Join 411’s Live WWE Smackdown Coverage

Keep Refreshing For The Latest Results

Alrighty everyone, time for WWE Smackdown. The WWE title is back with the bag of expired milk that is Sami Zayn after yet another clown fiesta of a finish to a title match last week. Expect Sami to hold that at least until Crown Jewel so the Saudi edicts can be enforced, which largely means nothing of value will happen with it for a few weeks. Unless, of course, WWE is looking at moving Crown Jewel out of Saudi Arabia with all the stuff going on over there. That would put a lot of stuff up in the air, and frankly Sami losing the title in just 7 days this time would be hilarious as he spirals into more and more paranoia. The WWE title picture has a lot of players, former champion CM Punk will be looking to even the score, Kevin Owens is always an easy slot into a main event, Gunther is about fed up with the nonsense around him, Finn Balor exists, Randy Orton still wants number 15, we don’t know what’s up with Cody Rhodes future yet, and of course Johnny Gargano took the pay cut so now gets to pretend that anyone takes him seriously in the main event scene. Cody Rhodes is scheduled to give an interview tonight so we should get some clarity about his future plans at least. We’re getting a couple of MITB qualifying matches tonight, Damian Priest turned on R-Truth last week so expect more heelish stuff from him. US champion Trick Williams wants in MITB, but the “who’s who” of “who’s that” Baron Corbin is still trying to get into his business. WWE women’s champion Chelsea Green defended her belt last week against Nia Jax, now we’re just waiting on Tiffany Stratton to turn on Green. Women’s US champion Jacy Jayne doesn’t have anything on the books, but her and the rest of Fatal Influence are still picking at Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, and Tatum Paxley. Still no official debut for Blake Monroe, Giulia is kind of MIA, Kiana James is very MIA, as are both Jordynne Grace and Carmelo Hayes. We should be expecting Drew McIntyre back in the near-ish future so it might be time to start the clock on him as well. Oh right, I almost forgot, the WWE tag team champions of Talla and Tama Tonga theoretically have challengers in Bakusai of Shinsuke Nakamura and Kyoki. Let’s see if they get air time this week or are relegated to social media posts again. Anyway that’s the general lay of the land, let’s get to the action.

Michael Cole and Corey Graves are on commentary, Joe Tessitore has Friday conflicts as he’s got work with College football so Joe’s over on Monday for the future and took Wade Barrett with him.

We see people arrive and get confirmation of the MITB qualifiers, Alexa Bliss vs. Jade Cargill vs. Jacy Jayne and Randy Orton vs. Trick Williams vs. Rey Fenix.

After that a recap of the WWE title match from last week.

Once that’s done here’s Smackdown GM Nick Aldis in the ring. Aldis brings out the human stain Sami Zayn along with the WWE title. Sami gets a mic, wait they haven’t changed the side plates on the belt as Punk’s logo is still there. Aldis is amused by the crowd booing Sami. Sami insults Aldis for a bit then gets cheap heat from the crowd by claiming he’s about justice for all. He fights for everyone, even those booing him. He keeps making faces at the people behind commentary. Next he says Aldis should understand that he believes in equality. Which means Sami expects everyone who asks for a title shot to be treated like Sami was. That brings out Johnny “60% less than Ciampa” Gargano and his wife. Johnny hugs Sami, he’s got a mic of his own and wants a title shot. Naturally the slimeball Sami oozes his way away from it. Johnny claims Sami made a promise, he really wants that shot tonight. Sami should accept happily, it’s guarantee him at least one defense. Aldis says Sami doesn’t make matches, Aldis does. Sami agrees with that and Aldis then says Johnny already lost a title match a couple weeks ago. Next in line isn’t here tonight and that’s CM Punk. That brings out Kevin Owens. Owens has a mic and says he’s the most deserving of a title match. Candice LeRae tries to interrupt but Owens then kills Johnny with a Stunner. Aldis knows what Owens will say, and reiterates that he can’t reward Owens for his bad behavior. Owens rightfully points out Sami ruined match after match to get where he is. Also let’s not forget that this whole mess started when Sami screwed Owens over. Aldis can’t argue with Owens and Sami resumes whining. Sami grabs Aldis and Aldis backs him off and reminds everyone that he’s in charge. Aldis was on the fence about things but Sami’s behavior made this easy, tonight Sami defends the WWE title against Kevin Owens, and mocks Sami maybe only have a 7 day reign. Aldis is a hero and man of the people, pity we know that match will be another clown fiesta. Aldis leaves, Sami follows bitching but here’s Randy Orton to complicate matters. Randy, dressed to wrestle, walks by Sami but eyes up the title. Owens walks by Randy as well and they stare down briefly then we head to break.

