All of Survivor Series’ champion vs. champion matches are now official.
WWE has announced that a non-title match between United States Champion Damian Priest and Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura will take place at Survivor Series this Sunday. The pay-per-view is being held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Four non-title matches at Survivor Series will pit champions from Raw and SmackDown against each other. In addition to Priest vs. Nakamura, those matches are: WWE Champion Big E vs. Universal Champion Roman Reigns, Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch vs. SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair, and Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro vs. SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos.
The updated Survivor Series card is listed below:
Non-title match: WWE Champion Big E vs. Universal Champion Roman Reigns
Non-title match: Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch vs. SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair
Non-title match: Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro (Randy Orton & Riddle) vs. SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso)
Non-title match: United States Champion Damian Priest vs. Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura
Women’s five-on-five elimination match: Team Raw (Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, Liv Morgan, Carmella & Zelina Vega) vs. Team SmackDown (Sasha Banks, Shayna Baszler, Shotzi, Natalya, and a partner)
Men’s five-on-five elimination match: Team Raw (Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, Kevin Owens, Bobby Lashley & Austin Theory) vs. Team SmackDown (Drew McIntyre, Jeff Hardy, Xavier Woods, Baron Corbin, and a partner)
A Halloween-themed tag team match is set for tonight’s SmackDown on FS1.
WWE has announced that Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura & Rick Boogs will face Happy Corbin & Madcap Moss in a Trick or Street Fight on tonight’s SmackDown. On last week’s show, Corbin defeated Nakamura in a non-title singles match.
Nakamura lost last week’s match after being distracted by an argument between Boogs and Moss. Corbin capitalized on that by throwing Nakamura into the steel steps and then hitting End of Days inside of the ring to get the win.
Nakamura defeating Corbin for his crown earlier this year was the reason that Corbin’s storyline of being down on his luck began. Things turned around for Corbin and he became Happy Corbin after winning money in Las Vegas while there for SummerSlam.
Tonight’s SmackDown is taking place at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The show is airing on FS1 due to game three of the World Series being on Fox. After tonight’s SmackDown ends, the show will replay on FS1 at both 10 p.m. Eastern time and midnight.
Tonight’s SmackDown takes place from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. It’s the go-home show for Sunday’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view.
Universal Champion Roman Reigns is set to defend his title against “The Demon” Finn Balor at Extreme Rules. Last week, WWE Champion Big E confronted Reigns, which led to Balor & Big E defeating The Usos.
On Raw, Reigns & The Usos defeated The New Day in a six-man tag match. Later that night, Reigns defeated Bobby Lashley and Big E in a non-title triple threat. Reigns will likely appear tonight ahead of his title defense at the PPV.
Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura defends against former champion Apollo Crews tonight. Last week, Crews and Commander Azeez attacked Nakamura and Rick Boogs to set up tonight’s title match.
Ahead of her match against Carmella at Extreme Rules, Liv Morgan goes one-on-one with Zelina Vega tonight. Plus, Baron Corbin hosts the debut edition of his new talk show, Happy Talk.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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Becky Lynch Segment
This was a good opening segment that the fans enjoyed.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch made her entrance to start SmackDown. She got a huge pop from the fans, who gave her a positive reaction. They recapped Bianca Belair’s homecoming celebration last week, including Lynch avoiding the KOD and hitting the manhandle slam.
After the recap, the fans gave Lynch a mixed reaction but mostly cheers. There was a brief “Becky” chant. Lynch noted she had a baby, returned at SummerSlam, and beat Belair in 26 seconds but didn’t get a party. The fans popped for her accomplishments. She pointed out that Belair tried attacking her last week, so she had to embarrass her. Lynch claimed she didn’t want to embarrass Belair in front of her friends and family.
Lynch started to say that Belair had one option. Belair’s music interrupted, and she made her way to the ring. The fans broke into a loud “EST” chant. Then, the fans broke into a “Becky” chant. Belair admitted Lynch embarrassed her in her hometown. Belair wasn’t ready to face Lynch at SummerSlam, but she’s ready for Extreme Rules. Lynch noted Belair knew she had a match at SummerSlam.
Belair noted she proved how strong she is when she picked up Lynch in heels last week. She has all the same accomplishments as Lynch but did it faster. Belair promised to win the title at Extreme Rules and offered a handshake. Instead, Lynch smacked Belair, and they briefly fought. Lynch went for the manhandle slam, but Belair reversed into the KOD.
Belair posed on the stage to end the segment.
King Nakamura, Rick Boogs, and Toni Storm rocked out to Nakamura’s music in the back.
Intercontinental Champion King Nakamura (w/Rick Boogs) defeated Apollo Crews (w/Commander Azeez) to retain the title (7:46)
Nakamura and Crews had a good match. The fans popped for the finish.
