Sometimes you just have to throw caution to the wind, go for it and worry about the consequences later. That’s what Jey Uso did last week on WWE SmackDown, getting some revenge for what happened to his brother Jimmy with the help of a steel chair.
The problem is the consequences might only be coming tonight in Raleigh. Jey naming himself the “judge, jury and executioner” made for a tasty sound bite, but surely Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa won’t be cool with him feeling like he’s got the upper hand. The world will be watching considering the Bloodline drama remains the biggest attraction on WWE TV at the moment.
The women’s division should have stakes just as high if not higher tonight. Asuka is ready to put her WWE Women’s Championship on the line against Bianca Belair after the latter worked for weeks for a chance to get a shot at the title again,
Will the two women actually be able to settle things just among themselves, though? That’s far from certain, what with IYO SKY poised to potentially cash in her Money in the Bank briefcase without warning and Charlotte Flair also waiting in the wings for her own title match. Expect fireworks, and potential hijinks as well.
We’ll also see Sheamus and Ridge Holland look for some payback against Pretty Deadly. And there’s a Fatal 4-Way scheduled that will lead the winner to be one match away from a United States Championship bout.
We’re set to dive in for all the action.
WWE SmackDown results from Raleigh:
Jey Uso is shown walking backstage as Michael Cole describes him as being “on the warpath.”
Bianca Belair hits the ring ahead of her title match and gets a very warm reaction from the fans in Raleigh. Though she knows people say patience is a virtue, Bianca reminds us how long she’s been waiting and all the hoops she’s had to jump through to get what should have been hers all along.
She promises to give Asuka exactly what she deserves but is interrupted to absolutely no one’s surprise by Charlotte Flair. The Queen says she believes Belair will win tonight and makes it very clear she’s first in line. If Belair does indeed win, it’s on for SummerSlam.
Sheamus gives his Brawling Brutes teammates a pep talk since all of them have big things going on tonight. Speaking of which …
Pretty Deadly def. Sheamus and Ridge Holland by pinfall
A strong start for the Brutes includes tandem 10 Beats of the Bodhran that actually goes well past 10. Things change during a commercial break, however, as Pretty Deadly is able to smother Sheamus with the help of some quick tags. Interestingly, Holland is portrayed as the one Pretty Deadly wants no part of.
Holland does his best to live up to that billing, suplexing one of his foes into the other. Sheamus also goes off the top rope to the floor, something you don’t see every day.
Alas, it doesn’t help, as an exposed steel turnbuckle proves to be enough to knock Ridge woozy, and a leg drop off the top puts him away.
Cathy Kelley catches up with Grayson Waller backstage, who seems really pleased that The Rock has been watching him. He also can’t wait to have his hand raised in the Fatal 4-Way.
The Tribal Court of Roman Reigns segment from last week’s SmackDown is replayed to build up anticipation for the Bloodline business tonight.
Flair tells Adam Pearce she feels so good about Bianca’s chances against Asuka tonight that she’s leaving the arena, but she changes her mind when she sees Damage CTRL is lurking.
Bayley def. Zelina Vega by pinfall
Poor Zelina feels like she’s been getting more of a push lately, but she loses in very quick fashion here.
Shotzi appears on the big screen and asks whether she looks scared just because Damage CTRL cut off some of her hair. She says she’ll show them she’s in control and unafraid and proves it by cutting off a lot more of her hair. Needless to say, she doesn’t sound very in control.
The crowd decides to “what” Jey as he talks about how he and Jimmy were inseparable growing up. He says twins are special, as they know how the other feels and end up feeling that too. When Jimmy is hurt, he’s hurt too, and he just can’t believe their current hurt was caused by a family member.
Jey has venom for Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa and even Paul Heyman, but it’s the last name on the list who interrupts him. Heyman introduces himself and Sikoa even though they need no introduction, and declares that Solo is there to “enforce the peace.”
In the great spirit of Bloodline gaslighting, Heyman says that what happened to Jimmy is all Jey’s fault. He was the one who rose up against Reigns and wanted to be the Tribal Chief, after all.
Heyman continues by suggesting that Jey’s family members will never forgive him. And wow, even Solo asks for the mic. He insists he won’t forgive Jey either, and now they quickly progress to throwing hands.
Jey wins their brief exchange, however, sending Sikoa to the floor and leaving Heyman alone in the ring. The fans like that, but of course, Solo is back in time to keep Paul out of danger … but only for a little, as Heyman does end up eating a superkick before Jey launches himself into a suicide dive at Solo on the floor.
Oh, forgot to mention a chair is in the ring too, and Solo ends up eating some shots from it that otherwise would have been labeled for the Wiseman. This round goes to Jey, no question.
Santos Escobar def. Butch, Grayson Waller and AJ Styles
Austin Theory joins the announcers to check this one out since the winner will be one step closer to challenging for his title. He talks a lot about beating John Cena and seems to be especially irritated by Waller, which is odd since they’re both heels.
There’s a cool triple powerbomb spot that sees Escobar sunset flip over all three of the other combatants to set it in motion. Just when it appears Styles might be in position to win, Karrion Kross is shown on the big screen beating on The O.C. Styles leaves the match as a result, and Escobar takes advantage, pinning Butch to advance to face the winner of a second Fatal 4-Way next week.
The Street Profits are outside as a limo pulls up … and Bobby Lashley gets out. He invites Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins inside for a talk, and the car rolls out of there.
Rey Mysterio, Cameron Grimes and Sheamus all cut short promos about being in the second Fatal 4-Way next week. But in the actual arena, LA Knight talks to the fans live, getting a huge reaction and making it clear he’s going to win that match next Friday.
Bianca Belair def. Asuka by DQ in a WWE Women’s Championship match; Asuka retains
The bell hasn’t even rung before Bayley and IYO SKY make their way down to the first row of the crowd, with Bayley proudly displaying the tickets that mean they belong there. Flair has her own ticket and marches down in the same direction.
It should come as no surprise that when the action moves to the floor, with Bianca hitting a KOD on the announce table, both Bayley and Flair get involved. SKY sends Flair into the ringpost, and when Charlotte tries to get some payback with a spear, she hits Bianca instead.
SKY clobbers Charlotte from behind with the briefcase, and it looks like Damage CTRL wants to cash the briefcase in. Asuka hits Bayley with the mist to the face, however, and hightails it out of there since IYO never officially cashed in. So close for IYO, but not this week,
