WWE SmackDown Live Results And Grades For July 17, 2018

Aiden English Asks For Forgiveness

After Rusev’s loss to AJ Styles at Extreme Rules, his partner-in-crime Aiden English couldn’t feel more guilty. He meets up with Lana backstage to ask for forgiveness, as he wants Lana to talk to Rusev to help English out. Lana responds that he shouldn’t go up to her, because this only concerns Rusev. If Rusev forgives English, then it’s all good. But based on her tone, it doesn’t sound like she wants Rusev to keep English around as a friend.

English speaks glowingly about all Rusev has done for him, stating that he only wants what is best for Rusev. The emotion here from English is gut-wrenching, as he shows just how good he is at getting these complex emotions across to the audience. He concludes by stating that everyone deserves a second chance.

Hopefully this works out for him, because I couldn’t bear a Rusev Day break-up. But WWE loves having Rusev as a heel, and this might be the best way to do it…Ughhhh

Grade: A, Brilliant, intriguing, well-performed by two talented people in Lana and English, and leaves open plenty of story-telling possibilities for Rusev Day.

Becky Lynch vs. Mandy Rose

Before SmackDown Live, Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville cut a harsh promo on Becky Lynch, as Mandy called Becky a “hot mess”. She says she’ll defeat Becky tonight, just like she did (by a fluke roll-up) about a month ago. Since that lost, Becky has been on a hot streak, and after Asuka’s second loss to Carmella at Extreme Rules, she has the best case for facing the SmackDown Women’s Champion at SummerSlam.

The match seemed uncertain at the beginning with Mandy taking an advantage, and she hit a HUGE knee strike for a near-fall. But Becky won’t be put down that easily!

Becky hits her Bexploder on Mandy and immediately goes into the Dis-Arm-Her for yet another win. She really is straight fire!

Afterwards, Becky gives a heartfelt speech, thanking the crowd and stating that she’s ready to go after the SmackDown Women’s Championship again! The crowd was SO behind her it’s not even funny, and Paige made sure to admit it in the segment afterwards.

Grade: B, Another decent match for Becky, and Mandy is slowly but surely getting better. More importantly, it’s a big win for Becky, who continues to silence the heels in the SmackDown Women’s Division. And that speech was incredible. It felt so REAL. (It probably was!)