Tonight, we will once again bring you live coverage of WWE SmackDown, which will be broadcast live from the Amerant Bank Arena in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This will be the brand's first show following Crown Jewel and will feature several of its top stars, including the new WWE Women's Champion.
Additionally, John Cena will make another appearance as he continues handing out invitations to the inaugural John Cena Classic. As always, we invite you to leave your comments below and share your thoughts on everything that happens during the show.
WWE SmackDown kicks off on Netflix!
We see the arrival of several of tonight's featured superstars: Cody Rhodes, Sami Zayn, and Tiffany Stratton.
John Cena is tonight's opening act. "The Never Seen Seventeen" makes his way to the ring to a huge ovation. With a microphone in hand, the legend raises the John Cena Classic Championship before reminding everyone of the date and location of the tournament. John promises a night of opportunities, where one WWE Superstar will become the inaugural champion or championess. Furthermore, the fans will play a major role, as they will decide the winner through their votes. With that said, he introduces his next guest, who is none other than... Charlotte Flair!
"The Queen" makes her way to the ring, where "The Greatest of All Time" awaits her. Flair embraces John before taking the microphone. "I've spent the last ten years trying to figure out how to get into a storyline or get in this ring and face you", Charlotte jokes. She has always dreamed of this moment, but knew she could make it happen because she is just as great as Cena or her father, Ric Flair.
"The Queen" hopes John understands how much it means to her to be part of his legacy as a competitor in the inaugural John Cena Classic. Charlotte recalls a chapter of her life from two years ago, shortly after WrestleMania 41. She was going through a difficult time, so much so that she even considered her future as a professional wrestler. That was when "The Greatest of All Time" approached her and said: "Stop trying to be perfect. Embrace who you are." Those words changed everything because she realized that John Cena believed in "The Queen" more than she believed in herself. Overcome with emotion, Charlotte decides to cut her promo short to avoid crying. "You deserve it!", the fans chant. Having regained her composure, Flair picks up the John Cena Classic Championship and promises that she won't just compete in the tournament, but will also walk away with the title around her waist. "And you know why? Do you want to know why, John? Because I'm the greatest champion of all time", she declares.
John knows that the time allotted for this segment has already expired, but he still has one more thing to say. Cena recalls how fans believed Charlotte had an easy road ahead of her simply because she was Ric Flair's daughter. But that wasn't the case. "You never had it easy. You just made it look easy", he says. "There was a while ago where I finally said I need to win 17. Because one day, I will shake the hand of the person that wins 18... I was always talking about you. Thanks so much. I will see you in the Classic." Cena and Flair embrace as we reach the end of the night's opening segment.
Rey Mysterio approaches Nick Aldis backstage. The Mexican legend informs the SmackDown General Manager that he is interested in recruiting a Superstar from the blue brand for Team Mexico, which is why he is at the arena tonight. Cody Rhodes walks into the scene and greets both men. Rey excuses himself, allowing them to discuss their own business. Aldis wants to know whether Cody has put his history with Randy Orton behind him following what happened at Crown Jewel. Rhodes assures him that he has. His focus is now on recruiting the remaining members of Team USA, and he already has a few candidates in mind. However, once Survivor Series is over, he hopes to sit down with Aldis to discuss an opportunity at the Undisputed WWE Championship. The Briton expected nothing less from Rhodes and promises they will have that conversation. Rhodes thanks him and walks away, bringing the segment to a close.
WWE Tag Team Championship Match
MFT (Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga) (c) (with Haku) vs. Bakusai (Shinsuke Nakamura and Kyoki)
Kyoki repeatedly dives at Tama with a series of running crossbodies. Tama stops Kyoki's charge in one of the corners and takes him down with a dropkick. Talla tags in to continue the assault. Talla throws Kyoki into one of the corners before delivering a series of painful chops in the middle of the ring. Tama tags in to continue the series of chops. "More!", Kyoki shouts after each strike. Kyoki fires back with chops of his own before taking his opponent down with a hurricanrana.
Kyoki manages to send Talla out of the ring. Kyoki ends up on the apron, where he kicks Talla. Immediately afterward, while the referee is tending to Tama, Haku strikes Kyoki's legs with his cane, causing him to fall onto the apron. Talla throws Kyoki into the barricade before bringing him back into the ring. Talla tags in to attack the Japanese Superstar, this time legally, and hits him with a running Samoan drop. Tama tags in to finish off his opponent with a Cut Throat. 1... 2... NO!
