WWE Friday Night SmackDown Results
June 18, 2021
Tampa, Florida (Yuengling Center)
Commentary: Michael Cole and Pat McAfee
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever.” The WWE: Together video leads us into the show.
A video package kicks off the show highlighting Roman Reigns’ vicious beatings on Dominik Mysterio. Rey Mysterio acknowledged Reigns as a “rat bastard” and a man he wants to fight inside of Hell in a Cell. Mysterio then attacked Reigns with a kendo stick, but Reigns fought back and connected with a Superman Punch. Dominik saved his father, but Reigns powerbombed him over the top rope to the floor. Rey chased Reigns off and checked on his son.
The crimson red Hell in a Cell is shown hanging over the ring. For the first time on network television, we’ll have a Hell in a Cell match on Friday Night SmackDown.
Mysterio says every parent knows what he’s feeling with the pain of watching a child get hurt. Mysterio warned his son about the dangers of this business. Roman Reigns took the baby that he held in his arms and threw him over the top rope like a bag of bricks. Mysterio will never forget the pain in his son’s eyes or the man that did this to him, Roman Reigns. Mysterio cannot wait one more day. Mysterio wants this match, tonight. He wants it inside the most diabolical structure in WWE, Hell in a Cell. Mysterio knows Reigns accepted the match last night on Twitter, but he wants to hear it from the mouth of the so-called “Head of the Table” himself. Reigns doesn’t come out, so Mysterio says, “Get out here you son of a bitch!”
The pulsing music is heard, and the Hell in a Cell completely lowers over the ring. After some stalling, Roman Reigns’ music is heard. The WWE Universal Champion heads out to the stage alongside his advocate, Paul Heyman. Heyman hands Reigns the microphone. Reigns says he doesn’t want to hurt Mysterio. This isn’t his fault. Mysterio isn’t ready for this. He doesn’t want to be locked in the Hell in a Cell with him. What he did to his son was PG. What he does tonight will not be. Is Mysterio sure he wants to do this? Mysterio says, “I’ve never been more ready in my life.” Reigns looks saddened and says he tried to be diplomatic. Now we’ll do it his way. Reigns shoves the microphone toward Heyman and walks off to the back.
WWE Intercontinental Champion Apollo Crews and Commander Azeez make their way to the ring. This is Commander Azeez’ in-ring debut. They’ll face Big E and Kevin Owens, next.
-Commercial Break-
Kevin Owens and Big E are interviewed by Kayla Braxton backstage. Kevin Owens puts over Big E as a great partner because of his strength and championship success. Big E is a little subdued talking about Owens because the wounds are still fresh, but tonight they shall not retreat. Commander Azeez and Apollo Crews will feel the power!
Before the match begins, Sami Zayn comes out to do commentary.
Tag Team Match
WWE Intercontinental Champion Apollo Crews and Commander Azeez vs. Big E and Kevin Owens
The bell rings, and it’s Big E starting against Apollo Crews. Big E avoids a kick and hits a belly-to-belly suplex. Big E hits a splash. Kevin Owens blind tagged in and hits a senton splash for a two count. Owens puts Crews in the corner and tags Big E back in. Crews flips through a back suplex and goes for a tag, but Big E stops him. Big E connects with the back suplex for a two count. Big E goes for a vertical suplex, but Crews knees him in the head and tags in Commander Azeez.
Azeez knees Big E in the ribs before booting him in the jaw. Big E rolls out of the ring to recover. Azeez easily steps over the top rope and scoops Big E up for a slam on the floor.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Azeez applying a cobra clutch to Big E. Big E fights out, but Azeez hits a suplex and punches him down in the corner. Azeez hits another suplex. Big E fights back, but Crews tags in and knocks Owens off the apron. I lost TV connection for a few moments…
Owens hits a Pop-up Powerbomb on Crews, but Crews kicks out when Azeez is SUPER late breaking it up. Azeez actually drops an elbow on Crews because he was so late. It wasn’t sold. Azeez pulls Owens out of the ring and sends him into the ring post. Zayn distracts Owens. Owens gets in the ring, and Azeez hits him with a Nigerian Nail for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: WWE Intercontinental Champion Apollo Crews and Commander Azeez
Azeez pulls Owens up to his feet and hits another Nigerian Nail. Zayn runs off laughing. Kayla Braxton catches Zayn backstage. Zayn calls it karmic payback.
Shinsuke Nakamura battles King Corbin in a Battle for the Crown, next.
-Commercial Break-
Kevin Owens comes up to WWE Officials Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville. Owens is gasping for air and says he wants Sami Zayn.
