Friday Night Smackdown – July 29th 2022: Results & Review
Welcome to this review of this past Friday’s episode of Friday Night Smackdown, right here on Nerdly. This is the go-home show for the WWE before Summerslam, topping off the storylines before they conclude at the “biggest show of the Summer.” Let’s get to the review!
Match #1: Good Old Fashioned Donnybrook Match – Drew McIntyre def. Sheamus
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
SmackDown began with an absolutely brutal showdown: Drew McIntyre battling Sheamus in an Old Fashioned Donnybrook Match, a contest with no disqualifications and no counts-out, which could only be won by pinfall or submission, to determine who will challenge the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion at WWE Clash at the Castle. The excruciating matchup incorporated multiple Shillelaghs of different sizes, Irish whiskey barrels, a bar and bar stools, tables, steel ring steps, the announce table, stacks of steel chairs, the ring post, pictures of ancestors, and interfering Brawling Brutes popping out of various hiding places. With destruction at every turn, McIntyre finally powerbombed The Celtic Warrior through a table before countering a Shillelagh attack with the Claymore Kick for the three-count. With the huge win, McIntyre earned the opportunity to challenge the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion at WWE Clash at the Castle!
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #2: Shotzi def. Aliyah
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The dangerous Shotzi overcame exciting upstart Aliyah with her devastating Never Wake Up finishing maneuver. Before she was able celebrate, an irate Ronda Rousey emerged to expel Shotzi from the ring. Angry over Natalya and Sonya Deville claiming they should be in the SmackDown Women”s Title Match at SummerSlam, The Baddest Woman on the Planet proposed that SmackDown Women’s Champion Liv Morgan and her teach them a lesson ahead of their SummerSlam title showdown.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #3: Ronda Rousey & Liv Morgan def. Sonya Deville & Natalya
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
From the beginning, the two SummerSlam opponents struggled to work together, as Liv, in particular, refused to tag in The Rowdy One as she tried to prove herself. Nevertheless, Morgan took out the interfering Queen of Harts with Oblivion and paved the way for Rousey to make Deville tap out to her ankle lock.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #4: Viking Raiders def. The New Day
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
In an absolute slugfest, The Power of Positivity failed to shine over the new and vicious Viking Raiders as Erik & Ivar hurled Kofi Kingston into the canvas with an earth-shattering double powerbomb. After the matchup, Erik & Ivar continued their RAID with a brutal attack on Xavier Woods. After clobbering him with a shield, the vicious duo placed a steel chair over his leg and smashed it with their shields, leaving Woods screaming in agony.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
This week’s show opened strong with a match that was given the right time and space to make an impact but the rest of the card faltered and suffered from more concentration on promos and events that would impact Summerslam rather than this episode. But still, great opening match!
