WWE SmackDown Results: Superstar attacks own tag partner; Surprise stipulation revealed for SummerSlam title rematch - Winners, Recap, Grades and Highlights (July 8th, 2022)
Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns and The Bloodline kicked off SmackDown. After the Tribal Chief was done being acknowledged, he asked Paul Heyman why he looked so worried. Heyman hesitated before saying that Brock Lesnar's return was very concerning to him.
Should @WWERomanReigns and @HeymanHustle be worried about @BrockLesnar? #SmackDown https://t.co/6EPsKsl960
Heyman said that he was worried that the Last Man Standing match might be too difficult for the Big Dog to win before Theory made his entrance, just to show off his Money in the Bank briefcase as a veiled threat to the champion before walking out.
🤔🤔🤔
@_Theory1 @WWERomanReigns @HeymanHustle #SmackDown https://t.co/aRlmyBB20b
WWE SmackDown Results (July 8th, 2022): The Viking Raiders vs. Jinder Mahal & Shanky
We see those moves @DilsherShanky! #SmackDown https://t.co/hgO3kgSBgV
The Vikings isolated Jinder as the match began, and Shanky was dancing at ringside. Jinder broke out of a hold and tried to make the tag, but Shanky was not on the apron. The Raiders got their finisher on Jinder and picked up the win!
Just. Like. That.
The new and vicious #VikingRaiders pick up the win! #SmackDown https://t.co/scae30LtzZ
Result: Viking Raiders def. Jinder Mahal & Shanky
Hol' up. #TheNewDay has got something to say to The #VikingRaiders. #SmackDown https://t.co/cT9c0leHsj
Jinder and Shanky were getting mauled by Erik and Ivar when The New Day made their entrance. Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods mocked the Raiders and said they had 'a** beating tickets' before attacking them in the ring. The Vikings managed to take control of the situation and wiped them out before SmackDown continued.
There may be no choice but to Join the Raid. 😳
#SmackDown @Erik_WWE @Ivar_WWE @TrueKofi @AustinCreedWins https://t.co/8IlTimLyNO
Grade: C
We saw footage of Baron Corbin attacking Pat McAfee after Money in the Bank went off the air. Corbin showed up on commentary while McAfee was involved in a celebrity golf tournament.
Happy Corbin accepts @PatMcAfeeShow's #SummerSlam challenge.
@BaronCorbinWWE | #SmackDown https://t.co/RQ4u87EUsU
Gunther was out next and said that there was no one at his level in the locker room before Shinsuke Nakamura walked out to the ring. The Intercontinental Champion said that the challenger had to earn the opportunity, so Nakamura challenged Ludwig Kaiser to a match.
👀
@ShinsukeN @Gunther_AUT #SmackDown https://t.co/k8FD6UzH3Y
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Ludwig Kaiser on SmackDown
Classic @ShinsukeN. #SmackDown https://t.co/5O9wjjNKNe
Nakamura got a big snap suplex off the ropes early on before Gunther ran interference, letting Ludwig get some shots in. Back after a break on SmackDown, Shinsuke got some knees to the gut before Kaiser blocked a big boot and hit a suplex.
Kaiser dropped Nakamura but missed a knee strike, allowing Nakamura to land the Kinshasa for the win.
Kinshasa!!!
@ShinsukeN #SmackDown https://t.co/ssZ05uVx7i
Result: C
After the match, Gunther hit Ludwig with three brutal chops as punishment for losing the match.
Gifs you can hear.
@Gunther_AUT @wwe_kaiser #SmackDown https://t.co/QYizHSvgVi
Liv Morgan was out next on SmackDown to celebrate her successful cash-in at Money in the Bank. Michael Cole told her that Ronda Rousey was looking for a SmackDown Women's Title rematch as early as SummerSlam, and Liv said that she was ready.
Your new #SmackDown Women's Champion, @YaOnlyLivvOnce! https://t.co/xaJJJSAZvD
Natalya and then Ronda Rousey joined her in the ring, and the former champ said that she was going to take Morgan's title away at SummerSlam. Natalya attacked Rousey and sent her outside the ring. Liv took Natalya out and sent her outside before SmackDown continued.
