Our WWE SmackDown results for tonight include The Street Profits defending the WWE Tag Team Championship in the triple-threat TLC match against Motor City Machine Guns and #DIY, Zelina Vega challenging Chelsea Green for the Women’s United States Championship, Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena set to appear, and more! Here’s our review and grades for tonight’s show, live from the Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, Texas,.
WWE SmackDown Card:
- TLC match for the WWE Tag Team Championship: The Street Profits vs. Motor City Machine Guns vs. #DIY
- Women’s United States Championship match: Chelsea Green (c) vs. Zelina Vega
- Mystery wrestler debut
- John Cena is set to appear
WWE SmackDown Results:
The Champ is Here!
A seemingly sullen Undisputed WWE Champion, John Cena, makes his way to the ring, wearing the championship backward. The crowd boos as the champion raises the title with his head down, his disdain evident in his stone-chiseled frown. Cena calls the ring announcer into the ring, as his announcement was deemed disrespectful. Cena is given a much more enthusiastic introduction as “the last real champion, John Cena!” Before “Sullen” Cena can speak, “Voices” hits, and Randy Orton makes his way to the ring. The crowd goes nuts as Cena shoots daggers at Orton as Orton milks his entrance. Orton notes that it is the 25th anniversary of his first meeting with Cena. Orton noted that during that period, Cena had never changed. Clearly, something is missing inside Cena at this point. Generations of children looked up to Cena.
That had to have meant something to Cena. Orton puts over all of Cena’s humanitarian work over the years. With that, Orton says he’s figured out how to fill the void inside Cena. Cena needs to have some kids. He needs to grow up, and this will make Cena a better human being. Cena says, “How dare you?” Cena rants about Orton’s parents shaming him and congratulates Orton for loving his children. The crowd boos. Cena says the reason he doesn’t have kids is because he spent the last 20 years raising the WWE Universe’s kids. He’s a better parent than any of these people. Cena argues with a six-year-old in the crowd, calling his father a loser. The kid apparently gave Cena the finger.
Cena threatens the kid’s father and tells the kid not to bring a knife to a gunfight. Orton berates Cena for not respecting the fans and calls him just a guest in WWE. Cena rants more about the crowd being hypocrites. Orton goes nuts over Cena’s statement that he wants to ruin wrestling. Orton won’t stand for it. Over Orton’s dead body. Cena tells Orton to shut up and reminds him that Orton will forever be stuck at 14 championships. When Cena leaves here, he wants to make sure that three generations of Orton’s family is erased. Orton challenges Cena to a match right here, right now.
Cena raises the championship and says no. There should be a match between them, but it shouldn’t be in this town. John Cena notes they should do it at WWE Backlash since it’s in Orton’s hometown. Cena wants Orton at his best because when Orton fails, he will have no excuses. The crowd lets Cena have it. Cena exclaims that Orton should take a look because this is the closest he will get to the championship. Cena tosses the title at Orton and lays him out with a right hand. As Orton gets to his feet, Cena sets up to hit Orton with the championship. Orton ducks the shot and drops Cena with an RKO.
Grade: B-
Orton’s “you need to have kids” logic was hilarious. Cena is trying very hard to get the crowd to boo him by telling them the absolute truth. The Cena therapy sessions are somewhat interesting, but this one overstayed its welcome. Let’s just get to Orton and Cena punching each other.
Los Garza w/Santos Escobar vs. Fraxiom
Axiom sends Berto flying with a rana. Cobra twist/ enziguri combo by Frazer and Axiom. Axiom and Frazer both land dives. Triangle moonsault by Axiom. Frazer gets a two count. Angel pulls the rope as Axiom charges in, causing Axiom to fall to the floor. Berto and Angel work over Axiom. After the break, Axiom manages to tag Frazer.
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Frazer clears the ring. Berto kicks out of a running shooting star press. Frazer tries a springboard moonsault. Angel superkicks Frazer in midair. Berto and Angel hit the super press slam off the top. Moonsault by Berto. Axiom breaks up the pin. Angel goes up top. Axiom cuts Angel off and hits a top-rope Spanish fly. Frazer caps that off with a Phoenix Splash for the win.
