SmackDown Synopsis for 8/14/20 (RETRIBUTION & Confrontation)

By
Ian Abugov

Where has the Summer gone? Time has flown by notwithstanding the presence of more masks than at the Luchador’s Summer Harvest Ball. Summerslam will take place next Sunday. Feeling the heat is one of the four pillar PPV events of the calendar year.
Tonight’s show will provide insight and intrigue as to what to expect in 8 days. The Golden Role Model and WWE SmackDown woman’s champion, Bayley, will be a very interested spectator at the Performance Center tonight. Her Summerslam opponent for one of her two straps will be the winner of the three brand Battle Royal tonight. Stars are born or sometimes re-born out of these contests, someone like Shotzi Blackheart perhaps. Or, why not a relentless brawler like Shayna Baszler. Here is the SmackDown Synopsis for 8/14/20 here.

It will be fascinating to see how the blue brand bounces back from last week’s ruthless attack by Retribution. Security will be tighter than that usually associated with a Presidential motorcade. How effective it will be remains a question mark.

SmackDown Synopsis for 8/14/20

Universal champion Braun Strowman has morphed from the Monster among Men to merely a Monster. It seems like returning to the Wyatt swamp has brought out a dark side of Strowman, the likes of which we have yet to see. There will likely be a showdown of sorts between him and The Fiend brewing up, of course, to their title match at Summerslam.
Big E will advance further on his singles run and encounter John Morrison this evening. I fully expect the New Day member to be thrust into the I-C title picture, but this would seem unlikely for Summerslam.

WWE announced that Alexa Bliss is set to sit down for an interview where she will discuss her run-ins with The Fiend. We’ll have to see what she says as WWE continues building toward the biggest party of the Summer. That tete a tete to be featured tonight. Here then, is our Smackdown review for the 14th of August.

SmackDown Synopsis for 8/14/20

John Morrison vs. Big E

This match barely underway, Retribution begins this show as they ended last week’s. They storm the ring and seem even more numerous than the previous week when they were a quintet. Both competitors are caught in the line of fire. While Retribution scurried out of the ringside area, this match came to an immediate halt. Big E’s left knee is looking very much worse for wear.

We immediately head backstage for an assembly of notables. King Corbin declares, “We are under attack, we need direction, we need leadership.” Big E chimed in, “Now is the time to stand together .” Sheamus was not in agreement at all and exchanged harsh words with the eight-time tag team champion.

WWE SmackDown Women’s Battle Royal

Bayley anointed herself as the ring announcer and introduced roughly half the field. The combatants were as follows: Billie Kay and Peyton Royce of the Iiconics, Tegan Nox, Shotzi Blackheart, Lacey Evans, Naomi, Tamina, Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan, Bianca Belair, Shayna Baszler, Osuka, and, Dana Brooke.

This match was as fast-paced as a cheetah on energy drinks. Ruby Riott, the Iiconics, Liv Morgan, and Nikki Cross were all eliminated quickly. None of those Superstars being paid by the hour tonight, hopefully not!

Tamina was the next to be eliminated, done so by Bianca Belair. Lacey Evans would then dispose of her nemesis, Naomi. Shotzi Blackheart was tossed, and then Tegan Nox made short work of Bianca Belair.

The final four were composed of Nox, Brooke, Bayszler, and Osuka. After her valiant efforts, Tegan Nox was eliminated by Dana Brooke, who, in turn, was tossed shortly after that.

Raw being well represented by Osuka and Bayszler as we head into the homestretch.
Osuka pulled off a major coup in disposing of Bayszler and hence challenging Bayley for the Woman’s title at Summerslam. The empress of tomorrow turning heads tonight. Osuka will be pulling double duty next weekend facing Bayley and Sasha Banks for their respective titles. Asuka was setting the tone by fearlessly attacking the Golden Role Models backstage.

Winner: Asuka

Mandy Rose asserts that she was handed nothing on a silver platter and held three jobs while going to college. Great quote, and “Thank you for reminding me that I’m more than a pretty face.”

She then went on to challenge Sonya Deville to a hair vs. hair match at Summerslam.
Backstage is as busy as Pearson airport under non-pandemic times. Sheamus sends a security guard home, insisting that there is no need to fear Retribution under his watch.
All the while, a distraught Alexa Bliss is seeking answers from her old bud, make that Rosebud Braun Strowman.

Shorty G vs Sheamus

The Fella has revenge on his mind after G caused him to be disqualified last week in a match vs. Matt Riddle. He would make short work of G similarly to what he did last Winter. While Gable did have his moments early on, the game-changer was an Axe Handle by Sheamus, which was followed up by an Irish Curse backbreaker, some musical White Noise, and the redoubtable Brogue Kick.

