WWE SmackDown Results – Aug. 28, 2020 – Hardy vs. Nakamura

Aug 28, 2020

August 28, 2020
Orlando, Florida (Amway Center)
Commentary: Michael Cole and Corey Graves
Results by: Roy Nemer of Wrestleview.com

Quick Match Results

WWE Intercontinental Championship: Jeff Hardy (c) defeated Shinsuke Nakamura via swanton bomb
Matt Riddle defeated Chad Gable via Bro Derek
Braun Strowman defeated Drew Gulak via running powerslam
Cesaro defeated Kalisto via roll up
Big E & Heavy Machinery defeated Sheamus, John Morrison & The Miz via the Big Ending by Big E on The Miz

In Memory of “Bullet” Bob Armstrong

Segment: Vince McMahon, Adam Pearce

WWE SmackDown kicks off with clips of last Sunday’s WWE Universal championship match from SummerSlam.

Security is getting briefed backstage as they are told that Bray Wyatt, Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman are in the arena as might be Retribution. And WWE chairman Vince McMahon is also in the building.

The WWE agent Adam Pearce goes into Vince McMahon’s office as Vince tells him he seems nervous but tonight he has a mission for him. The mission will take him into the presence of Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman and The Fiend Bray Wyatt.

Vince hands him the contract and tells him he needs their signatures on it before the night is over. And he may want to start with The Fiend. Or if he can’t find him, to go to Bray Wyatt as there is a Firefly Fun House tonight. Vince tells him not to fail him.

In-Ring: Jeff Hardy, AJ Styles

Live in the ThunderDome, the new WWE Intercontinental champion makes his way down to the ring. We see a clip of last week’s SmackDown where AJ attacked Jeff’s leg from behind and we cut to the match where Jeff won the Intercontinental championship.

Jeff Hardy grabs a mic and says it is good to be standing in the WWE ThunderDome. He says tonight he is ready to defend but as he is talking out comes AJ Styles to the ramp. AJ asks him if this is real. Because Jeff seems pretty proud after what he did last week. Not about what he accomplished but about what he did. He’s not a conquering hero, Jeff is much more than that.

AJ says Jeff is a liar and a cheat as he walks down to the ring. He says Jeff can blame him for his knee injury but he has had knee injuries before and he didn’t go whine and cry to a doctor to get an illegal object on his knee. Styles says he didn’t do that but Jeff did because he had a plan. He knew exactly what he was going to do with that illegal object. AJ says he clearly had him beat until he brought he hit him with that illegal object in the face.

Styles says Jeff knows how to play the system because that same doctor he cried to will not medically clear him to compete tonight and it is all Hardy’s fault. Hardy says that sucks as he was about to issue an open challenge for the Intercontinental title to anyone tonight except for him. AJ starts to yell as he tells him he is taking advantage of the system. Jeff knocks him down.

WWE Intercontinental Championship
Jeff Hardy (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

AJ Styles is on commentary as the bell rings. Jeff gets Nakamura in the corner as the referee breaks it up. Nakamura with a waist lock as Jeff reverses it but Nakamura reverses that into an arm bar. Jeff gets out of it and an arm bar by Hardy followed by a kick to the body.

Nakamura pushes Jeff onto the ropes and gets him in a headlock. Jeff sends him to the ropes but a shoulder block by Nakamura takes Jeff down. Nakamura to the ropes and a hip toss by Hardy followed by an atomic drop and a snap mare. Jeff with an elbow. He goes for the cover but Nakamura kicks out.

Jeff sends Nakamura to the ropes but a dropkick by Nakamura onto Jeff’s injured right knee. Nakamura keeps going for Jeff’s knee.

We cut to Cesaro backstage who is talking about Nakamura’s title chance tonight. He says he stepped away for a second and Nakamura was gone. he says good luck to Nakamura.

Back in the ring, Nakamura keeps going for Jeff’s knee as he has it tied to the rope. Nakamura with a knee to the body as Jeff drops down. Shinsuke with another kick to the body. He goes for another but Jeff blocks it and a spinning kick by Jeff takes Nakamura down.

