WWE Smackdown Report – 9/1

– The Payback go-home edition of WWE SmackDown on FOX opens up with a video package on The Bloodline’s ongoing drama, mainly the issues between The Usos. We’re now live from the GIANT Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania as Michael Cole welcomes us. He’s joined at ringside by Kevin Patrick and Corey Graves.

– We go right to the ring and out comes John Cena to a huge pop. Cena rushes the ring as Mike Rome does the introduction.

Cena takes the mic and welcomes everyone to a sold out GIANT Center. Fans interrupt with a “Cena!” chant. Cena mentions fans giving him 20 years of memories of sliding into the ring, and it never gets old, it just gets better. Cena goes on and thanks the fans… for all you have given, and all you continue to give. The fans have given Cena the chance to come home again, and it feels good, the chance to be a part of SmackDown for a few months, and the chance to wrestle in India for the first time, which he is thankful for. Cena says he just found this out backstage but he’s also been given the chance to host WWE Payback tomorrow night. Fans pop.

Cena goes on and says as much as the fans have given him, he will do his best to give back to them. Cena says that starts right now tonight with SmackDown. He goes on hyping up the show and says tonight we will have the chance to see Cena face to face with… the music interrupts and out comes Jimmy Uso to boos.

Uso enters the ring to boos. He and Cena size each other up. Fans chant for Jey Uso now. Cena says this feisty bunch is talking about what they want. Uso asks Cena what he’s doing here. Fans boo. Uso says don’t boo him… what are you doing here, John? Uso says these people came to see him. Jimmy says they didn’t come to just see him, they came to find out why. Jimmy says it’s simple – he’d save his brother over and over again, he did what he did at SummerSlam because he loves his brother. He didn’t want to see Jey be corrupted like Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, or like Cena.

Uso knocks Cena’s light blue shirt. Cena admits he has an identifiable fashion sense, and he never gives up on it. Uso says Cena is in his ring now, and Cena is exactly like Reigns. Fans boo. Cena asks how. Uso says Cena and Reigns only take and take and take… the only difference is, Cena does it with a smile on his face. Fans chant “Cena!” now. Cena says he’s got to stop Uso for two seconds now… Cena gets closer and says he knows Uso has a lot on his mind and has been trying to make sense of it… Cena says he’s been wanting to say this to Jimmy for three years – the wrong Uso quit. Cena tells Uso to take that.

Uso turns and looks back at Cena. Uso goes for a superkick but Cena blocks it, then slams him with an Attitude Adjustment in the middle of the ring for a big pop. Cena heads to the floor to celebrate with fans as we see Uso down and trying to recover at ringside. Cena heads to the stage as the music hits. He stops and salutes the crowd.

– Kayla Braxton is backstage with Austin Theory and Grayson Waller. She asks about John Cena hosting Payback and they just laugh. Theory laughs and says please, he beat Cena at WrestleMania 39. Waller hypes up what they will do at Payback, respectively. Theory says if Kayla is done drooling over Cena, she can get ready to see the world’s greatest tag team do what they do. They crack some more jokes and head out.

Austin Theory and Grayson Waller vs. The LWO

We go back to the ring and out comes The LWO – Santos Escobar with Zelina Vega, Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro. They stop and wait as the music hits and out comes 2023 WWE Hall of Famer & United States Champion Rey Mysterio. They head to the ring as we go back to commercial.

Back from the break and we see Jimmy Uso backstage. He yells at a production assistant and tells him to say his name… do you know who I am? The worker nods in fear as Uso hurries off. We go back to the ring and out comes Grayson Waller first. Austin Theory is out next and they head to the ring together as The LWO looks on.

The bell rings and Waller goes at it with Santos. Santos drops Waller for a 1 count. Rey tags in but Waller rocks him. Rey decks Waller and hits Theory on the apron.

Rey keeps fighting and the heels end up on the floor. Santos comes in as Rey runs the ropes. Santos launches Rey out to the floor, taking Waller and Theory down. Rey and Santos stand tall in the ring now as we go to commercial.

