Roman Reigns will celebrate 1000 days as WWE Universal Champion on tonight's SmackDown from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
While Reigns said during last week's episode that he hoped his entire family would be included in the celebration, that wish might be complicated by the fact that his cousin, Jimmy Uso, superkicked him at last weekend's Night of Champions.
Reigns, along with fellow Bloodline member Solo Sikoa, came up short in their bid for the undisputed WWE Tag Team titles last Saturday in Saudi Arabia against Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens.
Two Money in the Bank qualifying matches are also set for tonight. In a men's qualifier, Montez Ford takes on LA Knight while Zelina Vega and Lacey Evans will face off to determine the first confirmed participant for the women's MITB ladder match.
Ricochet and Shinsuke Nakamura have already qualified for the men's ladder match.
Our live coverage starts at 8 PM Eastern.
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– Michael Cole welcomed everyone in and started the show off with a standup alongside Wade Barrett, the latter of whom threw to a Roman Reigns video package narrated by Paul Heyman. When we got back to the arena, Austin Theory was in the ring with a microphone
The Austin Theory segment
Theory welcomed everyone into "Austin Theory Live." Theory reminded everyone that tonight is about celebrating the Tribal Chief's title reign. Theory called himself the greatest United States Champion of all time and said if he combined his reign with Roman's, it would be 1,209 days. Theory said that would be as inspiring as being the guy who beat John Cena at WrestleMania. Theory said he'll one-day have a 1,000 day, or 2,000 day, or 3,000 day, or 4,000 day celebration. Theory said he's 25 years old and the greatest to ever do it. Theory then introduced Pretty Deadly.
Kit Wilson talked first, but Elton Prince chimed in quickly, saying they wanted to celebrate Theory as best they knew how. Pretty Deadly did their catchphrase and was almost instantly cut off by the Brawling Brutes' theme song.
Austin Theory & Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince & Kit Wilson) defeated The Brawling Brutes (Sheamus, Butch & Ridge Holland [17:45]
Holy Moses, this was the never-ending opening match. Nothing against the six men involved – and they certainly all worked hard as the pace picked up during the latter third of the bout – but this overstayed its welcome for me. While I'm happy to see Pretty Deadly be involved in some significant victories since being called up, the Brutes could stand a winning streak sooner than later. With Theory being on the victorious side against Sheamus more than once now, I wonder if we're leading up to Sheamus being the one who dethrones Theory. Time will tell.
Elton Prince and Ridge Holland began the match with Holland getting the best of it. Butch tagged in and dropkicked Prince, who backed Butch into the heel corner. Wilson tagged in and kept control in the heels' favor. Eventually, Butch landed a clothesline. Wilson retreated and tagged in Theory. In response, Butch tagged in Sheamus. The show cut to commercial before the two even locked up.
Back from break, Prince was working over Butch until Prince tagged in Theory. Theory stomped on Butch and posed. Wilson tagged in and stomped on Butch. Prince tagged in and kicked Butch while Theory held him. Butch fired up and hit a Tornado DDT from the second rope. As a result, Butch got the hot tag to Sheamus. Theory tagged in, too, and Sheamus landed a series of clotheslines on Theory. Sheamus hit backbreakers on all the heels before the Brutes landed a Triple White Noise on all the heels.
Sheamus hit a Brogue Kick on Theory, but Pretty Deadly pulled Theory outside the ring before Sheamus could go for a pin. Sheamus and Butch hit a pair of top and middle rope moves on the heels on the outside of the ring before we went to yet another commercial break.
Back from that break, Butch was running kicks on Pretty Deadly inside the ring. Holland tagged in and took down Prince. Sheamus went to the top and hit a knee on Prince for a two-count. Sheamus lifted Prince, but Prince worked his way out and tagged in Wilson, who hit Pretty Deadly's signature move. Theory tagged in and slammed Sheamus for a good near-fall. Sheamus got to his feet and clotheslined Theory before things broke down. Theory rolled into a knee from Sheamus and Sheamus got another good near-fall out of it.
Prince and Holland were the legal men and Holland lifted both Pretty Deadly members for an impressive slam. The Brutes hit a triple 10 Bells on Pretty Deadly and Theory. Holland slammed Wilson, but Theory broke up a pin attempt. From there, Theory kneed Butch in the face as Sheamus took Theory to the outside. Meanwhile, Prince and Wilson had some shenanigans, ultimately ending up with Wilson chop-blocked Holland. Pretty Deadly hit Spilled Milk on Holland and tagged in Theory, who pinned Holland for the win.
