WWE SmackDown live results: Reigns-Balor contract signing
The build to SummerSlam continues on tonight’s SmackDown from the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
At the start of last week’s episode, John Cena challenged Roman Reigns to a title match at SummerSlam. Reigns refused to come to the ring, but Paul Heyman promised that Reigns would respond by the end of the night.
Later that night, Reigns mocked Cena and turned down the SummerSlam match. Finn Balor interrupted and issued his own challenge to Reigns. Eventually, Reigns accepted Balor’s challenge.
Reigns and Balor will take part in a contract signing tonight. WWE is hyping that Reigns will defend his Universal Championship against Balor at SummerSlam.
Jimmy Uso vs. Rey Mysterio has also been announced for tonight’s show.
For the second week in a row, Bianca Belair retained her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Carmella last Friday. We’ll see what’s next for Belair heading into SummerSlam. We’ll also see if there will be any more developments in the Edge-Seth Rollins feud tonight.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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John Cena Segment
Cena was good in the segment, and the fans reacted big to everything, including Baron Corin’s part at the end.
John Cena came to the ring to start SmackDown. He got a massive reaction as he made his entrance. They recapped Reigns turning down Cena’s challenged and Finn Balor issuing his own last week. They highlighted Reigns’ missionary position comment.
Cena noted if you can find someone that can keep the missionary position entertaining for two decades, then keep them in your life. He pointed out that Reigns rejected him and took Balor’s challenge instead. He noted Reigns mocked him for wearing the same gear and doing the same entrance for years. Cena said that would be like changing The Rock or Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Cena said Reigns has to change every two years because fans don’t care about him. He claimed Reigns is just a stooge named Joe that’s used every gimmick there is. Cena added that Reigns is afraid to face him. The fans broke into a loud but brief “What?” chant.
Suddenly, Baron Corbin walked to the ring. The fans booed loudly and broke into a “You suck” chant. He told Cena he was sorry for interrupting. Cena didn’t recognize him at first. Corbin noted he’s having a tough time. He said he lost his crown, all of his money, and his identity. Plus, he can’t perform anymore because of his groin injury, so his wife left him.
Cena asked the fans if he should help him. The fans cheered, but there were a few boos. Cena only had a few dollars on him. Corbin needed more and asked for a role in the Suicide Squad. Cena noted Suicide Squad comes out this week. Corbin asked if Cena would really not help him, and the fans chanted “yes.” Corbin called Cena a selfish man and mocked him. Cena heard enough and gave him an Attitude Adjustment.
They recapped Jimmy Uso beating Dominik with Jey’s help. In the back, Dominik promised to watch Rey’s back in his match later. Rey pointed out that Dominik still makes rookie mistakes. He wants him to pay close attention tonight. Rey noted he’s still got one or two tricks Dominik can learn.
Rey Mysterio (w/Domink) defeated Jimmy Uso (w/Jey Uso) (7:38)
Rey and Jimmy had a good match with a finish that played into the storyline. The fans loved Rey and were into the match.
They recapped Rey and Dominik defeating Seth Rollins and Murphy last year.
Rey had the early advantage with a tilt-a-whirl head scissors and a bulldog off the ropes for a near fall. Jimmy dropped Rey into the corner to take over. Rey sent Jimmy to the floor and attempted the sliding splash. Jimmy moved and rocked Rey with a superkick.
Back from the break, Rey kicked Jimmy in the side of the head to regain control. Jimmy fought back and hit an enziguri. Jimmy then went for a superplex, but Rey knocked him off. He followed up with a senton and crossbody for a close near fall.
Jimmy attempted a Samoan drop, but Rey countered into the 619. The fans popped big for the 619 but booed when Jey pulled Jimmy out of the ring. Rey then hit a dive onto the Usos and looked over at Dominik.
Rey knocked down Jey and went for the 619 on Jimmy. Jimmy caught Rey, but Rey reversed into a crucifix pin. Dominik helped Rey pin Jimmy for the win. It was the same way Jimmy won last week.