Back from the break and Waller slams Rey. Fans chant “619!” now. Theory tags back in as they keep Rey in their corner. We see how Theory turned it around during the break with a cheap shot on Rey. The heels double team Rey to keep him down and the referee stops Santos from running in.

Rey finally gets an opening and runs for Santos but Waller knocks Santos off the apron. Rey drops Waller as Vega rallies. Santos tags in and unloads on Waller now. Santos goes up top and hits a big crossbody for 2. Santos with running flying knees into the corner. Santos climbs up for a big hurricanrana for 2 as Waller breaks the pin up. Rey comes in but Waller hits him. Rey sends Theory to the floor. On the other side of the ring, Santos knocks Waller to the floor. They look to run and do dives but Theory runs back in with a chop block but Santos pushes Rey out of the way.

Theory takes Santos’ knee out instead. Rey ends up on Theory’s shoulders but he fights back and they both tumble over the top rope to the floor. Waller runs back in and hits Santos with his rolling Stunner for the pin to win.

Winners: Grayson Waller and Austin Theory

– After the match, Waller and Theory stand tall to celebrate as the music hits.

– Mia Yim is talking to Adam Pearce in his office now. She thinks she’s ready to go, she just needs… Jimmy Uso storms in to interrupt. Pearce says his attitude is horrible. They have a few words and Pearce says you can’t go around being rude to everyone… what’s wrong with you? Uso looks at Pearce and asks if that’s it. Yeah. Uso walks out. Pearce apologizes to Yim but she’s not bothered.

– We go back to the ring and out comes Bobby Lashley to a pop and pyro. Lashley, wearing a suit, is all smiles as he greets fans on the way to the ring. Lashley enters, then poses in the corner as we go back to commercial.

Back from the break and Mia Yim is venting to Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson about Jimmy Uso disrespecting her. They tell her to stay out of The Bloodline’s business. AJ Styles walks up and Yim tells him what happened. Gallows and Anderson say it’s no big deal. AJ says no, it is a big deal. AJ says he will handle this. He walks off as Gallows and Anderson look on and Yim nods. We go back to the ring and fans pop for Lashley.

Lashley says fans know how to make someone feel good. He goes on and says we have business to handle tonight. He says no matter where he goes, everyone wants to know what’s going on with Lashley and The Street Profits.

Lashley says the answer is simple – real recognizes, great recognizes great, and that’s why I recognize The Street Profits. The music hits and out comes Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins, wearing suits. Fans pop as the red Solo cups fall. They head to the ring as Lashley looks on.
Lashley begins praising The Profits as charismatic, athletic, and more aggressive than they have ever been. Ford tells Lashley to hold up… tonight is not about The Profits, it’s about The Profits showing gratitude to Lashley for what he’s done for them. Ford says it’s been a long time since they had this much success. Ford says they have fresh cuts, fresh threads, and they are sexy. Dawkins praises Lashley and says since this friendship was formed, Lashley has shown them the bigger picture. Dawkins says they have stepped over what was, to what is. Ford says it’s nothing personal, it’s only Profits. Ford says they only have 2 words for you, partner – thank you.

Lashley says he appreciates it but they don’t have to thank him, they can thank him with continued success. Lashley says they are sending a message to the entire WWE Universe, they are putting everyone on notice – they are coming for power, control, and championship gold. Some fans pop. Lashley says they are coming for it all. Lashley tosses the mic as his music hits and they embrace, then leave together.

Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn vs. The LWO

Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits are walking up the ramp when the music hits and out comes Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champion Kevin Owens. Owens stops and looks down the ramp. The music hits again and out comes Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champion Sami Zayn now. The champs head down the ramp but Lashley and The Profits are in the way. The two sides briefly face off, then Lashley and The Profits let Owens and Zayn pass. The Profits mockingly wave Owens and Zayn by, while singing Zayn’s song. Owens and Zayn hit the ring and raise the titles for a pop as we go back to commercial.

Back from the break and Owens and Sami are waiting in the ring for this non-title match. The LWO’s Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro are wrapping up their entrance while Zelina Vega looks on from ringside.

The bell hits and Wilde goes at it with Sami so start. Sami takes control early on. Wilde fights back in from the apron and drops Sami with a back elbow, then a splash for 2.