Earlier today, Crews discussed losing the title and promised to regain it tonight.
Crews beat down Nakamura with forearm shots to gain the early advantage. He followed up with a hard clothesline and a press slam to the ringside area.
Back from the break, Boogs played Nakamura’s music for encouragement. Nakamura fought back and rocked Crews with a kick to the face, and followed with the sliding German suplex. Nakamura leaped off the second turnbuckle, but Crews countered with a dropkick.
Nakamura regained control and hit a knee off the second turnbuckle for a near fall. Nakamura went for the Kinshasa, but Crews hit a dropkick and Samoan Drop for a two-count. Nakamura fought back and went for the Kinshasa, but Crews rolled out of the ring. Nakamura then caught Azeez with a knee, and Boogs gave him a suplex at ringside.
The finish came when Crews went for the Olympic Slam, but Nakamura countered with an arm-drag. Nakamura then rolled up Crews to retain the title.
They recapped Roman Reigns & The Usos on Raw last Monday.
In the back, Kayla Braxton interviewed Montez Ford. Ford noted Angelo Dawkins isn’t there tonight because he’s at a friend’s wedding. He discussed Reigns and The Usos going to Raw. He insulted The Usos and Reigns and promised to win the tag title Sunday.
In Reigns’ locker room, Reigns was furious that Ford mocked them and demanded a match with Ford for later tonight. The fans popped big for Reigns vs. Ford.
Paul Heyman approached Sonya Deville and Adam Pearce. Pearce noted they wouldn’t tell Heyman if Lesnar’s going to Raw. Heyman doesn’t want to talk about Lesnar. He demanded Reigns vs. Ford for the main event. They agreed to the match. Heyman said after the match, they’ll talk about the Draft.
They recapped the Seth Rollins and Edge feud. Last week, Rollins promised to finish Edge.
In the back, Rollins noted he hadn’t heard anything from Edge all week. He believes that Edge is hurt and might never compete in a WWE ring again. Rollins demanded that Edge show up on SmackDown next week. He wants Edge to tell everyone he’s superior and not Edge lite. Rollins promised to find Edge and beat him in front of his wife and kids.
Zelina Vega defeated Liv Morgan (2:18)
Vega and Morgan had an okay match while it lasted. Vega got her first win since returning although Morgan still faces Carmella at Extreme Rules.
They recapped Morgan and Carmella’s feud. Carmella joined Michael Cole and Pat McAfee on commentary.
Morgan hit a dropkick at the ring of the bell. Morgan had the early advantage, but Vega took over. Vega slowed the pace down with a chin lock, but Morgan tried to break free. Morgan fought back and sent Vega face-first into the middle turnbuckle.
Carmella jumped off commentary and yelled at Morgan. Morgan went after Carmella, but Vega took advantage. She rocked Morgan with a kick to the head and hit a code red for the win.
Happy Talk
Baron Corbin welcomed everyone to Happy Talk. He noted he’s in such a good mood that he’s whistled a tune. Corbin noted this isn’t like the KO Show because his talk show is about happiness. He had to think of the perfect guest and introduced himself because there’s nobody’s happier.
They recapped Corbin attacking Kevin Owens last week. Corbin laughed at Owens and his attack. Kevin Owens’ music then interrupted, and he walked to the ring. Suddenly, a guy in a hoodie jumped Owens and sent him into the barricade. Micheal Cole revealed that Riddick Moss is the guy under the hood. Corbin and Moss beat down Owens and slammed him on the steps.
Kayla Braxton interviewed Montez Ford again. Ford doesn’t regret his comments from earlier and can’t wait to get in the ring with Reigns. Ford wished that Angelo Dawkins could be there.
Edge tweeted that he’ll be at SmackDown next week for the Draft.
Natalya used a side headlock, but Nikki broke free. She followed up with a dropkick for a near fall. Natalya took over with a suplex for a two-count. Nikki fought back and went for a tornado DDT, but Tamina jumped on the apron. Ripley and Tamina started brawling at ringside, which distracted the referee. Natalya blocked the DDT and rolled up Nikki, but the referee was still distracted. Nikki then reversed for the win.
After the match, Tegan Nox & Shotzi came out with their tank and shot a missile at the champions.
They recapped Rey and Dominik Mysterio’s recent problems. In the back, Rey told Dominik that he needed to listen and focus more on his matches. Dominik blamed Rey for nitpicking his matches despite telling him to succeed on his own. Rey decided to give Dominik space to find his success on his own. Rey walked off, and Sami Zayn approached Dominik. Zayn told Dominik to listen to Rey less and trust his instincts more.
Naomi Segment
This was a good segment. Naomi and Deville were good in their roles, and it didn’t go long.
