WWE SmackDown live results: WM Backlash go-home show
Tonight’s SmackDown features the final build to WrestleMania Backlash.
At this Sunday’s pay-per-view, Cesaro will challenge Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship. Cesaro earned the title shot after he defeated Seth Rollins on last week’s Throwback SmackDown.
Jimmy Uso returned last week and reunited with Jey Uso and Reigns. The Usos tried to help Rollins beat Cesaro, but Rollins shoved Jey. Jimmy then hit Rollins with a superkick, and Cesaro won the match.
Reigns was furious and yelled at Jimmy for indirectly helping Cesaro. Jimmy stood up for himself and refused to acknowledge Reigns as the tribal chief.
Later, Cesaro attacked Reigns at the end of SmackDown. At first, Jimmy stopped Jey from helping. Eventually, The Usos tried to fight off Cesaro, but Cesaro beat down all three by himself.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler defend against Tamina & Natalya tonight. Jax & Baszler defeated Tamina & Natalya at WrestleMania 37 night two to retain the titles. Tamina & Natalya then defeated the champions in a non-title match to earn the title shot tonight.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, And Jimmy Uso Segment
Jey Uso was already standing in the ring to start SmackDown. He noted that his brother Jimmy Uso disrespected the head of the table, Roman Reigns, last week. Jey promised to take care of Jimmy tonight.
Jey then introduced Reigns. Jey also promised that Reigns would defeat Cesaro Sunday night at WrestleMania Backlash.
Reigns and Paul Heyman took their time walking to the ring. They recapped Jimmy Uso’s return last week and Cesaro beating Seth Rollins.
Reigns walked over to Jey. He pointed out that Jimmy is a problem, but he wants to address Cesaro first. Reigns noted that everyone in the back likes Cesaro. He likes him too and called Cesaro one of the best wrestlers in the world.
Reigns noted he’s more than just a wrestler. He doubts Cesaro could take his place in the WWE.
He thinks that not even FOX wants Cesaro to take his place.
Reigns noted Cesaro hasn’t had a title shot before. Heyman informed him that Reigns had 39 title shots.
Reigns turned his attention to Jimmy Uso. Jimmy’s music interrupted, and he made his way to the ring. Jimmy’s got a new t-shirt and has one for Jey in the back when he’s ready to join him.
Jimmy doesn’t think Reigns is going to be champion much longer. Jey was furious and told Jimmy to respect Reigns. Jimmy admitted that he doesn’t think Reigns can beat Cesaro.
Jimmy claimed that if The Usos win the tag team titles, they’ll be the tribal chiefs. Reigns was furious and got in Jimmy’s face. He told Jimmy that he couldn’t do what Reigns does.
Reigns told Jimmy to prove that he can be Reigns. He told Jimmy to try to beat Cesaro tonight. Without hesitating, Jimmy challenged Cesaro to a match tonight. Cesaro walked out and accepted the challenge. He promised to beat Jimmy tonight and win the title from Reigns Sunday night.
This was a good opening segment. Reigns and The Uso were good in their roles.
They recapped Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler attacking Tamina and Natalya last week. They showed Tamina and Natalya warming up for their upcoming match. Michael Cole pointed out that Tamina’s never won a title and could make history next.
Tamina & Natalya defeated Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler (w/Reginald) to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
This was a fine match with both teams working hard.
Reginald immediately jumped on the apron and distracted Tamina. Jax took advantage and beat down Tamina. Baszler tagged in, and the faces took over.
Natalya had the match won when Reginald jumped on the apron again. The referee then sent Reginald to the back for jumping on the apron the second time. Jax protested, but Tamina attacked her at ringside. Jax fought back and gave Tamina the Samoan Drop into the barricade.
Baszler took advantage and attacked Natalya’s leg in the ring.
Back from the break, Jax dropped an elbow on Natalya for a near fall. The heels isolated Natalya in their corner. Tamina was still down due to the attack before the break.
