SmackDown Results: Jey Uso Challenges Roman Reigns

July 8, 2023 John Kleinchester NEWS, Show Reports
Photo Courtesy: WWE

WWE SmackDown Results
July 7, 2023
Madison Square Garden – New York, NY

By: John Kleinchester

The Trial of the Tribal Chief

SmackDown started with The Usos coming down to the ring and bragging about how Roman Reigns was beaten “1-2-3” at Money in the Bank. This brought out Paul Heyman and Solo Sikoa with Heyman saying that he will be serving as defense counsel for the Tribal Court, to which The Usos told him to shut up. Heyman said that there’s only one man in WWE who can tell him when to stop talking. Solo Sikoa then grabbed the microphone and threw it out of the ring and Roman Reigns’ music hit which elicited a “you got pinned” chant from the crowd.

Roman got on the mic and wondered why he was even there tonight considering he is the Tribal Chief and he himself did not call for Tribal Court. The Usos then threw to a video package labeled “Exhibit A” that showed Reigns manipulating and abusing the rest of The Bloodline over the past year or so.

This led to a “you f*cked up” chant from the crowd that was entirely bleeped out by FOX. Roman replied “No, I didn’t” and the crowd retorted with “Yes, you did!” Roman then said, “That’s not who I am, that’s who I was forced to be,” and that he did it for Jimmy, Jey, and Solo.

Roman went on to say to Jey that he doesn’t want “it” anymore – referring to the Tribal Chief lei and that it was Jey’s. Roman took it off and put it around Jey’s neck while feigning tears. He then removed the WWE Universal Championship and got on his knees at Jey’s feet with tears streaming down his face.

Jey then grabbed Roman, clearly feeling for him, and Reigns hit Jey with a low blow. Jimmy then started attacking Reigns with Solo getting involved only to be distracted by the tribal lei that was on the canvas. Solo hesitated before handing it back to Reigns when Jey recovered and attacked them both. The pair then trapped Jey Uso’s arms in the bottom two ropes and Roman brutalized Jimmy with the championship belt and the steel steps. Reigns then instructed Solo to “finish” Jimmy, so Solo splashed him from the ringside barrier through the announce table. 

After the commercial break, Jimmy Uso was shown being taken to a hospital with Jey at his side and a number of wrestlers looking on concerned.

Austin Theory vs. Sheamus

The first match of the evening saw Sheamus challenging Austin Theory for the United States Championship. Sheamus had Austin Theory in the Cloverleaf when Pretty Deadly ran out and distracted Sheamus. This brought out the Brawling Brutes to help ward them off but Austin Theory was able to roll up Sheamus and grab a handful of tights to retain the US title. 

The Grayson Waller Effect: An Announcement

Grayson Waller welcomed Edge onto The Grayson Waller Effect with Waller teasing a big announcement from Edge. Edge recounted his debut at SummerSlam ’98 and played to the crowd. Grayson Waller then jumped up and said that Edge is retiring and implored the crowd to get on their feet and say thank you to Edge for everything he’s done. Edge said that he’s not retiring and he’s going to have a match tonight against Grayson Waller.

A Brief Kross Style

AJ Styles defeated Karrion Kross in under two minutes with Michin helping negate the interference of Scarlett.

Asuka Bel-Flair

Asuka, Bianca Belair, and Charlotte all brawled. IYO SKY and Bayley attempted to cash in when Belair put a stop to that. 

The Edge Effect

As promised, Edge took on Grayson Waller. During this match, Michael Cole announced that Jey Uso had arrived back at the arena after escorting his brother to the hospital. At one point, Waller garnered a near fall on Edge with a twisting-Unprettier, with Michael Cole name-checking Christian. Waller then went for the rolling Stunner but was caught with a spear from Edge who picked up the win. After the match, Edge acknowledged Waller by saying he “swam.” 

Tribunal Part Deux

Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa, and Paul Heyman were back in the ring, and Jey Uso returned through the crowd attacking Sikoa and then attacking Reigns and then Sikoa with a steel chair. Jey Uso then grabbed the abandoned WWE Universal Championship and challenged Reigns to a one-on-one match. 

Announced for SmackDown Next Week in Raleigh:

  • WWE Women’s Championship: Asuka vs. Bianca Belair

Friday Night SmackDown Results:

  • United States Championship: Austin Theory over Sheamus in 12:33
  • AJ Styles over Karrion Kross in 1:46
  • Edge over Grayson Waller in 14:27
About John Kleinchester 197 Articles
New Jersey born and raised. Wrestling fan since Lex slammed Yokozuna on the deck of the USS Intrepid. Favorite Wrestler of all time is Owen "The Rocket" Hart.
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