WWE invades the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre, PA for tonight’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown. Here is what’s on tap for the show:
- – The fallout from Night of Champions
- – Roman Reigns celebrates 1000-plus days as Universal Champion
- – Money in the Bank qualifiers
Stay tuned for the live coverage…
We start with a video package featuring Roman Reigns and his historic Universal title reign, narrated by Paul Heyman. Note: The package is shown in multiple fragments in multiple intervals over the show.
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#1. Austin Theory & Pretty Deadly vs. The Brawling Brutes – Winners: Austin Theory & Pretty Deadly
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A video package showing The Bloodline’s implosion is followed by Paul Heyman being shown backstage, who is see entering Roman Reigns’ locker room as we cut to a commercial. Back from the break, he is seen speaking with Solo Sikoa about tonight’s importance, stating how he needs to make sure that this is a special night for their tribal chief.
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#2. The O.C. (Gallows & Anderson) vs. Hit Row – Winners: The O.C.
After the match, Hit Row try to attack Gallows & Anderson, but AJ Styles sends them packing. Oh, and a “happy birthday, AJ” chant breaks out as well.
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Next up, is the Grayson Waller Effect with Asuka. The two engage in banter about Asuka ending Bianca Belair’s historic reign, before MITB contenders Iyo Sky (who bickers in Japanese with Asuka), Bayley, Shotzi, Lacey Evans and Zelina Vega also come out for a regular WWE-style multi-person confrontation.
As everyone is engaged in this, Asuka slides out of the ring, but Bianca Belair catches her on the entrance ramp. A huge brawl breaks out between the two as security attempts to separate them. Back from commercial…
#3. Lacey Evans vs. Zelina Vega (MITB Qualifier) – Winner: Zelina Vega
After the match, Vega is seen celebrating with LWO backstage. Santos Escobar declares he will be in action in an MITB qualifier next week, against Mustafa Ali.
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#4. Montez Ford vs. LA Knight (MITB Qualifier) – Winner: LA Knight (YEAAHHH!!!!)
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We see a disturbing, creepy video package, supposedly indicating something related to Bray Wyatt, with Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn also shown.
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Behld The King of Kings! Out next is Triple H, and following the break, he is joined by Roman Reigns, flanked by Paul Heyman & Solo Sikoa.
After lavishing praise on Reigns and comparing him to Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan, Triple H presents Reigns a new championship belt, the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. As Triple H wraps the new belt around Roman Reigns’ waist, Paul Heyman holds the WWE Championship & the Universal Championship belts.
Roman gets a hold of a mic and asks the whole universe to acknowledge him, before The Usos’ music plays. They come out to the ramp as we cut to commercial.
In the ring, Reigns demands that Jey Uso kicks his brother Jimmy in the face. However, Jey refuses to do it, despite Roman ordering him again and again. Jimmy takes the mic and tells Roman that brothers stand by each other, emphasizing that Roman hasn’t been a good brother lately.
Roman instructs Solo to speak, and Solo acknowledges him but declares that Jimmy and Jey are his brothers. He walks away from Reigns and joins The Usos, causing the crowd to go wild.
Jimmy gets worked up and presents Roman with a choice; be with them and do what’s right or remain on the Island of Relevancy all by himself. Showing his frustration, Jimmy pie-faces Roman just as he did last week. Jey intervenes, telling Jimmy he’s not handling the situation correctly.
Then, Jey delivers a speech, leading Roman to seemingly accept their offer and stay with them. Roman shares a heartfelt hug with Jimmy, and it even appears that he tears up a bit, before Reigns just declares “No!”
Reigns signals, and Solo suddenly turns on Jimmy, attacking him with his Samoan Spike. As Jey checks on Jimmy, Roman, Solo and Heyman leave the ring together, and on the ramp, Pul E. asks Reigns “but what about Jey?” Roman Reigns proclaims that he will fall in, as always.
This incredibly powerful segment concludes the show. Thank you for joining us!