Winner: Sheamus

Next up, a TNA reunion of sorts with A.J. Styles and Joseph Park. The pair enter the ring to introduce the Phenomenal InterContinental Stats System. I’ll spare you the acronym here being somewhat of a gentleman.

Statistics were analyzed to determine who a worthy competitor for Styles belt might be—the systematic search leading to the conclusion that no one had earned a title shot.
Jeff Hardy, though, had a different point of view. He felt he was robbed of his opportunity the night Sheamus allegedly framed him for hitting Elias. The Superstar mentioned above seems to be walking alone as we haven’t seen him in a dog’s age.

Styles had some touching accolades for Hardy before telling him that title shots have to be earned and “This ain’t no pity party.” The champion was apparently not sponsored by Grammarly. He is in no rush, no partake in this “mega-cool” clash.

The Charismatic Enigma unimpressed with these stats stepped up to the dish and took out the “Face That Runs The Place” with a thunderous right. Hardy then wrote his name on the stats board, adding insult to injury by using a permanent marker. No telling what the launch angle of Hardy’s punch was.

Later on, Styles accepted Hardy’s challenge. That to take place next week live from a new location, most likely Orlando’s Amway Center.

Gran Metalik vs Shinsuke Nakamura

No one knows how to have fun like the House Party. Prior to this match, they fled with the tag team championship belts. A little bit of hostility is added to the mix.

Metalik is known as the king of the ropes for a good reason. He won the match in little time against the artist. He did have a bit of assistance from the returning Kalisto. The masked man took out Cesaro, which in turn distracted Nakamura allowing Metalik to put his rival away with an elbow drop off the top rope.

The House Party, once again being a trio, definitely changes the tag team landscape.
Next up, a treat for conspiracy theorists of all ages. Kayla Braxton interviews Matt Riddle about how he can stay so calm, knowing that there is a bounty on his head. Shorty G ten enters the fray to issue an apology to Riddle after attempting to cash in on the King’s Ransom. Stating”, I have a family.” a la Heath Slater. He admitted to being out of line when Corbin attacked Riddle from behind with his royal scepter. The speculation begins.

SmackDown Synopsis for 8/14/20

Alexa Bliss Interview

Ms. Bliss is upset and perplexed, still seeking answers from Braun Strowman. “I got to know the man behind the Monster. “He was described as protective and passionate.
She said being in the Fiend’s presence was scary, terrifying yet compelling. A shift of moods begins to be palpable. Then, when asked about how it felt to hear Braun say that he doesn’t give a damn about Alexa Bliss, the latter teared up and was unable to respond.
Sonya Deville was not at a loss for words when she accepted Mandy’s Summerslam challenge. Her exact quote”, I’m going to destroy you once and for all, so challenge accepted. ”

John Morrison vs Big E

John Morrison and Big E get to re-commence their earlier tilt that was sabotaged by Retribution. The New Day member had his injured left knee worked on by Morrison and was the victim of a damaging chop block. Otis and Tucker showed up for good measure. Otis was toting his MITB briefcase.

The lights would flicker once again, causing the locker room to empty out and surround the ring. The lights would flicker again and don’t look now, but Retribution is pillaging the official’s room. Referee Jessica Carr called the troops backstage while the match went on nonetheless.

While almost an afterthought at this stage of the game, Big E. would win via submission. The victor was taken out by a Brogue Kick from Sheamus. The Celtic Warrior believes that Big E incited Retribution with some social media posts over the course of the week.

SmackDown Synopsis for 8/14/20

THE MONSTER RETURNS TO THE PERFORMANCE CENTER

Braun Strowman has an ominous warning for the Fiend. Alexa Bliss promptly appears saying, “We have to talk. “Strowman none too receptive “About what, … you used me as a pawn, and I don’t give a damn about you. Everyone who comes into contact with The Fiend changes, even you.”

Alexa Bliss exasperated declares that “If I can’t talk sense into you, I’ll slap it into you.”
After being slapped repeatedly, Strowman held Bliss over his head, teasing or threatening to toss her in the air. The lights went out as opposed to flickering, and Bliss is on the canvas. The Fiend entered the ring while Strowman was laughing maniacally on the Titantron before uttering a blood-curdling yell. The Fiend stuck his tongue out in an almost complicitous and playful manner as the show ended—more questions than answers in this jarring and entertaining episode of the SmackDown Synopsis for 8/14/20.

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