WWE Friday Night SmackDown returns tonight at 8/7c on the USA Network in the U.S., and Netflix for international viewers, live from the Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
The show opens up with WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque standing on the stage with the WWE roster and legends such as Jimmy Hart, Brian Blair, Ted DiBiase, Gerald Brisco, Jim Duggan and Sgt. Slaughter for a Hulk Hogan tribute. Levesque says he grew up watching Hulk Hogan. Levesque then says they wouldn’t be there if it weren’t for Hogan. Levesque then asks the fans to observe the 10-bell salute, which they did respectfully. The fans then applaud afterward and a “Hogan” chant breaks out.
We then get a video package on the late great Hulk Hogan. Hogan’s big run in the AWA was ignored aside from a few seconds of footage. Levesque says Hulkamania was born when he defeated The Iron Sheik to win the WWF Championship. The nWo run in WCW was covered briefly as well and it was stated that he “came home” in 2002.
Logan Paul makes his way down to the ring, where promotional photos for his podcast are set up. Paul says it is good to be home in Cleveland. Paul then says the city didn’t raise him, rather he made the city. Paul then says he has nothing in common with the Cleveland fans because he made it out and they did not. Paul then says he is hosting a live edition of his ImPaulsive talk show. Paul then starts to rip Jelly Roll, but he is interrupted by Jelly’s song.
Jelly Roll then makes his way out with a microphone and says they didn’t have to play that song for Paul to know who his daddy is. Jelly Roll then says the only thing he ever inspired was little kids to make videos of themselves being assholes. Paul then tells him this is imPaulsive TV, not shut up and to show some respect. The fans then boo and Logan tells him that Jelly Roll is getting in the ring with a moment maker, Logan Paul and a giant like Drew McIntyre. Paul then says while Orton gets to tag in Jelly Roll. He then asks Jelly Roll who he thinks he is.
Roll then tells him that he is the guy who will put him in a body bag. He then tells Logan that he never had to struggle in his life. He then says he had been a silverspoon kid his whole life. He then says he is not getting in the ring just for him but to represent every poor kid that had a dream who thought they would not make it and got picked on by high school jocks like Logan. He then tells Logan that he is getting in the ring to bring light to the ring. He then says he is there because he has been a WWE fan his entire life, the WWE represented him and the WWE represented every single one of us.
He then tells Logan that they both know Logan is as soft as Charmin and he knows that Logan is a punk ass b***h. Drew McIntyre then shows up from behind Logan and they both stand in front of Jelly Roll. The fans then chant “Randy” and Jelly Roll tells them that they made a big mistake if they think he came out alone here. He then begins to sing ” I hear voices in my head” and out comes Randy Orton.
Orton he hits Drew with a microphone and they both fight to the outside. Drew then hits a right hand on Orton and Drew gets back in the ring. Drew then grabs Jelly Roll and he is about to hit him with a right hand, but he stops and looks at Logan Paul. Jelly Roll is down on the mat and Logan Paul hits some forearms to the face, but Orton gets to his feet. He then drags Drew to the outside and sends him into the barricade. That then distracts Logan as Jelly Roll gets up and he hits Logan with right hands, then follows it up with a shoulder tackle. Logan then gets back up and he kicks Jelly Roll. Logan then goes for a right hand, but Jelly Roll ducks and Jelly Roll hits a Bossman Slam. Orton then gets in the ring as he and Jelly Roll celebrate.
Alexa Bliss vs. Roxanne Perez
The match starts off with both women going for roll up covers, but they each kick out. Perez then hits Bliss with a slap to the face, but Bliss grabs her and slams her onto the mat. Perez then goes to the outside and Bliss hits a spinning cannonball on Perez on the outside. Raquel Rodriguez then gets in Bliss’ face, but Charlotte Flair comes in and they go face to face.
Bliss then hits a dragon screw on Perez and follows it up with a shoulder tackle. Bliss then goes for Sister Abigail, but Perez rakes her in the eyes. That then distracts the referee and Rodriguez hangs Bliss up on the second rope. Perez then hits a moonsault off the second rope as she goes for the cover, but Bliss kicks out. Flair then sends Rodriguez over the barricade and that distracts Perez. Bliss then hits a DDT and she climbs the top rope. Bliss then goes for Twisted Bliss, but Rodriguez hits a a big boot on Flair. That then distracts Bliss. Rodriguez then goes for a powerbomb, but Bliss hits a Twisted Bliss on Rodriguez. Bliss then gets back into the ring, Perez then rolls her up and grabs the ropes for the win.
The winner of the match Roxanne Perez
We then head to the back, where Cathy Kelley is interviewing Jade Cargill. She tells Cathy that she is the Queen of the Ring and at SummerSlam, she will show everyone why she is a natural born Champion. Cargill then walks away and Chelsea Green shows up. She then tells Alba Fyre and Piper Niven to secure the area and get her coffee. They then walk away and Green tells Kelley that she got screwed out of SummerSlam and it should not be Cargill. Cargill then shows up behind her and Green calls her stupid and slow. Kelley then points behind Green and Green realizes that Cargill is behind her. She then turns around and tells her “Hi,” but Cargill hits her with a right hand. She then lifts Green on her shoulders in a fireman’s position and she walks through gorilla and onto the stage. Green then runs away and Cargill throws her into the ring. There’s a referee in the ring and he calls for the bell.
