WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights Before MITB
Just 24 hours before Money in the Bank, WWE took over the 02 Arena in London for the go-home episode of SmackDown, headlined by the return of Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns and the continuation of The Bloodline Civil War.
That segment capped a broadcast that also featured two high-stakes championship clashes and a rare blue brand appearance from social media megastar, Logan Paul.
What went down as the company laid the final groundwork for Saturday's premium live event?
Find out with this recap of the Fox broadcast.
Show Lineup
1 of 8Announced in advance for Friday's show:
- The return of Roman Reigns
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Match: Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn (c) vs. Pretty Deadly
- WWE Women's Championship Match: Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka (c)
- The Grayson Waller Effect starring Logan Paul
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship: Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn vs. Pretty Deadly
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There was no hometown pop for Pretty Deadly as they entered London's O2 Arena for their Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship opportunity. Instead, that was reserved for Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens, who blew the roof off the arena ahead of a successful title defense in the night's opening contest.
The match saw Owens overcome a left leg injury, and Zayn sniff out attempted chicanery by the heels, to keep their title reign alive and well.
This was good stuff at the top of the broadcast and both Elton Prince and Kit Wilson proved they could hang with two legitimate main event talents, something that should bolster their credibility with fans and the trust management has in them moving forward.
Result
Zayn and Owens defeated Pretty Deadly to retain
Grade
B
Top Moments and Takeaways
- Owens sold his left leg, crumbling to the mat during a stunner attempt and allowing the heels to seize control of the bout.
- The challengers recalled a few weeks back when they utilized a switch to their benefit but Zayn sniffed it out and avoided an upset loss.
- Owens dropped Prince with a stunner and Zayn delivered the Helluva Kick to Wilson for the successful title defense.
Ridge Holland vs. Austin Theory
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The rivalry between United States champion Austin Theory and The Brawling Brutes continued Friday night as the arrogant, egotistical young star defeated Ridge Holland in a title eliminator match by exploiting his injured throat and scoring a pinfall victory.
Sheamus made the save and it became apparent that, after the pit stop as a foil for Solo Sikoa a week ago, The Celtic Warrior still appears poised to challenge Theory for the midcard title.
As for the match? It certainly happened, was perfectly acceptable but totally meaningless in the grand scheme of things. It is almost a shame that Holland did not have more of an opportunity to showoff in front of his fellow countrymen.
Result
Theory defeated Holland
Grade
C
Top Moments and Takeaways
- Theory targeted the throat of Holland, injured by Sikoa a week ago, and caught his opponent with a front dropkick for the win.
- Sheamus made the save, chasing the champion off and keeping that particular program alive.
Shotzi vs. Bayley
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Shotzi and Bayley had a spirited little sprint of a match Friday night with the latter's spot in the Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match at stake.
The fast-paced, high-risk offense of The Ballsy Badass caught The Role Model off-guard but it was the interference of Iyo Sky that allowed Bayley to score a tainted victory and preserve her spot in the high-stakes, namesake match Saturday afternoon.
It is difficult being a fan of Shotzi and watching how WWE uses (or doesn't) her on television but given the story at play with Bayley, Sky and the future of Damage CTRL, this was the right outcome.
Especially considering what went down backstage, with Bayley and Sky jumping an irate Shotzi and humiliating her by cutting her hair.
Perhaps the green-haired outcast of WWE is about to get a renewed push?
Result
Bayley defeated Shotzi
Grade
C+
Top Moments and Takeaways
- Sky appeared more disconnected from Bayley than before as they made their entrance, further evidence that the end of Damage CTRL is neigh.
- The fans in London are certainly persistent, always asking Bayley, in song, if she'll be their girl.
- Sky helped Bayley, draping her foot on the bottom rope to break up a pinfall attempt. Bayley capitalized, raked her opponent's eyes and delivered the Rose Plant for hte win.
The Grayson Waller Effect with Logan Paul; Triple Threat Match
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The focus of the broadcast turned to the final but of hype for the Men's Money in the Bank Ladder Match, which started with an edition of The Grayson Waller Effect starring Logan Paul and ended with a Triple Threat Match featuring LA Knight, Santos Escobar and Butch.
In between was a solid promo from Knight, which not only showcased some chemistry with Paul but also highlighted just how incredibly over he is with the WWE Universe.
