Smackdown 6/25/2021: BIG Return; Uso vs. Ziggler; MITB Qualifier; More!
Here's what's on tap for tonight’s Smackdown:
Mixed Tag Team Match: Cesaro & Bianca Belair (WWE Smackdown Women's Champion) vs. Seth Rollins & Bayley
WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns to give a State of the Universal Championship Address
Men‘s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Apollo Crews (WWE Intercontinental Champion) w/ Commander Azeez vs. Big E
We're in the ThunderDome for Smackdown and we open with highlights of last Friday's hell in a cell match between Roman Reigns and Rey Mysterio. Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman are shown sitting in their locker room. Heyman says Rey is somewhere in a hospital bed acknowledging the Tribal Chief. Jimmy Uso comes in and Reigns asks where Jey is? Jimmy says he's a no show. Jimmy tried calling and texting but finally got a hold of him. Reigns wants to know what he said? Jimmy says Jey said he isn't coming back! Reigns is pissed about that. Jimmy says he understands Jey not wanting to be anybody's bitch. Jimmy says he's here though and he's got Reigns back. Reigns asks if Jimmy can be the right hand man? Jimmy is hesitant but he says yes! He can do what Jey did and be the right hand man. Reigns tells him to prove it!
We got mixed tag action! We get highlights of the cell match between Bianca Belair and Bayley. Belair makes her way to the ring. She says what a night tonight. It's a Friday and we're on the road to Money in the Bank. She can't wait to have live fans. Belair says she also gets to whoop Bayley again tonight. Belair says she hasn't been able to stop celebrating since beating Bayley. She keeps shining her title so she can see her reflection. The person in that reflection persevered. Belair can't stop smiling because she walked out of hell in a cell with this (holds up title). Belair says this is a reminder for anyone dealing with their own Bayley. Belair says "Ding Dong! The witch is dead". CUE SETH ROLLINS!!! Rollins gets a mic and says it's a night for celebrating. Rollins says they both overcame adversity. Belair a little but Rollins a huge amount! Rollins goes on and on about beating Cesaro. Rollins says he's moving on but he needs to celebrate first. Rollins says Belair didn't dominate Bayley and calls her win a fluke. Rollins tries to high five Belair but she's not going for it. Rollins says high five him now before Bayley beats the hell out of her and she can't. HERE COMES BAYLEY! She said she was going to congratulate Belair but she's tired of Belair bragging. Bayley says the people deserve better. Belair is done talking and tells Bayle to get in the ring. Rollins says Belair asked for it. Bayley calls Belair pathetic and a loser. BELAIR DECKS BAYLEY!! Rollins steps in between them. BAYLEY ATTACKS BELAIR!! HERE COMES CESARO!! BRAWL!! Rollins and Belair are sent out of the ring and Bayley talks trash to Cesaro about ruining her show. Belair comes back in and takes out Bayley. The tag match will begin after a break.
Mixed Tag Team Match
Bianca Belair (WWE Smackdown Women's Champion) & Cesaro vs. Seth Rollins & Bayley
Cesaro and Rollins are starting with Cesaro taking Rollins to the mat. Rollins is up and Cesaro takes him back down. Cesaro charges into a boot. Cesaro catches Rollins coming off the ropes and hits a tilt-a-whirl back breaker. Belair gets a tag which also brings Bayley in. Belair with a couple shots to Bayley before tagging Cesaro. Cesaro chases Rollins around the ring and hits an uppercut. Back in the ring, Cesaro charges in the corner but Rollins sends him face first into the middle turnbuckle. Sling blade by Rollins as he's in control now. Rollins sends Cesaro face first into the mat before locking in a chin lock. Cesaro fights to his feet and hits some uppercuts. Cesaro lowers his head and eats a kick. Snap mare by Rollins and a kick to the back of Cesaro. Rollins with knees to the midsection coming off the ropes. Cesaro blocks a suplex and dead lifts Rollins. Rollins lands on his feet and they trade counters on back suplexes. Tag to Belair so Bayley comes in. Drop kick by Belair. Kip up and another drop kick. Belair with a back breaker and then a rib breaker on Bayley. Standing moonsault!!! 1....2.....NO!! Belair with a shoulder to Bayley's midsection in the corner. Bayley bails to the outside where Belair follows. Bayley counters and sends Belair into the barricade and ring post as we go to a commercial.
