Is SmackDown going to Hell already?

Rage has boiled over! Rey Mysterio doesn’t care about the PPV, he wants Roman Reigns NOW! And so, SmackDown steps inside HELL IN A CELL!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kevin Owens & Big E VS Apollo Crews & Commander Azeez; Apollo & Azeez win.
• Battle for the King’s Crown Match: Shinsuke Nakamura w/ Rick Boogs VS King Corbin; Nakamura wins and is the rightful owner of the crown.
• Otis w/ Chad Gable VS Angelo Dawkins; No Contest.
• WWE Universal Championship Hell in a Cell Match: Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman VS Rey Mysterio; Reigns wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

The Cell is in the ThunderDome already!

Though the Hell in a Cell Pay-Per-View is Sunday, the King of Lucha Libre is walking out now, and walking right to the sinister structure! Rey Mysterio told the world that he can’t wait any longer, and Roman Reigns accepted the modified challenge. For the first time in Rey’s career and for the first time on a Friday Night SmackDown, we will have Hell in a Cell tonight! Rey Mysterio says any parent watching knows the feeling of pain, hurt and sadness he feels right now. Rey told Dominik about the risks that come with competing in the ring, but this is his dream. Or perhaps was. Dom can walk, but who knows when he’ll wrestle again.

Roman Reigns picked Dominik up, the very son Rey held in his arms as a baby, and TOSSED him out of the ring like a bag of bricks! Rey will never forget the sound, and the helpless lock in his boy’s eyes, as he suffered in pain. And Rey will never forget the man who did this to him: ROMAN…! REIGNS…! And so, Roman, Rey isn’t waiting one more day! This match is tonight! The revenge is tonight! Inside the most diabolical structure in the WWE! Rey knows Roman accepted this via Twitter, but he has to hear it from the mouth of the so-called Head of the Table himself! Rey even unstraps his mask as he demands, “Get out here, you son of a bitch!”

Wait, the Cell finishes lowering?! And Roman Reigns makes his entrance! Paul Heyman carries the title for the Tribal Chief, but first hands over a mic to him. “We don’t have to do this. I don’t want to hurt you. This ain’t my fault. Let’s be honest, you’re not ready for this. You don’t want to be locked in there with me?” Roman throwing Dom was PG compared to what’s happening tonight. So Roman is giving Rey one last chance to reconsider. Is Rey sure he wants to do this? Rey’s never been more ready in his life! Roman nods and says he tried it Heyman’s way, being diplomatic. “Now we do it my way.” Roman turns to leave, leaving this fight for the main event.

Rey takes one last look around. Will this Friday be the end or a new beginning for the lucha legend?

Kevin Owens & Big E VS Apollo Crews & Commander Azeez!

The Prizefighter and the Powerhouse of Positivity won last week because the Pride of Nigeria was “burdened” with Sami Zayn. But now, he has someone who is on his side in his elite guard commander! Will this be the final Nigerian Nail in the coffin of Kevin’s and Big E’s Intercontinental Championship aspirations? Or will Azeez’s in-ring debut be ruined along with Apollo’s parade?

SmackDown returns and Big E talks with KO backstage as Kayla Braxton walks over. Azeez has repeatedly devastated them both, aren’t they worried about this? Well they are facing something intimidating. Azeez is huge and dangerous but Kevin isn’t worried. Big E is the strongest man on SmackDown. Plus, this is a tag match and Big E is a NINE time tag team champion. Big E says Kevin is very talented. Wow, really? Kevin showered Big E with praise. Yeah but wounds are still fresh. Oh, okay.

BUT KAYLA~! Tonight, they shall not be deterred! They shall not be moved! Azeez and Crews are gonna FEEL~ OUR~ POWAAA~! Kevin likes that! Big E makes his entrance first, then Kevin enters. The teams sort out but Sami makes his uninvited entrance. Apollo and Big E start, Sami distracts a little as he heads for commentary, but Big E avoids Apollo’s attack! Big E clinches for an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Snapmare, tag, and a BIG SPLASH followed by a BACK SENTON! Sami critiques things, hoping this is all legal, and Pat McAfee confirms it is. Kevin puts Apollo in the corner, throws body shots, throws elbows, then tags to Big E.

