WWE SmackDown Results – July 31, 2018 – Charlotte vs. Carmella

Jul 31, 2018

July 31, 2018
Tampa, Florida
Commentary: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton and Corey Graves
Results by: Adam Martin of Wrestleview.com

In-Ring: Becky Lynch, Carmella, Charlotte Flair

We go live to Tampa where Renee Young introduces Becky Lynch.

Becky Lynch heads to the ring as the commentary team talks about Lynch challenging Carmella for the Smackdown Women’s Championship at SummerSlam. Renee asks her what it’s like to be back in the title picture. Becky says when you wait for something so long, you doubt it could happen, but she kept pushing and got back where she wanted to be. She brings up not being Smackdown Women’s Champion for two years now. Becky says she wasn’t born to be a champion: she fought to become one. She promises to beat Carmella and walk into the all women’s Evolution PPV as champion.

Here comes Smackdown Women’s Champion Carmella to interrupt with a mic in hand. Carmella says she isn’t out here for what everyone thinks. She won’t be making an excuse for why she lost last week. Carmella talks about being part of the first ever all-women’s PPV and making history. She feels like she failed as a representative of women’s wrestling. Carmella doesn’t think they should be tearing each other down. She says to be honest it might be jealousy. Carmella says she worked hard in NXT, but was always told she’d be no more than a “hype girl.” She goes on to talk about Becky’s success on the main roster.

Carmella says Becky was the first woman to get drafted to Smackdown, while she was literally the last. She says she was just an after thought and how the WWE Universe has always loved Becky. Carmella, tearing up, says most of the WWE Universe doesn’t even think she deserves to be champion. She talks about trying to ignore the haters on social media and how they say she is undeserving of this title. Carmella says some legends have even told her to go away. She talks about putting on a brave face and telling herself she deserves to be here, much like how Becky earned this title match.

Carmella can’t wait to tear the house down and prove everyone wrong with Becky. “I just want to say, good luck.” Carmella extends her hand. James Ellsworth’s music begins. Becky gets distracted. Carmella with an attack on Becky, including a big kick.

Carmella tosses a steel chair inside the ring and tries to give Becky a DDT over it when Charlotte runs out. Charlotte kicks Carmella and gives her an overhead suplex to bail out Becky. Carmella grabs her championship and heads up the ramp as Charlotte checks on Becky.

Backstage: The Usos

Backstage, The Usos cut a promo about facing The Bar tonight.

Backstage: Carmella, Paige

Backstage, Smackdown GM Paige is with Carmella. Paige questions her words after attacking Becky Lynch. Carmella points out Paige will never be champion again. Paige books Carmella in a match against Charlotte Flair tonight. She adds if Charlotte wins, the championship match at SummerSlam will now become a triple threat.

Smackdown Tag Team Title Tournament
The Usos vs. The Bar

Before the match begins, The New Day walks out and take a seat at another announce table that was setup with pancakes on the top. We will be getting alternate New Day commentary for this tag team match tonight from ringside.

We return live as Cesaro has Jey Uso down in a headlock. The New Day commentary is being piped in and out by production tonight. Tag to Sheamus who kicks Jey on the way in. The Bar with a double clothesline on Jey. Sheamus drops repeated knees over Jey. Jey tries fighting to his feet and Sheamus tosses him back down. Jey with uppercuts to Sheamus, side steps a charge and Sheamus nails the corner. Hot tags to Jimmy and Cesaro. Jimmy with clotheslines, superkick, uppercut and samoan drop. Jimmy catches Cesaro with a kick to the head, charges and Cesaro rolls out. Jimmy leaps over the top rope taking out Sheamus, avoids Cesaro and connects with a superkick. Jimmy jumps off the top rope when Cesaro rolls back in, connecting with a cross body for a two. Cesaro tosses Jimmy off the top turnbuckle into the barricade at the ringside area.

Back live, Jimmy is fighting off Cesaro and connects with a twisting moonsault off the top turnbuckle! Big E is giving this match 5 pancakes. Tag to Sheamus. Jey catches Cesaro with a superkick. Jimmy rolls up Sheamus for a two count. Jimmy with a superkick that levels Sheamus. Jey off the top rope connecting with a splash over Sheamus. Cesaro breaks it up. Cesaro is tossed over the top rope. Tag to Jimmy who is going up to the top turnbuckle along with Jey. Cesaro with an uppercut as Jey comes down. Sheamus gets his knees up as Jimmy jumps off the top turnbuckle and rolls him up for the pinfall!

