The American Nightmare sends one last message!

Before fighting for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania, Cody Rhodes wants to say one last thing to Randy Orton & Pat McAfee!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• 8 Man Tag Street Fight: MFT VS The Wyatt Sick6; MFT wins.
• WWE Tag Team Championships: Damian Priest & R-Truth VS Kofi Kingston & Grayson Waller; Priest & Truth win and retain the titles.
• WWE Women’s United States Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Tiffany Stratton VS Jordynne Grace; Tiffany wins and will challenge for the title.
• Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss VS Bayley & Lyra Valkyria; No Contest.
• 2026 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal: Royce Keys wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

A truck pulls into the garage.

And out step Randy Orton & Pat McAfee. The fans can be heard booing, and Orton says this is one hell of a truck. Pat says yeah, built tough like Orton. But then Nick Aldis finds them first, and has a contract. As discussed, here is their agreement. Aldis and Pat are gonna have a chat. Pat tells “Foreign Adam Pearce” that he is a guy who reads his own contracts, because he is a self-made billionaire, unlike all the bums in the crowd. Pat wants to read the whole thing before he signs, and it looks like there are a lot of pages here. Orton says sorry to interrupt, but he has something to say. Pat can handle this while Orton goes to the ring.

Pat is fired up as Orton heads to gorilla, and Pat says time to “ruin” the show by telling some truths! And on that note, please park the truck. Pat skims through, signs a part, and continues on while cameras cut to ringside. Orton makes his entrance, and the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas is already singing along with Voices as The Viper goes to the ring. Orton signals he’s going to be champion again before even stepping into the ring. The fans cheer as Orton hits his signature pose, then Orton grabs a mic. The fans cheer Orton on while he takes a moment. “I’ll be the first one to admit it. I don’t need Pat McAfee. The truth is, I want him.”

The fans boo, but Orton says McAfee is the only straight shooter in this company. Pat doesn’t tell Orton what he wants to hear, but what he needs to hear. And what Orton needed to hear is that all along, all Orton ever needed to do was just be himself. Who would’ve thought! So they were all set, Orton was listening, he knows what he needs to do, Orton wins Elimination Chamber, and it was to be Orton VS McIntyre for the title. Now, there’s no love lost for McIntyre, Orton knew he could be who he needed to be, easy, cake, take the title home to St. Louis, all done. But then… Cody Rhodes won the title back.

The fans are torn, but Orton again says Cody Rhodes won the title back. So now, he and Cody are friends. Orton wasn’t gonna listen to Pat, he wasn’t gonna do what he needed to do, be who he needed to be, he wasn’t going to hurt his friend. But then, Cody gave Orton permission to be himself! Who the HELL is Cody to give Orton permission on anything?! Orton wrote the book on being himself! He is The Viper, he listens to the voices, and that cocky SOB tried to give Orton permission. This is how a friendship works: there is give and take, in case you didn’t know. But with Cody, well, all it ever is was give, give, give while Cody takes, takes, takes.

Tomorrow night, they main event night one of WrestleMania 42. But Orton wants to take us back to WM40, Cody VS Roman Reigns & The Rock, Cody needed a friend to team with! Someone to have his back! And he calls Seth Rollins?! All Cody does is take, take, take! And now, Solo’s Bloodline was all over Cody. What’d Orton do as a FRIEND? Orton is there to have Cody’s back! What’d he get for it? Orton got put through the table, with a near-career-ending back injury! All Cody does is take, take, take! And the best one yet is Cody gifting a WWE Championship to Orton’s friend, Kevin Owens! And wouldn’t you know it? Kevin turns on Cody!

So what’d Orton do? He had Cody’s back. Orton tried talking sense into Kevin, and what happens? Orton gets dropped on his head with a piledriver! Career threatening move, that could’ve been it! All Cody did is TAKE, TAKE, TAKE! Pat McAfee has done more for Orton than Cody has in HALF A LIFETIME! Pat hurts Orton’s legacy? No, helping Cody has hurt Orton’s legacy more than anything else! WrestleMania 42, night one, Orton rights the wrongs, fixes his legacy, and takes number 15 home where it belongs! And he’ll do it with the three most dangerous letters in all of sports entertainment: R K O!

Orton drops the mic, having said his piece. Orton then returns backstage, Pat waiting in the truck. Pat says great work, Randy! Orton hops in, Pat says that is what a WWE Superstar looks like! And tomorrow night, everything changes for the better. Pat will put in a good word for Aldis with upper management. Later, marks! Pat drives off, neither he or Orton caring to wait on Cody’s response. If Cody just takes, takes, takes, will he take an L along with the RKO? Or will he keep the title on the Grandest Stage of Them All?

8 Man Tag Street Fight: MFT VS The Wyatt Sick6!

While Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga have disagreed on the Wyatt lantern, they both agree that this has to end between them and the Wyatts. But will it be a victorious moment to reunite and reinvigorate MFT? Or will Uncle Howdy, Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis finally cut this “family tree” down?

SmackDown returns as the lights go down and the fireflies come out, because the Wyatts are making their entrance. The lantern is blown out, and then the Wyatts rush the ring! The bell rings as the brawl is on! Tonga Loa is considered the odd man out, but it doesn’t really matter in a Street Fight! Howdy keeps after Solo on the outside while Rowan and the others clear out Tama and Mateo. They mug Talla, BOOT him, but Talla stays up! Lumis RAMS Talla, fires hands, then Gacy joins in! They BOOT Talla again, then Rowan BOOTS Talla out! The fans fire up as Gacy & Lumis build speed, and they FLY out to take down the rest!

Rowan gets moving, but Loa trips Rowan up! Rowan BOOTS Loa away, then goes out to THROW him into barriers! The fans cheer as the Silverback is down, but then Talla LARIATS Rowan! Talla then pulls the steel steps apart! He RAMS Gacy down, then RAMS Lumis! And then it’s a STAIR DOWN for Rowan! The fans are torn as Talla truly stands tall, and SmackDown goes picture in picture. Talla steps on Rowan while the others beat up on Lumis and Gacy. Mateo CHOPS Lumis, then SMACKS him off the steps! Solo stomps Rowan, talks some trash to Vegas, then regroups with the others to mug Lumis.

Loa drags Gacy up, he and Mateo mug him, then stomp him down. Tama storms around, having handled Howdy, and he rains down fists on Lumis. Rowan is up and he CLOBBERS MFT! Talla whips, Rowan reverses, and Rowan POSTS Talla! Rowan storms into the ring, and he SPLASHES Tama in a corner! Then he LARIATS Mateo in the other! Rowan shoves Mateo so he can LEG LARIAT him down! Tama CLUBS Rowan, but Rowan shoves him back. Tama dodges, but runs into a BODY CHECK! Big Red is all fired up,, but Solo SMACKS him with a kendo stick! It was only a matter of time before someone went for the goodies.

