By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Friday Night Smackdown (Episode 1,199)
Live from Raleigh, North Carolina at PNC Arena
Aired August 12, 2022 on Fox
[Hour One] Michael Cole and Pat McAfee were on commentary. Ring announcer Samatha Irvin handled the introductions for the opening match…
1. Raquel Rodriguez and Aliyah vs. Xia Li and Shotzi in a WWE Women’s Tag Title tournament match. Cole recapped footage from Raw of Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky beating Dana Brooke and Tamina in the first tournament match. Sonya Deville and Natalya showed up at ringside and were roughed up by Rodriguez and Shotzi, who then fought with one another. The four wrestlers in the match fought at ringside in front of the podium holding the WWE Women’s Tag Team Title belts as the show went to a commercial break. [C]
Deville and Natalya were no longer at ringside coming out of the break. Aliyah was isolated coming out of the break. She eventually slipped out of a Li suplex attempt and dropped her with a neckbreaker before tagging out. Rodriguez put Shotzi down with a couple of fallaway slams and then hit the spinning elbow splash from the middle rope.
Rodriguez set up for her finisher, but Li distracted her. Shotzi took advantage of the distraction and picked up a near fall. Li tagged in. Aliyah speared Shotzi to stop her from taking part in a double team move. Rodriguez kicked Li and then hit her with a Texano Bomb before finishing her…
Raquel Rodriguez and Aliyah defeated Xia Li and Shotzi in 9:35 to advance to the semifinals of the WWE Women’s Tag Title tournament.
The updated brackets showed that Rodriguez and Aliyah will face the winner of Sonya Deville and Natalya vs. Nikkita Lyons and Zoey Stark…
Powell’s POV: The match was nothing special, but the crowd was very receptive to Rodriguez’s offense and counted along when she got the pin. By the way, Jake Barnett was scheduled to cover tonight’s show, but I need next Friday night off, so he will be covering that show instead. Yep, you’re stuck with me again tonight.
Cole hyped Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at the WWE Clash at the Castle event, then set up a video package for the match that included footage of Karrion Kross attacking McIntyre at the end of last week’s Smackdown…
Karrion Kross delivered a promo backstage on a smokey set while Scarlett stood by. Kross said that in the midst of chaos, opportunity tends to present itself. He said that’s what happened last week. Kross said McIntyre and Reigns are chosen ones and it must be nice. Kross said he and Scarlett were cast out of paradise like a broken toy to be forgotten. Kross said they prepared and waited for the perfect time to strike with vengeance. He said everyone knows about the Bloodline, and now they’re going to show them a new timeline. “Everybody pays the toll, tick tock,” he concluded. Kross peaked around the corner where McIntyre was walking.
Drew McIntyre made his entrance without his stupid sword… [C] McIntyre stood in the ring and delivered a promo coming out of the break. He said it’s an exciting time in WWE and a lot of new faces are showing up. McIntyre recalled being jumped from behind by Kross.
McIntyre said people probably assumed he would rant and rave about the horrible things he intend to do. He confirmed that he does, but he said he understands the man has waited for an opportunity for a year and wanted to make an impact by attacking the number one contender and then staring down the champion. McIntyre said the problem is that he was the number one contender who was left like trash. McIntyre said he would give Kross three options – a knockout, the hospital, or the graveyard.
McIntyre said he had shocking news for the crowd – Roman Reigns was not in the building. McIntyre said it took entire Bloodline to get the job done in Reigns’ SummerSlam match, whereas he beat Lesnar with his bare hands. McIntyre said the Island of Relevancy is not a real place.
Scarlett made her black and white entrance. Cole labeled her as Kross’s oracle and his angel of doom. Scarlett entered the ring. As McIntyre looked at her, Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso attacked McIntyre from behind. The Usos worked over McIntyre while Scarlett stood on the apron and watched. McIntyre fought back, but he was stopped with a superkick and then put down with the 1D.
