WWE Friday Night Smackdown Live Coverage - July 14th, 2023
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Asuka to defend the WWE Women’s Championship against Bianca Belair
“The Empress of Tomorrow” Asuka will face “The EST of WWE” Bianca Belair in what is sure to be an epic showdown for the WWE Women’s Championship live on SmackDown. Will Asuka remain the WWE Women’s World Champion, or is Belair finally ready for Asuka?
:smackdown:
Your announcers are Michael Cole and Wade Barrett.
We see Jey Uso walking in the back.
Bianca Belair makes her way to the ring but she is not ready to wrestle at this time.
Bianca says people always say things like patience is a virtue and good things come to those who wait. It is hard to be patient and wait when you want something so badly. She says she feels like she has been waiting forever for a rematch. It has been since Night of Champions. She says she does not want to talk about the hoops she had to jump through to get this match in the first place. She says tonight is the night and tonight is her night. It is her night to show that patience is a virtue, but that vengeance is sweet. She will give Asuka what she deserves, a KOD and a 1-2-3 to become the new Women's Champion.
Bianca is interrupted by Charlotte Flair.
Charlotte says Bianca has her fired up as well. Charlotte says she thinks Bianca is going to win tonight. She says she is manifesting a win in Flair Country. She says Bianca will be the champion tonight. She says she does not want any confusion with who is next in line after Bianca.
Bianca says we know the line starts and ends with Charlotte.
Charlotte says she is next so it will be Charlotte Flair versus Bianca Belair for the championship.
Charlotte asks Bianca about it and Bianca she says she is thinking about Asuka, but what would be bigger than Biana Belair versus Charlotte Flair for the championship at SummerSlam.
Bianca says she is ready for Asuka and she shakes Charlotte's hand and Charlotte woooos.
The Brawling Brutes are in the back and Sheamus says it is a big night. Butch is going to advance in the US Title invitational and they are going to beat Pretty Deadly.
Ridge Holland and Sheamus vs Kit Wilson and Elton Prince
Sheamus and Elton start things off and Elton goes to the floor. Sheamus brings Kit into the ring and punches him. Sheamus gets Elton up and hits a Finlay Slam. Sheamus gets Kit up and does a Finlay slam onto Elton. Kit is clotheslined over the top rope to the floor. Sheamus blocks a hip toss and Sheamus with a short arm clothesline. Ridge tags in and hits a splash. Sheamus with a tilt-a-whirl slam for a near fall. Ridge with a head butt to Elton and he gets Elton on his shoulders. Elton escapes and he clips Ridge. Elton kicks Ridge and Kit punches Ridge from the apron. Kit with forearms. Elton tags in and hits an elbow in the corner. Kit tags in and they connect with forearms to the back. Ridge gets Kit and Elton up for a double back drop. Sheamus tags in and Kit retreats in fear.
Sheamus blocks a kick and he sends Kit over the top rope to the floor. Ridge puts Elton on the turnbuckles and they both connect with many forearms to the chest and it takes us into commercial.
We are back and Elton kicks Sheamus in the ropes. Kit with a kick and forearms to Sheamus over the apron. Sheamus with a punch to the midsection but Kit with a running European uppercut. Elton tags in and they kick Sheamus. Elton kicks Sheamus and Kit tags in and fish hooks Sheamus. Sheamus gets Kit on his shoulders and he hits an electric chair drop. Elton pulls Ridge off the apron to keep Sheamus from making the tag. Kit with a neck breaker for a near fall. Sheamus with a knee as Kit comes off the turnbuckles and both men are down. Ridge tags in and gives Elton a back drop and then he suplexes both men and power slams Kit. Ridge with splashes in the corner to both men and then he htis an overhead belly-to-belly suplex of Elton into Kit. Ridge with a fisherman's buster to Elton and he gets a near fall.
Sheamus goes up top when Elton goes to the floor and Sheamus with a forearm to Kit. Ridge with a side slam to Ridge but Kit with a forearm to break up the cover. Sheamus with a Brogue kick to Kit and Elton sends Sheamus to the floor. Elton pulls off the top turnbuckle pad and Ridge goes throat first into the exposed turnbuckle. Elton with a leg drop off the turnbuckles for the three count.
Winners: Elton Prince and Kit Wilson
We take a look at Grayson Waller.
Backstage:
Cathy Kelley is with Grayson Waller in the back. She asks Waller about tonight's match. Waller says he is not surprised he is getting a shot at a title. He got to main event in Madison Square Garden and if i had more than 15 minutes to prepare, I would win. Waller says the Rock is talking about him. Waller says he has the chance against three of the best to cement himself and have his hand raised in victory . . . if you smell what he is cooking.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a look at what happened with the Bloodline last week.
We are given an update on Jimmy and he has suffered torn rib cartilage and he is out indefinitely.
Backstage:
Charlotte Flair walks with her bag and Adam Pearce stops her. Charlotte says that she is leaving since Adam does not like people interfering in title matches. Charlotte says she has a good feeling about Bianca and her match at SummerSlam. Bayley and Iyo show up and Bayley says Charlotte isn't the only one with a good feeling about tonight. Charlotte returns and she says she is going to stay.