MFT brawls with the Wyatts outside again, but Lumis & Gacy mug Mateo! Talla DECKS Gacy and UPPERCUTS Lumis! Solo has Howdy on the ropes, and Loa pulls Howdy’s arms to keep him trapped! Solo SMACKS Howdy on the back! And SMACKS him again! Loa lets go so Howdy can writhe in agony. SmackDown returns to single picture as Solo offers the kendo stick to Tama. Tama declines to throw hands and stomps on Howdy instead! Tama CHOKES Howdy, then he kicks Gacy. Tama whips, but Gacy enters the UPSIDE-DOWN! Then he dodges Mateo, Lumis helps out with the BACK SUPLEX NECKBRAEKER!

Lumis hits a back suplex on Solo, then kips up to LEG DROP! Gacy SUPERKICKS Talla off the apron! Gacy whips Lumis for a somersault and MONKEFY FLIP into a POWERBOMB! Now the cleanest but Gacy covers, only for Mateo to deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! And an ATHLETIC PLEX on Lumis! Mateo hauls Lumis up again, shoves and clinches, OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Mateo talks trash, then he stomps Howdy down. The fans rally for the Wyatts but Mateo talks more trash. Howdy rises up to ROCK Mateo! Howdy CLUBS away, but Talla is back! Talla fireman’s carries for a SAMOAN DROP! Talla soaks up heat, then he fireman’s carries Lumis! SAMOAN DROP!

Mateo feeds Gacy to Talla for another SAMOAN DROP! But then Rowan drags Mateo out! Rowan runs up on Talla, but Talla fireman’s carries?! Rowan fights free, and he SHOTGUNS Talla out! The fans fire up as Rowan DIVES! Down goes Talla and the fans are thunderous, “YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH!” Rowan grabs a chair, tosses it into the ring, then he fetches more chairs, and even kendo sticks! The Wyatts all bring things out from under the ring, including trash cans! Rowan sets a can up while Gacy kicks and stops MFT where he finds them. Howdy & Rowan DOUBLE CAN SMASH Solo! Then Rowan pushes one onto Solo’s chest! FULL METAL SPLASH!

The fans fire up as the can is crushed! Solo flounders around while the Wyatts regroup, and SmackDown goes back to picture in picture.

Rowan helps Howdy stand, and Gacy throws hands on Tama. Gacy then whips Tama, but Tama reverses to send Gacy into steel steps! Howdy stomps Solo as he slides inside, and Rowan SMACKS Mateo with a kendo stick! Rowan SMACKS Mateo off the desk, but Tama SMACKS Howdy with a kendo stick! Tama helps Solo up while Loa & Mateo mug Rowan. Loa SMACKS Rowan with that beat up trash can! Tama CHOKES Howdy with a chair, and the fans cheer Nikki Cross as she dares Mateo to do something to her! Mateo lets her shout while he CHOKES Gacy. Solo THROWS Lumis into barriers! Tama SMACKS Rowan with the beat up trash can!

Nikki has a trash can and continues to egg Mateo on. Solo rolls into the ring and he sits a chair up. Solo drags Howdy up and over to SMACK him off said chair! Howdy is down in a heap, but Solo takes a seat. Solo taunts Howdy by tapping him with the kendo stick. Then Solo SAMCKS Howdy! Mateo has a kendo stick and he SMACKS Lumis down! Loa gets a kendo stick while Solo JAMS Howdy up with a chair! Solo struts corner to corner, then soaks up the heat before he runs in, HIP ATTACK! Howdy sputters while Solo fires up! Loa & Mateo keep mugging Rowan and Lumis. Solo eggs Howdy on, talks some trash, then rains down fists.

Solo struts around again as SmackDown returns to single picture. Solo runs corner to corner again, but Howdy dodges! Hips hit buckles, then Howdy SMACKS Solo with the chair! Tama is back to Howdy JAMS him up! And he JAMS Mateo up! Then he SMACKS Mateo down! The fans fire up as Howdy clinches, URENAGE on the chair! Solo writhes in agony while Howdy DECKS Loa! Loa bails out, Nikki goes up! SUPER CORSSBODY! Down goes Loa and the fans fire up! Howdy then clinches Solo, but Talla BOOTS him down! The giant then stands at the corner so Solo can climb up from the corner and onto Talla! SUPER FLYING SOLO!! Cover, GACY SMACKS SOLO!

The fans fire up as Gacy & Lumis fire off kendo sticks! They’re going yard, but Talla double guzels! DOUBLE CHOKE SLAMS!! But Rowan SMACKS Talla with a chair! Talla stays up!? Rowan is pissed, but Talla SWATS the chair! Then Talla LARIATS Rowan and himself up and out of the ring! Howdy clinches Mateo, but Tama grabs Howdy for the TONGAN TWIST! The fans are torn as Tama takes off the arm sleeve. But then SAMOAN SPIKE from Solo on Howdy! Cover, MFT wins!

Winners: MFT, by pinfall

Tama was ready to strike, but Solo snatches the glory from him! But a win is a win, right? Or are the cracks in the foundation only getting worse?

Damian Priest & R-Truth walk ‘n’ talk backstage.

#WepaUp is in Vegas, and Truth says they’re facing one of the most iconic teams in WWE history in The New Day! Priest says hold on, New Day is on Raw. Exactly! Easy lay-up! Asuka cursed them! Here we go again. It’s Danhausen! No, that was last week. It’s Asuka this time. Xavier Woods is sick. So sick, he’s turning Sammy Sosa white! And he speaks with a British accent. Priest tries not to laugh, and also not to lose his mind. Isn’t that Grayson Waller? No, Waller is Aussie, Truth knows his geography. Priest says yes, Waller IS Australian. But we’re talking about Xavier Woods. No, Truth is talking about Waller. No, Truth is talking about Woods! Is Priest okay? Maybe…

Truth says get it together, dawg, they have a title match tonight, here in Vegas! What?! Truth hurries off, is any of what he just said real? And whether it’s Waller, Woods, or Whalberg, will Truth & Priest still be the W, W, E, Tag, Team, Champions~?

The Miz & Maryse renew their vows in Vegas.

Kit Wilson presides as The Hollywood A-Lister tells his lovely wife that a lot of great things have happened in his life thanks to the WWE. But by far the greatest thing is that he met Maryse. He just wants to say- DANHAUSEN!? Maryse turns around to see the Very Nice, Very Evil and very uninvited guest and freaks out. Danhausen says hi, how is everyone? Maryse asks who Danhausen even is, and he says he’s the ring bearer, the best man, AND the maid/man of honor! NO, HE’S NOT! Danhausen is NOTHING! Kit, do something! You may not curse the bride! No, wait, what?! YOU! ARE! CURSED!!

