WWE SmackDown Results, Highlights, And Grades For July 31, 2018

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Last week’s episode of WWE SmackDown featured Becky Lynch scoring her opportunity at the brand’s Women’s Title, Samoa Joe signing his contract for a WWE Championship match at SummerSlam, and a sneaky curveball thrown by The Miz. Tonight’s episode figures to be just as exciting.

WWE SmackDown has approached the levels of quality it attained in the fall of 2016, when it was dubbed the “A” show by the fanbase. With the move to FOX looming, SmackDown Live has stepped up its game, and whether or not that perceived improvement in quality is coincidental is irrelevant to the fans at home who are enjoying all the latest storylines.

Randy Orton’s return to the show has been one of those storylines worth praising highly. Last week, Orton opened the show with a scathing promo on wrestling in general and the fans, as he called the WWE Universe the “real” Legend Killers.

Although The Viper says his real beef is what the fans and not Jeff Hardy, I’m sure this rivalry has become personal for Hardy after what Orton did to his ear a few weeks ago. More importantly, Orton costed him a chance to win the United States Championship back. Hardy will return tonight, and he’ll be out for revenge.

Andrade “Cien” Almas is looking to make a name for himself on SmackDown Live, and he’s well on his way to achieving that, thanks to Zelina Vega. While Almas was unable to upset AJ Styles two weeks ago, he defeated Rusev last week due to Vega’s timely interference. Lana has taken serious issue with the trash-talking business associate, and the two will clash in the ring tonight.

Ahead of the premier of “Miz and Mrs.”, Miz was in the main event of the show, and he fooled Daniel Bryan badly. Not only was Miz Bryan’s pro in NXT, but he’s still schooling the former GM every Tuesday on SmackDown Live. It’s high time Bryan got some real revenge on the A-Lister.

Speaking of revenge, Styles might be out for some tonight after Samoa Joe blindsided him to make a huge statement ahead of their clash at SummerSlam. Styles has been the definition of a dominant champion ever since taking the title from Jinder Mahal in Manchester last year. But could Joe send that reign crumbling down with a well-placed Coquina Clutch?

Paige announced a tournament among the SmackDown Tag Team Division that will culminate in the winner receiving a title opportunity against the fearsome Bludgeon Brothers at SummerSlam. Tonight, The Usos and The Bar will collide, and if their barn-burner of a match at Survivor Series last year is any indication, they’ll produce something special for the crowd.

Becky Lynch has been one of the biggest success stories in WWE this year, but she still has to actually win the SmackDown Women’s Championship at SummerSlam. And although Carmella has seemingly lost James Ellsworth’s managerial services, we all know she will do whatever it takes to retain the title. Whatever. It. Takes.

Check back here at 8 p.m. ET for all the results, highlights, and grades from tonight’s episode of WWE SmackDown, which airs on the USA Network.