Welcome to the Fightful.com live discussion & coverage for the 6/17/2022 edition of WWE Friday Night SmackDown on FOX. We will bring full results and breakdowns for every match and segment on the show. Follow Fightful on Twitter.com/Fightful and Facebook.com/FIGHTFULONLINE
- The broadcast began with Vince McMahon making his way to the ring. McMahon thanked the audience, highlighting the slogan "Then, Now, Forever, Together". He welcomed the audience to SmackDown before leaving the ring. It was announced earlier in the day that McMahon stepped down from his role as CEO and Chairman of the Board (you can read more about backstage reactions on Fightful Select.)
- Riddle came to the ring to cut a promo ahead of his match against WWE Undisputed Champion, Roman Reigns, later in the night for the title. Riddle said that he had waited a long time for this opportunity, dedicating his match to Randy Orton, who could be out for the rest of 2022 (as originally reported by Fightful Select). Riddle played Orton's theme song.
Last Laugh Match
Madcap Moss vs Happy Corbin.
In the last third of the match, Moss hit a Sunset Flip for a near fall. Corbin hit the Deep Six for a near fall. Corbin went for a powerbomb, but Moss got out of the move. Corbin hit a chokeslam on Moss. Out of the ring, Corbin slammed Moss on the ring-post. Moss slammed Corbin into the broadcast table. Corbin got back to the ring, but Moss caught him with the Punchline. Moss hit a second Punchline to get the pinfall win in his hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota. After the match, Moss laughed hysterically.
Winner: Madcap Moss
- The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) were backstage on SmackDown recapping what is to come later in the episode. Ford and Dawkins called out the WWE Undisputed Tag Team Champions, The Usos, telling them that they want the titles back.
- Happy Corbin got a microphone and addressed Pat McAfee. Corbin told McAfee that he did not appreciate him calling him "Bum-Ass Corbin". Corbin challenged McAfee to a match. McAfee got out of the broadcast, telling Corbin that the crowd wanted to laugh him out of the building. McAfee and the crowd laughed Corbin out of the building, saying that he sucked. The New Day joined proceedings and laughed Corbin out of the building.
- There was a video package of Edge and Hulk Hogan winning the WWE Tag Team Championship from the 7/4/2002 edition of SmackDown from Billy & Chuck.
- Natalya was interviewed by Megan Morant, saying that she made SmackDown Women's Champion Ronda Rousey tap out (even though she did not). Natalya said that the Sharpshooter humbles wrestlers, saying that she will brag after she taps SmackDown Women's Champion.
The New Day (Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston) vs Jinder Mahal & Shanky.
Woods and Mahal locked up, with Woods being hit with a bodyslam from Mahal. Woods ran the ropes and hit Mahal with a spring rope dropkick for a near fall. Woods and Kofi hit a double-wrist lock face slam for a near fall. Kofi drop kicked Shanky, but Shanky hit a chop on Kofi. Shanky hit a lariat on Kofi. Shanky hit a back-elbow on Shanky, followed by a toss. Woods started playing his trombon, to which Shanky started dancing before Mahal tagged in. After Shanky and Mahal argued, Kofi hit Mahal with Trouble In Paradise on Mahal for the pinfall win. Shanky continued to dance after the match
Winners The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods).
- There was a video package highlighting the Viking Raiders, revealing that they will return to SmackDown on the 6/24/2022 edition of SmackDown.
- Ridge Holland held Butch to prevent him from getting to the ring. Drew McIntyre, Adam Pearce, and Sheamus were in the ring to discuss the controversy of their match from the 6/10/2022 edition of SmackDown. McIntyre incorrectly stated that no one cares about stats and numbers regarding Money In The Bank, saying that someone was going to get an ass-whooping. Sheamus reprimanded McIntyre for bottling it on the big stage. Pearce informed them that both wrestlers were entered into the 2022 Men's Money In The Bank Match.
- Sami Zayn was interviewed backstage by Kayla Braxton outside of Roman Reigns' locker room, saying that there was nothing against him after losing his match against Riddle. After an awkward silence, Zayn walked out of the interview to go to the bathroom.
Women's Money In The Bank Qualifier
Raquel Rodriguez vs Shayna Baszler.
Lacey Evans was on the broadcast table for the match. Rodriguez slammed Baszler in the corner. Raquel hit a strike to Baszler's back for a near fall. Raquel hit an Irish Whip on Baszler. Baszler pillmanized Raquel's leg in the turnbuckle. Baszler hit a running kick on Raquel's leg. Raquel hit a big boot on Baszler for a near fall. Baszler hit a cop block on Rodriguez, followed by a running knee for a near fall. Baszler got Raquel in the Quirafuna Clutch, but Raquel slammed Baszler in the corner before hitting the Tejano Bomb for the pinfall win.
Winner: Raquel Rodriguez.
- Shinsuke Nakamura and Riddle fist-bumped backstage.
- Max Dupri was backstage with Adam Pearce, saying that the presentation of Maximum Male Models in the ring was unacceptable. Dupri demanded Pearce fix this disaster.
- Kayla Braxton interviewed Ludwig Kaiser and new Intercontinental Champion, Gunther. Kaiser said Gunther getting the Intercontinental Championship was inevitable. Kaiser said Ricochet was proof every thing that was wrong with United States, all talk no substance. He said that Gunther will make the title mean something again.
WWE Undisputed Championship Match
Roman Reigns (c) (w/ Paul Heyman) vs Riddle.
In the last third of the match, Reigns went for a Superman Punch, but Riddle caught him with a Knee. RIddle hit a powerslam on Reigns, followed by a Draping DDT attempt that Reigns escaped from. Riddle hit a back suplex on Reigns onto the announcer's table. Riddle hit Reigns with the Draping DDT. Riddle went for the RKO, but Reigns slammed Riddle to the ground. Reigns hit the Superman Punch for a near fall. Reigns went for the spear, but Riddle hit the RKO from out of nowhere for a near fall. Riddle hit a third Floating Bro. Riddle went for a third RKO, but Reigns pushed him off. Riddle went for a spring-rope move, but Reigns caught Riddle with a spear mid-air for the pinfall win, retaining the WWE undisputed Championship. The Usos came to the ring to celebrate with Roman. Reigns stated that there was no one left to face him.
Winner: Roman Reigns (w/ Paul Heyman).
- After the match, Reigns asked Minneapolis to acknowledge him, to which the crowd obliged. Of all people, Brock Lesnar made his return to WWE. Lesnar confronted Reigns. Lesnar asked Reigns to shake his hand, but Lesnar changed his mind and hit F5s on Reigns and The Usos. Lesnar stood tall to end the show.
