{"id":201607,"date":"2025-08-29T12:02:30","date_gmt":"2025-08-29T17:02:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=201607"},"modified":"2025-08-29T12:02:30","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T17:02:30","slug":"5-yrs-ago-wwe-smackdown-tv-report-8-14-2020-drama-with-alexa-bliss-and-braun-strowman-triple-brand-womens-battle-royal-for-summerslam-title-shot-plus-retribution-sheamus-gable-naka","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2025\/08\/29\/5-yrs-ago-wwe-smackdown-tv-report-8-14-2020-drama-with-alexa-bliss-and-braun-strowman-triple-brand-womens-battle-royal-for-summerslam-title-shot-plus-retribution-sheamus-gable-naka\/","title":{"rendered":"5 YRS AGO \u2013 WWE SMACKDOWN TV Report (8-14-2020): Drama with Alexa Bliss and Braun Strowman, Triple Brand Women&#8217;s Battle Royal for Summerslam title shot, plus Retribution, Sheamus, Gable, Nakamura"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-2069382138\" class=\"pwtor-before-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><hr \/><b>SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... <\/b>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?show_id=3076978&theme=light&playlist=false&playlist-continuous=false&autoplay=false&live-autoplay=false&chapters-image=true&episode_image_position=right&hide-logo=false&hide-likes=false&hide-comments=false&hide-sharing=false&hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"140px\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe>\r\n<hr \/><\/div><p><em>\u00a0The following report originally published 5 years ago this week here at PWTorch.com\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>KELLER\u2019S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT<br \/>\nAUGUST 14, 2020<br \/>\nORLANDO, FLA. AT PERFORMANCE CENTER<br \/>\nAIRED ON FOX NETWORK<\/h3>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><strong>[HOUR ONE]<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>-They replayed Retribution\u2019s antics lately.<\/p>\n<p>-They went to the Performance Center and showed the ring and entrance stage, then cut to the commentators. Cole discussed Retribution. \u201cThey seem to be hiding behind current events as an excuse for this wanton destruction.\u201d He said WWE has taken precautions. Graves said WWE has hired extra security to guard all entrances so this potentially \u201cearth-shattering\u201d episode of Smackdown can go on without interruption. Cole said Bray Wyatt has been playing games and setting traps to lure Braun Strowman back to Smackdown, and this week Braun will be there. Graves hyped the Triple Brand Battle Royal for a shot at Bayley at Summerslam.<\/p>\n<p><em>(Keller\u2019s Analysis: I\u2019m actually quite fine with Cole saying the group is using current events as an excuse to do what they\u2019re doing. It\u2019s not really taking sides on any real world issue specifically. It seems the most innocuous way to frame something I would\u2019ve voted against doing at all. We\u2019ll see when they finally speak, though, if they can stay largely neutral on the real world issues that sparked uprisings in the streets this summer. They are navigating land mines with a big part of their audience no matter what approach they take when they finally portray them as heels with a certain mission.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>(1) BIG E vs. JOHN MORRISON<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Big E introduced himself to \u201call the people at home.\u201d He gyrated his way to the ring, then shoved his jacket over Graves\u2019s head. In a prerecorded promo, he said some people would have you believe he is new to singles wrestling. \u201cLiars! Heathens! False profits!\u201d he shouted. He said he is a former NXT Champion and IC Champion. He closed a haunted house monster laugh. Morrison then made his way out. They cut to an inset soundbite with Morrison who said Big E\u2019s partners are injury prone, and maybe he could get hurt too and sit at home. He said he could eat all he wants, because he always sounds hungry. He said he\u2019s going to feed him his feet.<\/p>\n<p><em>(Keller\u2019s Analysis: Morrison is all-in on being a weirdo saying stupid things that mostly 8 year old boys would find funny, and for some reason I\u2019m on board. It\u2019s good that Big E established he has wrestled singles before. It felt like they were trying to pretend that never happened.