Can Kyle O’Reilly get the edge on Adam Copeland?

Even though he defended the AEW TNT Championship in a brutal match with Brody King, Adam “Edge” Copeland is giving Vancouver’s own Kyle O’Reilly his dream match! Will #CombatKyle close the Cope Open?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Bryan Danielson & Claudio Castagnoli VS Top Flight; Bryan & Claudio win.
• Will Ospreay VS Lee Moriarty w/ Shane Taylor Promotions; Ospreay wins.
• Six Man Tag: Brian Cage & The Gates of Agony VS Evan Rivers & The Voros Twins; Cage & The Gates win.
• Daniel Garcia VS KM; Garcia wins.
• Dax Harwood w/ Cash Wheeler VS Tommy Billington; Dax wins.
• Thunder Rosa VS Robyn Renegade; wins.
• AEW TNT Championship: Adam “Edge” Copeland VS Kyle O’Reilly; wins and

PLAY BY PLAY

Bryan Danielson & Claudio Castagnoli VS Top Flight!

After that scare at AEW Dynasty, The American Dragon is back in action! He and the Swiss Superman jump into the ring together, will they get another win together? Or will Darius & Dante Martin prove blood is thicker than the Blackpool Combat Club?

The teams sort out and Bryan starts against Darius. Rogers Arena fires up for “A E DUB! A E DUB!” as the bell rings, and the two circle. Bryan and Darius nod, tie up, and Bryan wrenches, hammerlocks, headlocks and hits the takeover. Darius headscissors, Bryan gets free, but Darius headlocks for the takeover. Bryan headscissors, Darius kips free, and the fans cheer the standoff. The two reset, knuckle lock, and go around. They go shoulder to shoulder, Bryan rolls back and wrenches to wrangle and arm-drag Darius! Darius kips up, wrenches and waistlocks to then spin Bryan for a cravat. Bryan pries at the hold, then shifts to a chinlock.

Darius fights up, powers up and out, but Bryan runs him over! Things speed up, Darius arm-drags! The fans cheer as Darius has Bryan with the cording hold. Bryan fights up, powers up and whips, but Darius runs him over! Things speed up again, Darius turns arm-drag into backslide, TWO! Bryan avoids the sweep, Darius ducks the roundhouse, and the fans cheer the new standoff. Darius and Bryan circle, tie up again, and Darius wrenches an arm. Darius CLUBS the arm, tags Dante, and Top Flight double wrench to DOUBLE CHOP! Darius snapmares, then holds Bryan for Dante to stomp! Cover, TWO!

Dante keeps on Bryan with a wrench and wristlock. Bryan rolls, bridges, and powers Dante back to the corner. Tag to Claudio, he UPPERCUTS Dante and the fans fire up! Claudio pushes Dante around, fires forearms, then whips. Dante ducks ‘n’ dodges and flips to RANA! Claudio tumbles around to a corner, Dante runs up and A-LIST LARIATS! Tag to Darius, he goes to suplex but Claudio blocks! Claudio goes to suplex but Dante saves Darius! Darius then snap suplexes Claudio, and Dante slingshot SENTONS! The fans cheer, Darius covers, TWO! Darius CHOPS Claudio, Claudio UPPERCUTS Darius! Claudio shakes out the stars then bumps Darius off buckles.

Claudio CHOPS, UPPERCUTS, JABS and repeat! The fans fire up and “WOO~,” then Claudio brings Darius around. Claudio hangs Darius out to dry, then tags Bryan. Bryan goes up to FLYING KNEE DROP! The fans fire up as Bryan turns Darius over and hooks up the legs! The fans cheer “YES! YES! YES!” as Bryan pulls Darius up, up and away! ROMERO SPECIAL! Darius endures, the fans cheer, and Bryan lets Darius down so he can tag Claudio. Claudio UPPERCUTS Darius down, covers, ONE!! Darius is toughing it out but Claudio UPPERCUTS! Darius throws body shots but Claudio ROCKS him! “This is Awesome!” as they go back and forth!

Darius fires the forearms over an dover, then runs up, but is sent into buckles! And then into the POST! Darius tumbles down to the apron, the steps and then the floor! Claudio has the fans all fired up while Collision goes picture in picture.

Darius crawls to the steps, Bryan tags in and storms over to get Darius in the ring. Bryan stands Darius up, wrenches the arm, and hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Darius drops to his knees while clutching the elbow, but Bryan brings him back up. Darius CHOPS, but Bryan eggs Darius on. Darius CHOPS again, and again, and again! Bryan still holds onto the arm to wrench and ELBOW BREAKER! Darius falls again, and Bryan stays between him and Dante. Bryan brings Darius up, wrenches and whips Darius to the corner, then CHOPS! Darius sputters, Bryan KICKS, then CHOPS! And KICKS! And CHOPS! Repeat! The ref counts but Bryan lets off to tag in Claudio.

Claudio ROCKS Darius with a forearm, fires off body shots, then UPPERCUTS Darius down! Claudio drags Darius up, then snapmares, but Darius springs up to DROPKICK Claudio down! Claudio sits up to shake out the stars, and he goes after Darius. Claudio grabs the legs, but Darius kicks at him. Claudio rolls Darius to his feet to then scoop and SLAM! Claudio runs and DOUBLE STOMPS! Tag to Bryan, he talks some trash, and he watches Darius sit up. Bryan gets the fans fired up, and he KICKS as Collision returns to single picture! And KICKS! And KICKS! “YES! YES! YES!” Darius stands to CHOP, so Bryan CHOPS!

The fans “WOO~” as both men go back and forth! Bryan puts Darius in a corner, CHOPS, then KICKS again and again and again! Bryan whips corner to corner, but runs into a BOOT! Bryan ROLLING ELBOWS but Darius WALL RUN KICKS him down! Both men crawl, the fans fire up, hot tags to Claudio and Dante! Dante fires off but Claudio hits back! Dante fires even more forearms, and he just doesn’t stop! The fans fire up and Dante whips, but Claudio reverses. Claudio runs in, Dante dodges to then go up and around and GAMANGIRI! Dante goes up and springboards to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!

Dante goes to ropes, Claudio runs up but Dante jumps up and over! Darius GAMANGIRIS Claudio in the ropes! Dante then JUMP KNEES, ducks ‘n’ dodges and DIVES onto Bryan! Dante box jumps to the apron, but avoids Claudio to GAMANGIRI! Dante goes up and up to MAMBA SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives and shocks Dante! The fans rally, Dante goes to his corner but Bryan YANKS Darius down! Dante runs at Claudio, sunset flips, but Claudio rolls through, GIANT SWING!! The fans are thunderous as Dante goes around and around, all the way to TEN! Claudio then steps through, for the SHARPSHOOTER!

Dante endures, reaches out, crawls his way forward, but Claudio drags him away! Only for Darius to step-in FLATLINER! Bryan storms in to CHOP! Darius CHOPS back! They CHOP back and forth, “WOO~!” Darius ROCKS Claudio, CHOPS Bryan, repeat! But Claudio knees low, and BCC mugs Darius. They push him aside but Dante runs up! Dante gets under the double clothesline, then he helps Darius TORNADO DDT Claudio! Dante DECKS Bryan, then holds the way open so Darius can DIVE! Direct hit and both men hit railing! Dante goes up and up and NOSEDIVES!! Cover, TWO?!?

The fans are thunderous as Claudio survives! Fans hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” but this is just the opening match! Dante tags Darius, and Darius reels Claudio in. Dante goes up but Claudio fights the lift! Darius still tries, but Claudio back drops free! Dante leaps over Claudio, but Bryan runs in to BUSAIKU KNEE! Bryan has Darius but Darius CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Bryan ROUNDHOUSES, Claudio UPPERCUTS! Stack cover, BCC wins!

Winners: Bryan Danielson & Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall

The American Dragon & Swiss Superman are all fired up now! But will Bryan be ready for some Anarchy in the Arena at Double or Nothing? Bryan gets a mic to tell Vancouver, British Columbia, “Hey! Let’s give a round of applause for Top Flight.” The fans cheer that. Bryan says that team, those two, that is what AEW is all about! And shortly after the match started, Bryan heard a chant that warmed his heart, and it was only three letters: “A E DUB! A E DUB!” The fans join in, and Bryan says his very first Anarchy in the Arena almost ended his career! But the reason he is willing to come back and forth this time is because he LOVES AEW!

The fans cheer again, and Claudio takes his leave so Bryan can continue. Bryan says the Young Bucks and The Elite, which the fans boo, are part of the foundation of AEW. But they no longer represent what AEW is anymore! Tony Khan has been at every single AEW show since its inception! Every Dynamite, every Rampage, every Collision, even ROH! And guess what? We’re here with 7,000! The Bucks wanna run this company when they’re not even here?! So you wanna know why Bryan’s willing to fight in a match that almost ended him? It’s one reason: He LOVES AEW! What it represents, and what it gives to the fans!

And Bryan will do anything, and he means anything, to protect AEW! The fans chant “YES! YES! YES!” but will the American Dragon be able to help Eddie Kingston & FTR tear down this corrupt new Elite?

Will Ospreay VS Lee Moriarty w/ Shane Taylor Promotions!

The Aerial Assassin will be facing Roderick Strong for the AEW International Championship at Double or Nothing, so he’s going to sharpen that blade until it’s time to strike. Will the #BillyGOAT be able to cut through #TAIGASTYLE on the way to Las Vegas? Or will Lee Moriarty prove that he should be the one going for the gold?

But of course, The Savior of the Backbreaker would have to join commentary for this match so he can keep a close eye on Ospreay. Roddy also brings The Kingdom, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett, but Ospreay tells Roddy to get a good look then from the desk. The bell rings, the fans rally up, and the two tie up. Ospreay waistlocks, throws Lee down, but Lee wrenches to facelock. Ospreay powers Lee to ropes, the ref counts, and Ospreay lets off. Roddy says such good sportsmanship. The two tie up, Lee wrenches to wristlock, but Ospreay rolls. Lee wrangles Ospreay down, grinds the wristlock, but Ospreay fights up to his feet.

Ospreay chinbars but Lee wrangles him again. The fans sing for Ospreay but Lee mockingly claps along with Ospreay’s hand. Ospreay gets up, steps over and headlocks, but Lee wrenches out to wrangle Ospreay. Ospreay headscissors, Lee kips free, but then Ospreay hits the takeover. Lee headscissors, Ospreay kips free, and Lee avoids the buzzsaw! The fans fire up with Ospreay as Lee knows how close that was. Ospreay and Lee reset, feel things out, and knuckle lock. They go shoulder to shoulder, the fans rally, and Lee rolls back to put pressure on the knuckles! Ospreay endures, turns things, and he flips Lee up and over!

Lee tripos Ospreay, Ospreay bridges, and stays up even as Lee jumps on him! Ospreay turns things around to MONKEY FLIP Lee! But Lee MONKEY FLIPS back! Then Lee turns Monkey Flip into an ARM SNAPPER! Ospreay clutches the elbow but Lee whips. Ospreay ducks ‘n ‘dodges to RANA! Lee tumbles out of the ring and the fans fire up! Ospreay gets fans to chant “OI! OI! OI!” Ospreay builds speed, Roddy says you can’t take this long against Roddy, but Ospreay still PLANCHAS! Down goes Lee and everyone is fired up as Collision goes picture in picture.

Roddy & The Kingdom taunt Ospreay, he tells them to settle down, then he goes back for Lee. Ospreay puts Lee in the ring, aims from the apron, but he also has to worry about Shaney T! Ospreay springboards, Lee gets under, then Lee throat chops! And BUCKLE SHOTS! Ospreay falls back and Lee mockingly claps. Lee stomps Ospreay at the ropes, scrapes him out of the ring, then argues with the ref. This allows Shane to RAM Ospreay into the LED barriers! Shane stomps Ospreay, the fans protest, but Shane puts Ospreay back in. Lee covers, TWO! Lee stomps Ospreay around, and has him in a corner.

Lee whips corner to corner, runs in and clotheslines! Then he CHOPS! Ospreay drops to his knee, Lee mocks the United Empire’s crown, then he HALF HATCHES Ospreay! Cover, TWO! Ospreay stays in this but Lee stays on him. Lee has the armlock and chinbar and he grinds Ospreay down. Ospreay fights up, fights with body shots, but Lee CLUBS him on the neck! Lee puts Ospreay in a corner, digs elbows into Ospreay’s head, but lets off as the ref counts. Lee brings Ospreay around to cravat and neck wrench as Collision returns to single picture. Ospreay endures, throws body shots, and then ROCKS Lee with forearms!

Lee headlocks, Ospreay powers up but Lee cravats to snapmare and NECK TWIST! Roddy likes that and asks how “Billy Boy” feels. Lee drags Ospreay up, cravats again, but Ospreay breaks free to ROCK Lee again! Lee kicks low, whips, but Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER! The fans fire up as both men are down! Roddy admits, that was impressive. The fans rally as Ospreay kips up! Ospreay runs up to fire off haymakers and then whips. Ospreay back drops Lee high and hard! The fans are thunderous as Ospreay goes corner to corner, and BOOTS! Ospreay pushes Lee down, goes out and gets Vancouver all fired up!

Ospreay springboards, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! Lee survives but Ospreay just brings Lee up. Ospreay kicks, then Kawada Kicks! Ospreay underhooks, and Roddy dares the “fraud” to use the Storm Driver! Ospreay gives more Kawada kicks, but Lee blocks the chop! Lee SNAPS fingers, then reels Ospreay in! FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Ospreay survives and Roddy says hesitating like that against Roddy means you lose. Lee drags Ospreay up, reels him back in, but Ospreay fights the suplex to wrench out. Lee blocks the haymaker, has the fingers, but Ospreay breaks free to ROCK Lee! Lee ENZIGIRIS back!

Lee runs to the corner to clothesline! Lee puts Ospreay up top, but Ospreay slips out and tucks Lee in! CHEEKY NANDOS! Then torture rack to TOWER HACKER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Roddy asks now what!? Ospreay fires up, the fans fire up with him, but Shane blocks the way! The fans boo but Ospreay SUPERKICKS Shane! But Lee swings! Ospreay dodges to HOOK KICK! And now OSCUT- SLAM!! Lee then has the arm! BORDER CITY STRETCH!! Roddy shouts for Ospreay to tap like the coward he is! But Ospreay rolls and rolls, cradles, TWO!! Lee escapes, but Ospreay dodges him, goes to the corner and comes back, HIDDEN BLADE!!

Ospreay hauls Lee up, underhooks, thinks about it… And he Canadian Racks! STORMBREAKER!! Ospreay covers, Ospreay wins!

Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall

Ospreay stares Roddy down, letting him know that his arsenal is still deep, even without the Storm Driver. Roddy says he still has no chance, and then Shane gets in the ring! Shane CLOBBERS Ospreay, stomps away on him, and the fans boo! Shane gets Ospreay up for the KNOCKOUT SHOT!! Ospreay is down, The Undisputed Kingdom gets in, and they kick Ospreay around. Shane lets them pic the bones and hold their belts up high. Is Roddy going to make sure the International Championship stays Undisputed?

Mercedes Mone was at Fenway Park.

The CEO threw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Boston Red Sox, and it was a great one! She also got to meet Big Papi and watch the game with all the fans, but will she be ready to get down to business next week for the TBS Championship contract signing?

Six Man Tag: Brian Cage & The Gates of Agony VS Evan Rivers & The Voros Twins!

