The Tribal Chief celebrates his dominant victory!

SmackDown will celebrate the Reigns-ing, Defending, Undisputed, Uncontroverted, WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion of the World, Roman… Reigns!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Mixed Tag: Cesaro & Bianca Belair VS Seth Rollins & Bayley; Rollins & Bayley win.
• Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Apollo Crews w/ Commander Azeez VS Big E; Big E wins and advances to the Men’s MITB Ladder Match.
• Liv Morgan VS Carmella; Liv wins.
• Jimmy Uso VS Dolph Ziggler; wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Paul Heyman talks with Roman Reigns in the private room.

Rey and Dominik Mysterio are not here but Heyman assures Roman they are acknowledging their Tribal Chief from their hospital beds. Roman stands up as Jimmy walks in. “What up, Uce?” Where is Jey? Another no show, but look! Jimmy finally got a hold of Jey. What did Jey say? Jey says he ain’t coming back. Roman gets upset. Roman takes Jey from being jus tone of the Usos to being #MainEventJey the Right Hand Man, and now he’s not showing up to work? Jimmy gets it, though. Jimmy ain’t nobody’s bitch, but he is here for Roman. Family, right? Jimmy’s got Roman! Roman sneers, and says Jimmy is claiming he can do what Jey does and be the Right Hand Man.

Well, Jimmy isn’t trying to be Jey but… So now he can’t? Jimmy can do what Jey does. Then prove it. Jimmy heads out, but how will he prove to the Head of the Table that he can be just as good as Jey?

Mixed Tag: Cesaro & Bianca Belair VS Seth Rollins & Bayley!

This might be the strongEST combination possible for a Mixed Tag Match! The Swiss Superman and the EST SmackDown Women’s Champion are looking to settle things with their respective nemeses in the arrogant Architect and rude Role Model! But before the match, Bianca has a mic to speak. “Wow…! What a night! It’s Friday, we’re on the road to Money in the Bank, and we are three weeks out from leaving the ThunderDome and coming home to you guys,” the WWE fans, “live and in person!”

And tonight, Bianca ’bout to whoop Bayley yet again! Bianca says after winning at Hell in a Cell, she cannot stop celebrating! She can’t stop shining the title, because she likes making it clean enough to see herself in. Not to be vain, but to remember that the girl in that reflection, “Oh, she did that. She persevered because Bayley threw everything at me other than the kitchen sink.” Chairs, kendo sticks, ladders, and even Bianca’s own hair! Bianca won’t forget that pain, but she also can’t stop smiling! That’s because Bianca left with the title! She is so proud of her reflection. Bianca didn’t allow Bayley the bully get to her.

Anyone dealing with your own Bayleys, let this be a reminder that you are so  much more! “We are so much more powerful!” The bullies can scheme all day long and laugh in your face like the Wicked Witch of the West, but DING DONG, the witch is dead! But now Seth Rollins makes his entrance! Rollins joins Bianca in the ring and gets himself a mic to say, “Yes! A night for celebratin’ out here with the SmackDown Women’s Champion, the EST of WWE, Bianca Belaaair~!” And we are here celebrating because also at HIAC, they both overcame adversity! Bianca a little bit but Rollins a HUGE amount of it! The haters, the doubters and the trolls were beat when Rollins pinned “Zazaro” in the ring!

Rollins beat Cesaro from bell to bell, pillar to post, and now he’s movin’ on up. But before that, let’s celebrate! Bianca didn’t quite dominate like Rollins did. She kinda squeaked by, almost a fluke really. But that’s no reason not to celebrate! Win at any cost! High-five! Like the Kliq! Or maybe low five? Uh, who does he think he’s talking to? Because he’s teaming with Bayley. Yeah, she’ll be here to beat the hell out of Bianca, but they can’t high-five before then. Oh wait, here comes Bayley! She has a mic to tell Rollins not to waste his time with Bianca. Bayley was gonna come out and congratulate Bianca but she’s just bragging all over again! That’s not the kind of champion the fans need and deserve!