Miz is furious and he goes to CHOKE Danhausen! But in the struggle, they knock into Maryse, and Maryse stumbles into the wedding cake! Danhausen wipes some frosting from Mayrse’s nose, and says ooh, good vanilla. Stay tuned to WWE socials for the rest of this not-so-happy day.

Royce Keys speaks.

“I’m one of the few people I know from East Palo Alto that is living their dream.” He gets a bit emotional and asks for a moment. Royce is back at his childhood home. In 2021, Royce’s mother, Nita Hobson, suffered a fatal overdose. She was only 61 years old, and never saw her son’s dream come true. Royce knew the one person who would watch as his mom. She was proud of him. He had to try, because he misses his mom. Royce’s sister, Evelyn Hobson, says that regardless of what was going on, their mom was definitely proud of her kids. Royce knows his grandparents are with him, his mom is with him, and all the memories are with him. Those things kept him going.

Mark Henry says emotions are not a crutch. When you tap into them, you become stronger. Royce is a good man. He is the perfect example of working hard and making your dreams come true. No one from EPA should be here. Royce knows his mom is proud of him.

A police car drives up to the building…?

Sirens wail as the patrol car pulls into the garage, and then right up to the stage! On stage, even! The officer opens the passenger door, and out steps… JACOB FATU! The Samoan Werewolf steps right up onto the roof of the car, mic in hand, wearing custom airbrushed jeans! The fans cheer Fatu on while says, “Drew McIntyre… What, you wanna tell the whole world that I’m still a criminal? Huh? You still doubling back, huh? We can talk about my life all you want, I’m not ashamed of it, I’m not afraid of it, and for sure check this out, I for sure don’t live that life no more.”

The fans cheer that, and Fatu asks what, Drew thought putting Fatu in cuffs in front of Fatu’s family was gonna embarrass him? C’mon, man! Drew really thought putting Fatu in cuffs was gonna be embarrassing. That didn’t bother Fatu at all! HELL NAH! Even the popo know Fatu ain’t that guy no more! But this is where Drew gets very twisted. Tomorrow night, UNSANCTIONED MATCH! That means no Nick Aldis, no police, no security, no management, no Army, no Navy, hell! The SWAT Team can’t stop Fatu while he beats Drew’s ass! And the best thing about it: there is no one to save Drew!

Fatu has the cameraman come in close to get a clear view. “Drew, you try to put me back in that jail cell… Drew, you try to put me back in that jail cell where I done changed my life, but the truth is, I already put that in my rearview. And the truth is, Drew, when I get done beating your ass tomorrow, that’s exactly where I’m putting you: in the back of my rearview! So tomorrow night at WrestleMania 42, you’re gonna see Jacob Fatu shake them dreads!” Fatu geeks out, the fans cheer, and Fatu tells Drew to get a calculator, do the math, cuz tomorrow night at WM42, Fatu gonna dog walk that b*tch ass! YADADA MEAN?! Fatu has issued his warning, will Drew heed it?

#Charlexa talks backstage.

Alexa Bliss says ever since teaming with Charlotte, she’s tried all sorts of new flavors of ice cream, ended up with way more Charlotte Flair merch than she ever imagined, along with having signed some, but… She also became a tag team with a new best friend. Charlotte says yeah, 2025 was epic, and 2026 has been even better. But what would be the cherry on top? Winning the tag titles back at WrestleMania. But before that, they gotta beat Bayley & Lyra tomorrow night. They’ll walk into Mania with momentum, then walk out with as champions. But no matter what, they will still be best friends.

Charlotte knows that. The real gold is the friendship they made along the way. Friendship above all else. But how great would it be to have the real gold, too? Bliss rolls her eyes but Charlotte says c’mon, two-time champions would be awesome! Bliss has to get that! But will The Queen & “Blisster” be ready for #BayLyra later tonight?

WWE Tag Team Championships: Damian Priest & R-Truth VS Kofi Kingston & Grayson Waller!

Despite getting names and faces mixed up, Truth was right, they ARE defending the titles tonight! But will it be #WepaUp in Vegas? Or will the “New G’Day” take these belts back to Raw with them?

SmackDown returns as Kofi & Waller make their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if it’ll still be #WepaUp!

The teams sort out and Priest starts against Waller. Waller tests the waters with a kick, then a JAB! Priest snarls, but Waller dodges the haymaker to fire off forearms! Waller whips, Priest reverses, but Waller ducks ‘n’ dodges, then slips through a scoop. Waller waistlocks, Priest bucks the O’Conner Roll, then he BOOTS Waller down! The fans cheer as Priest TOSSES Waller to the corner! Priest fires haymakers, then UPPERCUTS! Waller is dazed while Priest tags Truth. Priest clinches, Truth runs, LIE DETECTOR LEG SWEEP COMBO! The fans cheer while Truth ROCKS Waller. Truth goes up the corner and he rains down fists!

The fans count along, and Truth gest five before Waller YANKS him down! Waller CLUBS Truth, pushes him to the corner, then tags Kofi. Waller whips Kofi for Kofi to whip Waller into Priest! Waller talks trash as Priest falls, but Truth dodges Kofi and ROCKS Waller! Truth ROCKS Kofi, UPPERCUTS Waller, then kicks Kofi low! Kofi claims it was a little too low. Truth runs, but Waller DUMPS Truth out! The fans boo as Waller gets away with that one, but Priest is there to guzel Waller! But Kofi WRECKS Priest with a dropkick! Kofi is all fired up while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Kofi swaggers, soaks up heat, and maybe even eggs the fans on, before he puts Truth in the ring. Kofi pushes Truth to a corner, stomps a mudhole in, then talks more trash. Kofi runs corner to corner and he DROPKICKS Truth down! Cover, TWO! Truth toughs it out but Kofi clamps onto him. Kofi fires body shots, then tags Waller. They mug Truth, then Waller CLUBS Truth on the neck. Waller snapmares and basement dropkicks! Waller soaks up heat, then he sucker punches Priest! The ref reprimands but Waller ELBOWS Truth down! Waller stomps Truth, CHOKES him, but the ref is too busy with an angry Priest to stop him!

Waller CHOKES Truth on the ropes, the ref sees that, and Waller backs off. Waller brings Truth up but Truth fires haymakers! But Waller dropkicks the legs out! Waller drags Truth over, tags Kofi, and Waller sets Truth up for Kofi to BOOT down! Kofi swaggers around, soaks up more heat, then drags Truth around. Kofi waistlocks but Truth fights towards his corner! Priest reaches out for Truth, but Kofi keeps them fingertips apart! Kofi kicks and whips, then he trips Truth up! Kofi soaks up more heat while Truth writhes. Waller takes Truth’s shoe to do a “shoey” with, before Kofi AX HANDLES Truth down! Cover, TWO!

