WWE SmackDown live results: Roman Reigns, CM Punk, Seth Rollins appear

Roman Reigns will appear on WWE SmackDown for the first time in a long time tonight as he is set to be confronted by Seth Rollins and CM Punk.

Rollins announced the appearance on Raw, which came one week after Reigns got involved in their steel cage match on Raw a week prior to that. It’s expected that WWE will soon announce a triple threat between Reigns, Rollins, and Punk for WrestleMania 41.

Also set for tonight, Jade Cargill will return to in-ring action after a long layoff to face Liv Morgan. The match was set up last week when Morgan taunted Cargill for being attacked by Naomi in an angle that wrote Cargill off TV for months.

Braun Strowman and Jacob Fatu will continue their program when they face off one-on-one. Plus, Zelina Vega will take on Piper Niven. Vega made her intentions clear last week when she said she was coming after Chelsea Green’s Women’s United States Championship.

Tonight’s episode will air on same-day tape delay from Bologna, Italy, as it continues WWE’s European tour. Join us for coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

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– Joe Tessitore welcomed everyone into the show as footage of Bologna, Italy was shown. Jade Cargill, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Braun Strowman, CM Punk, Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu walking around previous in the day aired. Randy Orton’s music hit and Orton made his entrance. The crowd was all types of riled up.

The Randy Orton/Kevin Owens segment

A standard opening promo for WWE TV. So much so that there really isn’t much to say about it. We all kind of figured this was where the Orton/Owens story was going, and … well, here we are. I’m kind of surprised there wasn’t another week or two of sneak-attacking, but why delay the inevitable. I get a kick out of Owens doing his fake-sincere bit. He’s such a great actor when it comes to being a bad actor.

The crowd sang along to Orton’s song and then chanted “Randy!” after the song stopped. Before Orton could speak, Kevin Owens’s music hit and Owens walked into the entranceway with a microphone. Owens said he was there to tell Orton that Owens was wrong for attacking Orton and hitting him with a piledriver. Owens said Cody and Sami Zayn deserved everything he did to them, but Orton did not. Owens said his anger made him do something he regretted and Orton should be able to relate to that.

Owens said he’s only human and he proposed a truce with Orton. Owens talked about leaving things in the past and said he pulled Melo out of the ring last week to protect Orton from himself. Owens said Orton didn’t want to go back to the Randy Orton who kicks people in the head. Owens said Orton has changed and grown. Owens said they should look to the future and WrestleMania is in the future. Owens proposed Orton teaming with Owens to become tag team champions. Owens said they should have become tag champions already, but their differences got in the way.

Orton responded by saying he should roll out of the ring and beat Owens’s ass all around the arena. Orton said he had never heard Owens admit he was wrong and said Owens could shove his apology up his ass. Orton said Owens deserves to get kicked in the head hard by Orton. Orton followed that up by saying instead of it being “Fight Owens Fight,” it should be “Bitch Owens Bitch.” Orton said he’s glad Owens dropped him on his head because now he hears voices in his head and at Mania, Orton said he will kick Owens’s head clean off his shoulder. Orton’s music hit to end the segment.

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Damian Priest & Jimmy Uso defeated Drew McIntyre & Shinsuske Nakamura [7:44]

This felt oddly short. Maybe it had to do with the commercial break in the middle of it, but these are four of the show’s biggest consistent names (yes, Punk, Roman and Seth are all up later, but these four guys show up on the blue brand each week), so I expected the match to go at least 10 minutes. Alas, it was not to be, and perhaps the whole thing was better off for it. I like Drew getting the best of Priest after the match without Priest really even having a hope spot. I also liked the pre-match brawl if only because that was the only real thing that helped heat up the Priest/McIntyre program as those two march to WrestleMania. In all, though, this was a pretty nothing-happening match.

As McIntyre made his entrance, Priest left the ring and attacked McIntyre in the aisle. Nakamura followed and eventually, hit a splash on all three guys on the outside. The match officially started with Jimmy and Drew and Jimmy getting the best of Drew. Before long, McIntyre came back with a belly-to-belly suplex and the crowd seemed to really be behind Drew, who slowed things down significantly. Nakamura tagged in and tripped Jimmy, throwing him into the commentary table on the outside. Nakamura followed that up with a kick to Big Jim’s head. The show then went to a commercial break.