Bianca tells Bayley maybe she stops talking and get in the ring so Bianca can show her what kind of champion she is. Rollins says, “You asked for it! This is bad news! Be careful what you wish for!” Bayley gets in the ring and tells Bianca after her “fluke,” Bayley doesn’t look at her any differently than before. Bayley still sees the “same old pathetic Bianca BeLoser.” Rollins laughs at that but Bianca DECKS Bayley! Rollins gets between them but Bayle DECKS Bianca! Bayley hammers away on Bianca, stomps her, but Cesaro makes his way out! And he dodges Rollins to fire off jabs and EuroUppers! Cesaro clotheslines Rollins out, Bayley throws Bianca out!

Bayley and Cesaro see their partners are gone, and Bayley says this is HIS fault! He ruined her show, threw Rollins around, but wait! Bianca gets in and gets a boost to BOOT Bayley down! The SuperEST team is ready, but things sort out as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and the men start with the bell. Cesaro gets Rollins for a waistlock and SLAM! Then Cesaro floats all over Rollins, slaps him around, gets him up and SLAMS him again! Cesaro holds on, Rollins elbows free but Cesaro EuroUppers back! Cesaro whips corner to corner but Rollins boots him! Rollins goes up, leaps, but into a tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Rollins tags to Bayley, she comes in reluctantly and Bianca rallies on her! Bianca handsprings over Bayley and tells her to kiss this. Bayley runs in but Bianca runs her over! Bayley tags back out to Rollins, and Cesaro storms over. Rollins runs around the ring, gets back in, but Cesaro dodges the knee drop

Cesaro KNEES Rollins through the rope, then has him draping through them to EuroUpper Rollins back in! Rollins staggers up but Cesaro puts him in a corner. Cesaro runs in but into a BUCKLE SHOT! Rollins hits a SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO! Rollins claws at Cesaro’s face and then drops a knee! Bayley taunts Cesaro as Rollins stomps him down then throws him to the mat. Rollins clamps on a chinlock, Cesaro fights up, but Rollins becomes a backpack! Cesaro throws Rollins off but Rollins knees low and CHOPS him! And CHOPS! Cesaro EuroUppers! And again! And again! And again! Cesaro whips, Rollins kicks him away, then snapmares for a PENALTY KICK to the back!

Rollins seethes while Cesaro writhes, and Bayley gives a thumbs up. Rollins stays between Cesaro and Bianca, gets him up and whips him to ropes for a knee! Cesaro doubles over and Rollins laughs as he whips the other way for another knee! Rollins reels Cesaro in but Cesaro blocks the suplex. Cesaro suplexes Rollins up but Rollins slips out to waistlock. Cesaro switches to back suplex but Rollins lands on his feet! Roles reverse as Rollins back suplexes but Cesaro lands on his feet! Cesaro staggers back, Bianca tags in! Bayley gets in but Bianca fires off on her! Rollins still runs at Cesaro but is tossed up and out!

Bayley shoves Bianca but Bianca dropkicks her down! Kip up and another dropkick! Kip up and hammering forearms! Bianca whips, scoops Bayley and hits a BACKBREAKER! Then flips Bayley over for a GUT BUSTER! STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Bayley flounders to a corner but Bianca RAMS her shoulder in! Bayley gets out of the ring, Bianca pursues but Bayley FLAPJACKS Bianca onto barriers! Bayley then POSTS Bianca, hurries back into the ring, and leaves Bianca writhing as the ring count climbs! Bayley has control as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns and Bayley has Bianca down with a top keylock. Bianca endures, reaches out but Bayley cranks the arm. Bianca gets up but Bayley throws her down by that arm! Bayley stays between Bianca and Cesaro as she kicks and clubs her down. Bianca gets to a corner, Bayley has the arm again for a double wristlock! Bianca tries to power towards her corner but Bayley digs in her heels. Bianca powers up again and carries Bayley, but Bayley throws her back down! Bayley goes after the double wristlock again but Bianca throws body shots! Bayley wrenches the arm but Bianca back drops her! Both women crawl, Bianca tags Cesaro!

