The SmackDown Live Report
THE ONLY BLVD!
The lights are bright and it’s SmackDown tonight! We are live outside the U.S. from Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico. On the tap tonight will be a singles match between Nikki Bella and Paige. Championships are all on the line with The War Raiders putting their AAA Tag Team titles against Damian Priest & R-Truth, the AAA Cruiserweight Champion Rey Fenix versus Ricky Saints, the WWE Women’s Championship up for grabs when Chelsea Green goes up against Nia Jax, and an Undisputed WWE Championship Match with CM Punk putting the gold on the line against Sami Zayn.
We’re in Mexico City with mucho más, por favor – So let’s get to the SLAM and see what’s in store!
We begin with the usual opening arrivals of the superstars scheduled for tonight before we go live to the arena. “Voices” hits as “The Viper” randy Orton starts things off tonight.
Orton asked the hot international crowd, “What do you wanna talk about?” Orton said he wants to talk about Cody Rhodes. He said that at Sunday Night’s Main Event, in front of Cody’s friends, family, wife, and mother, he showed exactly who he is. Orton said that Cody isn’t a killer, he’s a good man. He said Cody is a good father, a good husband and a good friend. Orton said it takes a piece of your soul to kill a legend, and Orton knows that because he is the Legend Killer. He said that anybody who comes in the way of his 15th World Championship he won’t hesitate. Orton said that whoever has the title after tonight he is coming for you with the three most dangerous letters in all of sports entertainment… “RKO”.
Chelsea Green was backstage talking to SmackDown GM Nick Aldis. She thanked him for letting her keep the title and Aldis said she earned it. Tiffany Stratton was there to support Green and said she would be in her corner to make sure Lash Legend doesn’t get involved. Green said she had to go get some lip gloss, and Stratton wished her luck.
It was Michael Cole and Wade Barrett on commentary tonight.
Michael Cole talked about how today was the 25th anniversary of the September 11th, 2001 twin towers tragedy. Cole recapped what happened: “September 2001. Never forget.”
A 9/11 video aired that was narrated by Triple H. A clip from the SmackDown episode that aired after 9/11 showed with superstars talking about honoring fallen heroes. The video ended with the words: “We remember.”
AAA Cruiserweight Championship
Rey Fenix (c) vs Ricky Saints
We start with some obvious back-and-forth fast paced action as both contenders are equally matched and try for early pin attempts.
The match came to a conclusion when Fenix Superkicked Saints by the turnbuckle and hit the Mexican Muscle Buster for the win.
WINNER: Rey Fenix
After the match, Fenix extended his hand for a handshake, but Saints rejects it and walks out of the ring.
Now backstage, Cathy Kelley is interviewing Sami Zayn. Zayn said he knows that this is not about him, it’s about justice. Zayn said he was perfectly happy and he wanted justice any way he could have it. Zayn claimed he would be happy if Kevin Owens beat CM Punk and Owens didn’t want his help. Zayn said he tried to help Johnny Gargano but that didn’t work out eitherr. Zayn said it could never be Owens, Gargano, Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, or Finn Balor. It has to be Zayn. He said that Punk stole it from him and Zayn is going to take back the WWE Championship.
Newly rejuvenated Johnny Gargano, with wifey Candice LeRae, walked up to Zayn, and Zayn hugged him. Zayn said tonight’s the night. Gargano asked if Zayn beats Punk, then Gargano is next. Zayn said he’s got it. Gargano gave him a look like it wasn’t genuine.
Next up in the arena, Nikki Bella made her entrance for singles action.
Nikki Bella vs Paige
The bell sounds and Paige immediately goes after Nikki with right hands before pulling her hair and throwing her across the ring. Paige connects with a kick to the face, sending Bella rolling to the outside. The match is pretty much all Paige destroying Nikki on the outside.
Until Paige sends Nikki back into the ring and follows inside. But Nikki trips Paige up and quickly makes a cover with her feet on the ropes. The ref never saw it so he counted the three.
