WWE Friday Night SmackDown 07 01 2022

WWE Friday Night SmackDown Results
July 1, 2022
Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona
Commentary: Michael Cole and Pat McAfee
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com

“Then. Now. Forever.” The WWE video leads us into the show.

There are six ladders in the ring as we go into the Footprint Center. Seth “Freakin” Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Riddle, Sami Zayn, and Sheamus are standing on top of the ladders. Omos, along with his manager, MVP, is standing on the canvas. Michael Cole and Pat McAfee put over tomorrow’s Money in the Bank event.

Rollins welcomes everyone to SmackDown and shouts that Money in the Bank is right around the corner. Rollins wants to speak for everyone, but Drew McIntyre says Rollins doesn’t speak for him. Rollins says whoever wins the Money in the Bank contract tomorrow will have the best place to cash it in: at SummerSlam after Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns beat the hell out of each other in a Last Man Standing Match. Since Rollins has cashed in on them before, it’ll be like taking candy from a baby.

Riddle cuts him off and says he’s rooting for Roman Reigns. When he wins Money in the Bank, he can finally beat that disgusting dirtbag. Sami Zayn says that won’t happen. The “Honorary Uce” Sami Zayn is in the match. The Money in the Bank will stay in-house with The Bloodline. As long as Zayn has the contract, Roman Reigns will be safe from the vultures.

MVP says Zayn’s idiocy is unbelievable. They’re all a bunch of idiots pretending not to see this giant in the ring with them. Omos is the odds-on favorite to win. It doesn’t matter what happens with Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar. Omos will be the last one standing. Sheamus says he’s already been Mr. Money in the Bank and has cashed in on Roman Reigns before. If it swings the other way and it’s Brock Lesnar, then he’ll switch his Lucky Charms to a bowl of Wheaties because that’s different. McIntyre says he’s defeated Lesnar in five minutes…

The Miz cuts McIntyre off. McIntyre shouts, “The freakin’ Miz?!” Miz reminds McIntyre that the last time he held the Money in the Bank contract, he cashed it in on him. He’s the only two-time Mr. Money in the Bank and deserves to be in this match. Ezekiel comes out to the stage and introduces himself as Elias’ younger brother. Ezekiel was supposed to have a qualifying match against Kevin Owens. If anyone deserves to be in the match, it’s Zeke. Happy Corbin comes out to the stage. Corbin says Ezekiel is as dumb as his brother. As for Miz, Corbin has won the contract before as well. No one is as lucky as him in Las Vegas. Madcap Moss cuts off his former friend. Moss says he thought they were done with jokes because the thought of Corbin squandering the contract again is hysterical. Moss is going to step up and take that last spot tomorrow night. Everyone starts to argue.

WWE Official Adam Pearce comes out to the stage. Pearce has a way to settle the anger. Pearce wants the ladders out of the ring. We’re going to have a Battle Royal that starts right now.

-Commercial Break-

Battle Royal
Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Riddle vs. Sami Zayn vs. Omos vs. Sheamus vs. The Miz vs. Ezekiel vs. Happy Corbin vs. Madcap Moss

The bell rings, and everyone goes after Omos. Omos easily fights them off. Seth “Freakin” Rollins tries to get Ezekiel out of the ring, but he holds on. Sami Zayn has Riddle over the top rope, but Riddle stays in the match. McIntyre viciously chops The Miz down before throwing him to the apron. Miz rakes the eyes to save himself. Omos then eliminates Ezekiel from the match. McIntyre has Miz in the corner and chops away at him before trying to power him over the top rope. Omos then easily eliminates Madcap Moss. Zayn goes over to The Miz and throws him into Omos. Omos grabs Miz and throws him over the top rope to eliminate him.

