WWE SmackDown Results: Brock Lesnar returns; Vince McMahon makes special appearance - Winners, Recap, Grades & Highlights (June 17th, 2022)
Vince McMahon kicked off tonight's episode of SmackDown and talked about the old 'Then, Now, Forever' line, focusing on the word 'Together.' He greeted the audience before heading backstage, and Riddle made his way out next.
Mr. McMahon is LIVE now on #SmackDown https://t.co/70PrPjgvi3
Riddle wished Randy Orton the best of luck for his upcoming surgery and reminded us that he intended to pay tribute to his friend's career by beating Roman Reigns on SmackDown tonight.
We miss you @RandyOrton ❤️
@SuperKingofBros #SmackDown https://t.co/NUV4DnhaXP
WWE SmackDown Results (June 17th, 2022): Happy Corbin vs. Madcap Moss - Last Laugh Match
BOOM!
@MadcapMoss #SmackDown https://t.co/B3XMF07CgV
Moss hit a big elbow strike early on before Corbin came back with some shots of his own. The latter dropped his opponent on the turnbuckles before sending him to the floor with a clothesline. The match continued as Corbin sent Moss over the barricades.
Happy Corbin sends @MadcapMoss over the barricade!
@BaronCorbinWWE #SmackDown https://t.co/ovQvwPjc6w
Back in the ring, Corbin hit a Deep Six but failed to get the pin. Madcap dodged a powerbomb and hit a big chokeslam. The latter hit Punch Line neckbreaker for a nearfall and then another one for the win!
Result: Madcap Moss def. Happy Corbin
.@MadcapMoss gets the last laugh! #SmackDown https://t.co/x4Cc3J0fuO
After the match, Madcap got the literal last laugh by laughing into the mic. Corbin then came to the announce desk and told Pat McAfee that he thought they were friends, but the latter kept making fun of him.
For some reason Happy Corbin is not happy with @PatMcAfeeShow.
@BaronCorbinWWE #SmackDown https://t.co/qIIQMMbEkW
Corbin threatened to drag McAfee into the ring and destroy him before Pat got on the mic as well. The crowd sided with McAfee and booed Corbin out of the building before SmackDown moved on.
Everyone having a great time laughing at @BaronCorbinWWE!
@AustinCreedWins @TrueKofi #SmackDown https://t.co/fAgOeaMINM
Grade: B+
Backstage on SmackDown, Natalya compared her Sharpshooter to Ronda Rousey's signature armbar and concluded that the former was the most dangerous submission move. She vowed to make Rousey tap out at Money in the Bank before we headed to the next match on SmackDown.
"My Sharpshooter breaks bones, tears tendons, and humbles champions."
@NatbyNature is sending a message to @RondaRousey. #SmackDown https://t.co/UK9VyUW3xi
The New Day vs. Jinder Mahal & Shanky on SmackDown
The New Day is rolling!
@AustinCreedWins @TrueKofi #SmackDay https://t.co/Ym5O5aXN2d
Jinder Mahal and Xavier Woods kicked off the match, and the former WWE Champion took control early on before the latter got a springboard move and tagged Kofi in.
Shanky tagged in, and Kingston hit a big dropkick before being wiped out by a series of clotheslines.
😳😳😳
@DilsherShanky #SmackDown https://t.co/EyhwrVEhUx
Xavier played Francesca the trombone, and Shanky forgot about the match and started dancing. Jinder was furious and yelled at him from the ring before Kingston came in with the Trouble in Paradise and picked up the win!
Result: The New Day def. Jinder Mahal & Shanky
Go Shanky! Go Shanky!
@DilsherShanky #SmackDown https://t.co/nzkyrD6o5R
Grade: B
Drew McIntyre and Sheamus were next in the ring on SmackDown, and Adam Pierce reminded them that they both lost their Money in the Bank qualifying matches. The Irishman pointed out that he successfully cashed in his briefcase in the past while Drew was cashed in on.
.@WWESheamus is going to #MITB! #SmackDown https://t.co/kTTSNVnCA3
Pierce said he discussed the situation with the WWE officials, and they decided to let Sheamus into the MITB match. Drew attacked the latter and tossed him out of the ring before Pierce said that McIntyre was in as well. Sheamus tried to attack Drew in the ring but took the Claymore.