So much so that if there are no plans for him to actually hoist the briefcase Saturday, WWE Creative better prepare itself for very vocal, very negative feedback from fans.
Knight is so over that it would behoove the company to call and audible if he is not the planned winner because starting an important summer stretch leading into SummerSlam with dismayed fans is not something the company really wants right now.
With that said, Paul still makes sense narratively, as he pointed out by referencing unfinished business with Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns.
Result
Butch defeated Escobar and Knight
Grade
B
Top Moments and Takeaways
- "I walked in and I haven't been given a damn thing yet when I walk in here, the whole world gets on its feet," Knight said to Paul.
- Butch and Santos Escobar interrupted the proceedings, leading to the advertised three-way pitting them against Knight.
- The fans chanted "yeah" after every stomp Knight delivered in the corner. This dude is just molten-hot right now and it is going to be extremely difficult for WWE to justify not pulling the proverbial trigger on him as the Money in the Bank winner.
- After a post-match brawl that included Knight and Paul, Butch climbed the ladder and retrieved the briefcase, standing tall with it and ensuring he has no chance in hell of actually winning Saturday afternoon.
WWE Women's Championship Match: Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka
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It was apparent from the moment the cameras captured Bianca Belair sitting ringside for the WWE Women's Championship match between Asuka and Charlotte Flair that The EST would find her way into the proceedings.
She did not disappoint.
After a competitive back-and-forth from champion and challenger, Belair beatdown The Empress of Tomorrow before answering Flair's disrespect with a beating of her own. Belair, frustrated with the events that have led to her delayed rematch for the title, stood tall to close things out.
This is clearly headed toward a three-way match between the current and former champions, something fans should be excited for. Three of the very best in the industry, such a bout would be likely to steal the show out from underneath higher-profile matches on any card.
Result
No contest
Grade
B-
Top Moments and Takeaways
- Bianca Belair flashed a ticket as she sat ringside for the match, finding a work-around for Adam Pearce's ruling that barred her from ringside.
- Asuka and Flair could wrestle blindfolded and still deliver a banger. The chemistry is off the charts.
- The EST jumped the guardrail and brawled with Asuka, then rocked Flair with a hard right hand when The Queen would not get her hand out of her face.
- Belair delivered the Kiss of Death to The Empress of Tomorrow, driving her onto the announce table. She added another to Flair and stood over them.
The Bloodline Civil War
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Roman Reigns has a bigger problem entering Saturday's Money in the Bank premium live event than The Usos: Solo Sikoa, who was not at all enthusiastic about The Tribal Chief's reaction to the idea that he could be the next to lead The Bloodline.
That hint of dissension amongst the heels, coupled with great promo work and strong facial expressions by the talent involved, helped make the main event segment of Friday's show a fantastic hype piece.
The reaction for Sikoa from fans in London suggests they are eagerly awaiting the moment that he stands up for himself while the pop for Jey hopping on the apron and coming face-to-face with Reigns, then beating him down, is proof of their investment in the younger twin.
Saturday is fixing to be madness in the O2 Arena and The Bloodline Civil War will be right there in the heart of it all.
Grade
A
Top Moments and Takeaways
- "The truth is, we ain't the ones. I'm the one. I'm the only one," Reigns said.
- Reigns, clearly shaken by the events of the last week, actually acknowledged the chants of the crowd. He lost his cool and responded to chants of "Roman sucks," giving credence to the idea that he is rattled.
- "When's the last time he been pinned?" Jimmy asked about Reigns. "Three years ago," Jey responded. "When's the next time he's getting pinned?" "Tomorrow night."
- The Usos suggested Sikoa should be the next Tribal Chief to which Reigns laughed, only to be shut down by an enforcer who did not find that response particularly amusing. Great facial expressions all around here.
- Jey wiped out Reigns and Sikoa as the show came to an end.
Overall Grade
8 of 8This was a really good show that delivered between the ropes with the tag title match, furthered the ongoing feud between Belair, Asuka and Flair, and set the stage for a potential reboot of Shotzi's character following the attack by Damage CTRL.
That was all in addition to the final hype for Saturday's Money in the Bank, which the show delivered in spades.
Taped broadcasts can be difficult because the results are out there and the energy can come across as lethargic. That was not the case here. The arena setup, the crowd reaction and the intense performances by the men and women on the card helped make this one of the better go-home shows in recent WWE memory.
Overall Grade: A
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