Good evening Fight Fans, and welcome to our coverage for tonight's edition of WWE Smackdown on FOX!
- We open tonight's show with the entrance of Brock Lesnar who is making his return to the blue brand after being indefinitely suspended before he addresses the Universal champion Roman Reigns and his advocate Paul Heyman. Before Brock can say much he's interrupted by the new number one contender for Roman's title Sami Zayn who gets into the ring and Brock asks who Sami is before Sami informs Brock that he's the locker room leader and the number one contender for the Universal title. Brock then persuades Sami that he should have his title shot against Roman tonight before having Sami leave as we go to commercial.
- We come back from the break to Sami talking to Sonya backstage before Brock shows up and prevents Sami from backing out of the match before Sonya announces that Brock will face the winner of tonight's match at Day 1.
Sasha Banks vs Shayna Baszler
Sasha takes control early before Shayna locks in a sleeper and Sasha gets free before Shayna drops her and misses a stomp before Sasha hits an arm drag that sends Shayna out of the ring before Shayna locks in an ankle lock on the apron. Sasha then sends Shayna face first into the apron before hitting a 619 and a diving meteora off of the steps and sending Shayna back inside for two as we go to commercial.
We come back from the break to Shayna in control before Sasha comes back with an arm drag into a knee and a jumping stomp in the corner for two before sending Shayna face first into the middle turnbuckle and a satellite DDT for two. Shayna kicks Sasha away before missing a running knee in the corner and Shayna counters a clutch pin into the Kirifuda clutch before Sasha reverses into the Banks Statement and Shayna gets free before dropping Sasha with a knee. Sasha then counters a powerbomb into a head scissors and holds onto Shayna's leg for the pin and the win out of nowhere.
Winner: Sasha Banks defeats Shayna Baszler via pinfall.
- In their office Sonya talks with Adam on FaceTime before Drew McIntyre shows up and asks Sonya who blacklisted him from the rumble last week before Sonya informs Drew that it was Adam as we go to commercial.
- We come back from the break to tonight edition of Happy Time before Drew comes out and Jeff Hardy hits Madcap with a Twist of Fate out of nowhere in the ring when Happy is focused on Drew as we go to commercial after a new vignette for Xia Li ahead of her debut next week.
Viking Raiders vs Los Lotharios
Erik immediately hits Angel with a uranage and knocks Humberto off of the apron before VR double up on Angel before Humberto saves Angel and Erik pulls Humberto into the ring before Humberto hits Ivar with a suicide dive. Angel then rocks Erik before Humberto locks in a Muta lock and Shinsuke and Rick Boogs come out of nowhere and distract Angel before Humberto rolls Erik up with the tights for the pin and the win.
Winner: Los Lotharios defeat Viking Raiders via pinfall.
- After the match VR have words with Shinsuke and Rick before everyone do the VR chest thump as Rick plays guitar as we go to commercial.
- Backstage Toni Storm is interviewed where she talks about how she's focused on Charlotte Flair and her Smackdown Women's title.
Jey Uso (w/ Jimmy Uso) vs King Woods (w/ Kofi Kingston)
Jake drops Woods and hits a back drop driver for two before getting distracted by Kofi at ringside before missing a running hop attack in the corner and drops Jey with strikes before hitting a rolling, jumping clothesline and playing to the crowd. Woods runs the ropes until he clotheslines Jey and goes up top before he's pulled off by Jimmy and the referee calls for the bell before New Day attack Jey and clear the ring.
Winner: King Woods defeats Jey Uso via disqualification.
- Backstage Roman looks on in disgust and disappointment at how badly his cousins have failed in dispatching of New Day.
- Smackdown Women's champion Charlotte Flair comes out to the ring and addresses her upcoming title defense at Day 1 against Toni before she goes to leave up the ramp and Toni hits her with a pie before leaving.
Cesaro vs Sheamus
Sheamus goes right after Cesaro and beats him down before clubbing him in the ropes and hitting a rolling senton for two before locking in a rear chin lock and Cesaro breaks Sheamus' grip before rocking him with strikes and sending him over the top rope and down onto the floor. Cesaro goes out after Sheamus and runs at him before hitting a running uppercut that sends Sheamus into the time keeper's area before smashing his face into the announce table and tossing him back into the ring before Sheamus hits a knee lift for two. Sheamus then knees Cesaro in the ribs before lifting him and Cesaro clotheslines him before hitting a jumping stomp and Sheamus counters the Neutralizer before pinning Cesaro with a Brogue Kick for the win.
Winner: Sheamus defeats Cesaro via pinfall.
- In the office Sonya meets with Naomi before they get into a confrontation and Sonya slaps Naomi before Naomi gets in her face and nearly hits her back before stopping herself and leaving.
- Jeff Hardy versus Happy Corbin is announced for next week's show.
WWE Universal Championship Match
Roman Reigns (c) (w/ Paul Heyman) vs Sami Zayn
Before the match starts Brock comes out and hits Sami with a series of German suplexes before hitting a series of F5's and helping Sami up and propping him up in the corner before leaving as we go to commercial.
We come back from the break to Roman making his entrance and the Usos prop Sami up when he collapses onto the mat before the referee starts the match and Roman immediately spears Sami and locks in the standing guillotine for the tap and the win in a matter of seconds.
Winner: Roman Reigns retains his Universal title by defeating Sami Zayn via submission.
