Rematches and remixes, all on a Friday night!

Matt Riddle beat Jimmy last week, now he looks to beat Jey this week! Will the Stallion on a win over both SmackDown Tag Team Champions this close to Backlash?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Xavier Woods w/ Kofi Kingston VS “Butch” Pete Dunne w/ Ridge Holland & Sheamus; Woods wins.
• GUNTHER w/ Ludwig Kaiser VS Teddy Goodz; Gunther wins.
• Matt Riddle w/ Randy Orton VS Jey Uso w/ Jimmy Uso; Riddle wins.
• Mad Cap Moss VS Angel Garza w/ Humberto Carrillo; Moss wins.
• Lumberjack Match: Sami Zayn VS Drew McIntyre; McIntyre wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Adam Pearce is in the ring.

And he welcomes Albany, New York to SmackDown. He welcomes “perhaps the most dominant female in sports entertainment,” the game changer, the opportunity, and the SmackDown Women’s Champion, Charlotte Flair! Charlotte makes her way to the ring, and she soaks up all the heat. Then Pearce welcomes Charlotte’s challenger, “a legend in her own right, and the Baddest Woman on the Planet, Rowdy Ronda Rousey!” Fans cheer as Ronda heads to the ring, and they sit at the table. This contract signing is for their WrestleMania Backlash match, so they just need to sign on… Wait, where IS the contract?

Drew Gulak appears, he’s apparently Pearce’s new intern. Gulak hands the contract over and then tells “Mr. Pearce” that he is very pumped for this opportunity and he is taking it seriously. In fact, Gulak has prepared a PowerPoint presentation to break down and analyze the rules of an I Quit match! Charlotte tells Gulak to shut up. Or does he want to make her quit his new job before he even begins? Ronda says that’s real tough of Charlotte to pick on an intern. Charlotte tells Ronda, “Guess what? I beat you at WrestleMania! But if you want to hear the rules so bad, I’ll explain them.”

Fans taunt Charlotte with “You Tapped Out!” But Charlotte says she was fixing her bra! But she gets to the rules of the I Quit match: “There are no rules. No disqualifications, no count outs, no pinfalls.” The only way to win is for the opponent to say, “I Quit.” And Charlotte’s been fantasizing about how she’ll make Ronda quit. Maybe a boot to her face? No, too easy. Maybe a Figure Four? No, the Figure Eight! So painful, but also predictable. How else to make her quit? Maybe just a good ol’ fashioned beating. But it won’t matter, because Charlotte always finds a way to win. So at Backlash, Ronda will say two of the most beautiful words in the English language. Say them with her: I, quit.

Charlotte then takes the contract and signs on the dotted line. Then she passes it to Ronda and fans cheer her name. Charlotte says, “I beat her at WrestleMania. Uh-ohhh.” But Ronda says just so Charlotte knows what she’s getting into, that means there’s no ref to spare her embarrassment. What embarrassment? She won at Mania. She tapped out. No, she won at Mania. Fans still chant, “You Tapped Out!” Charlotte says she is still champion. Well, this time, no ref is going to pull Ronda off Charlotte or save Charlotte. Charlotte will say Ronda is better than her. Charlotte will abandon her baby, that title, and not spared the humiliation when she says, “I Quit.”

But then Charlotte tosses the table! And she had a kendo stick under it! She SMACKS away, but Ronda blocks it to throw Charlotte down! Ronda has the stick and she SMACKS away! Gulak tries to save Charlotte and he does get the kendo stick, only for Ronda to throw him with the PIPER’S PIT! And then she drags Gulak by his arm. He hands over the contract, and a pen, and she puts on the ARMBAR while she signs! Ronda proves she can multitask, and she teases Charlotte for being sore. Will Ronda multitask at Backlash when she rips Charlotte’s arm off and makes her say those dreaded words?

Xavier Woods w/ Kofi Kingston VS “Butch” Pete Dunne w/ Ridge Holland & Sheamus!

