WWE SmackDown LIVE Results: July 24, 2018By Cassidy| July 25, 2018 WWE SmackDown Previous Page Detailed Results After The Miz arrives in a limo with his wife Maryse and his baby daughter Monroe Sky, SmackDown LIVE officially gets underway with “The Viper” Randy Orton, who viciously assaulted Jeff Hardy twice last week with no explanation. Orton says that he has heard all of the theories as to why he attacked Jeff Hardy but none of them are true, telling the fans to look in the mirror for the reason why. Orton explains that he has busted his ass for sixteen years for the fans, saying that he is the “one constant” in WWE and every Superstar in WWE eats at the “table” that he set for them. Orton then says that he doesn’t get the “respect” that he deserves, asking if it’s because he doesn’t change the color of his merchandise every other month to get more money out of the fans or if it’s because he competes year-round instead of only showing up around WrestleMania season or if it’s because he doesn’t put his life on the line by diving off of cages, ladders, and turnbuckles. “The Viper” continues, saying that he’s not some “indie darling” that competed in “bingo halls” and he didn’t steal some “sweet hand gesture” either, saying that he paid his dues in front of “millions of people”. Orton then says that he started his career as “The Legend Killer” but now he realizes who the real “legend killer” is and that is the fans, saying that, now, he is “the legend”. Orton then says that he is going to take out every Superstar that the fans put on a “pedestal” and that started with Jeff Hardy, vowing to end Jeff’s career. Orton continues, saying that he will write the “final chapter” of Jeff’s career before saying that they can call him whatever nickname they want but the only letters that matter are the letters, “RKO”. Orton then leaves the ring, having revealed his reasons for assaulting Jeff Hardy. The opening match of the night would see “The Lion of Bulgaria” Rusev, with wife Lana in his corner, square off with Andrade “Cien” Almas, with Zelina Vega in his corner. During the match, Rusev would connect with the Machka Kick to Andrade “Cien” Almas, but Rusev would collapse after the kick, leaving both men down in the ring. Meanwhile, on the outside, Zelina Vega would get in the face of Lana, slapping “The Ravishing Russian” across the face, sparking a brawl between the two women. This brings out Aiden English, who physically restrains Lana before Zelina jumps on the back of Aiden, causing Aiden to accidentally knock Lana down. Having seen all of this transpire, Rusev argues with Aiden and the distraction would enable Andrade “Cien” Almas to capitalize, hitting Rusev with the Hammerlock DDT and pinning Rusev for the win. After the match, Lana would check on Rusev as Rusev & Lana both glare their disapproval at Aiden English. Backstage, Lana and Aiden English are arguing over what just transpired before Rusev interjects, saying that maybe neither of them are good for Rusev Day. R-Truth would return to action on SmackDown LIVE as Truth would have the unenviable task of going one-on-one with Samoa Joe. “The Samoan Submission Machine” would make quick work of R-Truth, locking in the Coquina Clutch, making R-Truth tap out to pick up the win. Asuka was in action on SmackDown LIVE as “The Empress of Tomorrow” would go one-on-one with The IIconics’ Billie Kay, with Peyton Royce in her corner. Asuka would make quick work of the Aussie, leveling Billie with a kick to the head and pinning Billie for the win. SmackDown LIVE General Manager Paige would then make an appearance on SmackDown LIVE as, with a contract on a table in front of her, the GM would announce who will challenge AJ Styles for the WWE Championship at SummerSlam. Before making the announcement, Paige would bring out WWE Champion AJ Styles as AJ makes his way to the ring. AJ says that he is proud to be the WWE Champion and he is proud to be defending the title at SummerSlam, recounting his clashes with John Cena and Kevin Owens over the last couple of years. The WWE Champion then signs the contract before saying that all he needs from Paige is the name of his SummerSlam opponent. Before the GM can reveal who AJ’s SummerSlam opponent is, she is interrupted of James Ellsworth. Ellsworth says that he came back to WWE for the WWE Title, saying that he’s already beaten AJ Styles three times before saying that he deserves a shot at the WWE Title at SummerSlam. Paige then gets out of the ring to tell Ellsworth that he is a “joke” but Ellsworth responds by calling his boss a “joke” before scoffing at how Paige talks and looks. Ellsworth continues to insult Paige, saying that the GM is as “pale as a ghost” before Paige declares that she’s had enough of James Ellsworth, telling Ellsworth that he’s fired! The GM then calls for security, who literally carries Ellsworth to the back before Paige has security set Ellsworth down so that the GM can literally kick James Ellsworth out of the arena! However, as this is taking place, AJ Styles is watching the whole ordeal on the Tron, which leaves the WWE Champion open to a sneak attack from Samoa Joe as Joe locks AJ in the Coquina Clutch! After rendering Styles unconscious, Samoa Joe would sign the contract before dumping the table on top of AJ Styles as it will be Samoa Joe who will face AJ Styles for the WWE Championship at SummerSlam! The SmackDown Women’s Champion was in action on SmackDown LIVE as Carmella would face Becky Lynch in a non-title match with the stipulation that, if Becky wins, she will face Carmella for the SmackDown Women’s Title at SummerSlam. Carmella would try every trick in the book to beat Becky Lynch but, in the end, it was Becky trapping Carmella in the Dis-Arm-Her, making the SmackDown Women’s Champion tap out to pick up the win and earn a shot at the title at SummerSlam! In the first match of the four-team tournament to decide new #1 Contenders for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles, The New Day’s Big E & Xavier Woods, with Kofi Kingston in their corner, would face SAnitY’s Killian Dain & Alexander Wolfe, with Eric Young in their corner, with fellow tournament competitors The Usos guests on commentary. In the end, it was Big E & Xavier Woods hitting the Midnight Hour on Alexander Wolfe with Xavier Woods pinning Alexander Wolfe to pick up the win for The New Day as The New Day advance in the tag team tournament to face either The Usos or Cesaro & Sheamus. Speaking of which, The Usos would get on the ring apron before Cesaro & Sheamus would make their return, coming out to the stage. The former champions say that they miss being the tag team champions and that’s why they are going to beat The Usos next week and ultimately beat The New Day to face The Bludgeon Brothers for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles at SummerSlam. With his wife Maryse and baby daughter Monroe Sky accompanying him, The Miz would appear on SmackDown LIVE for the Premiere Party for Miz & Mrs. After introducing Maryse, Maryse says that the women’s evolution started with her before plugging Miz & Mrs. The Miz then introduces his daughter, Monroe Sky, saying that Monroe Sky has accomplished more in her young life than Daniel Bryan has in his entire career. The Miz then says that the mere mention of Daniel Bryan has put Monroe Sky to sleep. The Miz then shows a sneak preview of Miz & Mrs., but the footage is altered to include scenes of The Miz getting beat up. Backstage, Daniel Bryan claims that he doesn’t know what happened to the footage before saying that he’s “sorry” before saying that he should come out there and apologize to The Miz “in person”. A couple of bouncers would try to stop Daniel Bryan from entering the Premiere Party but Daniel would take the bouncers out before letting himself into the party. Daniel then gets into the ring and this is when The Miz would use his daughter as a ruse, tossing a baby doll to Daniel to confuse Daniel long enough for The Miz to take advantage with the Skull Crushing Finale! The Miz says that he knew that Daniel’s “ego” wouldn’t let him stay out of The Miz’s spotlight. The Miz then says that he wouldn’t bring his daughter to a city like this, saying that they can see Monroe Sky on Miz & Mrs. and it will be “awesome”. What did you think of this week’s SmackDown LIVE? Post your comments in the box below.
