WWE SmackDown Results, Winners, Live Grades and Highlights After Night of Champions
Welcome to Bleacher Report's live coverage of WWE SmackDown on July 4.
Following Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia, WWE is back on domestic soil for Independence Day at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.
Here is a look at what was advertised for the blue brand this week:
—Tiffany Stratton selects her Evolution opponent
—Cody Rhodes celebrates winning King of the Ring
—Jade Cargill celebrates winning Queen of the Ring
—We meet the newest member of Solo Sikoa's family
You read that right. No matches were advertised on WWE's website ahead of the show, which also returned to a two-hour format this week.
Let's take a look at everything that happened on Friday's SmackDown.
All Hail the King of the Ring
1 of 6
After we saw a quick segment in the parking lot with Jacob Fatu attacking Solo Sikoa, we went into the arena where Rhodes came out to a huge pop to start the show.
After he spoke for a bit about winning the KOTR tournament, Randy Orton joined him in the ring. The Viper said he had the win in hand but he hesitated while Rhodes did not. Orton said he actually respected it even if he won't soon forget it.
Drew McIntyre came out and called both men pathetic. He said Orton was weak for allowing Rhodes to do what he did. He then told Rhodes he hopes he wins the title from John Cena so he can be the one to beat him for it.
The Viper lived up to his reputation and hit McIntyre with an RKO out of nowhere before sharing a tense look with Rhodes and exiting the ring. This segment was simple but effective because it set up four potential matches.
We might get Orton vs. Rhodes, McIntyre vs. Rhodes, Orton vs. McIntyre, or even a triple threat with all of them.
Grade: B
Notable Moments and Observations
—Fatu attacking Sikoa was quick and brutal. It was a very effective opening.
—The crown looked so big in Cody's hand that if he put it in, it might have just gone over his whole head down to his neck.
Secret Hervice vs. Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair vs.
2 of 6
Nick Aldis booked a triple threat match to determine which team would fight for the women's tag titles. Alexa Bliss teamed with Charlotte Flair, B-Fab teamed with Michin, and Piper Niven teamed with Alba Fyre.
Bliss, Michin and Niven began in the ring but Flair tagged herself in before anything happened. The first few minutes was highly competitive. Even though Flair got in the most offense, she was not outshining anyone else.
While it should be noted that B-Fab has made huge strides in improving in the ring, when she got going, she started to look a little sloppy and rushed. It didn't do much to slow down the momentum of the match though.
Bliss was able to secure the victory for her team with a Twisted Bliss from the top rope. Flair ended up giving her a big hug after the match but pulled away like she realized she isn't supposed to like Bliss. It was a funny moment to cap it off.
Result: Flair and Bliss win
Grade: B-
Notable Moments and Observations
—Bliss and Flair had a quick segment backstage to set up their team before the match.
—Aldis booked Orton vs. McIntyre for SNME next weekend during a backstage segment.
—Fyre hit a nice dive from the top rope to the floor to take out everyone.
The Wyatt Sicks vs. Berto, Chris Sabin, Montez Ford and Johnny Gargano
3 of 6
Berto, Chris Sabin, Johnny Gargano and Montez Ford were put onto one team by Nick Aldis to battle the four male members of The Wyatt Sicks in an eight-man tag match this week.
All four of the teams that made up the Wyatt's opponents had a backstage segment to set it up, but they were clearly not on the same page.
The Wyatts had the upper hand for most of the match. The babyface team got in some good offense here and there, but for the most part, this was a dominant performance from Dexter Lumis, Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy and Uncle Howdy.
After Gargano refused a tag, Sabin ended up taking the loss to Rowan. This match had some fun moments and spots, but if they had a bit more time, everyone could have been featured a bit better. As it was, only one or two people stood out.
Result: The Wyatt Sicks won
Grade: B-
Notable Moments and Observations
—It's so much fun seeing Rowan throw people around.
—Ford is such an underrated seller. We all talk about how good he is at doing moves, but the way he sells for opponents is always great, too.
—Giulia gave a promo in a video package after the match.
Fraxiom vs. Andrade and Rey Fenix
4 of 6
Tiffany Stratton came out to pick her challenger for Evolution, but before she could make the announcement, Jade Cargill interrupted her.
They were soon joined by Trish Stratus, who sent Wade Barrett into a tailspin on commentary. We ended up finding out that Tiffy would face Stratus for the title at Evolution. This led into a pre-recorded promo from Solo Sikoa.
Up next was a tag match with Rey Fenix and Andrade taking on Axiom and Nathan Frazer. With four fast-paced Superstars like this, the match got off to a hot start and never slowed down for a second.
All four men were running and flying all over the place, and just about every move they did looked great. Sometimes all you have to do is stick some talented workers in the ring together and let the magic happen.
They ended up getting a lot of time to work, so they were able to make sure all four competitors shined. Fraxiom brought a lot, but Fenix and Andrade were able to get the win.
Result: Andrade and Fenix defeated Fraxiom
Grade: B
Notable Moments and Observations
—There was a strange moment during Tiffy's entrance when Joe Tessitore spoke in what was clearly audio recorded separately from the show.
—It's bad enough that we have to hear Booker T making weird comments about women on NXT. We don't need Wade Barrett doing it on SmackDown, too.
—The series of clothesline from Fraxiom was a fun sequence.
Jacob Fatu and Jimmy Uso vs. Solo Sikoa and JC Mateo
5 of 6
Former enemies became allies this week when Fatu and Jimmy Uso teamed up to face Sikoa and JC Mateo.
This was the most personal fight on the card this week. Mateo and Uso did a lot of the heavy lifting in the ring so when Fatu and Sikoa finally had their faceoff, the crowd popped big.
The Samoan Werewolf has adapted to his babyface role well by not changing much about his character and simple focusing on different opponents with his aggression.
Fatu secured the victory by hitting Sikoa with a moonsault, but he wasn't done there. He put Sikoa on the announce table and climbed to the top rope, but Tala Tonga showed up and attacked Fatu while Tanga Loa took out Uso.
The show ended with Fatu being put through the announce table.
Result: Fatu and Uso defeated Mateo and Sikoa
Grade: B
Notable Moments and Observations
—Fatu and Uso had a moment backstage and seemed to already be on good terms, which feels a bit rushed but not out of the ordinary for WWE.
—Sikoa is so good at adding little things between moves. His trash talk is second to none.
—Tala Tonga is such a funny but equally lazy name change for Hikuleo.
The Final Word
6 of 6
Friday’s SmackDown returning to two hours helped the show feel a bit more focused this week because it didn’t need as much filler between matches. It helped the pace a lot and was definitely the right call.
A handful of feuds were addressed or advances this week, but the biggest development may have been Orton and McIntyre reigniting their rivalry.
Fatu and Sikoa were the stars of the show with each man being involved in three segments, including the opening and closing of the show.
However, from bell to bell, the best match we got was Fraxiom vs. Fenix and Andrade. Those four men put on a great show that you should take the time to check out.
With Evolution and Saturday Night’s Main Event, plus NXT Great American Bash, all coming up quick, WWE is entering a very busy period. Let’s hope it’s able to juggle everything effectively.
Grade: B