Back from the break, Big Jim hit a Samoan Drop on McIntyre and McIntyre tagged in Nakamura. Jimmy continued firing up and kicked Nakamura before getting the hot tag to Priest, who came in and ran Nakamura through the gauntlet. Priest hit his version of Old School on Nakamura, but then ran into a series of kicks from Nakamura. Priest clotheslined Nakamura, but McIntyre broke up a pin attempt. Things broke down and Jimmy kicked McIntyre outside the ring. Nakamura kicked Jimmy and Priest immediately landed South Of Heaven on Nakamura to get the win.

After the match, McIntyre attacked Priest and yelled at him. McIntyre ultimately hit a Claymore Kick on Priest.

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– Braun Strowman was shown backstage and LA Knight walked up and said he’d keep his eye out for Strowman in his match later. Strowman said Nick Aldis told him earlier in the day that the winner of Strowman’s match with Fatu later will face Knight for the U.S. title.

– A video recapping the Charlotte/Tiffy program developments from last week aired.

The Tiffany Stratton/Charlotte split-screen interview

WWE does not do these split-screen interviews well and it always feels like the wrestlers struggle to make any of it compelling. At best, you get some heated exchanges that kind of/sort of feel real; at worst, you get two people who feel like they are reading off a teleprompter. Charlotte did her best to shed that assumption by constantly interrupting Stratton, but all it seemed to do was shake Stratton and make Charlotte appear even more annoying than her character probably wanted to be (go-away heat, as the pros say). Two steps forward, one step back for this program. Last week’s brawl between these two was fantastic; this third-rate CNN Crossfire debate was not.

Tessitore conducted the interview and Tiffany started talking, but Charlotte interrupted her, saying the queen speaks first. Charlotte said she always brings out the best in people and that’s why last week was the first time Tiffy looked like a star. Charlotte said she felt sorry for Stratton because she’s delusional in that she thinks she’s on Charlotte’s level. Charlotte said Tiffy can’t compare herself with Charlotte. Stratton said Charlotte used to be one of Stratton’s biggest supporters, but now, Stratton sees the real Charlotte.

Charlotte mocked Stratton saying she almost shed a tear for Tiffy. Charlotte said she’s the only woman in the locker room who will tell Stratton the truth. Stratton said all Charlotte does is find the hottest thing and throw water on it. Charlotte interrupted her and Stratton repeated herself. Stratton said Charlotte is struggling to keep up with the fans that don’t want to take Charlotte back. Stratton said at Mania, she will prove the WWE Universe doesn’t bow to Charlotte anymore and instead, they run on Tiffy Time. That, thankfully, wrapped the interview.

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Braun Strowman defeated Jacob Fatu via DQ [9:15]

This probably went longer than it needed to and a finish like that didn’t do the thing any favors. I really hope this isn’t setting up a triple threat between Knight, Fatu and Strowman for the U.S. title at Mania. What’s wrong with a really good one-on-one title fight? WWE seems allergic to that approach anymore. But I digress. The long road towards the Fatu/Sikoa break up seemed to take an accelerated step here and I’m thankful for that. What are the odds those two are still on the same team by the time Mania rolls around?

Strowman backed Fatu into a corner and went for a splash, but Fatu moved and took control. Fatu ran at Strowman and Strowman shoulder-blocked Fatu to the ground. Strowman then ran into a big boot and a back body-drop from Strowman, who followed that up with a clothesline over the top. Strowman rolled Fatu back into the ring and kicked him in the head. The crowd started singing and Strowman conducted the crowd, which was kind of fun. Strowman hit a splash on Fatu and Fatu rolled to the outside. Strowman set up for the Strowman Express, but Fatu threw Strowman into the announce desk. Fatu then hit a leaping clothesline from the apron. The show then went to a commercial break.

Back from the break, Fatu had control back inside the ring, complete with a super-kick, a Samoan Drop and a Senton for a two-count. Fatu hit a hip attack and a splash in a corner. Fatu set up for another splash, but Strowman followed him and countered. The match then reset. Strowman landed a series of strikes and clotheslines. Fatu slid out of the ring and Strowman hit the Strowman Express on the outside. Strowman rolled Fatu back into the ring and landed a spinebuster.

Tama Tonga showed up and Strowman took care of him, but Solo Sikoa followed and hit a Samoan Spike on Strowman for the DQ finish. After the match, Sikoa and Tonga worked over Strowman and Fatu looked unhappy with his family. Strowman popped up for a second, but Fatu slowed him down with a back elbow. LA Knight’s music hit and Knight ran to the ring, where he briefly got the best of everyone until he lost the numbers game. Ultimately, Strowman got up and helped Knight take care of everybody. Turns out, it’ll be Knight vs. Strowman for the U.S. title next week.