Wilde blocks a backbreaker but eats a clothesline. Owens tags in and hits a big Swanton from the top for 2. Owens keeps control but Wilde blocks a pop-up powerbomb with a dropkick.

More back and forth between the two teams for several minutes. Cruz comes in and unloads on Owens now. Cruz ends up fighting from the apron, and he goes to fly back in but Owens dodges him. Owens catches Cruz coming right back at him and hits a big pop-up powerbomb.

Sami knocks Wilde to the floor with a Helluva Kick. Sami follows up to hit Cruz with a Helluva Kick, then Owens tags in to hit a Stunner on Cruz for the pin to win.

Winners: Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn

– After the match, Sami and Owens stand tall in the middle of the ring with the titles. Sami takes the mic and sends a warning to The Judgment Day for their Steel City Street Fight at Payback tomorrow. Sami says this will not be pretty or fun, but they should bring all they have because this will be the fight of your life.

– We go backstage and see Jimmy Uso getting ready to leave. AJ Styles walks up to him and confronts him over how he disrespected Mia Yim. They argue and then start shoving each other. Solo Sikoa suddenly rushes over and levels AJ to knock him down, but Jimmy is also sent to the floor. Solo looks down at Jimmy now. Solo tells Jimmy he’s not out of The Bloodline until they say he’s out of The Bloodline. Jimmy jumps back to his feet and says there’s nothing Solo, Roman Reigns or Paul Heyman can tell him to do. Jimmy walks out the side door as Solo looks on and we go back to commercial.

– Back from the break and we see what just happened with Jimmy Uso, AJ Styles and Solo Sikoa. Cathy Kelley is backstage with AJ now, and she asks about what went down before the break. AJ says The Bloodline thinks they run SmackDown, WWE and everything else, but they don’t. AJ says he wants Solo in a match tonight so he can knock his teeth down his throat and show him who runs SmackDown. Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson and Mia Yim show up. Anderson and Gallows advise AJ to not get involved in The Bloodline’s stuff. Yim disagrees and says don’t listen to Gallows and Anderson. AJ says no, they need to be reminded that this is The House AJ Styles Built. AJ storms off as Gallows and Anderson watch. Yim nods in approval.

– We go back to the ring and out comes The Miz in a suit, to mostly boos from the crowd. We see recent happenings between Miz and LA Knight.

Miz takes the mic and says at Payback tomorrow night, LA will have the biggest match of his career. Miz goes on and says we saw how easy it was for Miz to become LA on RAW. Fans chant for LA now. Miz continues his rant on how LA is not on his level. Miz says LA is not half the star he is right now, or even 10 years ago. The music hits and out comes LA Knight to a huge pop.

LA hits the ring as fans chant for him. LA takes the mic and asks to talk to ya… fans pop. LA says Miz is always doing his cosplay thing… he’s done The Rock, John Cena and now LA Knight. Yeah. LA says those three guys have something in common… besides Miz not being able to fill out there clothes, ya little turd. Knight says those three guys are who Miz wants to be. LA goes on about how he’s fought up from the gutter, from roach-infested apartments, the very bottom, working every dirty job he could and relying on payday loans. LA agrees with Miz that LA is it not on his level… LA says Miz came in through reality TV but LA fought his way in so yes, they are not on the same level… LA is way up here and Miz is way down there. He says Miz could not walk a day in his boots.

Miz fires back and talks about how LA has failed where he succeeded. Miz says LA isn’t telling us about how he was also on a reality show, called The Hero, but not many know because LA was the first contestant to be eliminated. Miz says he got here in 3 years but it took LA 20. Miz says he succeeds because he’s a star. He goes on ranting but LA interrupts and says Miz only succeeded because takes advantage of every situation. LA knocks Miz for not being the star of his own show, Miz & Maryse, as Maryse was the star. LA says Miz was just on the show as a baggage handler, carrying around your little giblets. A “tiny balls!” chant tries to start up. LA tells Miz to send his regards to Maryse. LA says to tell her when he gives her a broken husband after Payback tomorrow, she’s going to feel empty inside but he can fix that with one phone call to this guy – LA.

