The Grayson Waller Effect With Rey Mysterio, Santos Escobar, Austin Theory & LA Knight

We shoot inside the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto where we hear the “Who’s Better Than Me? I Don’t See Nobody!” theme plays and the camera pans the crowd.

Michael Cole and Kevin Patrick and Corey Graves talk about what is scheduled for tonight’s show and then we head to the ring for our opening action, which features the latest edition of “The Grayson Waller Effect.”

Now we shoot to Grayson Waller in the ring where his theme plays, stops, the drum-roll hits and his music sounds again. Waller talks about making people relevant on his talk show as the fans in Toronto boo him.

Waller then gets right down to business and introduces his two guests for tonight, the new WWE United States Champion Rey Mysterio and his fellow LWO member, Santos Escobar. The two make their way down to the ring together to a massive pop from the Toronto crowd.

Highlights are shown of Mysterio beating Austin Theory for the U.S. title last week after filling in for Santos. Waller congratulates Rey on being a legend who is still making moments. Waller then tries stirring the pot between Rey and Santos. Grayson accuses Rey of purposely taking Santos’ opportunity and the title.

Santos calms Rey down as he takes exception to Grayson’s comments. He then tells Grayson to shut up before saying the only person he has a problem with is Theory for his sneak attacks. He mentions giving his friend and mentor Rey his blessing to take his spot. He says Theory got what he deserved.

When he goes to say what he’s gonna do when he heals, he is interrupted by the theme for Austin Theory. Out comes the former U.S. Champion to a chorus of boos. He sarcastically congratulates Rey on becoming a three-time U.S. Champion. He asks where his “Father of the Year” award is and asks who’s running this show, calling what happened last week a “tragedy.”

Theory tells the fans to shut up and mocks Santos for being weak. He demands Adam Pearce get out here right now and hand him back what is rightfully his, the U.S. Championship. Pearce comes out and says he had an idea Theory would do this. He says no one wants to hear him complain tonight.

Before he can say anything else, the theme for LA Knight hits and the crowd goes absolutely bonkers. Knight comes out and, of course, asks if he can talk to us. The fans roar with approval. Knight asks if he heard right that Theory claims to be the best U.S. Champion of all-time. He says he only defended the title once every three months and ultimately fumbled the ball.

LA Knight congratulates Rey and says he doesn’t care who ends up with the title, because it’s eventually coming to him. Knight then challenges Theory to a one-on-one bout to determine the next challenger for Rey’s U.S. title. The fans like that idea. Pearce does, too.

He says the only thing makes it better is if they do it right now. The fans roar and Knight wraps things up by saying Theory has a first class ticket to a B.F.T. with everybody sayin, L-A KNIGHT — YEAH! His theme hits and we head to a commercial break.

Slim Jim SummerSlam Battle Royal

After a commercial break and a pointless, lengthy Becky Lynch video package, we shoot back inside Ford Field where the ring is already filled up, except for The Miz and LA Knight, who get special ring entrances, as it’s time for the Slim Jim SummerSlam Battle Royal.

Also getting their ring entrance shown on the broadcast is AJ Styles, who comes out last. He makes his way to the ring to a nice pop. As he finishes his walk to the ring, Michael Cole introduces us to a history and legacy or battle royals in WWE history.

The bell sounds and everyone starts fighting. We hear MVP and then see him appear at the top of the entrance way. He says this match can’t start until the man who is going to win it — is in it. He then introduces the 7’3” Omos. “The Nigerian Nightmare” joins the gang in the ring and the fight is on.

Apollo Crews is the first person thrown over the top and eliminated. Omos launches JD McDonagh out next with a massive military press over the top. He throws out Rick Boogs next. Everybody gangs up on Omos to try and get rid of him. Omos fights his way free.

We see several more eliminations in rapid-fire fashion as the ring starts to thin out a bit. Eventually Omos gets thrown out for a big pop. Miz and Grayson Waller start to team up until LA Knight throws Miz out for an enormous pop from the crowd. Grayson Waller is thrown out by Sheamus.

