WWE SmackDown live results: Roman Reigns-Brock Lesnar contract signing
The road to WrestleMania continues on tonight’s SmackDown from the GIANT Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Universal Champion Roman Reigns vs. WWE Champion Brock Lesnar in a winner-take-all championship unification match is set for WrestleMania 38. Reigns and Lesnar meet tonight for the official contract signing.
Lesnar won the WWE Championship in an Elimination Chamber match in Saudi Arabia last Saturday, while Reigns defeated Goldberg to retain his Universal Championship. Lesnar appeared on Monday’s Raw, but Paul Heyman interrupted. Heyman claimed Lesnar might not be champion by WrestleMania because he has a title defense at WWE’s Madison Square Garden house show on Saturday, March 5.
Drew McIntyre goes one-on-one with Happy Corbin tonight. It was originally supposed to be an Elimination Chamber rematch between McIntyre and Madcap Moss, but WWE announced that McIntyre will be facing Corbin instead.
New Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn celebrates winning the title tonight. Zayn defeated Shinsuke Nakamura last week to become the new champion.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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They recapped the Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns feud. It included Lesnar winning the WWE title at Day 1, losing it to Bobby Lashley, winning the Royal Rumble, and winning the WWE title in the Elimination Chamber.
They called Reigns vs. Lesnar the biggest WrestleMania match of all time. They repeated the phrase “biggest WrestleMania match of all time” throughout the show anytime they discussed the main event.
Pat McAfee discussed Lesnar vs. Reigns. He noted the match is now a unification match and twice called it the biggest WrestleMania match of all time. For those wondering, Reigns vs. Lesnar is the biggest WrestleMania match of all time.
Ronda Rousey Segment
This was a good opening segment.
Michael Cole was already in the ring and introduced Ronda Rousey. She got a huge reaction from the fans. They broke into a loud “Ronda” chant. Cole wondered why she returned at the Royal Rumble.
She pointed out that she broke her hand in her last WrestleMania match. Rousey added she took time off and broke her other hand. During her time off, Rousey then gave birth. She mentioned that her mother returned after giving birth and wanted to do the same for her daughter
Cole ran down Rousey’s accomplishments, including being the first woman to main event in the UFC, the first woman inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, and one of the first women to headline WrestleMania. Rousey’s focused on beating Charlotte Flair for the SmackDown Women’s Championship.
Cole noted Rousey was in the ring with Flair last Saturday. He mentioned she had no problems dealing with Sonya Deville, but Flair was a different story. They showed highlights of Flair beating down Rousey at Elimination Chamber. Cole pushed that Rousey had one arm tied behind her back.
Charlotte Flair interrupted and made her way down the aisle. Flair promised to beat Rousey and force her to tap out at WrestleMania. She added that the good news is Rousey gets to work on baby number two.
Suddenly, Deville jumped Rousey from behind with a chop block. Flair grabbed Rousey’s leg and slammed it against the ring post. Deville yelled at Rousey that she’s a failure. Rousey recovered quickly and threw Deville out of the ring.
In the back, The New Day were driving around on an ATV.
Back from the break, Adam Pearce and Deville watched the previous segment on the monitor. Pearce wondered where Deville’s jacket went after throwing it down in the ring. Pearce informed her that next week Deville goes one-on-one with Rousey.
New Day defeated Los Lotharios (10:30)
New Day and Los Lotharios had another good match.
New Day entered on their ATV, which is an early birthday present to Big E from Kofi Kingston.
Los Lotharios did the Kiss Cam before the match.
Big E beat down Humberto with forearms shots to the back. Kingston leaped over Big E, and landed on Humberto for a near fall. Kingston then ended up on the apron, but Angel caused a distraction. Humberto took advantage and knocked Kingston off the apron.
Los Lotharios then knocked Big E off the apron and sent Kingston into the side of the ring.
Back from the break, the heels were firmly in control. Humberto slowed the pace down with a chin lock. Kingston fought back and hit a double foot stomp on Angel.
