The last SmackDown before going to Hell in a Cell!

The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, is FINALLY going to reveal to us all what consequences he has in store for Jey Uso in their WWE Universal Championship I Quit in the cell match!!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• 8 Man Tag: Daniel Bryan, Kevin Owens & The Street Profits VS Cesaro, Shinsuke Nakamura, Robert Roode & Dolph Ziggler; Bryan, Kevin & The Street Profits win.
• Bianca Belair VS ???; Belair wins.
• Lars Sullivan VS Chad Gable; Sullivan wins.
• Seth Rollins VS Buddy Murphy; Rollins wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

SmackDown opens with the Kevin Owens Show!

“Now that the dust has settled and everyone has fulfilled their contractual obligations, we’re good right? Everybody’s where they’re supposed to be?” Then Kevin is excited to welcome us to the KO Show on his new home, Friday Night SmackDown! The ThunderDome is fired up for Kevin’s first guest on this special SmackDown KO Show. It’s the four-time WWE champion and most technically skilled competitor to ever step into the ring, it is… DANIEL BRYAN! The Yes Movement leader heads to the ring and the ThunderDome echoes the “YES! YES! YES!” Kevin and Bryan take a seat and Bryan loves the set-up.

Firstly, Kevin thanks Bryan for accepting the invitation. Second, he wants to thank Bryan for the superstars he’s looking forward to facing, because Kevin feels the same. These two have beaten the hell out of each other, but that’s part of it. They push each other. That is what Bryan wants from every superstar on SmackDown. A great opinion to have, and Bryan has been very vocal about his opinion. What exactly does he see for SmackDown’s future? Bryan wants SmackDown to highlight the absolute best in the world. And this roster now nails that! They have the best fresh, young talent in the world! Even people who stepped up before the draft! Big E, Jey Uso, Bryan wants to see who is next!

But on a more personal note, one thing that would make SmackDown better for everyone is to have a championship defended each and every week, and that championship should be the Intercontinental Championship. Bryan wants to see that title on the line every week! A great idea, too! Kevin is flattered that Bryan is suggesting him for such a role. Kevin asked Bryan here for that reason, to talk about championships, and even more specifically… the SmackDown Tag Teams Championships! Can you believe Kevin’s never been a tag team champion in the WWE? Yeah, Kevin’s betrayed a lot of his friends… Well, we’ll gloss over that. But Kevin knows where Bryan is going, but he’s thinking about the wrong part. Imagine them as a team! Kevin already has a name: Team Hell KO. No that’d be if he teamed with Kane. That’s the hell part. Oh, of course. But Kevin and Bryan would be a great team! Even better than Hell No!

But now Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode interrupt!? Ziggler hears Bryan talking about hot, fresh, young talent, so he couldn’t be talking about anyone else but these two. Hot for teacher, baby! Kev, c’mon. Ziggler and Roode love to party, run with the devil. Kevin’s having a party and didn’t invite them? C’mon. Roode says Kevin is talking about a fantasy tag team when they should be talking about two of the best SmackDown acquisitions ever, and one of the best tag teams ever! But here come the SmackDown Tag Team Champions, the Street Profits! They make it rain Solo cups and are fired up to start Friday night partying! Especially with these two acting like they’re the new hires. Please, y’all looked like you stepped out of 1984. Uh, the greatest album of all time? Thank you! Hey, Ziggler, the Profits didn’t forget what they were doing last week.

But nonetheless, the Profits are so excited to be on Friday Night SmackDown! Why? The Profits are up, and #WeWantTheSmoke! But here come Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro! “Surprise, surprise.” So much disrespect in the face of the two men who have carried SmackDown’s tag division for MONTHS. New Day steals the titles, and then hand them over to the Profits like a game of White Elephant. Bryan tells Kevin they can test that tag team theory of his, right now! They and the Profits start brawling with the Glorious Show-Offs and the former champions! The bell rings to try and stop this, and here comes Adam Pearce with the cavalry! Will this be sorted out after SmackDown goes to break?

8 Man Tag: Daniel Bryan, Kevin Owens & The Street Profits VS Cesaro, Shinsuke Nakamura, Robert Roode & Dolph Ziggler!

SmackDown returns and these fearsome foursomes are fighting, playa! Will Bryan say “YES!” to being the Prizefighter’s tag partner after they, Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins shut down the Swiss Cyborg, King of Strong Style and Glorious Show-Offs?