WINNER: Nikki Bella
Backstage once again, Kelley is with the Irresistible Forces. Jax trashed Green for getting hurt and said she shouldn’t be champion in the first place. She vows to end Green’s career. Legend then warns Tiffany Stratton not to get involved or she’ll break her ribs. Break time (for us, not for anyone’s ribs).
Now back from commercial in the arena, the new United States Champion Trick Williams comes out to the ring.
Williams said that in case you can’t understand what the Mexican people are saying, they’re saying Quinones. Williams said that is Mexico City’s best football player just like Trick is the best superstar SmackDown has to offer. He said that just like Quinones kicks the ball into the goal, he took Baron Corbin’s head, smacked it around and kicked his ass all night long. Williams kicked the soccer ball into the crowd, saying to call him “Tricky Two-Times”. He said with Money in the Bank coming up, he may become “Tricky two-titles”.
Williams said he needs to bring out the man who survived the five-minute challenge and helped him earn his United States Championship. He then asked for a drumroll to introduce “The Five-Minute Man”, Lil Yachty. Instead, Baron Corbin appeared, grabbing a prone Yachty.
Williams chased after Corbin, who ran to the back. Referees showed up to check on Yachty. Corbin reappeared with the Trick Stick kendo stick and hit Williams in the back. Corbin said they aren’t done yet.
Now backstage in Aldis’ office, Aldis is speaking with Finn Balor. Balor said he wants to be considered for the WWE Championship. Aldis mentioned Money in the Bank to Balor. Danhausen was there and he wondered about “Human Monies in the Bank.” Aldis said they can talk about it another time. Gunther walked in, and Aldis said Gunther keeps interrupting. Gunther said Aldis puts people in positions where they don’t belong, especially Balor. Gunther said that Balor peaked 10 years ago and if he had any decency, he would have hung up his boots a long time ago. Gunther said maybe somebody needs to beat it into him. Gunther left, Balor called him a “whiny little bitch”, Gunther turned back around and Balor punched Gunther to knock him down before leaving with Aldis. Danhausen appeared behind Gunther as Gunther got back up and teased saying something, but instead quickly left.
Back in the arena, Nia Jax made her entrance with Lash Legend for Jax’s Women’s Championship match. After a commercial, the WWE Women’s Champion Chelsea Green made her entrance, joined by Tiffany Stratton. Green was wearing a Mexican-style face mask.
WWE Women’s Championship
Chelsea Green (c) vs Nia Jax
The bell rings and Green opens with a Dropkick, sending Jax to the outside. Green went for a suicide dive, but Jax caught her and sent Green into the barricade. Jax then sent Green over the Spanish commentary table.
The match featured the power of Jax, despite a few noble efforts by Green. Jax removes Green’s mask and throws her to the outside before distracting the referee. Legend attempts to hit Green, but Stratton pulls Green out of the way and Legend accidentally connects with Stratton instead. Jax went for the Annihilator, but Green moved out of the way, put her mask back on and headbutted Jax. Green climbed to the top and connected with the Unpretty Her for the win.
WINNER: Chelsea Green
Backstage once again, Kelley is with the Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk. Punk said sometimes bad behavior needs to be rewarded, and that’s the only reason Zayn is getting a title shot. He said anyone who thinks he came to Mexico City to lose his title to a man who broke his hand “jerking it” to his nine-day fluke title reign has another thing coming.
Punk mentions Mexico City’s elevation, saying the air is rare at 8,000 feet, and cheap-popped the fans saying they’re great. Punk said that when he hits the GTS, Zayn will understand why he is CM Punk, why he is the champion and why he is the Best in the World. Punk finished by saying he approved this message.
Next up in the arena, Damian Priest and R-Truth made their entrance for tag team action. Truth had a sombrero on to suck up to the Mexico fans.