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>As the bell was about to ring to start the match, the lights flickered and Retribution arrived. A woman entered first. Cole and Graves ran to the back. They attacked Big E and Morrison in the ring. Others stood on the announce desk with baseball bats. The audience booed then. [c]<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-714762276\" class=\"pwtor-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>-Miz apologized for not being faster to make the save. He said Maryse was talking to him on the phone. Miz told Big E that none of this would have happened if he \u201cdidn\u2019t send out that Tweet.\u201d Baron Corbin walked in and told Big E, Chad Gable, Cesaro, Shinsuke Nakamura, Drew Gullak, and Lucha House Party that he can lead then because he\u2019s built to keep people safe while others crumble under pressure. Big E said this is their house. He said he may be disrespected, but he is not defeated, so he will go to the ring and beat John Morrison. He went into full preacher mode that now is not the time to run and hide, but rather it\u2019s time to stand and fight. \u201cAre you with me?!\u201d he asked. Sheamus walked in, mock-applauding him. He said he is alone and vulnerable, so if he has any sense at all, he\u2019d be very afraid of him. Big E said if he had any sense at all, he would realize he isn\u2019t alone. LHP, Gable, and Gulak walked past him and shot him looks.<\/p>\n<p>-They cut to the ring where Bayley and Sasha Banks were standing. Bayley told the audience to listen to what they have to say. She hyped the Triple Brand Battle Royal. Sasha said everyone should know better than to interrupt them. She talked about having to defend their respective titles at Summerslam. She said tonight, though, is about Bayley. She said they\u2019re about to find out who the \u201clucky idiot\u201d will be who gets to face her at Summerslam. Bayley kicked ring announcer Greg Hamilton out of the ring, then they began doing formal ring introductions themselves in a bombastic way.<\/p>\n<p><strong>(2) TRIPLE BRAND BATTLE ROYAL \u2013 Winner Gets Smackdown Title shot at Summerslam<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The IIconics (Peyton Royce &amp; Billie Kaye) came out first. Bayley said she loves beating them up, so it\u2019d be an honor for either of them to win the match. Bayley said they already showed everyone in NXT they built that place, then she introduced Tegan Nox. She said Nox worships them. Nox nodded and smiled when she came onto the stage. Next Shotzi Blackhart came out. Next out was Lacey Evans. Bayley asked how Summer was doing and laughed obnoxiously. Bayley mini-panicked and said someone gave them a wrong card. Asuka\u2019s music played and she charged out and attacked both Sasha and Bayley. She kicked them out of the ring, ending the special introductions. The rest of the wrestler in the match ran out to the ring as they cut to a break. [c]<\/p>\n<p>The bell rang after the break to officially start the match. Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan, Tamina, Nikki Cross, Bianca Belair, Naomi, and Shayna Baszler, and Dana Brooke. Riott was the first eliminated by the IIconics. Nox eliminated Kaye. Shotzi eliminated Royce. Royce and Kaye yanked Morgan off the ring apron to eliminate her. They all fought at ringside briefly. They kept cutting to Bayley and Sasha reacting at ringside. Cole said this is the last time Smackdown will be in the Performance Center. He said \u201crumors are running rampant\u201d they\u2019ll be somewhere else (well, I hope so, if they\u2019re not at the P.C.). He said they\u2019ll be live \u201cand the WWE Universe will be involved.\u201d Tamina eliminated Nikki, super-kicking her off the ring apron to the floor.<\/p>\n<p>Tamina and Belair battled. Belair speared Tamina, then tossed her over the top rope. Lacey eliminated Naomi. Lacey wiped her brow and tossed the tissue onto Naomi. Shotzi eliminated Lacey from behind. Baszler applied the Kirafuda Clutch on Blackhart, then eliminated her. Belair and Nox battled next. Nox ducked a charging Belair, who flew over the top to the floor. Nox rallied against Asuka and Baszler, hitting them with splashes in opposite corners. She face-planted Asuka. Baszler gut-wrenched Nox and lost her balance and almost dropped her on her head. She shoved her over the top rope. Dana Brooke then yanked her to the floor. Graves said Brooke was never eliminated. She bragged to Bayley and Sasha, \u201cI\u2019m still in this.\u201d She entered the ring and handspringed at Baszler, who caught her and put on her clutch. Dana broke free and Asuka landed a hip attack to eliminate Brooke.<\/p>\n<p>It came down to Baszler and Asuka. Cole said Bayley looked dejected knowing she\u2019d have to face one of those two. Bayley tried to yank Asuka off the ring apron to eliminate her. Asuka fought her off. Baszler kneed her. Asuka landed feet-first onto the backs of Bayley and Sasha to stay legal. Baszler applied her clutch, but Asuka yanked her over her shoulder and to the floor to win.