Jeff throw Nakamura in the corner and Jeff hobbles around as Nakamura gets him with a knee. He places Jeff on the turnbuckle and goes for a kick as Jeff moves out of the way. Jeff on the ring apron goes for a suplex but Nakamura reverses it as Jeff lands on his feet. He clotheslines Nakamura to the outside. Jeff on the outside as he grabs Nakamura and throws him over the announce table into AJ Styles.

Back from commercial, right hands by Jeff as he lands an atomic drop on on Nakamura followed by a big splash. He goes for the cover but Nakamura kicks out. Nakamura gets up and right hands onto Jeff as he knocks him down. Nakamura places Jeff on the top rope. He climbs the second rope but Jeff knocks him down. Jeff with a whisper in the wing onto Nakamura taking them both down.

Jeff the first to his feet but Nakamura goes right after him placing him on the ropes. Nakamura with a sliding release German suplex. Nakamura on the second rope and he hits the flying knee to the face. He goes for the cover but Jeff kicks out. Nakamura goes for the flying knee but Jeff ducks, he goes for the Twist of Fate, Nakamura counters, Jeff with a snap mare as he hits Nakamura with his right knee.

Hardy with the Twist of Fate. He climbs the top rope and he lands the swanton. He goes for the cover and gets the pin.

Winner: Still WWE Intercontinental champion, Jeff Hardy

Segment: Jeff Hardy, AJ Styles, Sami Zayn

As Jeff is walking away, AJ gets in the ring and starts yelling at him. AJ says he will take the title off him and that it is his championship.

Sami Zayn’s music hits and Sami comes back holding his WWE Intercontinental championship. He jumps around Hardy and he calls Jeff a fraud as he tells him he is the Intercontinental champion. He says he has never been defeated as both men hold up both titles. Jeff stands down the ramp as Zayn knocks Jeff down and calls him a fraud. He celebrates and leaves to the back.

Styles makes his way up the ramp as Jeff gets back to his feet. AJ tells him he will hurt him as Jeff holds up his Intercontinental championship.

Backstage: Sami Zayn

“They were both FRAUDULENT champions.”@SamiZayn is BACK… and he’s laying claim to the #ICTitle! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/d6oQqieOep

— WWE (@WWE) August 29, 2020

Sami Zayn is backstage and in comes Kayla. She asks him why he attacked Jeff. Sami says he has always been about righting wrongs. And Jeff walking around pretending to be the Intercontinental champion is wrong. He says Jeff and AJ before him are fraudulent champions. He was asked why he wasn’t able to defend it for the past 5 months. He says he doesn’t have to explain it to anyone. He says “je suis Quebecois”, he is a true Intercontinental champion. He says “c’est moi le vrai champion, tu comprend?” Meaning he is the real champion, do you understand?

Firefly Fun House

Bray opens the door and welcomes everyone to the Fun House. He says it sure feels good to be back home with all of his friends. Bray says he can’t help but feel like something is missing but what could it be? He holds up the WWE Universal title and says it’s back. And no one can take it away this time.

Wyatt says Roman, it’s been a long time. It was really good to see him again as the door bell rings. Wyatt opens the door and it’s Adam Pearce wearing a postman suit holding the contract. He tells Wyatt he was hoping to get him the sign the contract as Wyatt asks why he should sign it. Pearce says sometimes it feels like there’s a connection between Wyatt and him.

Bray looks at him and says he will sign it but he hopes Roman and Braun know what they are getting themselves into. He signs the contract and he says if he knows him as well as he thinks he does, he just signed a couple of death warrants. He says let me in and waves bye.

Matt Riddle vs. Chad Gable

Matt Riddle’s music hits and out he comes to the ring. Riddle says Corbin said that anyone who can prove that Riddle doesn’t belong on SmackDown will get the ransom. He says if Corbin has something to prove, to prove him wrong right now. He calls Corbin out.

Back from commercial and Riddle continues to call out Corbin to the ring. Corbin’s music hits and out he comes. Corbin slowly walks down to the ring as Shorty G attacks Riddle from behind. Corbin says he accepts Riddle’s challenge for a match on behalf of Shorty G.

