Tonight’s WWE SmackDown Kickoff pre-show opens on FOX with a comedy video of Michael Strahan and RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch at the FOX Sports headquarters.
Braun Strowman, Terry Bradshaw and “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt are also seen.
– We’re live from outside of the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California as FOX Sports’ Charissa Thompson welcomes us. We see several people arriving on the blue carpet – actor O’Shea Jackson Jr., boxer Shawn Porter, plus Triple H and Stephanie McMahon.
Charissa is joined by Ric Flair and Charlotte Flair first. They talk for a minute before Thompson sends us inside of the arena to hosts Renee Young and WWE Hall of Famer Booker T. They are at ringside with Big E and Xavier Woods of The New Day. We see fans finding their seats. Booker and Renee get Big E to give a grand introduction of the new SmackDown set. The camera cuts up as the new stage and set lights up. It’s truly a spectacle for a WWE TV set. We go to a commercial break.
– Back from a break and we see WWE Champion Kofi Kingston arriving backstage. Renee also shows us Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman arriving in the back. Renee hypes tonight’s big event. WWE Universal Champion Seth Rollins joins Renee and Booker on the panel now. They talk about Booker’s famous Supermarket Brawl with WWE Hall of Famer Steve Austin and we get a clip from the angle. We come back for a bit more discussion with Rollins. Renee shows us Erin Andrews, WWE United States Champion AJ Styles, plus Sasha Banks and SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley arriving on the blue carpet outside. Back to commercial.
– Back from a break and we see WWE 24/7 Champion Carmella with R-Truth on the blue carpet. We also see The Miz and The Eagle from FOX’s The Masked Singer. Renee sends us to Kayla Braxton backstage with WWE Champion Kofi Kingston. Kofi gets fired up and is confident about defending against Brock Lesnar tonight. Renee and Booker discuss Lesnar vs. Kingston some more as we see more blue carpet arrivals – WWE Hall of Famer Sting, actor Rico Rodriguez, King Baron Corbin, SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Revival, WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross, Titus O’Neil, Rey Mysterio, and WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldberg with the Big Noon Kickoff hosts. Charissa is outside with The Bella Twins. They talk more about tonight’s show, including The Rock’s return. We see RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch on the blue carpet. Back to commercial.
– Back from the break and WWE Hall of Famer Steve Austin appears in a pre-recorded video package to hype tonight’s show. Charissa shows us more blue carpet arrivals – Maria Menounos, WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley, Braun Strowman. Charissa signs off for the night and sends us to Kayla backstage with Paul Heyman. Kayla hoped for a word with The Beast, but Heyman denied her. Heyman has strong words for Kofi Kingston and says a new reality is coming to WWE tonight, in the form of a new WWE Champion. We go back to Renee and Booker. They show us footage of The Rock arriving backstage earlier today. Renee sends us back to another break as we get an overhead shot of the Staples Center outside.
WWE Smackdown:
We are live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA, as “No Chance” music hits as fans pop. Vince McMahon and Stephanie McMahon come out to the stage. Stephanie welcomes us to history, welcomes us to FOX. Vince welcomes us to Friday Night SmackDown. We cut to the new SmackDown opening video package.
– We’re back inside the Staples Center as the pyro explodes on the stage. Cole welcomes us to the SmackDown FOX premiere, presented by Progressive insurance. Cole says the Staples Center is sold out to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the blue brand.
– We go right to the ring and out comes RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch as the pyro goes off for her entrance. Cole is joined at ringside by Corey Graves. They welcome us once again.
Becky stands with a mic and fans start chanting her name. She says it feels so good to be kicking off the first episode of Friday Night SmackDown. Becky goes on about how she smashed glass ceilings and changed the game on SmackDown, and how fans used their voices to raise her up. The show is in her blood. She thanks the fans and suggests re-paying them by kicking someone’s ass. The music interrupts and out comes King Baron Corbin.
Corbin declares that the King is here and fans boo him. Corbin asks Becky if she’s listening to herself, because everyone knows who should be kicking the show off – the King. Corbin approaches the apron and asks if she really still thinks she’s The Man. She warns him to take one more step and he will find out. Corbin enters the ropes and the music hits. Out comes The Rock to a huge pop for his return.
Rock walks the stage for a minute as fans cheer him on. He takes his jacket off and they pop louder. Rock covers the camera with his jacket but quickly removes it and then marches to the ring. Fans go wild as The Great One hits the corner to pose as Becky and Corbin stare him down. Rock comes down and stares back at Becky. He offers his hand and they shake. Rock raises his hand to show some love to Corbin but he was just kidding. Rock keeps walking and poses in the opposite corner as his music continues to play. Rock recalls uttering a phrase to some jabroni many moons ago, and that phrase would change the world forever. Rock goes on about how the word “SmackDown” has become a show, an institution. He goes on with a Rock-style promo and calls Corbin a broke-looking Burger King on crack. Rock says we’re all here live on FOX, in front of the millions – The Rock, The Man and Cracky, all waiting on The Rock to say – finally, The Rock has come back… Rock raises the mic but the fans takeover with chanting his name. “Home!” He finishes the promo. Rock goes on but Corbin interrupts. Fans boo him.
Corbin says he just needs to make a correction. This isn’t Rock’s home any longer and he’s not The Great One anymore. Corbin says we’re looking at The Great One and the most electrifying King in sports entertainment, and The King says to know your role and shut your mouth. Rock asks Becky to excuse him, and if he can handle this one real quick. Rock says Corbin winning King of the Ring doesn’t make him King, or to look dress a 35 year old virgin hanging out at Comic Con. Rock says Becky is The Man but we don’t see h er walking around here with a pair of testicles. Becky adds that if she did, they’d be bigger than Corbin. Fans chant for Becky. Corbin says his testicles are perfectly adequate, and he will dress how he wants because he is superior to Rock, Becky and everyone else. Corbin goes on about Los Angeles and knocks LeBron James. Fans chant “Rocky!” now.
Rock asks Corbin if what he thinks is he’s superior to everyone else, including his boy James. Corbin goes to respond but Becky interrupts with the “It doesn’t matter!” line. Rock brings up Corbin retiring WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle and some other accomplishments. Rock and Becky go on about Corbin, calling him a “Super Tough Dude” and this leads Rock to getting fans to chant “STD!” at Corbin because that’s what they think when they see him now. Becky says that’s going to stick with Corbin for life. Rock says this is what happens when Corbin comes out and disrespects The Man, the fans and the jabroni beating, pie eating… Rock goes on with a warning to Corbin. They all ready for a fight. Rock and Becky take turns rocking Corbin between them now. Rock drops Corbin. Becky leg drops Corbin. Rock stands over Corbin in the middle of the ring and delivers The People’s Elbow. Becky with kicks to Corbin, sending him right into a Rock Bottom. Fans chant “Rocky!” now as he stands with Becky. Rock says he loves us, SmackDown. “If ya smell… what The Rock is cookin’!” The Rock’s music hits as he stands tall with Becky once again. Rock exits the ring and slaps hands with fans at ringside on the way up the ramp as his music hits. Rock stops and poses on the stage, then points back at Becky in the ring.
– Cole and Graves hype the rest of tonight’s show, including the Ladder Match between Kevin Owens and Shane McMahon. There will also be Lumberjacks surrounding the ring or the Erick Rowan vs. Roman Reigns match.
– We see Sasha Banks and Bayley backstage. That tag team match will be next. Back to commercial.
Sasha Banks and Bayley vs. Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch
Back from the break and we see Maria Menounos at ringside with WWE Hall of Famers Lita and Trish Stratus. RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch waits in the ring as her partner comes out with pyro, Charlotte Flair. Sasha Banks is out first for her team. SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley joins her on the stage and they head to the ring together.
Bayley goes after Charlotte but Charlotte with kicks in the corner. Bayley pulls Charlotte to the mat after escaping a slam attempt. Sasha tags in and they send Charlotte back first into the turnbuckles. Sasha with a running Meteora for a near fall. Charlotte with chops to Sasha. Sasha goes to the apron and Charlotte with an elbow and boot to send Sasha to the floor. Charlotte goes up top but Bayley slams Charlotte off the turnbuckles to the floor and Sasha kicks Charlotte as we go to commercial.
We are back and Bayley with a waist lock and Charlotte with an elbow. Charlotte with a knee to Bayley and Becky tags in. Becky with a clothesline to Bayley followed by a kick and snap mare. Becky with a flying forearm and Becky with an exploder. Becky goes for DisArmHer but Sasha gets involved and Bayley sends Becky into the corner. Becky with a leg drop from the turnbuckles for a near fall. Bayley with a rollup for a near fall. Becky with a drop kick and Bayley with a hot shot. Charlotte tags in and Charlotte with a back breaker followed by Natural Selection but Sasha breaks up the cover.
Sasha and Becky square off in the ring and they exchange punches. Bayley knocks Becky down and Charlotte joins in and goes after Bayley. They square off in the ring and Charlotte with a fallaway slam to Bayley. Becky with a kick from the apron and then she sends Sasha into the turnbuckles. Becky with a missile drop kick and Charlotte goes to the turnbuckles for a moonsault on Bayley and Sasha. Charlotte with a take down and she applies the figure four leg lock and she bridges to force Bayley to tap out.
Winners: Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair
Backstage:
We go to Erin Andrews with The New Day. Erin asks about Kofi’s match against Brock Lesnar and whether he is an underdog. Kofi says he is always the underdog. He is standing here as WWE Champion. Being the underdog is what he does. Brock is the next mountain he has to climb. He will climb these mountains. Erin asks if Big E and Xavier will be joining Kofi. Xavier says Kofi asked them to let him climb this mountain alone. Kofi wants to prove that he deserves to be your WWE Champion.
– Universal Champion Seth Rollins walks in the back as we go to commercial.
– We are back with a look at the Blue Carpet event.
– We see Kurt Angle and Mick Foley in the crowd.
Seth Rollins vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
We go to the ring and out comes WWE Universal Champion Seth Rollins for this non-title Champion vs. Champion match.
Bray Wyatt interrupts on the big screen with a new Firefly Funhouse segment. Wyatt introduces everyone to his home and his various puppets. Ramblin’ Rabbit is actually still alive, and he’s wearing a Rollins t-shirt. He wants to be like Rollins when he grows up. He goes on until Wyatt stops him. Wyatt suggests they show Rollins what will happen on Sunday at Hell In a Cell instead of talking. The Rabbit represents Rollins and he’s locked inside of a small red cage. Mercy The Buzzard appears and is representing The Fiend. Rollins watches from the ring and Wyatt warns this could get messy. Mercy destroys Ramblin’ and leaves nothing but a bunch of stuffing and a few body parts. Wyatt finds this to be hilarious. Wyatt gets serious and says history has a horrible way of repeating itself. Wyatt says now it’s Rollins’ turn. He flashes with a quick reminder of The Fiend. Wyatt laughs again and says he will see Rollins later. The segment ends as Rollins looks on from the ring.
Back in the arena, Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura is out next with Sami Zayn. Back to commercial.
We are back and Nakamura floats over into a cross arm breaker but Seth with a buckle bomb to Nakamura and Nakamrua goes to the floor and hits a suicide dive. Rollins with another suicide dive and then Sami Zayn distracts Rollins and Nakamura with a forearm. Rollins with Slingblade. Rollins is sent to the apron and Nakamura with a kick but Rollins with a springboard knee to the head followed by a thrust kick. Rollins sets for Black Out but… the lights go down and off.
The lights come back on and Seth is at the entrance and he looks around and Nakamura does the same in the ring. The Fiend attacks Seth with the Mandible Claw and pushes Rollins off the stage. The lights go out again and we hear Bray’s laugh. We go to commercial.
Kevin Owens vs. Shane McMahon in a Ladder Match – The Loser is Gone From WWE
Back from the break and Kevin Owens is in the ring. We see ladders standing up and laying down around the arena. The briefcase is hanging high above the ring with the stipulation documents. The winner of the match will keep their job, and Owens’ lawsuit against Shane will be dismissed. Shane McMahon is out next. Shane stops on the stage and signals for Hamilton to give him a grand introduction. Owens runs out of the ring, up the ramp and attacks Shane on the stage. Owens brings it back into the ring and the bell rings.
Owens with punches as they get into the ring. The match starts and Owens clotheslines Shane over the top rope to the floor. Shane is sent into the ring steps. Kevin puts the ladder on the apron and ringside barrier and sends Shane into it. Shane is sent into the ladder again. Owens brings the ladder into the ring and he sets it up under the briefcase and Shane pulls Kevin off. Shane with a side Russian leg sweep and then Shane climbs the ladder.
Owens pulls Shane off the ladder and Owens with a head butt. Owens throws the ladder at Shane but Shane moves and Owens misses Shane. Owens with a clothesline and he goes back to get the ladder. Shane drop kicks the ladder into Owens’ face. Shane hits Owens in the back with the edge of the ladder. Shane rearranges the announce table and then he puts Kevin on the table. Shane punches Kevin on the announce table and connects with elbows. Shane throws the hood of the announce table onto Kevin. Shane continues to use the hood on Kevin.
Shane returns to the ring as fans boo him. Shane climbs to the top turnbuckle and delivers a huge elbow drop, putting Owens through the announce table. They’re both laid out in the debris. Fans chant “holy s–t!” as we go back to commercial.
We are back and Owens goes to the turnbuckles and hits a frog splash onto Shane on a ladder between the ring and the ringside barrier. Owens returns to the ring with a ladder and he sets it up. Shane gets into the ring with a steel chair and he hits Owens in the ankles and then in the back. Shane hits Owens in the back with the chair. Shane jabs Owens with the chair in the corner and then he throws the chair aside. Shane puts the ladder against Owens and sets up for the Coast To Coast. Shane hits the move and the ladder goes into Owens.
Shane sets up the ladder in the center of the ring. Shane climbs up the ladder but Owens stops Shane and he power bombs Shane onto the ladder hanging on the bottom rope. Owens climbs the ladder and gets the briefcase.
Winner: Kevin Owens, Shane McMahon is Terminated
After the match, Kevin grabs the mic and he tells Shane ‘YOU’RE FIRED’ and then he hits a stunner.
– Kayla Braxton is in the back waiting to get comments from Brock Lesnar or Paul Heyman. Back to commercial.
– We are back and we see people arriving on the Blue Carpet, including the new power couple Lana and Bobby Lashley.
Backstage:
Kayla Braxton is with Paul Heyman to talk about Brock Lesnar. Paul says he does not care what Erin Andrews or Kofi Kingston has to say. Paul asks to show the relevant footage. We see Brock Lesnar attacking Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio on Raw. Paul says he wants to make this so easy that even Dominik Mysterio can understand. Rey Mysterio stood in Brock’s way and he got rid of Rey. Kofi is in Brock’s way and he will get rid of Kofi. That is a spoiler. You will hear Brock Lesnar announced as the WWE Champion.
Braun Strowman, Miz, Otis Dozovic, and Tucker Knight vs. Randy Orton, AJ Styles, Dolph Ziggler, and Robert Roode
Ziggler and Miz start things off and Dolph with punches and a Zig Zag. Ziggler sets for a super kick and Miz blocks it. Miz with a kick and DDT. Strowman tags in and hits shoulder tackles on Ziggler. Strowman with an Irish whip and splash followed by a clothesline for a near fall. Miz with a Skull Crushing Finale on Ziggler. Orton with an RKO on Miz. Otis with a splash on Orton. Styles with a Phenomenal Forearm on Otis. Strowman goes to the floor and does the Hit and Run on Orton, Roode, and Styles.
Strowman stops at ringside and stares at boxer Tyson Fury. They put their dukes up but look to be joking. Ziggler takes advantage and attacks from behind, knocking Ziggler down. Ziggler gets sent into Fury. Fury isn’t happy now. Strowman laughs at him as he returns to the ring. Ziggler rocks Strowman off the distraction. Strowman immediately scoops Ziggler for the powerslam and the pin to win.
Winners: Braun Strowman, Miz, Tucker Knight, and Otis Dozovic
After the match, Team Strowman stands tall as the music hits. Fury hops the barrier but security rushes over and keeps him from getting to the ring. Strowman taunts Fury from the ring. Graves notes how Fury is a hot head. Fans chant for security to let them fight. We go to commercial.
– We are back with a look at what happened earlier today with the 24/7 Title when Marshmallow pinned Carmella. We have a new champion.
Erick Rowan vs. Roman Reigns in a Lumberjack Match
Daniel Bryan joins Corey and Michael for the Lumberjack match.
They lock up and Rowan with punches in the corner. Rowan with forearms and a shoulder tackle. Roman Reigns falls to the floor on the heel side of the lumberjacks and they attack Roman before he gets back into the ring. Roman clotheslines Rowan over the top rope onto the face side of the ring and Rowan attacks the lumberjacks. Roman goes to the floor and goes for a Drive By but Rowan catches Roman and sends him into the ringside barrier. The lumberjacks attack Roman and we have a kerfuffle before Roman returns to the ring.
Rowan with a spinning heel kick for a near fall as we go to commercial.
We are back and Rowan with the atomic noogie. Roman iwth punches to Rowan. Roman with a kick and uppercut. Rowan with a kick and Irish whip but Roman with a back elbow. Rowan misses a splash into the corner and Roman with NeverEnding Story. Roman with a flying clothesline and Roman gets Rowan up for a Samoan drop and he gets a near fall. Rowan blocks a Superman punch and connects with a boot. Roman with a Superman punch and Luke Harper makes his way to the ring and he goes after the lumberjacks. Bryan goes after Harper and Roman with a plancha onto everyone.
Rowan comes out and powerbombs Ali into Reigns. Rowan brings it back into the ring and nails Reigns with a crossbody for a close 2 count. Rowan signals for the Iron Claw and waits for Reigns to get up. Rowan smiles before applying the Iron Claw. Reigns blocks the Claw slam and nails a Superman Punch. Harper hits the ring and drops Reigns. Harper stops lumberjacks from entering the ring. Bryan runs in and drops Harper with a running knee out of nowhere. Reigns takes advantage and hits Rowan with a Spear for the pin to win.
Winner: Roman Reigns
After the match, Reigns recovers as his music hits. Bryan enters the ring and offers his hand for a shake. Reigns thinks about it as Bryan encourages the fans to chant “yes!” at him. Reigns finally shakes it and fans pop.
– We are back to see what The Rock cooked earlier during the show.
Brock Lesnar vs. Kofi Kingston for The WWE Title
Brock Lesnar is out first followed by Kofi Kingoston. Apparently their are late as their intros are both cutted.
Brock catches Kofi and hits an F5 for the three count in under 5 seconds!
Winner and NEW WWE Champion: Brock Lesnar
After the quick squash, Lesnar stands tall and raises the title as Heyman joins him in the ring.
The music hits as we go to a replay. Big E and Woods looked on stunned at ringside. Rey Mysterio’s music suddenly hits. We wait but Rey isn’t coming out. Rey suddenly appears and he’s got UFC heavyweight Cain Velasquez with him. The crowd pops big and Lesnar looks on shocked from the ring, along with Heyman. Cain and Rey stare Lesnar and Heyman down before marching down the ramp.
Cain enters the ring. Lesnar swings but Cain ducks and tackles him. Cain unloads and pounds as Lesnar tries to fight and get away to retreat. Lesnar quickly exits the ring as Cain talks trash from the ring. Heyman talks trash and tells a stunned Lesnar to show Cain who he is, handing him the belt. Lesnar stares Cain down from the ramp for a minute or two. Cain stands with Rey in the ring. Lesnar finally turns and goes up the ramp as fans start booing. We get a replay of what just happened. Graves mentions how Cain beat Lesnar for the UFC Heavyweight Title in 2010. Lesnar and Heyman look on from the entrance as Rey’s music hits while he and Cain stand tall in the ring.
The SmackDown FOX premiere and 20th Anniversary specials goes off the air.
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