Friday Night SmackDown results, August 28, 2020: Did Roman Reigns become a "Paul Heyman Guy" ahead of WWE Payback?

Jeff Hardy def. Shinsuke Nakamura – Intercontinental Championship Match

After issuing an Open Challenge for the Intercontinental Championship, Jeff Hardy battles Shinsuke Nakamura. Catch WWE action on WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

Jeff Hardy opened his reign as Intercontinental Champion with an Open Challenge to anyone on the blue brand. AJ Styles interrupted Hardy’s original proclamation, but he quickly revealed that he was unable to compete due to the injuries he sustained the previous week. The Charismatic Enigma didn’t hesitate to take out The Phenomenal One before Shinsuke Nakamura emerged to take up the challenge. The King of Strong Style targeted the champion's hobbled knee and slowed the titleholder’s early momentum. Hardy dug deep and nailed a Twist of Fate that left Nakamura ripe for a devastating Swanton Bomb that sealed the successful title defense.

After the match, Sami Zayn made a shocking return with his title in tow. The Great Liberator took out Hardy to officially announce his return to the Intercontinental Championship picture.

Matt Riddle def. Shorty G

Matt Riddle was ready to cut right to the chase when he stormed into the ring and called out King Corbin. Corbin eventually emerged and graciously accepted the challenge – on behalf of Shorty G. The Original Bro was on fire from the start, as he wanted to send a message to the onlooking Corbin. After a flurry of attacks, Riddle landed a Bro Derek to earn the quick victory. Corbin made a move toward Riddle after the win, but the two competitors separated and stared each other down with a WWE Payback showdown looming.

Braun Strowman def. Drew Gulak

After Drew Gulak smashed The Monster backstage, an incensed Braun Strowman takes his frustrations out on Gulak. Catch WWE action on WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

After finding himself in the crosshairs of The Monster during last week’s RETRIBUTION attack, Drew Gulak was set on delivering his own payback to Braun Strowman. It was clear from the start that Gulak bit off more than he could chew, as The Strowman Express got rolling. Strowman tossed Gulak around the ring and then unleashed a vicious Running Powerslam to end the carnage with a win.

Cesaro def. Kalisto

Kalisto looks to take down Cesaro, as the rivalry between Lucha House Party and the SmackDown Tag Team Champions rages on. Catch WWE action on WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

Kalisto has been set on reasserting his position in Lucha House Party, but Cesaro did his best to cast even more doubt. Cesaro hit an early backbreaker to ground the high-flyer. Kalisto battled back to land a DDT and an ensuing acrobatic attack that nearly secured the win. Gran Metalik and Lince Durado had an altercation with Shinsuke Nakamura at ringside, and the distraction allowed Cesaro to pull off the roll-up win. After the match, an argument between the three members of Lucha House Party showed there’s plenty to still sort out before they restart the party.

Big E & Heavy Machinery def. Sheamus, John Morrison & The Miz

Big E teams up with Otis & Tucker to take on Sheamus, John Morrison & The Miz, after the New Day powerhouse was uninvited to “Miz TV.” Catch WWE action on WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.

Big E put his singles run aside for a night to team with Heavy Machinery against Sheamus, John Morrison & The Miz. After a heated backstage exchange before SmackDown, The Miz uninvited Big E from his scheduled appearance on “Miz TV.” Tucker delivered the first big moment as he took out all three of his opponents, but as the Heavy Machinery member went for a pin, Sheamus rang the bell to momentarily halt the action in the ring.

Big E got some payback after last week’s altercation with The Miz on “Talking Smack.” The New Day powerhouse landed multiple belly-to-belly suplexes and a thunderous splash on The A-Lister. Shortly after, Sheamus angrily exited from ringside after The Miz & John Morrison kept ignoring his requests for a tag. With the odds stacked against him and Morrison, The Miz connected with a Skull-Crushing Finale to Otis, but Big E entered as the legal man and landed a Big Ending for the victory.