SmackDown Results: NXT stars make debut; Top Champions return

Jojo
A wild and chaotic night on SmackDown
A wild and chaotic night on SmackDown

SmackDown kicked off on what was set to be the last night inside the ThunderDome with Roman Reigns, the Universal Champion, and Paul Heyman coming out to the ring. Jimmy Uso was told to stay backstage by Heyman who said there was something big in store for him tonight.

Roman called out Edge and said that he did not fear him but rather he lacked focus because he was busy with his family. Jimmy Uso came out and Roman told him he did not need to face Edge last week for them, and that he was busy last week getting Jey Uso back, something Jimmy could not do.

Jey walked out and joined his family in the ring before Roman talked about all of them working together, being on the same page, and doing things his way before they went for a group hug.


Baron Corbin had his car repossessed last week and we learned after Baron came out for his match that Nakamura bought it afterward. Corbin attacked Nakamura during his entrance but Boogs came and took him out before we headed for a break on SmackDown.


Baron Corbin vs. Shinsuke Nakamura - Money in the Bank Qualifier match on SmackDown

Corbin had the advantage early on and was knocking Shinsuke around before he came back with a big kick. Nakamura got the upper hand with a series of strikes and hit his trademark knee to the gut on the ropes before getting a near fall.

Corbin blocked a Kinshasa and hit a German Suplex before getting a near fall for himself. Corbin was kicked out of the ring where he attacked Boogs before dropping Nakamura on the announcer's desk.

Corbin hit a vertical suplex back in the ring before hitting a powerbomb but was caught in the triangle lock. Nakamura hit Kinshasa after kicking out of the deep six and got the win on SmackDown.

Result: Shinsuke Nakamura def. Baron Corbin

Grade: B-

The Usos were backstage on SmackDown and were plotting something against Edge.


Shotzi & Nox vs. Natalya & Tamina on SmackDown

We got the big debut of NXT superstars Tegan Nox and Shotzi Blackheart who isolated Natalya in the ring as the match started and hit double team moves while hot tagging in and out. Nox hit a cannonball and let Shotzi get a near fall before Tamina tagged in.

The tag team champs nearly pinned Shotzi but Nox broke up the pin. Tegan was taken out by Natalya after she tagged back in and Shotzi hit a top rope senton before picking up the win on SmackDown.

Result: Shotzi & Nox def. Natalya & Tamina

Grade: B


Edge was backstage on SmackDown and said that any attack on him tonight well end up in his favor.


Sonya Deville was out next on SmackDown and formally announced that Bayley would not be at Money in the Bank due to her injury she sustained while training. A video of The Role Model was shown where she said that she was training so hard to match up to her fans' expectations and blamed us for her injury.

Sonya announced that Bianca Belair will not defend her SmackDown Women's Title at Money in the Bank but will defend it against Carmella next week in Houston, Texas.

Liv Morgan was out to protest once more and got in Sonya's face before Deville said that Morgan was going to replace Carmella at the MITB ladder match since 'Mella was getting her title shot next week.

Bianca Belair was out next and said she didn't know if Bayley's injury was real before saying that she respected Carmella as a competitor.


Backstage on SmackDown, Heyman told Roman that Edge intended to call Reigns out tonight and The Tribal Chief was furious.


Seth Rollins vs. Cesaro - Money in the Bank Qualifier match on SmackDown

Cesaro hit a big backbreaker early on before getting a cross body for a two-count. Kevin Owens was on commentary and Rollins was throwing a tantrum at ringside after taking the beatdown.

After a break on SmackDown, Rollins got back in control and got a near fall before hitting some big knee strikes. Owens talked about challenging Roman soon as the match went on and Rollins taunted Cesaro while kicking him in the corner.

Seth Rollins vs. Cesaro - Money in the Bank Qualifier match on SmackDown (contd...)

Cesaro got a big suplex for a near fall as SmackDown went on and Rollins met him on the top rope for a Superplex. Cesaro was about to dump Rollins outside but both men went down together.

They both countered each other's finishers before Rollins went after Cesaro like a madman and Cesaro was busted open! Seth sent him into the barricades and the announce desk as The Messiah looked for a count-out win.

Rollins hit a DDT on the steel ramp but Cesaro still managed to beat the count. Cesaro took the stomp before going down for good.

Rollins did it!
Rollins did it!

Result: Seth Rollins def. Cesaro

Grade: A


The Usos were backstage on SmackDown and they waited outside Edge's locker room to ambush him. Back after a break, they were tired of waiting and barged in but he wasn't in there.

Backstage, Rollins was celebrating his win and said that Cesaro was not on his level. Edge sneaked up behind him and called Rollins out for whining before walking out to the ring.

The Alpha Academy was backstage on SmackDown and said that they will destroy the Street Profits as the camera slowly zoomed in on Otis' face.


Edge calls out Roman Reigns on SmackDown

Edge was out next and made fun of Reigns' family reunion before showing us what he did to Jimmy Uso last week. Edge called Roman to join him in the ring before the champ walked out alone.

The Usos were told to stay backstage but they proceeded to walk out, causing Roman to hesitate but he told them to stay out of it. Reigns stepped in the ring and he got into a fist fight with Edge.

The Usos were about to join in but the tag team champs, The Mysterios, returned and came out with steel chairs and took them out. Edge hit a DDT in the ring and was setting up for the spear but the Usos got in his way.

The Mysterios came in and Dom hit a 619 before Edge landed the spear on Jey. He then went for the same submission move he used on Jimmy last week as Roman looked on from the stage. Edge taunted Roman and hit the same move on Jey and Jimmy as Roman walked out.


Episode Grade: B+

The last SmackDown in the ThunderDome gave us a brutal Money in the Bank qualifier between Rollins and Cesaro while Shinsuke also managed to find his way into the ladder match. The Usos were reunited and we got the debut of Tegan Nox and Shotzi Blackheart on SmackDown. The Mysterios returned and got their revenge on the Usos with the help of Edge.

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