WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from August 9

The build to SummerSlam continued Tuesday night as Dean Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler and Bray Wyatt were under the same roof, creating a combustible situation that would be resolved in the night's tag team main event.

Ambrose and Ziggler had to set their differences aside, as SmackDown general manager Daniel Bryan forced them to team against Wyatt and Erick Rowan. Ziggler continued to build momentum for himself, dropping Rowan with a superkick for the win.

It was The Lunatic Fringe who got the last laugh, though, laying his top contender out with Dirty Deeds and reminding the WWE Universe who the top dog on the blue brand is.

Randy Orton prepared for his match with Brock Lesnar by squaring off with Alberto Del Rio, Eva Marie attempted to make her in-ring debut for the second straight week and American Alpha continued to assert its dominance in the blossoming tag division as WWE presented another solid episode of SmackDown.

Find out how each match graded out, who emerged victorious and how it affects those involved going forward with this look back at the Aug. 9 show.

Bray Wyatt Promo

Erick Rowan flanked Bray Wyatt, who stalked toward the squared circle to kick off this week's show.

Wyatt talked in riddles about last week's show, where he lost to Dolph Ziggler in the main event and missed out on an opportunity to battle for the WWE Championship at SummerSlam. He even suggested that the loss was tainted, recalling The Showoff's use of the exposed turnbuckle.

Dean Ambrose interrupted and taunted Wyatt, claiming that The Eater of Worlds who he knows would not paint himself as the victim. Ziggler's music played, and he hit the ring, unloading on Rowan and Wyatt in an attempt to avenge last week's beatdown.

He found himself on the receiving end of a two-on-one assault before Ambrose made the save. An errant superkick from Ziggler connected with his SummerSlam opponent and allowed the heels to leave them lying in a repeat of last week.

Grade

C+

Analysis

This was the perfect length for an opening promo segment. It accomplished what it intended to by furthering Wyatt's case for a WWE Championship match while simultaneously enhancing the tension that exists between Ambrose and Ziggler.

There was no lengthy rambling or unnecessary talk. It hit all of its marks and set up a tag team main event.

Simply put, this was the most effective way to execute one of these formulaic opening promos.

American Alpha vs. Mikey O'Shea and Mike Vega

Jason Jordan and Chad Gable took to the squared circle for a squash match against Mikey O'Shea and Mike Vega, but the arrivals of The Ascension, The Hype Bros and The Vaudevillains interrupted them.

The presence of those teams around ringside did nothing to derail American Alpha's momentum, as the former NXT tag team champions unloaded on the enhancement talent, finishing with Grand Amplitude in just over one minute.

After the match, all four established teams brawled until Jordan and Gable were left standing.

Result

American Alpha defeated Mikey O'Shea and Mike Vega.

Grade

C-

Analysis

Another short segment on the Aug. 9 show, this one laid the groundwork for the tag team division. Commentators David Otunga, JBL and Mauro Ranallo all reiterated Bryan's insistence on SmackDown having its own title, and this did an OK job of showcasing the teams that will vie for it.

The reason for the somewhat negative grade lies in the complete and utter lack of credibility the teams not named American Alpha have going for them right now. None have been built up effectively, and thus, fans have no reason to buy them as legitimate challengers when so much has been made of Jordan and Gable.

Becky Lynch vs. Eva Marie Becomes Lynch vs. Alexa Bliss

One week after Eva Marie suffered an "injury" that prevented her from competing against Becky Lynch, The Red Queen had the opportunity to make a second impression on fans as she squared off with The Lass Kicker.

Before the match could start, though, Eva Marie suffered a wardrobe malfunction, again forcing the cancellation of the contest.

A frustrated, furious Lynch issued a challenge to anyone willing to fight her. Alexa Bliss answered, saying she could not think of a better debut than by beating SmackDown's first female draft pick. Mauro Ranallo questioned whether Bliss could score the win on her birthday.

Bliss controlled the action back from break, using her feet to stomp the back of Lynch's head into the mat. Lynch fired off a series of clotheslines and forearms until Eva Marie's music played.

The momentary distraction allowed Bliss to put her opponent down and deliver Twisted Bliss for the pinfall victory.

After the match, Eva Marie cut a promo in which she feigned disappointment that she was not able to make her in-ring debut this week but noted she will next Tuesday night.

Result

Alexa Bliss defeated Becky Lynch.

Grade

C+

Analysis

Eva Marie is a great heel. She speaks with such insincerity and is so overbearing that it is easy to hate her. Her general obliviousness to it only intensifies the dislike for her, as does her status as a Total Divas stalwart.

Bliss debuting here was a great move. She probably should have appeared last week, when fans were robbed of any in-ring competition, but winning her first main-roster match on her birthday is a moment she will never forget. That her victory came over someone with the credibility of Lynch—and in such an underhanded manner—will do wonders when it comes to earning her heat.

Lynch is the purest babyface in the company, and the hardships she endures only build sympathy for her. 