Nakamura already has Kevin down in the corner and gives him Bad Vibrations! The ref counts, Kevin fights up and throws haymakers all around! Nakamura kicks low, whips but Kevin kicks back! Kevin atomic drops, runs and LARIATS Nakamura down! Then he drops the back senton! Kevin tags Dawkins in, Dawkins drags Nakamura up but Nakamura knees low and throws more knees! Tag to Cesaro, they double whip Dawks and double BOOT him down! Cover, ONE! Cesaro keeps on Dawkins and tags in Roode. They mug Dawkins together and Roode bumps Dawkins off buckles. Roode throws haymakers and stomps, then lets off at the ref’s count. Roode drags Dawkins up, snapmares him and runs to drop an elbow but misses as Dawkins moves!

Dawkins brings Roode up, tags Ford, and the Profits work together to run Roode over! Back suplex splash! Cover, TWO! Ford keeps focus as he brings Roode around. Roode knees low, reels Ford in and suplexes, but Ford slips out to headlock! Ziggler tags in as Roode powers out and Ziggler dropkicks Ford down! Cover, TWO! Ziggler drags Ford back up to choke on ropes and rake the eyes! The ref reprimands and backs Ziggler off but Nakamura gets a cheap shot in! Ziggler taunts Ford, headlocks him and tags in Roode. The mugging continues and Roode brings Ford up for a backbreaker! Cover, TWO! Roode keeps close, tags Cesaro back in, and they mug Ford with a boot to the chest! Cesaro stomps Ford, drags him up and throws a BIG European Uppercut. Tag to Nakamura, they stmop away on Ford in the corner!

Nakamura snapmares Ford and tells the others to “C’MON!” Knee drop! Cover, TWO! Tag to Cesaro, they mug Ford with more boots! Cesaro has the chinbar and armlock but Ford endures. Ford fights up but he’s thrown into the corner. Ford fights out with boots and haymakers! Cesaro back suplexes, Ford lands on his feet to enziguri! Ford hurries, hot tag to BRYAN! Bryan throws EuroUppers on Cesaro! Bryan whips, Cesaro reverses but Bryan kicks back! Bryan dumps Cesaro out, builds speed and DIVEDS! Direct hit to the ramp! Bryan KICKS away on Cesaro, puts him back in the ring and the ThunderDome fires up! Bryan climbs up top, leaps, crossbody is CAUGHT! Cesaro pops Bryan up but Bryan shoves him to the corner to hit the dropkick! Bryan whips, Cesaro reverses but Bryan goes up and over, only for his leg to buckle!

Cesaro watches closely but the ref check son Bryan. Bryan gets up but Cesaro BLASTS him out of the ring! Kevin goes out to check on Bryan but the ref tells him to go back to his corner. Cesaro STOMPS Bryan down on the outside and goes after the leg! Cesaro SMASHES the knee on the ground, then lets off at the ref’s count. Bryan is in bad shape as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns and Roode stomps Bryan’s knee at ropes. Ziggler gets in to pull on the leg against the ropes! The ref counts, Ziggler lets off, Roode gets a cheap shot in! Kevin and the Profits protest but it all goes unnoticed. Ziggler eggs Bryan on, “Do something! Fight for yourself!” Bryan hits back! Bryan gets up, Ziggler chop blocks the leg! Tag to Cesaro, they split the wishbone! Cesaro drops an elbow on the leg, turns Bryan over and has the leg for a Half Crab at an angle! Bryan endures, fights over, but it becomes a ONE LEG SWING! Cesaro throws Bryan to his corner, tags Ziggler, and they stomp away! Ziggler taunts Bryan again, daring him to get up! Bryan manages to stand, but Ziggler jumps! Bryan catches the leg to catapult Ziggler into a corner! Both men are down and the fans fire up!

Ziggler and Bryan crawl, tag to Roode and Roode drags Bryan back to SMASH the knee! Roode DECKS Dawkins just because before he stomps Bryan’s leg. Roode stands Bryan up to CHOP! Roode puts Bryan up top, throws haymakers then climbs up to join him. Bryan fights Roode off and sends him down with a headbutt! Bryan adjusts, leaps, missile dropkick! Double-edged as it was, both Bryan and Roode are down! Hot tags to Dawkins and Nakamura! Dawkins rallies with big clotheslines, then a flying elbow! FLAPJACK for Cesaro! Dropkick for Ziggler! CYCLONE SPLASH for Nakamura! BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Nakamura flounders up, kicks back but Dawkins blocks one, only to get the left! BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO!

