WWE SmackDown live results: Reigns-Pearce contract signing
A Universal Championship contract signing is set for tonight’s episode of SmackDown.
Ahead of their scheduled title match at the Royal Rumble, Universal Champion Roman Reigns and authority figure Adam Pearce will meet for their official contract signing. Pearce won a number one contender’s gauntlet match last week to earn the title shot. Reigns forced Pearce into the gauntlet because he signed the Kevin Owens vs. Jey Uso main event the previous week.
Shinsuke Nakamura dominated the gauntlet match with victories over Rey Mysterio, King Corbin, and Daniel Bryan. However, Reigns and Uso attacked Nakamura and knocked out a reluctant Pearce with a superkick. The heels then dragged Pearce on top of Nakamura for the win.
Earlier this week, Pearce posted a message to social media and attempted to get out of the match — but Reigns denied his request.
Nakamura vs. Uso and Mysterio vs. Corbin are both set for tonight. Corbin attacked Rey and Dominik Mysterio during the gauntlet match last week.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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SmackDown started with a recap of the Roman Reigns and Adam Pearce angle.
In the back, Universal Champion Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman spoke in Reigns’ locker room. Reigns sat in a big chair as Heyman stood behind him. Reigns looked over the contract for his Royal Rumble match.
Heyman pointed out that they just got the contract two minutes ago. He tried to claim it was a basic contract, but he could tell Reigns wasn’t happy. Heyman agreed the deal needs improvements and stipulations. He promised to get specific stipulations added.
Jey Uso made his way down to the ring. He welcomed everyone to the bloodline’s show. He noted they’re running SmackDown and making all the decisions. They’re not just running SmackDown.
Uso claimed that Reigns provides for everyone. He pointed out they have hot towels and good food in catering. The roster should be thanking Reigns for everything.
Uso announced that he’s entering the Royal Rumble this year. He promised to win the Rumble, go to Raw and beat WWE Champion Drew McIntyre.
Uso turned his attention to Shinsuke Nakamura. He noted everyone was talking about Nakamura’s performance last week. Uso pointed out that they put a stop to his winning. Uso mocked Nakamura until his music hit.
Shinsuke Nakamura made his way to the ring. He said that his Uso is his cousins’ puppet and nailed him with a knee. Nakamura posed as they cut to commercial.
Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Jey Uso
Nakamura and Uso had a good match.
Nakamura had the early advantage with a side headlock. Uso took over and hit a big slam for a near fall. Nakamura regained control with a series of knee shots. On commentary, Michael Cole pushed that Reigns doesn’t want to face Nakamura.
Nakamura slowed the pace down with a chin lock. Suddenly, Cesaro’s music hit, and he walked to ringside. Nakamura was firmly in control and sent Uso into the ring post.
Back from the break, Cesaro joined Cole and Corey Graves on commentary. Cesaro claimed he’s at ringside to support Nakamura. Cole pointed out that he wasn’t here last week to help Nakamura. He said that it took him a long time to get to the ring because Tropicana Field is huge. He then announced that he’s entering the Royal Rumble this year.
Uso was firmly in control until Nakamura rocked him with a knee. He followed up with a sliding knee and a sliding German suplex for a near fall. Uso fought back and hit a Samoan Drop for another near fall.
Uso hit a back suplex into a neck breaker for a close near fall. Nakamura recovered and hit a knee off the second rope for a two count. He attempted the Kinsasha, but Uso countered with a superkick.
Uso hit the splash off the top rope, but Nakamura got his knee up. Uso fought back and scored a near fall with his feet on the ropes. The referee caught Uso, trying to use the ropes. Uso argued with the referee.
Nakamura then rolled up Uso and hit the Kinshasa for the win. After the match, Nakamura posed with Cesaro.
Bayley hosts her new talk show Ding Dong Hello with guest Bianca Belair later tonight.
In the back, Paul Heyman approached Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville. He handed Pearce the Royal Rumble contract and noted it’s a no disqualification match. Pearce heard enough and cut Heyman off. He signed the contract.