Bronson Reed, AJ Styles, LA Knight and Sheamus are the final four men remaining after the big man Bronson Reed gets a few eliminations. LA Knight ends up eliminating Reed by himself for a huge pop. Styles and Sheamus mix it up as Knight recovers and fans chant his name.

Karrion Kross comes back and this leads to AJ Styles being eliminated. Knight hits his version of “The People’s Elbow” on Sheamus and then prepares to eliminate him but he runs into a big knee from “The Celtic Warrior.” Knight runs and leaps to the top rope in the same spot he badly botched twice on SmackDown. He hits it this time and then clotheslines Sheamus over the top for the win.

Winner: LA Knight

LA Knight vs. Sheamus

Cole and Barrett mention the main event between Jey Uso and Solo Sikoa for tonight and then we hear the screech-starting entrance theme to bring out LA Knight. Cole points out a fan sign that says he drove 600 miles to come see LA Knight tonight.

He settles in the ring and his music dies down and he grabs a mic. “Lemme talk to ya!” he begins. He talks about SummerSlam Weekend being the biggest party of the summer. He mentions the 25-man Slim Jim Presents SummerSlam Battle Royal. The match graphic flashes on the screen and Knight calls the competitors “stooges.”

Knight talks about the business at hand tonight against Sheamus. He gives him props for being a former world champion but says he’s losing tonight. The theme for Sheamus hits and, of course, Michael Cole proclaims it “FIGHT NIGHT!”

“The Celtic Warrior” emerges alongside Butch and Ridge Holland. The Brawling Brutes hug and then begin walking down to the ring together. The bell sounds and we’re officially off-and-running with this one.

Fans immediately chant “LA Knight! LA Knight!” as the two square off. Sheamus blasts him in the gut twice with kicks and then runs over him off the ropes with a shoulder tackle. Sheamus mocks his “YEAH!” as he’s down in the corner.

Knight hits Sheamus back with some kicks and does his “YEAH!” right back to him. The two each clothesline each other over the top rope and out to the floor. We see Santos Escobar, The Miz and Grayson Waller all make their way out down to the ringside area. Karrion Kross and Scarlett, AJ Styles and Michin also come out. Cole mentions they are all in the battle royal at SummerSlam.

Sheamus connects with his White Noise on Knight on the hard part of the ring apron. On that note, we shift gears and head to a mid-match commercial break as the action in this opening contest continues.

When we return from the break, we see Sheamus working Knight over in the ring as the Superstars in the SummerSlam battle royal watch on from ringside. Knight starts fighting back and the fans chant “YEAH!” with each shot that lands. He hits a DDT and the fans chant “LA Knight! LA Knight!”

LA Knight hits a power slam on Sheamus and then leads fans in a “L-A Knight -YEAH!” chant before hitting his version of The People’s Elbow. He hits a reverse death valley driver for a close near fall after that.

The Brawling Brutes leader hits a big kick and then an Irish Curse back-breaker for a close near fall. He picks Knight up on his shoulders and takes him to the top rope. He connects with a super White Noise for a super close near fall, which Knight somehow kicks out of.

Now we see Sheamus hit a big slam and he locks Knight in the Texas Cloverleaf. Knight makes it to the ropes to force the ref to break the hold. Sheamus puts the boots to Knight and skins the cat to the top rope. Knight goes to leap to the top-rope like Angle but slips. He climbs up and then almost pushes Sheamus backwards over the post to the floor, and ends up having to jump to the floor himself to avoid this. Very bad botching going on there.

We see the SummerSlam battle royal participants close in on the situation. Austin Theory comes out and gets involved, which leads to a massive brawl with all of the SummerSlam battle royal participants. Sheamus gets distracted with Miz and Knight hits his Blunt Force Trauma finisher for the win. After the match all the SummerSlam battle royal guys brawl again.