Nakamura tags Cesaro, then hits Ford off the corner! FLYING KNEE to GUT WRENCH BOMB! Cover, Kevin breaks it! Kevin throws Nakamura out, ducks Roode and give shim a STUNNER! Ziggler leaps, SATELLITE DDT! Dawkins clotheslines Ziggler out! Cesaro rolls Dawkins up but has ropes! The ref sees that in time and stops, Dawkins dodges Cesaro to CASH OUT! Bryan LEAPS to KNEE Nakamura down, Kevin CANNONBALLS onto Ziggler and Roode! Tag to Ford, he goes up top, FROM THE HEAVENS! Cover, the Profits, Kevin and Bryan win!

Winners: Kevin Owens, Daniel Bryan & The Street Profits, by pinfall

The SmackDown Tag Team Champions win alongside two incredible former world champions! Will Bryan and Kevin stick together to see if they can’t be tag team champions in their own right?

SmackDown presents: Law & Otis.

“In the WWE Justice System, superstars are generally represented by attorneys. Except for Otis, who has decided to represent himself. This is his story.” DUN DUN! Otis, The Miz and John Morrison finally take the issue of the Money in the Bank briefcase to court! And it’s the APA presiding! Ron “Farooq” Simmons is the bailiff, and “the honorable” John Bradshaw Layfield is the judge! “For the record, in this case, the plaintiff, Mr. Mizanin, is suing the defendant, Otis, for emotional distress, wanton destruction of property, creating an unsafe work environment, and MITB negligence.” With that said, counselor, proceed with opening arguments. Miz has his lawyer stand down so that he can speak.

“Your honor, I am here for the truth.” Case law is on Miz’s side. He can site Intic VS Carrington. Shmuck VS United States. Marbury VS Madison. But more importantly, the truth is on Miz’s side! The truth is, Otis has victimize Miz both physically and emotionally. He has not upheld the responsibilities of being Mr. MITB. As a former Mr. MITB, it is Miz’s duty to right this wrong and lawfully remove the contract from Otis’ possession to place in the hands of an honorable superstar: The Miz. That is the truth. DUN DUN. Well said, bro. JBL gives Otis his chance to speak. Otis says that he deserves the MITB contract because he won the match. Thank you. DUN DUN. Wait that’s all? It was a good argument, though… You’re fired, Sharon. To be continued later tonight!

Bryan, Kevin and the Profits are fired up backstage!

They won together and now they celebrate together! Bryan says that was RAD! He’s up with the smoke! Fist him, boys! Um… Bryan, no, that’s… But bro fist is fine! The Profits head out, Kevin goes with them, and Bryan says SmackDown is the best! Sami Zayn comes over and congratulates Bryan. Is his leg okay? Yeah, he’s good. Sami wants to say before this goes any further, how Bryan was kinda badmouthing him on the KO Show. Bryan kept going on about how the Intercontinental Championship should be defended every week, Sami will stop him right there. Sami will say again that he does NOT share that vision. This title is important, valuable and Sami’s, so he dictates the terms on how often and against who he defends it. And he already has against some of the best, which includes Bryan at WrestleMania.

So going forward, whatever vision Bryan has for the title, keep them to yourself. Because as long as Sami is champion, Sami will do things his way. Sami leaves, but is Bryan going to find a way to make his vision a reality?

Bianca Belair VS ???

The EST of WWE is the strongEST, fastEST, roughEST, toughEST, smartEST, and tonight, the readiEST for action! Will Bianca start her rise towards the SmackDown Women’s Championship tonight?

SmackDown returns and Bianca’s opponent is Zelina Vega! There’s history here from Monday Night Raw and how these two, alongside the Street Profits and the former team of Andrade Almas and Angel Garza, fought back and forth. Will things continue as they did on Raw? Or will La Muneca ruin Bianca’s Friday night debut?