<\/p>\n<p>WINNER: Asuka in 9:00 to earn a Smackdown Title match at Summerslam.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-2346908207\" class=\"pwtor-content-1 pwtor-entity-placement\"><!-- Tag ID: pwtorchcom_test_300x600 -->\r\n<div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __300x600\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><em>(Keller\u2019s Analysis: Hmmm. I didn\u2019t expect that. The intrigue over whether she wins both titles or perhaps just one, and how that\u2019d affect the other, can be a selling point. There wasn\u2019t exactly time to build a whole new challenger. The battle royal itself was fine. Good action, although it all felt a little rushed as is par for TV battle royals.) [c]<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW&#8230;<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Check out the latest episode of &#8220;PWTorch &#8217;90s Pastcast&#8221; with Patrick Moynahan and Alex McDonald, part of the PWTorch Dailycast line-up: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.spreaker.com\/episode\/pwtorch-90s-pastcast-moynahan-mcdonald-discuss-pwtorch-newsletter-346-7-31-95-incl-news-on-jarrett-and-roadie-quitting-owen-fined--67374278\">CLICK HERE<\/a> to stream (or search \u201cwade keller\u201d on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any other iOS or Android app to subscribe free)<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"PWTorch \u201890s Pastcast - Moynahan &amp; McDonald discuss PWTorch Newsletter #346 (7-31-95) incl. news on Jarrett and Roadie quitting, Owen fined\" src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?episode_id=67374278&amp;theme=light&amp;playlist=false&amp;playlist-continuous=false&amp;chapters-image=true&amp;episode_image_position=right&amp;hide-logo=false&amp;hide-likes=false&amp;hide-comments=false&amp;hide-sharing=false&amp;hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"200px\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>-Sasha was consoling Bayley, who wasn\u2019t happy about facing Asuka. Bayley said she wasn\u2019t even on the official list. Bayley said her title wasn\u2019t on the line when she lost to her on Monday, but at Summerslam she\u2019ll actually have something to fight for. Asuka then attacked them. Pat Buck ran out to separate them.<\/p>\n<p>-They went to Cole and Graves, who briefly reacted to that, then threw to a video package on Sonya Deville cutting Mandy Rose\u2019s hair.<\/p>\n<p>-They cut to Mandy with shoulder-length hair. She said people have been saying she\u2019s just another pretty face and \u201cso fake\u201d and \u201ccan\u2019t wrestle\u201d and \u201cis just a model who has everything handed to her.\u201d She said that hurts to this day hearing those things. She said she is a Bikini World Champion. She said she had three jobs while going through college while earning that title. She said she had to earn her job in WWE, too. She said Sonya should know how hard she had to work to get there. She thanked Sonya for making her so much more than just a pretty face. She said cutting her hair and trying to make her ugly didn\u2019t destroy her. She challenged Sonya to \u201chair vs. hair\u201d match. She said if Sonya doesn\u2019t care how she looks, put her money where her mouth is. She promised one way or another, it would get ugly.<\/p>\n<p><em>(Keller\u2019s Analysis: Even if everyone is sure Sonya is going to lose and get her head shaved, the sliver of a possibility it\u2019s Mandy who loses is a selling point. A new look for Deville can help differentiate her, too, if he goes with shorter hair after losing this match.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>-Sheamus told two security guys those Retribution lads won\u2019t show up on his watch. He dismissed them from their post.<\/p>\n<p><em>(Keller\u2019s Analysis: Is Sheamus part of Retribution, since he might have just cleared the way for them to actually enter the P.C. because he dismissed them from guarding that area.) [c]<\/em><\/p>\n<p>-Nikki Cross was pacing backstage, looking dejected over her battle royal performance, then saw Alexa Bliss. She ran over and excitedly hugged her. She said she\u2019s so happy to see her. She apologized for pushing her down a couple of weeks ago and said she\u2019s her best friend. Bliss said, unconvincingly, she was fine. Nikki pressed the issue. Bliss said she\u2019s fine and tried to blow off Nikki\u2019s concern. Nikki told her to go somewhere safe. Bliss said she needed to go get some answers from Braun and then she walked away.