Jey Uso vs. Solo Sikoa on WWE SmackDown.
WWE SmackDown advertised Jey Uso vs. Solo Sikoa ahead of the biggest match of Jey’s career as he is set to take on Roman Reigns. SmackDown also advertised LA Knight vs. Sheamus, the Grayson Waller Effect featuring Damage CTRL and Zelina Vega vs. Iyo Sky. SmackDown also featured a shocking heel turn from the Street Profits, who were dressed for success alongside Bobby Lashley.
Last week’s broadcast of WWE SmackDown garnered 2.323 million viewers.
WWE SmackDown Results | August 4, 2023
- LA Knight def. Sheamus
- The Brawling Brutes and the O.C. Battle to a No Contest
- Austin Theory def. Cameron Grimes
- Zelina Vega def. Iyo Sky
- Jey Uso def. Solo Sikoa
WWE SmackDown Ratings
- July 28, 2023 | 2.323 million
- July 21, 2023 | 1.23 million (FS1)
- July 14, 2023 | 2.309 million
- July 7, 2023 | 2.561 million
- June 30, 2023 | 2.354 million
- WWE SmackDown Venue: Nutter Center (Dayton, OH)
- WWE SmackDown Tickets Distributed: 8,857
- Available Tickets: 182
WWE SmackDown Winners and Grades
LA Knight Def. Sheamus
Michael Cole made sure to point out a sign that said “I came 600 miles to see LA Knight.” The LA Knight push is inevitable despite the lingering restlessness from the IWC
IWC
Even all the signs fans brought for LA Knight reminded me of the Attitude Era.
Sheamus had no choice but to play the heel in this match against the surging LA Knight, who skewered his SummerSlam Battle Royal opponents.
LA Knight was able to win this match despite outside interference from a host of intruders including The Miz, who would be a great foil for LA Knight.
LA Knight’s rise has felt like a soft launch for quite some time, but a heroic win over Sheamus feels like the official grand opening. If LA Knight doesn’t win the SummerSlam Battle Royal, it’ll be a “grand opening, grand closing” situation.
LA Knight vs. Sheamus Grade: B+
The Street Profits Turn Heel, Destroy Brawling Brutes And O.C
This was one of the most-cheered heel turns you’ll ever see as the crowd came unglued after Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins laid waste to this match. It’s like the crowd was every bit as frustrated with the Street Profits’ disappearance as they were.
Michael Cole seemed more surprised that Angelo Dawkins was wearing a suit than by the heel turn itself.
Bobby Lashley was also cheered like a conquering hero, with fans changing “Bobby!” If WWE really thinks these three popular, well-dressed brothers are going to be booed like heels on on their own merits, they should think again. These are the some of the coolest heels I’ve ever seen.
I can’t wait to see what Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits name their new stable. The first promo will be key, but fans are already on board.
There was a video package of an allegedly babyface Charlotte Flair flaming her SummerSlam opponents form a yacht. Just like an everywoman, right?
Street Profits Heel Turn Grade: A
Jey Uso Confronts Paul Heyman
WWE aired a fantastic vignette on the history of Tribal Combat.
Paul Heyman wasted no time taking a shot at the Ohio crowd, which he criticized for being male-dominated.
Fans once again gave Jey Uso the “what” treatment, and he once again leaned into it.
Roman Reigns was nowhere to be found on the SmackDown go-home show as Jey Uso and the rest of what’s left of the Bloodline did the heavy lifting.
Jey Uso told Solo Sikoa that no matter what, Jey can always forgive Solo because Solo is his brother. A sign of things to come.
After Solo demanded Paul Heyman leave the ring, he was met with a super kick from Jey Uso.
As great as Jey Uso has been, WWE is going to have to get extremely creative at SummerSlam to trick people into thinking he has a chance.
In an update on Rey Mysterio, he is suffering from severe whiplash.
Jey Uso and Paul Heyman Segment: B
Austin Theory Def. Cameron Grimes
This match felt like a game in the NIT tournament consolation bracket.
Austin Theory feels like he needs a restart, while Cameron Grimes feels like he needs any type of start on the main roster.
Santos Escobar laid out Theory with a Phantom Driver, drastically hurting his chances to go over at SummerSlam based on typical WWE booking.
Theory vs. Grimes Grade: B-
Grayson Waller Effect; Zelina Vega Def. Iyo Sky
Bayley spoke on Iyo Sky’s behalf, and WWE made sure to zoom on Iyo’s face so we know there’s still tension between the two.
Grayson Waller ribbed Bayley by playing a sound effect of Shotzi’s maniacal laugh, but then Shotzi showed up for real to chase Bayley out of the arena.
This match took a turn when Iyo Sky was distracted by a “deranged” Shotzi, who tried to cut Bayley’s hair with a clipper.
This Shotzi gimmick reminds me of Bray Wyatt, and I’m not sure if that’s a good thing yet.
In Typical WWE fashion, wins have been few and far between for a Money in the Bank winner.
Iyo Sky vs. Zelina Vega Grade: B-
Jey Uso Def. Solo Sikoa
Parts of this match felt like a mini-Tribal combat.
The days of Solo Sikoa being Roman Reigns’ setup guy are numbered, and should end soon rather than later so he doesn’t have to take any more losses.
Jey Uso continues to use the Spear, and this time it won him the match. There’s no chance Jey goes the entire SummerSlam main event without spearing Reigns.