WWE Friday Night Smackdown Live Coverage - August 4th, 2023

[Kemo]

"The Real Chief" Jey Uso to appear ahead of "Tribal Combat" against Roman Reigns at SummerSlam

Tonight, “The Real Chief” Jey Uso will be live on SmackDown as he prepares for his monumental clash with Roman Reigns at SummerSlam for the Undisputed WWE Universal Title. How will Jey prepare for Tribal Combat with The Head of the Table just one night before SummerSlam?

Your announcers are Michael Cole and Wade Barrett.

LA Knight makes his way to the ring and he has something to talk to you about.

He says it is SummerSlam weekend and the biggest party of the summer. He looks at the 25 man battle royal and he thinks about all of the competitors who could be in the match. He sees who has already been announced and he calls them stooges. He says everyone has a chance to win. He mentions even the Miz has a chance. The crowd boos and he says that was Mr. Must See TV but if Knight isn't involved, it isn't worth watching. He says that cross eyed half-wit Sheamus has won a lot of titles, but tonight he will add being beaten by LA Knight.


LA Knight vs Sheamus (w/ Butch and Ridge Holland)

They lock up and Sheamus with a knee to the midsection. Sheamus with a side head lock take down and Knight with a head scissors. Sheamus with a shoulder tackle and Knight backs into the corner. They lock up and Sheamus with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Knight with a back elbow. Knight with a kick and punches in the corner. Sheamus with a back heel kick and Knight goes for a cross body and Sheamus tries to catch him but they both go over the top rope to the floor.

Santos Escobar makes his way to the ring and then he is followed by Miz and Grayson Waller since they are in the battle royal. Karrion Kross and Scarlett make their way to ringside.

Sheamus goes for the forearms but Knight with elbows while AJ and Mia Yim make their way to ringside. Sheamus is sent to the apron and Sheamus catches Knight and hits an Air Raid Crash on the apron.

We go to commercial.

YEAH, we are back and Sheamus with a rear chin lock as this has turned into a hybrid lumberjack match. Sheamus with a double fish hook and Knight with elbows. Sheamus goes for a slam but Knight escapes and counters with a reverse DDT. Knight with a punch and Sheamus punches back. They continue the exchange. Sheamus with a kick and Knight with a power slam. Knight sets for the YEAHple's Elbow and he gets Sheamus on his shoudlers for a Burning Hammer and he gets a near fall. Knight with a kick and Sheamus counters BFT into a rollup for a near fall. Sheamus with a uranage back breaker for a near fall. Sheamus goes to the turnbuckles for a Super Air Raid Crash and he hits it for a near fall.

Sheamus gets Knight up and Knight with a back drop into a Cloverleaf attempt but Sheamus counters with a Cloverleaf of his own. Knight gets to the ropes to force a break. Knight kicks Sheamus away. Knight runs into a boot from Sheamus and Sheamus pulls himself up to the turnbuckles and Knight leaps to the turnbuckles but Sheamus slips and both men fall to the floor.

Austin Theory hits Santos from behind and he heads to the back.

That means it is time for everyone on the floor to fight on the floor. Kross and Ridge exchange punches and Butch comes off the steps to climb on Kross' back. AJ and Miz get involved. Sheamus grabs Miz and brings him onto the apron for some forearms. Kngiht with a rollup for a near fall. Sheamus with a Brogue Kick that misses Knight and knocks Miz off the apron. Knight with BFT for the three count.

Winner: LA Knight

After the match:
Some people go after Knight but he escapes.


Backstage:
Solo Sikoa is in the back and he stares.

We go to commercial.

Backstage:
We are back and people are arguing in the back in front of Adam Pearce. Pearce tells them if they want to settle it do it in the ring. Sheamus and AJ stare each other down while their teammates pepare for their match.

We take a look at Cody and Brock with a video package.

Backstage:
We see Jey Uso walking in the back.