Scarlett smiled on the apron. The Usos turned their focus to her. Jey Uso told her that it’s Bloodline territory. Scarlett laughed at him and said that was funny. She said she had a message for them and then dropped off the apron. Cole said she told the Usos to tell Reigns the same thing… [C]
Powell’s POV: I like the idea of having the Usos attack McIntyre. Sure, it’s odd to see the challenger left lying on back to back shows, but it’s hard to imagine McIntyre getting any real measure of revenge on Kross while he is being established. And with Reigns being part time, it’s likely that McIntyre will eventually explode on the Usos to get his mojo back.
A video package spotlighted the Intercontinental Championship with footage of various legends who held the belt, including Steve Austin, The Rock, Shawn Michaels, Pat Patterson, Greg Valentine, and many more…
Megan Morant asked Shinsuke Nakamura if he had a message for Gunther. “Come on,” Nakamura said…
The Viking Raiders made their entrance for Ivar’s match against Kofi Kingston. However, Kingston attacked them with a kendo stick. They eventually got the better of him. Erik threw Kingston toward Ivar, who hit him with a shield. Ivar leapt off the ringside barricade and splashed Kingston on the stage area…
Powell’s POV: That’s what Kofi gets for being so obnoxiously positive last week after his tag team partner was destroyed the week before. All kidding aside, I hope the Viking Raiders destroying Kingston and Xavier Woods will lead to the New Day duo developing more of a mean streak when the situation calls for it. On a side note, I love the extra attention the U.S. and Intercontinental titles have been getting since Paul Levesque and his crew took over creative.
Sami Zayn knocked on Roman Reigns’ locker room door. The Usos exited the room. Zayn said he’d been doing a lot of thinking and they were right about everything they told him last week. Suddenly, Drew McIntyre attacked the Usos. McIntyre said they get involved every single week and he’s going to kick their asses…
Brandon Scott and Trevor Urban stood in the ring. McAfee used his telestrator to circle them and spoke about their dream. The Hit Row entrance music played and the duo of Ashante Thee Adonis and Top Dolla came out with B-Fab. They were well received by the crowd…
2. “Hit Row” Ashante Thee Adonis and Top Dolla (w/B-Fab) vs. Brandon Scott and Trevor Urban. Top Dolla caught one opponent and then the other dove onto his back and he crushed them both. Adonis tagged in and hit a dropkick into a suplex combination called The Heavy Hitter for the win…
“Hit Row” Ashante Thee Adonis and Top Dolla defeated Brandon Scott and Trevor Urban in 1:50.
After the match, Hit Row stood in the ring with mics. B-Fab asked if fans missed them. They introduced themselves and delivered their “now you know” catchphrase…
Powell’s POV: Another popular NXT act that didn’t last long on the main roster returns. They will definitely miss Isaiah Scott/Swerve Strickland, but we’ll see how it goes for them as a tag team. Unfortunately, I think it’s too late for Top Dolla to host the latest season of WWE’s Most Wanted Treasures. I thought he was really good in that role.
Cole said they were celebrating a the life of a sports entertainment, MMA, and pro wrestling icon. A graphic for the late Gene LeBell was shown. Cole and McAfee spoke briefly about the late legend…
A sponsored video spotlighted Shayna Baszler winning last week’s gauntlet match to earn a Smackdown Women’s Championship match…
An ad for Raw hyped Bobby Lashley vs. AJ Styles for the U.S. Championship and the continuation of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Title tournament… [C] Cole hyped the Intercontinental Title match…
Gunther and Ludwig Kaiser were speaking backstage when they were interrupted by Kayla Braxton. Gunther barked that Nakamura will suffer at the hands of the ring general…
The contract signing table was set up in the ring for Liv Morgan and Shayna Baszler. Ronda Rousey hopped the barricade with a duffle bag and entered the ring. Rousey put the bag on the contract signing table and said she knew she wasn’t supposed to be there because she was suspended for her actions at SummerSlam.
Rousey said she was also fined a lot of money. She dumped the bag over and a bunch of cash fell onto the table. Rousey said she doubled it. “Let’s be honest, it’s not going to be the last time,” Rousey said. She said being the baddest is expensive, but she can afford it.
Security and referees came out and motioned for Rousey to leave the ring. She asked if they were going to make her leave. “Let’s see how that works out for you,” Rousey said. She went to ringside and tossed a female security guard to the mat. She teased putting her in an armbar, but released her arm instead. Rousey started heading toward the back.