Winners- Fraxiom
Grade: B
This was a fun match and a good debut for Axiom and Frazer as a team on the main roster. Hopefully, they give them the space to develop their characters, and they aren’t just cast as the flippy guys in the tag division. It’s odd that they ended up on SmackDown since Raw’s tag division is on life support at this point.
What Time is it?
The WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton gloats about her victory over Charlotte Flair. Some thought Stratton would be the next Charlotte Flair, but she’s the first Tiffany Stratton. Jade Cargill interrupts. Cargill says since she is done with Naomi, she wants gold. Stratton asks for a referee.
WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill
Stratton asks for a handshake. Cargill obliges, but Stratton grabs a headlock. After a leapfrog spot, Cargill sends Stratton flying with an arm drag. After a series of reversals, Cargill lands a spinebuster for a near fall. Stratton avoids a big boot and lands a spinebuster of her own. Cargill kicks out. Handspring elbow by Stratton. After the break, Cargill and Stratton are trading strikes. Rollins senton by Stratton.
Stratton stumbles but manages to dive off the top. Cargill avoids it. Stratton attempts her cartwheel Alabama slam, but Cargill counters with a powerbomb. Stratton kicks out. Cargill catches Stratton during a handspring. Stratton rolls through and lands a basement dropkick! Cargill kicks out. Stratton goes up top. Cargill cuts Stratton off and lands a superplex. Stratton rolls out to the apron. Naomi runs down to the ring and attacks Cargill, causing a disqualification.
Winner- Jade Cargill
After the match, Naomi beats down Cargill. As Naomi cackles in the ring, Stratton steps up. Naomi rolls out of the ring. As Stratton and Naomi have a staredown, Nia Jax appears and attacks Stratton from behind. Jax flattens Stratton with the Annihilator.
Grade: B-
This match could have been a disaster, but it was surprisingly enjoyable. Stratton dug back into her bad guy bag, and Cargill played the conquering good guy. Based on Naomi’s Twitter account, she isn’t done with Cargill, even if Cargill thinks she’s done with her. There was no way this match would have a winner since Stratton and Cargill both have lingering issues with other superstars, but Jax’s return was a welcome surprise. This writer’s money was on Flair, making her presence felt during this match.
FATU!
The New United States Champion, Jacob Fatu, and Solo Sikoa are in the ring. The crowd chants for Fatu. Sikoa says no one in their family wanted Fatu here. Sikoa goes on a rant about how he is the reason Fatu is the champion and that Fatu wouldn’t be standing here if it wasn’t for him. Jacob Fatu has had enough and snatches the mic from Sikoa. Fatu says not to get it twisted; he said he would bring the championship back to the family. Fatu told Sikoa that he would do it with or without Sikoa, and he did. The crowd goes nuts. Fatu tells Sikoa to get in where he fits. The former Champion, LA Knight, interrupts. Knight gives Fatu credit for beating him at WrestleMania. Knight wants his rematch, and he wants it right now. Drew McIntyre‘s music hit.
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McIntyre says things have been rough lately, but he gloats about destroying Damian Priest at WrestleMania. His next plan was to challenge John Cena, but Randy Orton jumped the line. Orton notes that Cena is a changed man; he’s a punk now. McIntyre wants to fight the baddest champion in WWE, Jacob Fatu. Knight asks McIntyre if he’s done. McIntyre’s jokes about Knight’s last title run was a joke. Knight says he would call McIntyre’s last title run a joke, but he doesn’t remember it. Knight wants McIntyre to get in the ring so they can solve this. McIntyre says fine. Before McIntyre can get in the ring, SmackDown GM Nick Aldis walks out on the stage and books a number one contender’s match for tonight between McIntyre and Knight.