Big E gets Apollo up but Apollo lands on his feet out of the back suplex. Big E still reel shim in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Big E looms over Apollo, brings him up and suplexes, but Apollo knees free. Tag to Azeez and he’s finally in a match! Azeez throws knees, CLUBS Big E on the back, then BOOTS him down! Sami admits, Azeez is big and strong. Big E flops out of the ring, Azeez pursues. Sami wants Big E and Azeez to stay at a safe distance, but Sami hops up out of his chair to the barriers as Azeez scoops Big E! Azeez SLAMS Big E, and roars as he stands over him! Apollo’s commander has taken command of the action as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns again and Azeez leans on Big E with a cobra clutch. Big E fights up, throws body shots, but Azeez CLUBS him! Azeez suplexes Big E up and over! Apollo is fired up as Azeez drags Big E up and bumps him off buckles. Azeez digs his forearm into Big E’s face, but lets off as the ref counts 4. Azeez drags Big E up and suplexes again! Apollo likes that, as does Sami. Azeez digs his hand into Big E’s face to smother him, then he rains down a right forearm! Azeez runs but Big E avoid the big elbow drop! Apollo tags in and DECKS Kevin off the apron! Sami really likes that but Big E shoves Apollo! Apollo stays on his feet to ENZIGURI Big E down!

Big E goes to the apron, Apollo goes out after him and fireman’s carries. Big E fights free, but Apollo mule kicks. Big E blocks a suplex to APRON GOURD BUSTER! But Big E falls off the apron, too! Big E gets Apollo in, then tags in Kevin! Kevin climbs and aims, SWANTON BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Sami freaks out over the count, but Kevin fireman’s carries. Apollo fights free, waistlocks, but Kevin elbows free. Kevin runs but into a BOOT! Apollo runs, but into a POP-UP POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Azeez is a little late to that, he almost hit Apollo! Azeez DECKS Big E, Kevin hits Azeez but Azeez HEADBUTTS him down!

The ref reprimands but Azeez gets Apollo to their corner. Azeez tags in and Sami is fired up as Azeez CLOBBERS Big E on the outside! Sami wants that for Kevin but Azeez takes his time returning to the ring. Kevin fires forearms but Azeez headbutts him again! Azeez runs in but Kevin dumps him out! Azeez lands on his feet and drags Kevin out, to POST him! Sami is loving it as Azeez gets back in the ring. The ring count is climbing as Sami eggs Kevin on. Kevin drags himself up, flounders, but still scares Sami off. Kevin gets in at 7 of 10, into a NIGERIAN NAIL!! Cover, Azeez & Apollo win!!

Winners: Commander Azeez & Apollo Crews, by pinfall

The commander wins for his general, but Sami is the one celebrating. But then Azeez drags Kevin up for ANOTHER NIGERIAN NAIL!! Kevin sputters and coughs while Sami cheers and shouts! Sami goes to Kayla backstage to watch “this beautiful sight” of “karmic justice.” Kevin can’t breathe but Sami is laughing. Sami says he could do this forever! But will karma come back around to get Sami for what he’s doing to Kevin?

Sonya Deville and Adam Pearce talk backstage.

They both agree that tonight is the biggest night in SmackDown history. But Kevin Owens comes in, gasping and coughing. Somehow, he manages to say, “Give me Sami!” Is he sure about this? Kevin says it again but stronger, “Give me Sami Zayn!” Well, okay then. He can have it on Sunday. Kevin nods his thanks and heads out. Is this the karma turning the corner?

Battle for the King’s Crown Match: Shinsuke Nakamura w/ Rick Boogs VS King Corbin!

The King of Strong Style has challenged the royal authority of the Lone Wolf King, and it has been symbolized by who leaves the ThunderDome with the crown in their possession. Enough is enough, and there can only be one! Who will be the one true king of SmackDown?

