Will Backlash be truly phenomenal?

Cody Rhodes’ first defense of THE WWE Championship could also be his last, because he is up against The Phenomenal A J STYLES! Will The American Nightmare have finished his story only for the next chapter to be cut short?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Randy Orton & Kevin Owens VS Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga w/ Paul Heyman; turned into…
• Street Fight Tag: Randy Orton & Kevin Owens VS Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga w/ Paul Heyman; Solo & Tama win.
• WWE Women’s Championship Triple Threat: Bayley VS Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton; Bayley wins and retains the title.
• WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Damian Priest VS Jey Uso; Priest wins and retains the title.
• WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: The Kabuki Warriors VS Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill; Bianca & Jade win and become the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
• Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes VS AJ Styles; Cody wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

It’s the Backlash in France Kickoff Show!

The countdown to showtime is on! Join Jackie Redmond, Big E and CM Punk as they discuss, analyze and predict what happens at the first-ever Premium Live Event to ever air from France!

BREAKING NEWS!

Make sure to watch the Kentucky Derby’s kickoff show on NBC today, right after Backlash, because there will be news about WWE WrestleMania 41!

Backstage interview with Jey Uso.

Byron Saxton brings up that Jey Uso was Raw’s number one draft pick. Now he can build on that by becoming the NEW World Heavyweight Champion. How is he feeling? Jey says he’s got goosebumps, Uce. You can’t see ’em, but he’s got ’em. He appreciates Byron being there from day one on Jey’s career, to tonight. This is a career defining moment. Damian Priest is a beast, but Jey’s gotta prove he can stand on his own two feet. And by the end of tonight, Lyon, France and the world will YEET with the new champion, Main Event Jey Uso! Gimme a yeet. Byron says “YEET!” and says we could be looking at the new WHC. Will Jey finally have his moment?

Backstage interview with Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill.

Byron is now with the strongEST duo, and says they are going after Damage CTRL and the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. Bianca immediately says she is so tired of talking about DMG CTRL. She is done, ready to be done with Kairi, with Asuka, with Iyo, with Dakota, and even Bayley. Taking those titles means DMG CTRL gets stuck on Raw. Why does she have to keep repeating herself? She is tired of hearing herself talk about it! She wants to be done! Jade steps in and says they’re just excited to be NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. They don’t have time for this, they gotta go. Jade & Bianca head out, will they soon be the newEST champions?

WWE shares a special interview with AJ Styles.

Kayla Braxton sat down with The Phenomenal One, and wanted to talk about his new attitude since returning. Styles seems confused as to that phrasing, and she asks what brought this on. New attitude? No, this is focus. He was out, got his mind right, dialed in, that’s where he’s at right now. Then to her next question, he hasn’t been world champion in six years. Is frustration over that what brought this change about? Styles says he looked back and realized he’d gotten complacent. So again, he got his mind right and focused himself. Kayla knows Styles and Cody have never faced each other. Styles says he still respects Cody, but that won’t stop him from beating him.

Then to add to that, these two have been ships in the night. Styles comes into WWE, Cody makes his way out. Does this match resonate on a personal level? Styles say sit isn’t personal, it’s business. But he also takes this business personally. He doesn’t wanna beat Cody, but he has to. Then what happens if he doesn’t? That possibility isn’t in Styles’ mind. He doesn’t want this, he needs this, and he needs it much more than Cody. It took Cody two YEARS to get this title, but it’ll only be 27 days when he loses it. Will Styles bring about a phenomenal end to The American Nightmare’s dream?

Now this is cinema.

Time to make hot, new headlines, and to start some new stories. When the stakes are this high, the world tunes in, and the superstars turn it up. “When one good story ends, an even better one begins.” Are you ready? Ready for war!? History is being made before your eyes as WWE is live from France! Welcome to Backlash!

Randy Orton & Kevin Owens VS Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga w/ Paul Heyman!

The Viper and the Prizefighter have proven to be a powerful duo, and they’ve both had their beef with The Bloodline, plus they have initials that line up, so this just seemed like a natural move! Will #R-KO #JustKeepFighting until they’ve torn down the Enforcer and the Good Bad Guy? Or will The Wise Man’s warning from last night come true?

The fans chant “WE WANT ROMAN!” but Solo tunes that out. The teams stare down, the ref wants them to sort out, but Kevin gets righ tin Tama’s face! And then the brawl is on! The fans are thunderous as the hands fly fast and furious! Tama and Kevin tumble out one side, ORton and Solo on the other! Kevin fires off fists on Tama against the desk! Then he dumps Tama over barriers! Orton SMACKS Solo off the apron, throws more hands, then brings SOlo over to the desks! Solo stops that, SMACKS Orton,m and Tama fires hands on Kevin! Refs and produers rush out here to try and get this intno a match but the fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!”

Security now has to get involved, this is just like last night at the end of SmackDOwn! Kevin and Tama are in the ring, Kevin hits a sTUNNER on a guard! STUNNER again! Kevin grabs at Tama, Tama grabs at Kevin! Nick Aldis storms out here as SmackDown GM, and tells his superstars to stop it already! But alright, if they wanna disregard rules, throw out stunners, then fine! Do whatever you want! Thi sis now a STREET FIGHT!!

Street Fight Tag: Randy Orton &

The fans are thunderous as the bell rings and the brawling continues! Tama CHUCKS the Prime at Kevin! Orton and Solo brawl in the crowd! Kevin fires hands on Tama against the French commentary, then SMACKS him with a bottle! Kevin CHUCKS the Prime jug, shoves the cart over, then SMACKS Tama with the Prime sign! Kevin then SPITS on the sign, throw sit down, and keeps after Tama. Meanwhile, Solo and Orton have brawled up into the bleachers! Solo HEABUTTS Orton, throws up the one, but Orton pokes him in the eyes! Kevin and Tama brawl their way through the crowd, Kevin JAMS Tama up with a fan’s chair!

Kevin SMACKS Tama with the chair, then grabs some railing to SMACK him with that, too! Orton has Solo down, but drags him back up to return to ground level. The fans are thunderous for “K O! K O!” as Kevin keeps after Tama. Solo DECKS Orton in return but then Kevin runs over to attack Solo! We’re getting picture in picture of the same beating! Kevin rains down fists and fans count all the way to TEN, or whatever that is in French. But then Tama grabs Kevin in a SLEEPER! Orton is looking for him in the wrong place! The Bloodline mugs Kevin, the fans taunt them, but Orton doubles back!

Solo whips Kevin into barriers, but then Orton attacks him and Tama! Orton HEADBUTTS, but you never headbutt a Samoan! Solo UPPERCUTS Orton down, but Kevin SUPERKICKS Solo! Kevin TOSSES Solo to ringside! The fans are thunderous again as Kevin gets up on the barriers. Kevin walks along, to then FROG SPLASH Tama on the floor! Orton goes up!? Then he hops down. Orton brings Tama up to SMACK him off steel steps! Orton drags Tama along, back to the desks! The fans fire up for the DESK BACK SUPLEX! Tama writhes on top of the French team’s monitors, but then Orton brings Tama to DESK BACK SUPLEX on the English commentary table!

Kevin SMACKS Solo off steel steps, then pulls the steps apart so he can DDT Solo on the steel! Orton goes looking under the ring, and fans cheer! They bring out trash cans and their lids! Lyon wants tables but they’ll have to wait a moment. Orton SMACKS Tama down with a trash can! Solo staggers up, staggers his way over, and Kevin SMACKS him with the lid! The fans cheer for “E C DUB!” as Orton gives Kevin a kendo stick! Kevin SMACKS, JAMS, then SMACKS Solo again! Solo staggers around, into a TRASH CAN SHOT! The fans are still thunderous as Kevin drags Tama up to put him on the desk. Orton SMACKS Tama! And SMACKS him again!

Orton SMACKS Solo off a desk, throws hands, then he and Kevin go looking for something more. The fans are electric as they each bring out a TABLE! “OUI! OUI! OUI!” echoes out as Orton puts his in the ring while Kevin sets his up ringside. Orton throws hands down on Solo, Kevin fetches Tama, and Kevin drags Tama over to the ring. Tama fights back with fast hands! Kevin SMACKS Tama off the apron, then puts him on the table! Orton finishes setting his table up at the center of the ring, and Kevin goes up to the apron! “SUCK IT!” FROG SPLASH through the table!! Kevin roars right in Tama’s face!

Orton gets Solo in the ring and the fans are loving all of this! Orton grins as he brings Solo up, but Solo UPPERCUTS! Orton wobbles, Solo fireman’s carries! SAMOAN DROP through the table! Orton writhes out of the wreckage but Kevin hurries in! Solo stands, roars, but turns around into haymakers! The fans fire up as Kevin kicks, but no stunner! Solo LARIATS Kevin inside-out! The fans boo and taunt Solo, but Solo tunes that out to call to Tama. Tama rises, he and Solo beat Kevin down. Kevin kicks back but Tama fires stomps and fists! Tama just hammers away on Kevin, then rains down HEADBUTTS!

The fans boo and Tama finally lets off. Solo tosses a kendo stick in, Kevin grabs for it but Tama takes it from him! The fans tell Tama off, but Tama SMACKS Kevin! Solo steps in, Tama hands him the stick. Solo stalks Kevin, then SMACKS him in the ribs! Kevin sits down in a corner, Solo rains down fists on him! The fans rally for Kevin but Tama has a trash can lid. Solo lines up a shot first, and he goes corner to corner for the HIP ATTACK! The fans boo as Solo roars, but now Tama takes his turn. Tama SMACKS Kevin with the lid! And then SMACKS him again! And again! Solo has him stand down, then Solo throws down hands!

Tama returns with a trash can, but Kevin TACKLES him first! Solo SMACKS Kevin with the can! And again! Kevin grabs at the kendo stick but Solo takes it from him to SMACK away again and again! The fans boo as Solo holds up the one. Solo tells Tama to fetch more things, and Tama looks under the ring. Tama brings out another TABLE! The fans cheer the table but The Bloodline is setting it up. Kevin manages to stand while the table is propped up in a corner. Kevin BOOTS Tama then TOSSES him out! But Solo ROCKS Kevin back! Solo gets in Kevin’s face and grins a sinister grin before he throws HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT!

