The Tribal Chief and the Prizefighter sign on the dotted line!

Before fighting over the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, Roman Reigns and Kevin Owens meet on SmackDown to sign the contract!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• SmackDown Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Tournament, Opening Round: Drew McIntyre & Sheamus VS The Viking Raiders; McIntyre & Sheamus win and advance to the second round.
• LA Knight VS Brett Jones; Knight wins.
• SmackDown Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Tournament, Opening Round: Los Lotharios VS Hit Row; Hit Row wins and advance to the second round.
• SmackDown Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Tournament, Opening Round: The Brawling Brutes & Imperium; Imperium wins and advance to the second round.
• SmackDown Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Tournament, Opening Round: Legado del Fantasma VS Maximum Male Models; Legado wins and advance to the second round.

PLAY BY PLAY

The Bloodline arrives backstage.

Sami Zayn is fired up to be with his dawgs! The Usos, Solo Sikoa, Paul Heyman, and of course, the Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. Sami secret handshakes with Jimmy, has one with Jey, and offers a fist bump to Roman. Roman leaves Sami hanging, is that a bad sign?

SmackDown Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Tournament, Opening Round: Drew McIntyre & Sheamus VS The Viking Raiders!

Friday is once again Fight Night! The Celtic Connection wanted vengeance on Erik & Ivar for their blindside attack a couple weeks ago, so Adam Pearce is taking care of two birds with one stone! Will McIntyre & Sheamus take down the Vikings? Or will the raid make its way towards the Usos and their titles?

The teams sort out, but the Vikings attack before the bell! Ivar CLOBBERS McIntyre out of the ring while Sheamus and Erik brawl in the ring! The ref reprimands, Sheamus ROCKS Erik in return and the bell rings! Sheamus fires off hands on Erik, Ivar fires off on McIntyre, but Sheamus whips Erik to a corner. Erik elbows back, throws haymakers, then he whips. Sheamus reverses but Erik holds ropes, only for Sheamus to clothesline Erik and himself out of the ring! Ivar CLUBS McIntyre, POSTS him, but Sheamus TOSSES Erik into barriers! Ivar rushes over but Sheamus fires forearms and haymakers on him!

Erik gets up, Sheamus throws hands on him, then TOSSES him into more barriers! Fans fire up, the ring count climbs, but Sheamus puts Erik in the ring. Ivar goes to the apron but Sheamus KNEES him first! Sheamus turns Ivar around, for BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! Sheamus gest seven before Erik CLUBS him! Erik whips but Sheamus reverses to throw Erik to the apron! Sheamus drags Erik up to ROCK him, then gives him BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! Fans fires up and count along, Sheamus goes past TEN, to hit FIFTEEN! Fans fire up while Erik flops down! Sheamus drags Erik up to a fireman’s carry!

Sheamus climbs the corner, but Erik slips free! Ivar runs in, Sheamus elbows him down, but Erik ROCKS Sheamus! Erik throws Sheamus to the floor! Tag to Ivar, and he runs to SPLASH Sheamus against barriers! Detroit boos but SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Erik has Sheamus in a chinlock. Sheamus endures, fights up, and fans rally as he stands. But Erik turns Sheamus for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans boo Erik as he looms over Sheamus, but Erik clamps on with a chinbar and armlock. Sheamus endures but Erik throws down elbow after elbow! Erik returns to the chinbar, he grinds Sheamus down, but Detroit rallies as Sheamus endures. Sheamus fights up again, pushes Erik, and he throws body shots! Sheamus EuroUppers but Erik ROCKS him! They go forearm for forearm! Erik kicks low, CLUBS Sheamus down, then tags in Ivar.

Fans boo but Ivar CLUBS Sheamus back down. Ivar keeps Sheamus from McIntyre and gives him a crossface forearm! Tag to Erik, and he stands Sheamus up, only for Sheamus to throw body shots and forearms! Erik shoves, Sheamus KNEES Erik, then gets him for an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Detroit fires up as both men crawl! Hot tags to Ivar and McIntyre! McIntyre rallies on the War Beard! McIntyre whips, Ivar reverses and scoops, but McIntyre slips off to shove and CLOBBER Ivar! Erik rushes in but into an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! McIntyre doges Ivar to NECKBREAKER! Then he dodges Erik to NECKBREAKER!