Naomi made her way to the ring. They recapped her confrontation with Sonya Deville last week. Michael Cole noted Naomi doesn’t have a match tonight. Naomi pointed out she came to SmackDown to compete, but Deville won’t give her a match. The fans booed. Naomi demanded a match and challenged anyone from the back.
Deville interrupted and noted she makes the matches. Naomi then challenged Deville to a match instead. Deville claimed she’d slap the glow off of Naomi’s face, but she’s not a wrestler anymore. Naomi demanded the match and started a “Make the match” chant. Deville yelled to cut Naomi’s mic and had security take her away. The fans booed and broke into another “Make the match” chant. The fans erupted in boos to end the segment.
Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, and The Usos were on their way to the ring. The Usos ran into Otis and Chad Gable.
In the back, Becky Lynch was furious that Bianca Belair beat her down earlier. She promised to retain her title at Extreme Rules. Lynch isn’t just going to beat Belair. She’s going to break her.
Michael Cole and Pat McAfee ran down the lineup for Extreme Rules.
Non-title match: Universal Champion Roman Reigns (w/Paul Heyman) defeated Montez Ford (15:57)
Ford and Reigns worked hard and had a good match. After the match, Finn Balor attacked the heels in a good show-closing angle.
Reigns took Ford down with a shoulder tackle, but Ford fought back. He avoided Reigns with two leapfrogs and hit a standing dropkick.
Back from the break, Reigns was firmly in control as he beat down Ford. Reigns slowed the pace down and rocked Ford with clotheslines in the corner. The fans broke into a faint “Tribal Chief” chant. Ford fought back and rocked Reigns with an enziguri. He followed up with a dropkick, which sent Reigns to the floor. Ford beat down Reigns around ringside and threw him into the barricade.
Ford went to jump off the announce table, but it fell apart before he could do anything. McAfee believed his dancing on the table broke it earlier. Reigns lifted Ford in the air and slammed him down to regain control.
Back from the break, Ford fought back and hit a springboard crossbody for a near fall. Ford hit a series of flips but appeared to slip. He regained his footing and hit a dropkick. He followed up with a blockbuster for a close two-count. Reigns avoided the frog splash and hit a version of the Rock Bottom for a near fall. McAfee even referred to the move as the Rock Bottom.
Reigns went for the spear, but Ford avoided and hit a DDT for a near fall. Ford briefly ran wild and sent Reigns into the steps at ringside. The finish came when Ford went for the frog splash, but Reigns got his knees up and locked on the guillotine submission for the win.
After the match, Paul Heyman noted Reigns didn’t do enough and needs to prove to Ford, Finn Balor, and even Brock Lesnar what happens when he goes to the extreme. There was a brief and faint “ECW” chant.
The Usos ran out and pulled out a table from under the ring. Reigns beat down Ford with a chair and put him through the table at ringside.
Suddenly, the lights went out. The lights turned red, and The Demon Finn Balor appeared on top of the ring post. Balor appearing behind the heels was a cool visual. He took out Reigns and The Usos with a crossbody. Balor fought off the heels and hit a huge dive onto Reigns to end SmackDown.
Next Week: The first night of the WWE Draft features Edge returning to confront Seth Rollins.
WWE has announced two segments and a tag team match for tonight’s episode of SmackDown.
After making her return at SummerSlam, new SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch will appear on tonight’s SmackDown. The show will also feature Universal Champion Roman Reigns hosting a championship celebration.
Plus, Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura & Rick Boogs will face Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode in tag team action on SmackDown tonight.
At SummerSlam, Lynch defeated Bianca Belair in under 30 seconds to win the SmackDown Women’s Championship. It was Lynch’s first appearance on WWE programming since announcing her pregnancy in May 2020.
Belair defending her title against Sasha Banks was originally set for SummerSlam, but it was announced just before the match was supposed to start that Banks wouldn’t be able to compete. WWE teased that Carmella would be taking Banks’ place in the SmackDown Women’s Championship match, but Lynch then laid out Carmella and challenged Belair to face her instead.
Reigns retained his Universal Championship against John Cena in the main event of SummerSlam. The returning Brock Lesnar then confronted Reigns.
Nakamura defeated Apollo Crews on SmackDown two weeks ago to win the Intercontinental title. Nakamura & Boogs defeated Crews & Commander Azeez on last Friday’s episode of the show.
Tonight’s SmackDown is taking place at Simmons Bank Arena in North Little Rock, Arkansas.
A title change took place on tonight’s episode of SmackDown.
Shinsuke Nakamura won the Intercontinental title by defeating Apollo Crews on SmackDown tonight. Nakamura pinned Crews after hitting the Kinshasa.
Commander Azeez and Rick Boogs were both ejected from ringside during the match. Boogs came back out after Nakamura won to celebrate his title win.
