WWE SmackDown live results: Vince McMahon appears, Reigns vs. Riddle
SmackDown takes place from the Target Center in Minneapolis tonight and features an appearance by Vince McMahon.
After it was announced this morning that McMahon is stepping away from his role as chairman and CEO until the investigation into his alleged misconduct is completed, McMahon will likely address the situation tonight. McMahon is still in charge of WWE creative, while Stephanie McMahon is serving as interim CEO and interim chairwoman.
“WWE today announced that Mr. McMahon will appear on SmackDown tonight at 8 pm ET live on FOX,” WWE wrote.
Tonight’s SmackDown will also feature Roman Reigns’ first televised defense of the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. If Riddle doesn’t defeat Reigns tonight, Riddle can’t challenge for the title again while Reigns is champion.
Plus, Madcap Moss and Happy Corbin will clash in a “Last Laugh” match. The first client of Max Dupri’s Maximum Male Models agency will also be revealed.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
**********
Mr. McMahon Segment
This probably wasn’t what people were expecting. McMahon spoke briefly but never discussed the allegations, stepping down as CEO, or Stephanie McMahon becoming interim CEO.
Vince McMahon’s music hit to start SmackDown. He got a positive reaction from the fans as they sang his theme music.
McMahon’s happy to be at the Target Center in Minneapolis. He mentioned the signature at the beginning, “Now. Then. Forever.” He then welcomed everyone to SmackDown and left. The fans gave him a positive reaction as he walked to the back.
They cut to the SmackDown opening intro video.
***********
Riddle Segment
The crowd’s been hot for the first two segments. Riddle was good in the segment. The fans loved him and treated him like a star.
Riddle got a big pop when his music hit. Before Riddle kicks off Roman Reigns’ head, he wants to discuss his feud with Reigns.
They showed a lengthy video package recapping the Riddle vs. Reigns feud
After the video, the fans gave Riddle a massive reaction and applause. Riddle mentioned Orton having a big operation coming up. The fans broke into a loud “Randy” chant.
Riddle added that he misses Orton and loves him. He thanked Orton for everything he did for him. The fans broke into a “Thank you, Randy” chant. Riddle turned his attention to his title match tonight. He dedicated the match to Orton and left to Orton’s music.
*********
They recapped the Madcap Moss vs. Happy Corbin feud.
“Last Laugh” match: Madcap Moss defeated Happy Corbin (9:22)
Moss and Corbin had an okay match. It dragged when Corbin was in control. Moss was good in the match and got a good reaction from his hometown fans.
Nobody explained the rules of a “Last Laugh” match. It’s just a regular match.
Corbin was briefly in control until Moss caught him with a boot to the face. Moss hit a second rope shoulder block. Corbin regained control and slowed the pace down with a chin lock. The fans broke into a “Corbin sucks” chant.
Moss fired back and hit a shoulder tackle in the corner. He followed up with a fall-away slam. Corbin took over after sending Moss shoulder-first into the ring post. They briefly brawled at ringside. Corbin rocked Moss with a clothesline over the barricade.
Back from the break, Corbin and Moss fought on the apron. Corbin caught Moss with a deep six for a near fall.
Corbin caught Moss with a chokeslam for a near fall. They brawled around ringside again. Moss sent Corbin into the announce table, and they teased a countout win. Instead, Corbin jumped back in, but Moss hit the Punchline. Moss then hit a second Punchline for the win.
After the match, Moss laughed at Corbin.
***********
In the back, Street Profits were excited to be at SmackDown tonight. They discussed the Riddle vs. Reigns main event. They picked Riddle to win. They’re targeting The Usos and promised to win the titles.
***********
They went back to ringside to Cole and McAfee. Corbin was still at ringside.
Corbin confronted Pat McAfee for his negative comments. He yelled at McAfee for criticizing him, mocking his talk show, and thinking he didn’t deserve pyro. He warned McAfee that he’d beat up him in the ring.
McAfee grabbed the mic and made fun of Corbin. The crowd chanted along with him as he told Corbin to leave. McAfee got the entire crowd to laugh at him. McAfee was great in the segment. They appear to be setting up McAfee vs. Corbin.
New Day made their way to the ring for their match. They laughed at Corbin too.
***********
The SmackDown moment of the week was Edge & Hulk Hogan winning the tag team titles.
They recapped Natalya attacking Ronda Rousey and injuring her with the sharpshooter.
Megan Morant interviewed Natalya. She bragged about attacking Rousey last week. Natalya claimed she proved the sharpshooter is more dangerous than Rousey’s armbar. She promised to be the first person to force Rousey to tap out.
********
New Day defeated Jinder Mahal & Shanky (3:02)
This was a fine match. They didn’t get a lot of time, but it was all about Shanky’s dancing anyway.
Before the match, Mahal told Shanky to stop dancing on the apron.
Mahal had the brief advantage until Woods hit a springboard dropkick. New Day isolated Mahal, but he broke free. Mahal tagged in Shanky. Shanky rocked Kingston with a chop and clothesline.
Shanky backed Kingston in the corner and threw him across the ring. Suddenly, Woods started playing the trombone. The music distracted Shanky and caused him to dance. Mahal was furious at Shanky and tagged in the ring. He yelled at Shanky. Kingston then hit Mahal with trouble in paradise for the win.
Shanky danced after the match.
*********
They showed a Viking Raiders video package.
Drew McIntyre-Sheamus Money In the Bank Segment
This was a basic WWE segment. Pearce announced that both guys are in the Money in the Bank ladder match. The crowd was into the segment and gave McIntyre a good reaction.
McIntrye made his way to the ring.
Cole explained that Adam Pearce must decide if McIntrye or Sheamus will be in this year’s men’s ladder match.
