WWE SmackDown Live Results: Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for August 8
By Josh Raibick
Credit: WWE.com
Nakamura Interview
Flashback is shown from Shinsuke Nakamura’s debut as well as his big win from the week prior vs. John Cena. Nakamura claimed that at SummerSlam, “The Nakamura Dynasty begins.”
The interview was short, and was WWE’s attempt at giving the best parts from Shinsuke Nakamura’s interview. Nakumara is difficult to understand at times, but I also think that is why the flashbacks were so important.
Nakamura could really benefit from feuding with a great talker, similar to AJ Styles with The Miz. The King of Strong Style would benefit from feuding with a heel that can inform younger or casual fans of who Shinsuke Nakamura is.
Credit: WWE.com
Randy Orton vs. Jinder Mahal
Result: Randy Orton wins via pinfall
Rating: 2.0 out of 5 stars
The match starts out similar to a street fight. Randy Orton takes the fight to Jinder Mahal outside of the ring. An attempt to RKO Mahal through the announce table is reversed, sending Orton into the barricade.
Mahal takes control of most of the match following the reversal of the RKO. As a viewer, it becomes apparent that Jinder Mahal is the crowd favorite with multiple “Jinder” chants. As we’ve seen many times before, Orton ends the match with an RKO “outta nowhere”.
The booking of this match was just confusing to me. Jinder Mahal is the WWE Champion, and he lost clean just 12 days before SummerSlam? Even if Nakamura is set to take the title from Mahal, wouldn’t it be beneficial for Mahal to look strong before doing the favor?
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Then we see Rusev attack Orton in the last two seconds of SD Live. The ending seemed mistimed, and too rushed.