This was the second straight week that Crews and Nakamura faced off. Nakamura defeated Crews by disqualification in a non-title match on last Friday’s SmackDown. The finish of that match was Commander Azeez pulling Nakamura out of the ring when he went to pin Crews. Azeez then tried to attack Nakamura, but Nakamura fought back and threw him into Crews.
Nakamura previously held the Intercontinental title from July 2019 to January 2020. He’s now a two-time Intercontinental Champion in WWE.
Nakamura is currently being called “King Nakamura” on WWE television. He won Baron Corbin’s crown by defeating Corbin on SmackDown this June.
Prior to losing the title tonight, Crews had been Intercontinental Champion since defeating Big E in a Nigerian Drum Fight at WrestleMania 37 night two this April.
The Intercontinental title will be on the line on tonight’s episode of SmackDown.
WWE has announced that Apollo Crews will defend his Intercontinental title against Shinsuke Nakamura on SmackDown tonight. Nakamura defeated Crews by disqualification in a non-title match on last Friday’s episode of the show.
As Nakamura went to pin Crews last week, Commander Azeez pulled Nakamura out of the ring to cause the DQ. Azeez tried to attack Nakamura after the match, but Nakamura fought back and threw Crews into Azeez.
Crews has been Intercontinental Champion since winning the title from Big E at WrestleMania 37 this April.
Tonight’s SmackDown is taking place at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The build to two of the top matches at SummerSlam will continue with segments on tonight’s show. Universal Champion Roman Reigns will go face-to-face with John Cena tonight, while there will be a contract signing for Bianca Belair and Sasha Banks’ SmackDown Women’s Championship match at SummerSlam.
Tonight is the second-to-last SmackDown episode before SummerSlam. The pay-per-view is being held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, August 21.
Three new participants have been confirmed for this year’s Money in the Bank ladder matches.
With Seth Rollins and Shinsuke Nakamura winning qualifying matches on SmackDown tonight, the field for this year’s men’s Money in the Bank ladder match is now fully set. Ricochet, John Morrison, Riddle, Drew McIntyre, Big E, Kevin Owens, Rollins, and Nakamura will be taking part in the match.
Rollins qualified for Money in the Bank by defeating Cesaro tonight. Nakamura qualified by defeating Baron Corbin.
It was also announced on SmackDown tonight that Liv Morgan is taking Carmella’s spot in this year’s women’s Money in the Bank ladder match. Carmella is out of the match because she’s instead challenging for Bianca Belair’s SmackDown Women’s Championship on next Friday’s episode of SmackDown.
Asuka, Naomi, Alexa Bliss, Nikki Cross, Zelina Vega, and Morgan are set for the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match thus far. There are still two more spots left to be filled.
Money in the Bank is taking place at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas on Sunday, July 18. Here’s the updated card for the PPV:
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Edge
WWE Champion Bobby Lashley defends against Kofi Kingston
Raw Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley defends against Charlotte Flair
Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match (Asuka, Naomi, Alexa Bliss, Nikki Cross, Zelina Vega, Liv Morgan, and two more wrestlers to be determined)
Men’s Money in the Bank ladder match (Ricochet, John Morrison, Riddle, Drew McIntyre, Big E, Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins, and Shinsuke Nakamura)
Two grudge matches will determine the final participants for this year’s men’s Money in the Bank ladder match.
WWE has announced that the final two men’s Money in the Bank qualifying matches will take place on SmackDown next Friday. The qualifying matches are Seth Rollins vs. Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Baron Corbin.
The winners will join Ricochet, John Morrison, Riddle, Drew McIntyre, Big E, and Kevin Owens in the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match.
In storyline, Rollins wanted to challenge for Roman Reigns’ Universal Championship at Money in the Bank. But Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville instead gave the title shot to Edge. Rollins was told by Pearce and Deville on SmackDown tonight that he’ll be facing Cesaro in a Money in the Bank qualifying match next Friday.
Money in the Bank is being held at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas on Sunday, July 18. Asuka, Naomi, Alexa Bliss, Nikki Cross, Carmella, and Zelina Vega are the first six wrestlers announced for the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match.
Rick Boogs made his main roster debut on SmackDown.
King Corbin came to the ring on tonight’s show to face Shinsuke Nakamura. Before Nakamura arrived, Boogs appeared and started to play the guitar. He introduced himself, then introduced Nakamura and accompanied him to the ring while playing the guitar. Corbin and Nakamura then wrestled, with Nakamura pinning Corbin via small package after Boogs started playing the guitar again, distracting Corbin.
Boogs has been in the WWE since 2017. He has appeared on NXT television a few times, but had recently mostly been working NXT live events. His last match was at a NXT Live event prior to the pandemic on March 7, 2020, where he defeated Tino Sabbatelli. He also previously appeared in EVOLVE prior to their shutdown.
