The 06/12/18 episode of WWE SmackDown Live just wrapped up. We’ve got the match results and our overall thoughts on the show for you to check out below. Let us know what you thought about this episode of WWE SmackDown Live by tweeting us, @TheRumbleRamble.
Women’s MITB Summit
Will one of these women bring the Women’s #MITB contract to @RealPaigeWWE‘s HOUSE #SDLive?!? @NaomiWWE @LanaWWE @MsCharlotteWWE @BeckyLynchWWE pic.twitter.com/mw4P4BlSsV
— WWE (@WWE) June 13, 2018
Mirroring Raw, this episode started with a Money in the Bank hype segment, but this time without the ladders. Or the men. Naomi, Lana, Charlotte, and Becky gathered in the ring with SmackDown GM, Paige, to discuss the upcoming ladder match.
The four ladies took turns explaining why they would be the one to win the briefcase, not the other three. They continued to argue until The IIconics interrupted and mocked the other women from the stage. Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose joined them and said that the four girls outside of the ring were far more talented than the four inside, which of course led to a brawl between all eight.
Daniel Bryan vs. Shelton Benjamin
The #YESLock is LOCKED in, but @Sheltyb803 counters the submission! These in-ring technicians are giving their ALL! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/ToVKp7O227
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 13, 2018
This was a competitive match, making both men look awesome. Shelton Benjamin focused on Bryan’s left knee until Bryan got the better of him with a heel hook. We thought for sure Big Cass would attack Bryan at some point during the action, but Daniel took his well-deserved victory without interference.
Winner: Daniel Bryan
Paige Backstage
A #SDLive General Manager’s work is never done! @RealPaigeWWE adds @CarmellaWWE & @WWEAsuka to tonight’s main event + @mikethemiz will be the special guest referee for @RusevBUL vs. @SamoaJoe! pic.twitter.com/mJNO0LaCee
— WWE (@WWE) June 13, 2018
Paige made her rounds backstage, having an interaction with both Asuka and Miz. Asuka requested a match tonight and Paige granted her request by adding both her and Carmella to the 8-woman tag match later in the evening, making it a 10-woman. Miz was shown practicing for a new movie role as a referee, but Paige was unimpressed. Instead, she made Miz the referee for the match between Samoa Joe and Rusev.
AJ Styles Interview
“I’m sorry… I’m sorry I didn’t knock off his HEAD WITH MY FIST!” – a fired up @AJStylesOrg #MITB #SDLive pic.twitter.com/dzQPcrFM3k
— WWE (@WWE) June 13, 2018
Being in Memphis, it only made sense to include Jerry Lawler, so he was given the task of interviewing AJ Styles regarding his feud with Shinsuke Nakamura. Styles said that he was sorry for not hitting Nakamura harder during their contract signing last week and that he couldn’t wait for the match on Sunday. The King did very minimal talking, which was probably for the best.
Samoa Joe vs. Rusev
The intensity of @SamoaJoe can only be matched by the intensity of special guest referee @mikethemiz! #SDLive @RusevBUL pic.twitter.com/38yEtD3gaV
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 13, 2018
As promised, The Miz was the guest referee for this match (and was fully committed to the role). Another fairly even back and forth, Samoa Joe and Rusev took turns beating each other down until they accidentally knocked into Miz, causing him to miss Joe’s pin of Rusev. While Joe was arguing the point, Rusev kicked him in the face and got the win.
After the match, Aiden English put a ladder in the ring, which Rusev used to smash into Joe. He then tried to climb it to grab the briefcase hanging above, but Miz attacked him and took it for himself. Miz shoved the briefcase in the announcers’ faces and opened it, hoping to show off the contract, but instead got a handful of pancakes, courtesy of The New Day.
As an added bonus, Big E, Woods, and Kingston were shown backstage cackling at the prank, Xavier and Kofi sharing a shirt while they did it.
Winner: Rusev
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Jeff Hardy
🤫 🤫 🤫
You don’t want to frighten a #WhisperInTheWind… #SDLive @JEFFHARDYBRAND @ShinsukeN pic.twitter.com/i19xgqMeGR
— WWE (@WWE) June 13, 2018
This was a fun match; Jeff Hardy did everything he could to take Nakamura down, getting several near-falls on The King of Strongstyle. Things were going so well for Hardy, in fact, that Nakamura decided to take things into his own hands by delivering a low blow, causing a disqualification. Adding more punishment, Shinsuke hit Hardy with a Kinshasa while he was down and counted to 10, reminding the crowd what his victory on Sunday will look like.
Winner: Jeff Hardy (via DQ)
Carmella Interview
Is @CarmellaWWE CONCERNED about tonight’s 10-Woman Tag? PUH-LEASE! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/OxhsVebdpf
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 13, 2018
Renee Young interviewed Carmella about the impending 10-woman tag match, particularly how she felt about getting in the ring with Asuka one more time before the pay-per-view. Carmella said that she wasn’t concerned at all, in fact, all of the other women should be the ones worried about being in the ring with her.
Big Cass is Big
“If @WWEDanielBryan wants to come up to MY LEVEL, he’s going to come CRASHING back down!” – @BigCassWWE #SDLive #MITB pic.twitter.com/8hZNd0ZVmq
— WWE (@WWE) June 13, 2018
Big Cass dismissed Renee Young, opting to conduct his own interview. He began by giving an unsolicited account of his day, something about a rollercoaster and Daniel Bryan not meeting the height requirement. Cass is big, Daniel is small. At this point, it’s very clear that’s the only insult Cass has to throw.
10-Woman Tag Match
Naomi, Becky Lynch, Charlotte, Lana, and Asuka
vs.
Billie Kay, Peyton Royce, Sonya Deville, Mandy Rose, and Carmella
Iconic. #SDLive @MsCharlotteWWE @PeytonRoyceWWE @BillieKayWWE pic.twitter.com/sSGrG3wWvB
— WWE (@WWE) June 13, 2018
If you want to be picky, this was a little lazy, but half of the SmackDown women’s division is in the ladder match on Sunday, so it was a good way to get them on TV in a non-strenuous way.
Neither team was particularly dominant, and at one point, all ten of them were brawling in the ring. Carmella was eventually left alone in the ring with Asuka, who tapped her out with the Asuka Lock.
After the match, the winning team was left in the ring staring at the briefcase and then each other, as they realized any one of them could eventually be facing Asuka for the championship (if she defeats Carmella, of course).
Winner: Naomi, Becky Lynch, Charlotte, Lana, and Asuka
What letter grade would you give tonight’s show? #SDLive
— Rumble Ramble (@TheRumbleRamble) June 13, 2018
