WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from Aug. 16

The final WWE SmackDown before SummerSlam thrived when it zeroed in on two enemies' bad blood.

Dolph Ziggler again left WWE world champ Dean Ambrose looking up at the ceiling. AJ Styles seethed as he watched John Cena compete. These were the moments when Tuesday's show engaged and elevated the hype for SummerSlam.

However, SmackDown stumbled when it became more cluttered.

The night saw the entire tag team division shoved under the same spotlight. Becky Lynch and the rest of the women of the blue brand suffered the same fate, splitting minimal airtime with a mess of other wrestlers.

SmackDown won't hit its stride with its women's division and tag teams until SummerSlam; however, the show is succeeding elsewhere.

Ahead of the pay-per-view, Ziggler's intensity, Styles' trash talk and some under-the-radar booking moves made SmackDown a superior show to Raw for the week.

'Miz TV' with Dean Ambrose and Dolph Ziggler

Dean Ambrose didn't wait for Maryse and The Miz to introduce him. He strolled in with the WWE World Championship on his shoulder just before Dolph Ziggler joined him.

The Miz talked up Ziggler's recent resurgence and wondered aloud what would happen should The Showoff lose at SummerSlam.

Ambrose and Ziggler then barked at each other. The champion talked of the pressure waiting for Ziggler during their title match. The challenger promised Ambrose wouldn't be able to put him away.  

After his rant, Ziggler superkicked Ambrose to the mat and sauntered out of the ring.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

The Miz compares Ziggler's career to the Ghostbusters reboot.

"I'm not worried about after SummerSlam"—Ziggler.

The crowd chants "Shut your mouth!" to The Miz.

"You're happy to be the sarcastic star of your own little movie."—Ambrose to Ziggler.

Grade

A

Analysis

Ziggler has been on fire lately. He has thrived during his WWE World Championship chase, his overflowing emotions bolstering this rivalry.

This segment featured ample intensity and the right tone for the upcoming title bout. Throughout this rivalry, there has been a smart focus on the title and redemption for Ziggler. 

It's strange not having a clear heel-babyface dynamic, but the current approach can work should the feud remain short.

12-Man Tag Team Match

The Hype Bros, The Usos and American Alpha vs. The Vaudevillains, The Ascension and Breezango

The announcers talked about SmackDown eventually getting its own tag team championship as the teams went to battle. Moments into the match, chaos broke out, with all 12 grapplers slugging it out in the ring at the same time.

Jey Uso later took control, knocking Aiden English and others around. The Hype Bros helped keep the babyfaces' momentum going as the pace of the action quickened.

Jason Jordan and Chad Gable soon hit Grand Amplitude to score the win. 

Result

The Hype Bros, The Usos and American Alpha win via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"He's a savant of suplexes."—Mauro Ranallo on Jordan.

Jey Uso leaps out of the ring onto a number of the heels.

Grade

C-

Analysis

Crowded and hurried with a commercial break in the middle, this tag bout had the stink of filler all over it.

WWE is trying to establish American Alpha as a top team, this time giving it the pinfall. But Jordan and Gable are going to need worthy rivals if they want to rise to the top. And so far, SmackDown's heel duos are all bereft of momentum.

SmackDown is going to have to dedicate more time to its tag team division to give it any juice.

Naomi vs. Eva Marie

Naomi entered showing off a new glow-themed look. Under the cover of blue light, she tossed out goodies to the audience. 

Eva Marie's intro played, but an announcer informed the crowd she was delayed due to traffic. She wouldn't be able to make it to SmackDown.

Result

The match is cancelled.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Naomi's neon-heavy entrance.

Grade

B-

Analysis

Eva Marie's continually delayed debut has created more anticipation about her than one could imagine. If WWE is creative with this angle, it could be one of the most entertaining SmackDown subplots in the months ahead.

Naomi's return, though, was overshadowed here. The focus quickly moved from her to Eva Marie, and the former Team B.A.D. member had just seconds of airtime.