Back from the break, Jey Uso yelled at Charles Robinson and blamed him for losing. He threatened Robinson that he could lose his job.
They recapped Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode defeating The Street Profits for the SmackDown Tag Team titles.
Kayla Braxton interviewed The Street Profits. Braxton wondered if defending the titles a week after the heels beat them down was a mistake. They noted they could never turn down a challenge. They promised to win the titles back.
Roman Reigns spoke with Apollo Crews in his locker room. Reigns was giving Crews advice when Paul Heyman walked back in. Crews went to leave, but Reigns told him to stay. Heyman informed Reigns that the match is no disqualification.
Reigns didn’t like the match stipulation and demanded a last man standing match. Heyman noted Adam Pearce wouldn’t agree to that. Reigns didn’t care and considered the matter handled. He said if it’s a problem, Pearce can sign the contract in the ring.
Reigns and Crews went back to talking.
Natayla (w/Tamina) defeated Liv Morgan (w/ Ruby Riott & Billie Kay)
Natalya and Morgan had a fine match with a lame finish.
Kay joined Cole and Graves on commentary.
Morgan had the early advantage until Natayla dropped her on the top rope. Natalya attempted a suplex, but Morgan countered with an inside cradle for a near fall.
Natalya took back over with a hard clothesline. She followed up with a backbreaker submission. Morgan broke free, but Natalya hit the discus lariat for a near fall.
Kay jumped off commentary and went back to ringside. Natalya went for the sharpshooter, but Morgan used an inside cradle for another near fall.
Tamina scared Kay at ringside. Kay then jumped into the ring to getaway. Morgan was distracted, and Natalya rolled her up for the win.
King Corbin defeated Rey Mysterio (w/Dominik Mysterio)
This was a fine match. The focus was more on Dominik at ringside.
Dominik joined Cole and Graves on commentary. Dominik said he hopes to win the tag team titles with his father this year. There was no mention of the Knights of the Lone Wolf.
Corbin took over after rocking Rey with a hard clothesline at ringside. Corbin got in Dominik’s face, but Dominik backed down. He doesn’t want his dad to get disqualified. Graves told Dominik that he needs to stand up for himself since he’s a WWE Superstar.
Rey fought back and took out Corbin with a seated senton. Rey jumped off the ropes, but Corbin caught him.
Rey fought back and set up for the 619, but Corbin hit Deep Six for a near fall. Corbin got in Dominik’s face again at ringside. Dominik stood up for himself, but Corbin knocked him down.
Dominik tried getting in the ring, but Rey stopped him. Corbin then knocked Rey into Dominik and hit the End of Days for the win.
In the back, Paul Heyman approached Adam Pearce in the hallway. Pearce asked if Reigns signed the contract. Heyman informed Pearce that the match is now last man standing. He told Pearce to take his time because he’s going to sign it in the ring later. Heyman considers the matter handled.
Rey tried to give Dominik guidance in the back. He praised Corbin’s accomplishments, including being a former Golden Gloves boxer. Rey then came up with an idea and knows someone that could help.
Ding Dong Hello
This was a fun segment. Bayley was good in her role as a talk show host.
The set includes a fake door, a stool for the guest, and a comfortable chair for Bayley.
She introduced her first guest Bianca Belair. Bayley made Belair ring the doorbell and enter through the fake door.
Belair took Bayley’s seat, but Bayley needs to stand anyway to get ready for the Rumble. Bayley showed footage of her defeating Belair a few weeks back.
Bayley mocked Belair for calling herself the EST. She doesn’t care about Belair’s past accomplishments. Bayley then challenged Belair to compete in an obstacle course next week. Belair laughed and accepted the challenge.
Earlier today, Daniel Bryan trained with Otis and Chad Gable. They were working on their hips for the Royal Rumble match. Kayla Braxton approached, and Bryan promised to win the Rumble. Braxton asked about losing to Nakamura last week. Bryan noted he respects Nakamura.
