WWE SmackDown Results, Highlights, And Grades For August 14, 2018

Jeff Hardy vs. Shelton Benjamin

Former United States Champion Jeff Hardy must take on a familiar foe in Shelton Benjamin, who is hungry to pick up another victory. Randy Orton’s presence looms large, so could he once again be a deciding factor in a match involving Hardy? Recall that Hardy will face Shinsuke Nakamura in a rematch for the United States Championship at SummerSlam, as Orton costed Hardy in his first rematch for the title he lost at Extreme Rules.

Benjamin grounded Hardy early, but Hardy hits a Whisper in the Wind right after the break to take the advantage back. That’s been a move that Benjamin had trouble with in their earlier encounters when Hardy re-joined SmackDown Live during the Superstar Shakeup.

Later, Benjamin rocked Hardy on the top rope with a big knee, then he hit the Charismatic Enigma with a vicious superplex for a nearfall. But it doesn’t take long for Hardy to recover, as he finishes Benjamin off to pick up a key win before SummerSlam.

Unfortunately, Shinsuke Nakamura’s music hits. Nakamura attacks Hardy, but Hardy counters the Kinsasha Knee Strike and hits Nakamura with a Swanton Bomb. And it is Hardy who will head into SummerSlam with ALL the momentum against the dastardly Nakamura.

Meanwhile, Orton is hiding behind the stage, keeping a close eye on Hardy and freaking us all out in the process.

Grade: B-, Decent match, and I liked the post-match work with Nakamura and Orton. I’m excited for Hardy vs. Nakamura at SummerSlam.