The bell rings, the two tie up, Bianca powers Zelina to a corner but Zelina goes up the buckles. Zelina is on the top rope, Bianca lets off and Zelina SLAPS her! Bianca grabs Zelina’s hair! And then brings her off with a TOSS! Bianca claps back at Zelina literally, and then says, “Girl. Uh-uh.” But Zelina kicks back! Zelina baits Bianca in to tweak the arm! Then wrenches to a wristlock, but Bianca scoops and SLAMS her! Bianca stomps Zelina, whips her but Zelina ducks and dodges and tilt-o-whirls, but Bianca handsprings through! Bianca comes back to run Zelina over! Bianca walks all over Zelina to then standing moonsault! And kip up! Bianca says “Kiss this,” but Zelina goes to the apron. Zelina holds the apron skirt as Bianca drags her in. Zelina finally lets go but kicks back, then rolls to KICK again! And again!

Zelina has Bianca in a corner to rocket kick her! Zelina goes up, leaps, flying huricanrana! Bianca flounders, Zelina comes back but the flip is blocked to a pop-up RIGHT HAND! Bianca looms over Zelina, Zelina begs for mercy but Bianca dead lifts a la clean ‘n jerk! And then trophy lifts, carriers Zelina around, and drops her on the buckles! Bianca brings Zelina back up, torture rack, K O D! Cover, Bianca wins!

Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall

The Kiss of Death was the end for this match, but will Bianca start blazing the hottEST trail to the championship?

Lars Sullivan VS Chad Gable!

Before The Freak heads to the ring, Shorty G is asked what compelled him to accept a match with a superstar that has only brought carnage since his return? Gable says he is fed up with things right now. He couldn’t get drafted by Raw or SmackDown, what’s going on here? That is blatant disrespect! So naturally, it is up to him to right the ship, he’s calling out the big man to turn this right around. Gable’s going to prove he belongs! But will Gable find he would’ve been better off taking tonight off?

The bell rings and Gable circles with Lars. Gable dodges Lars, goes up top and leaps, into Lars’ arms and FALL AWAY SLAM! Lars laughs as he stalks over to Gable. Lars looms over Gable, drags him up and whips him, for a MILE HIGH FLAPJACK! Lars laughs more as he watches Gable writhe. Lars drags Gable up, scoops him, but Gable rakes eyes to get free! Gable throws a throat chop! And clubs Lars on the back! Gable runs corner to corner to ROLLING KICK! And then another, only to be sent into buckles! Lars snarls, roars, and TOSSES Gable across the ring! Lars drags Gable up, reels him in and CLOBBERS him! Lars is only getting angrier as he drags Gable back up, for the FREAK ACCIDENT! Cover, Lars wins!

Winner: Lars Sullivan, by pinfall

Shorty G aimed high but came crashing down! Will Lars look to lay waste to the entire SmackDown roster? Kayla Braxton asks Gable feels now after that match. “I… I quit…” Gable quits SmackDown?! But then where is he going to go?

Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.

Tonight, he and his former disciple, Buddy Murphy, settle things after Murphy got in on the fun- Fun? No, that was “fun.” His disciple, the guy he plucked from obscurity and guided through life, disrespected and assaulted him. But Rollins will have fun doing what he does tonight. He asked for this match for a reason. Murphy, like many, is confused. His emotions are tearing him apart, and Rollins understands. But what Murphy and everyone else needs to understand, the greater good is all of us! We all have a role, Murphy has his. Rollins is the messiah, Murphy is the disciple. Rollins is the savior, Murphy is a follower. There’s no shame in that. Tonight, Rollins will define Murphy’s role for him. Now that sounds fun, doesn’t it?

Roman Reigns tries to eat, but is not hungry.

The bread, the fruits, none of it is appetizing right now. That’s because he is preoccupied with business tonight, as he will finally issue the consequences for his match with Jey Uos. What will the Tribal Chief add to the already brutal combination of an I Quit match inside a Hell in a Cell?!

Adam Pearce checks on Shorty G in the trainer’s room.

Pearce wants him to reconsider saying he quit. But Gable said he quit, because he quits being Shorty G! He’s done being a character talking about accepting who you are and how it’ll all be fine. He doesn’t accept this crap! He’s done being a “smarmy little punching bag” and a happy face on top of every little PSA! It’s a joke! “Just accept who you are and you can achieve anything you are!” Who are we kidding? Not everyone can achieve everything, and neither can Shorty G. The only man who can will be the Olympian, the state, national and world champion collegiate wrestler, with a list of achievements so big it has to be seen to be believed. Trust him, it’s long. That man is Chad Gable! No more nicknames and no more games! Will Gable show us how to get things done?