We're back and Bayley has Belair grounded. Bayley targets the arm of Belair. Belair gets close to a tag but Bayley clothesline her for a near fall. Bayley goes back to the arm but gets back dropped by Belair. Cesaro gets a tag and knocks Rollins off the apron! Cesaro with a running uppercut on the outside. It's all Cesaro back in the ring. CESARO SWINGS ROLLINS!!! Bayley distracts and Rollins rolls up Cesaro for a near fall. Cesaro with a CORKSCREW UPPERCUT!!! 1....2.....NO!!! Bayley comes in to help Rollins and Rollins hits Cesaro with a forearm to the back of the head. 1.....2.....Belair saves it. Rollins talks trash and Cesaro fires back with uppercuts. Cesaro runs into a boot. Rollins tags Bayley but Bayley doesn't seem thrilled. Bayley gets a roll up on Belair for a near fall. SPINE BUSTER BY BELAIR ON BAYLEY!! Cesaro and Rollins battle outside. BELAIR WANTS THE KOD ON BAYLEY BUT BUMPS INTO ROLLINS. BAYLEY IS ABLE TO HIT A KNEE STRIKE FOLLOWED BY A ROSE PLANT AND PIN BELAIR!!!
W: Seth Rollins & Bayley via pin @ 12:05
Backstage, Jimmy Uso is pacing outside of Roman Reigns locker room.
Up next is the official coronation of King Shinsuke Nakamura!
After a break, Jimmy is still outside Reigns locker room. Heyman comes out. Jimmy asks Heyman what Reigns means by proving it? Heyman says he needs to become "Main Event" Jimmy Uso. Jimmy says we're already 35 minutes into the show. Heyman says he needs to win a match tonight. Jimmy says to get him a match. Heyman says if we get through this match and Jimmy doesn't win.........Heyman walks off.
We see highlights of how King Nakamura came about.
Rick Boogs is in the ring on the guitar. He gives an over the top introduction for King Shinsuke Nakamura. Nakamura sits on the throne. McAfee is rocking out!! Boogs puts the crown on the head of Nakamura. ALL HAIL THE NEW KING!!! SHINSUKE NAKAMURA!!! MCAFEE IS DANCING ON THE ANNOUNCE TABLE AND "STONE COLD'S" SOME WATER BOTTLES. Nakamura and Boogs continue to dance.
We cut to Kayla Braxton who is backstage with Corbin. Corbin says he's lost his crown, his investments, life savings, so what's the point? He walks off.
Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville are also dancing to Nakamura's theme backstage when Seth Rollins comes in. Rollins says Reigns happens to have a State of Address tonight. Rollins says if it's about his next challenger, you're looking at him! Rollins claims he's never been more ready and no one on the roster is more deserving. Pearce says he's inclined to agree and Deville says they'll take it under advisement.
Big E heads to the ring. The Money in the Bank qualifying match is next!
A vignette for Raw hypes the last chance triple threat Money in the Bank qualifying match.
WWE returns to the UK this September!
We get a video package showing the "rampage" that Otis has been on.
Men's Money in the Bank Qualifying Match
Big E vs. Apollo Crews (WWE Intercontinental Champion) w/ Commander Azeez
They lock up right away and Crews backs Big E into the corner. Clean break. Big E backs Crews into the ropes and sends him out of the ring. Crews complains. Crews takes his time getting back in and delivers some rights to Big E but runs into an elbow. Near fall for Big E. Big E with a clothesline for another near fall. Big E clubs Crews and they go to the apron. Crews avoids a suplex and hits a kick to the midsection. CREWS HITS BIG E WITH A DEATH VALLEY DRIVER ON THE APRON as we go to a commercial.
