The 1,200th edition of WWE SmackDown aired live from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre will meet face-to-face tonight ahead of their title match at Clash at the Castle on September 3rd. In addition to the takeaways below, Trish Stratus was announced for Monday’s episode of RAW in Toronto.
WWE SmackDown Results (8/19)
- Toxic Attraction def. Natalya & Shayna Baszler to advance in the Women’s Tag Team Tournament
- Sheamus won the Fatal 5-Way to become #1 contender for the Intercontinental Championship
- Liv Morgan def. Shotzi
Here are the takeaways from this week’s WWE SmackDown:
Ronda Rousey Arrested, Roman Reigns Arrives
Ronda Rousey kicked off the show and entered the ring through the crowd to great reaction. Rousey said she is not leaving the ring until she is reinstated. She was suspended following her attack on Liv Morgan and the referee at SummerSlam.
WWE official Adam Pearce interrupted and stated that he just cannot lift Ronda’s suspension because he wants her to do so. Security entered the ring and Ronda beat them down. Rousey locked in an Armbar on one of the guards before she was arrested and escorted out of the arena. Roman Reigns then arrived to the arena and got a big pop from the crowd.
Toxic Attraction Advanced In The Women’s Tag Tournament
Sonya Deville and Natalya battled Gigi Dolin & Jayce Jayne of Toxic Attraction in the Women’s Tag Team Tournament tonight on SmackDown. Shayna beat Gigi down in the corner to start off the action. Toxic Attraction battled back and launched Natalya into the steel steps outside the ring. Bayley, IYO SKY, and Dakota Kai were shown in the front row as SmackDown went to a break.
When SmackDown returned, Jayne and Deville were battling in the ring. Sonya knocked Gigi off the ring apron and but turned around into an elbow to the face from Jayce. Jayne mocked Natalya and went for the Sharpshooter but Sonya blocked it. Natalya tagged in and went for the Sharpshooter but Jayce booted her away.
Gigi tripped Natalya up and followed it up with a Clothesline but Sonya broke it up. Jayne and Deville battled to the outside of the ring. Jayce threw Sonya into the barricade right in front of Bayley, IYO SKY, and Dakota Kai. Back in the ring, Gigi rolled up Natalya for a near fall. Natalya responded with a Clothesline and some punches in the corner of the ring.
Natalya locked the Sharpshooter on Dolin but didn’t realize Jayce Jayne tagged in. Jayce broke it up and rolled up Natalya for the pinfall victory. Toxic Attraction have advanced in the Women’s Tag Team Championship Tournament.
Sami Zayn Actually Spoke To Roman Reigns
Sami Zayn approached Roman Reigns’ locker room. His security guard said that Roman wanted to see Sami. Roman asked Sami to take a seat next to him and Roman wondered how everything has been going. Zayn ranted about Jey Uso always being on him about “having to level up”.
Sami noted that he took a Claymore from Drew McIntyre and called Jey ungrateful. Roman agreed and joked that Jey doesn’t care about anything. Roman exited but left his phone behind. Reigns asked him to answer and Jey was shouting. Sami told Roman that The Usos are stuck at the border and are not going to be here tonight. Zayn brought up the Fatal 5-Way later and Roman told him the IC title would look good in The Bloodline. Roman brought up Kevin Owens shouting at The Usos that Roman owes him one on RAW. Reigns told Sami that he doesn’t owe Kevin Owens anything.
Hit Row Embarassed Maximum Male Models
Max & Maxiine Dupri made their way to the ring with Mace and Mansoor. Hit Row interrupted and beat the hell out of them before cutting rapping for a bit. Hit Row got a good reaction from the crowd and Maximum Male Models were made to look like fools in the segment.
Karrion Kross Warned Drew McIntyre
Karrion Kross and Scarlett had a vignette about Drew McIntyre. They brought up him being “The Chosen One” in the past and claimed that WWE were wrong in doing so.
Sheamus Earned A Shot At The IC Title
Ricochet, Sheamus, Happy Corbin, Madcap Moss, and hometown hero Sami Zayn competed in a Fatal 5-Way to crown the #1 contender for the Intercontinental Championship. Ricochet hit Sami with a Hurricanrana and knocked him out of the ring. Corbin planted Ricochet with a Chokeslam and went for the cover but it was quickly broken up as SmackDown went to a commercial break.
When SmackDown returned, Corbin launched his former tag team partner Madcap Moss into the turnbuckle. Happy did the same to Ricochet and sent him out of the ring. Ricochet battled back and planted Happy with a Tornado DDT and followed it up with a Shooting Star Press for a near fall.