Bayley is in the ring!

The SmackDown Women’s Champion is already seated in that chair, with belt in one hand and mic in the other. “I’m feeling really annoyed that I even have to come out here and address this tonight.” But today, she did four interviews. And instead of them appreciating their time with her, they asked the same dumb questions about Sasha Banks! Bayley can’t get away from Sasha! “Why are you hesitating? What is it going to take for you to sign the contract? Are you afraid?” No she’s not afraid! Sasha doesn’t deserve this! Sasha is an ungrateful brat and Bayley won’t give her what she wants. Bayle did what she did in walking out because she wants to be done with Sasha. But now Sasha is a bigger pain in the ass than before! Sasha even said, and Bayley quotes, “I am Sasha Banks. And my name is bigger than your title.”

PFFFT! Really?! Bayley doesn’t think so. Sasha is getting so conceited that her head won’t fit inside of the cell! But that doesn’t matter because Bayley did not and will not sign, so burn the contract! Sasha likes to say she’s The Boss, but DING DONG, HELLO! You are not the boss of Bayley! But here comes Sasha! And she has the contract in her hand! Sasha heads to the ring with it, Bayley says she’s still not signing, but Sasha tells her to. Bayley doesn’t do what Sasha tells her. Sasha says Bayley started this and Sasha is going to end it. Bayley grabs her chair! Sasha ducks that to grab the belt Bayley left behind! Bayley wants the belt back. Sign the contract. Give her the belt. Sign the contract. Fine. But Bayley grabs at the belt, and gets a KNEE to the head for it!

Sasha grabs the chair! And puts it around Bayley’s head! Sasha says Bayley is going to sign or else! Bayley kicks Sasha away! Bayley gets up, but she’s still in the chair! Sasha puts the BANK STATEMENT on with the CHAIR included!! Bayley refuses to sign but Sasha cranks back harder! Bayley gives in and signs on the dotted line! Sasha lets go, and then KICKS Bayley down! NOW it’s official, and it’s happening this Sunday! “On Sunday, I’m going to take your title, and I am going to finish what you started.” Sasha has issued her ultimatum. Will Bayley’s first match inside the cell be her last as champion?

SmackDown presents Law & Otis, part 2.

Miz has Morrison as his witness on the stand. Morrison says Otis assaulted Miz, and him, and a lot of people. “It’s hard to put into words the trauma that we’ve endured.” It isn’t so much the physical scars, but the emotional ones. DUN DUN. Miz gives Morrison a handkerchief to wipe the tears. But to counter, Otis calls REY MYSTERIO to the stand! Mysterio was in the MITB Corporate Ladder match with Otis. Eight walked in, only one walked out, and that was Otis. As far as Mysterio is concerned, Otis is the rightful owner. DUN DUN. Asuka is also a witness for the defense as she talks to her role in the Corporate Ladder match. But it’s hard to keep up with her fast Japanese. But again, she won like Otis won, so the point is, Otis should stay Mr. MITB. JBL asks if the court stenographer got that. Every single word, playa. TEDDY LONG!? DUN DUN!

Tucker appears! He is Otis’ best friend. And while Otis may not be as educated as some, the big man is sensitive. Miz crossed the line taking Otis’ girlfriend, Mandy, and trading her to Raw. Miz deserves everything that’s come his way. Permission to treat the witness as hostile. JBL was hoping for that. Miz counters Tucker by saying he says Miz deserved emotional distress, unsafe work environment AND destruction of property caused by Otis?! Yes. Then isn’t it true that during this time, Otis NEGLECTED the contract? What does that even mean!? ANSWER THE QUESTION! All Tucker knows is that ever since Miz started messing with Otis, all Otis can focus on is beating the crap out of Miz. And now that Tucker thinks about it, he wants to beat Miz up right NOW! DUN DUN!

Miz hurries away and Otis tells Tucker to stand down. Order in the court!! Ron tells them all to shut up! DUN DUN. Let’s take a short recess. And when we reconvene, Judge JBL will render the verdict. Teddy’s gotta pee, playa. Be right back. DUN DUN. To be continue in part 3!

SmackDown returns with Law & Otis, part 3!