King Woods may have won their first match-up, but then Butch attacked backstage completely unprovoked! Will Woods just get Dunne with another roll-up? Or will the Bruiserweight break Woods and tie things up?

SmackDown returns and the Fight Night Boys make their entrance. The bell rings and Dunne goes right for Woods! Woods O’Conner Rolls him, TWO! Another roll-up, TWO! Woods CHOPS Dunne, ROCKS him with haymakers and CHOPS again. Dunne goes to ropes, Woods CHOPS him again and Kofi says Woods is taking Dunne to town. Woods whips, Dunne reverses but Woods dodges. Woods JABS and JABS and body shots! Woods knees Dunne then LARIATS! Ridge and Sheamus coach while Woods covers, TWO! Woods stands Dunne up but Dunne DECKS him! Dunne rains down hammering hands, then isolates an arm. Dunne drops knees on the elbow!

Dunne keeps on the arm, bends it back, and even twists the wrist. Woods endures, fans rally, but Dunne bends the fingers! Dunne isolates the arm to STOMP it! Dunne scowls and stalks Woods to a corner, then brings him up for a back suplex. Woods lands on his feet to waistlock, but Dunne elbows him away. Dunne whips, Woods reverses but Dunne reverses back. Woods goes up and over, but Dunne fish hooks his mouth! Dunne RAMS Woods into buckles, then sits Woods back up. Dunne digs knuckles into Woods’ face, smothers Woods, but the ref counts. Dunne lets off, runs, but Woods sends him out!

Dunne staggers up, Woods runs and WRECKS him with a dropkick! Dunne ends up on the announce desk, then flounders off it! Woods fires up but Ridge and Sheamus shield Dunne. Kofi backs Woods up, Dunne LEAPS to CLOBBER Woods! Dunne wants to start stuff with Kofi but Sheamus keeps him back, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Dunne has Woods down with a chinbar. Woods fights up, moves around, but Dunne keeps his chin and arm hooked. Dunne wrangles Woods down and cranks on the hold, but Woods still endures. Dunne grabs the far arm, twists it, bends fingers, then bends Woods’ arm back to stomp the ribs! Woods writhes and crawls away but Dunne gets his arm. Dunne cranks the armlock, grinds the shoulder, but Woods fights up. Fans rally, Woods throws forearms, but Dunne holds onto the wrist! Woods breaks free to CHOP and ROCK and CHOP again! Woods keeps on Dunne over and over on the ropes!

The ref counts, Dunne whips but Woods ducks and dodges to slide and ROLLING ELBOW! Fans fire up, Dunne ducks a kick but not the leg sweep! SENTON! Fans fire up with Woods and he fireman’s carries. Dunne pulls an ear to get free! Dunne SLAPS Woods, Woods goes to a corner and Dunne runs in to GAMANGIRI! Dunne brings Woods out, X-PLEX! Cover, TWO! Woods survives and Sheamus can’t believe it! Sheamus and Ridge coach Dunne and Dunne follows Woods to ropes. Woods goes to the apron but Dunne kicks away at him through the ropes! The ref counts, Dunne lets off but then drags Woods in through ropes.

Woods breaks free to STEP-IN DDT! Cradle, WOODS WINS AGAIN!

Winner: Xavier Woods, by pinfall

Butch got lost in the Back Woods again! Sheamus and Ridge want Dunne to keep it calm, but he just starts punching a turnbuckle! The straps are down and Dunne storms off into the crowd, to get a security guard! Dunne TOSSES that guy before leaving the arena! Sheamus and Ridge have no idea what to do about this, will Dunne ever come back?

Aliyah talks with Ricochet.

