Not the Grandest Stage, but close enough!

Don’t get it twisted! WrestleMania happened, but someone’s gonna feel the Backlash! Will Roman Reigns still be Tribal Chief and WWE Universal Champion after facing the Swiss Superman?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kickoff Show – Open Challenge: Sheamus VS ???; Sheamus wins.
• Raw Women’s Championship Triple Threat: Rhea Ripley VS Asuka VS Charlotte Flair; Rhea wins and retains the title.
• SmackDown Tag Team Championships: The Dirty Dawgs VS The Mysterios; The Mysterios win and become new SmackDown Tag Team Champions.
• Lumberjack  Match: Damian Priest VS The Miz; Priest wins.
• SmackDown Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair VS Bayley; Bianca wins and retains the title.
• WWE World Championship Triple Threat: Bobby Lashley w/ MVP VS Drew McIntyre VS Braun Strowman; Lashley wins and retains the title.
• WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman VS Cesaro; Roman wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

It’s the #WrestleManiaBacklash Kickoff Show!

Join Kayla Braxton, Booker T, John “Bradshaw” Layfield and Peter Rosenberg in discussing, analyzing and predicting all the action for tonight!

Sonya Deville joins the panel!

She feels like she should join them permanently. JBL will gladly trade Pete for her. But they know Bianca VS Sasha was match of the night for WrestleMania 37. Bianca VS Bayley, how does she see this going? Sonya knows Bayley has experience on her side but Bianca is just red hot. Bayley can get under your skin, that could be what messes up Bianca tonight. Kayla agrees, Bianca is still green, she might not be ready for the mind games. Booker says preparation is the only luck you’ll ever have. Bianca is prepared, but you cannot sleep on Bayley. This isn’t about perfume and make-up, but cashing checks and winning belts.

JBL says he and Bayley are both role models, wonderful people, those that people want to be like. But he agrees with Booker: every once in awhile, you see someone come into sports and take things to a new level. That is Bianca. She could be greatest of all time on a new level. Bayley is the only one to beat Bianca since she came to SmackDown, though, and that could help her. Peter knows Bianca’s got a great story, but Bayley has been unbelievable these last few years. Bayley could be best in the business today on all levels. Booker agrees there. At a certain point, the lightbulb turns on and that turned on early for Bayley. Bayley could flip the script.

Sonya says the common dominator is both women are so consistent. You can count on both women to perform no matter what. It isn’t just talk, it isn’t just hype, it’s real. Bianca isn’t afraid of the spotlight, but will she shine under it?

And then there’s Priest VS Miz in a Lumberjack match! Priest chose this stipulation, he wants to make sure Miz can’t run away. Priest said last week that it could be Raw superstars, SmackDown superstars, zombies and aliens, one way or another, Miz gets dealt with! Now, don’t expect all that, but the legends know that the Lumberjack match mindset is that you’re locked into the situation and will have to fight until the end. Miz is in that situation, but he’s also someone Booker truly believes can handle it. Miz won’t weasel his way out, he’s a fighter. He came up the old school way so Priest better watch out!

JBL goes with the “future mayor of Houston, Texas” on that. Miz is a TWO-TIME Grand Slam Champion. Priest has this bravado, but he might regret this. The Lumberjacks outside will not let either man get away. Miz “takes a walk” a bit, but that’s still within the rules. Miz knows what it is with this kind of match, so he’ll have tricks up his sleeve. The last one of these Miz was in, though, he LOST to Bobby Lashley! He wants to redeem himself for that and for WrestleMania against Bad Bunny! Peter, stop sucking up to Bunny so you can get him on your show!

When it comes to the Raw Women’s Championship Triple Threat, Kayla says it is Sonya’s fault we’re here. Sonya says this is something worth watching. Charlotte Flair has every right to be in the title picture. Is Rhea Ripley a force to be reckoned with? Yes, she’s champion. That doesn’t mean you write Charlotte out of the picture. Charlotte grabs the brass ring each time. Pete does say it looked like there was, well, not bullying, but some pressure. Sonya says she runs this, but she won’t judge Pete. She and Pearce each make decisions, she’s just doing her job. But what does that say to the locker room that Charlotte is getting this treatment and no one else is?

Sonya hates the notion of how just because she’s a Flair, she gets special treatment. Charlotte has the talent and the track record to prove she’s worthy, so Sonya will do what she sees is fit. Pete will admit, you can’t result of this result, this is going to be great. But Charlotte attacked a ref, got suspended, and is now just back! “We all make mistakes,” and Sonya could name the ones Kayla’s made. We move on and get better. Kayla is ready to say something back but says this is live so she can’t. Whoa~! Kayla is wondering will this Triple Threat only split Rhea’s focus? Sonya says the Asuka VS Rhea match was to smash the tension so it could be a fair Triple Threat.

Fair Triple Threat? There’s no such thing! Sonya says they should focus on the title, not their personal grudges. But a champion could lose the title without taking the pin, so it isn’t really fair. Sonya says they all got caught up in their heads, this was to make an even playing field. And look at how hyped we all are for this match! That is Sonya’s job. Good point. But the legends know all about this, these matches always screw the champion. It’s Rhea’s time to shine but she’ll have to be on guard at all times because she could lose without losing. “Fairness” is up for debate, but this will be a lot of fun. And what greater challenge for a champion than to put her to the test. If Rhea wins this, she’ll have even more confidence! So this was in Rhea’s best interest? Of course! If Sonya says so.

The Dirty Dawgs find Dominik Mysterio backstage.

They tell him to go find his dad and get ready. But then they stand in his way. And then they step to him. Dom flinches, but then Ziggler HEADBUTTS Dom! Roode throws Dom into road cases and into walls! “Put him down!” Roode assaults Dom in the corner of the room, and then Ziggler helps him get a spare case up and over to throw onto Dom! “See you out there, kid!” Referees rush over and someone goes to find Rey! Will Dom be able to do anything to get back at the obnoxious champions?

Open Challenge: Sheamus VS ???

The Celtic Warrior survived the match with Humberto Carrillo while Carrillo wasn’t as lucky. Carrillo is out with a bad leg, but Sheamus’ mouth still works. “What’s the crack? Sheamy’s here on the kickoff, fella!” He’s issued more open challenges to anyone and everyone who wants to step to the champ! And tonight won’t be any different! He wants another open challenge, but it still won’t be a title match. Those dopes of the past gave away matches, but Sheamus wants people to EARN the opportunity! So anyone who wants to try and take the greatest superstar of all, THE WWE US Champion, come and get it, fella!

The one to answer is RICOCHET! The One and Only returns from WWE Main Event to see if he can earn his way back to this title! Will the Celtic Warrior not be ready for the King of Flight?

The bell rings, Sheamus isn’t taking Ricochet seriously and he gets  SHOTUGN DROPKICK! Sheamus shoves, Ricochet runs and collides with him! Ricochet kicks but Sheamus blocks it, so Ricochet SLAPS him! Sheamus CLOBBERS Ricochet and seethes as he stalks Ricochet to a corner. Sheamus throws heavy hands, CLUBS Ricochet on the back, then TOSSES him across the way! Ricochet gets to the other corner, Sheamus digs his fingers into Ricochet’s face. Ricochet throws hands, runs, but into a back elbow! Sheamus drags Ricochet up, ROCKS him with EuroUppers, and whips him corner to corner. Ricochet kicks back, CHOPS, then runs, but into the IRISH CURSE!