AAA Tag-Team Championships
The War Raiders (c) vs Damian Priest & R Truth
War Raiders immediately attack R-Truth and Damian Priest right off the bell. Ivar connects with a splash on Truth for a two-count. Erik tags in and the champions double-team Truth. Things went back and forth well, as Priest even hit a Cross Body Block on both Raiders when they were regrouped on the outside.
Truth eventually got the hot tag, did the Five-Knuckle Shuffle and the AA but only for a two count. Priest came back in, but the Raiders hit a Double-Team move. They knocked Truth down, then hit The Ragnarok for the win.
WINNERS: The War Raiders
After the match, Damian Priest picked up R-Truth and they hugged. Priest asked for the sombrero and put it on Truth’s head as they posed for the fans, which suddenly led to Priest hitting a clothesline on Truth. Heel turn! Priest picked up Truth and hit a South of Heaven on the sombrero in the ring. The fans boo-ed loudly as Priest left.
Somewhere backstage, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss were talking about their loss at SNME. Bliss said it was just one mishap, which happens sometimes. Fatal Influence walked in to do some trash talk, prompting Flair to ask if they have a problem. Tatum Paxley walked in to say she suggests they hold onto the tag team titles tight. Fatal Influence left. Flair said she knows she can trust Lexy, but can she trust Paxley? Flair said she hopes what happened at Sunday Night’s Main Event was a rookie mistake. Paxley wanted to say more, but Bliss stopped her and said to give her time.
Elsewhere, Rey Fenix, the AAA Cruiserweight Champion, was interviewed by Kelley. Fenix said Monday on Raw, his brother Penta has a chance to be the new World Heavyweight Champion and that would mean a lot. Ricky Saints walked in to apologize and said he hates losing. But Fenix was the better man tonight. They shook hands. Saints left briefly, but then he came back from behind to attack Fenix. Saints sent Fenix into some garage door backstage and said that Fenix may have been the better man, tonight Saints was the better man.
Sami Zayn made his entrance for the main event. The Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk made his entrance as well. Punk wore a white jacket with masks on the sides. Cole said it represented some famous mask-wearing wrestlers in history. Ring announcer Mark Nash did the championship introductions. It’s time for our main event!
Undisputed WWE Championship
CM Punk (c) vs Sami Zayn
Punk starts with several right hands and backs Zayn into the corner. Punk climbs to the second rope and delivers more right hands before Zayn rolls to the floor. Punk follows with a Suicide Dive.
After we come back from a mid-match break, Punk is favoring his left knee as he rolls onto the ring apron. Zayn targets the injured knee from the outside with a right hand before slamming it into the ring post.
After a while, both Punk and Zayn appear injured: Punk with his left knee and Zayn with his left wrist. They attempt some finishers but can barely do it, if at all. This cues Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae to ringside. Gargano gets on the apron to distract Punk, allowing Zayn to roll him up but only for a two-count. Zayn applies a Figure Four Leg Lock submission, but Punk grabbed his injured wrist to get out. LeRae gets on the apron to distract the ref as Punk locks Zayn in the Anaconda Vice. Zayn taps out but the ref doesn’t see it.
Chaos ensues as Gargano brought the WWE Title into the ring and tried to blast Punk with it, but Punk dodged and hit the GTS on Gargano. As the ref was removing Gargano from the ring, Kevin Owens suddenly showed up. Owens went into the ring and swung at Zayn with the WWE title, but Zayn moved and KO hit Punk instead. Owens smirked about it, but then Zayn hit a low blow to Owens. Zayn hid the evidence and hit a Helluva Kick on Punk for the three count and the win! Sami Zayn is the WWE Champion again! #JUSTICEFORSAMI!
WINNER and NEW Undisputed WWE Champion: Sami Zayn
Zayn left the ring with the WWE title and celebrated on the ramp aisle as pyro went off.
Fin.
It was announced earlier that on a historic night for Monday Night Raw in Mexico City this coming Monday: Roman Reigns defends the World Heavyweight Championship against Penta.
Next week on Friday Night SmackDown: Money in the Bank qualifying matches continue, and even a Cody Rhodes interview.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login