They recapped Bianca Belair beating Carmella at Rolling Loud to retain her title. Belair made her way to the ring to discuss her future plans.
Bianca Belair Segment
This was a typical WWE segment where everyone interrupts each other, but the fans helped a lot. They reacted big to Belair and went crazy for Sasha Banks’ return.
Kayla Braxton interviewed Belair and noted Belair’s held the SmackDown Women’s Championship for 110 days. The fans went crazy for Belair and broke into a loud “EST” chant.
Carmella interrupted and demanded another title shot. The fans booed. Carmella claimed she lost at Rolling Loud because the lighting was bad. Zelina Vega interrupted and demanded a title shot. The fans booed Vega loudly.
Belair accepted Vega’s challenge. Carmella jumped Belair from behind, and the heels beat her down.
Suddenly, Sasha Banks’ music hit, and she ran down for the save. Banks got a massive pop. She ran wild on the heels and cleared the ring. Banks then helped up Belair. They hugged and danced to end the segment.
They recapped Nia Jax turning on Reginald and Reginald winning the 24/7 Championship. Reginald defends his title next.
They aired clips of fans entering the ring announcer contest for SummerSlam.
In the back, Kayla Braxton interviewed Reginald. He told Kayla to call him Reggie. He doesn’t know who his opponent is tonight and is just happy it’s in the ring. In a funny moment, a backstage worker walked into the shot and ran off.
24/7 Champion Reggie defeated Chad Gable (w/Otis) via DQ (1:33)
This match had its moments, but it only went a minute with a weak finish.
The fans popped for Reggie’s entrance and broke into a faint “Reggie” chant.
Otis took the mic and pointed out that Gable’s the challenger, not him. Otis then knocked down Reggie. The fans broke into a brief “Otis” chant.
Gable was briefly in control. Reggie avoided Gable with a series of flips. Gable regained control and used a tiger suplex for a near fall. Reggie went for a moonsault, but Gable cut him off. Gable gave Reggie a German suplex off the top, but Reggie tried landing on his feet.
Reggie hit the flip senton, but Otis broke up the pin attempt. Otis threw Reggie out of the ring, but he rolled through and ran off.
In the back, Sonya Deville informed Adam Pearce that the main event is official for tonight and announced Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair vs. Zelina Vega & Carmella.
Roman Reigns – Finn Balor Contract Signing
Reigns was great in the segment, and Balor played his role well. It got a little confusing at the end when John Cena signed the contract since it presumably had Balor’s name on it. They tried to explain this later.
Back from the break, Sonya Deville and Adam Pearce were in the ring. Pearce noted everyone knows how the contract signings usually go. He said emotions are high, and punches get thrown. But Pearce and Deville want to get this done in the most efficient manner possible.
Finn Balor made his way to the ring to a huge reaction. Universal Champion Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman then made their entrance to loud boos. Reigns laughed at two fans dressed up as Cena at ringside.
Reigns made Heyman move his chair, so he’s sitting at the head of the table. The fans erupted in boos when Reigns sat down. Pearce told Reigns and Balor to review the contract one last time.
The fans broke into a loud “Cena” chant. On commentary, Pat McAfee was confused and noted Cena’s not in the ring.
Reigns pointed out that missionary man already made his appearance. He asked Balor if he heard Cena’s promo. He noted Cena thinks Reigns is ducking him by facing Balor instead. Reigns disagree. He thinks Balor deserves a title shot because he’s hungry.
Reigns noted that if Balor signs the contract, he will smash him and send him back to NXT. McAfee added NXT’s on Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. That was a funny moment.
The fans broke into a loud “Roman sucks” chant. Balor noted Reigns thinks highly of himself. Balor added that he’d be honored to take the Universal Championship back to NXT.