Natalya fought back, and Tamina got the hot tag. Tamina knocked down Baszler and scored a near fall. She climbed to the top rope, but Baszler cut her off.
Jax tagged in and tried to give Tamina a superplex. Tamina fought back and knocked Jax down. Baszler tried to interfere, but Natalya yanked her off the apron. She then gave Baszler a German suplex on the floor.
Jax tried to climb back up, but Natalya prevented her. Jax pulled Natalya into the ring and gave her a Samoan Drop. Jax ended up on her back, and Tamina hit the Superfly splash for the win.
They treated the title change as a huge deal. After the match, Natalya and Tamina gave a passionate speech. Natalya talked about never giving up, and Tamina talked about Natalya believing in her. The new champions celebrated as pyro went off in the background.
Cesaro against Jimmy Uso is official for later tonight. Kayla Braxton interviewed Paul Heyman in the back. She startled Heyman, which was hilarious. Heyman doesn’t know if Jimmy Uso will win but promised that Reigns would beat Cesaro Sunday.
Commander Azeez Nigerian Medal of Honor Ceremony
Intercontinental Champion Apollo Crews held a special ceremony for Azeez. Crews praised Azeez for assisting him and helping win the Intercontinental title. Azeez stood on a huge box-like structure in the ring. Crews then gave Azeez the Nigerian Medal of Honor.
Big E interrupted on the big screen. He mocked the ceremony and said it’s the biggest sham since Macklemore won best rap album. Big E promised to win the title back.
Sami Zayn interrupted and mocked Big E. Zayn noted that he has some unfinished business with Crews since he’s the real I.C. champion. Kevin Owens ran out, and a brawl broke out. Azeez and Crews beat down Owens when Big E ran out for the save.
Sami Zayn ran out and attacked Owens as well. Everyone hit a big move. Big E then went after Crews, but Azeez pulled him out of the ring.
They recapped Dominik Mysterio defeating Dolph Ziggler last week.
Rey Mysterio (w/Dominik Mysterio) defeated Dolph Ziggler (w/Robert Roode)
Ziggler and Mysterio had a good match. They started at a slow pace, but it picked up towards the end.
Ziggler had the early advantage with a side headlock. Mysterio briefly fought back, but Ziggler regained control with a shoulder tackle. Ziggler taunted Mysterio.
Mysterio fought back and sent Ziggler to the floor. He followed up with a sliding dropkick and a sliding splash to the floor.
Back from the break, Mysterio missed a splash off the second rope. Ziggler scored a near fall and slowed the pace down with a chin lock.
Mysterio fought out of the chin lock, but Ziggler hit an uppercut for another near fall. Ziggler lifted Mysterio on his shoulder for a power slam, but Mysterio countered with a DDT.
Mysterio climbed to the top rope, but Ziggler cut him off. Ziggler attempted a superplex, but Mysterio held on. Mysterio knocked Ziggler down and hit a senton off the top. He followed up with a kick to the face for a near fall.
Ziggler avoided the 619 and hit the famouser for a very close near fall. Mysterio attempted a second 619, but Ziggler countered with a superkick for a two-count. Ziggler picked up Mysterio for a slam, but Mysterio countered into a small package for the win.
Megan Morant interviewed Cesaro in the back. Cesaro noted he dreamed of winning the title since he was a kid. He’s not like Roman Reigns and doesn’t walk around wanting people to acknowledge him. He knows he can beat Reigns and win the Universal title.
In the back, Kayla Braxton interviewed Dominik and Rey Mysterio. Rey noted they’re ready to win the tag team titles at WrestleMania Backlash. Ziggler and Roode interrupted and mocked Rey and Dominik. Rey and Dominik promised to win the titles Sunday.
Bianca Belair Segment
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair made her way to the ring. Michael Cole interviewed Belair and discussed her match with Bayley on Sunday.
Belair’s ready to face Baylay and promised to retain the title. She wondered where Bayley’s tonight.
