WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from August 28

For the second night of WWE action in Toronto, the August 28 edition of SmackDown Live was focused almost entirely on Hell in a Cell, with huge rivalries beginning to develop on the blue brand for the next pay-per-view event.

Two major matches were announced ahead of time for the show. Charlotte Flair was set to defend the SmackDown Women's Championship against former champion Carmella, while a tag team tournament began once more with Sheamus and Cesaro vs. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson vs. The Colons in Round 1.

With new challengers fighting for a shot at their SmackDown Tag Team Championships, Kofi Kingston, Big E and Xavier Woods promised a big title celebration after dethroning The Bludgeon Brothers last week.

It was also expected that AJ Styles and Samoa Joe would again come to blows in their personal rivalry.

While Raw has been focusing on multiple shows at once, SmackDown's whole focus on Hell in a Cell promised a more exciting and energetic show with real stakes in every segment.

King Booker Praises The New Day; The Bar vs. The Colons vs. Gallows and Anderson

The New Day started the night ready to celebrate its title win only to have King Booker make a surprise appearance.

While Big E had some issues with Booker T's royal titles for the trio, Booker ultimately praised the team and welcomed it to the five-time championship club.

The champs then watched the Triple Threat tag team title match that followed at a personal announce table. Gallows and Anderson rolled as a unit before Primo and Epico hit Gallows with a double backstabber and Cesaro stole the pinfall for the win.

General manager Paige then told Rusev and Aiden English backstage they would be fighting The Usos and Sanity next week to determine the team that would face The Bar to earn a shot at New Day.

Result

Sheamus and Cesaro def. The Colons and Gallows and Anderson by pinfall to advance to face the winner of next week's Triple Threat

Grade

B

Analysis

The King's return was a surprise move, bringing back Booker's weirdest gimmick. Honestly, it would have made more sense for the WWE Hall of Famer to come out as normal here, but it made for a fun if also bizarre opening segment.

The Triple Threat that followed was fun even though tag team Triple Threats are always awkward. Primo and Epico got some moments to shine for the first time in years, and Gallows and Anderson also looked good. The Bar, though, was the only team that could win.

Jeff Hardy Demands Randy Orton Fight Him Inside Hell in a Cell

Jeff Hardy blamed Randy Orton for reforming his identity and warping his reality.

The Charismatic Enigma called out The Viper, who promised to finish his work in erasing Hardy's current identity.

After Orton refused to fight Hardy right away, The Enigma announced he would fight The Apex Predator inside Hell in a Cell on Sept. 16.

Grade

C

Analysis

This feud has been oddly paced to the point that it is hard to imagine it is already worthy of being inside the Cell. With Styles vs. Joe already suited for that role as well as Charlotte vs. Lynch, this brand is bloated with matches that could happen inside the structure.

The promos here were somewhat abstract and lacking in necessary heat, which only further showed how hard it has been to invest in the content.

Naomi vs. Billie Kay

Credit: WWE.com

After The IIconics taunted Naomi once more, their teamwork proved to be too much for the WrestleMania 34 women's Battle Royal winner.

Behind the referee's back, Peyton Royce caught Naomi with a high side kick that allowed Billie Kay to roll her up for three.

Result

Kay def. Naomi by pinfall

Grade

D

Analysis

While The IIconics are charismatic heels, they have not impressed much in the ring. This is especially true of Kay, who struggled through this match. She did not appear comfortable at any point here and seemed out of position repeatedly.

Daniel Bryan vs. Andrade 'Cien' Almas

Credit: WWE.com

Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella talked up how much they were excited to beat up The Miz and Maryse.

However, Andrade "Cien" Almas with Zelina Vega interrupted and derided The Yes! Man before Paige made a match between the two men.

Bryan and Almas went to war, trading big shots, but The Miz came out after The Beard hit a double underhook superplex.

Despite Bryan overcoming the distraction and trapping Almas in the "Yes!" Lock, he could not get the tapout after Maryse threw Brie into the post to set up Miz to assault Bryan.

Miz let Almas hit a hammerlock DDT on Bryan before locking the former SmackDown Live GM in the "Yes!" Lock and forcing him to watch Maryse lay out Brie. Miz then hit a Skull-Crushing Finale.

Result

Bryan def. Almas by disqualification

Grade

A

Analysis

Bryan vs. Almas was a great preview of what the two could do together down the line. They had a fun sprint and kept the energy up throughout. Cien probably took one too many dangerous bumps, but it made for an engaging clash.

Still, the biggest moment of this segment was Miz and Maryse's attack on Bryan and Brie. They made this mixed tag match feel personal as they went right after the faces viciously, keeping this feud hot.

Samoa Joe Taunts AJ Styles Once More

Credit: WWE.com

AJ Styles called out Samoa Joe, demanding he stop all the mind games.

However, Joe appeared on the TitanTron with a different plan. He called up Wendy Styles and promised to be at her cookout next Tuesday. The Phenomenal One headed backstage to try to find Joe but to no avail.

Grade

B

Analysis

This was a solid short promo segment that continued this story. It did feel a bit rushed for a segment that contained the world champion and his most dangerous contender.

The WWE Championship rivalry continues to feel a bit secondary despite the best work of SmackDown's two top male stars.

SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair vs. Carmella

Credit: WWE.com

Carmella slowed down the pace early in this match, and it worked as she came after Charlotte Flair with strikes and vicious high-impact offense, including a suicide dive and Frankensteiner. She managed to block the Figure-Eight and hit a pair of superkicks.

However, Charlotte still caught her with a Spear, Natural Selection and Figure-Eight for the submission victory. Becky Lynch assaulted The Queen after the bell and promised to take her title back at Hell in a Cell.

Result

Charlotte def. Carmella by submission to retain the SmackDown Women's Championship

Grade

B+

Analysis

Credit should be given to Carmella, who continues to look better with each major match, with this easily the best The Princess of Staten Island and The Queen have been together. This was a fun, fast-paced title defense with the right finish.

Charlotte put away the woman who stole her title after WrestleMania 34 and can now move on to a greater threat in a focused and incensed Irish Lass Kicker.