Mogul Embassy no more, The Machine, Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona have gone rogue! They were convinced by The Young Bucks and Christian Cage to betray Swerve Strickland, will they prove they never needed Swerve’s House in the first place?

The bell rings and Cage starts against Evan. Evan runs up, but into a FLAPJACK! Cage SUPERKICKS Evan, brings him around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES him! The Gates then get in to BLAST the Voros Twins! Kaun TOSSES one brother in, to LARIAT him down! Then Alabama lift for the ALABAMA SLAM! The other twin gets in, only for Liona to SPINEBUSTER! Cage hauls Evan back up to short arm LARIAT! Liona CHOKES and dribbles Evan, then he and Kaun mug him! And then ROCK-A-BYE BOMB!! Cover, Cage & The Gates win!

Winners: Brian Cage & The Gates of Agony, by pinfall

Dominant as ever, these three behemoths are back on top! Tony Schiavone carefully gets into the ring with them, Kaun having Liona stay back. Cage says say what you want, Schiavone. Schiavone asks why in the world these three attacked their leader, Swerve Strickland. The fans chant “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” but Cage says it ain’t Swerve’s House anymore! What’s the matter, Schiavone? You just stupid? They already explained all this! But for everyone who’s a little slow, Cage will get to the point: Swerve is selfish! He and Nana both! All they ever did was take and take and take, then left these three high and dry, until you needed them for something.

That’s not the kind of leadership and guidance these three were looking for. What they’re looking for is something more like the guidance of the new AEW product, of the new showrunners, our Elite EVPs, Matthew & Nicholas Jackson! But then SWERVE is here!! The fans fire up while Cage storms out to the ramp. But The Realest is smarter than that, and he gets Kaun with a chain!! Swerve drags Kaun out, then DUMPS Liona out! Cage returns, but Swerve BOOTS him, slingshots and somersaults, but into a suplex! Swerve slips free to GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up with Swerve, and he gives Cage a HOUSE CALL!!

The Gates and Cage are on the outside, but Swerve still FLYING KILL STOMPS Liona!! Swerve then aims to BOOT Kaun! And then KILL STOMPS to the floor! The fans fire up as Swerve drags Kaun up and over to the steps. Swerve uses his chain to wrap Kaun up at the corner! Swerve practically leashes Kaun, then says he’s coming for everything! But Liona POUNCES Swerve down! Liona brings steel steps over, and he tells Prince Nana this is all his fault! Liona gets some space, runs in, but Swerve CLOBBERS Liona with a cinder block!! The former Embassy should’ve remembered that one!

Swerve drags Liona around, gets a chair, scares Cage off, and then brings those steps over. Swerve drags Liona up, puts him on the steps, and in a message also to Christian Cage, FULL METAL CON-CHAIR-TO!!! Swerve has slayed the beast and the fans tell him he’s sick! But will he have to go back to those old vicious ways if he’s to destroy The Patriarchy?

Swerve speaks backstage.

Collision returns as the AEW World Champion chuckles. He says he tried to be the company guy, to be what he thought AEW needed, the face of the company, all that. But some are saying that ever since winning the world title, he’s gone soft, he isn’t the Swerve that got him here in the first place. Those people are taking advantage of Swerve. Christian Cage & The Patriarch, and then the EVPs, and now his own freakin’ people! Embassy, he brought you into this world, so he had to take you out. The only one left is Brian Cage. So this Wednesday, on Dynamite, in his home state of Washington, Brian gets his shot at the AEW World Champion.

So you all know how it goes. Welcome to whose house? “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” The Machine is on Swerve’s hit list, will he be an example to Captain Charisma?

Daniel Garcia VS KM!

The Dragonslayer has been fighting as he’s been searching for opportunities. Will he be able to earn his way to what he’s been seeking? Or will big Kevin Matthews be a big obstacle on that journey?

The bell rings, the two tie up, and KM uses his size to put Garcia in a corner. KM lets off, but knees low! KM throws big forearms, then eggs Garcia on. Garcia fires off forearms in return! Garcia then reels KM in, but KM’s too big for a saido! KM CLUBS Garcia, then short arm LARIATS! KM mocks Garcia’s dance, because he better not actually be trying… KM whips Garcia hard into the corner, then taunts him. KM drags Garcia up, the fans rally for Garcia, and Garcia fights off the bump! Garcia fires haymakers on KM, then backs him to a corner! Garcia stomps a mudhole and the fans fire up! The ref counts, Garcia lets off, but then he drags KM back up.

Garcia whips, KM reverses and runs in, but Garcia dodges the elbow! Garcia goes up to rain down fists! The fans count along all the way to nine, and Garcia DANCES on KM’s face! Garcia lets off while the fans cheer, and KM staggers around. Garcia storms up, reels him in, and SAIDOS!! The fans fire up again as Garcia storms up, reels KM in, DRAGON SLEEPER! KM taps, Garcia wins!

Winner: Daniel Garcia, by submission

KM had big attitude but that only cost him big! Will Garcia finally have the title match he wants as we approach Double or Nothing?

Dax Harwood w/ Cash Wheeler VS Tommy Billington!

While FTR is getting ready for Anarchy in the Arena, Dax the Ax could not pass up the chance to face the nephew of the OG Dynamite Kid! While it is an honor, will Dax not go easy on young Tommy? Will Tommy do his family proud by making it through this Collision?

The bell rings and the two stare down. The fans rally as the two circle and feel things out. They tie up, go around, and go along the ropes. They end up in a corner, the ref counts, and Tommy lets off. The fans rally up as the two go again, and Tommy arm-drags fast! The fans applaud while Dax and Tommy reset again. They tie up, Tommy wrenches to wristlock, but Dax rolls, spins, slips through and wrenches back. Dax headlocks for the takeover and the fans cheer the technical exchange. Tommy keeps his shoulders up, fights to his feet, and powers out. Dax runs Tommy over, covers, ONE as Tommy bridges!

Tommy kips up, HEADBUTTS, and HEADBUTTS again! Dax HEADBUTTS back! Dax wrenches, wristlocks, but Tommy spins and arm-drags, only for Dax to bring Tommy down with him! Dax hammerlock, the fans applaud the technical exchange, and Tommy fights up. Tommy MONKEY FLIPS Dax, but Dax drags Tommy back down! Dax hammerlocks again, but Tommy stands, rolls, and kips up to then handspring and slip through! Tommy headlocks, Dax powers out, they RAM shoulders! And RAM shoulders! And RAM shoulders again! Tommy doesn’t stop, Dax drops but Tommy runs him over!

The fans fire up while Dax bails out and regroups with Cash. Tommy goes up and up but stops as Dax backs away! The fans cheer as Dax cools off and paces. Dax goes up the steps, steps into the ring, and he resets with Tommy. They tie up, Dax headlocks, but Tommy powers up and out. Dax runs Tommy over, keeps going, but Tommy drops to hurdle. Tommy runs but Dax CLOBBERS him! The fans fire up while Dax paces. Dax drags Tommy up, CHOPS, and then brings him back around. Dax CHOPS, shakes out his hand from hitting so hard, and then puts Tommy in a corner. Tommy kicks back, HEADBUTTS and CHOPS!

Tommy whips, Dax reverses to wrench and LARIAT! Dax shakes out the arm, which is bandaged up, but he still snap suplexes! Leg drop! Cover, TWO! Dax whips Tommy, Tommy hurdles, then he SHOTGUNS! Dax goes to ropes, Tommy runs up, and he CROSSBODIES Dax and himself out to the floor! The fans fire up, Cash checks Dax, and Collision goes picture in picture!

