WWE SmackDown Live Results: Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for July 25
By Rob Furness
WWE: Charlotte and Lana
Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair vs. Tamina and Lana
Result: Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch def. Lana and Tamina via big boot
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Again, another match that on paper seems like an eye-roller, but as the match played out the ring psychology kept it interesting. Women have been plagued with nonsensical tag team matches, but this was not one of them. The unusual alliance of Tamina and Lana was on full display at Battleground when Tamina prevented Lana from being eliminated. However, it was Tamina who was eliminated from the match first when she tapped to Becky Lynch’s Dis-Arm-Her.
The match was a pretty standard tag match, but in just a few short weeks Lana has shown a lot of improvement. Her offense still lacks impact, but for a fourth match, it was good.
Lana was definitely the weak link of the duo, but showed passion and a willingness to be aggressive when she tagged herself in. Unfortunately, she was rewarded with a big boot by Charlotte for the loss.
At the end of the match, Tamina looked visibly upset as Lana tried to regain her bearings. In the coming weeks, it will be interesting to see how the alliance between the two teams develops.
Jinder Mahal Demands SummerSlam Opponent
We are shown a recap of the Punjabi Prison Match from two days ago, including the surprise return of The Great Khali. Jinder reiterates that he destroyed Orton’s family and his legacy. And demands an opponent for SummerSlam.
The trumpets hit and John Cena comes to the ring. Thankfully, he wasn’t pandering to the “USA” chants and simply delivered a very good promo, before telling the Modern Day Maharaja to prepare for Super Cena at SummerSlam.
Daniel Bryan’s music hits. He states that John Cena doesn’t make the matches, he and Shane do. He then says that Cena and Nakamura will face off in a match next week to decide the number one contender.
Ironically, leading into Royal Rumble earlier in the year Cena was able to demand a match, that Daniel Bryan granted, for the WWE Championship against AJ Styles…Where was your logic there Daniel! Regardless, Cena seemed like the logical next opponent, but it would be fantastic to see Nakamura challenge Jinder at SummerSlam.