WWE SmackDown results 06/02/23: Solo picks Tribal Chief over brothers … for now

See if the Bloodline held together long enough to celebrate 1,000 days of Roman Reigns as Universal Champion on WWE SmackDown.

Tonight should be a joyous occasion for Roman Reigns. With WWE promoting a celebration of his 1,000 days (and counting) as Universal Champion, it should be a time for the Tribal Chief to take a well-deserved victory lap, secure in his dominance.

And it would be … if everything was alright with The Bloodline. Instead, it’s the exact opposite, as things have arguably never been more turbulent. After being pushed past their limits by Roman’s gaslighting, The Usos erupted into the family stable version of open revolt, with Jimmy, not Jey, as the ringleader.

There’s almost zero chance The Usos will be beside Reigns tonight, leaving him with just Solo Sikoa as the loyal but silent lieutenant, and his wise man, Paul Heyman. That makes you wonder if Reigns will be in any mood to appreciate his accomplishments, even if WWE gives him a shiny new belt to mark the occasion.

What else is on tap for Wilkes-Barre? Oh not much, just qualifying for the potentially career-altering experience called Money in the Bank. So far two men are in and zero women, but we’re going to increase those numbers tonight. Montez Ford will take on LA Knight (kind of a shame since both men deserve to be in the Ladder match), while Zelina Vega goes up against Lacey Evans.

With a few other surprises bound to be part of the show as well, it should be a fun two hours.

WWE SmackDown results from Wilkes-Barre:

  • Austin Theory claims he’ll have a 1,000-day celebration and more since he’s probably going to be United States Champion forever; he also brings out Pretty Deadly, who says they were glad to take care of the Brawling Brutes and won’t mind doing it again
  • Austin Theory and Pretty Deadly def. Brawling Brutes (Sheamus, Butch and Ridge Holland) by pinfall
  • A video package replays the problems in the Bloodline that erupted at Night of Champions
  • Paul Heyman tells Solo Sikoa that they need to make the night special for the Tribal Chief, especially after what just happened, and says he’s going to talk to Adam Pearce to ensure the Usos go nowhere near the celebration tonight
  • The O.C. wishes AJ Styles a happy birthday, and the Good Brothers say they’ll take out Hit Row tonight
  • Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows def. Hit Row by pinfall, Styles gives Top Dolla a Phenomenal Forearm, and Michael Cole makes some poor efforts at rapping
  • Pearce tells Heyman the Usos have been told they aren’t needed tonight and that he’s doubled security to keep them out
  • Raw Women’s Champion Asuka drops by The Grayson Waller Effect, but IYO SKY pays a visit as well, followed by Bayley, Shotzi, Lacey Evans and Zelina Vega; when Asuka tries slipping away, Bianca Belair shows up and they brawl until officials can separate them
  • Cameron Grimes tells Pearce that the next time Baron Corbin shows his face on SmackDown, he’ll handle it
  • Zelina Vega def. Lacey Evans by pinfall in a Money in the Bank qualifying match
  • The LWO is fired up by Vega’s win, and Santos Escobar says he’s going to win his qualifier next week too
  • LA Knight def. Montez Ford by pinfall (grabbing the ropes to ensure he gets the three count) in a Money in the Bank qualifying match
  • A spooky vignette promotes the “Unholy Union” of Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre
  • Triple H gives Reigns an introduction comparing him to athletes who redefined domination of their respective sports, then presents him with a brand new (very gold) Undisputed WWE Universal Championship title belt …

  • … but his speech is quickly interrupted by The Usos, with Jimmy Uso saying he did what he did because he’s being a good brother, and after Solo Sikoa stands with his brothers, Jey tries to broker peace; Jimmy makes a plea to reunite the family, but even after a hug, Reigns says no, and Sikoa hits Jimmy with a Samoan Spike and walks out with Roman