Join 411’s Live WWE Smackdown Coverage

Keep Refreshing For The Latest Results

Hey there people, this episode of WWE Smackdown is the go home show for Crown Jewel tomorrow. This event already happened so if you want spoilers they can be found HERE. As for the show, we’ve got a few matches worth noting in the form a tag team title match with the Wyatt Sicks defending against the Street Profits, Kiana James and Giulia will take on Tiffany Stratton and Stephanie Vaquer as the latter two are here to hype up their clash at Crown Jewel, and a Last Man Standing match between Aleister Black and Damian Priest. Sami Zayn will likely have another US open challenge, WWE champion Cody Rhodes will likely talk a lot, and Solo Sikoa keeps threatening us with his Multiple Fractured Toenails so there’s that. Jacob Fatu and Drew McIntyre are taking aim at each other, so that should be fun too. I’ll be covering Crown Jewel tomorrow morning, which is about the most masturbatory event the WWE does these days, but let’s see if Smackdown can get a little momentum heading into that show.

First up is WWE champion Cody Rhodes, they’ve got the Crown Jewel belt set up in the ring. The crowd sing for Cody a bit then he gets a mic and asks what Perth, Australia wants to talk about. We could talk about Seth Rollins I guess, with his doom and gloom outlook on the match and life. He made fun about how self serious Seth is, but after hearing Paul Heyman talk about the actual stakes of their match then maybe he saw the point. Seth has turned himself into the kind of man he sacrificed himself to defeat at WrestleMania. Cody might be the weakness for Seth, and now Cody gets to dismantle the Vision thing. But he understands, when you love WWE things can happen. The crowd gets loud and sings a bit which Cody acknowledges. Well anyway when you love WWE like Seth loves it, you’ll do a lot of things to protect it. But when you think you’re the only one who can carry all of this, that’s when you fall. That’s a quest for power and control, and it pulls you away from your intention. Cody enjoys being a leader, this is a team and the best one WWE has ever assembled so if Cody’s ever not able to pull his weight there’s people who can help. Wrestlers like Randy Orton, Roman Reigns, Rhea Ripley, Jey Uso, even CM Punk. He could also be talking about Seth, the crowd boos then goes into chanting “Seth is a wanker” for a bit. Cody asks commentary to clarify what they’re saying and Wade Barrett, with a mic, does in fact repeat that “Seth Rollins is a wanker” which gets a big pop. Cody was trying to be serious, the crowd give a “Thank you Barrett” chant for his service. Anyway Cody says that if the world revolves around Seth then who is Cody to him? He isn’t just a wrestler, he’s the wrestler who you’d have to bury in his boots. In any era and under any circumstances, he’s the one guy that Seth cannot beat.

We see wrestlers arrive at the venue, Damian Priest as well as the Street Profits.

In the back Stephanie Vaquer gets ready for her match but here’s Chelsea Green to offer her a spot on the Secret Hervice. Vaquer is uninterested but here’s Tiffany Stratton to chase Green off. Vaquer and Tiffany then both say they’ll have each others backs tonight, but tomorrow all bets are off.

To the ring and here comes Sami Zayn for the open challenge and we head to break.

Cody walks in the back as we come back, and he finds the Samoan Werewolf Jacob Fatu. Fatu gives Cody respect, but warns him that after Crown Jewel he’s coming for the title. Cody says “good” and heads out, then Nick Aldis comes over to invite Fatu to his office later. Aldis walks off then Drew McIntyre attacks Fatu and rams him into some equipment before officials show up. Drew then heads out but Fatu pulls himself up and looks pissed.

Back to the ring and Sami waits for his challenger. It’s Shinsuke Nakamura using his old theme and back to more of that gear. Shame, I really liked the idea of Nakamura as basically a Mortal Kombat character but they never did anything with it.

Match #1 – US Title Match: (c) Sami Zayn vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

The crowd sing Nakamura’s theme for a bit as Sami and Nakamura trade arm wringers and counters, then Sami avoids a kick and we get a stand off. They tie up, Sami again with an arm wringer then they hit the ropes and Nakamura kicks Sami then hits a knee drop. Nakamura with a head kick then a sliding German suplex to send us to break.

We come back as Nakamura does the “come on” bit then fires up with a flurry of kicks culminating with an enziguri. Nakamura hits the ropes and lands a running heel kick for a 2 count. More kicks from Nakamura, Sami fights back with elbows but Nakamura cuts him off with knees and kicks into the ropes. Sami lands a clothesline after bouncing over Nakamura, then Sami heads up top and misses a flying nothing then Nakamura lands a wheel kick. Nakamura lines up a Kinshasa but Sami counters into a Michinoku Driver for a 2 count. Small Package and both men try pins from that tie up then Sami hits a corner Exploder suplex. Sami lines up a Helluva Kick but Nakamura avoids it then hits a jumping knee to the back of the head off the second rope and that gets a near fall. That sends us to break again.