Miz rips LA some more and says people love LA and relate to him because they are also failures and they settle for mediocrity. Miz goes on and says LA has had losses but he never gave up, and that gives him the chance to do something the fans could never do -succeed. Miz says LA is going up against a real Superstar that crushes the hopes and dreams of others. Miz says at Payback he’s not just LA’s opponent, he will be a human time traveler and when he defeats LA, LA will lose everything and be forced to go back to that roach-infested apartment, where he will be cutting promos in front of the mirror like it’s 2003 again.

LA says of all the stupid things Miz said, he was right when he said LA never quit. LA says he does not know how to quit. LA says Miz wants to constantly live in the past. He goes on and says about that time machine… Miz should get in it because his present is trash and his future looks even worse because at Payback, Miz will get stomped out and he will learn, in the present and future, whose game this is… LA starts to spell his name with the crowd but Miz attacks with a cheap shot. They go at it and LA ducks a clothesline but gets jabbed in the throat. Miz then puts LA down with a Skull Crushing Finale in the middle of the ring as fans boo. Miz takes the mic and says if LA wants to talk about the future, then that’s his future.

The music hits as Miz makes his exit while LA is still laid out in the ring. Miz heads to the back now but LA jumps up and runs at him from behind, attacking on the ramp. LA unloads with shots as fans cheer him on. Officials rush out to try and restore order by pulling LA off Miz. Miz quickly retreats to the back as LA is held back by officials. Fans chant “LA!” to end the segment.

– We get a replay of Damage CTRL attacking Bianca Belair two weeks ago and injuring her knee.

Bayley vs. Shotzi

We go back to the ring and out comes Damage CTRL – Bayley with WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY and Dakota Kai. They hit the ring as we go to commercial.

Back from the break and out comes Shotzi in the tank as fans cheer her on. The bell hits as Shotzi and Bayley size each other up. Shotzi taunts Bayley and backs her towards the ropes.

Shotzi stalks Bayley, then drops to the mat and continues to creep her out. They start fighting now, going back & forth. Shotzi unloads into the corner and uses the ropes for a submission. Bayley turns it around and beats Shotzi while she’s down. Bayley mocks Shotzi’s shaved head as Damage CTRL looks on laughing.

Shotzi drops Bayley with an enziguri as she continues poking fun. Shotzi ends up flying out to drop Bayley at ringside, then tosses her around by the hair. Shotzi works Bayley over at ringside now, then flies off the apron with a cannonball to put her back down. Shotzi celebrates some and then heads back into the ring as SKY and Kai come walking over to check on Bayley. Back to commercial.

Back from the break and they’re going at it. Bayley ends up hitting the top rope elbow drop for 2. They go on and Bayley tries for another elbow but Shotzi gets her boot up. Shotzi knocks Bayley back to the floor and nails a suicide dive for a pop. Shotzi brings it back into the ring for a Facebuster. Bayley hang on and ends up wailing away on Shotzi’s back while she’s up top, then she turns Shotzi upside down in the corner.

Bayley bounces off the bottom rope and drops a big elbow in the corner while Shotzi is still upside down. Shotzi blocks a belly-to-belly suplex, then launches Bayley into the turnbuckles with a big throw. Shotzi with a corner cannonball. Shotzi climbs up but is briefly distracted by SKY down below. Bayley takes advantage and hits Shotzi with a forearm to cut her off up top. Bayley is telling SKY to hand her the title belt for a cheap shot, and SKY is hesitating, but the music hits and out comes Charlotte Flair to a big pop.

Flair rushes down and meets SKY with a big boot on the ramp, then sends her into the barrier. Kai looked to try and hit Shotzi with a cheap shot, but now the referee is distracted with Kai and Shotzi. This allows Flair to hit the apron and drop Bayley with a shot. Shotzi takes advantage and hits her modified DDT in the middle of the ring, the pin Bayley for the win.

Winner: Shotzi

– After the match, Shotzi stands tall as her music hits. Flair comes in and raises Shotzi’s arm in victory as they stand over Bayley.

– Still to come, AJ Styles vs. Solo Sikoa. Back to commercial.

