Ricochet attacked backstage by Happy Corbin. After Ricochet's victory over Corbin last week, Corbin gets his revenge tonight. We'll surely see more of this next week. But now, it's time for the Intercontinental Championship!

Are @AngelGarzaWwe and @humberto_wwe going to be the newest members of Maximum Male Models?@MaxDupri @maxxinedupri @KSAMANNY @MACEtheWRESTLER #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/mTStDNxbQa
— WWE (@WWE) August 13, 2022

Max & Maxine Dupri are with their models when they're interrupted by Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo. Los Lothareos call themselves the most beautiful tag team in WWE. Max says they're not MMM material, but they let him know they're not here for him. They're here for Maxine.

While Max is furious, Maxine Dupri seems to agree with Angel and Humberto.

What are you doing @SamiZayn?!@WWEUsos @DMcIntyreWWE #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/NYJE3x8iq1
— WWE (@WWE) August 13, 2022

Drew goes for a Claymore on Jey as well, but Sami saves him and takes a bullet for the Bloodline. McIntyre doesn't seem to care, and neither do Jimmy or Jey.

When we come back from the commercial, Jey has Moss in the corner and hits a running hip attack. Madcap counters a superkick, picking up Roman Reigns' right-hand man and planting him with a nasty side slam. Jimmy and Drew tag in, with the former WWE Champion quickly taking care of his opponent.

However, Sami Zayn distracts Drew, giving Jimmy enough time to hit the superkick. Jey tags in for the Uso Splash, getting a near fall! Madcap is still on the floor as The Usos set up for One-D. Before they can connect, Moss drags Jey to the floor. They fight into the timekeeper's area, leaving Jimmy on his own.

A Claymore and a 1-2-3, and Drew McIntyre has picked up some much-needed momentum.

Drew McIntyre and Madcap Moss defeat The Usos via pinfall.

Poor @SamiZayn, he was just trying to help by getting security!@WWEUsos #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/Fhig6YY2BY
— WWE (@WWE) August 13, 2022

This is named a tag match, though McIntyre has no partner. At least, he didn't for the first few minutes. Madcap Moss has made the save and runs in to save McIntyre the second the champions get the upper hand. Madcap launches Jimmy into the corner and rocks Jey with a clothesline. Madcap and Drew send The Usos to the floor, and are on fire!

The Usos have called out Drew McIntyre, and it's led to a match! Drew is tearing into Jimmy and Jey, handling the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions with ease in the opening moments.

Fighting through the pain #SmackDown Women's Champion @YaOnlyLivvOnce puts @QoSBaszler through a table! pic.twitter.com/MIoIUluHCJ
— WWE (@WWE) August 13, 2022

The Usos find Sami Zayn backstage, again calling him a coward after running away from Drew McIntyre. Sami claims he was looking for security, but Jimmy and Jey aren't having it. They remind him he's running out of opportunities before heading to the ring to call out Drew.

"Being the baddest gets expensive, but I can afford it."@RondaRousey #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/DhGGARDSvq
— WWE (@WWE) August 13, 2022

Morgan calls Shayna a ripoff of Ronda Rousey, and if she can beat the real deal twice then she should have no issue with Baszler. Both women sign the contract, and it's now official. In three weeks Baszler will challenge Liv Morgan. A "You Tapped Out" chant starts, and Baszler attacks the arm.

The Queen of Spades has Liv Morgan right where she wants her. With the champion on the ground, Shayna stomps on the elbow. She then hits an arm breaker, leaving Liv writhing and crying out in pain. Before Shayna can finish the job, Liv counters one final move when she kicks off the corner, driving Shayna through the table with a bulldog! Stratusfaction!

Shayna grabs a microphone and says that she's just making her way down the list of SmackDown Superstars. Liv Morgan is just the next one on the list, and the next one to fall. She promises to tear the champ apart limb by limb and walk out SmackDown Women's Champion. Liv Morgan comes out, still wearing a brace on her left arm. That injury could be costly come Cardiff.

And if you didn't know, now you know. @AJFrancis410 @tehutimiles @TheVibeBri #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/mWoplvoHOE
— WWE (@WWE) August 13, 2022

🗣️: HIIIIIIIIT ROOOOOOOOW

Look who's back on #SmackDown! pic.twitter.com/w8Jw1bZ5Wx
— WWE (@WWE) August 13, 2022

.@DMcIntyreWWE outta nowhere! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/MyVrJQLBBO
— WWE (@WWE) August 13, 2022

It started off well for @TrueKofi. Didn't end well though...@Erik_WWE @Ivar_WWE #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/Zj8YQzoSph
— WWE (@WWE) August 13, 2022

Next up is the contract signing between Shayna Baszler and SmackDown Women's Champion Liv Morgan. Before we get to that, though, suspended WWE Superstar and former champion Ronda Rousey enters the ring through the crowd. She dumps a bag of cash on the table before being forced to leave by security.

Shayna Baszler comes down to confront her, and Rousey talks down to her former MMA Four Horsewomen stablemate. "You used to be a killer."

We see another return to SmackDown this week! Actually, it's three! As in three members of Hit Row! Top Dollah, Ashante "Thee" Adonis, and B-Fab are here to take on a local tag team. They make quick work of these guys, finishing one of them off with a backdrop/dropkick combination.