Sheamus hit Madcap and Sami with a couple of Irish Curse Backbreakers in the middle of the ring. The Celtic Warrior then mocked Gunther’s pose before delivering the 10 Beats of the Bodhran to Moss as the crowd chanted along at each impact. Sami Zayn hit a flip onto Sheamus and Ricochet outside the ring.
Back in the ring, Sami went for the Blue Thunder Bomb but Ricochet blocked it. Sami responded with a Michinoku Driver for a close two count. Moss went for a Fallaway Slam but Sami escaped and hit him with the Blue Thunder Bomb for a close two count. Zayn made his way to the top rope but Ricochet joined him up there.
Sami shoved him down but then Sheamus joined him on the turnbuckle. Sheamus lifted Sami up on hit White Noise off the middle turnbuckle. Zayn grabbed his arm in pain and rolled out of the ring immediately. Sheamus planted Ricochet with a Powerslam but Corbin hit him with Deep Six. Ricochet hit a Crossbody and everyone was down on the canvas. Sami was being helped backstage as SmackDown went to a commercial break.
When SmackDown returned, Madcap sent Sheamus flying across the ring with a Fallaway Slam. Moss went for the cover but Sheamus kicked out. Ricochet hit a springboard Moonsault for another near fall. Happy Corbin unloaded some punches on Ricochet but got sent out of the ring. Back in the ring, Corbin leveled Ricochet with a big boot and followed it up with a Torture Rack Neckbreaker for a near fall.
Sheamus set up for the Brogue Kick but Moss dodged it. Moss slammed Sheamus to the mat but turned around into a Recoil from Ricochet. Ricochet made his way to the top rope and hit a Splash on Sheamus but Corbin broke it up at two. He sent Corbin out of the ring as Sami Zayn hobbled back down the entrance ramp while holding his arm.
The crowd erupted into a “Sami!” chant as he entered the ring. Sami planted Ricochet with an Exploder Suplex and followed it up with the Helluva Kick. Zayn went for the cover but Happy Corbin broke it up at two. Corbin then launched Sami shoulder-first into the ring post. Sheamus hit a Brogue Kick on Happy Corbin for the pinfall victory.
Viking Raiders Sent A Message To The New Day
Viking Raiders held a “Viking Funeral” for The New Day. Erik and Ivar warned Kofi and Xavier. It appeared that Sarah Logan was in the promo as well but she was only shown from behind.
Shayna Baszler Attacked Liv Morgan
SmackDown Women’s Champion Liv Morgan battled Shotzi tonight in a non-title match. Liv sent Shotzi to the corner and hit her with a Splash. Shotzi responded with a Bronco Buster against the ropes and went for the cover but the champ kicked out at two.
When SmackDown returned, Shotzi lifted Liv up but she escaped with a few elbows to the head. Shotzi planted the champion with a Northern Lights Suplex and went for the cover but Liv kicked out at two. Liv hit Oblivion for the pinfall victory and celebrated in the ring.
Shayna Baszler attacked from behind and made it seem like she was going to stomp on Liv’s arm. Shayna booted her in the face instead and exited the ring. Liv Morgan will defend the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Shayna Baszler at Clash at the Castle.
Drew McIntyre & Roman Reigns Face-To-Face
Roman and Drew were shown getting ready backstage. McIntyre picked up his jacket to reveal that Karrion and Scarlett had placed an hourglass in his locker room. Reigns got a massive reaction from the crowd as he made his way to the ring. Roman held out his hand and a WWE employee handed it to him.
Reigns noted that he’s not here every week anymore and sometimes people say stupid stuff. Reigns said that there is only one man that can claim he’s the face of the company and that is him. Drew interrupted and said that Roman Reigns doesn’t represent the titles the way they deserve to be represented.
McIntyre claimed that Roman doesn’t deserve to be champion because he’s got Paul Heyman and The Bloodline working for him. Drew claimed to see fear and concern in Roman’s eyes. McIntyre claimed that there isn’t a man that he can’t tear apart with his bare hands. McIntyre vowed to take the titles from him at Clash at the Castle and suggested a fight tonight.
The two stars traded punches in the middle of the ring. McIntyre got the better of the exchange and set up for the Claymore. Sami Zayn leaped in the way and Roman capitalized with the Superman Punch. Reigns went for a Spear but McIntyre countered with a Claymore. Michael Cole said Drew is right and Roman Reigns is vulnerable when The Usos aren’t here. McIntyre posed with the WWE and Universal Championships over Reigns to close the show. Roman will defend the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against McIntyre at Clash at the Castle on September 3rd.