WWE SmackDown live results: Cody Rhodes & Gunther go face-to-face

Nearly one week before they square off at Crown Jewel, undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes will go face-to-face with WWE World Heavyweight Champion Gunther on tonight’s WWE SmackDown from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

The last time these two shared a ring was on the October 14th Raw where they exchanged verbal barbs before Rhodes invited Gunther to SmackDown. The two will meet for the ceremonial Crown Jewel Championship next Saturday in Saudi Arabia.

Carmelo Hayes and Andrade will go one-on-one in the finale of their recent best-of-seven series. United States Champion LA Knight will be the special guest referee.

After winning their respective triple threat matches last week, #DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) will face the Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) who debuted on last week’s show. The winner will earn a future Tag Team title shot against The Bloodline.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 PM EST.

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– The show opened with the Crown Jewel Championship case shown being brought into the arena. Gunther and Cody were also shown entering the building. Ditto for Motor City Machine Guns, #DIY and Randy Orton, the last of which featured Orton stopping on the way to the ring to talk to Paul Levesque in Guerrilla Position. Levesque motioned for Orton to go the ring.

The Randy Orton/Paul Levesque segment

Well, it was fun to have Levesque out there, and it was fun seeing Orton walk past him backstage before ultimately getting to the ring and calling Levesque out. They tried with the promo. Hard. Really hard. Noticeably hard. But I am interested in seeing what this means for how Owens approaches their match at Crown Jewel. If he’s going to be painted as a ruthless, angry fella, he better be both ruthless and angry and he better not hold back – especially after all this.

Orton noted how he wanted to get his hands on Kevin Owens, but it looks like Owens is off limits. Orton then invited Levesque to the ring. Orton said he thought Levesque was protecting Owens from Orton. The Triple H music then hit and Levesque was seen getting up from Guerrilla and Levesque appeared in the entranceway. Levesque said Orton never shows up to work on time and because of that, they had to “do this now.”

Orton yelled that Levesque is protecting Owens, but Levesque said he wasn’t protecting anybody. Levesque told Orton that the match isn’t going to happen and Orton kept yelling it is because Levesque is trying to protect Owens and finally Levesque shut orton up and said he was trying to protect Orton. The crowd chanted “RKO!” Levesque explained that Owens has never had a friend in this business. Levesque noted how Owens is all about nothing but business. Levesque said for the first time, Owens let his guard down and trusted Orton and Cody. Levesque worked in calling Orton a “miserable prick.” Levesque then noted how Cody and Orton turned on Owens.

Levesque said he talked to Owens and he doesn’t think Owens is the same Kevin Owens and he doesn’t want to put him in the ring with Orton. Levesque referenced how steel rods were just put into Orton’s back and he said he doesn’t want to see Orton go back on the shelf – perhaps permanently. Orton said none of that would happen and he didn’t ask “Paul Levesque” to come to the ring – instead, Orton wanted the Cerebral Assassin and The Game. Orton referenced how The Game used to beat the hell out of him, including in his front lawn. Orton asked Levesque what he would do if he was in Orton’s shoes. Orton said this was him talking man to man. Orton said Levesque knows what it’s like to have everything taken away from him and if Levesque was in Orton’s shoes, he would want to handle his business the only way he knows how – in the middle of the ring. Orton begged Levesque for the match against Owens.

Levesque said he hopes to God Orton knows what he’s asking for and noted how if Orton wants Owens at Crown Jewel, he’s got him. Levesque then left the ring after saying he hopes Orton protects himself at all times.

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Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes ended in a No Contest [9:45]

Lame. Lame on every level. Lame on every single solitary level. Even the live crowd agreed as the finish fell flat and Knight, who is typically super-over everywhere he goes, got little to no response as he spoke on the microphone. WWE stumbled into a great wrestling-focused program with Andrade and Melo and this is how they blow it off? Obviously, this won’t be the real blow off, but to tease a Game 7 like that and then do this? It’s a betrayal of trust to any fan who bought into the Melo/Andrade series organically based almost exclusively on the fact that they had good wrestling matches. You could see this coming. But it was still dumb.

Knight was wearing his vest, sunglasses and his U.S. title during the match. Andrade went for a quick pin after a back elbow and got a two-count out of it. Hayes rolled to the outside and Hayes threw Andrade into the barricade. Back in the ring, Andrade retook control with some chops and stomps. Knight was yelling at Andrade and Hayes took advantage of it until Andrade simply pushed Hayes over the top rope. Andrade ran for a splash, but Knight stopped him to start a count. As a result, Andrade flipped over Knight and landed on Melo as the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and there was an inverted Spanish Fly off the second rope, but both guys sold the effects. Knight, at this point, had his belt and sunglasses off. Hayes and Andrade traded blows until Hayes planted Andrade with a tilt-a-whirl face-buster for a two-count. “This is awesome!” chants began from the crowd. Andrade set up for The Message, but it turned into a Destroyer from Andrade onto Hayes. Andrade hit a double-knees in a corner and got a two-count out of it. When Hayes kicked out, he threw Andrade onto Knight, which meant Knight wasn’t free to count a pin. Melo then accidentally super-kicked Knight. Andrade went for Three Amigos, but it turned into a Melo planting Andrade. Knight then threw Hayes into the commentary table and hit a BFT on Andrade. Knight did the same to Melo.

