SmackDown’s champions need challengers!

Apollo Crews puts his WWE Intercontinental Championship on the line, but who in the SmackDown locker room will dare to challenge him? Plus, will Seth Rollins derail Cesaro from challenging the Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Daniel Bryan & Cesaro VS Seth Rollins & Jey Uso; Bryan & Cesaro win.
• Nia Jax w/ Shayna Baszler & Reginald VS Tamina w/ Natalya; Tamina wins.
• WWE Intercontinental Championship: Apollo Crews w/ Commander Azeez VS Kevin Owens; Apollo wins and retains the title.
• Rey & Dominik Mysterio VS The Alpha Academy; Rey & Dominik win.

PLAY BY PLAY

SmackDown opens with Cesaro!

But before he can even speak, Seth Rollins makes his way out! The Architect has a mic and says, “There he is, the man of the hour! ZAZARO! Give it up, ThunderDome!” But in all sincerity, Cesaro, Rollins is here to congratulate him! Cesaro finally did it! He finally fulfilled his potential! And do you know why? He knows, right? If he doesn’t, Rollins will tell him: Cesaro was in the ring at WrestleMania with Seth Freakin’ Rollins, the NEW Mr. WrestleMania! Rollins took Cesaro from waaaay down at the bottom, and brought him up to the match of his life and into the promised land! So where’s Rollins’ thanks? His adulation? Because he hasn’t heard a thing!

What we have heard is that Cesaro wants to move on from Rollins? Cesaro has his sights set on the Universal Championship? Seriously? Rollins said it once, he’ll say it again: “This isn’t over, because nothing is over until I say that it’s over!!” So Rollins will tell Cesaro something about WrestleMania: If Mother Nature and God Himself hadn’t given us a rain delay that threw Rollins way off, Cesaro wouldn’t have stood a chance! All things being fair and equal, Rollins on his worst night and Cesaro on his best, Cesaro couldn’t beat Rollins.

Is that so? Then is Rollins having a good day? Cesaro’s having a great day. And what would make it better is Rollins getting in the ring so Cesaro can prove he can beat him. So that’s a challenge then? Maybe Rollins should use tonight to teach Cesaro a lesson! But here comes Jey Uso first! Jey says Cesaro needs to listen to Rollins. Cesaro challenged the Head of the Table, and got brushed off, because he doesn’t deserve to be in the ring with Roman! Cesaro can’t beat Roman, Jey or Rollins! Jey is gonna do the same to Cesaro! He’ll show Cesaro tonight! But Rollins tells Jey that if he goes in there, Cesaro has the high ground. They can work together, surround Cesaro and strike.

Jey and Rollins are in agreement and Cesaro is ready for a fight. But before the 2v1 gets underway, DANIEL BRYAN appears! The Goat won’t let the Swiss Cyborg fight this alone, especially if it has something to do with Roman Reigns and his crew! Bryan gets a mic and asks where Rollins and Jey are going. Oh, of course They weren’t here for the reasons they said they did. Cesaro is here because he wants a title match with Roman. Rollins came out because he is embarrassed and upset that Cesaro beat him at Mania! And Jey came out probably because Roman told him to. Bryan is here because… OH, right! He’s here to make sure Cesaro finally gets what he deserves!

So there’s a reason Bryan hasn’t done this for Rollins or Jey. Bryan has infinite respect for Cesaro because Cesaro has worked harder than everyone! Harder than Bryan, or Rollins, or Jey, and certainly harder than Roman! The only reason Roman is where he is today is because of family connections and Cesaro hasn’t gotten a single break his entire career for a world title! Oh, does Rollins disagree? Then what now? Are Rollins and Jey going to fight them over the things Bryan said? Is Roman going to accept the challenge from Cesaro?!? Oh, probably not. He doesn’t like to wrestle.

But Bryan has it figured out: Roman will come out and then the three of them will attack Bryan and Cesaro. Well if it’s 3v2, there’s no one he’d rather be beside than Cesaro! Whoever wants to fight, come on out! Rollins claims he has nothing to do with this, but here comes Roman after all! He and Special Counsel, Paul Heyman, walk down the ramp and Jey stands by Roman’s side as the #RightHandMan. Roman gets a mic and he says, “DB, you out here talking about hard work? C’mon, man. You should be talking about that work I put on you at WrestleMania.” And what’s sad is that Roman said what would happen: smash ’em, stack ’em, pin ’em. He says it, it happens, they make a shirt.