Judge JBL returns and everyone takes their seats. “In all of this legal uproar, something is missing. And that something IS the truth.” JBL is supposed to believe Otis is responsible for emotional distress, destruction of property and creating an unsafe working environment? He’s a WWE superstar. That’s the job description. if those are crimes, APA would be serving life sentences. And Miz’s accusations of negligence, while it is true Otis has yet to cash in the MITB contract, that is NOT negligence. It is established in the contract that the winner has a full year to cash in. DUN DUN. Why does that keep happening? But after deliberation, JBL will rule in favor of- Miz wants one more second. He forgot to submit a key piece of evidence. Miz is lucky JBL has let him interrupt this entire trial. Yes, but JBL should really admit this evidence. DUN DUN.

JBL has Bailiff Simmons retrieve this leather briefcase Miz has and bring it to the bench. Inside the briefcase is… A HUGE AMOUNT OF CASH!! JBL smirks. “In light of the new evidence, I have no recourse but to side in favor of the plaintiff, the Miz.” WHAT?! Otis must appear at HIAC this Sunday to compete in a match with The Miz. The winner then will receive and keep the MITB contract. Court adjourned. The Miz abuses the system, and all Simmons can say is, “DAMN!” Will Otis still be able to tip the scales of justice in his favor now that he can legally get his hands on Miz and beat him up?

Seth Rollins VS Buddy Murphy!

Monday Night Messiah no more, this is SmackDown’s Savior that heads to the ring! But will he “define” Murphy’s future in their Friday night in-ring debuts?

SmackDown returns as Murphy makes his entrance. Aalyah Mysterio is watching backstage as Murphy gets in the ring. The bell rings, Murphy glares at Rollins as Rollins smirks. They tie up, go around and end up on ropes. Murphy puts Rollins in a corner but Rollins turns it around. The ref counts, Rollins lets off and reminds Murphy, “Messiah. Disciple.” Rollins pokes Murphy in the head, but Murphy comes back with another tie-up! Murphy puts Rollins in the corner again, Rollins turns things around again, but Murphy turns it back! The ref counts, Murphy lets off, but Rollins pushes him. “What don’t you understand, Murphy!?” Another poke in the head, but Murphy grins as he grabs the arm and yanks and yanks! Murphy grinds Rollins down and grinds him into the mat!

Rollins endures, fights up but Murphy wrenches. Rollins wrenches back, yanks and wristlocks, but Murphy rolls and handsprings to wrench back. Rollins wrenches, Murphy spins and headlocks to the takeover but Rollins headscissors back. Murphy pops out, Rollins ROCKS him! Rollins drags Murphy up, headlocks and takeover again, but Murphy keeps shoulders up. Murphy pushes back with forearms and gets up, but Rollins holds on as Murphy tries to power out. Murphy fights up again, powers out this time, but Rollins runs him over! Rollins runs, Murphy stays low then hurdles over but Rollins grabs ropes. Rollins laughs at Murphy and shouts, “When are you going to learn?” Rollins pushes Murphy but Murphy DECKS Rollins!

Rollins is furious as he gets up and swings on Murphy. Murphy dodges, huricanranas and sends Rollins out! Murphy runs, slides, but Rollins gets under. Rollins runs, but is back dropped onto the announce desk! Rollins tumbles down as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns again and Murphy punches but Rollins knees low. Rollins whips, runs in but Murphy elbows back! Murphy goes up, brings Rollins in, tornado hotshot! Rollins is down, Murphy goes back up but Rollins trips him up! Murphy tumbles down to the floor, Aalyah grows concerned for Murphy, but the family finds her. Why is she watching this? She’s just watching Murphy! She can watch who she wants! Rollins puts Murphy back in as Rey and Dominik want Alayah to leave. Rollins fireman’s carries and GUT BUSTERS Murphy! Cover, TWO! Rollins grows frustrated and he drags Murphy into a bearhug. Murphy endures, fights up, powers Rollins to a corner, but Rollins squeezes tighter. Murphy keeps ramming Rollins into buckles, but Rollins throws him in! Rollins runs in but Murphy BOOTS him away!

