WWE Friday Night Smackdown Live Coverage - June 2nd, 2023
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Roman Reigns celebrates 1,000 days as Undisputed WWE Universal Champion
Roman Reigns is operating in God Mode, and it is time for the WWE Universe to acknowledge his dominance on The Island of Relevancy. Following the shocking events of WWE Night of Champions in which The Uso interference caused Reigns to grow enraged with his cousins and Jimmy Uso attacking The Head of the Table, however, speculation is running wild as to what the state of The Bloodline will be when the celebration takes place.
:smackdown:
Your announcers are Michael Cole and Wade Barrett.
Michael mentions that only five people have held a title in WWE longer than 1,000 days and Roman Reigns joins that group.
We have a video package for Roman Reigns.
Austin Theory is in the ring and he has something to say.
We take a look at Roman's victory at Wrestlemania 37 against Edge and Daniel Bryan.
We see the briefcases for Money in the Bank above the ring.
Austin welcomes everyone. He says tonight is a very special night. It is the celebration of Roman Reigns' historical title reign. If you combined Roman's title reign with his US Title reign, you would be at 1,209 days. He says that is impressive. He says it is inspiring. Almost as inspiring as beating John Cena at Wrestlemania. Austin says he will have a celebration for 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, maybe 4,000 days. If they keep giving me opponents like Sheamus, I will be champion forever.
Austin says he is the greatest to do this. When you are this great, everyone wants to gravitate to you. Austin brings out two men who did what was right. He brings out Pretty Deadly.
Kit says that it was their pleasure to destroy those ugly gremlins, the Brawling Brutes. Austin is a champion the people deserve. Elton says they want to show their appreciation as only they can. They give Austin a YES BOY.
Austin Theory, Kit Wilson and Elton Prince vs Sheamus, Butch, and Ridge Holland
Ridge and Elton start things off and Elton with a side head lock. Ridge with a shoulder tackle and forearm. Ridge with a head butt and splash into the corner. Ridge sends Elton into the turnbuckles and follows with a kick and clothesline. Butch tags in and he hits a drop kick while Ridge has Elton up for a suplex and Ridge completes the suplex. Elton with a kick and he sends Butch into the turnbuckles. Kit with an elbow after the tag. Kit with a near fall. Kit applies a reverse chin lock. Butch with a clothesline and he stands on Kit's hands and stomps on them. Kit avoids a kick and Theory tags in. Theory has something to say to Sheamus and Sheamus wants to tag in so Butch allows it.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Elton with a top wrist lock on Butch. We see footage of Theory working over Butch on the floor during the commercial break. Butch grabs the fingers but Elton with a punch and he tags in Theory. Austin knocks Ridge off the apron and then he kicks and punches Butch. Kit tags in and he kicks Butch and follows with an uppercut. Elton tags in and kicks Butch in the corner while the referee deals with Sheamus. Butch with chops to Elton but Elton with a punch. Butch gets his boots up and Butch goes to the turnbuckles for a tornado DDT and both men are down. Sheamus and Theory tag in and Sheamus with running double sledges and a tilt-a-whirl power slam. Sheamus sets for forearms to Elton and Kit but Theory with a rollup for a near fall. Sheamus with uranage back breakers to Theory, Kit, and Elton. All three members of the Brawling Brutes with Air Raid Crashes. Sheamus with a Brogue Kick to Theory but Kit and Elton pull Theory to the floor. Ridge with a clothesline to Elton and Kit. Sheamus with a double clothesline off the turnbuckles to Elton and Kit on the floor.
Butch goes to the turnbuckles and hits a mooonsault onto Theory, Kit, and Elton.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Butch with a German suplex to Elton. Butch with enzuigiris to Kit and Theory. Butch with a boot to Elton. Ridge tags in and he hits a splash and then gets Elton up for Butch to hit a jumping power bomb. Sheamus with a knee off the turnbuckles for a near fall. Sheamus gets Prince up for a Celtic Cross but Elton escapes. Elton sends Kit into Sheamus with a kick and Theory tags in and hits Three Seconds Around the World for a near fall. Theory punches Sheamus. Sheamus blocks a punch and hits a clothesline. Ridge with an overhead belly-to-back suplex to Prince. Kit is sent to the floor. Theory sends Butch over the top rope to the floor.