Cesaro runs to BOOT Rollins off the apron, then goes out to EuroUpper against the barriers! Cesaro dribbles Rollins off the apron, throws him into the ring then goes to a corner. Rollins flounders about, into the CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Cesaro keeps his focus, SPINEBUSTER to SWING!! Rollins goes around and around and around for about half a dozen, but Bayley distracts! Rollins cradles Cesaro like HIAC, TWO! Cesaro dodges Rollins to springboard FLYING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Cesaro reels Rollins in but Bayley leaps! Cesaro catches Bayley but Rollins gets free! ROLLING ELBOW! Cover, Bianca breaks it! Rollins is furious but Bianca taunts him with the high-five.

Rollins shouts at Bianca that she is what’s wrong with this place! Cesaro, too! Rollins CLUBS away but Cesaro fires off haymakers and EuroUppers! Rollins BOOTS Cesaro, Bayley tags in! Rollins clotheslines Cesaro out, but Bianca HIP TOSSES Bayley! Rollins leaps into a EuroUpper! Bayley rolls Bianca up, TWO! SPINEBUSTER from Bianca to a high stack cover, TWO! Cesaro and Rollins brawl ringside, Bianca torture racks Bayley. Rollins scurries in but bumps into them, Bayley gets free of the KOD! Cesaro runs at Rollins to clobber him, but Bayley KNEES Bianca down! ROSE PLANTER!! Cover, Bayley & Rollins win!!

Winners: Bayley & Seth Rollins, by pinfall

The Role Model just got a pin off the SmackDown Women’s Champion! Is this how Bayley is going to come back around and cash-in at MITB?

Jimmy Uso paces outside Roman’s room.

Paul Heyman walks out and Heyman seems a bit surprised to see Jimmy there. Jimmy asks Heyman what Roman means by “proving” himself tonight. Prove what? Heyman says that the family needs a Head of the Table and they have one in Roman. The family needs Roman to have a Right Hand Man. If Jey doesn’t want to do that anymore, then the family needs #MainEventJimmy. But we’re 35 minutes in, what does Roman need of him? Well, if there’s one thing Roman understands, it’s winning. Jimmy needs to win a match. Tonight? Yes, tonight! Well, okay. Then Heyman can go make that happen. Of course! Let’s do that. Jimmy will win for the family! Of course. Because if he doesn’t, well… Heyman heads out and the pressure is now on Jimmy. Will he crack under it?

SmackDown presents the official coronation of its new king!

“Hear ye, hear ye! Dutiful subjects of SmackDown!” Rick Boogs is here to present not just The King of Strong Style! No, no, but the ONE TRUE KING of all WWE: Shinsuke NakamurAAAAA~! The rock ‘n’ roll bard plays the theme, and here comes the once and future king! Nakamura takes his seat on the throne and Boogs takes the crown from its pedestal. Boogs puts it on Nakamura’s head, and it is officially official once more! ALL HAIL “KINGSUKE” NAKAMURA~~! Pat McAfee even does a Stone Cold but with water bottles.

Backstage interview with King- Er, Baron Corbin.

Kayla asks about his loss last week, but he cuts her off. Corbin lost the crown, his subjects, and more than that. “What’s the point?” Corbin walks away, will the Lone Wolf

Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville enjoy the coronation.

But Seth Rollins walks in and says the time has come! The time is now! What can they do for him, then? No, no, Mr. Pearce and Ms. Deville. What can he do for them and the entire WWE Universe! See, Roman has his State of the WWE Universe Address, and if the subject comes up about the next challenger… You’re looking at him. Rollins could sit here and list off his accolades but they both know how accomplished he is. Rollins has never been more prepared physically, emotionally and spiritually for this. And no one on this roster deserves the opportunity more than him.