And look! Bryan’s on the bottom! That means Bryan is a loser! And the fact that Cesaro is letting a loser talk for him makes Cesaro a loser. But these two aren’t losers to everyone. To fans, they’re legit. But to Roman, they’re top tier losers! Main event losers! Main event at WrestleMania losers. Cesaro is like a casino loser, a loser with bad luck. A stupid loser. Bryan is talking smack when he’s surrounded by people who want to whoop his ass. Good luck with that. Roman takes his leave, so it’s still 2v2! Will Rollins help out Roman’s Right Hand Man after the break?

Daniel Bryan & Cesaro VS Seth Rollins & Jey Uso!

SmackDown returns, and playa, we are getting a tag match! Or rather, a brawl! Cesaro is after Rollins, Bryan gives Jey YES Kicks, but Jey hits back! Cesaro throws EuroUppers and chases Rollins out of the ring. The ref gets things sorted out just a bit, and Bryan lets off long enough for the bell! Bryan hits Jey in a corner, snap BUTTERFLY suplexes, then covers, TWO! Bryan wrenches, tags Cesaro, and they double scoop SLAM Jey down! Cesaro drops an elbow, covers, TWO! Cesaro DECKS Rollins off the apron, then drags Jey up. Cesaro suplexes Jey and holds him up for a count of 10! And then 15! Then he slams Jey down! Cover, TWO!

Cesaro grabs at Jey, brings him away from Rollins, but Jey hits back! Rollins tags in but Cesaro knees and EuroUppers! And throws off more hands! The ref counts, Cesaro ROCKS Rollins then whips him corner to corner. Rollins dodges, comes back and SLINGBLADES! Cover, TWO! Rollins clubs Cesaro down, rains down furious fists, then stomps him in the stomach! Rollins gets Cesaro up, bumps him off buckles, and tags Jey in. Jey and Rollins mug Cesaro, then Jey runs in to HIP ATTACK! Cesaro flounders, Jey throws clubbing crossface forearms, then stomps him in the side. Cesaro throws body shots, Jey ROCKS him with haymakers!

Jey drags Cesaro over, tags Rollins in, and Rollins runs to drop a knee onto Cesaro’s head! Rollins keeps Cesaro from Bryan with a chinlock, and he grinds Cesaro down. Cesaro reaches out for Bryan as fans rally on their screens. Cesaro fights up, throws body shots, but Rollins kicks low. Rollins whips, Cesaro reverses but runs into a boot! Rollins goes up but leaps into a tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Hot tag to Bryan! Bryan goes up top and leaps to missile dropkick! Bryan dropkicks Jey off the apron then unleashes YES Kicks on Rollins from all sides! Bryan powers up, but Rollins ducks the buzzsaw to PELE- Into an ANKLE LOCK!

Rollins flails and reaches but Bryan reels him in, GERMAN SUPELX! Bridging cover, TWO! Bryan keeps his focus and he aims from a corner. Rollins gets up and Bryan takes aim, but Rollins catches the Knee Plus! Jey tags in before the BUCKLE BOMB, and adds on an USO SPLASH! Cover, Cesaro breaks it in time!! Rollins and Jey mug Cesaro, throw him out, and Rollins pursues to keep after him. Jey joins in, and they double suplex Cesaro to the floor! The Architect and “Main Event” Jey have control of this opening match as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns and Rollins bends Bryan against ropes and apron! Jey talks trash, the ref counts and Rollins CLUBS Bryan in the chest at 4! Rollins drags Bryan back to the apron to run and BOOT him! Cover, TWO! Rollins seethes as he circles Bryan like a vulture. Rollins glares at Cesaro and talks trash, but Cesaro keeps cool. Bryan sits up but Rollins clamps onto his chin and hair. The ref counts, Rollins gets Bryan up for a DREAM SMASHER ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Rollins tries again, TWO! Rollins tags Jey, they mug Bryan with a stiff kick from Jey, and then Jey stomps Bryan’s stomach! And again!

Jey gets Bryan up to ROCK him with an uppercut! Rollins mocks Bryan about his neck, Jey digs his boot into Bryan’s face, and the ref counts. Jey lets off, but Rollins gets his claws in! The ref storms over, Rollins lets off, Bryan throws hands on Jey! Bryan DECKS Rollins, but turns around into a SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Bryan is still in this but Jey is seething. Jey drags Bryan over and tags in Rollins. They mug Bryan with stomps but the fans rally with “YES! YES!” fingers. Bryan gets up, Rollins bumps him off buckles. Rollins digs his knee in, the ref counts and Rollins lets off. Rollins says Bryan disrespected him by saying Cesaro works harder than him!

