OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!

Just 24 hours before facing Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, Sami Zayn returns home to Montreal! Will Sami’s homecoming be a happy one?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler VS Natalya & Shotzi Blackheart; Ronda & Shayna win.
• Drew McIntyre & Sheamus VS The Viking Raiders w/ Valhalla; McIntyre & Sheamus win.
• Asuka VS Liv Morgan; Asuka wins.
• WWE Intercontinental Championship: GUNTHER w/ Imperium VS Mad Cap Moss w/ Emma; Gunther wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

WWE mourns the loss of Jerry Jarrett.

Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler VS Natalya & Shotzi Blackheart!

The Baddest Woman on the Planet returned to help the Queen of Spades beat down the Queen of Harts, but then the Wild Child made her own return! Now we see a team-up to settle scores! Will Ronda & Shayna rip Natty apart in Montreal? Or will Shotzi help Natty #TakeCareofBusiness?

The teams sort out and Natty starts with Shayna. They tie up, Natty hits a headlock takeover but Shayna shoves her away. Natty headlocks again, spins around to roll Shayna up, ONE! Natty waistlocks but Shayna fights up. Shayna pries the hold open to wrench an arm and twist the wrist. But Natty snapmares free and BOOTS Shayna down! Ronda tags in, fans boo, but Ronda just stares Natty down. They circle, tie up, and Natty wrenches an arm. Ronda wrenches back, Natty rolls and handsprings to wrench, only for Ronda to throw Natty down! Natty has the legs, Ronda kicks her away, and the two stand off.

Natty and Ronda stare down, but Ronda tags Shayna. Natty tags Shotzi and fans rally up. Shotzi and Shayna tie up, Shotzi gets around but Shayna wrenches the bad arm! Shotzi arm-drags free, KNEES Shayna, then ROLLING ELBOWS and QUESTION MARK KICKS! Shotzi reels Shayna in but Shayna wrenches the arm again. Tag to Ronda, she runs in to SHINING WIZARD! Shayna tags in, Ronda has a HANGING ARMBAR! The ref counts, Ronda lets off at 4, and then Shayna hits a double wristlock takedown! Shayna isolates the bad arm, lets her hair down, and soaks up the heat. But Shotzi rolls back and trips Shayna to a SHOTGUN!

Ronda tags in, Shotzi dodges her but Ronda comes back. Shotzi ducks under, waistlocks to keep Ronda from Shayna, and chicken wings for a TIGER PLEX! Shotzi keeps on those arms, for CATTLE MUTILATION! Ronda endures and fights up, spins Shotzi around and fireman’s carries! Shotzi fights with elbows and waistlocks. Ronda switches, they go to ropes and Shotzi throws Ronda out! Shayna coaches Ronda up but Shotzi runs to DIVE! Direct hit and fans fire up! Shotzi howls, but here comes Shayna! Shotzi dodges, Natty DISCUS LARIATS! Natty sets Shayna and Ronda up, for Shotzi’s SUPER CROSSBODY! Montreal is all fired up for Shotzi & Natty as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns and Shayna has Shotzi by the bad arm! Shotzi fights up but Shayna throws her down! Shayna pulls on the bad arm, bends the fingers, but Shotzi still endures. Shayna shifts to a cording hold but Shotzi moves around. Natty rallies the fans, Shotzi stands up and throws forearms! Shotzi reaches for Natty, throws more forearms, but Shayna brings her away! Shotzi arm-drags free, runs, but Shayna picks her up to throw her away! Shayna DECKS Natty with a cheap shot, and she storms up to Shotzi. Shayna has her in the corner, tags Ronda, but Shotzi fires off on them both!