We then head to the back, where Cathy Kelley is interviewing Jade Cargill. She tells Cathy that she is the Queen of the Ring and at SummerSlam, she will show everyone why she is a natural born Champion. Cargill then walks away and Chelsea Green shows up. She then tells Alba Fyre and Piper Niven to secure the area and get her coffee. They then walk away and Green tells Kelley that she got screwed out of SummerSlam and it should not be Cargill. Cargill then shows up behind her and Green calls her stupid and slow. Kelley then points behind Green and Green realizes that Cargill is behind her. She then turns around and tells her “Hi,” but Cargill hits her with a right hand. She then lifts Green on her shoulders in a fireman’s position and she walks through gorilla and onto the stage. Green then runs away and Cargill throws her into the ring. There’s a referee in the ring and he calls for the bell.
Chelsea Green vs. Jade Cargill
The match starts off with Cargill hitting a pump kick on Green and Green falls to the outside of the ring. Alba Fyre and Piper Niven then come out. Cargill then hits a fall away slam and follows it up with a splash in the corner. Cargill then a chokeslam as Fyre gets on the ring apron. That then distracts Cargill and Green slams Cargill down onto the mat. She then goes for the cover, but Cargill kicks out. Green then goes for the UnprettiHer, but Cargill gets out of it. She then pushes Green onto the ropes and hits Jaded for the win.
After the match, Alba Fyre and Piper Niven get in the ring. Fyre then hits a super kick as she and Niven begin hitting Cargill with right hands. Tiffany Stratton’s music then hits and she makes her way down to the ring. Stratton then hits some right hands and she sends Fyre to the outside of the ring. Stratton and Cargill then look at each other and hit a double drop kick on Niven to the outside. Cargill then grabs Stratton’s title and Stratton asks for it. Stratton then grabs it, but Cargill pulls it back.
Cody Rhodes’ music then hits and he makes his way down to the ring. We then see clips of last week’s show, where there was the contract signing for the Undisputed WWE Championship Match at SummerSlam. Rhodes stands in the ring as the fans chant “Cody” and he looks at them. Rhodes then says yesterday WWE and pro wrestling lost one of its giants in Hulk Hogan and emotions and feelings regarding it are complicated, but what is not complicated are his accomplishments and contributions to WWE, wrestling and entertainment as a whole. Rhodes then says they are staggering and indisputable. Rhodes then says as someone who gets to stand in the ring and say he is a WWE superstar, Hogan was the original and he wants to take a moment and say “Thank you Hulk Hogan”.
Rhodes then says there are street fights and then there is what is going to happen at SummerSlam. Rhodes then says we are not talking about virtue or victory, we are talking about violence because that is what virtue demands. Rhodes then says sometimes doing the right thing doesn’t mean doing the right thing. Rhodes then says the tricky thing is that he does not want to wrestle this John Cena. Rhodes then says he does not want to fight a guy who didn’t even want the match in the first place. Rhodes then says he doesn’t want to fight the guy who is counting the days until he is out the door, he wants to fight the real John Cena because if he is going to stand there and own it, he has to know that he can go through the best and the title that Cena has is the biggest in the business. Rhodes then says if this is Cena’s last SummerSlam, he wants him to come out like it is his first and to come out talking to Stu with the title properly on him. Rhodes then says they will have the hustle and the loyalty, but they can beat the respect out of each other.
Cody tells the fans that the reason for wanting that fight against the real John Cena is because he needs to know that this story that they have all been part of is not just fantasy, not just legacy. Rhodes then says he needs to know that it meant something, that it was real and the only person who has the answer to that question is John Cena. Rhodes then tells Cena that he will see him next week. Rhodes then drops the microphone as his music plays.
Jacob Fatu cuts a promo. Fatu says he loved Solo, but he made him like this. Fatu then says he tried to get him framed and to send him to jail when he told everyone that he is never going back. Fatu then says last week Adam Pearce made the Steel Cage Match, but he does not mind that because at the end of the day, he is going to dog walk his ass. The Miz then shows up and tells Fatu they have unfinished business. The Miz then says he went toe to toe with legends, outlasted monsters and beaten icons. The Miz then says he is the main character and that is why he went to Nick Aldis and got a match against him right now. The Miz then says this is his home town. Fatu then looks at him and Miz slaps him. Fatu then tells him to “Come on with it” as Miz walks away.
We then get an Aleister Black and Damian Priest promo video. Black says Priest stuck his nose in his business and the bounty he wanted to collect has been inherited by him. Priest then says Black is like a collector he knew in the streets. Priest then says he stepped in for one of his boys like he did for R-Truth. Priest then says when he gave the collector his best shot, the man never collected from anyone again. Black and Priest then both say they are not alike. Black then says he would “unmake” Priest and show him himself. Priest then says he wouldn’t hide who he is. Priest then says he didn’t come to play peacemaker.
