Roman Reigns is going on trial on tonight's episode of SmackDown from Madison Square Garden in New York City.

It will mark the first time Reigns has appeared since his loss at Money in the Bank. At the pay-per-view, The Usos defeated Reigns & Solo Sikoa when Jey Uso pinned Reigns. It was the first pinfall loss Reigns has taken since December 2019.

The Usos are putting Reigns on trial in tonight's Tribal Court segment. It may set up Jey challenging for Reigns' Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at SummerSlam. The PPV is being held in Detroit on August 5. No matches have been made official yet.

Edge makes his return to WWE television tonight, appearing as a guest on The Grayson Waller Effect. The United States title will also be on the line as Austin Theory defends against Sheamus.

Plus, a grudge match between AJ Styles and Karrion Kross has been announced for tonight. Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

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The Trial of Roman Reigns

The Usos came out to start the show. Referring to Roman Reigns, The Usos said people told them he couldn’t be beat, and he was unbeatable. Then look at what happened at Money in the Bank.

Paul Heyman interrupted with Solo Sikoa. He said he would serve as defense counsel for Reigns. The Usos attempted to interrupt Heyman, but Heyman cut them off and told them only one person will tell him to stop talking. Sikoa grabbed Heyman’s microphone and threw it to the floor.

Reigns’ music then hit as he made his very long entrance, so long it went to commercial. It seems the trial of Roman Reigns is starting now.

After fans chanted he got pinned, Reigns admitted that he did get pinned, but he is still the tribal chief. Reigns said he has trouble understanding why he’s here tonight because since neither Uso is the tribal chief, they do not have the authority to put him on trial. He questioned who did.

The Usos ignored Reigns and instead introduced exhibit A, showing a montage of clips in which Reigns was shown berating, manipulating, humiliating, and attacking The Usos and Heyman. Despite the footage, Reigns said that is not who he was, that is what he was forced to be. You think I wanted to do all that? He said he did it for The Usos and Heyman. He said he main evented WrestleMania before the Bloodline, he bent his moral compass for the Bloodline and the representation of his family. He said his daughters were in the back not knowing who he was because of him.

He said he has five children in his household, do you think he needs to take theirs too? He doesn’t need this anymore, the money, the power. Reigns said he was done with all of it. He and Jey had a staredown before Reigns took off his lei and put it on Jey. He took off the WWE Universal Championship and bowed down in front of Jey, crying.

Jey attempted to console Reigns, but that was when Reigns sprung into action, low blowing Jey. Jimmy started to attack Reigns, but Solo stopped him. Solo then looked at the lei on the floor as Jimmy started to charge at Reigns. Sikoa laid Jimmy out with the spike and grabbed the lei. They were heavily teasing Sikoa was conflicted about what to do. Jey recovered and went after Reigns but Solo took him out. Reigns recovered and laid out Jimmy.

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Solo tied up Jey across the ropes as Reigns berated him, telling him he’d never be the tribal chief. He blasted Jimmy with the WWE title and repeatedly attacked him, forcing Jey to watch. Reigns pummeled Jimmy with stair shots until Jey broke free, attacking Reigns. Solo laid him out with the spike. Reigns buried Jey with chairs as Solo laid out Jimmy with a splash, sending him through the announcer’s table. The segment ended with Reigns posing with the championship.

This segment took up the first 37 minutes of the show and was excellent in setting up what will likely be Jey Uso vs. Roman Reigns at SummerSlam.

After commercial, Jimmy was shown being stretchered into an ambulance, with Jey choosing to ride with Jimmy to the hospital.

Austin Theory defeated Sheamus to retain the WWE United States title

It was fine while it lasted, but a lot of it felt like it took place during the two commercial breaks and the finish was rather lame.

The match went about two minutes before going to commercial. When SmackDown returned, Theory was in control but Sheamus cut him off and hit a knee from the top rope for a two count. Sheamus cut off Theory as he was going to the top rope, with Sheamus meeting him there and going for white noise. Theory cut him off and hit a spinning side slam for a nearfall.

