Joe Tessitore was notably absent from the commentary desk during last night’s episode of SmackDown. The broadcast, which emanated from a vibrant LDLC Arena in Lyon, France, saw veteran Michael Cole step in to join Wade Barrett.
There has been no official statement from WWE regarding the reason for Tessitore’s absence. Tessitore has been a regular voice for the blue brand for the past year.
The show Cole called was the final stop before the Clash in Paris premium live event and featured a major championship change in the main event. Sami Zayn captured the United States Championship for the first time by defeating Solo Sikoa. The match concluded after Zayn landed two consecutive Helluva Kicks, a victory that re-engages him in the ongoing storyline with The Bloodline and Sikoa’s MFT faction. The victory followed interference from Jimmy Uso and Jacob Fatu, which countered Sikoa’s ringside advantage.
Several other key developments took place on the broadcast:
- The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) became the new No. 1 contenders for the WWE Tag Team Championships after defeating Carmelo Hayes & The Miz. The win continues a recent successful run for the team.
- In the women’s division, Alexa Bliss defeated Chelsea Green in a singles match. The bout was changed from a scheduled tag team title defense after Green and Alba Fyre ambushed Bliss and her partner, Charlotte Flair, before the bell, injuring Flair.
- Michin earned a future opportunity at Giulia’s Women’s United States Championship by defeating Kiana James with a quick roll-up. After the match, Giulia and James attacked Michin.
- The go-home show also featured the final confrontation between John Cena and Logan Paul ahead of their match. Paul claimed he was a “disrupter” bringing positive change to WWE, while Cena’s earlier “parasite” comment was the focus.
- The rivalry between Randy Orton and Drew McIntyre intensified with a wild brawl that saw Orton nearly connect with a Punt Kick.