Riddle charges Omos and forearms away at him, but Omos knees him in the midsection. McIntyre slowly approaches Omos and stares him down. McIntyre punches away at him, but Omos grabs him by the throat. Omos talks trash, but McIntyre powers up and kicks him in the midsection. McIntyre punches him, but Omos head-butts him down. Sheamus goes after Omos, but Omos sends him to the corner and crushes him with an elbow. Zayn is in Omos’ eye line and tries to beg him off, but Omos knocks him down. Rollins approaches Omos and stares at him. Rollins then jumps over the rope to eliminate himself! Rollins laughs and makes it clear he’s saving himself. Riddle slides under the ropes and hits Rollins with an RKO on the floor!

Omos reaches over the top rope and grabs Riddle by the hair. Omos powers him to the apron, but Riddle starts to pull him over! Sheamus and McIntyre sneak up from behind and eliminate The Nigerian Giant!

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Riddle and Sheamus going at it in the corner. Corbin is attacking his WrestleMania opponent McIntyre. Zayn is standing back and watching it all. Sheamus viciously clotheslines Riddle down. Sheamus tries to eliminate him, but Riddle holds the ropes to prevent elimination. On the other side of the ring, Corbin has McIntyre on the apron. McIntyre quickly snaps him off the top rope and saves himself. Zayn goes after McIntyre. Sheamus attacks Riddle, but Riddle fights back. Sheamus blocks a kick and clotheslines Riddle down.

Sheamus punches away at Zayn. Corbin hits Riddle with a chokeslam backbreaker. McIntyre throws Zayn across the ring. Sheamus rips on Zayn’s Bloodline shirt and starts the 10 Beats of the Bodhran. Zayn fights back by snapping him off the top rope. Riddle grabs Sheamus and hits a Bro To Sleep followed by a Broton. Sheamus tries to fight back, but Riddle hits him with a Randy Orton-style snap powerslam followed by the hangman DDT. Riddle drops down and tries for an RKO, but Sheamus shoves him off and over the top rope. Riddle knocks Sheamus back and climbs the ropes, but Sheamus knees him in the face to eliminate him!

It’s down to McIntyre, Zayn, Corbin, and Sheamus. Corbin and Zayn are double-teaming McIntyre. Zayn punches away at McIntyre as Corbin holds him up. McIntyre boots Zayn back and elbows Corbin. McIntyre drives Corbin into the corner and sidesteps Zayn’s Helluva Kick, which makes contact with Corbin instead. McIntyre then hits Zayn with a neckbreaker before doing a kip-up. McIntyre sets up for a Claymore Kick on Zayn, but Sheamus hits a Brogue Kick out of nowhere. Sheamus goes to eliminate McIntyre, but McIntyre holds on. Sheamus misses a Brogue Kick, and McIntyre hits a Glasgow Kiss. McIntyre gets in the ring and clotheslines Sheamus twice before hitting a belly-to-belly overhead suplex. McIntyre hits a second one on Sheamus before catching Zayn out of midair and hitting one on him. McIntyre hits Sheamus with a Future Shock DDT and gets fired up. Zayn goes to eliminate McIntyre, but he’s totally unsuccessful. McIntyre hits Zayn with a Claymore Kick and eliminates him. Sheamus quickly goes after McIntyre, but Corbin sneaks up and eliminates both of them to win the match.

Winner: Happy Corbin

Happy Corbin celebrates and taunts Pat McAfee, who challenged him to a match at SummerSlam.

We’ll take a look at the confrontation between Natalya and SmackDown Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey.

-Commercial Break-

Kayla Braxton interviews Happy Corbin backstage. Corbin says he is so happy he’s farting rainbows. She asks him about Pat McAfee’s challenge for SummerSlam, but Corbin goes silent.

Video Package: The confrontation between “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey and Natalya

Natalya is interviewed backstage by Megan Morant. Natalya says Ronda Rousey attacked her charisma and looks, but she’s seen the movies Rousey has made. It’s no wonder Hollywood isn’t calling her. She’s going to be the first person to make Rousey tap out. She’ll be a two-time SmackDown Women’s Champion, and Rousey can continue holding her baby.

