Time to fill out the Fyter Fest Fatal 4!

Claudio Castagnoli or Komander, Mascara Dorada or Hechicero, who will advance to the AEW International Championship Fatal 4 Way?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AEW International Championship Fatal 4 Way Qualifier: Claudio Castagnoli VS Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes; Claudio wins and advances to Fyter Fest.
• Six Man Tag: Roppongi Vice & Konosuke Takeshita w/ The Don Callis Family VS Roderick Strong, Kyle O’Reilly & Tomohiro Ishii; RPG Vice & Konosuke win.
• AEW Continental Championship Eliminator: Kazuchika Okada VS Anthony Bowens; Okada wins and denies Bowens a title match.
• Mina Shirakawa VS Skye Blue; Mina wins.
• Gates of Agony VS ???
• Six Man Tag: La Faccion Ingobernable VS AR Fox & Top Flight; win(s).
• AEW International Championship Fatal 4 Way Qualifier: Mascara Dorada VS Hechicero; wins and advances to Fyter Fest.

PLAY BY PLAY

AEW International Championship Fatal 4 Way Qualifier: Claudio Castagnoli VS Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes!

The Swiss Cyborg and the “Space Commander” had a bit of a confrontation on Wednesday Night Dynamite during the Mixed Six Tag, but this dates back to the Continental Classic and the Miracle on 34th Street! Komander cost Claudio his title opportunity then, will he do it again now? Or will nothing stop this Death Rider from going after Kenny Omega’s gold?

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. Komander and Claudio tie up, and Claudio puts Komander on the ropes. The ref counts, the fans rally for Komander, but Claudio CHOPS! Claudio kicks low, UPPERCUTS and stomps away in the corner! The ref counts, the fans boo, but Claudio stops. Abrahantes coaches Komander but Claudio CHOPS! Komander goes to a corner, he shoves Claudio but Claudio CHOPS again! Komander CHOPS! And fires body shots! And repeat! Komander backs Claudio down, headlocks, but Claudio powers out. Claudio RAMS Komander, then THROWS him down!

The fans boo but Claudio just scowls. Claudio grabs at Komander but Komander lifts and leaps to tilt-o-whirl RANA! The fans fire up and Komander ENZIGIRIS! Claudio goes to a corner, Komander goes to the other end! Komander tightrope walks, ARABIAN PRESS HOTSHOT! Claudio staggers, Komander springboards, FLYING- NO, Claudio turns rana into GIANT SWING! The fans count along, Claudio TOSSES Komander at seven! The fans boo, they wanted a longer swing, but Claudio kicks Komander to the outside. Claudio soaks up heat from El Paso as he SMACKS Komander off barriers! And then CHOPS him!

Komander staggers away but Claudio is right on him for a CHOP! Claudio whips Komander into the riling, refreshes the ring count, and storms back up on Komander. The fans chant “SI SE PUEDES!” and Komander fires CHOP after CHOP! Komander kicks but Claudio KNEES low! Claudio hits a BARRIER BACK SUPLEX! Komander flops down. Claudio taunts him, and he drags Komander up and into the ring. Claudio stalks Komander to a corner, the fans rally up, and Claudio whips corner to corner. Komander goes up and out, then KICKS Claudio to ROCK him! Komander springboards to stand on Claudio, then he springboards again for a FLYING ARM-DRAG!

The fans are thunderous as things speed up! Tilt-o-whirl RANA and Claudio tumbles out! Komander DIVES! Direct hit on Claudio and the fans fire up again! Komander hurries back inside, the fans get even hotter, and Komander climbs a corner! Tightrope walk, but Claudio is in! Komander leaps, but into a BACKBREAKER! BACKBREAKER! BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Or as El Paso reminds us, “DOS! DOS! DOS!” Claudio digs his knee into Komander’s back while putting on the HALF CRAB! Komander endures, the fans taunt Claudio, and Komander fights around. Claudio stomps him down, then reels him in.

Claudio lifts, but Komander slips free to hit a FACEBUSTER! The fans fire up as Komander goes up! Tightrope walk, CIELITO- NO, Claudio moves! Komander lands on his feet, runs up, but Claudio RAMS him! And fireman’s carries to the apron! Claudio goes up the corner and the fans get worried. Claudio says this will end it! But Komander shifts to SUPER DUPER STEINER!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives and Komander can’t believe it! The fans rally and Komander climbs up the corner! But Claudio runs up, so Komander jumps down, springboards, SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives again but Komander won’t stop!

The fans rally, Komander aims, and he runs corner to corner to go up, up, and PHOENIX- UPPERCUT!! Claudio reels Komander in, GOTCH NEUTRALIZER!! Cover, Claudio wins!

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall (advances to Fyter Fest)

Komander tried to fly higher and higher, but he only came crashing down to Earth! Will Claudio follow in Moxley’s footsteps and become a champion?

AEW shares footage from after Dynamite.

Prince Nana talked with Swerve Strickland about the Ospreay and Hangman situation, and Renee Paquette walks over to ask them about that. Can he work with Ospreay and Hangman to finally bring down the Death Riders? Swerve says he is going to clear up this misconception. He owned up to what he did, he said he deserved what happened. But that doesn’t make them friends or a team, and they never will be. But then Ospreay barges in and says he has his own question: Who is the bigger threat to AEW? The Death Riders? Or Hangman Page? The only time Swerve was beefing with Hangman was because they both wanted the same opportunities. Tell Ospreay he’s lying.

Swerve had the world title! He did it! He became AEW’s first Black world champion! And he wore that title with pride! But is Swerve happy that Moxley’s stuck it in some briefcase? Because Ospreay isn’t. Ospreay says that belt should be around the best wrestler in the world right now, and right now that is Hangman! Swerve says, “No, it’s not.” Swerve has beat Hangman twice. But did Swerve beat Moxley? Has Ospreay beat Swerve? Swerve says the truth hurts, don’t it? But this team Ospreay is trying to put together to go against the Death Riders, Swerve just did that at Double or Nothing, Anarchy in the Arena, Swerve is done with that.

Swerve says Ospreay is delusional, but Ospreay won’t let Swerve leave because he’s not done talking. Swerve shoves Ospreay, so Ospreay hits back! They brawl right in the parking lot! Swerve sends Ospreay into railing, Ospreay comes back for ore! Ospreay says they are on the same team, whether Swerve likes it or not! Will Swerve, Ospreay, Hangman, and the rest of the roster put their personal history aside to finally and truly save the soul of AEW?

Six Man Tag: Roppongi Vice & Konosuke Takeshita w/ The Don Callis Family VS Roderick Strong, Kyle O’Reilly & Tomohiro Ishii!

After the confrontation during the TNT Championship match, Paragon battles RPG Vice, but with some added names to the mix! RPG Vice brings in NEVER Openweight Champion, Konosuke Takeshita, while Roddy & Kyle conglomerate with NJPW Strong Openweight Champion, Tomohiro Ishii! Could this Six Man Tag open some doors to more golden opportunities?

The Don Callis Family doesn’t wait for anything, they just go after Ishii & Paragon! The fans boo but Konosuke THROWS Ishii into railing! RPG Vice beat up on Paragon, and they throw Roddy out so they can mug Kyle! The fans boo more but Rocky slides to do his soccer celebration. Trent then PLANCHAS, but Kyle KNEES him outta the air! Rocky DIVES on Kyle, but Roddy give shim a BARRIER BACKBREAKER! Roddy CHOPS Trent, Ishii CHOPS Trent, repeat! They make Trent sit down, they CHOP away more, then Roddy KNEES Konosuke! He and Ishii add The Alpha to this, and Kyle is on the apron! DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICK!

The fans fire up, Callis is upset, but Roddy puts Trent in the ring. This is finally a match and Roddy CHOPS Trent! Tag to Kyle, BACKBREAKER AND KNEE DROP COMBO! Kyle clamps onto Trent, he tags Ishii, and they mug Trent. Ishii CHOPS Rocky, the fans cheer, and Ishii CHOPS again! Ishii talks trash on Konosuke, then he bumps Rocky off buckles. Tag to Roddy, Roddy CLUBS Rocky but Rocky fires body shots and KICKS! Tag to Trent and now RPG Vice double whip Roddy. Trent runs up but Roddy dodges the splash! Roddy picks Rocky up to RAM him into Trent, then he hits a BACKBREAKER on Rocky! But Konosuke jumps in and BOOTS Roddy!

The ref reprimand but Konosuke throws hands on Roddy. The refbacks Konosuke off, but that lets Callis get a cheap shot! The fans boo that jackal, but Trent CHOPS Roddy in the corner. Roddy CHOPS back, but Konosuke fires hands! The fans boo as Trent CLAWS Roddy’s face, and Collision goes picture in picture.

The ref reprimands so Trent lets go, but Rocky BITES Roddy’s forehead! Roddy fights back, CHOPS Trent, then he runs, but into a fireman’s carry and DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Trent is frustrated but Roddy kicks at him. Trent stomps Roddy, tags Rocky, and Rocky KNEES Roddy to a corner. Rocky CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Roddy CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Rocky TACKLES Roddy, tags Konosuke, and they split the wishbone! Konosuke clamps onto Roddy with a HALF CRAB! Roddy endures, reaches out, and fights his way to the ROPEBREAK! Konosuke lets go and tags Trent.

Trent stalks Roddy, CHOKES him on the ropes, but lets off as the ref counts. Roddy gets up to CHOP! And kick low! But Trent keeps him cornered! Trent ROCKS Roddy, then he tags Konosuke. They stomp away on Roddy, dig their boots in, then step off as the ref counts. Konosuke drags Roddy up, snapmares him into a chinlock, and he grinds Roddy down. Konosuke shifts to a COBRA CLUTCH, but Roddy still endures. Collision returns to single picture, fights up, and he fires body shots.

Konosuke CLAWS Roddy’s eyes, whips him, and scoops, but Roddy slips free! ANGLE SLAM! Both men are down and the fans fire up! A standing count starts, but we get hot tags to Kyle and Trent! Kyle BOOTS Trent, KICKS Trent, then KICKS again! Rocky is in, Kyle BOOTS and fires off more strikes! SWEEP THE LEGS! The fans fire up while Rocky bails out. Kyle runs and ROCKS Trent, then wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! Kyle whips, Trent reverses but Kyle slips up and under to KNEE and GERMAN SUPLEX! AX & SMASH! Cover, Konosuke breaks it with a deadlift! Kyle fights free with elbows, but Konosuke ROCKS him in return!

