WWE SmackDown live results: Reigns-Mysterio Hell in a Cell match
Tonight’s SmackDown was originally supposed to feature the final build to Roman Reigns and Rey Mysterio’s Universal Championship Hell in a Cell match.
Instead, the Hell in a Cell match has been moved up and will now take place tonight. It had previously been set for this Sunday’s Hell in a Cell PPV.
Rey challenged Reigns to the match last Friday after Reigns viciously beat down Dominik the week before. Last week, Reigns fended off a kendo stick attack by Rey. Reigns also attacked Dominik again and gave him a powerbomb from the ring to the floor. Rey tweeted that he couldn’t wait until Sunday and demanded the match take place tonight.
Kevin Owens & Big E take on Intercontinental Champion Apollo Crews & Commander Azeez tonight. Owens & Big E defeated Crews & Sami Zayn last week. After the match, Crews blamed Zayn for the loss and challenged Owens & Big E to face him and Azeez tonight. Zayn then argued with Crews, but Azeez knocked him down with the Nigerian Nail.
King Corbin faces Shinsuke Nakamura in the Battle for the Crown. Nakamura and Corbin have traded wins over the last few weeks, but each match ended with Nakamura stealing Corbin’s crown.
Plus, Angelo Dawkins goes one-on-one with Otis. Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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They recapped Roman Reigns beating down Rey and Dominik the last two weeks.
Rey Mysterio Segment
They lowered the Hell in a Cell halfway as Rey Mysterio walked to the ring. Rey noted any parent knows how he’s feeling right now. Rey’s voice cracked as he described Reigns giving Dominik a powerbomb out of the ring. He pointed out that Dominik is good and walking.
Rey said he’ll never forget the name of the person that did this to his son, Roman Reigns. But he doesn’t want to wait until Sunday and demanded the match tonight. Rey knows Reigns accepted the challenge last night on Twitter, but he wants Reigns to say it to his face. So Rey demanded Reigns come to the ring.
Suddenly, the Cell lowered the rest of the way.
Universal Champion Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman walked out onto the ramp. Reigns noted that he doesn’t want to do this. He knows that Rey doesn’t want to be locked in the Cell with him. Reigns doesn’t want to hurt Rey.
He said what he does to Rey is going to make what he did to Dominik look PG. He asked if Rey’s sure that he wants this tonight. Rey responded that he’s ready to fight.
Reigns was disappointed and noted now he’s going to do this his way. Reigns walked off furiously. This was a good opening segment.
Apollo Crews & Commander Azeez defeated Big E & Kevin Owens (9:10)
This was a fine tag team match, but the focus was on making Azeez into a monster.
Earlier today, Crews and Azeez did a backstage interview. Crews is confident they’re going to win because of his secret weapon, Azeez.
Behind the curtain, Kayla Braxton interviewed Kevin Owens and Big E. She pointed out that Azeez beat down both of them outside the ring. Owens isn’t worried because Big E’s one of the strongest guys in the locker room. He stressed that Big E is a former nine-time tag team champion.
Big E didn’t respond, and Owens was a bit offended. Big E admitted the wound is still fresh when Owens turned on him. Big E promised that they’re going to beat Crews and Azeez.
Sami Zayn came out and joined the commentators.
The faces had the early advantage as they worked over Crews. Big E hit a big splash, followed up by Owens hitting a senton. Azeez got the tag, and the pace slowed down. He rocked Big E with a big boot sending him to ringside. Azeez went after Big E and slammed him hard on the floor.
Back from the break, Azeez was firmly in control and gave Big E a suplex. He backed Big E in the corner and hit a second suplex. However, Azeez missed an elbow, and Big E went to tag out, but Crews knocked Owens off the apron.
Crews and Big E fought on the apron. Crews went for the Death Valley Driver, but Big E countered. Back in the ring, Owens hit the Swanton bomb for a close near fall. At one point, Azeez tried breaking up a pin attempt but was late and hit Crews. That clearly wasn’t supposed to happen.
Azeez tagged back in and destroyed Owens and Crews. He then slammed Owens into the ring post.
Zayn jumped up and yelled at Owens. Owens was briefly distracted. He jumped back in the ring, but Azeez hit the Nigerian nail for the win.
After the match, Azeez gave Owens another Nigerian nail.
Zayn ran to the back and watched on the monitor. He laughed as Owens laid on the mat in pain.
They aired a short video hyping the battle of the crowns next.
In the back, Kevin Owens charged into Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville’s office. Owens demanded a match with Sami Zayn. Pearce agreed and announced Owens vs. Zayn for Hell in a Cell on Sunday.
Battle of The Crowns: Shinsuke Nakamura (w/Rick Boogs) defeated King Corbin (9:01)
Nakamura and Corbin had a basic match that dragged at times.
There was a throne and crown set up on the stage. Rick Boogs introduced Shinsuke Nakamura and played him to the ring.
Corbin avoided a kick and rolled up Nakamura for a near fall. Nakamura quickly recovered and hit a sliding German suplex. He rolled to the floor as Boogs played Nakamura’s music.
Back from the break, Corbin was firmly in control and hit deep six for a close near fall. Nakamura recovered and hit a backstabber to regain control. He hit a sliding knee for another near fall.
Nakamura set up for the Kinshasa, but Corbin hit a huge clothesline instead. Nakamura fought back and hit two knees off the second turnbuckle, but Corbin wouldn’t go down.
Corbin attempted a chokeslam, but Nakamura hit a knee to the face. He then hit Kinshasa for the win and the crown.
After the match, Nakamura sat on the throne as Boogs put the crown on him. Corbin sat in the corner and cried that he lost the crown.
