WWE SmackDown live results: Fallout from Payback
SmackDown’s fallout from Payback will include an appearance by new Universal Champion Roman Reigns.
Reigns turned heel after aligning with Paul Heyman last week. He signed the Payback contract in the middle of Sunday’s main event and defeated “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman to win the Universal title. Reigns and Heyman promise to address the fans tonight.
Big E, Sheamus, Matt Riddle, and King Corbin will also face off in a four-way number one contender’s match. The winner challenges Reigns for the Universal Championship at Clash of Champions.
The four-way features two ongoing feuds. At Payback, Big E defeated Sheamus and Riddle defeated Corbin in singles matches.
In a rematch from Payback, new Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax will defend their titles against Sasha Banks & Bayley. Baszler & Jax won the titles at Payback when Baszler had Bayley and Banks in a double submission and then used Banks’ arm to help apply more pressure on the Kirifuda Clutch she had Bayley locked in.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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SmackDown opened with a recap of the triple threat match between Roman Reigns, The Fiend, and Braun Strowman. It included timestamps of the match starting at 9:14 pm without Reigns. At 9:26 pm, The Fiend gave Strowman a superplex, which caused the ring to collapse. At 9:27 pm, Reigns signed the contract and entered the match.
Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman Promo
The new Universal Champion Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman made their way to the ring. There was lots of fake crowd noise and booing. On the screen, fans were mostly doing a thumbs down with a few clapping.
Heyman said that when you think he’s out, Reigns pulls him back in. He pointed out that it’s not Heyman corrupting Reigns but Reigns corrupting him. Heyman noted he was a castaway, but Reigns saved him. Heyman discussed everything Reigns did for the company, but nobody cares about him.
Heyman mocked The Fiend and Braun Strowman as possible champions. He turned his attention to the four-way match, but he refused to say the participant’s names. Instead, Heyman’s going to leave that to the commentators. He pointed at Michael Cole and Corey Graves and called them Anderson Cooper and Carmella’s latest boyfriend. Heyman called himself Reigns’ special counsel.
Heyman ended the promo doing his old catchphrase but replaced Reigns with Brock Lesnar.
Reigns said he kept his promise and signed the contract at Payback. He pointed out that all he has to do is show up and win to be the best.
This was an awesome promo. Reigns and Heyman are great together. Heyman did most of the talking while Reigns looked into the camera. Reigns did a good job when he took the mic too.
After the break, Jey Uso approached Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman. Uso was happy to see Reigns. Uso’s been trying to get in touch with Reigns but hasn’t heard from him.
Heyman walked off, and Uso noted he always has his back. Reigns agreed but said he’s busy and walked off. Uso yelled they should get a steak after the show.
Heavy Machinery defeated The Miz & John Morrison
This was a fine match, but there wasn’t much to it. It was more about making Otis look strong and the post-match angle.
Heavy Machinery had an early advantage as they tossed the heels around the ring. Tucker launched Morrison across the ring. Otis followed up with a massive shoulder tackle.
The faces ran wild and cleared the ring. Back from the break, the heels were now firmly in control. Otis got the hot tag and ran wild on the heels. He took both down with a series of shoulder tackles.
Otis missed a charge in the corner, and the heels took over. They isolated Otis on their side of the ring and cut him off from Tucker. Otis made a comeback and tossed Morrison to the floor. He went to tag Tucker, but Morrison pulled him off the apron. He then hit a neck breaker on the floor to take Tucker out.
Otis made another comeback and hit a series of suplexes on both Miz and Morrison. Otis then hit the caterpillar on Miz and followed up with the Vader Bomb for the win.
After the match, Morrison grabbed the Money In The Bank briefcase and ran off with it.
In the back, Big E was with Drew Gulak and The Lucha House Party. They have a cake for the returning Xavier Woods. Not only is Woods returning to co-host Talking Smack, but it’s also his birthday.
Big E promised to win the four-way later and win the Universal title from Roman Reigns. A security guard approached and informed Big E that Woods arrived.