Konosuke runs, Kyle KNEES him at the ropes! Konosuke falls out, Rocky runs in, but Kyle DUMPS Rocky! Kyle tags Ishii so he can FLYING KNEE Rocky down! Ishii stalks Trent, brings him up, but Trent fires a forearm! No effect! Trent fires another, and another, but Ishii DECKS Trent! Konosuke tags in, and the fans fire up as these two DOUBLE LARIAT! And DOUBLE LARIAT! Konosuke BOOTS Ishii, GERMAN SUPLEXES, and then Rocky BLASTS Paragon! Trent sends Rocky in but Ishii puts him on the apron. Trent runs up, ENZIGIRI LARIAT COMBO! Then Trent scoops and SLAMS Ishii, and Konosuke fires up!

Konosuke climbs while Rocky holds Ishii in place. But Paragon TOSS RPG Vice! Roddy ROCKS and CHOPS Konosuke, fireman’s carries him, and gives him a GUT BUSTER DROP! Kyle KICKS, Ishii SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives but Ishii roars! Ishii reels Konosuke in, Konosuke wrenches out, but Ishii ROCKS him first! Ishii reels Konosuke back in, but Konosuke suplexes! Ishii slips free, ducks an elbow, but the ALPHA ELBOW hits! BLUE THUDNER BOMB!! Cover, Roddy BOOTS it apart! Rocky runs up, Roddy blocks one kick and ducks the next, but the REWIND HEEL finds him!

Kyle fires knees on Rocky! Rocky avoids a sweep to KNEE, but Kyle LARIATS on return! Trent is back but Kyle wrenches. Trent CLAWS Kyle’s face, then SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! Ishii LARIATS Trent! Konosuke ROCKS Ishii! Ishii HEADBUTTS Konosuke! Konosuke ALPHA ELBOWS again! Ishii RISING UPPERCUTS! The fans fire up with Ishii and he suplexes, but Konosuke knees free! Konosuke shoves Ishii into the ref! Callis laughs as Konosuke then KNEES Ishii down! Konosuke winds up, but Ishii slips around! Konosuke switches, Ishii switches, but Rocky LOW BLOWS Ishii!! The fans boo but Konosuke hits the RAGING FIRE!! Cover, Don Callis Family wins!!

Winners: Konosuke Takeshita & Roppongi Vice, by pinfall

Underhanded as it was, that was still a win for the family! And bigger than that, the NEVER Openweight Champion just pinned the NJPW Strong Openweight Champion! Will The Alpha look to take the Stone Pitbull’s gold the next time they meet?

AEW Continental Championship Eliminator: Kazuchika Okada VS Anthony Bowens!

From one title opportunity to another, The Rainmaker moves on through the roster after successfully retaining at Double or Nothing. But now, the Pride of Professional Wrestling steps up to the plate! Will this be a homerun for the 5 Tool Player? Or will it take more than just Bowens’ combination of power, athleticism, intelligence, the look, and The It Factor to earn a golden ticket?

The bell rings and the fans cheer already as Bowens and Okada circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Okada’s height gives him the leverage to put Bowens on ropes. The ref counts, Okada lets off, and he fakes the chop to pat Bowens on the shoulder. The fans applaud and Bowens does admit that’s clever. The two reset, circle, and tie up. Bowens digs his heels in and now he pushes Okada back with that power! The ref counts again, and Bowens fakes the chop to throw up the scissors. The fans are torn but Okada shoves Bowens. Bowens shoves back! Bowens wants Okada to wrestle, but Okada kicks low.

Okada headlocks, Bowens powers up and out, then Bowens drops down. Okada ducks ‘n’ whips Bowens but Bowens hurdles! Bowens mule kicks, front kicks, runs and FAMOUSERS! The fans fire up and Bowens stalks Okada. Okada rises, Bowens fireman’s carries, USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! Okada knows that move from his old friend, Goto. Bowens has the fans singing, “Oh~ Scissor Me, Bowens~!” Bowens CHOPS, whips, but Okada ducks ‘n’ dodges and slides out! Okada wants a breather, but Bowens says nope. Bowens goes out and storms up on Okada to CHOP! Okada ROCKS Bowens! Bowens ROCKS Okada!

The ring count climbs as the forearms go back and forth, Bowens fires a flurry then ROCKS Okada! Okada hobbles away, Bowens refreshes the ring count, but then Okada kicks and DDTS to the floor! Okada suckered Bowens in and watches him writhe while Collision goes picture in picture.

Okada paces, then he goes back into the ring. Bowens drags himself up as the count hits 5 of 10. Bowens leans on railing, hobbles his way back to the ring, and slides in at 8! Okada is right on Bowens for a NECKBREAKER! Cocky cover, ONE!! Bowens is tougher than that, but Okada isn’t bothered as he stalks Bowens to a corner. Okada CHOPS, but Bowens snarls. Bowens fires forearms, but Okada ROCKS him in return! Okada whips corner to corner, runs in, and ELBOWS Bowens! Bowens staggers and falls, and Okada pushes him to a cover. TWO, but Okada stays calm as he clamps on with a chinlock. Bowens endures as Collision goes to break.

Collision returns as Okada brings Bowens up to scoop and SLAM! Okada goes to the corner, climbs up, and MACHO ELBOWS! The fans fire up as Okada winds it up, and we get the Rainmaker MIDDLE FINGER! Okada shoves it in Bowens’ face, but Bowens uses his scissor fingers to grab Okada’s! Bowens rises up, and he CHOPS! CHOPS! CHOPS! Okada blocks the superkick, ripcord, but Bowens ducks the lariat! STRAITJACKET NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Okada stays in this but Bowens drags him to a drop zone. The fans rally as Bowens climbs up, but Okada ROCKS Bowens first! Okada climbs up, but Bowens CLUBS Okada.

Okada hops down, Bowens adjusts, but now Okada CLUBS Bowens! Okada climbs up, but Bowens slips under to SUPERKICK a leg out! ENZIGIRI as Okada is in the Tree of Woe! DRAPING SIDEWINDER!! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives and Bowens grows frustrated. The fans rally up and Bowens brings Okada up. Clinch and- NO, Okada fights with elbows! Okada shoves Bowens, but Bowens kicks low! Bowens whips, Okada reverse, but Bowens avoids the dropkick! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Okada escapes, stands, but Bowens gets him for a backslide! TWO, Okada goes to a corner, and Bowens runs up. Okada pops Bowens up for the REVERSE NECKBREAKER!

The fans rally up again while Okada scowls. Okada clamps on with the MONEY CLIP! “This is Awesome!” as Bowens endures! Bowens fights up, RAMS Okada into a corner, and he is free! Bowens CHOPS, but Okada just gets mad. Okada BOOTS Bowens, CLUBS away on Bowens at the ropes, but the ref counts. Okada stops, but Bowens BOOTS! And CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Bowens kicks low, HAMMERS and CLUBS away on Okada, then CLUBS him down! The fans fire up with Bowens, he goes to a corner and runs up, but Okada ducks the lariat! Ripcord and RAIN- NO, Bowens ducks and spins, but Okada stops the Molly Whop!

Okada slips around Bowens now, ROLLING- ELBOW, but from Bowens! ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS, SUPERKICK! Okada is down and the fans fire up! Bowens demands Okada get up, and now MOLLY- DROPKICK from Okada! Ripcord and RAINMAKER!! Cover, Okada wins!

Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall (denies Anthony Bowens a title opportunity)

The Rainmaker continues to be undefeated not just in 2025 but as the Continental Champion. Will anyone ever slow Okada down? Bowens came close, what more will it take for him to be a contender?

Backstage interview with Daniel Garcia & Matt Menard.

Lexy Nair is with Red Death & Daddy Magic, and asks after that tough loss to FTR at Double or Nothing, what is next for Garcia? Garcia says a tough loss is an understatement. That was one of the hardest tag matches- Menard cuts Danny off there. Menard wants Garcia to think. Garcia has been moving around this whole week. Garcia wants others to fight his battles for him, but what did he think was gonna happen? Is that the first match he’s ever lost? Does Garcia think it’ll be the last? Don Callis interrupts Menard’s rant to ask, “Is this your version of an inspirational speech?” Then he asks Garcia, “What’re you doing with this guy?”

Garcia says Menard is his mentor. Oh, wow, [Censored] Magic is his mentor? Callis says Garcia is a Lamborghini. If you need to tune the Lamborghini up, you don’t take it to someone who’s never been under the hood, you take it to the number one mechanic, and that’s Don Callis. Garcia should join the family, instead of listening to this. Menard says let’s ask Kenny Omega or Will Ospreay how good of a “mentor” Callis is, huh? Garcia says he is sick of old men telling him how to do his career. Garcia tells Callis to get his “boiled hot dog looking ass” out of his face. Archer gets heated, but Callis has him stand down.

Callis says Garcia is right about one thing: he is an old man; a RICH, SUCCESSFUL old man! But the Family wants volunteers, not hostages. He is just asking Garcia to do something he hasn’t been doing for awhile, and that is think. Callis leaves Garcia to think on this offer, will the answer still be no?

Tony Schiavone is in the ring.

Collision returns and Schiavone welcomes us back, and he also says this has been a great crowd in El Paso. The fans cheer, and Schiavone says the fans all around the world, please welcome out… FTR. The fans boo now as Cash Wheeler, Dax Harwood & Stokely Hathaway make their way out to the ring. Their win at Double or Nothing has made them THE winningest tag team in AEW history, and Nigel on commentary says he learned just how good they are. He just hopes FTR holds up their end of the agreement to just leave commentary alone. Stokely still rudely takes the mic from Schiavone, and he excuses Schiavone back to the desk.

Stokely says, “Sunday at Double or Nothing, FTR proved once again that they are the greatest tag team alive today.” The fans boo, but Stokely says FTR proved they are indeed Living Legend Killers, and more importantly, they proved they are right about Nigel McGuinness. Behind that commentary desk is where he belongs! They give Nigel an A for effort but a D for execution. But Stokely moves on from that. They are in El Paso, Texas! That Mexican border is just a hop, skip and a jump away. And FTR, out of the goodness of their hearts, because they are good guys, have issued an open challenge to any tag team south of the border!