McIntyre kips up and Detroit fires up! McIntyre waits on Ivar, brings him in for double underhooks, but Ivar RAMS him into a corner! McIntyre ELBOWS back, Ivar knees low! Ivar runs, but into a scoop! MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Ivar survives but McIntyre keeps his focus. McIntyre storms up to Ivar, fireman’s carries him, but Ivar fights free! Ivar CLUBS McIntyre, McIntyre runs in, SEATED SENTON! Tag to Erik, Ivar whips him in to clothesline McIntyre! Feed to a LARIAT from Ivar! Cover, TWO! McIntyre is hanging tough but Erik tags Ivar back in. Erik drags McIntyre up but gets a GLASGOW KISS!

McIntyre ROCKS Ivar on the top rope! And CHOPS him! And climbs up after him! Fans fire up as McIntyre brings Ivar to the very top! But Erik trips McIntyre! McIntyre ends up in a Tree of Woe! Sheamus runs in but Erik ROCKS Sheamus! But Sheamus fireman’s carries, WHITE NOISE! And McIntyre sit sup! SPIDER BELLY2BELLY!! All four behemoths are down and Detroit is fired up as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns again and Ivar fires off back elbow after elbow on McIntyre in the corner! Ivar lets off at the ref’s count, and fans boo as Ivar storms around. Ivar storms up, whips McIntyre corner to corner, but McIntyre comes back to CLOBBER Ivar! McIntyre spins Ivar around, underhooks, and FUTURE SHOCKS! Kip up and fans fire up with McIntyre! McIntyre is calling for it, and he aims from the corner! “THREE! TWO! ONE!” But Ivar HEEL KICKS McIntyre down!! Both men fall and fans rally back up! McIntyre and Ivar crawl, hot tags to Erik and Sheamus! Sheamus and Erik brawl with fast and furious fists!

Sheamus gets the edge, but Erik kicks the legs out! Erik runs, but into a scoop! POWERSLAM! Fans fire up with Sheamus and he goes to a corner! Sheamus beats his chest and fans shout along, “BROGUE! BROGUE!” Sheamus aims, Erik stands, “FELLA~!” But Sarah Logan gets on the apron! Erik runs in but Sheamus BOOTS him! But Erik spins Sheamus around, EXPLODER! Tag to Ivar! Ivar goes up top, for a VIKING SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!!! Sheamus survives and Ivar is shocked! Detroit is thunderous but Erik tags back in. Erik then tags Ivar back in, and the Vikings stalk Sheamus. Sheamus sees the 2v1, but he just throws hands anyway!

Fans fire up but the 2v1 starts going the Vikings’ way. Erik waistlocks Sheamus, Ivar runs to the ropes, but Sheamus breaks free and KNEES Ivar down! McIntyre gives Erik a CLAYMORE!! Sheamus goes to the corner, fans fire up, and Ivar stands up for a BROGUE!!! Cover, the Celtic Connection wins!!

Winners: Sheamus & Drew McIntyre, by pinfall (advance to the second round)

Valhalla is furious that Ragnarok did not come! Sheamus & McIntyre are heading on, will they earn one more shot against Jimmy & Jey Uso?

Paul Heyman goes over the checklist with Roman Reigns.

Private jet, private cars, and- Before Heyman can continue, Sami Zayn walks in to ask if Roman has a second to talk. Roman says Sami can sit. Sami takes a seat, and he knows tonight is a big night, a great night, but he couldn’t help but notice the “frosty” greeting in the parking lot. Sami just wants to make sure everything is cool between them. Is everything cool? Roman tells Sami that he saw how Sami looked last week. Roman knows Sami is trying to cover up for tonight, but he should just tell the truth. What’s going on? Sami says everything is fine. No, tell him the truth.

Okay, then to be honest, Sami was disappointed last week. He felt it was a big privilege that Roman put him in the position to handle Kevin Owens on his own and he took a lot of pride in carrying his weight for the family. But then, as he was about to put Kevin away, he just didn’t realize the Usos & Solo would be coming out to the ring. He didn’t know it was all a plan. He felt a little slighted. Kevin keeps claiming Sami is being used, and he thought for a second that maybe… Well, who knows. But it’s all fine now.

