WWE
Here are your quick and dirty, editorial-free WWE Smackdown Live results for April 16, 2019. The “Superstar Shake-Up” edition of Smackdown Live featured multiple arrivals, Vince McMahon’s big announcement and more. Make sure you’re here tomorrow for the complete Best and Worst of Smackdown Live column.
WWE Smackdown Live Results:
— Kevin Owens opened Smackdown alongside Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods. Since Big E is out injured, Big O requested to join the New Day in a match against Rusev, Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro. The three of them danced after Kingston and Woods handed Owens a crop top New Day shirt.
1. Finn Bálor defeated Ali. Bálor defeated Ali by pinfall after landing the Coup de Grâce. After the match, Bálor and Ali shook hands.
— New Day held an initiation for Kevin Owens, requiring him to eat a plateful of pancakes.
2. Charlotte defeated Carmella. Charlotte submitted Carmella via the Figure Eight. After the match, Lars Sullivan came down and beat up R-Truth.
— Becky Lynch cut a promo about being able to switch between brands as a double champion. Ember Moon hit the ring and said she’s here to make a name for herself. Bayley also made the jump from Raw to Smackdown, where she talked up becoming the first-ever WWE Women’s tag team titles. The IIconics interrupted Bayley and poked fun at her after taking the tag team belts. Paige came out to the entrance ramp to introduce the duo she’ll be representing. Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville interrupted her, teasing a reunion of Absolution. Paige then brought out Asuka and Kairi Sane. Asuka and Sane hit the ring, and all eight women brawled.
3. Asuka, Kairi Sane, Bayley and Ember Moon defeated The IIconics and Absolution. Sane dropped the Insane Elbow for the pinfall over Peyton Royce.
4. Kevin Owens, Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston defeated Cesaro, Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev. Kingston hit the Trouble in Paradise, then Owen landed a stunner on Rusev for the pinfall.
— Vince McMahon announced Elias as the “biggest acquisition in Smackdown history.” As Elias started to play his guitar, Roman Reigns came down to the ring as the latest star to switch over from Raw. Reigns dropped Elias with a Superman Punch, then laid out McMahon with a Superman Punch of his own. Reigns got on the mic and said Smackdown Live is his yard now before walking up the ramp. Reigns came back down to the ring and speared Elias before walking backstage.