Stokely has the full terms of that contract right here! He hands it to Cash to hold for him, and Stokely reads it. “Andale, andale, mami, eya eya OOOOH~! What’s poppin’ tonight?” But wait! Atlantis Jr. is here! The fans fire up as he and Templario of CMLL make their way to the ring! The luchadores are ready to go right here and now, but FTR has them back up. Cash says they respect both men so much. They are big fan of Atlantis’ father, a huge legend in lucha libre! But what everyone might know is that FTR are living lucha legends themselves. See, they had gold down in how you say, “Mehico,” and well…

They’ve been “Seven Star FTR’ for a little too long. Maybe they become Eight Stars? Maybe they go to CMLL and add that gold? These two can be a nice little warm-up for that! Dax says hold on, hold on. Does this mic work? Dax claims it isn’t good enough for him, so he gets a new mic. Dax says there is no issue here. He is Dax, nice to meet you. That’s Cash, that’s Big Stoke, but the fans say they’re really “CULERO~! CULERO~!” Dax says hold on, hold on. FTR are really big stars in the USA. Everywhere they go, people recognize them. Maybe now that AEW and CMLL have their joint show on June 18th, Arena Mexico, Dax needs to get to know them.

So the first question is, FTR is big in USA, but how does it feel being recognized by your countrymen? Dax pulls the usual interrupting shtick, because he says the “Mighty Morphing Power Ranger” masks keep people from knowing who they are! The next question is, in Arena Mexico, Grand Slam, HUGE conglomeration between their companies, what would their dream match be? Because Dax is pretty sure that has to be with a big star team, like FTR! Unfortunately, Tony Khan has bigger plans than that for FTR, so they can’t wrestle Atlantis y Templario. But again. big fan of Atlantis Sr, the OG. He’s had great matches as a FIVE-TIME CMLL World Tag Team Champoin.

And even still today, Atlantis Sr, at 62 years old, is still wrestling! Impressive! Can Dax send a message to him? Please tell your dad, “Keep your old ass at home and not mess with FTR.” The fans boo but Atlantis Jr. takes the mic! Atlantis says his dad isn’t here to defend himself, but Atlantis Jr. is! If FTR wants to say something, then just say it, PERRO! FTR wants the CMLL guys to calm down, they don’t want trouble. This is all about AEW and CMLL teaming up. The fans still let FTR have it, but then FTR sucker punch the luchadores! The fans boo as they get Templario up! But Atlantis GAMANGIRIS Cash off the corner!

Atlantis climbs, Templario gets free, CROSSBODY onto Dax! Templario uses Atlantis as a step to launch and DROPKICK Cash! The fans fire up as Atlantis runs, get a boost, and he DOUBLE DROPKICKS FTR! The fans fire up and then Templario FOSBURY FLOPS out onto the #TopGuys! Atlantis tells FTR, you do NOT disrespect his familia! These two are the stars of lucha, so see you very soon, because they are gonna kick your ass!! The fans fire up for that one! When and where will the second generation sensation and the Lion Warrior show FTR what lucha is all about?

Mina Shirakawa VS Skye Blue!

The Fighting Gravure Idol may have fallen short at Double or Nothing, but she won’t stop until she’s on top! Will AEW be all about #MinaNow? Or will the Chicago Skye rain on Mina’s parade?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, go around, and then break. The fans rally as Mina and Skye reset, tie up, and Skye waistlocks to trip Mina! Skye scuffs Mina, taunts her, but the fans rally up. Mina fires a forearm! Skye fires back! The forearms go back and forth as the fans duel! Mina fires a flurry, runs, but Skye kicks low! Skye snap suplexes, then runs to PENALTY- NO, Mina ducks the kick, rolls Skye, then dodges Skye to slide and shake. Skye stomps Mina, mocks the shimmy, then stomps Mina more! Skye CLUBS Mina, whips her to a corner, and the fans rally as Skye runs in. Mina slips outside to bumps Skye off buckles!

Mina goes up, and AX HANDLES Skye down! The fans rally, Mina brings Skye around to SOBAT! Mina knuckle locks, and she goes up, up, and shakes around before a FLYING KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO! Skye scrambles away to the apron but Mina runs up. Skye avoids the shoulder to KNEE Mina, then brings her out to the apron. But Mina wrenches free, ROUNDHOUSES, and she waistlocks! Skye fights with elbows, catches Mina, and APRON FLATLINERS! Mina sputters and the fans are torn while Collision goes picture in picture.

Skye drags Mina off the apron to SMACK her off the apron! Skye stalks Mina, brings her around to the barriers, and CHOPS! Skye stalks Mina again, but Mina ROCKS Skye! Mina whips Skye into railing, then winds up to CHOP! The ring count climbs but Mina brings Skye around. Skye CLAWS Mina’s eyes! Skye puts Mina in, covers, TWO! Mina is still in this but Skye rains down fists! Skye then covers, TWO! Skye is annoyed but she drags Mina up to bump her off buckles. Skye digs her boot in, but steps off as the ref counts. Mina sputters, Skye runs and handsprings to ROCK Mina! Skye then brings Mina around to snap suplex! Cover, TWO!

Skye frowns but she drags Mina up. Skye puts Mina in the corner, puts her up top, then CHOPS! Skye climbs up, brings Mina in, but Mina fights the suplex! Mina fires body shots, then ROCKS Skye! Skye falls back, but she rushes up, into a BOOT! Mina reels Skye in, TORNADO DDT! Collision returns to single picture and Mina runs up, SHINING WIZARD! The fans fire up as Skye flounders to ropes. Mina ROLLING ELBOWS! Skye flounders, stands, and into a NECKBREAKER DROP! Skye gets up, Mina blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW! The fans fire up, Mina brings Skye around, and she steps through.

Skye boots Mina away to a corner, runs up, but Mina slips out! Mina ducks, ROCKS Skye, and goes up to FLYING0 NO, Skye blocks the kick to ROCK Mina! Skye tucks Mina in, CHEEKY NANDOS! Skye grins, then gets under Mina to bring her off the corner! SIT OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Mina survives and Skye seethes. The fans duel, Skye fireman’s carries, but Mina slips free! Mina fires a flurry, but she’s running on fumes! Skye ROCKS Mina, runs, but Mina ELBOWS her! Mina runs, Skye SHINING WIZARDS at the ropes! Skye keeps moving, btu Mina follows! Skye SUPERKICKS! Skye runs, but into an URAKEN!!

Mina roars while Skye flops down! The fans fire up and Mina hurries to go up a corner. The fans fire up more as Skye stands, and Mina FLYING SLINGBLADES! Cover, TWO!! Skye survives, the fans rally, and Mina dragon sleepers! GLAMO- NO, Skye slips free to full nelson! But Mina victory rolls, TWO! Skye has the cover, TWO! Mina stands, Skye blocks a kick and KNEES her! But Mina ROLLING ELBOWS! And URAKENS! And then dragon sleepers! GLAMOROUS DRIVER MINA!! Cover, Mina wins!

Winner: Mina Shirakawa, by pinfall

Redemption from Double or Nothing, but wait! Julia Hart CLOBBERS Mina! The sinister friend of Skye puts Mina int he HARTLESS LOCK! Skye adds stomps, but wait! Here comes Toni Storm! The Timeless AEW Women’s World Champion is here to save her friend! GERMAN SUPLEX for Skye! Julia lets Mina go, but that lets Toni TOSS her! Toni has a close-up, but Julia saves Skye from the Sweet Hip Music! Toni tells the “slop tarts” that they will get theirs! When and where will Toni & Mina have a co-starring role against these spooky BFFs?

Could this be the biggEST and strongEST SmackDown of the year?

SmackDown in Knoxville sees the returns of Bianca Belair, Cody Rhodes and John Cena, along with some final Money in the Bank qualifiers!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Jade Cargill VS Naomi VS Nia Jax; Naomi wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
• R-Truth VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa; Mateo wins.
• Rey Fenix & Je’Von Evans VS Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar; Los Garza win.
• Zelina Vega VS Alba Fyre w/ The Green Administration; Zelina wins.
• Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Carmelo Hayes VS Andrade VS Jacob Fatu; Andrade wins and advances to Money in the Bank.

PLAY BY PLAY

Bianca Belair is here!

Knoxville fires up for their strongEST, fastEST, quickEST, toughEST, roughEST, and greatEST hometown hero as she struts out to the ring. Bianca high-fives and hugs fans along the ramp, as well as mom and dad at ringside. Bianca then grabs a mic to say, “Man, it feels good to be in Knoxville!” The fans cheer and chant for “EST! EST!” Bianca says she loves them so much. And she couldn’t come out here without singing Rocky Top! Y’all ready? The fans cheer, and the music plays! Bianca conducts the fans as they sing for the University of Tennessee. In fact, the Lady Vols softball team is playing in the Super Regionals right now!

Bianca smiles and says this city is so special to her. Not just because it is her hometown, but because it is her safe space. She has her love and support from mom ‘n’ dad, and has all the fans who show up and show out for her. With everything Bianca’s been going through, losing at Mania, getting injured, losing tag titles and friends along the way, she just wanted to come back home to her safe space. The fans cheer, and Bianca says she came home to heal. While she’s not 100%, she is doing everything she can to get back to the ring and continue to show us why she is the EST of Tennessee and of WWE! The fans cheer that!

Bianca says with all that said, Knoxville, welcome to Friday Night SmackDown! But wait, she’s interrupted by Naomi! The fans boo but Naomi says, “Oh my gosh~! Finally! B, I am so glad you finally here on SmackDown!” Bianca says now is not the time, Naomi. Naomi asks Bianca to please hear her out. It has been way too long. Not a day has gone by when Naomi doesn’t think about what happened to them. What is there to talk about? What could Naomi say? What could she want from Bianca? The fans chant “YOU SUCK!” at Naomi, and Naomi says she just wants forgiveness. She is begging for it!

Naomi knows things go toff the rails, but she is here because she wants to fix it, she is trying to fix it, but she alone can’t fix it. Months have gone by, and Naomi has tried to communicate, to say the past can be the past and that they can move forward. Bianca has not responded back to Naomi once. Naomi even visited Bianca’s parent’s house! But no one would answer! WHAT?! Mom ‘n’ Dad don’t know about that, but Naomi says no one was home, so she let herself in! Naomi looked through the photo albums, the one right on the front coffee table. And in those photos, Bianca looked so happy. It reminded Naomi of how they were as tag team champions.