Roman tells Sami to leave. What? Roman says he’s not gonna do this every single week! Roman doesn’t wanna hear “his” name every single week! Go! Get out! IT blows Roman’s mind. The Tribal Chief has to run his game plan by the Honorary Uce? When did this start? When does Roman have to ask Sami for his approval? Go, get out of here. Go find Kevin, make his own Bloodline or something. Stop using Roman. Then Roman tells Heyman to tell Sami. Sami is flabbergasted but he still leaves. Just what is going on with The Tribal Chief’s treatment of Sami Zayn?

Raquel Rodriguez speaks.

“Everything is bigger in my home state of Texas. And in San Antonio, at my first ever Royal Rumble, I plan on making it the biggest moment in my career. I am counting down the days, the minutes, the seconds, until I rush to that ring.” And in front of her family, friends and fellow Texans, she will earn her way to WrestleMania! Will Big Mami Cool make her homecoming a historic one?

LA Knight VS Brett Jones!

The Mega Star of SmackDown is preparing for something historic of his own at the Royal Rumble in the first-ever Pitch Black Match. All we know is anything goes, but will Knight show he’s ready for anything?

Before the match, Knight of course gets the mic, and he says, “Lemme talk to ya! Can someone help Bray Wyatt figure out what the hell’s going on? One week, he’s not Uncle Howdy. Next week, ‘I am Uncle Howdy! I am him!’ HUH!? Then this lunatic asks LA Knight, ‘Who are you?’ I can tell you exactly who I am! One name says it all! With everybody saying ‘L! A! KNIGHT!’ YEAH! And what that means is I’m the guy at the Royal Rumble who makes you think, ‘Maybe I shouldn’t have come back. Maybe I should’ve stayed away. After all, it is LA Knight’s game.

“Because while you’ve been living check to check on past glory, walk on into the LA Knight Bank and find out those checks ain’t worth trash! Because whether it’s pitch black or whether it’s broad daylight, at the Rumble. I will off your on switch just like that! And that is not an insult, that’s just a fact of life! YEAH!” Detroit boos but Knight tells them to shut up. Will Knight back up these words against one of Motor City’s own?

The bell rings, the two tie up, and Knight powers Jones to a corner. But then the White Rabbit makes itself known! Knight gets a bit wary and he lets off on Jones. Jones kicks back and fires hands! Jones whips, Knight reverses and CLOBBERS Jones! Knight waits on Jones to stagger up, then he kicks low for the B F T!! Cover, Knight wins!

Winner: LA Knight, by pinfall

But then wait! Is that the FIREFLY FUN HOUSE?! Knight TOSSES Jones while looking around. The funhouse has seen better days, but Abby the Witch is back! And Mercy the Buzzard! And Huskis the Pig Boy! And Ramblin’ Rabbit! And there’s Bray, fixing the place up! And he even has handyman butt crack showing… “I can see you. Welcome back to the Firefly Fun House! YOWIE WOWIE! Pardon the dust, it’s been awhile, and I know we’re all over the place, I’ll get on that. But I have seriously missed you so much.” “Aww…!” And Bray can’t wait to have lots of fun with his friends once again!

Ramblin’ Rabbit says, “Hey, dudes. Lemme talk to ya. LA Knight seems super cool. Can we invite him to the funhouse to be our friend?” Abby tells Ramblin’ Rabbit to STFU. Ramblin’ Rabbit says he’s worried about the Pitch Black match. LA Knight is cool by him. He’s like The Miz but with muscles. Plus, Ramblin’s just scared of the dark. Huskis says he loves dark chocolate. Bray was thinking, though. What kind of “deranged, damaged Woodstock dingdong names their kid Los Angeles Knight? I mean, he never had a chance!” But Bray will ‘Holler” at Ramblin’.

It’s normal to be afraid of the dark. In the dark, that’s where things like to hide under your bed and come out when you sleep. Things that want to EAT you! Now that Bray thinks about it, people should be scared of the dark. And then UNCLE HOWDY interrupts! He’s laughing, and says, “I told you so. I told you so. I told you so. All you needed was a little push.” Bray says, “I hope you’re satisfied. I hope you understand. You are the one that opened the door. And now, whatever comes through it is your problem. See you at the Royal Rumble. BYE~! Have a nice day!” Bray is back to his old ways, and it’s all Knight’s fault. Will Knight survive walking into the dark?

SmackDown Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Tournament, Opening Round: Los Lotharios VS Hit Row!