Shayna Baszler came out and asked Rousey what she was doing. Baszler said you play by the rules and you get what you want. Rousey told Baszler that she used to be a killer. Rousey headed to the back and then Baszler walked to the ring where she checked out the money that Rousey left behind.
Baszler said she won the gauntlet match last week. She said Liv Morgan just happen to be the next one on the list and will be the next one who falls.
[Hour Two] Baszler said she couldn’t wait for Cardiff because she’s going to tear Morgan apart limb by limb. Smackdown Women’s Champion Liv Morgan made her entrance, still wearing a brace on her left arm to sell Rousey’s submission hold from SummerSlam.
Morgan told Baszler that she won’t beat her. Morgan said Baszler is like a bootleg Ronda Rousey. Morgan said she knows that because she beat the real deal twice. Morgan said she would beat Baszler too, and then she signed the contract.
Morgan held up her title belt and started to turn to leave when Baszler grabbed her bad arm and slammed it onto the table. Baszler put a foot on Morgan’s face while hold her bad arm. Baszler followed up by stomping the bad arm. Baszler grabbed the arm and wrenched it over her own shoulder. Baszler grabbed the arm again, but this time Morgan used her feet to push off the ropes and then bulldogged Baszler through the table…
Powell’s POV: Morgan is not a bright character. If you’re injured, why would you taunt your opponent? I guess she had to get the better of Baszler because of that, but none of this left me excited to see their title match. I am excited by Rousey telling Baszler that she used to be a killer. My guess is that Morgan retains her title, and then Rousey brings out the killer in Baszler again.
Backstage, the Usos asked Sami Zayn where he ran off to. Jey recalled telling him last week to step up or he’d be left behind. Jey told Jimmy that they should call McIntyre to the ring… [C]
Raleigh imagery was shown and then a video package aired on the WrestleMania ticket release party from Thursday night in California. Cole said they had the highest first-day ticket sales in the history of WrestleMania today…
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso made their entrance. Once in the ring, Jey told Drew McIntyre to bring a tag team partner. McIntyre came out alone.
3. Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso vs. Drew McIntyre and Madcap Moss in a non-title match. McIntyre started the match alone, but he was outnumbered. Madcap Moss ran out to even the sides. [C]
With Moss down at ringside, McIntyre put Jimmy down and set up for his finisher. Sami Zayn entered the ring and stood in front of McIntyre, then fled to ringside. Jimmy superkicked McIntyre, then tagged Jey, who performed a top rope splash on McIntyre for a two count.
Zayn barked at the referee. Jimmy tagged in and the Usos set up for a move, but Moss pulled Jey to the floor and ran him into the barricade. Jey clotheslined Moss and they both fell into the timekeepers area. In the ring, McIntyre ate a superkick, but then ran the ropes and put Jimmy down with a Claymore Kick and pinned him.
Drew McIntyre and Madcap Moss defeated Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso in 9:15.
After the match, McIntyre set up for a Claymore Kick on Jey, but Sami pushed Jey out of the way and took the kick himself…
Powell’s POV: I’m not big on the Usos losing non-title matches, but this one served a purpose in terms of making McIntyre look strong against two Bloodline members. I know Rome wasn’t built in a day, but why is Moss still going by the idiotic and limiting Madcap name?
Mace and Mansoor were posing for a photoshoot while Max Dupri and Maxxine Dupri barked orders to the photographer. The Los Lotharios duo of Angel and Humberto showed up and said they are the most handsome tag team. Max did his close talk bit and told Angel that they’re not Maximum Male Model material. Humberto got in Max’s face and told Max they weren’t talking to him. Angel slipped between them and told a smiling Maxxine to give them a call and let them know…
Cole hyped the Intercontinental Title match and then a video package recapped how they got to the match… A sponsored classic Smackdown moment showed Arnold Schwarzenegger’s appearance on the show from November 11, 1999… [C]
Backstage, Ricochet was interviewed by Braxton on the ring set. Ricochet laughed about McAfee kicking Happy Corbin in the balls. Braxton had footage play of Ricochet beating Corbin last week. Braxton said it seemed like Ricochet was in the zone. Ricochet said he’s more locked in than he has been in a long time and he feels like he’s been shot out of a cannon. Ricochet said he would be waiting in line for the winner of the Intercontinental Title match.
