WWE SmackDown live results: Tribute to The Undertaker
This week’s episode of SmackDown will feature a special tribute to The Undertaker.
The tribute is airing after the WWE Network’s Undertaker: The Last Ride docuseries ended with Undertaker saying he has “no desire” to return to the ring at this point in his career. As part of the tribute, WWE is re-airing Undertaker and AJ Styles’ Boneyard Match from WrestleMania 36 on SmackDown tonight.
If Undertaker does stay retired from in-ring competition, the Boneyard Match will have been his final match.
Though it was confirmed earlier this week that multiple people in WWE have tested positive for COVID-19, the rest of tonight’s SmackDown was taped at the WWE Performance Center earlier today.
WWE hasn’t revealed the rest of the lineup for tonight’s show. Styles defending his Intercontinental title against Drew Gulak, Sheamus presenting “a toast to Jeff Hardy,” and Braun Strowman responding to Bray Wyatt had originally been announced for the episode but aren’t currently being advertised on WWE.com’s preview.
Our coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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They aired an excellent video covering The Undertake’s career. It featured his 1990 debut at the Survivor Series and included highlights of his career. The footage also featured Paul Bearer, Kane, and all the major stars Taker battled in his career.
In the Performance Center, members of SmackDown roster and the fans chanted “Thank You, Taker.”
Michael Cole and Corey Graves announced tonight several superstars discuss the legacy of the Undertaker.
They aired highlights of Undertaker’s debut at the Survivor Series on November 22, 1990.
WrestleMania 36 Boneyard Match: The Undertaker defeated AJ Styles
A hearse pulled into the dark and ominous boneyard as The Undertaker’s music played. Druids pulled a casket out of the vehicle. Suddenly, AJ Styles jumped out of the casket. He laughed as his music played.
Styles proclaimed that he’s not scared and isn’t afraid of the boneyard. He wondered where Taker is until he could hear a motorcycle in the distance.
Taker made a grand entrance on his bike. He rode into the boneyard, but Styles wasn’t concerned. He mocked Taker and wondered if Michelle let him out.
Styles pointed out that he dug Taker a hole, but Taker said he dug his own grave.
Styles tried to jump Taker, but he fought back. Taker tossed Styles into the hearse. Taker hit Styles with shots but missed, and his forearm went through the window.
Styles tried to get away, but Taker slammed him on the windshield of the car.
Back from the break, Taker was firmly in control. Styles briefly took over, but Taker knocked Styles into the grave. Suddenly, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson showed up.
Taker approached, but druids came out of the house. The druids surrounded Taker, but he easily beat up each one. Anderson and Gallows took over on Taker and beat him down.
Taker recovered and regained control. He was beating down Anderson and Gallows when Styles smashed a headstone over Taker’s back. Taker and Styles collied and crashed through the wall of the house.
Back from the break, Michael Cole and Corey Graves welcomed everyone back. Before they go back to the match, a few legends discuss Undertaker’s legacy. Kane and Ric Flair discussed Taker’s career and his character. They noted he could fly over the top rope despite his large size. Flair believes Taker is the greatest character and biggest star in the business.
Back to the match, Styles got back to his feet and mocked Taker. Taker flipped off Styles and challenged him.
Styles kicked Taker and continued to trash talk. Styles picked up the shovel and broke it over Taker’s back.
Undertaker fell forward into the open grave. Styles got into the truck and was about to dump the dirt in the grave.
Suddenly, a flash of light appears behind Styles as does The Undertaker. Styles freaks out and runs off. He climbs up a ladder onto the roof of the house.
Taker stalked Styles up the ladder. He lifted his arms, and flames appeared.
Anderson and Gallows attacked Taker. Taker fights back and eliminates them from the match.
Styles couldn’t understand how Taker got out of the grave. Taker grabbed Styles by the throat, and choke slammed him off the roof. Taker began slowly climbing down the ladder.
Back from the break, Styles withered in pain on the ground. Undertaker picked up Styles and carried him to the grave. Styles begged off and apologized to Taker.
Styles begged Taker not to bury him. Taker trashed talked Styles and asked if he’s still an old man.
Taker promised not to bury Styles. He noted Styles fought his hardest, and Taker hugged him. Taker turned away to walk off but then turned around and kicked Styles into the grave.