With Sheamus & McIntyre waiting in the second round, we see another grudge settled in this tournament. Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo are still on the Hit Row’s Hit List, will Ashante THEE Adonis & Top Dolla finally settle up with them? Or will we see the Kiss Cam continue towards the tag titles?

The teams sort out, Humberto starts against Adonis. They tie up, Adonis wrenches an arm to a wristlock, but Carrillo rolls, handsprings and wrenches. Tag to Garza, the Lethal Lovers double whip, double leap frog, and then double hip toss into a DOUBLE FACEBUSTER and DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Cover, ONE!! Adonis is tough but Garza keeps on him. Garza pulls hair, the ref reprimands, and Adonis throws his durag at Garza before he hits the AIR-DROP! Adonis drags Garza over, tags in Dolla, and Hit Row stomps Garza. Dolla TOSSES Garza, talks trash, and Garza bails out. Dolla goes out, talks trash on Michael Cole for still talking about that botch!

Dolla dares Cole to take this, and he CHOPS Garza in the chest! Garza slides into the ring, Dolla storms after him, and brings him up for a waistlock. Garza throws elbows, reaches out to Carrillo, but Dolla holds on. Garza throws more elbows, and OFF COME THE PANTS! Hot tag to Carrillo, tag to Adonis! Adonis runs into an UPPERCUT! Carrillo forearms, springboards, sunset flips, but Adonis rolls through! Carrillo ducks the Penalty Kick but Adonis ducks the roundhouse, only for the ENZIGURI to come back! Adonis flops out of the ring, Dolla runs in but Carrillo dodges him! Carrillo comes back and gets a boost, DROPKICK sends Dolla out!

Hit Row regroups on the outside, Los Lotharios build speed and they DOUBLE DIVE! Direct hit and Hit Row hits the desk! Carrillo says that’s how you do it! Carrillo puts Adonis in, but B-Fab trips Carrillo up! Fans boo but Adonis rolls Carrillo with tights! Hit Row wins!

Winners: Hit Row, by pinfall (advance to the second round)

Fans boo but Hit Row is laughing all the way to the bank! But will they be able to do the same thing to the bangers that are Sheamus & McIntyre?

Cody Rhodes’ comeback continues.

Victorious at Hell in a Cell, but in a bittersweet moment. The surgery was a success, but it also meant there was a long road ahead. The American Nightmare does not heal any faster than anyone else. Two months in, it already felt like six years to Cody. Nine months is the timeline, and he wants to respect that, but only four months in, he was hitting the gym. “This is the place where I can make myself bulletproof.” Brandi confirms Cody has put in the work, and that he looks and feels better than ever. Now it isn’t a question of if, but when can Cody return? Cody has made it clear what he wants, so at the Royal Rumble, HE’S BACK!!

Braun Strowman speaks.

“I’ve made a career out of chucking bodies around. That being said, the Royal Rumble match is absolutely tailor made for the Monster of All Monsters. But heed my warning: anyone that stands in my way on the Road to WrestleMania, is gonna het. These. Hands!” Will Strowman outdo his personal best and win the whole thing?

Charlotte Flair is here!

Detroit fires up as The Queen struts her way to the ring. The SmackDown Women’s Champion gets the mic to say, “Detroit! WOOOO~!” Fans “WOO~” back and she says it is great to be in Motor City. But help her out here. We saw the recap footage, and it seems Sonya Deville has a real problem with Charlotte. She isn’t sure why. Maybe cuz Charlotte beat her two weeks ago? So now Charlotte tells Sonya that if she has a problem with Charlotte, she doesn’t need to go whine to Adam Pearce or attack her from behind. Just say so to her face, woman to woman. Charlotte waits, and she tells Sonya that Detroit would love to see her.

And speak of the Deville! Sonya makes her way out and has a mic to say, “I’m sorry, I’m having a hard time understanding this. Do you think I care what this dirty, disgusting city wants? No! No, no no no no. I care about what I want, what I deserve, and that is a title opportunity. But let me guess: You don’t think I’m worthy, do you?” Fans boo and Sonya tells them to shut up. Fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” Sonya gets in the ring with Charlotte to continue. “Clearly, you don’t think I’m worthy, and neither do you guys. But let me tell you something: if you’d get off your high horse, you’d all realize that every single time I walk through that curtain, I’m a star!”