Ronda pulls hair but Shotzi throws Shayna out! Ronda drags Shotzi up but Shotzi pulls on Ronda’s hair! Shotzi SLAPS Ronda, then goes to the top rope for an APRON DDT!! Shotzi bringing Ronda back to their title match months ago! Fans fire up and Shotzi gets in the ring, but Shayna throws Ronda in. Shayna tags in and has a leg, but Shotzi ENZIGURIS her away! Hot tag to Natty! Montreal fires up as Natty rallies on Shayna! Spin and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Natty hurries to waistlock but Shayna bucks the O’Conner Roll. Shayna kicks, waistlocks, but Natty elbows and switches to GERMAN SUPLEX!

Natty brings Shayna up, whips her, but Shayna reverses. Shayna runs in but the knee hits buckles! Natty gets under Shayna for a SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Natty doesn’t let that stop her, she goes for the legs! Shayna kicks her away, gets around, KIRAFUDA- NO, Natty backs her into the corner! Ronda tags in, Natty snapmares free, DISCUS! Ronda is up top, but Natty avoids the crossbody! Ronda tumbles into Shayna, Natty gets the legs! Natty steps through, for the SHARPSHOOTER!! Fans are thunderous while Ronda endures! Ronda reaches out, crawls over, but Natty pulls her back! Shayna runs in and Natty goes after her!

Natty tosses Shayna out, goes back to Ronda and brings her over. Tag to Shotzi, she and Natty set Ronda up, HART- NO, Shayna trips Natty and drags her out! Ronda then snap suplexes to the ARMBAR!! Shotzi fights, flails, but taps! Ronda & Shayna win!

Winners: Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler, by submission

Fans boo but there’s nothing they can do! Shayna & Ronda snatched that one away from Natty & Shotzi and are looking strong in their return to tag team action. Will the Baddest Women on the Planet be looking for new gold come WrestleMania? Will this not bode well for Natty’s chances inside the Elimination Chamber?

WWE looks back at Sami Zayn’s story.

Last April, after WrestleMania crowned Roman Reigns as Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, the Great Liberator came to him. Sami had lost again and again, and what he needed more than anything was to regain the respect he is owed. So he had a proposal: if there was a way Sami could help The Bloodline, he promised to be a very valuable ally. And so, Sami helped the Usos, he helped Solo Sikoa, and he helped Roman Reigns. He was accepted as the Honorary Uce, he helped them win WarGames, and he was beside them even when Kevin Owens told him, “You’re not their real blood, and you never will be.”

Kevin planted the seeds of doubt, but Sami refused to hear it. And in the end, Kevin was right. The Tribal Chief’s paranoia and anger turned itself towards Sami, pushed him away, and it got to the point where Roman wanted to execute Sami. Sami was given his “final test” at the Royal Rumble.

Hit Row is in the ring!

They have the mics, and they wanna drop the beat! Ashante THEE Adonis says, “Y’all ain’t even real friends yet. We’re about to bust y’all today.” Dolla says Montreal didn’t show them any love, so they better this time. Wait, was that a flash of the White Rabbit? Dolla starts with “Reporting life from Montreal, Quebec. Where we all know the facts: Bret screwed Bret! And I gotta thank the Lord above, because tomorrow, we get to leave Canada!” B-Fab says, “And let’s be real real quick. Canada’s about Toronto, y’all the side chick. It’s cold, and ya team too weak. That’s why we can’t wait ’til we Maple leave.”

Dolla dares anyone in the back to- UH OH! The lights go out, and here comes BRAY WYATT!! That flash was foreshadowing! UNCLE HOWDY is on the apron! And Bray in a spooky mask of his own! Fans lose their minds, Hit Row tells Howdy and Bray not to, but they step inside the ring. Adonis swings on Howdy but Howdy DECKS him, and then Bray TOSSES Dolla out of the ring! Adonis stumbles around, into the MANDIBLE CLAW, and feed to the SISTER ABIGAIL! B-Fab panics but Wyatt gets the mic. “You’re welcome, Montreal.” Fans cheer that with “Thank You, Bray!”