Rollins whips Bryan corner to corner but Bryan goes up and over and keeps moving! Bryan ducks and dodges, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Both men are down, they head for their corners, hot tags to Jey and Cesaro! The Swiss Superman flies in with EuroUpper after EuroUpper! Cesaro throws body shots, more EuroUppers, and then runs to DISCUS! Cover, TWO! Jey survives but Cesaro isn’t deterred! Cesaro gets Jey up for a SPINEBUSTER, and then has the legs! Jey scrambles to get a ropebreak, and he kicks Cesaro away! Cesaro blocks a kick and spins Jey but gets the DRAGON WHIP! Cesaro dodges the clothesline to springboard FLYING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO!

Cesaro gets Jey right up, reels him in, but Jey back drops! Cesaro lands on his feet to POP-UP UPPER! Cover, Rollins breaks it! Bryan goes after Rollins but Rollins knees low. Rollins runs in but is tossed out! Bryan builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp! Jey CLOBBERS Cesaro out of the ring! Jey builds speed, but DIVES into an uppercut! Cesaro hurries to the corner and to the top rope, and leaps into a SUPERKICK!! All four men are down and the fans are going nuts as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns again and Cesaro brawls with Rollins! Cesaro gets the edge with a strike fest but Rollins knees low! Rollins turns Cesaro but no Dream Smasher! Cesaro trips Rollins but Rollins twists for a victory roll, TWO! Rollins runs but into another takedown! Cesaro steps through for a SHARPSHOOTER! Rollins endures, Jey gets in and he SUPERKICKS Cesaro from behind! Cesaro is down, Rollins crawls for his corner, hot tag to Jey! Jey climbs a corner while Rollins walks it off, but Cesaro EuroUppers Jey down! Wait, is Rollins just walking away? Jey sees that and Rollins shouts, “I don’t need this! I’m Seth Freakin’ Rollins!” Cesaro gets Jey up for a DEAD LIFT SUPERPLEX!

Hot tag to Bryan! Bryan aims at Jey, KNEE PLUS! Cover, Bryan & Cesaro win!

Winners: Daniel Bryan & Cesar, by pinfall

Cesaro celebrates with Bryan as they win one hell of a fight! Bryan gets a mic to call out “RO~MAN~! Oh, RO~MAN~!” Didn’t he say something about someone coming to get them and whooping them or whatever? Is Roman going to do the whooping? Is he even here? Jey goes after Cesaro but gets caught for a SWISS SWING! And they said Bryan was stupid? Cesaro spins Jey for at least 15 counts! Maybe 20! 25? 30?! Who knows! But what if this happens to Roman? EUROUPPER! “So here’s the thing, Cesaro, I don’t know if Roman’s coming out to accept your challenge.” Maybe Roman is afraid!

Cesaro gets a mic to say they’re waiting. Guess this shows what kind of champion Roman is! He wouldn’t even save his own cousin! Is he not a family man? Well that shows what kind if man Roman is. Here’s one last test. Swing Jey some more! Then maybe Roman comes out to save him. Will it work? “YES! YES! YES!” Cesaro gets Jey again for another SWISS SWING! Jey goes for another 10, 15, 20, and Bryan says Jey’s saved Roman all this time, why wouldn’t Roman do the same? In total, that’s 60! Aw, Roman didn’t show. “Oh no, Roman. Are you afraid?”

Bryan knows Roman couldn’t beat Kevin Owens without Jey’s help, or beat Bryan without Edge, or Edge without Jey. And that means Roman can’t beat Cesaro! And the reason why Roman won’t come out is because he’s afraid that if Cesaro faced him 1v1 for the Universal Championship, Cesaro will be the NEW Universal Champion!! Fans agree, “YES! YES! YES!” but will Roman say yes to a title match just to prove us all wrong?

Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville talk backstage.

They’ve never seen this side of Cesaro or Daniel Bryan. And those points are all valid. But Head of the Table is- Apollo Crews and Commander Azeez barge in! Sonya leaves this to Pearce and Apollo asks what this nonsense is! He has to defend his title tonight?! Apollo won at WrestleMania and we all know Big E does not deserve a rematch. Does Pearce think Apollo was kidding last week? If Apollo has to face Big E again, Azeez will give him another Nigerian Nail and send him back to the sidelines. Yes, Big E will eventually get his rematch, either against Apollo or Apollo’s opponent tonight, Kevin Owens. Will the Nigerian Prince make the Prizefighter pay for Pearce’s decision?

Backstage interview with Jey Uso.