The New Day, consisting of Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, make their way to the ring. Replays are shown of them dancing with Shanky before The Viking Raiders attacked them all from behind. The New Day will battle The Viking Raiders next.

-Commercial Break-

The New Day has microphones. Xavier Woods greets Phoenix. Kofi Kingston says it’s great to be in Phoenix in the month of June. Woods says June is over, so Kingston says, “Ju-lying!” Kingston gets pumped up that his dad joke got some laughs and takes some money from Woods over a bet they had made. Kingston says they’re here to make sure everyone has a good time. They gave them a dancing Shanky. It was a great time until those damn Viking Raiders came out and ruined it. Woods tells the crowd to boo louder. They’ll get even with them because New Day Rocks.

The Viking Raiders come out to the ring with their new look and stand tall. Woods hands them a microphone, but they swat it out of his hands.

The New Day attacks, but The Viking Raiders easily run them over. They beat The New Day down with their oversized Viking shields. They go to leave the ring, but they turn around and give Kingston a double-team powerbomb. They stack Kingston and Woods up and leave the ring. This match will not happen.

We go backstage to see The Miz, Ezekiel, Happy Corbin, and Madcap Moss arguing. WWE Official Adam Pearce silences them. There’s only room for one of them in the Money in the Bank Match. They’ll have a Fatal 4-Way Match tonight. Whoever wins gets into the match.

Asuka, Liv Morgan, and Alexa Bliss make their entrances. They’ll team up to battle Lacey Evans, Shotzi, and Raquel Rodriguez next.

-Commercial Break-

6-Woman Tag Team Match
Asuka, Liv Morgan, and Alexa Bliss vs. Lacey Evans, Shotzi, and Raquel Rodriguez

Before the match begins, Becky Lynch makes her entrance. She welcomes everyone to The Big Time. Nothing important happens until she comes around and here she is in all her brilliance. Phoenix will have to wait to see her compete. After all she’s been through to qualify and get into Money in the Bank, they’ll have to wait to see her fight. None of these snakes will take her out since she’s the biggest threat. She’ll add her analysis with Pat McAfee and Michael Cole.

Asuka starts the match against Shotzi, but Shotzi quickly backs away from a strike combo. Lacey Evans tags in instead. They lock up, and Evans pulls Asuka down. Evans whips her to the corner, and Raquel Rodriguez tags in. Rodriguez and Evans double-team Asuka for a two-count. Rodriguez goes for a powerbomb, but Asuka fights it and goes for a roll-up. Rodriguez doesn’t go down, but she misses an elbow drop. Asuka hits a sliding kick and tags Alexa Bliss in. Bliss seems intimidated by the size differential. Rodriguez attacks and avalanches her. Rodriguez scoops her up, but Bliss slides off. Bliss charges, but Rodriguez takes her down. Liv Morgan tags in. Bliss and Morgan double-team Rodriguez for a one-count. Rodriguez puts the brakes on for a whip. Morgan hits a hurricanrana and connects with a high knee in the corner. Morgan goes for double knees, but Rodriguez catches her. Shotzi blind tags in and covers Morgan for a two-count. Shotzi hits a senton and avalanches Morgan against the ropes for a two-count. Morgan puts a foot into Shotzi’s back and kicks her into the corner.

Shotzi gets out of the ring. Evan comes up to her, and they begin to argue. Morgan hits them with a suicide dive. They save her because her feet got caught in the ropes a bit. Rodriguez gets on the apron, but Asuka knocks her off with a hip attack. Bliss then hits a cannonball off the apron onto Rodriguez. The Raw women stand tall in the ring.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Rodriguez take Asuka down. Asuka fights her off, and Bliss tags in. Bliss kicks away at Rodriguez and slaps away at her. Bliss dropkicks Rodriguez down and goes to the second rope. Rodriguez catches her attempting a cross-body block. Shotzi blind tags in. Rodriguez slams Bliss and is upset when Shotzi goes for the pin, picking up a two-count. Shotzi attacks Bliss for another two-count. Shotzi sends Bliss to the corner and avalanches her. Shotzi goes to the second rope and grapevines the head before leaning over the top rope. Shotzi releases before being disqualified. Shotzi hits Bliss with a suplex into the turnbuckles. Shotzi stomps away at Bliss before bouncing her in the corner. Bliss soon elbows her back and boots her in the face. Bliss goes for Code Red, but Shotzi holds the ropes. Shotzi applies a Boston Crab.