Bray continues to say, “Now that I am once again in control of myself, in control of my family, I wanted to be the first one to tell you this. Tomorrow night, Bobby Lashley, Brock Lesnar, whichever one of you walks out alive, whichever one of you is the winner, know: you. Should. Run.” The Eater of Worlds has called out the two biggest behemoths in the WWE! Will either one of them be ready for when Bray comes for them?

The Brawling Brutes fire up backstage.

Sheamus asks Drew McIntyre if he’s ready. Because tonight is Fight Night! Ridge Holland & Pete Dunne see them off, the Celtic Connection is ready to settle the score with the Viking Raiders!

Mad Cap Moss speaks.

“Nobody expected me to win last week.” Emma says she did. He says that’s right. How’d she know he would? Look at him! No one moves like Moss, no one has a physique like him, and it’s his time to shine. Moss agrees with that. And surely, just as many people will doubt him this week, so let them doubt. They were wrong last week, they’ll still be wrong until they realize Mad Cap Moss is a superstar. Emma has his back, but will Moss get that gold off Gunther?

Drew McIntyre & Sheamus VS The Viking Raiders w/ Valhalla!

The Celtic Connection beat Erik & Ivar in the SmackDown Tag Team Tournament, but they didn’t settle for that. Erik & Ivar beat down the Scottish & Celtic Warriors to take them out of the tournament, and now we see these two sides go to war! Will McIntyre & Sheamus survive Ragnarök? Or will this be the end of their battles together?

The teams sort out and Ivar starts against Sheamus. Sheamus runs in, Ivar avoids the Brogue but Sheamus avoids the heel kick. Sheamus RAMS Ivar, he bails out, but Sheamus goes out to FLYING CLOHTESLINE! Sheamus rains down fists on Ivar, McIntyre and Erik brawl! McIntyre RAMS Erik into barriers! Sheamus SMACKS Ivar off the apron, puts him in the ring, and storms in. Ivar kicks low, CLUBS away, then whips. Sheamus dodges to clothesline Ivar up and out! Fans fire up with The Fella while Sarah Logan calms down the Vikings. McIntyre eggs on the Vikings while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Erik gives Sheamus Ace Ten Mao! Cover, TWO! Tag to Ivar, he drags Sheamus up and throws him down by his head! Ivar then clamps on a chinbar and he cranks on Sheamus’ head. The fans rally, Sheamus fights up, and Sheamus throws body shots. Ivar ROCKS Sheamus with a right, then throws elbows in the corner. The ref counts, Ivar brings Sheamus over, tag to Erik. The Vikings mug Sheamus while fans boo. Erik digs his fingers into Sheamus’ face! The ref reprimands, Sheamus endures, but Erik CLUBS him down! Erik drags Sheamus up, puts him on ropes and CHOKES him!

Fans rally for Sheamus and the ref counts. Erik lets off but “Valhalla” taunts Sheamus. Erik CLUBS Sheamus but Sheamus throws hands! Erik ROCKS Sheamus and he staggers to a corner! Tag to Ivar, he runs in and SPLASHES! Then he sucker punches McIntyre! Fans boo but Ivar sneers. Ivar runs in at Sheamus, but into a LARIAT! Fans fire up while both men are down! Ivar and Sheamus crawl for their corners, hot tags to Erik and McIntyre! McIntyre rallies on Erik, whips him to ropes, and CLOBBERS him! Erik staggers up, goes to a corner, McIntyre SPLASHES, to an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly!

Ivar runs in, to get a NECKBREAKER! Erik is back up, he gets a NECKBREAKER! McIntyre kips up and Montreal fires up! McIntyre glares at Erik, kicks low and reels him in, but Erik wrenches out! Erik ROCKS McIntyre, McIntyre ROCKS back, repeat! McIntyre CHOPS, runs, but Erik follows, only to run into a MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO! McIntyre keeps cool as he glares at Erik. McIntyre stands Erik up, but Erik throat chops!! Ivar tags in, but runs into a GLASGOW KISS! Sheamus tags in, he HOTSHOTS Ivar, and then hurries in to fire off body shots! Sheamus whips Ivar corner to corner, runs in, but into a BOOT!