Tama continues to punish Kyoki. The champions team up to wear down the Japanese Superstar. Tama unleashes a barrage of corner spears on his opponent before trapping him in a grounded headlock. "Nakamura!", the fans chant, calling for "The King of Strong Style" to get involved. Kyoki surprises Tama with a Dragon Screw. Both men are left lying on the mat. Kyoki makes his way to his corner to tag in Shinsuke.
Nakamura launches an assault on Tama, taking him down to the mat. Shinsuke gets rid of Talla on the apron before setting up for the Kinshasa. Tama avoids the attack and counters with a Cut Throat. Both men are left lying on the mat. Shinsuke blocks another attack from Tama and takes him down. He then finishes him off with a Kinshasa directly to the back of the head. Talla tries to intervene, but Kyoki stops him.
The Japanese duo team up to send Talla out of the ring. Kyoki kicks Haku, sending him crashing into Talla. He then dives onto the latter with a Missile Dropkick. Meanwhile, inside the ring, Shinsuke avoids Tama's Cut Throat and counters with another Kinshasa. Nakamura covers Tama, but just then, War Raiders storm the ring and attack both teams!
No Contest
Ivar and Erik launch an assault on MFT and Bakusai. War Raiders take Talla out at ringside before returning to the ring, where they hit Tama with their Viking Experience. Ivar and Erik then turn their attention to Nakamura, hitting him with a Ragnarok. War Raiders pose over their victim, bringing the segment to a close.
Cathy Kelley interviews Finn Bálor backstage. The Irishman points out that no matter how much Gunther calls himself "The Ring General", he is nothing more than a whiny bully. Bálor addresses the Austrian directly, assuring him that tonight there will be no "paint and nonsense". He will be facing the real Finn Bálor, not his inner demon. However, the Austrian will soon discover that Finn is just as much of a warrior on the outside as he is on the inside. With that said, Finn walks away, bringing the interview to a close.
Axiom vs. Damian Priest
Damian surprises Axiom with a big boot right at the start of the match. Dazed, the Spaniard retreats to one of the corners, but is quickly crushed by his opponent. Axiom dodges a clothesline from Priest and fires back with a flurry of kicks. Axiom sends Damian out of the ring before diving onto him with a moonsault. The action returns to the ring. The Spaniard dives at Priest, who steps out of the masked Superstar's path before counterattacking.
Axiom surprises Damian with a Dragon Screw on the apron before hitting a Missile Dropkick. Priest stops the Spaniard, preventing him from connecting with a Golden Ratio. Damian sets up for a Razor's Edge, but Axiom counters it into a hurricanrana. Priest knocks the masked Superstar out with a right hand before hitting him with a clothesline. The Puerto Rican finally finishes him off with a Razor's Edge. 1... 2... 3.
Winner: Damian Priest
Nathan Frazer appears to check on Axiom, who remains lying on the mat. Damian decides to return to the ring and catch Frazer off guard with a South of Heaven. Satisfied with his actions, the Puerto Rican leaves the ring and heads backstage.
Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Lainey Reid, and Fallon Henley) confront John Cena backstage, calling him out for disrespecting them by ignoring them during his visit to SmackDown. Jayne claims that leaving Fatal Influence out of the John Cena Classic could be the biggest mistake the 17-time World Champion has made since announcing his intention to ruin wrestling. John acknowledges that this is exactly the kind of "Ruthless Aggression" his tournament needs, so he officially invites them to compete! Cena shakes hands with all three women, who are taken aback by the legend's response, before walking away.
Sami Zayn, Johnny Gargano, and Candice LeRae make their way to the ring. The fans greet the Undisputed WWE Champion with a chorus of boos. Sami calls them haters, but insists that their reaction doesn't bother him. "You suck! You suck!", the crowd responds. Zayn wants to revisit what happened at Crown Jewel to clear up a few misunderstandings. The Canadian explains that his intention was to right some wrongs and, contrary to what many people believe, he never begged Roman Reigns to show him respect. He demanded it. And he eventually got the Tribal Chief to acknowledge his worth. And if "The OTC", one of the biggest names in the business over the last decade, was able to show him the respect he deserves, Sami expects the fans to do exactly the same.
Kevin Owens interrupts the segment!