Kofi tags Waller, they mug Truth again, and Waller suplexes, only for Truth to cradle counter, TWO! Waller ELBOWS Truth down! Waller talks trash, daring Truth to go tag Priest. Truth then drags Truth up, and ROLLING ELBOWS! SmackDown returns to single picture as Waller tags Kofi! FAMOUSER, then the BALLER ELBOW DROP! Kofi covers, TWO! Kofi runs to PENALTY KICK! The fans boo but Kofi swaggers around even more. Kofi runs to stomp Truth down! Waller tags himself in and Kofi asks what he’s doing. Waller goes up, Kofi fireman’s carries, but Truth slips fere! Truth shoves Kofi into Waller, and Waller HOTSHOTS off ropes!

Kofi hurries ot anchor Truth, Truth BOOTS him into Waller! Hot tag to Priest! Priest fires BIG haymakers on Waller and Kofi! Then JUMP KICK after JUMP KICK! ELBOW on Kofi in one corner, ELBOW on Waller in the other! Kofi runs up, but into a clinch and FLATLINER! Priest then has Waller for a wrench and knuckle lock! Priest goes up and the fans cheer for an Old School CROSSBODY! Priest fires up and the fans are with him! Priest powers up the arm, runs the ropes, COMEBSCK- NO, Waller ducks that to wrench and- NO, Priest dodges to COMEBACKER! Cover, Kofi breaks it! Kofi calls to Waller, but Truth is starting up a “New! Day Sucks!” chant!?

Kofi is upset because Truth thinks he needs to tag him!? Kofi slaps Truth’s hand away, but Truth takes that as the tag! Truth runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and starts up the “Ron Cena” Shoulder Tackles! SPIN-OUT BOMB! And yes, Truth puts his hand up! Priest scoop SLAMS Waller down next to Kofi! Truth says Priest should join in, but Priest isn’t so sure. The fans say yes, join in! Priest shrugs and says, “You Can’t See Me!” Priest & Truth run for a DOUBLE FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Priest then pops Waller up so he and Truth can hit a 3D! Cover, Priest & Truth win!

Winners: Damian Priest & R-Truth, by pinfall (still WWE Tag Team Champions)

The dynamic, if not a bit delusional, duo does it again! Will it be #WepaUp then, now, and forever?

Jade Cargill is here!

The Storm has arrived in Las Vegas, and she has her Baddies back. Mia Yim & B-Fab have recovered from Rhea Ripley wrecking them, and the trio goes to the ring. Jade grabs a mic, but before she can say two words, Rhea makes HER way out here! Vegas cheers Mami as she steps out on stage, but without reinforcements this week. Rhea isn’t afraid, though, as she walks to the ring. Rhea grabs a mic before she goes to the apron, and she says, “Jade… I just wanted to come out here before you started talking and wasted everyone’s time. First of all, there’s nothing that I’d like more than to lay you out right now, especially after everything you have done.

“But I don’t wanna give you an excuse not to be able to walk into WrestleMania. And I know I’m not normally the most patient of people… I’m normally not.” The fans cheer Rhea on and she smiles. Rhea says Jade is lucky Rhea isn’t in there already, whooping her ass. The fans cheer but Jade mockingly smiles. Rhea says Jade hasn’t been able to give Rhea a chance to face her fair and square. Rhea thinks Jade is scared. And when it comes to WrestleMania, Rhea can’t wait to embarrass Jade! Fab says, “Embarrass her? Rhea, the only one that should be embarrassed is you! Uh-huh, yeah! Shut up! You’re the one that keeps coming for Jade, and failing!”

The fans boo but Rhea says she hasn’t even had the chance to go after Jade. See, ever since Rhea won Elimination Chamber, Jade’s done nothing but hiding. She hides behind her minions, behind social media, and anything she can to not be 1v1 with Rhea. So if there’s anything Jade wants to say, this is her last chance to say it alone. Jade has Mia & Fab stand down, and asks, “I’m scared? Aww, I’m scared~ of some cosplay goth kid with insecurities? Yeah, okay. I’m everything you wish you could be! A REAL b*tch! And yeah, you got your way around here, but that’s cuz of that weak ass locker room back there.”

The fans boo but Jade says she’s not hiding. She’s just trying to spare Rhea. And since Rhea didn’t learn the lesson, on Sunday, Jade will put belt to ass! And if Rhea keeps talking, Jade will make it quick. Rhea asks Jade if she really thinks Rhea wants to be like Jade. Oh, no no no, Rhea doesn’t wanna be anything like Jade. Rhea’s been fighting women like Jade her entire life, actually. And if you wanna bring up insecurities like they’re a bad thing, like they hold Rhea back, no, they make her the person she is today! They’re the reason Rhea is a multiple time champion in the WWE! The fans cheer that!

So if Jade wants to make it quick, then Rhea can make it quick! But she promises, it won’t be in Jade’s favor, “you narcissistic, selfish, fake ass b*tch!” The fans cheer Rhea on that one! The two stare down, but Jade holds up the belt. Jade storms off, her Baddies following behind. But will Mami still end up on top on the Grandest Stage of Them All?

MFT regroups backstage.

They’re all feeling food from the win, and Solo says that is what he’s been talking about! The Wyatts are finished, and that happened cuz MFT worked together as a team! Tama says yeah, right, a team. Yeah, a team! Anyways, this is just getting started. Solo wants Talla to win the Andre the Giant Battle Royal and bring that trophy home! MFT, time to get ready! Meanwhile, Solo will talk to Aldis and see about getting the tag team titles back! MFT is feeling good, but will they keep winning while they have the hot hand? Or are they about to bust and go broke?

WWE Women’s United States Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Tiffany Stratton VS Jordynne Grace!

Giulia continues to hold onto the gold with an iron grip, but now is the time to name her next challenger. Will the Wrestling Barbie get back on her winning ways during WrestleMania season? Or will the Juggernaut finally get a golden opportunity?

SmackDown returns, and Giulia & Kiana James have appeared ringside to watch this match with their own eyes. The bell rings and the two shake hands to show there is sportsmanship here. They tie up, Grace headlocks, but Tiff powers up only for Grace to whip her away. Tiff leapfrogs over the backdrop, but then Grace fireman’s carries Tiff, only for Tiff to sunset flip it! TWO, and Grace SLIDING- NO, Tiff catches Grace to a ghost pin! ONE, and Tiff ducks a shot! Grace ducks a kick, and the fans cheer the standoff. Grace and Tiff reset, circle, and they tie up. Tiff waistlocks but Grace ELBOWS free! Grace whips, drops, but Tiff handsprings over!