Randy Orton vs. Heath Slater

Backstage, Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon had Randy Orton sign the contract for his SummerSlam match against Brock Lesnar. Heath Slater barreled in with a fruit basket in hand. Bryan and McMahon refused to give Slater another shot at making the roster, but Orton was willing to fight him.

Slater limped into the ring. Orton mauled him.

The Viper didn't heed the referee's warnings and was disqualified for keeping his foe in the corner. Orton then continued beating on The One Man Band after the bell.

Backstage, a loopy Slater insulted Bryan and McMahon, leading to them changing their minds about signing him to SmackDown.

Result

Slater wins via disqualification. 

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"It's actually the opposite of a pickle."—Bryan

Orton delivers a draping DDT outside of the ring.

Orton mocks Lesnar by hitting a German suplex and mimicking Lesnar's signature pre-fight bounce.

Grade

B+

Analysis

WWE deftly gave Slater a win while showcasing Orton's destructive power. The company would be wise to keep spotlighting Slater as his desperation grows, making full use of the narrative power of his free-agent status.

As for Orton, he didn't look anything like a babyface here. It's odd to root for a guy who abuses an opponent for no reason other than to prove a point.

The beatdown does, though, give WWE more violent images to include in the promo videos for the Lesnar-Orton fight.

Dean Ambrose vs. Erick Rowan

Dean Ambrose steamrolled Erick Rowan early on. The world champ flew at the bigger man as Bray Wyatt watched from his rocking chair at ringside.

Rowan battled back and rocked Ambrose. The big man, though, eventually fell victim to Dirty Deeds.

After the bout, Wyatt left Rowan's sheep mask in his chair and walked away.

Result

Ambrose wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Rowan hits a spinning bodyslam. 

Grade

C+

Analysis

Rowan served as a mild test for Ambrose. The two foes had solid chemistry, and given more time, they could have had the match of the night.

Ambrose's early energy was the highlight here. The Lunatic Fringe continuing that throughout the contest and just blasting through Rowan would have been a more effective SummerSlam warm-up.

The tease of a Wyatt Family breakup lacked impact, thanks to the faction splitting up once already and losing Braun Strowman to Raw weeks ago.

Carmella and Becky Lynch vs. Alexa Bliss and Natalya

Carmella and Natalya clashed first, trading heavy shots. Becky Lynch issued fiery offense afterward. 

Eva Marie then strolled down the entrance ramp mid-match. Naomi followed her out, chasing the red-clad heel into the ring.

Following the brief chaos, Lynch locked in the Dis-Arm-Her on Natalya for the win.

Result

Lynch and Carmella win via submission.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

None

Grade

D

Analysis

WWE later announced all six women will battle in tag team action at SummerSlam. This is a weak lead-in to that match. The action and story were both rushed, issues that have long plagued the women's division.

The company is falling into the same trap it did when the "Divas Revolution" began—cramming too many new characters on the same stage.

John Cena vs. Alberto Del Rio

Credit: WWE.com

AJ Styles watched the action from the announcers' table. 

Alberto Del Rio took advantage of a distraction from Styles to take control of John Cena. The Pride of Mexico kept Cena reeling for much of the contest, scoring a number of near-falls. 

A resilient Cena eventually overcame Del Rio with an Attitude Adjustment.

Styles rushed in, beat on Cena and berated his SummerSlam opponent. Cena fought back and planted Styles into the announcers' table with an AA to close the show.

Result

Cena wins via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Styles and Cena stare each other down during the bout.

"You put me in that ring, I'm the most confident athlete in there."—Styles. 

"I just want to see John Cena in more pain."—Styles. 

Cena powerbombs his way out of the cross armbreaker.

"I'm going to make your passion your prison.—Styles to Cena.

Grade

B

Analysis

Styles was the star here, flourishing on commentary. His timing was great. His animosity for Cena burned through the screen. 

The in-ring action itself featured a paint-by-numbers match. Cena kills it against a number of foes, but against some opponents such as Del Rio, there's little life in the contest. 

WWE would have been smart to end SmackDown with Styles towering over a fallen Cena. The babyface toppling The Phenomenal One undercut the power of what preceded it.