Back from the break, Crews has a side head lock on Big E. Big E fights free but runs into a nice drop kick from Crews that gets a near fall. Crews with a straight right to the head of Big E. Crews goes to a chin lock now. Big E avoids a charge in the corner but Crews still hits a suplex. Big E powers out of a cover. Crews mocks Big E with the "New Day" clap and Big E gets fired up! Belly to belly by Big E! Another one! A third!! Big E hits a running splash!!! Big E wants the Big Ending but they trade counters. Crews charges and Big E wants a uranage. Crews counters and HITS A GERMAN!! Another one! Trifecta!!! 1.....2....NO! Crews looks to put Big E away but Big E counters and rolls through to a STRETCH MUFFLER!! Azeez helps pull Crews to the ropes! The ref warns Azeez. Step up enziguri by Crews! Crews goes up to the top rope but Big E beats him to the punch. Big E climbs up with him and almost slips. They trade blows and Crews gets the advantage. A kick from Crews sends Big E to the mat. FROG SPLASH BY CREWS!!! 1....2....NO!! Crews hits another German!! 1.....2.....NO!!! Big E rolls to the outside. Crews goes out as well and RUNS INTO A URANAGE ON THE FLOOR!!! Big E throws Crews back in. AZEEZ ATTEMPTS THE NIGERIAN NAIL BUT THE REF SEES IT!! AZEEZ IS EJECTED!! Back in the ring, Crews rolls up Big E for a near fall. BIG E GRABS CREWS AND HITS THE BIG ENDING FOR THE WIN!! Both of these guys work well together.
W: Big E via pin @ 12:56
We see highlights of Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens from Hell in a Cell. Kayla Braxton is backstage with Sami Zayn who is very excited over his win. Zayn says after beating Owens, he sees that this might be the best week of his life. Kayla breaks the new to him that he will face Owens again next week in a Money in the Bank qualifying match. Zayn thinks she's messing with him. Now he says it's the worst week of his life. Karma will come through for him,
Sonya Deville heads to the ring, After a break, she will reveal the first Smackdown woman to be entered into the women's Money in the Bank match.
Commentary announces that Jimmy Uso will face Dolph Ziggler one-on-one match tonight,
Sami Zayn goes to complain to Adam Pearce. Sami says he's done more than enough to earn a spot or he should just be given the contract. Pearce is firm on the decision and says Sami will face KO next week to earn a spot. Sami asks if giving him the contract is off the table? Pearce says yes to which Sami says Pearce is playing a dangerous game. Sami says karma will strike.
Sonya Deville is in the ring. It's her honor to announce the first woman from Smackdown that will be competing in the women's Money in the Bank match. IT'S CARMELLA!! She makes her way to the ring. Carmella gets a mic and thanks Sonya. Carmella laughs at the crowd who's booing. Carmella hypes herself as a 2-time Money in the Bank winner and the most beautiful woman in WWE. LIV MORGAN INTERRUPTS!! Liv is confused that declaring yourself the most beautiful automatically gets you in the match. Liv says she deserves it more. Carmella runs down Liv. LIV SLAPS CARMELLA!! Sonya steps between them. Sonya says Liv can earn a spot by beating Carmella right now!
Women's Money in the Bank Qualifying Match
Carmella vs. Liv Morgan
The match is already in progress when we return with Carmella beating on Liv on the outside. Sonya is watching at ringside. Back in the ring, Carmella is still in control and sends Liv to the corner. Liv gets a brief flurry of offense until Carmella turns it around. Carmella with elbows in the corner. Natalya and Tamina are watching backstage. Near fall for Carmella. Trash talk by Carmella who pie faces Liv. LIV FIRES BACK AND HITS OBLIVION!! 1.....2.....CARMELLA GETS A FOOT ON THE ROPES!! Liv pulls Carmella to the middle of the ring and Carmella gets another near fall roll up. They battle in t he corner where Carmella super kicks Liv. CARMELLA TRIES A HEAD SCISSORS OUT OF THE CORNER BUT LIV STACKS HER UP AND PINS HER!!!
