WWE Smackdown LIVE Coverage - June 25th, 2019

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How will Kofi Kingston respond to Samoa Joe’s attack?

WWE Champion Kofi Kingston was riding high after retaining his title against Dolph Ziggler in a Steel Cage Match at WWE Stomping Grounds and besting Sami Zayn in a non-title bout on Raw. However, Kingston was quickly brought back to reality, as Samoa Joe put his lights out with the Coquina Clutch. How will Kingston respond to The Samoan Submission Machine’s ruthless attack?



:smackdown:

- Tonight's WWE SmackDown opens up with a video package on The Undertaker's return during last night's RAW, to save Roman Reigns from a beatdown by Shane McMahon and Drew McIntyre.

- We go backstage to Shane McMahon. Shane talks about the Handicap Match with Roman Reigns on RAW and said Reigns got so desperate he called on The Dead Man. Shane goes on about The Undertaker and says they will make Reigns a dead man at WWE Extreme Rules as well. Shane warns the WWE roster to not get on his bad side tonight because he's pissed.

- We're live from the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon as Tom Phillips welcomes us. He's joined by Byron Saxton and Corey Graves.

- We go right to the ring and out comes The New Day - WWE Champion Kofi Kingston, Big E and Xavier Woods. They hit the ring with pancakes and the trombone. We see stills of how Kofi retained over Dolph Ziggler in the Steel Cage match at Stomping Grounds on Sunday.

Tom talks about Samoa Joe vs. Kofi at WWE Extreme Rules as The New Day finishes their entrance. Kofi shouts out Portland and talks about experiencing some of the best moments of his career and life since winning the title at WrestleMania 35. Fans chant Kofi's name. Kofi says he's always experienced some of the most agonizing, brutal moments since the title win. He talks about the match with Ziggler on Sunday at Stomping Grounds. Kofi goes on and says before he had the chance to celebrate the win, this happened... we see video of Joe's attack at RAW.

Fans boo as we come back to Kofi. He calls it brutal, devastating, agonizing, incredibly painful. Kofi says Joe isn't complicated, he's a force of nature like a Samoan shark. He goes on about being in the clutches of the Coquina Clutch. Kofi says Joe thinks he's a shark who has found its prey at Extreme Rules, but Kofi will be damned if he lets Joe eat him alive. The music interrupts and out comes Ziggler. Ziggler says he refuses to let this happen again - he did all the hard work and the lifting, now someone else is going to try and come in to take his spot. Ziggler says it's not going down like that. He tells Kofi to shut up and goes on about how this is his livelihood, his career, his everything. Ziggler says we all know Woods saved Kofi at WWE Super ShowDown, and then Kofi took the coward's way out by leaping out of the cage door at WWE Extreme Rules. Ziggler says everyone knows he should be WWE Champion right now. Ziggler says he was talking to WWE officials backstage earlier and they let him know that if he wins his match tonight, he will be added to the WWE Title match at Extreme Rules to make it a Triple Threat. Ziggler says then and only then will he get what he deserves - the WWE Title. Fans boo Ziggler some more.

Ziggler has one more thing - officials wanted to let Kofi know he can't take the coward's way out tonight, because the match will be 2 of 3 Falls. Ziggler drops the mic and his music starts up. Tom confirms it will be Ziggler vs. Kofi in a 2 of 3 Falls match later tonight.

- We see Daniel Bryan and Rowan walking backstage. We go to commercial.

- Back from the break and The Miz tries to enter Shane McMahon's office but Elias warns him about Shane being in a bad mood tonight. They have some words and Elias taunts Miz some with the guitar. Miz tells Elias to inform Shane that they have unfinished business that needs to end. Miz everyone is sick of it and it needs to end. Miz walks off. Shane walks out and he's all smiles. Elias says Miz wants another match with Shane. Shane agrees but says only if Miz can beat Elias in a 2 of 3 Falls match first.

Big E and Xavier Woods vs. Daniel Bryan and Rowan

We go to the ring and The New Day waits as SmackDown Tag Team Champions Daniel Bryan and Rowan come out for this non-title match.

Bryan starts off with Woods and strikes first. Fans try to rally for Woods as Bryan keeps control. They run the ropes and Woods nails a dropkick for a 2 count. Rowan tags in and clubs Woods to the mat. Rowan drops Woods with a headbutt. Rowan stomps away in the corner now. The referee is distracted now, allowing Bryan to stomp away with cheap shots. Rowan drops a big elbow and covers for a 2 count.