The feud between Corbin and Nakamura started last week after Corbin defeated Nakamura and started to place his crown on his head. Nakamura attacked Corbin and stole Corbin’s crown, and has since then taken pictures wearing the crown on social media.
A new match has been confirmed for Sunday’s Fastlane pay-per-view.
On SmackDown tonight, it was announced that Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Seth Rollins will take place at Fastlane. Rollins has been feuding with Nakamura’s tag team partner Cesaro since returning to SmackDown last month.
Rollins cut a promo on SmackDown tonight and claimed that Cesaro is jealous of him. Rollins said Cesaro is jealous of the fact that Rollins is successful at everything he does and is loved everywhere he goes. Rollins said that while he’s a WrestleMania main eventer, Cesaro is an abject failure. Rollins mocked Cesaro and said Cesaro will never disrespect or embarrass him again. Rollins called Cesaro the biggest waste of potential in WWE history.
Nakamura then came out to the ring and confronted Rollins on SmackDown tonight. Nakamura took the microphone from Rollins and told him to shut up. Rollins went to attack Nakamura, but Nakamura dropped him with a kick. Rollins bailed from the ring but was then laid out with a Kinshasa after he went back in.
After Cesaro defeated Murphy on SmackDown last week, Rollins attacked Cesaro and laid him out with two curb stomps. Rollins and Nakamura had a staredown when Rollins went backstage after that attack.
Rollins returned to WWE programing as an entrant in this January’s men’s Royal Rumble match. it was his first appearance since going on paternity leave in November. Rollins (real name Colby Lopez) and Becky Lynch (Rebecca Quin) welcomed the birth of their daughter Roux in December.
Nakamura and Rollins previously faced off against each other at Survivor Series 2018. Rollins defeated Nakamura in that match.
Though WWE has stopped advertising Braun Strowman vs. Shane McMahon for Fastlane online, that match was still listed when WWE ran down the card for the PPV on SmackDown tonight. Here’s the updated lineup for the PPV:
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Daniel Bryan (Edge will be the special guest enforcer for the match)
No holds barred match: Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus
Women’s Tag Team Champions Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler defend against SmackDown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair
Intercontinental Champion Big E defends against Apollo Crews
United States Champion Riddle defends against Mustafa Ali
New entrants have been added to this year’s Royal Rumble matches.
On Friday’s episode of SmackDown, it was announced that Intercontinental Champion Big E, Shinsuke Nakamura, Sami Zayn, and SmackDown Tag Team Champion Dolph Ziggler will be taking part in this year’s men’s Royal Rumble match. Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan, and Tamina were also added to the list of entrants for the women’s Royal Rumble match.
The men’s Royal Rumble match now has 13 announced entrants. There have been 12 entrants announced for the women’s Royal Rumble match.
The Royal Rumble is taking place on Sunday, January 31. Here’s the updated list of entrants for the men’s and women’s Royal Rumble matches:
After being cost a chance to become the number one contender to Roman Reigns’ Universal Championship, Shinsuke Nakamura is set to face off with Reigns’ cousin Jey Uso.
It was announced on this week’s episode of Talking Smack that Nakamura vs. Uso will take place on SmackDown next Friday. Nakamura made it to the final two of the number one contender’s gauntlet match on this week’s SmackDown before being attacked by Reigns and Uso.
Authority figure Adam Pearce won the gauntlet after being forced into the match by Reigns. In storyline, Reigns was upset at Pearce for making last week’s Kevin Owens vs. Uso main event and this week’s gauntlet. It was said that Paul Heyman pulled some strings to get Pearce added to the gauntlet match.
Pearce reluctantly came out to the ring with Reigns, Uso, and Paul Heyman as the final entrant in the gauntlet match. After Reigns and Uso laid out Nakamura, Reigns threw Pearce into the ring and Uso hit a superkick on Pearce. Uso then put Pearce on top of Nakamura and the referee counted the pin.
Nakamura defeated Daniel Bryan, Baron Corbin, and Rey Mysterio during the gauntlet match. Sami Zayn was also a participant in the match.
As the winner of the gauntlet match, Pearce is currently in line to challenge for Reigns’ Universal Championship at the Royal Rumble on Sunday, January 31.
As the build to the Royal Rumble continues, two title matches will take place on tonight’s SmackDown from the WWE ThunderDome.
Intercontinental Champion Big E makes his first title defense tonight as he faces Apollo Crews. Big E took on Baron Corbin in a non-title match last week that turned into a tag team match with Big E & Crews defeating Corbin & Sami Zayn.
After the match, Crews pointed out that he saved Big E and helped him win the title from Zayn in the previous week’s lumberjack match. Big E said he was going to issue an open challenge for tonight’s show, but Crews told him that he could consider the challenge already answered.