Jacob Fatu vs. The Miz
The match starts off with Fatu hitting a running forearm to the face of Miz and he follows it up with a splash in the corner. Miz is down in the corner and Fatu goes for a running hip attack, but Miz moves out of the way. Miz then gets back up, but Fatu hits him with a clothesline. Miz is down in the corner, but Solo Sikoa’s music hits and Sikoa makes his way out with JC Mateo, Tonga Loa and Talla Tonga. That then distracts Fatu and Miz hits him with a chop block. Miz then sends Fatu shoulder first into the ring post and Fatu falls to the outside of the ring.
Fatu then delivers some right hands. Fatu then sends Miz to the ropes and hit a clothesline and follows it up with a senton. Fatu then gets Miz in the corner and hits him with head buts. Fatu then hits a running hip attack in the corner. JC Mateo and Tonga Loa then grab Miz to the outside and Fatu hits a suicide dive onto all three men. Fatu then sends Miz back into the ring. Talla Tonga then runs towards Fatu, but Fatu moves out of the way and Talla Tonga hits the ring post. Sikoa then runs towards Fatu and Fatu hits a super kick. Fatu then gets back in the ring. Miz then runs towards him, but Fatu hits a pop up Samoan drop for the win.
After the match, Solo Sikoa and the MFT get in the ring and begin hitting Fatu with right hands. Jimmy Uso’s music then hits and he makes his way down to the ring with a chair. He then takes Sikoa, Tonga Loa and JC Mateo out. Jimmy then hits Talla Tonga with the chair, but Talla Tonga stays on his feet. Jimmy then goes for another hit with the chair, but Talla Tonga hits a big boot to the face. Talla Tonga then grabs Fatu and Sikoa gets in his face, but Fatu kicks Sikoa away and he backs Talla Tonga into the corner. JC and Tonga Loa then come in, but Fatu hits a big boot on both men. Sikoa is down in the corner and Fatu places the chair on Sikoa. He then goes for the running hip attack, but Talla Tonga hits a clothesline and he takes Fatu down.
We then head to the back, where Cathy Kelley is interviewing The Street Profits and B-Fab. B-Fab tells Cathy that the Wyatt Sicks need to be dealt with in a different way. Ford then tells her that they don’t understand why they are not in the qualifying match next week. Dawkins then tells them that it doesn’t matter because they will get who is next. #DIY then shows up and they tell them that they will fix their mess. Candice LeRae then tells them that they have a plan and for them to stay out of the way.
We then see video footage of Hulk Hogan power slamming Andre The Giant at WrestleMania 3 and pinning him to become the new World Champion
WWE Tag Team Championship Match: The Wyatt Sicks (Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis) (c) vs. Andrade and Rey Fenix
The match starts off with Rey Fenix and Joe Gacy. Fenix then hits some right hands and Andrade is tagged in. They then double team Gacy. Lumis then comes in, but they trip him up. Andrade then hits a snap suplex on Gacy and he follows it up with the three amigos. Fenix is then tagged in and he climbs the top rope, but Lumis trips him down. Gacy then hits a back elbow to the face of Andrade.
Andrade is then tagged in. Andrade then hits a dragon screw on Gacy. Lumis then comes in, but Andrade takes him down. Gacy is down in the corner and Andrade hits him with the double knees. He then goes for the cover, but Gacy kicks out. He then grabs Gacy, but Gacy hits him with a head but. Lumis is then tagged in and they double team Andrade. Lumis then goes for the cover, but Fenix breaks it up. Gacy then gets back into the ring and he sends Fenix to the outside. Gacy is then tagged back in, but Andrade sends Lumis to the outside. Andrade then hits a spinning elbow on Gacy. Fenix then hits a splash on Lumis on the outside. Andrade then hits The Message on Gacy. He then goes for the cover, but Nikki pulls the referee and the referee calls for the bell.
The WWE Tag Team Championship Match ends in a No Contest!
After the match, The Wyatt Sicks get in the ring but Fraxiom make their way out. Erick Rowan then takes them out. The Motor City Machine Guns then make their way down to the ring, but Rowan hits a cross body on both men. Andrade and Fenix then get up and they hit Rowan with right hands. The Wyatt Sicks then begin fighting everyone and The Street Profits make their way out. They then take Rowan down to the outside. #DIY then make their way out with Nick Aldis. Fraxiom then hits a suicide dive on them and Dawkins hits a splash on everyone on the outside. Ford then hits a senton on everyone on the outside of the ring.
WWE officials then head to break it up. Nick Aldis then says since they did not get it out of their system the first time, here is what is going to happen. Aldis then says at SummerSlam the WWE Tag Team Titles will hang over the ring and it will be a Tables, Ladders and Chairs match. They all then begin fighting again as SmackDown comes to a close.