Dax and Tommy stir, and Tommy sits up first. The ring count is climbing as Tommy and Dax crawl over. They both stand at 5, then they slide in at 7! The fans cheer, Cash coaches Dax, and Dax storms up on Tommy in a corner. But Tommy turns things around to fire fast hands and a CHOP! Tommy ROCKS Dax, CHOPS him, but Dax CHOPS Tommy down! Dax shakes his head, paces around, then brings Tommy up to snapmare. Dax clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Tommy down. Tommy endures, fights up, and he throws elbows! Tommy runs, but Dax clamps on for a SLEEPER! Tommy flails, but he drops to his knees!

The ref checks Tommy, Tommy gets a second wind, and he fires body shots! But Dax CHOPS! Dax stomps Tommy down, then drags him back up. Dax headlocks, but Tommy hits a BIG back suplex! Dax flounders out of the ring, and Collision returns to single picture as Tommy climbs the corner! SUPER CROSSBODY! Down goes Dax and the fans fire up! Tommy hurries to put Dax in the ring, then he goes up the corner! The fans chant for “DY-NA-MITE!” as Tommy MISSILE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up more, Tommy whips and CLOBBERS Dax! Tommy hauls Dax up to snap suplex! Tommy goes up a corner and the fans fire up again! MACHO ELBOW! Cover, TWO!!

Dax survives, Cash pounds the mat, and the fans rally up. Tommy brings Dax up, but Dax fights the waistlock with elbows! Dax reels Tommy in, puts him up top, and then CHOPS! Dax climbs up, but Tommy HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS again! Tommy fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT, then DECKS Dax! Dax flounders in the drop zone, Tommy adjusts, and the fans fire up, only for Dax to ROCK Tommy first! Dax goes to the very top, to SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! “This is Awesome!” as the standing count climbs to 5 of 10.

Dax goes to the apron, then goes up a corner! Tommy goes to ropes so Dax hops down. Dax GERMAN SUPLEXES! Then GERMAN SUPLEXES! Tommy elbows and switches, to GERMAN SUPLEX! And GERMAN SUPLEX! Tommy drags Dax up again, but Dax fights with elbows of his own! Dax CHOPS, whips, but Tommy goes up and around and rolls up! Dax rolls through, catches the arm, DRAGON SUPLEX! The fans fire up while both men are down again! The standing count returns, Dax sits up at 5 and Tommy follows at 6. They stand, Dax reels Tommy in, but Tommy fights the lift! Dax CHOPS and Tommy sputters.

Dax tries again but Tommy turns lift into cradle, TWO!!! Dax escapes by a narrow margin, but Tommy jumps on, O’Conner into OWEN HART CLUTCH! TWO!! Dax runs up, but into a BOOT! Tommy goes up and hops onto Dax, but Dax spins him around! SLINGSHOT POWERBOMB!! Cover, Dax wins!

Winner: Dax Harwood, by pinfall

Tommy truly put up a fight worthy of his family’s legacy, but Dax stands tall on behalf of the #TopGuys! Dax does show respect to Tommy with a fist bump. Will Tommy Billington one day be All Elite? Will FTR be more than ready for Anarchy in the Arena in just two weeks?

BREAKING NEWS for Wednesday Night Dynamite!

The Don Callis Family is looking for payback given the injury Will Hobbs suffered in his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match against Jon Moxley. Moxley is defending said title in California as part of NJPW Resurgence, but he’ll be back with AEW this Wednesday, teaming alongside Bryan Danielson against Kyle Fletcher & Jeff Cobb! It’s a United Empire reunion, will the Imperial Unit help the Aussie Arrow avenge The Powerhouse?

The Elite speak.

It was after the show went off the air on Wednesday that Matthew, Nicholas, The Rainmaker and Jack Perry regrouped backstage. Kazuchika Okada told Dax that he wants a match with Dax for Dynamite! The EVPs said it’s official then. And Jack says that last year, at Double or Nothing, he was in the Four Pillars Fatal 4, and he had never been so miserable. But this year, he still gets a black eye from Kenny Omega, has all these b*tches pulling his hair, and yet he’s never felt so alive. This year, he’s not a pillar but the cornerstone of this! And at Anarchy in the Arena, he cannot wait! “All of you are dead!”

The EVPs say didn’t you see what they did just last year in Vegas in that same match? Oh hey, look who it is! Christopher Daniels walks by and the Bucks stop him. They ask him what was up with him getting in the middle of their business! He’s doing his job? The job they hired him to do? How much money has he made these past five years? You’re welcome! How about Daniels stays back with the headset- Daniels explodes on Matt! Who does Matt think he’s talking to? After all they’ve been through, they just think Daniels is their lackey? He’s been here since day one because he EARNED this job! He put his own in-ring career aside to make AEW the best it could be!

And most of all, Daniels was their friend when being their friend was the hardest job of all. So if they ever talk to him like that, he’ll beat their asses! Daniels shoves Matt and storms off, leaving the Bucks speechless.

Christopher Daniels speaks.

Now live in the present, Daniels says, “I’ll never enjoy my success so much that I forget the sacrifices it took to get there. But Matt & Nick, you seem to have forgotten where you come from.” Daniels has had this AEW All Access pass from day one, when it all happened. The Bucks, SCU, Tony Khan & Kenny Omega–y’know, two guys The Bucks put on the shelf–were there, doing the work to make AEW the best wrestling company on the planet. Five years later, they’re set to reap the benefits, but The Bucks want to make it about themselves! Daniels won’t let that happen.

This past Wednesday, The Bucks tried to start a riot in the ring, but Daniels did his job to keep the peace. And yet, The Bucks go and talk down to him? Like he’s a servant? Like he’s less than? Well Matt & Nick, you found out he won’t just cower when they speak and now their feelings are hurt. So now as a form of punishment, Daniels has to get a tag partner and meet The Bucks in a match? Well okay. Then Matt Sydal, the original high-flyer, the Zen Assassin, is an easy choice. They’ve held championships together before, and they know what it takes. But Daniels says that this pass won’t be in play, his heart will!

The title of EVP won’t matter in that match, either! And as far as punishment, yeah, someone is getting punished. But not who The Bucks think. Will Matt & Nick be humbled for once? Or will they abuse their power and grow their egos instead?

FTR speaks.

Collision returns as the #TopGuys are backstage, and Dax says he’s been doing this 20 years. And in those 20 years, he’s never fought in a match as brutal or dangerous as Anarchy in the Arena. And apparently, the only two guys around here that make both shows (Dynamite and Collision) are the workhorses of AEW. That’s okay with him, too, because that’s what he gets paid for. But this Wednesday, following this great match tonight against Tommy Billington, now Dax must fight a man who may be the greatest of all time in Kazuchika Okada. A first-time-ever match. This ain’t no pattycake NJPW “Young Boy” crap either. This is pro-wrestling! This is AEW, where the best wrestle.

And Dax promises Okada that come Dynamite, Okada ain’t ever fought someone like Dax. #TopGuysOut. Will the Ax fire the first shot by taking down The Rainmaker? Or will be be the one taken down by The Rainmaker?

Thunder Rosa VS Robyn Renegade!

La Mera Mera wants to tear into The Virtuosa, but she’ll just have to wait a moment for that. Will she send a message to Deonna Purrazzo through this match? Or will this Renegade send a message of her own to all of AEW?

SmackDown’s brackets are set!

The King & Queen of the Ring tournaments began on Monday Night Raw, and they continue here on SmackDown! But will AJ Styles use the crown to redeem himself from Backlash? Or will there soon be a King Viper?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Queen of the Ring: Naomi VS Nia Jax; Nia wins and advances.
• King of the Ring: Carmelo Hayes VS Baron Corbin; Melo wins and advances.
• Queen of the Ring: Jade Cargill VS Piper Niven; Jade wins and advances.
• Queen of the Ring: Bianca Belair VS Candice LeRae; Bianca wins and advances.
• King of the Ring: Tama Tonga VS Angelo Dawkins; Tama wins and advances.
• King of the Ring: Randy Orton VS AJ Styles; Orton wins and advances.

PLAY BY PLAY

Nick Aldis is in the ring.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to SmackDown live from a sold out Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilks-Barre, Pennsylvania!” The fans fire up for that! Aldis continues to say there are huge King & Queen of the Ring matches here tonight, but before that, please welcome the Undisputed WWE Champion, the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes! The fans fire up and sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro then gets the fans even more fired up before going down the ramp and to the ring. Cody shakes hands with Aldis, gets himself a mic, and hears the fans chant his name.

Aldis tells Cody congratulations on the successful defense against AJ Styles at Backlash. Never a small feat getting your hand raised against the best of a generation. But now, we turn our attention to the KQOTR event in Saudi Arabia. And Aldis knows Cody well, has heard him say it, and knows it already: Cody is a fighting champion. Cody wants to defend against the very best as often as he can. That said, Aldis brought Cody out here tonight to let him know his next challenger has already been determined. And Aldis thought there was no better time to introduce him than right here and now.

We all turn to the ramp to see… LOGAN PAUL!? The Mohegan Sun Arena rains down boos on The Maverick United States Champion as he makes his way out here. Logan shakes Aldis’ hand, then steps into the ring with Cody. United States Champion circles with Undisputed Champion before getting himself a mic. The fans continue to boo Logan but Logan doesn’t let that bother him. Cody speaks first, “So… Logan Paul.” Logan wants to hear that again. “So… Logan Paul…” The fans boo harder each time, and Cody says he already knows what Logan wants to talk about.

Logan says yes he does, brother! Main eventing the KQOTR PLE, Champion VS Champion with THE Cody Rhodes. It will truly kick off the Logan Paul Levesque Era! The fans boo and chant “LOGAN SUCKS! LOGAN SUCKS!” Cody tells Logan that Champion VS Champion is a challenge he certainly likes. Because the fact is, holding not one but two- Oh, see, that’s the thing, Cody. Facts don’t care about feelings, and neither does Logan. And here’s some facts: Logan Paul, not Cody, is the longest reigning champion in the WWE. He is the greatest attraction in this company. He had the greatest rookie year of all time. And Logan is a superstar.

Logan saw that there’s a fan with a birthday today. Congrats, Isaiah, you met a superstar, and his name is Logan Paul. Happy Birthday! But hey, Cody’s great! He’s a superstar, too! Yeah, Cody won the 2023 Royal Rumble. But what does everyone remember from that night? Logan Paul’s viral midair collision with Ricochet, The Crash Seen ‘Round the World! And yes, Cody won at WrestleMania 40, but what was everyone talking about that night? Logan, IShowSpeed, and Prime. Logan’s brand, Logan’s ideas, Logan’s moment. And look who’s taking all the credit. See, three years ago, another fact: Cody and Logan both debuted at Mania.

The fans chant “PRIME SUCKS! PRIME SUCKS!” and that annoys Logan. Logan says Prime has 20 calories and two grams of sugar, so shut up, Pennsylvania! The fans boo more but Logan has more facts for the “virgin inbreds.” These two men came to WWE on the same night. And since then, Logan’s been the fuel for the rocket ship that is the WWE. So his question for Cody is: how can Cody #FinishTheStory when it isn’t even his story? So what’s Logan gonna talk about? Him knocking Cody out on top of his logo, walking out as THE WWE Champion! The fans still chant “LOGAN SUCKS!” but Cody takes a moment.

Cody bets a lot of people standing across from Logan just assume, “What a dumbass.” The fans cheer that! As fun as that would be, he won’t call Logan a podcaster, YouTuber, outsider, influencer, any of that. It isn’t just a fad for Logan, Cody’s gotten a sense for who Logan really is, and so have the fans. Logan went toe-to-toe with Floyd Mayweather. Made Forbes’ 40 Under 40. And Logan won the United States Championship. But since we’re all going over facts, the fact is, if Cody were to win that US Championship, that’d make him a Grand Slam Champion! The fans like the sound of that!

Logan lifts his mic but Cody stops him! Cody says he is not done. In addition to all the positives that Logan is, Logan is also disrespectful, self-centered, delusional, and cannot go a single match without using brass knucks! And Logan is out here taking credit for something that doesn’t belong to him, or to Cody. This right here is a team! And at the KQOTR event, Logan will find out where he stands on that team. Cody lifts his title high, but so does Logan. Who will be the one man that holds them both at the end of this?

Backstage interview with AJ Styles.

Kayla Braxton is with the Phenomenal One and brings up his first round match with The Viper, Randy Orton. How prepared is he feeling? Before that, Styles wants to talk Backlash. How Styles had Cody on the ropes, had him beat, and Cody knows it. Lyon, France knows it. That’s why they were doing the chants and the singalongs, all to distract Styles. Mission accomplished. It should be Styles facing Logan and defending that title. But just know this: Cody, the next time you and Styles meet, Styles WILL beat you. And Styles will earn another title match, and that starts tonight. Winning King of the Ring is a Phenomenal Step in the right direction.

Styles heads out, he didn’t even mention Randy by name. But will that only earn him an RKO outta nowhere and right outta the tournament?

Queen of the Ring: Naomi VS Nia Jax!

Speaking of falling short for a title, The Glow felt some of that at Backlash in that Triple Threat. But likewise, The Irresistible Force has been just out of reach of a title herself. Who will step over the other to step closer to the throne?

SmackDown returns and Nia makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two stare down. The fans rally up, Nia pie faces Naomi, so Naomi SLAPS back! Naomi fires forearms, Nia shoves her away then CLOBBERS her! Nia dribbles Naomi off the mat, then she drags Naomi up to whip to a corner. Naomi hits buckles hard, Nia soaks up heat, and Nia runs up to SPLASH! Nia TOSSES Naomi away, then soaks up more heat. Nia runs in again to SPLASH, and then she shoves Naomi down. Nia runs to drop an elbow! The fans rally for Naomi but Nia kicks her around. Nia stands Naomi up, puts her in another corner, then runs in again, but Naomi dodges!

Nia is caught in ropes, Naomi KICKS the leg, a QR code pops in, and then Naomi CHOP BLOCKS Nia! Naomi headlocks to BUCKLE BULLDOG! Nia staggers away, comes back, but Naomi dodges to POST her! Naomi sees Nia tumble out, then she builds speed! Naomi DIVES and sends Nia into barriers! Naomi then fires hands, but Nia shoves her into the apron! Nia fireman’s carries, SAMOAN DROP to the floor! The fans boo while Naomi is down, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Nia grinds Naomi with a cobra clutch! Naomi fights up and JAWBREAKERS free! Naomi KNEES Nia, ROCKS her, then ROCKS her again! But Nia HEADBUTTS Naomi down! The fans boo but Nia motions wearing a crown. Nia brings Naomi up, hangs her out to dry, then HEADBUTTS her down again! Naomi tumbles to the floor, but Nia soaks up the heat. Nia wants the ring count and it begins. Nia counts along with a lot of sass, but Naomi sits up at 4 of 10. Nia tells the fans to kiss this while we pass 5, but Naomi is on the apron. Nia storms over, Naomi HOTSHOTS her!

Naomi slingshots up and over, but Nia stays up! Only for Naomi to avoid the hip drop! The fans fire up while both women are down! Naomi rises again, the fans rally up, and Naomi fires forearms! Naomi whips, Nia blocks! Nia whips, but Naomi slides under! Naomi LARIATS but Nia stays up! Naomi runs to UPPERCUT but still Nia stays up! Naomi springboards, FLYING CHUCK! Nia drops to her knees and the fans fire up! Naomi feeds off that energy and springboards again, but Nia catches her! But Naomi slips out to the apron, ROUNDHOUSE, and then she reels Nia in through the ropes! HEATSEEKER!