Kevin makes his way into the ring and comes face-to-face with Zayn. KO is glad that Sami has been able to right some wrongs over the past few months. In fact, he understands exactly how he feels, as he was also able to correct a mistake last week when he knocked out CM Punk with a steel chain. As for the recognition Zayn claims he deserves, Kevin reminds him that he has always considered him one of the best wrestlers in the business. Whenever he has been asked about it, Owens has given the same answer because he genuinely believes it. And that's not all. He also believes Zayn deserves the championship around his waist, as well as the respect of the fans. "Sami, I think you're an excellent WWE Champion. Buddy, I mean this from the bottom of my heart. I'm proud of you," Owens says. An emotional Zayn tries to respond, but Kevin isn't finished yet.
Owens has another wrong to right. Kevin recalls that the last 17 months have been the toughest of his professional career. Owens had to overcome a serious injury that nearly forced him to retire and give up the thing he loves most: professional wrestling. Once he returned, he got the opportunity to compete in Toronto in front of his family, the people who had supported him every step of the way. It was a night he had hoped to cap off by becoming the Undisputed WWE Champion in front of all of them. "I was this close, but it didn't happen. And it was your fault," Kevin says before shoving Zayn. Gargano tries to intervene, but Sami holds him back. "And now, I'm sorry to say that there's only one way to right that wrong. Sami, I don't want to take that title from you. I NEED to take it from you," Owens declares.
Gargano steps in front of Owens to make it clear that he also lost everything over the past year. The only person who stood by him during those difficult times and showed him the respect he deserved was Zayn. A man who also made him a promise (that he would grant him a championship opportunity) and is now trying to keep it. Owens reminds Johnny that he has known him for a long time. He also respects both him and his wife, something not many people backstage can say. Kevin points out that Gargano spent half a year lying on a production crate and received an opportunity at the brand's top title on the very same day he got up from it. "I think you're doing just fine. Now, this has nothing to do with you," Kevin says before pushing Gargano aside.
Owens gets in Sami's face and makes it clear that his championship reign is living on borrowed time. Suddenly, a furious Gargano attacks him from behind. Johnny continues to beat down KO before holding him in place so his wife can slap him. Sami watches Owens lying on the mat. The champion places a hand on Johnny's shoulder, clearly proud of his actions. He then calmly leaves the ring, allowing his ally to continue the assault. Kevin manages to fight back and catches Gargano with a Stunner. Owens picks up a microphone and addresses Sami. "Like I was saying, your days as champion are numbered! And I'm the one who's going to end your reign!" Kevin exclaims before sending Johnny out of the ring. Owens poses for the fans as Zayn watches with a concerned look on his face. And with that, the segment comes to an end.
Cody Rhodes approaches CM Punk backstage. The two are discussing what happened moments earlier in the ring when Rey Mysterio joins the conversation. The masked Superstar wants to introduce them to the newest member of Team Mexico: Rey Fenix. Fenix says it will be an honor to share the ring with Rhodes and CM Punk, but makes it clear that he will give everything for his team. He will do it for his country, his family, and his passion for professional wrestling. Before leaving, Mysterio and Fenix wish Cody and CM Punk good luck in Spanish, allowing them to get back to their respective recruitment duties. Once they're alone, CM Punk asks Rhodes if he has a plan. Cody answers that he does, much to his teammate's relief. However, "The Best in the World" adds that if he's open to suggestions, he has a few of his own. He then hands him a piece of paper. Rhodes thanks him for the gesture and assures him that he'll consider the names written on the note. Finally, Cody walks away, bringing the segment to a close.
Cody Rhodes approaches CM Punk backstage. The two discuss what just happened in the ring when Rey Mysterio joins them. The masked Superstar wants to introduce them to the newest member of Team Mexico: Rey Fenix. Fenix says it will be an honor to share the ring with Rhodes and CM Punk. However, he will be fighting for Team Mexico, and he will do it for his country, his family, and his love of professional wrestling. Mysterio and Fenix wish Cody and CM Punk good luck in Spanish before leaving them to their recruitment duties. CM Punk asks Rhodes if he has a plan. Cody says he does, which makes Punk happy to hear. However, if Rhodes is open to suggestions, he has a few of his own. CM Punk hands his captain a piece of paper. Rhodes thanks him and promises to consider the names written on the note. Cody then walks away, bringing the segment to a close.
Charlotte Flair vs. Jacy Jayne
Jacy and Charlotte struggle for control. The United States Champion drives Flair's face into one of the turnbuckles before taking her down with a hurricanrana. Charlotte blocks a corner splash and counters with a suplex. Flair traps Jayne in a headscissors and repeatedly drives her into the mat. Charlotte kicks Jacy before crushing her with a diving crossbody. 1... 2... NO.