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– Paul Heyman was shown backstage talking to Solo Sikoa. Heyman said the night has to be special for Roman Reigns. Sikoa, naturally, sold nothing. Heyman said he was going to talk to Adam Pearce to make sure The Usos won't be around during the 1,000 day celebration.
– An O.C. segment aired and they talked about how it was AJ Styles' birthday. Styles asked Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson to take out Hit Row after Hit Row released a diss track toward them on social media earlier in the day.
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The O.C. (Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson) defeated Hit Row (Top Dolla & Ashante Thee Adonis) [2:57]
Man, I know it's an old observation, but Anderson and Gallows sure figured out how to live that good wrestling life. Show up once a month. Get in the ring for three minutes. Get that money. The match was standard and predictable, though it was nice to see the Hit Row crew get as much shine as they got – as in, they dominated the match until Gallows got the tag and things ended a handful of seconds later. My biggest question? Where does AJ Styles go now that he didn't win the new Heavyweight title? Don't tell me he's going to work a program with Hit Row until MITB … please?
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Ashante got the better of Anderson to start the match. Top Dolla tagged in and kept the energy up against Anderson. Ashante tagged back in and choked Anderson over the middle rope via his leg. B-Fab hit Anderson and that inspired Michin to jaw at B-Fab. Inside the ring, Anderson broke through with a spinebuster. Gallows received the hot tag and took everyone in sight out. Anderson tagged in an they hit the Magic Killer on Ashante for the win.
After the match, Top Dolla attacked Gallows and Anderson, but Styles put an end to that quickly with a Phenomenal Forearm. Michael Cole tried to rap and that's a hell of a sentence to type.
– Adam Pearce was shown backstage telling Paul Heyman, telling Heyman that the Usos will not be allowed in the building, even if they show up. Heyman went to call Roman Reigns on his cell phone.
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The Grayson Waller Effect w/ Asuka
Waller welcomed Asuka to the ring. Asuka came to the ring and Waller threw to a video package recalling the women's title match from Night of Champions. Asuka announced herself as the Raw Women's Champion and danced a little. Grayson pointed to the MITB briefcases and said there are women in the locker room who think they're ready for Asuka. The camera caught Asuka putting the blue stuff in her mouth in an unfortunate event.
Iyo Sky's music hit and Sky walked to the ring, speaking in a foreign language. Asuka responded in kind. Waller broke up the verbal exchange and Bayley's music hit. Bayley walked to the ring and said either Bayley or Sky will win the women's MITB. Bayley was cut off by Shotzi, who came to the ring with a microphone and said she wanted to crush Bayley's dreams. Shotzi was cut off by Lacey Evans' music and Lacey walked to the ring with a microphone, wearing a Sgt. Slaughter hat. Evans said the MITB contract is going to be hers. Evans referenced a Cobra Clutch and … ha. Zelina Vega's music hit and Vega walked to the ring, saying everyone is underestimating her. Vega said Evans isn't half the woman she is. The women yelled and talked over each other until Asuka cut them off by saying nobody is ready for Asuka … until Bianca Belair attacked Asuka from behind. The two brawled until officials separated them.
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– Cameron Grimes and Adam Pearce were shown talking backstage. Cameron said if Baron Corbin shows up on SmackDown again, after seeing what Corbin did on NXT, Grimes will take care of it.
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Zelina Vega defeated Lacey Evans in a Money In The Bank qualifying match [2:49]
Evans completely dominated the match until Vega hit a Code Red and that was about it. I like the story they're telling with Vega being the ultimate underdog, especially after her showing at BackLash, but it's hard to think she'll ultimately win the MITB contract. Still, it's nice to see Vega get some booking love after being underused for so long. The finish here ostensibly came out of nowhere. Evans, meanwhile, has no direction other than Sgt. Slaughter cosplay.
During the commercial break, Evans hit Vega with the Woman's Right and Vega was selling it up until the bell rang. Because of as much, Evans had the edge to start the match. That momentum kept up through the first 90 seconds of the match, including Evans slamming Vega's head into the canvas. Evans worked a chin-lock until Vega kicked her way out of it. Seemingly out of nowhere, Vega hit a Code Red for the win.
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– Santos Escobar was shown talking to the LWO backstage, saying he can't wait to win the MITB contract himself. Rey Mysterio appeared said it's only a matter of time until Escobar and Vega are Mr. and Mrs. Money In The Bank. Turns out, next week, Escobar will face off against Mustafa Ali in a qualifying match.
