The final SmackDown from the WWE ThunderDome takes place tonight and features two Money in the Bank qualifying matches.
Cesaro vs. Seth Rollins and Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Baron Corbin will determine the final two participants for this year’s men’s Money in the Bank ladder match. Ricochet, John Morrison, Riddle, Drew McIntyre, Big E, and Kevin Owens have already qualified for the match.
Asuka, Naomi, Alexa Bliss, Nikki Cross, Carmella, and Zelina Vega have been announced for the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match thus far.
Carmella and Vega were announced for the women’s MITB match by Sonya Deville on SmackDown over the past two weeks. Liv Morgan, who is trying to get her own Money in the Bank spot, confronted Carmella and Vega after those announcements and defeated them in matches. WWE has yet to confirm if Morgan will be in Money in the Bank.
Plus, the build to Roman Reigns and Edge’s Universal Championship match at Money in the Bank will continue tonight.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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They recapped Edge returning two weeks ago and attacking Roman Reigns. It also included Jimmy Uso calling out Edge last week.
Jimmy Uso tried to enter Roman Reigns locker room, but Paul Heyman stopped him. Heyman noted Reigns is getting ready to go to the ring, but he’ll deal with Uso later. Heyman promised him that Reigns is going to give him the attention he deserves. Uso walked off, and Heyman gave him an evil grin.
After the opening video, Reigns was standing behind the curtain. Heyman approached and told him it’s time. They headed towards the ring.
Michael Cole and Pat McAfee noted it’s the final SmackDown from the ThunderDome. They pushed that Reigns vs. Edge at Money in the Bank is their first singles match.
Roman Reigns Segment
They piped in fake boos and loud “Roman sucks” chants. Roman noted there’s a lot of stuff he didn’t like about last week. He’s furious that Edge claimed he’s scared of him. Reigns mentioned he had a few seconds of fear when Edge had him in the cross face with the bar. Reigns said to ask any fighter and mentioned Brock Lesnar.
Reigns said he used the few seconds of fear to beat Edge and Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania. Reigns then turned his attention to Jimmy Uso.
Uso made his way to the ring. Uso pointed out that he called out Edge for him, but he was on vacation. Reigns noted he didn’t ask Uso to call out Edge. Reigns wasn’t there last week because he was busy talking to Jey Uso.
Jey Uso’s music hit, and he made his way to the ring. He said he returned for all three of them. Jey told Reigns that his right-hand man is back, but he also came back for Jimmy. He’s here for Jimmy during these dark times. Jey’s ready to be tag team champions again.
Reigns said that’s all he ever wanted. He wants the Usos to be tag team champions and to be the Universal Champion for as long as he wants. Reigns pointed out they just have to do things his way, which is together.
Reigns opened his arms and embraced The Usos. They hugged, and Reigns looked in the camera.
Reigns and The Usos were great in the segment. The hug at the end was perfect.
In the back, Kayla Braxton interviewed Baron Corbin. He mentioned his recent financial problems. He promised to win the Money In the Bank ladder match to get back on track.
Money In The Bank qualifier: Shinsuke Nakamura (w/ Rick Boogs) defeated Baron Corbin (10:57)
Corbin and Nakamura had a fine match. It was the same match they’ve had for the last few weeks. It did go a bit long and went through two commercial breaks.
They recapped Baron Corbin’s losing streak and string of bad luck. Big E came to ringside to join Michael Cole and Pat McAfee.
Big E invited McAfee to sit with him on his couch. They made a ton of jokes about Corbin’s hairline. Big E pointed out that he’s never had a shot at the World title.
They showed footage from earlier today of Nakamura and Boogs driving around in Corbin’s car.
Corbin jumped Nakamura as he made his entrance. Boogs made the save for Nakamura.
The match started during the commercial break. Corbin was firmly in control as he dropped Nakamura on the top rope. Nakamura fought back and hit an enziguri. He followed up with a running knee in the corner. He then hit a sliding knee for a near fall.
Corbin regained control and hit a back suplex for a near fall. Nakamura knocked Corbin to the floor. Corbin suddenly hit Boogs at ringside. Nakamura rolled out of the ring, but Corbin gave him a brainbuster on the announce table.
Back from the break, Corbin went shoulder-first into the ring post. Nakamura was firmly in control until Corbin hit the deep six for a near fall. Corbin tried to place Nakamura on the top rope. Nakamura fought back and locked on a triangle. Corbin tried to fight back and hit a powerbomb, but Nakamura held on. Corbin made it to the ropes to break the hold.
Nakamura went for the Kinshasa, but Corbin countered with a clothesline. The finish came when Nakamura hit a series of knees and the Kinshasa for the win.
Nakamura qualifies for the Money in the Bank ladder match. After the match, McAfee and Big E rocked out to Nakamura’s music.
In the back, Jimmy apologized to Jey for everything he said before. Jey accepted the apology because they’re family. Jey wondered if they should try to take out Edge before Reigns does.
Non-title match: Shotzi & Nox defeated WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Natalya & Tamina (3:14)
Before the match, Tamina and Natalya noted they were told they’re taking on a mystery team. They demanded the mystery team come to the ring. Shotzi and Nox from NXT made their debuts.
They referred to Shotzi Blackheart and Tegan Nox as Shotzi & Nox throughout the match. They didn’t mention the mystery team until right before the break.
This was a fine tag team match. They didn’t get a lot of time.
Nox and Shotzi had the early advantage, but the champions took over. Tamina rocked Shotzi with a hard clothesline and elbow drop for a near fall.
Natalya went for a pin, but Nox broke up the pin attempt. She followed up with a cannonball on Tamina in the corner. Natalya rocked Nox with the discuss clothesline to take her out of the match.
Shotzi took over on Natalya and hit the ball pit for the win.