Sheamus with a jumping knee to counter a slingshot rolling drop kick and Sheamus gets a near fall. Ridge and Prince tag in and so does Kit. Ridge gets both men up and hits a double back drop. Ridge, Butch, and Sheamus set for stereo forearms on the apron. Ridge with Emerald Flowsion for a near fall. Theory with a TKO facebuster to Butch. Sheamus clotheslines Theory over the top rope to the floor. Sheamus is sent into the ring post. Elton sends Kit to the floor and he puts his face under the ring skirt. Kit kicks Ridge and they hit Spilled Milk. Theory gets the three count.
Winners: Austin Theory, Kit Wilson, and Elton Prince
We take a look back at the WWE Men's Tag Title Match from Night of Champions.
Backstage:
Paul Heyman walks in the back with the title belts and he enters Roman's locker room.
We go to commercial.
Backstage:
We are back and Paul is with Solo. Paul says they need to make it special for Roman, especially after everything that happened at Night of Champions. He wants to make it special for Roman and he knows Solo feels the same way. Paul says he is going to talk to Adam to make sure the Usos are nowhere to be seen tonight. Tonight we acknowledge Roman Reigns.
Wade talks about the World Championship match from last Saturday and he suggests that Seth had an unfair advantage over AJ Styles. We take a look at the match with a video package.
We see footage of Luke, Karl, and Mia wishing AJ a happy birthday.
AJ apologizes for ruining their night on Saturday with the loss. AJ says he would love to see them take out Hit Row tonight.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a look at Brock Lesnar versus Roman Reigns from last year's SummerSlam.
Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows (w/ Mia Yim and AJ Styles) vs Ashante Thee Adonis and Top Dolla (w/ B-Fab)
Adonis hits Karl from behind before the bell rings and he kicks Karl. Adonis with a clothesline. Adonis with an Irish whip and Dolla sends Adonis into Karl in the corner. Dolla with a back elbow and he chokes Karl in the ropes. Adonis tags in and he hits a splash to the back against the ropes. Adonis chokes Karl in the ropes. B-Fab with a punch when the referee was not looking. Adonis gets a near fall and then applies a reverse chin lock. Karl with elbows and Adonis with a forearm to the back. Karl with a spinebuster and both men are down. Luke tags in and he kicks Adonis and then hits a round kick to knock Dolla off the apron. Luke with round kicks and a running back elbow into the corner and a corkscrew back elbow.
Gallows with a side slam and then he tags in Karl and they hit Magic Killer for the three count.
Winners: Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows
After the match:
Dolla attacks Karl and Luke but AJ with a Phenomenal Forearm to Dolla.
Backstage:
Adam Pearce is on the phone and Paul enters the office. Adam says the Usos' travel has been canceled. Adam says he doubled security into the building in case the Usos want to show up. Paul calls Roman and walks away.
We see the set up for the Grayson Waller Effect and his guest will be Asuka.
We go to commercial.
We are back and on Monday night, Damian Priest has accepted Seth Rollins' open challenge for Raw.
It is time for the Grayson Waller Effect with your host Grayson Waller.
Waller says he brings you the biggest and best stars and he brings out his guest, the Raw Women's Champion Asuka.
Grayson congratulates Asuka on her victory on Saturday and we take a look at how she won the title.
Waller mentions the briefcases above the ring and he says there are a lot of women who think they are ready for Asuka. He mentions that it is only a matter of time before Bianca comes back for the title.
Asuka speaks in Japanese and Waller acts like he knows what she is saying.
Waller mentions how Asuka won the match with the mist . . .
Iyo Sky makes her way to the ring and she yells at Asuka in Japanese. Iyo says she is going to be coming for Asuka's title and she will win Money in the Bank.
Asuka responds in Japanese.
They yell at each other and Waller tries to get them to stop.
