WWE SmackDown Live Recap: July 30, 2019
A.K.A. The One Where Trish Stratus Returned
Results:
- Kevin Owens def. Drew McIntyre
- Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross def. Ember Moon & Bayley
- Dolph Ziggler def. Finn Balor
- Ali def. Shinsuke Nakamura
- Kofi Kingston def. A.J. Styles
Match of the Night: Kevin Owens def. Drew McIntyre by pinfall following a Stunner.
The first match of the night went until almost 8:30 and was a brawl between McIntyre and Owens. It was a back and forth affair, but Owens nailed McIntyre with the Stunner to get the win. Owens looks like a world-beater heading into his match with Shane McMahon. Taking out one of McMahon’s pals ahead of Summerslam makes him look even stronger to take on “The Best In The World.”
Three Thoughts:
What Is Ziggler’s Endgame?
Dolph Ziggler has been a confusing case in WWE for a while. Ever since he vacated the United States Championship, re-emerged in the Royal Rumble and was unceremoniously eliminated, he’s been a strange character. He finds new reasons to rail against fans every month. His problem now seems to be focused on nostalgia.
He attacked Shawn Michaels and mocked him, sure. It’s doubtful that Michaels is going to be the big match that he has in this angle. Is it all just hype for his Summerslam match against Miz? Does Miz just want to defend the names of the stars who came before him? Ziggler also keeps bringing up Goldberg. Is there a squash match for Goldberg in the future? It’s interesting to give Ziggler a focus, but what the endgame is here is still very muddled.
Shades of Grey
Ember Moon attacked Bayley last week, and this week they were forced to team together against Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross. Bayley, smartly, got a measure of revenge. After losing the match, Bayley hit a Bayley-to-Belly on Moon. WWE is wise to go with an edgier approach to Bayley. In the past, Bayley would have just said “oh shucks” and forgotten about the attack. Instead, she got a measure of revenge before her title defense at Summerslam. Anytime WWE books a smart babyface, it’s a good look.
Match over, alliance over! #SDLive #SummerSlam @WWEEmberMoon @itsBayleyWWE pic.twitter.com/cJ4TktAFZj
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by Full Press Coverage on March 18, 2024 at 8:00 pm— WWE (@WWE) July 31, 2019
Summerslam Filling Out
Some more matches on the Summerslam card were set tonight. Trish Stratus will battle Charlotte in an inter-generational battle. Sami Zayn is the next person to “pick a fight” with Aleister Black. Ziggler and Miz will go one-on-one again. Overall it looks like a great card. Of the new battles, Black-Zayn intrigues me most. It is a very different dynamic than Black had with Cesaro. Zayn is a much more comical character. Seeing him square up against Black will make for a clash of personalities and styles.
https://twitter.com/WWEAleister/status/1156376895640002563
Grade: B
This episode felt like it flew by. Everything had a purpose, and nothing dragged on for too long. The in-ring action was fine, bookended by two good singles matches. Roman Reigns was going to announce his Summerslam opponent, but backstage scaffolding fell on him before he could. Best guess is Samoa Joe just tried to murder him on camera. Aside from that weird bit, the show was decent overall.
What just happened?!#SDLive @WWERomanReigns pic.twitter.com/OsFsjk1tqu
— WWE (@WWE) July 31, 2019
One More Thing:
Charlotte defeating Stratus at Summerslam could really cement her as the Queen of WWE. If she wins, she’s well on her way to being the greatest women’s wrestler in WWE history.
THE QUEEN @MsCharlotteWWE has laid down the challenge to @WWE Hall of Famer @trishstratuscom for a match at #SummerSlam! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/971PhY6ReI
— WWE (@WWE) July 31, 2019
– Evan Gomes is the Managing Editor of Pro Wrestling for Full Press Coverage. Like and follow on Follow @EvanGomes_ Follow @FPC_Wrestling and Facebook.