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Street Profits also defend against Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode tonight. The Street Profits retained the titles against Ziggler & Roode two weeks ago. Ziggler & Roode then attacked the champions during their “New Year’s Smoke-Tacular” last week
Plus, tonight’s show will feature a number one contender’s gauntlet match to decide Universal Champion Roman Reigns’ Royal Rumble challenger. Shinsuke Nakamura, Daniel Bryan, Zayn, Corbin, and Rey Mysterio will face off in the gauntlet match.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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Universal Champion Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, and Paul Heyman made their way to the ring to start SmackDown. As they slowly walked to the ring, Michael Cole and Corey Graves discussed the gauntlet match later tonight.
Reigns praised Kevin Owens and claimed he never wanted to hurt him. He blamed Owens for making him attack him last week. Reigns said he loves the entire roster and their families. He was furious that people are blaming him for injuring Owens. Reigns said people should blame Adam Pearce for making the match.
Reigns then demanded Pearce come to the ring. Heyman went ballistic trying to get Pearce to come out. Pearce slowly entered the ring, and Reigns got in his face. They recapped Owens begging Pearce to give him a match with Uso. The recap included Reigns viciously attacking Owens and throwing him out of the stands.
After the recap, Reigns wanted Pearce to take responsibility and be a man. He pointed out that he was done with Owens and wanted to move forward. Instead, Owens went to his friend, Pearce, to get the match.
Uso stood behind Pearce and glared at him. Reigns noted Pearce gave Owens the match, and now Owens isn’t here. He was furious that Pearce made the gauntlet match for a shot at his title. Reigns brought up everything he does for the company. He felt betrayed that Pearce would make the match.
Pearce said he’s just trying to make the best match possible.
Reigns wondered if Pearce is going to put himself in the match. Pearce said that would be a conflict of interest.
Reigns became upset and wondered if Pearce thinks he’s stupid. He handed the title to Heyman and grabbed Pearce. Reigns backed him into the corner. He noted Pearce doesn’t respect him, which means he doesn’t respect his family. Pearce was terrified and begged Reigns to stop.
Heyman advised Reigns not to hurt Pearce.
Reigns quickly calmed down. He said that maybe nobody called each other stupid. Reigns tapped Pearce on the shoulder and walked off with Heyman and Uso.
This was a good opening segment.
Intercontinental Champion Big E defeated Apollo Crews
Crews and Big E had a good match with lots of hard-hitting, fast-paced action. The angle in the middle did slow the momentum a bit at one point.
Crews hit a dropkick and big boot for a near fall at the ring of the bell.
Big E fought back and hit a big splash on the apron. Crews regained control and hit a splash in the corner. He followed up with three rolling German suplexes for a near fall.
Big E rolled to the floor, but Crews caught him with a moonsault off the apron. Crews backed Big E into the corner and set him up for a superplex.
They briefly fought on the top turnbuckle, but Crews hit the superplex. They did the Randy Savage-Dynamite Kid finish. Both guys got their feet up, and the referee counted three.
There was confusion in the ring. Crews celebrated as if he won, but Big E protested to the referee. They quickly cut to a commercial break.
Back from the break, they showed different angles of the pin and pointed out that both guys had their shoulders down.
The referee was standing in the ring with the belt. He declared the match a draw because of the double pin. The belt went to the champion because of the draw. Big E tried to shake Crews’ hand, but Crews wanted the match to continue. Crews got in Big E’s face and slapped him hard across the face. Big E agreed to restart the match.
Big E ran wild and hit a series of belly-to-belly suplexes. Crews fought back and hit a huge frog splash for a close near fall. He followed up with a standing moonsault for another near fall. Big E went for the Big Ending, but Crews slipped out the back and hit an enziguri.
Crews charged at Big E, but he caught him with an uranage. He followed up with the Big Ending for the win.
In the back, Adam Pearce was on the phone when Sonya Deville entered the room. He’s happy to have her back. Deville noted she’s not bitter even though her former best friend beat her in a loser leaves town match, went to Raw, and formed a new tag team.
Deville pointed out that Pearce is very busy running SmackDown and even has a match later. Pearce quickly noted that he’s not in the match later.
Deville wondered why he’s not in the match. He said that he hasn’t competed in years. They’ve mentioned Pearce wrestling twice tonight so far.
Alyse Ashton tried to interview Bianca Belair about entering the Royal Rumble match. Bayley interrupted and wondered if Belair eliminated Bayley from the match last year. Belair pointed out Bayley wasn’t in the match.
Bayley bragged about being champion last year. Belair promised to eliminate her this year.
They recapped Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode jumping The Street Profits last week.
They showed that Sports Illustrated ranked Sasha Banks top wrestler of 2020.
In the back, Carmella was enjoying champagne with Reginald in the background. She sarcastically praised Banks. She then claimed that Banks doesn’t have her talent.
Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode defeated The Street Profits to win the SmackDown Tag Team Titles
This was a good match. They worked hard and told a good story.
