Friday Night Smackdown – Aug 4th 2023: Results & Review
Welcome to this review of this past Friday’s episode of Friday Night Smackdown, right here on Nerdly. Let’s see what went down on this week’s episode!
Match #1: LA Knight def. Sheamus
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
LA Knight backed up his trash talk and his megastar status by defeating Sheamus in front of a few of his opponents for the SummerSlam Battle Royal. Sheamus didn’t take Knight’s pre-match barbs lightly as he brutalized the megastar, even hitting a back-breaking White Noise onto the rock-hard apron. The other competitors in the Battle Royal started surrounding the ringside area, and due to confusion and chaos caused by the Superstars, Knight hit Blunt Force Trauma and came away victorious.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: The Brawling Brutes vs. The O.C. (No Contest)
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Butch and Ridge Holland were locked in combat with Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows until Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins appeared and attacked all four Superstars, causing a no-contest.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #3: Austin Theory def. Cameron Grimes
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
United States Champion Austin Theory showed just why he’s the champion as he defeated Cameron Grimes in non-title action. Catastrophe nearly struck early for Theory as Grimes hit a Cave-In as the champion was distracted by Santos Escobar, his future opponent. After weathering the storm from the very game Grimes, Theory settled and later hit A-Town Down, securing his win.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #4: Zelina Vega def. IYO SKY
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Ms. Money in the Bank IYO SKY had too much to focus on, and it cost her dearly in a match against Zelina Vega. SKY was her usual high-flying self, and she systematically dissected Vega with her unique moves and unorthodox style. However, Shotzi and Bayley began brawling on the stage, and it distracted SKY, allowing Vega to hit a big powerbomb and the Code Red for the win.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #5: Jey Uso def. Solo Sikoa
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
“The Real Chief” Jey Uso sent a message to Roman Reigns ahead of Tribal Combat by defeating Solo Sikoa with Reigns’ own move, the Spear. Sikoa seemed determine to incapacitate Uso, but just before Sikoa could hit the Samoan Spike, Uso countered with a thunderous superkick. Uso followed that up with a bone-rattling Spear and an Uso Splash to walk away victorious ahead of his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship Match at SummerSlam.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
A decidely average episode of Smackdown this week and one that didn’t really feel like a go-home show for a pay-per-view should IMHO. Everything was a little underwhelming rather than exciting and outside the opening match there was very little to recommend about this show. Though I did get a little moist at seeing the Street Profits come out with Bobby Lashley – can we have a new faction in our midst? Hurt Business 2.0 perhaps? I’m here for it!