Bray Wyatt passed away on Thursday.
WWE SmackDown is the first WWE broadcast since the untimely passing of Windham Rotunda, otherwise known as Bray Wyatt. SmackDown also celebrated the life of WWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk with a 10-bell salute for both stars to start the show. Later on in the broadcast, Funk was beautifully eulogized by Cody Rhodes.
Wyatt passed away yesterday, and the heartbreaking news was broken by WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H. The wrestling world has flooded social media with tributes to the beloved star, while SmackDown aired a touching tribute to the former WWE Universal champion.
Bray Wyatt collaborator and WWE Director of Long-Term Creative Rob Fee took to Twitter to vow that tonight would be “very special.”
Last week’s broadcast of WWE SmackDown garnered 2.094 million viewers.
WWE SmackDown Results | August 25, 2023
- Rey Mysterio def. Grayson Waller
- Iyo Sky def. Zelina Vega | WWE Women’s Championship
- The Street Profits def. the Brawling Brutes
- LA Knight def. Finn Balor
WWE SmackDown Ratings
- August 18, 2023 | 2.094 million
- August 11, 2023 | 2.097 million
- August 4, 2023 | 2.248 million
- July 28, 2023 | 2.323 million
- July 21, 2023 | 1.23 million (FS1)
- WWE SmackDown Venue: KFC Yum! Center (Louisville, KY)
- WWE SmackDown Tickets Distributed: 9,335
- Available Tickets: 219
WWE SmackDown Winners and Grades
Bray Wyatt, Terry Funk 10-Bell Salute
WWE paid tribute to both Bray Wyatt and Terry Funk as Michael Cole opened the show with a somber tribute. After a 10-bell salute for both stars, WWE cut to a video package for Bray Wyatt.
WWE noted there would be a tribute to Terry Funk from Cody Rhodes, which is more than fitting given Dusty Rhodes’ history with the Funk family. Dusty inducted Funk into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009.
Rey Mysterio Def. Grayson Waller
Rey Mysterio did not have the WWE United States Championship with him during his entrance. Did he misplace the title? Did they not have a replica?
Austin Theory interfered, but WWE wouldn’t even put Grayson Waller over under those circumstances. Rey Mysterio overcame the interference and Waller’s losing streak to begin his career continued.
Mysterio vs. Waller Grade: B-
Iyo Sky Def. Zelina Vega
Damage CTRL cut a promo backstage, just before the match, mocking Kayla Braxton for being short despite Iyo Sky’s diminutive frame.
Sky bumped her butt off for Vega and Zelina looked very good as well. Vega hit an excellent Meteora for an impressive—but hardly believable—nearfall.
Sky vs. Vega Grade: B-
Cody Rhodes Eulogizes Terry Funk
Cody Rhodes told a great story about Terry Funk calling Dusty Rhodes an “egg-sucking dog.” He then accurately noted that most legends give one or two guys the rub, while Funk did that for a whole generation.
Rhodes threw to a video package for Funk highlighting his accomplishments and greatest moments.
Rhodes announced that the next tag team match was a Terry Funk Hardcore Match.
The Street Profits Def. The Brawling Brutes
The Street Profits continue to act like babyfaces who just happened to turn heel weeks ago. This includes Bobby Lashley, who was giddily slapping hands on his way to the ring. It’s only a matter of time before they go full heel, but for now, their heel turn feels like a soft opening.
There was a Terry Funk tribute spot where Ridge Holland spin Butch around like a helicopter as if he was a ladder.
After an exchange between Lashley and Butch, fans were loudly chanting for Bobby.
The Street Profit’s new finisher is called the Revelation.
Terry Funk Hardcore Tag Team Match Grade: A-
LA Knight Def. Finn Balor
WWE was sure to air another Miz interview (this time via TMZ Sports), where Miz compared Knight to Napster, MySpace and Vanilla Ice.
Kevin Patrick referenced “people” who think Miz is jealous, and when Corey Graves accused Patrick of using burner accounts, Patrick responded “fair point.” What? It’s a fair point that Kevin Patrick is using burner accounts to push a narrative? Is that what Patrick is doing?
LA Knight cut a heartwarming promo about his feud with Bray Wyatt, which is also when I realized that Knight was going to make it on the main roster in a big way.
Knight flamed Miz by saying “even when you had a stunt double, he was the star!”
Finn Balor appeared with no Judgment Day, which means for the first time in forever, the Money in the Bank briefcase did not play into the finish for a Finn Balor match.
LA Knight’s win over Balor was described as the biggest win of Knight’s career. Given how little WWE lets him win, it’s a low bar.
A lantern appeared at the top of the stage as fans chanted “thank you Bray” to end the show.