WWE SmackDown live results: Finn Balor vs. Baron Corbin
The build to SummerSlam continues on tonight’s SmackDown from the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
Last week, John Cena signed the SummerSlam contract to face Universal Champion Roman Reigns in Las Vegas. Initially, the contract signing was between Reigns and Finn Balor after Reigns turned down Cena’s challenge. But Baron Corbin attacked Balor before he could sign the contract. Corbin tried to sign the contract himself, but Cena ran out and signed the contract instead.
Moments later, Paul Heyman pointed out that Cena couldn’t legally sign the deal since Balor’s name was on it. Adam Pearce noted Cena and Reigns signed, and that was good enough for him.
Tonight, Balor goes one-on-one with Corbin.
Sasha Banks made her return to WWE television last week and attacked SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair. At first, Banks saved Belair from a beatdown at the hands of Carmella and Zelina Vega. Banks hugged a confused Belair and teamed with her in the main event.
After defeating Carmella and Vega, Banks jumped Belair and put her in the Bank Statement. Belair will respond to the attack tonight.
WWE has announced that The Usos will defend their SmackDown Tag Team titles against Rey & Dominik Mysterio at SummerSlam. Dominik will face Jey Uso in singles action tonight.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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Sasha Banks Segment
Sasha Banks made her way to the ring to start SmackDown. The fans gave her a positive reaction and cheered at first. Banks noted she returned to take her spotlight back, and the fans booed. They recapped Banks attacking Belair last week. The video included fans reacting in slow motion, which was kind of funny.
Banks bragged about attacking Belair. She saved Belair to prove that she needs her. Banks talked about Belair crying before their WrestleMania match. She returned last week to make Belair pay for beating her for the title.
Belair interrupted and walked down to the ring. She pointed out that Banks demanded to face her at WrestleMania. Belair noted she doesn’t need Banks and knows Banks doesn’t want her to shine.
Belair rolled into the ring, so Banks jumped out. She stood on top of the announce table. Belair asked Banks if she needs to take four months off again. Belair and Banks agreed to a title match.
Zelina Vega interrupted and made her way to the ring. Vega pointed out that Belair accepted her challenge last week and demanded a title shot. Belair agreed to face Banks at SummerSlam and accepted Vega’s challenge for tonight. Michael Cole and Pat McAfee confirmed Belair vs. Vega for later tonight.
They recapped Rey Mysterio against Jimmy Uso from last week. In the back, Rey wasn’t happy that Dominik challenged Jey to a match for tonight. He talked about Dominik being a rookie and doesn’t want to jeopardize their title shot at SummerSlam. Rey thanked Dominik for helping him win last week but noted he didn’t his help.
Dominik promised to listen to his father but doesn’t need his help either. Rey was impressed and wants to see what Dominik can do.
Jey Uso (w/Jimmy Uso) defeated Dominik Mysterio (w/Rey Mysterio) (8:34)
Dominik and Jey worked hard and had a good match. Dominik looked good but probably needs a win at some point.
Dominik hit a standing dropkick and arm drag off the top rope to gain control. Jey bounced back with a shoulder tackle to take over. Dominik tried fighting back, but Jey rocked him with a right hand.
They fought on the floor briefly. Dominik avoided Jey and hit a dropkick through the ropes. He followed up with a sliding sunset powerbomb into the barricade.
During the break, Jey took over after Jimmy interfered. Back from the break, Jey hit a jumping neck breaker for a close near fall. Dominik avoided a Samoan Drop and hit a neck breaker for a two-count.
Dominik hit a springboard moonsault for another near fall. He avoided an enziguri and sent Jey into the corner. Dominik then hit the 619 and climbed to the top rope. Jimmy ran at Dominik, but Rey hit a senton off the steps.
Dominik took too long, and Jey got back to his feet. Jey avoided Dominik and hit a superkick. He followed up with the splash for the win.
They recapped Seth Rollins attacking Edge last week during the commercial break. In the back, Megan Morant interviewed Edge. He challenged Seth Rollins to meet him in the ring later.
Rick Boogs introduced King Nakamura to a good reaction.
They discussed The Rock’s success with Jungle Crusie and John Cena’s success with Suicide Squad. Michael Cole announced that Cena returns to SmackDown next week.
Championship Contender Match: Shinsuke Nakamura (w/Rick Boogs) defeated Intercontinental Champion Apollo Crews (w/Commander Azeez) via DQ (2:10)
Nakamura and Crews only got two minutes and had a weak finish.
They recapped Nakamura pinning Crews in the six-man tag match last week. Pat McAfee confirmed that Nakamura would be in contention for a title shot if he wins.
Crews had the early advantage until Nakamura fought back. Nakamura hit a knee of the second turnbuckle for a near fall. Crews attempted the Olympic slam, but Nakamura slipped out the back.
Nakamura hit a series of knees and attempted a pin. Azeez then pulled Nakamura out of the ring for a disqualification. Crews tried to attack Nakamura, but he fought back and sent Crews into Azeez.
In the back, Kayla Braxton spoke with Paul Heyman. Heyman noted Cena stole the contract since Finn Balor’s name was on it. He called the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Tampa Bay “schmuck-aneers,” and the fans erupted in boos.
Heyman told Braxton that Reigns has nothing to say about Cena or to her. Heyman walked off but ran into Big E. He was holding the Money in the Bank briefcase and laughed at Heyman.
Tegan Nox (w/Shotzi) defeated Tamina (1:44)
Tegan Nox now has a first name. The crowd didn’t react much to this match or the previous one. Nox and Tamina went just under two minutes with a weak distraction finish.