Pearce is inclined to agree, but they’re not ready to make that decision. But Sonya says they will take this under advisement. Well, the time is now. Rollins lets management talk it over, but will they see things his way?

Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Apollo Crews w/ Commander Azeez VS Big E!

While the WWE Intercontinental Champion has left the Powerhouse of Positivity behind in their own title chase, there is another chase they’re both still in the running for! Will the Pride of Nigeria continue to keep Big E behind him? Or will this be the day Apollo always remembers as the day Big E left him behind?

SmackDown returns as Apollo makes his entrance, Azeez right behind him. The bell rings, Apollo and Big E tie right up and go around the ropes. They end up in a corner, the ref calls for the break and Apollo pie faces Big E. Big E comes right back, ties up with Apollo again, and puts Apollo in the ropes to shove him right out! Apollo is furious but Big E eggs him on. Apollo takes a moment to cool off as the ring count climbs, and Azeez keeps Big E from getting close. The count is 7, Apollo gets in and he kicks Big E low to throw hands! Apollo ROCKS Big E, runs, but Big E CLOBBERS Apollo with an elbow! Cover, TWO!

Big E drags Apollo back up, whips him to a corner, then runs in, but into boots! Big E staggers, but he CLOBBERS Apollo again! Cover, TWO! Big E stalks Apollo and says they’re not done. Big E pulls Apollo through ropes and CLUBS him! Big E gets Apollo on the apron but Apollo holds ropes to resist the suplex. Apollo SUPERKICKS, then APRON DEATH VALLEY DRIVERS! Apollo roars and Big E is in a daze as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns again and Big E fights out of a chinlock with back elbows. Big E runs but Apollo dropkicks him right down! Cover, TWO! Apollo sits Big E up to punch him right in the forehead! And again! Azeez applauds and Apollo looks up at the briefcases hanging from the rafters. Apollo stomps Big E, wraps on a chinlock and grinds Big E to the mat. Big E endures, fights back up, but Apollo wrangles him down to a cover! ONE, but Apollo is back on the chinlock. Apollo thrashes Big E around, Big E endures and fights up as the ThunderDome rallies. Big E throws body shots again, but Apollo shoves him to a corner. Big E dodges and Apollo hits buckles, but Apollo fights the clinch!

Apollo snap suplexes and floats to the cover, TWO! Apollo mocks the “New! Day Rocks!” clapping and even the hip swivels. Apollo taunts Big E, Big E gets up and blocks Apollo’s clinch! Big E slips his arms inside to clinch and OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! And again! Big E baits Apollo into a third Belly2Belly! Big E swivels his hips while standing over Apollo, and he runs to BIG SPLASH! Big E claps now and watches Apollo rise. Apollo switches the waistlock and ROCKS Big E, then runs in at the corner, but into the Urenag- ARM-DRAG?! Apollo counters and then GERMAN SUPLEXES! And again! Apollo keeps hold to hit the hat trick! Cover, TWO!!

Apollo grits his teeth and Azeez is frustrated on his behalf. Apollo stomps around as he demands Big E stand up. Big E rises, Apollo reels him in, but no Olympic Slam! Roll up to a STRETCH MUFFLER! Apollo endures, reaches out, but Big E lifts him away from the ropes! Apollo keeps trying, Azeez helps and Apollo gets the ropebreak! The ref completely missed that, but Big E keeps his cool. Big E gets Apollo up, but Apollo ENZIGURIS! Big E falls over while Apollo leans on ropes. Apollo catches his breath, hobbles over and climbs a corner, but Big E ROCKS him first! Big E climbs up, CLUBS Apollo, throws forearms, and stands Apollo up.

