“I’m Better Than You, And You Know It”

"Every Man Has A Price For The Million Dollar Man"

"The Best There Is, The Best There Was, And The Best There Ever Will Be"

"Whatcha Gonna Do, When Hulkamania Runs Wild On You"

"And That's The Bottom Line Because Stone Cold Said So"

<p>Smackdown had a lot of answers to give after many of the things that happened last week. Let us see if it was able to live up to its expectations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Opening Segment: Orton Explains His Heel Turn</h2>



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<p>Orton is out first and gives us the reason behind him attacking Jeff Hardy last week.</p>



<p><strong>Review:</strong> We would like to point out from the very outset that a heel Randy Orton is a million times better than a face Randy Orton. Everything about him from the way he talks to the way he moves in the ring is as if it has been custom ordered for being a heel. Here he reminded us of his glory years as the legend killer and basically called out the crowd for never appreciating his hard work and consistency. There was a whole new vibe during this opening segment and say what you will about Randy’s wrestling prowess but on the mic he is smooth like a bond villain.</p>



<p>The future is interesting as the possibilities here are endless. The immediate path would be for Orton to have a couple of matches with Jeff Hardy so he can put Hardy out of commission who can then take care of his injuries. Then Randy could either feud with AJ Styles, or if WWE has the balls for it, a face Rusev. Another possibility is for him to feud with a returning Dean Ambrose.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">English Costs Yet Another Match for Rusev</h2>



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<p>The win came courtesy of a distraction.</p>



<p><strong>Review: </strong>The match itself was of high calibre. The two men and the people outside the ring all put up a great show. What these means for the main men involved is the big question. Is WWE testing the waters for a face Rusev? Or is WWE going to make him a full-fledged heel? The current direction seems to suggest that Rusev will have a few matches like this where English costs him the match which then leads to the two of them feuding. That would give Aiden English something more worthwhile to do as well. As for Andrade, he could also be a great feuding option for Orton.</p>







<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Samoa Joe Squashes R-Truth</h2>



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<p>Joe wins by making R-Truth tap out to the Coquina Clutch.</p>



<p><strong>Review: </strong>This is where the mess in WWE begins. Suddenly there is a lack of good faces on the show and that is why someone as good as Joe has to face R-Truth. WWE needs to remedy this quickly. He is primed and ready for a championship feud though and could put up amazing matches with Styles.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Asuka Squashes Billie Kay: So Much for Not Having 30-Second Women&#8217;s Matches Anymore</h2>



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<p>This is quicker than the previous match</p>



<p><strong>Review: </strong>What is with WWE and squash matches recently? Here we get two of them in a row. The women’s division on Smackdown lacks good heels and that is why people like Asuka are left without a feuding partner. Some changes are required here too. How cool would it be if Asuka turned heel though?</p>



<p>Nakamura warns Orton backstage that unlike Jeff Hardy he can bite back.</p>







<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Paige Announces Styles’ Summerslam Opponent</h2>



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<p>Ellsworth wants to be the challenger and get thrown out of the arena by Paige. It is revealed that Samoa Joe is the challenger to the WWE championship and he stamps his authority by choking AJ Styles out with the Coquina Clutch.</p>



<p><strong>Review: </strong>This is an awesome direction that WWE has taken. Just imagine Strowman and Joe as the two champions on either brand. Joe and Styles have the ability to put on amazing matches and we have a clear cut heel to boo and a face to cheer. What WWE shouldn’t do is make this a short term thing. This can be dragged out for the next 3-4 PPVs and that will allow both men to really sink their teeth in this feud. Expect AJ Styles to drop the title at Summerslam.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Becky Lynch Earns a Championship Opportunity</h2>



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<p>With Ellsworth out of the arena, Lynch wins with a DisArmHer.</p>



<p><strong>Review: </strong>We love Becky Lynch and it is amazing to see her back in the title picture. The problem though is that this feud is so predictable. It is almost like a carbon copy of the feud between Carmella and Asuka. The most probable thing that will happen is that Carmella will retain with some sort of help from Ellsworth at Summerslam. That, however, will present a wonderful opportunity for the Evolution PPV. We just hope that WWE does not pull any cheap stunts involving Ellsworth at Evolution.</p>







<h2 class="wp-block-heading">New Day Picks Up a Win Over Sanity</h2>



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<p>The match was good with a much deserved win for New Day. <strong>The Bar announces that they are back, at the end of the match. </strong>The Usos are also at the ringside.</p>



<p><strong>Review: </strong>We have been here so many times. WWE ends up with far too many tag teams and has no idea what to do with them. The current scenario suggests that the Bludgeon Brothers might be facing more than one team at Summerslam and still retain.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Daniel Bryan Spoils the Premiere Party of Miz and Mrs</h2>



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<p>Miz begins by talking down Team Hell No and then goes on to plug his show. Bryan comes out and tries to spoil the party only to find out that the baby is a dummy and gets hit with a skull crushing finale in the ensuing commotion.</p>



<p><strong>Review: </strong>With Kane legitimately injured, this gives Bryan and The Miz a wonderful avenue to feud over. Miz has come a long way since his championship run and feuding with Bryan is only going to elevate his game. Expect a match between the two at Summerslam which Miz wins. On a side note, the recent attempts by WWE to reunite past tag teams has been ending injuries for one of the members causing the teams to disband. First it was the shield and now it is Team Hell No. Wonder what is up with that?</p>



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<p><strong>Overall Review:</strong> Barring the obvious squash matches, it was a good show over all. They are playing the heel Orton angle nice and slow. Its&#8217; yet to be seen whether WWE will make Styles retain or give us a new champion. Styles has been champion for a long time now, so a change will not hurt and it could actually open up interesting story line possibilities. It&#8217;s clear that WWE is holding back Asuka for Charlotte&#8217;s return. If not, what a waste of talent it would be. Throwing in The Bar in to the already interesting tag team scene makes it even more interesting. Good job WWE creative.</p>

WWE SmackDown Live Results & Review: July 24, 2018

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