She tells him the match with Jinder Mahal last week was incredible! Jinder’s so big but Ricochet flew around like nobody’s business. So far, he’s beaten Jinder, Sami, and both Los Lotharios! What’s next? This is just the beginning. It is truly an honor to hold this title. Some of the best ever have held the Intercontinental Championship, and that is his plan: to become one of the best ever. Jinder laughs at that. Ricochet, an all-time great? That was a fluke! If Ricochet is a fighting champion, he’ll defend his title again! That’s exactly what Ricochet wants. He’ll take on anybody at any time. Then Shanky wants a shot! Alright, Ricochet’s up for that.

Jinder is a bit surprised, but will Shanky do what not even the Modern Day Maharaja could do? Or will the One and Only become One of the Greats?

Ludwig Kaiser stands on stage.

In German, and then in English, he says, “Ladies and gentlemen. What you’re about to witness is dignified domination, executed by unprecedented precision. A diabolical athlete who will stop at nothing to uphold the integrity and honor of this great sport. DER RING GENERAL…! GUNTAAA!” That is to say, Gunther is here! Who will he grind into the mat to make sure that the mat is sacred?

GUNTHER w/ Ludwig Kaiser VS ???

SmackDown returns and Gunther’s opponent is Teddy Goodz. The bell rings, Gunther and Goodz stare down. They tie up, Gunther wrenches, wristlocks, knuckle locks, and straight arm levers for a SLAM! Fans chant “WAL~TER!” as Goodz endures the wristlock. Gunther cranks the wrist, Goodz kips up but his dropkick whiffs as Gunther moves. Gunther then BOOTS Goodz down! Kaiser enjoys it like a symphony as Gunther EuroUppers Goodz to a corner. Gunther puts Goodz up top to CHOP, then climbs up to STAND on Goodz! The ref counts, Gunther lets off and Goodz flops to the apron. Gunther suplexes Goodz up and into the ring!

Gunther circles like a shark, then CHOPS Goodz off his feet. Kaiser applauds as Gunther stomps Goodz all around. And then CHOPS him down again! Gunther then drags Goodz up, scoops and SLAMS him, and then CHOPS him on the back! SLEEPER HOLD!! Goodz flails, but Gunther turns him around for a POWERBOMB! High stack, Gunther wins!

Winner: Gunther, by pinfall

That did not feel good for Goodz, but Imperium’s leader continues to conquer. How long until Der Ring General is seen worthy of challenging for a championship?

RKBRO talks backstage.

Matt Riddle says last week was so awesome with that sick pop-up RKO on Jimmy. He is getting that same feeling because he’ll hit Jey with something even sicker. Riddle always loves visiting SmackDown, too, because he gets to see his best buds from the blue brand. Speak of the devil, it’s Drew McIntyre! Oh, wait, okay, Riddle knows things were a little “weird” in the past between Drew and Randy, but Riddle has an idea for a fresh start. RKBRO are gonna be lumberjacks in Drew’s match with Sami! And don’t worry, Randy, you don’t have to wear flannel. Right, Drew?

Drew says he saw last week. As far as he’s concerned, anyone who stands up to the Bloodline’s BS is good in his book. Orton looks at Riddle and Riddle nods. Orton says he and Drew are good. Then Orton heads off and Riddle says they’ll see him out there. But wait, Sami is lurking. Is the Master Strategist thinking he can take advantage of this?

Xia Li speaks.

She was the Protector. But no one is worthy of protection! Now, she protects only herself.

Matt Riddle w/ Randy Orton VS Jey Uso w/ Jimmy Uso!

The Raw and SmackDown Tag Team Champions are set for a collision course at Backlash, so the name of the game is momentum! But will the Stallion add Jey’s name to the list of Usos he’s beaten? Or will the Right Hand Man make Roman Reigns proud by getting one on Riddle?