Bianca stops Naomi there. Naomi, Bianca will make this perfectly clear. They were best friends, but Naomi betrayed Bianca’s trust. Naomi took their friend, Jade, and threw her onto a car, then lied about it for months! Bianca said she was done with Naomi, she meant that, and if Naomi ever comes near her family again, what Naomi did to Jade will be nothing compared to what Bianca does to Naomi. The fans fire up for that! Naomi gets emotional, but then she gets mad. “Y’know, Bianca, it wouldn’t be good for you and your mama to be in a wheelchair.” The fans boo as Naomi laughs maniacally. Naomi says she’d hate if something happened to Bianca here and now!

Naomi storms up on Bianca, but then JADE makes her way out here! Naomi is even angrier now, but this Storm starts throwing hands! The fans fire up as Jade BOOTS Naomi down! Bianca and Jade look to each other, neither really saying or doing anything. Naomi runs up but Jade TOSSES her out! Jade and Bianca look to each other again, but then here comes NIA! The Irresistible Force won’t be left out of this, especially when this is the Women’s Triple Threat Qualifier for the night! This match now opens the night, who earns SmackDown’s final golden ticket to the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match?

Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Jade Cargill VS Naomi VS Nia Jax!

SmackDown returns, this match is already going, and Naomi POSTS Nia! Naomi stalks Jade, rains down forearms, and the fans boo. Naomi stomps to BITE Jade’s hand! Jade still fights back, so Naomi has the arms to STOMP Jade down! Naomi flexes, the fans boo, and Naomi puts Jade in a corer. Naomi runs to DROPKICK Jade in the corner! Naomi SLAPS Jade, drags her into the drop zone, then goes up, up, and twerks! HIP DROP! Naomi covers, ROPEBREAK! Naomi is annoyed but she sits Jade up to stomp a mudhole in. But Nia runs up! Naomi dodges, the HIP ATTACK hits Jade! Naomi goes to the apron to ROUNDHOUES Nia!

Naomi reels Nia in for a HEATSEEKER! Nia flops to the floor, the fans rally for Jade, but Naomi kicks her around. Naomi goes up the corner, leaps, but Jade catches her! Jade FALL AWAY SLAMS Naomi, then kips up! Knoxville fires up with Jade and she runs up to LARIAT! And ELBOW! And SCRAPBUSTER! Cover, Nia breaks it! The fans boo but Nai huffs ‘n’ puffs and drags Naomi up. Nia whips Naomi, pops her up and HEADBUTTS her down! Then she SAMOAN DROPS Naomi! Nia soaks up heat, then lines the two up. Naomi grabs at Nia’s leg but Nia CLUBS her down! Nia stomps Jade for good measure, then drops a leg, brother!

Nia TOSSES Jade out, then goes up the corner. Nia SUPER LEG DROPS on Naomi!! Cover, TWO!!! Naomi survives and Nia is shocked! The fans rally while Nia stalks Naomi. Naomi clings to ropes as Nia pulls at her arm. Nia CLUBS Naomi, whips her to ropes, then SAMOAN DROP- NO, Naomi makes it a CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Ghost pin, TWO!! Nia survives the sudden turnaround, Naomi sees Jade crawling in, and Naomi goes after her as SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Naomi KICKS Nia while she’s down, then kicks her more. Naomi puts Nia in a corner, CHOKES her on the ropes, then clamps on with a SLEEPER! Nia THROWS Naomi away, then TOSSES her out. Nia soaks up heat, but Jade runs in and rolls Nia up! TWO! Nia stands, and she HEADBUTTS Jade down! Nia looms over Jade, drags her up, but Jade fires forearms! Jade backs Nia down, then runs, and she CLOBBERS Nia outta the ring! Jade fires up and has the fans with her. Jade drags Naomi up from the apron but Naomi fires hands. Nia is back to HIP ATTACK Jade against the POST! Nia soaks up more heat, then taunts Naomi.

Naomi stands on the apron, argues with Nia, but they apparently agree to mug Jade for both their benefit. They put Jade in the corner, Naomi digs her boot in, and then Nia sends Naomi in for a SPALSH! Nia adds a SPLASH of her own! Naomi snapmares Jade, runs, and SLIDING LARIATS! Jade sputters and Nia taunts her. Nia and Naomi soak up the heat together, but Jade fights back! Nia HEADBUTTS Jade down! Nia drags Jade up, and Naomi KICKS Jade low! They soak up more heat, talk trash on Jade, and SmackDown returns to single picture. Nia scoops and SIDEWALK SLAMS! Naomi runs to SPLIT LEG DROP! Cover, but Nia drags Naomi away!

Nia and Naomi argue again, and then Naomi rolls Nia up! ONE, and Nia grabs Naomi to shove her to a corner! Nia SPLASHES, then pushes Naomi down. Nia runs to SENTON! Nia grins while Naomi sputters and the fans rally up. Jade rises to fire forearms on Nia! Then she ELBOWS Naomi in a corner! She ELBOWS Nia, but then Nia follows Jade! Jade dodges so Nia SPLASHES Naomi! Jade then SUPERKICKS! Nia wobbles, Jade SUPERKICKS again! And SPINEBUSTERS! But Naomi METEORAS! Cover, TWO! Jade survives and the fans rally up. Naomi goes up, SPLIT- LEG MOONSAULT on Nia! But Jade has Naomi in the chicken wings!

Jade brings Naomi around, JADED!! Cover, Nia CLOBBERS them both! The fans rally while all three women are down! Nia climbs a corner, Jade is after her with forearms! Naomi joins in, drags Jade back, but now they trade shots! Nia DOUBLE CROSSBODIES! Cover on Jade, TWO! Cover on Naomi, TWO! Nia grows frustrated but the fans rally up again. Nia drag Naomi up, fireman’s carries, and she climbs the corner! The fans already anticipate what’s coming, SUPER SAMOAN DROP!! Cover, JADE FROG SPLASHES IN!! Cover, TWO!!! The fans fire up while all three women are down again! “This is Awesome!”

Jade rises, she clamps onto Nia, but Nia HEADBUTTs her! And HEADBUTTS Naomi! Jade BOOTS Nia down! Cover, TWO! Jade runs up on Naomi but Naomi BOOTS her! Naoim goes up top but Jade is right on her! They fight for control, but then Nia joins in! TOWER OF DOOM!! Nia double stacks her opponents, for a A-NIA-LATOR!! Naomi avoids it, Jade takes it all! Naomi ghost pins Nia, AND WINS!!

Winner: Naomi, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)

Nia did a lot of the damage, but it is Naomi who wins out! Will everyone in the Women’s MITB Ladder Match now have to #ProceedWithCaution?

Solo Sikoa’s crew arrives.

Solo says they will win Money in the Bank together! Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa, whichever one wins MITB wins it fof the family! But then they hear R-Truth talking to… Lil’ Jimmy? Solo says Truth’s childhood hero beats him, and now he’s talking to ghosts. Truth taps Solo on the shoulder and asks if there’s something Solo wants to say. Solo says Truth is crazy touching him. JC Mateo steps up but Solo has him stand down. Truth says he wants to be honest. He’s never seen JC a day before in his life. Is this Solo’s son? He’s husky! Truth asks if he can teach Solo’s husky son a lesson in the ring. Solo says that sounds good to him.

Truth says he’ll go talk to Nick Aldis. “Boy, y’all big boneded!” Truth heads off, and Solo says don’t worry, they’ll take care of him. Let’s have fun. Fatu says keep it 100. They can have their fun, he’s got his own business to take care of. Yadada mean? The Imperial Unit against Truth, Samoan Werewolf in a qualifier, will everything go the family’s way?

Chelsea Green confronts Nick Aldis.

The Hot Mess hides behind a cardboard cutout of herself as she tells the SmackDown General Manager, “What happened on Saturday night was a deliberate-” Piper Niven has to direct Chelsea to point at Aldis, and Aldis says he can’t quite understand her from behind the cardboard mask. Piper holds the mask between Chelsea and camera, though we do get a glimpse of her fancy headgear. Chelsea repeats herself, but Aldis says she needs to be looking at him when they talk. Chelsea hides her face in shame, but she says it is still a deliberate hitjob put on by vicious Zelina Vega! Even her Secret Her-vice could not stop it!

Chelsea demands that Zelina be suspended, stripped of her title, and that Chelsea be reinstated as the champion! Chelsea, no need to be so ugly about this. Gasp! Aldis says what he means is, no suspensions, and we can talk a rematch down the road once Chelsea is medically cleared. Then he is doing nothing for what Zelina did to Chelsea?! Alba says if he won’t, then they will! Yeah, Zelina VS Alba! Tonight! Alba is a bit surprised, but Aldis says, “Chelsea knows best. Alba VS Zelina, I actually like the sound of that. I will make that official right now, if you do one thing for me. Please leave me alone.”

The Green Administration hurries away, but will Alba make sure Chelsea brand justice is served? Or will La Muneca just keep racking up the wins?

Backstage interview with Tiffany Stratton.

Byron Saxton is with the WWE Women’s Champion, and says that MITB is around the corner. Tiff successfully cashed in her own contract to become champion, but how is she handling the pressure of knowing the same thing could happen to her? Tiff says she can’t wait to see who wins MITB. Then she can handle the pressure by being prepared. Having this title makes her the top threat to the division, but let’s be fair. She’s always been the girl everyone has been obsessed with. So whoever wins, targeting her will be a big mistake. But then in steps Naomi.

Naomi says if Tiff thought Nia was a problem, then she ain’t seen nothing yet. Naomi vows to win MITB and cash in for Tiff’s title, wherever and whenever she wants. And in case Lil’ Miss Tiffy forgot, when Naomi was fighting for a championship, Tiff stayed in Naomi’s way. Wanna know what happens when people play with Naomi? Just ask Jade. Naomi heads out, and Alexa Bliss steps in. Alexa says she wouldn’t be so worried about Naomi. Be worried about Alexa. Alexa heads out now, Tiff clutches to the title a little bit tighter, who will be trying to run the clock out on Tiffy Time?

R-Truth VS JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa!

To Solo’s point, #RonCena could not make John Cena see the light at Saturday Night’s Main Event, and Truth might be relapsing if he’s talking to Lil’ Jimmy again. But will Truth relapse so far that we get the R-Truth that was once United States Champion? Or will a Tour of the Islands send Truth off the deep end?

