WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from August 27

Clash of Champions approaches, and the August 27 edition of SmackDown Live had a chance to determine who would get the opportunity to challenge for the many championships to be defended at the Sept. 15 event.

Four men certainly looking to pick up big wins were those in the King of the Ring tournament. Buddy Murphy would renew his long-standing rivalry with Ali, while Chad Gable would compete against his former tag team partner, Shelton Benjamin.

Randy Orton was certain to respond to the attack of Kofi Kingston last week as their WWE Championship rematch looms. Charlotte Flair also had reason to fire back at Bayley after their confrontation last week.

Roman Reigns was one of the few men not thinking about gold, with another wrestler seemingly looking to seriously injure him. Last week, Daniel Bryan revealed the supposed attacker of The Big Dog, who looked similar to Rowan, and Bryan and Rowan demanded an apology from Reigns.

These were only the promised moments on a night that held serious importance to a brand that is still trying to reshape its title picture.

Randy Orton Reads a Letter from Kofi Kingston's Son

Credit: WWE.com

Kofi Kingston opened SmackDown to talk up what he would do to Randy Orton at Clash of Champions.

However, The Viper appeared on the Titantron and read a letter he had gotten from Kingston's son, Kai, who wanted Orton to stop hurting his father.

He promised to pay the WWE champion's family a visit in their hotel room, which set off the New Day member. The two fought backstage, and Orton planted the champ with a hanging DDT off a table.

Grade

B+

Analysis

This feud has been fantastic most weeks, and this was another great step to keep it exciting.

Kingston's family has been mostly kept out of the story but still used occasionally to get a rise out of the titleholder. The Apex Predator is playing masterful mind games.

If this keeps up, there is some potential for the story to go too far. It feels just right at the moment, though.

King of the Ring: Buddy Murphy vs. Ali

Ali and Buddy Murphy showed respect with a quick handshake before the match, but it quickly got physical.

The Best Kept Secret put Ali through the wringer with his best shots, but the young babyface refused to stay down and ended up hitting the 450 splash for the win.

Result

Ali def. Murphy by pinfall to advance to the second round of the King of the Ring tournament

Grade

A

Analysis

This was an excellent television match. Both wrestlers got the crowd behind them and fulfilled the promise of two men with impeccable chemistry fighting for a true opportunity. 205 Live alumni continue to deliver in a big way.

It was surprising for Ali to defeat Murphy just one week after his huge upset over Daniel Bryan, but it makes sense. This gives him a chance to stand out through his in-ring work, while the Australian can continue to be a part of the Roman Reigns story.

The Miz Challenges Shinsuke Nakamura for Clash of Champions

The Miz called out Sami Zayn and Shinsuke Nakamura, setting a challenge for Clash of Champions against the WWE intercontinental champion.

The Critic of the Critics taunted The A-Lister into an ambush before Nakamura arrived. The two beat down Miz, ending it with a Kinshasa.

Grade

B+

Analysis

While it is still hard to believe WWE has made Zayn into a manager, he sounds freer now on the mic. He's great talking down to people when it is someone else performing the beatdown.

Nakamura vs. Miz should be a great match that can help solidify the title reign of The Artist. He needs to be able to take down top competitors in dominant fashion after months of lackluster booking.

Bayley vs. Lacey Evans

Bayley and Ember Moon talked backstage about the possibility of a rematch down the line, but Lacey Evans interrupted and promised to prove her worth against the SmackDown women's champion.

Charlotte Flair came out during this match to watch as The Lady injured the arm of Bayley. The champion fought through and hit a Bayley-to-Belly for a near-fall, followed quickly by a diving elbow for the win.

Result

Bayley def. Evans by pinfall

Grade

C-

Analysis

This was an overlong match, but Bayley did well to make it interesting.

However, Evans does not need to be treated as though she's always on the level of the current titleholders. She had a better showing than women's tag team champion Nikki Cross.

If more women got booking like The Sassy Southern Belle, it would be easier to see more wrestlers in the division as worthy title contenders.

Randy Orton vs. Big E

Big E left Kofi Kingston in the trainer's room where he was being attended to after his fight with Randy Orton. E promised to make The Viper pay later Tuesday night.

He delivered on that vow early in a physical match where E sent the former world champion into the barricade and threw him onto the announce table. However, The Revival helped save Orton from a Big Ending and set up an RKO for the victory.

Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder lifted E up for an assisted RKO after the match to do further damage to the last man standing for The New Day.

Result

Orton def. Big E by pinfall

Grade

B

Analysis

This was a surprisingly competitive match. In fact, it felt like Big E had the advantage throughout despite the current status of Orton. This almost came off as a star-making moment for the New Day man before The Revival cut the match short.

Working with The Viper has aided Dawson and Wilder immensely. The two just feel more natural helping a top star, using their pack mentality.

Kevin Owens Costs Elias the 24/7 Championship

Credit: WWE.com

Kevin Owens found Elias in Shane McMahon's office but no Shane, and The Living Truth taunted The Prizefighter over the result of their King of the Ring match last week.

Late in the night, Elias sat on the King of the Ring throne with the crown on his head. However, an angry KO appeared to spoil his fun and sent his rival to the ring and hit a stunner.

R-Truth snuck in to try to take a pinfall, but Drake Maverick pulled him off and took the pin for himself, winning back the 24/7 Championship.

Result

Maverick def. Elias by pinfall to become the new 24/7 champion

Grade

C

Analysis

This was a fine segment, but the 24/7 Championship storyline is getting a bit stale. It's the same two stars taking the same short cuts to steal back the title. It is time to do something fresh.

The roster is packed with wrestlers who can do something with this spotlight. Where did all the stars chasing R-Truth around each week go?

King of the Ring: Chad Gable vs. Shelton Benjamin

Shelton Benjamin taunted Chad Gable, who was giving a prematch interview and didn't even notice his opponent was there and making more jokes about his height.

Gable came out firing on all cylinders, proving Benjamin had only motivated him. He managed to slip through the grasp of his rival and pick up the victory with a roll-up.

Result

Gable def. Benjamin by pinfall to advance in the King of the Ring tournament

Grade

C

Analysis

This was a wasted match between two talented stars. Benjamin was treated like an afterthought, not even getting an entrance, so it was hardly surprising when Gable won.

It will be more interesting to see what Gable can do against Andrade next week.

Roman Reigns Refuses to Believe Daniel Bryan

Credit: WWE.com

Roman Reigns opened the night, promising to make his statement in the ring.

The Big Dog revealed a video of Rowan causing the first accident. Daniel Bryan slapped Rowan repeatedly, calling him a liar.

The Planet's Champion headed to the ring to tell Reigns he wasn't involved, but the former world champion didn't believe it and speared Bryan.

Grade

D+

Analysis

WWE has treated this story like the biggest angle in the company, yet every week feels like it delivers less than the last.

After Reigns revealed blurry footage that could have easily been the supposed Rowan lookalike, Bryan immediately turned on his friend.

Moreover, nothing was accomplished again. This feud could have been in full gear a month ago, but it drags on without a hint of a resolution. Both these men are too good for this angle.