WWE SmackDown: Retribution continues to cause mayhem

Retribution attacks once again as Big E picks up win in main event.

The latest edition of Friday Night SmackDown was all about the WWE locker room trying to find out what is going on with the group Retribution and why they keep attacking week after week. Plus, there was an interesting dynamic change within the angle involving Bray Wyatt, Braun Strowman and Alexa Bliss.

New Day member, Big E kicked off the night as his move to becoming a standout singles competitor continued. On Friday he faced off against another former tag team and singles champion, John Morrison. Unfortunately, before their match can get started Retribution stormed the ring once again, attacking them both and leaving them laying before running off.

Once that situation was handled the women took center stage with the Triple Brand battle royal to see who would face Bayley at SummerSlam for the SmackDown women’s title. Women from Raw, SmackDown and NXT completed in the over-the-top-rope match which saw a lot of action from the very start. Shayna Baszler, Bianca Belair, Lacey Evans and others had big moments, but the final two would come down to Baszler and former champion Asuka. Asuka would use Sasha Banks and Bayley against their will to avoid elimination and eventually pull Baszler over the top rope, securing her victory and a second title shot at SummerSlam.

Sheamus was looking for revenge against Chad Gable for what occurred last week. They met in a one-on-one match once again on Friday. Gable attempted to match power with Sheamus but that didn’t last long as he ate a nasty clothesline for his trouble. The beating would occur for the rest of the match until Gable was put away with a nasty Brogue Kick, giving Sheamus the victory.

Kalisto returns to Lucha House Party

Shinsuke Nakamura and Gran Metalik competed against each other in a singles match as the two teams prepare for a future matchup. Metalik has had some success in singles matches lately and that seemed to carry over in his match with Nakamura, at least early. It wouldn’t take long before Nakamura was back in control. Before he could finish off the match Kalisto would return and cause enough of a distraction to help Metalik get the win over Nakamura.

The Morrison versus Big E match from the start of the night was back on later in the evening. Big E was dealing with an “injury” from the occurrence earlier, which left him a step slower than usual as he attempted to keep up with Morrison. Morrison was doing an excellent stop keeping Big E at bay and unable to use his power-based offense. However, Big E was able to catch Morrison in the Stretch Muffler to force Morrison to submit in the end.

August 14 WWE SmackDown Results

• Asuka wins the Triple Brand battle royal
• Sheamus defeated Chad Gable via pin fall
• Gran Metalik defeated Shinsuke Nakamura via pin fall
• Big E defeated John Morrison via pin fall