WWE SmackDown Results, Grades: Bray Wyatt masterfully got his match

WWE SmackDown took place on August 7, 2020, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on FOX.

Are you ready? Are you ready for a good time? The blue brand was stacked tonight with PPV-worthy matches and suspenseful segments. The build-up to WWE SummerSlam 2020 seemed promising. The preview for this episode was as follows:

On tonight’s episode of WWE SmackDown, there were two scheduled matches: (1) Jeff Hardy vs. King Corbin and (2) Matt Riddle vs. Sheamus. There were also two scheduled segments: (1) Firefly Funhouse Segment with Bray Wyatt, and (2) The Dirt Sheet Starring Sonya Deville.

With WWE SummerSlam 2020 approaching, there were many rivalrous matches to build up towards. With that being said, it’s now time to bleed blue and recap what happened on this week’s episode of WWE SmackDown, starting with Bray Wyatt’s Firefly Funhouse Segment.

Firefly Funhouse Segment: Starring Bray Wyatt

Result: Bray Wyatt Kidnapped Alexa Bliss

Grade: C+, Alexa Bliss was kidnapped? WWE SmackDown just turned into a horror movie. Where’s my diet soda? Actually, this segment told the WWE fans something they already know, so it was nothing special. However, it sounded like Bray Wyatt was stealing King Corbin’s gimmick because the Universal Championship was considered ‘ransom’ for Alexa Bliss.

Bray Wyatt told Braun Strowman that the Fiend attacked Alexa Bliss last week because he wants the Universal Championship. By attacking someone Braun wants, The Fiend felt he instigated Braun to give him what he wants: the Universal Championship.

Matt Riddle vs. Sheamus [Grudge Match]

Result: Matt Riddle (via DQ)

Grade: B-, This match was a decent start to Friday Night SmackDown but it was ruined because of the inconclusive finish. It was understandable that Shorty G attacked Matt Riddle, but he’s feuding with Sheamus too? Didn’t Shorty G already feud with Sheamus back in January? Why was he booked to have beef with the heel team of Corbin and Gable? Wasn’t Sheamus supposed to be a heel? Did this mean a face turn for Sheamus? Too many questions, but that face turn wouldn’t be smart after that egregious feud with Jeff Hardy.

Sheamus gained control early on in the match with his indomitable grappling techniques and hard-hitting strikes. Once Sheamus locked Riddle in a chin lock, Riddle began to make his babyface comeback. He changed the pace of the match with his patented Roundhouse Kick.

Riddle tried to continue his momentum with a Moonsault from the top rope but Sheamus countered with the White Noise for the two-count. Sheamus attempted to finish Riddle with the Brogue Kick but Riddle countered with the German Suplex.

Their action moved outside the ring in front of the announce table. Once Riddle tossed Sheamus back into the ring, Shorty G ran out of nowhere to attack Riddle, forcing a disqualification finish. Riddle attacked Shorty G in retaliation and was announced the winner by DQ.

Once Riddle left ringside to go into the backstage area, Sheamus was livid that Shorty G cost him the match. He Brogue Kicked Shorty G twice in the ring as payback for what he did. Sheamus then confronted King Corbin backstage to complain about Shorty G’s actions during his match.