Boogs the rockin’ bard once again introduces Shinsuke NakamurrrrAAAAA~! Corbin makes his entrance, the bell rings, and they tie right up. Corbin gest around to roll Nakamura, TWO! Corbin KNEES Nakamura low, CLUBS him on the back, and he brings Nakamura up for a haymaker! Nakamura is in the corner, he dodges Corbin to ROUNDHOUSE him to the back! Nakamura goes corner to corner, blocks boots and spins Corbin for a SLIDING GERMAN! Boogs rocks for Nakamura as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Corbin rains down elbows onto Nakamura! Corbin clamps on a half nelson and chinbar, but Nakamura endures. Nakamura fights up, throws body shots and gets free! Nakamura runs, ducks and dodges, but runs into DEEP SIX! Cover, TWO! Corbin is annoyed with Nakamura as he drags him around. Corbin tells Boogs to watch as he throws down furious fists! Corbin tells the ref to shut up, then he drags Nakamura up to scoop. Nakamura slips off and hits a BACKSTABBER! Then wraps on a SLEEPER! Corbin endures and fights up, but Nakamura is a backpack! Corbin throws Nakamura off, blocks one kick but not the ENZIGURI!

Nakamura snapmares and runs for a SLIDING KNEE! Cover, TWO! Nakamura keeps focus and waits for Corbin to rise. Corbin blocks the kick to BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Corbin is losing his cool as Nakamura survives again. Corbin drags Nakamura back up, reels him in, but Nakamura shoulders Corbin! Then hits an STO! Cover, TWO! Nakamura rams KNEES into Corbin’s head and shoulders while putting him in a corner. Nakamura goes to the other side, fires up, “YAO~!” But Corbin LARIATS Nakamura inside out! Both men are down after Corbin put his all into that one! Corbin crawls to Nakamura, drags him over to a corner, and makes him look at the crown. “That’s MY crown!”

Corbin hosts Nakamura up top but Nakamura fires off forearms! Nakamura elbows and GAMANGIRIS Corbin down! Nakamura goes up, Corbin rises, FLYING KNEE! Corbin is still standing so Nakamura goes back up! FLYING KNEE! Corbin staggers, Nakamura is up on a corner again! FLYING- NO! Choke- KNEE! Nakamura rocks Corbin, aims from a corner, “YAO~!” KINSHASA!! Cover, Nakamura wins!!

Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura, by pinfall (officially owns the crown)

All hail the King of Strong Style! Nakamura sits on the throne and Boogs places the crown upon Nakamura’s head! Has Corbin finally lost his kingdom?

Bianca Belair is here!

The EST SmackDown Women’s Champion is here just days before she and Bayley face off for that very title! “Gurl, let me tell you! It felt so good to put Bayley in her place when Ding Dong Hello turned into Ding Dong, Good-Bye.” And coming this Sunday, Bayley can kiss her championship hopes good-bye. It’s just like a bully to not be able to take what they dish out. And this is Bayley’s cue so come on out. Bianca waits, but Bayley doesn’t appear. Okay, okay, more games, huh? Whatever. Bianca gives Bayley credit. The games almost work. When someone laughs in your face, it hurts. It triggered Bianca a bit, putting her back into her childhood when bullies tried to make her feel like less, when she was already so much more than they could ever be.

There was some second guessing, but Bianca isn’t that little kid anymore. Bianca won’t let anyone else define her, she defines herself. She fought and scratched and clawed to get here, so she is loud, proud and unapologetically Bianca! And at HIAC, Bayley will give it everything she’s got both physically and mentally. Bianca wants to say this to Bayley’s face but Bayley keeps dodging her. So here it is: “Bay, Sunday, I don’t just want you in the ring. I want you… inside Hell in a Cell!” And Bayley really thinks she’ll get the last laugh, huh? Bayley won’t be laughing when Bianca drags her by her hair and scrapes her off all four sides of that Cell!