Sheamus looms over Ricochet as he writhes from the backbreaker. Sheamus kicks “Ricky” to a corner and stomps him. The ref counts, Sheamus lets off, and Sheamus has Ricochet through ropes to bend him back for Beats of the Bodhrain! Ricochet takes 10 before the ref counts 4, and Sheamus wipes the sweat from his brow. Sheamus stomps Ricochet around, tells him to cheer up, and puts on the DUBLIN SMILE! Ricochet endures the fish hooks, the ref reprimands, and Sheamus STOMPS Ricochet down. Sheamus says the ref is ruining the fun. Sheamus clamps onto Ricochet with a chinbar and armlock but Ricochet fights with haymakers and kicks!

Ricochet is free, he staggers up and jawbreakers Sheamus! Ricochet CHOPS and throws body shots but Sheamus KICKS him down! Sheamus gets Ricochet up but Ricochet throws back elbow after back elbow! Ricochet fires up, runs, but Sheamus reels him in to CLUB him on the back! Ricochet PELES! Sheamus wobbles while Ricochet fires back up! Ricochet BOOTS Sheamus, goes to a corner and boots again. Sheamus blocks that, shovels Ricochet up to an Alabama lift but Ricochet holds ropes to escape! Ricochet BOOTS, goes out and hotshots Sheamus away! Ricochet springboards, FLYING CLOTHESLINE! STANDING SHOOTING STAR, to the LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO!!

Sheamus survives and Ricochet is frustrated! Sheamus gets up slowly, but Ricochet CLUBS him on the back! Ricochet reels Sheamus in and fireman’s carries, but Sheamus CLUBS free! Sheamus fireman’s carries but Ricochet sunset flips! Sheamus rolls through to KNEE Ricochet to a corner! Sheamus runs in, Ricochet is up and over! BACKSTABBER! Ricochet crawls to the corner while Sheamus is down! Ricochet climbs the corner slowly, springboards again, 450 SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Sheamus survives again and Ricochet is beside himself! Ricochet grits his teeth, gets back to the corner and back up top, but Sheamus avoids the 630!

Sheamus kicks but Ricochet dodges the Brogue! Roll up, TWO! KNEE!! Cover, Sheamus wins!

Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall

It wasn’t a Brogue but it was a knockout shot! Sheamus gets his belt, his jacket and his hat, and is ready to move on already. “Look at that! Another victory for the Celtic Warrior!” Sheamus has issued more challenges than anyone in the history of the WWE! But Ricochet is back up, snatches the hat then dropkicks Sheamus down! Sheamus bails out but Ricochet snatches the jacket now! Ricochet does a dance in Sheamus’ stuff, dabs on ’em, then throws it back at him! Will Sheamus have to give Ricochet an opportunity for the title in order to get his revenge?

WrestleMania is what it’s all about, right?

Dave Batista narrates that The Grandest Stage is for the grandest moments. But listen up, champs. “It’s just that: a moment.” Understand that what you have is coveted, and that puts a target on your back. Batista knows. It could be for a short time or for all time, but the backlash is coming. A Tribal Chief may have to acknowledge a challenger. A Nightmare could end. One behemoth will overcome two. The EST could be D O N E. The stakes have been raised, anything could happen, and it is time to eliminate those in the way of victory! “Gamble with fate, bet on your strength, leave nothing and take everything.” WrestleMania’s Backlash is here, what’re you gonna do about it?

Raw Women’s Championship Triple Threat: Rhea Ripley VS Asuka VS Charlotte Flair!

Fair or not fair, that is the question. The answer will be found when the Nightmare takes on the Empress of Tomorrow AND the Queen of Flair at the same time! Will Rhea keep her reign going? Or will a wrestling royal retake the throne?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and Rhea faces her toughest challenge yet!

Rhea, Asuka and Charlotte all stare down as they approach center. They circle, each keeping space, but then Rhea rushes Charlotte. Charlotte bails out, Asuka and Rhea both tell her to get in. Charlotte doesn’t so they go out after her! Charlotte hurries back in the ring, Rhea runs in but Charlotte clotheslines! Asuka attacks, Rhea rolls Charlotte, Asuka breaks it! Asuka shoves Rhea, Rhea shoves back. Charlotte staggers into DOUBLE KICKS! Asuka and Rhea brawl now, Rhea fires off, and Rhea whips Asuka, but Asuka hip attacks Charlotte down! Asuka dodges Rhea, follows and wheelbarrows for the victory roll! ONE, and Asuka goes for a sunset flip! Rhea rolls through but Asuka wants the arm!

Rhea rolls, kicks free but Asuka kicks back! Asuka runs into the corner to HIP ATTACK! Asuka throws Rhea down, Charlotte drags Asuka out! EXPLODER! Charlotte scowls as she goes into the ring and counter punches Rhea! Rhea hits back, Charlotte pulls hair! Charlotte reels Rhea in but Rhea kicks back! Rhea runs but Charlotte collides shoulders! Charlotte vows to be a FOURTEEN time champion! Rhea dares her to try, so Charlotte runs. They RAM shoulders again and Rhea grins. Rhea runs now, but Charlotte follows to kitchen sink knee! And EXPLODER! Charlotte stomps a mudhole into Rhea, then drags her up to whip her corner to corner.

Rhea reverses the whip, Charlotte goes up and out and shoulders back in! But Asuka anchors Charlotte and Rhea WRECKS Charlotte with a dropkick! Asuka climbs, Rhea BOOTS her down and the ThunderDome is fired up for Rhea! Rhea goes out, Charlotte CHOP BLOCKS her! The Queen looms over both opponents and puts Asuka in. Charlotte stomps Asuka in a corner, digs her boots in, and doesn’t have to let up because No Disqualifications! Charlotte bends Asuka against ropes and shouts, “You’ll NEVER beat me! Never!” Charlotte lets Asuka go to cover, ONE! Asuka shakes her head, but Charlotte snapmares her and cartwheels to BOOT her down! Cover, TWO!

Charlotte tries another cover, TWO! Charlotte laughs though she’s frustrated. Charlotte pie faces Asuka and says Asuka knows Charlotte is better. Asuka fires off fast hands and kicks! Asuka whips, Charlotte blocks, but Asuka KICKS away on her legs! Charlotte breaks free, runs but Asuka dodges and comes back, FLYING ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Charlotte scrambles, moves but into a triangle! Charlotte gets a leg around to ropebreak! Asuka lets go, to get the arm and throw Charlotte down the other way! Rhea stomps Asuka down! Rhea drags Charlotte up but Charlotte CHOPS and CHOPS! Charlotte reels Rhea in but Rhea gets around. Rhea runs into a backbreaker and BUCKLE SHOT!

Charlotte seethes while she leaves Rhea behind. Asuka gets up but Charlotte scoops her. Asuka slips out and gets the waistlock, but Charlotte elbows out hard! Charlotte CHOPS and CHOPS, and CHOPS Asuka off her feet! Rhea returns to wrench and LARIAT! And LAIAT! And ripcord HOOK KICK! DROPKICK for Asuka! Rhea grins as she spins Charlotte for a cravat and KNEE! Snapmare and basement dropkick! Rhea drags Charlotte up, NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEX! Bridging cover, Asuka breaks it in time! Asuka pops Rhea up for a KNEE of her own! But Rhea kicks from below! Asuka BUZZSAWS Rhea for that one!