The bell rings and Riddle with forearms and kicks onto Gable but Gable with a leg take down. Gable with a submission but Riddle gets to the ropes. Gable goes for a right hand but Riddle with a suplex. He lifts Gable up but Gable reverses it into a tiger suplex. He goes for the cover but Riddle kicks out.

Gable up to his feet as he goes for another suplex but Riddle lands on his feet. Riddle with a knee to the face followed by the Bro Derek. He goes for the cover and gets the pin.

Winner: Matt Riddle

Corbin gets in the ring after the match as they are about to fight, Corbin slides out of the ring and to the outside.

Backstage: Big E, Heavy Machinery, Bayley, Sasha Banks

We see a clip of last week’s Talking Smack involving The Miz and Big E. The two got into a debate as we cut to earlier today where Big E says he doesn’t want to be on Miz TV but he is contractually obligated. The Miz came into the scene with John Morrison as did Sheamus. Tucker and Otis joined Big E and there will be a 6 man tag team match tonight.

Big E and Heavy Machinery are backstage and there is the Money in the Bank briefcase and a Money in the Bank lunch box. They open the box and it’s full of sausages.

In come Bayley and Sasha Banks who says Big E can only be a tag team champion. Big E points to Sasha Banks and says that is her as both women walk away.

Backstage: Adam Pearce

.@ScrapDaddyAP is knocking… but @WWERomanReigns is nowhere to be found…#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/LUk8qhDdtW

— WWE (@WWE) August 29, 2020

Adam Pearce is seen knocking on Roman’s door. Roman doesn’t answer as Pearce walks away.

Backstage: King Corbin

Kayla is backstage with Baron Corbin and he says he will send Matt Riddle to NXT or UFC as on Sunday at Payback, he will show that Matt Riddle doesn’t belong in his kingdom on SmackDown.

In-Ring: Bayley, Sasha Banks, Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler

The WWE women’s tag team champions Bayley and Sasha Banks walk down to the ring. Bayley says they are in one of the most difficult weeks of their career. They both had to defend their titles at Summerslam and in just two days they have to defend their tag team titles against Baszler and Jax at Payback.

Bayley says but lucky for them they are the greatest tag team champions in the world. Bayley dos straps and her tag team partner Sasha Banks. She apologizes to Sasha but tells her that sometimes even when they have the best intentions, things don’t always go the way they planned. Sasha says she can say that again. Bayley says it’s all her fault as she never should have let Asuka challenge for the title.

Sasha looks angry as Bayley says she saw Banks wanting to be two belt Banks like herself but as her friend, she should have known her history of not being able to defend a Raw title. That’s in the past but they will move forward and says they are stronger together. They are in this together. She says these titles represent their friendship and on Sunday, they cannot lose.

Banks says no, Bayley is right, they can’t lose. And she knows that she is worried but she doesn’t want her to be worried. A lot has happened but as long as Bayley has her back, they can get through anything. She may not be two belt Banks but she knows who she is and what she stands for. And lucky for Bayley, she is still her best friend.

Nia Jax and Baszler are on the titantron. Baszler says Sasha has had a bad week and it is oing to be much worse. Jax says the only person she can’t stand more than Baszler are them. Baszler says she despises Jax but any chance to get to beat them up and get the titles, she will partner with anyone.

Bayley asks what is the point of it all. Jax says they are out there talking about everything except for winning. Banks says they don’t need to talk about winning because winning is all they do. She had one bad week but she is Sasha Banks and come Sunday at Payback, she will get her vengeance. And she will walk out with her tag team title.

Backstage: Adam Pearce, Drew Gulak, Braun Strowman

Pearce is backstage with Gulak asking for Roman and Gulak says he hasn’t seen him. He asks if he has seen Strowman as he owes him one for last week. Gulak grabs a chair and hits Strowman behind the back. He throws the chair to Pearce and walks away. Strowman turns around as Pearce tells him that was Gulak and asks if he wants to sign the contract. Strowman says the only way he will sign that contract is if he gets Gulak in the ring right now.

