On August 13, 2015, WWE Smackdown aired from Portland, Oregon, showcasing intense confrontations and pivotal matches that set the stage for Summerslam. The show opened with Seth Rollins, the WWE World Champion, confidently addressing the crowd and declaring his dominance after recent victories against Randy Orton, Neville, and John Cena. Rollins challenged Cena to face him directly on Raw, emphasizing his status and daring anyone to confront him.
His promo was soon interrupted by Neville, who criticized Rollins, noting Cena’s win over him despite a broken nose and questioning the legitimacy of Rollins’ reign as champion. Neville’s remarks provoked Rollins to insult him as
“a Mousketeer with a Napolean complex.”
The tension escalated when Cesaro’s music hit and he joined the confrontation, agreeing with Neville that Rollins’ self-praise was excessive. However, Kevin Owens ambushed Cesaro from behind, while Rollins took Neville down in the ring with a buckle bomb, igniting chaos that set the tone for the night.
Women’s Division Contest: Charlotte Overcomes Naomi
Following the heated opening, the women’s division featured a match between Charlotte and Naomi. Becky Lynch accompanied Charlotte to the ring, though Paige was notably absent. Naomi started aggressively, slapping Charlotte and trying to gain an early edge. The match included moments where Naomi showed resilience, but Charlotte’s strength and tactical chops began to turn the tide.
Despite Naomi’s attempts to control the match through hair-pulling and evasive maneuvers, Charlotte regained momentum with a spear and eventually forced Naomi to submit with the Figure Eight leglock at 8:44. The match itself was somewhat truncated by commercial breaks, limiting viewer exposure to its full duration, but Charlotte’s victory was clear and pivotal for her rising status.
Previews and Announcement of High-Stakes Matches
As commentary teams including Tom Phillips, Jerry Lawler, and Jimmy Uso discussed upcoming events, the WWE Universe was reminded that Summerslam would be available on the WWE Network, amid a brief price comparison with traditional pay-per-view options. Adding to the anticipation, a tag team match was officially announced for later in the show: Cesaro and Neville versus Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens, creating a buzz around the ring.
The show also previewed other significant bouts scheduled for Summerslam, such as Luke Harper facing Roman Reigns, and a mixed tag featuring Neville and Stephen Amell against Stardust and King Barrett. These announcements helped heighten the intensity of the night’s proceedings.
Ryback’s Strong Promo Highlights His Recovery and Momentum
Ryback appeared on Smackdown to address fans directly about his recent challenges, including the staph infection he suffered after winning the Intercontinental Title. By showcasing an Instagram photo of his infected leg, Ryback conveyed the severity of his injury but emphasized his determination to overcome adversity. His confident tone and references to “Meat Hooked and Shell Shocked” the infection solidified his persona ahead of his next big moments in WWE.
Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper Set the Stage for Family Rivalries
Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper shared the ring, with Harper opening by describing his connection to darkness, calling himself born holding “the devil’s hand.” Wyatt praised Harper for overcoming blindness, saying he had given him sight, before proclaiming that at Summerslam it would be “family versus family” in a long-awaited clash. Their eerie promo was cut short when Dean Ambrose interrupted, refusing words and instead inviting physical confrontation alongside Roman Reigns, escalating a tense dynamic that led straight into their upcoming match.
Roman Reigns and Luke Harper Deliver a Hard-Hitting Battle
The match between Roman Reigns and Luke Harper was intense from the opening bell, with Reigns aggressively launching punches and kicks. After an early break, Harper took control with a series of European uppercuts and a variety of technical maneuvers that challenged Reigns’ resilience. The bout featured outside interference by Wyatt and Ambrose, adding layers of strategy and chaos.
Despite Harper’s moments of dominance, Reigns rallied with a series of signature moves, including a Samoan drop and Superman punch. Wyatt’s interference ultimately led to a disqualification, giving Reigns the win. The aftermath saw Ambrose, Wyatt, and Harper brawling beyond the ring, culminating in a suicide dive by Ambrose and the retreat of Wyatt and Harper through the crowd, delivering a dramatic close to the segment.
Sheamus Promises a New Era After Disrupted Money in the Bank Opportunity
Backstage, Sheamus was interviewed by Rich Brennan and expressed frustration over Randy Orton’s interruption of his Money in the Bank cash-in attempt on Raw. Sheamus stated that the WWE Universe is tired of repetitive storylines and vowed to bring a fresh era through sheer warrior spirit. Describing Orton as unable to survive the change he planned, Sheamus promised to ‘Brogue Kick’ his way through the competition, drawing attention with a focused promo that emphasized his determination to reshape the roster.
Tag Team Action: The Prime Time Players Triumph over New Day
In non-title tag team competition, The Prime Time Players faced off against Xavier Woods and Big E. of New Day. The match showcased competitive back-and-forth action marked by exchanges of power moves and teamwork. Though the New Day began strongly, the Prime Time Players capitalized after a series of tactical strikes and a lengthy ten count outside the ring. Darren Young’s finishing moves secured the victory at 8:16, earning respect for the team’s growth and effectiveness in the tag team division.
Main Event Recap: Rollins and Owens Defeat Cesaro and Neville in Dynamic Tag Match
The main event featured a highly contested tag team match between the pairs of Neville and Cesaro against Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens. Early in the encounter, Cesaro executed a vertical suplex on Rollins, signaling the babyfaces’ initial momentum. The heels focused on isolating Neville, applying pressure and controlling the pace through methodical offense. Despite Rollins and Owens’ attempts to suppress their opponents, Neville made a timely hot tag to Cesaro, who responded with impactful uppercuts and high-flying moves to shift momentum.
The match saw continuous interference and near-falls, with Cesaro applying the Sharpshooter and Owens interrupting to break submissions. The climax featured Rollins countering Cesaro’s attempted submission into a roll-up pin, aided by a tights hold, securing the victory for the champions at 10:38. After the bell, Cesaro vented frustration by assaulting Owens, allowing Neville to land his finishing move, the Red Arrow, while Rollins exited the scene. The contrasting post-match reactions highlighted continuing rivalries and storyline developments.
Significance of Smackdown’s August 2015 Episode for WWE Storylines
This episode of WWE Smackdown was pivotal in advancing multiple storylines leading up to Summerslam. Seth Rollins’ confident promos and chaotic alliances deepened the intrigue around the WWE World Title scene, while Roman Reigns and Luke Harper’s intense battle underscored the familial theme Bray Wyatt highlighted. Sheamus’ backstage remarks signaled potential shifts in the roster’s power dynamics.
The women’s division maintained steady progression with Charlotte’s win, supporting her growing status in WWE’s competitive scene. Tag team encounters, particularly involving Cesaro, Neville, Rollins, and Owens, established departments of conflict that promised exciting confrontations in future episodes and at Summerslam itself.
Overall, the August 2015 highlights from WWE Smackdown demonstrated raw energy and layered conflict crucial for fan engagement and set the stage for upcoming major events in WWE’s annual calendar.