Bayley (w/ Iyo Sky) vs Zelina Vega
Bayley hits Zelina from behind as the bell rings. Bayley sends Zelina into the announce table and she cackles. Bayley pulls Zelina onto the apron by the hair. Zelina pushes Bayley into the ring post. Zelina goes up top and hits Meteora for a near fall. Zelina with a satellite head scissors and a Twist of Fate for a near fall. Zelina goes for a rolling kick but Bayley blocks it and she stomps on the midsection. Bayley gets Zelina's flip flop and she dedicates it to Cole but Zelina with a codebreaker. Zelina hits Bayley with the flip flop and the referee takes it from Zelina. Zelina is caught in the ropes and Bayley drops her on the middle rope and then hits Rose Plant for the three count.
Winner: Bayley
We see Shotzi on the TitanTron.
Shotzi asks if cutting her hair would intimidate her or scare her or that you would have some sort of control over her? Does she look scared? Maybe she is a little weird and she says she is in control. Shotzi says she wants to show Bayley how chaotic she is. Shotzi shaves her head and she says that she is in control. Maybe she is a little weird.
Jey Uso makes his way to the ring.
We go to commercial.
Backstage:
AJ Styles is in the back with Karl, Luke, and Mia as he prepares for his match later tonight.
Jey is in the ring.
Jey says growing up him and Jimmy were inseparable. They were glued at the hip. If he is there, Jimmy is there. If Jimmy is there, he's there. Having brothers is a great thing but being twins makes them special. Twins know. If he is sad, Jey is sad. If he's happy, Jey's happy. If he's mad, he's mad. If he's hurt then he is hurt too. Never in a million years did he think he would be hurt by a family member. He respects the hierarchy but when it comes to Roman, he disrespects him. Jey says he is going to spank Solo like he did last week. Paul, you have been in his family for 40 years. All that stops right here. Jey says he is the real head of the table and his name is Jey Uso.
Paul Heyman interrupts and he comes out with Solo Sikoa. He says Solo is the enforcer of the Bloodline. He is not here to enforce Paul's will or victory for the Bloodline. He is here to enforce the peace. Paul says they are going to step into the ring and nothing is going to happen but a conversation. He says Jey knows how it works. It worked this way before you were born. It was handed down by Afa and Sika and their fathers.
Next week you will go face to face with Roman Reigns to discuss the rules of engagement. Tonight, they are just going to chat. Paul says he knows that Jey is hostile tonight and he wants revenge for what happened to your twin. With the righteous indignation that you show, you are starting to sound like the Tribal Chief every day.
Paul says that Jey has no self awareness and he does not understand. He does not know what it means to be the right hand man. What happened to Jimmy was all your fault. You rose up against Roman and tried to become the head of the family. You wanted to be the conscience and good will of the family.
Paul calls for Jimmy and he says that he is Jimmy's favorite Jew-so. Do you know why you are in the hospital and why you got that beating? It was because of your twin brother Jey.
Paul says he does not know how Jey can forgive himself or how Jimmy could forgive you. Your father will never forgive you. Your mother will never forgive you. Paul says he loves Jey and Jimmy. He will never forgive Jey. Roman will never forgive Jey.
Solo asks for the mic.
Solo says what happened to Jimmy is all on Jey. Solo says he will never forgive Jey either.
Jey with a forearm and Solo fires back. Solo misses a Samoan spike and Jey with a super kick.
Solo is sent to the floor and Paul remains in the ring with Jey and Paul backs up and that delay allows Solo to hit Jey from behind. Solo with kicks to Jey. Jey avoids a Samoan spike and he takes Solo down and he punches Solo. Paul gets back in the ring and Jey super kicks Paul and hits a suicide dive on Solo.
Jey sees the chair and Paul begs for mercy. Jey grabs the chair and he hits Solo with it when Solo tries to attack him. Jey hits Solo in the back with the chair and Paul escapes the ring.
Backstage:
We see Adam Pearce talking to Bianca and the referee.
Austin Theory makes his way to the ring to watch the next match.
Stage One of the Many Stage Invitational to Determine Austin Theory's next opponent for the US Title
AJ Styles vs Santos Escobar vs Butch vs Grayson Waller
Butch goes to the floor after a punch from Waller and so does Waller. Butch with a punch to Waller. Santos with a victory roll for a near fall. Butch clotheslines Santos after AJ drop kicks him to the floor. AJ knocks Waller off the apron. AJ and Butch exchange punches. Butch misses an enzuigiri and Butch with a take down. Butch with a jackknife cover for a near fall. Waller trips AJ and Butch on a back slide and Waller with a double pin. AJ punches Waller and then AJ and Butch stare each other down. They exchange punches and Escobar with a cross body to both men. Waller punches Santos from behind and he gets Santos on his shoulders. Santos with a drop kick.
Santos chops Waller and Santos floats over on an Irish whip. AJ catches Santos and Waller with a leap frog splash to Santos. Butch with a kick to Waller and AJ with a Pele Kick to Santos as we go to commercial.