Winners and advancing: The Bar

After the match, The Bar looks down at The New Day and invites them to get in the ring. New Day leaves the commentary area and get inside the ring. The Bar bails.

Backstage: Charlotte Flair

"@CarmellaWWE beat @MsCharlotteWWE. Trust me, I know. But #TheQueen is BACK, and I'm ready to RECLAIM my throne!" #SDLive pic.twitter.com/WEDDO6ghXz

— WWE (@WWE) August 1, 2018

Backstage, Renee Young is with Charlotte Flair. Charlotte said she was just here to show support for her friend Becky Lynch and wasn’t even prepared to wrestle tonight. She didn’t even think she would have an opportunity to compete at SummerSlam. Charlotte lets everyone know she is back and she is ready to reclaim her throne.

In-Ring: Samoa Joe

Samoa Joe heads to the ring, grabs a mic and is handed a stool to sit on in the ring.

Joe takes a seat and immediately addresses AJ Styles. What he did to Styles last week was him sending a message and he is more than familiar with his favorite form of communication. Joe says no hard feelings and says he actually respects Styles.

He appreciates Styles making the WWE Championship the most prestigious in WWE. Joe respects his grind and that Styles puts everything into being a champion. He said Styles has even put being a champion in front of his very own family.

Joe talks about Styles barely being home and preferring a suitcase to being with his own wife. Joe says Styles is a “failure as a father.” He tells Styles to relax because Samoa Joe is coming to take that all away from him. Joe says AJ’s family will actually be cheering for him “because after I’m done tearing down your house, after I’m done putting you to sleep oh your wife and kids, they will have daddy back, but I will be WWE Champion.”

Joe drops the mic and heads to the back.

In-Ring: Jeff Hardy, Randy Orton, Shinsuke Nakamura

Jeff Hardy heads to the ring getting a big reaction in Tampa.

Jeff says the United States Championship helps deepen his connection with the WWE Universe. He talks about losing a piece of himself when he lost the championship. Jeff says while he wants to take it back from Shinsuke Nakamura, something else is also important: beating the hell out of Randy Orton. He calls Orton to come out right now.

Randy Orton walks out as Jeff turns his back. As Orton enters the ring, Shinsuke Nakamura attacks Jeff from behind with a kick and then throws big knees. Nakamura backs up in the corner looking to charge when Orton gets in his face to block the Kinshasa. Nakamura is surprised as he slowly backs up to the corner staring down Orton.

Orton backs off and says, “Go ahead.” Nakamura charges in and levels Jeff with a Kinshasa. Nakamura jumps back up smiling at Orton. He drops down and leaves the ring as Orton smiles. When Nakamura leaves, Orton begins stomping away on Jeff. Jeff rolls to the apron, Orton picks him up and hits his DDT off the ropes on Jeff.

Orton then pulls Jeff out from under the bottom rope and gives him a DDT on the floor! Orton starts clearing off the announce table at ringside. Orton tosses Jeff over the table, grabs a bottle of water and pours it on Jeff’s face removing the paint using a rag. Orton throws Jeff’s head off the table one last time as WWE officials break it up.

Backstage: Becky Lynch

Backstage, Renee Young asks Becky Lynch what she thinks about Charlotte Flair getting a shot to be added to the title match at SummerSlam. She’s happy Charlotte is back, but isn’t so happy about the thought of a triple threat.

Lana vs. Zelina Vega (w/ Andrade “Cien” Almas)

Zelina rolls out of the way and poses at Lana early. Lana does a headstand pose of her own. Lana with a tackle and throws right hands. Zelina bails to the outside.

Back live, Zelina tosses Lana down. Zelina jumps on the back of Lana and asks for the referee to check on Lana. Zelina with double knees to Lana in the corner for two. Lana with a back body drop on Zelina to counter. Lana with a series of takedowns, kick and reverse neckbreaker. Lana with double knees to the back of Zelina’s neck for two. Lana catches Zelina with an elbow. Almas jumps up on the apron to distract. Lana with a shot to Zelina. Aiden English runs down and pulls Almas down. Zelina rolls up Lana for the pinfall.

Winner: Zelina Vega

After the match, Aiden English can’t believe it. Lana slaps the ring in frustration.

