Winners And Grades As Jey Uso Leaves The Bloodline

SmackDown advertised Roman Reigns’ return as Jey Uso makes his decision of whether or not he is leaving the Bloodline. With Jimmy Uso drawing a line in the sand, Jey came up short last week in a United States Championship match after Jimmy accidentally super kicked Jey. The gaffe creates suspense as to whether or not Jey will abandon his own brother or leave the Bloodline.

In the main event segment, Jey Uso made his choice, leaving the Bloodline as he delivered two super kicks to Roman Reigns—one of which was in unison with his brother Jey.

SmackDown also advertised Charlotte Flair vs. Grayson Waller, Zelina Vega vs. Iyo Sky and a tag team gauntlet to determine the No. 1 contenders for the Undisputed Tag Team
TISI
Championships.

Last week’s broadcast of SmackDown garnered 2.278 million viewers.

WWE SmackDown Results | June 16, 2023

• Pretty Deadly wins Tag Team Gauntlet
• Zelina Vega def. Iyo Sky
• Karrion Kross and Scarlett def. AJ Styles and Michin

WWE SmackDown Ratings

• June 9, 2023 | 2.278 million
• June 2, 2023 | 2.563 million
• May 26, 2023 | 2.158 million
• May 19, 2023 | 2.133 million
• May 12, 2023 | 2.149 million

• WWE SmackDown Venue: Rupp Arena (Lexington, Ky.)
• WWE SmackDown Tickets Distributed: 9,372
• Available Tickets: 138

WWE SmackDown Winners and Grades

Pretty Deadly Wins Tag Team Gauntlet

The gauntlet match had a different format and it was better. Instead of having each team enter from the back, every team was ringside, which cut down unnecessary entrances. That also meant every team had to be “on” because there were constant reaction shots.

Sheamus and Ridge Holland ran through this field like a hot knife through butter, including a surprisingly quick victory over the Street Profits and a not-so-surprisingly three-second win over Hit Row as soon as Top Dolla hit the ring. Top Dolla deserves better, especially on Juneteenth weekend.

Sheamus hit over 20 Beats of the Bodhran on Pretty Deadly (about 10 beats each), and the shots seemed to get more stiff as he went on.

Pretty Deadly remains undefeated in gauntlet matches (2-0) after beating the Brawling Brutes on a technicality where Sheamus pinned the illegal man.

Fans continue to go crazy for Kevin Owens’ tirade’s, and as Owens and Sami ran to the ring to confront Pretty Deadly, Pretty Deadly escaped. Wade Barrett hilariously remarked that they were exhausted after running the gauntlet, despite the fact that they went on last.

In addition to “yes boy,” Pretty Deadly’s “even longer” catchphrase will definitely get over.

Pretty Deadly will be so over in London, and that might be the perfect spot to put the tag titles on them.

Tag Team Gauntlet Grade: B

Zelina Vega Def. Iyo Sky

Bayley and Iyo Sky’s miscommunication continues, and this time it resulted in a surprising upset win by Zelina Vega.

After the match, Bayley and Iyo Sky were arguing backstage. Shotzi challenged Bayley for her spot, and Iyo accepted on Bayley’s behalf.

Iyo Sky vs. Zelina Vega Grade: C+

The Grayson Waller Effect With Charlotte Flair

Grayson Waller was portrayed as a huge fan of Charlotte Flair.

Charlotte Flair claimed she planned to become a 15-time and 16-time women’s champion, which is both optimistic and pessimistic.

Bianca and Charlotte were wearing dueling one-piece outfits and both slayed.

Fans didn’t boo Charlotte Flair, but they were certainly behind Bianca Belair more.

Belair said she was going to be ringside for Charlotte’s title match with Bianca, which hopefully will set the stage for a heel turn.

Grayson Waller Effect Grade: B

Karrion Kross And Scarlett Def. AJ Styles And Michin

I was today years old when I learned the Scarlett character is a trained medium.

There was a noticeable pop when Scarlett tagged in.

Scarlett flirted with AJ Styles, prompting Styles to remove his glove, show her his ring say “I’m married, bitch.”

Backstage, Roman Reigns had three belts on display.

Kross and Scarlett vs. Styles and Michin Grade: B-

Santos Escobar Def. LA Knight

WWE finally let Santos Escobar cut an inspired babyface promo and it was awesome…right up until it was interrupted by the increasingly popular LA Knight.

Knight, who is still a heel (for now) shoved Rey Mysterio on his keister only to be run off by the babyfaces before the break.

After a good match, Santos Escobar stole the win via rollup. WWE has done a great job running with LA Knight’s momentum, but they don’t need to do much to get Santos over as a huge babyface.

LA Knight vs. Santos Escobar Grade: B

Jey Uso Leaves The Bloodline

Backstage, Jey Uso shared a moment with Sami Zayn, prompting “Ucey” chants.

Paul Heyman carried two of Roman Reigns’ belts, while Roman Reigns carried the Butterscotch Belt.

The Rupp Arena exploded into “Uso” chants the second Jey stepped into the ring.

Jey Uso referred to himself as “Joshua” during parts of this promo when Jimmy Uso admitted he doubted Jey being the right hand man.

Jey Uso cut a great, spirited promo, telling Jimmy “you out…and I’m out, too!” this led to as superkick on Reigns, a huge pop, and then a double super kick from The Usos.

Main Event Segment Grade: A+