Bliss fights out and tags Asuka in. Asuka goes after Shotzi and hits Evans with a hip attack. Asuka hits a shoulder tackle on Shotzi. Shotzi quickly boots Asuka back and hits a step-up enzuigiri. Asuka quickly fights back with an Ankle Lock attempt and a German Suplex. Asuka hits a nasty hip attack for a near fall. Asuka taunts Becky Lynch, who is still on commentary. Morgan blind tags in. Asuka kicks Shotzi, and Morgan hits a double knee facebuster. Rodriguez breaks up the pin. Asuka and Bliss take out Rodriguez. Evans hits Bliss with a Woman’s Right. Asuka hits Evans with a backhand. Shotzi knocks Asuka out of the ring. Morgan hits Shotzi with Ob-Liv-ion for the win.

Winners by Pinfall: Asuka, Liv Morgan, and Alexa Bliss

Becky Lynch runs in as they celebrate and hits Asuka with a Manhandle Slam. Lynch quickly gets away and talks some trash while going up the ramp.

WWE Official Adam Pearce is in his office when Sonya Deville walks in. She says what he did last week was wrong. She wanted an opportunity and was put in a handicap match against Lacey Evans and Raquel Rodriguez. Deville has filed a formal complaint against him. What he did was wrong, but what she’s about to do is wrong, too. She viciously slaps Pearce in the face.

Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos make their way to the ring. We’ll hear from them and The Street Profits in an “Ask Them Anything” segment next.

-Commercial Break-

The Usos and The Street Profits are standing at podiums for this Ask Them Anything segment. Kayla Braxton is in the ring as well. Tomorrow night, they’ll face for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship. For tonight, they’re allowing her and the WWE Universe to ask them anything.

The Usos are up first. How fearful are they of losing their titles tomorrow night and are they even more fearful of how their cousin, Roman Reigns, will react? Jimmy Usos mocks the question. Jey Uso asks if they look fearful. The Bloodline is running all the damn shows. They’re confident. The Street Profits cackle into the microphone. Montez Ford says Roman Reigns runs the whole damn show. Angelo Dawkins says they just go to the grocery store.

It’s been nearly a year and a half since The Street Profits were Tag Team Champions. Have the Street Profits lost their killer instinct and what is it about the rumor of them not getting along? They accuse her of getting that from the dirt sheets. Dawkins says Ford is his brother. They respect The Usos’ legacy, but they’re not prepared for the hungry, starving Street Profits. Come this Saturday, they’re getting the Tag Team Titles back.

Jey says Ford should be careful talking about their legacy. Jimmy mocks them for having potential. Jey says he likes them. They walk, talk, and groove like them, but they’re not like them. The Usos are up and they want the smoke. Dawkins says they’re going to beat their asses tomorrow. At Money in the Bank, they’ll become the champions because they’re the twos and they’re the ones.

WWE Official Adam Pearce is in his office when Max Dupri walks in. Dupri says it’ll be a showcase for the Maximum Male Models next.

-Commercial Break-

Max Dupri is in the ring. Maximum Male Models is an agency that’s based on passion and love of fashion. It’ll be displayed by the most viral and athletic men of fashion. He’s getting the “WHAT” treatment. It’s time to introduce his first model. You know him as Mace, but he’s now ma.cé.

ma.cé makes his way to the ramp and poses around while Dupri talks about his fashion, physique… and ankles. Next up, the artist formerly known as Mansoor. He is now known as mån.sôör. Dupri says fashionistas from around the world will clamor for his services, but they shouldn’t if they don’t have the qualities of ma.cé and mån.sôör. They will titillate the juices of your guilty pleasures.