Everyone is down but the fans rally up! Asuka fires up and she drags Charlotte up. Charlotte gets around but Asuka elbows her now! GERMAN SUPLEX for the Queen! And another GERMAN! HIP ATTACK for Rhea! Charlotte staggers up into a ROUNDHOUSE! Asuka aims at both opponents and gives KICK after KICK back and forth! KICK for Rhea, KICK for Charlotte! SLIDING WIZARD for Charlotte! Cover, TWO! Charlotte survives which means Rhea is still in this, too! Asuka fires up and goes to a corner. Asuka climbs, and missile dropkicks Rhea down! Charlotte is in a corner, Asuka runs in but is put on the outside. Asuka ROCKS Charlotte, KICKS Rhea down, but Charlotte KNOCKS Asuka down!

Charlotte sees her two opponents on the outside, goes to a corner and climbs up top! The Queen’s Gambit, the SUPER MOONSAULT!! Charlotte roars that this is HER division! She puts Asuka in, climbs back up, but Rhea anchors her! Charlotte fights, Rhea clubs away on her, and then Rhea climbs up to join her! Rhea gets Charlotte up, Charlotte resists the superplex, and Asuka adds on! She can’t get the bomb so she just joins Rhea in a DOUBLE SUPERPLEX!! All three women are down and the ThunderDome is fired up! Asuka and Rhea sit up first, grabbing at each other. They throw forearms, Charlotte sits up and joins in with her own forearms!

Charlotte hits Asuka, Asuka hits back, Rhea hits them, they’re hitting all over the place! They stand, Rhea HEADBUTTS Charlotte, HEADBUTTS Asuka, but Charlotte keeps going! The boot misses, the roundhouse misses, Asuka and Rhea work together again to double suplex Charlotte, only for her to land on her feet! DOUBLE CHOP BLOCK!! DOUBLE NATURAL SELECTION!!! DOUBLE COVER?!? TWO!!! Rhea and Asuka survive Charlotte’s attempt to pull a Roman Reigns! Charlotte drags Rhea by a leg and then brings Asuka over. They’re both in the drop zone, Charlotte climbs, but both women get clear of the moonsault! CODEBREAKER for Charlotte!

But Rhea clubs away on Asuka, RIP- NO! ASUKA LOCK!! Rhea powers out with elbows, then GERM- NO! Asuka fights the suplex, and dodges so the BOOT gets Rhea! Asuka gets Charlotte in the ASUKA LOCK! Charlotte rolls back, she knows it too well! Figure Four denied, Charlotte hits a buckle, Asuka hits a ROUNDHOUSE! Asuka HEEL KICKS Rhea to keep her down! Charlotte runs in but is put out! BACK HAND! Asuka runs into a BOOT! Rhea gets Asuka for the RIPTIDE!!! Cover, Rhea wins!!

Winner: Rhea Ripley, by pinfall (still Raw Women’s Champion)

The Queen tired to slip in at the right moment but it didn’t go her way! The Mosh Pit Kid keeps on going, and rubs it in Charlotte’s face! Will the Nightmare continue through to the Summer?

The Miz and John Morrison talk backstage.

Damian Priest chose a Lumberjack match? Really? Does Miz really seem like the kind to run away? Well he did run away on Monday. That’s besides the point! Morrison lost! Yeah, well, Morrison is going to talk tot he lumberjacks and let them know it is in their best interest to help Miz win. How is he going to do that? Johnny Drip Drip is very persuasive. He’s going to make sure Priest falls for the thirst trap! Miz doesn’t think Morrison knows the proper usage of that term. Well they don’t call Morrison the must moist-see superstar for nothing. Does anyone call him that?

SmackDown Tag Team Championships: The Dirty Dawgs VS The Mysterios!

We saw the Glorious Show-Offs bully and beat down Dom during the kickoff show, so we’re not even sure if this match will happen! Can the son show the same toughness as his father and persevere to make history?

Rey and Dom talk in the medic’s room, but Dom doesn’t look to be in any shape. Dom apologizes but Rey says they can live to fight another day. There will be another opportunity down the line. Rey will go alone if he must. Wait, is this going to be a handicap match for the titles now?!

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and does even the King of Lucha stand a chance against two Dirty Dawgs?

Rey goes after both Dawgs and the bell rings to get this on record! Roode CLUBS Rey, whips him but Rey sends Roode into Ziggler with a headscissors! Roll up, TWO! Rey keeps on Roode with a whip, but Roode reverses. Rey dodges, dropkicks Ziggler away, but Roode kicks low! Roode throws hands, whips, but Rey kicks back! Rey runs and slides under to SPLASH onto Ziggler! Roode goes out to CLUB Rey down! Roode brings Rey around, bumps him off the apron, and then refreshes the count. Roode stalks Rey around the way, scoops him, but Rey slips off to POST Roode! Rey gets in the ring and then goes to the apron, to SEATED SENTON Roode down!

Rey hurries back in the ring, but he has to have a champ in the ring with him! The Dawgs regroup, the count is 7 of 10, but both Dawgs get in at 9! Roode runs into a drop toehold, Rey fires off hammering hands, and he whips Roode. Roode reverses to kick low! Roode stalks Rey, scoops him but Rey pops up to victory roll, TWO!! LARIAT from Roode! Rey is down, Ziggler tags in, and Ziggler hurries to cover, TWO! Rey is still in this and Ziggler grows frustrated. Ziggler pushes Rey around, mockingly has him reach for a partner who isn’t there, then digs his fingers into Rey’s eyes! Ziggler laughs and points at the empty corner before he goes back to Rey.

Ziggler grinds fingers into Rey’s face, the ref counts, and Ziggler lets off at 4. Ziggler tags Roode and they mug Rey against ropes. Roode bumps Rey off buckles, throws forearms, and CHOPS! Roode whips Rey corner to corner hard! Rey bounces off buckles to hit the mat, and Roode again mocks him by daring him to tag someone. Roode grins as he looms over Rey. Rey gets up slowly but Roode brings him up. “You’ve got nobody!” Roode whips, Rey stops and drop toeholds Roode into buckles! Rey is on the apron and he dropkicks Ziggler down! Rey ROCKS Roode, goes up top, but Ziggler trips him up! Rey falls into the Tree of Woe and Ziggler plays dumb.

Roode stomps Rey, Ziggler says it is a matter of time. Ziggler gets his cheap shots in as Roode digs boots into Rey’s knees. Rey gets free of the Tree but he flops to the floor. Tag to Ziggler and he fetches Rey. Ziggler has the leg and taunts Rey before hitting a LEG DDT! Ziggler puts Rey in, covers, TWO! Rey is still in this, this is that legendary toughness! Tag to Roode, Roode drops elbows on Rey. Rey slowly gets up but Roode lets him stagger and fall over. The ref talks with Rey about the leg, Roode drags Rey away to drop knees on it! Roode taunts Rey, stomps him, then tags Ziggler. Rey fights back and springboards to wheelbarrow! Roode blocks, FAMOUSER FACEBUSTER COMBO! Cover, TWO!!

Ziggler is furious that Rey still lives! Roode coaches Ziggler and Ziggler looms over Rey. Ziggler fixes his hair, tags in Roode, and Roode taunts Rey. Roode tags Ziggler back in, and Roode slides Rey out for Ziggler to SUPERKICK out of the air!! Rey is a heap on the floor and Roode soaks up the heat from the ThunderDome! Ziggler goes into the ring and lets the count take care of this. Rey drags himself up at 7, stands at 8, and gets in at 9.9!! Ziggler is beside himself! Tag to Roode, he throws headbutts, and Rey falls over. Tag back to Ziggler, the Dawgs get Rey up, for a double suplex! Rey fights it to make it a DOUBLE DDT! Rey finds one last gasp and ThunderDome fires up!