Naomi hurries up to the corner, SPLIT-LEG MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Nia survives and Naomi is frustrated. The fans rally up as Naomi and Nia rise, and Naomi headlocks again. Nia shoves her to a corner, but then Naomi dodges the splash! Naomi forearms Nia, then hoists her up the corner! The fans fire up this feat of strength! Naomi goes up after Nia, but Nia HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! And then clinches, brings Naomi up, and SUPER- STEINER!! Naomi turns things around and hurries to cover, TWO!! Nia survives and the fans are thunderous! Naomi and Nia both catch their breath, and Naomi rises first.

The fans rally, Naomi waits on Nia, then SUPERKICKS! Nia wobbles, into another SUPERKICK! Naomi runs up, but buzzsaw becomes POWERBOMB! Nia flips Naomi over to run and LEG DROP! Nia then puts Naomi in a drop zone, steps on her to go up the corner, A-NIA-LATOR!! Cover, Nia wins!

Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Naomi’s Queen of the Ring hopes were just literally crushed! Nia says she will be queen, will no one be able to stop her?

Baron Corbin shows off his shave.

Of his head, that is. Byron Saxton steps over to interview The Lone Wolf, welcoming him back to the blue brand. How has Corbin changed things up since he was last on SmackDown? Corbin says so much has changed. Things weren’t going his way back then. He was lost and confused. Was he a king? A constable? Happy or sad? He went back to NXT, found himself again, and is going to wreck shop as himself. IT will be a grind, but… Then in steps Carmelo Hayes! Melo sarcastically congratulates Corbin on getting called up. When did he get Drafted? Melo must’ve missed it. Oh, Melo’s got jokes, huh? Well, with a head that big, it’ll be an easy target.

Corbin says here’s some advice, but Melo tells him to save it. The last guy that tried that isn’t even in the tournament anymore, all at the thought of Melo running circles around him. So here’s some advice for Corbin: do what Bobby did, and pull out now. Because tonight, Melo is running circles around Corbin. Corbin can’t believe Melo’s attitude. Will Corbin find a way to humble… HIM?

King of the Ring: Carmelo Hayes VS Baron Corbin!

The former NXT Champion took his shot at Cody Rhodes, and yeah, he missed. But now he’s taking aim at the throne, and taking on a former King of the Ring to start off! Will Melo hit the game winner and move on to the next round? Or will the Lone Wolf take a big bite out of… HIM?

The bell rings and the two circle. Melo avoids Corbin, circles with him again, then jukes again! Melo waistlocks, Corbin bucks the O’Conner, but Melo ducks ‘n’ dodges the big shots to dropkick the legs out! Melo then Eddy Gordo Kicks! And he SLAPS Corbin’s bald head! Melo talks trash, but Corbin DECKS him! Corbin DECKS Melo again, puts him on ropes and body shots! Corbin follows Melo to a corner, then reels him in for an ELBOW! Corbin ELBOWS Melo again, hauls him up to back suplex, but Melo lands out! Only for Corbin to FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Corbin has control while Melo bails out, and SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns and Corbin throws down ELBOWS on Melo in a corner! Fans count all the way to TEN, but then Melo fights the superplex! Melo slips out the bottom, YANKS Corbin down, then springboards for the FLYING LARIAT! Melo runs up and tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! Cover, TWO! Corbin is still in this but Melo dares him to get up. Melo aims from the corner, runs up, but into a fireman’s carry! Melo fights with elbows, slips free, and shoves Corbin away. Corbin swings, Melo dodges, but runs into DEEP- NO, Melo slips fere of that one! Only to run back into the fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!

Corbin isn’t done, he suplexes for the SHEER DROP BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Corbin maybe got a little lax in the pin, but the fans are all fired up! Corbin storms over to Melo in a corner, then puts him back up top. The fans rally for Corbin as he throws hands. Melo kicks Corbin away, to hit the FIRST 48! Melo then resets, runs up, V-TRIGGER! Melo goes up top, Corbin rises, NOTHING BUT- NO! Corbin avoids the three pointer to then clinch and CORNER URENAGE! Then a LARIAT! Corbin hauls Melo right up, suplexes, ANARCHY CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives but Corbin reels him right in! Only for Melo to slip free again! Cradle, MELO WINS!!

Winner: Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Corbin was about to dunk on Melo, but Melo steals the ball to score instead! And if Melo can do that to a former King of the Ring, is it inevitable that WWE will crown… HIM?

Backstage interview with Bayley.

Kayla is now with the WWE Women’s Champion and says tonight is SmackDown’s start in the Queen of the Ring Tournament. Does The Role Model have a particular favorite to win? Bayley says there is a lot of talent in this tournament, but she is interested to see how far Jade Cargill can go. Before Bayley can say more, Chelsea Green & Piper Niven walk over. The Hot Mess says, “Ooh la la~! Clearly, the stench of France has made you lose your mind, because you forgot about Miss Piper here. But we have to go, Piper’s about to kick Jade out of the first round of the tournament. Au revoir!”

Chelsea blows mocking kisses, Piper eyes Bayley up and down, then they both leave. Will the Scottish Viper, a former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion, be able to weather the storm that the current WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion is bringing?

Backstage interview with Randy Orton.

Byron is now with The Viper, and says many are looking at Orton as the favorite to win the KOTR. However, some are also saying the same about his opponent in this opening round, AJ Styles. What’re Orton’s thoughts? Orton says that there is a lot he has accomplished in his tenure in the WWE. But one thing he hasn’t done is become King of the Ring. Now, he like everyone else, all the guys in the back, all the fans out there, know how great AJ Styles truly is. But, man oh man, it feels phenomenal when he hits Styles with an RKO. So stay tuned. Orton then thinks of one more thing. He’s reminded of something. This is for Tama Tonga.

Last week, Tama took out Orton’s friend and teammate, Kevin Owens, at Backlash! The Bloodline took Kevin out! And has Orton forgotten about that? Oh no he has not! Orton sees the bracket, that Tama is safe on the other side of SmackDown’s bracket, but something tells him that they will path cross. And when they do, it won’t just be an RKO for Tama. No, no, no. Orton will do everything in his power to make sure Tama sees it coming! The Good Bad Guy has been warned, but will Orton get through Styles to make good on it?

Queen of the Ring: Jade Cargill VS Piper Niven w/ Chelsea Green!

The storm that hit the WWE Women’s Division brought about NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions at Backlash, but now, forces of nature are colliding here in the opening round of the tournament! Who will still be standing at the end of this to head for the throne?

The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and break. They circle again, tie up, and are in another deadlock. They break again, talk some smack, and the fans fire up. Jade runs, RAMS Piper, but Piper stays up. Piper smiles but Jade dares her to try. Piper runs, RAMS Jade, and the fans fire up again! Jade and Piper talk some more smack, Jade runs, but ducks the lariat to run Piper over! Piper gets up, Jade whips, but PIper reverses and ELBOWS Jade! Jade stays up so Piper reels her in to scopo! Jade slips free, and SUPERKICKS! Jade roars, runs in at Piper, but PIper catches her to SPINEBUSTER!

Piper scowls, and SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Jade withstands that damage but Chelsea coaches Piper up. Piper kicks Jade around, stomps her, then hauls her up. Piper SLAPS Jade right down, then stalks her to ropes. Piper CHOKES Jade, Chelsea laughs at her, but the ref counts. Piper lets off, so Chelsea SLAPS Jade! The fans boo but Piper hauls Jade up. Piper scoops and SLAMS Jade, then dusts herself off. Chelsea taunts the fans for cheering Jade, but Piper hauls Jade up again. Short arm LARIAT! Jade falls over, but Piper drags her back up. Short arm LARIAT! Jade falls again, Piper flexes, but the fans boo.

