WWE SmackDown live results: Gunther vs. Rey Mysterio
The final build to Crown Jewel takes place on tonight’s pre-taped episode of SmackDown from St. Louis, Missouri.
Intercontinental Champion Gunther defends his title against Rey Mysterio in tonight’s main event. A few weeks ago, Mysterio won a fatal-four way match to earn the title shot after almost retiring from WWE. Rey was moved to the SmackDown roster to get away from his son Dominik and The Judgment Day.
Imperium jumped Mysterio last week, allowing Gunther to destroy him with a brutal chop to build up tonight’s contest.
Liv Morgan and Sonya Deville continue their feud tonight when they face off in a no DQ match. Morgan defeated Deville in a singles match previously on SmackDown. They got into another brawl backstage last Friday after Deville mocked Morgan again.
Plus, LA Knight goes one-on-one with Ricochet following their confrontation last week. Ricochet accused Knight of being too full of himself and promised that someone will shut Knight up.
Our coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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No Disqualification match: Liv Morgan defeated Sonya Deville (13:48)
Morgan and Deville had a surprisingly good No DQ match. They both worked hard and got the fans into it. They wisely did a few spots with tables and weapons, which worked well. The fans loved it and chanted, “this is awesome.”
Deville started with some quick strikes before rolling out of the ring. She grabbed a kendo stick when Morgan leaped off the steps. They fought over the kendo stick, with Deville getting the better of Morgan. Morgan recovered and got ahold of the kendo stick. She smashed the kendo stick to pieces over Deville’s back. The fans broke into a loud “We want tables” chant.
Morgan pulled out a table to a massive pop. Deville cut her off and put the table back under the ring to boos. Morgan fought back with a pair of suicide dives. The fans broke into another loud “We want tables” chant. Morgan gave them what they wanted and pulled out the table again.
Morgan took forever to set up the table, allowing Deville to take over. Deville attempted a German suplex off the apron onto the table. At first, Morgan held onto the top rope. She changed her mind and let them both crash through the table. Morgan laughed hysterically.
Back from the break, Deville rocked Morgan with a knee for a near fall. Deville threw a bunch of chairs into the ring, but Morgan regained control. Morgan went for a super plex onto the pile of chairs.
Deville slipped out and powerbombed Morgan on the pile for a close near fall. The fans erupted in a “This is awesome” chant. Deville went for her finisher, the advocate, but Morgan broke free. Morgan then hit the oblivion on the pile for the win.
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The Progressive Match Flo of the week recapped SmackDown Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey defeating the returning Emma last week.
Megan Morant interviewed Emma backstage. She’s excited to be back and had a lot to prove last week. She has a lot to prove to herself. Xia Li interrupted and called Emma weak. Emma didn’t care and knocked Li down to end the segment.
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They announced that Jake Paul would be in Logan Paul’s corner at Crown Jewel to counter The Bloodline. They included highlights of Jake and Logan discussing it on his podcast.
A video package hyped the Roman Reigns vs. Logan Paul match.
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A Viking Raiders vignette aired.
LA Knight defeated Ricochet (9:54)
Ricochet and LA Knight had a solid match. LA Knight cheated to win, which felt like the right finish. There was nothing wrong with it but also nothing that stood out.
In an inset interview, Ricochet promised to beat Knight and shut him up.
As LA Knight walked to the ring, he approached Ricochet’s girlfriend and ring announcer, Samantha Irvin. He complained about her introduction and noted it might be good for Ricochet but not him.
Ricochet heard enough and hit Knight with a suicide dive. He was firmly in control and set up for another dive. Knight grabbed his leg to take over. An overly confident Knight attempted a second rope moonsault but missed. Ricochet teased a dive but did a back flip into the ring and posed.
LA Knight dropped Ricochet on the top rope to take over during the break. Knight hit a running knee on the apron and followed with a slingshot shoulder block. Knight mocked Ricochet and posed.
Knight slowed the pace down with a chin lock. Ricochet broke free and hit a flying crossbody. Knight recovered quickly with a jumping neck breaker for a two count. Knight sat on the top turnbuckle and mocked Ricochet. Ricochet leaped up and caught Knight with a hurricanrana for a two count.
Ricochet fired up and hit a standing shooting star press for near fall. Ricochet leaped off the top rope, but Knight avoided him. The finish came when Ricochet rolled up Knight. Knight reversed and held the tights and ropes for the win.
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In the back, The Bloodline discussed plans for Crown Jewel. Jey Uso wanted to go to the ring and call out The Brawling Brutes. Sami Zayn disagreed. Jey said this isn’t a Bloodline thing but a Uso thing. They were champions before Zayn joined the Bloodline and will still be champions when Zayn’s gone. Jimmy agreed with Jey, and they walked off. Zayn tried to stop them, but they didn’t listen. Zayn tried once more as they walked off and yelled, “My dawgs!”