Bianca vows Bayley won’t be laughing, Bianca will body slam her again and again and again. Bianca will make Bayley beg her to stop. Bayley won’t be laughing when the bell rings and the match is over, Bianca still SmackDown Women’s Champion! First, they try to ignore you. And second, they try to fight you. And then you win. But only now does Bayley appear! Bayley gets in the ring, swing son her, but it is a scrap! Bianca clubs away on Bayley, Bayley shoves her away and kicks her low! Bayley whips but Bianca reverses to toss Bayley! Bianca goes out after her and bounces Bayley off the announce desk!

Bianca drags Bayley up to TOSS her over barriers! But Bayley grabs the ponytail! Bayley reels Bianca into the barriers! Bayley hops back over, snarls and gets Bianca up to CLUB her on the back! Bayley puts Bianca in the ring, runs in and KNEES Bianca down! Bianca slowly sits up but Bayley reels her in for the headlock! ROSE PLANTER! Bayley grabs the SmackDown Women’s Championship, stands on Bianca’s braid, and holds up the belt. And, the ThunderDome screens change into the snapshot of this moment! Will this be how Bayley has the last “laugh” on Sunday?

Roman Reigns sits in his private room.

Roman brings out the golden glove, but an Uso walks in. Roman stands up, and it’s Jimmy! “What up, Uce?” Jimmy thought about what Roman said last week, about representing the family as the bets here. And Roman is right. They might not agree on everything Roman says, they might not be 100 on everything Roman does, but they’re blood. Then where is Jey? Jimmy hasn’t heard from him all week. No calls, no texts. Jimmy swung by his house and nothing. But tonight, Jimmy volunteers his help.

Roman tells him, “No. I need you to find your brother. I need your brother.” They need his brother. The family is best when it is complete. Don’t worry about tonight, Roman will handle business. Just do him a favor: figure out where Jey is. Jimmy heads out to look for Jey, but will he find him? Will Jey see things their way?

Otis w/ Chad Gable VS Angelo Dawkins!

The Dozer demolished Montez Ford last week, and he wasn’t even his opponent! The Street Profits are down a man, will Otis make sure they’re done for, #ForTheAcademy?

SmackDown returns as Dawkins make his entrance. His arm is taped up from last week, but he’ll fight through it to avenge Tez! Dawkins and Otis are face to face but Gable SLAPS Dawkins! Gable leads Dawkins on a cat ‘n’ mouse, Otis CLOBBERS Dawkins on the outside! Gable tells Otis to show Dawkins their “teachings.” Otis and Gable gets Dawkins up to RAM him into steel steps, bad arm first! Gable goes onto the apron, Otis isolates the bad arm, Gable hits a FLYING KNEE to the bad arm! Gable mockingly asks how the arm is doing, but Dawkins refuses to stay down. Gable leaves it to Otis now, and Otis is like a Terminator!

Otis puts Dawkins in the ring, Gable helps get Dawkins up, DISCUS GERMAN SUPLEX!! Dawkins is dazed as he flops out of the ring! Gable is smiling, so proud of his student. Otis has unleashed his inner Alpha, and his inner demolition machine! Will things only get worse for the SmackDown Tag Division from here?

No Contest

Roman Reigns finishes preparations for his match.

He has his wristbands on. The Cell awaits, will he use it to wreck Rey one last time?

Backstage interview with Cesaro.

Kayla Braxton sits with him to talk about the escalation in the rivalry between him and Seth Rollins. Is he concerned at all that this has gone too far? Cesaro says that it hasn’t gone far enough. Rollins stomped his head into a ramp and put him on a stretcher. This is Cesaro’s life. Cesaro loves what he does. He worked a long time to get here and earn what he has. Rollins has tried to take that away from him because he does think Cesaro deserves this. But then Rollins appears! Rollins wants Cesaro to hold on. They have their match this Sunday, so he isn’t here to fight. He is a professional and a gentleman, he wants to talk, one on one, man to man. So if Kayla doesn’t mind?