Hit Row wins via pinfall.

B-Fab reintroduces the WWE Universe to Hit Row. Unfortunately for WWE, the former Isaiah "Swerve" Scott is now with AEW and is currently serving as one-half of their tag team champions. Still, this is a much-needed addition to the tag division for WWE.

Sami Zayn meets The Usos backstage, trying to butter them up. Unfortunately, this is exactly when Drew McIntyre makes his move, laying out the brothers while Sami cowers in fear.

Who is your favorite #ICChampion of all time? #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/bYpBPL6O9y
— WWE (@WWE) August 13, 2022

The Viking Raiders are on their way to the ring when they're attacked by Kofi Kingston with a kendo stick. Ivar was set to face the former WWE Champion, but this assault definitely put their match on pause. They shrug off Kofi's strikes, and Erik sends him into a shield launched by Ivar. After that, Ivar hits a dive off the barricade onto Kofi, leaving him gasping for air as officials check on him.

Much like the packages hyping up the importance of the United States Championship on RAW, we see a similar video giving us a rundown of the history of the Intercontinental Championship. We see many familiar faces associated with the title. Shawn Michaels, Razor Ramon, The Miz, The Rock, Dolph Ziggler, and more. Shinsuke Nakamura will challenge Gunther for that prestigious championship in tonight's main event.

The @WWEUsos send a message to @DMcIntyreWWE AND @realKILLERkross on behalf of @WWERomanReigns.@Lady_Scarlett13 #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/3GY198e9k6
— WWE (@WWE) August 13, 2022

"Everybody knows about #TheBloodline, now we're going to show them the new timeline."@realKILLERkross sends a warning to @DMcIntyreWWE and @WWERomanReigns. @Lady_Scarlett13 #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/NzeT9QI1vr
— WWE (@WWE) August 13, 2022

With that win @RaquelWWE and @WWE_Aliyah advance in the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship Tournament! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/cQDXZAHSrJ
— WWE (@WWE) August 13, 2022

Drew tells the WWE Universe that Roman Reigns isn't here this week, and before he can go further he's cut off by the entrance of Scarlet. Karrion Kross's very own Angel of Doom makes her way to the ring to distract McIntyre. Before he realizes what's happening, McIntyre is attacked by Jimmy and Jey Uso!

The Undisputed Tag Team Champions are tearing apart McIntyre and plant him with the One-D. The Usos then set their sights on Scarlet, giving her a warning for her man. Scarlet scoffs, as Kross claims the same fate to await Roman and The Usos.

Drew McIntyre doesn't take any time to beat around the bush. He addresses Karrion Kross's attack from last week. While he has a lot of horrible things planned for Kross, he understands the thinking behind the assault. He attacked the #1 contender and stared down the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. The thing is, McIntyre got back up.

He's going to give Kross three options:
1) A knockout
2) A hospital
3) A graveyard

Karrion Kross appears on the screen with Scarlet. He says, "in the midst of chaos comes opportunity," and that's what last week was about. Drew McIntyre and Roman Reigns are the chosen ones. Kross and Scarlet? Disregarded like broken toys, to be forgotten. They never forgot, though, and have been waiting for the perfect time to strike.

"No matter where the time is told, in the end...everybody pays the toll. Tick tock."

We see Kross and Scarlet are actually watching from the shadows backstage as Drew McIntyre makes his entrance.

Things are picking up between @RaquelWWE and #Shotzi! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/ivqQbDGoaZ
— WWE (@WWE) August 13, 2022

Next week, this team faces either Natalya and Sonya Deville, or NXT's Zoey Stark and Nikkita Lyons.

Aliyah counters a suplex and is finally able to get to Raquel Rodriguez, who flattens a fresh Shotzi with a shoulder tackle. She sends Shotzi overhead with an exploder suplex and fallaway slam, following with a corner springboard press. Xia distracts her, stopping the Tejana Bomb and giving Shotzi a chance to send the former NXT Champion into the ring post.

Shotzi and Li go for a double Russian Leg Sweep, only for Aliyah to spear Shotzi. Raquel picks up Xia Li with ease, driving her through the mat with the Tejana Bomb!

Raquel Rodriguez and Aliyah defeat Xia Li and Shotzi via pinfall.

Aliyah's in an unfortunate situation when we return from the break, as Xia Li and Shotzi have her on the opposite side from her partner. After a dominator/facebuster combination, she's saved from a pinfall by Raquel. The punishment continues, as Li hammers Aliyah with devastating kicks.

Who do you have winning the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship Tournament? #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/y1kYP41onv
— WWE (@WWE) August 13, 2022

Raquel and Shotzi start things off, with the green-haired Superstar nearly getting an early near-fall thanks to the ropes. Raquel breaks out, and counters a tilt-a-whirl tornado DDT by launching Shotzi across the ring.

Aliyah tags in, and nearly gets a quick pin on Xia Li. Shotzi runs in for a senton. As Aliyah and Xia crash to the floor, they're met by Sonya Deville and Natalya. Unfortunately for the latter two, they're immediately attacked by the competitors in the match.

On Monday Night RAW, Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai defeated Dana Brooke and Tamina to advance. Now we get to see which SmackDown team moves forward.

We're starting the night off with the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship Tournament! Raquel Rodriguez and Aliyah team up to take on Shotzi and Xia Li!