Taker got in the truck and dumped the dirt into the grave to win the match. Taker walked over to the grave and revealed Styles’ headstone. Taker walked away, and Styles’ hand reached out of the grave.
Taker got on his motorcycle and rode off with his symbol displayed in the background.
The Boneyard match was the highlight of WrestleMania 36 and one of the best of the cinematic matches. The Boneyard Match still stick outs even months after cinematic matches.
King Corbin was in the ring as the fans cheered for Taker. Corbin mocked Taker and noted he only had a 30-year career because he sucked up to The McMahons. Corbin claimed Taker’s a member of a particular club.
Corbin claimed that Taker held down his career, and he has to listen to all these legends talk about Taker. Corbin complained about all the superstars coming on the stage and chanting, “Thank You, Taker.” The fans chanted, “Thank you, Taker.” Corbin called Taker by his name Mark Callaway. He looked in the camera and told Taker that he sucks.
Suddenly, Jeff Hardy jumped in the ring and attacked Corbin. Corbin ran off as Hardy stood tall in the ring.
Kurt Angle and Stone Cold Steve Austin discussed The Undertaker’s long career and great matches. Angle talked about Taker’s streak of having great matches at WrestleMania.
In the back, Sara Schreiber approached Hardy. Hardy was furious that Corbin insulted Taker and his legacy. Hardy said Taker was like a mentor to him and promised to take care of Corbin because Taker can’t.
Michael Cole confirmed Hardy versus Corbin as the main event for later.
Fatal Four-Way: Nikki Cross defeated Lacey Evans, Dana Brooke, and Alexa Bliss
The winner of this match challenges SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley at Extreme Rules.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Bayley and Sasha Banks joined commentary. Bayley and Banks were great on commentary again.
Cross and Bliss worked together to clear the ring. Cross then rolled up Bliss for a near fall. Bayley noted she’d never do anything like that to Banks.
Evans and Brooke jumped back in the ring and worked together against Bliss and Cross. Evans turned on Brooke and knocked her out of the ring. Brooke recovered and hit a Swanton bomb on Evans, but Cross broke up the pin attempt.
Bliss attempted Twisted Bliss, but Brooke got her knees up. Cross then hit a dropkick on Brooke. Cross charged at Evans, but she avoided and hit a slingshot elbow for a near fall.
Brooke attempted a handspring elbow, but Evans rocked Brooke with the women’s right. Cross then rolled up Evans for the surprise win. Bayley was surprised as Bliss and Cross celebrated in the ring. Cross challenges Bayley for the title at Extreme Rules.
They had a decent fatal four-way as all four worked hard.
In the back, New Day, Lucha House Party, Morrison & Miz, and Cesaro & Nakamura all argued.
Triple H and Shawn Michaels discussed Undertaker’s career longevity and loyalty.
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day & Lucha House Party defeated The Miz, John Morrison, Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro
Big E and Miz started the match, but Big E wanted either Nakamura or Cesaro because of the attack from last week. Big E had the early advantage and hit a big splash on the apron to Miz.
Big E launched Lince Dorado onto Miz for a near fall. Cesaro and Dorado had a great exchange. Cesaro lifted Dorado, but he landed on his feet. Dorado rolled up Cesaro for a near fall.
Gran Metalik hit a splash off of Dorado’s shoulder onto Cesaro for a near fall. Nakamura and Metalik went back and forth.
The faces were in control until Nakamura pulled Kingston to the floor and tossed him into the barricade. Cesaro rocked Kingston with an uppercut, and Nakamura followed up with a kick to the side of the head.
Back from the break, the heels were firmly in control. They isolated Kingston and cut him off from his corner. Miz and Morrison knocked Lucha House Party off the apron. Kingston attempted to make a tag, but Nakamura cut him off.
Cesaro distracted Big E, and Nakamura rocked him with a dropkick. Metalik got the hot tag and hit a cross body for a near fall. He followed up with a springboard hurricanrana off the second rope for another near fall.
Metalik charged at Morrison and hit Canadian Destroyer for a near fall. Dorado hit a shooting star press for a close near fall on Morrison as well.
