Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for August 18, 2023

The show starts with The Grayson Waller Effect. Grayson Waller says he cannot wait to hear Edge thanks him for making him relevant again, then introduces tonight's guests: Santos Escobar and Rey Mysterio. As Grayson Waller implies that Santos Escobar was robbed of a United States title match, Rey says that Austin Theory tried to cook up a plan last week and that he and Escobar ruined it. Waller says he felt there would be some tension between Rey and Escobar before accusing Rey of trying to steal the spotlight from Escobar, but Escobar tells him to shut up and that the only person he is angry at is Theory.Escobar says he gave Rey his blessing because he has respect for him as a friend and a mentor, something that Grayson Waller does not have, and tells Grayson that he can see through what Grayson Waller is doing. As Escobar says he will get revenge once he is fully healed, Theory shows up. Theory congratulates Rey on beating him for his title, then asks where the "Father of the Year" is before asking who runs the show, as he was played in what he calls "a tragedy" and Escobar was not man enough to step up to him on one leg. Theory then tells Rey that he was not supposed to be in last week's match, and declares that WWE official Adam Pearce will show up and hand the title back to him. Pearce shows up and says nobody wants to hear Theory complain tonight, then L.A. Knight shows up. L.A. Knight calls Theory out on calling himself the greatest United States Champion of all time, saying he defended his title once in thee months and he fumbled the ball. He then says that no matter who has he has to face, the title will be his. He says that he went through 24 other men to win a battle royal, and says he has no problem going through other people to get a championship. He then proposes that he and Theory - who are both in their ring gear - have a match tonight. Pearce says he cannot argue with that, and makes the match official for right now.

The Miz guests on commentary for the next match.

Austin Theory beats LA Knight with a schoolkid pin after grabbing the tights following the distraction by The Miz.

John Cena, Sheamus, Natalya, The Miz, Charlotte Flair, and Sami Zayn thank Edge for 25 years in the business.

We see a video package of Edge's time in WWE.

Bayley and Dakota Kai show up and introduce Iyo Sky before the next match.

Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair beat Damage CTRL (Bayley and Iyo Sky).

"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes, Bobby Lashley, Dolph Ziggler, Ricochet, Bayley, Kevin Owens, Becky Lynch, Rey Mysterio, and Kurt Angle thank Edge for 25 years in the business.

Backstage, Bianca Belair is attacked from behind by Damage CTRL (Bayley, Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai) as she is being interviewed by Cathy Kelley. They wrap a chair around Bianca Belair's left leg before Iyo Sky strikes the chair with another chair to further injure it.

The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) beat The O.C. (Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson). After the match, Bobby Lashley celebrates with The Street Profits on stage.

Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews Paul Heyman. Heyman says he cannot give an update on The Bloodline or the headspace of Roman Reigns, then refuses to talk about rumors before receiving a phone call where he finds out that Jimmy Uso will be live on SmackDown next week. On the subject of who was on the other end of the call, Heyman says he would love to share his source, but even he would not dare.

Edge beats Sheamus in a knock-down, drag-out, first-time-ever match in front of a hometown crowd in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Edge and Sheamus hug as the show fades to black.

This week on The SmackDown LowDown: Austin Theory! Grayson Waller! The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) and Bobby Lashley!

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