Apollo fights back with body shots and clubbing forearms of his own! Apollo bumps Big E off the buckle then GAMANGIRIS Big E down! Big E is in a drop zone and Apollo climbs again, for a BIG FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Apollo gets Big E up, STRAITJACKET GERMAN! Cover, TWO!! Big E is still in this and it infuriates Apollo! Big E bails out, Azeez keeps his eyes on him but the ref tells him to stay back. Apollo goes out, runs in, but into an Urenag-E! The ring count is climbing, Big E gets Apollo up and in at 8, but Azeez threw something to distract the ref! Azeez throws Big E, but the ref sees him before the Nigerian Nail can hit! The ref EJECTS Azeez!!

Azeez is furious but at least now things are truly 1v1! But Apollo rolls Big E up! TWO, and a scoop to the BIG ENDING!!! Cover, Big E wins!!

Winner: Big E, by pinfall (advances to the Men’s MITB Ladder Match)

Now THAT was big! Is this the beginning of the end of whoever might have a title the next 365 days?

Backstage interview with Sami Zayn.

Sami is sure Kayla wants to talk his win at HIAC. Sorry for busting in here but go ahead and ask. Well, after his vic- Actually, he wants to say something first. “This persecution that I’ve suffered over the last year really got me thinking that the world is a really twisted place.” Sami say nothing but chaos and injustice, no rhyme or reason. But after beating Kevin Owens at HIAC, there is truly order! The universe is a machine designed to issue cosmic justice, and Sami is its messenger! Sami isn’t one to exaggerate, but he really thinks this is the bets week of his life. Then is he not worried that he’ll face Kevin again, next week, in a MITB qualifier?

W-What? What’s she talking about? She just said it. Yeah, he heard the words but he isn’t understanding. Sami beat Kevin, put an end to Kevin, got the justice he was looking for, and now they’re sticking it to him again! They’re not gonna mess with Sami! They’re messing with karma and the COSMOS!! This is now the worst week of his life. Will next week make things even worse when Kevin comes back to show Sami some karma?

Sami goes to Adam Pearce.

Sami wants Pearce to explain to him how, after having beat Kevin Owens on PPV, he has to beat Kevin again just to get into the MITB Ladder Match? Why not just forget about that and put Sami in? Just put him in, or even just give him the briefcase! It’d be good for everyone! No, that’s not going to happen. Sami will have to qualify against Kevin next week. Why!? Because it’ll be a LAST MAN STANDING MATCH! So that’s a “no” on just giving him the briefcase? Yes. Okay but know this. Pearce is playing a very dangerous game! Not with Sami, but with karma! Sami leaves, but will Scrap Iron really be in the cosmos’ crosshairs?

Sonya Deville heads to the ring.

The WWE official and supervisor of the Raw and SmackDown Women’s Divisions is here with very important news! She will make the first selection into the SmackDown side of the Women’s MITB Qualifiers! We’ll hear who and why, after the break!

SmackDown returns and Sonya says it is her honor to announce the first entry from SmackDown! It will be the two-time MITB winner, Carmella! The Untouchable and Fabulous Mella makes her way to the ring and gets a mic to tell Sonya, “Thanks for making the obvious choice. But if I could just give you one little note? In addition to being a two-time MITB winner, I am also the Most Beautiful Woman in All the WWE!” So here’s another chance to do the intro the right way. Wait, here comes Liv Morgan! “Wait, wait, wait! Hold on just a second and let me get this straight.” Declaring yourself the Most Beautiful Woman in All the WWE just makes Mella an opportunity? Wow~!

Liv gets in the ring and says she BEAT the conceited little princess last week. Liv knows she belongs in this year’s MITB way more than Mella. Mella laughs at that idea, and says, “Aw, sweetie. This match is for the real stars. So cute.” Just look at Mella! And then look at Liv. Liv SLAPS Mella right off her feet! Sonya keeps this from getting worse and tells them both to relax. Liv did just make a statement. Mella isn’t out, but if Liv feels she deserves it, then she can prove it. They can have a match again, right here, right now! Mella is upset, Liv is fired up, will Mella find she’s not the only one who is money?

Liv Morgan VS Carmella!

SmackDown returns and the match is already underway as Mella talks trash and SLAPS Liv outside the ring! Mella drags Liv to the desk, tells commentary to tell the world how beautiful she is, and then bumps her off the apron. Mella shoves Liv in, wraps her hair around the bottom ropes and pulls hair as she wants to be called beautiful. The ref counts, Mella lets off and then whips Liv to a corner. Liv dodges Mella to WING SNAPPER and BOOT her into buckles! Liv then goes up the corner but Mella avoids the stomps to mule kick and FABULOUS KICK Liv into the corner! Mella fixes her hair then taunts Liv.

Mella stands Liv up for back elbow after back elbow, then lets off at the ref’s count, just to fire off more! The ref counts, Mella lets off again, and we see the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, Natalya & Tamina, watching this very closely. Mella goes corner to corner and runs back in for a BRONCO BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Mella keeps her cool as she looms over Liv. “Who do you think you are, Liv? I’m Carmella!” Mella brags about her accolades then she SLAPS Liv! And pie faces her! “I’m the star, not you!” Liv runs and gets Mella for ObLIVion! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Liv is shocked and furious as Mella survives by mere inches!

Liv drags Mella over, but Mella victory roll counters! TWO, and Mella ROCKS Liv with a right! Liv steadies herself in a corner and elbows Mella way. Liv hops up, Mella ROCKS her again! Mella FABULOUS KICKS Liv and Liv wobbles up top! Mella runs in to SUPER MELLA STEINER, but Liv rolls that to a sunset flip! LIV WINS!!

Winner: Liv Morgan, by pinfall

Another big win over the Most Beautiful Woman in the WWE, but was it good enough to get into the MITB match? Only Sonya can decide that.

Jimmy Uso fires up backstage.

Kayla walks over to interview him, saying, “The pressure’s on.” The pressure IS on, but the Usos don’t fall to it. Whatever you put in front of them, they don’t go under, over or around, they go through it. Tonight, Jimmy dedicates this win to the family and Jey. Roman better be watching this! Jimmy heads to the ring, but does he have this on lockdown?

Jimmy Uso VS Dolph Ziggler w/ Robert Roode!

It seems the one who drew this card was the Show-Off! Will Ziggler avoid being put in the Uso Penitentiary?

SmackDown returns and Ziggler makes his entrance, along with his fellow Dirty Dawg. The bell rings and Ziggler circles with Jimmy. They tie up, Jimmy headlocks but Ziggler powers out, only for Jimmy to run him over! Cover, TWO! Jimmy rains down furious fists on Ziggler, but Ziggler gets away to the apron. Jimmy grabs at him but the ref backs Jimmy off. Ziggler gets up, gets around to waistlock, but Jimmy reaches back and headlocks. Ziggler powers out again, but again Jimmy runs him over! Jimmy kicks, Ziggler blocks and spins Jimmy but gets the DRAGON WHIP! Cover, TWO! Jimmy goes after Ziggler again but Ziggler is in the ropes.

Ziggler gets up and hits Jimmy down low! Ziggler throws haymakers, has Jimmy on the ropes and scrapes his face on them! The ref counts, Ziggler lets off but dropkicks Jimmy down! Cover, TWO! Ziggler clamps on with a sleeper and body scissors! Jimmy reaches out, moves around, but Ziggler drags Jimmy away. Jimmy fights up, throws body shots and gets free, but Ziggler throws him down by his hair! Ziggler drops an elbow! Cover, TWO! Ziggler keeps on Jimmy with a sleeper hold and chicken wing, but Jimmy endures. Jimmy fights up, reaches back for hair, but Ziggler puts Jimmy in a corner. Ziggler runs in but Jimmy elbows him away! Ziggler tries again but gets a BOOT!

