WWE invades the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO for tonight’s massive episode of Friday Night SmackDown, the go-home show before tomorrow night’s WWE Fastlane PLE. Here is what’s on tap for the show:
- – Cody Rhodes & Jimmy Uso to appear.
- – Dragon Lee vs. Austin Theory.
- – The Judgment Day’s Finn Balor & Damian Priest will appear.
- – Charlotte Flair & Asuka vs. IYO SKY & Bayley.
- – United States Champion Rey Mysterio vs. Bobby Lashley – Non-Title.
John Cena is of course also advertised for tonight, with some shenanigans involving his partner LA Knight, and their opponents – Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa (w/ Paul Heyman) this Saturday, very much expected.
Plus, with multiple RAW Superstars, including Drew McIntyre, seemingly set for tonight’s SmackDown, there is no telling what more is in store for the show.
Stay tuned to eWn as we bring you the latest from Friday Night SmackDown!
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LA Knight is kicking off SmackDown, and the crowd is going batcrap! He settles down in the ring, but the crowd is still chanting for him. “Lemme talk to ya,” goes Knight. “YEEAAHHH!!” goes the crowd. Alas, Paul Heyman’s here to a chorus of boos, alongside Jimmy Uso and Soli Sikoa.
They have verbal sparring session, going back and forth, trading barbs. Among other things, Knight checks an imaginary receipt and says he did not buy any of Paul Heyman’s B.S. This prompted Jimmy Uso to shut him down and threaten that he ain’t making to Fastlane.
Jimmy Uso head down to the ring, but guess what? IT’s JOHN CENAAA! He sprints down to the ring, and the babyfaces are now begging for Uso & Solo to actually come up to the ring. The heels come up to the apron before retreating, and Knight demands a one-on-one bout against Jimmy for later tonight to close the segment.
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The Judgement Day arrives to the arena. JD McDonagh comes up to them and Damian Priest is not happy. He asks why he’s here, but Rhea Ripley says she asked him. Priest sys okay.
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#1. Charlotte Flair & Asuka vs. IYO SKY & Bayley – Winners: Charlotte Flair & Asuka
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We see The Bloodline walking up to their locker room as Jimmy Uso is lamenting how Roman Reigns is never here to make decisions, but he is. As they get to their locker room, The Judgement Day is all comfy there. They are asked if they think they are in the right place, and Balor says they are. We cut to the break.
When we are back, Rhea Ripley tells everyone to leave her and Paul Heyman alone. They all leave, but Solo and Priest don’t. Priest eventually exits, and then Paul E. tells Solo that it’s okay. He hesitantly obliges.
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#2. Bobby Lashley vs. Rey Mysterio – Winner: Bobby Lashley
The climax saw LWO and The Street Profits get into a brawl t ringside. Mysterio helped his faction out, but the distraction was enough for Lashley to capitalize with a Spear for the 1-2-3.
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Back to Rhea Ripley and Paul Heyman, a chilling interaction ensues. Ripley seemingly suggested something in the meantime, and Heyman says it’s brilliant, he’s actually ashamed he did not come up with it earlier. He excuses himself for a phone call, as he seeks authorization from the Tribal Chief, but Ripley stops him, saying it’s all taken care of.
Heyman goes that all may be clear from her side, but Roman Reigns has to make that decision from theirs. Ripley tells Paul E. to acknowledge her. Heyman says that she is in the wrong locker room to say something like that.
The Women’s World Champion says that Paul Heyman WILL acknowledge her, just like Jey Uso. Otherwise, The Judgment Day and The Bloodline are gonna have some problems. She then “authorizes” Paul E. to make his little phone call and leaves, and he asks Siri to “call Roman Reigns.”
AND SCENE!
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#3. Dragon Lee vs. Austin Theory – Winner: Dragon Lee
The finish saw Cameron Grimes sneak in outta nowhere to neutralize Grayson Waller. Lee capitalized on the distraction with a rollup for the three count. Dragon Lee and Cameron Grimes celebrated after the match.
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Rhea Ripley and Jimmy Uso are having a talk backstage, and Jimmy says he likes it.
Why does everything interesting and worth knowing happen during the damn commercial breaks?
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Rey Mysterio comes out from the trainer’s room and informs Santos Escobar and Zelina Vega that Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde won’t be cleared for tomorrow night following what transpired during the match earlier in the night. Mysterio says he has a phone call to make.
#4. Jimmy Uso vs. LA Knight – Winner: LA Knight (via DQ)
Solo Sikoa attacked LA Knight to cause a DQ finish, and as the heels looked to overpower him, JOhn Cena came out to a huge pop to make the save. As The Bloodline stood t ringside with Cena and Knight in the ring, Judgement Day’s music hit.
Rhea Ripley and Paul Heyman shook hands, and an arrangement had been authorized by Roman Reigns. As the heels swarmed the ring, the crowd began chanting for Cody.
Jey Uso’s music hit, and he ran down to the ring, before The American Nightmare’s music played as well. (A special shoutout to the crowd for continuing singing Rhodes’ song acapella after the music stopped, but of course they chanted “Something something, Cody Rhodes.”)
A massive, massive brawl ensued, with the babyfaces standing tall, before JD McDonagh ultimately bore the brunt of a beatdown. A BFT and a Superkick were followed a five-knuckle shuffle, an Attitude Adjustment and finally a Cross Rhodes for good measure.
The babyfaces stood tall in a blockbuster ending to Friday Night SmackDown, and the crowd was up to it.
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We’ll have live coverage for WWE Fastlane tomorrow night… until then, TALLY HO!