Sheamus falls, Ivar goes up top! Fans boo but then Sheamus ROCKS Ivar! Sheamus throws hands, fans fire up as Sheamus climbs! Sheamus fireman’s carries Ivar for a SUPER ROLLING SENTON!! Both men are down and even McIntyre can’t believe it as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns again and both Sheamus & McIntyre have the Vikings on the ropes! DOUBLE BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN!! Fans count along to TEN, and we go past that to TWENTY-TWO!! The Vikings flop down and fans are thunderous! McIntyre drags Ivar up, Ivar shoves him away and elbows back! Ivar runs in, into a SPINEBUSTER! Tag to Sheamus and he goes up top! KING KONG KNEE! Cover, Erik breaks it! Erik drags Ivar over to the corner, tags in, but Sheamus is ready with a scoop and SLAM! “FELLA~!” Fans fire up with Sheamus and he goes to a corner. Sheamus beats his chest, fans fire up for the- NO, Erik picks Sheamus up!

Erik stumbles against ropes, he brings Sheamus back up, POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Sheamus survives and fans rally back up. Erik snarls goes to a corner and climbs up. Erik leaps, into a KNEE! Hot tag to McIntyre! McIntyre aims from a corner now and here comes the countdown! “THREE! TWO! ONE!” But Erik bails out with Ivar’s help! So McIntyre just FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp! Montreal is thunderous again and McIntyre puts Erik back in! McIntyre resets in the corner, but Sarah is on the apron! She shouts at McIntyre, Ivar tags in! McIntyre runs at Erik, into an URENAGE! Erik drags McIntyre up to hand off to Ivar!

Ivar has McIntyre for a SUPER POWERSLAM!! Cover, Sheamus breaks it! Erik POSTS Sheamus! Erik hauls McIntyre up, GLASGOW KISS! HEEL KICK from Ivar!! Ivar goes up top again, for the VIKING SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! McIntyre survives and shocks the Vikings! Ivar roars, he tags Erik, “This is Awesome!” as the Vikings drag McIntyre up. Sarah calls for it, but Sheamus BROGUES Ivar! McIntyre dodges Erik to CLAYMORE!! Cover, Sheamus & McIntyre win!

Winners: Drew McIntyre & Sheamus, by pinfall

Valhalla is seething but the Vikings could not conquer the Celtic Connection! McIntyre & Sheamus are rolling again, will they find their way back to gold before WrestleMania?

WWE continues to look back at Sami Zayn’s story.

The Honorary Uce’s final test at the Royal Rumble was whether or not he could beat down Kevin Owens. Roman kept claiming Sami was his family now, but then Sami stopped Roman! Sami said executing Kevin was beneath him, so Roman agreed, and made Sami take the chair. When Sami didn’t, Roman got angry. Sami would then hit Roman with the chair! The fans were ecstatic but the Bloodline was furious! Jimmy beat Sami down, Solo beat Sami down, but Jey couldn’t bring himself to do it. Jey left, and his status within The Bloodline is still in question. Roman claimed Sami was using him all along, but then Sami attacked Roman on SmackDown!

Sami made one thing clear: he didn’t want anything from Roman, until now! Sami wants the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship, and they will battle it out in just 24 hours from now! The Elimination Chamber is coming, and Sami vows to be the one to finally take Roman down. But even without Jey, Roman still has Jimmy and Solo. Will Roman break Sami in mind, body and spirit in front of his hometown crowd? Or will this be the greatest homecoming anyone could dream of?

Backstage interview with Rey Mysterio.

