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Triple H and Stephanie McMahon kicked off the Season Premiere of SmackDown and the roster was out to celebrate as well. The Game said that the main event for the night would be Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman for the Universal Title and Stephanie mentioned that The New Day will have their farewell match against Cesaro, Sheamus, and Nakamura.
A brawl broke out after Triple H was introducing us to the returning Daniel Bryan and new additions to the brand like Kevin Owens and Aleister Black. Lars Sullivan eventually came out and attacked some of the Superstars.
Jeff Hardy sneaked up behind Lars and attacked him before we headed for commercials on SmackDown. We were headed for a match when we returned to the show. Jeff Jarrett was among the virtual audience tonight.
Lars Sullivan vs. Jeff Hardy on SmackDown
Sullivan started off with some hard-hitting clotheslines after taking a kick that seemed to hurt Jeff more than him. Sullivan got a near fall before diving from the top rope but Jeff had rolled away in time.
Jeff hit his trademark atomic drop but was taken out. Hardy managed to get the Whisper in the Wind but Lars kicked out at one. Sullivan dumped Jeff outside before tossing him spine-first into the apron.
Back in the ring, Hardy hit the Twist of Fate but Sullivan still kicked out. As Hardy went to the top rope, Sullivan caught him and hit the Freak Accident to pick up a huge win on the SmackDown Season Premiere.
Result: Lars Sullivan def. Jeff Hardy
Match rating: B
The New Day were out to talk about careers as the colorful trio will be going their separate ways after tonight's SmackDown. The three talked about the greatest moments of their career like Kofi's first WWE Championship win and the formation of the group back in 2012 before we headed to their final match.
The New Day vs. Sheamus, Cesaro & Nakamura on SmackDown
Woods and Nakamura were in the ring after the match started on SmackDown during the commercials. Cesaro was tagged in as well and was hit with a double team by Woods and Big E. Woods was the legal man and was taking a beating from Sheamus before managing to hit some big kicks and tag in Big E for a double team.
Kingston was in and was sent outside by Nakamura where the Japanese star hit a knee strike after a double team by Sheamus and Cesaro. Nakamura took Kofi back into the ring to end the match but the former WWE Champion kicked out. Sheamus was hit with the SOS when we returned to SmackDown after a break.
Kofi was in the ring and Cesaro and Nakamura hit the Swing and Kinshasa combo on him and Sheamus went for the pin off the White Noise. But Big E broke it up and hit the Big Ending on Cesaro. Sheamus ran into the post before Big E and Woods came in with tags and hit the Midnight Hour for the win.
Result: The New Day def. Sheamus, Cesaro & Nakamura on SmackDown
Match rating: A
Otis was backstage on SmackDown and Sami Zayn came in and taunted him, saying he lost his tag partner and his girlfriend to RAW and was going to lose the lawsuit as well before Otis pushed him away.
Daniel Bryan made his return to WWE - his debut at the Thunderdome, and his wife Brie and their daughter were among the virtual audience. He hyped the newcomers like Bianca Belair and Aleister Black before Seth Rollins made his entrance.
Rollins called himself the 'Saviour of SmackDown' and asked Bryan was with him or against him. Bryan said his ideas were selfish and dumb before Rollins attacked him but Bryan hit the Yes kicks and made him retreat. Rey and Dominik Mysterio came out to fight Rollins but before they could start, Murphy came out and attacked Rollins.
After sending Rollins out of the ring, Murphy went to shake Rey's hand but the Mysterios left him hanging and walked out.
The Street Profits were out to face Roode and Ziggler in a tag team title match next on SmackDown.
The Street Profits (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode - SmackDown Tag Team Championship match
Ziggler and Dawkins started off the match on SmackDown and Roode was tagged in early as the challengers dominated with quick tags before Ford broke a pin attempt. Ford was cornered by the heels and he was not the legal man so the match was called off.
Dawkins was hit with a ZigZag/Spinebuster combo before Ford came back with a Frog Splash on both their opponents and took them out for good.
Result: DNF
Match rating: C
Sasha Banks was out next for the Hell In A Cell SmackDown Women's Championship Match contract signing and so was Bayley, with her chair. Bayley taunted Sasha and Banks reminded us that she had always been Bayley's friend and could have turned on her at any time.
Bayley was concerned after Banks threatened to take away her title and left without signing the contract. Banks said that she will have to sign it one way or another before SmackDown headed for a break.
Roman Reigns (c) vs. Braun Strowman - Universal Title match on SmackDown
Reigns went for the Superman Punch right away and sent Strowman outside. Back in the ring, Braun was taking a beating but was far from done. Roman sent Braun outside once more and smacked him into the steel steps and then the announce desk on SmackDown.
Reigns was sent over the announce desk and then over the barricades. Back after a break, Braun was dominating in the ring and Goldberg was spotted in the audience. Roman went for another Superman Puch but Braun caught him and hit a chokeslam for a near fall.
Reigns hit a low blow with the kick out and then the spear, almost pinning the Monster. Braun caught Roman off the spear attempt and Roman locked in the Guillotine hold and forced Strowman to submit.
Result: Roman Reigns def. Braun Strowman to retain the Universal Title
Jey Uso was out after the match and Reigns hit another spear on Braun as a message to Jey. Uso walked to the ring and said at 'Hell in a Cell, this is you' before destroying Braun with a steel chair.
Uso went in the ring to stop it and the two stared each other down before Reigns handed him the chair but Jey threw it away and attacked the champ. Jey hit Reigns with the chair and was held back by the officials. Roman hit a Superman Punch and walked out before SmackDown ended.
Match rating: A
Episode rating: A
We got a great SmackDown premiere tonight with the return of Daniel Bryan and Lars Sullivan's debut match on SmackDown. We had a great main event and an emotional farewell to the New Day.
