WWE SmackDown aired live from the Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, TN. In addition to the takeaways below, Finn Balor cut a backstage promo and morphed into The Demon ahead of his Universal Championship match at Extreme Rules.
SmackDown Results (9/17)
- Finn Balor & Big E def. The Usos (non-title match)
- Rick Boogs def. Robert Roode
- Liv Morgan & Toni Storm def. Carmella & Zelina Vega
- Sami Zayn def. Dominik Mysterio
Here are the takeaways from this week’s show:
Heyman Claimed Brock Lesnar Had Fear In His Eyes
Universal Champion Roman Reigns came down to the ring with SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos and Paul Heyman. Reigns told the crowd to acknowledge him and told Heyman to properly introduce him.
Heyman said that the Tribal Chief defends his position at the head of the table every single day because Reigns fears no man, no Beast, no Demon, but they all fear Roman Reigns. The crowd booed and Heyman joked that they all know it is true.
Paul noted that Balor obviously fears Roman Reigns because he had to bring out The Demon to challenge for the Universal Championship. Heyman suggested that Brock Lesnar had fear in his eyes last week in Madison Square Garden.
WWE Champion Big E interrupted to a big pop from the crowd. Big E got into the ring as the crowd chanted “you deserve it!”. Finn Balor joined the party and made his way to the ring as SmackDown went to a commercial break.
Big E & Finn Balor Pinned The Champs
The Usos faced Big E & Finn Balor in a non-title match. Big E and Balor controlled the action early and isolated Jey in the corner. The Usos battled back and beat down Finn Balor as SmackDown went to a break.
Big E tagged in and planted Jey with a couple Belly to Belly Suplexes. Jey battled back with a Samoan Drop but Big E responded with a Uranage int he corner. Jimmy got into the ring and Big E greeted him with a Clothesline. Big E followed it up with a Splash on Jimmy and threw him out of the ring.
Jey connected with a Superkick and went for the cover but the WWE Champion kicked out at two. Balor got back into the ring and connected with a Slingblade on Jimmy and followed it up with the Coup de Grace. Big E hit the Big Ending for the pinfall victory.
Reigns Wants To Know If Lesnar Will Show Up At Extreme Rules
Universal Champion Roman Reigns was shown in the back with Paul Heyman. Reigns asked Heyman if he was sure there was nothing that he needed to know. Paul said that he did not know that Lesnar was coming to SummerSlam and that Brock is afraid of Roman Reigns. Heyman stated that Lesnar is dealing with fear for the first time in his life and that is why he created the narrative that he knew he was coming to SummerSlam.
Reigns asked Paul if Lesnar was going to show up at Extreme Rules and Heyman said he wouldn’t. Heyman got nervous and said that he is under the impression that Lesnar would be too afraid to show up at Extreme Rules. Reigns told Heyman that he doesn’t he pay him for that, he pays him to know in advance.
Apollo Crews Wants A Rematch
Rick Boogs faced Robert Roode tonight on SmackDown. Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura and Dolph Ziggler were ringside for the match. Roode booted Boogs in the face and set up for the Glorious DDT but Boogs countered into a Samoan Drop. Boogs followed it up with a Belly to Belly Suplex and a Clothesline. Rick hit the “Boogs Cruise” (Pump Handle Powerslam) for the pinfall victory.
Nakamura, Boogs, and Pat McAfee rocked out by the announce table after the match. Commander Azeez and Apollo Crews showed up and beat Boogs and Nakamura down. Crew then posed in the ring and waited for Azeez to give a microphone. Apollo shouted that King Nakamura has made a mockery of the Intercontinental Championship and demanded a rematch.
Happy Corbin Attacked Kevin Owens
Kevin Owens faced Happy Corbin tonight on SmackDown. Corbin attacked Owens during his entrance and beat him down. Corbin slammed Owens on the ring apron and put his top hat back on.
