Main Event
Date: July 26, 2018
Location: US Bank Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Percy Watson, Vic Joseph

Hopefully things pick up a little bit this week as last week’s show was basically the shortened version of Raw. I have no idea why WWE thinks there’s no need to focus on Smackdown, especially when it’s going to become the bigger show next year. Maybe this week will be different but I don’t have the highest hopes. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Zack Ryder vs. Mike Kanellis

Ryder hits an early faceplant for one but gets choked in the corner to slow things back down. Nigel quotes Power of Love as Kanellis puts on a reverse chinlock. Ryder fights up and sends him into the corner, setting up a running knee. The Broski Boot misses so Ryder goes with a dropkick through the ropes instead. Back in and Kanellis catches him on top, setting up a superplex. A superkick gets two but Ryder slips out of a suplex and hits the Rough Ryder for the pin at 5:39.

Result: Zack Ryder b. Mike Kanellis – Rough Ryder (5:39)

We take a very quick look at Stephanie’s announcement from Raw.

From Smackdown.

Carmella vs. Becky Lynch

Non-title but Becky gets a Summerslam title shot if she wins. Becky goes straight for the arm to start but Carmella hits her in the face. A trip to the floor goes badly for Becky and we take an early break. Back with Becky starting her comeback, meaning it’s time for clotheslines. There’s the Bexploder but Becky misses the top rope legdrop. Carmella kicks her in the face for two and frustration is setting in. Not that it matters as the Disarm-Her sends Becky to Summerslam at 7:10.

Result: Becky Lynch b. Carmella – Disarm-Her (7:10)

From Smackdown again.

Here are Miz, Maryse and their daughter to wrap things up. Miz says we’re here to talk about the future instead of relics like Daniel Bryan. He introduces Maryse, who claims that the evolution started with her. Miz introduces his daughter, who has accomplished more in her life than Daniel Bryan (Graves made the same joke about Saxton). The fans chant for Monroe but the mere mention of Bryan has put her to sleep.

We get a clip of the show, which is a highlight of bad moments in Miz’s life and career. Bryan pops up on screen to apologize to Miz but then realizes he should do this to Miz’s face. Here’s Bryan in the arena to beat up Miz’s security but Miz throws the baby to him, revealing it to be a doll. That means a Skull Crushing Finale and a rant from Miz about how the baby earlier was an actor. Like he’d bring his real daughter to a city like this and if you want to see Monroe Sky, watch the show.

Daniel Bryan crashes "The Miz & Mrs." Premiere Party: SmackDown LIVE, July 24, 2018

Video on WWE winning the ESPN Sports Humanitarian Award.

Chad Gable/No Way Jose vs. Ascension

Gable spins out of Viktor’s wristlock to start and slaps on an armbar. Konnor comes in and plows through Gable as we take a break. Back with Gable getting dragged into the wrong corner so a spinebuster can get two. Gable fights out of a chinlock and brings in Jose as everything breaks down. Konnor breaks up a cover but goes to the floor with Gable, leaving Viktor to take the pop up right hand for the pin at 8:16.

Result: Chad Gable/No Way Jose b. Ascension – Pop up right hand to Viktor (8:16)

Video on Bobby Lashley vs. Roman Reigns.

We look at James Ellsworth being fired, allowing Samoa Joe to attack AJ Styles and become #1 contender.

From Raw.

Roman Reigns vs. Bobby Lashley

The winner gets Lesnar for the title at Summerslam. Reigns starts fast with the clothesline for an early two and they fight to the floor. The apron dropkick is countered into an overhead belly to belly suplex to put Reigns down and send us to a break. Back with Lashley nailing a spinebuster and grabbing a surfboard.

Reigns gets up and it’s a double clothesline for the double knockdown. They slug it out with Reigns getting the better of it and lifting Lashley to the apron, only to charge into a hard clothesline. Back in and Lashley counters the Superman Punch into a full nelson, followed by a headlock on the mat. Reigns fights up again and sends him shoulder first into the corner, meaning we get the multiple clotheslines.

Lashley is right back with a spinebuster but the spear is countered with….I’m not sure as it looked like it was supposed to be a leap frog but Reigns kneed/thighed him in the face instead. The Superman Punch gets two and Lashley rolls outside for a breather. Reigns slowly follows but can’t get the belly to belly. Instead Lashley throws him back inside for the spear and a rather near fall in a call back to Extreme Rules. Another Superman Punch rocks Lashley and the spear sends Reigns to Summerslam at 18:04.

Result: Roman Reigns b. Bobby Lashley – Spear (18:04)

Roman Reigns and Bobby Lashley battle for SummerSlam opportunity: Raw, July 24, 2018

Lashley and Reigns shake hands and Lashley can barely stand in the aisle. A lot of posing ends the show.

Thomas Hall has been a wrestling fan for over thirty years and has seen over 50,000 wrestling matches. He has also been a wrestling reviewer since 2009 with over 5,000 full shows covered. You can find his work at kbwrestlingreviews.com, or check out his Amazon author page with 28 wrestling books. His latest book is the the Complete 2003 Monday Night Raw Reviews.

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