WWE SmackDown live results: WrestleMania build continues
The build to WrestleMania 36 continues as SmackDown presents a taped show from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, tonight.
The big news involves Roman Reigns pulling out of his WrestleMania match. Initially, Reigns was set to take on Universal Champion Goldberg in SmackDown’s top match at WrestleMania. The announcement of Goldberg’s new opponent could take place tonight.
“The Fiend” Bray Wyatt faces John Cena at WrestleMania. Wyatt confronted Cena in the ring two weeks ago and blamed Cena for his downward spiral after their WrestleMania 30 match. Tonight, Wyatt returns to the Firefly Funhouse to continue taunting Cena.
Asuka goes one-on-one with Alexa Bliss tonight. Bliss demanded the match after Asuka jumped her two weeks ago.
The Usos take on The New Day in a number one contender’s match for a SmackDown Tag Team title shot at WrestleMania.
Drew Gulak also goes one-on-one with Shinsuke Nakamura. If Gulak wins, Daniel Bryan challenges Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn at WrestleMania.
Our coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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Michael Cole ran down the line up for tonight and announced Roman Reigns vs. Triple H from WrestleMania 32 for later tonight.
Sasha Banks and SmackDown Woman’s Champion Bayley made their way down to the ring. Bayley noted WrestleMania is one week away, and anything is possible at WrestleMania. However, this year’s WrestleMania is a nightmare because of Paige. Paige is forcing Bayley to defend the title in a fatal five-way.
Bayley and Banks know that Paige added Banks to the match to mess with them. Bayley pointed out that it doesn’t matter because they’re so close, and she doesn’t have to worry about Banks. Before Banks could respond, Lacey Evans interrupted.
Evans noted that WrestleMania is going to be a nightmare for both of them. Evans promised to win the title when Naomi’s music hit. Naomi pointed out that she’s got unfinished business with Bayley. She then turned her attention to Banks and promised to rip off her blue wig.
Bayley was furious and said this isn’t one of those times when everyone’s music hits, and they interrupt. Suddenly, Tamina’s music hit, and she interrupted. She said actions speak louder than words, and she gave Naomi a headbutt and hit a superkick on Evans.
Banks and Bayley attacked Naomi but backed off from Tamina.
They recapped Daniel Bryan & Drew Gulak against Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro from last week.
Drew Gulak (w/Daniel Bryan) defeated Shinsuke Nakamura (w/Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn & Cesaro)
Bryan and Gulak warmed up before the match and gave each other a salute.
Zayn joined Michael Cole on commentary for the match.
Nakamura had the early advantage and worked on Gulak’s neck. Gulak hit a shotgun dropkick to take over and followed up with a series of shots. Cesaro pulled Nakamura out of the way, and Nakamura briefly took over. Gulak fought back and rocked Nakamura with shots into the corner.
Nakamura nailed Gulak with a kick to the back to regain control. He slowed the pace down with a front face lock. Nakamura went for the Kinshasa, but Bryan pulled Gulak out of the way. Gulak then rolled up Nakamura for the win.
Daniel Bryan challenges Sami Zayn for the title at WrestleMania.
They recapped Dolph Ziggler showing pictures of his date with Mandy Rose and Otis snapping last week.
In the back, Dolph Ziggler was on his phone talking to someone about Otis and Mandy Rose. Otis showed up and tried to attack Ziggler, but officials held him back. Ziggler challenged Otis to a match at WrestleMania and promised to have Rose in his corner. During the segment, there was the static and symbol that has been appearing for the last few weeks.
In the Performance Center, Elias was standing in the perch and noted he has a match with King Corbin at WrestleMania. He sang a song about Corbin’s throne being a toilet. Images of Corbin on a toilet flashed in the background.
Corbin attacked Elias and beat him down. Corbin threw Elias over the railing of the perch, but he held on. Corbin then hit him with the scepter, and Elias fell to the ground.
Back from the break, Michael Cole recapped Elias falling from the perch and noted Elias is on his way to a local medical facility.
Alexa Bliss (w/Nikki Cross) defeated Asuka
Nikki Cross joined Michael Cole on commentary. Cole asked if anyone approved Cross joining him and reminded her about social distancing. Cross thanked Cole for having her, and he pointed out that he didn’t invite her. Cole acted weirded out by Cross. Cole noted Cross was trying to get the fans to cheer for Bliss.
Bliss had the early advantage and sent Asuka to the floor. Asuka pulled Bliss out of the ring and threw her into the ring steps.
Back from the break, Asuka was firmly in control and worked over the arm. Cross tried to start a “Lexi” chant and told Cole to chant along. Cole chanted but then rolled his eyes.
Asuka mocked Cross, but Bliss regained control. Bliss dropped Asuka shoulder-first on the apron. Asuka missed a charge in the corner, and Bliss hit a clothesline. Bliss missed a standing moonsault, and Asuka rolled out of the ring. Bliss chased Asuka around ringside and threw her into the side of the ring.
Bliss attempted a DDT, but Asuka reversed into the Asuka lock. Bliss backed her into the corner. Bliss then rolled through and hit a DDT for the win.