Rollins Wants Another Match With Edge
Seth Rollins made his way to the ring in a shiny silver suit. Rollins spoke about injuring Edge last week and a loud “you look stupid!”. Seth compared it to the crunch after stepping on a cockroach and rolled footage from his victory over Edge last week in MSG.
Rollins asked the crowd “what did you think was going to happen?” and said it was one of the greatest wins of his career. Seth complained that he didn’t get to enjoy his victory because of people thinking he went too far, including his own employer. Seth noted that he used a legal move in a match and won it the same way he was won matches for years.
Seth claimed that Edge went too far because he is now a family man but still took that risk and got in the ring with him. Rollins blamed the crowd and everyone watching at home for encouraging Edge to come back. Seth noted how Edge’s wife Beth Phoenix said he was at home recuperating. Rollins looked into the camera and spoke directly to Edge. Seth wondered if Edge was physically & emotionally capable of getting back into the ring. Rollins suggested that Edge had fear in his eyes while being loaded onto a stretcher. Seth said he wanted another match with Edge to finish him once and for all.
The Usos Attacked Big E
Kayla Braxton stopped Paul Heyman again and he flipped out. Heyman claimed that Kayla was flirting with him and demanded to be left alone. Heyman turned around and WWE Champion Big E was there. Big E chuckled and Heyman congratulated him on becoming champion. Heyman added that Big E made a smart move because he would have failed if he cashed in on Reigns.
Big E told Heyman that he will see his boy Reigns at Survivor Series, or maybe it will be Brock Lesnar, or maybe it will be The Demon because they overlooked him. The Usos attacked Big E from behind and Heyman walked away. The Usos beat Big E down and shouted that he was on the wrong show. It was later announced that Reigns & The Usos will face New Day in a 6-man tag match on RAW.
Liv Morgan & Toni Storm def. Carmella & Vega
Zelina Vega & Carmella faced Toni Storm & Liv Morgan. Zelina and Carmella beat Toni Storm down until she battled back with a slam. Liv tagged in and Carmella sent her to the corner. Liv escaped and booted Carmella face first into the turnbuckle. Carmella rolled out of the ring and held her face. She claimed her nose was broken and left with Zelina Vega to end the match via contour. Liv Morgan then challenged Carmella to a match at Extreme Rules. Vega told Deville & Pearce that Liv would have to go through her first at Extreme Rules.
Naomi Confronted Sonya Deville Again
Naomi once again confronted Sonya Deville backstage and demanded a match. Sonya brushed her off again and Naomi pointed out how she is way more accomplished than Sonya Deville in WWE. Naomi got in Sonya’s face and said that she will get her match one way or another.
Sami def. Dominik
Dominik faced Sami Zayn tonight on SmackDown. Rey Mysterio was on commentary for the match. Sami controlled the action early and got out of the ring to taunt Rey. Dominik capitalized with a Moonsault outside the ring as SmackDown went to a commercial break.
When SmackDown returned, Sami went for a Blue Thunder Bomb but Dominik beautifully countered into a Hurricanrana for a near fall. Zayn rolled up Dominik for the pinfall victory as Rey looked disappointed outside the ring. Zayn told Rey that Dominik isn’t on his level after the match.
Becky Lynch Ruined Bianca Belair‘s Homecoming
Kane made his way to the ring for Bianca Belair’s homecoming segment. Bianca Belair came to the ring to a great reaction from her hometown. Belair said Knoxville made her who she was today and her daddy taught her to finish it if somebody starts something with her. Kane presented Belair with a gigantic key to the city and she held it up. Belair thanked the crowd and started singing “Rocky Top” with them.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch interrupted and mocked everyone singing. Lynch said Belair isn’t the real champion, but is Knoxville’s champion. Becky stated that SummerSlam was her night, Extreme Rules will be her night, but tonight is Bianca Belair’s night. Becky claimed that she came to shake Belair’s hand and congratulate her. Belair held on as Becky tried to walk away. Becky still managed to get the upper hand and hit a “Man-Handle Slam” (Uranage). Lynch left the ring as Bianca sold the move to end the show.