Winner: LA Knight

“The Grayson Waller Effect” With Bayley & Iyo Sky

We see a lengthy Asuka vignette which shows her training in the gym and touting having a plan that will ensure she walks out of SummerSlam with the title. After that, we see the ring being set up for The Grayson Waller Effect.

On that note, we head to another commercial break. When we return, Cole and Barrett announce Kid Rock as the host and narrator of the cold open video for WWE SummerSlam.

The theme for Grayson Waller hits. Stops. The drumroll plays and it hits again (such a cool intro) and finally out comes Grayson Waller for this week’s installment of “The Grayson Waller Effect.” He introduces his guests at this time, Bayley and Iyo Sky.

This brings out the two, with the latter bringing her Money In The Bank briefcase with her. Waller says “Ding, dong, Hello!” to mock Bayley’s old talk show segment. We then have him taunt Bayley with sadistic laughs of Shotzi playing. He mocks her for being scared.

Bayley yells at him to never do that again. The theme for Shotzi hits and out comes the tank. We think it’s Shotzi but she appears in the ring with her new bald head and pulls out a pair of clippers. Bayley runs off. We shoot back to the tank and we see it was Zelina Vega.

Jey Uso Decks Grayson Waller

We shoot backstage and Jey Uso is shown looking excited after giving it to Roman Reigns on the mic moments ago. He is approached by Grayson Waller.

Waller tells Uso that he should come on “The Grayson Waller Effect” after SummerSlam. Waller mocks him and then Jey drills him.

Jey Uso vs. Grayson Waller

It’s main event time!

Now the theme for Jey Uso hits for our scheduled main event of the evening. As “Main Event” Jey Uso makes his way out and heads to the ring, we see a shot of Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa and Paul Heyman watching on a monitor backstage.

On that note, we shift gears and head to a pre-match commercial break. When we return from the break, Grayson Waller’s theme hits and the host of “The Grayson Waller Effect” settles in the ring for our final match of the evening.

The bell sounds and we’re officially off-and-running with this one. Uso starts off strong, taking it to Grayson with ease and dominating the early offense. Waller takes over and gets in some offense of his own, but his offensive run is short-lived as Uso blasts him with a super kick and takes back over.

Uso continues to dominate and looks to have this one wrapped up, when out of nowhere, the theme for Roman Reigns hits. Out comes “The Tribal Chief” accompanied by Solo Sikoa and Paul Heyman. Uso is distracted by this, which allows Waller to recover and land a big shot.

With Uso down and The Bloodline making their way closer to the ring, we head to a mid-match commercial break with our main event of the evening continuing.

When we return from the break, we see Waller dominating the action while The Bloodline sits at ringside watching on. Waller hits a middle rope elbow drop for a close near fall. He starts taunting Jey as he continues to work him over.

Even though LA Knight already did it earlier, presumably unintentionally, we see Grayson Waller rip off The Rock by doing his People’s Elbow, which Michael Cole mentions on commentary as Roman Reigns is shown with a big smile on his face watching at ringside.

Jey ends up avoiding it and he starts to take over. He lays out Waller and stops long enough to glare at Reigns and Sikoa and Heyman at ringside. Uso hits a spear and an Uso splash for the pin fall victory.

Winner: Jey Uso

Grayson Waller With A Message For Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

The Progressive Match Flo segment of the week looks back at Grayson Waller’s impressive performance in a losing effort to Edge, who after the match told Grayson he could swim instead of sink.

After that wraps up, we shoot backstage to Cathy Kelley, who introduces her guest at this time, Grayson Waller. He is asked if he is surprised he’s already in the hunt for a title on the main roster, as he is part of the WWE U.S. Championship Invitational.

Waller talks about how he did expect it. He boasts main eventing at MSG last week against a WWE Hall of Fame legend in Edge. He talks about mixing it up with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson on social media. He vows to get his hand raised tonight and closes by saying, “If you smell what I’m cookin’.” We head to another commercial break.