The action moves to the apron. "The Queen" catches Jayne with a big boot, sending her crashing to the floor. Flair follows up with an apron cannonball. Lainey Reid and Fallon Henley appear to distract Charlotte, allowing Jayne to catch her with a Penalty Kick. The members of Fatal Influence celebrate at ringside. Tatum Paxley and Alexa Bliss soon make their entrance, determined to keep the rival faction away from "The Queen".
Jacy brings Flair back into the ring and crushes her with a senton. Jayne kicks Charlotte before trapping her in a headlock. Flair tries to escape, but her opponent transitions into a crossface. Charlotte throws herself backward into one of the turnbuckles to force the hold to break. She then takes down the United States Champion with a release German suplex. Both women are left lying on the mat.
Flair gets back to her feet and unleashes a barrage of chops on Jayne before following up with a handspring clothesline. Charlotte takes Jacy down with a Fallaway Slam. Jayne kicks Flair, who responds with a big boot. 1... 2... NO. Jayne escapes "The Queen's" grasp and catches her with a neckbreaker. 1... 2... NO. Jacy charges at Charlotte, who stops her and counters with a Flatliner into one of the turnbuckles. Flair climbs to the top rope and goes for a moonsault. 1... 2... NO.
Jacy surprises Charlotte with a roll-up. 1... 2... NO. Both women struggle for control. Jayne escapes a backslide and counters with a knee strike. 1... 2... NO. Jacy sets up for a Rolling Encore, but her opponent avoids it and counters with a spear. Flair climbs one of the turnbuckles, ready to finish off her opponent, but Fallon and Lainey decide to interfere. Tatum and Alexa dive onto the former WWE Women's Tag Team Champions.
All four women brawl at ringside. Michin and B-Fab appear to back up Fatal Influence. Bayley storms ringside wielding a kendo stick. Meanwhile, Jacy takes Charlotte down with a superplex. Both women are left lying on the mat. Bayley attacks her enemies with the kendo stick. Jade Cargill joins the fray and takes "The Role Model" out with a kick. The heels seem to regain control, but...
Stephanie Vaquer makes her entrance!
Michin picks up the kendo stick and heads toward the Chilean Superstar. However, Vaquer quickly takes her down and snatches the weapon away. "La Primera" uses the stick against Reid before smashing it across Michin's back. Stephanie approaches the ring. Jacy gets distracted by her presence, allowing Charlotte to catch her with a Bow Down to the Queen. 1... 2... 3.
Winner: Charlotte Flair
Vaquer, Bayley, Paxley, and Bliss join Charlotte inside the ring. With Bliss sitting on her shoulders, Flair addresses their enemies, who are waiting on the entrance ramp. "WARGAMES!" the five women shout in unison. With the challenge officially laid down, the segment comes to an end.
Cathy Kelley interviews Charlotte Flair, Tatum Paxley, Bayley, Alexa Bliss, and Stephanie Vaquer backstage. Kelley asks "La Primera" what made her join the team. Vaquer explains that she received a call from Flair, an opportunity she wasn't going to pass up. "Thank you," Charlotte says to her new teammate in Spanish. "Jade, you better get ready, girl. Wooooo!" "The Queen" exclaims before walking away with her teammates.
Tiffany Stratton makes her way to the ring to a chorus of boos. "I know, I know. Everything looks better on Tiffany Stratton," she says while posing with the WWE Women's Championship. Tiffany reminds everyone that she is a two-time Ms. Money in the Bank and now a two-time WWE Women's Champion. Stratton insists that she doesn't need boyfriends or a General Manager who feels sorry for her. "All I needed was a briefcase. So I want to dedicate this championship reign to my former best friend, Chelsea Green," the champion declares.
Chelsea Green interrupts the promo!
"Chelsea! Chelsea!", the fans chant. Green has come to realize that she and Stratton were never truly friends. Tiffany simply stayed by her side and pretended to care while Chelsea explained how important Crown Jewel was to her career. Why did she have to choose that exact moment to cash in her briefcase on her? Chelsea has no doubt about it: Stratton wanted to steal her moment. But she doesn't care anymore, because in the end, she will be remembered as the third Crown Jewel Champion. Tiffany, on the other hand, will be remembered as a thief. With that said, she demands that Tiffany return her championship ring.