Big E got the hot tag and caught Humberto with a belly-to-belly suplex. He followed up with a splash and set up for the Big Ending. Humberto escaped and rocked Big E with a superkick.
Kingston went for the SOS, but Angel sent him to the floor. He followed up with a suicide dive. Angel approched the ATV, but Kingston cut him off. Big E then gave Humberto a belly-to-belly suplex on the floor.
Kingston went for a springboard clothesline, but Angel hit a superkick. Big E then teased hitting Humberto with the ATV, which distracted Angel. Kingston took advantage and attacked Angel. New Day then hit the Midnight Hour for the win.
In the back, Sheamus and Ridge Holland spoke to New Day on their ATV. Sheamus challenged them to a match, but New Day laughed and drove off.
In the back, Sam Roberts interviewed The Usos. They noted they’d be part of the contract signing for Reigns vs. Lesnar later. The Usos mentioned that Lesnar vs. Reigns is the biggest WrestleMania match of all time.
The Usos mocked The Viking Raiders. Suddenly, The Viking Raiders ran in and attacked The Usos. They demanded a title shot.
They recapped Natalya defeating Aliyah a few weeks ago and Xia Li making the save.
In the back, Megan Morant interviewed Xia Li. Li promised to defeat Natalya in her SmackDown debut.
Xia Li defeated Natalya (3:59)
Li and Natalya had a fine match, but the fans were dead for most of it.
They showed Shayna Baszler, Aliyah, Drew Gulak, and Mansoor watching the match on the monitor.
Natalya threw Li in the corner, but she landed on the second turnbuckle. Li avoided Natayla and caught her with a dropkick. Natalya recovered and slowed the place down with an abdominal stretch.
Li worked over Natalya’s leg and threw her across the ring with a suplex for a near fall. Natalya fought back and went for the sharpshooter, but Li escaped. Li then hit a spinning heel kick for the win.
They recapped Sami Zayn winning the Intercontinental title last week.
Sami Zayn Celebrates Winning The Intercontinental Title
This was a good segment featuring an appearance by Johnny Knoxville. Zayn and Knoxville were good in their roles.
They set the ring up with a red carpet and blue & white balloons. Zayn pointed out the carpet and balloons don’t match. He bragged about winning the title and overcoming the conspiracy against him. He confirmed the conspiracy is real, but he’ll overcome it. He demanded the fans show him respect.
Zayn promised to give Nakamura a rematch, but he shattered his leg. He laughed. Zayn noted he’s willing to take on all and any challengers. Suddenly, Johnny Knoxville’s music hit, and he made his way to the ring. The fans popped and broke into a loud “Johnny” chant.
Knoxville noted that Zayn crashed the Jackass: Forever premiere, so he’s crashing Zayn’s celebration. Zayn respectfully demanded that Knoxville get out of the ring. Knoxville noted Zayn said he’s willing to take on all challengers. He then challenged Zayn to a match.
Zayn rejected the challenge and told Knoxville he doesn’t belong in the WWE. Knoxville mocked Zayn and said he’s got no balls. The fans broke into a “no balls” chant. The fans then broke into another “Johnny” chant. Zayn pretended to leave the ring but jumped Knoxville instead.
Zayn beat down Knoxville and hit the helluva kick twice. The fans erupted in boos as Zayn posed to end the segment.
In the back, Zayn apologized to Adam Pearce for attacking Knoxville but said it wasn’t his fault. Ricochet approached and challenged Zayn to a match. Zayn turned him down, but Pearce liked the idea and made the match official for next week.
Sasha Banks defeated Shotzi (2:13)
This was a fine match.
Naomi joined McAfee and Cole on commentary. She had a tough time putting on the headset because of her incredible hairdo.
Banks had the early advantage, but Shotzi quickly took over. She slowed the pace down, but Banks fought back. She hit the Meteora off the second turnbuckle to regain control.