Fans boo the star, but Sonya says every single time she opens her mouth and speaks, they should shut theirs and listen. Last week, it took six people to get Sonya off of Charlotte. Is Charlotte that arrogant that she doesn’t see it? Is that what it is? Fans again chant “YOU SUCK!” at Sonya, and Charlotte says Detroit’s made up their mind. But Charlotte does see that. Sonya IS a star. Charlotte has always told Sonya that. But is Sonya saying that the other women in the back aren’t stars? What is it that Sonya thinks she has that makes her more special than everyone else? She comes out demanding matches that she thinks are owed to her.

Maybe Charlotte isn’t the entitled, arrogant one here. But look, Sonya called her shot, she lost, and she tapped out! Fans chant “YOU TAPPED OUT!” So maybe Sonya should do what everyone else is doing and focus on the Rumble rather than jumping to the front of the line. But if Sonya wants a fight, Charlotte will fight her here in Detroit! Oh, Charlotte wants to fight Sonya here and now? What does Detroit say? “YES!” Sonya says “No.” Sonya smirks and asks why she’d fight when there’s nothing in it for her? No thanks. Unless… Charlotte puts the title on the line.

But here comes Adam Pearce to stop this. What is this? Is Sonya serious? Pearce made himself clear last week, but Sonya DECKS Charlotte with a sucker punch! Then she runs off! Sonya shrugs, fans boo, but Charlotte nods, giving Sonya that one. Pearce is again upset, but Sonya just walks to the back. She will do this on her time, but will Pearce make her reschedule?

Roman Reigns is still upset.

He asks Heyman, “Can you believe that guy?” Heyman takes a moment to think, and he then tells the Tribal Chief that he never liked Sami. But he supports Roman’s vision for the Island of Relevancy. Heyman was trying to look at this as a special Counsel, and as the Wise Man. As such, Heyman wants Roman to take into his “ruthless consideration” that it is better, on the night of this contract signing for defending the title against Kevin Owens of all people, that when it comes to Sami Zayn, maybe it’s better to have him in the castle pissing outside, rather than outside the castle, pissing in. AKA keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Will Roman accept this wisdom and bring Sami back into the fold?

Lacey Evans continues her training.

The narrator says, “You are the weapon, and your method of destruction is… The Cobra Clutch! Your opponents have two choices: tap out, or black out. You will break their spirits. You will capture titles. And you will make every woman in WWE tremble in fear at the name, ‘Lacey Evans.’ And that’s an order.” Operation: Cobra Clutch is set to begin, will it succeed in the Royal Rumble?

SmackDown Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Tournament, Opening Round: The Brawling Brutes & Imperium!

Sheamus fires up Ridge Holland & Pete Dunne as they head out to represent on the other side of the bracket! Will Ridge Da Fridge and “Butch” brutalize Giovanni Vinci & Ludwig Kaiser once again? Or will the Pride of Italy & the Impeccable German keep the mat sacred?

The teams sort out and Ridge starts against Vinci. They tie up, go around, Ridge headlocks but Vinci hammerlocks to a headlock. Ridge powers out, they RAM shoulders, and Ridge eggs Vinci on. Vinci kicks low, CHOPS, then whips. Ridge reverses and hip tosses! Vinci flounders, Ridge wrenches his arm and tags in Dunne. Dunne goes up to DOUBLE STOMP the arm! Dunne whips, Vinci reverses, Ludwig tags in. Vinci drops and Ludwig scoops for a GUTBUSTER! Dunne writhes but Ludwig scrapes his soles off Dunne’s face. Ludwig drags Dunne up, but Dunne fights the butterfly suplex to wrench out and isolate an arm!

Dunne wrangles Ludwig to the mat, and he STMOPS the elbow! Ludwig stands, but Dunne jumps on for a KIMURA! But Ludwig tags Vinci with his free arm! Dunne wrenches Ludwig but Vinci springboards to CROSSBODY Dunne down! Ludwig PENALTY KICKS Dunne while Vinci BLASTS Ridge! Fans boo as Imperium stands together and poses, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Dunne reaches for Ridge, but Ludwig whips him away! Dunne BLASTS Vinci, but Ludwig gets around to back suplex! Dunne lands on his feet, ducks Ludwig, hot tag to Ridge! Fans fire up as Ludwig dodges once, but the LARIAT comes back the next time! And the third time! Ridge drags Ludwig up, scoops and spins, for SNAKE EYES! Ridge runs to SPLASH! Ridge keeps moving, another SPLASH! Ridge scoops again, fans fire up for the POWERSLAM! Ridge roars and he watches Ludwig stand. Ludwig blocks the fireman’s carry, Vinci jumps in and they mug Ridge! But Ridge lifts them both! DOUBLE BACK DROP!

