Here are the SmackDown results for the 17th of June, 2022.
Vince McMahon will be appearing on SmackDown for the first time since stepping down from the role of Chairman and CEO of WWE. However, it is still not certain if he would speak about the allegations of misconduct against his name. Riddle will be challenging Roman Reigns for the latter’s WWE Universal Championship. Gunther’s reign as the Intercontinental Champion begins. The two arch-rivals Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss will face each other in a Last Laugh match.
The former Chairman and CEO of WWE said it was great to be in front of the WWE Universe. He talked about the WWE signature then, now, and forever, together and mentioned that the word together is the most important one.
He remembered all the history between himself and the WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. We saw a video package. Riddle talked about Randy Orton being out of action for the rest of the year. He wished the Viper all the very best for his big operation coming up. Riddle said he misses Orton and how much he loved the legendary wrestler. Riddle ended by saying that he dedicates tonight’s match against Reigns to his former tag team partner Orton.
Moss began strong with an elbow. Corbin came back with some Golden Gloves punches. The heel choked Moss in the ropes and continued his domination with a half-nelson chin lock.
Moss came back with a fallaway slam. Corbin got thrown into the barricade outside the ring. We went into a commercial break, and upon return, Moss got hit with a Deep Six followed by a Chokeslam.
Both men got into a scuffle outside the ring, and after they made their way back in, Moss hit a couple of Punchlines to get the pinfall victory.
After the match, Moss went outside the ring and took a microphone, and had a good laugh. After Moss exited the stage area, Corbin came up to Pat McAfee and told him to watch his mouth because the Lone Wolf felt that he has been criticized unnecessarily by the former American football player. McAfee took a microphone and asked the WWE Universe to have a good laugh at Corbin as he made his way out of the arena.
We saw a video of Natalya assaulting Ronda Rousey last week on SmackDown. Natalya was interviewed backstage and she said she will teach Rousey and lesson in respect. She informed that Rousey is at home and licking her wounds from last week. The BOAT talked about how her Sharpshooter breaks bones and eventually said she will beat Rousey at Money in the Bank and become the SmackDown Women’s Champion for the second time.
Winner – Madcap Moss
Grade – B
Jinder Mahal and Xavier Woods began the match. Both men exchanged blows before Shanky and Kofi Kingston got the tag in. Kingston delivered a dropkick before Shanky flattened him with a thunderous chop to the chest. Shanky followed up with a clothesline to turn Kingston inside out. Before he could take advantage, Woods began playing the trombone from the ring apron and Shanky could not stop himself from shaking a leg. Jinder was furious and he forced the big man to make the tag.
As Mahal entered off the tag, Kingston met him with a Trouble in Paradise. Kingston got the cover in and the referee counted to three to give The New Day the victory. After the match, Woods and Kingston went to the stage area and the former began playing the trombone once again. Shanky once again began to dance and asked Mahal to join him, but the furious Modern Day Maharaja exited the scene.
Winners – Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods
Grade – C
We saw a vignette of the Viking Raiders, who will return to SmackDown next week.
Drew McIntyre made his way to the ring. Sheamus was at gorilla with Butch and Ridge Holland. Butch was trying to make his way to the ring but Sheamus and Holland stopped him. Sheamus ordered Holland to keep an eye on Butch and stop him from coming to the ring. The Celtic Warrior made his way to the ring.
Pearce said that both Sheamus and McIntyre failed to qualify for the Men’s Money in the Bank ladder match. However, both men want to be in that match. McIntyre said he is the best fit to get into the match but Sheamus said that he is the best choice because he is a former winner of the Money in the Bank contract and also has a successful cash in. However, McIntyre has been cashed in on in the past.
Pearce said that Sheamus is in the match. Sheamus poked fun at McIntyre and the Scottish Warrior took him out. Pearce said that McIntyre is also in the match. Sheamus was furious and made his way back to the ring but he was met with a Claymore.
Sami Zayn was waiting outside Roman Reigns’ locker room. He was thinking about knocking on the door before Kayla Braxton came up to him. She asked whether everything was fine between him and The Bloodline after Reigns because his loss to Riddle last week meant that the Head of the Table had to return and put his title on the line this week.
Zayn said that there is nothing wrong and called himself the Honorary Uce before leaving the scene.
Raquel Rodriguez got off the blocks quicker until Baszler focused her attack on Raquel’s knee. Rodriguez hit a bit boot. The Queen of Spades came back with a running knee strike. In the end, Rodriguez hit her trademark one-handed powerbomb to pick up the all-important victory. Lacey Evans had joined in on commentary for this match and she applauded the former NXT Women’s Champion on her victory.
Winner – Raquel Rodriguez
Grade – B
Riddle was warming up backstage ahead of his main event match when Shinsuke Nakamura came up to him and gave him a fist bump to wish him good luck.
A spotlight was there in the ring and Dupri’s name was announced but he did not come out. Dupri was in Adam Pearce’s office and he said that the lights were not sexy enough for him to introduce the first member of the Maximum Male Models. Dupri asked Pearce to get it sorted. Or else he will continue to deprive the WWE Universe of titillating themselves from watching the beautiful models.
Gunther and Ludvig Kaiser were interviewed backstage. Kaiser shared some history related to the Intercontinental Championship before stating that the title will never be held by an American again. He gave the mic to Gunther and he said he is the new Intercontinental Champion.
As the match started, Riddle unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks to rattle the Tribal Chief. The champion returned with a trademark punch. Riddle hit a roundhouse kick and followed up with a Fisherman Suplex. Reigns rolled out of the ring. Riddle came up to the ring apron and took Reigns out with a Corkscrew moonsault to send us into a commercial break.
After the break, it was all Reigns as The Head of the Table dominated proceedings. Reigns choked Riddle in the bottom rope before delivering a Drive-by. Riddle fought back with a kick and a few punches followed by a suplex. Riddle went up to the top rope and flattened Reigns with a Floating Bro. The veteran Reigns got back into the match as he dropped Riddle on the announce table as we went into another commercial break.
After the break, Riddle hit a high knee followed by a power slam. Riddle and Reigns brawled outside and the latter dropped the champion this time, back-first into the announce table. The former United States Champion hit a DDT from the middle rope. Riddle attempted an RKO but Reigns blocked. Reigns nailed Riddle with a Superman punch but the latter managed to kick out at the very last moment. Reigns went for a spear but Riddle countered into an RKO.
Riddle went for the cover but Reigns managed to kick out. Riddle hit a Floating Bro and tried to hit another RKO. However, Reigns countered. Riddle jumped off the middle rope, hoping to take Reigns out but he was caught with a spear while in mid-air. Reigns pinned Riddle as a spectacular match came to an end.
After the match, The Usos came to the ring to celebrate with Reigns. The Tribal Chief took a microphone and said that there is no one left. A few years ago, he said he will be wreaking everyone and leaving and that is exactly what he has managed to do. Reigns asked the WWE Universe to acknowledge him.
As The Bloodline was about to leave the ring, Brock Lesnar’s music hit. The Beast Incarnate made his way to the ring and Reigns ordered The Usos to make their way out. Lesnar offered a handshake after entering the ring and Reigns obliged. However, Lesnar dropped Reigns with an F5. Jimmy and Jey Uso entered the ring to try and slay the beast but they were hit with an F5 each for their efforts.
Winner – Roman Reigns
Grade – A
Overall Show Grade – B
More WWE news
Follow our dedicated WWE page for instant WWE news and updates.