Solo brings Kevin around, whips him corner to corner, but Kevin reverses! Solo crashes through the table!! But Tama LARIATS Kevin back down! The fans rally for Randy, wherever he’s disappeared to, but Tama brings in chair after chair. Tama stalks Kevin as he goes to ropes, but Orton returns! Tama hears the fans cheering and turns around. Orton and Tama stare down, they circle, and Tama fires up! Tama swings, Orton dodges! LARIAT! LARIAT! Orton then dodges to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans are electric again, and Orton puts Tama through ropes! The fans cheer for the DRAPING DDT!

Even with 11 THOUSAND cheering him on, Orton hears those voices now! R K O!! Cover, Solo breaks it!! Solo throws HEADBUTTS until Orton tumbles out of the ring! Solo goes after him, SMACKS him off the desk, then clears it off! English commentary might end up off the air as Solo drags Orton over. The fans chant “SOLO SUCKS! SOLO SUCKS!” but Solo ignores that again to stand Orton up. Solo HEADBUTTS Orton onto the desk, then climbs up after him. Solo drags Orton up, powers up the thumb, RKO ON THE DESK!!! The fans are thunderous as The Viper strikes outta nowhere! But it was also double-edged given the landing!

Kevin drags himself back up in the ring and the fans fire up as he has Tama to himself! Kevin grabs a chair, “This is Awesome!” as Kevin SMACKS Tama on the back! Kevin sets that chair up, SMACKS Tama with another chair, then sets that chair up. Kevin SMACKS Tama with a third chair, then sets that one up. And then SMACK with a fourth chair, and another SMACK, and another SMACK, before the chair square is complete! The fans are thunderous again as Kevin makes Tama recline back on all those chairs! Kevin goes up, but Tama goes after him first! Tama fires hands, then grabs at Kevin. Kevin fires hands in return!

Kevin ROCKS Tama, adjusts position, but Tama goes up after him! Tama fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT, then goes to the very top! But Kevin turns that around! SUPER FISHERMAN BUSTER through the chairs!!! The fans are absolutely losing it as both men are down in the wreckage! Kevin crawls to a cover, but TANGA LOA drags the ref out of the ring?!? Tama’s brother is here?! Since when!? The Silverback has the steel steps, and he CLOBBERS Randy!! And then he CLOBBERS Kevin! Solo hits an URENAGE on a chair!! The fans boo as Solo drags Kevin up, to SAMOAN SPIKE!!! Cover, Bloodline wins!!

Winners: Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga, by pinfall

Just when the Bloodline looked like they were at their most dangerous, they got even MORE dangerous! Solo leads the OG Guerrillas of Destiny forward in the WWE, is there going to be no stopping them now?

WWE Women’s Championship Triple Threat: Bayley VS Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton!

They say all people are created equal, but when a champion is in a Triple Threat, their odds drastic go down! The Role Model only just got this title off Iyo Sky at WrestleMania, but now things have gotten complicated. Bayley and Naomi are friends, and Tiffany is anything but. Will Bayley survive to bring this belt back to the States? Or will there already be a new Women’s Champion on SmackDown?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the numbers spell disaster at Backlash!

The bell rings and the fans sing for Bayley. But Tiffy stays it is still Tiffy Time, and the fans join in on that, too! Then Tiff kicks Naomi, swing son Bayley but Bayley dodges to arm-drag! Bayley runs up on Naomi but Naomi arm-drags! Naomi blocks Tiffy’s arm-drag, whips her away, then splits, but Tiffy handsprings over! The fans cheer this opening exchange, and ‘TIFFY TIME!” echoes out. Bayley shoves Tiff, rolls her up, but Naomi rolls Bayley! Tiff rolls Naomi, but Bayley breaks it! The fans cheer, “That was Awesome!” Bayley runs to ELBOW Tiff in the back, then SLIDING LARIAT from the front! Naomi runs up, into a sweep! Cover, TWO!

Bayley keeps going, she ELBOWS Naomi, but Naomi catches the sliding lariat to a ghost pin! TWO, Bayley cradles, TWO! Tiff gets a DOUBLE JACKKNFIE! TWO!! The fans cheer this second exchange as all three women cool off. Bayley smiles, digging the energy from the fans, and then Bayley and Naomi both kick Tiff! They double whip but Tiff KICKS Bayley! Naomi waitslocks, Tiff elbows free, then Tiff sends Bayley into buckles! Tiff whips Naomi, Naomi slides under, then mule kicks back! Naomi runs but Tiff dodges, Naomi SHOTGUNS Bayley! Tiff kicks Naomi, bumps her off buckles, then runs corner to corner to handspring and BACK ELBOW!

The fans fire up as Tiff snapmares Naomi, runs, but Bayley DECKS her! Bayley runs at Naomi, sunset flips, but Naomi stays up! But Tiff SHOTGUNS Naomi, then STOMPS Bayley! Cover on Bayley, TWO! Tiff covers Naomi, TWO! Tiff is annoyed but the fans are still loving this. Tiff TOSSES Naomi out, brings Bayley up to bump her off buckles. Tiff wrenches and whips then ELBOWS Bayley down! The fans applaud and Tiff brings Bayley up. Tiff CLUBS Bayley, CLUBS her again, but fans sing for Bayley again. Tiff puts Bayley in ropes to CHOKE her! And she doesn’t have to let off in a Triple Threat!

Tiff YANKS the ropes to jam Bayley up, but Bayley fires body shots and forearms! Bayley runs, but Tiff LARIATS her down! Cover, TWO! Tiff is annoyed again but the fans continue to cheer. Tiff stomps Bayley, ROCKS her, and Bayley goes to ropes. The fans rally for Bayley as Tiff CHOKES her again! The erf reprimands but that’s all he can do. Tiff brings Bayley around but Bayley fires body shots! Bayley fires forearms but Tiff knees low! Tiff whips but Bayley goes up and over the corner to roll Tiff up! TWO and Tiff CLOBBERS Bayley! Cover, TWO! The fans have not stopped chanting as Tiff brings Bayley up and around.

Tiff whips again, Bayley ends up in the corner. Tiff then handsprings, but Bayley catches her! For a BIG back suplex, but Tiff lands out! Cartwhele and Alabama SLAM! High stack, TWO! Naomi CLOBBERS Tiff, too! The fans are still thunderous like they have since last night on SmackDown, and Naomi whips Tiff. Tiff holds ropes, BOOTS back, but Naoim comes back to SPEAR Tiff through the ropes! Naomi fires up and the fans fire up again, too! Naomi fires forearms on Tiff, then brings her around to whip. Tiff reverses and Naomi hits barriers! Tiff runs and handsprings to BACK ELBOW! Tiff SHOVES Naomi over into the timekeeper’s area!

Tiff says it’s Tiffy Time, but Bayley DIVES onto her! The fans are thunderous as Bayley rains down fists! Bayley finds Naomi, brings her up, but Naomi ROUNDHOUSES her! Naomi goes up onto the barrier, and then BLOCKBUSTERS to the floor! The fans cheer as Naomi finds Tiff and puts her in. “This is Awesome!” as Naomi KICKS Tiff in the ropes, then twerks right on her! HEATSEEKER! Naomi then hits the SPLIT-LEG MOONSAULT! Cover, Bayley breaks it! All three women slowly rise, and Naomi mule kicks Bayley! Naomi then runs Bayley to BUCKLE BULLDOG in the corner!

Naomi puts Bayley up top, climbs up after her, but Bayley fires hands! Tiff YANKS Naomi down, then climbs up after Bayley! Bayley fights with body shots again, and then Naomi CLUBS Tiff! Naomi brings Tiff out for a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Into the BUTTERFLY STRETCH!! Tiff endures, but Bayley MACHO ELBOWS!! Cover on Naomi, TWO!! Bayley hurries to cover Tiff, TWO!! The fans continue to rally, all three women rise up again. Bayley has targets in both corners, so Bayley sunset BUCKLE BOMBS Naomi! Bayley runs to sunset Tiff, but she sits on it!! TWO!! Tiff swings, into a BAYLEY2BELLY!! Cover, TWO!!

Tiff survives, the fans continue to chant and cheer, and Bayley is beside herself. Bayley CLUBS Tiff, stomps her to a corner and fires off fast hands! The fans cheer, Tiff shoves Bayley away, then POSTS her! Bayley is stuck in the ropes, Tiff drags her back out and fireman’s carries! ROLLING SENTON! Tiff goes up but Naomi YANKS her down! Naomi drags Tiff to the floor and rains down fists! Tiff BOOTS Naomi into barriers, then cartwheels for the ALABAMA- NO, they cartwheel more and more! Tiff has Naomi back up, ALABAMA SLAM on the desk!! The fans are thunderous as Tiff drags Bayley out for an ALABAMA SLAM on the French desk!!

Tiff puts Naomi in the ring, then puts Bayley in. Tiff has them lined up like weeks before, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT- NO, Tiff rolls through as both opponent move! Naomi & Bayley hit a ONE D!! The fans are thunderous, “This is Awesome!” as Bayley and Naomi stare down. They are friends but this is about the title! They fire off forearms back and forth, and Naomi gets the edge! Naomi ENZIGIRIS Bayley down! Then Oklahoma Roll, TWO! Bayley cradles, BAYLEY WINS!!

Winner: Bayley, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Champion)

The Role Model snatches victory away and certainly stuns a portion of the fans! But with how fast this match was moving, will Bayley have to keep up the pace if she wants to stay champion?

Jey Uso prepares backstage.

Solo walks over, as do Tama & Loa. They don’t say anything, but the Bloodline heads out. And then Heyman walks over, shakes his head, then walks on. Can Main Event Jey keep the drama out of his head to YEET the World Heavyweight Championship right off Damian Priest? We find out, because that match is next!

WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Damian Priest VS Jey Uso!

Senor Money in the Bank became El Campeon at WrestleMania, but that’s about the only thing that’s gone well for him. The Judgment Day is looking lost without Mami, is this title match going to be another loss? Or will The Punisher make sure Main Event Jey doesn’t have his crowning moment?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see just who’s getting fed to who!

The bell rings, the fans fire up again and the two stare down. “YEET! YEET! YEET!” echoes out, and Jey gets the fans to bounce again, on all four sides of the ring! The fans cheer, and then they all join in, but Priest grabs Jey’s neck! Jey fires haymakers, but Priest TOSSES Jey to a corner! Jey dodges to then fire off haymakers, “YEET! YEET!” Jey whips, Priest reverses, Jey goes up and over, then “YEET!” The fans cheer again but Priest is getting annoyed. Priest runs up but Jey DUMPS him out! Jey then builds speed, but has to stop as Priest moves aside. Priest cools off, but Jey goes out to LEAP from the apron! Only for Priest to catch him!

Priest runs and RAMS Jey into barriers! Priest brings Jey around to ROCK him, but the fans rally for “USO! USO!” Jey gets in the ring, Priest storms in after him, and the “UCE! OH!” echoes out now. Priest stands Jey up but Jey fires body shots! Priest DECKS Jey! Priest soaks up the cheers and jeers, then waits on Jey. Jey goes to a corner, Priest runs in, BACK ELBOW! Priest runs to CLOBBER Jey! Priest mocks the yeet bounce, covers, TWO! Jey stays in this and the fans stay fired up, but Priest grabs Jey’s arms. Priest has a motorcycle stretch and he digs his knee into Jey’s back! The fans rally for Jey as he endures!

Jey fights up to his feet, but Priest chinlocks. Jey throws body shots, “YEET!” But Priest BELL CLAPS! Jey falls, Priest shakes his head, and Priest says Jey is not next. The fans continue to rally as Priest kicks Jey around. Jey stands, into a KICK! And another KICK! And another, and another! But he ducks the discus to hit a BIG back suplex! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Jey and Priest slowly rise, Priest stands first. Jey grins as he hruns up to HAYMAKER! And counter punch! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey pops ‘n’ locks then puts some stank on the HAYMAKER! Priest staggers, the fans fire up, and Jey whips.

Priest reverses, but Jey slips free of the scoop to mule kick! And UPPERCUT! Priest wobbles, Jey kicks, but Priest blocks! Only for the DRAGON WHIP to hit! The fans fire up as Priest ends up in a corner! Jey goes to a corner, the fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” and bounce along. Jey runs in, but Priest puts Jey on the apron! Jey GAMANGIRIS in return, then goes up top! Jey leaps, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! The fans continue to rally and Jey catches his breath. Priest is outside, so Jey builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit and Priest hits barriers! The fans fire up again and Jey nods. Jey hears the ring count, brings Priest up and puts him in at 7 of 10.

But wait, Judgment Day rushes out here! JD McDonagh messes with the ropes to trip Jey up! Priest SPEARS!! Cover, TWO!! Jey survives and JD is furious that their plans still aren’t working! JD coaches Priest but Priest asks what he’s even doing here! Wait, JD is going rogue again? Priest says he doesn’t need any help here! Priest and JD argue, Jey runs up! Jey dodges Priest to SUPERKICK JD! SUPERKICK for Priest! Jey goes up top, USO SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Jey is stunned, but the fans are still fired up! Jey and Priest sit up, and Jey throws a haymaker! “YEET!” Priest gives back a forearm, “BOO!”

Jey haymakers, “YEET!” Priest forearms, “BOO!” Both men stand, and then Jey UPPERCUTS! “YEET!” Jey shoves Priest, Priest comes back to ROCK Jey! “NO YEET!” “YEET! NO YEET! YEET! NO YEET!” Priest gets the edge, fires himself up, and swings, into an UPPERCUT! But then Priest UPPERCUTS! Jey SUPERKICKS! Priest ROCKS Jey again! Jey PELES! Priest JUMP KICKS! Both men fall and the fans are thunderous again! They stare each other down and the fans are so loud, this place is rumbling! Priest blocks a kick, kicks back, then gets Jey up for the RAZOR’S EDGE!! Cover, TWO!!

The fans continue to cheer while Priest cools off. Priest brings down the straps, powers up the hand, and waits on Jey. Jey rises slowly, turns around, into the choke grip! SOUTH OF- NO, Jey slips free, then ducks ‘n’ dodges to SPEAR!! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and the fans are thunderous again! Jey thinks on what he has to do to keep Priest down, and the fans rally behind him as he goes back for a corner. Jey climbs, but now FINN BALOR is here! Finn gets on the apron, Jey SUPERKICKS! Jey then runs in at Priest, but Priest LARIATS! Priest staggers around, choke grip, and SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, TWO?!?

Jey survives Priest’s best shot and the fans are electric! Priest has no idea how, but he works to calm back down. “This is Awesome!” as Priest storms around. Priest fires himself back up, wants Jey to rise, and Jey slowly stands back up. Priest runs up to SPIN KICK! Jey flops back down but Priest tells him to get back up! Jey rises, the fans rally, and Priest SPIN KICKS again! Jey wobbles, drops to his knees, but Priest says one more time! Rise! The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” as Jey makes it back to his feet, SPIN- SUPERKICK!! Jey hits another SUPERKICK! And another SUPERKICK! The fans fire up with Jey as he runs in to SUPERKICK at the corner!

Priest wobbles, Jey runs, SPEAR!! Jey goes up a corner and the fans are thunderous! USO SPLASH!!! Cover, JD GIVES HIM THE ROPEBREAK!! Maybe Priest was wrong about needing the help! Jey is beside himself, it’s like being on the other side of Bloodline antics. The fans tell JD off, but JD and Finn both coach Priest back into this. The fans chant, “F U J D!” Jey DIVES onto JD! The fans fire up again and Jey hurries around. Finn runs up, into a SPEAR! Jey leaves The Prince behind to aim at the Punisher. Jey climbs, but Priest hits ropes to trip him up! Priest goes up after Jey, choke grips, SUPER SOUTH OF HEAVEN!!! Cover, Priest wins!!

Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall (still WWE World Heavyweight Champion)

The Judgment Day didn’t plan this as a team, but they still won as a team to keep the gold with their man! And then Finn & JD have to add on by beating Jey down! That Priest does NOT approve of! He throws JD off, and shoves Finn back! Priest tells them that is enough! Jey’s done, they can leave. Finn & JD don’t understand, but they still listen to Priest. Are things (not) going to be fine with The Judgment Day?

Phillipe Chereau is in the ring.

He thanks the fans for being here this weekend, and for setting the LARGEST GATE of ANY ARENA SHOW in WWE history! Vive la France, vive la WWE!

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: The Kabuki Warriors VS Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill!

The Empress of Tomorrow & The Pirate Princess reunited under Iyo Sky’s Damage CTRL, and they took control of the Women’s Tag Division. However, the EST is about to lose control, and not in a good way! Will Bianca and Jade bring the storm that washes away the reign? Or will even the strongEST duo not be ready for Asuka & Kairi?

The introductions are made, the titles are raised, and we see who is truly in control!

The teams sort out and the fans cheer for “E S T! E S T!” as she starts against Asuka. They circle, tie up, and Bianca headlocks hard. Asuka pulls the braid and powers out of the hold, but Bianca RAMS her! Neither falls, Bianca fires up, and they start shoving! The fans rally and duel as the forearms go back and forth! Bianca gets the edge, but Asuka SOBATS! Asuka runs, but Bianca blows past her to run her over! The fans fire up and Bianca keeps moving, but Asuka drops. Bianca handsprings, and says kiss this! Asuka runs up, but Bianca bypasses her. Asuka turns hip toss into takedown, TWO! Asuka gets around, IRON OCTOPUS!

Bianca endures as Asuka pulls her arm and twists the wrist! Bianca powers Asuka around for a swinging GUTBUSTER! Asuka flounders away, Bianca runs up but ducks the kick! Asuka ducks a haymaker to drop toehold! Kairi runs up but Bianca DECKS her! Bianca dodges Asuka, reels her in, and suplexes! Bianca kips up again and the fans fire up! Jade reaches out, Bianca tags her in! The fans cheer as Jade and Kairi now face off. Kairi runs up, gets around, but Jade THRWOS her away! Jade flexes, Kairi runs up again, but Jade smothers the spear! Jade lifts, Kairi slips free and kicks Jade in the back! Kairi SLAPS Jade!

Kairi dodges the haymaker, but Jade picks Kairi up for a SWINGING BACKBREAKER! Jade then picks Kairi up for another BACKBREAKER! Kairi writhes, but Jade brings her over, tags Bianca, and they double whip to double hip toss, into a DOUBLE FLAPJACK! The fans fire up as Jade & Bianca say Wakanda Forever and Black girl magic! Bianca then handsprings to MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Kairi stays in this but Bianca stays cool. Bianca drags Kairi up, fires forearms, then whips. Bianca RAMS Kairi in the corner, then climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count all the way to TEN, but Kairi slips under to CLUB Bianca!

Kairi grabs the braid, the fans boo, but Bianca backflips and DROPKICKS! Kairi tumbles out and the fans fire up! Bianca PLANCHAS but Kairi dodges! Asuka ROUNDHOUSES Bianca, then Kairi goes up the corner! Kairi grins as she aims for a SUPER CROSSBODY! The Kabuki Warriors fire up while they stand tall! Kairi gets Bianca back in, covers, TWO! Kairi rains down forearms, then drags Bianca over. Tag to Asuka, Bianca fights back but the Kabuki Warriors mug her. They reel Bianca in but she wrenches out to fire forearms! Bianca runs, but into an ELBOW! Kairi adds a SLIDING D! Asuka adds the SLIDING KNEE! Cover, TWO!

Asuka drags Bianca up while the fans rally. Asuka CLUBS Bianca, kicks her around, then stands on her face. The fans boo, the ref counts, and Asuka steps away. Asuka kicks, Bianca blocks and ROCKS Asuka! Bianca reaches out but Asuka holds her back! Bianca fiefs a forearm but Asuka KICKS! And KICKS! Tag to Kairi, and the Kabuki Warriors double whip. Bianca is int he corner. Kairi sends Asuka in to ELBOW! Kairi runs corner to corner, SLIDING D again! The fans rally while Kairi goes up, FLYING KABUKI FOREARM! High stack cover, TWO!! Bianca survives and Kairi is annoyed, but she tags Asuka.

The Kabuki Warriors stand Bianca up, but Bianca ROCKS Kairi and dodges Asuka’s leap! Bianca hurries to crawl forward, but Asuka is in her way! The fans rally, Bianca JAWBREAKERS free! Roll up, TWO! Bianca stands, into a SOBAT! Asuka snarls, reels Bianca in, but Bianca suplexes first! Kairi hurries back up while both women are down! Bianca and Asuka crawl, hot tag to Kairi, Kairi uses Bianca as a step to BLAST Jade! The fans boo but Kairi smiles. Kairi drags Bianca up, SLAPS her around, but Bianca SLAPS back! Kairi whips, Bianca reveres, but Kairi holds ropes! Kairi ELBOWS Bianca, Asuka tags in! CODE BREAKER!

Asuka holds on, Kairi BLOCKBUSTERS! The fans fire up for the KABUKI SLIDING COMBO! Cover, TWO!! Bianca stays in this and the fans continue to rally. Asuka stomps away on Bianca, drags her around by an arm, and has a MOUNTED ARMBAR! Does Becky know Asuka’s using her move? Bianca endures, fights around, and lifts Asuka up! Torture rack, but Kairi tags in first! Kairi then saves Asuka from the Kiss of Death, and Asuka ROUNDHOUSES Bianca! Kairi goes up, Asuka has Bianca, but Bianca shoves Asuka away! Kairi leaps, Bianca gets under! Kairi hurries to grab the braid! Asuka waistlocks Bianca, but Bianca fights free!

Bianca reels Kairi in to short arm LARIAT! The fans are thunderous as Bianca and the Kabuki Warriors are all down! Hot tag to Jade! And she SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODIES! She gets both Asuka & Kairi! Jade runs, LARIAT for Kairi, BOOT for Asuka! Then a STINGER SPLASHY in one corner, STINGER SPLASH in the other, repeat! Asuka falls out, Kairi runs up, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, Asuka breaks it! Jade is frustrated but she stays focused on Kairi. Jade drags Kairi up, wrenches and scoops, to then trophy lift! MILITARY PRESS SLAM! The fans fire up with Jade as she storm around. But Kairi BOOTS her back!

Asuka tags in, blocks a boot, and then URAKEN! URAKEN! SOBAT! KICK! MULE KICK! URAKEN! ROUNDHOUSE! Jade wobbles, Kairi tilt-o-whirls for DESTINO!! Cover, but Kairi forgets Asuka tagged in! Kairi still drags Jade around, but Jade UPPERCUTS her down! Jade herself thinks Kairi is still legal, but she whips! Kairi holds ropes, BOOTS back, and Asuka makes it clear this time. Asuka waistlocks, Jade throws elbows, but both women kick low! Jade SUPERKICKS! Asuka falls but Jade drags her back up. Jade reels Asuka in, but Asuka RAMS Jade into ropes! The ref counts, Kairi tags in!

Kairi gets around Jade, waistlocks, CLUBS her, but Jade choke grips! CHOKE SLAM! Jade staggers, maybe running out of steam, but she still gets Kairi up. Kairi trips Jade, pushes to a cover, TWO, into an ARMBAR!! Jade endures, Asuka catches Bianca! ARMBAR!! The fans rally while the strongEST team endures double submissions! Jade clasps hands, Bianca moves around, and then they both deadlift the Kabuki Warriors! STEREO POWERBOMBS!! All four women are down and the fans are thunderous! “This is Awesome!” as Bianca bails out, and Jade has both Kabuki Warriors! But they both kick back!

The Kabuki Warriors double whip, Bianca sneaks the tag! Jade KICKS Asuka, gets around Kairi, WHEELBARROW DDT GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO!! Cover, TWO?!?! Kairi survives all that and no one can believe it! Asuka is lurking behind Jade, too! Asuka YANKS Jade down, then sends her into steel steps! Bianca is furious, but Kairi rolls her up! TWO!! Bianca escapes, to SPINEBUSTER! Bianca runs at the corner, Kairi sends her into POST! Tag to Asuka, and they get Bianca up! InSANE DDT!! Cover, JADE BREAKS IT! The fans fire up and now the Kabuki Warriors are shocked! Kairi SLAPS Jade, then tags Asuka.

The Kabuki Warriors get Jade up, URAKEN! URAKEN! SOBAT! KICK! Kairi goes up but Jade blocks a kick to SUPERKICK! Kairi still leaps, but into Jade’s arms! Jade pops Kairi up and around, then into the chicken wings! JADED!! Bianca tags in, she gets Asuka in a torture rack! KISS OF DEATH onto Kairi!! Bianca covers, she and Jade wins!!

Winners: Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)

And the strongEST become the newEST! Bianca has a Triple Crown in the WWE, and Jade is already a champion just three matches in! DMG CTRL is now stuck on Raw, is this truly the last time Bianca has to worry about them?

WWE announces the opening round for The King & Queen of the Ring tournaments!

Monday Night Raw has decided on their brackets! First, in the Queen of the Ring: Ivy Nile VS Zoey Stark! Shayna Baszler VS Zelina Vega! Lyra Valkyria VS Asuka! Iyo Sky VS Natalya! And then for the Kings: Drew McIntyre VS Finn Balor! Kofi Kingston VS Rey Mysterio! Ricochet VS Ilja Dragunov! Gunther VS Sheamus! A star-studded show to be sure, but who will take one step closer to WWE’s return to Saudi Arabia?

Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes VS AJ Styles!

So much has already been said about this first-time-ever match-up over the last few weeks. Ships passing in the night, both men respecting each other but also both needing to win this match to solidify their legacies. Will the American Nightmare keep the dream alive? Or will The Phenomenal One end this new story before it even begins?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly undisputed!

The bell rings and the fans are singing and jumping around so much, this place is practically shaking! Cody and Styles circle, tie up, and go around. They break, the fans fire up again, and the two reset. They tie up again, go around, and Cody puts Styles in a corner only for Styles to turn it around. They go along the ropes, into the corner, and they break again. Styles and Cody tie up again, Cody headlocks, and he hits a takeover. Styles keeps his shoulders up, pushes his way to a headscissor, but Cody pops free. The fans rally again as the two circle. Styles shoots in, gets a leg, but Cody rolls free.

The fans duel between Cody and Styles as the two reset again. The two feel it out, tie up, and Styles headlocks. Styles grinds the hold, hits a takeover, but Cody keeps his shoulders up. Cody pushes to a headscissor, Styles kips free, but Cody hits another headlock takeover! Styles headscissors again, Cody bridges, grabs at Styles, but Styles pulls thar arm down. Cody headstands, pops free, goes for the headlock, but Styles rolls through! Cody waistlocks, Styles waistlocks, they switch and switch, but Styles puts Cody in the corner! The fans cheer the exchange but Cody steps up. Styles shoves Cody, but Cody SLAPS Styles!

Styles staggers away as Cody gets him back for last night! The fans fire up behind Cody, and he resets with Styles. They tie up, but Styles knees low! Cody still puts Styles in a corner to CHOP! Styles CHOPS! Cody CHOPS! Repeat! The fans “WOO~” with every CHOIP, and Styles gets CHOP after CHOP! Styles headlocks, Cody powers out, then Cody drops, hurdles and DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and Cody cartwheels to give the Stardust to Styles! The fans are thunderous as the two reset again. The fans chant for “STARDUST! STARDUST!” The two knuckle lock, Styles kicks low then fires off CHOP after CHOP!

Styles whips and DROPKICKS Cody! Payback for the payback and the fans sing for the Phenomenal! Styles runs, but Cody back drops him away! Styles writhes and the fans fire up with Cody! Cody covers, ONE, but he clamps on with a chinlock. Styles endures, fights up, but Cody CLUBS the arm. Cody reels Styles in, suplexes, and holds Styles up! The fans cheer as Cody goes all the way to TEN before the GOURD BUSTER! Styles sputters, Cody looms over him, then Cody brings Styles up. But Styles RAMS him into a corner! Styles hammerlocks an arm and RAMS that shoulder into buckles! Styles wrenches the arm again, to hit a AMRBAR DDT!

The fans duel again as Styles brings Cody up. Styles wrenches the arm to WRING it out! Cody writhes, but Styles hammerlocks the arm to keep Cody down. Cody endures, fights up, and the fans rally. Cody throws forearms on Styles but Styles keeps the wristlock! Cody ROCKS Styles, runs, but Styles kitchen sink knees! The fans sing again, Styles brings Cody up to KICK him! And KICK him again! Cody crawls but Styles stalks him. Styles taunts Cody, kicks, but Cody blocks to hook Styles up, BACKPACK CRADLE! TWO, Cody tries again! TWO, RHODES UPPERCUT! But Styles PELES back!

The fans continue to rally while both men are down! Styles goes to ropes, stands up, runs back in, but Cody sends Styles into ropes! Styles gets jammed up and flops out of the ring! Cody builds speed and DIVES into a haymaker! Styles drags Cody out to SMACK off the English desk! The ring count starts, but Styles refreshes that. Styles drags Cody back up, to SMACK him off the desk again! Cody flounders around, Styles looks to the French desk. French commentary asks him not to, but he still clears their desk off! Styles brings Cody over, but Cody sends Styles into steel steps! Cody gets in the ring and the fans rally back up.

Cody drags himself up with ropes, Styles flounders to the apron, but Cody brings Styles up! Styles fires hands, Cody hits back, then Cody bumps Styles off buckles! Fans chant “Too Sweet! WOOP WOOP!” while Cody drags Styles up the corner. Styles throws body shots, but so does Cody! The fans fire up, and Cody lifts Styles! Stalling- NO, Styles slips free and YANKS Cody down! A hard landing for both men and Cody scrambles to a corner. Cody stands, but Styles storms up on him! Styles Electric Chair Lifts Cody, for a SLAM! Cody writhes on the Prime logo while the fans sing for The Phenomenal again.

Styles runs to LIONSAULT onto knees! Cody saves himself there, and both men are down! The fans cheer while Styles sputters and both men sit up. Styles drags himself to a corner and stands while Cody rises at center. Styles runs up but Cody counter punches! And counter punches again! And again! And again, and again! Cody whips, Styles reverses but Cody FOREARMS! Styles stays up, runs in at the corner, but Cody goes up and over! SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up again and Cody feels it! The cameras are shaking from the power of the fans! Cody runs, springboard, BEAUTIFUL DISASTER KICK! Cover, TWO!

The fans continue to rally as Cody keeps his focus. Cody rises, the fans continue to sing, and Cody throws hands. Cody springboards again, but Styles catches him to another Electric Chair! But Cody victory rolls it, TWO! Styles fireman’s carries, USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! Cody stays in this, the fans cheer, and Styles grits his teeth. Styles rises again, hobbling on that banged up leg. Cody rises, Styles runs up, but Cody dodges! BULLDOG! Both men are down again but Styles rolls to the apron. Cody steps out after him, “This is Awesome!” as Cody reels Styles in! But Styles suplexes first! APRON BRAINBUSTER!!

Cody sputters while on his feet, then flops over! Both men are down on the outside, the fans sing for The Phenomenal, and the ref checks Cody. Cody is somehow still in this, and the ring count climbs. Styles rolls in at 3 of 10, then goes back out. SLIDING KNEE, BLOCKED! Cody hits a POWERBOMB through the French commentary table!! The fans chant “OUI! OUI! OUI!” while both men are down again! The ring count starts again, both men are still down at 5 of 10! The fans count along, we pass 7, then 8! Both men stand at 9, and slide in safe at 9.5!! The fans are thunderous as this main event continues!

Styles flounders to a corner, runs up on Cody, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so they start throwing forearms back and forth! The fans are torn as the shots keep going! Cody fires hands, as does Styles, then both men ROUNDHOUSE! Both men fall and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as both men go to corners. Both men drag themselves up, fire up, and they both run in! They fire furious fists, then Cody throws body shots! Styles blocks to fire the PHENOMENAL BLITZ! Cody ducks the lariat to JAB, JAB, JAB! Flip! Flop! Fly and a little extra, BIONIC ELBOW! Cover, TWO! The fans are still electric as both men are down!

Both men sit up, Styles grabs at Cody but Cody kicks him away. Cody pounds the mat, the fans fire up with him, and Cody springboards! CODY CUT- NO, Styles dragon sleepers! Inverted suplex, into a gut wrench! Cody flips through to have Styles up! But Styles slips free! Cody runs in, into a BOOT! CORNER SNAP SUPLEX!! Cody slumps down the buckles and the fans sing for The Phenomenal again! Styles drags Cody up and around, scoops him and hits a BACKBREAKER! Cody is down in a drop zone and Styles goes to the corner. Styles aims from the apron, springboards, 450 SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!!

The fans are thunderous as Cody survives and Styles is frustrated. Styles stalks Cody, torture racks, and hits a BURNING HAMMER!! Cover, ONE?!?!? WHAT?!?! Cody punches himself and is all fired up! The fans are volcanic seeing this, but Styles KICKS, punches, repeat! Cody blocks a kick, spins him around, then springboards to CODY CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!!! Styles survives and Cody is beside himself! The fans rally as Styles crawls to the apron and Cody rises. The fans hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” but this has to end somehow! Styles is in a corner now, Cody shakes his head. Styles tells him to bring it! They both run in, Cody LARIATS Styles down first!

The fans fire up again as Cody has a second wind! Cody storms around, calls his shot, and then dragon sleepers! CROSS- SNAPMARE! Styles ducks the lariat to PELE! Cody goes to a corner, Styles runs in, but Cody puts him on the apron! Styles ROCKS Cody and Cody staggers away! Elbow pad off, Styles springboards, PHENOMENAL- SUPERKICK!! Both men are down again and the fans continue to cheer! Cody drags Styles into a KIMURA!! Cody learned this from The Beast! Styles is caught in the body scissors, endures as Cody twists that elbow joint, and the fans duel as Styles fights up!

Styles manages to deadlift Cody off the mat, to SPINEBUSTER! Styles drags Cody up into position now, but Cody kicks free of the Clash! Cody BOOTS Styles, dragon sleepers, CROSS- NO, Styles turns things around again! Styles kicks, reels Cody in, STYLES- NO, Cody fights that off to back drop! Styles sunset flips, Cody sists on it! TWO!! Styles swings, Cody dodges to go up and up and SUPER CODY CUTTER!!! The fans are volcanic again as Cody rises! Cody says this is it! Dragon sleeper, CROSS RHODES!!! Cover, Cody wins!

Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall (still Undisputed WWE Champion)

That match was Just Too Sweet! A truly phenomenal match, but that just shows how The American Nightmare is undeniable! Will Cody keep writing this incredible “sequel” to his story?

My Thoughts:

I know “Phenomenal” has been used a lot because of how AJ Styles was on this show, but it is truly a fitting adjective for this year’s Backlash. Lyon, France as a crowd definitely proved they were the right location. They were non-stop energy between both last night on SmackDown and right here for Backlash, it added to everyone’s energy, including my own, so much fun. Opening with the Bloodline match was a bit surprising, but it was a great move given it turned into a Street Fight. And the surprise of the night happened here with Tanga Loa making a debut. I did not see that coming, I honestly thought he was still with NJPW, but here he is, and that’s awesome.

The Triple Threat was a great follow-up for that tag match, especially with how WWE has learned from other places how to book a Triple Threat that almost never slows down. They didn’t constantly boil it down to 1v1 pairings until closer to the end, and it was great seeing Naomi and Bayley take Tiff out with a tag team finisher to get there. Bayley’s quick pin win is great for everyone, we can definitely get some more of Bayley and Naomi 1v1 and same for Bayley and Tiff 1v1. Great promo from Jey with The Bloodline, because it was actually more powerful that they didn’t speak. It was just Jey knowing that The Bloodline is getting more dangerous and outta control, and in a way, it’s because Jey left at a pivotal moment.

Priest VS Jey for the world title was a great match, and a solid halfway point on the card. Turns out that Judgment Day can interfere on Priest’s behalf and not muck it up, but Priest still doesn’t like that they’re beating up on people when, in Priest’s opinion, it’s not needed. I’m still sensing that Priest could be leaving Judgment Day because he’s trying to do things in a respectable way and they wanna stay vicious, “pack of wild dog” Heels. Something’s gotta give, and either way, I’d love seeing Priest VS Finn for the title. Great picks for those King & Queen of the Ring brackets, but with McIntyre VS Finn in round one, I feel like so much of the tournament is determined right there.

Great Women’s Tag Team Championship match, though it got a bit wonky in the middle when ref and Kabuki Warriors lost track of who was what. But either way, great to see Bianca & Jade defying the go-home math. They stood tall with Naomi and Bayley last night, and they still won the titles here tonight. Bianca’s grudge against DMG CTRL didn’t cost them, and now with some teams moving around, we can get some fun, fresh match-ups for these titles. And then, the fans just never stopped losing their minds during Cody VS Styles, taking what was a great match and making it feel truly awesome. But I figured Cody would retain, he just got the belt and there is any number of match-ups for him to still do.

Maybe Styles’ story after this is sorting things out with The OC since they’re all still on the same brand. There are still plenty of factions they can feud with for the Summer, like The Pride, Legado, and the Logan-Theory-Waller friends. Maybe Styles also gets in on King of the Ring, as SmackDown’s bracket wasn’t announced yet.

My Score: 9.2/10

Le Cauchemar Américain et Le Phénoménal!

That is to say, The American Nightmare and The Phenomenal One! Before Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles fight over the WWE Championship at Backlash, they have one last face-to-face to say whatever needs to be said!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• 8 Woman Tag: Bayley, Naomi, Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill VS Tiffany Stratton & Damage CTRL; Bayley, Naomi, Bianca & Jade win.
• The Authors of Pain w/ The Final Testament VS New Catch Republic; The AOP win.
• LA Knight VS Angel Garza w/ Legado Del Fantasma; Knight wins.
• WWE Tag Team Championships: A-Town Down Under VS The Street Profits; A-Town Down Under wins and retain the titles.

PLAY BY PLAY

8 Woman Tag: Bayley, Naomi, Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill VS Tiffany Stratton & Damage CTRL!

Lyon, France fires up for the Role Model as she joins forces with The #BIG3 against the Spoiled Rich Girl, as well as Dakota Kai, Asuka & Kairi Sane, all ahead of the big title matches at Backlash! WrestleMania saw Bayley, Naomi, Bianca & Jade all take down DMG CTRL, but will things be different now that they’re on #TiffyTime?

The teams sort out, and Naomi starts against the Pirate Princess. The fans sing for Bayley while Naomi and Kairi tie up. They go around, Naomi wrenches but Kairi DECKS her! Kairi drags Naomi up, whips her to a corner, but Naomi goes up to get Kairi for a TWERK ATTACK! Naomi then kicks Kairi away, and the fans rally behind Naomi as she runs corner to corner, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! And then ENZIGIRI! Naomi drags Kairi over, tags in Bianca, and Bianca slingshots in to handspring and MOONSAULT! The fans cheer, Bianca covers, TWO! Kairi survives but Bianca keeps on her. Bianca brings Kairi up, scoops, but Kairi kicks free!

Kairi whips but Bianca blocks! Bianca whips, catches Kairi and reels her in, to suplex! The fans cheer as she marches around, then SLAMS Kairi down! And kips up, too! Asuka runs up but is sent right back out! Bianca gets Kairi up, but Kairi URAKENS! Bianca wobbles, Bayley tags in! Bianca BOOTS Kairi but is upset Bayley tagged in. The fans want Bayley anyway, but Asuka drags Bianca out! Then Tiff tags in to attack the champ! SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally behind Bayley but Tiff keeps her composure as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and fans rally for Bayley, but The Kabuki Warriors bring her up. Bayley fights the double suplex, fires off hands, then runs, but into an ELBOW! Kairi adds a SLIDING D, then Asuka adds a SLIDING KNEE! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Bayley stays in this, but Tiff tags in again. Tiff brings Bayley up to CLUB her, puts her on ropes, and CHOKES! The ref counts, the fans boo, but Tiff lets off at 4. Kairi has fun throwing up the double peace as Bayley flounders. Dakota tags in, she stomps a mudhole into Bayley, but Dakota tags Kairi. Kairi tags Asuka back in, then brings Bayley up.

Asuka climbs the corner, Kairi brings Bayley around, and sends her into Asuka’s HIPS! Asuka hops down to cover deep, TWO! Bayley is still in this but Tiff tags in again. Tiff brings Bayley up to whip her to a corner. Tiff runs corner to corner and handsprings in to BACK ELBOW! Tiff snapmares Bayley, runs, and cartwheels into an Alabama Lift, ALABAMA SLAM! High stack, Naomi breaks it! The fans fire up while Tiff is upset. Tiff frowns, stomps Bayley, then taunts the fans. But Bayley fires hands! Tiff CLUBS Bayley, stomps her, then sucker punches Jade! The fans boo but Tiff CLUBS Bayley, then sends Bayley into Naomi!

The fans boo more, but Bayley hits a SAIDO! Both Bayley and Tiff are down, and the fans are thunderous! Bayley and Bianca lock eyes, and are both conflicted being enemies for so long. But tonight is about common enemies, so Jade tags in! And she BOOTS Dakota! And grabs Asuka, for a CHOKE SLAM! Kairi runs up, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Jade catches her for a BACKBREAKER! Jade tags Bianca and then she SPLASHES Dakota! Jade reels Dakota in, brings her up, and POWERBOMBS her down! Bianca then handsprings, gets a lift from Jade, DOMINATOR SPLASH COMBO! Cover, but Kairi breaks it!

Jade TOSSES Kairi out, but Asuka MISSILE DROPKICKS Jade down! Naomi runs up, gets around, BUBBA BOMB for Asuka! But TIFFY STOMPS get Naomi! But then BAYLEY2BELLY for Tiffy! Dakota SCORPION KICKS Bayley! Bianca torture racks Dakota for the KISS OF DEATH! Cover, Bianca’s team wins!

Winners: Bayley, Naomi, Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill, by pinfall

The fans cheer “OUI! OUI! OUI!” as the EST finishes this one off! Bianca & Jade are going strong into their tag title match, and Bayley will now have to turn around and treat Naomi as much of an enemy as she does Tiff. Will the Role Model hold onto the gold? Or will she #FeelTheGlow?

A-Town Down Under speaks.

Austin Theory tries French by saying, “Bonjour, France. You get a gift tonight. You get the greatest undefeated tag team champs in their first title defense.” Grayson Waller then asks, “What’s that smell?” They both sniff and Theory says that’s red wine. No, Waller isn’t smelling that. It’s strong. Theory takes in a bigger whiff, and says that’s cheese. Nah, that’s just how the audience smells. Waller realizes what it is: smoke! Because that’s what The Street Profits want, right? Well, ATDU will show The Profits that they ARE the smoke! Will Theory & Waller return to the US still holding onto the titles? Or will The Profits be up as they take the gold?

Backstage interview with Bianca & Jade.

SmackDown returns, and Kayla Braxton says after tonight’s great win out there, are they confident in their chances at taking the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships at Backlash? Jade says she and Bianca are always confident. Tomorrow night will be no different. And Bianca says with all this history against DMG CTRL, she is so ready for closure, for this to be done, because she is sick of talking about it! DMG CTRL has been coming at her for practically her entire career, and she’s ready for this to be over. We pan over to see Naomi and Bayley are here, too. Bianca says once they take the tag titles, she’ll be done with DMG CTRL for good. Hopefully.

Jade calms Bianca down and Bayley leaves. The EST apologizes for being the angriEST, but will that at least help her and Jade finally humble DMG CTRL once and for all?

Nick Aldis is with Carmelo Hayes backstage.

The SmackDown General Manager knows Melo belongs here on SmackDown after last week’s match with Cody Rhodes. Because two things Aldis asks of you on his brand: show up, and show out. Melo says thanks to “Slick Nick.” And despite what people are saying, Melo knows he almost beat Cody. Melo’s got momentum, he wants to keep it going, so he is declaring for the King of the Ring. Well, alright then. Aldis is sure they can talk about that. At the same time, here’s Bobby Lashley! Lashley says hey to Aldis and Melo, and congratulates Melo for being drafted to SmackDown. More importantly, congratulations on that impressive showing against Cody Rhodes.

And, now that they’re both on the same brand, if there’s anything Lashley can do for Melo, just call him. Melo says thanks, but he’s good. If you didn’t see last week, Melo’s a first round draft pick, went toe to toe with THE WWE Champion, he’s pretty much got it figured out. He appreciates the offer, though. Well, alright, big time. But Lashley will tell him that it’s not about the shots he shoots. It’s about making those shots count. Last week, Melo lost. Oh? Well when was the last time Lashley shot his shot? Melo looks to go but Lashley stops him. Here’s another piece of advice: be careful who you disrespect around here.

Lashley lets Melo exit, will the All Mighty have to teach HIM a lesson?

The Authors of Pain w/ The Final Testament VS New Catch Republic!

Akam & Rezar thought they were writing off The Big Strong Boi & Bruiserweight last week, but they only gave Tyler Bate & Pete Dunne motivation! New Catch Republic kept AOP from becoming NXT Tag Team Champions, will they also put a dent in their main roster plans? Or will this end up being the Final Chapter after all?

SmackDown returns and The AOP make their entrance. Akam and Dunne start, and Akam grabs Dunne by the neck! Akam SHOVES Dunne up and out, taunts him, then storms out, but into a GAMANGIRI! Dunne gets in to DROPKICK Akam, then DROPKICK again! And DROPKICK again! Akam stays up so Dunne runs up to HOVERBOARD KIMURA! Bate tags in and KICKS Akam! Then NCR fire off fast hands! The fans fire up, Bate goes corner to corner to UPPERCUT! Then again for another UPPERCUT! Bate keeps going, but Akam LARIATS him inside out! The fans boo but Akam tags in Rezar.

The AOP mug Bate, then shove Bate down. The fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” but Rezar talks trash on them in return. Rezar drags Bate up to suplex, but Bate throws knee after knee! Bate gets free, then he fires hands and UPPERCUTS! Bate reels Rezar in, but even he can’t suplex someone that big! Rezar fireman’s carries, so Bate slips around to a SLEEPER! Rezar goes to ropes, Dunne tags in and climbs up! Dunne FLYING STOMPS Rezar’s arms! Bate DROPKICKS Rezar out! Akam runs in but NCR DUMP him out! The fans fire up as Bate tags back in, then goes up top! Dunne sets up for Bate’s KNEE-BOARD SENTON!

The fans fire up as AOP goes down! Bate hauls Rezar up and into the ring, then springboards in to FLYING UPPERCUT! Rezar stays up so Bate runs, but into a pop-up! Rezar fireman’s carries Bate to CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Rezar roars, the Final Testament is fired up, but the fans boo and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns as Rezar looms over Bate. The fans rally up while Rezar brings Bate over. Tag to Akam, and the AOP hit a SIDEWALK SLAM LEG DROP COMBO! Cover, TWO! Kross is annoyed with the fans, but Akam dribbles Bate off the mat! Akam tags Rezar, the AOP mug Bate again, and then Rezar clamps on a BEARHUG! Bate endures the squeeze, even as Rezar thrashes him around! Bate fights up as the fans rally even harder! Bate wriggles free as he goes up and over to sunset flip, but Rezar YANKS Bate right up, only for Bate to DROPKICK! Rezar staggers back, Akam tags in and runs up on Bate!

Akam drags Bate away, but Bate fires hands! Akam keeps hold of an arm but Bate fires hands! “OUI! OUI! OUI!” Akam whips but Bate hits the REBOUNDER! The fans fire up as Bate crawls, hot tag to Dunne! The fans erupt as The Bruiserweight ENZIGIRIS Akam, GAMANGIRIS Rezar, then ENZIGIRIS Akam! Dunne STOMPS the hands then BUZZSAWS Akam down! Dunne fires up, the fans are with him, and he goes out to ASAI MOONSAULT Rezar down! Dunne runs back in, mule kicks and serves Akam SLICED BREAD! Cover, TWO! Dunne goes up top, MOONSAULT, but he lands on his feet as Akam dodges!

Dunne rolls through to tag Bate! Akam runs up, but Bop up, BANG! Dunne BOOTS, Bate fireman’s carries!! The fans are thunderous for the AIRPLANE SPIN!! Bate goes around and around and around with Akam, then THROWS him away! Bate kips up, tags Dunne, then STANDING SHOOTING STARS! Dunne roars before the SHINING WIZARD! Cover, Rezar breaks it! The fans are loving this, but then Rezar grabs both men by the necks! Only for both men to bend those fingers! And DOUBLE SNAP! Then NCR run to CLOBBER Rezar outta the ring! The fans fire up, Dunne runs but Scarlett stands in the way!

The fans boo the femme fatale, but Bate DIVES past her to take out Rezar! But then Kross gets Bate for an F5 to the floor! Dunne PLANCHAS Kross for it! Dunne gets back in, but Akam hits an URENAGE! Tag to Rezar, the AOP set Dunne up, DRAG THE LAKE! Cover, AOP wins!

Winners: The Authors of Pain, by pinfall

The entire Testament was needed, but they still take down New Catch Republic! These teams are going to Raw via the Draft, will the feud only get wilder from here?

Nick Aldis is visited by Paul Heyman.

The Wise Man asks if Aldis got his memo. Aldis did. And request denied. Heyman wants Aldis to pull Kevin Owens & Randy Orton out of the tag team match set for Backlash? Why? How about for the sake of Kevin Owens? Or for Randy Orton, or for SmackDown as a whole. Heyman says he has tried and tried with Aldis, but fine, leave them in the damn match. What happens to Kevin and Randy is no longer on Heyman’s conscious. It is all on Aldis now. Good night. Heyman storms off, but Aldis asks if that’s by orders of The Tribal Chief. Heyman turns back around to say that’s not funny. Well, Aldis just knows that all communication with Roman Reigns goes through Heyman.

So, is Heyman in charge or not? Heyman says there is a difference between being in charge, and being in control. Heyman has not spoken to Roman since WrestleMania. Heyman then realizes he shouldn’t have admitted that, and Aldis asks him to repeat it. Has Heyman really not spoken to him since Mania? So when “Roman Reigns” pulled Roman Reigns from The WWE Draft, who really did it? Heyman says it wasn’t Roman who withdrew from the Draft. Heyman withdrew Roman from the Draft. But please understand what is going on here. Heyman had no choice. He cannot subject Roman to the chaos going on within The Bloodline right now.

And Aldis cannot subject Kevin & Randy to what will happen to them at the hands of The Bloodline tomorrow night. Aldis says if Heyman can take it on himself to pull Roman out of the Draft, then try pulling Kevin & Randy outta this match. Even right now, on the R-KO Show. Aldis wishes Heyman luck, Heyman storms off completely this time, but just what is going on with The Bloodline?

It’s time for the R-KO Show!

The fans fire up as Randy Orton makes his way out to the ring, sporting the new R-KO shirt! Then Kevin Owens makes his entrance, wearing a matching R-KO shirt. Kevin has the mic, and in French, he welcomes them to the R-Kah-Oh. Then he explains to Orton that is how you would say “K” in French. The fans cheer, and Kevin says good evening, welcome to THE R K O Show! They sit in the armchairs, and Randy says normally, Kevin would have to talk him into something like this. But it didn’t really, because the fans here are so AMAZING! The fans cheer again, and chant for “RANDY! RANDY!”

And Randy says y’know what else didn’t take much convincing? Him and Kevin teaming up for Backlash to kick The Bloodline’s asses! Kevin says yeah, before that, he has a concern about their “guests” tonight. At first, Kevin didn’t want a guest, he just wanted to give France a good, fun episode. But after getting some calls from a number he didn’t want to answer, it was someone he didn’t wanna talk to. But Wednesday, 4 AM, Kevin was worn down, and that is when Paul Heyman asked to be a guest. The fans boo and Kevin said that’s how he felt. But Heyman said he had something very important to tell them so… Why not bring him out?

Oh, does Randy wanna introduce him? The fans cheer but Randy says not really. But he’ll introduce Heyman to the three most dangerous letter in sports entertainment: R K O. Nice. But then Heyman introduces himself to the “ladies and gentlemen” here. The fans fire up for “E C DUB!” as Heyman continues by saying he IS Paul Heyman. The fans know it so well, they say it with him. Heyman says he is a WWE Hall of Famer, the bon vivant, blah blah blah, and without question, Heyman is WWE’s undisputed Wise Man. The fans cheer that. And so therefore, tonight, Heyman comes out here with respect, with admiration, and of course, with wisdom.

Heyman steps inside, but Kevin tells Randy that he can’t just RKO him. Heyman gets worried, and Randy says no, he’s an outta nowhere kinda guy. Heyman steps back out while the fans chant “R K O! R K O!” Heyman says ladies and gentlemen, there will be NO RKOs this evening! The fans boo, and Randy begs to differ. Kevin says he’s never met a man who says so much but yet says so little. Heyman, what do you wanna tell them? Heyman understands why they doubt a man who has very little conscience. The fans chant “We Want Roman!” Heyman says more than you’ll ever know, he wants Roman back, too.

But Heyman came out here for a simple reason: he has great respect for Randy, and for Kevin. When they stepped into the ring with Roman, to was competition, there was a title, and Heyman understood just as they do, that Roman had to do what he had to do! But the rules with Solo Sikoa are a whole lot different. Do yourselves and SmackDown and WWE and the fans, and each of their families a favor, back out of the match. Randy says the absolutely biggest trash is trying to tell him and his partner not to take a match? Heyman is not in position to give advice when everything around him is falling apart.

In fact, that begs the question, Heyman. Who exactly is the real Tribal Chief now? Heyman sweats this question, and he is sure the whole world knows… There is only one Tribal Chief. SOLO SIKOA & TAMA TONGA ATTACK!! They throw the R-KO set away, but then Kevin and Randy fight back! The fans fire up as we get a preview of tomorrow, and things spill out o f the ring! Security and producers rush out, but the fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” But then Randy TOSSES security, and gives on a DESK BACK SUPLEX! Kevin goes up to CANNONBALL Solo, Tama and everyone else!!

The fans are thunderous as Team R-KO get in the ring and throw stuff at Solo! The Bloodline retreats, but will they have the final say tomorrow at Backlash?

The Street Profits react.

And DAAAAANG! That was wild! But what’s also wild is A-Town Down Under think they know French. Ford says they’ve been practicing French themselves. Triple Crown that always puts it down, the Profits, oui oui! And tonight, they’re gonna take on Waller & Theory here in Lyon, France! Oui oui! And tonight, they are gonna become the NEW WWE Tag Team Champions! OUI OUI!! Then that’s how you do it! The Profits are up, and we want the smoke!

LA Knight VS Angel Garza w/ Legado Del Fantasma!

The Mega Star is also here to say OUI! But will we instead have to say “Si” as Garza represents for his familia? Or will that be a NON NON as Knight humbles the wannabe Lothario?

SmackDown returns as Legado makes their entrance. We get a QR code blink in, then the bell rings. The fans rally for Knight as he and Garza circle. They tie up, Knight headlocks, but Garza powers up and out. Knight runs Garza over and the fans cheer! Knight tells Garza, “YEAH!” Garza gets up, he and Knight circle again, and they tie up. Garza kicks low, CLUBS away on Knight, then mocks the ‘YEAH!” The fans boo but Garza ROCKS and UPPERCUTS! Garza whips corner to corner, but Knight comes back to LARIAT! Knight whips but Garza reverses, only for Knight to hit a SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Knight scrapes Garza outta the ring nthen pursues.

Garza swings but Knight fires counter punches! Knight SMACKS Garza off the apron again and again, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight then brings Garza around for one more SMACK! Garza sputters, Knight puts him in the ring, then he tells off Humberto. Garza runs up, Knight dodges to clothesline Garza up and out! The fans fire up as Knight builds speed, to WRECK Garza with a dropkick! The fans fire up with Knight again and he brings Garza back up. Knight puts Garza in, fires more haymakers, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight bumps Garza off buckles, “YEAH!” then whips corner to corner! Knight clotheslines, but he has to watch out for Legado.

Knight then reels Garza in for a BIG suplex! Cover, ONE!! Garza is toughing it out but Knight keeps cool as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again as now Garza CHOPS Knight in a corner! Knight CHOPS back! And CHOPS, and HAYMAKERs, repeat! Knight whips Garza to a corner, but Humberto gets on the apron! Knight takes a swing, Humberto gets away, and Garza storms up to HEADBUTT! Garza stomps Knight, mocks the spelling of the name, then whips. Knight ducks ‘n’ dodges to LEAPING LARIAT! The fans fire up again and Knight stomps a mudhole in, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight goes corner to corner to KNEE Garza down! Knight reels Garza in to whip and scoop, then POWERSLAM! Then he runs to drop the ELBOW!

Knight fires up and the fans are with him! Knight waits on Garza to get up, but Humberto gets back on the apron! Knight DECKS Humberto this time, but Garza rolls him up! TWO!! Knight escapes, spins Garza, B F T! Cover, Knight wins!

Winner: LA Knight, by pinfall

Santos has Humberto stand down, Knight already got the better of them. And then Knight gets a mic! The fans cheer him on, and he says, “LEMME TALK TO YA!” Knight says all around the world, it’s the same song. Another SmackDown, another dummy dropped on his head, three the hard way, YEAH! “YEAH!” Now, if Knight wanted to be cliche, he’d say this is his ring, right? “YEAH!” But nah nah, he wont’ do that. Instead of saying it, NAH NAH! He will MAKE this his ring. And what does he mean? He means he is now entered in the King of the Ring! Santos has a mic now to stop Knight there.

Santos says it is impressive that Knight just keeps talking and talking. The fans tell Santos “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” Santos says he’ll show who sucks! Knight keeps running his mouth, now he wants to be King of the Ring. But while Knight will be busy running his mouth, Santos will be busy winning. Knight says sorry, he couldn’t hear anything Santos said while the fans were saying Santos sucks. The fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” again, but Knight is pretty sure Santos said Knight talks too much. Should Knight keep on talking, Lyon? “YEAH!” That’s what Knight thought! Because when Knight stops talking, that’s when Santos gets stomped out!

And while Santos is down, he’ll think to himself, “My god, what was I just doing? I know whose game it is!” And before anyone else tells him, he’ll hear it the whole damn world saying, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!!” Mic drop! The tournament is coming, will the Knight rise up to be a king? Or will we have to change the name to The Emperor of the Ring?

Backstage interview with Carlito.

Byron Saxton is with Caribbean Cool, and asks the same question everyone else is: Why did he attack Dragon Lee? Carlito says he’d been away from the WWE for many years. And all he wanted was to have a WrestleMania moment with his familia, The LWO. So when Rey challenged Dom & Santos, Carlito thought Rey would make the right choice and choose Carlito. But instead, Rey chose Dragon Lee. Someone who’s been here what? Five minutes? That’s not cool. So Carlito took matters into his own hands. It wasn’t personal, Dragon. But it would’ve worked out if not- DRAGON ATTACKS CARLITO!!