Both men are down as we come back. They trade elbows, the crowd is definitely more on Nakamura’s side at this point. Sami tries a Blue Thunder Bomb but Nakamura avoids it and hits an enzui Kinshasa which sends Sami out of the ring. Nakamura follows Sami out of the ring and then Sami hits an Exploder suplex into the barricade. Sami lines up a Helluva Kick and connects against the barricade. They head back into the ring and Nakamura lands a Kinshasa but Sami gets a foot on the rope to save the match. Nakamura with a step up scorpion kick then Tama Tonga pulls Nakamura out of the ring and tosses him over the barricade to end the match.

OFFICIAL RESULT: No Contest in 15:29

Rating: 3 stars
Thoughts: I mean, this was pretty much always going to be good but the ending also pulls a ton of the life out of it. Sami getting booed in some of these challenge matches is becoming a bit of a trend, he’s not getting heat but almost every time the crowd is with the challenger.

Tama is wearing the old Guerillas of Destiny face paint. Tala Tonga, JC Mateo, and Botcha Loa show up as well to attack Sami in the ring. Nakamura shows back up but the numbers are too great and the Insane Islander Posse get to run wild for a bit. Oh, Tama used a Hidden Blade so there’s that I guess. Solo Sikoa meanders around into the ring and they audibly sweeten the reaction to make it sound like he’s actually go heat. Anyway that sends us to break.

Post break we get a recap of what just happened.

In the back Aldis talks with refs then talks with Drew, he tells Drew that next week he’ll get Fatu in a match. Drew seems OK with that. Fatu then attacks Drew and we get a bit of a brawl before officials get the two men apart.

To the ring, here’s Stephanie Vaquer followed by Tiffany Stratton for our next match. The heels follow.

Match #2 – Tag Team Match: Stephanie Vaquer and Tiffany Stratton vs. Giulia and Kiana James

Vaquer and James start things off, James then offers a handshake still trying to get Vaquer as a client then James lands a knee as Vaquer dismisses her. Back suplex from Vaquer then a Devil’s Kiss to follow up. Giulia tags in and things get serious as they stare down and we head to break.

We come back to Giulia tossing Vaquer around then tagging in James. Some corner work from James then Giulia tags in and comes off the top with a dropkick. Jawbreaker and superkick from Vaquer, James then tags in and barely stops Vaquer from tagging out so Vaquer cracks her with an enziguri then tags in Tiffany. Tiffany gets to run wild on James for a bit and hits a handspring back elbow in the corner. Sky High from Tiffany gets a 2 count. Cartwheel Alabama Slam attempt from Tiffany but she has to settle for a roll up as James blocks her. Tiffany takes a superkick then Giulia tags in and hits an Arrivederci knee then a Glamorous Driver for a near fall as Vaquer breaks up the pin. James tags back in but Tiffany avoids a powerbomb then hits an Alabama Slam. Vaquer tags in now and dropkicks Giulia then hits James with a Angel’s Wings into a face buster on the knees and Giulia has to save the match now. Giulia headbutts Tiffany but then gets misdirected out of the ring. Tiffany tags in, Vaquer then heads up top to dive onto Giulia so Tiffany can hit the Finlay Roll into the Prettiest Moonsault Ever to win.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Tiffany Stratton and Stephanie Vaquer won in 9:27

Rating: 2.5 stars
Thoughts: Nice to see Giulia get some time to work a bit, she really should be in a better overall position on the card, but the actual outcome was never in doubt.

Post match Vaquer and Tiffany stare off in front of the Crown Jewel belts.

In the back Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair come over to talk to Sol Ruca and Zaria, they grant them a tag team title shot after a little back and forth.

Back to the ring the Street Profits with their old theme head to the ring. That’s a definite upgrade, I thought their other theme read too heelish for what they were doing. They head to the ring and we head to break.

Post break we see Aleister Black warming up in the back.

Back to the ring and here come the Wyatts. Still no sign of Bo Dallas, he’s been absent from these things for a few weeks at this point.

Match #3 – Tag Team Title Match: (c) Wyatt Sicks (Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis) w/ Erick Rowan and Nikki Cross vs. Street Profits (Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins) w/ B-Fab

We’ve got a brawl to start, things settle into Dawkins and Gacy for a bit as Dawkins lands a jumping back elbow. Ford tags in and Gacy gets double teamed for a bit, then Lums takes a Flapjack onto Gacy. Back body drop to Gacy and the heels powder, so Dawkins stalks and then rams both men into the barricade. That sends us picture in picture.