Happy Corbin blindsided Ricochet and then stood over him and laughed at him. Corbin said they were just getting started…
Powell’s POV: Call me petty, but I’m pulling for Corbin after seeing Ricochet wear a big chain over his pink shirt.
Cole and McAfee announced Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre meeting face to face, and The Viking Raiders holding a viking funeral for New Day, and Nikkita Lyons and Zoey Stark vs. Sonya Deville and Natalya in a tournament match, on next week’s Smackdown in Montreal…
A video package spotlighted Lyons and Stark…
Shinsuke Nakamura made his entrance for the main event. Ludwig Kaiser stood on the stage and introduced Gunther. Samantha Irvin remained at ringside while introducing the champion and the challenger (why not give Irvin some camera time by letting her deliver in-ring introductions?)… [C]
4. Gunther (w/Ludwig Kaiser) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the Intercontinental Championship. Cole said referee Jessika Carr had the honor and privilege of working the title match. Gunther applied an early STF. Nakamura reached the ropes to break it. Cole said Gunther using the move was interesting because Gunther said he wants to face everyone, including John Cena, and added that he came to WWE to be the best.
Nakamura rolled Gunther into an armbar attempt, but Gunther stuffed it and then stood over Nakamura and kicked him. McAfee congratulated referee Jessika Carr for being assigned the match. Nakamura threw kicks at Gunther, who caught one. Nakamura hit him with a step-up enzuigiri and then covered him for a two count. Gunther stood up and blasted Nakamura with a chop to the chest.
Gunther picked up Nakamura and placed him on top of the turnbuckle and chopped him. Gunther drove his foot into Nakamura’s face, then pulled off to avoid being disqualified. Nakamura tumbled to the floor heading into a break. [C]
Cole said Nakamura had targeted the arm of Gunther, who was unable to pick him up as a result. Gunther went up top and went for a splash, but Nakamura went for a triangle when he landed. Gunther stood up and threw punches to the side of Nakamura and then suplexed him to break the hold. Gunther continued to sell his right arm.
Nakamura caught Gunther with a knee to the face and covered him for a near fall. Cole said any normal man would have been knocked out from the knee strike. Nakamura remained on the offensive and charged for his Kinshasa corner, but Gunther turned him inside out with a clothesline and got a near fall. A “this is awesome” chant broke out.
Gunther caught Nakamura in a sleeper hold. Nakamura broke free, but Gunther dropkicked his back. Gunther powerbombed Nakamura and pinned him clean. Cole called it a “hell of a battle.”
Gunther defeated Shinsuke Nakamura in 14:20 to retain the Intercontinental Championship.
After the match, Nakamura was shown seething at ringside and watched as Kaiser put the belt around Gunther’s waist. The camera went back to Nakamura to show the welts on his chest. Cole hyped Reigns and McIntyre meeting face to face on next week’s Smackdown in Montreal…
Powell’s POV: A well worked main event. The crowd was quiet to start, but Gunther and Nakamura really got the fans into the match as it went on. It was good to see a clean win for Gunther, who is well on his way to being established as a dominant secondary champion. Overall, it was a good show that featured another returning act, a solid follow-up to the return of Kross and Scarlett, a good night for Drew McIntyre, and a strong main event. I will be back with my weekly same night audio review of Smackdown for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Have a great weekend.
Hit Row needs a significant update to their look, but the fat dude might work as a solid big man and Adonis has legit potential. Fans clearly don’t know who they are as the vast majority weren’t watching HHHNXT and had no idea what the promo was about.
If they’re going to let Liv wear shoes like that they might as well give her a sippy cup and bike helmet, and show her arriving to the building on a special short bus.
Did they just say it was the first night of Wrestlemania season when it’s nearly 8 months away?!
Judging by your comments on here you know all about riding on the short bus
This was a really good wrestling show. Lots of action and story progression
It sounds nuts but SDL always leaves guy wanting more yet Raw is exhausting. That 3rd hour really is a problem