We come back to WWE patting themselves on the back for their Latin America tour.

After that we get confirmation of Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens for the title. Can’t wait for Johnny to screw it up.

Rey Fenix is in the ring, and here’s Trick Williams with his chant to get the match started.

Match #1 – MITB Qualifying Triple Threat Match: Randy Orton vs. Trick Williams w/ Lil Yachtyvs. Rey Fenix

Almost 30 minutes before the first match is a bit excessive. Fenix gets dropped right away then Randy and Trick tie up. Shoulder block from Trick but Fenix dropkicks him. Fenix with some elbows to Randy then a boot out of the corner. Randy posts himself charging Fenix, Fenix then low bridges Trick and follows up with a top rope crossbody. Back in the ring Fenix with a double springboard moonsault which gets a 2 count. Trick with a release Flapjack then a backhand to Fenix. Now Trick with corner stomps then he clotheslines Fenix out of the ring where Randy waits to hit the release back suplex onto the announce desk. Trick follows and gets the same move from Randy. Yachty wanders over and eats the move as well. That sends us to break.

Randy with uppercuts to Fenix, the crowd is very pro Randy. Back in the ring Randy stomps the ankle of Fenix then goes for a 10 Punch, he gets to 6 before Fenix slips free and reverses the position. Fenix after his own 10 Punch, he gets all 10 then lands a superkick to drop Randy but Trick shows up to break up the pin. Randy powders and Trick hits Fenix with a Bookend for a 2 count. Now it’s Fenix that rolls out of the ring and Randy attacks Trick. Trick and Randy fight over corner spots but Trick drops Randy gets to rhythmic stomping. Randy drops Trick with a back elbow as we rejoin the broadcast. Garvin Stomp to Trick then Randy puts Trick up top and punches down Fenix from the apron. Randy up top with Trick, he wants a superplex but here’s Fenix to hop the ropes and hit the Tower of Doom spot. Fenix with a Frog Splash to Randy and a 2 count. Kicks from Fenix to both Randy and Trick until Randy catches one and slings Fenix’s leg into trick. Randy takes the Tiger Feint wheel kick from Fenix, then Fenix with a gamen giri to Trick but he runs into a Randy clothesline. Randy gets to roll with his usual spots to Fenix and Trick, Trick looked quite awkward taking the snap powerslam. Fenix with the Adios Amigo kick to Randy as Randy wanted the draping DDT. Fenix up top again, but Trick shoves him off to the floor then hits a pretty oddly positioned tornado pump kick but he still gets a 2 count. Trick wants the Trick Shot, but Fenix with a rolling Hurricanrana for a 2 count then a superkick to Trick. Commentary, stop calling that a Poisoned Rana please. Randy with an RKO to a diving Fenix but Trick then hits Randy with a Trick Shot and pins Fenix to win.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Trick Williams won in 10:28

Rating: 3 stars
Thoughts: Some good stuff there, mostly from Fenix and Randy as Trick felt a little off. Still some quality athleticism all around and Randy had some real nice selling moments for Fenix and Trick. Trick was the fairly obvious choice, Fenix would have been my pick personally since neither of them are likely to win the briefcase but that’s just me.

In the back Johnny holds ice to his face and Sami wanders over to continue complaining about life the universe and everything. Sami says Johnny does deserve a title shot and promises to advocate for him, but Sami can’t lose the title in just 7 days. If Sami loses the title then you have to know Johnny wont get a shot again. Johnny understands what Sami is saying.