SmackDown returns and JC makes his entrance, Solo backing him up. The bell rings and Truth runs up, only for JC to RAM him into a corner! JC RAMS Truth again and again, then lets off. JC whips corner to corner hard and Truth falls in a heap! JC whips corner to corner again just as hard, and Truth falls in a heap again. Solo talks trash but the fans rally behind Truth. JC runs up but Truth dodges! Truth SHOULDER TACKLES! JC stays up, so Truth runs and SHOULDER TACKLES! “What’s Up?” Truth runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and SHOULDER TACKLES! Then he hits the SPIN OUT- CROSSBODY! JC then gets up to GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT!

JC smirks as he looms over Truth, and Solo says to finish this off now. JC runs to SENTON but Truth moves! Truth calls for it! “YOU CAN’T SEE ME!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Truth fireman’s carries JC, but JC is too much! Truth falls over again! Solo laughs, JC whips, TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, JC wins!

Winner: JC Mateo, by pinfall

Truth tried to be like John Cena of old, but it just wasn’t meant to be. JC beats up on Truth more, then stands him up for Solo! But here comes BIG Jim! Jimmy has a chair, he runs JC off, but Solo stands his ground. Solo says his brother wouldn’t hit him with that chair, would he? Jimmy steps to Solo so Solo steps out, but that lets JC CLOBBER Jimmy! But then Solo has JC stand down! They’re family! Solo and JC leave, leaving Jimmy wondering what this is about. Will Jimmy make it clear to Solo that Jimmy’s not the one who has to come to his senses?

The Street Profits are here!

The WWE Tag Team Champions walk through the smoke to be on stage and the fans cheer. Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford hold up the titles, walk to the ring, then step inside. The fans cheer as they hold up the belts again, then the Profits grab the mics. Ford says, “Knoxville, Tennessee, oh I love everything about you, and what I have, too. But lemme rap to y’all real fast. This tag team division that we’re a part of, the greatest tag team division on any brand, any promotion… It’s on fire right now.” Dawkins says, “Talk to ’em.” Ford says, “But just like how the gorilla fears us, make no mistake about it, let’s not forget who’s leading the charge right now: The Street Profits.”

The fans cheer, and Dawkins says hey, they got all the teams coming at ’em! DIY, Motor City Machine Guns, Fraxiom, and now… The Wyatts?! The fans cheer that, and Ford says that’s sick. But what big bro is saying, it don’t matter who it is, the Profits will defend against anybody. Well hold on, here comes Fraxiom! Nathan Frazer & Axiom go to the ring to stand with the Profits, and they have mics. Frazer says alright, since the Profits are talking about defending the titles, well, Frazer & Axiom didn’t exactly get a fair shake. Ford says, “Fraxiom, is it?” He congratulates them for being on a roll, but up until the Wyatt Sick6 got in the Profits’ business…

Yeah, the Profits had them beat. Wow, oh, okay. Sure, maybe… But maybe not. Thanks to the Wyatts, we’ll never know. And now that those shenanigans are behind us, it is fair to say that Fraxiom and the Profits need to run it back! The fans like the sound of that! But wait, here come the Machine Guns! Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin have mics, and Shelley says okay, hold on, sorry to interrupt. Fraxiom’s entire basis for a rematch is that the Profits never beat them. Well, last time Shelley checked, the Profits never beat MCMG! So if they’re handing out title matches, MCMG will take one. But naturally, here comes DIY!

Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, and Candice LeRae have their own mics, and the Poison Pixie says no no no no. She is pretty sure “you losers” have had a million chances, and “the nerds” just got here. Whoa, hold on? Just got here? Sounds like Candice just got back, so she should do us a favor and shut up. Gargano says you shut up, idiot! The reason DIY brought in Gargano’s beautiful wife is to even the odds against all of what this is! Everyone can see there is a conspiracy in the tag team division to hold down the BTTITW! And now with the Wyatts showing up- Ciampa has Gargano ixnay on the amily-fay.

Do not talk about you know who, scratch that, let’s get to business. All these teams have all KILLED the tag division that DIY built! Matter of fact, let us hold a moment of silence for the death of the SmackDown Tag Division. Everyone, stand up, bow your heads, and give a moment of silence… now. OH NO! The lights go out! All the teams panic, because when the lights turn on, UNCLE HOWDY is on the corner! Howdy laughs, because the rest of the Wyatts flank the ring! Erick Rowan drags MCMG out to DOUBLE LARIAT! Dexter Lumis is up top to CANNONBALL onto the Profits and Gargano! Joe Gacy is in, and he handsprings to bring Fraxiom to the UPSIDE-DOWN!!

Lumis then runs, POWERBOMB SENTON COMBO on Axiom! Ciampa freaks out, turns around, and Nikki Cross is there! CROSSBODY onto Candice! The fans fire up, and Howdy has Frazer for SISTER ABIGAIL! “We’re here!!” It is just as the Profits said, and now it is clear. Will some killer combination of the Wyatts go right after the gold?

Rey Fenix & Je’Von Evans VS Los Garza w/ Santos Escobar!

Worlds Collide is just over a week away, and all four of these men will be involved. The Immortal Firebird and the Young OG are going after the NXT North American Championship in a Fatal 4 Way while Legado Del Fantasma will be taking on AAA’s Pagano, Psycho Clown y El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. Who will be heading for Los Angeles with all the momentum behind them?

Speaking of that North American Championship, the champion is here! Ethan Page joins commentary and says what a year for him, to be honest. Wade says that title has never looked better than on Ethan’s shoulder. Fenix makes his entrance now, followed by Je’Von’s. The teams sort out and Fenix starts against Angel. Angel and Fenix circle, the fans rally up, and the two tie up. Angel fires a forearm, Fenix fires back, repeat! Fenix gets the edge but Angel shoves then drops down. Fenix cartwheels over the dropdown, then comes back, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Angel tumbles, the fans fire up, and Fenix somersaults, but into a fireman’s carry!

Fenix slips free, ripcords to ROUNDHOUSE, but Angel HEADBUTTS! Both men stagger back, tags to Berto and Je’Von! Je’Von dodges and springboards to BOUNCY~ roll-up! TWO, and Berto mule kicks! Berto CLUBS Je’Von, whips, but Je’Von reverses and slips around. Berto bucks the O’Conner, springboards and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Berto drags Je’Von up, but Je’Von kicks! Berto blocks, but the ENZIGIRI hits! Je’Von runs up, and BOUNCY~ RANAS! The fans fire up and Je’Von DROPKICKS! Berto bails out, Angel runs in, but Je’Von goes Matrix to dodge! Je’Von kips up, and STUNNERS! Angel flops back and the fans fire up!

Los Garza regroups, Je’Von tags Fenix, and they build speed, but have to dodge Angel first. Fenix SOBATS, Je’Von KICKS, and both men ENZIGIRI! Berto is up top, he leaps, but into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Fenix runs to basement CALF KICK! Cover, TWO! Berto stays in this for Los Garza while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Fenix drags Berto up to RAM him into the corner. Tag to Je’Von and they mug Berto. Berto fires hands back on Je’Von, but Je’Von headlocks. Berto powers up and out and Angel tags in. Berto drop toeholds Je’Von into Angel’s KNEE at the ropes! Angel TEARS OFF HIS PANTS! Angel drapes those over Je’Von before he KICKS Je’Von in the side! Angel stalks Je’Von to the corner, tags Berto, and they shove Je’Von for a double hip toss, TU LO SABE! Then DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Berto covers, TWO! Berto argues the count but the ref defends it. Berto shoves Je’Von to ELBOW him down! Berto then DUMPS Je’Von down to be under the ropes.

Tag to Angel and Berto sits Je’Von up on the apron. Angel runs to KNEE Je’Von down! Santos joins in with Los Garza as they soak up the heat, and Angel drags Je’Von back in. Angel stands Je’Von up, hoists him to the top rope, then climbs up behind him. Angel CLUBS away on Je’Von, mocks the clapping, and he THROWS Je’Von down. Angel KICKS Je’Von in the arm and Je’Von clutches his hand. Angel drags Je’Von to the ropes, CHOKES him, and the ref reprimands. The ref counts, Angel steps off at 4, and Berto BOOTS Je’Von down. ANgel clamps onto Je’Von with an armlock and chinbar but Je’Von reaches for Fenix.

Angel keeps hold of Je’Von but Je’Von fires hands! SmackDown returns to single picture as Je’Von dodges the lariat, leaps, but Angel catches him! Angel puts Je’Von in a corner and through ropes. Angel pulls an arm and leg against the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Angel runs to KNEE Je’Von in the ribs! Je’Von slumps to the apron, and Angel sucker punches Fenix! Angel goes back for Je’Von but Je’Von fires body shots! Angel blocks a kick, slips around and Gory Especials! Angel walks over, tags Berto, and Berto slingshots, GARZA ESPECIAL! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up for Je’Von but Berto clamps onto him with a chinlock.

Je’Von endures, even as Berto traps an arm. Je’Von fights up, pries the hold open, and he arm-drags Berto! Je’Von leaps but Berto grabs a leg! Ethan laughs from commentary, but Je’Von kicks free to SUPERKICK! Both men are down, Je’Von and Berto crawl, hot tags to Angel and Fenix! The fans fire up as Fenix rallies on Angel with forearms! Fenix then dodges a shot to springboard and FLYING ARM-DRAG, to a DOUBLE STOMP! Fenix fires off KICKS on Berto, then fires up with Knoxville! Fenix uses Berto to jump up and RANA Angel! Fenix then goes corner to corner to JUMP SOBAT! Fenix fires hands, shoves Angel aside, then goes up.

Fenix springboards to QUEBRADA! Cover, Berto breaks it! Berto whips Fenix, Fenix goes Spider-Man, and Je’Von tags in! Fenix says HASTA LA VISTA, BABY! Angel is up, he pops Fenix up to KICK him! But Je’Von springboards to FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up, Berto springboards to FLYING CHUCK! All four men are down and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Angel and Je’Von crawl. Angel CHOPS Je’Von, Je’Von CHOPS back, and the fans “WOO~!” Angel CHOPS again, so Je’Von CHOPS again! Angel fires a forearm, Je’Von fires back, and they go around with forearm after forearm! The fans fire up, Angel CHOPS, a
nd Je’Von SUPER PUNCHES!

