PWInsider has followed up on their report regarding changes made to Friday’s night’s episode of WWE SmackDown. The publication originally reported that “medical issues”, possibly related to some testing positive for COVID-19 reportedly caused changes to be made to Friday night’s WWE SmackDown.
In their follow-up report, PWInsider notes they have received questions about what was changed.
PWInsider said most of the show did go originally as planned. The United States Invitational match, Santos Escobar vs. Austin Theory and Dominik Mysterio vs. Butch were included in the original plans for the episode. It was noted however, that WWE did add additional time to those matches late in the day.
A “major” segment to announce the Triple Threat Match for the Women’s Championship at SummerSlam was reportedly dropped and pulled late in the day. It was further said that the segment was going to take place in the ring with Asuka, Bianca Belair, Charlotte and Adam Pearce.
PWInsider said the only match that WWE changed was IYO SKY vs. Zelina Vega. Charlotte Flair replaced Vega when the in-ring segment setting up the Women’s Title Match. WWE replaced Vega with Flair. PWInsider did further note that Vega was backstage.
The report concluded by saying at one point, Rick Boogs vs. Odyssey Jones was scheduled as a dark match that was to take place before SmackDown went live on the air, but that had been pulled sometime during the day.