WWE SmackDown Results
June 2, 2023
Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania (Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza)
Commentary: Michael Cole and Wade Barrett
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever. Together.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
We go live into the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza to see Michael Cole and Wade Barrett standing at ringside. Cole says in the 60-year history of WWE, only 5 title reigns have been longer than Roman Reigns’s.
Video Package: The incredible 1,000+ day title run of Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. Paul Heyman narrates the package, which showcases his significant victories and the plethora of WWE Hall of Famers he has passed by in terms of numbers. This is the longest reign in over 35 years.
United States Champion Austin Theory is in the ring.
Video: Roman Reigns stacks Daniel Bryan and Edge up on top of each other and pins them both to retain the WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 37 in 2021.
Later tonight, LA Knight battles Montez Ford in a Money in the Bank Qualifying Match. Zelina Vega will battle Lacey Evans in a Money in the Bank Qualifying Match.
Theory will team with Pretty Deadly to face The Brawling Brutes next. Theory welcomes everyone to “Austin Theory Live.” The crowd boos him. Theory says they don’t need the attitude because tonight is a special night. This is the celebration of your Tribal Chief Roman Reigns’ historic title reign. What would be even better is if you took Roman’s title reign and combined it with the greatest United States Champion of all time’s title reign, you’d have 1,209 days. That is impressive and inspiring. It’s almost as inspiring as being the guy that beat John Cena at WrestleMania. Theory will have a 1,000-day celebration for his title. Maybe a 2-or-3,000-day reign. If they keep giving him guys like Sheamus, he’ll be United States Champion forever. He’s only 25 and is so great. When you’re this good, everyone gravitates to you. These two did what was right last week. Theory welcomes Pretty Deadly to the ring.
Pretty Deadly, consisting of Kit Wilson and Elton Prince, make their way to the ring. Kit Wilson says they’re here to tell Theory it was their pleasure to destroy those ugly gremlins, the Brawling Brutes. Elton Prince says, unlike Sheamus, Theory is the champion everyone deserves. They want to show their appreciation in a way only they can. They point at Theory and shout.
The Brawling Brutes make their way to the ring.
6-Man Tag Team Match
United States Champion Austin Theory and Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince and Kit Wilson) vs. The Brawling Brutes (Sheamus, Ridge Holland, and Butch)
Ridge Holland starts against Elton Prince. Prince hooks a side headlock, but Holland whips him off and shoulder tackles him. Holland hits an uppercut and head-butts him. Holland bounces Prince off the top turnbuckle, knees him in the back, and throws him down. Butch tags in. Holland lifts Prince for a suplex, and Butch dropkicks Prince on the way down. Prince punches back at Butch and shoves him to the corner. Kit Wilson blind tags in and hits a running elbow on Butch. Wilson smothers Butch on the mat and picks up a two-count. Wilson applies a chin lock. A “We want Sheamus” chant picks up. Wilson and Butch go back and forth into the ropes until Butch takes him down. Butch stomps the hands, and Wilson retreats to the corner to tag in Austin Theory.
Theory looks at Sheamus, and the crowd starts to erupt. Sheamus tags in, and the crowd is on their feet. Theory runs away as we go to commercial.
-Commercial Break-
We return from the break to see Prince working on Butch’s neck. Theory hit Butch with a hanging neckbreaker off the apron to the floor during the break. Back to live action, Theory tags in and knocks Holland off the apron. Theory stomps Butch and throws him down. Theory flexes and tags Wilson in. Wilson stomps Butch and connects with an uppercut. Prince tags in, and Theory holds Butch up as Wilson distracts the referee. Prince stomps away at Butch. Butch soon starts to fight back with chops, but Prince quickly rocks him with a right hand. Prince charges, but Butch boots him back. Butch then comes off the second rope with a tornado DDT.
