WWE SmackDown Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights From Aug. 28

Friday's SmackDown may not have been a go-home show before a premium live event, but it would put a heavy focus on hyping up Sunday Night's Main Event next weekend.

CM Punk and Kevin Owens were set to address last week's title match that was ruined by Sami Zayn's interference, and Cody Rhodes was looking to deliver a message to Randy Orton.

In the women's division, Paige was poised to challenge Jacy Jayne for the U.S. title, while Tatum Paxley prepared to make her SmackDown in-ring debut against Michin. Elsewhere, Chelsea Green would team with Tiffany Stratton to take on Nia Jax and Lash Legend.

Let's take a look at what happened on this week's SmackDown at the Rocket Arena in Cleveland.

Everyone Wants a Shot

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After a quick recap video, Kevin Owens made his way to the ring. He said he has lost a lot of title matches, but none of them were as bad to lose as last week.

As KO was talking about CM Punk, he arrived and told Owens he would have beaten him with or without Sami Zayn's interference.

Gunther showed up a moment later to make an argument for why he deserves a title shot. It didn't take long for Finn Balor to join the party.

Nick Aldis was already out there trying to keep the peace, so he decided to book a triple threat between Owens, Balor and Gunther for a title shot.

This was a pretty standard segment. Keeping it from boiling over also prevented it from being exciting, but it set up an interesting match for later in the show, so it accomplished its goal.

Grade: C+

Notable Moments and Observations

• KO tried to hide a smile when the crowd started chanting.
• Owens almost got a little choked up when talking about his mom's health.

Irresistible Forces vs. Chelsea Green and Tiffany Stratton

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The first match of the night saw Nia Jax and Lash Legend face Chelsea Green and Tiffany Stratton. Before the match, Tiffy tried to tell Chelsea she didn't have to do this, but the champ had a protective mask to protect her eye, so she was up for it.

Stratton got in a few moves before tagging in Green, and they managed to maintain the upper hand after Jax tagged in, but only momentarily. The powerhouse countered the Unprettier and nailed her with a headbutt that Chelsea sold to make look like it reinjured her eye.

Tiffany was on the receiving end of a lot of offense during the break and into the next segment. Doctors came to check on Chelsea after she took another shot to the face and rolled out of the ring.

The story of this match was better than the execution. Green was great overselling her injury, and Stratton did a good job carrying the in-ring action, but the match itself lacked the needed energy until the end.

Green was being escorted away by doctors, but she ran back and tagged in when she saw Stratton suffering. Unfortunately, her injury was too much of a liability. Jax took advantage and hit her finisher for the win.

Result: Jax and Legend defeated Green and Stratton

Grade: C+

Notable Moments and Observations

• The way Tiffany bumped right at the beginning of the match was so weird because Legend didn't do a thing to take her down. It almost looked like a missed dropkick, but she didn't get high enough for it to be that.
• Legend has improved a lot since arriving in WWE a few years ago, but there are still moments when she seems to hesitate before moves.
• The way Green was selling for her orbital bone was a little over the top, but it worked for her.

Paige vs. Jacy Jayne (United States Championship)

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Paige had her first shot at a singles title since returning to WWE when she challenged Jacy Jayne for the United States Championship.

As usual, Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid were at ringside to give Jayne some backup, but Paige didn't seem intimidated by them.

The former world champion took control after Jayne scored the first takedown, and she stayed aggressive as they took the fight out of the ring, but that is where Reid was able to interfere with a pump kick while the ref was distracted.

Having Green and Stratton lose the previous match meant they were unable to assist Paige in any way, so even though she is a former champion, it never felt like the title was in danger of changing hands.

This match had a good pace and some decent action, but the predictability hurt its chances. Jayne won with an inside cradle after Paige had to fend off Henley and Reid. This wasn't a bad match, but it's hard to say it was memorable.

Nikki Bella attacked Paige after it was over, which was kind of surprising because it would have made more sense for her to cost Paige the win to prevent her from getting a belt, but the match already had enough interference, so holding back was probably the right call.

Result: Jayne defeated Paige

Grade: B-

Notable Moments and Observations

• Danhausen being a Gunther fan was a funny backstage moment.
• Jayne is so good at her facial expressions. She sells every moment perfectly, good or bad.
• Reid's pump kick almost looked like it was in slow motion. She needs to put a little more speed on moves like that to make them look convincing.