WWE SmackDown live results: Belair’s homecoming celebration
The build to Extreme Rules continues on tonight’s SmackDown from the Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee.
There will be a homecoming celebration for Knoxville native Bianca Belair on tonight’s show. The celebration comes in advance of Belair getting her SmackDown Women’s Championship rematch against Becky Lynch at Extreme Rules on Sunday, September 26.
Edge was stretchered out after being defeated by Seth Rollins on last week’s SmackDown. Rollins gave Edge a low blow, hit a series of superkicks, and then hit a curb stomp to Edge’s neck to get the win. Tonight, Rollins will answer for his actions.
Rick Boogs vs. Robert Roode is also set for the show.
Plus, WWE will follow up on Finn Balor’s “Demon” character making its return last week. Balor will challenge for Roman Reigns’ Universal Championship at Extreme Rules. Following Brock Lesnar’s appearance on last week’s SmackDown, Reigns vs. Lesnar has also been made official for Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia next month. The Universal title will be on the line in that match if Reigns is still champion.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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They recapped Seth Rollins injuring Edge with the curb stomp last week.
Roman Reigns Segment
Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, and The Usos made their way to the ring to start SmackDown. They recapped Brock Lesnar’s return last week and challenging Reigns. Lesnar claimed Heyman knew he’d be at SummerSlam and went for the F-5 on Heyman, but Reigns made the save. They also recapped Finn Balor’s return as the Demon. Michael Cole pointed out that Reigns defends against Lesnar at Crown Jewel, but he might not be champion because he takes on Balor first at Extreme Rules.
Reigns demanded that Knoxville acknowledge him and the fans erupted in boos. Pat McAfee claimed there were a few cheers. Reigns told Heyman to educate the people on how to react to him.
Heyman noted he’s known Reigns since he was a child, and he’s in awe of the tribal chief. He said that Reigns takes on all challengers because he fears no man, no beast, and no demon. Heyman believes everyone fears Reigns. He said Balor fears Reigns; that’s why he brought back The Demon. Heyman knows Lesnar better than even his own family, and he saw fear in his eyes last week.
Suddenly, Big E’s music hit, and the new WWE Champion made his way to the ring. He ran around the ring and celebrated his title win. The fans briefly chanted “Big E” before breaking into a loud “You deserve it” chant. Reigns held up the Universal title, and the fans booed.
Finn Balor’s music hit, and he made his way to the ring. He didn’t come put as the Demon, just regular Balor.
WWE Champion Big E & Finn Balor defeated The Usos (11:18)
This was a fun tag team match and a good opener.
They made the match official during the commercial break. The faces had the early advantage, but Jimmy fought back. Jey was briefly in control, but Big E hit the splash on the apron for a near fall. The Usos backed Big E into their corner and cut his off from Balor.
The Usos gave Big E a double suplex for another near fall. The fans broke into a loud “Big E” chant. Big E briefly fought back, but the Usos regained control. Jimmy missed a splash in the corner, and Balor got the tag. Balor briefly ran wild until Jey interfered and dragged Balor to the floor. Jimmy followed up with a suicide dive.
Jimmy was firmly in control back from the break, but Balor fought back with a boot to the face. Balor went for the tag, but Jimmy cut him off. Jimmy slowed the pace down with a chin lock, but Balor fought back and hit a Pele kick.
The fans broke into a loud “New Day Rocks” chant. Big E got the hot tag and ran wild on The Usos. He gave Jey a belly-to-belly suplex, but Jey fought back with Samoan Drop. Big E recovered and gave Jimmy a big splash. Jey went for a crossbody, but Big E avoided, and Jey hit a superkick for a close near fall. Balor jumped back in the ring and hit the shotgun dropkick on Jimmy and a sling blade on Jey. Balor then hit the coup de grace on Jimmy as Big E hit the big ending on Jey for the win.
In Reigns locker room, Reigns wasn’t happy that his cousins didn’t win. He wanted an explanation as to why Lesnar claimed Heyman knew he’d be at SummerSlam. Heyman believes Lesnar fears Reigns, so he made up that lie. Reigns then asked if Lesnar would be at Extreme Rules, and Heyman quickly said no. Reigns wondered how Heyman knows Lesnar won’t be there. Heyman just assumed. Reigns told him it’s his job to find out.