Sheamus and Theory tag in. Sheamus hits a pair of clotheslines, followed by a pair of corner clotheslines. Sheamus hits a big powerslam before punching Pretty Deadly on the apron. Sheamus goes for 10 Beats of the Bodhran on Pretty Deadly, but Theory rolls him up for a two-count. Sheamus hits Theory, Wilson, and Prince with Irish Curse Backbreakers. The Brawling Brutes are in the ring and hit triple White Noise on all three of their opponents. Sheamus gets fired up and hits Theory with a Brogue Kick. Pretty Deadly immediately pulls Theory out of the ring. Sheamus goes to the top rope, but Holland wipes out Pretty Deadly at ringside. Pretty Deadly collects themselves, and Sehamus hits them with a double clothesline off the top rope to the floor. Butch then takes out Pretty Deadly with a moonsault block to the outside. The Brawling Brutes celebrate at ringside.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, Butch hits Prince with a German Suplex. Butch flattens Wilson and Theory with enzuigiris before attacking Pretty Deadly in the corner. Holland tags in, and Butch hits an assisted slam on Prince. Sheamus tags in and hits a top rope diving knee for a near fall. Sheamus sets Prince up for a Celtic Cross, but Prince wiggles out. Prince boots Sheamus back and tags Wilson in. Theory then tags in. Pretty Deadly hits a catapult codebreaker. Theory then hits a torture rack bomb for a near fall. Theory talks trash and fights him, but Sheamus hits a clothesline. Holland sends Prince flying with a belly-to-belly suplex. Wilson knocks Holland out of the ring. Butch kicks Wilson out. Theory hits Butch with a back body drop over the top rope. Sheamus then hits Theory with a running knee for a near fall.
Prince and Holland tag in. Holland lifts both members of Pretty Deadly and slams them down! The Brawling Brutes then trap Theory and Pretty Deadly on the apron. The Brawling Brutes hit the trifecta of 10 Beats of the Bodhrans. Holland slams Wilson down and covers, but Theory breaks up the pin. Theory hits Butch with A-Town Down. Sheamus clotheslines Theory over the top rope and follows him out. Theory quickly sends Sheamus into the ring post. Prince covers his face on the apron to trick Holland. Wilson chop blocks Holland. Pretty Deadly hits Holland with Spilt Milk and tags Theory in. Theory comes in and pins Holland for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: Austin Theory and Pretty Deadly
Video Package: Jimmy Uso superkicks Roman Reigns twice at WWE Night of Champions. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn retained their Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship against Solo Sikoa and Roman Reigns. Jey Uso was conflicted over his brother’s actions against The Tribal Chief.
Paul Heyman is walking backstage with the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship over his shoulders. He walks into Roman Reigns’ locker room.
-Commercial Break-
Paul Heyman is talking to Solo Sikoa backstage about how he wants tonight to be special for Roman Reigns, especially after what happened at Night of Champions. Heyman is going to talk to Adam Pearce to make sure Sikoa’s brothers, The Usos, are nowhere to be seen. This is the night we acknowledge Roman Reigns. Sikoa doesn’t say a word. Heyman walks off.
Video Package: Seth “Freakin” Rollins defeats AJ Styles at WWE Night of Champions to become the first-ever World Heavyweight Champion.
A video is shown from earlier today of AJ Styles hanging out with The O.C. Styles says it is his birthday and takes responsibility for not winning the World Heavyweight Championship. Styles wants to see Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows take out Hit Row.
The O.C. makes their way to the ring.
-Commercial Break-
Video: Roman Reigns defeats Brock Lesnar in a Last Man Standing Match to retain the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at SummerSlam 2022.
Tag Team Match
The O.C. (Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows) w/ AJ Styles and “Michin” Mia Yim vs. Hit Row (Ashante “Thee” Adonis and Top Dolla) w/ B-Fab
Ashante “Thee” Adonis starts against Karl Anderson and immediately floors him before stomping away at him. Adonis hits Anderson with a back elbow and shouts at Luke Gallows. Top Dolla tags in and whips Adonis into Anderson in the corner. Top Dolla hits a short-arm back elbow and taunts the crowd. Top Dolla chokes Anderson on the ropes and tags Adonis back in. Adonis hits a weak avalanche into the ropes on Anderson. B-Fab then completely whiffs on a cheap shot as the referee is distracted. Adonis covers for a two-count. Adonis applies a chin lock. AJ Styles and “Michin” Mia Yim back B-Fab away. Anderson fights back at Adonis and hits a spinning spinebuster.
Luke Gallows tags in and big boots Adonis before kicking Top Dolla off the apron. Gallows knocks Adonis back to the corner for a running elbow followed by a leaping back elbow. Gallows hits a slam and tags Anderson in. Gallows and Anderson hit the Magic Killer for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: The O.C.