The fans cheer as Tiff says it’s still her time. Tiff ducks ‘n’ dodges, then counters the hip toss into a JAWBREAKER! Grace falls, Tiff covers, TWO! Grace goes to a corner, Tiff runs up, but Grace slips around to RAM Tiff into buckles again and again! Grace backslides then short arm LRIATS! And short arm LARIATS! But Tiff ducks the next one, only for Grace to ELBOW her again! Grace Electric Chair Lifts to HOTSHOT Tiff, then LARIAT her down! The fans are torn but Grace covers Tiff, TWO! Tiff toughs it out while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Grace drags Tiff up, slaps her on the back to copy the rallying applause, then she pump handles Tiff. Tiff fights the lift, Grace fires knees into her, then Grace short arm LARIATS! Tiff flounders but Grace hushes the crowd. Grace CHOPS Tiff on the back! And then LARIATS back and forth, front and back! Grace winds up, runs, but Tiff ELBOWS her down! Tiff shakes out the arm and nods as she paces around. Tiff drags Grace up, bumps her off buckles, then stomps a mudhole in! The ref counts, Tiff stops at 4, and Tiff drags Grace up to reel her in. Tiff snap suplexes, then rolls to a cover, TWO! Grace toughs it out after that hard landing.

Tiff stays on Grace, CHOKES her on the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Tiff ROCKS Grace, CHOKES her again, then runs the ropes to HIP ATTACK! Grace falls, Tiff covers, TWO! Grace survives again but Tiff stays cool. Grace fires body shots, Tiff stomps Grace down. Grace eggs Tiff on so Tiff fires off shots! Grace shoves Tiff, Tiff kicks low! Tiff fires forearms, then whips to ELBOW Grace down! Cover, TWO! Grace stays in this but Tiff stays on her. Tiff whips Grace to a corner, Grace reverses, and Tiff rebounds into the WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM! Grace goes up, up, and VADER BOMBS! Cover, TWO! Tiff survives but Grace stays focused.

Grace puts Tiff in a corner, fires forearm after forearm, then gets space to run up, into a BOOT! Tiff reels Grace in as SmackDown returns to single picture. The fans duel while Grace hoists Tiff up top! Grace UPPERCUTS Tiff, then climbs up to join her. Grace SUPERPLEXES then rolls through, to deadlift, but Tiff DDT COUNTERS! The fans fire up while both women are down again! Tiff and Grace slowly rise up, and the fans cheer as Tiff fires a forearm! Grace fires back, Tiff fires again, and Grace CHOPS! Tiff CHOPS, and the forearms fly again! Grace gets the edge, but Tiff BOOTS Grace, ducks a shot, then KNEES Grace down!

Tiff runs up, but Grace avoids the double stomps to roll Tiff up! TWO, but Grace reels Tiff in, only for Tiff to power up! Grace fights that lift, ducks a kick, but Tiff ELBOWS Grace again! Then TIFFY STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Grace survives and Tiff grows frustrated, but the fans continue to rally. Grace crawls to ropes, Tiff runs up, but Grace BOOTS her! Grace skins the cat, then she catches Tiff in a trap! Grace body scissors in the ropes to HEADBUTT again and again and again! The fans fire up as Grace HEADBUTTS and Tiff staggers. Grace fireman’s carries, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Then a lift and tuck, PACKAGE POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!!

Tiff survives and Grace grows frustrated. The fans rally up again as Grace and Tiff rise. Grace drags Tiff up, and reels her into the Reverse Gory! But Tiff slips free, shoves Grace, then handsprings to STUNNER! Grace wobbles, Tiff fires up, and Tiff fireman’s carries! ROLLING SENTON! Then Tiff signals to Giulia that she’s getting the belt! PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER! Cover, Tiff wins!

Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the WWE Women’s United States Championship)

Tiff stares Giulia down again, but Giulia doesn’t sweat it. Will Tiff prove it’s her time again? Or will she succumb to the Beautiful Madness?

Trick Williams is here!

Las Vegas is all fired up for Hollywood Trick and his lemon pepper steppers! They chant “Whoop Dat Trick!” as he goes to the ring. Trick grabs the mic to say, “What?” “Whoop Dat Trick!” “Huh?!” “Whoop Dat Trick!” “Uh-huh!” “Whoop Dat Trick!” “I like it!” The fans cheer as Trick shouts out Booker T with that. Trick says, “Now hear me out. Usually, I come out here, it’s all smiles, games, and jokes. Not tonight. Tonight, I got something to get off my chest, so we gon’ talk about it. Sami Zayn, last week, you crossed the line. Roll the footage!” Trick cues it up, and what Trick means is when Lil Yachty tripped Sami up off the apron, and Sami responded with a HELLUVA KICK!

Trick says Sami hit Lil Yachty with that kick. Last week, Sami hit Trick’s friend with a Helluva Kick. Last week, Sami hurt Trick’s friend with that Helluva Kick! We don’t know when Yachty’s coming back. It might be tomorrow, it might be Sunday, but that means Sami did something worse than hurt Trick’s friend. He hurt Trick’s WrestleMania entrance with that Helluva Kick! so this is what we gonna do about it. We ain’t waiting ’til Sunday! Grown folk talking, we gonna take care of business tonight! Sami Zayn, Gingerbread Man, bring yo’ ass out here! The fans cheer, and Sami appears! Wait, no, that’s someone in a Gingy the Gingerbread Man costume…

Trick laughs as he clearly mocks Sami with this. Trick has them cut the music, and he introduces Vegas to Sami the Gingerbread Man. The fans chant “GINGERBREAD! GINGERBREAD!” Trick says he’s supposed to be mad, but here looking at him, Sami looks upset himself. What’s wrong, Gingerbread Man? No diehard Sami Zayn fans in San Jose? Maybe there are some here in Vegas. Doesn’t sound like it… So maybe, all the diehard Sami fans are on Dreary Lane. Nah, c’mon, listen to Trick. When life gives you lemons, you put on your lemon pepper steppers, and mind your business when grown folks talkin’!

This Sunday, it is all about Trick Williams! His first WrestleMania, his moment ot get the US Championship! And he’ll do whatever it takes to get the title! He’ll be whooping something! Vegas, tell ’em what we gon’ do. “Whoop Dat Trick!” Sami says yeah, that’s good, that’s great. The fans boo as the REAL Sami walks out on stage. Sami says this is real funny. He’s “glad” Trick’s having fun and taking his first Mania so seriously. He almost envies it! Sami wishes he was having this much fun, but he hasn’t been having a good time for a very long time. Sami is walking in as THE US Champion, and he’s still not having a good time!

But by the sounds of it, it sounds like the fans here have also not been having fun. The fans taunt Sami but Sami still doesn’t get what he did wrong! He doesn’t! But truth is, Sami doesn’t care. Sami is doing this, and does this every day, for the Ride or Die Sami Fans! The ones that have been with him since day one! Sami steps into the ring, and says make no mistake, there are still plenty of those fans watching at home and even here in Vegas! They will be in Sami’s corner for Mania and beyond. But here’s the thing, Trick… Fans tell Sami to shut up but Sami says no, they’ll get to that.

