WWE SmackDown live results: Roman Reigns vs. Finn Balor
Tonight’s SmackDown takes place from the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends his title against Finn Balor in tonight’s main event. Balor confronted Reigns at the end of last week’s episode during Reigns and The Usos’ championship celebration. Balor demanded his title shot for tonight after John Cena stole his SummerSlam match. The heels beat down Balor until The Street Profits made the save.
The Usos will face off with The Street Profits on tonight’s show. The Usos’ SmackDown Tag Team titles won’t be on the line, but WWE is hyping that a win would put The Street Profits in title contention.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch returned to SmackDown last week. Bianca Belair confronted her and demanded a rematch that night, but Lynch refused. Instead, Belair defeated Liv Morgan, Carmella, and Zelina Vega in a four-way elimination match to receive a future title shot.
Seth Rollins vs. Cesaro has also been announced for tonight’s show. Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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They recapped Finn Balor returning last week and challenging Roman Reigns to a title match tonight.
Michael Cole and Corey Graves are the commentators. Cole noted Pat McAfee’s doing better and returns next week at Madison Square Garden.
The Usos And Street Profits Segment
This was a fine opening segment. They didn’t get much time to talk, but the fans were into the short segment.
SmackDown tag team champions The Usos made their way to the ring. Jimmy wondered why The Street Profits got involved in their family business last week. Jey noted they disrespected the family and the head of the table.
The Street Profits interrupted to a big reaction. They mocked The Usos and noted they embarrassed them in front of the head of the table. Angelo Dawkins wondered if The Usos got a permission slip from Reigns.
They showed Reigns watching in the back, and the fans erupted in boos.
Championship Contender match: The Street Profits defeated SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos via DQ (7:55)
The Usos and Street Profits were having a good match until the weak DQ finish. The fans booed the finish.
Jimmy had the early advantage, but Dawkins hit a dropkick and twisting splash in the corner. Ford followed up with a standing dropkick and sent the heels to the floor. Ford went from a cross body off the apron, but The Usos caught him and slammed Ford into the barricade.
Back from the break, The Usos were firmly in control until Ford hit an enziguri on Jey. Ford went for the tag, but Jimmy knocked Dawkins off the apron. Jimmy then missed a charge and went shoulder-first into the ring post.
Dawkins and Jey got the double tag. Dawkins was briefly in control, but Jey took over. The Usos climbed to the top rope, but Dawkins fought them off. Ford got the tag, and Dawkins hit the spinebuster on Jey. Ford then hit the frog splash, but Jimmy broke up the pin. Jimmy then threw Ford into the ring post twice. Suddenly, the referee called for disqualification. Cole claimed the referee lost control of the match.
After the match, The Usos jumped Dawkins at ringside and beat him down. Ford then hit a scary-looking dive onto The Usos and wiped them out. Ford seemed to almost land on his head but got back to his feet.
Dawkins and Ford jumped onto the announce table and celebrated.
In the back, Roman Reigns told Paul Heyman to bring him his cousins. Heyman left the locker room and ran into Kayla Braxton. Braxton started asking him questions when his phone started ringing. The ring tone was Brock Lesnar’s entrance music. Heyman ignored the first call, but Braxton pointed out his phone was ringing again.
Heyman finally answered the phone and promised to deliver a message. Heyman then ran into Big E dressed as a janitor. He was holding his Money in the Bank Briefcase as he laughed at Heyman.
They announced matches for Raw on Monday, including Charlotte Flair defending against Nia Jax and a tag team turmoil match.
Becky Lynch And Bianca Belair Segment
Lynch and Belair were good in the segment. Lynch was more of a heel but the fans cheered for both of them at various points.
Becky Lynch made her way to the ring. They recapped Bianca Belair winning the four-way elimination match last week to earn the next title shot.
Lynch got a huge reaction, and the fans broke into a loud “Becky” chant. Lynch noted she returned last week but didn’t get any you deserve it chants. The fans broke into a brief “You deserve it” chant, which made her happy.