In the back, SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair walked to the ring.
Bianca Belair and Bayley Face to Face
They recapped Cesaro attacking Seth Rollins and destroying Bayley’s Ding Dong Hello set. As Bayley picked up the pieces, Belair walked out and laughed at Bayley.
Belair noted it felt good to put Bayley in her place when Ding Dong Hello became Ding Dong Goodbye. Belair looks forward to taking on Bayley Sunday night. She called Bayley a bully and waited for her to come to the ring but Bayley didn’t come out.
Belair said it’s tough to have someone laugh in her face. It reminded her of when she was younger, and bullies picked on her.
Belair noted she’s sick of Bayley and challenged her to a Hell in a Cell match on Sunday. Belair promised to grab her by the hair. She’s going to beat Bayley so bad she’s going to beg Belair to stop.
Belair said; first, they ignore you. Then they laugh at you, and they fight you. She held the belt up and said, then you win.
Bayley’s music hit, and she jumped in the ring. They started brawling and fell to the floor. Belair had the advantage. Bayley then grabbed Belair’s hair and pulled her into the barricade.
Bayley continued to beat down Belair and hit the rose plant. Bayley held up the belt and posed over a fallen Belair. This was a fine segment.
They recapped the recent problems between Roman Reigns and The Usos.
In the back, Jimmy Uso approached Roman Reigns in his locker room. Jimmy noted he thought about what Reigns said last week. He admitted that Reigns was right. Jimmy doesn’t agree with everything Reigns does, but he’s with him.
Reigns wondered about Jey Uso. Jimmy hasn’t heard from Jey all week. Jimmy told Reigns that he’s got his back tonight and will help him in the Hell in a Cell.
Reigns doesn’t want Jimmy’s help. Reigns admitted he needs Jey and told Jimmy to find him. Jimmy was a bit offended, but Reigns then said that “we” need Jey.
Otis (w/Chad Gable) vs. Angelo Dawkins
The match didn’t take place as the heels viciously beat down Dawkins.
They recapped Otis attacking Dawkins and injuring Montez Ford last week. Michael Cole noted Ford has injured ribs and is at home tonight. He said they don’t know when Ford will return from injury. Dawkins came out with his shoulder all taped up.
Dawkins and Otis faced off in the ring. Gable slapped Dawkins in the face, so Dawkins chased him around ringside. Otis was hiding at ringside and knocked Dawkins down. Gable and Otis tossed Dawkins into the steps. Gable then hit a knee off the apron onto Dawkins’ injured shoulder.
Gable and Otis then hit a German suplex/discuss clothesline combo. Referees and officials ran out to check on Dawkins.
They recapped the feud between Cesaro and Seth Rollins. It featured Cesaro returning last week and attacking Rollins.
In the back, Kayla Braxton had a sit-down interview with Cesaro. Cesaro noted he doesn’t think he’s gone far enough. Rollins showed up but said he didn’t want to fight. He noted he could wait until Sunday. He asked Braxton to leave and took her seat.
Rollins told Cesaro that he disgusts him. He claimed that everything he does is a disgrace and he doesn’t deserve any respect. However, Rollins promised to put Cesaro in his place on Sunday.
Cesaro noted he respects Rollins and will see him Sunday. Cesaro stood up and pushed over Rollins in his chair.
Michael Cole and Pat McAfee ran down the lineup for Hell in a Cell and confirmed Bayley vs. Bianca Belair takes place in a Hell in a Cell.
Hell in a Cell: Universal Champion Roman Reigns (w/Paul Heyman) defeated Rey Mysterio to retain the title (16:01)
This was a good match with both guys working hard, although it never appeared that Mysterio had a chance of winning.
Michael Cole noted Rey Mysterio’s never been in a Hell in a Cell match before. Big E spoke with Cole earlier tonight and said we should all pray for Mysterio.
Mysterio rolled out and grabbed a chair from under the ring at the start. Reigns overpowered Mysterio and threw the chair away.
Mysterio blinded Reigns with a fire extinguisher and then hit Reigns with it to gain the advantage.
Mysterio then smashed Reigns in the head with a toolbox.
Back from the break, Mysterio was firmly in control as he dropkicked a chair into Reigns back. He then wrapped the chair around Reigns’ neck and slammed him into the side of the cell three times.
Reigns briefly took over, but he missed a spear and went through a table. Reigns used a knee to the gut to gain control. Mysterio attempted the sunset bomb but Reigns held on.
Mysterio attempted a hurricanrana, but Reigns blocked it and swung him into the side of the cell. Reigns then picked up Mysterio and launched him into the cell again.
Back from the break, Reigns was firmly in control as he pummeled Mysterio in the corner. Reigns then hit the superman punch and yelled, acknowledge me.
Reigns went for the spear, but Mysterio countered with a dropkick. Reigns then attempted a powerbomb, but Mysterio fought back with a hurricanrana. Mysterio attempted the 619, but Reigns avoided it.
Reigns missed a spear and hit the ring post. Mysterio finally hit the 619.
Mysterio grabbed the chair again and beat down Reigns. He placed the chair on Reigns and hit a frog splash but couldn’t make the cover. Mysterio hit a second frog splash for a very close near fall.
Mysterio attempted a hurricanrana, but Reigns caught him. In a crazy spot, Reigns then gave Mysterio a powerbomb from the ring to the side of the cell. He followed up with an inverted guillotine submission for the win.
After the match, Jimmy Uso came to the ring to celebrate with Reigns and Heyman.
Mysterio pulled himself to his feet using the ropes. Reigns was furious and locked on the guillotine, and Mysterio tapped out again. Reigns posed with the title to end SmackDown.