Randy Orton vs. Alberto Del RIo

Just two weeks before a marquee match against Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam, Randy Orton battled Alberto Del Rio in a match between former world champions.

Orton dominated the action, never appearing to be in danger of losing. Even as Del Rio targeted the left arm of his opponent, The Viper continued to assert himself.

Later in the match, Orton was poised to explode across the ring with his trademark punt, but Del Rio rolled out of the ring. Even after being clotheslined into the timekeeper's area, the Mexican-born competitor had the wherewithal to grab a chair and draw the disqualification.

After the bell, he worked over Orton's arm and appeared ready to deliver a savage attack with that same chair when Orton flattened him with an RKO to a thunderous ovation.

Result

Randy Orton defeated Alberto Del Rio via disqualification.

Grade

C+

Analysis

As a showcase for Orton, this was an undisputed hit. He looked like a star preparing for a huge main event match, and Del Rio was formidable enough to provide a passable match without ever outshining The Viper.

One must question sacrificing Del Rio in this spot when the brand should be worried about preserving the legitimacy of its few credible stars, but he has not meant nearly what he should since his return last October. So in this case, no harm, no foul.

Rhyno vs. Heath Slater

With a SmackDown contract on the line, Heath Slater met Rhyno in one-on-one action.

Unfortunately, the former three-time WWE tag team champion did not enjoy the same success that he did as a member of Nexus or The Corre.

Slater started hot and controlled the majority of the match. After dodging a Gore, he even scored a schoolboy roll-up and used the ropes for added leverage. However, the official caught him and called off the count. The momentary distraction that arguing with the referee caused allowed Rhyno to recover and deliver a Gore for the win.

Result

Rhyno defeated Heath Slater.

Grade

C

Analysis

There was nothing inherently wrong with Slater vs. Rhyno. It was a serviceable match wrestled by two veterans of the mat. The teased cheap win was a nice touch, as was Slater's own ignorance costing him a win.

At this point, one has to wonder what the endgame is with Slater.

Does he win a match and earn a contract, only to remain a mainstay of the undercard? Does this saga somehow end with him capturing the imagination of the audience and earning himself a sustained push?

What is it?

Odds are he stays a fun member of WWE's undercard, where he has served useful for years.

Carmella vs. Natalya

Credit: WWE.com

A week after being attacked from behind by Natalya, Carmella cut off another attempt at an assault, leading to an actual wrestling match between the female competitors.

Natalya controlled the match, using her strength and technique to punish the relative newcomer. She wore Carmella down and looked to be on her way to victory when she applied the Code of Silence submission for the win.

After the match, Natalya looked on in stunned disbelief as her opponent celebrated her first televised main-roster win.

Result

Carmella defeated Natalya.

Grade

C-

Analysis

The most mishandled draft pick of all was Carmella, who needed to debut alongside Enzo Amore and Big Cass to really thrive. Instead, she has been left to get over on her own on SmackDown, where fans greet her with silence because they know nothing about her.

Rather than letting her rise to notoriety via association with one of the hottest acts in wrestling, Carmella will have to work hard to win over skeptical audiences.

While the effort was there, Tuesday's match was not the way to earn support. The lack of time hurt the overall quality, too.

Dolph Ziggler and Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt and Erick Rowan

Credit: WWE.com

One week after Bray Wyatt and Erick Rowan laid waste to Dean Ambrose and Dolph Ziggler, the four Superstars met in a heated tag team main event to cap off the Aug. 9 episode of SmackDown.

Asking Rowan to make the ultimate sacrifice in war with the WWE champion and his No. 1 contender, Wyatt looked to dismantle and punish the two men who will headline SummerSlam. As the match headed into the final commercial break, he was well on his way to making that a reality.

Ambrose hit the ring off of a hot tag and slammed Rowan face-first into the announce table, only to re-enter the squared circle and run into a stiff clothesline from Wyatt.

The heels worked over the champion until another hot tag led to Ziggler exploding into the ring and planting Rowan with a big DDT. Ziggler's attempt at a superkick, though, was countered with a spinning heel kick, with The White Sheep scoring a near-fall.

Ambrose wiped out Wyatt at ringside, and Ziggler blasted Rowan with a superkick for the pinfall win.

The Lunatic Fringe planted Ziggler with Dirty Deeds to close out the show.

Result

Dolph Ziggler and Dean Ambrose defeated Bray Wyatt and Erick Rowan.

Grade

B+

Analysis

WWE always delivers strong tag team wrestling matches, particularly in main events. They are crutches for the company's writing staff to lean on when it needs a big match but cannot afford to blow through any other potential headline bouts due to roster depth.

All four Superstars looked great here, particularly Ziggler, who has made the absolute most out of this latest push. What he does at SummerSlam remains to be seen, as does the seriousness with which WWE Creative is approaching this latest run. If he can deliver on the big stage, management may have no other choice but to reward Ziggler's work with a sustained push.

On a side note, Rowan has improved leaps and bounds as a wrestler. He is so much better than he was during his failed singles run, and one cannot help but wonder what he could accomplish if given that same opportunity today.