Lynch noted the entire locker room interrupted her last week, but she didn’t get a chance to address Belair. The fans gave Belair a mixed reaction. Lynch noted the higher-ups called her when Sasha Banks went down, and she saved Belair’s SummerSlam match. She claimed that Belair doesn’t get to complain about Lynch beating her so fast. The fans cheered.
Belair’s music hit, and she made her way to the ring to a good reaction. On commentary, Cole pointed out that Belair’s hasn’t complained about losing the title quickly. The fans broke into a loud “EST” chant. Belair noted she still thinks about losing the title in 26 seconds. She admits it was embarrassing, and she’s still hurt. Belair’s not making excuses and noted she wouldn’t tear down another person to build herself up.
Belair promised to win the title back, and she’ll be the greatest. Belair pointed out Lynch wouldn’t give her a rematch, so she went out and earned a title shot. She noted that Roman Reigns is defending his title tonight, so she challenged Lynch to a match tonight too.
The fans broke into a loud “EST” chant. Lynch thought about it for a minute but turned down Belair’s challenge. The fans booed as Lynch walked off.
In the back, Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode were walking to the ring. Ziggler saw Toni Storm randomly standing by a table. Ziggler welcomed Storm to SmackDown and wondered if she’s going to watch his match. Storm admitted she plans on watching, but she’s rooting for Rick Boogs.
Rick Boogs (w/King Nakamura) defeated Dolph Ziggler (w/Robert Roode) (1:30)
This wasn’t much of a match since they kept it so short. They didn’t get time to build a match and only did few moves.
Ziggler tried taking Boogs to the ground, but he fought back. Boogs took over after giving Ziggler an impressive press slam. Boogs went from the pump handle slam, but Ziggler slipped out and hit a DDT.
Ziggler went for a superkick, but Boogs caught the leg and hit the pump handle slam for the win.
In the back, Sonya Deville and Adam Pearce approached Becky Lynch. Deville announced that Lynch defends against Bianca Belair at Extreme Rules. Pearce then informed Lynch that their contract signing is next week in Madison Square Garden.
Cesaro defeated Seth Rollins via DQ (9:35)
Cesaro and Rollins were having a good match until the weak finish. The fans hated the finish and erupted in boos until Edge made the save.
Before the match, Kayla Braxton interviewed Seth Rollins backstage. Rollins claimed tonight is a new beginning, and he’s moving on from Edge. He watched his SummerSlam match several times and learned from Edge. He’s going to use everything he learned and promises to beat his old nemesis, Cesaro.
Cesaro caught Rollins in mid-air and hit a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for the early advantage. Cesaro followed up with an uppercut at ringside. Rollins recovered and caught Cesaro with a dropkick. Cesaro fought back and hit a dropkick as well.
Cesaro went for the giant swing, but Rollins grabbed the ropes. Rollins then hit Edge’s impaler DDT for a near fall.
Back from the break, Cesaro rocked Rollins with right hands, but Rollins dropped him on the middle turnbuckle. Rollins climbed to the top rope, but Cesaro cut him off and went for a superplex. Rollins slipped out and hit a buckle bomb for a close near fall.
Cesaro rocked Rollins with an uppercut. Rollins fired back and hit the Edge-O-Matic for a two-count. Cesaro recovered and rocked Rollins with another uppercut in the corner. Cesaro went for the giant swing, but Rollins rolled him up for a near fall.
Rollins went for a sling blade, but Cesaro caught Rollins in the giant swing. Cesaro transitioned into the sharpshooter, but Rollins made it to the ropes. Rollins rolled to the floor. Cesaro went for an uppercut on the floor, but Rollins blocked it with a chair for the disqualification.
After the match, Rollins attacked Cesaro with the chair and broke a piece of it off. Rollins locked Cesaro in a cross face with the chair leg. He released the hold and then hit the stomp.
Rollins grabbed another chair and set up for the conchairto. Edge’s music hit, and he ran out for the save. Edge got a massive reaction, and the fans broke into a loud “Edge” chant. Rollins escaped through the crowd.
In the back, Roman Reigns and The Usos went over their game plan. Paul Heyman approached and informed Reigns they have a problem. Reigns isn’t worried about Finn Balor. Heyman said they have a Brock Lesnar problem. He told Reigns that Lesnar called him and is going to be in New York next week. Heyman mentioned that Lesnar’s watching FOX in Saskatchewan.
