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0 out of 7
Credit: WWE.com
Sasha Banks brutally assaulted SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair to wrap up last week’s show and Friday on Fox, The Boss discussed her actions.
What response would EST have for the woman she beaten at WrestleMania 37 and what implications would their interaction have on their SummerSlam plans?
Find out now with this recap of a show that also featured the latest in the rivalry between Universal champion Roman Reigns and John Cena as they prepare for a titanic clash in Las Vegas.
1 of 7
Announced for the Friday show:
- How will Bianca Belair react to the attack on Sasha Banks?
- Dominik Mysterio vs. Jey Uso
- Finn Balor vs. Baron Corbin
Coverage begins at 8 p.m.
2 of 7
Credit: WWE
A week after stunning Bianca Belair with a sneak attack that left her tapping to close the series, Sasha Banks kicked off this week’s episode of SmackDown.
She accused EST of undermining her credibility, suggesting that Belair couldn’t have made WrestleMania headlines and made history without her. Belair interrupted him, remembering Banks begging her to choose her so they could make the main event of the show.
Belair challenged Banks but Zelina Vega interrupted him. After some back and forth between the three women, EST told Banks she would see her at SummerSlam. As for Vega, they have a match for the women’s title tonight!
To note
A
Analysis
Charisma was off the charts in this one.
Banks and Belair each set the stage for their revenge at SummerSlam, explaining why they still have beef. Add in Vega, who has expressed her desire to fight for the title rather than let Banks jump her in line, and it made sense.
Best of all was Belair, who looked strong and confident as she not only reserved a title defense for herself later that night, but also staged a rematch for her iconic clash with Banks at WrestleMania.
It was awesome, fresh, and looked like three women with issues having a real back-and-forth rather than some of the overproduced and unnatural promos we’ve seen elsewhere on WWE TV.
3 out of 7
Credit: WWE.com
The rivalry between The Mysterios and The Usos will peak on Sunday August 21 at SummerSlam but on Friday Dominik Mysterio faced Jey Uso in the singles competition, their respective tag team partners watching from the ring.
Dominik rode early, delivering a sunset powerbomb before the break. Uso turned the tide in his favor with a cheap shot from Jimmy at ringside, but the resilient rookie fought back in the game. He was on the verge of winning the late match when Rey Mysterio intercepted Jimmy.
The distraction allowed Jey to recover, throw the top rope splash and clinch the victory by pinfall.
Results
Uso defeated Mysterio
To note
B-
Analysis
Dominik’s growing frustration at his father’s hands will ultimately end in his betrayal of Rey and the outbreak of a father-against-son rivalry.
It seems quite too early for that, especially considering that the combo just held the tag titles just a month ago. WWE, however, never missed the opportunity to rush stories like this, reaching the end of the game long before it really needed it.
That Dominik hasn’t even had the opportunity to perform in front of fans in over a month, let alone develop a character that fans can actually fall behind outside of his lineage, doesn’t bode well. so that the quarrel reaches its full potential.
Until that betrayal comes, expect more in the endless line of games against the Usos as teams gear up for a SummerSlam showdown which may be a bit too late to avoid burnout on this schedule.
4 out of 7
Credit: WWE
“The King of All WWE” Shinsuke Nakamura faced intercontinental champion Apollo Crews with a potential title shot on the line in the next match of the night.
Nakamura beat Crews early and often in the brief encounter before defeating the champion. While covering and seeking victory, Commander Azeez removed The Artist from his associate. Nakamura survived the onslaught and sent Crews into the big man to close the segment and celebrate.
Results
Nakamura defeated Crews by disqualification
To note
VS-
Analysis
Well, at least they didn’t beat Crews.
The IC champion feels infinitely less important than he was around WrestleMania, when he had some momentum on his side and was enjoying the hottest streak of his entire run on the main roster. A feud with Nakamura, who himself struggled with start-stop flare-ups on WWE Creative’s part, doesn’t help.
The final match will be good and will likely help uplift crews in the long run, but it’s not a particularly interesting feud.
You know, apart from Pat McAfee who loses it on the announcements table every week.
5 out of 7
Credit: WWE
Half of the women’s tag team champions Tamina faced Tegan Nox in the next game of the evening. Shotzi Blackheart accompanied his teammate on his signature tank.
A brief home and away match ended with Blackheart firing a foam missile from said tank, distracting Tamina and allowing Nox to claim the final victory on a rollup.
Results
Nox defeated Tamina
To note
D
Analysis
There was nothing to it, in large part because of the lack of time that was given to him.
The endgame is clearly Blackheart and Nox taking titles from Tamina and Natalya, but with The Queen of Harts sidelined due to recent surgery, things have stalled.
Nox’s victory gives some impetus to the de facto challengers and the finish protects the otherwise dominant Tamina. From this perspective alone, this segment was worth it.
6 out of 7
Credit: WWE
Edge made his way to the ring, seething and vengeful after a brutal attack at the hands of Seth Rollins a week ago. Superstar Rated R said if Rollins was in the arena he would go to jail.
Almost like it was at the right time, Rollins appeared on satellite. He laughed at Edge’s threats and told her he would “think about” his challenge for a game at SummerSlam.
Then the Hall of Famer played with Rollins’ ego, calling it “Edge-lite”. An enraged Rollins, playing his rival’s game, accepted the challenge and set up a dream match for August 21.
To note
A
Analysis
It was great because Edge, long regarded as a master manipulator, made Rollins accept his challenge by devaluing him. He harnessed Rollins’ ego and, in the process, reminded the architect that he had the opportunity to get Edge out of his misery and he didn’t.
Now he is suffering the consequences.
Edge has been superb throughout this program and Rollins seems rejuvenated and motivated to deliver against a guy who has undeniably influenced his career.
Despite all the talk from John Cena and Goldberg, it could very well be that Edge-Rollins steals the show in Vegas.
7 out of 7
Credit: WWE.com
Finn Balor faced Baron Corbin in singles, but not before Heel tried to get out of the game by recounting his recent fall. Balor didn’t care and landed on the former King of the Ring.
The two-time NXT champion obliterated Corbin, finishing him off with the knockout blow.
After the game, he called John Cena, saying he would go through him if it meant getting a chance at the Universal Championship. This brought out Roman Reigns, who walked into the ring before the commercial break.
After the break, Reigns refused to recognize Balor, to which the first Universal champion responded by pushing him out of the ring. The Usos jumped on it but Balor hit back, taking out the tag team champions and taking down Reigns with the Sling Blade.
The Usos however recovered and joined The Tribal Chief for a beating that ended with Reigns applying the guillotine choke and standing to close the show.
Results
Balor defeated Corbin
To note
C +
Analysis
Short, sweet and precise, this makes Balor a more serious, refocused and dangerous Balor.
Corbin continues to entertain in his downtrodden and unlucky persona. His willingness to look like a fool is refreshing. A great performer who doesn’t get enough credit for it, he’s been one of the funniest parts of this blue brand in recent weeks.
Balor looked like a world batsman, taking out The Bloodline himself before the penalty kill got too big. Maybe having him removed and then put the focus back on John Cena’s return next week isn’t the most optimal way to get Balor up as the main event star on the main roster, but there is reason to believe it will stay in or near the top of the map based on booking trends so far.
Reigns continues to be the bright spot for the only legitimate mega-star the company has on its full-time roster. Whoever ultimately defeats him for the Universal title will be a grown man.
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