WWE SmackDown live results: Kofi Kingston vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
SmackDown takes place tonight from the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.
There were several new additions to the SmackDown roster as part of the Superstar Shake-up last week, including Intercontinental Champion Finn Balor, Lars Sullivan, Bayley, Kairi Sane, and more.
Vince McMahon announced Elias as the “greatest acquisition in SmackDown Live history.” Roman Reigns then interrupted them and gave McMahon the Superman punch. WWE.com is teasing a storyline where McMahon might fire Reigns tonight for his actions.
WWE Champion Kofi Kingston takes on Shinsuke Nakamura in a non-title match. Kingston, Xavier Woods and Big E’s temporary replacement Big O (Kevin Owens) defeated Cesaro, Rusev, and Nakamura last week. Woods and Owens will be in Kingston’s corner as he faces Nakamura.
Raw and SmackDown Woman’s Champion Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair will meet in a face-to-face segment tonight for the first time since WrestleMania 35.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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Shane McMahon came down to the ring. He forced Greg Hamilton to introduce him as the Best in the World. He noted he wasn’t in a good mood. He’s not out there to talk about himself. He’s here to talk about Roman Reigns. He showed footage from last week of Reigns hitting Vince McMahon with the Superman Punch. Shane said the footage made him sick to his stomach.
McMahon called the footage horrific. He wondered what kind of man puts his hands on another man’s father. He called Vince a national treasure and said it was like disgracing the flag. He was upset that Reigns hit his father and promised consequences. He wondered if he should fine, suspend or fire Reigns.
McMahon said they’re going to do things a little different. They’re going to settle this in the ring. He ordered Reigns to come down to the ring. The fans gave Reigns a positive reaction and chanted “Roman”. Reigns went to speak but threw the mic down instead. McMahon then threw his mic down too.
Elias ran out and distracted Reigns. McMahon jumped Reigns from behind and attacked him in the corner. Reigns fought back but Elias jumped him. The fans broke into another “Roman” chant. Reigns briefly fought back but the heels took over. Elias hit the Drift Away on Reigns.
In the back, Shane McMahon and Elias discussed their attack on Roman Reigns. McMahon bragged about hitting Reigns and said his father would be proud.
Kayla Braxton interviewed WWE Champion Kofi Kingston backstage. He talked about winning the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 35. Xavier Woods and Big O showed up. Kevin Owens was certain that Kingston was going to beat Shinsuke Nakamura because New Day Rocks.
Intercontinental Champion Finn Bálor defeated Andrade (w/Zelina Vega)
Before the match, Zelina Vega noted that Bálor tried to run away from Andrade in the Superstar Shake-up but they came to SmackDown. Andrade promised to fulfill his legacy and end the myth of Finn Bálor.
Bálor had the early advantage. He tried to pull Andrade to the center of the ring but Vega grabbed Andrade. This caused a distraction and Andrade took over. He hit a dive to the floor taking out Bálor.
Andrade was firmly in control and slowed the pace down. He attempted a powerbomb but Bálor reversed into a DDT. He followed up with a double foot stomp. He climbed to the top but Andrade cut him off. Andrade hit a hurricanrana but Bálor rolled through and scored a near fall. He sent Andrade to the floor and followed up with a dive.
Bálor attempted the Sling Blade but Andrade countered with a back elbow. He hit the running double knees in the corner for near fall. Andrade attempted the Hammerlock DDT but Balor countered.
Vega attempted a cross body on Bálor but he moved and Andrade caught her. He put her down and Bálor hit the running dropkick. Bálor hit the coup de grace for the win.
In the back, Elias sang a song about Roman Reigns and challenged him to a match at Money In The Bank. It was a pretty good song. Shane McMahon jumped in and praised the song. McMahon asked if he was sure about the challenge. Elias confirmed he wants the match. They jumped in the limo and drove off.
Kairi Sane (w/Paige & Asuka) defeated Peyton Royce (w/Billie Kay)
Earlier today, Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose confronted Paige. They mocked her for forming her new team of Asuka & Kairi Sane. They told her they’re not going to reform Absolution when her new team blows up in her face.
The Women’s tag team champions The IIconics made their way to the ring. They mocked Asuka and Sane. Peyton Royce said the only reason Sane pinned her last week was because she wasn’t ready. This week she’s ready and hydrated.
Sane was firmly in control and dominated the whole match. She nailed Royce with a spear and hit the Insane Elbow for the win.
After the match, Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose walked out on the stage. They mocked the faces with applause.
Jinder Mahal and The Singh Brothers made their way out to the ring. Tom Philips noted the Superstar Shake-up continues with their return to SmackDown.
In the back, Aleister Black noted the fans know who he is. He said he couldn’t explain the complex tragedy of his character.