Jimmy dumps Ziggler up and out and Ziggler lands hard! Roode checks on Ziggler, Jimmy builds speed, Jimmy DIVES! Roode takes the hit and is sent over the desk! Ziggler ZIGZAGS Jimmy into the steel steps!! Jimmy writhes but that was double-edged for Ziggler, too! Everyone is down as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns again and Ziggler has Jimmy in a sleeper! Jimmy flails, throws body shots, and fireman’s carries! Ziggler rakes eyes to escape then kicks low. Ziggler turns Jimmy but Jimmy powers out and CLOBBERS Ziggler! Ziggler gets up into the fireman’s carry and SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Jimmy grits his teeth, aims at Ziggler from the corner, and then SUPER- NO! Ziggler dodges, bounces Jimmy off buckles then ZIGZAGS! Cover, TWO!?! Jimmy survives and Ziggler is beside himself! Ziggler crawls over to Jimmy, brings him up with a facelock, and throws haymakers! Jimmy headbutts back! Ziggler haymakers, Jimmy headbutts again!

Ziggler throws more hands, Jimmy ROCKS him with an uppercut! Ziggler throws another haymaker, and again and again! Ziggler has Jimmy in a corner but Jimmy headbutts and CHOPS! And CHOPS! Jimmy blocks Ziggler’s superkick but Ziggler kicks a leg out! Ziggler runs, but Jimmy turns Famouser into powerbomb, but Ziggler turns that to a sunset flip! TWO, and Jimmy SUPERKICKS! Cover, Jimmy wins!!

Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall

One good shot and it’s done! Did Jimmy just prove he’s the NEW Right Hand Man? That’s up to Roman.

Speaking of which, Roman is watching the replay at gorilla. Jimmy comes in with a big smile and asks what he thinks. Roman smiles back, but doesn’t say anything. Roman makes his entrance and Jimmy wants to follow him back out there, but Heyman tells him it’s fine. Heyman can handle this. Jimmy seems a bit confused and upset by this, was he not good enough for Roman’s high standards? That said, Heyman hustles up to give Roman the belt and Roman holds the belt up for the pyro. Roman gives Heyman the belt back so that Heyman may hold it up as a banner while they go to the ring. And of course, there is the second round of pyro. Roman’s celebration of himself and his State of the WWE Address happens, after the break.

SmackDown returns once more and Heyman has a mic to say that he has many flaws, “but being inarticulate is not one of them.” But we are here to acknowledge the Tribal Chief, and Heyman says this footage speaks almost as eloquently as he does. That is to say, a replay package plays that shows the devastation Roman inflicted upon the Mysterios a couple weeks ago, as well as onto Rey Mysterio specifically inside Hell in a Cell last Friday. Guillotine submissions and seismic powerbombs were the downfalls of both father and son, and the Head of the Table is still Roman Reigns.

The video finishes, and Heyman continues to say, “The Head of the Table does not suck. Here’s something that sucks, and here’s the solution to the problem: The Fiend got frightened; Strowman got slaughtered; Kevin got KO’d; Edge and Daniel Bryan got pinned, stacked, emasculated, neutered, embarrassed, humiliated at WrestleMania. Daniel Bryan was man enough to come back and he got shipped the hell right back out.” Roman smirks as Heyman continues. Cesaro got clobbered, then the Mysterios got launched quite literally and metaphorically straight to Hell. Their Cell is watching from their hospital beds. In less than one year, Roman has wiped out an entire division.

Therefore, the Tribal Chief changes course by doing something never before done on network television. Roman will enlighten you because there is no other choice. There’s no one left! Roman thinks, and then holds his hand out. Heyman hands over the mic, and Roman says- “You think you know me.” EDGE?!?! EDGE IS BACK?!?! The Rated R Superstar, very grizzled and very pissed, baits Roman into the ropes and HOTSHOTS him! Edge knocks Roman out of the ring, then LEAPS from the apron for a clothesline! Edge dribbles Roman’s head off the desk! And then CLUBS away on his back! Edge puts Roman back in the ring, but Roman SUPERMAN PUNCHES him down!