"No, no, no, no. I stole your moment? You stole my moment at SummerSlam! That was supposed to be the moment I won the WWE Women's Championship. Not you!" Tiffany responds. She points out that her actions at Crown Jewel allowed her to right that wrong. "You want this ring so badly? Take it," she says before dropping it onto the mat. "Enjoy the rest of your career in catering, bitch." Furious, the Canadian slaps Stratton. Green unleashes a flurry of attacks on her former friend in one of the corners.
Chelsea bends down to pick up her ring, allowing Tiffany to catch her from behind. Stratton slips the ring onto the pinky finger of her right hand. Tiffany smiles as Green gets back to her feet. The champion delivers a right hand to the Canadian, sending her crashing back down to the mat. Tiffany raises her championship over her victim as the segment comes to an end.
Paige approaches a battered and dejected Chelsea Green to ask how she is doing. Before the Canadian can answer, Blake Monroe decides to join the conversation. "Chelsea, don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. Although, frankly, it never should have happened," "The Glamour" says. She points out that, unlike her, Green has never had what it takes to be a champion. Paige asks Blake how many championships she has won. "I understand, but my best years are still ahead of me. Can you say the same?" Monroe asks. She turns around, hitting Chelsea in the face with her hair, and walks away. And with that, the segment comes to an end.
Gunther vs. Finn Bálor
Gunther catches Finn with a kick while the Irishman is still taking off his jacket. The Austrian immediately takes control of the match. "The Ring General" takes Bálor down and unleashes a barrage of attacks. Finn blocks a powerbomb and takes his opponent down to the mat, where he hits him with a dropkick. Gunther charges at the Irishman, who pulls down the top rope to send his opponent crashing to the floor. He then follows up with a somersault dive.
Finn brings Gunther back into the ring, but the Austrian quickly rolls out through the opposite side. Bálor goes after his opponent, only to fall into his clutches. Gunther brings Bálor back into the ring and continues the assault. The fans boo the Austrian, who responds with a middle finger. "The Ring General" returns to his opponent and traps him in a Boston Crab. Finn manages to break free, only to eat a suplex. 1... 2... NO.
Gunther takes Bálor to the top of one of the turnbuckles. Finn blocks a superplex and takes his opponent down with a kick directly to the face. Bálor prepares to dive onto the Austrian, but Gunther stops him with a chop. Gunther blocks a flurry of kicks from Finn before responding with a powerslam. The Irishman surprises Gunther with a Russian Leg Sweep. Both men are left lying on the mat.
Finn continues his assault on "The Ring General", taking him down with an inverted DDT. 1... 2... NO. Gunther catches Bálor and attempts a powerbomb, but the Irishman resists. Finn struggles with his opponent until he manages to send him out of the ring. Bálor positions himself on the apron and prepares to kick Gunther with a Penalty Kick, but the Austrian blocks the attack and sends his opponent crashing to the floor. "The Ring General" takes Finn to the barricade and drops him onto it. Gunther returns to the ring as the referee begins the ten-count. 1... 2... 3... 4... 5... 6... 7... 8... 9... Finn manages to get back inside before being counted out.
Gunther continues to attack the Irishman. Finn tries to fight back, but his opponent catches him in a sleeperhold. Gunther takes his opponent down to the mat to apply even more pressure. Finn withstands the Austrian's grip while stretching one of his legs until he manages to reach the bottom rope. "The Ring General" is forced to release his hold. Gunther delivers a series of painful chops to Finn, but Bálor gets back to his feet after each one.
Bálor and Gunther struggle for control. The Irishman avoids another sleeperhold and counters with a slingblade. Finn escapes yet another sleeperhold, only to be hit with a Shotgun Dropkick. The Irishman tries to counterattack, but his opponent takes him down with a lariat. 1... 2... NO. "I've been telling you for weeks. I know you from back then. I used to look up to you. You need to understand that it's time to turn the page. Okay? Move on and stop embarrassing yourself," Gunther tells Bálor.
"The Ring General" climbs one of the turnbuckles, looking to hit the Irishman with a Coup de Grace. Finn avoids it and responds with a Shotgun Dropkick. Now it's Bálor's turn to hit a Coup de Grace. Gunther avoids it and immediately shoves Bálor into the referee. The Austrian takes advantage of the situation to deliver a chop directly to his opponent's back before hitting him with a low blow. Gunther finishes him off with a powerbomb. The referee recovers and makes the three-count. 1... 2... 3.
Winner: Gunther
Gunther orders the referee to raise his arm in victory. The Austrian then climbs to the top of one of the turnbuckles and mockingly imitates Bálor's entrance while the Irishman remains lying on the mat. And with that image, this week's episode comes to an end.
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