In the back, Sheamus ordered Butch and Ridge Holland to stay in the back. Butch didn’t care, but Holland promised to hold him back.
In the ring, Pearce noted that both McIntrye and Sheamus failed to qualify but demanded to be in the match. McIntyre doesn’t care about statistics and demands a spot in the ladder match. Sheamus noted he successfully cashed in before. He added that McIntyre got cashed in on and lost the title.
They recapped McIntyre vs. Sheamus from last week.
Pearce noted he spoke with management and announced Sheamus is in the Money in the Bank ladder match. Sheamus gloated and laughed at McIntrye. McIntyre snapped and beat down Sheamus.
Pearce stopped McIntyre and announced that he’s also in the ladder match. McIntyre smiled and then took out Sheamus with the Claymore.
*********
Sami Zayn approached Roman Reigns’ locker room door but didn’t knock. Kayla Braxton approached Zayn. She wondered if there was any ill will from the Bloodline since he’s the reason Riddle has a title match. Zayn assured Braxton that everything was fine.
*********
Earlier today, Rodriguez noted she was close to winning the SmackDown Women’s title. She promised to win Money in the Bank.
Baszler guaranteed to ruin Rodriguez’s dreams.
Lacey Evans joined the commentators for the match.
Money In The Bank qualifying match: Raquel Rodriguez defeated Shayna Baszler (3:15)
This was an okay match. The crowd seemed dead for most of it, and the finish was flat.
Rodriguez backed Baszler in the corner at the bell. She whipped Baszler hard into the turnbuckle. Baszler fought back and worked over Rodrguez’s leg.
They showed Aliyah and Shotzi watching in the back. Aliyah takes on Shotzi next week in a MITB qualifying match.
Rodriguez tried fighting back with a powerslam. Baszler slipped out and hit a chop block. Rodriguez regained control and suddenly pinned Baszler to qualify for the Money in the Bank ladder match.
*********
Shinsuke Nakamura wished Riddle luck as he was warming up.
The lights dimmed in the arena, and they placed a spotlight in the ring.
In the back, Max Dupri was in Pearce’s office. He was furious about the lighting. He decided that his new clients won’t debut until the issues get resolved.
********
They recapped Gunther defeating Ricochet to win the Intercontinental title.
Kayla Braxton tried to interview Gunther, but Ludwig Kaiser took it over. The fans broke into a faint “Walter” chant. Kaiser spoke about the heritage of the title. He added that the first Intercontinental champion was French Canadian. He promised that no American would disgrace the title again.
********
WWE Undisputed Universal Champion Roman Reigns (w/Paul Heyman) defeated Riddle (16:56)
Riddle and Reigns had an awesome match. They worked hard and told a good story. The fans were solidly behind Riddle. There was even a near fall where the fans thought he might win the title.
The stipulations were If Riddle lost, he could never challenge Reigns for the title again.
Riddle got a huge reaction during the special ring introductions.
Riddle attacked Reigns at the bell with kicks in the corner. Reigns fired back with a right hand, but Riddle recovered. Riddle hit a fisherman suplex and followed up with a floating bro to the floor.
Back from the break, Reigns rocked Riddle with a right hand to regain control. He destroyed Riddle with a series of forearm shots. Reigns choked Riddle on the bottom rope and hit the drive-by for a near fall.
Reigns slowed the pace down with a chin lock. Riddle broke free, and they traded shots. Riddle fired up and hit a running forearm in the corner. He hit a suplex and went for the bro-ton, but Reigns got his knees up. Riddle then hit the floating bro for a very close near fall.
Reigns hit the rock bottom to take back over. He then gave Riddle a back suplex on the announce table like Randy Orton. Reigns looked into the camera and cut a promo on Orton. He mocked Orton’s back injury and promised to see him when he returns.
Back from the break, Reigns posed over Riddle’s body to loud boos. Riddle blocked a Superman punch with a jumping knee. He followed up with a power slam and set up for the draping DDT. Reigns broke free. Riddle then gave Reigns the back suplex on the announce table. The fans broke into a “Randy” chant.
Back in the ring, Riddle hit the draping DDT and set up for the RKO. Reigns avoided it and hit the Superman Punch for a close near fall. The fans thought that was the finish and popped for Riddle kicking out.
Reigns went for the spear, but Riddle hit the RKO out of nowhere for a close near fall. The fans were certain that was the finish. Riddle hit the floating bro and went for the RKO again. Reigns pushed him off. Riddle avoided Reigns and leaped off the second rope, but Reigns hit a massive spear for the win.
The Usos ran out to celebrate with Reigns.
**********
Roman Reigns Promo
Brock Lesnar returned to confront Reigns. Lesnar appears to be Orton’s replacement. The fans were shocked and gave him a huge reaction.
After the match, Reigns grabbed the mic to boos. He yelled that there was nobody left. He noted two years ago that he promised they’d wreck everyone and leave. That’s what he just did. He wrecked Riddle, and now they’re leaving. He added that there’s just one more thing. He demanded that Minnesota acknowledge him. The fans erupted in boos. Reigns posed, and the Bloodline started to leave.
Suddenly, Brock Lesnar’s music hit to a gigantic pop. Reigns told the Usos to leave the ring as Lesnar entered. Lesnar and Reigns faced off for a moment. Lesnar cracked a smile and offered a handshake. Reigns hesitated but eventually went to shake his hand. Of course, Lesnar grabbed Reigns and hit the F-5. The Usos jumped in, but Lesnar gave them each an F-5 to end a good SmackDown.
********
Next Week: Intercontinental Champion Gunther defends against Ricochet. In a men’s Money In the Bank qualifying match, Shinsuke Nakamura takes on Sami Zayn. Plus, Aliyah goes one-on-one with Shotzi in a women’s Money in the Bank qualifying match.