Rey flounders to a corner, gets Roode up to POST him! Ziggler runs in and back suplexes, but Rey lands on his feet! Rey POSTS Ziggler! Both Dawgs are stuck but Rey is still alone! Wait, what’s this? DOM is hobbling out to the ring! Bad ribs aren’t enough to hold him back, he wants in! Ziggler crawls after Rey and Rey is shocked! Dom says he’s no worse than Rey is now, so why worry? Rey headscissors Ziggler to the ropes! Rey runs and DECKS Roode! Ziggler hits a ZIGZAG!! Cover, TWO!!! Ziggler can’t believe it! Dom shouts to his dad that he has to tag him in! Ziggler gets Rey up, tags Roode back in, and the Dawgs mug Rey.

Roode fireman’s carries Rey and talks trash to Dom, and hits a GUTBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Rey is not giving up and Roode is just annoyed Dom is out here now! Dom rallies for Rey as Roode gets Rey up to CLUB him down. Roode bumps Rey off buckles, and more buckles! Roode fireman’s carries again and goes up the corner!? Rey fights back with elbows! Rey shifts, jumps, and hits a SUPER BULLDOG! Both men are down, Dom shouts and reaches, and the ThunderDome screens are going wild! Rey crawls, hesitates, and Roode is after him! Rey elbows Roode away, boots Roode, Dom tags in!! Dom and Roode stare down, it’s payback time!

Dom dodges Roode, DECKS Ziggler and fires off on Roode! Whip, but Roode reverses, SPINEBUSTER! Roode says this is it! Rey regrets even going close to his corner as Dom writhes. Roode tags Ziggler, the Dawgs get Dom up and double whip to double hip toss, POWERBOMB NECKBREAKER COMBO! Cover, TWO!! Dom’s toughness is shining through! Ziggler anchors a foot but Dom throws hands. Ziggler drags Dom away, gets him up, and POSTS him in the Dawgs’ corner! Ziggler taunts Rey, Roode taunts Dom, “You should’ve stayed down! You’re an embarrassment! You don’t belong here!” Ziggler is tuning up, but Dom SUPERKICKS first!!

Both men are down and Rey is starting to believe in his son! Dom crawls over, but Ziggler is in the way. Dom crawls over Ziggler, hot tags to Roode and Rey! Rey climbs up, LEAPING SEATED SENTON! Rey hits Ziggler, dodges Roode and runs into a tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! The Mysterios are still in this and Roode doesn’t understand why! Roode tries to laugh it off as Rey goes to a corner. Roode reels Rey in, tells Dom to watch this, and he gets Rey up, but Rey fights back! Rey hammers to hit a seated senton, then tilt-o-whirls Roode into a buckle! CORNER 619! Rey tags Dom back in then DIVES to SUNSET BOMB Ziggler!

Dom is up top, shout out to Latino Heat! FROG SPALSH!! Cover, THE MYSTERIOS WINS!!

Winners: The Mysterios, by pinfall (NEW SmackDown Tag Team Champions)

History, thy name is Backlash! The first-ever father and son tag team championship duo is here! Rey & Dom have the tag titles together! It is the family business to defy the odds and come out on top, and that is continuing with Dom! Kayla congratulates them in the ring and Rey says that for the first time, the SmackDown Tag Team Champions are father and son! Dom says this is an honor and blessing. They made history tonight, so it’s time to celebrate! BOOYAKA 619! Will this historic win be just the first of many for the King and Prince of Lucha?

Morrison finds the Lumberjacks.

Shave and a haircut, drip drip! He opens the door, and finds… ZOMBIES?! Priest wasn’t lying about his special request! Morrison leaves before he ends up one of the Walking Dead.

Jimmy Uso waits outside Roman Reigns’ private room.

He goes inside, and finds Jey sitting there. What’s up, Uce? Where’s the champ, the Head of the Table, the Tribal Chief? He wouldn’t be those things without Jey! The room says Roman, but it should say Roman and Jey. They should get their own room. It wouldn’t be as awesome as this, but at least it’d say Jimmy & Jey Uso, the Tag Team Champions. What does Jey do? Carry Roman’s bags? Do his laundry? Jey doesn’t need to hear this. And then, Roman walks in. Jimmy wants to wish the champ luck. He’ll need it. Jimmy leaves, but Jey stays put.

Morrison tells Miz about the zombies!

They were like… dead! Undead! The lumberjacks, are zombies! Is this another weird motivational tactic? This isn’t about Morrison but about Miz embarrassing Priest. Whatever Morrison thinks he saw, it was in his head. Right, right. They head out, and the zombies come creeping in! Will Priest #LiveForever as he leads an army of the dead?

Lumberjack  Match: Damian Priest VS The Miz!

The Archer of Infamy thought he was done with the Greatest Tag Team of the 21st Century back at WrestleMania 37 when he and Bad Bunny put them down on the Grandest Stage of Them All. But if its one thing the Hollywood A-Lister loves to do is sequels. Will there be an open ending to this newest chapter? Or will it be a Skull Crushing Finale?

Oh no! The zombies are the lumberjacks, after all! Dave Batista, you have some explaining to do! Commentary runs for it, and so does Morrison! The bell rings, even Priest seems unsure what to make of this, but he and Miz still circle. They tie up, go around, and Miz makes sure Priest is near the ropes! The zombies grab at Priest, Miz kicks Priest and throws him out! Priest kicks Miz, kicks away zombies, but Miz DECKS Priest! Miz stomps Priest, runs, but his sliding dropkick misses! Miz sees he’s surrounded by the zombies! Miz hurries back in, Priest hits a FLAPJACK! Miz sees zombies grabbing at him and scrambles away!

Miz kicks Priest, throws him out, Priest fights the zombies off again! Priest gets in, Miz BOOTS him down! Cover, TWO! Priest shakes out cobwebs, which the zombies know a lot about, and Miz stomps him down! Priest sits up, Miz BOOTS him down! Miz gets Priest up, throws knees, then CLUBS him! Miz throws Priest to a corner, runs in an hits the A-List Lariat! But Miz gets dragged out by zombies! Miz fights free, and goes under the ring! The zombies look for him, and Miz slips out the other side! But there are more zombies so Miz gets back in, Priest CLOBBERS him! Both men are down, the zombies are fired up, but they could just be hungry…

Miz gets up, Priest dodges his boot to kick and kick and ROLLING ELBOW! Miz staggers, zombies are after him, WHEEL KICK! Cover, TWO! Miz gets up, Priest back elbows in the corner! Priest puts Miz down, climbs up top, and FLYING WHEEL KICKS!! Cover, TWO!! Miz survives, clutches a leg, but Priest is ready! Miz wrenches out, Priest blocks the forearm with a forearm, but Miz trips Priest to get the legs! FIGURE FOUR! Priest endures, the ropes are not really an option with zombies creeping around, but the zombies drag them both out anyway! They both fight the zombies off! Miz throws one over barriers, Priest DECKS one! They call truce to fight the zombies!!

Priest and Miz are like a two man wrecking crew on the zombies! Priest BOOTS one down, then a big zombie storms in! Priest hits the big zombie but it stays up! Priest goes up the steps for a FLYING ROUNDHOUSE! The big zombie goes down! Priest and Miz get in the ring, they go to high five but Miz tries a cheap shot! Priest was ready, BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Priest snarls and he takes aim. Morrison returns?! Johnny Drip Drip tries to be a hero but Priest ROCKS him! Morrison catches the kick to EDDY GORDO! KNEE PLUS?!?! Cover, TWO!! Miz’s parody of Daniel Bryan fails to finish this!