Piper stands Jade back up, but Jade blocks the lariat! The fans fire up as Jade fires forearms, but Piper HEADBUTTS! Both women wobble, Piper runs, but Jade gets around to BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Piper survives and Chelsea is panicked! Jade scowls, the fans rally up, and Jade runs in at the corner. SPLASH! Jade keeps going, to SPLASH again! Jade wants a third but Chelsea stands in the way! So Jade DECKS her! The fans are thunderous, but then Piper swings on Jade! Jade gets around, chicken wings, but Piper powers out to HEADBUTT! Piper runs in at Jade to SPLASH in return!

Piper sits Jade down, goes corner to corner herself, CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO! Jade survives that hit, too, and Piper isn’t sure what to do now! Chelsea stands back up, she tells Piper to finish this! Piper puts Jade in a drop zone, goes up and up, but Jade gets up to YANK her down! Piper staggers, into a BOOT! Jade hurries to chicken wing! JADED!! Cover, Jade wins!

Winner: Jade Cargill, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Chelsea is losing her mind over Piper losing in the first round, but now Jade steps forward… to take on the Irresistible Force! Talk about forces of nature! Will Jade bring that storm right to Nia’s front door and then head for the throne?

But then here comes Jade’s teammate! The EST is also in this tournament, will the strongEST duo dominate? Or will the Poison Pixie make her way to the throne?

Shinsuke Nakamura speaks.

“My art is not just to compete. It is to conquer, to captivate. And to destroy ALL who dare stand against me in the ring. Because I am here to claim what is rightfully mine: The pinnacle of SmackDown. And now that I am here, no one is safe. The Master of Strong Style does not just plan to rise, I plan to reign supreme. So watch closely, because everything on SmackDown is about to change. And it will never be the same again.” Is that a not so subtle hint that Nakamura is looking to write a sequel with The American Nightmare?

Queen of the Ring: Bianca Belair VS Candice LeRae w/ Indi Hartwell!

SmackDown returns as Candice makes her entrance, Indi Hartwell with her. The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally, but Indi already takes as swipe! Bianca avoids being tripped up, and she still runs Candice over! The fans fire up as Bianca runs, then handsprings over Candice’s dropdown! Bianca eggs Candice on, bypasses her, but Candice BOOTS back! Only to swing into chicken wings! Candice victory rolls free to send Bianca out! Candice goes to the apron, FLYING- NO, Bianca stops the rana to SWING Candice into barriers! Indi is stunned but Bianca puts Candice in the ring. Candice distracts the ref, Indi CHOP BLCOKS Bianca!

Candice drags Bianca up but Bianca stops the cradle! Bianca suplexes Candice up to hold, then SLAM! The fans fire up and Bianca RAMS into Candice at the corner! Bianca goes up, rains down fists, and the fans count along, only for Candice to slip out at 7! Candice grab a leg but Bianca kicks her away! Bianca then backflips up and over, only for the leg to jam! Candice dropkicks that leg out, then BUZZSAWS! Cover, TWO! Bianca is still the toughEST, but clearly Indi’s influence is being felt. Candice HAMMERS away on that leg, then SMASHES the knee! Indi smiles and nods while Candice stalks Bianca.

Candice grabs the legs, but Bianca kicks. Candice CLUBS the leg, Bianca still kicks, and Bianca kicks free! Candice runs up, but into a scoop! FALL AWAY SLAM! The fans fire up again and Bianca stands. Bianca gets Candice up, suplexes again, but Candice slips free! CHOP BLOCK! Candice uses Bianca as a step for the SENTON! Candice goes to ropes, but Bianca brings her off the ropes! Torture rack, KISS OF DEATH! Cover, Bianca wins!

Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

It was basically a Handicap Match, but Bianca still wins out! Bianca will have to wait for Mia Yim and Tiffany Stratton to fight it out on this weekend’s “Supershow,” but will she be ready for whoever comes her way?

The Bloodline is backstage.

Tama Tonga fires himself up for his match tonight, with Tonga Loa and Solo Sikoa both stoically standing by. Paul Heyman walks in, they all look at him. The Wise Man just wants a moment alone with Solo, so Solo excuses The Guerillas. Fans can be heard chanting “WE WANT ROMAN!” while Heyman says he knows his place in life. Heyman is Roman’s Wise Man. But Solo, you are making decisions- Oh, so Heyman decided to lie about pulling Roman from the WWE Draft? Yeah, that one backfired on them all. Because of that mistake, The Bloodline was drafted late in the third, when they should’ve been number one overall.

Solo says it’s like Heyman is trying to take money out of Solo’s pocket. Is Heyman trying to do that? No, not at all! IS he trying to take food from his kids? He wants Solo’s kids to starve? No! Then what about last week? Heyman walked past Jey, did he try to give some kind of signal? Some kind of look that he needed help? No…! Solo understands Heyman is the Wise Man, just trying to protect Roman and The Bloodline. But he hasn’t spoken to Roman since he lost their title at WrestleMania, right? R-Right. Well, Solo has. What?! And Solo says until Roman comes back, Solo is in charge, he calls the shots. That makes Heyman Solo’s Wise Man, “by orders of the Tribal Chief.”

Solo asks for a hug. Heyman brings it in, and Solo says he loves Heyman. Solo glances at The Guerillas, is this the new hierarchy here in The Bloodline?

Andrade speaks.

“I am a third-generation luchador. My destiny is here in the WWE. The Era of Andrade El Idolo has begun.”

King of the Ring: Tama Tonga w/ The Bloodline VS Angelo Dawkins w/ The Pride!

The Good Bad Guy was more than ready to fight The All Mighty, but an unfortunate injury during training has changed things. But The Curse of Greatness is ready to be that next man up! Will Dawkins look to go from a Profit to a king? Or will nothing stop The Bloodline from taking another throne for their own?

SmackDown returns as The MFT makes his entrance, The Bloodline backing him. The bell rings and Tama fires off hands! The ref counts as Tama stomps a mudhole, but lets off at 4. Tama then comes back to SPLASH! Dawkins staggers around, Solo applauds, and Tama fires haymakers and knees! Tama keeps on Dawkins in another corner, fires body shots, but the ref counts. Tama lets off at 4, the ref reprimands, but Solo smiles. Tama goes corner to corner, but Dawkins avoids the splash! Dawkins JABS, JABS, JABS, then LARIATS! And LARIATS again! Dawkins whips, Tama reverses but Dawkins hurdles! And UPPERCUTS!

The fans fire up with Dawkins, he runs corner to corner, CYCLONE SPLASH! Then ENZIGIRI! Dawkins keeps moving, blows past Tama, then POUNCES! Tama flops out of the ring and the fans fire up again! But then Solo stands in the way! So Dawkins DECKS him! The fans fire up and Ford FLIES onto Solo & Loa! The fans are thunderous, but Tama returns! Only to run into a SKY HIGH!! Cover, TWO!! Tama survives and Dawkins is stunned! Loa gets up to POST Ford! Loa & Solo drag Ford up, SAMOAN SPIKE!! Dawkins is worried for Ford , but Tama uses that to COMPLETE SHOT!! Cover, Tama wins!

Winner: Tama Tonga, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

The fans boo as The Bloodline screws over Dawkins. Heyman reluctantly holds up the one with them, but Solo isn’t done! He drags Dawkins up, and gives him a SAMOAN SPIKE!! The fans boo more and even Heyman is in shock! Solo and his enforcers head out, will they stop at nothing until they stand atop the WWE?

King of the Ring: Randy Orton VS AJ Styles!

We’ve heard from The Viper and The Phenomenal One tonight, and both men are looking for redemption after taking losses at Backlash. They’ve picked themselves up, dusted themselves off and refocused on what’s next, but who is the one taking that next step forward while the other gets left behind?