– Back from the break and this week’s Progressive Match Flo video looks back at what’s going on with Shinsuke Nakamura and WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins.

– The announcers hype the WWE Payback card now.

– We get a replay of what happened earlier with John Cena and Jimmy Uso.

Solo Sikoa vs. AJ Styles

We go back to the ring and out comes Solo Sikoa for tonight’s main event. We see what happened backstage with Solo and Jimmy Uso earlier tonight. Solo stands tall in the ring and yells out as we go back to commercial.

Back from the break and out comes AJ Styles to a pop. The earlier match graphic had Paul Heyman listed with Solo but he did come out with him. The bell hits and they go at it. They brawl from corner to corner until Solo levels AJ and stands over him to yell out as some fans boo.

Solo keeps AJ down until AJ kicks the leg out. Solo goes down and AJ stays on him. AJ tries to power up with Solo on his back, but can’t get him up as Solo resists. Solo levels AJ and work him over. Fans chant for AJ as Solo chops him against the ropes. They tangle and AJ nails a dropkick. AJ goes on to keep control but he ends up distracted when Heyman comes out to the stage. Solo takes advantage and drops AJ from behind.

Solo stalks AJ now. AJ gets up and Solo charges but AJ ducks, then sends Solo to the floor. AJ with a sliding knee to the face from the apron. AJ then flies off the apron to the floor with a big Phenomenal Forearm to put Solo back down. Heyman is still walking down and is getting closer to the ringside area. AJ stands back up and stares at Heyman. Heyman holds his hands up and backs away a few steps. Back to commercial.

Back from the break and AJ is in control after rallying during the break. Solo sends AJ into the corner but then runs into his knee. AJ tries to fly but Solo rocks him in mid-air with a big punch. Solo launches AJ into the corner, low, and he smashes into the ring post ribs-first.

Solo takes it to the floor, slamming AJ into the announce table a few times. Heyman looks on as Solo brings AJ back in for a belly-to-belly suplex in the middle of the ring for 2. AJ fights up from the mat as fans rally. AJ charges but Solo launches him with a big back drop. Solo calls for the Samoan Spike while AJ struggles to get up. Solo screams out and charges but Solo kicks him, then drops him with a pele kick.

The referee counts while both Superstars are down now. They fight and AJ dropkicks the knee, then nails a big shoulder. AJ goes on but Solo scoops him. AJ blocks the Samoan Drop and keep fighting. Solo catches AJ and launches him into a big Samoan Drop. Solo covers but AJ kicks out and Heyman can’t believe it.

Fans chant for AJ as Solo charges but misses a corner splash due to AJ moving. AJ drops Solo and hits a big springboard Asahi moonsault but Solo kicks out at 2. AJ calls for the Styles Clash in the middle of the ring but Solo over-powers and scoops AJ, then dumps him to the apron. AJ decks Solo from the apron.

AJ goes to springboard in for the Phenomenal Forearm but Jimmy Uso leaps onto the apron from out of nowhere, then knocks AJ out of the air while the referee was distracted with Solo. Heyman is shocked. Solo takes advantage and finishes AJ with the Samoan Spike in the middle of the ring for the pin to win.

Winner: Solo Sikoa

– After the match, Solo stands tall in the middle of the ring as the music hits and we go to replays. Solo yells out in victory now. Jimmy enters the ring and he’s all smiles as he hugs Solo from behind. A confused Heyman watches from the apron now as Solo and Jimmy face off. Jimmy is smiling until Solo lays him out with a Samoan Spike. Solo and Heyman exit now as Jimmy gets back up. AJ struggles to his feet when Jimmy superkicks him back down. Solo and Heyman stop and watch from the ramp now as Jimmy goes up top for a big Uso Splash to AJ. Jimmy stands at the ropes and looks out at Solo and Heyman on the ramp. Jimmy raises 1 finger in the air now. Heyman is talking to someone on the phone… perhaps The Tribal Chief? Michael Cole says it looks like Jimmy wants back in The Bloodline. Jimmy looks on from the ring with his 1 in the air as Solo and Heyman look back from the middle of the ramp. The Payback go-home edition of SmackDown on FOX goes off the air.