Ridge tags Dunne, and Dunne MOONSAULTS onto Vinci on the outside! Dunne and Ridge coordinate, SPLASH ENZIGURI on Ludwig in the corner! Dunne goes up but Vinci RAMS Ridge into steel steps! Dunne jumps over Ludwig, comes back, but Ludwig waistlocks! O’Conner Roll, TWO and Dunne has an ANKLE LOCK! Ludwig endures, hops up to his feet, and he LCUBS Dunne! Dunne turns that into an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Ludwig flails, reaches out, but he has to fight up to his feet again! Dunne keeps his shoulders up, brings Ludwig down, but Ludwig rolls back to tag Vinci! Ludwig drags Dunne over, for Vinci’s TRIANGLE MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!!

Vinci can’t believe Dunne survives, but Ludwig gets back in the ring. Ludwig goes up, Vinci brings Dunne in, but Ridge SHOVES Ludwig down! Dunne RANAS the bomb into a cover! TWO!! Vinci escapes and Dunne can’t believe it! Fans rally up, Dunne CHOPS Vinci, CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS, then forearms, but into a clinch! Vinci CHOPS, runs in, but Dunne ROCKS him! Dunne goes up, leaps, TORNADO DDT!! Both men are down and Detroit fires up! Dunne and Vinci crawl, hot tags to Ludwig and Ridge! Ridge blocks a boot but not the second! Ludwig CHOPS, hops up, leaps, but into a HEADBUTT!

Ridge clinches, OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Fans fire up as Ridge calls to Dunne. Ridge fireman’s carries, Dunne is up top, but Vinci anchors Dunne! Dunne kicks Vinci away but Ludwig slips off to shove Ridge! Ludwig DECKS Ridge, but Dunne GAMANGIRIS Ludwig! Vinci returns but gets a BOOT from Dunne! Dunne tells Vinci off but Ludwig ENZIGURIS! Dunne falls into Vinci’s suplex! BRAINBUSTER to the floor!! Ludwig goes after Ridge but Ridge whips him away. Vinci tags in as Ludwig goes up and over! Ludwig rolls Ridge, Vinci reels Ridge in! Ludwig is up top, Vinci manages to lift Ridge! IMPERIAL BOMB!! Cover, Imperium wins!!

Winners: Imperium, by pinfall (advance to the second round)

The well-oiled machine succeeds in stopping an All Brutes Finals! But who will they face in the semifinals? We’ll find out in the last opening round match!

Sami sulks backstage.

Heyman finds him. Sami stands up, and Heyman says, “Your Tribal Chief would like to see you.” Sami nods, but will Roman have good news?

Shayna Baszler speaks.

“Imagine trying to compete in the Royal Rumble with a fractured ankle. Imagine trying to throw a body over the top rope with a dislocated shoulder, or compete against 29 other women with a broken arm. Yeah, so all those other women in the locker room better stay away. Because as far as I’m concerned, I’m not just gonna eliminate you, I’m gonna tear you apart limb by limb.” Will the Queen of Spades break the field to get her ticket to WrestleMania?

Karrion Kross speaks.

“Scarlett has just brought it to my attention. That in one week, I will be stepping into the ring with Rey Mysterio. Now normally, I get really, really amped up before a fight. But this time, not so much. Because El Rey can’t figure out whether he wants to be a family man or if he wants to be the Greatest Of All Time. And in this business, he can’t be both. That’s not how it works. So now, I’m gonna take him out. Following that, I’m gonna take out all other 29 superstars in the Royal Rumble, because that’s mine, too. Time is running out for everyone. Tick… Tock.” Doomsday is coming, will Mysterio survive? Or will he just be the first victim?

SmackDown Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Tournament, Opening Round: Legado del Fantasma VS Maximum Male Models!

Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde are ready to represent, but according to social medial, Maçé has been MIA for weeks! Will Mansôör have to go it alone? Or will LDF have to put up a fight to earn their spot in the semifinals?