Knight walked to the outside and rang the bell and grabbed a microphone. Knight said “to hell with Game 7.” Knight said he was the United States Champion and he was the winner of Game 7. Knight’s music hit and Knight walked to the back and the match was off.

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– Nia Jax and Tiffany Stratton were talking backstage and Candice LaRae walked into the frame. LeRae said she’d take care of Jax’s Naomi problem and Stratton looked disgusted.

– Knight was walking backstage and walked into GM Nick Aldis, who was angry and booked Knight, Melo and Andrade in a triple threat for the U.S. title at Crown Jewel.

Naomi defeated Candice LeRae [8:53]

I was kind of hoping LeRae would somehow get the win, but it was not to be. As such, does this mean LeRae’s momentum is halted after that win last week? I hope not. Time will tell. As for this match, it was fine. It started slow and was a little clunky to start, but the women worked hard and got to the next gear by the time the finish came around, so good for them. I’d just prefer a better way to get out of this match, but those decisions are not mine to make.

LeRae had control early until Naomi hit a kick to the head. LeRae came back with a cross-body and a couple pin attempts. Naomi earned the upper hand with a kick and a Bulldog into the turnbuckle. Naomi went to the top and LeRae caught Naomi, planting her on the apron. The show then went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Naomi had control until LeRae pulled Naomi down by her hair. LeRae worked a ground-and-pound. Naomi fought back and planted LeRae to even things out. Naomi then landed a series of dropkicks and a Bulldog. Naomi went for another Bulldog, but LeRae countered and Naomi went to the outside. Indi Hartwell ran Naomi into a ring post and rolled Naomi into the ring. Bayley’s music hit and Bayley took Hartwell out. This distracted LeRae and Naomi hit her finish on LeRae for the win.

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– Lin-Manuel Miranda was shown in the front row and he even gave the camera the Suck It sign. Cody’s music hit and at the 9 p.m. EST turn, we went to the Cody/Gunther segment.

The Cody/Gunther face-to-face

Undoubtedly the best segment of the night. This was great. Tell me where Gunther is telling lies and I’ll tell you that you’re wrong. He has such a way of keeping his badass-ness, taking pot shots and maintaining composure in such a unique way – a way that’s even kind of impossible in today’s world of smart wrestling fans. There is absolutely nothing anyone should ever change about that character. Cody, for his part, showed up, too, and this was a major improvement from last week. Good fire. Good verbal jabs. Good stuff all around.

As Cody was about to do the third (or fourth?) “Whoa!” inside the ring, Gunther’s music hit to ruin the fun, which was great. The crowd chanted “Cody!” Gunther asked Cody what he wanted to talk about, which was funny. Cody told Gunther he wanted to know why he wanted to be Crown Jewel Champion. Gunther said it was “totally unnecessary” to mention his daughter last week, so he clearly reads this website regularly. Gunther talked about how Cody finished his story and it was all for the legacy of Dusty Rhodes.

Gunther mocked Cody for asking for the “John Cena schedule,” just to live up to other standards. Gunther said Cody just loves the dramatics. Gunther said his only reason is himself and he is the greatest pro wrestler in the company and the crowd responded in kind. Gunther said he simply just wanted to live up to himself. Gunther asked Cody what the real reason was that he wanted the Crown Jewel Championship.

Cody responded by saying that was the dumbest question he’s ever been asked in a wrestling ring. Cody said none of it exists without all the fans. Cody then led the crowd in a “Whoa!” and he even counted it in. Cody said, “you bet your ass I’m dramatic,” and he said he was proud to be dramatic. He also celebrated the Cody Crybabies. Cody talked about he was making the media rounds and he realized that what Gunther was missing was the responsibility that came with being a champion. Gunther interrupted Cody and said he knows everything about responsibility. The crowd actually cheered.

Gunther told Cody he gets the same requests Cody does, but Gunther just tells them no because he has the guts to say no. Gunther said he has the guts to say no “to all of them,” referring to the fans, who booed. Gunther said the reason Cody doesn’t say no is because his “little story is over,” and that makes Cody a “gutless champion.” Gunther said the gutless champion will always be secondary to Gunther. Cody mocked Gunther for being a “ring general” and said he sees no general because he leads no one but himself.

Cody said his whole career has been built on guts and out of nowhere dropped down and hit Gunther with a punch. Ludwig Kaiser ran in and stopped Cody and as a result, Kaiser and Gunther attacked Cody. Gunther hit a lariat on Cody, but Randy Orton ran out and chased the heels out of the ring. The crowd chanted “Randy!” Cody’s music hit the end the segment.

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– A video recapping last week’s Bloodline developments aired.

– A ton of women were arguing backstage. Adam Pearce, Ava and Aldis walked into the frame. Aldis said at Crown Jewel Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill will defend their tag titles against Damage CTRL, Piper Niven & Chelsea Green, and Jakara Jackson & Lash Legend in a Fatal Four-Way.