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– Cathy Kelley interviewed Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez backstage. Morgan said she was mad that Cargill allowed everyone to believe Morgan and Raquel attacked her. Morgan said she was impressed with what Naomi did, but Naomi couldn’t finish the job, so Liv will finish it for her.

– Fatu was walking backstage and he trashed the place. He appeared angry that he lost the match. Sikoa said it looked like Fatu was about to lose and Sikoa said they were just trying to help. Fatu said it wasn’t any of Sikoa’s business and Fatu will now take care of his own business.

Piper Niven defeated Zelina Vega [12:53]

This absolutely did not need 13 minutes and it is this week’s Exhibit A when it comes to why these SmackDowns do not need to be three hours long. Especially if Vega wasn’t going to get the win to get her U.S. title shot, there is no reason on earth, no matter the country – Italy, America, England, Antarctica, whatever – that it should take Niven 13 minutes to beat Vega, someone we never see wrestle on TV anymore and who suffers from a pronounced size disadvantage. I’m all for women’s wrestling, and even more so for women to get more time on WWE’s main TV shows (NXT has become THE women’s wrestling show in America and it’s great), but this didn’t make sense. And it wasn’t even really a good match to boot.

Vega slapped Niven and Niven ran Vega into a corner. Niven went for an elbow drop while Vega was on the ground, but Zega moved and ran Niven into a corner. Niven came right back with a series of power moves. Vega went outside and tried to trip Niven from the outside in an awkward spot. Vegan then worked a sleeper hold. Niven shook her off and stomped on Vega. Niven went to the second rope, but Vega pulled Niven off the rope and landed a series of strikes on Niven. Vega jawed at Green and Niven took advantage of that by slamming Vega, who sold back pain as the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Niven went for a clothesline, but Vega countered into a roll-up for a quick pin attempt. Niven shook that off and ran Vega into a corner. Niven rag-dolled Vega all around the ring. Niven worked a Million Dollar Dream until Vega managed to get out of it. Niven then headbutted Vega. Niven lifted Vega, but Vega elbowed her way out of it. Niven ran into a boot from Vega, but Niven then lifted Vega, who slipped into a choke/sleeper hold. Niven backed into a corner to break it.

Vegan stretched Niven with an Octopus and then rolled Niven up for a two-count. Vega landed a back elbow and followed it up with a Meteora to the back of Niven’s head. Vega landed a double-knees from the second rope for a near-fall. Vega hit a 619 and got a good near-fall out of it. Green stood on the apron and Vega elbowed Green off the apron. Vega went for another 619 and had to kick Fyre out of the way, which allowed Niven to hit a running splash on Vega for the pinfall victory.

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– A recap of the John Cena/Cody Rhodes stuff on Raw aired.

– Jade Cargill was interviewed by Cathy Kelley backstage. Cargill said after she’s done with Liv Morgan, her eyes will be on Naomi and what she’s going to do to Morgan is only a preview of what she’ll do to Naomi.

– A spooky teaser aired. Do with that what you may.

Liv Morgan defeated Jade Cargill [10:56]

This was really pretty good and probably the best singles match Cargill has had in WWE (not that she’s had a bunch). Morgan is so good as a bratty heel and Cargill seems inspired these days. That combination made for a match that exceeded my expectations. Cargill still doesn’t seem like she wants to fully buy into being a babyface, but it’s easy to see how hard she’s trying to accept it. I don’t know, friends. She just seemed more comfortable and confident in AEW. No, I’m not your resident tribalistic pro wrestling television reviewer; I’m just someone who sees a great talent appear to have trouble adapting to her surroundings. Perhaps I’m misreading the whole thing, but even if I am, I can’t be alone in that observation? Maybe? Either way, this was good and I’m glad to see Naomi get one up on Cargill at this point because the feud felt lopsided with their first couple interactions since Cargill has been back.

The match started with Morgan running into a big boot from Cargill. Morgan rolled to the outside and Cargill followed her out there. Cargill turned her attention to Raquel and Liv tried to take advantage, but Cargill wouldn’t have it. Cargill threw Liv around and rolled her back into the ring where Liv went for her finisher early. Cargill, again, wouldn’t have it. Cargill hit a fallaway slam and Morgan rolled to the outside as Cargill posed. Morgan and Raquel started to walk towards the back, saying the match was over. Cargill chased them up the entranceway and dragged Morgan back to the ring.