Big E went looking for Woods when Sheamus attacked him. He hit a Brogue Kick, and Big E flew into the garage door.
Sheamus slammed Big E’s head on the front of a car. In an awesome looking spot, Sheamus gave Big E white noise on top of the vehicle. Big E crashed hard into the windshield.
Back from the break, paramedics checked on Big E and placed him on a stretcher. Michael Cole wondered if Sheamus set up Big E. Kayla Braxton gave an update on Big E when Sheamus interrupted. He mocked Big E and denied having anything to do with the attack. Sheamus noted it’s probably going to be a triple threat match later.
They recapped Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax winning the Women’s tag titles from Sasha Banks & Bayley at Payback.
Alyse Ashton interviewed Banks and Bayley. She pointed out that Baszler made Bayley tap the last three times they faced off. Banks promised that they’re going to win the titles back tonight.
Back from the break, Kayla Braxton interviewed Adam Pearce. He noted Big E is on his way to a medical facility and is out of the four-way match later. They’re looking for a replacement but haven’t decided on anyone yet. Paul Heyman approached Pearce and asked to speak to him.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax defeated Bayley & Sasha Banks to retain the titles
SmackDown Tag Team Champions Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura gave their thoughts on the match and promised the winners could come to the Champions Lounge.
This was a good match with a significant post-match angle.
All four started brawling at the ring of the bell. The faces had the early advantage and dragged the heels to ringside. In a crazy looking spot, Jax and Baszler swung the heels into the barricade. Jax tossed Banks to the floor.
Back from the break, the faces were firmly in control and cut Bayley off from her corner. Baszler rocked Bayley with a knee to the face. Jax slowed the pace down and backed Bayley into the corner.
Baszler targeted Bayley’s shoulder and snapped her arm back. Banks distracted Jax and Bayley hit a chop block on Jax.
Banks got the tag and ran wild on Jax. She hit double running knees in the corner and followed up with the Meteora for a close near fall. Banks attempted to powerbomb Jax off the apron, but she held on. Bayley made the blind tag and helped Banks powerbomb Jax to the floor.
Baszler was the legal person in the match and attempted the Kififuda Clutch, but Bayley countered into a back suplex. Bayley hit a flying elbow on Baszler for a close two count.
The heels isolated Baszler and beat her down. Banks attempted the running knees on the apron, but Baszler moved, and she crashed into the ring post.
Baszler fought back and attacked Banks’ injured knees. Baszler continued to work on the knees. Baszler knocked Bayley off the apron and viciously stomped on Banks’ legs.
In a call back to Payback, Baszler attempted the Muta lock on Banks and attempted the Kirifuda clutch on Bayley. Bayley countered this time and hit the Bayley-to-belly.
Banks scored a near fall and transitioned into the Bank Statement. Jax jumped back in the match and broke up the submission.
Jax ran wild on the heels. The finish came when Jax ended up on the second turnbuckle. The heels hit a double powerbomb on Baszler, but Jax hit a flying crossbody onto both to score the win.
After the match, the medical team came out to check on Banks and her injured knees. Bayley was very concerned and told the medical staff to be careful.
Back from the break, Banks was angry and pushed the medical staff away. She didn’t want their help.
Bayley helped Banks up and took her out of the ring. As they were leaving the ring, Bayley suddenly attacked Banks. Bayley beat her down and attacked the leg.
Bayley took Banks back in the ring and continued to beat her down viciously. Bayley tried to put Banks’ leg in the chair, but Banks fought her off. Bayley regained control and trapped Banks’ head in the chair. She then jumped off the second turnbuckle and stomped on the chair.
The medical team ran back out to check on Banks.
The post-match angle and Bayley’s turn were down well. However, it’s unfortunate they did the long-anticipated split since they were one of the highlights of SmackDown. The feud will hopefully be as good.
Back from the break, the staff loaded a severely injured Banks into the back of an ambulance.
