WWE SmackDown Results 8/25/2023 (Bray Wyatt and Terry Funk Tributes)

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown on FOX opens up with graphics in memory of Bray Wyatt (Windham Rotunda), who passed away at the age of 36 on Thursday, and WWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk, who passed away at the age of 79 on Wednesday. We’re now live from the KFC Yum! Center in Lexington, Kentucky, as Michael Cole welcomes us. He’s joined at ringside by Kevin Patrick and Corey Graves. The graphics for Wyatt and Funk are on the big screen, and the WWE roster is standing on the stage with many looking emotional. Former WWE Superstar and Wyatt Family member Erick Rowan is standing next to WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H. Braun Strowman is also out.

Cole, standing at ringside, talks about how we lost two members of the WWE family this week – the one & only Bray Wyatt, and WWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk. Cole says tonight we will honor their lives and legacies. Cole says these two incredible men touched us all with their work, passion and spirit. Cole leads us in a moment of silence and 10 bell salute.

A great video package for Wyatt now plays. We come back to the crowd chanting “thank you, Bray!” as the roster on the stage looks on or joins in. Everyone starts singing “Whole world, in his hands!” now. The lights go low and the camera focuses on Wyatt’s rocking chair, which sits under a spotlight. We go to commercial.

Back from the break and we get a video showing some of the Twitter tributes to Terry Funk. Cole says Cody Rhodes will be here later tonight to pay tribute to Funk. Cole says both Funk and Bray Wyatt wanted nothing more than to entertain the WWE Universe, so in honor of them, WWE is here tonight to entertain.

WWE United States Champion Rey Mysterio vs. Grayson Waller

We go right to the ring and out comes 2023 WWE Hall of Famer & WWE United States Champion Rey Mysterio for this non-title match. Grayson Waller is out next.

The bell hits and Waller taunts Rey to boos. They lock up and Rey sends Waller to the mat, then mocks him to cheer. Rey with a big right hand but Waller fights back, then applies a headlock. They get up and Waller drops Rey with a shoulder to more boos.

Waller with a headlock takedown as fans chant “Grayson sucks!” now. Rey mounts some offense and climbs Waller in the corner for right hands as fans count along. Waller goes for an Alabama Slam but Rey holds on to the top rope and sends Waller into position for 619. Waller blocks it and back-drops Rey to the apron.

Rey fights and springboards in but Waller knocks him out of mid-air, to the floor. Fans boo as Waller shows off in the ring. Waller goes out but Rey ends up sending him into the barrier. We go to commercial as the referee counts.

Back from the break and Waller drops down to smash Rey in the corner, then drags him out for a 2 count. An aggressive Waller mounts Rey with punches, then yells to the crowd for boos. Waller goes to the middle rope and hits a flying elbow drop for a close 2 count.

Fans rally as Rey fights back but Waller levels