After Smackdown went off the air in Calgary, WWE World Women's Champion Rhea Ripley defeated Natalya.
The word backstage at Smackdown was that neither The Usos nor Solo Sikoa will be at next week's taping in Toronto, so unless they pre-taped a segment, don't expect a lot of storyline being furthered for the Bloodline next week. Roman Reigns was never slated for next week.
Dakota Kai was not initially scheduled for Smackdown we are told. The story backstage making the rounds was that once again, she was called at the last minute to fly into the taping, just as she was Summerslam.
There was talk of adding a stipulation, possibly no DQ, to AJ Styles vs. Karrion Kross over the last week but the idea was eventually dropped. One would think tonight was the blowoff for that feud.
Tonight's Smackdown was the highest grossing WWE live gate in Calgary history.
Robert Roode was backstage working as a producer, as was Nick Aldis.
Edge vs. Sheamus for the first time ever was announced for next Friday's Smackdown in Toronto. Also set is the 25 years of Edge Celebration and The Grayson Waller Effect with new WWE United States Champion Rey Mysterio.
The Calgary Hitmen hockey team honored Natalya before Smackdown:
Welcome home, @NatbyNature! ????@WWE | #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/Dwu9tmwLa6
— Calgary Hitmen (@WHLHitmen) August 11, 2023
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!