SmackDown Results: Major swerve as Roman Reigns accepts former NXT Champion's challenge; Toni Storm debuts

Jojo
John Cena got a response from Reigns on SmackDown
John Cena got a response from Reigns on SmackDown

John Cena kicked off SmackDown and talked about escaping the Firefly Funhouse in the past before talking about 'chin checking' Roman Reigns. Cena talked about how Roman 'sucked' and demanded that The Tribal Chief comes out.

Cena had to call a second time before Paul Heyman came out in Roman's place. Heyman taunted Cena by telling him that the Tribal Chief was there and Cena will get his answer tonight before singing Cena's entrance music mockingly.


Finn Balor vs. Sami Zayn on SmackDown

Balor was hit with some early submission moves before Sami unloaded on him outside the ring. Balor managed to take control and sent Zayn outside for a big dive.

Back on SmackDown after a break, Sami hit a DDT and went for the Helluva kick but took a slingblade. Sami came with a Michinoku Driver and got a near fall before Balor blocked an Exploder Suplex.

Balor avoided a second exploder in the corner and hit Zayn with the shotgun dropkick before wiping him out with the Coup de Grace.

Result: Finn Balor def. Sami Zayn

Grade: B


Backstage, Baron Corbin said that the guy who made his charity website took all the money and his identity before disappearing. Just when we thought it was over, Corbin's life hit a new low.


Big E was out next on SmackDown and the crowd chanted 'you deserve it' as E celebrated his Money in the Bank contract win. Apollo Crews and Azeez interrupted him before The Dirt Dawgs showed up. Nakamura and Boogs were the next ones out before being joined by Cesaro.

Big E, Roode, Cesaro and Nakamura all wanted a title shot against Apollo. Nakamura, Big E and Cesaro teamed up as a brawl broke out and they sent Apollo and the Dawgs outside before joining forces to remove Azeez from the ring. Cesaro even got some swings in on Apollo before we headed for a break on SmackDown.


Wale kicked off the second part of SmackDown, live from the Rolling Loud festival in Miami where Angelo Dawkins was set to face Chad Gable.


Angelo Dawkins vs. Chad Gable on SmackDown

Otis ran a distraction right away, letting Gable get the upper hand but Dawkins still managed to turn things around. Gable got some chops in on Dawkins before hitting a top tope clothesline for a near fall.

Gable hit a German Suplex for another near fall before missing a top rope moonsault and took a splash in the corner. Gable was planted with the Anointment, letting Dawkins pick up the win.

Result: Angelo Dawkins def. Chad Gable

Grade: B-


Bianca Belair (c) vs. Carmella - SmackDown Women's Championship match

Belair got an early advantage with a dropkick and sent Carmella to the apron before taking a tilt-a-whirl head-scissor. Belair hit a shoulder tackle before countering the crossbody with a fallaway slam.

Belair hit a handspring moonsault for a near fall before Mella went for the superkick but missed. Belair got the KOD and picked up the easy win, retaining her title at the Rolling Loud festival!

Result: Bianca Belair def. Carmella to retain the SmackDown Women's Championship

Grade: B


Backstage in the SmackDown arena, KO was watching Nox and Shotzi fix their tank before Corbin apologized to Owens for being a jerk. KO gave him some money after noticing that he'd been wearing the same shirt for weeks.

Shotzi's tank misfired and caught Corbin before the Dirty Dawgs came in and stole the money KO gave him.


Edge calls out Seth Rollins on SmackDown

Edge was out next on SmackDown and blamed Seth Rollins for his loss at Money in the Bank. He planned for the Usos but he had no idea that Rollins would interfere.

Edge recalled the time he first met Rollins in 2014 before saying that he learned from the most evil minds in WWE, citing the Brood and the Ministry of Darkness.

Rollins walked out and Edge called him to join him in the ring. Rollins joined him and said that he hated people like Edge and John Cena who steal title opportunities from deserving workers like himself.

Rollins called him Grandpa Edge before saying he was a scumbag right to his face and said that he wanted to crush the Rated-R Superstar's dreams.

Not a good day to be Seth Rollins
Not a good day to be Seth Rollins

Rollins said on SmackDown that after he was done, people will only remember Edge by the way Seth will end his career. The crowd booed Rollins before he said he would not hesitate to 'pull the trigger' next time.

Edge attacked Seth and a brawl broke out before the WWE Hall Of Famer hit an Edge-o-cution and Rollins fled the ring.


Toni Storm vs. Zelina Vega on SmackDown

Zelina got taken down by the SmackDown newcomer off a kick before they went outside and Zelina sent Toni into the announce desk. Storm hit a huge headbutt before both women went down and Toni got German Suplex for a near fall.

Vega was setting up for the finish and tore off Storm's Belt. Toni got the Storm One and picked up the big win, making the most of her SmackDown debut.

Result: Toni Storm def. Zelina Vega

Grade: C


Jimmy Uso vs. Dominik Mysterio on SmackDown

Dominik unloaded on Uso right off the bat but took a shoulder tackle before hitting a hip-toss and a dropkick. Uso got a dropkick and sent Dom into the corner for a nearfall.

Jimmy Uso vs. Dominik Mysterio on SmackDown (contd...)

Uso almost pinned Dom with an Enzugiri on SmackDown before the Tag Team Champion set up for the 619. Jey dragged Jimmy to safety before Rey took him out and Dom hit a big dive on Jimmy on the outside.

Back after a break on SmackDown, Dominik went for the Three Amigos but Uso countered it. Dom finally got the 619 but Jey tried for an interference before the splash and Jimmy manage to counter it into a superkick for a near fall.

Dominik took Jey out with a baseball slide before they countered each other's moves. Jimmy had Dominik in a pinning position and the young star could have reversed it. But Jey used his feet to ground Jimmy, letting him pick up the win.

Result: Jimmy Uso def. Dominik Mysterio

Grade: B


Roman Reigns answers John Cena's SummerSlam challenge on SmackDown

Roman Reigns was out after the match as he celebrated with The Usos and stood on the stage with Heyman holding his title belt before heading to the ring to talk about Cena's SummerSlam challenge for the Universal title.

Roman Reigns answers John Cena's SummerSlam challenge on SmackDown

Roman was being booed on SmackDown and demanded that the crowd and the folks at home, acknowledge him.

Reigns made fun of Cena for using the same gimmick and the same promos from 2005. Reigns said we weren't gonna see Cena at SummerSlam because Roman's answer to him was a big NO.

Finn Balor walked out next and got in the ring before challenging Reigns to a match himself. Roman laughed it off but the crowd was all for it. He talked to Heyman for a bit before the crowd started going nuts.

Roman surveyed the situation and decided to accept the challenge before SmackDown went off the air!


Episode grade: B

We got another great episode of SmackDown, right after Money in the Bank with a big debut for Toni Storm while Rollins and Edge set up their feud. Cena had a message for Reigns and The Tribal Chief waited till the last second to answer his challenge on tonight's SmackDown.

We got an unexpected but very welcome feud instead of Cena-Reigns with Balor joining the main title picture.

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