Kayla hands over the lapel mic so that Rollins can take over. Rollins and Cesaro sit, and Rollins tells Cesaro, “I just came here to tell you, that you disgust me.” Everything Cesaro does and stands for is a disgrace. And after last week, Cesaro doesn’t deserve even a single ounce of respect. This Sunday, Rollins will show Cesaro and everyone like him what they do deserve, “when I put you in your place.” Wow, Rollins. Cesaro didn’t think he had it in him to stay professional like this. Cesaro respects that. Cesaro respects everything Rollins says and does. So see you on Sunday. Then Cesaro shoves Rollins out of the chair! Rollins gets up in a huff, but he’ll have to wait two more days! Will these two tear down the ThunderDome?

WWE Universal Championship Hell in a Cell Match: Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman VS Rey Mysterio!

The Tribal Chief demanded success from his cousins to the point that he crossed the line with the King of Lucha and the Mysterio Family. History will be made, as this is the first HIAC match on network television! Will it be even more historic as Rey turns rage and vengeance into a championship victory? Or will Roman stay the Reigns-ing, Defending, Undisputed, Uncontroverted, WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion of the world?

SmackDown returns as said champion makes his entrance. Roman holds up his belt for all the pyro, then hands it over. The introductions are made, the referee raises the belt, and this blood feud of bloodlines hits its boiling point!

Rey hurries right out after chairs! Roman hurries after him but Rey JAMS him! And SMACKS him! Roman blocks the next shot to throw Rey away. Rey hurries back out, Roman pursues, but Rey is ready with a FIRE EXTINGUISHER! Rey blasts Roman in the face, then CRACKS him with the canister! Roman staggers back up to get CRACKED again! Roman staggers further along, Rey pushes him into the ring. Rey gets in, drags Roman by an arm, but Roman holds onto the ropes. Rey goes out to get Roman back down, and then fetches something else. Roman steadies himself, Rey CLOBBERS him with a toolbox!! The champion is down as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns and Rey JAMS Roman with the chair against the ropes! And again! And again! Roman sputters as he sits on the apron but Rey sets the chair up behind him. Rey runs to dropkick the chair into Roman’s back! Roman’s eyes are wide in pain as he leans against the steel. Rey brings Roman back against the apron to dig the chair into his neck! Roman gasps and sputters but doesn’t give up, so Rey lets off to put the chair around Roman’s head! Rey RAMS Roman into the steel! Roman sputters more, Rey RAMS him back in!! Rey brings Roman around to POST him!! Roman is sputtering and Rey brings him back around again.

Rey stands Roman up but Roman choke grips Rey! Roman gets the chair off around his head and HEADBUTTS Rey! Roman still has to catch his breath as Rey staggers away. Roman runs, but Rey moves and Roman SPEARS a table! A table was set up in the corner and Roman goes into it! The ref checks on Roman but Rey clears the wreckage away. Rey hobbles as he drags Roman back up. Roman KNEES low and hard, then CLUBS Rey on the head! Roman puts Rey in the ring, but Rey KICKS him! And SLINGSHOT SUNSETS, but Roman holds ropes! Roman CLUBS Rey, gets down to get Rey up, but Rey fights the bomb! Rey tries to rana but Roman blocks it!

Roman stands in the corner of the Cell, so he can swing and SLAM Rey into the side! Then the other side! Roman then hauls Rey up to Atomic TOSS Rey into steel! Roman leaves Rey behind while he continues to catch his breath, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns once again and Roman stalks Rey in the ring. Roman says he is the Head of the Table for a reason, and Rey is learning what that means. Rey gets to a corner, Roman gets him up, and throws KNEE after KNEE into the ribs! Rey is a rag doll but nothing stops Roman because there are No Disqualifications! Roman THROWS Rey across the ring, then takes aim from the corner. Rey staggers up, Roman locks ‘n’ loads, SUPERMAN PUNCH! Roman shouts, “Acknowledge me! And tell the world who the baddest fool is!” Roman lets out the battle cry, runs in, but Rey SHOTGUN dropkicks the Spear away!