<\/p>\n<p><em>(Keller\u2019s Analysis: Nikki is still just a blast watch. She was like an new puppy who was left home all day and just ecstatic when her human buddy came home after work. Bliss played this well. Her acting makes this storyline work.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>(3) SHEAMUS vs. CHAD GABLE<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Gable got in a good deal of offense including applying an ankle lock a few minutes in. Sheamus powered out. Gable scored a two count with a Jackknife pin attempt. Sheamus powered out and landed an immediate White Noise. Sheamus then landed a Brogue Kick for the win.<\/p>\n<p>WINNER: Sheamus in 4:00.<\/p>\n<p><em>(Keller\u2019s Analysis: Sheamus should be winning a match like this, but it still underlines how underutilized Gable is. I hope he comes out of this deal with King Corbin elevated one way or another.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>-Backstage Joseph Park (Abyss from Impact Wrestling) was sitting at a desk looking at a laptop while cartoonishly discussing something with A.J. Styles backstage. Styles was all worked up. Graves said they\u2019d be introducing the Intercontinental Statistical System next. [c]<\/p>\n<p>-Styles walked to the ring, followed by Joseph Park. (Cole said he\u2019s \u201cvery Fred Gwynne-looking; Gwinn played Herman Munster on \u201cThe Munster.\u201d) Styles looked to be in a mood as his music faded. He said here\u2019s a lot going on in WWE, and nobody cares about these hooligans trying to destroy things. He said there are more pressing matters, such as who is going to face Styles for his title next. He said it doesn\u2019t really matter, but Daniel Bryan says the IC Champion has to be a \u201cfighting champion.\u201d He said he has been, because he beat Drew Gulak, Matt Riddle, and Gran Metalik. He said he wants to enjoy being the IC Champion. He said he wants to enjoy his reign from home on his Twitch account, but so many people are acting like a bunch of nerds throwing out statistics. \u201cWhat do you know about statistics?\u201d he said. \u201cThen it dawned on me that when I watch baseball, I see batting average.\u201d He said he\u2019s a handsome stud of a nerd himself, and he actually cares about statistics. The audience chanted \u201cNerd! Nerd!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He said he has hired a team to run the Phenomenal Intercontinental Statistic System \u2013 \u201cP.I.S.S.!\u201d he said proudly. \u201cIt\u2019s a work in progress,\u201d he said, seeming a little frazzled at the acronym. He said you have to earn a shot against him on merit and merit alone. He revealed his name A.J. Styles at the top of a ink board on an easel. He mentioned Joseph Park by name. He then revealed the rest of the board, which was blank. He said that showed no one else has earned the right to face him. He said if someone works really really really hard, some day they can make it on his board. Jeff Hardy interrupted.<\/p>\n<p>Hardy came out to his music and clapped. He entered the ring and said he has a ton of respect for Styles and what he has done in his career. \u201cIt has truly been phenomenal,\u201d he said. He said Sheamus robbed him of his opportunity. He said it could\u2019ve been him against Styles in those IC tournament finals. He said that title Styles wears is special to him because it\u2019s the first title he won on his own. He said he was standing on his own two feet back then, just as he is now, after conquering his demons once more. He said he knows his self-worth and what he has accomplished. He said Styles vs. Hardy sounds \u201cmega-cool.\u201d The audience chanted \u201cMega-cool!\u201d One woman removed her mask to chant, completely defeating the purpose of wearing the mask. (When you yell is when it\u2019s most important to keep it on. Well, also coughing and sneezing, of course.)<\/p>\n<p>Styles said he respects Jeff. He said he\u2019s known him a long time and he\u2019s always been good to him. He said he admires where he\u2019s come from. He said he\u2019s part of the best WWE tag team ever. He said if he\u2019s asking if he wants to face him in this ring for the IC Title, \u201cI say hell no!\u201d He laughed uproariously. He said Hardy hasn\u2019t earned the right to be on his board. He said this isn\u2019t a pity party. Hardy punched Styles. He took a shot at Park with a forearm and then gave a Twist of Fate to Styles. Hardy then wrote his name on the white board with a marker in large print. Park fled as Hardy made little moves toward him.