See ya @NatbyNature!
@YaOnlyLivvOnce #SmackDown https://t.co/WVSyFWBAqf
Ronda Rousey vs. Natalya on SmackDown
.@RondaRousey fights through the pain as she looks to punish @NatbyNature on #SmackDown https://t.co/IPNSi4KfZU
Rousey was in a match with Natalya when we returned from a break, and she was going for Nattie's legs. Ronda herself struggled to walk with her injured knee, and Nattie chose to run away from the former champ before she caught up with her on the entrance ramp and proceeded to beat her down.
Rousey locked in an ankle lock on the apron before moving things back to the ring and locking in the hold twice more. Ronda transitioned into a knee bar before Natalya finally tapped out.
Result: Ronda Rousey def. Natalya
.@RondaRousey picks up the W! #SmackDown https://t.co/Faow6AwCZ4
Grade: B
Drew McIntyre was backstage and hyped Clash at the Castle before saying that he would go after whoever wins the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at SummerSlam.
Can @DMcIntyreWWE take down @WWESheamus tonight and punch his ticket to #WWECastle?
#SmackDown https://t.co/jcMOcy1siW
Max Dupri was back on SmackDown with his models Mace and Mansoor, who showed off their 'tennis collection.'
Another round of applause for ma.çé and mån.sôör!
#SmackDown @MaxDupri https://t.co/gF9fTDfcly
Lacey Evans threw a fit for not being greeted properly by the crowd. After making her entrance thrice, she refused to compete and attacked her own teammate, Aliyah, with the Women's Right.
What has gotten into @LaceyEvansWWE?! #SmackDown https://t.co/3wMfviOJVq
Los Lotharios vs. The Usos - Tag Team Championship Contender's match on SmackDown
The @WWEUsos and Los Lotharios look to one up each other in tag team action on #SmackDown!
@AngelGarzaWwe @humberto_wwe https://t.co/uK1YByhwzJ
The Lotharios took control of the match early on as they hit Jey with a double-knee strike and sent The Usos outside. Back in the ring, Humberto got an arm drag on Jimmy before Jey came in and hit a Samoa Drop.
Angel broke the pin, but Jimmy came in with a big superkick and took him out. Jey got the superkick on Humberto and made the tag to Jimmy before getting the 1D for the win.
One.
And.
Done.
@WWEUsos #SmackDown https://t.co/I1QvRkdZCk
Result: The Usos def. Los Lotharios
After the match, Kayla Braxton showed us footage of the Usos' botchy win at Money in the Bank and said that they will have a special guest referee at SummerSlam during the rematch.
When you get told you might have Special Guest Referee for you match at #SummerSlam..
@WWEUsos #SmackDown https://t.co/JPosLiAQDm
Grade: B
Drew McIntyre vs. Butch - Undisputed WWE Universal Championship Contender's match
Per @WWESheamus, Sheamus can't compete tonight so @DMcIntyreWWE will be facing Butch instead! #SmackDown https://t.co/MAp7lJaoCW
Sheamus said that he was sick and unable to compete tonight before sending Butch in to compete for him.
Drew took Butch down early on and got a neckbreaker, despite a distraction from Ridge Holland. Drew got a quick claymore and picked up the easy win.
Sit down @RidgeWWE!
@DMcIntyreWWE #SmackDown https://t.co/wAYhFHTp6a
Result: Drew McIntyre def. Butch
Ridge attacked Drew after the match but took a Futureshock DDT before being sent outside. Sheamus tried to get into the ring but Drew got his sword and slashed the ring ropes before SmackDown went off the air.
⚔️🔥⚔️🔥
#SmackDown @DMcIntyreWWE @WWESheamus https://t.co/AfhHivAeD2
Grade: C
Episode rating: B
Ronda Rousey hinted at a SmackDown Women's Title rematch at SummerSlam, while Shinsuke Nakamura challenged Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship.