We are in Orlando, Florida, as Michael Cole and Booker T welcome us to the Smackdown Pre-Show.
Booker says from top to bottom, tonight’s show is going to be awesome. Michael mentions that Renee Young will be on the show later. Michael mentions the first time the Universal Title will be defended on Smackdown on Fox.
Backstage:
Paul Heyman introduces himself and he says you are joining with him in anticipation of the appearance of the Universal Champion Roman Reigns. He says Roman is excited to be on the season premiere. Paul says Roman faces the most dangerous opponent in Braun Strowman. Roman is not taking this lightly. He is not here for this interview because he is getting ready for his match instead of being on a hype laden KICKOFF SHOW.
— Booker says he asked Paul what makes him a different manager than others and Paul said he is not a manager, but an advisor. Michael mentions the new tag champions and we go to Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins in the back. They say they did not come alone because they have Big Papi and Steve Austin with them. They mention that George Kittle and Seth Rollins are here too. Montez says all of the stars are here tonight.
We go to commercial.
— We are back and the NFL Sunday panel is asked for picks for the Universal Title match. Kurt and Terry pick Braun while Tony picks Roman.
— Renee Young has joined the panel from her remote location. She says there is no way she would not miss out on the celebration for the season premiere of Smackdown. Renee says it is time to look at some of the best moments of Smackdown on Fox.
Renee says the second year is getting off to a big start with Seth Rollins at the panel.
— Cole wonders what do we call Seth Rollins now. Seth says it was never about the name, it was about the message and the future of WWE. Seth says he is ready to go. Booker says he loves the beard and he asks about the method to the madness and is the master plan coming together. Seth says they are on the right path and he is excited to bring his brand of the Greater Good to Smackdown. He says there is a lot of talent he has not worked with yet. Michael brings up the Mysterios being on Smackdown and the continuation of their rivalry. Seth says it appears to be continuing. The consquences are on their hands.
Michael says that Booker is not Seth’s only fan as we go to George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers. He says he is excited for what Seth is going to do on Smackdown.
Seth says if his only two fans are King Booker and George Kittle, then he is doing well. Cole asks if anything is planned for tonight. Seth says he has something up his sleeve, but he cannot divulge.
— We see Braun Strowman in the back and he is going to join Booker and Michael when we come back from commercial.
— We are back and we go to David Ortiz and he wants Booker to come to LA for his belt and he tells Booker he is going to get an ass whooping. Booker says he said he liked Ortiz but then he sees this. He is not hard to find. Booker tells Ortiz his ass better be big enough to get some.
Backstage:
Kayla Braxton is in the back with Braun Strowman and she asks him about his history with Roman Reigns. Braun says everyone has seen their history. They have pushed their bodies to the limit countless times. Roman is his greatest adversary. They bring out the best in each other and they will bring out the worst in each other. Braun says he does not know if the Thunderdome will be standing but he will walk out of tonight’s show as the champon and he will take the title to Raw.
— Cole asks Booker who wins the Universal Title Match. Booker says he has watched Braun grow over these three years and he is very intelligent and calculating. Paul Heyman is the game changer. He is the factor that Braun may not have calculuated. Cole says that Roman said that Braun does not deserve this title match but he will grant it since he is the Tribal Chief. Michael mentions Steve Austin and we see him with Rob Stone, since Steve will be a guest on the college football show on Fox tomorrow.
— Triple H and Stephanie McMahon are in the back and they will join Cole and Booker when we come back.
— We are back with Jay Glazer’s thoughts on the draft and the Universal Title Match. Jay says Roman’s family is backing Jey Uso according to sources who might be The Rock.
— Cole asks Hunter what happens if Braun wins the title and takes it to Raw. Stephanie asks if we will see a Spinaroonie. Hunter says it will bring turmoil and chaos. Cole asks Stephanie if she can believe it is the start of the second year. She says she cannot wait to see what happens in year two. Hunter is asked about the reset for season two. He says people are trying to make their name here when they might not have been able to do so elsewhere. Booker asks Hunter who will be dominating in the next five years. Hunter says if he had to pick one to come here in the next few years and headline Wrestlemania, it would be Rhea Ripley. Cole asks about Bianca Belair. Hunter says she is one of the most athletic talent and a game changing talent.
— We go to commercial. Smackdown is next!
Smackdown Opener:
The Smackdown roster is on the stage while Stephanie McMahon and Triple H are in the ring.
Stephanie welcomes everyone to the season premiere of Smackdown. Hunter says season premieres are exciting because of all new drama, all new action, and all new excitement. In the main event, Braun Strowman will face Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship. Stephanie mentions the New Day will face Sheamus, Cesaro, and Shinsuke Nakamura in their farewell match. Hunter mentions that Jeff Hardy will face Lars Sullivan. Stephanie mentions that Daniel Bryan makes his Thunderdome debut.
Hunter mentions some of the new faces on Smackdown and he mentions Kevin Owens. Stephanie mentions Aleister Black. Hunter mentions Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn. Stephanie mentions Otis. Hunter mentions the new Smackdown Tag Champions… the Street Profits.
Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode attack Dawkins and Ford. It turns into an all brand battle royal Owens with a cannonball off the apron. Ford with a flip dive onto Roode and Ziggler.
Lars Sullivan makes his way to the ring. Lars with clotheslines to Ford and Dawkins. Sullivan catches Kalisto and sends him into the ringside barrier. Sullivan takes care of Gable and Crews. Sullivan gives Gable the Freak Accident. Jeff Hardy hits Sullivan from behind and goes for a Twist of Fate but Sullivan escapes it. Sullivan goes after Hardy but Hardy moves and Sullivan goes to the floor.
We go to commercial.
Jeff Hardy vs. Lars Sullivan
Hardy with a drop kick to the knee and a mule kick but Sullivan with a running shoulder tackle. Sullivan with crossfaces. Hardy holds his knee as he gets up. Sullivan with a punch in the corner. Sullivan picks up Hardy and tosses him to the mat and follows with a sliding clothesline for a near fall. Lars goes to the turnbuckles and misses a diving head butt when Hardy moves. Hardy with punches and a sit out jaw breaker. Hardy with a forearm and he gives Sullivan a reverse atomic drop but he cannot take Sullivan to the mat and Sullivan with a forearm. Hardy with Whisper in the Wind for a near fall.
Sullivan blocks a twist of fate and sends Hardy to the floor. Sullivan follows and Hardy comes off the steps for Poetry in Motion but Sullivan catches Hardy and drops him on the apron. Hardy with a kick and Twist of Fate. Hardy goes to the turnbuckles but Sullivan is up and Sullivan grabs Hardy by the throat and hits Freak Accident for the three count.
Winner: Lars Sullivan
After the match, Lars stands tall as his music hits. We go to replays. Lars stands and stares out at the crowd as the referee checks on Hardy while he’s still down.
In the Arena:
We go back to the ring for The New Day’s Farewell Match. Due to the Draft, Big E will be staying on SmackDown while his partners are going to RAW. Out comes Big E with RAW Tag Team Champions Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston. They hit the ring and celebrate as we go back to commercial.
We are back and The New Day make their way to the ring.
Big E says after six years, the New Day found something stronger than the Power of Positivity, the WWE Draft. Xavier mentions that he will be going to Raw with Kofi while Big E stays on Smackdown. Kofi says they have had a week to think about this and he says he couldn’t help but have a smile on his face. He says going on Social Media he saw all of the special moments they have given the fans. They mention Kofi winning the World Championship at Mania. Xavier says those moments were incredible but it means more to them. Xavier says he sees two guys who didn’t have to take a chance on someone who wasn’t doing anything. You trusted me and it was the best six years.
Big E remembers touring on Saturday mornings while Xavier and Kofi were talking about their families and Big E was talking about his TV. Kofi says in 2012, he was at a point in his career when he didn’t think he would do this any more. Then he was approached by you with an idea to do something special. I am glad that you did. We did a lot of great things in the ring, but I met two of the best friends I have ever had in my life.
Kofi tells Big E and Xavier he considers them brothers. Xavier says they are here to get it done one last time and whoop that tail the only way they know how.
We go into Gorilla position and Sheamus, Nakamura, and Cesaro are asked how it means to face the New Day in their last match. Sheamus says he is looking forward to saying goodbye to them. Cesaro says they are looking forward to ruining their last match together. Nakamura says this is goodbye to the New Day forever.
They make their entrance, but first… we go to commercial.
The New Day vs. Cesaro, Shinsuke Nakamura and Sheamus
Nakamura and Woods start off and Nakamura with a rollup but Woods with a waist lock. Nakamura with an Irish whip and Woods floats over and hits an arm drag into an arm bar. Woods with a kick and Kofi tags in and Kofi with a double stompe for a near fall. Nakamura with a knee and round kick. Cesaro tags in and they hit a double hip toss and Cesaro kicks Kofi, Cesaro with a European uppercut. Kofi with a drop kick off the turnbuckles and he tags in Big E. Kofi with a leap frog back senton and Woods tags in and he gets Big E on his shoudlers and Big E with a splash. Woods gets a near fall. Woods with chops but Cesaro with a European uppercut.
Sheamus tags in and they hit a Bar Shoulder tackle and Sheamus with a knee drop for a near fall. Sheamus with a European uppercut and he gets Woods up for a slam but Woods gets to his feet and hits a rolling elbow and a running knee. Big E tags in and Kofi tags in and Big E power bombs Woods onto Sheamus and Kofi with a frog splash for a near fall. Kofi with a kick and Nakamura pulls down the ropes and Kofi lands on the floor. Cesaro and Nakamura tag in and they hit a triple suplex on the floor. Nakamura gets a near fall.
Sheamus tags in and he punches Kofi and tags in Cesaro. Cesaro with kicks. Kofi punches Cesaro but Cesaro with a slam and a leaping leg drop for a near fall. Sheamus tags in and kicks Kofi and connects with a forearm. Nakamura tags in and kicks Kofi in the head and back. Cesaro tags in and he walks all over Kofi. Kofi with a back heel kick and he fights out of the corner but Sheamus tags in and he pulls Kofi off the turnbuckles to the floor as we go to commercial.
We are back and Sheamus knocks Woods off the apron and Kofi with a crucifix on Sheamus for a near fall. Kofi wtih an SOS to Sheamus and both men are down. Cesaro and Big E tag in and Big E with two overhead belly-to-belly suplexes followed by a belly-to-belly suplex. Big E with a Warrior Splash and he sets for the Big Ending. Cesaro escapes and hits a gutwrench suplex. Cesaro with a European uppercut and then Woods and Big E with a lungblower and UranagE combination for a near fall. Cesaro sends Woods to the apron and Cesaro with a European uppercut to stop a slingshot move. Nakamura tags in and hits a sliding German suplex for a near fall.
Nakamura with forearms and Woods drop kicks Nakamura into the ropes. Woods with a splash to the back and then Kofi tags in and hits a splash onto Cesaro and Nakamura. Sheamus kicks Big E to the floor while Kofi kicks Sheamus. Kofi goes up top and Nakamura with a kick to Kofi. Cesaro tags in nad he gives Kofi the Giant Swing and Nakamura with a kick. Sheamus with White Noise for a near fall. Big E with a Big Ending to Cesaro. Woods with a missile drop kick to Nakamura. Sheamus sends Woods to the floor. Kofi with a head butt to Sheamus and Sheamus goes shoulder first into the turnbuckles. Woods and Big E tag in and they hit Midnight Hour for the three count.
Winners: The New Day
After the match, The New Day stands tall together as the music hits. We go to replays. The New Day huddles up in the middle of the ring for what Cole calls an emotional moment. Big E talks about how they will forever be a part of him, and he can’t thank them enough, they are his brothers. They all hug again before posing in the middle of the ring for a pop, raising their hands and the titles in the air.
Backstage:
Kayla Braxton is in the back with Otis. Kayla asks Otis about the lawsuit over the MITB contract. Sami Zayn interrupts because Otis isn’t used to talking for himself. Sami points out that Otis lost his tag team partner and girlfriend so he will probably lose the lawsuit. Sami calls Otis a loser and Otis pushes him down.
— Daniel Bryan makes his way to the ring as we go to commercial.
In The Arena:
Back from the break and Bryan is in the ring, and he’s not dressed to wrestle. We see WWE Hall of Famer Brie Bella and their daughter watching from the ThunderDome crowd as the “yes!” chants continue. Bryan talks about how much he loves being inside the ThunderDome. Bryan loved his time at home. He says hello to Brie and their daughter in the crowd. Bryan said he could not wait to come back and experience this. He hypes up tonight’s show. He’s excited for some fresh faces on the roster, like Bianca Belair, The Riott Squad. People he’s excited to fight like Kevin Owens, Aleister Black, Apollo Crews. He can’t wait to get in the ring with these men. The music interrupts and out comes Seth Rollins.
The pyro hits and Bryan laughs as Rollins makes his way out with a mic. Rollins says it’s so good to see Bryan. He’s thrilled Brie let Bryan off daddy duty for a night to come to the ThunderDome. Rollins believes Baby Brain may have gotten to Bryan because he named a lot of people but he forgot to mention the most important Draft pick, the man who will lead SmackDown into the future – Rollins. Rollins enters the ring and says he has an important question to ask Bryan – which side of history do you want to be on? Because when it comes to The Greater Good, either you’re with Rollins or against him. Rollins is sure Bryan is smart enough to want to stand next to him and mold the future of the industry to his vision. Bryan says he’s all for changing the future for the better but to be quite honest, Rollins’ vision seems a little short sighted, self indulgent, self centered, and just kind of a little bit dumb.
Rollins says Bryan doesn’t mean that but he does. They argue a bit until Rollins drops Bryan with a right hand. Rollins stomps away while Bryan is down now as fans boo. Rollins yells at Bryan about how he’s dumb. Bryan ducks Rollins and takes him down for a pop. Bryan delivers Yes Kicks now. Bryan goes for the roundhouse kick but Rollins retreat to the floor, and backs up the ramp. Rey Mysterio’s music hits and out he comes with Dominik Mysterio as the “yes!” chant starts up again. Rollins returns to the ring as The Mysterios stare him down. Rollins tries to get Bryan to join him. Bryan exits the ring and leaves Rollins alone with The Mysterios. The music interrupts and out comes Murphy.
Murphy rushes the ring and stares everyone down. Rollins pats him on the back but Murphy takes Rollins down and unloads on him with strikes as fans pop. Murphy drops Rollins and sends him retreating up the ramp again. Murphy and The Mysterios stare each other down now. Murphy offers his hand to Rey for a shake. Dominik leaves the ring while Rey stares Murphy down. Rey also leaves the ring while Murphy still has his hand out. Rey’s music starts back up as he and Dominik head up the ramp while Murphy looks on.
— Still to come, Strowman vs. Reigns. We go to Jay Glazer from NFL on FOX. He comments on how FOX is happy that they picked up top stars in the Draft. He also talks about tonight’s main event and sends us back to Cole.
SmackDown Tag Team Titles Match: Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler vs. The Street Profits
We go back to the ring and out come SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Street Profits – Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins. Red cups fall from the rafters as the champs head to the ring. We get a backstage interview from earlier with Ford and Dawkins hyping up tonight’s title defense. They are up and they want the smoke. Ford and Dawkins dance around the ring as we go back to commercial.
We go back to the ring and out come SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Street Profits – Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins. Red cups fall from the rafters as the champs head to the ring. We get a backstage interview from earlier with Ford and Dawkins hyping up tonight’s title defense. They are up and they want the smoke. Ford and Dawkins dance around the ring as we go back to commercial.
Back from the break and Robert Roode is already out with Dolph Ziggler. Ziggler and Dawkins go at it to start, back and forth. Dawkins with a big dropkick. Dawkins misses a corkscrew splash in the corner as Ziggler moves. Roode tags in and stomps away on Dawkins in the corner. Roode with a suplex for a 2 count. Roode drops Ford off the apron with a cheap shot.
We see WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair watching int he ThunderDome crowd. Ziggler comes back in for the double team and a 2 count on Dawkins as Ford breaks it up. Ford fights off both opponents but they beat him down. The referee calls for the bell.
Winners by DQ: The Street Profits
After the bell, Roode and Ziggler toss Ford to the floor. They go for Dawkins but he fights them off. They get the upperhand and hit a big double team Spinebuster into a Zig Zag. Ford goes to the top and hits a double crossbody to take down both of the challengers. Ford helps Dawkins up and they celebrate together as we go to replays.
— We see what happened between Sasha Banks and Bayley in last week’s title match.
— We go back to the ring and out comes Sasha Banks for her Hell In a Cell contract signing with SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley. Banks poses on the apron as the pyro goes off and we go back to commercial.
Back from the break and we get a plug for next week’s SmackDown on FS1. We go back to the ring and out comes Bayley. Banks and WWE Producer Adam Pearce are already sitting at the table for the contract signing. Pearce talks about the match and lets Banks sign first. Banks signs and says she’s been waiting for this moment for a very long time. So has Bayley, who just wants to be done with Banks, who she calls her baggage, so she can continue her historic title reign.
Banks and Bayley have more words as Pearce looks on. Bayley says Banks has been waiting to turn on her this entire time but she beat her to the punch, and that’s why Banks is mad. Banks stands up and says if she wanted to turn on Bayley, she would’ve done it years ago. Banks says friends don’t turn on each other. Banks recalls how she was the first person to call Bayley when she got left behind at WWE NXT. She goes on talking about how she was there for Bayley at different times. Banks says she will end Bayley at Hell In a Cell because her name is Sasha Banks and her name is bigger than Bayley’s title. Banks says it will just be the icing on the cake when she leaves the Cell with the title.
Banks shoves the contract over to Bayley but Bayley stands up with a steel chair. Bayley backs out of the ring with the chair and says she’s not signing anything. Banks tells her to leave like the coward she is, but there will be no where to run in the Cell. Banks says one way or the other, Bayley will be signing this contract. Bayley rants and taunts Banks from the ramp while holding her title and the chair. Banks stares back from the ring.
– We see Braun Strowman backstage warming up. Back to commercial.
– Back from the break and we get shout-outs to WWE from actor/comedians Ken Jeong and Joel McHale.
Braun Strowman vs. Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship
We go back to the ring for tonight’s main event and out first comes The Monster Among Men, Braun Strowman. The new RAW Superstar hits the ring to pyro. Out next comes WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns with Paul Heyman. The Tribal Chief also gets pyro. We get formal ring introductions from Greg Hamilton. Fans cheer and boo as we see Jey Uso backstage watching the two competitors face off in the ring. We go back to commercial.
Back from the break and we see WWE Hall of Famer Steve Austin chatting via video call with FOX Sports’ Rob Stone again to promote Saturday’s college football on FOX. We see Stone and WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry watching from the ThunderDome crowd now. We go back to the ring and the bell rings to star the main event as Strowman gets sent to the floor after a lock-up. Strowman comes to the apron to re-enter but Reigns knocks him back to the floor with a Superman Punch. Reigns nails a dropkick on the apron and covers for a 1 count as Strowman kicks out with ease. We see Jey watching backstage again.
Reigns works on Strowman in the corner but Strowman fights back. Reigns with a big right hand and a kick to drop Braun again. Braun kicks out with ease again. Reigns sends Strowman over the top rope again. Reigns follows as the referee counts, slamming Strowman face-first into the steel ring steps. Strowman gets sent face-first into the announce table now. Strowman creates some space but Reigns leaps off the steel steps. Strowman blocks him in mid-air and ends up sending Reigns over the announce table to the floor.
Strowman returns to the ring and lets the referee count. Strowman runs around the ring as Reigns gets back to his feet. Strowman charges and sends Reigns flying over the barrier with a big shoulder. We go back to commercial.
Back from the break and Strowman has been dominating Reigns. We see WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldberg watching from the ThunderDome crowd now. Strowman clubs Reigns back to the mat for a close 2 count. Strowman stalks Reigns but runs into a big boot in the corner. Reigns moves and Strowman charges into the ring post.
Reigns leaps for a Superman Punch but Strowman catches him in mid-air by the throat. Strowman talks some trash and ends up manhandling Reigns back to the mat. Strowman declares that he is not finished with Reigns. Strowman with a big chokeslam in the middle of the ring for a 2 count. Strowman goes down and it looks like he got hit with a low blow on the kick out, just like what happened with Uso a few weeks ago.
Reigns follows up with a big Spear but Strowman still kicks out. Reigns is a bit surprised. Reigns waits in the corner and charges for another Spear but Strowman counters and goes for a running powerslam. Reigns slides out and sends him into the corner. Strowman grabs Reigns for a bear hug but Reigns turns it into a guillotine submission. Strowman rams Reigns into the corner but Reigns keeps the submission locked. Strowman starts to fade now. He goes to one knee and then the mat.
Reigns keeps the hold locked in on the mat for a minute or so. Strowman taps out for the finish.
Winner: Roman Reigns
After the match, Reigns stands tall as his music hits. He’s quickly interrupted as The Usos’ music hits and out comes cousin Jey Uso to the stage. Reigns’ Hell In a Cell opponent stares him down from the stage. Reigns looks at Strowman, then back at Strowman. Strowman gets up and Reigns delivers another Spear, to send a message to Uso. Reigns tells Uso to come down to the ring. Jey slowly walks down, staring Reigns down. Heyman hands a steel chair to Reigns and Reigns waits with it, taunting Uso at he makes it to the ringside area. Reigns points at Strowman and tells Uso that this is how they eat and take care of generations of family. If he’s not at the top, then they can’t take care of family. Reigns tells Uso that Strowman is him at Hell In a Cell, and to imagine if I can do this to him, imagine what I can do to you at Hell In a Cell. Reigns with chair shots to Strowman while he’s down. Fans boo Reigns as officials rush the ring to get Reigns to stop. Reigns picks the chair back up and unloads on Strowman with more chair shots while he’s down.
Uso gets on the apron now as Reigns continues to taunt him and tell him to bring it. Uso enters the ring and Reigns drops the chair. Reigns just wants Uso to understand that Uso is embarrassing them. Reigns goes on about Uso trying to take his place, and it makes no sense. Reigns says he still loves Uso. Reigns tells Uso to swing the chair at him and prove to Reigns. Reigns kicks the chair over to Uso and tells him to hit him. Reigns turns his back on Uso and waits. Uso picks the chair up but throws it right back down. Reigns laughs at Uso. Uso rocks Reigns and drops him with another big right hand. Uso yells about how they love each other. Uso picks the chair back up and hits Reigns with it while he’s down. Heyman yells out. Officials hit the ring again to get in between them but Reigns takes advantage and drops Uso with a big Superman Punch. Reigns says this is Uso’s last chance. Reigns makes his exit as his music hits and fans boo him. Officials tend to Uso while he’s down. Cole thanks fans for tuning into the SmackDown on FOX season two premiere. SmackDown goes off the air with Reigns making his way up the ramp.