Cargill ran at Morgan, but Morgan moved. It didn’t matter much because Cargill rebounded with a powerbomb for a two-count. Raquel hopped on the apron and distracted Cargill. Morgan took advantage and hit a Backstabber on Cargill. Morgan then threw Cargill into a ring post and Cargill found herself on the outside of the ring. From there, the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Morgan had control, working a choke, but Cargill backed Morgan into a corner to try and work out of it. All of this led to Morgan attempting the Three Amigos – and successfully executing it. Morgan then kicked Cargill in the head and went for her finisher, but Cargill caught Liv and just sort of threw her across the ring in a German Suplex manner. Cargill fired up and hit a spinebuster. Cargill slammed Morgan and got a two-count out of it.

Naomi showed up out of nowhere and hopped on the apron to distract Cargill. Morgan tried to take advantage of it, but Cargill hit a back-breaker. Naomi hopped back on the apron and hit Cargill in the head with a tag title as the ref was distracted by Raquel. Morgan followed up with the ObLIVion and got the win. Naomi then entered the ring and beat the hell out of Cargill. Naomi mocked Cargill’s pose and ran Cargill off the apron and onto the commentary table. Naomi taunted Cargill. Naomi kept mocking Cargill’s poses to end the whole ordeal.

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– Drew McIntyre was interviewed by Cathy Kelly as he left the building. McIntyre said he didn’t start stuff with Priest, but he “sure as well end it.” McIntyre said Priest was always there to pick Drew’s bones like a vulture every time Drew was knocked down over the last year. Drew said all he does is tell the truth and nobody can poke holes in his logic. Drew said Priest can find him in London next week. Drew kept walking and ran into Seth Rollins, who smirked, giggled and walked away.

– Footage of The Street Profits winning the tag titles last week aired.

The Street Profits segment

“You deserve it!” chants broke out as the Profits stood in the ring with microphones. Montez Ford spoke first and said for the first time in four years, the Profits were WWE tag champs. Dawkins said it was “about damn time.” Dawkins said for the past four years, a lot of doubt was creeping in. More “You deserve it!” chants broke out. Dawkins said holding the titles now made everything worth it. Ford said for the past four years, he’s known he can always count on his brother. The Profits then did their secret handshake.

Legado Del Fantasma’s music hit and Santos Escobar walked out with Los Garza. Escobar said things in a foreign language that really got the crowd pumped up. Escobar said the Profits finally captured gold and their moment on this night was beautiful. Escobar said the title reign would end abruptly. He said Los Garza were “pissed” and they were ready to take their titles. Pretty Deadly’s music then hit and Wilson and Prince walked out. Wilson reminded everyone how his team earned the ability to call themselves No. 1 contenders. Escobar said Los Garza would not step aside for Pretty Deadly.

Escobar yelled at Pretty Deadly to stay out of it. Ford chimed in and told everyone to settle down. Ford said Pretty Deadly already have a tag title shot, but Los Garza looks like they want to get in a fight tonight. As such, Ford said Los Garza can have their tag title match. Ford and Dawkins did their “We want the smoke” catchphrase, a referee ran to the ring and it appears Los Garza vs. The Street Profits will happen after the break.

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– A teaser for someone who looks an awful lot like Rey Fenix aired.

The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) defeated Los Garza (Berto & Angel) to retain the WWE Tag Team Championship [13:11 of TV time]

You know what? Los Garza are really starting to grow on me. They work hard consistently and they seem to mesh with all the teams wrapped up in this SmackDown tag division nonsense in some way or another. This was no exception. It was a good first match as tag champs – even if the notion that Pretty Deadly won their right to get the first tag title shot was essentially thrown away just because. The Profits were over as all get out and I think Ford is onto something with that little pump-arm dance (I have no idea what the technical term for that might be). In all, this was a worthy match on a show where perhaps not all the matches were particularly worthy of what they were given.

The match was joined in progress and Ford had the upper hand on Angel. Berto tagged in and gained control for his team via a couple tough chops. Angel tagged back in and the two hit a pair of double-team moves. Angel did his ripping-his-pants-off gimmick. Berto tagged in and both heels put the boots to Ford. Angel ran at Ford, but Ford moved. Berto tagged in, but it didn’t matter because Dawkins received the hot tag and cleaned house. Dawkins ran the ropes and Escobar pulled down the top rope, so Dawkins flipped over the top. Berto followed that up with a dive through the ropes. Los Garza celebrated as the show went to another commercial break.

The show returned and Angel had control over Dawkins. Berto tagged in and hit a splash on Dawkins before Angel tagged in and kicked Dawkins. Angel lifted Dawkins and tagged in Berto, who completed the Garza Special on Dawkins, but Ford broke up the pin attempt. Dawkins started to fight back and slammed Berto to slow things down. For then received the hot tag. Ford worked over Both Angel and Berto with a series of punches and clotheslines. Ford went to the top, missed a splash attempt, but came back with a spinebuster on Berto for a two-count.

