Winners, News And Notes On July 1, 2022

WWE SmackDown, the go-home show for WWE Money in the Bank 2022, advertised a Money in the Bank summit, a Battle of the Brands pitting Raw’s Alexa Bliss, Liv Morgan and Asuka against SmackDown’s Raquel Gonzalez, Shotzi and Lacey Evans. SmackDown also advertised The New Day vs. The Viking Raiders.

SmackDown’s Money in the Bank summit led to a “Good Old-Fashioned Battle Royal” which featured competitors from the Money in the Bank match in addition to Ezekiel and Happy Corbin.

SmackDown also featured a highly entertaining segment with Max Dupri, who finally unveiled his two newest clients for Maximum Male Models Ma.cé (”Ma-seh”) and Mån.sôör (”Man-swah”).

Last week’s broadcast of SmackDown garnered 2.231 million coming off a massive number the week prior.

• June 24, 2022—2.231 million
• June 17, 2022—2.389 million
• June 10, 2022—1.914 million
• June 3, 2022—1.939 million
• May 27, 2022—1.878 million

• WWE SmackDown Venue: Footprint Center (Phoenix, AZ)
• WWE SmackDown Tickets Distributed: 7,245
• Available Tickets: 589

WWE SmackDown Results | Friday, July 1, 2022

Happy Corbin Wins Good Old-Fashioned Battle Royal

Seth Rollins and Riddle have to be considered the clear favorites, especially based on crowd reactions.

Omos dominated this match before being eliminated by Sheamus and Drew McIntyre. Prior to his elimination, Seth Rollins eliminated himself because he didn’t want that smoke.

I’m not sure a “Good Old-Fashioned Battle Royal” for supremacy is the best way to build your Black audience.

There was one person who received overwhelming crowd support throughout this match, which was Riddle. Fans loudly chanted his name, and no one else’s. For what it’s worth, there were also chants of “bum-ass Corbin.”

Sheamus received immense heat for eliminating Riddle in the Final Five. I hope WWE doesn’t think they can get Riddle over by beating him over and over again. If they have plans to push Riddle, as they should, he should be built up as a winner, not a lovable loser.

Corbin won the Good Old-Fashioned Battle Royal by hiding under the ring and eliminating both Sheamus and Drew McIntyre. Pat McAfee was not impressed.

The Viking Raiders Destroy The New Day

Michael Cole talked up the “New Vicious Viking Raiders” as vikings who plunder, pillage and “raid.” Cole took his time to make sure he carefully said that third word so there was no confusion.

The New Day had an exchange where Xavier Woods said it’s the end of June, only for Kofi Kingston to say “July’n” (“you lyin’’”). The joke received a lukewarm response, but apparently it was good enough for Woods to pay Kingston $5 since it technically worked.

This match will determine whether or not WWE is serious about pushing the Viking Raiders (for now) or if this is yet another start-and-stop for them.

The Viking Raiders laid waste to The New Day by using their vicious new shields.

Team Raw Wins Battle of the Brands

Becky Lynch made an unadvertised appearance on SmackDown.

Becky Lynch referred to herself as “Big Brainy Becks,” and Michael Cole cleverly retorted by saying she’s been having a lot of “mental problems” lately.

Liv Morgan crashed and burned doing a suicide dive to the outside. She recovered by winning the match for her team with an Oblivion.

The Usos and Street Profits: Ask Them Anything

Between “Ask Them Anything,” “Battle of the Brands” and “Good Old-Fashioned Battle Royal,” WWE is really trying to use branding to keep SmackDown’s ratings high.

The most noteworthy part of this segment came when Kayla Braxton randomly said she heard there was tension between the Street Profits, which caused a murmur among the crowd. Montez Ford brushed it off as coming from the “dirt sheets.”

Max Dupri Introduces ‘Ma-se’ and ‘Man-swah’

The “Max DuuuPREEEEE” ring introduction will get LA Knight over more than anything he’s ever stolen from The Rock or Steve Austin.

Max Dupri introduced Mace (pronounced “Ma-seh”) and Mansoor (”Man-swa”). He was very entertaining narrating their entrances, talking up their facial and body features. This gimmick has a lot of promise and I can’t wait to see where it goes.

Madcap Moss Wins Fatal 4-Way

Why, exactly, does Happy Corbin have to compete in a Fatal 4-Way after already winning a Battle Royal for supremacy? What type of supremacy, exactly, did he win?

Madcap Moss won the final spot, further grinding Happy Corbin’s gears and further opening the possibility of Corbin vs. McAfee at SummerSlam. I predict tomorrow, during Money in the Bank, WWE runs an angle to set up this match.