Our WWE SmackDown results for tonight include Jacob Fatu kicking off the show, Gunther addressing his attack on Cody Rhodes, Tiffany Stratton defending the Women’s United States Championship against Kiana James, WWE Tag Team Champion Damian Priest clashing with Talla Tonga, and Trick Williams having a funeral for the Gingerbread Man. Here’s our review and grades for tonight’s show, live from the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.
WWE SmackDown Card:
- Jacob Fatu kicks off the show
- Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid)
- Gunther addresses his attack on Cody Rhodes
- Women’s United States Championship Match | Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Kiana James
- Trick Williams has a funeral for the Gingerbread Man
- Damian Priest vs. Talla Tonga
WWE SmackDown Results:
Fa-TU!
Jacob Fatu says tomorrow at Backlash, he’s taking Roman Reigns‘ championship. Fatu notes that when they were kids, everyone thought the most of Reigns. They thought nothing of Fatu. Now they want to try to be nice, nah. The family is trying to protect Reigns. The Usos interrupt. Jimmy tells Fatu that they aren’t out there to try to change his mind. They are trying to look out for Fatu. Jimmy asks Fatu if he ever stops to think about what will happen if Fatu loses at Backlash. Jey says that’s not how Fatu thinks. Jey notes that he’s lived this; Reigns is going to beat Fatu’s @$$.
Reigns is going to break Fatu down emotionally and physically, right in front of Fatu’s family. When Fatu loses, Fatu’s wife and children will have to acknowledge Roman Reigns. Fatu reminds Jey that he never beat Reigns. There is no way Fatu is going to lose. This isn’t just a main event; this is for Fatu’s family. Fatu is down to die for his. Is Reigns? No way. Fatu is all gas and no brakes with it. As Fatu walks away, he tells the Usos that if they get in his way at Backlash, he will burn the whole family tree down.
Grade: C+
This was just fine, but it went way too long. Fatu’s promo style hasn’t been hitting it the past few weeks. Fatu’s low register at the start just doesn’t work. Fatu excels on the mic when he’s unhinged. More of the monster, and less of the philosopher.
Women’s United States Championship Match | Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Kiana James w/Giulia
Stratton and James shove each other to start this off. Stratton works a side headlock, which leads to an escape by James, a few flips by Stratton, and a clothesline that sends James to the mat. James trips Stratton and slams her leg into the ringpost. After the break, James works over Stratton’s. injured leg. James argues with Giulia, who doesn’t cheapshot Stratton when she has the chance. Stratton takes over and lands a flurry that includes a handspring attack and a basement dropkick. Apparently, Stratton’s leg is no longer injured.
James blasts Stratton with a handspring head kick, followed by a running DVD. Stratton avoids James, causing her to crash into the ring post. James slips off Stratton’s shoulders and rolls her up. Giulia hops up on the apron and distracts the referee. James is livid; she had the three count. While James yells at Giulia, Stratton attacks from behind. World’s Pretty’s Moonsault by Stratton. Stratton pins James.
Winner and STILL Women’s United States Champion, Tiffany Stratton!
Grade: C
Stratton’s refusal to sell a body part that James worked on for minutes completely took this writer out of the match. Add that to a terribly predictable ending, and you get a match that underwhelms.
Damian Priest vs. Talla Tonga w/Solo Sikoa
Tonga is in control for most of this, capping off his assault with a body slam on the commentary desk. After the break, Priest fires up and lands a flurry. Tama Tonga runs down to ringside and gets decked by Priest. R-Truth tries to make the save. Priest saves Truth from a Samoan Spike. Since Priest is distracted, telling Truth he told Truth not to come out here tonight, since Truth is injured. , Tonga catches him with a T-Bomb Chokeslam.
Winner- Talla Tonga
The MFTs surround Truth. Royce Keys stomps down to the ring. Sikoa back the MFTs down.
Grade: C+
Not a bad match. Just not particularly thrilling in any way.
Grade: C+
Not a bad match. Just not particularly thrilling in any way.
QB1
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes demands Gunther say what he has to say to Rhodes’ face. Paul Heyman walks out on the ramp and says he has the contract for a match between Rhodes and Gunther. Rhodes asks Heyman if he is an advocate for Gunther. Heyman says he’s just doing Gunther’s favor per Gunther’s request. Heyman owed Gunther one. Gunther attacks Rhodes from behind. Rhodes eventually fights Gunther off.
Ricky Saints vs. Matt Cardona
Saints gets the win after the Rochambau.
WInner- Ricky Saints
Grade: C+
Good TV match and win for Saints.
Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid)
Ripley and Co are in control early. Fatel Influence takes over after a cheapshot. Jade Cargill appears and pulls Ripley off the apron. After the distraction, Jayne floors Bliss with the Rolling Encore for the win.
Winners- Fatal Influence
After the match, Fatal Influence backs off while Cargill, B-Fab, and Michin beat down the good guys.
Grade: C+
Fun tag match. Nice to see Cargill back and having her interact with the new heel stable on the block, albeit for a brief moment.
Royce Keys vs. Tama Tonga
Solo Sikoa and Talla Tonga appear and stand in his corner. Sikoa holds Talla Tonga back from helping Tama. Tama leaps off the top into the Ultimate Spinebuster from Keys. Keys pins Tama.
Winner- Royce Keys
Grade: B-
Great win for Keys. Both Keys and Tama look good and will hopefully be stables on SmackDown moving forward.
Funeral for Friend…
United States Champion Trick Williams walks to the ring wth a gold cup. Williams pours one out for his fallen homie. There is a choir in the ring, complete with GBM’s casket. Sad music plays while Williams raps his eulogy for GBM. Ok… a tribute video plays for GBM while the crowd sways with their phone lights on. Williams asks for a moment of silence. Sami Zayn storms down to the ring. Zayn is livid that everyone is putting up with this. He’s losing his mind that this has been allowed to go on all night.
While Zayn rants about the cost of GBM’s casket, the crowd chants, “Whoop that Trick!” Zayn screams that he’ll represent his ride-or-die fans till the end. The crowd doesn’t care. If Williams wanted to get in Zayn’s head, Zayn admits it worked. But Williams played himself; Zayn is going to make a joke out of Williams. Zayn tells Williams he’s sorry for his loss, but he’ll see him at Backlash. Zayn starts to leave, but turns back and attacks Williams. Zayn leaves Williams’ laid out. As Zayn celebrates with the US title, GBM sits up out of the casket. It’s Lil Yachty! Yachty beats Zayn with the candy cane. Williams floors Zayn with the Trick Shot.
Grade: B
This was so bad it was great. The fact that the crowd was so into this is a testament to how over Wiliams is.
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