WWE SmackDown: Jeff Hardy wins Intercontinental title

Jeff Hardy picks up a major win over AJ Styles to win the IC title heading into SummerSlam

“Welcome to the ThunderDome” was the rallying cry for the WWE all week as it moved to the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. The new setup was expected to bring some excitement to the product and this Friday’s edition of WWE SmackDown was the first experience for the next phase of WWE content during the COVID-era.

Big E and Sheamus were up first in a one-on-one match. Big E was on the advantage first, beating Sheamus up inside the ring and smashing him to the steps on the outside. When they would try to return to the ring Sheamus used that as an opportunity to take control. The two big men stood in the middle of the ring, exchanging shots. An opening allowed Big E to hit the White Noise to set up for the Brogue Kick. A distraction outside the ring allowed Big E to roll Sheamus up for the pin.

Lucha House Party were up next against tag team champions, Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro. The Lucha House Party did not have much to offer the champions early as Cesaro was bouncing them around the ring with his power. Lince Dorado would get into the ring and run circles around both men, even landing the triple moonsault on Nakamura. Cesaro made the hot tag and came in to hit a series of reversals to eventually get the pin on Dorado, keeping the titles on his and his partner’s waist.

Bayley and Banks compete in a Beat the Clock challenge

Sasha Banks and Bayley have a conundrum on Sunday as they both face Asuka at SummerSlam. The question came up as to who will go first against the former champion. To decide the answer, Banks and Bayley had a beat-the-clock challenge against Naomi. The woman who defeated Naomi the fastest would go second against Asuka at the PPV.

Banks was up first, and she had to deal with a fresh Naomi who gave her trouble from the very start. Naomi put up as much offense as possible, but Banks would force her to submit at 3:39 seconds. Bayley did not give Naomi an opportunity to get back to her feet as she jumped right in to assault her, looking to get the victory as quickly as possible.

Being the fresher competitor, Bayley had the momentum early in this match. What seemed like an opportunity for Bayley to get a win over a tired opponent, Naomi surprised everyone when she landed the rear view on Bayley, picking up the victory and securing the later slot for Banks.

AJ Styles had to defend the Intercontinental title against Jeff Hardy in the next match of the evening. Earlier in the evening, Styles attacked Hardy from behind, injuring his knee. Styles used that to his advantage, assaulting Hardy’s knee and keeping the former champion grounded. Even on one leg, Hardy found a way to rally to put some hurt on Styles in the match. It looked like Styles was going to secure a submission victory via the Calf Slicer, but Hardy pulled himself to the ropes.

Styles went for the Styles Clash, but Hardy escaped using the knee brace to force separation. He finished off Styles with a Twist of Fate, followed by the Swanton Bomb for the win, taking home the IC title.

August 21 WWE SmackDown Results

• Big E defeated Sheamus via pin fall
• Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Lucha House Party via pin fall to retain the tag team champions
• Sasha Banks defeated Naomi via submission
• Naomi defeated Bayley via pin fall
• Jeff Hardy defeated AJ Styles via pin fall for the Intercontinental title