Reigns wondered how Heyman would know Lesnar’s in Saskatchewan. Heyman said he doesn’t, and he could be in Minnesota. Reigns wondered if Lesnar’s here at the arena tonight.
Happy Corbin arrived at the arena and mistook Mckenzie Mitchell for the valet.
Back from the break, Kayla Braxton approached Edge. Edge knows the game Seth Rollins is playing, but it’s got to stop. Edge then challenged Rollins to a match next week in Madison Square Garden.
The KO Show
This was a fun segment. Logan Paul made a surprise appearance and was a total heel.
Kevin Owens wasted no time and introduced his guest Happy Corbin. Corbin thanked Owens for his recent string of good luck. Corbin announced he has a special guest and introduced Logan Paul to thunderous boos.
Paul thanked Owens for having him as a guest. Corbin claimed they have a lot in common. Paul agreed and noted they hung out after his brother Jake Paul beat Tyron Woodley. The fans erupted in boos again.
Owens mocked Paul and Corbin. Paul then offered Owens money and made fun of his appearance. Owens didn’t want his money and told Paul to leave and never come back.
Paul got in Owens’s face and shoved him. Owens pushed back, and they squared off. Owens charged at Paul, but Corbin hit him with the microphone. Paul laughed as Corbin gave Owens a chokeslam.
They showed Carmella backstage and introduced her as the most beautiful woman in the WWE. She was posing in the back as Liv Morgan watched in the background.
Sami Zayn defeated Dominik Mysterio (2:01)
Zayn and Dominik had a fun match while it lasted.
Zayn was firmly in control, but Mysterio made a brief comeback. Zayn took back over, but Dominik caught him with a boot to the face. Zayn rolled out of the ring and walked to the back.
Rey Mysterio came out and chased Zayn to ringside. The referee leaned out between the ropes and tried to get Zayn back in the ring. Dominik then hit a dive jumping over the referee onto Zayn.
Dominik threw Zayn back in the ring, but Zayn hit the helluva kick for the win.
Naomi approached Sonya Deville backstage. Naomi wants a match, but Deville told her to ask next week.
In the back, Finn Balor discussed being the first-ever Universal Champion and promised to win the title back tonight.
Universal Champion Roman Reigns (w/Paul Heyman) defeated Finn Balor to retain the title (11:40)
Reigns and Balor worked hard and had a good match.
As Finn Balor made his entrance, Michael Cole wondered if Brock Lesnar’s in the arena tonight. Suddenly, The Usos jumped Balor and beat him down. They hit Balor with the stairs in the ribs. Jimmy went for the splash off the top, but The Street Profits ran out for the save.
The Street Profits chased The Usos through the crowd to the back. Cole and Graves doubt Balor’s physically able to compete after the attack. Reigns then made his entrance.
Back from the break, Reigns posed in the ring as the referees checked on Balor. They decided Balor’s good to compete and did the special ring introductions. The fans booed Reigns during the introduction.
Reigns backed Balor in the corner and threw him across the ring. He rocked Balor with a series of clotheslines in the corner, but Balor fought back. He hit the sling blade but Reigns quickly recovered.
Back from the break, Balor avoided the superman punch, but Reigns was still in control. Reigns rocked Balor with a right hand, but Balor responded with a kick to the head. Balor ran wild on Reigns and hit the double foot stomp.
Balor trapped Reigns in the ring apron skirt and stomped on him. He followed up with a huge dive. Reigns avoided the coup de grace and hit the superman punch for a close near fall.
Reigns went for the spear, but Balor countered into a small package for a very close near fall. Balor hit the shotgun dropkick, and the coup de grace for another very close near fall. Reigns gave Balor a low blow when he kicked out. He attacked Balor and locked on the guillotine for the win.
As Reigns walked off, the lights quickly turned red, and a heartbeat played, which might be a tease for Balor’s Demon showing up.
Next Week: SmackDown takes place from Madison Square Garden and features Brock Lesnar’s return. Plus, Edge goes one-on-one with Seth Rollins. Also, SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair’s contracting signing for Extreme Rules.