SmackDown Results: The Usos Align, Attack Roman Reigns & Solo Sikoa

Photo Courtesy: WWE on FOX

WWE SmackDown Results
June 16, 2023
Rupp Arena – Lexington, KY

By: John Kleinchester

SmackDown started with Kayla Braxton attempting to interview The Bloodline as they arrived to the arena. Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman ignored Kayla’s question of whether Jey Uso would “fall in line” with Heyman just loudly sighing into the microphone.

Gauntlet Grappling

The first match up on the show was the Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Gauntlet Match. Sheamus & Ridge Holland defeated The Street Profits, The OC, and The LWO only to be outsmarted by Pretty Deadly who will face Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens in two weeks from London. 

 

After the commercial break, Pretty Deadly was somehow still in the ring celebrating which brought out Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens. Zayn congratulated them but then said that they won five minutes ago and that it was time for them to get out of there. After the teams traded barbs, Sami & Kevin ran down and chased Pretty Deadly off. 

 

Backstage Roman Reigns demanded that Paul Heyman go talk to Jey Uso and Heyman ran off to do so nervously.

Damaged CTRL

Next up, Iyo Sky took on Zelina Vega. During the match, Bayley attempted to distract the referee to allow Sky to get the advantage but then Bayley’s distraction went on too long and Sky’s pin attempt went unnoticed. Sky got into Bayley’s face and Vega scored the roll-up pinfall victory. Later backstage Shotzi interrupted Bayley and Iyo Sky arguing and challenged Bayley to put her spot in the Money in the Bank match on the line in a match. Before Bayley could respond, Sky accepted on her behalf. 

 

Adam Pearce was approached by Bianca Belair backstage asking him when her rematch would be? Pearce just said that he couldn’t give her an answer tonight and Belair responded by saying that she tried to do it the right way but now she’d do it her way.

The Grayson Waller Effect

This week’s guest was Charlotte Flair. Charlotte started saying that she had Asuka’s number when Bianca Belair interrupted coming down to the ring. Belair complained about not getting the rematch she was promised and that Charlotte came back and cut the line. Charlotte brought up that she lost to Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania so she’s owed a rematch too. After a back-and-forth, Belair declared that she would be ringside for Charlotte’s title match against Asuka. 

 

Jey & Paul, Mixed Tag and Corbin/Grimes

Paul Heyman found Jey Uso in the back and tried to manipulate Jey into thinking that Jimmy Uso meant to kick him in the face last week. Jey said that if he’s in, Heyman is still out. Heyman returned to Roman & Solo and only admitted his failure through nonverbal cues. Solo Sikoa started to move and Heyman ran off in fear. Sikoa asked Reigns if he should handle this and Reigns said they had plenty of time.

Karrion Kross and Scarlett defeated AJ Styles and Michin in just over two minutes after Scarlett distracted AJ and Kross got the pin. 

 

Kayla Braxton attempted to interview Cameron Grimes in the back but he was attacked and laid out by Baron Corbin.

Rey & Santos

Rey Mysterio came down to the ring and introduced Santos Escobar. Santos thanked Rey for believing in him and that he loved him. LA Knight interrupted and got a big pop from the Kentucky crowd. Knight feigned a handshake to Rey but then shoved him to the ground. Michael Cole explained that there was a match scheduled between LA Knight and Santos Escobar scheduled for tonight. Knight attempted to win by using the ropes during a pinfall attempt but Escobar reversed and garnered the victory.

 

Decision Time: Part Deux

Jey Uso was on his way to the ring and ran into Sami Zayn. Zayn simply nodded at Jey and walked off. The Bloodline came down to the ring, now with THREE championship belts because somehow the new one did not replace the two older ones (??). Jey Uso made his entrance and Roman asked if he was in or out. Jey responded by saying it’s Paul Heyman or him. Reigns said that when Jey is Tribal Chief, he can pick his own wiseman. Roman said they have been grooming Jey for three years now because he is meant to lead but just not yet. He said that Jimmy was the problem which prompted Jimmy to come out and say that Reigns is the problem. Reigns brought up that when Jey was named the right-hand man, the only person who had a problem with it was Jimmy. Jey asked Jimmy if it was true and Jimmy owned up to it. Jey admitted that he just had been trying to keep up with Jimmy his whole life. Jey then said Jimmy is out… but that he’s out too. And with that, Jey superkicked Roman and then both Jimmy & Jey superkicked Solo and then gave Roman one more double superkick to end the show.

 

 

Announced for SmackDown Next Week in Lafayette, LA:

  • Cameron Grimes vs. Baron Corbin
  • Money in the Bank Spot on the Line: Shotzi vs. Bayley 

Friday Night SmackDown Results:

  • Tag Team Championship #1 Contender Gauntlet Match:
    • Sheamus & Ridge Holland over Street Profits in 2:35
    • Sheamus & Ridge Holland over The OC in 6:31
    • Sheamus & Ridge Holland over LWO in 1:53
    • Sheamus & Ridge Holland over Hit Row in :16
    • Pretty Deadly over Sheamus & Ridge Holland in 10:05
    • (21:22 total match time)
  • Zelina Vega over Iyo Sky in 2:23
  • Mixed Tag Match: Karrion Kross & Scarlett over AJ Styles & Michin in 2:22
  • Santos Escobar over LA Knight in 4:17 (estimated, match began in ad break)
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.