Elsewhere in the back MFT try to talk, Tama claims Shinsuke Nakamura needed him. Please don’t let Tama talk.

Bakusai talk as well, both men speak Japanese at first then Nakamura warns them that they’re prey. Oh we’re getting those teams next, because the tag team division is a wasteland so there’s literally no one else for the challengers to wrestle except the champions. That sends us to break.

Post break we find Alexa Bliss, Tatum Paxley, and Charlotte Flair in the back. Charlotte hypes up Bliss for her match, and clashes with Paxley a bit. Bliss tells them both she needs to focus on her preparation. Bliss heads out leaving Charlotte and Paxley together for comedic purposes.

To the ring for our next match.

Match #2 – Tag Team Match: MFT (Tama and Talla Tonga) w/ Haku vs. Bakusai (Shinsuke Nakamura and Kyoki)

Kyoki and Tama start, Kyoki runs over to bother Talla so Tama grabs him by the hair. Kyoki then knocks Talla off the apron and follows but Tama attacks Kyoki. Tama avoids a sliding dropkick but sells anyway, then Kyoki with a running dropkick to Tama and Tall on the floor to send us to break.

Talla rams Kyoki into the barricade so the heels can take over. Kyoki takes some heat from both Tongans, Talla tries a suplex but Kyoki slips free and tags in Nakamura. Nakamura with strikes to Talla then a couple of knees in the corner and Good Vibrations. Enziguri from Nakamura but Talla then clotheslines him down and begs for heat which he doesn’t really get. Samoan Drop from Talla gets a 2 count. Tama tags back in and hits a sliding clothesline. Talla back in so Nakamura can take some tag offense. Tama tags in and grabs a Cobra Clutch rest hold. Nakamura fights back with a wheel kick and both men are down as we come back to broadcast. Kyoki tags in and hits running crossbody attacks to Tama then demands Tama chop him. Tama obliges but Kyoki just fires up and hits a hurricanrana but Talla tagged in. Kyoki avoids a boot and hits a dropkick. Talla tries a chokeslam but Kyoki counters into a DDT. Kyoki up top and hits a flying senton to both Tama and Tall on the floor. Nakamura shows up to help shove Talla back into the ring. Tag to Nakamura, he throws Kyoki onto Talla for a 2 count. Talla with a right hand to Nakamura but he misses a corner attack. Kick from Nakamura then a second rope knee strike for another 2 count. Nakamura sets for Kinshasa but Tama shows up so Nakamura hits him with the sliding German only for Haku to attack Nakamura on the floor for the DQ.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Bakusai won via Disqualification in 7:21

Rating: 2 stars
Thoughts: Man Talla just isn’t good. Tama got juiced to the gills but just can’t connect with the audience and the whole tag scene on Smackdown is just not good. It’s depressing to remember that just 18 months ago or so we had the Street Profits, DIY, Motor City Machine Guns, Pretty Deadly, it was the best thing about Smackdown for a while. Now it’s this. Kyoki being a little crazy and wanting to attack Talla was a nice little thing at least.

Talla with a chokeslam to Kyoki on the apron, then Kyoki take the High Low version from Tama and Talla.

In the back Cathy talks with Owens, Owens brings up his history with Corpus Christi. His first WWE match was here against John Cena, and he beat Cena. Now in the same arena he’s beating Sami to become WWE champion. Finn Balor wanders over to remind us he exists. Balor brings up how long Sami and Owens have been friends, but Balor will still do things the right way. If that means MITB then so be it.

After this break we’ll hear from Cody Rhodes.

In the back Aldis talks with Chelsea Green and Tiffany Stratton. Danhausen shows up and Gunther is on the phone and is upset about MITB. Aldis has to deal with that. Tiffany then brings up she’s in a MITB qualifier and they run into Nikki Bella. Nikki makes everything worse and says she wants a title shot. Green and Nikki might genuinely make me break out the negative stars.