Balor was about to sign when Baron Corbin ran out. Corbin beat down Balor before he could sign and tossed him out of the ring. Corbin was about to sign the contract when Cena ran out and threw out Corbin.
Cena then picked up the contract and signed it. Michael Cole and McAfee wondered if Cena could legally sign the contract.
In the back, Heyman approached Pearce and Deville. Heyman correctly pointed out that Balor’s name is on the contract, but Cena signed. Pearce claimed that he sees Reigns and Cena’s signature, and that’s good enough for him.
Deville confirmed that Reigns defends against Cena at SummerSlam. That’s an interesting way to get to the Cena vs. Reigns match.
Big E, Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura (w/Rick Boogs) defeated Dolph Ziggler, Robert Roode & Apollo Crews (w/Commander Azeez) (6:44)
This was a good match while it lasted. They didn’t get a lot of time, so it felt rushed at certain parts.
The fans sang Nakamura’s music as he entered. McAfee jumped on the announce table and started dancing.
Crews sent Big E to the floor to start the match. Ziggler and Roode hit the spinebuster/Zig Zag combo on Big E on the floor.
Back from the break, Cesaro got the hot tag and rocked Ziggler with an uppercut. He followed up with the giant swing and the sharpshooter, but Roode made the save. Nakamura got the tag and set up for the Kinshasa, but Ziggler avoided it.
Crews scored a near fall, but Cesaro made the save. Big E ran in and gave Roode the Big Ending to a huge pop.
Crews regained control and scored a near fall. Crews went for the frog splash, but Boogs distracted him by playing his guitar. Azeez went after Boogs, but Cesaro took him out with an uppercut. The fans popped big for that spot. Ziggler then took out Cesaro with a superkick.
Crews went for the frog splash, but Nakamura moved and hit the Kinshasa for the win.
They recapped the Edge and Seth Rollins feud.
Edge And Seth Rollins Segment
This was another confusing segment. The main part of the angle took place during the commercial break. They showed a long video recap and gave Rollins time to rant instead.
Edge made his way to the ring as they went to a commerial. Back from the break, Seth Rollins was standing in the ring. During the break, Rollins jumped Edge and gave him a vicious beat down. He beat Edge up the ramp and hit him with a camera. This entire angle aired during the break.
Rollins told Edge what goes around comes around. He claimed to be a revolutionary and demanded they air his footage. They recapped the Edge and Rollins feud in more detail now.
Rollins ranted about being the Universal Champion and said if he can’t be champion, neither can Edge. The fans broke into a loud “We Want Becky” chant.
They announced that Roman Reigns vs. John Cena is official for SummerSlam. There was no mention of Finn Balor after Baron Corbin beat him down, and Cena stole his SummerSlam title shot.
Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair defeated Carmella & Zelina Vega (8:42)
This was a fine match. The fans loved both Banks and Belair, which helped the match. The biggest news was Banks turning on Belair after they won.
The faces used a double shoulder tackle on Carmella for the early advantage. On commentary, Pat McAfee stressed that Belair shouldn’t trust Banks.
Carmella and Vega tried working together. The faces fought back with a pair of dropkicks. Belair then lifted Banks and dropped her onto Vega and Carmella.
Vega was firmly in control of Belair back from the break. The fans broke into a loud “EST” chant. The heels isolated Belair in their corner and cut her off from Banks.
Banks got the hot tag and ran wild to a massive reaction. She hit a Meteora on Vega and followed up with the Three Amigos suplexes. Banks then hit the frog splash, but Carmella broke up the pin attempt.
The finish came when Banks hit the backstabber on Carmella and locked on the Bank Statement for the win.
After the match, Banks and Belair celebrated their win. Suddenly, Banks hit the backstabber on Belair. The fans popped at first but then erupted in boos. Banks locked on the Bank Statement to loud boos.
Banks posed with the title and got a mixed reaction. The fans booed, but there were a few cheers. Banks locked on the Bank Statment again, and the fans erupted in boos to end SmackDown.