Rey runs, but Roman kicks him low! Roman gets Rey up, but Rey fights and RANAS Roman onto ropes! Rey dials it up, but Roman UPPERCUTS! Roman disconnected the call and steadies himself as Rey flounders to another corner. Roman runs in, but Rey moves! Roman POSTS himself! Rey hurries, dials it up, CORNER 619! Roman staggers, Rey gets a chair and SMACKS Roman on the back! And again! And again! And again! Rey presses the chair down on Roman’s chest, stomps it in place, and heads for a corner. Rey climbs, leaps, FULL METAL FROG SPLASH!! But that proves to be double-edged, and Rey can’t make the cover!

Roman writhes, Rey goes back to the corner! Rey climbs again, leaps again, for another FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!!! Roman survives and Rey shakes his head in disbelief. Rey gets back up, thinks on what he must do, and goes back to the corner. Rey climbs a third time, but Roman stands! Roman catches the Seated Senton and makes it a POWERBOMB into the steel!! Roman threw Rey like he did Dom and even Heyman is in utter shock of the brutality! The ref check son Rey but Roman says this isn’t done! Roman puts Rey in, drags him back up, and wraps on a CRAVAT GUILLOTINE! Rey taps, Roman wins!!

Winner: Roman Reigns, by submission (still WWE Universal Champion)

Roman didn’t have to end it that way, he wanted to end it that way! Heyman brings him the title, and we must all acknowledge Roman as champion.

But wait, Jimmy enters the ring! Jimmy raises Roman’s hand to show he has accepted Roman as Tribal Chief. Heyman is happy to see the dysfunction between them has been repaired. Roman has Heyman hold the belt, and has both Heyman and Jimmy stand aside. Heyman begs Roman not do this, but Roman stalks up behind the gasping and sputtering Rey Mysterio. Rey could not avenge Dominik, and Roman puts him BACK inside the Cravat Guillotine! Rey taps but it doesn’t change anything! Roman drops Rey, snarls and holds up the Universal Championship. Roman tells Rey to never defy him again. Oh, and Happy Father’s Day. If not even a living legend can stop Roman, who can?

My Thoughts:

A very good episode, though there were Go Home Syndrome levels of breaks and recaps. It was obviously surprising that we got the Universal Championship tonight. It was a powerful main event, and Rey looked great in his first ever HIAC match, but I figured Roman would retain whether it was here on on PPV. It was also a unique detail that Jey wasn’t here. It keeps things interesting, but I feel like maybe Jimmy switched sides too soon. Now it feels less like we’re getting Roman VS Jimmy and more we’re getting Roman VS Jey II. But Jey fighting for his own freedom makes sense, as this has been about him being independent of Jimmy, and perhaps that gives the Usos the boost to be a team again, as well as tag team champions.

Speaking of which, Otis and Gable really upped the intensity and it feels like they’re going to be right back in the tag title scene. The Profits both got brutalized, the Mysterios both got brutalized, who is going to stop Otis and Gable from bulldozing to the gold? The Profits could come back for revenge once the Alpha Academy have the titles for two-birds-one-stone, and that could make for a big match in front of live fans. It might be good that the match for the crown wasn’t in front of fans, that was the right result but not the right pacing of the match. That thing should’ve been a barn burner but instead, it was just some midcard obligation.

With Roman VS Rey happening here, it makes sense they’d want to put another SmackDown match inside the Cell. I like the last minute face-to-face of Bianca and Bayley, it was a good brawl, but I don’t know if I would’ve put their match in the Cell over Cesaro VS Rollins. There has been just as much animosity between Cesaro and Rollins, maybe even more so, those two could’ve really given us something. Same goes for Sami VS Kevin, which I’m glad we’re getting, too. Kevin & Big E VS Apollo & Azeez was a good tag match and Sami had a good part to play, so it just makes sense that Kevin and Sami have a match to keep their feud alive.

My Score: 8.4/10