But ever since Trick got here like four months ago and interrupted Sami, everyone’s been talking about Trick… Okay, can the gingerbread guy not stand like that? No, stop, the hands on hips is worse. Go away, Sami doesn’t wanna see him. The fans boo but Sami says Trick was supposedly the future of the company. Sami was the first to agree. But what has Trick shown Sami since? Not a whole lot. Trick has a great entrance, a good catchphrase, and can even drop a good diss track, congrats. But y’know what Trick hasn’t shown Sami? Anything where it counts, and that’s in this ring when it matters most!

So now when Sami looks a Trick, Sami doesn’t see the future of the WWE anymore. Sami sees Trick now as “a little punk rookie.” The fans boo but Sami says this punk rookie is about to walk into his first Mania with one of the best to ever do it! And he’ll realize at Mania that he bit off more than he can chew, because instead of taking this seriously, he walked into the biggest match of his life without a plan! Trick says, “No plan, Sami? Look at me, I AM the plan! I been here for four months, and took you, the veteran, all off your game. Trying to find yourself. You’re coming your hair now! Your breath still smells like ten pounds of bounce dat ass.

“You done lost yourself! You’re crashing out. There ain’t a safe water bottle backstage cuz you don’t know how to find Sami Zayn no more. That’s right, you’re Sami Zayn, one of the most respected guys in the locker room. The guy with all the accolades, all the titles. Tag team, Intercontinental, you had it, you done it. But you threw that all away because this rookie got in the game. Who doesn’t have a plan, Sami? Look at me when I’m talking to you. Because the truth is… I’m the one that’s gonna get the job done. Let’s talk about it.” The fans chant “Whoop Dat Trick!” but Sami asks if Trick thinks that is in his head! Trick is in Sami’s head?

This is your big plan?! This is the plan that Trick cooked up in that big ol’ head of his? Trick, standing in the ring, two days before their match, with a guy in a gingerbread costume. The fans again chant for “GINGERBREAD!” and Trick says no, he’s standing in the ring with two gingerbread men. Sami throws hands! Trick fires back, the fans fire up, and Trick gets the edge! Trick DECKS Sami! Trick throws off the jacket, but Sami dodges the lariat to then LARIAT Trick up and out! Sami is all fired up and says when Trick is in this ring, he’s in Sami’s world! And then Sami looks at Gingy… Gingerbread Man wants a timeout, and Sami says yeah, it’s fine, you’re good.

HELLUVA KICK!! The foam head turns around as the guy falls over! Sami has a real laugh now, but then TRICK SHOT takes Sami down! Trick holds up the title, will it be his after WrestleMania? Or will Sami find a way to whoop that Trick?

We hear from all the teams in the Women’s Tag Team Championship Fatal 4 Way.

Brie Bella says, “WrestleMania: where legacies are defined. My sister and I built this division, and even with Nikki fighting through an injury, we’re showing up. Because when the Bella Twins step on that stage, the standard is set.” Charlotte Flair counters with, “Standard? It’s not about where you’ve been…” Alexa adds, “It’s about who owns the division now.” Lyra Valkyria tells them all that they better be ready to prove it. Bayley adds that no one gets handed something at Mania. Nia Jax says right, they don’t get handed anything. Lash Legend says they’ll get run over! Because that is exactly what the Irresistible Forces have done with every team that’s stepped in the ring with them.

Brie says the Bellas have heard all this before. Nikki’s rehabbing and fighting like hell. They’ve been doing this together their whole lives. Whenever something tries to take them out, they find a way back. Charlexa didn’t even like each other, and they still figured out how to become champions. That is what makes them dangerous. But BayLyra says this isn’t about what you’ve had, it’s about what you can do when it matters. Brie says Mania won’t be about reminding people of who the Bellas were, but who they still are. Charlexa says at Mania, they take back what’s theirs, together as friends.

BayLyra vows to bring their absolute best, and make everything they’ve been through the past year worth it! Nia & Lash say don’t worry, they’ll make sure everyone gets their “moment.” But this will be the last moment they ever have! Everyone is ready, but who will survive when the odds are in no one’s favor?

Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss VS Bayley & Lyra Valkyria!

We’ve heard them all talk, now is the last chance for momentum going into that title fight! Will The Queen & “Blisster” or The Role Model & Morrigan be red hot going into WrestleMania?

There’s tension between the teams already, and Lyra ROCKS Charlotte! The brawl is on! The fans fire up as Charlotte CLOBBERS Lyra while Bayley and Bliss trade hands! Bayley gest around to SAIDO Bliss, but Charlotte CHOPS Lyra! And CHOPS again! Lyra dodges the third to then WHEEL KICK Charlotte down! Bliss sends Bayley into buckles, but HERE COMES NIA! She CLOBBERS Lyra, and then Lash DECKS Bliss! So much for a match! Charlotte RAMS Nia into a corner, BOOTS her, but Lash BOOTS Charlotte! Lash pumped the brakes, but Bayley jumps on Nia for a SLEEPER! Nia RAMS Bayley into buckles!

Lash SPLASHES Bayley, but Lyra fires off Lash! Nia CLUBS Lyra, then Lash hauls her up. Lash DECKS Lyra with that legendary right! Lash then hauls Lyra back up, Nia climbs a corner, and Lash has the BEARHUG! Lash THRASHES Lyra, then sets her up for Nia’s SUPER LEG DROP! This may not have been a match, but the momentum is all on the side of the Irresistible Forces! Will it not matter if The Bellas add themselves to the equation when it comes to these two?

2026 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal!

Once more, WWE honors the Eighth Wonder of the World with this battle royal, with superstars from Raw, SmackDown, and now even NXT and AAA, battling for their place in history! Royce Keys makes his entrance as SmackDown returns, but wait! “Say his name and he appears! I believe in Joe Hendry!” Yes, The Prestigious Joe Hendry is here and has Las Vegas waving their hands from side to side! Hendry tops off the field, and the bell rings! Angel takes off his pants and throws them at Kit Wilson! Kit says that’s TOXIC, and everyone is brawling! The fans fire up as the Grandes are after each other, and Kit PIE FACES Hendry!

Hendry just TURNS! Kit is started, and he trips over the prone body of Johnny Gargano! Kit tumbles up and out and to the floor, Hendry & Gargano ELIMINATE Kit! Los Garza brawl with Hendry, Shiloh Hill and LA Parka work together against Alpha Academy, and Nathan Frazer is already holding on for dear life! Axiom saves Frazer from MCMG, TOSSES Sabin out, but then Sabin fireman’s carries Frazer! Frazer fights free, ROCKS Sabin, and they brawl! Frazer SUPERKICKS Sabin, but Sabin BOOTS Frazer! Frazer dangles but he skins the cat to UP KICK Sabin! But then Gargano comes to life to BLAST Frazer! Frazer hits desk, then floor, Gargano ELIMINATES Frazer!