<\/p>\n<p><em>(Keller\u2019s Analysis: So Abyss makes it to WWE finally, but in the role of a cameo as his alter-ego Joseph Parks. He is so good in this role. Dare I suggest someone set him up with Nikki on a date and film it? As for the skit, it sure seems to be mocking AEW\u2019s ranking system. I think WWE is miscalculating if that\u2019s the case because I actually think wrestling fans don\u2019t find treating the contendership standings as a sport with some statistical foundation as absurd as McMahon and Kevin Dunn do.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>-Graves hyped the Big E vs. Morrison match would happen later after all.<\/p>\n<p>-Backstage Cesaro talked with Shinsuke Nakamura about facing Gran Metlik later. He made fun of Metalik being small. Lucha House Party snuck in behind them and stole their tag team title belts. [c]<\/p>\n<p>-Backstage Styles was in a rage, with Park holding the white board behind him. Kayla Braxton approached Styles and asked if he\u2019s considering defending against Hardy. Styles said Hardy doesn\u2019t respect the IC Title or analyitic. He said if Hardy wants a piece of him, he\u2019s going to get it. He will show Hardy and everyone what happens when you face Styles. He tried to erase Hardy\u2019s name on his board. Styles yelled, \u201cPermanent Marker!?\u201d Park said, \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>(4) SHINSUKE NAKAMURA (w\/Cesaro) vs. GRAN METALIK (w\/Lince Dorado)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In a soundbite before the match, Cesaro said LHP are just annoying Spanish flies, adding, \u201cAnd not the cool move.\u201d He said they squish little pests. Cole said they\u2019ll be in a new location next week live and the WWE Universe will play a huge role. Graves said, \u201cInteractivity, allegedly, will be taken to a whole \u2018nother level next week.\u201d A few minutes in, Nakamura was about to hit his Kinsasha kick, but he was interrupted by Kalisto\u2019s music. Cole said he\u2019s been out of action with a shoulder injury, but is now back. Cesaro charged him. Kalisto launched Lince Dorado into him. Back in the ring, Metalik finished a distracted Nakamura with a kick and a top rope flying elbow to the chest.<\/p>\n<p>WINNER: Gran Metalik in 4:00.<\/p>\n<p>-They went to Cole and Graves at ringside. They plugged Summerslam a week from Sunday. The Summerslam slogan is, \u201cYou\u2019ll never see it coming.\u201d That\u2019s a reference to the RKO, but perhaps more. Cole then announced Payback takes place a week after Summerslam, also on WWE Network.<\/p>\n<p><em>(Keller\u2019s Analysis: With the mocking of analytics by Styles, perhaps aimed at AEW, putting Payback on right after Summerslam could be seen as an attempt to saturate the marketplace before AEW\u2019s important All Out PPV.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>-They showed Alexa Bliss being mic\u2019d up for her sit-down interview later. [c]<\/p>\n<p>-Braxton interviewed Matt Riddle. He asked if he could call her \u201cbro.\u201d She said yes. He said he wants to compete, but people keep coming at him from all angles. He said he came to Smackdown to bro-down and throw-down. He said King Corbin is just a royal pain. He said he\u2019s called him out and tried to fight him and even cost him his match last week against Sheamus. He said he\u2019s not sure what he\u2019s supposed to do. In walked Gable.<\/p>\n<p>Gable said he wanted to explain himself. He said he got caught up in this random stuff, and he has a family and the money offered goes a long way, but it doesn\u2019t justify what he did. He said he\u2019s sick about it, so he wanted to apologize face-to-face. Riddle offered a fistbump and said it\u2019s all good. He said if he wants to go with him some day, just let him know. He said he\u2019s down for a fight. Corbin attacked Riddle from behind. \u201cSo much for keeping your head on a swivel,\u201d Corin said. He then thanked Gable for the distraction and said he always knew he\u2019d amount to something great. He called him \u201cChad,\u201d perhaps an attempt to win him over by treating him with respect.<\/p>\n<p>-Graves said Corbin and Gable played Riddle like a puppet.<\/p>\n<p>-An off-camera interviewer asked Bliss how she\u2019s been doing. She said she\u2019s been better. He asked about her history with Braun. She said she got to know the man behind the monster on Mixed Match Challenge. They showed clips of them interacting playfully in the ring and on a car ride. She said he\u2019s compassionate and protective. \u201cWe had fun with each other and we became best friends,\u201d she said. Back to the interview, the interviewer asked if she ever imagined a romantic relationship. She paused and said, \u201cMaybe.\u201d She said they cared a lot about each other. He asked if that\u2019s why The Fiend targeted her. She said that\u2019s a question for The Fiend.