WWE SmackDown live results: Reigns and Cena go face-to-face
The second-to-last episode of SmackDown before SummerSlam takes place at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, tonight.
After not appearing on last week’s show, John Cena will be back on SmackDown tonight. He’ll take part in a face-to-face segment with Universal Champion Roman Reigns on tonight’s show. Cena is challenging for Reigns’ title at SummerSlam.
Last week’s SmackDown ended with Reigns and The Usos beating down Finn Balor. After defeating Baron Corbin in last Friday’s main event, Balor said he wanted to face Reigns for the Universal Championship — even if that meant he had to go through Cena first. Reigns then came out to the ring and confronted Balor.
Reigns threw the microphone at Balor, then Balor pushed Reigns out of the ring. The Usos then attacked Balor from behind. He tried to fight them off, but Reigns got involved, and the numbers game was eventually too much for Balor.
Tonight’s show will also feature a contract signing for Bianca Belair and Sasha Banks’ SmackDown Women’s Championship match at SummerSlam.
Plus, Intercontinental Champion Apollo Crews will put his title on the line against Shinsuke Nakamura tonight. Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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John Cena And Roman Reigns Face To Face
Cena and Reigns were awesome in the segment. The fans reacted big to both of them.
John Cena came out to start SmackDown to a massive pop. They recapped the Roman Reigns and John Cena feud.
Cena pointed out that school’s back and decided to give Reigns his report card. He first gave Reigns a D and called him a disappointment. Cena then promised to give Reigns an F at SummerSlam. Cena also decided to give the fans a pop quiz. The fans broke into a loud “Cena” chant. He asked the fans if they think Reigns will beat the hell out of at him SummerSlam. The fans booed loudly.
Cena admitted Reigns would beat the hell out of him, but he will win the title at SummerSlam. Universal Champion Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman made their way to the ring.
Back from the break, Cena welcomed Reigns. Reigns doesn’t want to waste his time and told Cena to get to it. Cena isn’t going to waste his time but promised to beat Reigns in one week. He added that Reigns thinks the company belongs to him, but it really belongs to the fans. He said that Reigns had failed over and over, but management protects him. There was a faint “Roman sucks” chant.
Cena noted it’s either going to be Team Reigns or Team Cena at SummerSlam. The fans booed Reigns and broke into a loud “Let’s go Cena” chant. Reigns wasn’t impressed. He was hoping for something new from Cena. Cena admitted that Reigns would beat the hell out of him. He mocked Reigns for using the Superman punch and insulted Heyman.
Cena knows that Reigns will beat the hell out of him, but all he has to do is survive and pin Reigns 1-2-3. The fans chanted “1-2-3” with Cena each time he counted. Cena pointed out that if he wins the title, that will make him a 17-time champion. Cena claimed he’s back to help Reigns.
Reigns talked about Cena’s accomplishments and his movie career. He praised Cena and said he’d be on the Mount Rushmore of wrestling one day. Reigns added that Cena is even good enough to win the WWE Championship. But he’s not good enough to win the Universal championship. Reigns said the missionary position might be good for Cena, but it wasn’t good enough for Nikki Bella. That was a killer line. The crowd popped. Reigns noted this might be the last time fans see Cena and promised to send Cena back to Hollywood.
Cena shot back at Reigns that he ruined Seth Rollins and ran Dean Ambrose out of the WWE. He called Reigns a failure and claimed he’s protected. Cena made fun of Reigns’ teeth and noted that he doesn’t give up. Cena promised to win the title 1-2-3. He promised to leave Allegiant stadium with the title and might even blow Reigns a kiss goodbye.
King Nakamura (w/Rick Boogs) defeated Apollo Crews (w/Commandoer Azeez) to win the Intercontinental title (10:07)
Nakamura and Crews worked hard and had a good match that the fans were into. They popped big for Nakamura winning the title.