Top Dolla hits a hideous big boot on Anderson and knocks Gallows out of the ring. AJ Styles then wipes out Top Dolla with a Phenomenal Forearm. The O.C. celebrates. The crowd chants, “Happy birthday” to AJ Styles.
WWE Official Adam Pearce is talking on the phone backstage when Paul Heyman walks in. Pearce says he’s already doubled security to prevent The Usos from coming in. Heyman looks pleased and calls Roman Reigns.
The Grayson Waller Effect is next.
-Commercial Break-
Breaking News: Seth “Freakin” Rollins will defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Damian Priest this Monday on Raw.
The Grayson Waller Effect with special guest Asuka
Grayson Waller gets a huge introduction. Waller says he always brings the biggest stars to this show and tonight is no different. Waller introduces the new Raw Women’s Champion Asuka.
Raw Women’s Champion Asuka makes her way to the ring. Asuka defeated Bianca Belair this past Saturday at WWE Night of Champions to win the title. Belair held the title for 419 days.
Video: Asuka defeats Bianca Belair to win the Raw Women’s Championship at WWE Night of Champions after rubbing Blue Mist into Belair’s eyes.
Asuka is laughing at the footage and shouts that she is the Raw Women’s Champion before dancing around. Waller says he couldn’t have said it better himself. Still, he can’t help but notice the Money in the Bank briefcases hanging above the ring. There is no shortage of women that think they can cash in on Asuka. It’s also only a matter of time before Bianca Belair comes looking for the title. Asuka shouts, and Waller laughs. Asuka’s teeth are blue.
IYO SKY’s music hits, and she makes her way to the ring speaking Japanese. Asuka gets to her feet and shouts back at her. They go back and forth shouting until Bayley makes her way to the ring. Bayley says what Iyo is saying is after they both qualify for Money in the Bank, even though it’s every woman for herself and Bayley has won in the past, a member of Damage CTRL will win the briefcase and become champion.
Shotzi comes out and says she wants to crush Bayley’s dreams with cold, hard steel. If anyone has been made for the pure chaos of Money in the Bank, it’s Shotzi. Lacey Evans comes out looking like a female Sgt. Slaughter. Evans says Shotzi needs to salute her. The contract is coming home with her. First, she needs to take her Cobra Clutch and wrap it around that shrimp Zelina Vega.
Zelina Vega comes out and says they’re all underestimating her. Rhea Ripley did that at Backlash. She was close to becoming champion. Vega tells Evans to keep that energy all night. She’s not half the woman Vega is. Vega begs them to underestimate her because it will be that much sweeter when she is victorious in her match tonight and becomes Miss Money in the Bank. They all argue before Grayson Waller says this is the best night of his life.
Asuka is at the top of the range. Asuka shouts, “No one is ready for Asuka!” All of a sudden, former champion Bianca Belair turns Asuka around and brawls with her. WWE officials and referees pull them apart, but Belair breaks free and goes after Asuka again. Asuka pulls the braid before being pulled away.
-Commercial Break-
Rhea Ripley is the most-followed active WWE Superstar on TikTok.
Replays are shown of Baron Corbin attacking NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes this past Tuesday on WWE NXT.
WWE Official Adam Pearce and Cameron Grimes are watching the footage from NXT. Grimes says he’ll handle Corbin the next time he is on SmackDown.
Lacey Evans is posing in the ring, and Zelina Vega is down on the mat holding her jaw. Evans hit Vega with a Woman’s Right during the commercial break.
Money in the Bank Qualifying Match
Lacey Evans vs. Zelina Vega
The bell rings, and Evans stomps away at Vega. Evans chokes her in the corner before hitting a slingshot Bronco Buster for a two-count. Evans applies a Cobra Clutch and swings Vega around before releasing her. Evans charges, but Vega rolls her up before hitting a weak-looking kick for a two-count. Evans sends Vega into the ropes, but she lowers her head and eats a kick. Evans quickly comes back with a clothesline for a two-count. Evans slams Vega’s face off the match and salutes the crowd. Evans puts a boot on Vega’s chest and shouts at the referee. Evans applies a chin lock and knees Vega in the head. Vega fights up and backs Evans to the corner before hitting a slingshot headlock takeover. Vega hits Code Red for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Zelina Vega
Zelina Vega is the first woman to qualify for the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match on July 1 from London, England.
