WWE SmackDown live results: Rey Mysterio & Logan Paul confrontation
After failing to win the WWE Women’s Championship in a triple threat at Fastlane, Charlotte Flair will battle IYO SKY for the title on tonight’s SmackDown from San Antonio, Texas.
Charlotte has yet to face SKY in a one-on-one match for the title on WWE television. The last time these two were in a ring together on TV, Charlotte teamed with Asuka to defeat SKY & Bayley on the October 6 edition of SmackDown.
Also set to appear on tonight’s show is Logan Paul. After Paul defeated Dillon Danis in a boxing match last weekend, Paul called out United States Champion Rey Mysterio. As a result, Paul said he plans to confront Mysterio tonight. We’ll see if Mysterio vs. Paul becomes official for Crown Jewel.
Mysterio’s stablemate Santos Escobar will also be in action as he takes on Montez Ford. The match was made after Ford, along with Angelo Dawkins, attacked Carlito on last week’s SmackDown.
Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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– A video recapping what happened with John Cena, LA Knight and the Bloodline last week aired to open the show.
– Kevin Patrick welcomed everyone into the show, per usual. He, along with Corey Graves, ran down what was announced for the card. Paul Heyman was standing in the ring alone and Heyman did his introductory schtick.
The Paul Heyman segment
This was one of Knight’s better promo outings in recent memory on WWE TV – and that is said while knowing entirely that the catalyst behind Knight’s quick rise in WWE has been his promo ability. He showed a bit more of an edge here, which was both welcome and mildly surprising. Heyman, as usual, was great, being the cocky heel before Knight showed up, because from there, Heyman immediately turned into the cowardly pest that he’s so good at being. I could do without another eye-rolling contract signing next week, but it ain’t like we’re running back Reigns vs. Zayn as a tune-up for Crown Jewel. So it goes.
Heyman recalled what Jimmy Uso did on Monday Night Raw. Heyman said Jimmy single-handedly cost Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes the Undisputed Tag Team Championships. Heyman then noted how the Los Angeles Times broke the story earlier in the day that Roman Reigns will face LA Knight at Crown Jewel for the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship.
Heyman said he’s just like everyone there – outside of the fact that he dresses better and makes more money than everyone else there. Heyman said what they have in common is that they are all fans of Knight. The crowd did the “Yeah!” thing after Heyman said “LA Knight,” and Heyman threw a fit, telling the crowd not to do that when he talks. Heyman said Crown Jewel will be the last time everyone will see Knight inside a ring. Heyman said Knight will get smashed at Crown Jewel by Reigns. On cue, Knight’s musit hit and the crowd went wild.
Knight said all Heyman has been doing is making “a whole lot of damn noise.” Knight said Heyman can take a walk because he needed Reigns’s ass out there. Heyman tried to leave the ring, but Knight stopped him. Knight called Heyman out for his threats. Knight asked Heyman what Reigns was going to do to him, but when Heyman tried to talk, Knight told Heymann to shut up. Heyman tried to leave the ring again. Knight stopped him and said if Heyman tried to leave, Knight would hit him so hard, his hair would turn back to gray, which was funny.
Knight asked Heyman if Heyman said the spear last week was a warning shot. Knight asked Heyman if he thought that was the right move. Knight said he doesn’t do warning shots. Knight said if anyone takes a shot at Knight, they better put Knight down for good. Knight said he can’t stop, won’t stop and he will not stop until he puts Reigns down in the ring and owns the Undisputed Universal Championship. Knight said Reigns should be scared. Knight said for as fast as he’s risen in WWE, it’ll be just as fast that he takes the title off Reigns.
Knight said next week, a contract signing will take place between Reigns and Knight. Knight told Heyman that he better make sure when he talks to Reigns, he better tell Reigns whose game it is (LA Knight’s, of course). Knight slammed the microphone into Heyman’s chest and walked out of the ring to end the segment.
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The Street Profits were shown backstage talking to Bobby Lashley. Santos Escobar then made his entrance for the next match.