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In the back, Bray Wyatt admitted it’s hard to talk about his feelings. He doesn’t like when somebody interrupts him. Suddenly, a crew member accidentally got in the shot. Wyatt approached him and freaked out. He was aggressive and yelled at him. He demanded the guy apologize for interrupting. As Wyatt yelled, various images flashed across the screen, including Uncle Howdy.
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The Usos Segment
The fans broke into an “Ucey” chant before Jey spoke. Jimmy noted they’re nine days from breaking New Day’s record. Jey added that it starts with The Brawling Brutes at Crown Jewel.
New Day’s music hit, and they made their way to the ring. Kofi Kingston admitted they’re rooting for The Brawling Brutes to beat The Usos. Woods noted that if they retain, they’ll be waiting for The Usos. Kingston added that they got next.
They squared off in the ring when The Brawling Brutes jumped The Usos from behind. New Day and The Brutes beat down The Usos until Sami Zayn, and Solo Sikoa made the save. The Bloodline worked together and beat down New Day and The Brawling Brutes. The fans broke into a giant “Sami Uso” chant.
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In the back, Megan Morant interviewed Rey Mysterio. Mysterio admitted that he misses his son, but he’s focused on winning the title. He promised to defeat Gunther and win the Intercontinental title later.
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Shayna Baszler (w/Ronda Rousey) defeated Natalya (4:11)
Baszler and Natalya worked at a slow and methodical pace. The fans seemed dead, but the match wasn’t about spectacular moves. It was about getting Baszler over as the “old” Baszler from NXT.
Baszler dominated Natalya stomping her in the corner. She followed up with a stomp on Natalya’s elbow. Baszler targeted the arm, but Natalya fought back with hard shots. Natalya finally hit the discus clothesline and went for the sharpshooter. Baszler poked her in the eyes and locked on the kirifuda clutch. Natalya tried breaking free, but Baszler held on for the win.
After the match, Rousey instructed Baszler to knee Natalya in the face. Natalya appeared to break her nose.
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A video package hyped Drew McIntyre vs. Karrion Kross in a steel cage at Crown Jewel.
MVP Segment
MVP discussed Braun Strowman vs. Omos at Crown Jewel. MVP noted Omos defeated four guys on Raw. Tonight MVP picked out five opponents for Strowman and introduced them.
The five local talent slowly made their way to the ring. They were terrified when Strowman’s music hit. He mowed them all down in the aisle way easily. Strowman then got in the ring and threw MVP around. He ended by giving MVP three running power slams.
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Kayla Braxton tried to interview Gunther, but Ludwig Kaiser sent her away. Gunther promised to defend his title with dignity, respect, and honor; He noted Rey Mysterio has no honor, and that’s why his son turned on him. He added there’s one thing that will never change in WWE. Gunther will always be the Intercontinental Champion.
Intercontinental Champion Gunther defeated Rey Mysterio (18:18)
Gunther and Rey had a great big man-little man match. Rey used his speed and high-flying moves but couldn’t overcome Gunther’s power and size. It featured a ton of unique spots and a hot finish.
Mysterio used his speed to avoid Gunther early. Gunther backed Mysterio into the corner and rocked him with a vicious chop. He then threw Mysterio off the apron to ringside.
After the break, Gunther tossed Mysterio out of the ring under the bottom rope. He then powerbombed Mysterio onto the apron. Gunther followed up with a big slam and a kick to the back. Gunther went for another slam, but Mysterio held on. Mysterio climbed onto his back and hit a crucifix bomb.
Mysterio picked up the pace and jumped off the ropes. Gunther caught him, but Mysterio switched to a sleeper. Gunther fought back and threw Mysterio off. Mysterio recovered and got the sleeper a second time. Gunther couldn’t figure out how to break free. He climbed up the turnbuckle with Mysterio on his back and fell backward.
Back from the commercial, Gunther continued to dominate Mysterio. He pulled at Mysterio’s mask and backed him into the corner. Mysterio fired up and rocked Gunther with hard shots.
Gunther recovered and set up for a powerbomb. Mysterio escaped and caught Gunther with a bulldog to take over. He followed up with a senton for a two-count. Mysterio hit the 619 and climbed to the top rope. Gunther cut him off and climbed up instead.
Mysterio cut Gunther off this time. He attempted a hurricanrana, but Gunther blocked it. Gunther went for a second rope powerbomb, but Mysterio countered into a hurricanrana for a near fall. The fans broke into a “This is awesome” chant.
Mysterio continued his onslaught with a code red for a near fall. After Mysterio missed a frog splash, Gunther hit a shotgun dropkick and powerbomb for a close near fall. A frustrated Gunther went for another powerbomb, but Mysterio set up for the 619. Gunther recovered and rocked Mysterio with a boot to the face. Gunther pulled Mysterio by his arm and clotheslined him mid-air for the win.
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Next Week: The New Day challenges The Usos or The Brawling Brutes for the WWE Tag Team titles. Plus, Shinsuke Nakamura takes on Santos Escobar. Also, the World Cup tournament on Fox begins.