WWE SmackDown aired live from the ThunderDome tonight. It was the final episode of SmackDown before WWE Hell in a Cell this Sunday night. Roman Reigns defended the Universal Championship against Rey Mysterio in the main event of tonight’s SmackDown.
SmackDown Results (6/18)
- Apollo Crews & Commander Azeez def. Kevin Owens & Big E
- Shinsuke Nakamura def. King Corbin
- Roman Reigns def. Rey Mysterio via submission to retain the Universal Championship
Here are the takeaways from this week’s show:
Rey Mysterio Called Out Reigns
Rey Mysterio kicked off the show and said that any parent watching knows how he is feeling. Mysterio said he isn’t sure when Dominik will get back into the ring and got emotional describing the attack on his son by Roman Reigns last week. He claimed that he will never forget the helpless look in his son’s eyes and the sound of him hitting the floor.
Mysterio said he wants revenge tonight and demanded that Reigns come out here. Universal Champion Roman Reigns came to the entrance ramp with Paul Heyman. Roman stated that he does not want to hurt Rey but it is not going to be PG tonight inside Hell in a Cell.
Reigns will defend the Universal Championship against Rey Mysterio inside Hell in a Cell in the main event of this week’s show. The match was originally scheduled for the PPV.
Crews & Azeez Picked Up A Win
Intercontinental Champion Apollo Crews and Commander Azeez faced Kevin Owens & Big E in the first match of the night. Big E hit a Splash and tagged in Owens for a Senton. Owens went for the cover but the Intercontinental Champion kicked out at one.
Big E tagged back in and connected with a Suplex for a near fall. Azeez got the tag and beat Big E down in the corner. Big E tried to regroup outside the ring but Azeez followed him out there. Azeez slammed Big E on the floor outside the ring and posed with Crews as SmackDown went to a commercial break.
When SmackDown returned, Azeez had Big E in the Cobra Clutch and then hit a Suplex. Crews tagged in and hit Big E with an Enziguri to the face. Owens tagged in and hit the Pop-Up Powerbomb but Azeez broke up the cover at two. Sami Zayn interfered and distracted Kevin Owens. Commander Azeez capitalized and hit Owens with the Nigerian Nail for the pinfall victory.
After the match, Sami Zayn laughed at Owens backstage as Azeez and Crews celebrated their win. Owens later approached Deville and Pearce backstage and demanded a match with Sami Zayn.
Nakamura Won The Battle for the Crown
King Corbin faced Shinsuke Nakamura yet again tonight on SmackDown in the Battle for the Crown. Corbin went for a roll-up right away but Shinsuke kicked out. Nakamura battled back with a German Suplex as SmackDown went to a commercial break.
When SmackDown returned, Corbin was in control of the match and had Nakamura in a Chinlock. Shinsuke escaped but Corbin caught him with a Deep Six for a two count. Corbin followed it up with a Suplex for another near fall. Nakamura hit a couple boots to the head and followed it up with the Kinshasa for the pinfall victory. After the match, Nakamura took a seat on the throne and celebrated with Boogs as Corbin moped in the ring.
Bayley vs. Belair Will Be A Hell In A Cell Match
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair mai her way to the ring and grabbed a microphone. Belair claimed that Bayley was just a bully that could dish it out but couldn’t take it. Bianca added that Bayley’s bullying brought her back to her childhood and boasted about how she is unapologetically herself today.
Bayley then attacked Belair from behind and the two superstars brawled to the floor outside the ring. Bayley launched Belair into the barricade and followed it up with the Rose Plant in the middle of the ring. It was announced that the SmackDown Women’s Championship will now be a Hell in a Cell match at the PPV.
Alpha Academy Attacked Angelo Dawkins
Otis was set to face Angelo Dawkins tonight but the match never happened. Chad Gable hit Dawkins with a cheap shot before the bell rang and Angelo chased him around. Otis caught Angelo with a shoulder tackle and then Alpha Academy hit a Hart Attack on Angelo to end the segment.
Cesaro Sent A Message To Rollins
Cesaro and Seth Rollins had a backstage promo with Kayla Braxton tonight on SmackDown. Rollins vowed to show Cesaro everything he deserves and to put him in his place this Sunday at Hell in a Cell. Cesaro said he didn’t think Rollins had it in him to face him man to man and that he respected that. Cesaro added that he respects Rollins as a competitor and will see him Sunday night. He then shoved him over to end the promo.
Roman Reigns Retained
Roman Reigns defended the Universal Championship against Rey Mysterio in a Hell in a Cell match in this week’s main event. Before the match, Roman Reigns and Jimmy Uso had a conversation backstage. Jimmy said he thought about what Roman said last week and told him he was right. Jimmy added that he doesn’t agree with everything Reigns does but they are family.
Reigns asked where Jey was and Jimmy said he hadn’t heard from him all week. Jimmy offered to help Roman in his match tonight and Reigns instructed him to find Jey instead.
Rey went after Reigns right away with a steel chair but the Universal Champion ripped it away. Mysterio sprayed Reigns in the face with a fire extinguisher and then grabbed a tool box from under the ring. Mysterio bashed Reigns in the face with it as SmackDown went to a commercial break.
When SmackDown returned, Rey Mysterio was still in control of the match and was beating Reigns down with a steel chair. Mysterio put the chair against the champ’s back and connected with a Dropkick through the ropes. Mysterio sent Reigns flying into the cell wall a few times and the Universal Champion looked rattled.
Rey sent Reigns into the ring post with the chair around his neck. Roman battled back and connected with a massive Clothesline. Reigns went for a Spear but Mysterio dodged it and the Universal Champion crashed through a table. Mysterio went for a Hurricanrana but Roman caught him with ease and bashed Rey into the ring post and the cell as SmackDown went to a break.
When SmackDown returned, Reigns connected with a Superman Punch but Rey battled back. Mysterio hit the 619 and hit the Universal Champion with a steel chair several times. Rey followed it up with a Splash off the top rope and went for the cover but Reigns was somehow able to kick out at two.
Roman showed off his strength and hit a ridiculous Powerbomb that sent Mysterio crashing into the steel cell. Reigns brought Mysterio back into the ring and applied the Guillotine choke for the submission victory. Roman Reigns is still the Universal Champion. Reigns applied the Guillotine choke after the match before posing over Mysterio in the ring to close the show.