WWE United States Championship Invitational
AJ Styles vs. Santos Escobar vs. Butch vs. Grayson Waller

We see Charlotte Flair, Asuka, Bianca Belair and the duo of Bayley and Ms. Money In The Bank Iyo Sky all backstage as Cole and Barrett hype tonight’s women’s title match main event.

Now we return inside the PNC Arena where Austin Theory’s theme hits. Out comes the WWE United States Champion, as he will get an up close and personal look at our next match of the evening. The WWE United States Championship Invitational kicks off next.

On that note, we head to a quick pre-match commercial break. When we return, we see Santos Escobar and Butch in the ring, as Austin Theory joins the gang on commentary. Grayson Waller makes his way to the ring and finally, AJ Styles comes out.

The bell sounds and we’re officially off-and-running with our first of two fatal-four-way matches, where the winners meet to determine the next title challenger for U.S. Champion Austin Theory.

Grayson Waller and Austin Theory jaw at each other straight out of the gate, as Cole tells Theory on commentary that many often compare the two. Theory is of course insulted, pointing out he actually beat Edge and John Cena. We see Waller perform some big spots and Waller admits that they were actually impressive.

Styles hits a big spot as we head to a mid-match commercial break as this high stakes four-way showdown continues. When we return, we see Butch snapping the fingers of Waller. Butch then is launched into Styles off the top-rope via a hurricanrana from Escobar.

Theory keeps threatening Michael Cole’s job on commentary if he doesn’t shut his mouth. Butch hits a step-up enzugiri to Waller and Escobar, who are both sitting on the top rope. With Butch standing on the ring post, we see a sunset flip into a triple power bomb as the crowd goes nuts.

We see a bunch of back-to-back high spots and then Styles hits a Phenomenal Forearm and has Escobar in position for a Styles Clash, but Karrion Kross appears on the big screen attacking The O.C. This lures Styles to the back and allows Escobar to hit his top-rope finisher for the win.

Winner and ADVANCING: Santos Escobar

The Grayson Waller Effect With Edge

We return from the break to a cool compilation package showing key moments in WWE history that took place at Madison Square Garden, where tonight’s show is located.

From there, we return back inside The Mecca at The Garden and the theme for Grayson Waller plays. We see him in the ring on the set of The Grayson Waller Effect. He hypes up his first episode from MSG.

Waller brings up the many big moments to take place at MSG but says none are bigger than the announcement his guest is making tonight. Edge’s theme hits and out comes “The Rated-R Superstar” as the fans sing along with his theme.

Edge says it’s a steamy hot night in NYC. He is interrupted by Waller, who talks about how it’s nice to hear but let’s get to the big announcement. Edge doesn’t know what Waller is talking about. He wants to talk to the fans. He brings up his debut as Sable’s mystery partner at SummerSlam 1998.

Grayson Waller cuts in again and says now for the big announcement. He announces Edge’s retirement for him. Edge again seems befuddled. Edge brings up Waller standing eye to eye with John Cena last week and with Edge this week. He says so someone somewhere sees something in him.

He says he’s only been here for half a hiccup. He says he hasn’t even had a match on the main roster yet. He says he’s doggy paddled his way into deep waters. He says he’s not retiring. He says in fact, he’s talked to the powers that be and he’s gonna have a match here tonight. It’ll be Edge one on one against Grayson Waller. Waller looks shocked as Edge walks off.

Edge vs. Grayson Waller

We see a video package on Mr. Money In The Bank Damian Priest and his near cash-in from Monday’s Raw and then return inside MSG where Edge’s theme hits. The WWE Hall of Fame legend emerges to fans singing his song again.

As he settles in the ring, we head to a pre-match commercial break. We return to another compilation package of key WWE moments to take place at MSG over the years.

Now we return inside The Garden live where the familiar sounds of Grayson Waller hits and out comes the cocky former NXT Superstar for his SmackDown in-ring debut.

The bell sounds and we’re officially off-and-running with this one. The fans chant “Edge! Edge! Edge!” early on. The two lock up and Waller gets the better of it and does a little shimmy-shimmy dance to brag.