Murphy goes up and missile dropkicks! Rollins flounders but both men are down. The two stir and stand, Murphy rallies with clotheslines! Murphy dodges and calf kicks on the rebound! Murphy kips up, throws Rollins out, then wrecks him with a dropkick! Murphy builds speed and this time he FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp! Both men are down, the ring count begins but Murphy is up at 4 to put Rollins in at 5. Murphy climbs up top at 6, Rollins stands but Murphy gets him with METEORA! But Murphy can’t cover, his own arm might’ve landed bad! Cover, TWO!! Rollins and Murphy flounder around and Rollins gets to ropes. Murphy hurries after, going to the outside. Murphy works to put his shoulder back in, but Rollins runs to DIVE! Direct hit sends Murphy into barriers!

Rollins puts Murphy in, springboards and FLYING KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Murphy is still in this and Rollins is shocked! Murphy rolls out to the apron but Rollins is on him! Rollins drags Murphy up, wrenches and WRINGS the arm out into the apron! Aalyah is concerned and the Mysterios themselves aren’t sure what to think. Murphy is down and SmackDown goes to another break.

SmackDown returns again and Rollins has Murphy up top. Murphy resists, throws body shots, and then adjusts to sunset flip! Rollins holds on, Murphy lets go to tuck Rollins in, CHEEKY NANDOS! Murphy gets Rollins off the top, but his body gives out! Rollins drags Murphy up, to BUCKLE BOMB! Murphy is down, Rollins runs, but into a KNEE TRIGGER! Both men are down again! Murphy crawls to a cover, TWO!! Rollins still lives! Murphy crawls to a corner while Rollins checks his jaw. Murphy hobbles over, Rollins elbows him back! Rollins snarls, slaps Murphy and says he has disrespected Rollins. Rollins slaps him around, drags him up, and says, “I am the Messiah, YOU are the disciple!” He DECKS Murphy, then demands he get up! Murphy does stand, and DECKS Rollins in return!

Rollins gets up, he ROCKS Murphy! Murphy stands to ROCK Rollins! They go back and forth, Murphy gets the edge, fires off a strike fest but Rollins blocks momentarily. Murphy keeps going, misses the knee thrust, PELE! Murphy rebounds but cradle counters, TWO!! ROLLING ELBOW from Rollins! FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! Murphy survives and Rollins is seething! Rollins pushes past Murphy and says, “You’re gonna learn, Murphy. One way or another.” Rollins aims from the corner as Murphy rises. CURB- NO! Murphy rolls Rollins, avoids another stomp and shoves him! Rollins elbows back, climbs up top, but Murphy enziguris first! Murphy drags Rollins off the top, but Rollins slits put and wrenches to wring out the arm! CURB STOMP!! Cover, Rollins wins!

Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall

But the lesson is not over! Rollins gets a kendo stick! Aalyah begs Rey and Dom do something to help Murphy, but they refuse. This is not their business. If they’re not going to, then SHE will! Aalyah runs off, referees tell Rollins to stop but he refuses. Rollins is in the ring, with the kendo stick, and he tells Murphy he’s going to learn to stay behind the savior! “Nobody has your back!” But here comes Aalyah! Rollins laughs. What is she going to do? Where’s her back-up? Rollins SMACKS away on Murphy! Aalyah gets in the ring to shield Murphy, but here comes Dom! Rollins leaves now, and Dom can’t believe what Aalyah is doing! This is not their business anymore! Rollins CLOBBERS Dom from behind! Rollins still hates the Mysterios, but here comes REY! WITH A CHAIR!

Rollins bails out, and Rey check son his son and daughter, not Murphy. They keep trying to reason with her, and now Dom and Rey argue about if Aalyah should even be here. Aalyah helps Murphy up, and brother and father don’t understand. What is happening with this triangle of Rollins, Murphy and Mysterio family?

A SmackDown staffer knocks on Roman Reigns’ door.

But it’s Paul Heyman that answers. Apologies, but it is time for Roman’s segment. No, it’s Roman’s time when Roman says. Heyman will go talk with Roman, and we’ll see if the champ is ready. Will the Tribal Chief be ready to issue his edict after the break?

Roman Reigns heads to the ring!

It seems he did deem it the right time. The WWE Universal Champion and his Special Counsel in Paul Heyman are here as Roman holds that title overhead. Heyman gets the mic to hand it to Roman. But Jey interrupts the Tribal Chief via titantron! He’s in the VIP suite, looking at the Tribal Cheese, the Tribal Berries, and some ice cold H2O. It must be great to be chief. Or maybe it’s better to be the cousins of the chief. At least, it was. Roman changed. Roman has his head so far up his chief ass that he’s lost connection with himself and his family. But who is he to say? Because This isn’t Jey, it’s JIMMY!! And Jey’s right there! Jey attacks Roman and rains down hands! Roman pushes him away, runs in at him but Jey POSTS Roman first! Jey goes out to grab a chair! And he brings it in to swing, but into a BOOT!