Rowan keeps beating on Woods while he's down. Bryan comes back in and keeps control, nailing a big flying knee drop for a 2 count. Rowan comes in and Woods nails a boot but Rowan keeps moving and clotheslines him in the corner. Woods with another shot. Woods with a crossbody from the second rope but Rowan catches him. Woods ends up sliding out and mounting more offense. Rowan clubs him out of nowhere again and keeps control as we go to commercial.

Back from the break and Rowan stops another comeback. Woods keeps fighting and hits an enziguri. Big E and Bryan tag in at the same time for a pop. Big E with overhead throws. Big E with another big slam to Bryan as fans go wild. Big E dances over Bryan, runs the ropes and hits a splash but Bryan gets his knees up. Bryan goes for the LeBell Lock in the middle of the ring. Woods runs in and breaks the hold.

Rowan tosses Woods out of the ring to the floor. Rowan follows but Woods dropkicks him into the barrier. Bryan with "yes!" kicks in the ring now. Bryan gets caught by a huge Uranage from Big E in the corner. Woods tags in and they hit the Midnight Hour for the pin to win.

Winners: The New Day

- After the match, Woods and Big E celebrate together in the middle of the ring as their music hits. We go to replays. We come back as Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens suddenly attack Woods and Big E from behind. They unload and Rowan gets involved. Heavy Machinery's Otis and Tucker run to the ring and help Woods and Big E out. Woods, Big E, Otis and Tucker team up to clear the ring and stand tall together as SmackDown goes to commercial.

Daniel Bryan, Rowan, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn vs. Big E, Xavier Woods and Heavy Machinery

Back from the break and the eight-man match is underway. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn take turn tagging in to keep Tucker down in their corner. Sami and Owens keep control of Big E and Xavier Woods at times as well. More back and forth now.

Rowan ends up hitting a huge superplex on Tucker but The New Day breaks it up. Bryan comes in and runs over Big E with a knee. Rowan with the big Iron Claw slam on Woods. Rowan goes back to work on Tucker now. Bryan tags in and goes to the top. Bryan misses the flying knee on Tucker. Tucker with a big running clothesline to Bryan. Otis rallies the crowd for a pop now as he returns to the apron after being knocked off earlier.

Otis tags in and runs over Sami as he comes in. Otis with shots to opponents on the apron as well. Otis goes back to work on Sami now as fans cheer him on. Otis rocks Sami in the corner and then hits a running splash. Otis calls for The Caterpillar and hits it on Sami and this leads to Heavy Machinery hitting The Compactor for the pin to win.

Winners: Heavy Machinery and The New Day

- After the match, Heavy Machinery and The New Day stand tall together as Heavy Machinery's music hits.

- The announcers show us recent happenings between Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross. Still to come, Cross vs. Bayley and if Cross wins, Alexa Bliss will receive a title shot at WWE Extreme Rules.

- We see The Miz backstage walking to the ring. Back to commercial.

2 of 3 Falls Match: Elias vs. The Miz

Back from the break and The Miz is out first to the ring. Shane McMahon's music hits and out he comes. He waits for Elias, who comes out with his guitar and a new song to get some local heat from the Portland fans.

The bell rings and Miz goes right to work, trying to get the first fall. They go out and back in with Miz keeping the momentum going. Shane ends up preventing Miz from capitalizing on a move, allowing Elias to nail a big knee. Elias hits Drift Away for the first fall.

Back from the break and the match resets as we get the bell. Elias unloads into the corner and beats Miz down. Elias with a stiff clothesline to knock Miz back down. Shane taunts Miz from ringside as Elias keeps control using the ropes. Elias with a suplex for a 2 count. Elias keeps Miz grounded in the middle of the ring now. Fans try to rally for Miz now as he works to his feet. Elias takes Miz right back down and keeps him grounded.

Miz fights up and out of another hold, knocking Elias into the corner for the comeback. Miz with kicks in the corner now. More back and forth between the two. Shane taunts from ringside and Miz stares him down. Miz with big kick to Elias while he's on his knees now, while staring at Shane. Elias ducks the roundhouse kick and gets a 2 count. They trade more counters and Miz nails a big kick to the arm. More back and forth until Miz nails the Skull Crushing Finale. Shane breaks the pin attempt and hits the ring to mount Miz with strikes. Miz wins the second fall by disqualification.