After that we recap Cody Rhodes not punting Randy at SNME leading to him losing the match.

In the back Michael Cole talks with Cody. Cody admits he couldn’t pull the trigger on Randy. Cole puts over Cody but brings up how Cody is now basically standing by himself as everyone who had his back at Wrestlemania 40 have now stabbed him in it. Cody probably should have seen it coming, maybe he was just arrogant to think that as champion it would have been different for him. But that isn’t the only team in WWE, it’s more than just the people fighting for the belt. Asked about the ongoing issue with Randy Cody admits he’s not immune to the discussion about his morality. He asks if anyone knows something he doesn’t, all the success Cody’s had is as himself. When he cam back after disrupting wrestling more than anyone except maybe Mr. Heyman he knew who he was and since then he’s remained uncompromised. WWE title reigns, victories over Brock Lesnar, taking the torch from John Cena, then beating Randy Orton at Mania this year. So he’s amused by the notion he needs to change. But the next time he meets Randy he wont make the same decision he did at SNME.

Jade Cargill and her goons are at gorilla, B-Fab interrupts things and she and Michin want tag gold. But Jade isn’t letting anyone take her MITB spot and that briefcase is hers. Jade heads to the ring and we head to break.

Post break Jacy Jayne is in the ring. Alexa Bliss follows.

Match #3 – MITB Qualifying Triple Threat Match: Jade Cargill vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Jacy Jayne

20 minutes between matches. Everyone stares off, Jayne then slams Bliss by the hair. Jade jump scares Jayne and Jayne powders. Jayne climbs on the announce table for heat and Bliss yanks her down. Bliss sends Jayne back in the ring, Jade stands around. Jayne yanks Bliss out of the ring then tries to kick Jade but Jade easily shoulder blocks her down. Scoop slam from Jade then Jayne with a hurricanrana. Jayne low bridges Jade, Jade then yanks Jayne down and Bliss with a dropkick through the ropes to drop Jade. Bliss stands on Jayne until Jade pulls Bliss out of the ring. Jade throws Jayne into Bliss. Jayne with a kick to Jade but she runs into a Black Hole Slam for a 2 count. That sends us to break.

Jade with some corner work to Jayne, then some pushups. Jayne with some strikes but Jade cuts her off with a back elbow. Bliss jumps at Jade but Jade catches her and hits a Fall Away slam, but takes too long posing and Jayne hits a Backstabber to Jade. Jayne with a senton to Bliss, then Jayne no sells a Bliss kick. Corner work from Jayne, Bliss then runs into a back elbow. Jayne with a face lock, then a chin lock. Bliss fights free with corner strikes as we come back to broadcast. Corner attack from Jayne then she puts Bliss up top. Jayne climbs up looking for a superplex, Jade shows up to get our second Tower of Doom spot on the night. Jade corners both women then hits corner splashes on both of them, but Jayne dodges a second attack and Jade posts herself. Bliss now starts running over Jayne with her usual offense. Head scissors from Bliss then she kicks Jayne out of the ring. Bliss with a cannonball senton onto Jayne on the floor. Jade shows up and kills Bliss with a knee to the face. Jayne rams Jade into the ring steps, then hits a running knee to Bliss in the ring for a 2 count. Bliss misdirects Jayne into the middle turnbuckle, then climbs up top but Jayne rolls out of the ring so Bliss just jumps at her on the floor and takes out Jade and Jayne. Back in the ring Bliss hits Sister Abigail’s DDT but Jade allegedly grabs the ref. The ref had to basically mess herself up there as Jade was late. Bliss avoids a pump kick but Jade is too strong and hits Jaded but Jayne kicks Jade then pins Bliss to win.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Jacy Jayne won in 11:27

Rating: 2.5 stars
Thoughts: They basically copied the layout from the men’s match but this didn’t click nearly as well. The first half felt very disjointed, Jade does a lot of standing around while Jayne felt a little out of step. They did mostly get things together by the end, apart from Jade still having timing issues but at this point if she hasn’t fixed that it’s just never going to get fixed.