Kayla asks how he feels after Rollins ditched him in the tag match, and how Cesaro swung him so many times. He’s about to throw up! He doesn’t care about Rollins or Cesaro, he’s had it with the disrespect! If Cesaro steps up, he’ll get put down!

Nia Jax w/ Shayna Baszler & Reginald VS Tamina w/ Natalya!

The Irresistible Force has her sommelier boy toy back in her corner, and the Queen of Spades isn’t happy about it. But will Shayna be in a better mood when Nia takes care of Tamina and ties the series?

SmackDown returns as the Daughter of Superfly and the Queen of Harts enter. The bell rings and Tamina circles with Nia. They tie up and Nia powers Tamina right to a corner! Nia rams her shoulder in over an dover, then lets off to headbutt! Nia whips Tamina corner to corner, and runs in to corner SPLASH! Tamina flounders, Nia drags her up to headbutt again! Nia pushes Tamina around, talks trash, and says, “I do this for you! You made me come to your show!” Tamina fires off forearms! Nia shoves her, Tamina THESZ PRESS! Tamina rains down furious fists, keeps on her with forearms, and won’t let her get up!

Tamina ROCKS Nia, and Shayna grabs at her! The ref reprimands, Tamina tries to scoop but Nia elbows her away! Tamina shouts at Shayna, then stomps Nia at the ropes! Nia bails out, Tamina is after her and throws her into barriers! Natty glares at Shayna to keep her back, Tamina dares Shayna to do something as she DRIBBLES Nia against barriers! Tamina drags Nia, puts her in, and storms over. Reggie is up on the apron, Tamina swipes at him! Shayna tells Reggie to stop, Tamina KICKS Shayna! Nia CLOBBERS Tamina but Shayna is pissed! Shayna blames Reggie, and he is scared. Reggie falls on the steel steps and Nia is distracted. Nia turns around, into a SUPERKICK!

Tamina rolls Nia up, gets her deep for the cover, and WINS!

Winner: Tamina, by pinfall

Nia is stunned, Shayna is beside herself, and Reggie just wants to make sure Nia is okay. Nia tries not to explode on her team, but Natty says this is what you get when you mess with the bone breaker, title taker, statement maker duo that she and Tamina are! Will Natty & Tamina do all that and more as we head for #WrestleManiaBacklash?

Backstage interview with Kevin Owens.

The Prizefighter could again be WWE Intercontinental Champion, and it’s been years since his last match for this title. He’s been waiting for so long, to say he’s thrilled is an understatement. Kevin will even go so far as to say he’s delighted! And surprised, because he didn’t expect this. He won’t turn it down, because there are a lot of people who want to get the belt of Apollo. Kevin will gladly be the one to knock Apollo off his royal perch. But then Big E come sin and laughs. Big E explains that what Kevin means to say is he is jumping the line, because he is a “habitual line jumper.” Oh, well maybe a couple years ago… Because we all know this is actually Big E’s match, and his title?

OH, because of WrestleMania? Well, Big E might be right. He probably should get this. Probably? Alright, totally. But guess what? The rematch isn’t tonight. Tonight is Kevin’s opportunity! And it’s next! So Kevin is going to go win the belt, and he will have fun because then it’ll be HIS title. Kevin and Big E “share” a laugh, but who will have the last laugh over the Intercontinental Championship?

Daniel Bryan meets with Adam Pearce.

Bryan wants Pearce to make the Roman VS Cesaro title match, since we all know Cesaro deserves it. Yes, but we also know it’s not that simple. Pearce doesn’t just snap his fingers and make it happen. But he will try to get Cesaro that match. Do more than “try.” Bryan leaves, but will Pearce pull through for him and Cesaro?

WWE Intercontinental Championship: Apollo Crews w/ Commander Azeez VS Kevin Owens!

The Nigerian Prince doesn’t like that he must defend this title so soon after winning it, but admittedly this title has been known for workhorses and fighting champions. Will the Prizefighter #StunTheWorld and have this title back after years of being away? Or will he simply feel the steel?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and a prize is on the line between two certified fighters!

Kevin and Apollo circle, tie up, and go around. Apollo puts Kevin in a corner but Kevin turns it around. The ref counts, they move off the ropes and separate. They go again, Kevin trips Apollo and has a standing toehold. Apollo keeps his shoulders up but Kevin drops on him for a headlock. Azeez watches like a hawk as Apollo works on getting up. Kevin says Apollo is grabbing at clothing. He eggs Apollo on, Apollo fights his way up, and Apollo powers up only for Kevin to hit a headlock takeover! Kevin makes it a cover, ONE as Apollo gets his shoulders back up. Kevin grinds Apollo, Apollo works on an escape, and he rolls to a cover, ONE!