In the back, Megan Morant interviewed Edge. He promised to call out Roman Reigns later tonight. He wondered if Reigns had the guts to answer his challenge without The Usos.
Sonya Deville Announces Bayley’s Replacement
Sonya Deville came out and announced that Bayley suffered an injury during training. She’ll be out for nine months. Earlier today, Bayley discussed her injury and not being able to take on Bianca Belair at Money In The Bank. She was wearing a huge knee brace and blamed the fans for her injury.
Deville wished Bayley luck and hopes she recovers soon. She noted that Bayley’s out of the title match at the pay-per-view.
Deville announced that Belair would no longer defend the title that night. Instead, she defends the title next Friday on SmackDown. Deville introduced Belair’s opponent Carmella.
Carmella came to the ring and noted she’s the most beautiful woman in the WWE. Liv Morgan interrupted.
She was furious that Carmella’s getting the title shot. Morgan got in Deville’s face and accused her of favoritism.
Deville yelled at Morgan to shut her mouth and listen. She announced that Morgan takes Carmella’s place in the ladder match. Morgan hopes Carmella wins the title so she can cash in on her.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair came out. Belair doesn’t know if Bayley’s faking her injury or not. Belair can wait to settle their problems when she heals. Belair then told Carmella that she’d see her next week.
In the back, Paul Heyman told Roman Reigns that Edge is going to call him out and that he questioned his manhood.
They aired a vignette hyping Toni Storm’s upcoming debut.
Money In The Bank qualifier: Seth Rollins defeated Cesaro (18:17)
Cesaro and Rollins had a good match. They both worked hard and told a good story.
Kevin Owens joined Pat McAfee and Michael Cole on commentary.
Cesaro caught Rollins in mid-air and hit a backbreaker to gain the early advantage. Cesaro followed up with a flying cross body for a two-count. Rollins rolled out of the ring and was furious.
Back from the break, Rollins slammed Cesaro face-first on the announce table to take over. He then shoved Cesaro into the stairs. Rollins slowed the pace down with a chin lock.
Cesaro escaped, and they fought over a backslide. Rollins landed on his feet and rocked Cesaro with a kick to the back of the head. Cesaro fought back with uppercuts, but Rollins cut him off.
In a crazy sequence, Cesaro climbed to the top rope, but Rollins cut him off. Rollins hit a superplex and rolled through. He went for the falcon’s arrow, but Cesaro counted with a suplex over the top rope to the floor.
Back from the break, Cesaro had Rollins in the giant swing. Rollins escaped the sharpshooter, but Cesaro came back with an uppercut. Cesaro pulled Rollins out of the corner into a sit-out powerbomb. Rollins pulled out the turnbuckle pad, and the referee just looked at the pad instead of making the count.
Cesaro attempted the uppercut off the second rope, but Rollins countered. Rollins then dropped Cesaro on the exposed turnbuckle, which busted him open. Rollins tried to win by count-out, but Cesaro made it back in the ring. Rollins then knocked Cesaro back to the ringside and gave him a DDT on the ramp.
Rollins jumped back in the ring and tried to win by count-out, but Cesaro made it back in the ring. Rollins went for the curb stomp, but Cesaro countered with the sharpshooter. Rollins slipped out, but Cesaro hit an uppercut. Cesaro fell to the mat, and Rollins hit the curb stomp for the win.
Rollins qualifies for the Money in the Bank ladder match.
In the back, The Usos approached Edge’s locker room door. Jimmy went to knock on the door, but Jey told him to wait until Edge leaves.
Back from the break, Jimmy got impatient waiting, so they ran into Edge’s locker room, but he wasn’t there. Jey noted Edge’s lucky they didn’t find him.
Kayla Braxton interviewed Seth Rollins. He celebrated qualifying for the ladder match. Rollins noted he cashed in on Roman Reigns once before. He still thinks he should be getting the title shot at Money In The Bank. Rollins said he might cash in at Money In the Bank this time.
Edge showed up to confront Rollins. Edge noted while Rollins complained; he went and took the title shot. Edge promised to call out Reigns. Rollins was furious as Edge walked away.
They recapped Otis destroying the Street Profits. In the back, Chad Gable noted it doesn’t matter if it’s the Street Profits, Edge, or Roman Reigns. Otis added they’ll destroy everyone.
Edge Calls Out Roman Reigns
Edge mocked Roman Reigns and The Usos for reuniting earlier in the night. Edge showed still shots of Reigns and Jimmy in the cross face.
Reigns, Paul Heyman, and The Usos watched backstage. Edge demanded Reigns come to the ring right now. Reigns stood up and told The Usos to stay in the back. He wants to handle this one on his own.
Reigns gave Heyman the title and told him to stay in the back too.
Reigns slowly walked to the ring. In the back, Jey thinks it’s a trap, so The Usos headed to the ring.
The Usos made their way to ringside. Reigns was unhappy they showed up and said he wants to handle this without them. Reigns slowly entered the ring and faced off with Edge.
Edge and Reigns started brawling in the ring. Suddenly, Rey Mysterio’s music hit. Rey and Dominik ran out and attacked The Usos. The Usos recovered and beat down The Mysterios.
Edge hit a DDT on Reigns and set up for the spear. Jey grabbed Edge’s leg, and Jimmy hit a superkick. The Mysterio’s jumped back in the ring and hit double 619 on The Usos. Edge then hit the spear on Jey.
Edge broke off a piece of the chair and gave Uso the cross face with the bar. Reigns ran away and watched from the ramp. Edge also applied the cross face on Jimmy. Reigns slowly walked away to end the last SmackDown from the ThunderDome.
Next Week: SmakDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair defends against Carmella. In a fatal four-way, Kevin Owens takes on Shinsuke Nakamura, Big E, and Seth Rollins.
