WWE Friday Night Smackdown Live Coverage - August 2nd, 2024

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Cody Rhodes and Solo Sikoa engage in final pre-SummerSlam faceoff

One night before their immense battle for the Undisputed WWE Championship at SummerSlam, Cody Rhodes and Solo Sikoa will engage in a final face-to-face. Rhodes is resigned to the fact that he will be alone heading into The Biggest Event of the Summer after close allies Randy Orton and Kevin Owens were taken out by The Bloodline in consecutive weeks. Just one night before SummerSlam, how will Rhodes and Sikoa prepare for their monumental matchup?


:smackdown:

Your announcers are Corey Graves and Wade Barrett.

We see Logan Paul and lackeys arrive at the building and he is greeted by the valet as well as Nick Aldis and 'local dignitaries'.

Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.

Cody asks Cleveland what do they want to talk about. He asks who do they want to talk to? He calls out Solo Sikoa.

Solo's music plays and he makes his way to the ring and he is alone.

Solo tells Cleveland to acknowledge him.

Cody asks Solo if he is a little brother. He says it isn't easy to go the lengths you did to get where you are. Once the ballyhoo and cinema that the Bloodline is known for is over, there is a saying. The bell is going to ring. When it rings, you are going to find out that you have nothing to lose while Cody says he has everything on the line . . .

Solo asks Cody if he is done because he says Cody is wasting his time and he is running out of patience . . . just like your title reign at SummerSlam.

Cody says that Solo is the self appointed Tribal Chief while Cody is the real champion. He sits on a throne, one he once broke. He is paying tribute to men who gave their bodies like Randy Orton and Kevin Owens. Cody says if he loses to Solo, he can't repay that debt. Cody says he intends to pay them back with your blood. He will do the same thing that he did to Solo's cousin at Wrestlemania in a Bloodline Rules match.

Solo says when Cody beat Roman, he was a tribal chief that was weak. Solo says he is not weak. Solo says he is the opposite, he is dangerous. At SummerSlam, he will show Cody how dangerous he is. You talk a big game? Solo tells Cody to put his money where his mouth it as Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga make their way to ringside.Tonga Loa makes his way to the ring a little after them, but he has half the healthy eyes.

Cody says if Solo wants a Bloodline Rules match. He says he sees Tonga Loa and he says he ain't afraid of him. He says he has history with Tama Tonga and he ain't afraid of him. Cody says, as dumb as it is for him to say, he ain't afraid of him either and he calls Fatu a dumb son of a bitch.

Cody says if Solo wants a Bloodline Rules match, it might not be the smartest decision but it is a decision he has to make. Cody accepts.

Solo says if he snaps his fingers, these three men will rip your ass apart, but he won't do that because the tag titles come back to The Bloodline and tomorrow, that title comes back.

Cody says he gets it. When one of you are born, you hate Cody Rhodes. He doesn't have to defeat the family, he has to beat the Tribal Chief. Since the Tribal Chief is here, he will settle for the wannabe.

We see Carmelo Hayes. He talks about Andrade. You beat him in a cornfield in Nebraska and no one will remember that he lost, but that he had a game making performance. Next time they meet, he will win.


Andrade vs Carmelo Hayes

They lock up and they go into the corner. Hayes pushes Andrade and Andrade pushes back. Andrade with a side head lock and Hayes with a reversal and take down into a head scissors from Andrade. They exchange chops. Hayes with a side head lock and Hayes with a drop kick. Andrade with a drop kick of his own. Hayes goes to the apron and Andrade tries to suplex Hayes into the ring while Hayes blocks it. Hayes with an inside cradle. Andrade goes for The Message but Hayes escapes and goes to the floor.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Hayes sends Andrade into the ring steps. Hayes kicks Andrade and returns to the ring to break the count before returning to the floor. They get back into the ring and Hayes with a springboard clothesline for a near fall. Hayes with an arm bar. We see footage of Hayes avoiding a Spanish Fly and following with a super kick earlier in the match. Andrade with punches and forearms. Andrade with a chop and he blocks a kick and gives Hayes a dragon screw. Andrade with a flying forearm. Andrade sets for the running double knee strike but Hayes moves. Andrade goes to the ropes with Hayes and Hayes kicks Andrade. Andrade avoids a springboard leg drop. Hayes with a suplex in the ropes and he goes up top.