Coming up next, LA Knight battles Montez Ford in a Money in the Bank Qualifying Match.
Video: Roman Reigns defeats Sami Zayn at WWE Elimination Chamber in February 2023 to retain the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
We’ll celebrate the 1,000+ day title run of Roman Reigns later tonight.
-Commercial Break-
The Latino World Order is backstage with Zelina Vega. Santos Escobar congratulates Zelina and says they’ll both win Money in the Bank. Rey Mysterio says it’s only a matter of time before the locker room addresses Santos and Zelina as Mr. and Mrs. Money in the Bank.
Santos Escobar will face Mustafa Ali next week on SmackDown in a Money in the Bank Qualifying Match.
Money in the Bank Qualifying Match
Montez Ford vs. LA Knight
LA Knight quickly gets the better of Montez Ford to start the match. Ford fights back and slaps him on the back of the head a few times. They get into a shoving match before Ford shoulder tackles Knight. The crowd is into Knight and is booing Ford. They go back and forth into the ropes before Ford hits a dropkick. Ford knocks Knight around and clotheslines him in the corner. An “LA Knight” chant picks up. Ford punches Knight back, but Knight knocks Ford off the apron.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Ford taking Knight down with a clothesline and a back suplex. Ford goes for a standing moonsault but rolls through when Knight moves. Knight hits a torture rack neckbreaker for a two-count. Ford knocks Knight back, but Knight quickly elbows him down. Knight goes for a springboard moonsault off the top rope, but he comes up empty when Ford moves! Ford hits a Rock Bottom for a near fall.
Ford sends Knight into the ropes, but he lowers his head and eats a kick. They then take each other out with a double clothesline. They trade blows from their knees before Ford head-butts him. Knight sends him to the apron, but Ford kicks him in the face. Ford goes to the top rope, but Knight cuts him off. Ford fights Knight back and head-butts him. Ford goes for a Frog Splash, but Knight moves. Knight goes for BFT, but Ford gets out and rolls him up. Knight rolls through and grabs the ropes for the win!
Winner by Pinfall: LA Knight
LA Knight pulls out a ladder from under the ring and sets it up in the center of the ring. Knight climbs the ladder and poses under the Money in the Bank briefcases. Knight joins Ricochet and Shinsuke Nakamura in the Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
A really creepy video for NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn plays.
WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque makes his way to the ring. He’ll be part of Roman Reigns’ 1,000 Days as Champion Celebration.
Video: Roman Reigns defeats Cody Rhodes to retain the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 39, his third WrestleMania victory of this title run.
-Commercial Break-
Seth “Freakin” Rollins will defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Damian Priest this Monday on Raw.
Next week on SmackDown, we’ll see four Money in the Bank Qualifying Matches:
— Butch vs. Baron Corbin
— Santos Escobar vs. Mustafa Ali
— “Michin” Mia Yim vs. Bayley
— Shotzi vs. IYO SKY
Roman Reigns’ 1,000 Days as Champion Celebration
WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque is in the ring. There is a table in the ring with a title belt covered by a black cloth. Triple H says on rare occasions, an athlete comes around that is so dominant that they change the face of the sport. When they happen, they’re talked about for generations to come. In boxing, it was Muhammad Ali. In basketball, it was Michael Jordan. In WWE, we have the pleasure of witnessing it live. Triple H says this man has passed 1,000 days as champion. This is a man they’ll tell their grandchildren about. This is the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns.
Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, in his 1,006th day as champion, makes his way to the ring alongside “The Wise Man” Paul Heyman and “The Enforcer” Solo Sikoa. Three weeks from tomorrow, Reigns will pass Pedro Morales to go to 4th on the all-time list. The three men that would be ahead of him are Bob Backlund, Hulk Hogan, and Bruno Sammartino. Sammartino actually holds spots 1 and 4 (2,803 and 1,237), so in actuality, Reigns would be 5th on the list of longest reigns.