Kevin lets Apollo go to kick low and get another headlock! Kevin grinds Apollo again, but Apollo fights back up. Apollo powers out, Kevin rams shoulders but Apollo stays up, so Kevin dropkicks him down! Kevin CHOPS Apollo in a corner, follows him around the way and CHOPS again! Apollo fires a forearm but Kevin gives him five back! The ref counts, Kevin lets off but Apollo kicks low! Apollo headlocks now, Kevin powers out and things speed up. Kevin clobbers Apollo with an elbow then drops a back senton! Azeez doesn’t like this as Kevin clotheslines Apollo out! Kevin builds speed, but Azeez stands in the way! Kevin says if that’s how it’ll be, he’ll step outside. But Apollo trips him!

Apollo gets Kevin in the ring, drags him back up, and snap suplexes! Cover, ONE!! Apollo drops ax handles and drags Kevin up by his beard. Apollo throws down sharp hands into Kevin’s forehead! Kevin gets to ropes, Apollo throws haymakers and stomps him into the corner! The ref counts, Apollo lets off, and Apollo drags Kevin back up. Apollo throws Kevin out of the ring, follows him out, and whips, but Kevin reverses! Apollo goes up to the apron, MOONSAULT! But Kevin gets clear and SUPERKICKS Apollo down! Kevin puts Apollo in the ring, goes up top, SWANTON BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Apollo lives, and here comes Sami!?

The Great Liberator wants to be the perennial agitator for Kevin as he heads down the ring! Sami might even join commentary, as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns, Kevin has Apollo up top, but the two brawl as Kevin climbs! Kevin ROCKS Apollo, reaches the top, and Sami is on commentary. Sami is claiming conspiracy again because, though he was scheduled to join commentary for this match, he gets the cheap headset and a folding chair. Apollo resists the superplex to throw body shots and a headbutt! Kevin teeters but stays up top to hit back. The brawling continues, Kevin throws an elbow to then get Apollo up! Apollo still resists, throws fast body shots and another headbutt! Kevin stays up a little longer but a third headbutt sends him down! Sami says that’s what Kevin deserves!

Apollo adjusts, Kevin gets up, but Apollo leaps up and over Kevin! Apollo runs back in, but into Kevin’s SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! Apollo survives, Kevin is a bit frustrated, but Kevin goes to a corner. Sami says he doesn’t really like Apollo right now either, because Sami still believes this title rightfully belongs to him. Kevin goes after Apollo with a CHOP, then whips, but Apollo reverses to FLAPJACK HOTSHOT Kevin! And LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Apollo is growing angry but he stalks Kevin as he gets up. Apollo reels Kevin in but Kevin throws back elbows. Kevin whips, Apollo holds ropes and BOOTS back! And ENZIGURI!

Apollo hurries to GERMAN SUPLEX! Apollo holds on, Sami cheers him on as he hits another GERMAN SUPLEX! Apollo holds on and hits the third GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Kevin survives and Apollo is furious! Apollo sneers and catches his breath to then fire himself up. Kevin is in a corner, Apollo runs in but misses the splash! Kevin comes back to GERMAN SUPLEX Apollo in return! Apollo flounders to a corner, Kevin runs in to CANNONBALL! Azeez grows worried as Kevin hits another CANNONBALL! Kevin drags Apollo to a cover, TWO!! Sami claims that was a fast count. Michael Cole says Sami is back of the line for this title, by the way.

Kevin stalks Apollo, kicks, but no stunner! Apollo lifts but Kevin counters the Olympic Slam with an arm-drag! Kevin kicks, but still no stunner! SUPERKICK! Kevin gets Apollo back up for a POP-UP POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! Apollo survives and Sami says that was another rushed count. Kevin goes to a corner, climbs up top again, but Azeez helps Apollo get out! Apollo is on the floor, so Kevin goes to the apron for the FROG SPLASH!! Azeez panics a bit as Kevin puts Apollo in! Azeez gets on the apron to grab at Kevin, Kevin gets away, but Apollo rolls Kevin up! APOLLO WINS!

Winner: Apollo Crews, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)

Kevin gives Apollo a STUNNER! But Azeez gets Kevin for the NIGERIAN NAIL!! Sami says, “You love to see it!” Sami says that was so good, ignoring that Apollo’s bodyguard helped him retain the title. Will Azeez continue to guard Apollo’s treasure? Sami gets in the ring to dance like a fool over Kevin, but will any of this help Sami get back to “his” title?

Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.

Will Roman accept Cesaro’s challenge tonight? The Special Counsel says Kayla is as probing as she is beautiful. But Roman accepting the challenge? Heyman admits he likes Cesaro, appreciates Cesaro and respects Cesaro, admires Cesaro, and in a purely professional sense, loves Cesaro (despite everything he said last week). How could you not? Cesaro made a name for himself with just one name! Like Drake, Madonna, and Elvis! Cesaro mi bueno amigo, Cesaro ichiban! Of all the Cesaros in the world, WWE’s Cesaro is Heyman’s favorite. So will Roman accept the challenge? Well, customer satisfaction is number one on the Island of Relevancy.

So let’s give a predict- No! Let’s give a spoiler. “By the end of tonight, right here live on SmackDown, everyone in the Tribe will hear from their Chief, and he shall give you all his answer to the challenge, an answer direct from Roman Reigns.” Heyman says he’s proud of Kayla’s work, then heads out. But will the answer to the challenge be to everyone’s liking? Or just to Roman’s?

Backstage interview with Apollo Crews.

Megan Morant gets word from him, the very happy Intercontinental Champion. Azeez is cleaning the tears of Kevin Owens off of the royal lance. Apollo asks if WWE vetted Megan, he doesn’t just talk to anyone. But he wants her to listen. That is the sound of his ancestors celebrating Apollo as he sucked the hope out of Kevin Owens and leaving him angled in the ring! Because who knew that hope could be cracked just like a bone? And let that sound stop anyone foolish enough to daydream about the title! But then BIG E attacks! Big E roughs up Apollo and throws him into road cases!

Referees and officials hurry over and drag Big E away, but he shouts, “You thought I was done with your ass?! You think I’m done with you?! I ain’t done with you yet!” Azeez shows up a moment too late, but he is furious over what Big E did to his leader! Will Azeez put one last Nigerian Nail in Big E’s coffin?

Aleister Black speaks!

Candles light a darkened room, and Aleister sits in a chair. “Most people aren’t honest with you. So I’m going to open a vein because I want you to know the truth.” Aleister opens a book, Tales of the Dark Father, to the first chapter: The Dragon. “I attended many funerals as a child. Father would bring me to these celebrations of life and death. He could do with me because I was too little to understand. But as I grew older, father became older and more distant. And that’s when it started to become apparent: I was not taught how to defeat the dragon; I was taught how to become the dragon.

“Because father was right, I could never be like you weak-minded fools. You, gawking at the screen right now. You are the monsters, and I am nothing like you. And I would never help you. You are the ones who revealed the true, rotten nature of man. With your lies and your deceit, you transform your own children into bigger monsters than you are. What you do is vile, and it should be condemned. Like rotting crops, you should be scorched from the earth, to make room for more… fertile things.” Will Aleister be the one to burn away the chaff?

Backstage interview with Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode.

The Dirty Dawgs are still SmackDown Tag Team Champions after going 2v2 with the Street Profits. But tonight, Rey & Dominik Mysterio take on The Alpha Academy, so who do the champs think will win? Rey is one of the greatest of all time, he and Ziggler tore it down for the Intercontinental Championship. But Dom has big shoes to fill. So letting bygones be bygones with Otis, Ziggler votes for the Alphas. Then who is next to face the champions for the titles? It doesn’t matter who’s next, they’ll-

But here come the Profits, and says that you have to hand it to the champs for getting away with underhanded tactics. But when Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins were champs, they kept getting bugged by Ziggler & Roode for shots. So how about the Profits get next? What? This is takeback season, so take your asses to the back of the line! The Profits and the Dawgs get face to face but Bayley interjects here and says they can cut the tension with a knife. Bayley says some people just don’t get it, huh?

The Dawgs and Profits let off and DING DONG, HELLO~! Bayley is the ultimate Role Model, longest reigning SmackDown Women’s Champion, and is here to dish on her opponent at WrestleMania Backlash, “the ungrateful rookie,” Bianca Belair! When Bianca first came to SmackDown, Bayley saw how scared she was and being so sweet, she took Bianca’s hand and gave her the chance to work with her! They took the training wheels off, Bianca made history at WrestleMania, and is now champion! And did Bayley get a thank you? NO! Bianca is rude, selfish, spoiled and will regret ever treating Bayley like that!