Grade: B-
Interesting promo. They are still teasing the descension between Fatu and Sikoa. At this point, they may be holding that match off until SummerSlam. Knight wanting a rematch was the obvious choice here, but the addition of McIntyre is intriguing, to say the least, Yadadamean?
Women’s United States Championship match: Chelsea Green (c) w/Piper Niven and Alba Fyre vs. Zelina Vega
Vega and Green trade pin attempts. After a distraction by Frye and Niven, Green dropkicks Vega out of the ring. Green distracts the referee while Niven crushes Vega with a senton. After the break, Vega fires up and lands a flurry of offense. Top rope meteroa by Vega. Green kicks out. After a distraction from Niven, Green lands a head kick. Green tries the Unprettiher, but Vega turns it into a backstabber. Niven trips Vega while she attempts a 619. The referee ejects Niven and Fyre from ringside. Green attacks Vega from behind. Green sends Vega into the ropes. Vega counter with the Code Red! Vega wins!
Winner and NEW Women’s United States Champion, Zelina Vega!
Grade: B
This was fun and totally unexpected. The match was tighter than the matches these two have had in the past, and the outside interference weirdly added to it. Vega finally got a big singles title win, which made this writer pop.
Backstage, The Miz gifts Carmelo Hayes an Andre the Giant gold chain to commemorate Hayes’ battle royal victory. Hayes says when he wears this, he’s 7 feet tall. Hayes is the 10th wonder of the world. He’s “Him.” Miz has something to get off his chest and he’s going out to the ring to handle it. Hayes asks to come, but Miz says he needs to do this himself.
The Miz
The Miz in the ring is ranting about not being part of WrestleMania. Miz beat John Cena in the main event of WrestleMania, something Cody Rhodes couldn’t do. Miz goes on and on about people coming here and getting opportunities over him. As Miz tries to tell us that he’s Awesome, the light go out. Aleister Black‘s OG music hits. Black makes his way to the ring. The Miz is livid as the crowd showers Black with “welcome back” chants. Miz steps up to ask Black who he thinks he is, and Black lays Miz out with Black Mass. Miz is out cold.
Grade: B+
It’s always best to debut by knocking out Miz. The fastest way to get cheered. Black looked to be in amazing shape, and hopefully, this time around, he will have the opportunity to be more than just the guy who cuts promos in dark rooms. Side note: thank the heavens Black had his original theme back. That’s an integral part of the package. Superstar’s entrances and music matter more than WWE cares to admit.
United States Championship Number One Contender’s Match: LA Knight vs. Drew McIntyre
Knight and McIntyre trade shots. McIntyre floors Knight with a shoulder block. After a leapfrog, Knight lands a back elbow. McIntyre fires back with chops. Knight lands a few of his own. The fight spills out of the ring. McIntyre stuns Knight on the top rope. McIntyre bumps Knight off the apron. Knight crashes into the barricade. McIntyre works over Knight. Knight fires up. While the referee is distracted, Sikoa appears and drops Knight with the Samoan Spike. McIntyre is conflicted but eventually sets up a Claymore. Before McIntyre can charge in, Damian Priest pulls McIntyre out of the ring and clobbers him. The referee calls for the bell.
Winner- Drew McIntyre
Priest puts McIntyre through the commentary desk with South of Heaven. Knight gets in Priest’s face. While they are arguing, Fatu appears and takes both men out with a suicide dive. Fatu crushes Knight with the BMS. The crowd goes nuts. Fatu flattens Priest with a BME.
Grade: B
The match was what it was, but the madness after was worth the price of admission. Based on what we saw tonight, the United States title picture has expanded to include two former world champions. This is the best-case scenario for Fatu, who will need to plow through some actual names as he goes on what will probably be the best United States Championship run we have seen in years.