Butch and Ridge Holland vs Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows

Ridge and Luke start things off and Ridge with a head butt and uppercuts. Ridge with a front face lock and Luke with an uppercut. Ridge and Luke go for shoulder tackles and they both stay on their feet. Luke wiht an uppercut and fallaway slam. Luke with a splash into the corner. Karl tags in and Karl with a side Russian leg sweep while Luke hits a boot and Karl gets a near fall. Karl with a front face lock and Ridge escapes and connects with a forearm. Ridge with a butterfly swing and he tags in Butch. Butch with a drop kick to Karl. Butch with a hammer lock and he works on the other hand and pulls at the fingers. Butch stomps on the elbow and then he works on the shoulder and applies an arm bar.

Butch stomps on the shoulder and then the chest. Butch goes for a triangle but Luke is able to tag in and they hit a belly-to-back suplex and neck breaker combination for a near fall. Karl sends Ridge to the apron.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Karl with a reverse chin lock on Ridge. Ridge with an elbow and he gets Karl on his shoulders but Karl rakes the eyes. Karl kicks Ridge in the head. Ridge with a short arm clothesline and both men are down. Butch makes the tag and he knocks Luke off the apron. Butch with kicks in the corner and he goes to the turnbuckles and connects with a knee to the arm. Butch with a forearm to the back of the head and he hits a leg lariat for a near fall. Ridge with a forearm to Luke and Luke punches Ridge and goes for a power bomb but Ridge blocks it and hits a back body drop. Karl with a springboard kick to send Ridge to the floor. Butch with an enzuigiri to Karl.

Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins attack Butch and Karl.

No Contest

After the match:
Montez and Angelo attack Luke and send him into the ring post. Ford feeds Karl to Dawkins for Sky High. Ford and Dawkins work over Ridge. Butch gets on Dawkins' back and then they take care of Butch. Ford and Dawkins stand in the aisle and Bobby Lashley makes his way out to hug them.


We take a look at Charlotte Flair on a yacht in Tampa. She says this is the life and she likes this. It is in her blood, just like winning. She says this is the biggest women's match in SummerSlam history. She says she is the past, present, and future and has been since 2015. There is a reason she is 5-0 at SummerSlam. She is Ms. Reliable. They have to beat her. She has Asuka's number. Bianca says that Charlotte is the mountain that she has to climb. She vows to become a 15 time champion.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Paul Heyman is in the ring.

Paul introduces himself.

How did it come to this. This is not what Roman wanted. It was the last thing that Roman wanted. If you want to place blame on what happened to Jimmy Uso, you can all blame Jey Uso. Now, the former Right Hand Man and former Main Event Jey Uso wants to push Roman to this? What happens to Jey tomorrow night won't be Jey's fault, it will be the accountability of Roman. There will be no remorse and no regret or pleas for absolution or benediction. When Roman enters this ring tomorrow night, he will be congizant of the fact that Roman Reigns is entering a match called TRIBAL COMBAT

We have a video package.

Kings don't wear crowns, the chiefs wear the sacred beads. The only way to achieve that is through tribal combat. Men have become warriors and warriors have become legends. Legends have become tribal chiefs.

Afa says he knew of the importance of the lei growing up.

When the position is challenged, there is only one way to settle that. In a match where there are no rules but one. There will be a declarative winner and there will be no doubt that one man can be called the Tribal Chief.

Paul says Roman Reigns is the reigning, defending undisputed WWE Universal Champion. Roman is your tribal chief. He has been both for damn near three years in WWE. That will never be you, Jey Uso. Paul says he can stand here and say that isn't a prediction, but it is a spoiler.

Jey Uso interrupts and he makes his way to the ring.

Jey walks around the ring before he starts to speak. Jey says Paul is right. Tomorrow night TRIBAL COMBAT is happening. He is going to light him with one of these sticks and chairs. As head of the table, he is definitely going through one. You forgot to mention that this passion you see in front of you, he is bringing it tomorrow. He is bringing the spirit of his elders, he is bringing his family tomorrow. He is going to beat Roman to become Tribal Chief and new Champion.

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

Jey tells Solo to chill out.