Ford went back to the top, but Angel cut him off. Berto and Angel went to the top, too, and went for a double-team move off the top, but Ford landed on his feet. Berto and Angel looked Shocked. The crowd went nuts. Dawkins reinserted himself into the match and Ford hit a super-plex on Berto for a two-count. Dawkins and Angel tagged in. Dawkins slammed Angel and back-body-dropped Berto over the top, to the outside. Escobar hopped on the apron and Dawkins punched Escobar. Dawkins tagged in Ford and Ford hit a frog splash on Angel for the win.

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– A black car pulled up to the arena and Paul Heyman hopped out of it.

– Pretty Deadly ran into #DIY while walking upstairs. Next week, it’ll be Pretty Deadly vs. The Street Profits for the tag titles. Ciampa said next week they will make sure they beat the Profits to become tag champs and in return, Ciampa said, #DIY should get the first shot at Pretty Deadly’s titles. In response, Pretty Deadly said, “No boy!” Motor City Machine Guns showed up and welcomed #DIY to the back of the line and essentially challenged #DIY to a tag match.

– Next week, as previously stated, the Profits will take on Pretty Deadly in London. Braun Strowman will take on LA Knight for the U.S. title. Those were the only two matches advertised for next week. Roman Reigns made his entrance for the final segment alongside Paul Heyman.

The Roman Reigns/Seth Rollins/CM Punk segment

Eh, this does nothing for me. I’d love to say it did, but it just doesn’t. All three guys could be utilized better at WrestleMania and while they’ll try to heat this up in the coming weeks, I can’t buy into the fact that this deserves the attention it’s getting. In some ways, it’s a makeshift program, one thrown together a little late in the Mania Season game, based solely on star power and little else. As for this here tonight, the brawl was fine, but if we’re giving out 25-minute talking segments these days, I would have preferred to see these guys roast each other that way over them all hitting their big moves and periodically pointing at a dumb sign hung in the rafters. We’ll see how it unfolds. For now, I can’t say I’m fully behind this booking decision. Then again … that’s just one person’s opinion. So it goes.

Reigns made his entrance first and the crowd showered him with chants. Reigns soaked them in and there were only 11 minutes left until the top of the hour. Reigns shouted “Bologna” and told the crowd to acknowledge him. The crowd went nuts. Reigns said he loves them and that’s why he wanted to tell everyone what was on his mind. Reigns said CM Punk screwed him at the Royal Rumble and because of that, Reigns screwed Punk on Raw last week. Reigns said Rollins tried to kill Reigns at the Rumble but that was OK because last week at the Garden, Reigns tried to kill Rollins.

Reigns said he came a long way to be there and he’d be there another 15 or 20 minutes and if anyone wanted to confront him, they should let him know. Seth Rollins’s music hit and the crowd went nuts. Out came Rollins and he conducted the crowd as the crowd sang his theme. Rollins told Reigns that he messed up because he doesn’t understand how dangerous CM Punk is and Reigns should have left Rollins finish CM Punk when he had the chance. Rollins said he gets it – it’s never been about him because it’s always been about Rollins and Reigns. Rollins said he and Reigns cannot coexist in the same space at the same time.

Rollins said the story of Roman and Seth has a lot of pages already written and it’s time they write another chapter. Rollins began to take off his jacket and Punk’s music hit. Loud “CM Punk!” chants broke out. Punk made his way to the ring. Reigns looked angry as he stood in the ring. Rollins looked disgusted and turned his back to both guys. Punk winked at Heyman and stared at Rollins and Reigns. Punk picked up a microphone and stood on the top rope. The crowd was really loud.

Punk said Reigns or Rollins has never beaten him without the other one’s help because neither of them can’t. Punk reminded Reigns that in Royal Rumbles, it’s every man for himself, and Punk “saved his family’s ass at War Games.” Punk reminded Heyman that he owes Punk a favor. Punk said Heyman delivered Reigns on a silver platter and Reigns looked confused as he stared at Heyman. Punk attacked Reigns. Rollins hopped in. The three wrestlers brawled. Officials and referees ran out to try and separate everybody. Punk stood on the commentary table and was fired up. Punk pointed at Reigns and Rollins and then the WrestleMania sign. Heyman yelled, “Oh, no!” The brawl then continued. Rollins hit a suicide dive on everyone and pointed at the Mania sign. Reigns bashed everyone with the steel ring steps and pointed at the Mania sign himself. The show went off the air as the brawl continued. It was about three minutes past the top of the hour.