SmackDown returns and the Usos make their entrance. Roman and Heyman are watching from the private suite, so the pressure is on. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Riddle waistlocks and slams Jey, then wraps on a sleeper! Jey scrambles to the ropebreak and Riddle lets off quickly. Riddle and Jey reset, they tie up, and Jey headlocks. Riddle throws body shots, powers out of the hold, but Jey runs him over! Things speed up, Riddle leaps to get the SLEEPER! Jey manages to throw Riddle away, then he ROCKS Riddle with an uppercut! Jey rains down rights against the ropes but lets off as the ref counts.

Jey paces, then brings Riddle up to whip corner to corner. Riddle goes up and over to ROUNDHOUSE Jey down! Even Jimmy felt that one. Riddle gut wrench suplexes Jey away, then has Jey on ropes. Riddle fires forearms, fans rally behind him, but Jey reverses the whip to CLOBBER Riddle with an elbow! Riddle sputters but Jey stomps him down. Riddle gets to ropes, Jey throws more forearms. Jey CHOPS Riddle against ropes, then CHOPS again. Jey whips Riddle to ropes, but Riddle kicks back! Jey falls, Riddle runs but Jey dodges the Penalty Kick! Jey bails out but Riddle builds speed and DIVES into a haymaker!

Jey drags Riddle out, then whips him into steel steps! Orton paces while Riddle writhes, but Jey drags him back up to copy Orton’s ANNOUNCE DESK BACK SUPLEX! Riddle writhes more while the Usos taunt him, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again as Jey has Riddle in a chinlock. Riddle endures and fights his way up, throws body shots, but then blocks a kick only for Jey to DRAGON WHIP! Jey hushes the crowd as he and Jimmy raise their fingers, #WeTheOnes. Jey then watches Riddle crawl around, brings him up, and ROCKS Riddle with a forearm! Riddle ROCKS Jey back! Jey ROCKS Riddle again, but Riddle ROCKS Jey back again. Riddle eggs Jey on so Jey ROCKS him again. Riddle ROCKS Jey, so Jey uppercuts! Riddle CHOPS, Jey uppercuts again! Riddle fires off forearms and Albany fires up! Jey shoves Riddle but Riddle BOOTS him!

Riddle spins Jey around, PELE! Jey goes to a corner, Riddle runs in to forearm smash! Riddle goes side to side, another forearm! Then a BROSPLODER! Orton and the fans fire up and Riddle runs, PEN- NO! Jey ducks that, dodges the standing moonsault, and even avoids the Broton! Riddle crashes down, Roman is watching and seems a little upset Jey isn’t capitalizing. Jey gets up, fans rally and duel, and Orton coaches Riddle. Jey snarls, waistlocks Riddle, back suplex, but Riddle land son his feet! Ripcord and FINAL FLASH KNEE! Riddle drags Jey to a drop zone, he goes up, FLOATING BRO! Cover, TWO!!

Jey survives and Riddle is shocked but Jimmy fires up! Riddle drags Jey up and fireman’s carries, but Jey slips off to roll-up! TWO, Riddle sends Jey out and through ropes! Riddle still wants to shout out Orton, DRAPING DDT! Fans are fired up again, but Jimmy gets on the apron! Riddle rushes over but Jimmy gets away. Jimmy is taunting Riddle but Orton gets behind him, ANNOUNCE DESK BACK SUPLEX! Jimmy is writhing, Riddle aims at Jey! Riddle hears the voices, Jey staggers up, RK- NO! Push and pop-up, into a waistlock! POP-UP NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Riddle barely survives and Albany is fired up!

Jey and Riddle crawl to opposite ends, fans are dueling again, and Orton fires everyone up. Jey says Riddle ain’t getting this one! “UCE!” “OH!” and Jey runs in, into a BUSAIKU KNEE! But Jey rebounds to SUPERKICK! Jey climbs, Roman actually looks excited, USO SPLASH onto knees!! Cover, Riddle wins!!

Winner: Matt Riddle, by pinfall

And Roman’s excitement becomes disbelief! The Usos have lost back-to-back to the Stallion! Will this momentum help RKBRO blaze right through Jimmy & Jey and become undisputed tag team champions?

Sasha Banks & Naomi are here!

The Boss & Glow are still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, and now Liv Morgan & Rhea Ripley aren’t even a team anymore! What will the champs have to say about their next chapter? We’ll find out, after the break.

SmackDown returns and Kayla Braxton interviews Sasha & Naomi in the ring. It was two months ago that Naomi called the shot and that we would see new tag team champions. At WrestleMania 38, Naomi & Sasha won and have been unstoppable. Has this reign been everything they hoped? Oh, they are just getting started! Fans cheer, “You Deserve It!” Naomi says she called her shot because she knew what she and Sasha could do with the opportunity. They backed it up, they’re dominating the tag division, and glowing while they’re doing it. Sasha says that is right. They are trailblazers, history makers, and more than just a team. They are a sisterhood. UNITY~!

Naomi has had Sasha’s back since day one and she will always have Naomi’s. Just look at their style! They flow together so well in and out of the ring, that is why the Boss & Glow have no competition! Oh, yes. They sent Mella packing on her honeymoon, caused Rhea & Liv to self-destruct, and it doesn’t matter who is coming next. But wait, here comes Natalya & Shayna Baszler! Natty says sorry to bring this up, but Sasha forgot the two women that weren’t beat at Mania. Oh, right, they were there. But they were stuck watching Sasha & Naomi win. Natty sarcastically says Sasha is adorable, but talking about history makers, Natty is a THREE-TIME Guinness World Record Holder!

For what? Posting the worst dances or loving cats? Shayna keeps Natty back, and says it’s good to see the champs having fun now. Because Spades & Hart are going to stretch and snap every bone in their bodies, limb by limb, then take the titles. Then the fun is over. What we’re looking at are the NEXT Women’s Tag Team Champions. Shayna then shoves Sasha down! Naomi has to keep Sasha back now, and the champs show off the belts. Try and take ’em! Shayna’s called her shot for her team, will they hit it out of the park just like Naomi & Sasha did?

Mad Cap Moss gets in some stretches.

But Happy Corbin walks over to ruin the mood. Corbin was “happy” to see Moss get his win last week. Really, congrats. Obviously, Corbin’s mentoring paid off. But look. It’s time. Moss made his point. They both said some harsh things, so Corbin will be the bigger man. He is willing to forgive Moss. So, will Moss come back? Moss says they did share some good laughs. But Moss going back to being Corbin’s sidekick? There’s as much chance of that happening as Corbin has of growing back a full head of hair. That ship sailed! Moss laughs it up, and then gets “serious” as Corbin stares at him. Corbin leaves and Moss keeps laughing, will Moss prove he never needed Corbin?

SmackDown looks closer at Raquel Rodriguez.

“No one can compare to Raquel.” Big Mami Cool conquered NXT, she is the brick wall no one can get through. Former NXT Women’s Champion, former TWO-TIME NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion, she has never ducked or dodged a fight, and she will knock everyone down. Ricky Desperado finally has a match on SmackDown next week!

Mad Cap Moss VS Angel Garza w/ Humberto Carrillo!

Speaking of not needing Corbin’s help, Moss did just fine on his own against uno Lothario. Will Moss do even better against the other? Or will the cousins craft a way to turn the joke back on Moss?

SmackDown returns, the Lethal Lovers make their entrance, and that of course means they bring out the kiss cam. As always, there’s a lovely lady up front that they find and they kiss her on both cheeks. Moss still dares them to try his cheeks, but they pass. The bell rings and Moss ties up with Garza. Moss puts Garza in a corner, lets off, and Garza sucker punches him! Moss stays up and laughs that off. They tie up, Moss ROCKS Garza! And then waistlock SLAMS him! Garza goes for a leg, Moss CLUBS away on him! Moss knees Garza low, then blows him a kiss. Garza blocks that, but Moss ducks the clothesline, hurdles, ducks and CLOBBERS Garza!

Fans fire up and Moss blows that kiss now. Carrillo distracts, Moss swipes at him, and Garza runs in! Moss TOSSES Garza out onto Carrillo! Moss says kiss this, then he puts Garza in. Carrillo anchors a leg! Garza basement dropkicks Moss! Garza fires off on Moss, puts him on the ropes, and then Garza CHOPS! Garza whips, Moss holds ropes, so Garza CHOPS again. Garza whips, Moss reverses and he catches Garza’s crossbody for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Moss fires off haymakers in the corner, stomps and punches, but whips corner to corner at 4. Moss RAMS into Garza, clotheslines Carrillo out of the ring, then Moss CLOBBERS Garza!

Fans fire up with Moss and he gives thumbs up. Moss reels Garza in, turns him, PUNCHLINE! Cover, Moss wins!

Winner: Mad Cap Moss, by pinfall

Moss is all fired up for another big win! He’s swept Los Lotharios, will he continue to clean up and- Corbin attacks! Happy isn’t so happy as he punches and stomps Moss in a corner! Corbin is angry with the fans booing him, but then he reels Moss in for END OF DAYS! And then Corbin goes out to look at the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal trophy. Corbin STEALS the trophy! Corbin’s name is technically on it, but will Moss have to fight Corbin to get back what’s rightfully his?

Sami Zayn is in a good mood backstage.

He goes to Roman Reigns’ room? Sami thinks of how to introduce himself. Is he going to talk with the Tribal Chief? We’ll have to wait and see, after the break.

SmackDown returns, and Roman is talking with the Usos. Jey says he was gonna get Riddle, he swears. Jey promises it won’t happen again. Heyman walks over to say they have a guest who wants to see Roman. It’s Sami… Roman looks over and Sami walks in. How’re they doing? First and foremost, Sami acknowledges Roman. He’s a big fan. All the smashing and punching, it is great. There is no dispute, Roman is Head of the Table. Sometimes people forget that on top of Master Strategist, Sami is a locker room leader. Roman doesn’t have to worry about that stuff since he has his own locker room, but Sami hears and sees everything that’s going on.

Sami just wants to give Roman an example. Earlier, he saw McIntyre getting real chummy with RKBRO, the very team the Usos have that tag title unification match with. So now, RKBRO is going to be part of the lumberjacks during Sami’s match and uh, that’s really unbelievable. Sami would never snitch, he’s not a rat, but he also heard them say some very disrespectful things about the entire Bloodline. Sami kneels as he says this just brings him to a proposal. Sami’s name and reputation has taken hit after hit, and now it’s even worse because people think he is afraid of McIntyre! He’s not, by the way.

But what he needs right now, more than anything, is to beat McIntyre and regain that respect he is owed. Sami needs to win. So if you can guess what he’s getting at, if there was some way that he could maybe get some help out there, Sami would be more than happy to help the Bloodline in return. Trust Sami when he says he can be a very, very valuable ally. Sami acknowledges Roman, so Roman needs to recognize him out of that acknowledgement. Roman doesn’t respond, he just stares at Sami. Good talk. Sami’s gotta go get ready.

Sami leaves, and Roman is believing him when he talks about people running their mouths. “Take my name out their mouths. Understand?” Is that Roman saying the Usos are to join that Lumberjack Match in Sami’s corner?

Lacey Evans shares more of her life story.

“Growing up, if we weren’t living in tents, we were in trailers with holes in the floor, or small houses covered in mold. And the more money my dad did bring in, uh, the more drugs and anger came with it.” Lacey grew up in her most important years of her life without a mom. She wasn’t there to teach Lacey how to do hair, make-up, or get ready for prom. Lacey didn’t have mom as a shoulder to cry on, and was left sobbing in a pile of dirty clothes. Lacey does her own make-up before shows because at such a young age, she learned that if you want something done right, you do it yourself. Lacey taught herself what beauty and confidence were.

By the time she was 15 years old, Lacey competed in wrestling. Undefeated at #1 in the entire state of Florida, ninth in the nation. With the lack of support from home, it was up to Lacey to push herself to succeed. When you don’t have anyone to rely on and nothing to lose, you realize how unstoppable and strong you can be. But even with all that work, just imagine walking two miles, in the rain, all the way home, soaked to the bone and tired from juggling both job and school and wrestling and doing the best you can, only to find your father high and passed out on the couch, burning cigarette falling out of his mouth.

“It makes you hungry for something better out of life.” And Lacey learned how unbreakable she was, and how sorry she feels for those who have never been scared to death. What she’s been through has created the woman she is today. Motivated, ready for anything, careful, confident, mother, wife, sister, daughter, United States Marine, and WWE Superstar. “I am no better than the other superstars. But they damn sure ain’t better than me.”

Lumberjacks head to the ring!

Mansoor, the Viking Raiders, Shinsuke Nakamura, the New Day, RKBRO, Jinder, Shanky, Ridge and Sheamus all head down, all ready to surround that ring. Will they be able to keep Sami from running off? Or will Sami find a way to use them against McIntyre?

Lumberjack Match: Sami Zayn VS Drew McIntyre!

SmackDown returns and McIntyre makes his entrance first. Then Sami makes his entrance, and then so do the Usos! Sami is happy to see that, but RKBRO isn’t. The bell rings, Sami bails out, but to the wrong side. The New Day and Nakamura force Sami to get back in the ring. Sami circles around McIntyre, bails out again, but can’t get past the lumberjacks! The New Day and Nakamura pick Sami up to throw him in the ring! McIntyre then grabs Sami to TOSS him to a corner! McIntyre fires haymakers and CHOPS, and he follows Sami to another corner for another CHOP! Sami flops down but McIntyre stands him up.

McIntyre whips, Sami holds ropes, then he dumps McIntyre out! McIntyre gets up and is face-to-face with Sheamus. These two have history, but Ridge CLUBS McIntyre! Sheamus adds on, then RAMS McIntyre into steps! Sheamus puts McIntyre in, the Viking Raiders storm over but the Usos stand in their way. Ridge stares down Nakamura, Mansoor and the New Day, but it’s a standoff in and out of the ring while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Sami stands on McIntyre’s back to choke him on the ropes. The ref counts, Sami lets off at 4 and he taunts the lumberjacks on Drew’s side. Sami scrapes McIntyre out of the ring, Sheamus and Ridge are right there to CLUB away on McIntyre again! Then they put McIntyre back in while taunting the others. Sami brings McIntyre up, McIntyre GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTTS! Everyone’s feeling that one while McIntyre and Sami are down. Fans rally, McIntyre glare at Sheamus, Ridge and the Usos, but he gets Sami for an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! And then ANOTHER! Sami swings but into a NECKBREAKER!

Fans fire up with McIntyre’s kip up! Sami sits up in a daze and drags himself to a corner. McIntyre wants the countdown, but Sami drops out of the ring! RKBRO is there, but the Usos SUPERKICK Orton! Then they mug Riddle, and POST him! The Usos did their job, they leave ringside. Then Sheamus and Ridge brawl with the New Day! Nakamura and Mansoor help on New Day’s behalf, then the Viking Raiders! Sami uses this as a chance to escape! But McIntyre catches him at the barriers! McIntyre ROCKS Sami, fireman’s carries him back to the ring and shoves him in. But Jinder attacks McIntyre!

Shanky and Sheamus also go after McIntyre, but Mansoor and Nakamura rush over! The lumberjacks brawl again while Jinder puts McIntyre in the ring for Sami. The Viking Raiders help out again, as do the New Day. McIntyre gets up but Sami bails out. Sami can’t get past the cluster, so McIntyre FLIES onto everyone!! Fans are fired up, and Sami has reappeared on the far side! Sami realizes he has a chance! Sami runs away!