Crews scored a quick near fall, but Nakamura took over with a dropkick. He had the advantage until Azeez caused a distraction. Crews was firmly in control and blocked a superplex attempt. Boogs then jumped on the apron and started playing his guitar. Crews jumped off the top turnbuckle and walked towards Boogs.
The referee then sent Boogs to the back for causing a distraction, which the fans booed. Azeez tried to sneak into the ring, but the referee caught him and sent him to the back as well.
Back from the break, Nakamura climbed to the top rope, but Crews cut him off. He followed up with a superplex for a near fall. Crews attempted a frog splash, but Nakamura got his knees up. Nakamura went for the Kinshasa, but Crews cut him off. Crews attempted a pin with his feet on the ropes, but the referee caught him.
Crews hit a German suplex for a close two-count. He followed up with a powerbomb for another near fall. Nakamura countered the Olympic slam with an arm drag and ran wild.
Nakamura scored another near fall and hit a release German suplex. Nakamura then hit the Kinshasa to win the Intercontinental title to a massive pop.
Boogs ran out to celebrate with Nakamura and Pat McAfee.
They recapped the Street Profits and Alpha Academy feud.
In the back, Kayla Braxton interviewed The Street Profits. Montez Ford talked about Otis injuring weeks ago. Ford admitted he was in so much pain he couldn’t even laugh. Angelo Dawkins added that Ford is like family to him. They promised to get revenge against Chad Gable and Otis next.
Street Profits defeated Alpha Academy (1:50)
They had a good match while it lasted. They didn’t get a lot of time but worked hard.
Ford sent Gable into the corner, and he tagged in Otis. Otis caught Ford and slammed him down hard. Dawkins tried to take advantage, but Otis took over. Otis beat down Dawkins and backed him into their corner.
Otis hit a big splash and gave Gable a high five. The referee considered that a tag and demanded Gable get in the ring. Dawkins then pushed Gable into Otis and knocked him off the apron.
Ford then hit a huge dive over the top rope onto Otis. Dawkins then hit the pop-up neck breaker for the win.
In the back, Seth Rollins was in the production truck yelling at everyone.
Seth Rollins Segment
Rollins came to the ring and noted that Edge isn’t at the arena tonight. The fans broke into loud boos. Rollins claimed he’s disappointed too. The fans broke into a loud “We want Edge” chant.
Rollins pointed out the Edge called him Edge lite last week. Rollins admitted it might be true, but he’s better than Edge.
Rollins then showed a video package highlighting his career and buried Edge. It compared Edge starting his career with a mediocre group like The Brood, but Rollins made an impact debuting with The Sheild. It also compared the first time they cashed in their Money in the Bank briefcases and winning the Royal Rumble.
The fans broke into another loud “We want Edge” chant. Rollins feels that Edge and the fans should be thanking him because he didn’t permanently injure Edge in 2014. Rollins noted it’s not 2014, and he’s a changed man. This time he won’t hesitate to end Edge’s career at SummerSlam.
In the back, Rey and Dominik discussed their upcoming match. Dominik was confident that they’re going to win the titles. Rey told him not to think that way and stay focused.
Rey & Dominik Mysterio defeated Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode (3:25)
They had a good match but didn’t get a lot of time. The story of the match was Dominik listening to his father and making rookie mistakes.
Rey caught Roode with a tilt-a-whirl head scissors for the early advantage. Ziggler caused a distraction, and Roode hit a backbreaker to take over. Ziggler hit a clothesline in the corner, and Roode followed up with a spinebuster. Ziggler slowed the pace down with a chin lock.
The heels isolated Rey in their corner, but Rey fought back. He hit a senton on Ziggler and Dominik got the hot tag. Dominik hit a crossbody for a near fall and ran wild. He knocked Roode off the apron, but Ziggler hit a famouser for a near fall.