The New Day and Cesaro and Nakamura continued to brawl and fought to the back. Metalik made the blind tag, and Dorado hit the springboard stunner on Miz. Dorado jumped off the top turnbuckle and hit a hurricanrana off the apron on Morrison. That looked like a scary spot.
Metalik then hit a big elbow off the top rope on Miz for the win.
This was a good match that picked up towards the end. Dorado and Metalik looked great in the match.
Universal Champion Braun Strowman made his way to the ring as flashes of the Eater Of Worlds Bray Wyatt appeared on the screen.
They recapped the return of Bray Wyatt and The Firefly Funhouse last week. Wyatt appeared as the Eater of Worlds and the leader of The Wyatt Family Bray Wyatt.
Braun Strowman Promo
Universal Champion Braun Strowman made his way to the ring. He talked about the first time he met Bray Wyatt. He noted he felt fear the first time he met Wyatt.
One day, they were sitting on the edge of Wyatt’s cabin near the swamp when a water moccasin snake slithered out of the water. Strowman wanted to stomp on the snake, but Wyatt wouldn’t let him because the snake was his friend.
Wyatt approached the snake and it bit him over and over. Wyatt just kept laughing, and Strowman realized that Wyatt is the devil and the serpent.
Strowman was so impressed that he began to do the devil’s work. Strowman noted he did evil things, and Strowman liked it. Strowman tried to put that side of him away, but it keeps calling him.
Strowman challenged Wyatt to return to the swamp. He promised the destroy Wyatt and drag him into the swamp. Strowman wants to know if Wyatt wants to return home one last time.
Strowman peered into the camera. Wyatt’s laughter could be heard in the Performance Center. Strowman then began to laugh as well.
In the back, Sara Schreiber interviewed King Corbin. Corbin mocked Undertaker and Jeff Hardy. He promised to make Hardy Rest In Peace.
Batista and Mick Foley discussed The Undertaker’s career. Batista noted he’s proudest of the people he worked with like Taker. Foley said people approach him and ask if he ever faced Taker. He also believes his career wouldn’t be the same without Taker.
They recapped the angle from earlier tonight of King Corbin insulting Undertaker and Hardy jumping him. The angle, Corbin’s backstage interview, and the match seemed to set up an appearance by the Undertaker but that’s clearly not happening.
Jeff Hardy defeated King Corbin
Corbin knocked Hardy down with a shoulder tackle at the ring of the bell. Hardy tried fighting back, but Corbin caught him with a back elbow.
On commentary, Michael Cole pushed the idea that Hardy is defending Undertaker’s legacy.
Corbin continued to beat down Hardy. Hardy recovered and clotheslined Corbin to the floor. Hardy attempted a sliding dropkick, but Corbin avoided. Hardy fought back and threw Corbin into the announce table.
Hardy missed whisper in the wind, and Corbin regained control. Corbin tossed Hardy into the ring post. Corbin mocked The Undertaker and did Taker’s pose.
Back from the break, the babyface members of the roster came to ringside to support Hardy as he defends Undertaker’s legacy.
Corbin was firmly in control and mocked The New Day. Corbin hit the around the ring post forearm and slowed the pace down.
Hardy fought back and hit two jawbreakers in a row.
Hardy fired up and scored a close near fall. He attempted the twist of fate, but Corbin countered. Corbin then hit the deep six for a close near fall.
Hardy rolled to the floor. Corbin charged, but Hardy moved out of the way, and Corbin crashed into the ring steps. Hardy then hit the Swanton Bomb for the win.
After the match, Corbin attacked Hardy from behind. Kingston tried to make the save, but Corbin knocked him down. Big E jumped in the ring and hit the Big Ending on Corbin.
Universal Champion Braun Strowman jumped in the ring and hit the power slam on Corbin. The faces in the ring asked Matt Riddle to join in. Riddle then hit the Floating Bro on Corbin who then rolled out of the ring.
Hardy, Strowman, Riddle, and New Day celebrated in the ring as the rest of the faces celebrated at ringside. A picture of the Undertaker appeared on the screen, and Hardy did Taker’s pose.
The match had a very slow pace and dragged at times. However, it was more about the post-match celebration and paying tribute to the Undertaker.
On commentary, Michael Cole pushed that Undertaker’s retired for good, and it’s the end of the most unique character in WWE history.
Next Week: Sheamus has a special toast for Jeff Hardy.