Shane is furious about the second fall. He has words with the referee, then goes back to stomping on Miz with Elias. Elias tosses Miz out of the ring, right in front of Shane. Shane slams Miz's head into the announce table a few times. Shane tosses Miz over the table as fans boo him some more. Elias goes out and stomps on Miz some more while he's down. Shane rams Miz into the barrier and he goes back down. They bring Miz back into the ring now as a "no more Shane!" chant starts up.

Elias holds Miz up while Shane waits in the corner and mocks Roman Reigns. Elias holds Miz and allows Shane to hit a big Spear. Fans boo Shane some more. The bell rings again and Elias goes to the top and hits the flying elbow on Miz as Shane watches from ringside. Elias covers for the pin to win.

Winner: Elias

- After the match, Shane and Elias leave together as the music plays. They stop and walk back to the ring. Elias enters and drags Miz to the corner, propping him up against the bottom turnbuckle. Shane goes to the top and leaps across the ring, barely connecting a Coast 2 Coast on Miz. Shane and Elias continue talking trash to Miz before heading back up the ramp.

- Kayla Braxton is backstage with WWE Intercontinental Champion Finn Balor. She asks about winning over Andrade at WWE Super ShowDown a few weeks back, the last time we saw him. He praises Andrade and has respect for him. She asks who's next for him and before he can answer, Shinsuke Nakamura appears as fans in the arena cheer. Nakamura just briefly checks out the title and walks away.

- Still to come, Ziggler vs. Kofi in a 2 of 3 Falls match with Extreme Rules implications on the line.

- We see Bayley and Nikki Cross backstage getting ready. Back to commercial.

Nikki Cross vs. Bayley

Back from the break and out first comes Nikki Cross. SmackDown Women's Champion Bayley is out next for this non-title match. If Cross wins, Alexa Bliss will get a title shot at Extreme Rules. We get a pre-recorded sidebar video of a confident Bayley talking about how Bliss is a liar and a con to Cross.

The bell rings and Cross unloads on Bayley. Bayley slams Cross but Cross charges again and Bayley nails her. Bayley with a 2 count. Bayley works Cross over in the corner now. Bayley sends Cross to the apron and drops her over the middle rope for a 2 count. Cross comes back and hits a second rope crossbody for a close 2 count.

Bayley ends up with Cross turned upside down in the corner. Bayley charges with an elbow and another close 2 count. We go to break with Bayley in control.

More back and forth after the break. Cross runs wild and hits a bulldog out of the corner. Cross plants Bayley into the mat again for another close 2 count. Cross charges but Bayley sends her through the ropes to the floor. Bayley tries to capitalize but she crashes and lands hard on the floor. Cross takes control and brings it back into the ring for a neckbreaker. Bayley kicks out at 2. Bayley ends up hitting a back suplex but Cross kicks out at 2. Bayley goes to the top but lands on the mat as Cross moves out of the way to dodge the crossbody. Cross comes right back with a 2 count. Bayley with a 2 count. They trade more pin attempts.

Bayley barely connects on a knee. Cross comes right back and rolls Bayley up for the win to earn Bliss' title shot at Extreme Rules.

Winner: Nikki Cross

- After the match, Cross celebrates and runs around the ring as Bayley looks on. Cross goes over and celebrates with Graves. Cross wants to use Saxton's phone to call Bliss, who is in Singapore with the red brand. Cross' celebration continues.

- Carmella approaches Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose backstage and they have words. Rose and Deville tell her to watch her back, then walk off. WWE 24/7 Champion R-Truth comes out of hiding. Drake Maverick appears and makes it known he doesn't have a referee with him. He says he doesn't have anything. He goes on about how Truth invaded his wedding, it was his day but now he's devastated. Drake says Truth ruined his life. Truth says he's sorry, he thought it was Carmella's wedding. Truth refers to Drake as Hornswoggle again. Truth says if the title means that much to Drake, he can get a referee... Sike! Truth says he loves the title more than Drake loves his wife. Truth takes off with Carmella as a group of Superstars start chasing him. Drake just sits there looking sad.

- We see Ember Moon walking backstage. Back to commercial.

- Back from the break and Tom plugs the WWE nominations at ESPN's ESPYS Awards.

Ember Moon vs. Sonya Deville

We go back to the ring and out comes Ember Moon. We see recent events that led to this match. Out next comes Sonya Deville with Mandy Rose.