We are back and Waller with knees to Butch followed by a jumping leg lariat to Santos. Waller has some words for Butch but Butch grabs the hand and pulls at the fingers. Butch is back dropped to the floor. AJ with punches and a back fist to Waller followed by a flying forearm. AJ with a splash into the corner and he hits an Ushigoroshi for a near fall. Santos with a forearm to Butch and follows with a chop. Santos kicks Butch and puts him on the turnbuckles. Santos with a kick and he sets for a Frankensteiner and AJ catches Butch for a power bomb and gets a near fall. Santos kicks AJ and Santos goes up top. Waller punches Santos to crotch him. Waller goes for a super cutter but Butch with a boot to the head. Butch is kicked off by Waller. AJ and Butch sets for a double superplex on Waller and Santos goes to the ring post for a sunset flip Tower of Doom.
All four men are down in a corner. Santos with a running double knee strike to AJ followed by Butch and Waller. Santos with a Phantom Driver to Waller but Butch and AJ break it up. AJ chops Santos and punches Butch. Santos and Butch join in the kicks and chops. AJ goes for a Styles CLash but Butch counters and he hits an enzuigiri. Butch with a forearm to Santos as Santos comes off the ropes. Waller gets Butch up but Butch gets to his feet and he kicks Waller. Waller sends Butch over the top rope to the floor. Butch misses a clothesline and hits a moonsault off the apron. Santos with a suicide dive to Butch. Santos sends Butch into the ring and he goes for the Phantom Drier but AJ with a Phenomenal Forearm to both. AJ goes for a Styles Clash on Butch but we see Karl being choked out by Kross while Luke is down. Kross says they aren't done.
Waller hits AJ. Waller with a slingshot rolling cutter on Butch but Santos with a frog splash to Waller for the three count.
Winner: Santos Escobar
Backstage:
We see Pearce explaining things to Asuka while the referee watches.
We go to commercial.
Backstage:
We are back and AJ checks on Karl, Luke, and Mia. AJ says Kross is right that it isn't over.
The Street Profits are outside and a large vehicle arrives. Bobby Lashley emerges and they hug. Bobby asks if they want to talk and Angelo and Montez enter the vehicle and Bobby joins them as they drive away.
Rey says it has been almost a year of his career having uncertainty. He has been reborn on Smackdown. He got his family with the LWO and the Hall of Fame. Next week, he moves one step closer to the US title.
Cameron Grimes says he was ecstatic to be in the four way match next week. He will win next week and go TO THE MOON.
Sheamus says twice he had Theory beat and twice his friends helped him win. He is okay with having to beat three others to get another chance at Theory.
LA Knight makes his way to the ring.
LA wants to talk to ya. He says all of a sudden he is everywhere. LA says everyone wants to use his name to get views and clicks. He says he is the best decision this company ever made. He stands head and shoulders above everyone back there. He says the worst decision that was made. Austin's title is in trouble, not because five guys are vying for that title, but because he is coming after the title. You can call him the Mega Star or the GOAT. You will be calling him champ.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Roman Reigns will be on Smackdown to discuss Rules of Engagement with Jey Uso next week, on FS1.
0095FE
Women's Championship
Asuka vs Bianca Belair
Before the match starts, Iyo and Bayley take their seats in the crowd.
Asuka misses a drop kick and Bianca with a shoulder tackle. Bianca and Asuka counter hip tosses until Bianca hip tosses Asuka. Bianca with punches in the turnbuckles and Asuka pulls Bianca down by the hair. Bianca with an Irish whip and Asuka with a drop toe hold. Bianca blocks a hip strike and Asuka drops Asuka on the turnbuckles. Asuka escapes a KOD with an arm drag. Asuka with a jaw breaker and Bianca with a shoulder tackle.
Charlotte Flair makes her way to ringside as well.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Bianca with a shoulder tackle and a drop kick. Bianca with a suplex and a handspring moonsault for a near fall.
Charlotte, Bayley, and Iyo continue to stand in the front row, blocking the view of people who PAID to see this match.
Bianca tries for a superplex and Asuka blocks it. Biancca flips off the turnbuckles and Asuka with a missile drop kick for a near fall. Asuka goes for an O'Connor Roll and Bianca blocks it. Asuka with a pop up knee and Asuka goes for a Fujiwara arm bar. Bianca goes for a power bomb but Asuka escapes. Bianca with a spinebuster for a near fall. Bianca goes for a handspring move and Asuka catches Bianca for an Asuka lock but Bianca rolls through and gets a near fall. Asuka with a Codebreaker to Bianca in the ropes. Asuka misses a sliding knee and Bianca with a KOD on the announce table.
Bayley and Iyo go over the ringside barrier and she gives Bayley a boot. Charlotte says she is helping Bianca. Charlotte spears Bianca and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Bianca Belair (by disqualification)
After the match:
Iyo hits Charlotte with the briefccase.
Bayley and Iyo send Asuka into the ring and Bayley gives the referee the briefcase but before the referee gets it, Asuka sprays mist in Bayley's face and Asuka escapes.
We go to credits.