Kayla Braxton says last week, Rey shared a special moment with Santos Escobar. They presented each other with the ultimate signs of respect: the trading of lucha masks. Escobar wants to move out of the shadow of his father’s legacy and of Rey’s, and Rey hopes Escobar starts his own. Rey says in the present that he knows that meant a lot to Escobar, and that it meant the world to him. Competition is always welcomed here, and respect-” Kross cuts Rey off there. “Respect? Y’know something, Rey? Once upon a time, I wanted to be a father. But then, after I saw the lack of respect and the look of disgust in your son’s eyes that he had for you, I thought to myself, ‘Maybe that’s not for me.'”

Kross says unlike Rey, he can walk around here without hiding his face in shame under a mask for being a pathetic excuse of a father. “But then again, that’s just Scarlett’s opinion.” Kross dares Rey to do something about it. Tick-tock. Kross & Scarlett leave, and Rey is fuming. Will Rey take his anger out on Kross in a rematch? Or is there only one way to fix this?

Asuka VS Liv Morgan!

The Empress of Tomorrow showed us all on Monday that she is more than ready for all five opponents in the Women’s Elimination Chamber match! She takes on the daredevil willing to do anything to win, but will not even Liv’s new extreme lifestyle be ready for Asuka?

SmackDown returns and Liv makes her entrance while Carmella joins commentary. Mella says Wade Barrett can stomp simping, she’s taken by Corey Graves, “the best color commentator.” The bell rings and Liv ties up with Asuka. Liv headlocks, hits a takeover, but Asuka headscissors. Liv kips free and fans cheer the standoff. Asuka applauds, and offers a handshake. Liv accepts but then Asuka leaves her hanging! Liv swings, misses, but she ducks the backhands and kicks! Liv SLAPS Asuka, but Asuka reels her in! Liv elbows free, both women steady themselves, and Liv fires off! Asuka blocks a kick, gets around and GERMAN SUPLEXES!

Asuka runs to SLIDING KICK! Cover, TWO! Asuka drags Liv around to clamp onto the arm. But here comes Raquel Rodriguez, making for four entrants out here. Raquel says she heard Mella talking crap but Mella says she was just saying how Raquel’s so big and strong and she loves that for her. But then NIKKI CROSS is here?! She snuggles Michael Cole? And then gets on the desk, chanting “FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!” She wants Raquel and Mella to fight? Asuka is rather confused by what’s going on ringside, but she keeps on Liv. Liv fights up, throws hands, but Asuka CLUBS her! Asuka whips, runs in, but Liv BOOTS her!

Asuka runs back in, Liv goes up and over. Mella says no one cares about any of the others, “everyone is talking about Carmella!” Asuka BOOTS Liv away, she goes up the corner, but Liv ROCKS her! Liv runs up and hits a SUPER CODE BREAKER!! Cover, TWO!! Asuka survives and Nikki is loving it while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Asuka grinds Liv down with an armlock, and even forearms in Liv’s face. Natty has returned ringside, coaching Liv. Liv fights up, throws body shots, but Asuka CLUBS Liv. Asuka whips, Liv reverses, then Liv runs in to back body block! Liv runs back in to SHINING WIZARD! Liv snapmares, runs, springboards but Asuka KNEES her down! Cover, TWO! Nikki is all hyped up on the desk and hopes Cole will be her best friend. Mella says she’s so weird, someone needs to get her outta here. Asuka KICKS Liv, KICKS her again, and KICKS her again! Mella says she’s doing better commentary than Wade!

Liv fires up, BUZZSAW! Liv SLAPS Asuka!! Asuka laughs!? Liv likes it, too! They fire off, URAKEN, URAKEN, SOBAT and KICK, but Liv ducks to ROCK Asuka with haymakers! Liv kicks low, kicks again, then ENZIGURIS! Asuka goes to a corner, Liv runs in, and back body blocks! Liv goes in again, SHINING WIZARD! Liv shoves Asuka down, adjusts and leaps, MISSILE DROPKICK! Nikki smiles and fans fire up again! Asuka runs in, Liv dodges, and springboards to CODE BREAKER! Asuka staggers to ropes, Liv runs in, but Asuka denies Oblivion to flip Liv! Liv ducks a kick, rolls Asuka up, TWO!! RINGS OF STRETCH!! Liv verbally taps, Asuka wins!