Deville strikes hard early on and takes control. Deville with a big knee strike for a 2 count. Moon talks some trash and unloads on Deville to turn it around. Rose ends up distracting from the floor, forcing Moon to kick her away. This allows Deville to take advantage and send Moon into the ring post. Deville follows up and gets the pin for the win.

Winner: Sonya Deville

- After the match, Rose hits the ring to celebrate with Deville as the music hits. It looks like they're teasing sexual tension between the two.

- We get another backstage vignette from Aleister Black. He rants about how all he wants is for someone to come in and fight him. Black is starting to think that maybe no one in WWE is man enough to fight him. Someone suddenly knocks on the door. Black looks at the door and then back at the camera with a sinister look. We don't see who was knocking.

2 of 3 Falls: Dolph Ziggler vs. Kofi Kingston

We go to the ring for tonight's 2 of 3 Falls main event and out comes Dolph Ziggler. He will be added to the WWE Title match at Extreme Rules if he can win. Back to commercial.

Back from the break and WWE Champion Kofi Kingston is out for this non-title match. Back and forth to start the match. They trade holds and counters. Ziggler hits a big dropkick early on and covers for a 2 count. Ziggler keeps control and slams Kofi to the mat by his hair. Ziggler takes Kofi back to the mat and talks some trash.

Kofi fights up and out but Ziggler rocks him. Ziggler mounts Kofi in the corner but Kofi lands on his feet. Kofi comes back with a big dropkick for a 2 count. They trade more pin attempts. Ziggler with a knee to the gut. Ziggler tosses Kofi to the apron but Kofi fights back in. They trade more pin attempts. Ziggler tries to grab the rope for leverage but the referee catches him. Kofi rolls up a distracted Ziggler for the first fall.

Ziggler nails Kofi from behind with a cheap shot before they can reset for the next fall. Ziggler takes Kofi to the floor and launches him into the barrier. Ziggler with a Zig Zag on the floor. We go back to commercial.

Back from the break and the bell rings again. Ziggler misses a big splash in the corner. Kofi rolls him up for a close 2 count. Ziggler rocks Kofi with a superkick and covers for the 3 count to earn the second fall.

Fans try to rally for Kofi as the bell rings again for the third fall. Ziggler fights and hits a neckbreaker for a 2 count. Ziggler shows some frustration. Ziggler with a rake to the eyes. Kofi tries to find an opening but Ziggler sends him into the turnbuckles for a 2 count. Ziggler keeps Kofi grounded with a submission in the middle of the ring once again as fans try to cheer the champion on.

Kofi tries to fight out and he does. Kofi with a headbutt. Ziggler rocks Kofi and talks some more trash. Kofi whips Ziggler hard into the turnbuckles and he goes down. Kofi approaches but Ziggler sends him face-first into the turnbuckle. Ziggler jumps and drops a big elbow to the heart for another close pin attempt. Kofi tries to fight back to his feet but Ziggler keeps fighting back with strikes. Kofi blocks a neckbreaker and backslides for a 2 count. Kofi with big chops now. Ziggler catches a dropkick. Kofi blocks a catapult and flies at Ziggler for a close 2 count that Ziggler rolls for a pin attempt also. More back and forth. Ziggler comes back with a big DDT for another close 2 count.

Ziggler shows frustration once again. More back and forth between the two. Kofi drives Ziggler down as fans cheer him on. Ziggler avoids the Boom Drop. Kofi kicks Ziggler in the head. Kofi comes off the top with a strike to the face for a close 2 count. Ziggler fights back but misses a Fame-asser. Kofi turns it into a sitdown powerbomb for another close pin attempt. Everyone is surprised at the latest kick out.

Kofi waits for Ziggler to get up as fans cheer him on. Ziggler blocks Trouble In Paradise and drops Kofi for a 2 count. Kofi runs shoulder-first into the ring post as Ziggler moves. Ziggler comes right back with a Zig Zag for another close pin attempt. Ziggler can't believe it. Ziggler waits for Kofi to get back up as fans try to rally. Kofi counters but misses Trouble In Paradise. They go on trading counters and Kofi nails Trouble In Paradise this time for the pin to win the match.

Winner: Kofi Kingston

- After the match, The New Day's music hits as Kofi stands tall with the title. We go to replays as Kofi hits the corner to pose. Kofi goes to ringside and runs around the ring, greeting fans in the front row while raising the title in the air. SmackDown goes off the air.