Rick Boogs gets fired up and plays Shinsuke Nakamura to the ring.
Battle for the Crown
Shinsuke Nakamura w/ Rick Boogs vs. King Corbin
Nakamura quickly takes it to Corbin, knocking him to the corner. Nakamura puts him on the ropes and hits a sliding German Suplex. Nakamura celebrates with Rick Boogs, who is playing some licks at ringside.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Corbin stretching Nakamura. Nakamura fights back, but Corbin drops him with the Deep Six for a near fall. Corbin shouts about his crown and punches away at Nakamura. Nakamura gets out of a slam, and they mistime a leg sweep. Nakamura jumps on the back for a sleeper hold, but Corbin throws him off. Nakamura hits an enzuigiri and a sliding knee for a near fall. Corbin ducks a kick and hits a German Suplex for a two count. Nakamura fights back with a slam for a two count. Nakamura knees away at Corbin and goes to the corner to size him up. Nakamura goes for a Kinshasa, but Corbin turns him inside out with a clothesline.
Corbin points at the crown spinning on a pedestal on the stage. Nakamura elbows and kicks him in the face. Nakamura comes off the second rope with a flying knee, but Corbin is still standing. Nakamura hits a second one, but Corbin still stays on his feet. Corbin goes for a chokeslam, but Nakamura knees him in the face. Nakamura hits the Kinshasa for the win!
Winner by Pinfall: Shinsuke Nakamura
Shinsuke Nakamura is announced as the one true king of WWE. King Corbin is no longer a king. Nakamura sits on the throne on the stage, and Rick Boogs crowns Nakamura. Corbin sobs in the ring.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair is walking backstage. She’ll come face to face with Bayley, her opponent at Hell in a Cell this Sunday, next.
-Commercial Break-
Footage is shown of Bianca Belair laughing heartily at Bayley after her show got wrecked last week on SmackDown.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair comes out to the ring. Belair says it felt so good to put Bayley in her place when “Ding Dong Hello” turned into “Ding Dong Goodbye.” This Sunday, Bayley will also kiss her championship dreams goodbye. Belair calls Bayley out to the ring, but Bayley doesn’t come out. Belair thinks this is more games. When someone laughs in your face, it’s rough. It made Belair feel like a little girl with those bullies taunting her. Belair was so much more than they could ever dream of being. It did make her second guess herself, but she’s not that little kid anymore. Belair doesn’t let what anyone thinks of her, including Bayley, define her. Belair defines herself. Belair fought to get to where she is. She is unapologetically her. Bayley will give her everything she’s got at Hell in a Cell, physically and mentally. Belair wanted to say this to her face, but Bayley keeps dodging her. Belair doesn’t just want her in the ring this Sunday. She wants Bayley inside Hell in a Cell. Bayley won’t be laughing when she grabs her hair and drags her face all over the cell. She’ll picks Bayley’s dusty body up and body slam her over and over again. Bayley will beg her to stop. First they try to ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight out. Then you win.
Bayley’s music hits, and she comes out to the ring. Bayley goes for a right hand, but Belair avoids it. They brawl before Bayley kicks her. Belair throws Bayley out of the ring and bounces her off the commentary table. Belair sends her over the barricade, but Bayley grabs the hair and pulls Belair into the barricade. Bayley clubs away at Belair and gets her in the ring. Bayley hits a running knee to the head. Bayley hits a Rose Plant and holds up the SmackDown Women’s Championship. Bayley’s face takes over every screen in the WWE ThunderDome.
The commentators talk about the upcoming Hell in a Cell match.
Video Package: Roman Reigns’ problems with his cousins, the Usos
Jimmy Uso comes up to Roman Reigns. Uso says he may not be on board with everything Reigns does, but they’re family. Uso hasn’t seen his brother. Uso says if he needs help, he’s here for him. Reigns says he needs his brother. They need his brother. Their family is best when they’re together. Reigns will handle business as usual tonight.
Otis and Chad Gable make their way to the ring. Otis will take on Angelo Dawkins, next.
-Commercial Break-
Otis w/ Chad Gable vs. Angelo Dawkins
Dawkins’ shoulder is taped up from last week’s attack. Montez Ford is not here after being injured last week. Chad Gable gets a cheap shot in on Dawkins. Dawkins chases him, but Otis runs him over with a clothesline. Otis and Gable send Dawkins shoulder-first into the ring steps. Otis holds Dawkins up, and Gable hits a flying knee off the apron to the shoulder. Otis throws Dawkins into the ring. Gable and Otis hit a double-team German Suplex/clothesline combination. Dawkins was spiked on his head. Referees check on Dawkins at ringside.