Chad Gable vs. Jinder Mahal (w/The Singh Brothers) Didn’t Happen Because Lars Sullivan Interfered
Lars Sullivan jumped Gable as he made his way to the ring. Sullivan jumped in the ring and went after the Singh Brothers. Mahal left the ring. Sullivan gave Samir the Freak Accident and Sunil the running sit out powerbomb.
R-Truth ran down to the ring and attacked Sullivan. Sullivan fought back and gave Truth the running sit out powerbomb as well.
Kayla Braxton interviewed Roman Reigns in the locker room. She asked about the challenge Elias made earlier. Reigns promised to break his jaw and accepted the challenge for Money In The Bank.
Charlotte Flair made her way to the ring. She talked about the WrestleMania 35 main event. She pointed out that Becky Lynch pinned Ronda Rousey to win the match. Flair did not get pinned or submit. She noted that Lynch did not beat her for the SmackDown Championship. She demanded Lynch come down to the ring.
Lynch admitted she didn’t beat Flair because she was too busy beating Rousey. She wanted to prove she could beat Rousey because she already knew she could beat Flair. Flair said it was an injustice that Lynch is the champion. She believes she’s in Lynch’s head.
Lynch pointed out she’s beaten Flair and is the one in her head. Flair believes Lynch is scared. Flair said she’s next in line and wants to face Lynch after Lacey Evans at Money In the Bank. Lynch told her to shut up and said she wants to clear the way for people like Bayley, Mickie James, and Ember Moon.
Bayley made her way down to the ring. She thanked Lynch for the shout out but noted Lynch has never beaten her. Flair told Bayley to get to the back of the line because this is her show. Bayley challenged Flair to a match to see which one of them deserves a shot at Lynch next. Bayley got in Flair’s face.
Charlotte Flair defeated Bayley to earn a SmackDown Women’s title shot against Becky Lynch at Money in the Bank
The McMahon family made the match official during the commercial break. The winner receives a future title opportunity against SmackDown Woman’s Champion Becky Lynch.
Flair had the early advantage but Bayley took over. She hit a cross body for a one count. Flair used a neck breaker to regain control. Bayley rolled up Flair for a near fall and used a cross body for a two count. Flair fought back and attacked Bayley’s leg.
Bayley fought back and rocked Flair with a knee. She followed up with a clothesline for a near fall. Bayley avoided a big boot but Flair nailed her with a second one for a two count. Flair attempted a moonsault but Bayley moved. It seemed that Flair tried to land on her feet but couldn’t. She grabbed her knee on the landing.
Bayley hit a sunset flip into the corner for a near fall. She climbed to the top but Flair pushed her off. She went for the Figure Four but Bayley used an inside cradle for a two count. Flair recovered and hit the spear for the win.
Becky Lynch was watching the match in the back. Kayla Braxton interviewed her about having two title challengers. Lynch announced that she’s defending both belts at Money In The Bank in separate matches. First, she defends the Raw Championship against Lacey Evans and then defends the SmackDown Championship against Charlotte Flair.
Bray Wyatt hosted the Firefly Funhouse. He said this is his special place. He introduced two creepy dolls. He said he use to be a bad guy but that part of him is dead now. He then sawed off the head of a Bray Wyatt cardboard cut out.
WWE Champion Kofi Kingston (w/ Xavier Woods & Kevin Owens) defeated Shinsuke Nakamura (w/Rusev & Lana) by DQ
Tom Phillips pushed that this is Kingston’s first singles match on SmackDown since winning the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 35. Owens and Woods joined in on commentary at their special announce table.
Nakamura had the early advantage with a side headlock. Kingston fought back with a series of dropkicks. Nakamura regained control and slowed the pace down. Kingston hit a splash off the ropes for a near fall. He hit a huge splash off the top for another two count. Kingston attempted a suicide dive but Nakamura rocked him with a kick.
Nakamura sent Kingston into the steps but he leaped over them. Kingston jumped off the steps but Nakamura nailed him. He then hit a knee on the floor. Nakamura hit a sliding German suplex. He set up for the Kinshasa but Kingston hit a double stomp.
Kingston went for the Trouble in Paradise but Nakamura ducked. Kingston hit the SOS but Rusev jumped in for the disqualification. Woods and Owens made the save for Kingston. Owens back dropped Woods onto Rusev on the floor. Nakamura then hit the Kinshasa on Woods.
Owens was checking on Kingston when Nakamura tried to attack. Kingston shoved Owens out of the way and hit the Trouble in Paradise on Nakamura.
Suddenly, Owens turned on Kingston and hit him with a superkick. He ripped off the New Day t-shirt and beat down Kingston. He threw Kingston into the barricade. Owens threw Kingston back in the ring.
Owens grabbed the belt and got in Kingston’s face. Kingston made a brief comeback but Owens beat him back down. Owens attempted the powerbomb on the apron but Woods made the save. Owens beat down Woods and gave him the powerbomb on the apron instead. Kingston and referees checked on Woods.