Bayley comes out and says after they qualify, one of them will win Money in the Bank and will become the Women's Champion.
Shotzi interrupts and makes her way to the ring.
She says there is nothing she would love more than to crush Bayley's dreams with some cold, hard steel. If there is someone who is made for the pure chaos of Money in the Bank, it is her.
Lacey Evans comes out and she tells Shotzi to salute her. She says none of you nasties are going to get that contract. She says she will have to apply the Cobra Clutch around that shrimp Zelina Vega and . . .
Zelina Vega comes out and says there is one problem with your plan and that is that you are underestimating her. Rhea underestimated her too and she came this close to becoming champion. Zelina tells Lacey to keep that intensity because you aren't half the woman that she is. Underestimate her because victory will be so much sweeter when she becomes Miss Money in the Bank.
Everyone screams and Waller asks for more girls to come out.
Asuka is on the stage and she says no one is ready for Asuka.
Bianca attacks Asuka from behind and punches Asuka. They punch each other and officials have to separate them. Bianca gets free and she goes after Asuka again. Asuka grabs Bianca's hair but Bianca gets away.
We go to commercial.
We take a look at Baron Corbin's attack on Carmelo Hayes at the end of NXT.
Cameron Grimes tells Adam Pearce that Corbin did the same thing to him. Grimes says that Hayes will take care of Corbin, but the next time Baron shows up on Smackdown, he will take care of Corbin.
We see footage of Lacey hitting Zelina with a Woman's Right during the break.
Money in the Bank Qualifying Match
Zelina Vega vs Lacey Evans
Evans kicks Vega and slams her head into the turnbuckles. Lacey chokes Vega in the corner. Lacey with a hesitation Bronco Buster and she gets a near fall. Evans chokes Vega and spins her around. Zelina floats over and then hits a rolling kick for a near fall. Zelina with a kick but Evans with a clothesline for a near fall. Evans sends Vega's head into the mat many times. Lacey salutes herself and Vega with a kick. Lacey with a Jericho cover but the referee refuses to make the count. Evans with a reverse chin lock and she follows with knees to the back. Vega with kicks and she backs Evans into the corner. Vega sends Evans into the corner and she follows with a side head lock take down. Vega with Code Red for the three count.
Winner: Zelina Vega
We take a look back at Roman and Sami from Elimination Chamber.
We go to commercial.
Backstage:
We are back and Santos says that they are proud of Zelina's victory. He says when he wins his qualifying match and goes on to win at Money in the Bank. They talk about how they can see it and Rey says they can see it. Rey says that it is a matter of time before the locker room addresses Santos and Zelina as Mister and Mrs. Money in the Bank.
Cole mentions that Mustafa Ali will face Santos next week in the qualifying match.
Money in the Bank Qualifying Match
LA Knight vs Montez Ford
They lock up and Knight with a hammer lock and he slaps Ford in the back of the head. They lock up and Ford with a side head lock. Ford with a hammer lock and Knight with a reversal. Ford and Knight with many more reversals before Knight gets to the ropes. Knight pushes Ford and Ford pushes back. They continue the exchange and Ford with a side head lock. Ford with a shoulder tackle. Ford with a drop kick. Ford with a punch and Irish whip but Knight sends Ford to the apron. Ford with a punch but Knight with a shoulder to knock Ford off the apron to the floor.
We go to commercial.
We are back and both men are down. Knight and Ford exchange punches. Ford with a clothesline and a running back elbow. Ford with another clothesline. Ford with a belly-to-back suplex and he gets back to his feet. Ford misses a standing moonsault when Knight moves. Knight with a TKO off a torture rack for a near fall. Knight with a back elbow. Knight misses a quebrada when Ford moves and Ford with an enzuigiri and a uranage for a near fall. Knight with a kick and he misses a clothesline. Both men with clotheslines at the same time and both men are down. Ford and Knight exchange punches and Ford with a back fist. Knight sends Ford to the apron and Ford with an enzuigiri. Ford goes up top and Knight with a punch to stop Ford.