Rick Boogs (w/King Nakamura) defeated Robert Roode (w/Dolph Ziggler) (1:59)
Boogs and Roode had an okay match. It was a showcase for Boogs, but they didn’t get a lot of time.
The fans gave Boogs and Nakamura a huge reaction for their entrance. Ziggler distracted Boogs immediately at the bell, and Roode took advantage. Roode hit a blockbuster for an early near fall. Roode set up for the Glorious DDT, but Boogs slipped out. He put Roode on his shoulders, did a squat, and hit a Samoan Drop for near fall. Boogs followed up with a suplex and bulldog. Boogs then hit a power slam that Cole called the Boogs Cruise.
After the match, Nakamura and Boogs celebrated with McAfee on the commentator’s table. Suddenly, Commander Azeez and Apollo Crews jumped the faces and beat them down. Crews claimed Nakamura’s made a mockery of the Intercontinental title and demanded a title shot.
Happy Corbin vs. Kevin Owens
The match didn’t end up happening because Corbin attacked Owens before the match.
They recapped Corbin and Logan Paul’s appearance on The KO Show two weeks ago. Megan Morant interviewed Kevin Owens behind the curtain. Owens is disappointed that he tried helping Corbin. He should have trusted his instincts. Owens promised to defeat Corbin next.
Corbin jumped Owens as he made his entrance. Corbin beat down Owens and threw him into the LED board around the ring. Owens tried to fight back, but Corbin gave Owens a chokeslam on the apron.
They showed a video of Bianca Belair returning to the University of Knoxville and her career highlights. The fans popped huge for Belair.
In the back, Kayla Braxton startled Paul Heyman when she approached him. Braxton heard rumors that Brock Lesnar might be on his way to Raw in the upcoming draft. Heyman was furious and started yelling at Braxton to stop bothering him and flirting with him.
Heyman turned around and ran into Big E. Heyman pointed out that Big E chose not to cash in on Reigns but an injured Bobby Lashley instead. Heyman believes Big E knew he couldn’t beat Reigns. Big E noted they’d find out when he takes on his boy at Survivor Series. Big E wondered if Heyman’s boy is Reigns or Lesnar. He pointed out that Balor could spoil Heyman’s plans.
Suddenly, The Usos jumped Big E and gave him a vicious beat down. Roman Reigns showed up and left with his cousins.
Seth Rollins Segment
They recapped Rollins injuring Edge last week with the stomp. Rollins made his way to the ring in a flashy suit. Rollins watched the whole Big E and Heyman segment from the ring and said it was unfortunate nobody helped Big E.
Rollins turned his attention to Edge. He said last week was one of the best matches of his career. Rollins claimed he heard a pop after he hit the stomp on Edge. The fans broke into a loud “You look stupid” chant. Rollins showed highlights from last week’s match.
Rollins was furious that everyone thought he went too far last week. He asked the fans if he went too far, and they cheered. Rollins noted he used a legal move that he used many times to win matches. Rollins blamed the fans for him injuring Edge. He said they goaded Edge into feuding with Rollins. Rollins recapped all the things that Edge did to him, including beating him at SummerSlam. He added that he’s not finished with Edge yet.
Rollins pointed out that on NXT, Beth Phoniex said Edge is at home recovering. Rollins wondered if Edge was physically and mentally capable of returning to the ring. He saw fear in Edge’s eyes as he was on the stretcher. Rollins felt sympathy for Edge, and it’s been eating away at him. Rollins promised to finish Edge.
In the back, Kayla Braxton interviewed Becky Lynch. The fans gave her a mixed reaction. Lynch said tonight is Belair’s night but pointed out that she’s never been to a homecoming. She might check out Belair’s homecoming later.
Liv Morgan & Toni Storm defeated Carmella & Zelina Vega via Countout (2:09)
This wasn’t good and had a weak ending. They went just over two minutes with a count-out finish.