SmackDown returns and Mace IS back! The teams sort out, Zelina Vega is on commentary, and she has three pieces of news! One: Wilde & Del Toro will win this tournament to then beat The Usos and become SmackDown Tag Team Champions. Two: Santos is going to win the Men’s Royal Rumble. And three: Vega is going to win the Women’s Royal Rumble! Anyway, in the match, Mansoor and Wilde start. They tie up, Mansoor headlocks, but Wilde powers out, only for Mansoor to run him over. Mansoor strikes a pose, Maxxine Dupri applauds, and then Mansoor runs the ropes. Wilde drops then jumps, but into an atomic drop!

Mansoor says yawn, and he whips. Wilde reverses, ELBOWS and trips Mansoor, for a TWISTING ELBOW DROP! Mansoor scrambles to ropes, Wilde storms over, but Mansoor dumps him out! Mansoor builds speed, but Cruz rushes in! Mansoor dodges Cruz’s haymaker, and Mace is in to choke grip! Mace SHOVES Cruz to ropes, he and Mansoor dump him out! The models finger boop, then build speed, just to pose! Fans boo and Vega rolls her eyes. LDF regroups with Escobar on the outside. The Emperor of Lucha tells them this tournament and those tag titles are theirs, so they gotta go get what’s theirs!

Wilde & Cruz fire up, rush in, dodge the models and dropkick! Mansoor tumbles out but Mace stays standing! Mace choke grips LDF, but they break free to ENZIGURI SUPERKICK COMBO! Mace flops out of the ring, and LDF builds speed, Wilde FLIES out onto Mansoor! Cruz has to stop as Mace goes around the way. Cruz then redirects and FLIES! Direct hit and Vega is happy to see her team on top. Wilde puts Mansoor in, tags in Cruz, and they mug Mansoor. Cruz wrenches to ELBOW BREAKER, tag to Wilde, and LDF double suplex! Then they combine, Electric Chair SPLASH! Cover, but Mace breaks it!

Mace drags Mansoor to their corner, and Vega complains about what tactics are legal. Mace tags himself in, storms up on Wilde, HEEL KCIK! BOOT for Cruz! Mace Electric Chair Lifts Wilde, Mansoor tags in, and Maxxine says this is the moment! But Wilde slips off to shove Mace into Mansoor! Mansoor lands on his catwalk! Mansoor flops down next to Mace while Wilde tags Cruz! Wilde then runs in, he jumps off Mace to DDT Mansoor! Cruz is up top, he tightrope MISSILE DROPKICKS Mace! LDF then sets Mansoor up, for the LEGADO SLICE! Cover, LDF wins!

Winners: Legado del Fantasma, by pinfall (advance to the second round)

Vega asks, “Was I wrong? Did I lie?” Vega also taunts Maxxine as we will now see Legado take on Imperium! Both teams are about tradition and legacy, but which side will make it through to the tournament finals?

Roman sits and waits in his room.

Heyman looks very worried as Sami walks in again. Sami sits, and takes a deep breath. Roman says, “Look. It’s no secret. I’ve got a temper. But that’s why I put people in place like The Wise Man to counsel that anger.” Heyman smiles. Roman says he wasn’t hearing Sami out. Sami just wanted communication. He wanted to be part of the plan, part of the team. Sami is a perfectionist. He’s like Roman, really. Sami says that’s right. And Roman says you don’t become The GOAT if you don’t think of all the little details. That’s what Sami does, that’s why they get along, that’s why this works! Sami agrees! And he thanks Roman for understanding.

Sami admits, he walked in expecting the worst. But it means so much to him to hear Roman say that. Roman says that is on him. But sometimes, he just expects the same amount of love, respect and loyalty that he gives. No, don’t say that. Sami and the others all love him! He’s the Tribal Chief! The Head of the Table! The one steering the ship! They’re nothing without him. They… Sami will always put what’s best for the Bloodline first. What is best for the family first. Anytime, anything, whatever Roman needs Sami to do, he can just tell Sami, and Sami will do it. Okay.