Paul says that they are saying that you done screwed up now.

Jey tells his little brother he is his brother. He says he can always forgive Solo because they are brothers. All you do is take orders. He says that Paul is saying the same things to you that Paul said to Jey.

Paul asks if Solo believes that and Solo looks at Paul. Paul says he would like to have a moment to talk to Solo but Solo does not want to move from where he is standing.

Solo tells Paul to get out and Jey super kicks Solo through the ropes to the floor.

Jey tells Paul to tell Solo he will see him later tonight.


Video package:
We take a look at what happened last week between Santos Escobar and Rey Mysterio in their match to determine who would face Austin Theory for the US Title.

Cole says that Rey suffered whiplash and he is recovering at home.

Backstage:
Kayla is with Austin Theory and she asks him about his match next week against Santos Escobar. Austin asks how did Santos win. He injured his mentor and a role model he loves. Theory says he hopes Rey is watching because when he wins next week, he will dedicate his victory to Rey. Tonight, he has Cameron Grimes. Tonight he will get his dreams crushed.


Non Title Match
Austin Theory vs Cameron Grimes

They lock up and Theory sends Grimes to the mat.

We see Santos Escobar being stopped by officials and Theory offers him a chance to enter the ring.

Grimes with Cave In but Theory has his foot on the ropes and the referee stops the count. Theory goes to the floor and Grimes with a suicide dive. Grimes sends Theory into the ringside barrier a few times. Grimes sends Theory into the ring and Grimes goes up top and hits a cross body for a near fall. Grimes with a forearm and chop. Grimes with a forearm and a Side Effect for a near fall. Grimes with kicks to the chest but he misses a round kick. Grimes avoids a clothesline and Grimes with a Spanish Fly for a near fall. Grimes sets for another Cave IN but Theory moves and Theory sends Grimes to the apron. Grimes with a shoulder from the apron and he goes up top but Theory hits the ropes and Grimes hits the top rope. Theory with A Town Down for the three count.

Winner: Austin Theory

After the match:
Escobar gives Theory a Phantom Driver.


We take a look at Asuka with a video package.

We see her training. She says it is not fair to have a Triple Threat match. She says she has already beaten Bianca and she beat Charlotte. She says she is not worried. She says she will beat them because she has a plan. She says nobody is ready for Asuka.

They prepare the ring for the Grayson Waller Effect.

We go to commercial.

Grayson Waller Effect

Waller says everyone is talking about him on SummerSlam weekend. Before he wins the battle royal, he is going to give someone the Grayson Waller rub, but one woman is not enough. He brings out his guests Bayley and Iyo Sky.

Waller asks Iyo if she is going to cash in the briefcase tomorrow.

Bayley interrupts and says Waller is an idiot if he thinks the Genius in the Bank is going to give up their strategy. She says they are focusing on Iyo's match with Zelina.

Shotzi's voice is heard over the sound system and Waller says he did it. He asks Bayley why is Bayley afraid of Shotzi.

Bayley says she isn't afraid of Shotzi.

Shotzi's music plays and Bayley thinks it is Waller again.

We see the tank and Iyo goes up to it.

Shotzi is standing behind Bayley in the ring and Bayley senses her presence.

Shotzi punches Bayley and she pulls out clippers and she chases Bayley through the back.

We see that it is Zelina Vega in the tank.


Iyo Sky vs Zelina Vega

The match is joined in progress and Vega with a jaw breaker. Both women with clotheslines and both go down. Vega with forearms to Iyo and she sends Iyo into the turnbuckles. Vega with punches to Iyo in the corner and she follows with a flying clothelsine for a near fall. Iyo with an Irish whip and Vega with a boot. Vega with Meteora off the turnbuckles for a near fall. Vega with a kick and she tries for Code Red but Iyo escapes. Iyo with a butterfly back breaker and Iyo with a running double knee strike and then she goes to the turnbuckles for a moonsault but Bayley and Shotzi make their way back into the arena by the stage.

Bayley avoids the way too loud clippers and escapes.

