Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for July 21, 2023

The Bloodline (Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, Solo Sikoa) is seen backstage.

Before the next match, LA Knight says that SummerSlam is around the corner and the only party he wants to go to is one with him holding the WWE United States Championship, then says the three men in his way will fall because it is his game. Also, Austin Theory is seen sitting at ringside to watch the match, and Wes Lee and Dragon Lee are seen in the crowd.

Rey Mysterio beats Cameron Grimes, Sheamus, and LA Knight in a Fatal 4-Way Match to face Santos Escobar for a shot at the WWE United States Championship in the WWE United States Championship Invitational. During the match, Austin Theory pulls Rey Mysterio out of a pinfall and throws him into the ring steps, and Escobar runs in and chases Theory to the back as he beats him up. After the match, Rey and Escobar celebrate in the ring.

The Cavinder Twins (Hanna and Hayley Cavinder) are seen in the crowd, and Jey Uso meets Tony D'Angelo, Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo and The Creed Brothers (Julius and Brutus Creed) backstage.

Backstage, Austin Theory wants a match with Santos Escobar from WWE official Adam Pearce tonight in response to Escobar attacking him. When Pearce makes it a title match, Theory says it is about more than the title as Escobar disrespected him. Pearce makes the match non-title.

Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams are seen in the crowd.

Tiffany Stratton is seen in the crowd.

Bayley guests on commentary for the next match.

Charlotte Flair beats Iyo Sky. During the match, Bayley distracts Charlotte, but Shotzi soon shows up on the TitanTron, laughing at and taunting Bayley, who freaks out and heads to the back. After the match, Charlotte is attacked from behind by Asuka.

Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews Rhea Ripley and "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio. Dominik says he wanted to show his "deadbeat dad" Rey Mysterio what a real champion looks like, and while Rey will only be the champion of the United States, he is the champion of North America and 23 other countries. Butch then shows up and wants a match for the North American Championship, and when Dominik tries to get out of the match, Shawn Michaels shows up and says he will get with WWE official Adam Pearce and make the match official.

Backstage, Roman Reigns looks at Solo Sikoa. Solo nods, then looks away while Paul Heyman looks on as if he does not know what will happen next.

Backstage, Bayley and Iyo Sky notice that Bayley's bag has been slashed, and a picture of Bayley is stuck to it with a pair of scissors. Bayley insists that the two of them leave the arena right now.

Santos Escobar beats Austin Theory.

Backstage, Bobby Lashley is briefly seen meeting with Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams.

Dominik Mysterio retains the NXT North American Championship against Butch. During the match, Rhea Ripley hands Dominik Mysterio a chain, but Ridge Holland takes it away as Rhea distracts the referee. Later on in the match, Kit Wilson pushes Elton Prince to the ring with in a wheelchair. Kit Wilson gets a cheap shot on Ridge Holland, but Butch gets a cheap shot on Kit Wilson, who soon runs to the back before he and Ridge scare off Elton Prince, who gets out of the wheelchair and runs to the back. Soon after this, Rhea Ripley gets physically involved in the match with a chop block to Butch, and Dominik retains.

SmackDown is back on Fox next week.

Jey Uso heads to the ring. After the commercial break, The Bloodline (Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, Solo Sikoa) also heads to the ring. Roman asks Jey Uso if he still wants to do this, but Jey says he still wants to do this, that he has to do this, and that he has to get him. Roman tells Jey he will not get him because he does not get it, and that he is just a soldier and a pawn in the game. Roman then signs the contract for their match, then Jey tears the contract up and says they do not need a contract, for the contract is in the blood. He says that this is tribal combat now, and when Roman asks if the office knows about it, Jey says it was their idea. He then says that in tribal combat, anything goes, but Roman says this is not his first rodeo and that his title - which he places on the table - means nothing to him, and that they can go right now. Jey reminds him that this is tribal combat, and Roman removes his necklace and places it on top of his championship before the two of them stand face-to-face in the center of the ring. Roman leaves, and when Solo topples the table and tries to attack, Roman stops him and Jey superkicks Solo.

This week on The SmackDown LowDown: The Latino World Order (Rey Mysterio, Santos Escobar, Joaquin Wilde, Cruz del Toro, Zelina Vega)! Damage CTRL (Bayley and Iyo Sky)! The O.C. ("The Phenomenal" AJ Styles, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, "Michin" Mia Yim)!

Here are the top ten moments from tonight's show!