Andrade chops Hayes on the turnbuckles and connects with a forearm. Andrade sets for a superplex and Hayes blocks it. Andrade finally hits the superplex and both men ar down.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Andrade and Hayes exchange punches and chops. Andrade with a forearm and Hayes goes for a springboard move but Andrade with a forearm and he sends Hayes to the floor. Andrade with a moonsault off the turnbuckles. Hayes with La Mistica for a near fall. Hayes misses a boot and Andrade misses the back elbow. Andrade hits the back elbow for a near fall. Andrade goes up top for the AndradeSault and he gets a near fall. Andrade blocks a rana and Andrade with a figure four. Hayes gets to the ropes to force a break. Hayes with a few super kicks and he goes up top for Nothin But Net and misses. Andrade with a boot and The Message but Hayes escapes and gets a near fall with an O'Connor Roll for a near fall. Andrade with a rollup for the three count.

Winner: Andrade


Elektra tells Santos is it time to take care of Apollo. Angel says it is easy. Santos says they need to get back on track. Their failure last week is not what this group is about. It changes tonight by taking care of Apollo Crews right now.


Santos Escobar (with Angel Garza, Humberto Carrillo, and Elektra Lopez) vs Apollo Crews (with Baron Corbin)

Santos with a drop kick and kicks in the corner. Santos with a running boot in the corner and he sends Crews into the turnbuckles. Santos with a forearm to the lower back. Santos with a running double knee strike and an enzuigiri for a near fall. Crews with forearms and punches. Santos with a take down and an elbow drop to the back. Santos with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker for a near fall. Santos with a waist lock and Crews with elbows and a head butt to escape. Crews with a fallaway slam and punches followed by clotheslines. Crews with a back heel kick and a boot to the head followed by a flying clothesline.

Corbin punches Angel on the floor and Crews presses Santos over his head and drops him behind him. Crews punches Carrillo off the apron and hits a moonsault on Santos for a near fall. Crews goes up top and Corbin is pulled under the ring and Humberto and Angel attack Corbin. Santos with a Phantom Driver for the three count.

Winner: Santos Escobar


Byron Saxton is in BACK with Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair.

Byron asks them about their confidence for tonight's match.

Jade says they are very confident. They said they are coming back for their titles and that happens tonight. Bianca says they didn't get pinned when they lost the title. Tonight it is two on two and they have their attention. Time is up tonight because they are walking out as tag team champions.

We see the carpet being unrolled for Logan Paul's segment.

We go to commercial

We are back and Nick Aldis is in the ring with DIGNITARIES to welcome Logan Paul.

Logan says that he is home. He tells LA Knight he has never met a man so eager to take his belt off him. He tells bicep boy bad news because he isn't his type. He says Knight is delusional if he thinks he is going to strip him of his title in his home town. Logan says he inspires this great city. He says he represents this great city. He says he is Cleveland.

Logan wants to know what kind of welcome is this. You can associate with Knight because you haven't accomplished anything. He says he sees their point about not being a good champion. He has had two title defenses in 273 days. That is two more than LA Knight will ever have. He says he can't relate to these people because he made it and he is great. We are here to recognize his greatness. He says this is why he brought out these DIGNITARIES.

Nick says he couldn't find out anything about these people.

Logan says this is a bit insulting and it is his moment. It is time to unveil the championship banner that will hang from the rafters of this arena to remind everyone that he is Cleveland's finest.

The banner is unveiled and it has been vandalized with YEAH and DIGNITARIES applaud.

LA Knight comes to the stage and he wants to talk to ya.

Knight says it is hard to see what that banner says and he wants the crowd to tell him. They have many YEAHs and Logan is proud that the people can read.

Knight says we are 24 hours out from SummerSlam and you losing that title. He says after what happened last week, be lucky that is the worst that is going to happen to you now. Knight points out that Logan is from Westlake and Logan says it is a suburb. Knight says that you are worried about homecomings and banners. Since tomorrow will be the worst day of your life, Knight says he will get another banner for Logan.

Knight walks into the back and he asks Pretty Deadly if they have a banner for Logan Paul.

Elton and Kit ask if they can peform a song for Knight since they don't have a banner.

Knight walks up to Logan's vehicle.

Logan runs tot he back and Knight says Logan's head is so empty they are going to open a Spirit Hollywood. Knight drives away.

We take a look at the Women's Tag Champions.

We are back and Logan wants to know what Nick is going to do about what Knight did. Nick says he will check with DIGNITARIES.


Women's Tag Team Championship
Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn versus Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill

Bianca and Jade avoid a prematch attack and they hit fallaway slams.