Cole and Graves wondered if Ford is injured because Dawkins started the match. Dawkins had the early advantage and hit a dropkick on Ziggler for a two count.
Dawkins dropped Ford on Ziggler for a near fall, but Ziggler went after the injured leg. The heels isolated Ford and cut him off from Dawkins.
Ford fought back and sent the heels to the floor. He followed up with a huge dive to the floor but sold his knee as they went to commercial.
Back from the break, Dawkins ran wild on Roode and hit a twisting splash. Ford was walking around ringside, selling his knee. Dawkins considered tagging Ford but decided not to. The heels quickly took advantage and gained control of the match.
The heels isolated Dawkins on their side of the ring. Ziggler slowed the pace down with a front face lock.
Roode got the tag and hit a neck breaker for a two count.
Roode threw Ziggler into Dawkins, but he moved out of the way. Ziggler crashed hard into the corner. Dawkins sent Roode to the floor and attempted to tag Ford.
Roode pulled Ford off the apron, but he fought back. Ford finally got the hot tag and ran wild. He hit a discus lariat on Ziggler for a close near fall. Ford climbed to the top rope for the frog splash, but Roode tried to stop him.
Ford knocked down Roode. Ziggler ran up and dropped Ford on his face. Ziggler went for the superkick, but Ford hit a superkick first for a near fall. Roode and Dawkins fought on the apron. Roode took Dawkins out of the match.
Ford used a sunset flip on Ziggler for a near fall.
Ziggler attacked the injured leg to regain control. Roode used the Perfect Plex for a near fall. Roode attempted the Glorious DDT, but Ford fought out. The heels took back over. The finish came when Roode and Ziggler hit a spine buster into the Zig Zag to win the titles.
In the back, Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville discussed the title match. Paul Heyman entered the office and praised Pearce. He brought up Pearce’s past as Scrap Iron Adam Peace. Heyman noted Pearce is excellent at his job, but his dream was to be a wrestler.
Heyman pulled some strings, and Pearce is now competing in the gauntlet match. Pearce wasn’t happy to be added to the match.
In the back, Billie Kay approached Liv Morgan and Ruby Riott. She asked to join them, but they turned her down. She started to cry, so Morgan tried to comfort her. Kay assumed that meant she’s a member of the Riott Squad now.
Kay’s been preparing to join the Riott squad already. She started listening to Blink 1-8-2 and added Mosh Pitting to her resume. Kay was funny in the segment.
Gauntlet Match: Rey Mysterio (w/Dominik Mysterio) defeated Sami Zayn
Before the match, Zayn came out with a documentary crew. He said that once he heard there was a gauntlet match, he demanded WWE management put him in the match.
Zayn was furious that WWE management put him first in the gauntlet. He said there is obviously a conspiracy against him. He has the crew to uncover the plot against him, which cost him the I.C. title. Zayn promised to defeat Mysterio and win the gauntlet match.
Mysterio hit Zayn with a dropkick right at the bell. He followed up with the 619 and a splash for the very quick win to advance.
Gauntlet Match: Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Rey Mysterio (w/Dominik Mysterio)
Nakamura and Mysterio had a good match. Corbin’s attack after the match didn’t make much sense since Mysterio didn’t win.
Mysterio had the early advantage and sent Nakamura to the floor with a hurricanrana.
Nakamura blocked a sliding dropkick and hit a knee to the face. He then missed a knee off the apron to the floor.
Mysterio fought back and attempted a running sunset bomb from inside the ring to the floor. Nakamura rolled through and hit a sliding knee.
Nakamura placed Mysterio on the top turnbuckle. Mysterio fought back and hit a seated senton. The finish came when Mysterio hit the 619 and went for a splash, but Nakamura got his knees up. Nakamura then locked on the armbar, and Mysterio tapped. Nakamura advances to the next match in the gauntlet.
King Corbin ran out and attacked Dominik at ringside. He tossed Nakamura into the ring post and attacked Mysterio. Corbin beat down Mysterio as they went to commercial.
Gauntlet Match: Shinsuke Nakamura defeated King Corbin
This was a fine match.
The match started during the commercial break. Corbin was firmly in control and hit a clothesline for a near fall. He missed a charge in the corner and went shoulder-first into the ring post.
Corbin drove Nakamura back-first into the ring post on the floor. Corbin continued to beat down Nakamura. Nakamura fought back and hit a knee off the second turnbuckle. He set up for the Kinshasa, but Corbin countered with Deep Six for a near fall.
Nakamura caught Corbin with a triangle, but Corbin countered into a powerbomb for a near fall. The finish came when Nakamura hit the Kinshasa on Corbin for the win to advance in the gauntlet.
Gauntlet Match: Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Daniel Bryan
Bryan and Nakamura had a really good match.