In the back Cathy talks with Giulia as Giulia will wrestle Charlotte Flair and Lash Legend next week in a MITB qualifier. Nia Jax and Lash Legend show up to make things worse and they all bicker at each other.

Elsewhere Trick walks with Yachty and Yachty hypes him up. Trick says he’s got a plan for Corbin after MITB. They walk more and find Sami. Trick mocks Sami as gingerbread man. Sami wants respect, Trick calls him barely a champ as Sami’s title reigns are short. Trick hopes Sami does win, so he can take Sami’s title again. That sends us to break.

Damian Priest video, he says for 6 months Truth handed out title shots and Priest had to win those matches. He tried to move on but Truth just wouldn’t listen then failed in the ring. This was the only want Truth might understand. Call him a backstabber if you want, but make sure you call him a bad man too.

Kevin Owens heads to the ring for our main event. Sami follows.

Match #4 – WWE Title Match: (c) Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens

Owens attacks right away during the introductions and stomps down Sami in the corner. Sami runs away, Owens charges after him and clotheslines him on the floor then follows with a senton to send us picture in picture.

Some ringside brawling from Owens. Sami again tries to evade him but Owens still has the fire from the Punk title match. Not quite that same fire but a lot of it. Chops from Owens, then he insults a Sami fan in the crowd. Back in the ring Owens drops Sami midsection first over the top rope. Sami rolls to the apron then runs away again. Owens chases Sami and resumes chopping the crap out of him. Back in the ring Sami hits a DDT to take over. Sami with some stomps and punches, Owens then starts unloading stiff looking elbows. Sami tries to run away again as we rejoin the broadcast, this time Sami snaps Owens over the top rope. Some mounted punches from Sami. Hard corner whip from Sami. Sami with some corner work to Owens then a leaping ax handle. Next Sami goes up top, Owens starts punching at him on the top but Sami rakes the eyes then misses a flying nothing and Owens decapitates him with a superkick and both men are down. Owens pulls himself up and hits a couple of sentons, then a cannonball senton in the corner. Attitude Adjustment from Owens gets a near fall. Sami avoids the pop up powerbomb then counters a Stunner with a Blue Thunder Bomb for a 2 count. That sends us to break again.

Some punches from Sami, that wakes up Owens who is happy to trade punches but Owens then runs into a boot from Sami for a 2 count. Mounted elbows from Sami, man those looked worse and worse the more he “threw”. Sami now puts Owens up top but, both men trade punches up there as we rejoin the broadcast. Owens headbutts Sami down then follows with a Swanton Bomb for a near fall. Johnny runs down to distract the ref, Candice then hits Owens with the diving tornado DDT. Sami lines up a Helluva Kick, connects but Owens kicks at 2. Sami argues with the ref after that. Now Sami tries another Helluva Kick but this time Owens counters with a pop up powerbomb. Stunner from Owens but Johnny puts Sami’s foot on the ropes to save the match. Owens, quite pissed, rams Johnny into the barricade several times. Owens takes apart the announce table but Sami shows up, so Owens kills Sami with a back suplex through the announce table. The ref checks on Sami, Johnny gets the title belt but eats a Stunner from Owens. Candice distracts the ref again so here’s CM Punk to blast Owens with the belt. Sami kicks Punk but then crawls to cover Owens but Owens “kicks”? That was incredibly odd. Sami hits a Helluva Kick and now pins to win. Who screwed that finish up?

OFFICIAL RESULT: Sami Zayn retained the title in 15:56

Rating: 3.5 stars
Thoughts: The finish being screwed up hurt this quite a bit, but Owens and Sami would have to actively try to have a genuinely bad match together. The constant clown fiesta finishes are having serious diminishing returns at this point too though, and trying to elevate Johnny Gargano of all people when you’ve got Carmel Hayes rotting at catering and couldn’t keep Ilja Dragunov under contract just seems like poor resource management.

Post match Punk attacks Sami and hits a Go To Sleep, then one for Owens as well to end the episode.