Winner: Drew McIntyre, by forfeit

McIntyre snarls, but Adam Pearce comes out here! “Sami, Sami, Sami. Never in all my years would I think it possible for someone to actually run from a Lumberjack match. But then again, I should’ve known it’s you.” Pearce tells Sami that next week, there will be NO running, it will be Sami VS McIntyre in a STEEL CAGE! Fans like the sound of that! Sami is furious, but then Jinder goes after McIntyre! Jinder stomps away, drags McIntyre up and Shanky adds on! They stomp and stomp, then haul Jinder up. McIntyre fights off the Kallas! GLASGOW KISS for Jinder! Then one for Shanky! McIntyre gives us the countdown, THREE! TWO! ONE! CLAYMORE for Jinder!

Sami sees all this and is shocked! Will Sami finally face the wrath of the Scottish Warrior and #KneeltotheSteel?

My Thoughts:

A good episode of SmackDown, but only barely. We got a decent opening segment out of that contract signing. Ronda still doesn’t do that well and Charlotte just came off as annoying with her always having to say she won at WrestleMania. The good stuff was the brawl, and kendo sticks always seem to be part of this feud. I don’t think this really adds much of anything, though, other than Gulak just gets turned into the punching bag. But hey, look! WWE remembered Xia Li! But her promo was really sad. She basically told us she’s turning Heel because WWE dropped the gaddam ball on her story with Natalya and they have just nothing else to do with her.

WWE also remembered Aliyah, and they really only used her to help establish Ricochet VS Shanky for a title match. Can WWE also remember they have Shotzi and make her Face again, tank and all? Why not make Shotzi and Xia Li a team of protectors so WWE has more RawDown teams? I mean, I knew Shayna & Natty were next up for Sasha & Naomi, but you gotta have more teams to follow after that. We got a decent promo showdown out of Shayna, Natty, Sasha and Naomi, and we’ll get a very good match out of them, but WWE is just sucking at this whole thing. At least Raquel got a good vignette to hype up her first match. She’ll probably dominate a local indie talent.

Speaking of which, Gunther/Walter did that again. It’s fine that he did, but something about it already feels tired. If Shanky fails to beat Ricochet, can Gunther just step up to him next? Ricochet VS Gunther can be an amazing match for the Intercontinental Championship, and we wouldn’t have to feel so bad about Ricochet losing if Gunther gets another belt in WWE. We got a good match out of the Woods VS Dunne rematch, but I’m a little surprised Dunne loses here. Dunne storming off from Sheamus & Ridge was fine, but again this all feels like bad Vince pacing. But perhaps the sooner Dunne gets away from “Butch” the better.

Moss and Corbin had a good promo, foreshadowing what was gonna happen tonight. Moss VS Garza was pretty good, and of course Moss wins. Corbin attacking Moss was expected, but I didn’t think he’d steal the Andre the Giant trophy. That will definitely be the crux of their WM Backlash blow-off, and I would think Moss wins. Good blending of stories with the Bloodline, though. RKBRO and McIntyre have a good promo together, and Sami using this to sucker the Bloodline into what happened tonight was clever. Riddle VS Jey was great stuff, best match of the night, though it wasn’t that hard.

The Bloodline believing Sami was quite the twist. But I suppose a part of Roman’s Tribal Chief persona has been his paranoia and hate of disrespect. Sami used that to his advantage, Usos only went after RKBRO in the Lumberjack match, but how disappointing that Sami ran away again. And how disappointing that it was the point of the story they’re telling. Both lumberjack and cage match stipulations should’ve been used sooner than this, but whatever. That cage match will be good stuff, and unless Pearce adds a No Escape clause, Sami will actually be able to win by running away, which is really stupid. So, I guess they’re going to let that be what happens.

My Score: 8/10