– Next week, Liv Morgan and Nia Jax will go face-to-face. Also, Cody Rhodes & Randy Orton will go up against Gunther & Ludwig Kaiser. Plus, the Fatal Four-Way for the women’s tag titles will take place on SmackDown – and not Crown Jewel.

Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) defeated #DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) to become the No. 1 Contenders for the WWE Tag Team Championship [11:17]

This was a very good match, if not a tiny bit predictable. Perhaps the most interesting development is the inevitable dissension between Gargano and Ciampa. In a weird way, I’m hoping they aren’t pulling the trigger on a breakup yet, but at the same time, we know they both probably work better as singles acts. Either way, the tag action was great here and this was a big step up from last week’s debut match from MCMG. And good on them for it. All four guys felt like they had something to prove and the result was a very good tag team wrestling match. The Bloodline vs. MCMG should be a lot of fun.

Gargano and Shelley started the match. The two traded pin attempts and things restarted. Ciampa tagged in and before long, Sabin came in to hit Ciampa with a series of rapid-fire double-team moves. Gargano tagged in and #DIY hit their own double-team moves on Sabin. Gargano kicked Sabin’s head for a two-count. Gargano chopped Sabin and tagged in Ciampa, but Sabin tagged in Shelley. Things broke down and Ciampa was recipient of a Meet In The Middle from MCMG. Gargano hit a spear on Sabin and Ciampa worked over Shelley on the outside. Gargano and Ciampa celebrated and the show went to a commercial break.

Back from the break and Sabin was battling both Gargano and Ciampa. Ultimately, Shelley tagged in and the two worked over #DIY, complete with a wild double-team move that involved all four wrestlers. Sabin tagged in and lifted Gargano, but Gargano rolled Sabin up before kicking Sabin in the ear. Ciampa tagged in and hit an assisted Fairytale Ending. Ciampa landed a running knee on Sabin for a good near-fall. Gargano tagged in and they set up for a Meet In The Middle, but that resulted in multiple failed pin attempts. Gargano then accidentally super-kicked Ciampa. Shelley tagged in and they hit Skull & Bones to win the match.

After the match, Gargano and Ciampa argued a little on the outside of the ring. The Bloodline’s music hit and Solo Sikoa walked out with his crew as MCMG stood in the ring. The Bloodline walked to the ring and the show went to a break.

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– The show returned and Nick Aldis was in the ring. Aldis said the tag match would not happen tonight and the crowd chanted “OTC!” Sikoa told Brooklyn to “shut your mouth.” Sikoa said he just wanted to come out and introduce themselves to the No. 1 Contenders. The crowd booed loudly. Sikoa then did his “acknowledge me!” bit to Brooklyn and got a lot of heat for it. Sikoa welcomed MCMG to SmackDown and told MCMG to acknowledge Sikoa as their Tribal Chief. Sabin introduced MCMG and said they’d wrestle any place, anytime. Sikoa said that was funny and if they wanted to make an “impact” – which was funny – they could have the match now.

Aldis chimed in and said MCMG has given everything to the business and he’d be damned if he’d standby and let … Shelley interrupted Aldis and said Aldis knows more than anyone else what they put into the industry. Shelley said if they want a match right now, they can have it. Aldis asked MCMG if that’s what they want, they said yes and a match was made.

Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) defeated The Bloodline (Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa) to win the WWE Tag Team Championship. [7:27]

I love it. I don’t care that the Bloodline nonsense had to happen. I don’t care if it feels too soon. I don’t care if the title change is overshadowed. Sabin and Shelley deserve this and more and to see it happen in real time is almost surreal, especially if you’ve followed them all these years. Goodness, that was a lot of fun. This was a show that had a borderline terrible first hour and a borderline perfect second hour. Pro wrestling, man. There’s nothing like it.

The four guys brawled to begin the match, but Tonga and Loa dropkicked MCMG to take them down. The show went to its final commercial break. The show returned and Tonga was working over Shelley. Loa and Tonga went for a double splash, but Shelley moved and Jimmy Uso appeared to attack Sikoa and Fatu on the outside. Sikoa and Fatu quickly fought back and Roman Reigns’s music hit. Reigns then walked out and gave Fatu a Superman Punch. Reigns, Jimmy, Sikoa and Fatu fought to the back.

Sabin tagged in and Sabin worked over Tonga and hit a shotgun dropkick. The Bloodline fought back and moved the referee in the way of a splash. With the referees out, Tonga and Loa grabbed chairs. Another man in a hoodie appeared and it was Jey Uso. He took out Loga and threw him over the commentary table. Jey then hit Tonga with the chair and landed a spear on Tonga before revealing himself. MCMG set up their finisher, hit it and got the win.

After MCMG made it to the back, Jey was alone in the ring and Jimmy walked back out to the ring. Jimmy and Jey hugged hard in the middle of the ring. Roman stood in the entranceway and watched. Roman looked contemplative as the show went off the air.