WWE SmackDown advertised Jey Uso after he challenged Roman Reigns to a WWE Universal Championship match during last week’s record-setting SmackDown in Madison Square Garden. SmackDown also advertised Sheamus and Ridge Holland vs. Pretty Deadly, AJ Styles, Santos Escobar, Grayson Waller and Butch in a Fatal 4-way for the United States Championship, and Bianca Belair vs. Asuka for the WWE Women’s Championship.
Last week’s broadcast of SmackDown garnered 2.561 million viewers.
WWE SmackDown Results | July 14, 2023
- Pretty Deadly def. Brawling Brutes
- Bayley def. Zelina Vega
- Santos Escobar def. Grayson Waller, AJ Styles and Butch
- Bianca Belair def. Asuka by DQ | WWE Women’s Championship
WWE SmackDown Ratings
- July 7, 2023 | 2.561 million
- June 30, 2023 | 2.354 million
- June 23, 2023 | 2.430 million
- June 9, 2023 | 2.278 million
- June 2, 2023 | 2.563 million
WWE SmackDown Ticket Sales
MORE FROMFORBES ADVISOR
- WWE SmackDown Venue: PNC Arena (Raleigh, NC)
- WWE SmackDown Tickets Distributed: 11,413
- Available Tickets: 184
Greatest Heel Promo Ever | Pro Wrestling Bits
WWE SmackDown Winners and Grades
Bianca Belair and Charlotte Open SmackDown
Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair entered into something of a peace treaty ahead of Belair’s match against Asuka, which nobody thinks will last.
Charlotte continues to be cheered like a babyface, but it helps that WWE is in North Carolina tonight.
Charlotte and Bianca Belair couldn’t have been more sarcastic and passive aggressive during their way-too-pleasant opening exchange.
Flair vs. Belair would be a SummerSlam-caliber match with or without the WWE Women’s Championship, but all signs point to a Triple Threat.
SmackDown Opening Segment Grade: B
Pretty Deadly Def. Brawling Brutes
Pretty Deadly is on pace for taking the most Beats of the Bodhran in a single month. Even Elton Prince had to take beats to the chest from Ridge Holland while trapped on the top ropes.
Pretty Deadly’s loss to Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens was a mere blip on the radar as they continue their winning ways against top-tier babyfaces like Brawling Brutes. Certainly a promising sign for the future.
During a backstage promo, Grayson Waller lifted The Rock’s “if you smell what I’m cookin’” like in wake of his Twitter feud with the Great One.
Pretty Deadly vs. Brawling Brutes Grade: B
Bayley Def. Zelina Vega
At one point, Zelina Vega scored with a Twist of Fate but only for a nearfall.
Zelina actually used the chancla on Bayley, but that’s similar to hitting somebody with a bag of feathers.
With tensions between Damage CTRL MIA for now, Bayley picked up a quick win after Zelina dominated much of the match.
After Damage CTRL cut a lock of her hair off Shotzi proved she was in control by shaving all her hair off. She definitely didn’t seem to be in control.
Michael Cole announced tickets go on sale for Survivor Series next week as they try to burn out the AEW Chicago market ahead of All Out weekend.
Zelina Vega vs. Bayley Grade: C
Jey Uso Appears Live
For whatever reason, Raleigh decided t ogive Jey Uso the “what” treatment during his opening lines and he leaned into it. As weird as it sounds, they were friendly “what” chants.
Paul Heyman cut a great promo, announcing a “rules of engagement” segment with Roman Reigns and naming himself the “Jew-so.” Heyman then proceeded to gaslight Jey Uso like only he could, saying Jimmy’s hospitalization was all Jey’s fault.
Solo Sikoa finally spoke for himself by repeating Heyman’s sentiments and saying he’ll never forgive Jey.
The Usos continue to dominate the Bloodline Civil War as not only did Jey Uso hold off Solo Sikoa with a steel chair, he super kicked Paul Heyman to a huge pop.
Bloodline Segment Grade: B+
Santos Escobar Def. Grayson Waller, AJ Styles And Butch
Michael Cole admitted a lot of people compared Grayson Waller to Theory, which is another way of saying both of them have been accused of ripping off The Miz.
Michael Cole, whose line of questioning for Theory was simply awful, noted Theory is “braggadocios” while Waller is “co*cky.”
Even though he was far from the favorite, this match was designed to get constant heat for Grayson Waller.
This match kicked into high gear coming out of the break and it was awesome.
AJ Styles was on his way to winning until Karrion Kross was shown backstage laying waste to the OC, allowing Santos Escobar to pick up the win over Grayson Waller.
In a backstage segment, Bobby Lashley was welcomed back by the Street Profits. The trio got in the back of a limo and talked. Hopefully this will materialize into a stable because brothers have been lowkey invisible in the Triple H Era.
LA Knight cut a promo that made it seem like he was on the campaign trail to be the President of WWE.
Fatal 4-Way Grade: B+
Bianca Belair Def. Asuka By DQ
Charlotte, Bayley and Iyo Sky were able to get tickets to SmackDown, despite being a near-sold-out show. At what point does the Fire Marshall get involved?
There were far too many variables at ringside for Bianca to win this match, especially with WWE trending toward a Triple Threat at SummerSlam.
Belair absolutely destroyed Asuka with a spinebuster.
The finish to this match came when Charlotte accidentally speared Bianca and the referee called for the bell. Iyo teased a cash in, but of course, that didn’t happen.