Cesaro interrupted and mocked Bryan. Bryan then challenged Cesaro to a match.
Cesaro defeated Daniel Bryan
Bryan and Cesaro had a great match that told a good story.
Cesaro had a brief advantage with a side headlock. Bryan fought back and targeted Cesaro’s arm. Cesaro backed Bryan in the corner and rocked him with uppercuts. Bryan regained control with a running dropkick in the corner.
Bryan continued to attack Cesaro’s arm. Cesaro slammed down Bryan to break the hold. Bryan fought back and gave Cesaro a monkey flip into the ropes. He followed up with a crossbody to ringside.
At ringside, Bryan rocked Cesaro with a series of kicks. Cesaro ducked, and Bryan kicked the ring post hard.
Back from the break, Cesaro was firmly in control as he attacked Bryan’s leg. Bryan recovered and applied the Yes Lock, but Ceaaro attacked the leg to break free.
Cesaro gave Bryan the big swing into the Sharpshooter. Cesaro transitioned into the cross face, but Bryan rolled into the Yes Lock. Cesaro made it to the ropes to break the hold.
In a cool spot, Bryan attempted a hurricanrana off the top rope, but Cesaro blocked the move. He then adjusted into a vertical suplex off the second turnbuckle for a near fall. Cesaro attempted an uppercut, but Bryan countered with a backslide.
Bryan went for the running knee, but Cesaro lifted him up and hit the uppercut. Cesaro then hit the neutralizer for the surprise win. Michael Cole put over the win as a career-defining moment.
In the back, Kayla Braxton interviewed Carmella with Reginald. Carmella mocked Sasha Banks. Suddenly, Banks jumped Carmella. She promised Carmella a match but wants a match with Reginald first.
Apollo Crews defeated Sami Zayn
Crews and Zayn had a fine match.
Michael Cole mentioned that Crews was hanging out with Roman Reigns earlier tonight. He noted that he found it odd to see them as friends. They recapped Paul Heyman giving Crews a pep talk on Talking Smack.
Zayn came to the ring with his documentary crew to uncover all the conspiracy theories.
Big E joined Cole and Graves on commentary. He was lying on a couch at ringside.
Crews jumped Zayn at the ring of the bell. Zayn fought back and sent Crews to the floor. Crews slammed Zayn’s head on the announce table and hit a standing moonsault off the announce table to regain control.
Zayn took back over after knocking Crews off the top rope. Crews caught Zayn with a German suplex. He followed up with an enziguri and a standing moonsault. Zayn got his knees up and rolled up Crews.
Zayn attempted to win using the tights, but the referee caught him. Crews recovered and rolled up Zayn holding the tights for the win.
After the match, Zayn was furious that he didn’t win.
Crews approached Big E and picked up the belt. Big E got in his face, and Crews tossed the belt back. They continued to argue back and forth.
Royal Rumble Contract Signing
This was a good segment. Reigns was great in his role all night. They told a show long story that ended with the return of Kevin Owens.
Universal Champion Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, and Jey Uso came to the ring first. Pearce walked to the ring with the contract. Pearce took a seat at the table in the ring. Reigns demanded to sit in Pearce’s chair and sat at the head of the table. Uso pulled Pearce out of the chair.
Pearce signed the contract as Heyman yelled at him. Reigns then signed the contract with a smirk on his face.
Pearce took the mic. He smiled and said he waited all night for Reigns to sign the contract. Reigns was confused as Pearce grabbed the contract and started walking to the back.
Suddenly, Pearce started to sell his knee when he made it to the ramp. Pearce noted he has an old knee injury flaring up, and he reserves the right to find a suitable replacement. The mic started cutting out, which made it tough to understand him.
Pearce noted he already found a replacement and introduced the returning Kevin Owens. Owens signed the contract. Reigns was furious as he sat in the ring.
Next Week: Intercontinental Champion Big E defends against Apollo Crews. Plus, Bianca Belair takes on Bayley in an obstacle course challenge.