Morrison dodges zombies and then PARKOUR SENTONS three zombies down! ROUNDHOUSE to a fourth! Morrison goes up onto the barrier but the other zombies get him first! They drag Morrison down to the depths! Miz panics, Priest BELL CLAPS and HIT THE LIGHTS!! Cover, Priest wins!

Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall

Priest wins the first ever Zombiejack match, and the Greatest Tag Team is left for dead! Are the zombies going to turn them into the Hollywood Undead?

Jey confronts Jimmy.

What the hell, Uce? Roman doesn’t need this right now! Well Roman might lose the title, and then what? What will Jey do then, huh? Maybe the name on that locker room should say “Roman Reigns and his bitch.” Jimmy storms off, Jey is pissed, what is happening to the Bloodline?!

SmackDown Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair VS Bayley!

The EST proved she might be the B E S T at WrestleMania 37 against The Boss! But now she’s going up against the longEST reigning SmackDown Women’s Champion and self-proclaimed Role Model of the WWE! Will Bianca prove without a doubt that she isn’t a rookie, but a young legend in the making?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Bianca can turn away another of the NXT Four Horsewomen!

Bianca dares Bayley to bring it but Bayley wants fans to chant for her. Bianca gets an “E S T” chant started instead, and the two tie up. Bianca waistlocks, Bayley switches, Bianca switches it back. Bayley switches again but so does Bianca, and they go and go until Bayley tumbles out of the ring! Bianca dusts her hands off, but Bayley keeps her cool. Bayley gets back in the ring, takes a breath, and the two tie up. Bianca gets the arm, wrenches and wrings Bayley’s arm. Bayley endures as Bianca clamps onto the shoulder. Bayley fights up, reaches for ropes but Bianca hammerlocks to keep her away. Bayley reaches around, goes after the ponytail, but the ref reprimands.

Bianca shoves Bayley away and fakes her out with the hair whip! “Don’t touch my hair.” Bianca headlocks Bayley, Bayley powers out, but Bianca goes up and over and things speed up. Bianca rolls, whips, duck sand hurdles, but Bayley blocks the monkey flip to a cover! TWO and Bianca waistlocks. Bayley pushes back but Bianca makes it an O’Conner Roll! TWO, Bianca goes up top and says kiss this! Bayley runs in but into a dropkick! Bianca kips up and Bayley scrambles to ropes! Bianca pushes Bayley, whips her hard, and Bayley bounces off buckles! Bianca whips Bayley hard again, and again Bayley bounces off buckles!

Bianca claps for Bayley, whips her back the other way, but Bayley slips out. Bayley forearms but into a hip toss! Bianca handsprings but Bayley bails out to catch her breath. Bayley is fuming but Bianca is smiling as she waits on Bayley. Bayley doesn’t return so Bianca chases her. Bianca hurdles Bayley’s tackle and then runs her over! Bianca puts Bayley in, handsprings to MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Bayley wants a timeout but Bianca isn’t giving her one. Bayley pulls Bianca’s ears and throws her down! Bayley fires off hammering fists! Bayley drags Bianca up, whips her hard to a corner, and now Bianca bounces off buckles!

Bayley stalks up behind Bianca, chokes her on the ropes, but the ref counts. Bayley lets off, covers, TWO! Bayley gets Bianca up to knee her in the back! And again! Bayley clamps on a chinlock and digs her knee in. Bianca endures as Bayley talks trash. Bianca fights up, fans rally, and Bianca throws body shots. Bianca swings but into Bayley’s back suplex! Cover, TWO! Bayley storms over to a corner, climbs up top, but Bianca ROCKS her with a forearm first! Bianca throws a shoulder, into a HOTSHOT STUNNER! Bayley drags Bianca up but Bianca holds off the suplex! Bianca gets Bayley up and in for a suplex slam! Both women are down and fans fire up!

Bianca hurries but Bayley gets a cradle! TWO! Both women roll, trying to get control of the cradle! They end up out of the ring, and Bayley wants to suplex! Bayley gets Bianca up for a GOURDBUSTER to steel steps! Bianca flops down and Bayley gets her up again to suplex her to the floor! Bayley puts Bianca in at 7 of 10, covers, TWO!! Bianca writhes in pain and gets to a corner but Bayley is seething. Bayley heads over, brings Bianca up, but Bianca fires off body shots! Bianca shoves, Bayley hurdles but Bianca runs her over! Bayley elbows Bianca away, but runs into a scoop! Bayley fights free, fireman’s carries, and spins for a SWINGING SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO!!

Bianca survives and Bayley is furious! Bianca gets to a corner, Bayley runs in and KNEES her down! Cover, TWO and Bayley is sent into a cameraman! Bayley is furious at Bianca’s power reserves, and she rains down furious fists on Bianca! Bayley talks trash, but then talks to herself. She laughs at “the rookie” and dares her to crawl around. Bianca gets up, Bayley keeps laughing, and Bayley dodges a haymaker, only to get DECKED with the other! Bianca is fuming now as she goes after Bayley with clubbing forearms over and over! Bianca kicks Bayley to a corner, then TOSSES her across the way! And then TOSSES her the other way! And dropkicks her down!

Bianca says she’s the champ, and she whips Bayley. Bayley reverses, Bianca goes up and over but Bayley dodges to send her into buckles! Bayley snarls again, gets Bianca up and hooks her up, but no Rose Planter! Bianca shoves and hits a SPINEBUSTER! High stack cover, TWO!! Bianca stalks Bayley, gets her up and in the torture rack, but Bayley fights free! Bayley runs and clotheslines! Bayley puts Bianca in a drop zone, hurries up top, MACHO ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!! One of Bayley’s best, and Bianca survives it! Bayley scrapes Bianca out of the ring, goes outside, and runs in for the daredevil- No, the dropkick is caught! Bianca drags Bayley out and around, but Bayley POSTS her!

Bayley goes into the ring, waits on Bianca to get up, and then runs to DIVE but FLOPS as Bianca dodges! Bianca gets Bayley’s arms, for an APRON GLAMEST SLAM! Bianca puts Bayley in, covers, TWO!! Bayley survives, part of why she was the longest reigning champion! Bianca stomps Bayley, runs in, but Bayley dodges and backslides! Feet on ropes!! TOW!! Bayley gets around to O’Conner Roll, and holds the ropes! The ref sees it this time! Bianca says Bayley’s cheating, Bayley SLAPS her! Bayley argues with the ref but turns around into forearms! They brawl, Bianca gets the edge, but Bayley rakes the eyes! The ref missed it because of positioning!

Bayley defends her innocence, and she grabs Bianca’s ponytail. She pulls Bianca in and hits a BAYLEY2BELLY!! Cover, TWO!??! Bianca survives Bayley’s classic finisher and Bayley can’t believe it! Bayley drags Bianca up by her ponytail again, uses that to tie Bianca up into the headlock, ROSE PLAN- NO! Bianca turns it into a cradle!! Bianca wins!!

Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall (still SmackDown Women’s Champion)

Bayley demands they replay this and take note of what happened! Bianca “cheated” by using her ponytail! But Bayley was the one using all the cheats she could think of! Will Bayley have to face up to reality that she’s not the best and that Bianca IS?

Backstage interview with MVP.

