WWE SmackDown notes and results: ‘Rules of Engagement’ set for Roman and Jey at SummerSlam

July 21, 2023 Neal Flanagan NEWS, Show Reports
Image Courtesy: WWE

SmackDown opened with a recap of last Friday’s chapter in The Bloodline story and noting the ‘Rules of Engagement’ segment for later. Roman Reigns was shown entering the arena.

** This episode was hosted at the Amway Center in Orlando, close to the WWE Performance Center. The show featured many cameos and appearances from NXT talent, including: Wes Lee, Dragon Lee, the Cavinder Twins, Tony D’Angelo, Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo, the Creed Brothers, Carmelo Hayes, Trick Williams, and Tiffany Stratton.

** The first match was the US Championship Invitational semifinal involving Rey Mysterio, Sheamus, LA Knight and Cameron Grimes. As ever, LA Knight was a crowd-pleaser as he cut a promo on the way to the ring. Austin Theory was at ringside for the match, and interfered, but Mysterio got the win, pinning Grimes. This sets up an all-LWO final next Friday for the opportunity to challenge Theory.

** A non-title match between Santos Escobar and Austin Theory was set by Adam Pearce for later in the show.

** Next up, Charlotte defeated IYO SKY in a match marked by distraction spots by Bayley at ringside and Shotzi appearing on the Titantron. Charlotte eventually hit Natural Selection and was immediately attacked by Asuka.

** During a Dominik Mysterio backstage interview, Butch appeared and challenged Dominik for NXT North American Championship. Shawn Michaels appeared and made the match official.

** Austin Theory went down to a non-title loss to Santos Escobar, who dodged the A-Town Down to successfully land the Phantom Driver.

** The title match made earlier between Dominik Mysterio and Butch for the NXT North American Championship was up next. Butch had the advantage in the early going, before Rhea Ripley handed Dom a chain. Ridge Holland then appeared to remove the weapon. Pretty Deadly then made an appearance, with Kit Wilson pushing Elton Prince to the ring in a wheelchair. Wilson and Holland fought, but then both members of Pretty Deadly ran away. More interference from Rhea was enough for Dominik to get the win.

** Michael Cole announced that Karl Anderson will face Karrion Kross next Friday.

**Roman Reigns made his way to the ring for the ‘Rules of Engagement’ segment. After asking Orlando to acknowledge him, he sat across from Jey. Roman asked Jey if he was sure he “wanted to do this,” with Jey answering that Roman had left him no choice, with Jimmy hospitalized. Roman signed a contract but Jey ripped his up, saying that the contract was written in blood and it was a matter of tribal combat. Michael Cole explained that this meant not only the Championship but the title of Tribal Chief would be at stake. Additionally, the match will be “anything goes.” Roman and Jey eventually shook hands. Solo Sikoa went for the Samoan Spike on Jey, but Roman stopped him. Jey then superkicked Solo. Roman then left the ring and he and Jey stared at each other as the show ended.

Results:

  • US Championship Invitational: Rey Mysterio def. Sheamus, LA Knight & Cameron Grimes (Mysterio faces Santos Escobar next Friday)
  • Charlotte def. IYO SKY
  • Santos Escobar def. Austin Theory
  • NXT North American Championship: Dominik Mysterio def. Butch
About Neal Flanagan 1096 Articles
Based in Northern Ireland, Neal Flanagan is a former newspaper journalist and copy editor. In addition to reporting for POST Wrestling, he co-hosts The Wellness Policy podcast with Wai Ting and Jordan Goodman.
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