Dawkins and Gacy head back into the ring where Gacy lands a boot then tags in Lumis and they hit the back supex and neckbreaker combo for a 2 count. Gacy tags back in and hits a clothesline after Lumis hit a Manhattan Drop, both men then follow up with sentons. Lumis back in to continue working over Dawkins. Neck crank from Lumis then they hit the ropes for a double clothesline and double down spot. Both men tag out and Ford gets to be the house on fire as he lays into Gacy with clotheslines. High top rope crossbody from Ford. Dawkins tags in and they hit The Revelation but Lumis breaks up the pin to save the match right before we come back to broadcast. Ford heads up top, Lumis clocks him then he and Gacy climb up for a superplex, Dawkins comes over though and gets both men on his shoulders and Ford then hits a double Doomsday Blockbuster to put everyone down. Cover from Dawkins but Cross puts a foot on the ropes. B-Fab tosses Cross into the ring steps, Rowan then menaces her until Cross can dive onto B-Fab. Ford dives onto Rowan, Dawkins hits Gacy with the Anointment then dives onto Rowan. Ford tries From the Heavens but Lumis pulls Gacy out of the way then they hit The Plague to retain the titles.

OFFICIAL RESULT: The Wyatt Sicks retained the titles 6:36

Rating: 2.5 stars
Thoughts: Decent match but too short by far to actually get going. Pity the Profits can’t seem to find momentum and that the tag team scene on Smackdown is kind of stalling because they’ve got some really talented teams.

Post match as the Wyatts pose we see the MFT goons show up behind them for a bit old stare down. OK then, frankly I’d rather the belts not be involved in this but you’ve got a couple of acts that are just treading water going at it and the tag team scene is actually strong on Smackdown.

We get a recap of Miz turning on Carmelo Hayes last week. In the back Miz talks with Cathy, he saw the potential in Hayes and gave time and knowledge to him but Hayes then broke up with him. Miz reminds us of his accolades, because no one remembers them without the prompting, and he says Hayes blew it. He can’t elevate every loser on the roster and Hayes missed.

A hype video for Black and Priest that highlights their feud to this point, that’s our main event and it’s up after this break.

Post break we get a recap of some of the Crown Jewel kick-off stuff. Mostly looking at how Seth Rollins walked away from Heyman and the Brony boys. After that commentary runs down the Crown Jewel card.

Damian Priest heads to the ring, followed by Aleister Black.

Match #4 – Last Man Standing Match: Aleister Black vs. Damian Priest

We get right to striking, both men try kicks then Priest lands a right hand. Some corner work from Priest then he tosses Black over the top rope to the floor. Priest goes under the ring but can’t find what he wants, eventually he finds a kendo stick but runs into a boot from Black. Black with a flurry of kicks but Priest bounces Black into the ring steps. Priest gets the top of the ring steps and rams them into Black’s head. Black’s up, Priest hits him with the steps again as we go to break.

We come back to Priest landing a thrust kick to avoid getting hit with a kendo stick. The crowd want tables, to the surprise of no one. Priest sends Black into the barricade then gets the base of the ring steps and gets them in the ring. Black goes into the ring, Priest with a lifting Flatliner then he sets the base of the steps in the middle of the ring. Black with some knees then a knee to the head in the corner. Priest kicks Black on the top rope then climbs up with him, but Black slips free and Priest avoids a powerbomb. Black sweeps the legs of Priest and he face plants onto the steps. Black jumps into a goozle, then he knees Priest and hits a nice looking Meteora onto the steps that puts Priest down. Priest is able to get up at 7 or so. Black puts the ring steps on a side and they trade strikes before Priest lifts and drops Black onto the upturned steps. Priest follows up with a Razor’s Edge but Black fights free then low bridges Priest and follows with an orihara moonsault which Priest avoids then Black with a modified Sunset Flip that sends Priest’s head into the ring steps. Black rams the back of Priest’s head into the ring steps a few times for good measure. Priest regains his feet at 7 then sort of Pounces Black over the announce table and we go picture in picture.

Some strikes from Priest as he batters Black around the ringside area. Priest gets back in the ring, picks up the base of the ring steps and throws them at Black on the floor but Black avoids the impact. Another kendo stick for Priest then they both head into the ring. Priest boxes the ears of Black then runs through some of his usual offense before we come back to broadcast. Kendo stick shot from Priest then he and Black both start landing stick shots before Black yanks Priest off the top rope into a knee to the jaw and Priest falls to the floor as both men are down. Both men beat the count, Black follows Priest to the floor and gets a chair from the crowd. Some chair shots to the body from Black then Priest fights back with a chokeslam onto the apron. Priest then hits a Razor’s Edge onto the announce table which doesn’t give. Black barely beats the count by rolling off the table and getting his feet on the ground. Priest hits another Razor’s Edge onto the table which still doesn’t break. Again Black beats the count the same way. Priest begins battering Black through the crowd and towards an equipment area. They fight up onto some platforms then Priest with a suplex onto a higher box. Black tries to beg off but Priest climbs up with him and stands over him. Black does beat the count but his wife, Zelina Vega comes through the crowd to try and beg for mercy from Priest. That distraction gives Black time, and when Priest goes in Black hits him with a fireball to the face. Black Mass and Priest falls through a couple of tables on the floor and this time he wont beat the count.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Aleister Black won in 18:15

Rating: 3.5 stars
Thoughts: These two have been good for each other, Black quickly got to re-establish himself against a former champion while Priest didn’t lose a whole lot overall.

Black and Vega pose together as officials check on Priest and the episode ends.