Iyo is stunned at what happened and Vega with a power bomb and Code Red for the three count.

Winner: Zelina Vega


Video Package:
We take a look at Bianca Balair with a video package. She says she is going to get her belt back. For 419 days, she was untouchable. Until Asuka tried to blind her and steal her title. She does not make excuses, she gets back to work. You want her to jump through some hoops, how high. You want me to face Charlotte AND Asuka, okay. Tomorrow I am not letting up. She will train harder and work smarter. She will show why she is the best and she gets back what is rightfully hers to become the Women's Champion.

We go to commercial.

We are back and we will have a 25 year celebration for Edge on Smackdown in Toronto in two weeks.

Next week, AJ Styles faces Karrion Kross. Santos Escobar faces Austin Theory for the US Title.


Solo Sikoa (w/ Paul Heyman) versus Jey Uso

They lock up and Solo pushes Jey away and he says something to his brother. Jey with a waist lock and side head lock. Solo with a shoulder tackle. Solo with a forearm and head butt. Solo chokes Jey in the ropes and rakes at the face. Solo with a back elbow. Jey rolls to the floor and Solo follows. Solo tells Jey he isn't going to make it to SummerSlam. Solo sends Jay into the announce table and he pulls off the hood. Solo goes for a uranage through the announce table but Jey escapes and he super kicks Solo onto the table and then hits a suicide dive.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Solo with a nerve hold. We see footage from the break of Solo hitting a belly-to-belly suplex on Jey. Jey with punches and then Jey drops down and Solo goes to the floor. Solo with a punch when Jey goes for a suicide dive. Solo with a Samoan drop. Solo yells at Jey and Jey punches Solo. Solo with a forearm. Solo misses a running hip strike in the corner when Jey moves. Jey with punches. Jey with a thrust kick and uppercut. Solo with a clothesline. Jey goes to the apron and Solo grabs Jey by the hair. Jey drops Solo on the top rope and then Jey goes up top and hits a cross body for a near fall. Solo with a spinning heel kick and then he sets for the uranage and hits it.

Solo sets for the Samoan Spike but Jey ducks it and hits a super kick. Solo with a super kick and Jey with a spear. Jey goes up top for a frog splash and the three count.

Winner: Jey Uso

After the match:
Uso continued to beat down Sikoa before celebrating hsi win.

End

[LionDen]

NEWS:

Jey Uso vs. Solo Sikoa has been officially added to tonight's WWE Summerslam Eve edition of Friday Night Smackdown on FOX.


Scheduled for tonight's edition of WWE Friday Night Smackdown on FOX from Dayton, Ohio's Nutter Center:

*Last stop before Summerslam.

*Sheamus vs. LA Knight.

*"The Real Chief" Jey Uso to stand up before Summerslam.

*Charlotte Flair, Bianca Belair and WWE Women's Champion Asuka will prepare for their championship match.

*More Summerslam Battle Royal competitors to be announced.


Some early notes from Smackdown tonight:

- Officially added to tonight's WWE Friday Night Smackdown is Paul Heyman presenting The History of Tribal Combat.

*Bobby Roode is backstage working as a Producer.

*There is slated to be a Grayson Waller Effect segment tonight.

*Shotzi's tank is set up for her entrance.

*Bobby Lashley , Silo Sikoa and Mia Yim are there.

[LionDen]

A good opening match.

I wonder how long until they give LA Knight a big push. Triple H says they are waiting for the right time.

[LionDen]

It would be ridiculous IMO if Charlotte Flair wins a 15th women's championship at Summerslam.

[LionDen]

Pretty good promo and video package by Paul heyman on history of tribal combat. They are really pushing this match but I just don't see Jey Uso winning if they want Reigns as champion at Mania next year. I guess you never know. lol

[LionDen]

lol Shotzi. Go get Bayley lol

[LionDen]

Not a bad last match between Jey Uso and Sikoa. I guess Uso winning over Sikoa makes sense if he is going to lose to Reigns at Summerslam. I still don't think he will beat Reigns.