Ford pushes Knight off the turnbuckles but Knight leaps up again. Ford with a head butt to send Knight to the mat. Ford goes for a Seven Star Frog Splash but Ford sees Knight move and Ford lands on his feet and rolls through. Knight tries for BFT but Ford escapes. Ford with a rollup but Knight rolls through and gets the three count with a hand on the ropes.
Winner: LA Knight
After the match:
Knight gets a ladder and sets it up in the ring and climbs it.
We take a look at Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn in the snow covered forest. Then we see them laughing as they mention the Unholy Union is Here.
Triple H makes his way to the ring.
We take a look back at Roman's victory over Cody Rhodes at Wrestlemania.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Butch faces Baron Corbin while Santos Escobar faces Mustafa Ali. Mia Yim faces Bayley and Shotzi faces Iyo Sky in Qualifying Matches.
Triple H says on rare occasions that an athlete is so dominant they change the face of their sport. They will be talked for generations to come. In boxing it was Muhammad Ali. In basketball it was Michael Jordan. In the WWE, we are watching this greatness live. Hunter introduces the man who passed 1,000 days as champion, a man you will tell your children and grandchildren about, Roman Reigns.
Roman Reigns comes to the ring with Paul Heyman and Solo Sikoa.
Hunter tells Roman, on behalf of the WWE and WWE Universe, he wants to congratulate Roman on surpassing 1,000 days as champion. It is something that has not been accomplished in over 40 years. To celebrate this achievement, he provides Roman with a new Undisputed Title belt.
Hunter presents Roman with the new belt.
Roman has Paul take off the measly black belt so Roman can put the new gold belt on, after he holds it over his head. Hunter puts the belt around Roman's waist.
Roman starts to tell Pennsylvania, but he wants the entire universe to ACKNOWLEDGE HIM.
The Usos' music plays and Roman is shocked that they are here. Hunter leaves the ring.
Jimmy and Jey Uso make their way to the ring.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Jimmy is face to face with Roman.
Roman tells Jey to kick him in the face. Roman tells Jey he didn't stutter. Roman says that is what Jimmy did to him. He took his tag team championships from him. He tells his brother to fix this and kick him in the face.
Jey paces behind Jimmy but he isn't kicking anyone in the face.
Roman tells Jey to kick him in the face and fix this right now.
Jimmy says the only thing that needs fixing is Roman. Jimmy says Jey can't fix this. Jimmy says he is the one who kicked Roman. He says he did it in Saudi, not to be the Tribal Chief or lead the Bloodline. He was doing it to be a brother. He says brothers treat each other with love and respect. You haven't been a good brother. What kind of brother manipulates and betrays? What kind of brother beats down his family? You have gone crazy. It is imbedded in him to protect his brother. Jimmy tells Solo after he is done using him, he will manipulate and betray you.
Roman says the reason they are saying USO is because of him. He says he is the Tribal Chief around here. You are an impostor. You are talking like you are the leader. Why not hear from Solo who he is loyal to and who he runs with.
Roman gives Solo a mic.
Solo says he acknowledges his Tribal Chief, but these two are his brothers. Solo gives Roman the mic and he stands beside Jimmy and Jey.
Jimmy asks what is it going to be. Do you want to run this together with respecct or will you be on the Island of Relevancy all by yourself.
Roman tells Jimmy to shut his mouth but Jimmy pie faces Roman.
Jey stops Roman and Jimmy from letting this get any further. He says it is not going to be like this. He says he needs both of them. They cannot fight like this. They are better than this.
Jimmy says they are stronger together. He says Jimmy and Solo are his brothers. Roman has also been his brother. He says they need to do this together and run this place like they have before. Jimmy says they are still the Ones.
Roman and Jimmy hug.
Roman says No and they stop hugging.
Solo with a Samoan Spike to Jimmy.
Jey is confused as he checks on his twin.
Roman leaves the ring
Solo and Paul leave with Roman.
Paul asks Roman about Jey and Roman says Jey will do what he always does and he will fall in line and come back.
We go to credits.
