WWE SmackDown Live
Episode 938
(watch on the WWE Network)
#SDLive
Original Air Date: August 8, 2017
Event Date: August 8, 2017 (aired live)
City: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Venue: Air Canada Centre
Commentary: Tom Phillips, JBL, Byron Saxton
Ring Announcer: Greg Hamilton
Video
Last week, Shinsuke Nakamura defeated John Cena for the right to face Jinder Mahal at Summer Slam. Also, Baron Corbin attacked Nakamura only to be sent through a table by Cena.
Ring Area
John Cena heads to the ring. Cena talks about moments that will last a lifetime and the dream match he participated in last week with Nakamura. He found out that Nakamura hits hard. Real hard. Cena isn’t used to losing, but he shook Nakamura’s hand out of respect. As he talks about respect, Baron Corbin interrupts and comes out to the stage.
Corbin is sick and tired of people talking about Cena’s stupid handshake. All Corbin knows is that Cena stuck his nose in Corbin’s business. Corbin claims to the future. Cena calls Corbin a “skinny-fat dumpster fire” and invites him to enter the ring. Corbin laughs and holds up his MitB briefcase. With his MitB contract, he can do what he want. Cena has nothing Corbin wants, so he’s not worth Corbin’s time. Daniel Bryan comes out to the stage.
Bryan doesn’t know if Corbin is a dumpster fire or the future, but he does know that at Summer Slam, Baron Corbin will face John Cena in a match. Cena likes that. Corbin doesn’t.
Match 1
The Usos vs Tye Dillinger & Sami Zayn
(referee: Jason Ayers)
Result: Jimmy Uso forces Tye Dillinger to submit to a Tequila Sunrise
Time: 6:42 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
A pretty good match. Both teams looked fine, though The Usos understandably looked better as a team. The outcome wasn’t really very surprising, but it was pretty fun to watch.
Ring Area
The Usos get on the mic after the match, but New Day interrupts. Big E comes out to the stage. While The Usos look towards Big E, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods attack The Usos form behind. New Day tries to use a chair, but The Usos escape before they get hit.
Backstage
Renee Young welcomes Randy Orton. Orton says Rusev was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and that’s why he challenged him to a match at Summer Slam. Also, after weeks of chasing Mahal, Orton says that Jinder won’t get away from him tonight.
Backstage
In another episode of Fashion Peaks, Breeze discusses his dream from last week with The Ascension. The Ascension just wants free pie. Breeze finds Fandango behind him. Fandango says aliens kidnapped him, but he liked the, uh, “wardrobes.” Arn Anderson wanders into Breeze and Fandango’s office and admits that he destroyed Tully the Horse. He also steals a couple of donuts. To be continued…
Match 2
Charlotte Flair vs Lana
(referee: Ryan Tran)
Result: Charlotte wins via submission with a Figure Eight
Time: 2:24
Match Thoughts
This was totally one-sided. Charlotte played with Lana, thinking the whole situation was funny.
Ring Area
Shane McMahon heads to the ring. Shane introduces the competitors in the US Title match at Summer Slam: Kevin Owens and AJ Styles. Shane addresses Owens’ disapproval of Shane being the referee in the title match. Owens apologizes, saying anything he said last week was done in the heat of the moment. He does wonder how Shane can be unbiased given the history between him and Styles. Owens shows a clip of Styles violently attacking Shane months ago.
Styles accuses Owens of trying to stir the pot and says it’s not working. Styles adds that if Shane does try to screw him, then he’ll have to face the repercussions. Owens then shows a clip of Shane screwing Stone Cold at Survivor Series 1998. Shane isn’t impressed.
Shane says none of what’s been said matters. He will be an impartial referee and will only get involved if he’s forced to. If they don’t give Shane a reason, then Shane won’t get involved. Styles decides he wants to go ahead and give Owens a rematch right now. Without Shane. Owens would rather win the US Title in the United States. Owens then instigates a brawl that leads to Styles hitting Shane with a Pele kick.
Backstage
Tamina tells Lana she won’t ever wrestle like her, so Lana tells Tamina she won’t ever be as ravishing as her. Tamina then tells Lana that Lana is going to help Tamina get a title shot.
** I think that’s what was said. They weren’t entirely clear. **
Match 3
Carmella vs Naomi (SD Women’s Champ)
(referee: Danilo Anfibio; watching in the back: Natalya)
Result: Carmella wins via pinfall after a kick to the face (and James Ellsworth knocking Naomi off the top turnbuckle)
Time: 6:20
Match Thoughts
This was alright, but for Carmella to be a serious threat I think we need to see more from her. Sure, she could win the title with the MitB contract, but it doesn’t feel like she’d keep the title long if she did. This was also an excuse to get Ellsworth back on TV. Unfortunately. It seems that Ellsworth is Carmella’s only chance at winning and keeping the title, something I think they should try to get away from.
Backstage
Natalya isn’t happy to see Ellsworth. She warns Carmella and Ellsworth to stay out of her business at Summer Slam.
Video
Earlier, Renee Young had a sit-down interview with Shinsuke Nakamura. Nakamura worked his entire career to get to WWE and wrestling Cena was a highlight of his career. Nakamura says winning the WWE Title is his destiny.
Match 4
Jinder Mahal (WWE Champ) vs Randy Orton
(referee: Dan Engler; watching in the back: Shinsuke Nakamura)
Result: Randy Orton wins via pinfall after an RKO
Time: 8:45 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. Since Mahal had no backup, he had to fight a match with no shenanigans (or at least with no interference). I think he did very well here. I enjoyed the match.
Ring Area
As Orton heads up the ramp after the match, Rusev attacks him with a kick. Orton is down as the show ends.
Show Impressions
Compared to last week’s show, this week wasn’t as good. But I still enjoyed this week’s episode. This one did feel like it was a lot more about talking than action, but that’s alright. We still have another week before Summer Slam.
Match of the Night
Jinder Mahal vs Randy Orton
This was good and one of the few matches these two have had that felt like a straightforward, no nonsense match. Maybe their only one.