Backstage: Cesaro, Shinsuke Nakamura, Sami Zayn

Cesaro is backstage with Nakamura and he tells Nakamura he has to let him know when going out for a match as they are a team. In comes Sami Zayn who hugs them both. He says the band is back together. Nakamura asks where he was for four months, not even a phone call. Zayn says he should have communicated better and he is sorry. Cesaro says some things changed for the better as they became champions.

Zayn says this was part of his plan as it got them closer. He says he doesn’t fault Nakamura for challenging for the Intercontinental title. Cesaro says they were mid conversation, a team conversation and Zayn just walked in. Cesaro says they would like to finish the conversation. Zayn asks if they want him to go and Nakamura says please. Zayn says he actually had to go.

Drew Gulak vs. Braun Strowman

The bell rings and Strowman throws Gulak around the ring. Strowman with a big splash in the corner and another splash. A big clothesline by Strowman onto Gulak taking him down. A senton by Strowman. He lifts Gulak up with one hand and a chokeslam. A running powerslam by Strowman as he goes for the cover and gets the pin.

Winner: Braun Strowman

Adam Pearce is on the ramp with the contract. He hands it to Strowman, Strowman signs it and gives it back to Adam and walks away.

Backstage: Lucha House Party, Cesaro, Nakamura

The Lucha House Party are backstage. Kalisto tells Dorado that he learned from his mistakes last week and he asks him to stay back here and to see how it is done. Kalisto walks away as Cesaro and Nakamura attack Dorado and Metalik from behind.

Kalisto vs. Cesaro

The bell rings and we are under way. A power slam by Cesaro takes Kalisto down. He throws Kalito in the corner but Kalisto runs to the ropes and acrobatically throws Cesaro to the outside. Kalisto jumps over the top rope onto the second and onto Cesaro on the outside. He throws Cesaro back into the ring.

Kalisto on the ring apron flies off the top rope but Cesaro catches him and lands a back breaker. He goes for the cover but Kalisto kicks out. Cesaro with a back body drop. Cesaro sends Kalisto to the ropes, he goes for a back body drop but Kalisto with a sunset flip cover but Cesaro kicks out.

Cesaro with a big elbow. He goes for the cover but again Kalisto kicks out. Cesaro with an uppercut as he sends Kalisto to the corner. He runs towards Kalisto but Kalisto with a big boot followed by drop kick. Kalisto runs towards Cesaro but Cesaro lifts Kalisto as Kalisto stands on Cesaro’s shoulders and lands a DDT. He goes for the cover but Cesaro kicks out.

Kalisto goes the Salida del Sol but Cesaro pushes him away as Kalisto sends Cesaro into the second turnbuckle. Nakamura on the ring apron as Dorado and Metalik run down. Kalisto is distracted as Cesaro goes for the roll up and gets the pin.

Winner: Cesaro

After the match, Metalik and Kalisto argue. All three men argue but end up hugging.

Backstage: Vince McMahon, Adam Pearce

“I advise you to go knock the door down.” #MrMcMahon #SmackDown @ScrapDaddyAP #UniversalTitle #WWEPayback pic.twitter.com/81dVFhhE9N

— WWE (@WWE) August 29, 2020

Vince McMahon is backstage and someone knocks on his door. In comes Adam Pearce who says he got Wyatt and Strowman but Roman won’t answer. He says he got two of them now. Vince says in other words two out of three ain’t bad except here. That’s really bad. It’s three out of three. He advises him to go knock the door down. Vince says he would get two men on either side of him and use his head to knock the door down.

Backstage: Nikki Cross, Tamina, Alexa Bliss

Nikki Cross is backstage holding a mug which Alexa had given to her. In comes Tamina who asks about Bliss and how she is doing. In comes Bliss who hugs them both. She says she has never been better. Cross says she is happy that Alexa is doing well. Nikki says she hasn’t seen Alexa do her hair this way in a long time. Alexa says she is trying something different. Cross says Alexa’s hair would be good in any way but her hair reminds her of The Fiend. Alexa stares blankly for a few seconds and says not to be ridiculous.

Alexa says she though they were best friends as she slams the mug and breaks it. Alexa walks away.