Next Week

The New Day vs. The Bar takes place next week to determine who will change The Bludgeon Brothers for the Smackdown Tag Team Championships at SummerSlam.

Backstage: The Bludgeon Brothers

Backstage, The Bludgeon Brothers says no one can escape at SummerSlam.

Backstage: Rusev, Lana, Aiden English

Backstage, Aiden English is trying to apologize to Lana. Lana tells him to leave. Rusev walks up and wants to talk with Aiden. He tells Lana that would have never happened if he was out there. Lana tells Rusev she could have really used him tonight.

In-Ring: Daniel Bryan, The Miz

Back live, Daniel Bryan talks about WWE announcing the first ever all-women’s PPV, Evolution, last week. He said he couldn’t help but feel proud for his wife Brie. Bryan talks about Brie being in a match when #GiveDivasAChance gained traction to cause change. He said this announcement is a huge step forward for the company.

Bryan says just as we take one step forward, we take two steps back. Footage airs from last week with Miz tossing a baby doll at Bryan to trick him and then setup a Skull Crushing Finale. Back live, Bryan says watching that bothers him. He says for two years Miz taunted him, baited him and all because Miz had a protective wall since he wasn’t cleared.

Bryan said Miz thought he could say anything and be safe. But then, he was cleared. He said that protective wall came crumbling down. Bryan talks about Miz bringing his wife to the ring and what he thought was his real baby. He said Miz was trying to build another wall because he knows he would destroy Miz in a fair fight if given the shot.

Bryan invites Miz to prove him wrong. Miz shows up on the screen. He says this isn’t the indies and some bingo hall. Miz adds he won’t just walk out when Bryan demands it. He tells Bryan to call his agent because he’s on set for his “Miz and Mrs” reality show. Miz brings up he was given security because of fans trying to sneak on set.

Bryan doesn’t care about his “stupid TV show” and all it shows is Miz is trying to hide from him. He calls Miz a coward. Miz reminds Bryan about the last time he called him a coward on the set of “Talking Smack.” He says all Bryan did was walk away and he just wants to create conflict. Miz says he “carried” Bryan as his Pro on NXT. Bryan says to him wrestling is about passion and for Miz it is about fame. He says Miz’s dream of going from WWE to Hollywood has already been done. Bryan says Miz will never be The Rock or John Cena. “Nobody will ever remember you as a great Superstar because you are too soft,” adds Bryan. He says if Miz wants a big stage, he invites him to have a match at SummerSlam. Miz says the Yes Movement is over. Team Hell No is over. He says the WWE Universe moved on. “Just let your contract and go entertain dozens of people in high school gyms,” says Miz. Miz says Bryan should just be quiet and go away. He says all the WWE Universe looks at him one way. Photos and sounds of babies crying show up on screen.

Charlotte Flair vs. Carmella

If Charlotte wins, she’s added to SummerSlam title match.

Carmella with her moonwalk early backing off from Charlotte early. Carmella with a headlock on Charlotte. Charlotte counters out and nearly gets the Figure Four applied. Charlotte with a split and takedown. Charlotte follows up with an overhead suplex. Carmella avoids a shot over the top rope and tosses Charlotte into the barricade.

Charlotte with chops. Charlotte misses a moonsault and Carmella tosses her out. The referee begins the count. Carmella with a kick to Charlotte. Carmella tosses Charlotte over the timekeepers area and jumps back in. The referee begins the count again. Charlotte barley gets in before 10. Carmella with a headlock. Charlotte with a close roll up. Carmella bails to avoid another Figure Four attempt. Charlotte with a moonsault off the barricade over Carmella! Back inside, Charlotte connects with the Natural Selection for a close two count. Carmella with a knee, but Charlotte trips her up. Carmella counters with a quick kick. Charlotte kicks out. Charlotte gets the Figure Four locked in. Charlotte bridges into the Figure Eight. Carmella taps!

Winner: Charlotte Flair

Charlotte has advanced to SummerSlam, joining Carmella and Becky Lynch in a triple threat for the Smackdown Women’s Championship.

We see a shot of an upset Becky backstage.

Quick Match Results

* The Bar def. The Usos to advance in the Tag Team Title Tournament
* Zelina Vega def. Lana
* Charlotte Flair defeated Carmella to be added to the Women’s Title Match at SummerSlam