Je’Von runs, BOUNCY- NO, Angel makes it a SIT OUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ethan is surprised and the fans rally up. Angel hoists Je’Von up top, tags Berto in, and they hoist Je’Von up even higher! But Fenix SHORYUKENS Angel down! Je’Von fires hands on Berto and SHOVES him down! Fenix climbs up to join Je’Von now, and ADIOS AMIGO DOUBLE STOMPS for Angel! Je’Von adjusts, to SUPER DUPER SWANTON onto Los Garza! Ethan says don’t get closer, keep this in the ring! He taunts both his challengers, Fenix and Je’Von stand down to put Los Garza in the ring. The fans rally up, but then Ethan CLOBBERS Fenix & Je’Von!

Ethan TOSSES Fenix over the desk! But Je’Von SUPERKICKS Ethan down! The fans fire up, Je’Von hurries in, and he dodges Angel! But Berto rolls Je’Von up, TWO!! Je’Von dodges Berto, rebound and RED DOT!! Berto is down, Angel gets up, but Je’Von DECKS him! Je’Von goes up, up, but Santos distracts the ref! Ethan SHOVES Je’Von down! The fans boo but Berto tags Angel! Los Garza hoists Je’Von up for M T Y!! Cover, Los Garza win!

Winners: Los Garza, by pinfall

All Ego grins as he screws over two of his three challengers, and now Legado is rolling towards Worlds Collide. But will these rudos get everything they deserve in LA?

The Wyatts speak.

“We won’t stop. Not until we get what’s owed.” A simple yet ominous threat, are the tag titles only the beginning?

Zelina Vega VS Alba Fyre w/ The Green Administration!

La Muneca held onto the WWE Women’s US Championship by smacking The Hot Mess in the face with a foot, and obviously Chelsea is not happy with it. But will Alba get payback on behalf of her fearless leader? Or will things only get uglier for the Green Regime?

The bell rings and Piper distracts Zelina so Alba can CLOBBER her! Alba fires off hands, then bumps Zelina off buckles. Alba bumps Zelina off more buckles, then more buckles! And then the fourth corner! Chelsea says Zelina should’ve never messed with her! Alba fireman’s carries but Zelina fights free. Zelina KICKS Alba, KICKS again, then KICKS, but Alba CLUBS Zelina. Alba whips, scoops, and- NO, Zelina swings through to RANA! Cover, ONE! Zelina headlocks but Alba fights up and lifts Zelina. Zelina holds on but Alba powers up and out to RUN Zelina over! The fans boo but Chelsea cheers as Alba stalks Zelina.

Alba ROCKS Zelina, whips her to ropes, but Zelina wheelbarrows and arm-drags! Zelina then runs up on Alba in the corner and rains down fists! Alba shoves Zelina away at three, but Zelina comes right back to rain down more shots! Alba stops Zelina at four now, but Zelina wants another go! Alba stops Zelina at four again, and RAMS her into the corner! The fans boo but Alba grins. Zelina BOOTS Alba, goes up, and FLYING RANAS! Alba tumbles out, Piper helps her up, and Zelina goes to the apron. Alba trips Zelina up, spins and ROCKS Zelina, then gets her up. Gory Especial, but Zelina flips through to arm-drag Alba onto ropes!

The fans fire up as Zelina dials up, but Chelsea is on the apron! The ref argues with Chelsea while Zelina redials, but Piper trips her up! The fans boo but Alba SUPERKICKS Zelina! Alba salutes to Chelsea, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Alba stands on Zelina’s hair while pulling Zelina’s arms! The ref reprimands, Alba steps off, and she drags Zelina up to suplex for the GOURD BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Zelina stays in this and Chelsea argues with the ref. The ref says the count is fair, so Alba clamps onto Zelina with a COBRA CLUTCH! Zelina endures, the fans rally, and Zelina fights up. Zelina fires body shots, Alba ripcords and wrenches to SUPERKICK! Zelina rebounds to SHINING WIZARD! Both women fall and the fans fire up! Piper coaches Zelina, the fans rally up, and both women rise up. Alba is on Zelina and brings her to a corner, but Zelina buckle bumps Alba first!

The fans rally as Alba stalks Zelina, but Zelina bumps her off buckles again! Alba tries again, but Zelina ELBOWS Alba away. Then BOOTS her away! Zelina fires forearms on Alba, backs her down, then whips. Alba reverses but Zelina dodges to LARIAT! The fans fire up as Zelina LARIATS again! Zelina blocks a kick, ELBOWS Alba, but Alba blocks the saido. But Zelina keeps Alba from running, SNAP SAIDO! The fans rally for Zelina as she runs corner to corner, METEORA! Zelina pushes Alba out and goes up top! The fans cheer for some Latina Heat, and METEORA! Cover, TWO! Alba survives and Chelsea is relieved.

Zelina grows frustrated, but she goes back for Alba. Zelina reels Alba in, suplexes, but Alba blocks! Alba knees low, suplexes, but Zelina hits STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Alba is down, Zelina goes up, MOONSAULT FLOPS! Alba goes up now, and she SWANTON BOMBS! Cover, TWO!?! Zelina survives and shocks Alba! Chelsea is upset again but Alba hurries to bring Zelina up. Alba KICKS Zelina out, and now Chelsea takes off her face mask?! She tells Piper to stand Zelina up! Piper does as told, and Chelsea takes a swing, but Zelina ducks! The face mask SMACKS Piper!! Chelsea is shocked, then furious, and then she chases after Zelina!

Zelina slips into the ring, Chelsea gets on the apron, but Zelina sends Alba at her! They almost collide, and then Zelina rolls Alba up! Zelina hops on, CODE RED!! Cover, Zelina wins!!

Winner: Zelina Vega, by pinfall

Chelsea tried so hard to screw Zelina over that she just screwed up her own team! Zelina survives again, will no one take down the Vega Administration?

The Miz pep talks Carmelo Hayes.

Melo looks good, and he just has to follow the plan. If Melo follows that plan, with no mistakes, they will win. Melo says he knows what he’s doing. Miz asks if he really does. Because Miz has taken Black Mass after Black Mass, sacrificing himself for Melo. Does Melo understand? Miz gave up this chance at MITB for Melo! Miz has already done it twice! If Melo wins this match tonight, Miz will guide Melo to make sure “we are Mr. MITB.” Wait, we? Miz says, “Who do you think got you in this position?” Melo says Melo did. Melo appreciates everything Miz has done for him, from sacrificing to taking hits for him, and helping him win the Andre the Giant Battle Royal.

But nobody told Miz to do that. Melo will run the play exactly as Miz designed it, but what brought Melo to the dance is Melo’s talent. Melo goes out there and does it better than anybody else. Melo puts up 40 points on a bad day, because he is H1M. And Miz just needs to let Melo be H1M. They good? Miz nods, and Melo says okay, let’s do the thing. They are Melo Don’t Miz and they are Awes-H1M. Miz still nods, but he doesn’t seem genuinely happy. Will Miz let Melo be Melo? Even if that means letting H1M fail?

Giulia speaks.

“Throughout my entire career, even back when I started in Japan, I had one goal… It’s not to be ‘the best.’ Everyone says that. It’s hollow and empty. My goal is to be indisputable. You can love me or hate me, admiration or disgust, it means nothing. But I’m impossible to deny. My opponent doesn’t matter, because I only view them as an opportunity to build my legacy. Evidence you cannot refute. SmackDown, you will see. I will hit harder, move faster, think sharper, and conquer everything, just like I’ve always done. The question isn’t, ‘Who’s going to let me?” It’s, ‘Who’s going to stop me?'” She adds in Japanese, “If you can stop it, stop it.”

Will SmackDown and all of the WWE soon succumb to The Beautiful Madness?

Zelina returns backstage.

She refreshes for a second, but Giulia is there! And Giulia says she sees Zelina, but she also sees that title more. Zelina scoffs and leaves. Could Giulia be aiming for everything once she becomes Ms. Money in the Bank?

Damian Priest is here!

Knoxville cheers as The Archer of Infamy heads to the ring, victorious from Saturday Night’s Main Event and that brutal Steel Cage match. Priest grabs a mic to tell Tennessee, “Ever since I beat Drew on Saturday, it’s like I’m breathing in fresh air. Y’know, there was a time when I lived on the street, if we were beefing with another street, that war could go for years. But in WWE, you have a beef with somebody, you have a match and it’s over. But with Drew and I, we went well over a year, and that’s not normal. But we took that beef into a cage. Now, I can feel it, you can se it on my face, we went to war.

“At the end of this war, at Saturday Night’s Main Event, I gave him a Con-Chair-To, I walked out the door, and I put his ass in the past.” The fans cheer that. Priest says now he knows Drew is somewhere recovering from his scrambled brains, but he knows Drew is watching, so this is for Drew. “I still can’t stand yo ass. But the Drew McIntyre that stepped in that cage wasn’t the guy that hides behind his phone on social media. That was the old Drew, the warrior, and I appreciate that.” The fans applaud, and Priest says he won’t ask what is next for himself, he’ll just tell us all. And it is the same thing he wanted when he came to SmackDown: Championships!

The fans cheer, and Priest says this war with Drew cost him an opportunity at being in MITB. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have his eyes on a certain champion. Somebody who he has unfinished business with, and a champion he considers the most badass. The fans know that means Fatu, and he knows they know! Priest calls out Jacob Fatu! Priest respects Fatu. Priest knows where Fatu came from, what Fatu had to live through, how it feels to stand in this ring as a champion. Real talk, Priest is proud of Fatu, he congratulates Fatu, that’s real. But what Priest doesn’t respect is the crew that follows him around.

Wait, check that. What Priest doesn’t respect is the crew Fatu follows around. Priest knows at some point, they will get in this ring, handle business, but that’s for them. As for Fatu’s so-called family, if they wanna get involved, they can catch a fresh one, too. Priest won’t make it just a nickname or moniker, he wants this to be fact! Priest is and forever will be EL CAMPEON! The fans cheer that! But will the Archer soon take aim at the Samoan Werewolf? Well, speaking of, Fatu makes his way out here for tonight’s other Triple Threat Qualifier! Fatu nods to Priest, but if Fatu wins his way into the ladder match, will this showdown have to wait a little longer?

Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier Triple Threat: Carmelo Hayes VS Andrade VS Jacob Fatu!

