WWE SmackDown Live
Episode 991
#SDLive
Original Air Date: August 14, 2018
Event Date: August 14, 2018 (aired live)
City: Greenville, SC
Venue: Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Commentary: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, Corey Graves
Ring Announcer: Greg Hamilton
Ring Area
Charlotte heads to the ring. Becky Lynch comes out next. Then Carmella comes out. Carmella thinks it’s ridiculous that she is being forced to come out to the ring to face Becky and Charlotte tonight. Still, life is good as champ.
Carmella says Becky doesn’t stand a chance now that Charlotte has been added to their title match. Becky has a dream, a dream to win back the Women’s Title and to defeat her friend Charlotte. Carmella wonders if Becky knows how hard it is to defeat Charlotte (even though she has done it twice). Charlotte says Carmella is a diva living in a women’s era. Carmella is proud to be a diva. She’s pretty, she’s charismatic, and she’s the champ.
Paige comes out to the stage. Paige knows that the SD Women’s Title match is going to steal the show at Summer Slam, but why wait until Sunday to see these women do what they do best? Paige makes a tag match for Becky and Charlotte while putting Carmella on commentary.
Match 1
Becky Lynch & Charlotte vs Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville
(referee: Ryan Tran; guest commentary: Carmella)
Result: Becky Lynch forces Mandy Rose to submit to Disarm Her
Time: 10:58
Match Thoughts
Good match. Becky Lynch did most of the work for her team. She took the most damage and dealt the most offense. I think that was probably good since she is definitely the underdog going into Summer Slam.
Selfie Promo
Miz and Maryse talk about their show, Miz & Mrs. They’ve been picked up for a second season.
Backstage
Charlotte tells Becky that she didn’t have to do everything herself tonight. Charlotte also wishes Becky luck for Sunday. Becky says she doesn’t need luck. Becky seems confident, but Charlotte seems slightly confused about her own feelings.
Ring Area
Three local competitors calling themselves the Triple Threat (Brad Attitude, Matt Lynch, and Chris Ifix) are in the ring. The Bludgeon Brothers head to the ring, but they aren’t interesting in a match. Harper and Rowan destroy the Triple Threat in and around the ring.
Video
Part one of the history between Daniel Bryan and The Miz, covering their interactions in NXT.
Match 2
SAnitY vs New Day
(referee: Jason Ayers)
Result: Big E pins Killian Dain after Up Up Down Down
Time: 7:24 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. It was fast, chaotic, and tons of fun.
Video
Part two of the Miz and Bryan video history deals with Bryan’s time as GM and their interactions on Talking Smack.
Backstage
Paige tells Samoa Joe that she needs him to be professional. Joe thinks that’s funny. Paige didn’t want Joe to be professional when she gave him the opportunity to face AJ Styles. Joe says he’s going to continue to do whatever he wants and everyone else can deal with the consequences.
Ring Area
In the ring, Aiden English sings about fighting for Rusev Day while Rusev and Lana watch in the back.
Match 3
Aiden English vs Andrade “Cien” Almas w/ Zelina Vega
(referee: Ryan Tran)
Result: Andrade Almas wins via pinfall after a hammerlock DDT
Time: 3:08
Match Thoughts
Pretty good match. I liked both guys in this a lot, it was just very short. It makes sense with the story though.
Ring Area
Zelina Vega and Andrade Almas says Sunday will be the end of Rusev and Lana day. Vega will expose ana as dead weight dragging down Rusev. Rusev and Lana come out to the stage. Rusev says Almas’ luck runs out on Sunday, and Vega will learn why Lana is the best, Lana is number one. Lana will crush.
Backstage
Paige asks AJ Styles to stay professional tonight. Styles says he made his wife a promise, and he intends to keep it.
Video
Part three of the Miz/Bryan video series shows how Bryan’s return to action has led to the match at Summer Slam with The Miz.
Match 4
Shelton Benjamin vs Jeff Hardy
(referee: Danilo Anfibio)
Result: Jeff Hardy wins via pinfall after a modified Twist of Fate (more of a stunner)
Time: 4:33 (joined in progress)
Match Thoughts
Good match, though Hardy got dominated almost entirely throughout. Benjamin needs more TV time. He looked good here, and Hardy’s win, though understandable heading into Summer Slam, wasn’t very convincing.
Ring Area
Shinsuke Nakamura heads to the ring after the match. Nakamura hits Hardy with a modified lung blower, but Hardy avoids Kinshasa and hits Nakamura with a Twist of Fate instead. Hardy follows up with a Swanton Bomb. As Hardy celebrates, Randy Orton watches from the side of the stage.
Ring Area
AJ Styles heads to the ring. Styles says he’s learned a lot in the twenty years he’s competed. He’s also learned a lot about pressure while holding the WWE Title. Styles shows clips of Samoa Joe attacking hit physically and personally. Styles admits that what Joe said about his family bothered him. He lost his cool, and that’s just what Joe wanted. Styles starts talking about his family when Joe interrupts and comes out to the stage.
Joe says Styles isn’t telling the truth. Joe reads a letter from a member of the WWE Universe. The letter says Joe’s words were disgusting because they were true. It says Styles will do anything he can to stay away from his family, and the writer hopes Styles loses so he will know what it feels like to lose something you love. The letter is signed by Wendy Styles.
Show Impressions
Good show. Mostly good matches. I think the Styles/Joe segment was surprisingly underwhelming, but it also felt rushed. Maybe there was more to it. Other than that, I think this was a fine last SmackDown before Summer Slam. Not great, but fine.
Match of the Night
New Day vs SAnitY
The most fun match of the night.
Official Results: https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2018-08-14