Montez Ford defeated Santos Escobar [9:01]
A fine-enough match with a dumb finish. I can’t be the only one who feels like this iteration of the LWO has run its course and the Street Profits as heels simply isn’t the best use of the Profits … right? Ford did his best to work a heel style – and he was even given the bulk of the offense here – but both acts seem lukewarm at best. It feels like everyone involved on both sides needs a reboot. It’d be easy to think that comes for Escobar when he inevitably turns on Mysterio, but they just kicked off this Street Profits/Bobby Lashley thing, so the end could very much not be near. Blah.
The two locked up to begin the match. Ford had control early behind some kicks and aggressive elbows. Ford landed a nice-looking dropkick and taunted the crowd. Ford hit a high standing frog splash for a two-count. Escobar got back to his feet and worked his way back, but Ford kicked Escobar in the head as Escobar was perched on the top rope. That sent Escobar to the outside and it sent the broadcast to a commercial break.
Back from that commercial break, Ford had control. Lashley was shown watching the match backstage. Ford went for some type of springboard move from the second rope turnbuckle and it kind of/sort of looked like a modified bulldog. Either way, it kept Ford on the offensive. Escobar ultimately fired up and a super-kick forced Ford to the outside. Escobar landed a dive and rolled Ford back into the ring. Escobar went to the top and hit a cross-body for a two-count.
Escobar hit a double-knees and set up a Phantom Driver, but Ford got out of it and went to the top himself, but Escobar cut him off and landed a top-rope Frankensteiner. Dawkins pulled Ford to the outside and Escobar went for a splash and kind of half hit it? Either way, with the ref’s back turned, Dawkins ran Escobar into a ring post. The factions fought outside, complete with Escobar getting his revenge on Dawkins. As a result, Escobar rolled back into the ring and Ford rolled Escobar up for the win. A brawl broke out after the match, but Carlito ran to the ring with a chair to break things up.
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– Damage CTRL were shown backstage hyping up IYO SKY.
– The LWO were shown talking backstage and they were interrupted by Rey Mysterio and Zelina Vega. Mysterio said he was going to go take care of business. Vega asked Rey if he wanted the rest of them to have his back, but Mysterio said “thanks, but no thanks,” and he’d rather go it alone on this night.
– Highlights of last week’s Pretty Deadly’s match aired. A vignette was shown and it featured Pretty Deadly getting the spa treatment. Wouldn’t you know it – the Brawling Brutes showed up and attacked Pretty Deadly during their spa. Ridge Holland finished it by telling Butch that they should go grab a pint.
– Backstage, Jimmy Uso, Heyman and Solo Sikoa were sitting together backstage. Jimmy said he was the starting quarterback at Raw, even though Reigns called the play. Uso celebrated and the camera cut to John Cena showing up and walking backstage.
The John Cena segment
And here, I thought we were going to get an actual John Cena match. Oh, well. Maybe that was for the best. I suppose this sets up Cena going away again, him introducing the “retirement” word into the discourse. All of that makes sense, of course, and when you look at this in a vacuum, I’m not sure you could have made better use out of Cena at this point. He has the social currency to lift people up (Knight, etc.), and it’s not like any of us should expect him to put on a six-star, 45-minute classic (to be fair, here, now, and probably ever). Here’s hoping he gets one more win. The 2,002 days stat was a wow-moment for me. You can’t say the guy isn’t selfless.
Cena said that San Antonio was sold out and it was fired up, so at least he can read a room. Cena said followed that by saying he was fired up. “Thank you, Cena!” chants broke out. Cena thanked the crowd. Cena said it was a rough day because he got hit with some harsh truths. Cena said he felt he should be honest with everyone. Cena brought up Roman Reigns’s streak as champion. Cena said today, he found out he has a streak of his own: 2,002 days since he last won a televised singles match. Cena said his last win was in 2018. Wow, I add parenthetically without typing parenthesis.
Cena said he’s been talking about retirement. Cena said it was time to face facts. Cena reiterated that it’s been a long time since he’s had a win. The crowd chanted “You still got it!” Cena said “Damn it, I believe in me, I believe in you and I believe in us!” Cena said he believes “in the beauty that is all this madness.” Cena said he could still go and the time is now to turn the match around. Cena said it’s going to be a bad night for “the next idiot to walk through that curtain.” Cena said whoever it is, they will get smoked. Naturally, Solo Sikoa’s music hit.
