Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for September 1, 2023

In memory of Terry Funk, 1944 - 2023. In memory of Windham "Bray Wyatt" Rotunda, 1987 - 2023.

John Cena heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Cena says the fans have given him twenty years of moments and that running down to the ring and sliding into it always gets better, and says that he will always find the time to thank the fans for all they have given to him and continue to give. He says the fans have given him a chance to return to his WWE family again, which feels good, to return to SmackDown for the next couple of months, and the ability to wrestle in India for the first time at Superstar Spectacle. Cena also announces that the fans have given him the opportunity to host Payback tomorrow night, and for all the fans have given him, he will do his best to give back to the fans, which starts right here, right now. Cena says tonight will be an epic night full of noise and unforgettable moments, then Jimmy Uso - now with a new theme song - suddenly shows up. Jimmy wants to know what Cena is doing here tonight, as the people came to see him, as he is a top star, and hear why he did what he did. He says he will save his brother Jey Uso ten times over if he has too, and regardless of whether the fans approve of what he did or not, he loves his brother. Jimmy says he did not want Jey to be corrupted by Roman Reigns or like John Cena, then says this is his ring and that Roman Reigns and John Cena are exactly alike. Cena notes that Jimmy Uso has had a lot on his mind and has waited three years and has only thought about one thing, then tells Jimmy Uso "The wrong Uso quit. Take that." Jimmy tries to superkick Cena, but Cena counters with the Attitude Adjustment.

Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews Grayson Waller and Austin Theory. Theory and Waller laugh at the thought of John Cena being the host of Payback, then announces that The Grayson Waller Effect is at Payback with special guest Cody Rhodes. Theory says the greatest tag team of all time will beat Rey Mysterio and Santos Escobar, whom Theory calls "Santos Uno Leg."

Backstage, an angry Jimmy Uso nearly threatens a backstage employee.

Austin Theory and Grayson Waller beat The Latino World Order (Rey Mysterio and Santos Escobar).

Backstage, Mia Yim is meeting with WWE official Adam Pearce when Jimmy Uso shows up. Pearce tells Jimmy he cannot be rude to everybody backstage.

Backstage, Mia Yim talks to Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson about Jimmy Uso's recent behavior. "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles walks in on this conversation, then says he will take care of it.

Bobby Lashley heads to the ring. Lashley says that everywhere he goes, everyone keeps asking him what is going on with him and The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford). He says that "real recognizes real" and "great recognizes great," and that he recognizes The Street Profits, who head to the ring. Lashley says The Street Profits are charismatic and athletic, and are now more aggressive than ever before. Montez Ford says tonight is not about them, but about gratitude to Lashley for all he has done for them. Montez says they have not seen success in a long time, and Dawkins says that Lashley has helped them see the bigger picture. Montez says they have gone from "was" to "is," then he and Dawkins thank Lashley. Lashley tells The Street Profits can thank him with their continued success before announcing that they are putting the locker room on notice as they come for power, control and championship gold, and that they are coming for it all. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn then head to the ring as Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits make their way out, and Lashey and The Street Profits let them pass.

Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn beat The Latino World Order (Joaquin Wilde and Cruz del Toro). After the match, Sami Zayn tells The Judgment Day (Finn Balor and Damian Priest) that tomorrow night is not going to be fun or pretty, and to bring everything they have because it will be the fight of their lives.

Backstage, Jimmy Uso is about to leave when "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles confronts him for his recent behavior. Jimmy shoves AJ, but AJ Shoves back. Solo Sikoa then shows up and shoves AJ before confronting Jimmy. Solo tells Jimmy he is out of The Bloodline, but Jimmy says neither he, Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman or anyone can tell him anything as he leaves.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles. Styles says The Bloodline do not run everything like they think they do, and says that he wants Solo Sikoa tonight so he can knock his teeth down his throat. The rest of The O.C. (Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, "Michin" Mia Yim) show up, and Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson try to talk him out of it while Mia Yim eggs him on. Styles says The Bloodline need a reminder that SmackDown is "The House that AJ Styles built."

The Miz heads to the ring. Miz says that tomorrow night at Payback, LA Knight will be competing in the biggest match of his career, saying it is not an insult, but a fact, and that he showed how easy it was to beat LA Knight, as he is not on his level. LA Knight soon shows up and lists off who The Miz has impersonated through his career before mentioning himself, and says he, The Rock and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin are all people Miz want to be like but cannot. Knight says he has to bring himself out of the sewers just to get himself to where he is, and says The Miz could not last a day in his shoes. He also says he is above and beyond The Miz and that The Miz is not on his level. Miz says Knight has failed where he has succeeded and that it only took him three years to get to WWE, but Knight says Miz only took advantage of every advantage he had and yet Maryse was the star of his own reality show. He also tells Miz to send Maryse his regards when he sends her a battered, broken husband and is left empty inside, which he can fix with a phone call. Miz says all those years of cutting WWE promos with his hair brush in a roach-infested apartment have paid off, and that the fans only relate to Knight because they are failures, even as Knight never gave up and succeeded unlike the fans themselves. After telling Knight that he is going up against a Superstar who is "the wrong Superstar for [him]," then says that he is like a human time traveler and that after he beats him, he will be a failure again and he will be cutting promos like a WWE Superstar like it is 2003. Knight says he never knew how to quit while The Miz lives in the past while his present is trash and his future is about to get worst, and tomorrow, Miz will get scrubbed out as he finds out whose game it is. Miz goes for a cheap shot, and when Knight tries to fight back, Miz hits him with the Skull Crushing Finale. He then tells LA Knight that this is his future. When The Miz heads to the back, LA Knight runs after The Miz and hits him with the ground and pound. Security and officials hold LA Knight back as Miz flees.

It is announced that "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles vs. Solo Sikoa is official for later tonight.

Shotzi beats Bayley after Charlotte Flair shows up and fights off Iyo Sky as Dakota Kai gets caught on the ring apron by the referee trying to get physically involved.

We see a video package chronicling the events leading up to Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Seth "Freakin'" Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship at Payback.

Solo Sikoa beats "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles. Paul Heyman shows up during the match to watch from ringside. Near the end of the match, Jimmy Uso shows up and trips Styles off the top rope as he goes for the Phenomenal Forearm while the referee is checking on Solo. After the match, Jimmy Uso celebrates with Solo Sikoa, and Paul Heyman has to stop Solo from hitting Jimmy with the Samoan Spike. As Heyman and Solo leave, Jimmy Uso superkicks Styles and hits him with the Uso Splash.