WWE SmackDown: Top 5 Performers (June 18, 2021)

#1 Roman Reigns (defended his Universal Championship in historic WWE SmackDown main event)

Roman Reigns stood tall on WWE SmackDown

WWE SmackDown featured a Hell in a Cell match for the first time in history. The main event saw Roman Reigns successfully defend his Universal Championship against Rey Mysterio. In the process, he also picked up his fourth victory inside the hellacious structure and extended his undefeated record in Hell in a Cell matches.

🤯😱🤯😱🤯😱#SmackDown #UniversalTitle #HIAC @WWERomanReigns @reymysterio @HeymanHustle pic.twitter.com/Jwat6HZtDX
— WWE (@WWE) June 19, 2021

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Reigns was excellent throughout the title match on WWE SmackDown. At first, he struggled to fight against Rey Mysterio’s ridiculously fast-paced attacks. However, the Tribal Chief eventually found his opening and turned the match in his favor. He swung Rey Mysterio around the cage and slammed him into the steel mesh more times than we could count.

Reigns lifted Rey Mysterio over his shoulders in the match's closing moments and launched him into the cell wall. He then locked his opponent in an inverted Guillotine, and the latter almost immediately tapped out. Although the match was shorter than average for a Hell in a Cell meeting, it was brutal in nature and entertained the WWE SmackDown viewers.

Go home. Stay home. And if you come back to MY ring…You’ll acknowledge me. #Smackdown https://t.co/1HLq1kacrx
— Roman Reigns (@WWERomanReigns) June 19, 2021

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After the match, Jimmy Uso and Paul Heyman joined Reigns inside the ring. The Universal Champion was concerned that his right-hand man, Jey Uso, was missing. Reigns’ attack on Rey Mysterio could lead to an extended feud between the two superstars on WWE SmackDown. This will keep the Tribal Chief occupied until his rumored SummerSlam feud with John Cena.

About the author

Shruti Sadbhav is a WWE writer at Sportskeeda Wrestling. With a triple major in Journalism, English Literature, and Psychology, she has always been drawn to writing. As an avid sports lover, writing about sports was the finest way to combine her passion with her prowess.

Whenever she writes, Shruti puts herself into the shoes of fans to see how she would appreciate an honest account of anything related to something she follows wholeheartedly with engaging and relevant information to cater to the readers' needs.

Shruti has seven years of experience. She previously worked as a content manager at Fox Sports Asia and as an assistant manager and digital marketer at Kickstart FC. Shruti previously worked in multiple roles in Sportskeeda, where she was a WWE features writer, editor, and content manager. She has over 40 million+ reads across all her writer profiles, giving her an immensely diverse audience across WWE and football.

When it comes to pro wrestling, Shruti does not particularly remember the first match she watched. However, she recalls accompanying her brother and getting hooked when she saw The Undertaker – a fascinating wrestler that she, like thousands of others, believed in.
Her views on pro wrestling evolved as she grew older and understood the intricacies of the business. This allows her to appreciate those who dedicate themselves to the craft and, once in a while, it does become what it has always been touted to be – magical. Her favorite wrestler is Finn Balor due to his persistence.

When she is not working as a writer, Shruti loves to read, enjoy a good cup of coffee, and let Manchester City dictate her weekend plans.

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Edited by John Cunningham