Roman gets the chair while Jey flounders! Jey gets up to SUPERKICK back!! Jey goes up top, and leaps, USO SPLASH! The Usos used twin magic to get the better of the “chief,” but it won’t be a match won with splashes and pinfalls! Will Jey be able to push Roman to the edge and make him say two words we’ve never heard? Heyman gets Roman the mic, because he still has to say what he came here to say! “It’s all just games, huh? It’s funny to you boys, because you don’t understand. I understand.” If Roman quits, he isn’t champion, face of the WWE, head of the table or Tribal Chief, and therefore is not the provider for generations of their bloodline! If they make Roman quit.

But the question is, can they? Because when Roman makes Jey quit, and he will make Jey quit… Jey will fall in line, take his orders, and acknowledge him and respect him for who he is in the WWE and all that he does for the family! And if he still can’t, then Jey is OUT of the family. Jimmy is in this now, too. Their wives, their children, their children’s children, are ALL disowned!! “We will all turn our backs on you. Those are your consequences.” The cell lowers to show what Roman is ready for, and what Jey must prepare for. But Jey IS ready, as he climbs the outside to stare Roman down! Will the Usos be exiled from the Anoa’i Dynasty when Jey can’t endure it anymore?

My Thoughts:

What a great episode, though it could’ve been greater. To start, I was hoping Sasha was going to rough Bayley up even worse than she did to make her sign the contract, maybe draw some blood. Maybe they’re saving that for the match. And then, while I’ve never really referred to him as Shorty G in matches, I’m glad that is done with for Chad Gable. He might even be turning Heel now after getting whooped by Lars like that. Opening with the KO Show was good, but I was really surprised that Kevin suggested to Bryan they try to be tag partners. Bryan was of course surprised, too, but they and the Profits had a great 8 Man with Cesaro, Nakamura, Roode and Ziggler.

Sami getting in Bryan’s face later is good, I think mingling the stories of Sami and the IC title with Kevin wanting the tag titles to complete his grand slam with Bryan stuck in the middle is great. Was kinda hoping Sami and Kevin would’ve been tag champions the last time they were all on SmackDown a year or so ago, but maybe a twist or swerve can make that happen this time. Bianca had a good match with Zelina but it seemed a shame it was so easy for Bianca to win. Maybe after Bayley VS Sasha, Bianca goes after whoever the champion is and we get some great promo banter on top of great in-ring action.

The “Law & Otis” segments were funny, and it was great to see Teddy Long and the APA back, but of course this turns into Otis VS Miz, MITB briefcase on the line. I hope Otis wins that just to shut Miz up, but at the same time, with both WWE World and WWE Universal championships on the line, there’s a good chance Miz wins to try and cash in on McIntyre to start a feud there. Maybe Tucker and Mandy get involved since this story involves them, too. Rollins VS Murphy was a great match, especially because it went so long. There was still the Mysterio family drama, which is fine because slowly, it is being what turned Murphy back to Face. It’s a bit of a shame nothing was set for HIAC, but perhaps Rey being at only 99% isn’t enough for WWE just yet. I hope things get settled before Survivor Series because this feud has been one of the longest all year, and a winner needs to be named to move up to a title.

And speaking of title, this has probably been the best thing WWE has done with the Universal Championship ever. Roman, Jey and Jimmy are all on point with their characters. Granted, I figured that was a twin magic trick when “Jey” was wearing hat and bandanna mask indoors, but it worked so perfectly because it’s the Usos. Jey getting the jump on Roman was great, but then Roman giving us the consequences was great, too. It made a lot of sense for the Usos’ consequences to be falling in line, and possibly being excommunicated. I don’t think Jey is winning the title, and yet I don’t know how well they’ll “fall in line” or how even the “excommunication” story will go. It’s all very unpredictable and that makes it very interesting. Rollins talks about being the messiah/savior of WWE, but I feel like this story right here is what is saving SmackDown.

My Score: 8.5/10