Roman falls over, needing to steady himself after all of that. Roman goes out, gets a chair, and brings it to the ring! But Edge SPEARS Roman down!! Edge hits the Spear first, and then sees the chair! Edge puts Roman’s head on the chair, digs him into the steel, and then hurries to get a second chair! Edge gets back in the ring as Heyman begs for mercy, but JIMMY knocks Edge off the apron! Jimmy rains down rights, drags Edge back up and whips him, only for Edge to reverse! Jimmy again meets steel steps with his back first! Edge SPEARS Jimmy through barriers!! Edge leaves the new Right Hand Man behind but Roman and Heyman have run away to the ramp!

The Rated R Superstar is back in the ring, glaring right at the camera as he shouts, “WHERE YOU AT, ROMAN?! WHERE YOU AT?! You want me? I’m right here!!” Edge has sent a message to Roman and shows there IS someone left! Will Roman have no choice but to acknowledge Edge?

My Thoughts:

Another great SmackDown here, but I feel like there were still some details that just didn’t click. Sonya Deville just naming SmackDown participants in the Women’s MITB shows SmackDown’s Women’s Division has been the one to get gutted by these releases WWE continues to make. And Liv didn’t even actually earn her spot, she just got a good win, and we have to wait a week to see if Sonya thinks she’s worthy over…? Who else is there? Natty & Tamina were backstage watching, but can anyone tell me who is left on SmackDown other than the four we saw tonight? Is Mia Yim going to finally make a SmackDown debut after leaving Retribution and Raw? Is a call-up going to happen when we are told a Draft is coming in August anyway?

Bayley not being considered for MITB was a bit of a surprise to me, but that Mixed Tag Match to open was clearly to set Bayley up for another match with Bianca. The opening promos and match itself were great, but again, look how gutted the women’s division is on RawDown if we’re getting another rematch! Rollins wanting to go after the Universal Championship after finally getting a couple wins on Cesaro is good character stuff for him, but what a great closing segment with Edge returning. The only issue here was Edge must not have realized in reality that Roman and Heyman were just on the ramp, since Edge looked to camera and shouted, “WHERE YOU AT?!”

But before naming a challenger for MITB, I think this first leads to Edge VS Rollins dream match, winner is the contender. That way, we all win by getting a certified classic between Rated R Superstar and Architect, and then this opportunity isn’t just handed to someone, they earned it. And in the end, it’ll be Roman VS Edge for Spear VS Spear and a great match for the live fans to see. Another great element to tonight was that Jimmy is having to earn Roman’s trust. Jey being away this long also makes me think that he’ll counteract whatever Jimmy will do to try to help Roman at MITB. The Usos feuding with each other might be how they’re going to do this and that’d be rather shocking in itself.

The coronation of Shinsuke Nakamura this week seemed like concentrated filler extract. I get it, we need to see sad Baron Corbin and have that make us think, “Oh, what’s next for him now that he’s not king?” But there are several ways of doing that without the coronation. Overall, it was an unneeded epilogue, and maybe Corbin can get in on the Men’s MITB matches. Sami Zayn’s promos tonight were great, showing that karma is getting him back, even if he doesn’t see it that way. A Last Man Standing match between him and Kevin Owens is going to be insane, and could go either way given Kevin won at WrestleMania 37 while Sami won at HIAC.

Apollo VS Big E tonight was a great one, with great story built upon all their previous matches, and naturally Big E wins. Big E can get past Apollo and the Intercontinental Championship and be a strong choice for Mr. MITB this year. Big E’s been promising to get to Roman and the title by WrestleMania 38 in Dallas, this might be his guaranteed spot. And even if it isn’t, it is great story telling for Big E to come close and then have to try again. Corbin, Cesaro, Otis, maybe even Jimmy Uso could be in consideration. Take those four guys, have 1v1 matches, the winners join Big E and the winner of Kevin VS Sami, you have SmackDown’s four.

My Score: 8.3/10