The refs and producers rush in, Rey stops Dragon, but it is clear Boy Wonder wants vengeance! Will he get it as the LWO and Carlito move over to Monday Night Raw?

WWE Tag Team Championships: A-Town Down Under VS The Street Profits!

Grayson Waller & Austin Theory already had massive egos, but those egos only inflated exponentially after being one of the teams to win at WrestleMania. Will they only get more and more arrogant with every day they’re still champions? Or will those egos be deflated as Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins go for gold?

SmackDown returns as ATDU makes their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see which team is truly championship material!

The teams sort out and then Waller sucker punches Ford! Theory gets in, he will be the legal man against Dawkins! Theory fires hands, then stomps Dawkins into the corner. The ref counts, Theory tags Waller, and they mug Dawkins. Waller stalks Dawkins to a corner, wrenches and whips, but Dawkins hurdle and FLYING UPPERCUT! Dawkins tags Ford, whips Waller, and Ford DROPKICKS! They taunt Theory, Theory runs in but into a DOUBLE DROPKICK! Ford says “OUI~” but Waller sucker punches him again! Ford gets Waller in a clinch, ROCK BOTTOM! Dawkins tags in and goes up, for a SWANTON BOMB!

Theory drags Waller outta the ring to save him, but Dawkins tags Ford. Ford builds speed, “OUI OUI!” and he FLIES! Direct hit on ATDU and the fans are thunderous! Ford then fetches Waller into the ring, tags Dawkins in, and they get Waller up for a DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! “Oui oui!” The fans cheer, “OUI! OUI! OUI!” Dawkins puts Waller in a corner, whips him corner to corner, then CYCLONE SPLASHES! Then ENZIGIRI! Dawkins brings Waller to a cover, TWO! The fans cheer, Dawkins looms over Waller, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Theory tags in, only for Ford to rally on him and Waller! Ford ducks ‘n ‘dodges then LARIATS Theory down! The fans fire up as Ford runs at Theory in a corner, but Theory puts him on the apron. Ford GAMANGIRIS, then springboards to FLYING ELBOW! The fans fire up, Theory staggers around, into a BIG back suplex! Ford kips up and the fans fire up again! Ford raises the roof, then STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Theory stays in this but the fans are still loudly behind the Profits. Tag to Dawkins, he and Ford get Theory up for another DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX, only for Theory to land out!

Waller tags in, Theory DECKS Dawkins, but Ford ENZIGIRIS Theory! Waller is up top, but Ford sees him! Waller tightrope walks, Ford dodges his leap, but that lets Waller go COAST2COAST on Dawkins! Waller drags Dawkins to a cover, Theory keeps Ford out, TWO!! Dawkins survives on his own but Theory throws Ford to the floor! Theory goes to his corner, reaches out, and gets the hot tag! Theory talks trash on France, then slingshots in to somersault, into a POUNCE!! Dawkins sees Waller somersault in, into a SKY HIGH! Tag to Ford, and Dawkins gets Theory in an Electric Chair Lift! DOOMSDAY BLOCKBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!!

Theory shocks everyone as he survives, but he and Ford are both down. The fans are thunderous all the same, and Ford tags Dawkins. The Profits mug Theory, then Dawkins fireman’s carries. Ford goes up, but Theory claws Dawkins’ face! Theory trips Ford, but Dawkins ROCKS Theory! Dawkins waistlocks and O’Conner Rolls, but the ref is checking Ford! Waller SOMERSAULT FLATLINERS! Theory covers, the ref sees that, A-Town Down Under wins!!

Winners: A-Town Down Under, by pinfall (still WWE Tag Team Champions)

Theory & Waller found a way to snatch this one away, leaving The Profits without their prize. Will Ford & Dawkins just have to work that much harder to get back to a title shot?

AJ Styles is here!

Lyon fires up for the Phenomenal One as he heads to the ring, ready for a final face-to-face with Cody Rhodes before they battle over the title. Will both men keep it civil this close to Backlash? We find out, after the break.

SmackDown returns once again, and now The American Nightmare makes his entrance. The fans fire up again, and they sing along with Cody’s song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, continues to the ring, and the fans continue to sing. Cody gives the title a kiss before he steps in the ring and holds it up for everyone to see. Cody then gets a mic, the song fades out, and the fans cheer Cody on. Cody then asks Lyon, in French, what they wanna talk about. The fans chant “OUI! OUI! OUI!” and Styles says he doesn’t care what the fans want, Cody’s in the ring with The Phenomenal One. The fans taunt Styles with a song and everyone joins in!

Cody holds up the belt and the fans cheer again! Styles says it’s almost like Cody isn’t focused. Cody’s focused on all the energy, and not what he should be focused on. Cody tells Styles that if Styles wants his full focus, he absolutely has Cody’s attention. From one Georgia boy to another, from one Dawgs fan to another, c’mon now! Cody broke into the industry in Georgia, he grew up watching Styles! Styles stops Cody there. He doesn’t need that crap! That “You’re my hero!” crap. No, Styles may be older than Cody, but he’s still in his prime. Cody asks who is saying otherwise. Styles says Cody didn’t have to say it, we knew what he meant.

But here’s the problem with Cody. The fans “WHAT?” and Styles figured they’d do that. These are the most disrespectful fans! That’s why nobody comes to Lyon! The fans boo Styles, but Styles says he and Cody were never on the same path. Cody had a path laid out for him. Because everyone wanted the Son of the American Dream! And that included the WWE. The WWE welcomed Cody with open arms. The fans sing “CODY~, CODY CODY CODY~! CODY~, CODY~!” Styles says Cody loved it here in the WWE, until things got rough and he couldn’t handle it. The fans boo but Cody just smirks at that.

Styles says Cody packed his bags and left WWE, his own decision. One Styles never got to make. Styles was kept from the WWE for YEARS! And when he finally made it here, Styles wasn’t welcomed with open arms like Cody. Styles had to prove himself, make his way to the top, and he did, all by himself. The fans do applaud that because that is true. Styles says, “Unlike you, who had Hall of Famers and Legends watching your back at WrestleMania so you could ‘finish your story.’ That’s great. A bunch of guys I’ve beaten before!” Styles beat them all the same way he’ll beat Cody tomorrow night at Backlash.

The fans boo more but Styles says he will climb his way to the top again, and remind Cody and everyone else, that he IS Phenomenal! The fans have another sing to taunt Styles with and it gets everyone fired up! Cody asks Styles who he’s trying to convince. Certainly not Cody, as Cody knows Styles is a future first-ballot Hall of Famer. The modern day Bret Hart, reputation unmatched! But don’t disparage Cody just to build yourself up. Cody’s sacrifices, mistakes, he endured, and there were many, all to stand here THE WWE Champion! The fans cheer that because it’s also true! And Cody points out that his very first title defense just so happens to be Styles!

Some call it a dream match, and Styles will always be Phenomenal! The fans sing again, but Cody tells Styles he isn’t looking at Styles as “phenomenal,” but as his first of many. And that itself is just too sweet. The fans cheer and throw it up, and so do Cody and Styles. But then Styles SLAPS Cody! Cody manages to smile through that, but Styles storms off. This dream match will surely be phenomenal, but will Cody make it through? Or will SmackDown once again be the House that AJ Styles Built?

Wait, there’s a brawl going on backstage!

The Bloodline has found Randy Orton & Kevin Owens again!! They’re all brawling it out while refs and security shout! Solo sends Orton into a cart, then takes aim with a chair! Orton dodges the chair shot, throws more hands, then Kevin gets his shots in! Orton JAMS Solo with the chair, SMACKS him down, and Kevin goes back after Tama! Are these teams going to tear each other apart until there’s nothing left but the blood, sweat and tears?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown here, especially as a go-home to Backlash. There were some recap packages here and there, but many were in response to the Draft moves and similar stories. Very good promo from Carlito and then attack by Dragon Lee to hype up their feud going forward. Also a very good promo from Melo with Aldis and Lashley. Melo’s ego is gonna get him in trouble, but would not have thought this would be Melo’s first feud. And great promo from Heyman with Aldis to reveal that detail about Roman being radio silent for the last month. It really adds to how Solo Sikoa’s been able to do what he wants while Roman’s been gone.

As such, great “R-KO Show” segment with Heyman as the guest and then the sudden attack by Solo & Tama. The camera framing really helped add to the ambush, and then the brawling reigniting at the very end of the show was a great detail. Both brawl segments went Team R-KO’s way, so I would think The Bloodline finds their way to win. Perhaps the WWE debut of Jacob Fatu? Great 8 Woman Tag to open the night, with a great moment of Bianca and Bayley unsure about working together. But in the end, the Faces win, making me wonder if there will be shenanigans keeping the tag titles on Kabuki Warriors. That promo from Bianca after could be part of it, where her obsession in getting past DMG CTRL costs her and Jade.

Great match from AOP VS NCR, but I should’ve figured the Final Testament would help AOP win. This would’ve worked as a blowoff match if one team was staying on SmackDown but they’re both moving to Raw this Monday, so maybe NCR can get some reinforcements? Really good match from Knight VS Garza though it certainly felt one-sided on the way to Knight winning. Knight and Santos both getting in the King of the Ring tournament is good stuff, those brackets will apparently come out next Monday, and I’m sure both Knight and Santos will have a strong showing. The King and Queen of the Ring tournaments are gonna have to move fast, though, with the finals in Arabia on the 25th.

Good promo from A-Town Down Under and great promo from The Profits ahead of their title match, but the champs retaining the titles make sense. This may have been a special episode in France, but it was still “free TV” so there weren’t going to be new champs so soon after WrestleMania and the new belt designs being introduced. And speaking of this being in France, the crowd was fired up all night, they’ve clearly been hungry for some meaningful WWE content. Cody and Styles almost couldn’t get through their face-to-face with how fired up the fans were to see them both.

Cody and Styles still had really good promos, and Styles with the slap after Cody references Bullet Club was some good stuff. It isn’t just kayfabe and catchphrases that they’re gonna have a great match, but outside of a shoot injury or complete botch, Cody’s definitely retaining the title.

My Score: 8.9/10