Carmella knocked Morgan off the apron and quickly tagged out. Storm was briefly in control, but Vega scored a near fall. Vega went for a submission, but Storm fought back and hit a suplex.
Morgan got the tag and sent Carmella face-first into the middle turnbuckle. Carmella then rolled to the floor and started screaming that Morgan broke her nose. Vega ran over to check on Carmella, and the referee counted her out.
After the match, Morgan said she’s tired of Carmella running away and demanded a match at Extreme Rules. The fans did pop when Morgan bragged about breaking Carmella’s nose.
In the back, The Street Profits are excited to be in Knoxville. They discussed Bianca Belair’s homecoming and the after-party. They weren’t happy that The Usos jumped Big E earlier and promised to win the tag team titles.
In the trainer’s room, Carmella revealed that her nose is fine, and she’s still the most beautiful woman in the WWE. She accepted Morgan’s challenge, but Morgan has to take on Vega first.
The Saga of The Demon
Finn Balor noted everyone asks about The Demon’s story. Balor pointed out that he doesn’t come from a famous family or a bloodline. He was born into a family of coal miners and had to claw his way to the top. The Demon is within and summons him. He doesn’t call The Demon, but it calls him. The fire isn’t just within him but is all around him. At Extreme Rules, Reigns comes face-to-face with The Demon. Suddenly, Balor’s face turned into the Demon.
They announced Roman Reigns & The Usos vs. Big E and The New Day this coming Monday on Raw.
In the back, Naomi approached Sonya Deville and demanded a match. Deville said there isn’t any time left tonight. Naomi doesn’t know what Deville’s problem is with her.
Naomi pointed out that she’s accomplished more than Deville and got in her face. She promised to get her match. Later, Michael Cole announced that management fined Naomi for her confrontation with Deville.
Sami Zayn defeated Dominik Mysterio (6:06)
Zayn and Dominik had a good match while it lasted. The story of the match was Dominik made rookie mistakes and needs to listen to Rey.
Rey Mysterio joined the commentators, although Dominik wanted him to stay in the back.
Zayn jumped out of the ring and approached Rey to distract Dominik. Dominik went after Zayn at ringside, but Zayn took advantage. Dominik fought back and sent Zayn to the floor, and he followed up with a crossbody.
Back from the break, Dominik fought back and scored a close near fall on Zayn. Dominik then hit the 619 and went for the frog splash, but Zayn got his knees up. He then rolled up Dominik for the win. On commentary, Rey screamed at Dominik to move faster as he went for the frog splash.
After the match, Zayn told Rey that Dominik wasn’t on his level.
They aired a commercial for the upcoming draft. They then announced matches for next week, and Michael Cole claimed it might be the last time these matches take place.
Bianca Belair Homecoming with Kane
This was a good segment but had the predictable ending of the hometown hero getting beat down. The fans loved Belair and gave her a good reaction.
The Mayor of Knox County, Glen “Kane” Jacobs, made his way to the ring to a big pop. The ring had a red carpet, balloons, and Belair’s pictures around ringside for the celebration. Kane then introduced Belair to a big reaction as well. The fans erupted into an “EST” chant.
They showed Belair’s family at ringside. Belair noted she loves Knoxville and pointed out her father. She admitted that Becky Lynch beat her for the title, but she will win it back at Extreme Rules.
Kane told Belair to come back to Knoxville and celebrate when she regains the title. Kane then presented Belair with a key to the city. Belair said she’s proud of Knoxville and sang Rocky Top with the fans.
Becky Lynch’s music hit, and she walked to the ring. Lynch mocked Belair and noted she doesn’t have a key to the city but is the SmackDown Women’s Champion. Lynch doesn’t want to steal Belair’s spotlight and wants a handshake. Belair hesitated but then shook Lynch’s hand.
Belair wouldn’t let go and tried to hit the KOD. Lynch slipped out the back and hit the Manhandle slam to thunderous boos. Belair quickly recovered but sold the slam. Lynch left the ring and posed on the stage with the belt to end SmackDown.
Next Week: Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura defends against Apollo Crews. Plus, Liv Morgan takes on Zelina Vega.