August 11, 2023
Scotiabank Saddledome – Calgary, AB
Damage Distraction
SmackDown started with Charlotte Flair taking on former WWE Women’s Champion Asuka. A recap was shown of SummerSlam where Bianca Belair briefly won the title before Iyo Sky cashed in and became champion. The story in this match was Charlotte wanting revenge against Asuka since she had Belair beat with the Figure 8 when Asuka sprayed her with the mist. Charlotte almost had Asuka beat when Damage CTRL came out to the ring and nearly caused Charlotte to lose via roll-up. Iyo Sky then jumped onto the top rope and hit a double-drop kick on Charlotte and Asuka leading to a double disqualification. Michael Cole claimed that Damage CTRL was there to remind everyone who runs the Women’s Division.
#DamageCTRL has arrived!@Iyo_SkyWWE @itsBayleyWWE @ImKingKota #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/1DTFaBrLQM
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) August 12, 2023
Theory Jumps Escobar
Kayla Braxton started interviewing Santos Escobar in the back when Austin Theory jumped him and slammed his leg in a production case. The commentary team said that Theory was clearly worried about facing Escobar tonight and wondered if Escobar would be ready.
Theory just took out @EscobarWWE! 🤯@_Theory1 #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/WMnAMguLMb
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) August 12, 2023
Later, Cathy Kelley was trying to get an update on the health of Santos Escobar in the Trainers’ Room when Austin Theory approached saying he was concerned too. Rey Mysterio came out and got into Theory’s face. Then a bit later, Adam Pearce told Escobar that he was technically cleared but wanted to make sure that he could go to which Santos replied in the affirmative.
Krossed Styles
A pretape of Karrion Kross was aired with Kross saying that “a prophet was nothing without his disciples” and continued “soon, you’ll see”. Styles had the match won with a 450 but Scarlett put Kross’ foot on the ropes. Michin attempted to take Scarlett out but was thrown into the post. Styles then went for the Styles clash but Michin threw her over the announce table. AJ then hit the Styles clash for the victory. Gallows & Anderson joined AJ & Michin to celebrate after the match.
STYLES CLASH!@AJStylesOrg @MiaYim #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/wblTNsOCO1
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) August 12, 2023
“Edge of History”
After just promoting that Edge’s big return would be next week in Toronto, Edge appeared in Calgary and suddenly the segment was titled “Edge of History”. Edge cut a promo saying that he knows he wasn’t advertised but he wanted to have a match next week in Toronto against someone he’s somehow never faced before in Sheamus. Edge said Sheamus is the reason why he came back after nine years retired and triple fusion neck surgery. He and Sheamus did a mountain biking video for YouTube and Edge wiped out and realized that if he can do that he can wrestle again. Sheamus then came to his house and they “kicked the crap out of each other” and he realized he was ready. Sheamus and the Brawling Brutes then came out and showed the footage of Edge’s fall. Edge then showed a photo of Sheamus sitting on Edge’s daughter’s bike.
😂 🚲@EdgeRatedR @WWESheamus #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/FaAncbUXdo
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) August 12, 2023
Sheamus then told a story about WWE coming to Dublin in 2004 and he went seeking advice but everyone gave him the cold shoulder except Edge and Edge even bought him a pint of Guinness. Sheamus accepted the challenge for next week and said “Just hope you didn’t make a mistake”.
For the first time ever! @WWESheamus vs. @EdgeRatedR next week on #SmackDown
📺 8e/7c on @FOXTV pic.twitter.com/YleA2iyOe9
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) August 12, 2023
Seventy Years Young
A promo package aired highlighting Hulk Hogan’s career and the announce team wished The Hulkster a Happy 70th Birthday.
The Top Dolla Movement
LA Knight was out to a huge pop to take on Top Dolla. Michael Cole “spit some bars” at the start of the match in honor of the 50th anniversary of the birth of Hip Hop. Yes, you read that correctly. Ashanti Adonis attempted to get involved but failed and Knight hit the BFT for the win to which Cole replied, “I should rap more often”.
The Lashley Profits
Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits were celebrating backstage after last week’s attacks and said that “SmackDown was ready for some new blood to run this place”.
All about BUSINESS!@fightbobby @MontezFordWWE @AngeloDawkins #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/i1hga2mdBz
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) August 12, 2023
United States Championship
Santos Escobar came out for his US Championship match with Austin Theory but Theory took out his leg on his way to the ring. Theory got on the mic and apologized to the crowd for not being able to see him wrestle tonight because Escobar is too weak. Pearce said that Theory would still be defending his title but now against Rey Mysterio. Mysterio immediately jumped Theory before the bell could ring. Mysterio hit the 619 and dropped the dime to win the United States Championship for the third time in his career. Afterward, the LWO (minus Zelina) hugged and it seemed as though Santos Escobar was letting a twinge of jealousy seep through his smile.
AND NEW! United States Champion, @ReyMysterio!!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/xllHAudeQU
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) August 12, 2023
“Hail to the Chief”
Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa, and Paul Heyman came out to the ring and Reigns asked Heyman where Jimmy was. Heyman said that he spoke to him that morning and he was “rather salty” and he didn’t know why. Just then, Jimmy appeared at ringside to hearty boos and “you sold out” chants from the Calgary crowd. Reigns told Jimmy he owes him one and to name his price. Jimmy said that what he did at SummerSlam had nothing to do with Roman. Jey Uso then came down to the ring and got into Jimmy’s face asking him why he did it to which Jimmy responded “I did what I did because I love you. Not because of jealousy, but because I was afraid to lose you. You would have become the Tribal Chief and then what would happen to The Usos? You would inherit power like Roman Reigns. You would become an evil, manipulative a**hole like Roman Reigns.”
Jimmy explains his actions at #SummerSlam@WWEUsos #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/dmphO6pOnR
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) August 12, 2023
Jimmy then braced and said Jey could kick his face off if he wanted to but Jey turned his back to him and Jimmy left the ring.
💔@WWEUsos #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/ZZ1FMjURbt
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) August 12, 2023
Reigns then butted in laughing and said “I told you so” and with that, Jey superkicked Reigns. A brawl ensued with Jey managing to get the upper hand. Jey then beckoned for Jimmy to come to him with his arms outstretched to which Jimmy obliged only to have Jey superkick him just before the hug. Jey screamed at the camera that he was out of The Bloodline, he was out of SmackDown and he was out of WWE.
Did Jey @WWEUsos just quit the @WWE?! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/njajHBBh7B
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) August 12, 2023
Announced for SmackDown Next Week in Toronto:
- Edge: 25 Years Celebration: Edge vs. Sheamus
- The Grayson Waller Effect with Rey Mysterio
Friday Night SmackDown Results:
- Charlotte Flair/Asuka – Double DQ at 9:11
- AJ Styles over Karrion Kross in 9:37
- LA Knight over Top Dolla in 2:01
- United States Championship: Austin Theory vs. Santos Escobar in 4:51 (estimated – began in ad break)