Montel Vontavius Porter’s “business proposition” was rejected, but Braun Strowman’s display shows that he makes poor decisions. Actually, he lacks the intellectual capacity to hold the title. Braun isn’t smart enough to see the bigger picture. McIntyre is smart enough and savvy enough to know that picture has no room for him. Then what about the Triple Threat? MVP isn’t concerned, but everyone knows Lashley is at an inherent disadvantage. Well, MVP isn’t concerned since Lashley will overcome everything. He isn’t just a champion, he isn’t just the WWE Champion, he is the ALL MIGHTY WWE Champion. Will MVP’s confidence come back to haunt Lashley?

WWE World Championship Triple Threat: Bobby Lashley w/ MVP VS Drew McIntyre VS Braun Strowman!

Not only did the All Mighty and Scottish Warrior battle for this title at WrestleMania 37, the battled for this very title roughly a year ago at Backlash 2020. Now #WrestleManiaBacklash is adding a Monster Among Men to the mix! Will Braun tip the scales in his own favor? Or will he be used as a giant pawn in MVP’s game against McIntyre?

The introductions are made, the title is raised, and there can only be one!

Lashley tells McIntyre they can take Braun out of this, but Braun runs McIntyre over and ROCKS Lashley! Braun goes corner to corner to splash McIntyre, then splash Lashley! Lashley gets up to hit a COPLETE SHOT! McIntyre stomps Braun, and maybe he is taking Lashley up on the offer. Braun gets up and choke grips McIntyre but Lashley knocks Braun down! The mugging continues, Lashley gets Braun up and reels him in. He tells McIntyre to help out, and they mug Braun with knees! Then they double suplex the Monster up, holding him for 10, then SLAM him down! Braun writhes and now the truce is over! McIntyre and Lashley brawl, McIntyre whips Lashley and hits an OVERHEAD suplex!

Braun staggers into a GLASGOW KISS! Lashley drags McIntyre out, RAMS him into the barriers, then gets him up in a fireman’s carry. McIntyre slips out to POST Lashley! McIntyre throws knees, Braun CANNONBALLS and wipes them out!! Braun THROWS McIntyre into barriers, puts Lashley in the ring, and choke grips for a CHOKE SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Lashley survives but Braun just glares down at him. Braun keeps on Lashley, scoops him, but Lashley slips out and wants the arms! Braun fights the nelson off, McIntyre SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODIES?! McIntyre gets up, Lashley staggers into another OVERHEAD Suplex! Braun runs in but McIntyre POSTS him!

McIntyre runs at Lashley, is put on the apron but he ROCKS Lashley with a right! McIntyre climbs, leaps, another CROSSBODY! And a kip up! Braun runs in but into a NECKBREAKER! Cover, Lashley breaks it! Lashley bumps McIntyre off buckles, fires off hands, and roars as MVP says to keep on him. Lashley OVERHEAD Suplexes McIntyre now! McIntyre flops out of the ring. Lashley goes after Braun, MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Lashley keeps his focus while MVP argues the count, but tow is two. Lashley BLASTS McIntyre off the apron and McIntyre hits barriers! Lashley goes out and THROWS McIntyre into more barriers!

Lashley gets McIntyre back up, fireman’s carries again, and this time, POSTS McIntyre! But Braun CLOBBERS Lashley with steel steps! He wants Lashley to get up, Lashley does, and Braun RAMS him again! Braun TOSSES the steps up the ramp, and then stalks Lashley to the corner. McIntyre CLAYMORES Braun over the barriers!! Lashley drags himself back to the ring, McIntyre crawls after him. McIntyre gets Lashley up to throw hands and they go up the ramp. McIntyre SMACKS Lashley off the steel steps Braun tossed up there! McIntyre moves those aside, brings Lashley back up, but Lashley blocks the suplex, to suplex McIntyre onto ramp!

MVP coaches Lashley up and Lashley stands back up. Lashley gets McIntyre up, CLUBS him to the stage, and they head towards ThunderDome screens. Lashley RAMS McIntyre into LED boards, then brings him to the main stage piece! McIntyre reverses to GLASGOW KISS! McIntyre dribbles Lashley’s head on the LED boards! McIntyre RAMS Lashley through the LED boards!! McIntyre has gotten rid of the Rocky Mountain Machine and roars as fans lose their minds! McIntyre keeps MVP back with a glare, and he goes looking for Lashley. Where did Lashley go? Braun CLOBBERS McIntyre outta nowhere!

Braun gets McIntyre up and throws him down the ramp! McIntyre tumbles, staggers up, STROWMAN EXPRESS sends McIntyre into the ring apron! Braun drags McIntyre up, puts him in, and stands him up, to CLUB him in the chest! Braun runs to drop a BACK SENTON! Cover, TWO!! McIntyre survives and Braun can’t believe it! Braun gets McIntyre up, McIntyre wrenches free but Braun ROCKS him with a right! Braun runs in, hits buckles, and McIntyre scoops to MICHINOKU DRIVER!?!? Cover, TWO!!! A shocking feat of strength, and a shocking survival! Braun drags himself up, McIntyre is after him, but Braun TOSSES him out of the ring!

Braun goes out, and the Strowman Express is back on track! Braun storms around the corner, but into an OVERHEAD suplex?!? Braun is a heap by the steel steps, but he manages to sit up. McIntyre aims at him from the barriers, and he loads up! Braun stands, McIntyre runs, but Braun pops him up, POWERBOMB THROUGH THE ANNOUNCE DESK!! Both men are down, “This is Awesome!” and far from over! Braun staggers up, rips his shirt off, and he glares at McIntyre in the wreckage. Braun drags McIntyre up, but McIntyre is dead weight as Braun drags him to the ring. Braun puts McIntyre in, stalks him, and shouts, “YOU’RE DEAD!”

Braun scoops, McIntyre slips out and shoves, to dodge and CLAYMORE!! Lashley returns and throws McIntyre out of the ring!! Lashley SPEARS Braun!!! Cover, Lashley wins!!

Winner: Bobby Lashley, by pinfall (still WWE World Champion)

The All Mighty looks more like the Ultimate Opportunist there! But a win is a win. Will no one, no matter how big and how bad, ever take this title from Lashley?

The next WWE PPV is going to be hell!

Normally more an October tradition, HELL IN A CELL comes to the WWE Universe in June! Happy Father’s Day, fans, because 6/20/21 will be one hell of a night!

WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman VS Cesaro!

The Reigns-ing, Defending, Undisputed, Uncontroverted, Universal Heavyweight Champion demands respect but never gives it back. Will he regret doing that when he’s up against a hungry and uber talented Swiss Superman? Or will he once again have his Right Hand Man waiting to be his insurance policy?

Jey is pumped up backstage, but Roman doesn’t want him talking about “us.” But Jey’s always in his corner, just in case. In case of what? Jey is starting to sound like Jimmy. Why doesn’t he go find his brother. Roman makes his entrance without the Right Hand Man, because he wants to prove he can do this with his own hands! The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Roman only needs Roman to defeat Cesaro.

Cesaro and Roman circle, Cesaro pressing the issue. Roman stays on the rope side, they tie up, they go around the ring and end up in the ropes. The ref counts, they go off ropes to still go around the ring. Roman puts Cesaro in a corner, the ref counts, but Cesaro slips out. Roman pushes Cesaro away and the two reset. They circle, tie up, and go around again. Roman waistlocks, Cesaro gets the arm and they shift back to collar ‘n’ elbow. Roman headlocks, hits a takeover, but Cesaro fights up. Roman headlocks, Cesaro powers out, Roman runs him over! Cover, ONE! Roman headlocks, Cesaro fights up, and powers out. Things speed up, Cesaro hurdles and runs Roman over!