This match never started.
Rey Mysterio is shown warming up backstage. The WWE Universal Championship Hell in a Cell match is imminent.
-Commercial Break-
Footage is shown of Cesaro sending Seth Rollins running last week on SmackDown.
Kayla Braxton asks Cesaro is the rivalry has gone too far. Cesaro doesn’t think so. Rollins stomped his head into the ramp. WWE is his life and Rollins tried to take it away. Rollins walks up and tells everyone not to worry. Rollins wants to face Cesaro man-to-man before Sunday. Rollins wants Cesaro to know that he disgusts him. Everything Cesaro does and stands for is a disgrace. After what Cesaro pulled last week, he doesn’t deserve even a single ounce of respect. This Sunday at Hell in a Cell, he’s going to show Cesaro and everyone like him what he does deserve when Rollins puts him in his place.
Cesaro didn’t think Rollins would face him man-to-man. Cesaro respects everything Rollins aid and respects him as a competitor. Cesaro says he’ll see him on Sunday. Cesaro then pushes Rollins over in his chair. Rollins pops up and is furious.
The Hell in a Cell lowers over the ring. Roman Reigns will face Rey Mysterio with the WWE Universal Championship on the line, next.
-Commercial Break-
WWE Universal Championship – Hell in a Cell Match
Rey Mysterio vs. Roman Reigns (c) w/ Paul Heyman
The bell rings, and Mysterio immediately goes under the ring to grab a chair. Mysterio jabs it into Reigns’ ribs a few times. Reigns soon blocks it and whips Mysterio away. Reigns follows Mysterio out of the ring, and Mysterio sprays him with a fire extinguisher. Mysterio hits him in the face with the fire extinguisher. Mysterio drives it into his face a second time before pulling him into the ring. Reigns holds the bottom rope to prevent bring completely brought in. Mysterio pulls him to the floor and drives a toolbox into Reigns’ face.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Mysterio driving the chair into Reigns’ ribs. Reigns sits on the apron holding his ribs. Mysterio baseball slides the chair into the small of Reigns’ back. Mysterio chokes Reigns with the top of the chair before wrapping it around his neck. Mysterio drives Reigns into the wall with the chair around his neck twice before sending him into the ring post!
Reigns gasps for air as he takes the chair off. Reigns then head-butts Mysterio and charges, but Mysterio sidesteps him. Reigns goes through a table that was setup against the cage wall. Mysterio pulls Reigns up to his feet, but Reigns knees him in the midsection and clubs the back. Reigns gets him in the ring. Mysterio attacks him on the apron and goes for a sunset flip powerbomb to the floor. Reigns fights it and goes for a powerbomb on the floor. Mysterio fights it, but Reigns instead swings him multiple times into the cell wall. Reigns then launches Mysterio into the wall.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the final break of the evening to see Reigns standing over Mysterio. Reigns knees away at Mysterio in the corner before forearming him in the face. Reigns throws Mysterio down and talks a little trash. Reigns looks at Paul Heyman before punching the mat. Reigns connects with a Superman Punch. Reigns shouts that Mysterio will acknowledge him. Reigns goes for a spear, but Mysterio dropkicks him. Reigns quickly takes him down and goes for a powerbomb, but Mysterio counters into a head-scissor. Reigns connects with a Superman Punch before Mysterio can hit the 619.
Reigns charges, but he hits the ring post shoulder-first when Mysterio moves. Mysterio hits a 619 and smacks a chair off Reigns’ back a few times. Mysterio puts the chair on Reigns’ chest and goes to the top rope. Mysterio splashes Reigns and the chair. Mysterio is injured on this move. Mysterio pulls himself to his feet and goes back to the top rope. Mysterio connects with a frog splash for a near fall.
Mysterio goes back to the top rope and shifts into a flying hurricanrana attempt when Reigns is on his feet. Reigns powerbombs Mysterio over the top rope into the cell wall! Mysterio crashes and burns to the floor. Reigns gets Mysterio in the ring and applies a modified guillotine. Mysterio taps out.
Winner by Submission and still WWE Universal Champion: Roman Reigns
Jimmy Uso runs down and celebrates with Reigns and Paul Heyman. They notice Mysterio pulling himself up to his feet. A disgusted and infuriated Reigns approaches him from behind. Reigns puts the modified guillotine back on him. Mysterio taps out, so Reigns throws him down like a pile of trash. Reigns holds up the WWE Universal Championship and talks a little trash as the show comes to an end.