Back from another commercial, Sheamus was in control and went for the Celtic Cross. Theory cut him off but Sheamus hit a spinebuster and applied the cloverleaf. Pretty Deadly then ran down as Sheamus started attacking Elton Prince. Theory then hit a dropkick as the Brawling Brutes came out and took out Prince. Sheamus targeted Kit Wilson, who was on the apron. That allowed Theory to roll up Sheamus, grabbing the tights for the win.

They showed a video package of WWE events held at MSG including the first WrestleMania, SummerSlam 1988, the episode of Raw featuring Triple H’s return from injury in 2002, and more.

The Grayson Waller Effect with Edge

Waller says there've been a lot of great moments at Madison Square Garden, but not as his as the announcement his guest has tonight. He introduced Edge.

Edge started to put over the arena when Waller cut him off and told him about the big announcement. Edge didn’t seem to know what he’s talking about. Waller put his career over but asked why he had come back. Edge said it was because of the fans.

Edge talked about how his first premium live event was at SummerSlam 1998, and in New York respect is hard won. He has always been a hard worker and a dreamer and still is to this day. Waller said Edge was announcing his retirement and told the fans to thank Edge. Edge said Waller had been here for half a hiccup and hasn’t even had a match on the main roster yet. Edge told Waller it was time to sink or swim. He said he wasn’t retiring, in fact he’s going to have a match here tonight. He said it would be him against Waller.

They showed a long recap of what happened earlier with Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa, and The Usos. The announcers said Jimmy was being “medically evaluated” and hoped to have an update by the end of the night.

AJ Styles defeated Karrion Kross

This went two minutes, max.

The announcers immediately pointed out that Kross’ leg was taped up and that he may have a leg issue. Kross cut off Styles and tried to go for the cross jacket. Styles cut him off with a pele kick and went for the phenomenal forearm. Scarlett attempted to distract him, but Michin at ringside took her out. Kross lifted Styles on his shoulders but Styles escaped and took out Kross and hit the phenomenal forearm for the win.

Asuka segment

Asuka declared no one was ready for Asuka. Bianca Belair came out and responded to that statement by attacking Asuka. Charlotte Flair ran out and met Belair as the two attacked one another. Asuka went to climb the top rope, but IYO SKY cut her off. Together she and Bayley laid out Asuka. SKY attempted to cash in, but Belair grabbed Bayley and dragged her to the outside as Charlotte hit a big boot on SKY as she was holding the briefcase. So no cash in.

Edge defeated Grayson Waller

I thought this was a good match, but the crowd was only sorta there for it. I thought the finish was rather good.

Edge started out in control, hitting a gutwrench suplex. He hit a fallaway slam and positioned himself for the spear, but Waller countered with a knee. He slid out of the ring and clotheslined Edge as the show went to commercial.

Waller remained in control as he worked on Edge’s neck. Edge attempted to come back with some forearms, but Waller cut him off. Waller went to the middle rope but Edge cut him off as he started to climb up. Waller fought back, sending Edge back down face first. Waller jumped off the turnbuckle, but Edge got the knees up.

Edge connected with a flapjack as Michael Cole announced that Jey Uso has arrived back at the building. Edge hit a crossbody off the top rope as Waller kicked out. Waller hit Edge with a boot in the corner, rolled over the back of Edge and hit the unprettier for a nearfall. He then landed a rolling forearm for another nearfall.

Edge cut off Waller with the edgecution DDT. Edge missed the spear in the turnbuckle as he went for his rolling cutter finish, but Edge instead hit the spear for the win. Cool finish.

After the match, Edge told Waller that “he swam.”

Roman Reigns was shown holding his lei backstage. Paul Heyman entered the room and told Reigns that Jey Uso was back at Madison Square Garden, and was looking for him. Reigns replied he wouldn’t have to look hard, as he’ll be in the ring.

Roman Reigns segment

Reigns was already in the ring as the show returned from commercial. Jey Uso’s music hit as he came out through the crowd. He attacked Sikoa, posting him as he stared down Reigns. Jey grabbed a chair and attacked Reigns with it. Reigns retreated as Jey repeatedly attacked Sikoa with the chair. 

Jey then grabbed the WWE title that Reigns left behind. He grabbed a microphone. He said he was the judge, the jury, and executioner. He said it was trial by combat now. Jey challenged Reigns to a one-on-one match and told him he’d better accept it so he could “whoop his a** one more time.” That brought SmackDown to an end.