Dominik regained control and set up for the 619. Suddenly, The Usos appeared on the big screen and distracted Dominik. Roode tagged himself in and tried to jump Dominik, but Rey pushed him out of the way. Dominik then rolled up Roode for the win.
Baron Corbin made his way to the ring. Michael Cole noted this is the last time Corbin can beg the fans for money.
Corbin talked about his recent problems, and the fans cheered. He claimed this is the last time he’s going to ask for money publicly. Corbin added that he just needs $1,000 from each fan tonight. He even has a credit card scanner with him. Pat McAfee asked how does a homeless guy has a credit card scanner.
Kevin Owens interrupted and made his way to the ring. Corbin said he knows why Owens is out here, but he doesn’t know if the scanner accepts Canadian credit cards.
Owens noted that Corbin shouldn’t be asking the fans for money. He pointed out that Corbin ruined Finn Balor’s SummerSlam title shot. That’s the first mention of Balor tonight. Owens mentioned Corbin went to Raw and even begged Drew McIntrye for money.
Owens agreed to give Corbin the money he needs if he can beat him tonight. Owens added if he wins, Corbin has to stop begging the fans for money.
Corbin agreed but got in Owens’s face and poked him in the chest. Owens heard enough and gave Corbin a stunner.
In the back, Sasha Banks prepared for the upcoming contract signing.
Kevin Owens defeated Baron Corbin (9:47)
Owens and Corbin had a fine match. Corbin can no longer beg the fans for money.
Corbin was still hurting from the stunner, but he rolled up Owens for two-count. Owens recovered and rocked Corbin with chops in the corner. Corbin fought back and went for the round-the-corner clothesline, but Owens hit a superkick.
Owens then hit a cannonball in the corner for a near fall. Owens climbed to the top rope, but Corbin cut him off. Corbin knocked Owens to the floor and tried to win by count-out by Owens beat the count.
Owens blocked a suplex on the apron and went for a piledriver. Corbin then reversed and gave Owens a backdrop on the apron.
Back from the break, Owens and Corbin fought on the top turnbuckle. Owens knocked Corbin down and hit a Swanton Bomb for a near fall. Corbin fought back and hit a chokeslam for a close two-count. Owens fought back with forearms and a head-butt. Corbin recovered and hit the Deep Six for a near fall.
Corbin rolled up Owens with his feet on the ropes but only got a two-count. Corbin avoided the stunner, but Owens fought back and used a sunset flip for the win.
After the match, Owens gave Corbin another stunner.
In the back, Bianca Belair was playing a game with Big E. Michael Cole noted Big E could cash in on any champion except for Belair.
Back from the break, Kayla Braxton interviewed Baron Corbin in the back. She asked him what’s next after losing to Owens. Corbin was distraught but noticed Big E. He ran over, stole the briefcase, and ran off.
SmackDown Champion Bianca Belair and Sasha Banks contract signing
This was a typical WWE contract signing. Belair and Banks were both good in their roles.
Sonya Deville hosted the contract signing. She wasted no time and introduced Banks.
The fans gave Banks a big reaction. Belair came out next to a big pop as well.
Belair noted Banks could have just asked for a title shot instead of backstabbing her. Banks pointed out that Belair used her ponytail and gave her a scar at WrestleMania. They started arguing until Deville stopped them. She noted the contract signings have been getting out of control lately. Deville demanded that they both sign the contract.
Banks teased signing but felt she needs some witness. Carmella and Zelina Vega then made their way to the ring.
Banks called Belair a rookie and said she’s always two steps ahead. Banks signed the contract. Belair then signed and threw the contract in Banks’ face. Belair then brawled with the three heels. She flipped over the table and landed on Banks. Belair beat down Banks and threw Carmella and Vega out of the ring.
Banks recovered and hit a backstabber on Belair. She then threw Belair over the table. Banks pulled Belair by the ponytail and caught her with a knee. Banks then posed with the title and locked on the Bank Statement using Belair’s ponytail to end SmackDown.