<\/p>\n<p>He asked what it\u2019s like being in The Fiend\u2019s presence. She said, \u201cIt\u2019s scary and terrifying and also compelling.\u201d She said once you\u2019ve interacted with him, it\u2019s almost like you can feel his presence. She said for the first time in her life, she understands what it means when people say \u201cmoth to a flame.\u201d They aired a clip of Braun telling Fiend on the big screen that he doesn\u2019t care about Alexa, all he cares about is destroying him. He said he\u2019s what nightmares are made of. He asked Bliss how that made her feel. She took a deep breath and looked off to the side, and the segment ended.<\/p>\n<p><em>(Keller\u2019s Analysis: The line about understanding a\u201dmoth to a flame\u201d is one that defines where this stories go from here, I think. Bliss\u2019s acting is really working here, with just enough nuance and stopping short of hamming it up even when the situation could be tempting.) [c]<\/em><\/p>\n<p>-Cole announced Styles would face Hardy for the IC Title next week.<\/p>\n<p>-Backstage Sonya said she\u2019s a little surprised Mandy\u2019s her challenge. She said she thought about it \u201cand I think you\u2019re going to look great bald.\u201d She said she may think she has gotten over her insecurities, but did she ever think people say it because it\u2019s actually true. She said she\u2019s going to make sure she knows it\u2019s true because she will destroy her once and for all. She accepted the hair vs. hair challenge. \u201cSee you soon, baldy!\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p><strong>(5) BIG E vs. JOHN MORRISON<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Miz joined the announcers on commentary. Big E knocked Morrison down at the start. Miz said Mandy is going to look great bald. Morrison leaped off the top rope, but Big E shoved him mid-air to the floor. Big E clotheslined Morrison when he re-entered the ring. Big E landed a running splash on Morrison on the edge of the ring apron. Morrison backed off as Big E pursued him. Miz encouraged Morrison, but also tripped up Big E with his headset cable. Big E turned to Miz. Morrison clipped Big E from behind. Morrison went down, grabbing his leg.<\/p>\n<p>Morrison went after Big E\u2019s leg in the ring. Cole supplied Miz with a new headset, since his last one stopped working. Otis came to ringside with his MITB briefcase. Miz stood up and claimed he didn\u2019t say anything about Mandy. The lights flickered. Cole yelled for security. They cut to a break. [c]<\/p>\n<p>The Smackdown locker room came out to ringside. Cole said they have reason to believe Retribution are there again. They cut backstage where Retribution were tearing apart the interview set and throwing referees around. They bashed a guy with their bat and a chair, then found someone sitting on a toilet. The Retribution guy closed the door and then wedged a chair against it. They spray-painted the WWE logo on the brick wall. (I hope it\u2019s not permanent paint!)<\/p>\n<p>Back at the ring, Cole said nobody at ringside knows what is going on back there. (He could\u2019ve told them!) Cole went into stupid fake-stuttering mode. Graves said he didn\u2019t even recognize the room they were in. Morrison and Big E continued to battle, but shortly thereafter wrestlers made it to the room where Retribution caused damage. Tucker studied the WWE logo spray painted on the wall, as if trying to decode hieroglyphics. Back in the ring, Big E forced Morrison to tapout with the stretch muffler.<\/p>\n<p>WINNER: Big E in 12:00.<\/p>\n<p><em>(Keller\u2019s Analysis: The match was just a backdrop for a lot of other stuff going on. I think everyone is ready for a payoff to this Retribution story. What is the deal with the guy sitting on the toilet, anyway? Is this the angle to add slapstick bathroom humor to? I suppose everything is for an audience of one, though, so\u2026 score!)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>-After the match, Sheamus showed up and nailed Big E with a Brogue Kick at ringside. Braun Strowman showed up with a shaved head. Cole asked if he\u2019d confront The Fiend next. [c]<\/p>\n<p>-Braun stood mid-ring. \u201cThey say you\u2019ll never see it coming at Summerslam. Well, Fiend, you know exactly what you\u2019re going to get when it comes to me.\u201d He said he told him when he came out of the swamp, he\u2019d be the most evil son of a bitch anyone on Earth had ever laid eyes on. He told Fiend to come to the ring and face his fears. \u201cI\u2019m going to rip you limb from limb, and I will eviscerate you,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd before you take your last breath, you will look up at me as I consume your entrails.