Edge jumps into the early lead and the fans break out in a “You still got it!” chant. Waller blasts Edge with a big shot and yells out, “I got it, too!” Waller blasts Edge with a big knee just as he was timing a spear.

He knocks him to the floor and slides out for a clothesline. We head to a mid-match commercial on that note. When we return from the break, we see Waller connecting with a middle rope flying tornado DDT for a close near fall.

The two continue to fight back and forth. As Edge hits a power bomb on Waller on the floor, Michael Cole informs us that Jey Uso has left the hospital where Jimmy is being checked on and has returned to The Garden.

Back in the ring, Edge continues to work over Waller. He hits a big cross body splash off the ropes for a close near fall. Waller hits a twisting unprettier for a close near fall moments later. He goes for the rolling stunner from the floor to the ring but hops right into a spear from Edge for the 1-2-3.

Great match. After the match, Edge gets on the mic. “Hey Waller … you swam.” He gives Grayson his respect before leaving the ring.

“The Grayson Waller Effect” With Logan Paul

Grayson Waller is introduced and out he comes to host a very special pre-Money In The Bank edition of “The Grayson Waller Effect” with special guest, social media sensation, Logan Paul.

Logan Paul makes his way out to a big mixed bag reaction, with a ton of boos. The two talk briefly but then LA Knight’s theme hits. The crowd goes absolutely bonkers for Knight — YEAH!

Knight wants to talk at them for a minute, as you would expect! The crowd is eating it up with a spoon. Much like on Monday Night Raw, this segment turns into a giant Men’s Ladder Match advertisement for Money In The Bank, as Santos Escobar, Butch and company start to brawl. We head to another commercial.

The Grayson Waller Effect With Pretty Deadly

Grayson Waller’s theme hits and then stops. The drumroll hits and his theme plays again and he is introduced. Out he comes for the latest installment of The Grayson Waller Effect.

He builds himself up ad then hypes his guests, Pretty Deadly.

The glitter ball for Pretty Deadly is shown and then Kit Wilson and Elton Prince make their way out. We see highlights of them winning the gauntlet last week and becoming number one contenders to the Undisputed WWE Tag-Team Champions Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.

We hear the three banter back-and-forth and then they mention how in their home country, Pretty Deadly will challenge Zayn and Owens for the titles next week.

This god awful banter continues until The Street Profits come out talking about how cute Kit and Elton look with their exposed chests. They challenge them to a match — which is up next. We head to a commercial break on that note.

The Grayson Waller Effect With Special Guest AJ Styles

We see the ring crew getting the squared circle ready for our next segment of the evening. We hear Grayson Waller’s theme playing in the background as Michael Cole talks us into our next commercial break of the evening.

The Grayson Waller Effect with special guest AJ Styles is up next when we return. When we return, Grayson Waller gets the big drum-roll intro and then his theme hits and we see him already in the ring, which is fully decked out with The Grayson Waller Effect set.

Waller wastes no time in introducing his special guest for the first main roster edition of his old WWE NXT talk show segment. On that note, Waller brings out AJ Styles. He sits down with him and talks about how they have shared the ring together.

He recalls Styles telling him to be “phenomenal for 20 years.” He then brings up his one-on-one showdown with Seth “Freakin’” Rollins at WWE Night Of Champions to determine the first ever Raw World Heavyweight Champion.

Grayson Waller says the Styles-Rollins bout is the one he is most excited for at WWE Night Of Champions and then goes on to pretend to do the ring announcement for the outcome of the match. “And NEW World Heavyweight Champion — Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins!”

Styles stands up and gets in Waller’s face. The two have a stare down as Waller’s theme music hits to end the debut edition of The Grayson Waller Effect on Friday Night SmackDown.

Grayson Waller Effect Coming To SmackDown Next Week

When we return from the break, we see Adam Pearce backstage on the phone when in walks former NXT Superstar Grayson Waller. He talks about debuting his Grayson Waller Effect talk show segment on next week’s show. Waller is happy to be here on Friday’s.