SmackDown returns and Orton makes his entrance. He signs a fan’s magazine cover before he gets in the ring with Styles. The bell rings and the fans rally for “RANDY! RANDY!” as he circles with Styles. They tie up, Styles waistlocks, but Orton elbows free. Styles kicks low, headlocks, but Orton pulls hair to power up and out. Styles RAMS shoulders with Orton, runs, but Orton UPPERCUTS at the ropes! Orton then runs up to clothesline Styles up and out! The fans fire up and Orton get son the corner to do his pose! The fans are even more fired up, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Orton has Styles in a corner to rain down fists! The fans count along as Orton makes sure each one hurts! Orton goes all the way to nine, then brings Styles out to UPPERCUT for TEN! The fans are all fired up and Orton looms over Styles. Orton drags Styles up, scoops, btu Styles slips free to DROPKICK! Styles then runs, SLIDING FOREARM! Orton bails out fast, but Styles talks trash on the fans before going to the apron. SLIDING KNEE! Orton staggers, bumps into the post, and then all the way to the Prime hydration station. Styles storms out after Orton, but Orton kicks low!

Orton lured Styles in, and now he hits a BARRIER BACK SUPLEX! Orton shoves Styles down, then brings him back up. The fans fire up as Orton drags Styles along the barrier, but Styles fights free! Styles ROCKS Orton, then goes up to use the barriers, to jump to the desk! And from desk, to PHENOMENAL- APRON BACK SUPLEX! Then DESK BACK SUPLEX! Orton makes Styles pay for getting cute, and fans want that “ONE MORE TIME!” Orton refreshes the ring count, then he brings Styles up again, for a DESK BACK SUPLEX! Styles sputters, Orton takes a bow, and the fans are thunderous!

Orton puts Styles in the ring, storms in after him, and goes to a corner. But Styles FLAPJACKS Orton off the buckles! Orton staggers back, Styles DROPKICKS the leg! Styles runs to CHOP BLOCK! Orton flounders and goes to ropes. Orton bails out, hobbles around, leans on barriers, but Styles goes out the other side. Styles runs in around the way, and he CHOP BLOCKS at full speed! The fans boo and the ref reprimands but Styles says this is a match, isn’t it? Styles watches Orton writhe while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns once again and Styles has Orton down in the ring. Styles puts the bad leg on ropes, to HIP DROP on it! And then HIP DROP again! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Styles ELBOW DROPS the leg! Orton still grabs at Styles but Styles pushes him down. Styles grabs that bad leg, brings it around to another side of the ring, and he soaks up the heat while standing on the foot. But then Orton BOOTS Styles up and out of the ring! The fans fire up as the ring count starts on Styles. Orton shakes out the bad leg, rolls away to center, and stands up. Styles steps in, Orton KICKS the ropes to jam him up!

Orton has Styles and the fans are thunderous again! But Styles slips free, roll and CALF- NO, Orton slips free to STOMP Styles! Orton hobbles, but he still watches Styles. Styles stands into a LARIAT! And another LARIAT! Orton ducks, but Styles avoids the powerslam and Orton just falls! OKLAHOMA ROLL! TWO, and Orton UPPERCUTS! Styles flops to the apron, the fans rally up, and Orton grits his teeth. Orton forces himself to stand, but Styles also stands on the apron. Orton storms his way over to get Styles back in the ropes! But Styles gets the bad leg! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Orton falls back, Styles drags himself back up!

The fans rally for Orton as he stands, but Styles takes aim! Springboard and- NO, Orton trips him up! Styles falls to the mat and goes to a corner. Orton storms over, he drags Styles up, but Styles again wants the leg! Orton holds ropes but Styles powers through! Orton sits up to fight off the Calf Crusher, but Styles still pulls! Orton endures, the fans rally as hard as they can, and he reaches back to hook Styles! Orton can’t push Styles down as Styles pulls on that bad leg! Orton grits his teeth, tries again, and he gets Styles into a headlock! Styles lets go of the leg, slips free of the headlock, but runs into the SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!

Styles survives and Orton is frustrated, but Orton won’t stop now. Orton stalks Styles to a corner, drags him up and puts him up top. Orton ROCKS Styles with a right hand, then ROCKS him again! Orton climbs, the fans fire up, but Styles slips out! Styles YANKS Orton down, runs up, but Orton puts Styles in the ropes! DRAPING DDT!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous again! Orton rises again, and with the Mohegan Sun red hot for him, Orton hears those voices! Styles rises, RK- NO! Styles shoves Orton away, runs up, but is put on the apron! Styles ROCKS Orton, springboards, PHENOMENAL FOREARM!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!!!

Orton survives by his fingertips and Styles cannot believe it! Styles argues with the ref but the ref says ropebreak is ropebreak! Styles drags Orton back up and “This is Awesome!” But the fans also boo as Styles calls his shot! But Orton RKOS!!! Cover, Orton wins!!

Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Truly outta nowhere, The Viper strikes and turns things right around! Styles loses again, what must he do to get back on track? As for Orton, he promised to go after Tama Tonga, will he be like Kevin Owens and #JustKeepFighting until he can?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown here to start there part of the King & Queen of the Ring tournaments, but it seems even they have to put a couple matches on the “Supershow” live event this weekend to go with the two from Raw. Santos VS Knight is gonna be a really good one, and I’m a little surprised it’s Mia Yim VS Tiffany Stratton in the other. Not that those two aren’t great choices, but just that I figured Tiffany for a shot at Bayley’s title on the side, same as Becky VS Liv. That said, Tiff is definitely winning because Mia is part of the NXT Women’s North American Championship story. Mia will more than likely win her qualifying match over there to be part of NXT Battleground’s ladder match.

Speaking of Bayley, good promo segment from her with Chelsea & Piper, quick as it was. Chelsea talking smack on Jade of course meant Jade was winning, and natural segue from Jade exiting to Bianca entering. Bianca winning out makes sense, too, but it was a much quicker match than expected. Naomi VS Nia was a great match, and Nia winning makes sense. However, Nia running up into Jade next, I would think Jade wins. And if it’s Bianca VS Tiff, I’m thinking Tiff wins only because I don’t think they’d make Jade and Bianca face each other while they’re still tag champions. Jade VS Tiff will make for a very good SmackDown finals.

Great stuff on the men’s side, too. Great promo with The Bloodline backstage, Solo really coming into his own with this almost usurper role. And assuming Lashley’s injury is legit, Dawkins stepping in actually works out for the better, as The Bloodline can screw Dawkins over and get Tama into the next round. Lashley needs to stay strong kayfabe wise for when he faces Melo. Good promo from Corbin and Melo, great match from them, and Melo with the quick pin win was a good way to have him advance while keeping Corbin strong. Melo keeps mouthing off to veterans, but he’ll have to be careful not to do that to Randy next time.

Great promos from Styles and Orton ahead of their great main event, and great win for Orton. Orton wants Tama in the SmackDown finals, and there’s a good chance we get that with Orton facing Melo and Tama facing the winner of LA Knight VS Santos Escobar. You can bet Knight comes out the winner, only to again get screwed over by The Bloodline. We also got some good “Look who’s on SmackDown now/again!” videos, which I think I missed a few. But Nakamura and Andrade had good promos, and the videos were really just for fans who haven’t been paying attention that closely even though we just got the WWE Draft a couple weeks ago.

And of course, big stuff going on for Cody Rhodes’ next title defense. A little surprised Logan was chosen given he’s still US Champion, but then it seems like they want to at least tease Winner Takes All. Nothing was officially said, but that’d be pretty wild stuff. Grand Slam American Nightmare would be cool, Two Belt Logan would not, I’m just not sure WWE would go through with either. There could be shenanigans that keep either man from losing their title, because otherwise, two title scenes will be overlapping and I’m not even sure Cody would be able to handle a doubleheader of defending both Undisputed and United States Championships.

My Score: 8.9/10