WWE SmackDown Live: Results, Analysis, and Grades for Aug. 22

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Naomi & Becky Lynch vs. Carmella & Natalya

Result: Naomi pins Carmella via Springboard Moonsault

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Before the bell the new SmackDown Women’s Champion is introduced. She reminds everyone that she is the best there is, the best there was….ect. Carmella interrupts and reminds Nattie, that she let her have her moment, but it’s on borrowed time. Ellsworth then, accidently, gives away Carmella’s potential cash-in.

It seems like now that Ms. Money in the Bank is finally going to stand center stage. Maybe it was too much to ask of WWE creative to handle both Money in the Bank winners equally, but that dream is dead. The saving grace is that Carmella (along with James Ellsworth) are excellent but annoying heels.

The drama in the ring is great, with Carmella refusing to tag in so that Nattie is essentially in a handicap match. Though the champion initially holds her own, she becomes overwhelmed by the offense.

As the match progresses, at ringside it looks like Carmella is going to cash-in before she is tagged into the match without realizing it. While arguing she takes a Bexploder and Naomi’s Springboard Moonsault.

Domino’s Commercial

I would be remiss if I didn’t include this little gem in my review.

Ziggler’s Backstage Promo

After seemingly months absent, Dolph Ziggler returns to SmackDown Live and mocks that fact it’s in a brief backstage interview. He wonder how the company and the crowd would react if he started singing, or wore expensive robes, had laser shows, or female escorts who glowed in the dark. Then he says, that’s exactly what he is going to do next week.

I’ve seen speculation that Ziggler is actually really into stand-up comedy so I can’t help but wonder if that’s his new schtick. I’d love to see how that works, cause honestly, I don’t think it will.

Backstage with Tamina and Lana

Tamina is anxious to start climbing the ladder to a women’s championship. Lana tells her that a match is scheduled for next week, but for now, Tamina must learn how to channel her inner anger.