Sikoa got on the apron and fought Cena. Jimmy Uso ran down and attacked Cena, but Jey Uso showed up and took out Jimmy. Security got in the way and broke the brothers up. Back in the ring, Sikoa went for the Samoan Spike, but Cena countered with an Attitude Adjustment. Cena posed to end the segment.
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– An Alba Fyre/Isla Dawn video aired, so it’s nice to know SmackDown isn’t completely done with them, despite their absence.
– Kevin Patrick threw it to a video package of the tag team title match on Raw.
– Backstage, Nick Aldis gave Jey Uso a $10,000 fine and told security to escort Jey from the building. Adam Pearce was with them and Aldis had Pearce escorted from the building, too. Pearce was like, “Really!?” Aldis said yes and Pearce said, “Let the games begin.” To Survivor Series, we apparently go. Logan Paul then made his entrance.
The Logan Paul/Rey Mysterio segment
A few things to take away from all of this: One, why is Logan Paul so obsessed with the United States Championship, seemingly out of nowhere? Two, is Paul supposed to the heel? Probably, right? If so, why didn’t he attack Rey? Three, I understand why you’d put Logan Paul at the top of the hour because of his social media clout, but if you’re going to do that, wouldn’t you want more pomp and circumstance? So much of this felt ordinary, and I wasn’t expecting that. The match was all but already made, so it’s not like that announcement was shocking. Do I think they’ll have a good match? Sure. Did that help this segment? No.
Paul said that six days ago, he was in England, “beating the living daylights out of a scumbag.” Paul said he won his fight. Paul said it was a pathetic excuse for a fight. Paul said he should have known if he wanted real competition, he could have just had another WWE match. Paul then brought up people who “hide behind masks.” Paul said he already beat Rey Mysterio in his first-ever WWE wrestling match. Paul said the last time he wrestled Mysterio, LA Knight didn’t have a job, Roman Reigns still wrestled and Dominik was still Rey’s son. Paul said he knows who he is, and he’s a “WWE superstar, baby.”
Paul said Mysterio has something Paul needs. Paul said he needs the United States Championship. Paul said even though he beat up a deadbeat dad last weekend, at Crown Jewel, “he’s going to have to beat up another.” Mysterio’s music then hit. As Mysterio made his way to the ring, Michael Cole on commentary noted that Paul actually beat Mysterio in a tag match and not one-on-one. Mysterio said Paul reminds him of his son Dominick: A lot of natural ability, dripping with passion, incredible career ahead of him … and a big mouth.
Mytsterio said he thinks Paul needs humbling. Mysterio said he was reluctant with Dominik, but with Paul, he’s not going to hesitate to “whoop his ass.” Mysterio asked Paul if he wants the U.S. title. Paul said, “Si.” Mysterio said he would give Paul the opportunity at Crown Jewel. Paul extended his hand for a handshake and it looked like Rey would comply. Despite conventional wisdom, the two simply shook hands and Paul left the ring.
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Grayson Waller & Austin Theory defeated Dragon Lee & Cameron Grimes [6:03]
A six-minute match with two of those minutes coming during a commercial break. Maybe it’s easy to get bored with WWE programming, but I actually kind of like the Grimes/Lee duo, if only because it’s fresh. That said, this felt like a glorified squash for the Theory/Waller team, which was disappointing in its own right. Until Grimes got involved last week, I forgot he was still with the company. And I’d love it if that was an exaggeration, but it’s not. My fear now is that Lee got the call-up just to job out to any and everybody, but time will tell. For now, this wasn’t a move in a good direction. By the way, at the end of this match, it was about 9:30 EST, which meant that in the first hour-and-a-half of the show, we got about 15 minutes of wrestling. Do with that what you will.