They recapped Bayley attacking Belair last week. Bayley appeared on the big screen and mocked Belair. Belair tried to figure out where Bayley’s hiding.
Bayley laughed and refused to tell her. Bayley kept doing the annoying laugh and promised to win the title at the pay-per-view.
Belair knows why Bayley’s so mad at her. She pointed out that at WrestleMania 37, The Bellas beat up Bayley and threw her down the ramp. Belair noted she won the title that weekend.
Bayley promised to end Belair’s fairy tale and win the title at WrestleMania Backlash. This was a good segment.
King Corbin defeated Shinsuke Nakamura
This was a fine match, although it dragged at times.
Nakamura demanded to face Corbin because Corbin pinned him in the ten-man tag last week. They pushed the match as the battle between the King of Strong-Style and the King of the Ring.
Corbin attempted a suplex, but Nakamura countered with a knee. Corbin took over and hit Nakamura with a series of elbows.
Nakamura recovered and rocked Corbin with a dropkick. Corbin fought back and attempted the around-the-ring post clothesline.
Nakamura avoided the clothesline and locked on an armbar.
Corbin couldn’t break free from the hold. He then leaned forward and rolled up Nakamura for the win.
After the match, Corbin put his crown on, and Nakamura attacked him. He then gave Corbin the Kinshasa. Nakamura picked up the crown and put it on. Pat McAfee was shocked Nakamura took the crown.
In the back, Apollo Crews and Commandor Azeez approached Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville. Crews was furious about the attack early. Pearce said he’s still trying to figure out which one of them he’s going to face.
Crews became even more upset. Deville warned Crews to be careful because Pearce might make him face all three. Pearce liked the idea. He announced Crews defending against Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and Big E in a fatal four-way for next week. Pearce seemed unhappy with Deville.
In the back, Shinsuke Nakamura admired himself wearing Corbin’s crown in the mirror.
Aleister Black read another chapter from the Tales of the Dark Father. He read the chapter The Lesson, which included animated scenes. Black could teach you this lesson, but he won’t.
Kayla Braxton interviewed Jimmy Uso behind the curtain. Jimmy didn’t think his first match back would be a singles match. He thought The Usos would reunite and win the tag team titles.
Michael Cole and Pat McAfee ran down the WrestleMania Backlash lineup.
Cesaro defeated Jimmy Uso via DQ
Cesaro and Jimmy Uso had a good match until the weak finish.
They pushed this as Jimmy Uso’s first match back since he suffered an injury in the ladder match at WrestleMania 36.
Cesaro caught Uso with a dropkick to gain the early advantage. Uso played possum and responded with a Samoan Drop for a near fall. Cesaro fought back and rocked Uso with an uppercut.
Cesaro missed a charge in the corner. Uso sent Cesaro to the floor with a clothesline and followed up with a suicide dive.
Back from the break, Cesaro hit a discus clothesline for a close near fall. Uso avoided the Neutralizer and caught Cesaro with a superkick.
Uso climbed to the top rope, but Cesaro cut him off with an uppercut. He followed up with a superplex for a close near fall.
Cesaro hit a cannonball off the apron. He rocked Jimmy with a series of uppercuts and threw him back in the ring.
Suddenly, Roman Reigns and Jey Uso attacked Cesaro and beat him down for a disqualification.
After the match, Jimmy yelled at Reigns that he was about to win. He yelled that Reigns makes everything about himself.
Jimmy walked off, and Reigns chased after him. Jimmy and Reigns argued at ringside.
Cesaro attacked Jey in the ring. Reigns ran back in the ring, but Cesaro fought him off. Cesaro beat down Jey and Jimmy.
Reigns then ran off and watched from the ramp. Cesaro taunted Reigns and hit the Neutralizer twice on Jey while staring at Reigns.
Next Week: Intercontinental Champion Apollo Crews defends against Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and Big E in a fatal four-way.