Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for August 11, 2023

Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka ends in a no-contest. During the match, Damage CTRL (Bayley, Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai) show up, and Iyo Sky ends the match with a springboard double drop kick to Charlotte and Asuka. After the match, Bayley and Iyo Sky attack Charlotte and Asuka.

Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews Santos Escobar. Escobar says he is confident and that everything will pay off tonight, then he is suddenly attacked by Austin Theory until officials arrive. When they do, Theory slams a road crate lid on Escobar's left leg.

We hear from Karrion Kross and Scarlett. Kross says it is time to take things to the next level when it comes to "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles, and says a prophet is nothing without his disciples before announcing that we will soon see.

"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles beats Karrion Kross after "Michin" Mia Yim thwards Scarlett's interference attempts.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley gets an interviews with Austin Theory, who says that Santos Escobar falls apart like toilet paper. Rey Mysterio shows up and tells Theory that Escobar will meet him in the ring, and almost takes a shot at Theory before being stopped by an official.

Edge heads to the ring. Edge mentions his 25-year anniversary being next week before mentioning that Calgary, Alberta, Canada was on the docket the week before and that it has been too long since he was in Calgary. He then mentions that he wants a one-on-one match with a man that he has a lot of history with but has never wrestled: Sheamus, who is the reason why he is standing in a wrestling ring, as he was the one who inspired him to get back in the ring. Edge mentions Sheamus' Celtic Warrior Workout YouTube channel and how he took part in it by mountain biking, and when he did, he thought people would wonder why he could do that but not wrestle, and from there, Edge thought a return was possible. When he wanted to find out if he was really ready, Edge made a phone call to Sheamus, who he knew would put him through his paces, and after that, he was ready. Edge then says he stands in Calgary to prove it, and that he needs an answer before introducing Sheamus. The Brawling Brutes (Sheamus, Butch, Ridge Holland) show up, and Sheamus shows the footage from Celtic Warrior Workout from 2019 where Sheamus and Edge go mountain biking. Edge responds with a picture of Sheamus sitting on Edge's daughter's bike, then Sheamus gets serious for a moment and talks about how he was at a crossroads in 2004 when WWE came to town and Edge was the only person to give him advice. Sheamus talks about how Edge gave him his time and gave him the best advice he ever heard behind a Guinness, and from there, Sheamus knew Edge was a world-class act. He says that without that conversation, he would not be standing in a WWE ring. Edge then proposes the challenge to a one-on-one match, and Sheamus accepts.

WWE wishes Hulk Hogan a happy 70th birthday.

LA Knight beats Top Dolla. After the match, LA Knight says that no matter what show it is, everyone will know it is his game.

Backstage, WWE official Adam Pearce tells Santos Escobar that he is technically cleared, but he wants to hear him say that he can go. Escobar tells Pearce that he can go.

Backstage, Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) celebrate a future of unlimited possibilities and says the saddest thing in life is untapped potential. He says that he sees something in them as they have done some great things, and Lashley tells them to think of what they can do together, and says that SmackDown is ready for some new blood.

Before the next match, Santos Escobar is hit with a chop block to the left leg by Austin Theory on the stage, and officials, including Adam Pearce, have to check on Escobar. Theory then apologizes for the fans not being able to experience him live, as Escobar is "too weak," and tells the ref to make the count because he is going home. WWE official Adam Pearce tells Theory that he will be defending against Rey Mysterio.

Rey Mysterio beats Austin Theory for the WWE United States Championship! Rey Mysterio celebrates with the rest of The Latino World Order (Santos Escobar, Joaquin Wilde, Cruz del Toro), including Santos Escobar, after the match before a pyrotechnics display goes off.

Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman and Solo Sikoa head to the ring. Roman asks Heyman where Jimmy Uso is, and as Heyman tells Roman about Jimmy, Jimmy shows up from out of the crowd, causing the fans to chant "You sold out!" Roman tells Jimmy not to worry about the fans, as they mean nothing, and tells him that he owes him one. He then tells Jimmy to name his price, but Jimmy says he wants nothing from Roman as what he did at SummerSlam has nothing to do with him. As Roman asks Jimmy if he wants power, Jey Uso shows up and takes the microphone from Jimmy's hand before demanding an explanation from him. Jimmy says he did what he did because he loves him, and that he was afraid to lose him, for if Jey became Tribal Chief, he would be no better than Roman. He also says that he did not want Jey to be "a maniacal and egotistical asshole" like Roman, and says that he has no problem with their friendship ending this way or Jey Uso superkicking him. Jey turns his back on Jimmy instead, and Jimmy leaves. Roman laughs and says there has never been a perfect time to say "I told you so," then tells Jey that he would mess everything up. Roman then demands Jey acknowledge him, and Jey superkicks Roman before fending off Solo. Roman then hits Jey with the Superman Punch, but Jey is able to stop the Spear. Jey then asks Jimmy to come to him, and as they both go for a hug, Jey superkicks Jimmy. He then says to the camera that he is "out of the Bloodline, out of SmackDown and out of WWE." He then says "Deuces, Uces!" before leaving through the crowd.

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

This week on The SmackDown LowDown: The Brawling Brutes (Sheamus, Butch, Ridge Holland)! Damage CTRL (Bayley, Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai)! Rey Mysterio!

Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for January 6, 2023

The show begins with The Bloodline (Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Solo Sikoa, Sami Zayn) causing a disturbance at the announce table. All of a sudden, Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman show up. Roman starts things off differently tonight by giving the people want they want, as he wants to hear from Sami Zayn now. Sami says The Bloodline is putting everyone on notice that this year belongs to them. Sami says they came to Raw to send a message and that they did that by winning their matches, and that they are sending a message this year. Roman then says he wants to know what happened last year, when he and Sami had their match with John Cena and Kevin Owens and lost, then says Sami lost - not him - because Sami's shoulders were on the mat, not his. He then asks Sami why he called his shot and guaranteed a win he is the one who does it and always deliver, and asks Sami if he wants to be him before screaming at him. Suddenly, Kevin Owens shows up. Owens tells Roman to calm down and take a deep breath due to his misdirected anger, then reminds Roman that his problem is with him, not Sami, and that it is starting to drive him crazy. He then says Roman should do what he says he does and take care of his "KO problem" by beating him at Royal Rumble. Roman says all he wants is for Owens to disappear, then Owens says he will see Roman at Royal Rumble and that he will see Sami "when [he digs his] balls out of Roman's pockets."

Charlotte Flair shows up to the arena in a luxurious sports car.

Santos Escobar beats Kofi Kingston after Cruz del Toro distracts the referee while Joaquin Wilde stops Kofi from hitting Trouble In Paradise, allowing Escobar to hit the Phantom Driver for the win.

It is announced that Kevin Owens will face Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at Royal Rumble.

Backstage, Paul Heyman tells Sami Zayn that now is not the time to talk to Roman Reigns while letting The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) into Roman's dressing room, then Heyman tells Sami that while he still loves him, even being three steps down the road is bad for Sami.

We hear from Liv Morgan, who says that she would love to win the women's Royal Rumble match after entering at #1 and beating the crap out of every other woman in the match instead of entering at #30.

Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews L.A. Knight, who makes a reference to Marc Cohn's "Walking In Memphis" before bashing Memphis, Tennessee and saying that Bray Wyatt's plans have blown up in his face and that he will walk in and beat him at Royal Rumble. He says that when the lights go off, Bray Wyatt's lights will go out.

Karrion Kross and Scarlett beat Madcap Moss and Emma with a Kross Jacket from Kross to Moss. After the match, Kross and Scarlett place a Rey Mysterio mask on Moss' head before Kross displays a tarot card with Rey on it and lays it on top of Moss.

We see Sheamus and Drew McIntyre at Jerry Lawler's Hall of Fame Bar and Grill on Beale Street. Both of them talk about bar fights and smack each other before Sheamus calls McIntyre an honorary Brawling Brute. Sheamus and Drew McIntyre smack each other as they look back on Fastlane before firing each other up for their match with The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) tonight. The people at the bar then join in on the "banger after banger" chant.

Charlotte Flair heads to the ring. Charlotte asks the fans if they missed her, then talks about how she was gone for eight months and how she was overwhelmed by the fans' reaction when she returned. She says that whether the people cheer, boo or woo, passion, consistency and dedication for what she does in the ring. She also says that she will demand more and that will not rest until she knocks down any obstacle in her way. Charlotte says a champion expects the unexpected and never backs down from a challenge, and says that this is what she has done fourteen times. Suddenly, Sonya Deville shows up. Sonya says "the hillbillies in this building" are too gullible to see through her lies, then says there should be an asterisk next to Charlotte's fourteenth title reign in WWE due to beating "a half-dead Ronda Rousey." This leads to a "Whoop that trick!" chant before Sonya asks Charlotte how she would fare against a fresh fighter. She then tells Charlotte to prove she is a real champion by defending against her right now. Charlotte accepts Sonya's challenge, then referee Jessica Carr enters the ring to referee the match.

Charlotte Flair retains the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship against Sonya Deville with the Figure Eight.

We see a video package about "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes' return to WWE at WrestleMania.

We see a vignette of Lacey Evans training in close quarters combat in a WWE ring before putting someone in a Cobra Clutch.

Ricochet beats Top Dolla to qualify for the men's Royal Rumble Match. After the match, both men shake hands, and Top Dolla raises Ricochet's hands before Ashante "Thee" Adonis hits Ricochet with a cheap shot. B-Fab then his Ricochet with a pump kick before Adonis hits Ricochet with mounted punches. Adonis and Top Dolla then double team Ricochet and lay him out, but as Top Dolla grabs Ricochet again, Braun Strowman runs into the ring and chases Hit Row (B-Fab, Top Dolla, Ashante "Thee" Adonis) out.

Backstage, The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) and Solo Sikoa leave Roman Reigns' dressing room, then Roman asks Paul Heyman to bring Sami Zayn in.

We see a video package for Braun Strowman vs. Gunther for the WWE Intercontinental Championship next week.

Backstage, Sami Zayn meets with Roman Reigns. Sami tells Roman that he acknowledges him and that he is not trying to take power from him, and apologizes for doing anything that made it look like he was doing that. Roman says he does not have to accept his apology, then apologizes to Sami for yelling at him like he did before saying he should be the one to apologize. He then says Owens was right and that he was taking his anger out on Sami. Roman says that they will fix their problem with Owens, then Paul Heyman tells Sami that he is giving him the opportunity to redeem himself in a match against Kevin Owens next week. Sami tells Roman that he will take care of Owens. As The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) head to the ring, Sami prepares to leave, but Roman asks Sami to watch the match with him backstage.

The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) retain the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships against Sheamus and Drew McIntyre after Sheamus loses his balance kicking Jey Uso off the apron while holding Jimmy Uso. Jimmy Uso pins Sheamus while Jey Uso puts his feet on Jimmy's back for leverage.

After the show goes off the air, Sheamus and Drew McIntyre are attacked by The Viking Raiders (Ivar and Erik).

This week on The SmackDown LowDown: Charlotte Flair! Braun Strowman! Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Joaquin Wilde, Cruz del Toro, Zelina Vega)!

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