In the back, The Usos noted it wouldn’t be the road to WrestleMania if they didn’t take on The New Day. They promised to defeat the New Day and win the tag team titles at WrestleMania.
Up next is Roman Reigns vs. Triple H from WrestleMania 32. Cole pushed Reigns challenging Goldberg for the Universal title at WrestleMania this year. There was no mention of the change to the main event.
WrestleMania 32: Roman Reigns defeated Triple H (w/Stephanie McMahon) To Win The WWE Championship
The fans broke into loud boos when Reigns made his entrance. Reigns rocked Triple H with a shoulder tackle, and the fans booed. Triple H threw Reigns to the floor, and the fans cheered. The fans broke into a loud “Roman Sucks” chant. Triple H worked over the arm, but Reigns fought back. Reigns did the DX crotch chop, and the fans erupted in boos.
Back from the break, Reigns rocked Triple H with a right hand and a back elbow. Triple H briefly took over, but Reigns hit a Samoan drop for a near fall. He attempted the Superman punch, but Triple H rolled out of the ring.
On the floor, Reigns leaped off the ring steps and hit Triple H with a hard clothesline. Reigns then threw Triple H into the ring steps.
Triple H took back over after shoving Reigns into the ring steps. He then threw Reigns into the announce table. Reigns then hit a spear on Triple H, and they both crashed through the barricade.
Back from the break, Reigns and Triple H were back in the ring. Triple H avoided the spear and went for the pedigree. Reigns countered and backdropped Triple H to the floor.
Reigns hit the spear on Triple H, but McMahon pulled the referee out of the ring. McMahon argued with the referee and entered the ring. Reigns went for the spear again, but Triple H moved, and Reigns hit McMahon instead. This spot got a massive reaction from the fans. Triple H then hit the pedigree for a very close near fall.
Triple H regained control with a knee. McMahon pulled out the sledgehammer from underneath the ring and handed it to Triple H. Reigns avoided the sledgehammer. He then hit two superman punches and the spear for the win.
After the match, Michael Cole interviewed Triple H. Triple H noted he’s been in the ring with both Reigns and Goldberg. He said Goldberg’s intensity is short, but Reigns’ intensity grows. Triple H said if the match is quick, then Goldberg has the advantage. However, if the bout goes long, then he’s betting on Reigns.
In the back, The New Day noted they battled The Usos many times. They promised to defeat The Usos and win the tag titles at WrestleMania.
They recapped “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt challenging John Cena to match at WrestleMania 36.
In the back, Dolph Ziggler spoke with Sonya Deville. Mandy Rose approached and asked to talk to Ziggler alone. Rose didn’t like that Ziggler taunted Otis with those pictures. She refused to let them fight over her like she’s a prize.
The Firefly Funhouse
Bray Wyatt welcomed everyone to the Firefly Funhouse. Suddenly, Wyatt’s lantern tried speaking to him, but Wyatt noted he already had his chance and failed. Wyatt made a drink in a blender to help him beat John Cena. He added Ramblin Rabbit and laughed hysterically.
Wyatt noted that since Cena’s such a big star, they shouldn’t just have a standard match. Wyatt noted Cena should come to his world. Wyatt and “he” challenged Cena to a Firefly Funhouse match at WrestleMania.
The Usos vs. The New Day
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Miz & John Morrison joined Michael Cole on commentary.
Jimmy and Kingston went back and forth. Jimmy attempted a monkey flip, but Kingston landed on his feet. The Miz and Morrison mocked The Usos at ringside.
Big E rocked Jey with a back elbow to gain control. The Usos took over and isolated Kingston on their side of the ring. Jey missed an enziguri, and Kingston broke free. Big E got the tag and ran wild. He caught Jimmy with a belly-to-belly suplex and hit a big splash on the apron.
Back from the break, The Usos were firmly in control and worked over Big E. Kingston got the hot tag and hit the boom drop on Jey. Kingston set up for the trouble in paradise, but Jey avoided. Kingston hit a hurricanrana on Jey. Jey fought back and applied a half Boston crab.
Kingston fought out and made it to the ropes. Kingston then hit the SOS for a close near fall. Miz and Morrison stated a “Fight Forever” chant. Jey hit a superkick on Big E for a very close near fall.
The Usos placed Big E on the top turnbuckle and knocked him to the floor. Kingston recovered and hit a dive onto Jimmy on the floor.
Miz and Morrison jumped on the announce table and started dancing. Kingston pulled Morrison off the table. Jimmy then hit a suicide dive onto Miz. Big E then followed up with a spear onto Jimmy off the apron.
The Miz and Morrison then beat down The New Day and The Usos for the disqualification.
Michael Cole grabbed the microphone and announced that officials just informed him that Miz & Morrison defend against The New Day and The Usos in a ladder match at WrestleMania 36. Miz and Morrison were furious. The Usos rocked the heels with superkicks, and The New Day hit the Big Ending.
Next Week: Universal Champion Goldberg and Roman Reigns go face-to-face. John Cena addresses Bray Wyatt and his challenge for a Firefly Funhouse match.