Cesaro gets a cradle, ONE! Cesaro has a lateral press, ONE! Roman bails out to regroup with Heyman and cool off. Heyman says Roman is Tribal Chief, he’s doing just fine. Roman gets back up and in the ring, with Cesaro giving him space. Roman rushes in but into a waistlock! Roman elbows free, RAMS Cesaro into the corner and throws forearms! Cesaro staggers, Roman bumps him off buckles. Roman whips, Cesaro dodges and springboards to FLYING EUROUPPER! Cesaro fires up, Roman gets up, Cesaro hits a SIPNEBUSTER, and has the legs! Roman scrambles, gets the ropebreak, and boots Cesaro away!

Roman gets up while Cesaro shakes his head. Roman throws Cesaro out hard, and Cesaro gets up clutching an arm. The ring count climbs but Cesaro is using it to walk it off. Cesaro is back on the apron at 7 and steps in at 8, but Roman fires forearms! Cesaro EuroUppers in return and the brawl is on! Cesaro gets an edge, whips, but Roman reverses and CLOBBERS Cesaro! Roman POSTS Cesaro, focusing on the bad arm! The ring count starts again, Roman watches as Cesaro gets up, and Roman goes out to bounce Cesaro off the desk. Cesaro elbows back, Roman bounces him off the desk again! Roman puts Cesaro back in at 6 of 10 and crawls to a cover, ONE!

Roman is annoyed and he clamps onto Cesaro with a headlock. Roman grinds Cesaro down but Cesaro endures. Heyman likes what he sees as Roman shifts to a cravat. Cesaro still fights up, uses the pants to try a suplex! Roman resists, and then Roman suplexes Cesaro instead! Cover, ONE! Cesaro shakes his head, and Roman stares him down. The two stand, Cesaro is in a corner, and Roman ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! The ref counts, Roman stomps Cesaro but backs off. Cesaro hits back with forearms of his own! And EuroUppers! Roman ROCKS Cesaro with his own uppercut! Roman goes back to the cravat and grinds Cesaro down to the mat!

Cesaro endures, fans build to a rally, and Cesaro fights up to throw body shots. Cesaro powers and whips Roman, but Roman LEAPING LARIATS! Cover, ONE!! Roman cannot believe it! Cesaro pie faces Roman, Roman rains down furious forearms! Roman clamps on a chinlock, Cesaro fights up, and Cesaro kicks low. Cesaro throws haymakers and EuroUppers, but Roman shoves to fireman’s carry and SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Roman is getting frustrated with Cesaro as Cesaro is still in this. Heyman chuckles as Roman goes to a corner. Roman locks ‘n’ loads, takes aim and runs in, but Cesaro ducks to POP-UP UPPERCUT! Heyman panics as both men are down!

Cesaro watches Roman go to a corner. Cesaro runs in to EuroUpper again! He whips Roman corner to corner to EuroUpper again! And another! Cesaro runs to BOOT Roman down! Cover, TWO! Cesaro has a leg, and then he gets the other! Roman flails, Cesaro stomps the leg over and over, then drops an elbow! And another! Cesaro keeps after the legs, steps through, and gets a SHARPSHOOTER! Roman crawls and gets the ropebreak! Cesaro lets go fast, sees Roman bailing out, and builds speed! Cesaro FLIES!! A Swiss Tornillo takes out Roman and Cesaro fires up! The fans are fired up as Cesaro puts Roman back in!

Roman gets out as Cesaro slides in, and Roman is using the count for a breather. Cesaro goes out and shrugs, then runs around to EuroUpper Roman into barriers! Cesaro puts Roman back in, chases Heyman off, and goes to a corner. Cesaro climbs, leaps, FLYING CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!! Roman survives but Cesaro thinks of what he has to do next. Cesaro looms over Roman at the ropes, drags him up by his hair and then his ear, and brings him to the corner. Cesaro climbs, Roman throws body shots! Roman ROCKS Cesaro but Cesaro JABS back! Cesaro SMACKS Roman off post! Heyman is worried as Roman is dazed on the apron!

Cesaro climbs up again, brings Roman back up, but Roman ROCKS him with an uppercut! Cesaro ends up stuck on the top, Roman BOOTS him down! Roman gets Cesaro’s bad arm and bends it against the crossbar! The ref counts, Roman lets go at 4 but Cesaro’s elbow has taken serious damage. Roman grins as he sees Cesaro clutching the bicep. Roman runs in around the way and DRIVE-BY DROPKICKS Cesaro into post! Roman puts Cesaro in, covers, ONE!! Cesaro’s arms are bothering him but he still got out quickly. Roman is amused now! He smiles as he looks down on Cesaro. Cdesaro throws a forearm but that hurts the arm!

Roman kicks a leg, YANKS on the bad arm again and again, then wrenches through, and again! Roman smiles at the camera and says Daniel Bryan better enjoy watching his friend get worked over! Roman doe elbow breaker after elbow breaker al la Bryan, but Cesaro headbutts free! Roman runs to LARIAT Cesaro down! Cover, TWO!! Cesaro is still in this, and Roman just smirks. Cesaro sits up and Roman tells him to understand. “I love wrestling, it’s fun for me.” He CLUBS Cesaro, throws haymakers, and knees! Roman throws strikes all over, throws more knees in the corner, but the ref counts. Roman lets off at 4 and goes back to Cesaro.

Roman gets Cesaro up, whips him, and BOOTS him down! The ref checks on Cesaro given the bad arm and the cuts and scrapes all over him. Roman crouches by Cesaro and tells him Roman has a lot of responsibilities Cesaro could never handle. Cesaro sits up and Roman stands him up to HEADBUTT him to a corner! Roman stomps Cesaro in the corner, the ref counts again, and Roman gets in the ref’s face. The ref says Roman has to respect the authority, and Roman goes back to Cesaro. Cesaro throws a back elbow with the good arm! Roman grins but Cesaro EuroUppers! That’s the bad arm again! Cesaro BOOTS Roman, Roman BOOTS back! Cesaro hits a DISCUS!!

Cesaro writhes, having used the bad arm again! Roman is in a daze, Cesaro gets the bad arm moving again. Roman checks his jaw, Cesaro gives him a junkyard dog headbutt! Roman sits up and throws a haymaker. Cesaro does the same! They brawl on the mat, Cesaro throws body shots and EuroUppers, despite the bad arm hurting! He just fights through to fire off hands and stomps in the corner! Roman gets to the apron, Cesaro drags him up to the top! DEAD LIFT SUPERPLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Roman survives and Heyman is relieved! Cesaro drags himself over and gets a leg. Cesaro headbutts it! And then stomps it! And steps through, but Roman holds off the Sharpshooter, so Cesaro DOUBLE STOMPS!

Cesaro drags Roman up, reels him in, and Gotch holds! The bad arm holds back the lift! Roman ROCKS Cesaro and gets the arm for a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Roman pushes back as far as he can but Cesaro endures the pain! Cesaro fights, rolls, and gets an Oklahoma Roll! TWO!! Roman narrowly escapes and swings on Cesaro! Cesaro dodges, springboards, into a SUPERMAN PUNCH!! Cover, TWO!!! Heyman is in disbelief and Roman is beside himself! Cesaro, bad arm and all, is still in this and the ThunderDome screens are fired up! Roman talks to himself like he has in the past, and both he and Cesaro go to corners.