Megan Morant is backstage with SmackDown Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey. Rousey says it’s been fun teaching Natalya how to promote a fight and how to count since her baby is only nine months old. Natalya can still count on her to tap her out tomorrow.

The Miz makes his entrance. A photo of new WWE signee Logan Paul is shown. Paul says he’s coming for The Miz. Madcap Moss next makes his entrance. We’ll have a Money in the Bank Qualifying Fatal 4-Way Match next.

-Commercial Break-

The Maximum Male Models will present the 2022 Tennis Wear Collection next week.

Money in the Bank Qualifying Match – Fatal 4-Way
The Miz vs. Madcap Moss vs. Ezekiel vs. Happy Corbin

Charles Robinson, the greatest referee ever, is the official for this match. The bell rings, and they all begin brawling. Corbin goes after Ezekiel, while Moss attacks Miz. Miz sends Moss into the ropes. Moss ducks him and clotheslines Corbin out of the ring. Moss goes for a German Suplex on Miz, but Ezekiel hits a diving sunset flip on Moss, who does give Miz a German Suplex. Ezekiel covers Moss for a two-count. Ezekiel kicks Moss in the face and hits a scoop slam. Ezekiel and Moss criss-cross the ropes before Moss hits a back elbow. Corbin attacks Moss from behind and knocks him to the corner. Moss knocks Corbin back and comes off the second rope with a shoulder tackle. Miz attacks Moss and stomps away at him. Corbin joins in to attack Moss. Miz and Corbin double-team Moss until Corbin turns on him. Corbin goes outside, and Ezekiel attacks him. Ezekiel clotheslines Corbin into the timekeeper’s area. Ezekiel and Moss double-team Miz and bounce him off the commentary table. Corbin sends Moss headfirst into the steel steps. Corbin then hits Miz with a back suplex on the apron. Finally, Corbin hits Ezekiel with a chokeslam on the commentary table.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Moss and Miz going at it. Moss absolutely obliterates Miz with a shoulder tackle. Corbin runs in, but Moss takes him down. Moss slams Miz and covers, but Corbin breaks up the pin. During the commercial break, there was a Tower of Doom spot.

Corbin puts Miz on the apron, but Miz goes for a sunset flip. Moss grabs Miz and hits a catapult into Corbin’s crotch! Moss hits Corbin with the Punchline, but Ezekiel breaks up the pin. Ezekiel elbows Moss back and hits a cross-body block, but Moss rolls through. Moss powers Ezekiel up and hits a fallaway slam. Miz attacks Moss for a near fall. Miz goes back and forth kicking away at Ezekiel and Moss. Miz hits a spin kick to Ezekiel. Moss blocks one kick, but Miz quickly fights back with a Reality Check for a near fall. Corbin broke up the pin, so Miz kicks him back. Corbin counters Miz with a Deep Six for a near fall.

Corbin and Ezekiel trade punches. Corbin knees Ezekiel, but Ezekiel mule kicks him back. Ezekiel hits a clothesline on Corbin and sends Moss shoulder-first into the turnbuckles. Ezekiel splashes Moss and Miz. Corbin goes for a chokeslam on Ezekiel, but Ezekiel knees him in the face. Ezekiel hits a spinebuster on Moss before sending Miz to the corner. Ezekiel puts him in the electric chair, but Miz counters into a Skull Crushing Finale. Miz covers, but Corbin pulls him out of the ring! Corbin gets in the ring and stares at Pat McAfee. Corbin hits Ezekiel with End of Days. Moss grabs Corbin and sends him into the ring post. Moss covers Ezekiel for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Madcap Moss