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

Jeff Hardy Makes His Return

Last week, Randy Orton explained why he’s brutally attacked Jeff Hardy twice, and he stated that he’s done it because of what Hardy represents as a fan favorite. Orton called the WWE Universe the “real” Legend Killers, but while he says he doesn’t have an axe to grind with Jeff, I’m sure the former United States Champion feels differently after being the subject of those vicious attacks.

Hardy says that there’s nothing more important than beating Shinsuke Nakamura and taking the United States Championship, but he says that there’s one thing almost as important…

Beating the hell out of Randy Orton!

He calls out Orton, but will The Viper respond? After a pause, Orton’s music hits, and the sinister Apex Predator walks out with a venomous look in his eye.

As Hardy is staring Orton, Nakamura suddenly attacks Hardy from behind, but Orton stops him just as he’s about to hit a Kinsasha Knee Strike. And Nakamura backs down.

However, Orton tells Nakamura to “hit him”, and Nakamura obliges. But the two stare each other down with Hardy laid out before Nakamura slithers out the ring.

After Nakamura leaves, Orton stays in the ring, egging on the crowd as he prepares to lay in more damage on Jeff Hardy.

Orton signals for the RKO as he messes with the crowd, but he doesn’t hit the RKO. Instead, he starts stomping the absolute life out of Jeff, and, once again, it’s getting uncomfortable. Hardy coughs and tries to roll out the ring, but Orton grabs him before he can leave. Elevated DDT. Boom.

And The Viper isn’t done yet. He hits another Elevated DDT, this time from the apron to the floor.

And The Viper isn’t done yet. He clears the announce table, picking up Jeff by the hair to inflict more damage. When he’s done, he pours water over Jeff, punching him even more. Then he wipes off the face paint, telling Hardy that he has no connection with the WWE Universe.

Grade: A, one of the greatest heel segments I’ve seen this year. I love how Orton won’t hit the RKO so he gets even more boos from the fans, as he is making great use of the Elevated DDT. This was another uncomfortable beatdown, with the dynamic between Orton and Nakamura adding another layer to his heel run. Is Nakamura the new Bray Wyatt for Orton? Except is Orton the master this time?