Shotzi was on her knees and lifted Banks in the air. As Banks came down, she hit a codebreaker. She followed up with the Bank Statement for the win.
After the match, Naomi jumped in the ring and posed next to Banks. Naomi declared that the fans are looking at the next WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. Banks and Naomi then celebrated to end the segment.
In the back, Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss discussed Drew McIntryre vs. Moss from Elimination Chamber. They showed Moss landing on his head in a scary-looking spot. Corbin decided to call an audible and take Moss’s place.
Drew McIntyre defeated Madcap Moss (w/Happy Corbin) (7:19)
McIntyre and Moss had a good match.
The ring announcer introduced Corbin as the undefeated Happy Corbin. Before the match, Corbin asked McIntyre if he’s certain he wanted to lose in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Corbin praised Moss and told him to get on the apron.
Corbin then told Moss to take the match instead. Moss reluctantly agreed, but the heels jumped McIntyre first.
McIntyre recovered and backed Moss into the corner. McIntyre went for the reverse Alabama Slam, but Moss grabbed the ropes.
Back from the break, Moss was firmly in control after sending McIntyre into the barricade. McIntrye fought back and traded rights with Moss in the middle of the ring. McIntyre rocked Moss with a clothesline and followed up with a belly-to-belly suplex.
McIntyre set up for the Claymore Kick, but Corbin caused a distraction. Moss took advantage and poked McIntyre in the eye. He sent McIntyre into the ring post and hit a DDT for a near fall. Moss became frustrated and hit the ropes, but McIntyre hit the Claymore out of nowhere for the win.
Universal Champion Roman Reigns vs. WWE Champion Brock Lesnar Contract Signing
This was an excellent closing segment. The fans were into it from start to finish and gave everyone a big reaction. Lesnar, Heyman, and Reigns each did an awesome promo in the segment as well.
Universal Champion Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, and The Usos made their way to the ring for the contract signing.
Adam Pearce was already in the ring with security for the singing. Reigns demanded that Hershey acknowledge him. The fans gave him a mixed response. Heyman called Reigns vs. Lesnar the biggest match in WrestleMania history.
Heyman said it’s bigger than Hulk Hogan vs. Andre The Giant, Steve Austin vs. The Rock, and the night he ended the Undertaker’s streak. Heyman even gave credit to Lesnar for helping end Undertaker’s streak.
Heyman noted that security is in the ring to protect Lesnar from Reigns. Heyman added that’s what’s called a cliffhanger and they immediately cut to a commercial. That has to be one of the best cut to commercial moments of all time.
Back from the break, McAfee announced that Vince McMahon is his next guest on the Pat McAfee Show. McMahon’s going to be in-studio for the interview. The fans popped for this announcement.
WWE Champion Brock Lesnar made his way to the ring. The fans broke into a loud “Suplex City” chant. Lesnar said the only thing keeping him from kicking Reigns’ ass and Heyman’s ass is Lesnar. Lesnar demanded Reigns sign the contract so that he could kick their ass at WrestleMania.
Heyman noted Lesnar wouldn’t be champion by WrestleMania because he’ll lose the title at the MSG house show on March 5th.
Reigns took the mic and jumped to his feet. He noted that SmackDown is his show. He said that everyone works for him. He looked into the camera and said the cameraman works for him.
Reigns jumped out of the ring and said McAfee and Cole work for him as well. The WrestleMania sign belongs to him. He added that security works for him too.
Security surrounded Lesnar in the ring. Lesnar fought back and gave them a vicious beat down. Reigns took the chance to run up the ramp.
Lesnar continued his beat down in the ring. He destroyed the table and used it to on security. Lesnar then gave a F-5 to a guard. Lesnar had a stare-down with Reigns to end SmackDown.
Next week: Ronda Rousey goes one-on-one with Sonya Deville. Also, Intercontinental Champoin Sami Zayn defends against Ricochet. Plus, SmckDown Tag Team Champions The Usos defend against The Viking Raiders.