Jade with a clothesline to Dawn followed by a splash and back breaker for a near fall. Jade gets Dawn up but Dawn escapes and connects with a forearm and Jade fires back. Bianca tags in and kicks Dawn. Bianca goes for a suplex and Fyre blocks it. They go for a double clothesline and Jade comes in and they punch Dawn and Fyre. Jade and Bianca with stereo press slams and they drop them behind them.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Dawn misses a running hip into the corner and Fyre tags in and keeps Jade from making the tag. Jade kicks Fyre away but Dawn pulls Bianca off the apron in time. Fyre with a running knee to the back. Dawn tags in and Dawn with a lungblower and Fyre with a swanton onto Jade on Dawn's knees for a near fall. Fyre tags back in and they go for a double suplex but Jade blocks it and hits a double suplex and she tags in Bianca. Bianca with punches from the apron and a double cross body. Bianca with shoulder tackles and a drop kick to Dawn. Bianca with a delayed marching vertical suplex to Fyre. Bianca with a shoulder in the corner on Dawn followed by punches and a shoulder to both women in the corner. Bianca with punches to both women in the corner.

Fyre pulls Bianca off the turnbuckles by the hair and Bianca whips Fyre into Dawn. Bianca with a spinebuster and handspring moonsault for a near fall. Jade is sent to the floor and she brings Dawn to the floor. Jade with a super kick. Fyre with a rollup on Bianca for a near fall. Bianca gets Fyre up for KOD and Blair Davenport sends Jade into the ring steps and the referee calls for the bell.

Winners: Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill (by disqualification) [Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn retain]

After the match:
Blair with a knee drop to Bianca and then Jade pulls Blair to the floor and punches her. Dawn and Fyre chop block Jade and Blair joins in. They toss Jade over the announce table.


We go to commercial.

We have a video package for the Smackdown Women's Championship match.

Tiffany holds her briefcase and she is crying. Nia says she has a present for Tiffany, her own briefcase. Nia says if Tiffany tries to cash in, she will no longer be princess.

Chelsea Green and Piper Niven show up and talk about how to enhance the new briefcase. Green says she was about to win before Tiffany pushed her off.

Tiffany tells Chelsea that Green is not her color.

Tommaso Ciampa introduces himself to the challengers and he is joined by Johnny Gargano after he says goodbye to his wife, son, and Indi Hartwell. Johnny says he is back home in this building 28 years after he decided he wanted to be a wrestler as tag team champion. Johnny says the Bloodline talks about family and this is his city and these are his people. You are going to be surrounded by 10,000 members of his family.


Smackdown Tag Team Championships
Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga (with Tonga Loa and Solo Sikoa) versus Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa

Ciampa and Tama start things off and Tama with a punch and double sledge. Tama with punches. Ciampa with chops and punches. Ciampa goes for a clothesline and Tama with a knee and elbow drop. Tama with a modified Falcon Arrow and he sends Ciampa shoulder first into the ring post.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Fatu goes for a splash and he hits the ring post. Tama and Gargano tag in and Johnny with punches and a flying forearm. Gargano with an enzuigiri to Fatu and Tama. Johnny ducks down and Fatu goes through the middle rope. Gargano with a kick to Tama and then to Fatu on the floor. Johnny with a slingshot spear for a near fall. Ciampa tags in and they hit a knee and kick combination. Johnny with a cannonball to Fatu off the apron. Ciampa with a Super Air Raid Crash for a near fall. Ciampa chops Tama and Tama iwth a foraerm. Ciampa with a boot to Tama but Fatu tags in and hits a flying back elbow.

Fatu knocks Gargano off the apron. Fatu with a running hip to Ciampa in the corner. Tama tags in and he goes up top and hits a frog splash for a near fall. Fatu with a double thrust to Gargano's throat. Fatu with head butts to Gargano and he sets for a running hip but he misses and hits the ring steps. Ciampa with a rollup for a near fall. Tama misses a splash and Gargano tags in and they hit Shatter Machine. Tonga gets on the apron and Solo with a Samoan spike to Ciampa. Tama with a swinging reverse DDT for a near fall. Tama punches Gargano. Fatu and Tama kick Johnny. They check the wind direction and Johnny with super kicks to Fatu and Tama. Johnny super kicks Tonga off the turnbuckels and he hits a suicide dive on Tama that sends him into the ring steps.

Johnny with a poisonrana to Fatu and Fatu pops up and hits a super kick and a pop up Samoan drop. Fatu with a double jump moonsault and Implant DDT for the three count.

Winners: Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu (new champions)

We go to credits.