Tamina was firmly in control, but Nox fought back. She hit two cannonballs in the corner for a close near fall. Tamina avoided the shining wizard and rocked Nox with a superkick.
Tamina put Nox in a Samoan Drop, but Shotzi shot her missile at Tamina. It missed Tamina but distracted her, and Nox rolled her up for the win.
In the back, Zelina Vega approached Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville. She demanded to have her match with Bianca Belair next. Pearce noted they couldn’t have the match without proper promotion. Deville then clarified that Vega takes on Belair in a non-title match. Deville told Vega to prove herself, and she might get a future title shot.
Edge Segment
Edge was good in the segment, and the fans loved him.
Edge made his way to the ring before the commercial break. He got a massive pop as he made his entrance. Back from the break, Edge noted Seth Rollins isn’t there tonight. The fans erupted in boos. Edge feels they’re similar but admitted he would end the feud if Rollins was there.
Rollins appeared on the big screen via satellite. He mocked Edge and noted he always has a plan B. Edge said he has a plan B and challenged Rollins to a match at SummerSlam. Rollins needs time to think about it but told Edge to think about it too.
Rollins talked about ending Edge’s career and his neck surgeries. Rollins mentioned Edge’s wife and family.
Edge heard enough and mocked Rollins. He called Rollins Edge-lite and said he couldn’t fill his shoes. Rollins became furious and finally accepted Edge’s challenge for SummerSlam.
In the back, Kayla Braxton interviewed Finn Balor. He was furious that Baron Corbin attacked him last week, and John Cena stole his title shot. Balor promised to teach Corbin honor and integrity tonight the hard way. After he beats Corbin, he’s going to address Cena.
The Street Profits defeated Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode (3:37)
They had a good match while it lasted. The fans gave The Street Profits a big reaction.
They recapped Ziggler & Roode defeating The Street Profits for the titles last January.
Montez Ford attempted a backflip but slipped, and Roode took over. Ford briefly recovered and hit a standing dropkick. Roode hit a huge suplex to regain control. The heels isolated Ford in their corner.
Angelo Dawkins got the hot tag and ran wild with a twisting splash in the corner. He followed up with a twisting neck breaker for a near fall.
Ziggler fought back and hit the famouser for a two-count. Ziggler attempted a DDT, but Dawkins pushed him back and hit a huge spinebuster. Ford then hit the frog splash for the win.
Non-Title Match: SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair defeated Zelina Vega (9:30)
Belair and Vega had a solid match that picked up towards the end.
The commentators explained that if Vega proves herself, she might get a future title shot.
Belair was briefly in control until Vega locked on a submission in the ropes. Belair fought back and sent Vega to the floor. Belair gave Vega a press slam, but Sasha Banks walked out.
Banks distracted Belair, which allowed Vega to escape. She followed up with a hurricanrana off the apron.
Back from the break, Vega was firmly in control with a chin lock. Belair escaped and hit a shoulder tackle. Vega went for an armbar, but Belair picked her up. Belair slammed Vega and hit a headspring splash for a near fall.
Vega attempted a sleeper, but Belair countered into a suplex. Belair rolled through and attempted a delayed suplex, but Vega reversed into her own suplex. Vega attempted a hurricanrana off the apron, but Belair held on and slammed her against the barricade. Belair then hit the KOD for the win.
In the back, Paul Heyman informed Roman Reigns that Finn Balor vs. Baron Corbin is next. Reigns said he’s interested.
Finn Balor defeated Baron Corbin (2:47)
Balor dominated Corbin and easily beat him in a short match. The fans gave Balor a good reaction.
Apparently, Corbin doesn’t have entrance music anymore because he can’t afford it.
The bell rang, and Corbin yelled for the mic. He apologized for what he did last week, but Balor didn’t accept.
Balor rocked Corbin with a forearm and hard chops. Corbin sent Balor into the ring post and hit a suplex to take over. The fans broke into a brief “Let’s Go Balor” chant. Balor hit a double foot stomp and the sling blade. He followed up with the shotgun dropkick and the coup de grace for the win.
After the match, Balor grabbed the mic and noted he still wants his title shot. Three years ago, he would have let it go, but that Finn’s dead. Balor doesn’t care if he has to go through John Cena to get that match.
Universal Champion Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman interrupted.
Roman Reigns-Finn Balor Segment
This angle didn’t do Balor any favors. He looked strong easily beating Corbin but then got beat down in this segment. He got in a brief flurry of offense, but the heels overwhelmed him. Not only did Reigns make Balor tap out, but the fans were chanting for Cena the entire time. The fans were into the segment, and it had the most heat of the night.
Back from the break, the fans erupted in boos for Reigns and broke into a loud “Cena” chant. Balor looked at Reigns and shook his head. Reigns heard Balor ranting about Cena and mentioned his name. Reigns told Balor not to mention his name again. The fans chanted “What?” but Reigns didn’t let it bother him. Reigns threw the mic at Balor and turned around. Balor then pushed Reigns to the floor.
The fans erupted in another “Cena’ chant. Reigns had a brief staredown with Balor. The Usos jumped Balor from behind and beat him down. The fans chanted for Cena again. The Usos tried to give Balor a splash, but he moved out of the way.
Balor fought back and sent The Usos to the floor. He followed up with a huge dive. Balor jumped back in the ring and challenged Reigns. Reigns and Balor brawled, with Balor getting the advantage.
The Usos jumped Balor again, and Reigns hit the superman punch. Reigns locked on the guillotine submission, and Balor tapped. The fans broke into another loud “Cena” chant to end SmackDown.
Next Week: John Cena returns to SmackDown.