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Bianca Belair kicked off this week's SmackDown, and before she started, a mini promo was aired about her. She was about to introduce The Street Profits but was quickly interrupted by the SmackDown Tag Team Champions, The Dirty Dawgs.
The Street Profits weren't far behind, and Bayley joined the mix as well. She went into the ring and simply laughed at Bianca Belair's face before getting struck in the face.
A brawl ensued before a mixed six-person tag team match began.
Bianca Belair & The Street Profits vs Bayley & The Dirty Dawgs - Six person mixed tag team match on SmackDown
This wasn't a particularly long match, but Bianca Belair and Bayley began things, with the SmackDown Women's Champion dominating the veteran. It was interesting because The Role Model got little to no offense.
As the rules go, the male competitors will face each other and the same applies to the women.
After Bianca Belair continually decimated Bayley, she tagged The Street Profits in. The men had a quick set of exchanges, with Profits largely getting the better of the Tag Team Champions.
Bianca Belair was even involved with the men as she had gorilla pressed Dolph Ziggler in the air and even whipped Robert Roode with her hair. This allowed Angelo Dawkins to set up the finish before Montez Ford hit a beautiful Frog Splash to end the match by pinning one-half of the SmackDown Tag Team Champions.
Result: Bianca Belair & The Street Profits def. Bayley & The Dirty Dawgs
Grade: B
Daniel Bryan was interviewed backstage, where he said that he was confident about this week's main event on SmackDown. He vowed to win the Universal Title and give a shot to Cesaro - a man who he feels is long overdue for a title shot.
Seth Rollins responded in a separate backstage promo, laughing at the idea. Still, he predicted Daniel Bryan to walk out as the Universal Champion before challenging Cesaro to a match on SmackDown next week.
Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler vs Tamina & Natalya on SmackDown
Before the match took place on SmackDown, the Women's Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax were interviewed backstage. They were jumped by Tamina and Natalya who got an early advantage over Jax and Baszler.
It was a Non-Title match on SmackDown, and Tamina started strong, nearly finishing Nia Jax. The latter lifted her legs and the dynamic of the match changed, as the Champions began to dominate. Things started to change when Nia Jax was taken out at ringside while Natalya tagged in.
Shayna Baszler was on the receiving end of a suplex and effectively countered before Nia Jax tagged herself in and landed a leg drop. It wasn't enough for Jax, as she didn't see Tamina getting tagged in.
Tamina got to the top rope but Reginald distracted her, allowing Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax to stall. Tamina headbutted Baszler and hit a Superfly Splash for the win on SmackDown.
Result: Tamina & Natalya def. Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler
Grade: D
Shinsuke Nakamura spoke about the main event of SmackDown. He said that if Roman Reigns wins, he can't escape him twice.
Rey and Dominik Mysterio were interviewed backstage about a potential SmackDown Tag Team Title match. Dominik Mysterio seemed thrilled about getting the opportunity. Rey Mysterio said that his in-ring accomplishments pale in comparison to the excitement of teaming up with his son.
Rey Mysterio wants him and Dominik to become the first father-son Tag Team Champions in WWE history.
Aleister Black delivers another cryptic message on SmackDown
Another Aleister Black vignette was played on SmackDown. The Dutch Destroyer delivered another cryptic message and didn't give away much about who will be his first target.
We wonder when we will see Black make his in-ring return.
Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston both praised Daniel Bryan, with the former picking Bryan and the latter going with Roman Reigns for the SmackDown main event.
Big E was interviewed backstage before his Title match on SmackDown, and he vowed to get his "baby" back.
Apollo Crews (c) vs Big E - Intercontinental Championship match on SmackDown
Big E started strong when the two locked up. It didn't take long before Apollo Crews managed to get the upperhand.
After a commercial break, the Intercontinental Champion was still in control, while Commander Azeez had an impact at ringside.
It was a great back-and-forth match, with Big E and Apollo Crews both getting close pinfalls. E was about to finish it with the Big Ending but Commander Azeez pulled him out and sent him crashing into the ringpost, causing a DQ.
Result: Big E def. Apollo Crews by DQ
Grade: B+
The beatdown on Big E commenced on SmackDown, but Kevin Owens came out to neutralize Commander Azeez. The giant overpowered both Big E and Kevin Owens. Sami Zayn came out of nowehere and finished Owens with a Helluva Kick.
Sami Zayn held the title and there was a moment of tension between him, Crews and Azeez. The IC Champion's bodyguard hit the Nigerian Nail on Zayn to end the segment.
Cesaro accepted Seth Rollins for SmackDown next week and predicted Daniel Bryan will win in the main event. He said that after Bryan becomes champion, he will take the Universal Title from him.
Roman Reigns (c) vs Daniel Bryan - Universal Title Match on SmackDown
Roman Reigns walked out with a new theme song for the first time, officially ending any trace of The Shield in WWE.
Daniel Bryan started the match with an explosive dropkick. He kicked off this high stakes bout on the right foot, getting the better of the Universal Champion.
After a commercial break, Roman Reigns was in the driver's seat, dominating Daniel Bryan and trying to finish his opponent as quickly as possible.
Roman Reigns (c) vs Daniel Bryan - Universal TItle match on SmackDown (contd...)
Back on SmackDown, Roman Reigns hit a powerbomb from the top turnbuckle, but Daniel Bryan kicked out. Bryan managed to get the better of Reigns and almost got a pinfall, but The Tribal Chief found a way to kick out.
Roman Reigns' superman punch attempt was met with a kick to the body, and that's where Bryan continued to work to find an opening.
Reigns tried to spear Daniel Bryan through the barricade. However, the challenger escaped and sent the champion crashing into it instead.
Roman Reigns finally hit a spear but Daniel Bryan somehow kicked out. Reigns' guillotine attempts failed and Bryan was constantly on top to get the submission.
He locked in the Yes Lock but Roman Reigns managed to use his power to get the better of Bryan on SmackDown, and he tried to beat the respect into him.
Daniel Bryan was finally put in the guillotine and Roman Reigns made the former WWE Champion pass out and win clean.
Result: Roman Reigns defeated Daniel Bryan to retain the Universal Championship via submission
Grade: A
Daniel Bryan is now officially barred from SmackDown. Roman Reigns took a steel chair post-match to assault Bryan but Cesaro came out for the save.
Jey Uso attacked the Swiss Cyborg, and Roman Reigns smashed Daniel Bryan's head in with a chair while making Cesaro watch. A brutal finish to a solid episode of SmackDown.
Episode Grade: B
It wasn't the worst episode of SmackDown, but the pacing was slightly problematic. It was clear that this episode was centered around the main event, which delivered as expected. Apart from that, there were only a few storylines on the two-hour show.
The ending was fantastic and drew a lot of heat for Roman Reigns, who will now move on to his feud with Cesaro, while Daniel Bryan's incredible run on SmackDown has concluded.
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