Triple H congratulates Roman Reigns on surpassing 1,000 days as champion, something that hasn’t happened in WWE in nearly 40 years. To help celebrate this achievement, Triple H is going to present him with a brand new Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. Triple H reveals the new title belt and hands it to Roman Reigns. Paul Heyman looks moved by it. Reigns holds up the new Undisputed WWE Universal Championship as fireworks go off.
Reigns shows the title off to Solo Sikoa. Triple H then straps the title around Reigns’ waist. Reigns holds a hand out, and Paul Heyman hands him the microphone. The crowd is buzzing. Reigns says, “Pennsyl… no, no no. That’s not enough anymore. The entire universe… acknowledge me!” The crowd loudly boos.
“USOS!”
The Usos’ music hits. Jimmy and Jey Uso walk out to the stage. Reigns looks furious and shouts at Paul Heyman.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Roman Reigns face-to-face with Jimmy Uso. Reigns stares coldly at his cousin. Jey Uso is looking anxious and pacing in the corner. Jimmy looks confident and stares back at his cousin. Reigns looks over at Jey. Reigns tells Jey to kick Jimmy in the face. Jey doesn’t act. Reigns repeats himself and says he didn’t stutter before repeating the order. Jimmy kicked him in the face and took his Tag Team Championship away from him. Reigns shouts to Jey to kick Jimmy in the face right now. Jey is pacing, but he doesn’t kick his brother. Jimmy continues to stand tall and doesn’t flinch.
Reigns angrily stares at Jimmy. Reigns says he won’t say this again. Jey needs to kick Jimmy in the face and fix this right now. Jimmy says the only thing that needs fixing is Roman Reigns. Jey cannot fix this. Jimmy is the one that kicked Reigns in the face. That was the kick heard ’round the world. Jimmy did what he did in Saudi Arabia not to be the Tribal Chief or leave the Bloodline. He did it because he’s a brother. Brothers treat each other with love and respect. Lately, Reigns hasn’t been such a good brother. What kind of brother manipulates, betrays, hurts, and beats down his family? Reigns has gone crazy. Jey Uso is his brother. It’s embedded in him to protect him. Solo Sikoa is his brother. Jimmy tells Sikoa that Reigns will soon start abusing him and use him up before kicking him to the curb. Jimmy implored Sikoa to listen to him.
Reigns winces in frustration as the crowd chants, “Uso.” Reigns says they’re chanting their name because of him. He’s the Tribal Chief. Jimmy is an imposter, talking for everyone like he’s a leader. They need to hear from Solo to hear who he runs with around here. Reigns hands Sikoa the microphone. Sikoa’s eyes look distant. Sikoa, who never speaks, picks the microphone up and says, “I acknowledge you, my Tribal Chief… but these two right here… they’re my brothers.” Reigns does not look happy. Heyman cannot believe what Sikoa just said. Sikoa walks over to his brothers and stands beside them.
Jimmy asks what it’s going to be. Does he want to run this thing together with respect or is he going to be on the Island of Relevancy as the Tribal Chief all by himself? Reigns shouts at him to shut his mouth, but Jimmy shoves him back in the face! Jimmy shouts at Reigns. The crowd cannot believe it! Reigns approaches Jimmy, but Jey steps between them. Jey says it can’t end like that. Jey shouts that he needs Reigns. They cannot fight like this. They’re better than that. They’re family. Jimmy says Jey is right. They’re stronger together. Jimmy says Jey is his brother. Solo Sikoa is his brother. So is Reigns. He’s always been his brother. Let’s have respect and run this damn place like they’ve been doing together. They’re the Bloodline. They’re family. They’re still the ones. Jimmy asks if Reigns agrees.
Reigns rubs his face and is deep in thought. Reigns is becoming emotional and tears look like they’re welling up. Reigns then grabs Jimmy and embraces him with tears coming out. Jey looks relieved. Reigns looks up to the sky and then says, “No.” Jey cannot believe it and looks heartbroken. Solo Sikoa then turns Jimmy around and hits his own brother with the Samoan Spike! Jimmy gasps for air, and Jey checks on him. Reigns and Heyman leave the ring. Sikoa looks down at his brothers. Jimmy sits up and looks furious with him. Sikoa then walks off on them and joins Roman Reigns.
As they stand on the ramp, Paul Heyman says, “Tribal Chief… what about Jey?” Reigns says Jey will do what he always does: fall in line. Reigns says, “He’ll come home.”