.@DMcIntyreWWE is also going to #MITB! #SmackDown https://t.co/bBNHPmHCBc
Sami Zayn was backstage and hesitated to enter the Bloodline's locker room after his loss last week.
Per @SamiZayn, there is no ill will between the "Honorary Uce" and #TheBloodline... #SmackDown https://t.co/SDJfOEpHRI
Shayna Baszler vs. Raquel Rodriguez on SmackDown: Money in the Bank Qualifying Match
.@QoSBaszler is in full control right now! #SmackDown https://t.co/RgdcNiHKZv
Rodriguez got some big strikes early on and took Shayna into the corner before getting a near fall. Shayna went after Rodriguez's legs in the corner before Raquel came back with some counters and a botched knee strike for a near fall.
Raquel was caught in a submission move but turned it into her signature Texana Bomb before picking up the win.
Result: Raquel Rodriguez defeats Shayna Baszler and qualifies for Money in the Bank
.@RaquelWWE with the power! #SmackDown https://t.co/xwuv9s7W7O
Grade: B
Max Dupri was back and refused to have his clients out in the ring since the lighting wasn't good enough.
Up close and personal with @MaxDupri and @ScrapDaddyAP. #SmackDown https://t.co/9VLM5OdUAN
Gunther was backstage with his lackey Ludwig Kaiser. The latter talked about the history of the Intercontinental Title before declaring that the new champ will not lose the title anytime soon.
The new Intercontinental Champion @Gunther_AUT has no plans of losing his title any time soon. #SmackDown https://t.co/VKhRMKYLB1
Roman Reigns vs. Riddle - Undisputed WWE Universal Title Match on SmackDown
And here we go! #SmackDown https://t.co/CwxPdZcqy3
Riddle attacked the champ in the corner, but one strike from Roman sent him flying across the ring. The Original Bro hit a Fisherman's suplex and sent The Tribal Chief outside before hitting a corkscrew moonsault from the apron.
.@SuperKingofBros has got @WWERomanReigns on the ropes! #SmackDown https://t.co/Wyz6B6rjsd
Back after a break on SmackDown, Reigns got a drive-by before getting a near fall. Riddle came back with some suplexes but took a knee strike before hitting the Floating Bro for a near fall. Roman got back in control and dropped his opponent on the announce desk before mocking Randy on camera.
What a move @WWERomanReigns! #SmackDown https://t.co/J5n289PUCB
Riddle countered a Superman Punch and hit an Orton-esque powerslam before attempting the draping DDT. Roman escaped the ring, but Riddle dropped him on the announce desk.
Riddle got slammed into the ring post before finally hitting the Draping DDT in the ring as the 'Randy' chants filled the arena.
Superman Punch! #SmackDown
@WWERomanReigns https://t.co/JpS5FM9mso
Roman blocked the RKO and hit a Superman Punch, but Riddle managed to kick out! The latter finally connected the RKO but failed to get the pin. Riddle hit another Floating Bro before his RKO was blocked again. Roman hit a spear and picked up the win!
Result: Roman Reigns def. Riddle to retain the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship on SmackDown
What a spear!
@WWERomanReigns #SmackDown https://t.co/ced0PfXHU0
Grade: A
.@BrockLesnar is here!!! #SmackDown https://t.co/FAoxzhG0R2
After the match, Roman claimed that there was no one left for him to beat. As if on cue, Brock Lesnar's music hit, and the Beast was back on SmackDown!
👀
@BrockLesnar @WWERomanReigns @HeymanHustle #SmackDown https://t.co/v2OCEgj6o9
Brock stared Roman down and held his hand out for a shake. Roman reached for it but received an F5 from Brock. Lesnar then hit two more F5s on The Usos as the show went off the air.
Episode rating: B+
Roman Reigns defended his title on the main event, something you don't see every week. Drew McIntyre and Sheamus both secured their place in the Money in the Bank ladder match, while Corbin faced a humiliating loss on tonight's SmackDown.
Suggested: Watch 'Smack Talk' with SP3 & Dutch Mantell as they review WWE Friday Nights SmackDown!