SmackDown returns and El Idolo makes his entrance, followed by H1M. The bell rings and Miz distracts Fatu and Melo attacks! Fatu ELBOWS Melo away, Andrade is on Melo with forearms, and then Fatu adds a LARIAT! Fatu looms mover Melo but then turns to stare down Andrade. The fans rally as these two step up. Andrade fires forearms but Fatu SHOVES him to a corner. Fatu runs up, Andrade dodges then whips. Fatu reverses, Andrade goes up and out to then ROCK Fatu! Andrade goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, ONE! Melo CLUBS Andrade, TOSSES him out, and then CLUBS away on Fatu!

Miz says that’s the way! Melo HAMMERS and CHOPS, then whips, but Fatu blocks! Fatu whips Melo, Melo springboards, but into an UPPERCUT! The fans fire up and Fatu sees Melo go outside. Fatu builds speed, but Miz trips him up! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Fatu drags Miz into the ring! Melo goes to roll Fatu up but Fatu stays up! Fatu YANKS Melo up, scoops, but Melo slips free! Melo SUPERKICKS and Miz DUMPS Fatu out! The fans boo but Melo builds speed, only for Andrade to LARIAT! The fans cheer, and now Miz sees he is in trouble. Fatu snarls, but Andrade DIVES, into a HAYMAKER!

Fatu then SUPERKICKS Miz! Fatu THROWS Miz into barriers! The fans fire up and Fatu grins. Fatu runs in, HIP ATTACK against the barriers! The Samoan Werewolf has dominated three men at once and the fans fire up while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Miz sputters and Fatu leaves him behind to go around the way. Melo is there to kick Fatu, RAM Fatu, but Fatu blocks another whip! Fatu ROCKS Melo and Melo staggers away. Fatu stalks Melo, Melo checks on Miz, but Fatu ROCKS Melo! Andrade goes after Fatu now, but Fatu THROWS Andrade into barriers! The fans cheer as Fatu lets Andrade go to the ring. Fatu brings Melo up, SMACKS him off the desk, then pushes him down. Fatu clears the desk off, but Melo CLUBS Fatu against the desk! Melo storms into the ring, brings Andrade up, but Andrade RAMS Melo into the corner! Andrade RAMS Melo, CHOPS Melo, then stalks Melo.

Andrade whips Melo, Melo reverses and Andrade hits buckles hard! Melo CHOPS Andrade down! Melo brings Andrade up, soaks up some heat, then makes it Latino Heat. But Andrade blocks the suplex to suplex Melo! Andrade hangs Melo out to dry, and Melo flops to the apron. Fatu is back but Andrade fires forearms first! Andrade whips, Fatu reverses, and Fatu BODY CHECKS Andrade! Fatu geeks out and the fans are with him while he stalks Andrade. Fatu drags Andrade up to HEADBUTT him into the corner. Fatu shoves Melo off the apron, then he HEADBUTTS Andrade again. Andrade sputters but Fatu is all fired up.

Fatu CHOPS Andrade, UPPERCUTS, and HEADBUTTS him again! Andrade CHOPS in return! SmackDown returns to single picture and Andrade CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Fatu UPPERCUTS and Andrade falls back! Melo stomps Andrade in the corner, then tells Fatu to come on in. Fatu runs up, but Andrade gets away! Hip attack hits buckles! Melo ENZIGIRIS Fatu, Andrade runs to dodge Melo and FLYING FOREARM! The fans fire up as Andrade kips up! Andrade has targets in the corners, and he rallies the fans with “SI! SI! SI!” CIEN KNEES for Fatu! CIEN- NO, Melo tilt-o-whirls and LA MYSTICA! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally, Melo runs to stomp away on Fatu, then he brings Andrade up. Fatu stands to CLOBBER Melo! Andrade SUPERKICKS Fatu! The fans rally, Melo brings Andrade up and springboards, but Andrade stops him at the ropes! SECOND ROPE SPANISH FLY! But Fatu SENTONS Andrade! The fans fire up as Fatu SENTONS Melo! Fatu drags Melo to a drop zone, then goes to the corner! The fans rally for Fatu as he goes up, up, but Andrade YANKS him down! Andrade goes up top, MOONSAULT DOUBLE!! Cover, Melo breaks it! The fans rally while all three are down! “This is Awesome!” as the three stir.

Melo brings Fatu and Andrade around, and he fires forearms on each of them. Andrade fires back on Melo, then Fatu UPPERCUTS! Andrade ROCKS Fatu, but Fatu UPPERCUTS Andrade! The fans rally as the three rise, and Melo springboards! DOUBLE FADE AWAY DDT!! Cover on Andrade, Fatu breaks it! Melo and Fatu stare down, and they run up! Melo dodges to hit the FIRST 48! Andrade adds a POISON-RANA! Melo slips around Andrade to KNEE and suplex, CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Andrade survives and Melo grows frustrated. The fans rally for Fatu while Melo shakes his hands out. Andrade is on the apron but Melo rises.

Melo brings Andrade up but Andrade trips Melo! They go out to brawl, and Melo SUPERKICKS Andrade down! But Fatu SUPERKICKS Melo! The fans fire up for Fatu as he lines up a shot. Fatu gets the fans even more fired up, then he geeks out! Fatu runs in the full length, but Andrade & Melo move! HIP ATTACK through barriers!! The fans go nuts as Fatu crashes into the timekeeper’s area! Fatu sputters as SmackDown goes back to picture in picture.

Fatu stirs while Andrade and Melo go to the ring. They roll in, Melo grabs at Andrade and vice-versa. Melo fires a forearm, then goes back outside. Andrade goes to the opposite end while Melo looks under the ring. Melo makes Knoxville happy by bringing out a table! But then Melo makes them mad by dropping it! Melo goes after Andrade but Andrade ROCKS him first! Andrade brings out a chair! Andrade aims, but Melo dropkicks the legs out! Andrade crawls, Melo shakes his head, and he grabs the chair now. Melo aims, but Andrade kicks Melo low! Andrade and Melo go into the ring, and Andrade puts Melo in a drop zone.

Andrade goes up the corner, but Melo trips him up! Andrade is stuck up top and Melo hits the SLINGSHOT PLEX! Melo flexes, then decides to step through on the legs! Andrade cradles that, TWO! Melo and Andrade stand, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men fall and the fans look for Fatu. SmackDown returns to single picture as the fans rally, Melo and Andrade sit up, and Melo CHOPS! Andrade ROCKS Melo, then rolls away. Melo hurries to clamp onto Andrade with a facelock, but Andrade RAMS him into a corner! Andrade puts Melo up top but Melo fires forearms. Andrade drops back, Melo aims, but Andrade GAMANGIRIS!

The fans still want tables but Andrade climbs up to get Melo. They’re on the very top, but Fatu is back! Fatu makes the SUPER SPANISH FLY part ROCKER LAUNCHER!! The fans are thunderous as Fatu goes up now! SWANTON BOMB onto Melo! Cover, Andrade breaks it!! The fans rally up again and still want tables. Fatu runs at Andrade to SPLASH! Then Fatu runs at Melo, but Melo BOOTS him! Melo runs up, but into a pop-up! Melo fights the Samoan Drop, and Andrade adds the SHADOW ELBOW! But Melo makes it a ghost pin! Andrade adds a stack, TWO!!! Fatu survives the double cover, but here come Solo & JC!

The fans boo as Solo is here to coach Fatu up. Melo and Andrade trade forearms, then Melo dodges to springboard, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, Fatu breaks it! Fatu snarls, drags Melo up, and he HEADBUTTS Melo! Fatu finally notices Solo & JC, but Fatu puts Melo up top. Fatu CHOPS Melo, then he fireman’s carries Andrade. Fatu adds Melo to this, but Melo slips free. SAMOAN DROP for Andrade, and then Fatu goes to the corner. Solo says Fatu’s got this now! BEST MOONSAULT EVER FLOPS and Melo hits NOTHING BUT NET!! Cover, ANDRADE BREAKS IT! Andrade underhooks Melo, THE MESS- NO, Melo RANAS through! Cover, TWO!!

Andrade has a cover, TWO! Melo has a cover, TWO! Andrade has it, TWO! Both men stand, SHADOW ELBOW! FIRST 48!! SHADOW ELBOW AGAIN!! All three men are down and the fans are thunderous! Fatu crawls, Melo rolls to a corner, and Andrade stirs. Fatu rises, he brings Andrade up, IMPALER DDT! Then Fatu has Melo to RAM him into a corner. Fatu runs and HIP ATTACKS Melo! Andrade is up, Fatu hits him with another IMPALER DDT! Fatu puts Andrade in the drop zone, and he hits the BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Solo says yeah, do that again! The fans boo but Fatu glares at Solo. JC says do what Solo is saying, Fatu!

But wait! Jimmy YANKS JC down, and SUPERKICKS him! The fans fire up, and then Melo RAMS Fatu into Solo! Then FIRST 48! But Andrade rolls Melo into THE MESSAGE!! Cover, ANDRADE WINS!!

Winner: Andrade, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)

Solo just screwed things up for Fatu! Solo does his best to keep the peace between Fatu and JC, but the point is: Andrade is headed to Los Angeles! Will he make this El Idolo in the Bank?

Backstage interview with LA Knight.

Byron Saxton segues from congratulating Andrade for qualifying to welcoming in someone who already has qualified, but The Mega Star says, “My gawd. What is it with punching tickets around here? Everybody talks about punching tickets. WWE Instagram, punched tickets. Commentary, punched tickets. You’re talking about punched tickets. I guess I punched my ticket to MITB, it’s only eight days away. A few other guys who punched tickets, who are they? You got Andrade, you got Penta, you got what’s his name, Seth Rollins. You got Solo Sikoa! They’re all in it! They all punched their tickets!

“And everybody’s gonna be climbing that ladder, trying to get up, put everything on the line that they can. Now, if this was a one-on-one match, I’d go ahead and call my shot, and I’d say I’m gonna run up there, grab the case, and cash it in. But you gotta understand, this is my third year in a row, so I understand what this is. You can call me the vet in this match. Some people say maybe that Seth is the vet in this, but they would be wrong. For three years in a row now, you’re talking about the most robust and the most recent experience, YEAH. And what that means is now it’s anybody’s game. Anybody can come out with it, and I understand that.

“But with or without the case, what you need to understand is that the WWE title, the world title, they’re all in my future. With the way I’ve been running, at this point, they should be in my past, maybe even my present. Why don’tcha go ahead and punch that ticket? While we’re talking about-” Knight stops himself when he spots someone walking in. It’s Aleister Black! And Aleister says that win was supposed to be his. But he tells Knight, “You’re welcome, though.” The Dark Father lets the Mega Star shine, if only for now. Will LA win big in LA when we finally reach MITB?