W: Liv Morgan via pin @ 3:14
Post match, Carmella demands she's announced as the "Most Beautiful Woman in WWE".
Kayla Braxton approaches Jimmy Uso. Kayla says the pressure is on. Jimmy agrees. He's says he dedicates the match is family and especially his brother!
Jimmy Uso vs. Dolph Ziggler w/ Robert Roode
Lock up and Ziggler sends Uso into the ropes. Uso with a shoulder tackle. Ziggler tries to get away and Uso is aggressive. Side head lock by Uso and another shoulder tackle to take down Ziggler. Enziguri by Uso for a near fall. Ziggler catches Uso with an elbow and rakes Uso's face across the top rope. Nice drop kick by Ziggler gets a near fall. Ziggler wears down Uso and hits a jumping elbow drop for another near fall. Chin lock from Ziggler. Ziggler sends Uso to the corner but charges into an elbow. Boot by Uso and then he back drops Ziggler to the floor. USO DIVES TO THE OUTSIDE AND ZIGGLER MOVES SO HE TAKES OUT ROODE!! ZIGGLER HITS USO WITH A ZIG ZAG INTO THE STEPS!!!! That wasn't pretty and we go to a commercial.
We're back with Uso fighting back against Ziggler, Commentary says Ziggler has controlled the whole break. Uso fires back with a clothesline and Samoan drop!! Near fall for Uso. Ziggler avoids a super kick and HITS ANOTHER ZIG ZAG!! Commentary calls it a neck breaker but it looked more like the Zig Zag. 1....2....NO!!! Both men trade rights now. Ziggler gets the upper hand and backs Uso to the corner. Ziggler goes for a Fameasser but Uso lifts for a power bomb. ZIGGLER ROLLS THROUGH AND HITS ZIGGLER WITH A SUPER KICK FOR THE WIN!!! That was kind of a sudden finish if you ask me. Commentary asks like the Zig Zag on the steps was the first thing they ever saw.
W: Jimmy Uso via pin @ 9:36
Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman were watching on the monitors in gorilla. Uso gets back there and tells Reigns about the victory. Reigns says nothing and heads to the ring. Heyman follows. Uso tries to follow but Heyman tells him to stay back. Reigns takes his sweet time getting to the ring. Reigns will give his Universal Championship Address next!
A vignette says Kofi Kingston will confront Bobby Lashley and MVP on raw.
Commentary tells us that the Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn qualifying match next week will be last man standing!
We're back in the ring with Heyman on the mic. Heyman says we're here to acknowledge Reigns. He says the following footage speaks almost as eloquently as he does. It's footage of Reigns destroying the Mysterios over the past few weeks. After the footage, we get "Roman sucks" chants. Heyman says the Head of the Table doesn't suck. Heyman runs down everyone Reigns has beaten including The Fiend, Strowman, Owens, Daniel Bryan, Edge, Cesaro, and the Mysterios. Heyman says in less than a year, Reigns has wiped out the rest of the division. Heyman says Reigns will now do something that's never been done before on network television. Reigns will enlighten us because there is no one left! Reigns takes the mic and before he can say anything YOU THINK YOU KNOW ME??!!! EDGE IS HERE!!!! EDGE AND REIGNS BRAWL!!!! IT SPILLS TO THE OUTSIDE AND IT'S ALL EDGE!!! Back in the ring, SUPERMAN PUNCH BY REIGNS! Reigns grabs a chair and comes back in the ring only to be SPEARED BY EDGE!!! EDGE TRIES A CON-CHAIR-TO BUT JIMMY USO SAVES THE DAY!!! Edge sends Uso into the steps! EDGE SPEARS JIMMY THROUGH THE BARRICADE!!! Edge looks into the camera and tells Reigns that he is right here!! Edge stands tall to end the show!
Next Week:
Men's Money in the Bank Qualifying Last Man Standing Match: Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn
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