Theory and Lee started the match, but Waller tagged in quickly. Waller was subject to a series of double-team moves from Grimes and Lee after Grimes tagged in. That included a wild Russian Leg Sweep combo that looked like it hurt. The action spilled outside and Grimes with Lee took control. The babyfaces returned to the ring and the show went to a commercial break. When the show returned, Waller was working over Lee inside the ring. Theory tagged in, but Lee landed a DDT on the heels and got the hot tag to Grimes.
Grimes hit a cross-body on Waller and fought off both Theory and Waller. Grimes got in a German Suplex on Theory for a two-count. Waller went to the outside and Lee hit a splash. Inside the ring, Grimes covered Theory for a two-count. Grimes lifted Theory, but Theory raked the eyes to break it up. Waller ran into the ring as Grimes rolled up Theory and Waller hit his finisher on Grimes. Theory then pinned Grimes for the win.
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The Kevin Owens interview
Cathy Kelley sat down with Owens and Kelley asked Owens what it felt like to be separated from Sami Zayn. Owens said it doesn’t feel great. Owens noted how they did a lot together and to be separated in the way they were separated, it hurt. Owens said he’s happy to be on SmackDown because it’s a clean slate and Owens said it’s bittersweet. Owens mentioned he has a lot of history with the Bloodline. Owens said he expects to cross paths with the Bloodline. Owens said he wants to have a singles match with Rey Mysterio and Sheamus. Owens said there are a lot of new faces to punch.
Owens asked Kelley if there was anybody she wanted him to punch. Kelley said she couldn’t answer that. Owens said that all he wants people to know is that this is the Kevin Owens Show. That’s how everything ended.
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IYO SKY defeated Charlotte Flair [16:04]
And the expected return of Bianca Belair happens. That said, I was at least a tiny bit surprised that IYO got the pinfall, no matter how she got it. This was a good match and very much main-event worthy, especially on a show like this, which didn’t feature much wrestling. These women wrestled – and wrestled well, to boot. I’ll tell you, when Charlotte wants to work, man, she can work. Call me a simpleton, but give these two 10 more minutes and no nonsense and let’s watch them work. Because under the right circumstances, that could be special. I digress. This was good, but we all knew it was little more than a conduit for bringing Belair back, which is fine, too. As for what’s next, only time will tell.
Charlotte took SKY down to start the match and SKY rolled to the outside. From there, the show instantly went to commercial. When the show returned, Charlotte was working the hell out of SKY. Charlotte’s momentum stopped when Bayley grabbed her leg. As a result, SKY landed a dive between the ropes onto Charlotte, who was on the outside, SKY then hit a missile dropkick for a one-count. SKY then worked a chin-lock.
Charlotte fought back and hit SKY with a kick to the head. Charlotte leapt at SKY and SKY moved. Ultimately, SKY flipped Charlottewith her legs over the top to the outside. SKY jumped at Charlotte, but Charlotte caught SKY and slammed SKY into the apron. From there, we got our (most likely) final commercial break of the night. Back from that break, the two were fighting on the top rope and it resulted in a tough sit-out powerbomb from SKY, who got a two-count out of it.
SKY landed a double-knees and then worked a cross-face, but Charlotte got up immediately and landed a lose German Suplex to slow things down. After the two got back on their feet, Charlotte hit a bunch of chops, the final of which took SKY down. Charlotte then landed a fallaway slam. Charlotte put SKY on her back and went to the second rope. From there, Charlotte hit another fallaway slam for a good near-fall. SKY was on the apron and went for a springboard dropkick, but Charlotte caught her and worked a Boston Crab. SKY rolled through for a two-count.
With the two of them on their feet, Charlotte went for a knee, but SKY moved and dropkicked Charlotte into the second turnbuckle. SKY went to the top and tried a moonsault, but Charlotte got her knees up for a nasty spot. Charlotte then landed a spear, but Bayley put SKY’s foot on the rope to ensure Charlotte wouldn’t get the pin. Charlotte attacked Bayley and threw Bayley over the announce table. Back in the ring, Charlotte went for another spear, but SKY had the title in her hand and Charlotte ran into that. As a result, SKY pinned Charlotte for the win.
After the match, Damage CTRL attacked Charlotte, but Bianca Belair made her return to get rid of Damage CTRL. The show ended with Charlotte and Belair standing tall.