Fatu and Solo regroup backstage.

Solo wants Fatu to listen. He was just trying to help. Fatu tells Solo to listen. For the last time, Fatu does not need his help! Fatu storms off, JC steps in, but Solo has nothing else to say. Is the Samoan Werewolf going to break away from this dysfunctional “family?”

Cody Rhodes is here!

Knoxville fires up and sings along, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, high-fives fans along the ramp and the front row, and even signs autographs. Cody goes to the ring, grabs a mic, and he hears the fans chant his name. Cody fires the fans up more, then hears them sing, “Cody! Cody Rhooodes~! Cody! Cody Rhooodes~!” Cody says, “So, Knoxville! Whaddya wanna talk about?” The fans cheer, and Cody says, “I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that we could talk about the record crowd here this evening!” The fans cheer that, too! Cody says he loves them, too, thank you very much.

Cody says they could also talk about WrestleMania 41. The fans boo, but Cody says after WrestleMania 41, he went home, he drowned his sorrows, might’ve touched the “Tennessee Cough Syrup” a little bit, and he had a moment of doubt. He reached out to a friend. A friend who helps him prepare to wonderful audiences like this one here, or speaking to everyone at home. Cody asked him, “Was I a good champion?” The fans cheer for that, but Cody says the friend told him wasn’t quite as simple as yes or no.

The friend told him, “With everything that you faced here in the ring in front of all the fans, and with everything that you faced behind the scenes, being pulled in different directions, the waters that you had to navigate that no champion has ever had to navigate, yes, I feel that you were a good champion.” Cody says he felt good hearing that, it turned into a hopeful moment, the silver lining on a dark cloud. Cody looked back on his whole year. He thought about AJ Styles faking retirement to get the drop on him. Cody thought about his friend, Kevin Owens, sucker punching him against his bus while Cody’s family slept inside.

Cody thought about his boss, Triple H, who pushed Cody to the limit, and sees something in Cody that Cody doesn’t even see in himself. Cody even thought about The Final Boss, how he asked Cody for his soul, and the entire world wondering what that meant. As preposterous as that sounded, The Rock was 100% serious. No matter how many times Cody said no, the offer still stands. And Cody also thought about John Cena. The fans initially boo, but the “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” starts up. Cody takes a moment, and then he says, “I thought about John Cena doing exactly what he said he was going to do. He forced me to make a choice, and I hesitated.

“I don’t know if John Cena is going to ‘ruin’ professional wrestling. But if he does, then I’m partially to blame. Now, I know, I’d love to say this to John Cena’s face. Not sure if he’s going to come out here right now, but if you are listening, if you are listening, Champ, I need you to know that I will never hesitate with you again!” The fans cheer that, and Cody says no matter how much Cena will tout the amount of days he has left, how much Cena will talk about what remains before he absconds with the WWE Championship and leaves all of us forever, that is NOT Cena’s expiration date! That is on the other side of Cody’s corneas, and it will burn Cena’s ass up!

The fans fire up for that, and Cody calms it down. Cody apologizes for that. This is his first night back on SmackDown, he is getting worked up. He thought so much about what he could do, what he could do for the fans. Hell, how about a surprise? The fans already “YEET! YEET! YEET!” so Cody says they’re hungry for it. Let’s yeet. Well, hold on, that’d be a very big surprise. That’d be the biggest surprise. That’d be Cody’s partner riding into battle for MITB, and hell YES he is here! Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the World Heavyweight Champion, MAIN EVENT JEY USO! The fans go wild as Jey makes his way in from the pavilion!

The fans sing along with Day One Ish and bounce for that YEET! Jey makes his way down through the crowd to ringside, one verse at a time, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Jey joins Cody in the ring now, mic in hand. Cody and Jey hear the fans want an encore, so we get even more YEET! But then John Cena makes his entrance to ruin the fun! The fans sing “JOHN CENA SUUUCKS~!” even though he wears that University of Tennessee orange and white. Cena goes to the ring, towel draped over his head, then grabs a mic before he joins Cody and Jey in the ring. Cena hears the fans boo, and he says, “I’m upset, too. If it isn’t professional wrestling’s biggest wannabes!” Cena tells Cody he is nothing more than a Cena Wannabe, and that Jey is nothing more than a Cena Wannabe.

The fans boo but Cena says they both wanna be Cena so bad, it makes him sick! Cody wants Cena’s fame, Jey wants Cena’s money, but they will get neither because Cody is too desperate and Jey is too lazy! There is only ONE other human being in the WWE who embodies hustle, loyalty and respect, and he’s got the fortune, fame and followers to back that up! Surprise, losers! Cena’s partner is here, too! The fans boo already, because “EY YO~!” Logan Paul IS here! The Maverick swaggers his way out, and Cena gives him a proper introduction. “Oh, you mad? You’re mad because Logan Paul does WWE better than any professional wrestler?”

Cena says Logan doesn’t need to pay his dues, because he is paying Jey’s mortgage! Everybody in this building did NOT come to see Jey! They came to see John Cena and Logan Paul! Logan asks, “What the hell you crying about, Knoxville? Look! I could walk on water, and y’all would still find a way to tell me it’s because I can’t swim! John Cena speaks the language of Logan Paul, and that is the truth! The truth! It is right in front of you! You deny it all you want, but look around, you stupid, stupid, simple Tennessee people! This is a moment in history! All of you get to witness the moment that John Cena stood side-by-side in the ring with Logan Paul.

“And look, all of you will live long, pathetic, miserable lives. But at least you will get to say that you saw that.” The fans tell Logan to STFU, and Cena tells Logan to ignore it. Logan says yeah, yeah, they’re so ungrateful. They don’t know what’s good for them. There is one problem, though. This does seem too perfect. The problem is… Logan should be standing next to THE WWE Champion as THE World Heavyweight Champion! Logan should’ve been the one to leave Saturday Night’s Main Event with that title around his waist. But look at him, Jey. Jey got lucky. Jey got lucky! He knows it, Logan knows, it, the fans know it, CODY knows it!

Jey needed Cody to save him! When Cody interfered with the match cuz these two cheaters can’t do a single thing in this business without it being handed to them! “These two nepo babies were born on third, thinking they hit a triple.” Logan points to himself and says, “Self-made man!” He points to Cena and says, “Self-made man!” Five years ago, nobody every would’ve believed Logan Paul would be a WWE superstar. And they certainly never ever would’ve believed that he’d be teaming with the Greatest Of All Time! But look at Logan now. He’s not just a superstar, he is THE superstar! His time is now! Cena told us that his time is almost up!

Cena is the Last Real Champion, Logan is the inevitable face of the WWE! So Jey, Cody, at MITB, if you want some, come get some. Jey tells Logan they don’t gotta wait! They can handle this right now! UH UH, YEET!! The mics drop, Cena and Logan talk this out, and Logan wants to throw hands while Cena wants to leave. Cody asks what they’re arguing about. They gonna go to the back so Logan can polish Cena’s Peacemaker? Now it’s a fight! The fans fire up as the hands are flying! Logan TOSSES Jey, Cena picks Cody up! Cody slips free, Jey is back to SUPERKICK! Cody hits the DISASTER KICK! Cena bails out, Jey PLANCHAS out onto him!

Logan goes to the apron, slingshot and- NO, Cody dodges the “Snapshot” Lariat and Jey SUPERKICKS Logan! Then Jey sets Logan up for the CODE D!! The fans fire up as Cody picks up the WWE Championship! Will Cody and Jey make it through Logan and Cena to then clear a path for the American Nightmare’s redemption? Or will Cena & Logan ruin wrestling together?

My Thoughts:

A very good SmackDown, but maybe with some wheel-spinning. As fun as Chelsea Green continues to be, can’t we move on from her and Zelina? Or are we about to do that with tonight’s win over Alba and then Giulia confronting her? Ironically, that seems to give away Giulia isn’t winning MITB. Giulia had a good promo video right before but they undercut it by giving us that confrontation. That said, Giulia deserves to be all the champions, but I suppose starting with the Women’s US Championship would be a good route. Very good promo from Bianca and Naomi to not just have Bianca’s homecoming, but to keep the feud between them alive.

The Women’s Triple Threat had a slow start but it turned out to be a very good match. Great win for Naomi, and good promo from her, Tiffany and Alexa to tease potential MITB winners. Great stuff in the tag match to build Worlds Collide just a touch. We only got one moment of Berto being passive aggressive towards Santos, and then Ethan Page screwing the Faces over, but that was still enough for the North American Championship. Of course, it depends on how many fans watch not just Raw and SmackDown but also NXT so that the fans already understand the story. But as someone who does, I do appreciate they’re bringing NXT story onto SmackDown.

Good promo from Priest to give some shoot respect to Drew and Fatu, but Priest wanting after the US title kinda gave away what was happening with the Men’s Triple Threat. It was a great Triple Threat, but of course Solo & JC cost Fatu. That team is just one moment away from breaking up, and it might be at MITB when Solo just expects Fatu to help him win the briefcase and Fatu refuses. And Fatu VS Priest will still be awesome whenever it happens. Good promo from Knight, and a good bit from Aleister with him, which I suppose means that’s the next feud for them. Was kinda hoping for Aleister VS Nakamura but that really depends if Nakamura is sticking with WWE or going home to Japan via Pro-Wrestling NOAH as rumored.

R-Truth relapsing to talking to Lil’ Jimmy is certainly a choice. I kinda wish he’d keep up the “Ron Cena” stuff, or they’d let Jeff Cobb do his own John Cena bit from NJPW, but I guess some things in WWE still won’t change. And closing with a big promo segment was also certainly a choice. Cody still did a good job, and nice surprise to have Jey show up. Not sure they needed to take a commercial break for Jey’s entrance, especially when they were obviously going to let Jey do his YEET encore. And Cena really must be brainwashed to put Logan over as if Logan’s on par with peak Cena. But naturally a brawl happened and the Faces stood tall.

Don’t count this as go-home math yet, they could easily revisit this on Raw and even next week on SmackDown. Even then, I still feel like Jey and Cody should win at MITB to properly set up Cody VS Cena 2 at SummerSlam. Raw on June 9th is still the move for the World Heavyweight Championship, but there’s also Saturday Night’s Main Event in July, who knows if Jey makes it to SummerSlam as champion.

My Score: 8.7/10