Then clear cut communication, this is what Roman needs from Sami. Sami needs to go find the Usos. Make sure the SUVs are in place. Make sure the pilots have the jet ready to go. Roman will take Heyman and Solo to the ring, he’ll sign that contract, and then they’ll get outta here. Sami says that’s done! So we’re good? Better than good! Sami thanks Roman again, and offers the fist bump. Roman says he does owe Sami that. They fist bump, Sami smiles and heads out. Heyman then says, “Thank you, my Tribal Chief.” Roman nods, but will business go smoothly with the contract signing up next?

Adam Pearce is in the ring.

He is ready to preside over this contract signing, and here comes the Tribal Chief! As he said, he just has Solo Sikoa and Paul Heyman by his side. Heyman hands over the belts so Roman can raise them up for the pyro. They then continue to the ring, where Roman lifts the belts again for the second round of pyro. Roman takes his seat at the head of the table, putting his feet up on the table. Fans chant for “SAMI USO!” and Roman smiles. But then Kevin shows up from the crowd side!! He drags Solo out of the ring!! Pearce bails out, Kevin gets in and hits a STUNNER on Roman!!! Heyman is speechless but Detroit is thunderous!

Solo gets back up, Kevin SUPERKICKS him back out! The USOS appear, but Kevin fires off on the both of them! The Usos drag Kevin out, they brawl, and Kevin tosses Jey into barriers! SUPERKICK for Jimmy! SUPERKICK for Jey! Kevin drags Jimmy up to RAM him into the steel steps! Then Kevin goes back for Roman! Kevin drags Roman up, brings him around, whip and pop-up POWERBOMB through the table!!! Fans are loving this but Heyman is losing his mind! Pearce can’t believe Kevin did this, and then Kevin looks at Heyman. Heyman begs for mercy, but Kevin just takes the contract to sign his part!

But here comes Sami! Sami tells Kevin to get out of here, but Kevin just tosses the contract to Sami. Sami rushes in but Kevin has gotten away to the crowd! Detroit cheers, but will Kevin #StunTheWorld at the Royal Rumble? Roman comes to, and sees Sami is the only one standing. Will the trust that was just fixed between them be torn down again?

My Thoughts:

A great episode for SmackDown, and what great stuff out of the Bloodline story. Sami Zayn is being toyed with by Roman Reigns and his volitivity, and Heyman’s talk with Roman all but gave away that Roman doesn’t care about Sami, he just can’t afford Sami and Kevin to be united against them. But in the end, because Roman made Sami into his errand boy, Sami wasn’t there when Kevin got the jump on them! That was a great, and really fast, way to do a contract signing segment, and it leaves Sami stuck in a bad situation. We are getting closer and closer to that moment where Sami stands up for himself while standing by Kevin, and that’s going to be great stuff.

Of course LA Knight won a really quick tune up, but the real good stuff was Bray Wyatt reviving the Firefly Fun House! It’s technically a victory for Uncle Howdy since Bray basically “relapses” into one of his old personas, but we could also be seeing an almost Three Faces of Foley scenario for Bray, where he can call upon any of his past selves to take on his opponents. And with the Pitch Black match only being given to us as Anything Goes, but I’m still positive that the lights will be dimmed like in NXT’s Lights Out match. Also, good promos from more Royal Rumble entrants, but they didn’t sway my predictions for who wins.

Good stuff from Charlotte Flair and Sonya Deville, and that sucker punch is totally grounds for a SmackDown Women’s Championship match at the Royal Rumble. And Charlotte is definitely winning, she isn’t going to lose so soon now that she’s Face and 14-time champion. Also good promo from Kross calling out Rey one last time before their match on next week’s go-home. That match could probably go either way with the Rumble just the next day, but with Rey having gotten beat up and talked down to this whole time, it just feels like he should win to prove Kross is wrong about him being over the hill and all that.

And great stuff out of the SmackDown Tag Team Tournament. While McIntyre & Sheamus VS Viking Raiders felt too early on paper, it was also a case where it’d be too easy to say “Oh, they’re going to meet up in the later rounds, these opening round matches are predictable.” Putting such a big match at the very beginning gets a lot of that sentiment out of the way. Sheamus & McIntyre winning was probably the right move, and they’re still a heavy favorite for winning the whole thing. And looking at the brackets, I would think LDF beats Imperium just so we aren’t revisiting Sheamus taking on Imperium. But honestly, between Sheamus & McIntyre, Imperium and LDF, they’re all great choices for taking on The Usos, and by extension, the Bloodline.

My Score: 8.6/10