Sabin realizes Gargano is a friend, and they reach out for a high-five, but then Axiom runs up! Gargano dodges, the DROPKICK knocks Sabin down! Axiom ELIMINATES Sabin! Gargano fires off on Axiom, and El Grande Americano Original THROWS El Grande Americano Nuevo over! EGA Nuevo holds on, but Original goes after that mask! The fans are torn, but Talla DUMPS both Grandes out, DOUBLE ELIMINATION! The fans are torn but at least no one was unmasked. Talla stomps Fenix, Hendry kicks Wilde, and Shiloh fires up as he brawls with Ilja! The fans fire up as those two madmen trade shots! Ilja PELES, but Shiloh ROCKS Ilja! Ilja DUMPS Shiloh out!

Shiloh stays up but Ilja JUMP KICKS him down and ELIMINATES him! Los Garza mug LA Parka, but he fires back and dances. He TOSSES Berto, then dodges Angel! KNEE for Angel, Park runs up, but Angel y Berto stop the monkey flip to DUMP Parka and ELIMINATE him! The fans boo as Berto mocks the dance, but Fenix blows past Angel to DROPKICK Berto! Fenix ELIMINATES Berto while he TORNADO DDTS Angel! The fans cheer Fenix, and now Psycho Clown is up! He scoops Garza for a BACKBREAKER, then a pop-up UPPERCUT! Psycho Clown RIPS his own mask-face! Then he HEADBUTTS Angel!

Angel dodges a lariat, but Royce runs up! Angel dodges that, and Royce’s LARIAT sends Psycho Clown up and out! Royce ELIMINATES Psycho Clown! Angel wants Royce to hold on, but Royce hoists him up! Angel fights free, and Axiom fights off Gargano and Shelley! Shelley SUPERKICKS Axiom, then Gargano hits ONE FINAL BEAT! Axiom falls, Gargano ELIMINATES another one! Shelley helps his old friend up, but Fenix says ADIOS AMIGOS! PENALTY KICK hits Shelley! Shelley falls, Fenix ELIMINATES him! Fenix then sees Gargano holding on. Gargano RAMS low, then slingshots, but into a SUPERKICK!

The fans fire up as Crews and Nakamura brawl, Tozawa brawls with Ilja, and Crews BOOTS Nakamura! Nakamura DUMPS Crews out, then dodges a shot! Crews dodges one, but not the WHEEL KICK! Nakamura ELIMINATES Crews! Hendry FALL AWAY SLAMS Cardona, then kips up to TURN! Gargano CROSSBODIES, but Hendry catches Gargano! FALL AWAY SLAM! Kip up and… TURN! The fans cheer Hendry, but Aleister TOSSES Hendry and ELIMINATES him! The fans boo but the Dark Father is not a believer. Talla CLOBBERS Aleister, soaks up heat, then brawls with the LWO! He TOSSES Cruz, but Wilde fires off!

Wilde whips but Talla reverses to TOSS and ELIMINATE Wilde! Cruz GAMANGIRIS, but Talla SHOVES Cruz down to ELIMINATE him, too! Talla snarls, but now everyone turns their attention to him! Fenix, Angel, Gargano, Ilja, and Cardona all go after Talla, but he EXPLODES free! UPPERCUT for Gargano, for Angel, then a LARIAT for Cardona! Fenix fires off kick after kick, but Talla SWATS the roundhouse to TOSS Fenix! Fenix clings to the ropes, but Talla runs up! Fenix fires fast hands, then goes up, up, and leaps, into the guzel! CHOKE SLAM to the apron! Fenix falls to the floor, Talla ELIMINATES him!

The fans boo but Cardona and Angel ROCK and ENZIGIRI Talla! SUPERKICK! CHOP! SPIN CHOP! Nakamura adds a KINSHASA!! Talla is down, but Aleister TOSSES Nakamura to ELIMINATE him! The Dark Father continues to pick his spots, but did he perhaps take out the wrong threat? Ilja BOOTS Aleister, then runs up, only to be put on the apron! Ilja ROCKS Aleister, climbs back up, but Aleister STEP-UP KICKS! Ilja falls to the floor, Aleister ELIMINATES another one! But then Tozawa GERMAN SUPLEXES Aleister! The fans fire up for the Stamina Monster as he rips off that shirt! But then the BLACK MASS hits!

Aleister TOSSES Tozawa to ELIMINATE him! Otis takes note of that, and the Dozer is unleashed! he LARIATS Aleister, he LARIATS Cardona, then scoops Angel to SLAM him! The fans fire up for Otis as he sends Angel into Gargano, and SPLASHES them both! Otis TOSSES and ELIMINATES Angel, and Gargano is prone! Otis rips his shirt off, and he starts up the CATERPILLAR~! SPLASH! Otis TOSSES and ELIMINATES Gargano! Cardona BOOTS Otis, then runs up, ROUGH- POWERBOMB! Otis TOSSES and ELIMINATES Cardona! The fans fire up again as Dozer makes himself part of the final four along with Aleister, Nakamura and Royce!

Otis and Aleister brawl, Aleister fires off kicks, but Otis dodges with a roll! WERCKING HAYMAKER! Otis HEADBUTTS an ELBOW! BLACK MASS!! Otis flops over, Aleister huffs ‘n’ puffs, but Royce steps up! Royce shoves Aleister, but Aleister KNEES back! Royce LARIATS Aleister up and out to ELIMINATE him!! The fans are thunderous as now, it comes down to the three biggest men in the match! Royce stares down with Talla, but Otis bulldozes throogh them both! Otis RUNS Royce over, then SPALSHES Talla! And he SPLASHES Royce! Otis scoops for the WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM!

The fans fire up but then Talla BOOTS Otis! The fans boo but Talla TOSSES Otis up and out to ELIMINATE him! Talla then prepares for Royce. Guzel! CHOKE- NO, Royce slips free, dodges a boot, and he SPINEBUSTERS! The fans fire up as Royce handles Town Bidness! The straps come down, Royce LARIATS Talla up and out, and WINS!!

Winner: Royce Keys (2026 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal Champion)

His debut was in the Royal Rumble, but his biggest moment is the SmackDown before WrestleMania! Immortalized  on the trophy forever, will 2026 become The Year of the Powerhouse?

Cody Rhodes is here!

The American Nightmare has finally arrived, and the fans sing along with Kingdom as the Undisputed WWE Champion makes his entrance, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, then he fires the fans up as he goes to the ring. The fans cheer and sing as Cody gets the mic, and Cody says, “So, Las Vegas, Nevada! WrestleMania 42, the SmackDown the night before, what do we wanna talk about?!” The fans cheer, and Cody says here is what we won’t talk about. We won’t talk about the last three WrestleManias and the apparent conspiracy theory that a certain somebody is needling Cody, is messing with him.