Bryan jumped Nakamura to start the match and sent him to the floor. He followed up with a suicide dive. Nakamura fought back and set up for the Kinshasa. Bryan countered with the half-crab and transitioned into an ankle lock.
Nakamura tried getting to his feet, but Bryan hit a German suplex for a close near fall. Bryan rocked Nakamura with Yes kicks, but Nakamura avoided the last kick. Nakamura locked on an armbar, but Bryan counted with an armbar as well.
Bryan transitioned into the Yes Lock, but Nakamura made it to the ropes to break the hold. Bryan went for a hurricanrana off the top rope, but Nakamura held on, and Bryan fell to the mat.
Nakamura went back to the armbar, but Bryan countered with a roll-up for a near fall. Bryan rocked Nakamura with a series of kicks in the corner. He followed up with two running dropkicks in the corner. Bryan went for a third dropkick, but Nakamura hit the Kinshasa for the win to advance.
After the match, Bryan and Nakamura shook hands.
Universal Champion Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, and Jey Uso walked out to the ring to watch the gauntlet’s last match.
Gauntlet Match: Adam Pearce defeated Shinsuke Nakamura to earn a title shot at the Royal Rumble
This wasn’t a match and was more of an angle.
Pearce reluctantly walked to the ring with the heels behind him. Graves praised Pearce’s past career, but Cole said Pearce wasn’t good enough to make it in the WWE.
Uso and Reigns jumped in the ring and viciously beat down Nakamura. Reigns hit the superman punch, and Uso followed up with a splash off the top rope. There was no mention of Nakamura’s tag team partner Cesaro and no explanation for his absence.
Reigns threw Peace into the ring. Uso knocked out Pearce with a superkick. Reigns then ordered the referee to ring the bell. They dragged Pearce on top of Nakamura, and the referee counted three. Adam Pearce is the number one contender and gets a title shot against Reigns at the Royal Rumble.
Eight-man tag team action is set for tonight’s TLC pre-show.
WWE has announced that Big E, Daniel Bryan, Chad Gable & Otis vs. Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn, Baron Corbin, Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura will be the pre-show match for tonight’s TLC pay-per-view. The one-hour pre-show begins at 6 p.m. Eastern time and will air on the WWE Network and WWE’s social platforms.
Big E and Bryan have both lost to Zayn by countout in non-title matches on SmackDown in recent weeks. On this past Friday’s SmackDown, there was a segment where Big E got back at Zayn by ruining his “first annual Sami Awards.”
After Gable & Otis lost to Cesaro & Nakamura the previous week, Otis defeated Nakamura in a singles match on this past Friday’s SmackDown.
Wesley Blake and Steve Cutler returned to WWE television earlier this month as Corbin’s Knights of The Lone Wolf.
There are now seven matches in total announced for tonight’s TLC event. Here’s the updated card for the show:
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends his title against Kevin Owens in a tables, ladders, and chairs match
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre defends his title against AJ Styles in a tables, ladders, and chairs match
Randy Orton vs. “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt in a Firefly Inferno match
SmackDown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks defends her title against Carmella
Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax defend their titles against Asuka and a partner of her choosing
Raw Tag Team Champions The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) defend their titles against The Hurt Business (Shelton Benjamin & Cedric Alexander)
Big E, Daniel Bryan, Chad Gable & Otis vs. Sami Zayn, Baron Corbin, Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura (pre-show)
Two matches have been announced for next week’s season premiere episode of SmackDown.
Roman Reigns will defend his Universal Championship against Braun Strowman on SmackDown’s season premiere next Friday. After being split up in the WWE Draft, The New Day will have their “farewell to SmackDown” match next Friday. Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods & Big E will face Cesaro, Shinsuke Nakamura & Sheamus in a six-man tag match.
The Reigns vs. Strowman title match comes in advance of Reigns defending his Universal Championship against Jey Uso at Hell in a Cell on Sunday, October 25. It was announced on SmackDown tonight that Reigns vs. Uso will be the first-ever Hell in a Cell I Quit match. Reigns also warned Uso that — after Uso says I Quit — there will be consequences.
Kingston & Woods returned to the ring on SmackDown tonight and defeated Cesaro & Nakamura to win the SmackDown Tag Team titles. After the match, it was announced that Kingston & Woods have been drafted to Raw and Big E has been drafted to SmackDown. Big E also defeated Sheamus in a falls count anywhere match tonight.
Reigns stayed on SmackDown in tonight’s draft. Strowman, Cesaro, Nakamura, and Sheamus are in the night two draft pool and are eligible to be selected by SmackDown or Raw on Monday.
There will be a special 30-minute pre-show airing on Fox before next week’s SmackDown season premiere. The pre-show is a Fox broadcast that will be hosted by Renee Paquette (formerly known as Renee Young in WWE) and Booker T.
