Entertainment
WWE SmackDown results, grades: Finn Balor makes statement after Roman Reigns rejects John Cena’s SummerSlam challenge
The Prince will face the Tribal Chief (Photo: WWE)
WWE threw fans a major curveball on SmackDown as Roman Reigns rejected John Cena’s SummerSlam challenge – but accepted one from Finn Balor.
The blue brand’s night kicked off in a big way with Cena coming out to get the crowd in a great mood, delivering some great lines about the Firefly Fun House before turning his attention to Roman Reigns.
The former world champion was at his crowd-controlling best here, and insisting it was time for someone to stand up, be counted and take the Universal Title off the Tribal Chief.
This eventually brought out Paul Heyman, who insisted the Head of the Table will respond to the SummerSlam challenge on his own terms before hilariously singing Cena’s entrance song as he made his way backstage.
At the end of the show, Reigns slated Cena and branded him a nostalgia act, insisting his promos were like ‘missionary position every single night’ rather than shaking things up for his big comeback.
‘I have no desire to see you,’ the champ insisted, emphatically denying the wrestler turned Hollywood star’s SummerSlam challenge to a chorus of boos from the crowd.
However, he was interrupted by a certain Finn Balor (more on his night below) as he came down looking closer to his NXT attitude and suggested maybe Roman would accept his challenge instead.
Big ‘Roman’s scared’ chant from the crowd, who seem fully behind a match between Reigns and Balor – and the champ accepted!
Michael Cole didn’t confirm the match for SummerSlam, so surely we’re still headed towards Reigns and Cena for Vegas, but this will be a great distraction on the way to that blockbuster bout.
Toni Storm wins debut, SmackDown heads to Rolling Out and Baron Corbin is still so sad
The first match of the night saw Finn Balor beat Sami Zayn one week after interrupting and laying him out.
The pair worked together to put on a great sprint with both shining, as much as this was a definite way to highlight the Prince now he’s back on the main roster.
Backstage, Baron Corbin opened up about more of his financial woes as things go from bad to worse and he wonders what’s happened to him.
Later, he apologised to Kevin Owens for insulting him, and KO pointed out he can’t blame people for not being sympathetic after how he’s behaved over the past few years – but he did give me some money and advice, telling him not to be a jerk.
However, things didn’t really improve as Shotzi and Tegan Nox accidentally hit him in the crotch with their tank missile and then Ziggler and Roode stole the money, only to be chased off by Owens and a chair.
Elsewhere, Mr. Money In The Bank Big E was out next days after winning the significant briefcase, but his celebration was cut short by Apollo Crews and Commander Azeez – who in turn was interrupted by Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode.
The Intercontinental Title conversation was quickly given the addition of Shinsuke Nakamura (played out by Rick Boogs and the people of Cleveland) and Cesaro, with a brawl kicking off in the ring as Azeez got taken out and the Swiss Superman hit a big swing on Crews.
Over at Rolling Loud, Wale led the huge crowd in a ‘we want the smoke’ chant before introducing the Street Profits for a match at the hip hop festival’s site between Angelo Dawkins and Chad Gable.
Considering the unique (but stunning) environment with plenty of non-fans in attendance, they put on a really fun match with Dawkins winning with a huge spinebuster.
They didn’t waste any time as Bianca Belair immediately came out for her Women’s Championship rematch against challenger Carmella, which was decent enough en route to a win for the champ.
Back in Cleveland, Edge blamed Seth Rollins for costing him the Universal Title at Money In The Bank but promised some violence, pointing to his past in the likes of the Brood and Ministry of Darkness.
The Drip King interrupted him at his smarmy best, but the Rated R Superstar called him down to the ring and insisted he wouldn’t lay a hand on him just yet.
More: US TV news
Rollins mocked ‘Grandpa Edge’ and branded him a scumbag while dropping some threats of his own before Edge jumped on the attack sparking a great barwl between the two with the latter standing tall after an Edgecution but missing out on a Spear.
Toni Storm made quick work of Zelina Vega to win her debut, and it seems Vega has largely been brought back to make other people look better so far.
Jimmy Uso stole a win over Dominik Mysterio in a really fun match slightly let down by a botch at the end as they struggled to land a Samoan Drop into a sunset flip.
WWE SmackDown results and grades
Rolling Out Festival: Angelo Dawkins beat Chad Gable (C+)
SmackDown Women’s Title Match at Rolling Out: Bianca Belair (c) defeated Carmella (B-)
Toni Storm beat Zelina Vega (C+)
Jimmy Uso pinned Dominik Mysterio (B)
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : WWE’s Bayley wants dream matches with AEW and NWA star Serena Deeb, legend Lita and more
