WWE SmackDown results, highlights (June 6): John Cena hit with R-Truth chants

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WWE returned to Bakersfield, California, for “WWE SmackDown” before the big weekend of action in Los Angeles.

The time for talk about the Money In the Bank briefcases is over, and beatings to get the upper hand were dealt. Those were mostly delivered by the faces trying to run the place over on “WWE Raw.”

⚔️ Crossover of the Night

An appearance from the “Sethriders” wasn’t expected to open “WWE SmackDown,” but that’s exactly what happened, and they ran roughshod throughout the night.

It instantly became a turf war when Seth Rollins, Paul Heyman, Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker were interrupted by Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu and JC Mateo. That was an unexpected cherry on top of what was already transpiring. Rollins’ promo beforehand was nothing special other than your typical pre-Money In the Bank “I’m going to win the briefcase” claims.

This was all a fresh, pleasant surprise, though. Sikoa and Rollins’ sides did an incredible job of creating tension without ending the segment in a brawl. Well done, Triple H. I’ll give you your flowers for avoiding the implosion between two heel stables — something rare enough in its own right. That’s the beauty of matches like the Money In the Bank ladder match.

Sikoa shined in this interaction, saying Rollins had his own version of The Bloodline, and questioned which roles his henchmen were. He specifically called back to Reed’s history, teaming together at War Games. That only further added to how silly and nonsensical Reed being with Rollins was, but there clearly won’t be a reasonable explanation too soon.

Ultimately, this whole opener made me want Fatu vs. Breakker as soon as possible, and preferably on a PLE so that it doesn’t end in a bogus DQ finish. WWE teased that match heavily, so fingers crossed that it happens one day.

Another feud I never knew I needed was LA Knight vs. Rollins.

🙄 DQ of the Night

Not that a reminder was needed of how good he is when speaking, but Knight received some solid mic time before his match with Aleister Black to cut a fantastic promo for Money In the Bank. He targeted all the participants and highlighted how he and Rollins haven’t interacted much, which added to the intrigue of that pairing.

Then there was the surprise that shouldn’t have been a surprise, which was Rollins giving Knight the win over Black with a DQ when he attacked him. Every. Single. Show. It’s so damn annoying, man. Any match between decently pushed talent can’t end cleanly on TV anymore. It takes the wind out of everything beforehand.

🫠 Miss of the Night

WWE had the opportunity to keep all this Rollins momentum going after his trio took out Penta and Andrade. Heyman jumped on the mic to cut a promo and get cut off by Cody Rhodes, which led to the final segment between him, Uso, John Cena and Logan Paul.

You know what Rollins and crew did? They hit the bricks and just left the ring. What? They attack numerous wrestlers throughout the night, then decide not to be a part of the “biggest” angle in the company. In kayfabe, that couldn’t have made less sense.

Once Cena arrived, the crowd erupted with the loudest cheers of the night. Some heel champion, huh?

Outside of Cena and Paul coming out on top for a change, hitting finishers on Uso and Rhodes, it was another nothing interaction, with Cena repeating everything he has already said in recent weeks. He’s going to ruin wrestling, they’re humble, blah, blah, blah.

Fittingly, it was all capped off with “We want Truth” chants. Cena then appeared to riff off the cuff, saying, “You can’t handle the truth.” That was the best part of all of this, but still, the absence of Rollins was absurd.

Somehow, the closing segment wasn’t the…

😂 Joke of the Night

WWE has to have some inside rib going on with the attempts to make as many Zelina Vega vs. The Secret Hervice matches as possible. This time, it was Vega vs. Piper Niven in a “Bakersfield Brawl.” It’s absolutely stunning to see the level of repetition that there’s been in this women’s U.S. title scene. Thankfully, this has to be the end.

Vega won with the help of Giulia, powerbombing Niven through a table. Then she attacked the champion. Overall, it was whatever. Before the match, the teasing between her and Giulia continued, which was enough evidence that Giulia won’t win her ladder match tomorrow night.

Regarding Giulia, she had one hell of a night overall.

👑 Uncrowned Gem of the Night 👑

The women’s Money In the Bank ladder match is the better of the two on tap for the event, and with that much talent packed into one match, that should be no surprise. Put each half of the match against each other in a trio match, and you’re destined for a banger. That’s what we got as a little appetizer before Saturday.

The babyface squad of Rhea Ripley, Alexa Bliss and Stephanie Vaquer got the win over Roxanne Perez, Giulia and Naomi when the latter let Perez get hit with the Riptide. It was a smart move, honestly, and the commentary team pointed it out. There was essentially no point to that match other than for one team to weaken some of the competition, which was what Naomi did despite it being her partner.

It was just a great match from start to finish, with everyone getting their hits in, mixing some together for fun spots. Circling back to Giulia, however there was a reference from Wade Barrett on commentary to Giulia possibly cashing in on Vega if she wins the ladder match after what she did earlier. With Vega as one of the weakest champions in recent memory, I don’t know if a stupider and more unnecessary booking decision could possibly come to mind.

👍 FRIDAY NIGHT FIRE 👍

1. Interferences and dirty finishes are almost mandatory in WWE now, so if they’re done even somewhat creatively, it’s a plus. And that’s what happened when Jimmy Uso defeated Mateo with a roll-up after Sikoa and Fatu’s failed distraction attempt. 

Mateo clocked Fatu off the apron, furthering the dissension in the group. That’s all the match was good for.

2. To springboard off that latter highlight, Sikoa talking smack behind Fatu’s back was too good not to give a separate bullet. When this guy gets really into character, it’s hilarious, man.

3. The King and Queen of the Ring tournaments are back starting next week. WWE appeared to give us a possible tease for the Queen of the Ring finals between Jade Cargill and Charlotte Flair. I know the fans certainly won’t like that with Flair’s side, but that’s a great match and rivalry we need to see, especially with Cargill going over.

4. All of the top tag teams on “WWE SmackDown” gathered around backstage with general manager Nick Aldis to try and solve the Wyatt Sicks problem. This was pretty clever and cool to see, actually. It ended with Fraxiom being the ones to call for a match first. Nothing was made official, but I’m very curious to see how this whole overbooked tag team scene is handled.

🤷 IT HAPPENED 🤷

1. Penta and Andrade defeated American Made. This was a great match and showed how awesome of a team Penta and Andrade can be together. Why isn’t this an overall positive, though? Because they’re not a real tag team like the Creed Brothers are. So, the Creeds were just used at the expense of Chad Gable and his story. It’s fine and to be expected at this point, but it would be better to see them secure wins for the division, as “WWE Raw” is currently lacking.

To make it even worse, and more hilarious, considering what happened to Knight, Rollins and crew attacked Penta and Andrade afterward. Poor American Made isn’t even worth enough of a damn to Triple H to lose via his beloved DQ.

👎 DOWN & OUT 👎

1. Regarding the Wyatt Sicks, a cryptic and non-explanatory vignette preceded the tag team meeting with Aldis. All Bo Dallas said was that he and his crew were now family, and would take what they’re owed. OK. Honestly, Dallas resembling a young Jack Black was more distracting than anything.

2. Jey Uso legitimately felt like nothing more than a meme, catchphrase wrestler next to Rhodes.

👑 This “WWE SmackDown” was really weird, and you felt the three hours. As usual, a lot of mixed feelings. I give this show a Crown score of: 6/10. 👑