Backstage: John Morrison, The Miz, Sheamus

John Morrison and The Miz are backstage talking about anything but the match. In comes Sheamus who asks if they are good and asks them what they have so far. Morrison says they have to keep Big E out of the ring and Tucker is tall and he has the strength of more than one man, maybe two or three. They have to keep Tucker on the apron. And Otis, he is a crazy man and anything can happen. They can’t let Otis tag in.

Sheamus says they aren’t going to let Big E, Tucker and Otis in the ring? Morrison says yes as Sheamus says to follow their lead. Miz tells Morrison always going this and asks what kind of plan that was. Morrison says to imagine if they pulled it off.

Backstage: Adam Pearce, Roman Reigns

#TheBigDog is taking a look… is @WWERomanReigns going to sign the contract???#SmackDown #WWEPayback #UniversalTitle pic.twitter.com/uVrLbp5NAa

— WWE (@WWE) August 29, 2020

Adam Pearce knocks on Roman’s door and walks in. He sees Roman and tells him about the contract. Roman says he has to read it first.

Big E & Heavy Machinery vs. Sheamus, John Morrison & The Miz

The bell rings and we are under way. Otis and Morrison are in the ring as Otis goes to throw Morrison but Morrison lands on his feet. Morrison jumps off the second rope but he just bounces off Otis and down. A big splash by Otis. Big E is tagged in and he tags Tucker in. They triple team Morrison.

Tucker goes for the cover but Sheamus breaks it up. Tucker jumps off the second rope and a cross body cover but Morrison kicks out. Tucker runs to the ropes but a knee to the back by Sheamus. Miz is tagged in. They double team Tucker. Miz mocks Big E and a knee to the face as Morrison is tagged in.

They double team Tucker. Morrison goes for the cover but Tucker kicks out. A right hand by Morrison and Sheamus is about to be tagged in but Tucker knocks all three men down. Tucker goes for the tag but a drop kick by Morrison takes Tucker to the outside. Tucker with a drop kick on Sheamus and a kick onto The Miz. Tucker gets back in the ring and a clothesline takes Morrison down. Sheamus starts ringing the bell on the outside.

Back from commercial, Morrison goes for the cover but Tucker kicks out. Sheamus wants to be tagged in but it’s The Miz. They double team Tucker. Miz goes for the cover but Tucker kicks out. Sheamus yells at The Miz telling him to tag him in but Miz with a chin lock. Tucker gets to his feet and a back drop takes Miz down. Morrison is tagged in.

Morrison goes after Tucker as he grabs his leg and drops Tucker. Right hands by Morrison and Miz is tagged in. They double team Tucker in the middle of the ring. Morrison is tagged back in and again the double team. Morrison goes for the cover but Big E and Otis break it up. With the referee distracted, Sheamus tags himself in but the referee didn’t see it. The referee tells Sheamus to leave the ring. Morrison gets back in and Sheamus is yelling at Michael Cole as Tucker pushes Morrison onto Sheamus who falls to the outside.

Sheamus is angry at ring side as he argues with The Miz. Sheamus starts to walk away as Miz goes to stop him. Sheamus tells him to get off him and Sheamus leaves the ring.

Back in the ring, a back body drop by Tucker as Big E is tagged in and as is Miz. A belly to belly by Big E followed by another and a third one. Big E with the big splash. Miz rolls onto the ring apron and he hangs Big E up on the rope. He gets back in the ring but Big E slams him down. He goes for the cover but Morrison breaks it up.

Otis with a body slam taking Morrison down. Otis with the caterpillar as he lands it on Tucker. Miz with the Skull Crushing Finale on Otis. Big E gets in the ring and hits the Big Ending. He goes for the cover and gets the win.

Winners: Big E and Heavy Machinery

Backstage: Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman

Roman Reigns is backstage with Adam Pearce. He tells Adam to make the changes he wants and he will be at Payback. That is a promise and a guarantee. And he will win back his Universal championship that he never lost. Roman looks to his left and says that is not just a prediction, that’s a spoiler. Paul Heyman is seen sitting next to Roman and Heyman says “believe that.”