At WrestleMania Backlash, Bayley will take back what is hers: the title, and the top spot in the division SHE built! Go tell Bianca that! Well, Ford is right here so he has Bianca on the phone. Bayley is really talking up a storm., Who? Bayley. Y’know, THE Bayley. Oh? Well Bianca will be right there. Bayley’s fine with that. She’ll say all this to Bianca’s face!

SmackDown returns and Bianca is here!

So Bayley can say all that to her face now. Oh Bianca doesn’t think she’ll repeat herself? Bayley will. No she won’t. Bayley says she was just saying she wanted to congratulate Bianca on making history at WrestleMania, and she is honored to be her first challenger. Bianca really showed the WWE that Bianca IS the EST. Bayley keeps replaying the match in her mind and how she picked up Sasha and walked up stairs, wow. It will be an honor to face her at WrestleMania Backlash. That’s it. Bianca is surprised by that, but then Bayley adds one more thing: Bayley LAUGHS in Bianca’s face for her even remotely believing her! Will Bianca get the last laugh when she faces the Role Model one more time?

BREAKING NEWS!

After attacking Apollo Crews backstage, Big E’s title shot is happening NEXT WEEK! Will Big E get his revenge for WrestleMania 37? Or will Apollo crush what is left of Big E’s spirit for the pride of his ancestors?

Rey & Dominik Mysterio VS The Alpha Academy!

Father and son still want to win those SmackDown Tag Team Championships together, but they have a big obstacle in their way! Will they be able to get past Chad Gable and his star pupil, Otis?

The teams sort out, Gable starts with Dom, but Otis wants in! Gable obliges and tags Otis in, and Otis shoves Dom to then bulldoze him over! Otis gets Dom up fast for a scoop and SLAM! Otis runs to then FLOP as Dom moves! Dom throws haymakers, runs, but Otis CLOBBERS him! Otis is fired up and Gable cheers him on as he paces around Dom. Otis drags Dom up, scoops him again, and carries Dom around just to rub it in, before he hits a POWERSLAM! Otis tells “Rey Rey” that Dom’s “gettin’ this load!” Otis goes to a corner, but Rey gets Dom out! Otis bails out and runs around the way to CLOBBER both Mysterios! Gable hurries over to get Rey up for a GUTBUSTER!

Otis puts Dom in the ring, Gable and Otis are fired up, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again as Gable goes after Dom’s arm again and again! Cover, TWO! Gable gets Dom up, whips him to ropes, but Dom dodges to hit Otis! The ref has to keep Otis back, Dom gets Gable for a victory roll! ONE, and Gable TIGER SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! Dom escapes but Gable DECKS Rey! Gable gets Dom up, tags Otis, and they mug Dom with body shots! Gable shoves Dom down, Otis glares at Rey, and Otis drags Dom away from Rey to whip and CLOBBER him again! Otis drags Otis up for another fast scoop SLAM! And a big elbow drop! Gable says, “That’s my number one guy!” Otis drags Dom back up, whips him to a corner, then runs in to RAM his shoulder in!

Otis keeps throwing in shoulders, Gable tags in and Gable throws in shoulders! Otis tags in, he taunts Rey, and then runs in to SPLASH Dom down! Gable tags in, covers, TWO! Gable clamps onto Dom’s arm and grinds him down. Fans rally as Dom endures, and Gable grinds the arm. Gable gets Dom up, Dom throws body shots, and then runs. Gable hits a BELLY2BELLY! And rolls through to BELLY2BELLY! Gable keeps going, shifts Dom around to then GERMAN – Dom lands on his feet! Dom FLAPJACK HOTSHOTS Gable down! Both men flounder, Dom tags in Rey! Rey dodges, fires off forearms on Gable, then whips but Gable reverses.

Rey kicks, whips, and follows Gable to tilt-o-whirl headscissor! Then he hops on for a SUNSET BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Rey keeps his cool, gets Gable up and whips him to a corner. Gable reverses, runs in, but Rey drops to send Gable into the POST! Rey gets up top, but Gable throat chops! Gable climbs up, fireman’s carries, and pops Rey up, but Rey SUPER STEINERS! Cover, TWO!! Gable survives, but Rey tags Dom in! The Mysterios get Gabler up to whip and toss to the apron! Rey slides under to trip Gable, Dom runs to slide and SUNSET BOMB Gable into barriers! Dom puts Gable in, tags Rey back in, and Rey DECKS Otis!

Dom and Rey whip Gable again, drop toehold onto ropes! Dom PLANCHAS but Otis catches him! Dom slips off to send Otis into the announce desk! Rey hits 619 on Gable! Rey goes up top and hits a FROG SPLASH! Cover, The Mysterios win!