Whether it’s the inclusion of The Final Boss a few years ago, or Travis Scott last year, or even someone who Cody won’t name but should just go home. The fans chant, “Go Home Pat! Go Home Pat!” Cody smiles, and says tomorrow is simple: It is about two men in a single contest, fighting for the oldest and the richest prize in the game. It is Cody Rhodes VS his mentor in this business, the Legend Killer, the Apex Predator, Randy Orton! The fans cheer, and Cody says he doesn’t subscribe to that conspiracy theory. He feels this all just comes with the territory. It is Randy, he was out here talking about Cody just taking, like that’s all he does.

Cody says that’s an interesting choice of words for Randy, since Randy has never taken responsibility in his life. And Randy, the best he’s ever been, which he is, 2009 as we keep referencing. Cody was there, he saw what Orton did, burning everything in his path, went to Mania, wrestled for this title, and he lost. Unfortunately, as good as Randy has become, as good as Randy is, he is now associated with a world most wrestlers- WAIT! CM PUNK is here?! The fans fire up and Cody is surprised to see the World Heavyweight Champion here, and in a suit! Well, the Hall of Fame induction ceremony is after this so it makes sense.

Punk joins Cody in the ring and grabs a mic. The fans finish singing Cult of Personality, then they cheer as the two champions stand together. Cody says he just wants to ask, champ to champ and friend to friend, if they were to hug it out, will Punk go and kick Cody in the balls, too? Fans chant “YES! YES! YES!” Cody and Punk both chuckle, and Punk says there are a lot of people who deserve to get kicked in the balls, but Cody ain’t one of them. Punk is here to give Cody some advice, but to also stop Cody from mentioning someone’s name who doesn’t deserve to be named, who is a tourist in this business and does not deserve anyone’s time, energy, or anything else.

Is Cody wearing a bowtie? Well yes, they dress up for the Hall of Fame. Punk’s looking rather dapper, too, ol’ Chick Magnet. Yes, Punk knew Cody would draw attention to that. This is the first time Punk’s worn a suit on WWE TV since… Teddy Long’s wedding! Remember that? Yes, Jagged Edge was there. Anyway, they go back a long way, they’ve stood in this ring in front of these people multiple times before as friends, competitors, and talked about who is chasing who. Cody once said he was chasing Punk, and then after their respective hiatuses from WWE, Punk was chasing Cody.

Now, Punk wants to take this moment to relish the fact that they are live on a Friday night in Las Vegas, ten toes down, looking at each other as friends and champions, both headlining WrestleMania. They’re past Punk giving Cody advice, because Cody has done and said things Punk has yet to even accomplish. If Punk was ever a teacher to Cody, he isn’t now, but Punk still wants Cody to focus on Randy. They know how dangerous Randy is. Cody’s learned from some of the best: John Cena, Dusty Rhodes, and if Randy was ever Cody’s teacher, he sure ain’t one now. So in a way, maybe, we don’t know what happens tomorrow so Punk won’t make promises he can’t keep.

But Punk does know this: On Monday, win, lose or draw, Cody will be back, Punk will be back, and Cody helped build this up. Punk can only ask all the fans to please come along with them on this adventure! So champ to champ, friend to friend, brother to brother, Punk is proud of Cody. The fans cheer that! Punk and Cody shake hands, and Punk wishes Cody luck and tells him to have fun. Cody says hold on, Punk. It might subvert expectations with Punk always teaching Cody things, but Cody knows there’s something he wants to share with Punk. Cody knows who Punk is up against this Sunday. It is a guy they’ve literally created terms for, he is that good.

Punk is up against the most dominant WrestleMania main-eventer in the history of this, The OTC, Roman Reigns. But Punk, you’re not borne into this like Roman was or Cody was. Punk came into wrestling cuz he loved it. He trained with Harley Race, with Terry Funk, found his tribe. WWE came to Punk when they weren’t even looking at guys who looked like Punk. They wanted Punk so bad, they let him keep his name! And then Punk went away for ten YEARS, but he captured the fans’ attention so much, they chanted his name for ten years straight, and loudly! The fans chant “C M PUNK!” even now.

Cody tells Punk that he could’ve come back, waved his hat, done the greatest hits, but he didn’t. Punk came back better than ever! Maybe it’s like George Foreman or Tom Brady, but in the language of wrestling, this was an HBK! HBK came back after five years and a debilitating back injury, and here’s Punk, better than Punk has ever been! If there’s a conversation going on about a “Mr. WrestleMania,” from #MachoKing to HBK, then Punk’s about to make that conversation. The NEW Mr. WrestleMania is C M PUNK! The fans like the sound of that! Cody then tells Punk to hear something from him as one of the handful of people who have the right to say it.

Cody thanks Punk for everything he taught Cody, for sharing this moment with him and the fans tonight. And if it means anything, someone that Punk took a great deal of counsel with, that he made a promise to, Dusty would be extremely proud of Punk. Cody loves you, brother. They hug it out, and the fans cheer. Punk says hold on, cut the music, don’t credit us out! He isn’t crying tonight, he’ll cry on Sunday after he beats Roman’s ass! Cody says he loves Punk, Punk loves all the fans, and they’re here for them! These titles are as much the fans’ as they are Punk’s and Cody’s, so they’re gonna celebrate with the people!

The fans cheer as the champions of WWE stand with their people! But will they both still be the champions of the WWE? Or will this WrestleMania Weekend change everything?

My Thoughts:

Who is headed to Salisbury, Maryland?

Tonight, qualifiers are being held to send contenders to the ROH Women’s World Championship Survival of the Fittest match at Supercard of Honor!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• ROH Women’s World Championship Proving Grounds: Athena VS Zayda Steel w/ Christopher Daniels; wins and
• Survival of the Fittest Qualifier: Billie Starkz VS Lacey Lane; wins and advances to Supercard of Honor.
• Survival of the Fittest Qualifier: Yuka Sakazaki VS Viva Van; wins and advances to Supercard of Honor.
• Survival of the Fittest Qualifier: Trish Adora VS Hyan; wins and advances to Supercard of Honor.
• Survival of the Fittest Qualifier: Persephone VS Isla Dawn; wins and advances to Supercard of Honor.
• Survival of the Fittest Qualifier: Maya World VS Robyn Renegade; wins and advances to Supercard of Honor.
• AR Fox VS Daisuke Sasaki; wins.
• Six Man Tag: The Lethal Twist VS QT Marshall, Aaron Solow & Nick Comoroto; win(s).
• ROH Pure Championship: Lee Moriarty VS Marshall Von Erich; wins and
• ROH World Television Championship: Nick Wayne w/ Shayna Wayne VS Evil Uno; wins and

PLAY BY PLAY

[Due to scheduling conflicts, coverage will be on delay]