WWE Smackdown results – 08/01/2021 (Tag Team and Intercontinental Championship matches)

The episode of Smackdown featured two Championship matches, with one Championship changing hands. There was also a Gauntlet match to determine a new rival for Roman Reigns.

Roman Reigns’ segment

The Smackdown episode kicked off with the Universal Champion walking down to the ring. He was accompanied by Jey Uso and Paul Heyman. Reigns talks about his attack on Kevin Owens last week. He said Owens had been a pain but he respected his ambitions.

But Owens kept coming after him. He put Reigns in a tough spot and Reigns did what he had to do. But he should not be blamed for it. Reigns put the blame on Adam Pearce. He called Pearce out to the ring. A highlight from previous weeks were shown, as Pearce walked out to the ring.

Roman was angry with Pearce because he had sanctioned the Gauntlet match. He grabbed Pearce and then let him go, as Heyman calmed him down. Roman left the ring.

Big E def. Apollo Crews (retains Intercontinental Championship)

As the match began, Crews took Big E into the corner. He hit 3 back-to-back German suplexes onto the defending Champion. Crews went for the cover but Big E kicked out.

Crews continued his attack with a superplex off the top rope. Both men with the roll up cover, as referee counted the pin. Replays were shown. The referee called it a draw, which means that Big E retained. The match is restarted.

As the match restarted, Big E hit multiple belly-to-belly suplexes. He landed the Big Ending to pick up the win. Big E is still the WWE Intercontinental Champion.

Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode def. The Street Profits (New Smackdown Tag team Champions)

Ziggler and Angelo started the match. There was some classic back-and-forth action, with Angelo getting the upper hand. Ford’s leg was injured during the match, when he hit a senton off the top rope.

Ziggler continued to attack Ford’s injured leg. Roode hit a fisherman’s suplex, but Ford managed to kick out. They double team on Ford and go for the cover to pick up the win. Roode and Ziggler are the new WWE Smackdown Tag team Champions.

Gauntlet Match (No. 1 Contender for the Universal Championship)

The Gauntlet match kicked off with Sami Zayn and Rey Mysterio. Mysterio hit a drop kick as the match began. He hits a 619 followed by a Frog Splash off the top rope to pick the win via pinfall.

Sami Zayn was eliminated.

Shinsuke Nakamura was the next superstar. This part of the match was a highflying match. Mysterio hit multiple Hurricanaranas and Nakamura countered some of these with kick to the faces. Nakamura tried to hit a Powerbomb but Rey countered it. He hit a 619. Rey went for the Frog Splash, but Nakamura got his legs up. He applied the arm bar, as Rey tapped out.

Rey Mysterio was eliminated.

Baron Corbin came in. He attacked Dominik, who was standing by the ringside. He even hit a chokeslam onto Rey. Corbin was able to counter most of Nakamura’s attacks. He beautifully countered a Kinshasa into a Deep Six. But Nakamura managed to hit a Kinshasa and pick up the win.

Baron Corbin was eliminated.

Daniel Bryan was the next man in. Bryan hits his Yes kicks. But as he went for the last one, Nakamura ducked and followed with an arm bar. Bryan went for the double knees but Nakamura countered with a Kinshasa. Nakamura goes for the cover and gets the pin.

Daniel Bryan was eliminated.

Roman Reigns’ music hit and he came out with Heyman and Uso. Uso and Reigns attack Nakamura. Adam Pearce walked out to the ring. Reigns hits a Superman Punch, Uso followed it with a Frog splash.

As Pearce got in the ring, Uso attacked him with a Super kick. The bell rang, as Jey placed Pearced on top of Nakamura.

Shinsuke Nakamura was eliminated.

Adam Pearce becomes the No.1 Contender for the WWE Universal Championship. He will be facing Reigns at Royal Rumble.

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