Sami Zayn Promo
Sami Zayn made his way down to the ring with the Intercontinental Championship belt. Zayn was furious that the announcer didn’t introduce him as the I.C. Champion. He got on the headset and was upset he wasn’t identified as the champion.
Zayn wanted to do his entrance again when Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy interrupted and argued with Zayn.
AJ Styles then made his way to the ring. Styles claimed to be the uncrowned champion. Hardy’s ready to defend the title against Styles, but Zayn was upset. Styles attacked Hardy, and all three ended up brawling.
Michael Cole announced the breaking news that Jey Uso is taking Big E’s place in the fatal four-way match up next.
In the back, Tucker approached Otis and noted he couldn’t find The Miz & John Morrison. Otis wasn’t worried because he doesn’t keep the contract in the briefcase. He keeps the contract in his lunch box.
Morrison was with The Miz in another part of the arena. The Miz pointed out that having the briefcase doesn’t make him Mr. Money In The Bank. Morrison opened the briefcase and found a sandwich. Morrison was pretty funny, but the payoff for the angle was lame.
Jey Uso approached Roman Reigns in his locker room. Uso thanked Reigns for getting him in the match. Reigns told Uso to try to win one on his own. Uso promised to win and face Reigns at Clash of Champions, but Reigns said, we’ll see.
Matt Riddle made his way to the ring for the fatal four-way. As King Corbin made his entrance, he complained that Uso is in the match because of nepotism. Riddle attacked Corbin on the ramp. Eventually, Sheamus and Uso joined in the brawl.
Back from the break, Bray Wyatt hosted The Firefly Funhouse.
Wyatt noted that fans are sad that “He” lost his favorite toy, but he’s got good news. Next week, a special guest joins Wyatt in the Firefly Funhouse.
In the back, Nikki Cross was watching the monitor. Alexa Bliss approached and apologized for breaking her mug last week. She doesn’t know what overcame her. Cross seemed wary of Bliss. Bliss had more braids in her hair this week.
Fatal Four-Way Number One Contender’s Match: Jey Uso defeated Matt Riddle, King Corbin, and Sheamus
Jey Uso rocked Corbin with a superkick to start the match. The heels worked together and isolated Uso. Corbin attempted the around the corner clothesline, but Riddle cut him off. The faces then worked together and worked over the heels.
The heels recovered simultaneously, and Corbin hit Deep Six on Uso while Sheamus hit the Irish Curse Backbreaker on Riddle. Corbin yelled at the referee, but Sheamus jumped him from behind.
Back from the break, Uso and Sheamus traded shots in the middle of the ring. Sheamus took over with a suplex. Corbin tried to get back in the ring, but Sheamus prevented him. Sheamus then hit Uso with forearms to the chest.
Sheamus placed Uso on his shoulders, but Riddle rocked Sheamus with a kick to the head. Riddle followed up with an exploder suplex, a running plenty kick, and broton for a near fall.
Riddle locked on the triangle submission, but Sheamus powered out into a powerbomb for a two count. Sheamus then locked on the Clover Leaf submission, but Uso hit a superkick to break the hold.
Corbin rolled up Uso for a near fall. Uso ran wild and hit a superkick on each guy. He attempted a dive, but Corbin cut him off. Riddle and Sheamus worked together to dump Corbin over the barricade. Uso then hit a dive onto both Riddle and Sheamus.
Uso tried to dive onto Corbin over the barricade, but he caught him. Corbin then dumped Uso over the video screens of the fans.
The finish came when Sheamus hit the Brogue Kick on Corbin. Riddle then hit the bro to Sleep on Sheamus and the floating bro on Corbin. However, Uso hit the flying splash onto Riddle for the win.
After the match, Uso celebrated and noted he made the family proud.
Uso challenges Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship at Clash of Champions. It’ll be interesting to see how they treat Reigns against Uso and how well Uso gets over as a title challenger.
Uso hasn’t been on TV or even featured as a significant character. Regardless, this was a good match with lots of action.