TLC Match for the WWE Tag Team Championship: The Street Profits vs. Motor City Machine Guns vs. #DIY
As the bell rings, all six men stare up at the championships. A brawl breaks out, and MCMG kicks a ladder into Ciampa and Gargano. Ciampa eats a facial (giggity) from Sabin and Shelley. Shelley holds the ropes open for Sabin to dive. Gargano swats Sabin out of the air with a chair. Dawkins pounces Ciampa into the commentary desk. Dawkins drives Gargano into the ring post. Sabin hops on Dawkins’ back and locks in a sleeper while Dawkins tries to climb the ladder. Shelley gives Dawkins a dragon screw using the ladder.
Dawkins gets hung in a tree of woe. Sabin and Shelley double stomp Dawkins’ nuts. Sabin holds a chair in place as Shelley lands a dropkick. Shelley and Ford brawl over a chair. Sabin dives off the top and dropkicks the chair into Ford’s head. Everyone brawls outside the ring. Ford dives over the ring post onto everyone. Ford climbs the ladder. Ciampa cuts him off. Gargano sets up a ladder behind Ford and Ciampa. Everyone tussles over the titles. Gargano leaps from one ladder to the other and drops Ford with a spinning flatliner off the ladder.
Dawkins stops Ciampa from climbing. Dawkins hits a Big Ending off the ladder to Gargano. Ciampa puts a chair around Shelley’s head. Gargano hits the chair with another chair. #DIY beats down Dawkins with chairs. Gargano sets up two chairs with the points facing in. Ciampa and Gargano set up a suplex to Dawkins. Ford breaks it up. Dawkins hits the Anointment on the chairs to Gargano. Ford and Dawkins tells each other to get the tables. #DIY breaks it up. Ciampa gets knocked off the apron and put into an electric chair by Dawkins.
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Ford dives over the top and hits a blockbuster on Ciampa that takes out everyone. Ford grabs a prosthetic leg from a fan in the crowd and beats #DIY down with it. Sabin puts Dawkins through a table with a splash. Ford dives over the top and puts Ciampa through a table with a swanton. Ciampa puts Ford through a ladder with an air raid crash. Gargano tries a slingshot DDT through a table. Sabin breaks it up. Shelley and Sabin hit Skull and Bones through a table out on the floor! Ciampa climbs the ladder. Shelley and Sabin pull the ladder from under Ciampa. Ciampa hangs from the championships, refusing to let go.
As Ciampa swings back and forth, Sabin and Shelley hit him with chairs like a human pinata. Sabin sets up a table under Ciampa. Dawkins dives off a ladder and spears Ciampa out of the air through a table. Gargano tosses a chair into Shelley’s face. Gargano and climbs. Ford leaps on the ladder and tosses Gargano to the floor. Gargano traps Ford in the rungs of the ladder. Gargano and Sabin brawl on the ladder. Ford climbs the outside of the ladder. Ford knocks Sabin and Gargano off the ladder and pulls down the championships for the win!
Winners and STILL WWE Tag Team Champions, The Street Profits!
Grade: A
The Street Profits get plus one for their HBK-inspired ring gear. This was one of the best TLC matches in recent memory. You can tell by the level of effort here that these six men were pissed they got left off of the WrestleMania card. This match deserved to be on WrestleMania and was better than 80% of what made the card. Each team managed to do something in this match that this writer had never seen before. Anyone could have come out on top here, with each false ladder finish more harrowing than the next. The SmackDown tag team division is in a fantastic place right now.
WWE SmackDown Review:
This episode of SmackDown delivered a solid night of sports entertainment, packed with strong in-ring work, essential character moments, and a couple of intriguing surprises, though not without its pacing issues. The show started with an extended Cena-Orton segment that was a half-therapy session and a half-wrestling promo. Cena’s “parent of the WWE Universe” heel act is getting more fascinating each week, but this promo dragged in spots.
Still, it ended hot with a great RKO, setting the tone for their Backlash collision. Vega’s surprise title win was a great moment, and the main event TLC triple threat tag match stole the show, as what would have probably been the best match on whatever night of WrestleMania it would have landed on. All in all, SmackDown was a balanced show with lots of moving pieces in play. No segment flopped, a few overperformed, and some seeds were clearly planted for Backlash and beyond. Solid night.
Rating: B
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