Roman lets out the battle cry, runs in, but into a EuroUpper! POP-UP- But the arm gives up! Roman gets the GUILLOTINE FACELOCK!! Roman drags Cesaro down, but Cesaro powers up!! SPINEBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! But Cesaro has the legs! Roman grabs to Cesaro’s face but Cesaro rains down furious forearms and elbows! Then the SHARPSHOOTER!! Roman hasn’t tapped on record, will he tap out here?! Cesaro uses the bad arm as just balance, and then he grabs Roman’s arm for a CROSSFACE!!! Cesaro drags Roman away from ropes, and pulls back as hard as he can! Heyman is speechless, but Roman goes after the bad arm with his forehead!

Roman pries free, turns that way, and gets on top of Cesaro for point-blank shots! Roman rains down elbows and Cesaro is in a daze! Roman gets Cesaro in a high stack, to a DEAD LIFT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Cesaro barely gets his bad arm off the mat! Roman is as stunned as he’s ever been from how long Cesaro is lasting! Roman shows no mercy and rains more forearms down! Cesaro keeps his shoulders up, and then grabs Roman’s arm! Cesaro gets up, Roman can’t get free, Cesaro arm-drags but Roman CLOBBERS Cesaro! Facelock, gator roll, GUILLOTINE!! Cesaro is bright red but he gets back up!

Cesaro has a leg, he uses that for leverage to SPINEBUSTER Roman again! But Roman still holds on tight!! Roman throws elbows in, and squeezes tighter! Cesaro is fading! Cesaro gets a second wind and pries at the hold!! Cesaro is almost free!! But Roman puts more pressure on and squeezes tight! Cesaro keeps moving, keeps trying, but he’s out! Roman wins!

Winner: Roman Reigns, by submission (still WWE Universal Champion)

Cesaro snaps back to consciousness, but a little too late! If Cesaro is Swiss Superman, this makes Roman the Darkseid of SmackDown! Jey Uso rushes out to present Roman with the celebratory lei. Jey again acknowledges Roman as Tribal Chief, and he glares at Cesaro. Roman gives approval, and Jey SUPERKICKS Cesaro! Jey rains down rights, the ref tells him to stop! Cesaro’s already been through enough, but Jey says it’s “night-night!” Jey climbs up, but SETH ROLLINS heads out? The Architect has been after Cesaro since before WrestleMania 37, and he joins Roman in the ring. They stare down for a moment, but Rollins smiles. He goes after Cesaro himself!

Rollins fires off fists and stomps Cesaro out of the ring! Rollins gets Cesaro up to RAM him into steel steps! And then takes the bad arm and SLAMS it on the steps! And then he throws Cesaro over the announce desk! Rollins SLAMS Cesaro’s bad arm on the desk, and shouts, “What did you think was gonna happen?!” Rollins gets a chair to SMACK Cesaro’s bad arm! “Do you know who I am?!?” Rollins SMACKS Cesaro again! And JAMS him in the ribs! And then puts the bad arm through the chair! Rollins uses the chair like pliers to TWIST Cesaro’s arm! And then he tells Cesaro to listen to him! “I’m SETH FREAKIN’ ROLLINS! Nobody makes a mockery out of me!”

Rollins POSTS the chair-trapped arm!! And then a CURB STOMP to the bad arm!! Roman and company have long since left, but Rollins soaks up all the heat meant for them both. Will Cesaro be able to recover from this? Will Rollins finally leave him alone? And who is next for the Tribal Chief?

My Thoughts:

This PPV was a lot better than it should’ve been with the lazy name and almost-as-lazy build. Status quo was kept on almost all the titles, but I try not to fault an event for that so long as the way the champions win are satisfactory. Not sure if that completely happened here for me. It was more the WWE World Championship Triple Threat. Lashley apparently hiding inside the ThunderDome screens after McIntyre threw him through the side was a bit sneakier than I thought he’d be. But I suppose that’s how Triple Threats tend to go, and it was the one thing that’d tip things in his favor.

We got some more tension building with the Usos, and Roman VS Cesaro was an awesome main event, but we all figured Roman was retaining. It’s a bit of a shame Rollins had to come out and add on, just to bring things back to Rollins VS Cesaro for what will apparently be Hell in a Cell next, not Money in the Bank or even Extreme Rules. That will certainly be one of the Cell matches, and will hopefully be the blow-off for the feud. Roman retaining and Lashley retaining does go for something I was hoping for with the two already planning to meet at Survivor Series. It won’t be copy-paste but them actually trying to one-up each other until they finally meet, Champion VS Champion.

The SmackDown Women’s Championship was of course going to stay with Bianca, it was her first defense and she’s literally just getting started. I do find it interesting the match started with her almost clowning Bayley, but then Bayley gets a bit grittier and starts turning the tide. The use of the ponytail was very clever, it really made for a frantic ending and Bayley will want another shot because of the “controversy.” Maybe Sonya will favor Bayley like she did Charlotte to give her the spot in the Triple Threat. That Triple Threat felt a bit more unpredictable, and as it was going, I’m a little surprised it wasn’t Charlotte capitalizing on Asuka. No Alexa Bliss was a surprise, but at least that gives Raw something to do.

Sheamus getting a kickoff match that I didn’t see advertised at all even during the preshow was alright, but he kept repeating himself from Raw in the promo. Ricochet stepping up is great, I wish the stuff I hear he and Mustafa Ali have been doing was on Raw because Raw needs the ratings anyway. Humberto Carrillo got pretty banged up from that sunset bomb botch, so Ricochet is certainly stepping into the US Championship feud. Ricochet is perhaps an even better high-flyer, and he and Sheamus had a really good match here so the rematch for the title will be even greater. And maybe they can still get Mansoor involved, maybe bring in Mustafa Ali, get the US title as active as the Intercontinental title.

The Lumberjack match turning into a corporate plug zombie movie match was so ridiculous, I was both disappointed and laughing so hard watching it. I was hoping this was going to settle things between Priest and Miz, and then start things for Miz VS Morrison, but I can’t be sure it even did the first thing. Though if Miz and Morrison don’t show up on Raw as the Greatest Zombies of the 21st Century, I’ll actually be even more disappointed. Priest himself should get in on the US Championship scene with Sheamus and Ricochet, that’d be awesome stuff.

The SmackDown tag titles as the only title to change, it is great for Rey and Dom to have these, but the Dirty Dawgs attacking Dom was many things in one. It was cheap Heel heat, it was cheap ‘n’ easy drama for the match, and it was perhaps all to cover for Dom not being at the in-ring skill level he should be at for such a moment like this. I don’t want to say WWE rushed in getting Dom to RawDown just so he and Rey could become a team, but when Dom was getting going, they suddenly let off the gas. There should’ve been more for Dom with Buddy Murphy, more of that tease where Rey was taking Dom to go talk with someone, and how Dom was going to train and get better (both in kayfabe and for real).

I do like that Dom hit the last move and it was a Frog Splash in honor of Eddie. THAT should’ve been the someone Rey meant, and they should’ve watched film on Eddie Guerrero from the WWE Network, before NBC threw a billion dollars at Vince to get the streaming rights. Or was that angle shut down because Peacock was getting the rights and they weren’t ever gonna have the Eddie Guerrero collection in time? Either way, lame that they didn’t follow through. They really need to reconsider and bring that back around somehow.

My Score: 8.6/10