SmackDown Live Report Card - July 24, 2018

It's amazing to fathom that we are just 13 short weeks away from the historic 1000th episode of SmackDown Live. With as good as this show has been lately, I cannot wait for that episode because Raw 1000 was a tremendous show.

Follow Sportskeeda for the latest WWE news, rumors and all other wrestling news.

The SummerSlam card continued to take shape after this week's episode as we now know who will face AJ Styles for the WWE Championship, and it's none other than Samoa Joe. It's the main event many within the WWE Universe wanted and never thought they'd see in this lifetime.

We have also learned that there is a tag team tournament to determine who will face The Bludgeon Brothers, and that tournament includes the return of The Bar.

It was once again a good edition of SmackDown Live, but this week it was more about advancing the storylines for SummerSlam than it was getting spectacular matches and that's not a bad thing.

As always, the best grade that a match or segment can earn is an A+, but on the flip side, the worst grade that can be earned is an F. On the final slide, I'll also give my overall grade for the show.

Let's kick things off with The Viper...

---

#5 Randy Orton explains his actions

Randy Orton says he'll write Jeff Hardy's last chapter...

Randy Orton kicked off SmackDown Live this week as the WWE Universe was looking for answers as to why he's brutally attacked Jeff Hardy at Extreme Rules and last week's SmackDown.

Orton told the WWE Universe to look in the mirror for the reason why he did what he did to Hardy. He doesn't get the respect he deserves because he's not an indie darling, dives off of cages, paints his face, or change the colour of his merchandise every month.

Orton finished his promo by stating that he is going to write the last chapter in Jeff Hardy's story, as well as everyone else the WWE Universe puts on a pedestal.

Amazing heel promo by Orton here. I missed this Randy.

GRADE: A

#4 Samoa Joe crashes the WWE Championship contract signing

Samoa Joe putting pen to paper after putting AJ to sleep...

General Manager Paige was in the ring; which was carpeted and had a table prepared for the WWE Championship contract signing. Styles came out to sign the contract even though he didn't know who his opponent was.

James Ellsworth would crash the party claiming he should get a shot since he beat AJ three times, but he said the wrong thing to Paige and got fired.

During the ordeal of kicking Ellsworth out of the building, Samoa Joe locked in the Coquina Clutch from behind onto AJ, put him to sleep, and signed the contract.

Thought it was a great segment all-around to set up what I consider the true main event of SummerSlam.

GRADE: A

#3 - SAnitY takes on The New Day in the tag team tournament

The New Day is one step closer to another tag title reign...

General Manager Paige definitely was a busy lady this week as she announced a four-team tournament would ensue to determine the No.1 contender for The Bludgeon Brothers' WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships at SummerSlam.

The Usos will take on The Bar next week, but this week it was The New Day and SAnitY (who have been at odds for the past few weeks).

As for the match, it was good but really short with New Day winning. Could have been much better if given double the time. I fully expect New Day v. The Bar in the finals with The Bar winning the tournament.

GRADE: C

#2 Quick grades for other SmackDown segments

The IIconics doing iconic things...

Andrade "Cien" Almas d. Rusev

This was a good match for the time they were given (under 10 minutes). Aiden English caused another defeat for Rusev to further cause a split in Rusev Day. A split I don't want to see. GRADE: B

Samoa Joe d. R-Truth

It was good to see Truth back in a WWE ring, but he went to sleep after just a minute so there isn't much to grade here. GRADE: N/A

Asuka d. Billie Kay

Asuka has been booked terribly since her losing streak snapped, so at least it was good that she got the win. The IIconics were great on the microphone, as usual, another quick match that is hard to grade. GRADE: N/A

Becky Lynch d. Carmella gets a title shot at SummerSlam

While the character of Carmella has evolved nicely, her in-ring work hasn't. The division will be better suited when Becky Lynch wins the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship at SummerSlam. GRADE: C-

#1 The Miz and Mrs. premiere celebration / overall grade

Miz, Maryse, and "Monroe Sky" enter through the velvet ropes...

The ending segment of SmackDown Live this week was with The Miz and Maryse celebrating the premiere of their new reality series Miz and Mrs. (which was really funny).

Miz made us think that he was holding Monroe Sky and told the WWE Universe to be quiet because the mere mention of Daniel Bryan put her to sleep.

They rolled footage for Miz and Mrs., but it turned out to be the worst moments in the careers of The Miz and Maryse. They weren't pleased with the footage, but then on the screen was Daniel Bryan, who was behind the video editing.

Bryan wanted to come to the ring to apologize in person. After disposing of Miz's security, Bryan was in the ring, but Miz threw the baby at him! It was a baby doll of course, but the distraction led to Miz landing the Skull Crushing Finale onto Bryan.

Miz revealed the baby they had backstage was an actor and to tune into their new show next on the USA Network.

I thought it was a great segment to end the show and further the feud we have all been waiting to see.

GRADE: A

SmackDown usually differentiates itself from Monday Night Raw by having longer and better matches, but this week wasn't the case. However, it didn't hurt the show because the segments that progressed the SummerSlam feuds were great for the most part.

OVERALL GRADE: B+