LA Knight defeated Montez Ford in a Money In The Bank qualifying match [9:12]
This was the match of the night (I write with still about 25 minutes left in the program, so grain, salt, etc.). The crowd sounded super behind Knight and I'm interested to see his role in the MITB match. The outcome wasn't necessarily predictable, which made the match a lot of fun and it even had me bite on a few of the false finishes toward the end. This was very good stuff from very good wrestlers. Here's hoping they pull the trigger on a Montez Ford heel turn soon because man, it looked here like he could pull that off awfully well if he's asked to do so.
Knight got a hell of a pop once his music hit and I have no idea why WWE keeps insisting on ignoring it. The match began as the two locked up and the crowd was chanting Knight's name vociferously. The two traded some standard standing holds. When Ford took Knight down, the crowd booed and Ford smiled. It was like Hogan vs. Rock at Mania 18 with the turned around heel vs. face dynamic (but less people and more Michael Cole). Ford went to the outside via Knight and a commercial break commenced.
Back from break, the two were trading blows. Ford had control with a series of clotheslines. Ford played to the crowd a split second and Knight picked up Ford for a slam and a two-count. Knight elbowed Ford to the ground. Knight went for a springboard moonsault, but Ford moved. Ford hit a Rock Bottom for a great near-fall. The crowd chanted "LA Knight!" We got a double clothesline to slow things down. Both guys were on their knees and traded blows. Knight put Ford on the apron, but Ford responded with a kick to the face. Ford went to the top, but Knight cut him off. Ford pushed him away and went for the frog-splash, but Knight moved. The two traded roll-ups and Knight got the win while holding onto the ropes. After the match, Knight grabbed a ladder and climbed to the top while the crowd sounded happy.
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The Roman Reigns 1,000 Day Celebration
– Triple H made his entrance and it appeared his presence will be felt during the Roman Reigns 1,000 day celebration. His entrance led to a commercial break. Back from that break, Triple H spoke about how some people are talked about for generations to come. Triple H said people will talk about this for generations and he welcomed to the ring Roman Reigns. Reigns was accompanied to the ring by Paul Heyman and Solo Sikoa.
Triple H said on behalf of everyone, he wanted to congratulate him on passing 1,000 days as champion. Triple H said it hadn't been accomplished in WWE in almost 40 years. Triple H introduced an Undisputed Universal WWE Championship as one belt and presented it to Reigns. Reigns held it and smiled. The belt didn't really look all that different from previous belts. The crowd cheered as Reigns held it. Triple H put the belt around Reigns' waist and Reigns took a microphone. Reigns yelled at everyone to acknowledge him and the crowd went wild. But wouldn't you know it, the Usos' music hit and the Usos appeared before the final commercial break of the night began.
The show returned and Jimmy was engaged in a stare down with Roman. Roman demanded Jay kick Jimmy in the face and Jay didn't do it. Roman said he didn't stutter. Roman said Jimmy kicked Roman in the face so Jey needed to fix it by kicking his brother in the face. Jimmy chimed in and said the only one who needs fixin is Roman. Jimmy said Jey can't fix it because Jimmy was the one who kicked Roman. Jimmy said he did what he did because he was being a brother. Jimmy said lately, Roman hasn't been a good brother. Jimmy asked what kind of brother beats down his own family. Jimmy followed that up by saying Roman has gone crazy. Jimmy said he's going to protect Solo and Roman is only going to eventually kick Solo to the side.
The crowd chanted "Uso!" Roman said the only reason the crowd is chanting that is because of Roman. Roman reasserted that he's the Tribal Chief. Roman said he wanted to hear from Solo and gave Solo the microphone. Solo looked conflicted. Solo said he acknowledges Roman, but Jimmy and Jey are his brothers. The crowd cheered as Solo gave Roman back the microphone. Solo then walked to the side of the ring where the Usos were. Jimmy asked if Roman was going to wind up on the Island of Relevancy all by himself. Jimmy face-palmed Roman as Roman started to yell. The crowd chanted "Holy s—." Jey stepped in and said it can't go down like this and Jey said he needed both Roman and Jimmy.
Jimmy said Jey is right and they're stronger together. Jimmy said they're all brothers and they should all do it together and "run the damn place." Jimmy kept asking if they're still family and if they're still the ones. Roman looked aggravated. Roman and Jimmy embraced and it looked like Roman was crying … until he put the microphone to his mouth and said … "No." From there, Solo gave Jimmy the Samoan Spike. Roman walked out of the ring and Solo looked over his brothers before walking out with Roman. Jimmy sold the Spike in the ring. Off mic, Heyman asked Roman about Jey and Roman said Jey will do what he always does, which is fall in line. And there, friends, is how the show ended.