This week's SmackDown was dedicated to paying tribute to The Phenom, The Undertaker. Showing his greatest moments and biggest matches, both Michael Cole and Corey Graves confirmed The Undertaker was officially retired. WWE replayed the WrestleMania 36 Boneyard Match to kick off the show and had the rest of the SmackDown locker room standing out on the stage, paying tribute to a legend.
After the tribute and as the matches for SmackDown began, a few superstars got unexpected wins and one villain ultimately got what he deserved in what was supposed to be a feel-good and happy ending for the show.
Here are your winners and losers for SmackDown, June 26, 2020:
Winner: Opening Taker Promos
WWE is hands-down better than almost anyone at creating emotional moments via video packages. This was no different. The tribute was touching and throughout the night, WWE offered thoughts from some of the greats of the business, including Roman Reigns, John Cena, WWE Hall of Famers Edge and Batista, and many more.
The moment where the WWE Superstars were standing on the stage chanting "Thank you Taker" was a bit odd and took away from the tribute, but it can be overlooked considering why they were there. It's not to say any of the stars didn't truly appreciate The Deadman's contributions; it just felt forced and cheesy.
The Undertaker truly was an icon and the more WWE does this kind of thing, the more it looks like he's really leaving the ring for good.
Loser: King Corbin
Corbin was made to look like the stereotypical heel of the night, taking cheap shots at The Undertaker and his legacy. He started the show in the ring with a mic, got the crowd boo him by insulting a legend, and claimed the only reason Taker was so important for 30 years was because he kissed the McMahon's ass for 30 years. As the show proceeded, Corbin kept mocking The Deadman. It wasn't until he got in the ring with Jeff Hardy for the main event that he got what was coming to him. The babyfaces all surrounded the ring and made Corbin pay for his disrespect.
While this was the right guy in the right role for a show like this, the segments felt like a throwaway, meant to fill a show that was probably changed a lot over the past few days. It was fine and Corbin is more the loser because he was written into the show to be the biggest loser on the night. Our loser label isn't mean to describe his performance. He did his job well here.
Winner: Nikki Cross and The Lucha House Party
Nikki Cross was the unexpected winner of the #1 Contender's Fatal 4 Way: Alexa Bliss vs. Nikki Cross vs. Dana Brooke vs. Lacey Evans match. The Lucha House Party took home a big win in a big eight-man tag match.
For Cross, this is a good sign WWE still sees a future for her after she and Bliss lost their tag titles. For Lucha House Party, it may suggest they'll get a push where The Forgotten Sons were once pegged to shine. For Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik, this is a good opportunity one hopes they can seize.
Winner: Strowman Challenges Bray to "Go Home"
Braun Strowman told Bray that he knew just how to deal with The Eater of Worlds that tormented him when he first arrived to WWE. They needed to go home to where it all started. Where exactly home is wasn't determined, but it will take place in some kind of chaotic mess in what WWE has now officially confirmed will be a non-title swamp fight.
Strowman's promo work was excellent here. In fact, this might be the best promo he's ever delivered. The Monster Among Men doesn’t get enough credit and despite the pandemic he’s really coming into his own as Universal Champion. If there was ever a doubt he couldn't be a well-rounded champion, he's erased those questions.