\u201d Yuck.<\/p>\n<p>Bliss marched to the ring, looking quite serious. She entered the ring and told Braun that, at the risk of making him angrier, she owes it to him to have a conversation. \u201cAbout what?\u201d he growled. She said this isn\u2019t the Braun she knew, especially when he said last week he doesn\u2019t care about her. She said she doesn\u2019t believe that. \u201cWe\u2019ve been friends for years,\u201d she said. Braun said that\u2019s not true, she used him like a pawn, and he doesn\u2019t give a damn about her. \u201cYou think I\u2019m some sort of clown you can lead around by my beard, making me sing stupid songs in your stupid car.\u201d Bliss asked what\u2019s going on with him. He just stared down and said everyone who comes in contact with The Fiend changes, including him. \u201cNow get out of my ring!\u201d He said. \u201cI want The Fiend.\u201d He still wouldn\u2019t look at her.<\/p>\n<p>Bliss looked up at him and told him okay, but be careful what he wishes for. She said if she can\u2019t talk sense into him, she will slap sense into him. She yelled for him to look at her while she talks to him. He turned to look at her. She slapped him. He smiled. She slapped him eight more times and yelled \u201cWake up!\u201d He lifted her over his head. The Fiend lights flickered as Braun walked around with her raised above his head. He threw her into the air, then let go. The lights went out. They came back on a few seconds later and Fiend was in the ring and Bliss was on the mat in pain. Braun then showed up on the big screen laughing maniacally. The Fiend started laughing back at him. Then he let out a loud yell. The Fiend, who had looked down at Bliss, looked back up at Fiend. The show closed with Fiend saying, \u201cLet me in.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>(Keller\u2019s Analysis: I don\u2019t know where everything with Braun, Bray, and Bliss leads, but I\u2019m interested. Braun\u2019s acting is so cartoonish and one-dimensional, and his eyes just don\u2019t convey anything like someone more believable and skilled at acting would. He\u2019s just cardboard, unfortunately, and oafish. If he\u2019s headed toward a heel turn, and being linked with Bray, it would play more to his strengths as a brutish sidekick heavy instead of a lead babyface. But maybe he can come out of this with expanded acting range and a new layer or two to his act, if I\u2019m to be hopeful and optimistic. Bliss\u2019s acting can help this work, though.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Pro Wrestling Then and Now - WCW Uncensored 1995\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/rhNRMaCDmZE?start=2&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-1887160812\"><div id=\"pwtor-3949058950\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\nTHANK YOU FOR VISITING<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>\u00a0The following report originally published 5 years ago this week here at PWTorch.com\u2026 KELLER\u2019S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT AUGUST 14, 2020 ORLANDO, FLA. AT PERFORMANCE CENTER AIRED ON FOX NETWORK [HOUR ONE] -They replayed Retribution\u2019s antics <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2025\/08\/29\/5-yrs-ago-wwe-smackdown-tv-report-8-14-2020-drama-with-alexa-bliss-and-braun-strowman-triple-brand-womens-battle-royal-for-summerslam-title-shot-plus-retribution-sheamus-gable-naka\/\" title=\"5 YRS AGO \u2013 WWE SMACKDOWN TV Report (8-14-2020): Drama with Alexa Bliss and Braun Strowman, Triple Brand Women&#8217;s Battle Royal for Summerslam title shot, plus Retribution, Sheamus, Gable, Nakamura\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":42818,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[30,31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-201607","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-specialfeatures","category-exclusives_flashbacks"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2017\/05\/BlissAlexa2TB3x2_600.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/201607","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=201607"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/201607\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":203707,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/201607\/revisions\/203707"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42818"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=201607"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=201607"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=201607"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}