Winners: The Mysterios, by pinfall

The Alphas are seething, but they got outsmarted by Rey & Dom! And now, Bryan and Cesaro make their way out, one part to congratulate the Mysterios, and the other to hear Roman’s answer in person! Will the Mysterios head for those SmackDown Tag Team Championships? Will Cesaro get his Universal Championship opportunity, too?

SmackDown returns once more, with Bryan and Cesaro in the ring.

Cesaro has the mic to say, “Alright, Roman. I’m out here. We’re all waiting to hear your answer.” He and Bryan wait but get impatient. Roman can either come out here and give us the answer, or they can go back there and get their answer. Roman’s choice. Finally, Roman’s music hits again! The Head of the Table walks out with Heyman and Jey by his side again. Roman leads the way down to the ring, and he gets right in Cesaro’s face as he says, “You’re going to challenge me? You? You’re going to challenge me? Who’re you? What do you think you’ve done to be in the ring with me? You don’t deserve it. You hadn’t earned it! I’m the Tribal Chief around here! The Head of the Table!” The answer is no and it will always be no, because Cesaro will never be on Roman’s level.

The Universal Champion issues the challenges around here. And the challenge… is to Daniel Bryan?! Roman doesn’t like Bryan, never has, and will never like him. But he gives Bryan one last shot at this title. Take a hard look because this is as close as Bryan’s ever going to get. Next week on SmackDown, Bryan gets his last opportunity. What does he have to say? Bryan hesitates, but Cesaro says Bryan has to take this! Bryan takes the mic, but Roman says first, Bryan needs to know this. If, or rather when Bryan loses, Roman never wants to see Bryan again. Bryan needs to vanish from Roman’s show ever again. No more floating around SmackDown ever again, understand? Bryan accepts that challenge!

Roman holds the belt up and says they’ll never have this. It will always be his. The Goat either becomes champion, or stops being a SmackDown superstar! Which way does the Tribal Chief’s challenge break on a big fight Friday night?

My Thoughts:

This was a very good episode, with a very interesting way of arranging the matches. I’ll say right now that next week is going to be big with two titles on the line. We got a great promo segment to open SmackDown that transitioned smoothly into an awesome match that then transitioned just as smoothly into a second great promo segment. I am surprised that Cesaro isn’t taking a full detour back to Rollins, but they do have a clever way of delaying Roman VS Cesaro. Roman using his sway as champion to say no to Cesaro and of course give a match to someone he’s already beaten, controversial or not, is of course what he’d do. Roman VS Bryan is going to be an awesome match but naturally Roman will find a way to win again, so that Roman and Cesaro can battle at some point later.

Having the WWE Intercontinental Championship as the main event was a bit of a surprise, too, but it did allow for Apollo and Kevin to have room to breathe and put on a great match. Of course Azeez gets involved in his own way, a bit of a copy-pasta from some of the stuff AJ Styles and Omos have done, but in a vacuum, it was a way for Apollo to win without it really hurting Kevin. Sami doing those obnoxious dance moves over Kevin was hilarious, and I suppose of all the possible (and inevitable) rematches from WrestleMania for Backlash, Kevin VS Sami one more time will be another crowd pleaser. Sami will likely win at Backlash since he’s been on the receiving end of much of his, and they can have yet another rematch at Extreme Rules, perhaps under Extreme Rules.

The Women’s Tag Team Champions and Natty-Tamina are definitely headed for a WrestleMania rematch. It was quite the surprise for Reginald to return in quite a wild looking suit, but they’re oddly back on track for what I was expecting: Reggie is going to drive a wedge between Nia and Shayna, that is why they lose the belts, and they’ll have a big rivalry going while Natty & Tamina give SmackDown a turn with the titles. Too bad Vince let go of some great candidates for teams, like Billie Kay, who could’ve surely found a way to make something of her partnership with Carmella. Maybe someone backstage wizens up and hires some of these free agents back.

We got good stuff in the interview promos, too. the Profits getting in the faces of the Dirty Dawgs keeps their feud alive, but I would really like to see if WrestleMania Backlash gave the tag title opportunity to Rey & Dom, just to see what comes of it. Dom is getting there, being with his dad, Ziggler and Roode can definitely carry him to a big moment. And Bayley being two-faced but then immediately obnoxious to Bianca’s face properly brings back the feud heat they had from before Bianca was challenging Sasha, and their match at Backlash is going to be really good. Bianca solidifying her reign over Bayley is great for her, she could go on one of the greatEST runs since Bayley’s.

My Score: 8.4/10