Winner: Asuka, by submission

Asuka blows a kiss to all her future opponents, but Mella gets in to FABULOUS KCIK! But Natty DISCUS LARIATS! Nikki kicks Natty low, for THE PURGE! Raquel gets in to give Nikki a TEXANA BOMB!! Raquel looks at Liv in the corner, and she offers her a hand. Liv takes it and Raquel stands her up. Raquel says it’s all good, but may the best woman win. Liv hits a CODE BREAKER! Asuka ROUNDHOUSES Raquel out of the ring! Asuka and Liv look up at the Chamber, they’re both ready to go again! Who will survive the Chamber to then face The EST at WrestleMania?

Backstage interview with Imperium.

Megan Morant says Gunther is just moments away from defending the Intercontinental Championship against Mad Cap Moss, who said- Gunther stops Megan there. “I could not care less what Moss had to say. He made it this far and that’s very good for him. But one impressive victory and some encouraging words from his girl doesn’t change a thing. Since 250 days, I am dominating. And just like everybody else who challenges me on that sacred mat out there, he will fall to Der Ring General!” Gunther heads out, Vinci & Ludwig by his side. Will Gunther crush Moss’ hopes and dreams in Montreal? Or will Moss make Gunther the butt of the joke?

WWE Intercontinental Championship: GUNTHER w/ Imperium VS Mad Cap Moss w/ Emma!

SmackDown returns and Moss makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Moss can pull off another shocker!

The bell rings and the two feel things out. Moss shoots in, Gunther facelocks and puts Moss in a corner. The ref counts, Gunther lets off but CHOPS! And CHOPS! Gunther talks trash, Moss TACKLES him! Moss rains down fists but Gunther kicks him away. Moss comes back, puts Gunther in the corner and he RAMS in! Moss facelocks, Gunther powers Moss back, powers out and throws body shots. Gunther hits as headlock takeover, but Moss keeps his shoulders up. Moss fights up, throws some shots, then powers out, only for Gunther to run him over! Gunther swings but Moss counter punches!

Moss headlocks, Gunther powers out, they RAM shoulders, and then RAM again! Gunther CHOPS Moss, BOOTS him down, then covers, ONE!! Gunther clamps right onto Moss with a headlock and grinds him down. Moss endures, fights up, but Gunther grinds the headlock. Moss powers up to lift Gunther, but Gunther counters with a headlock takeover! Moss headscissors, Gunther kips free, but Moss dodges the haymaker to RAM Gunther into the corner! Gunther staggers, Moss RAMS him into another corner! Fans are torn but Gunther catches Moss to a facelock! Moss fights up, and he powers Gunther up and throws him away!

Moss dodges ‘n’ ducks, but Gunther leaps, into Moss’ SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Moss POUNCES Gunther out of the ring! Fans are torn as Gunther shakes out the stars and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and the hands fly back and forth! Moss ROCKS Gunther, Gunther ROCKS Moss, repeat! Gunther CHOPS, Moss LARIATS, repeat! Gunther CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Moss off his feet! Fans fire up for Gunther as he passes around Moss. Gunther reels Moss in, gets him up, but Moss slips free and turns Gunther. Gunther powers out and then scoops, but Moss slips free! Moss ducks ‘n’ dodges, but runs into a SLEEPER! Moss shifts around, BIG back suplex! Moss keeps moving, builds up speed, and he CLOBBERS Gunther! Cover, TWO!! Gunther survives and Emma can’t believe it!

Moss waits on Gunther and fans rally up. Moss reels Gunther in, turns him, but Gunther wrenches out to CHOP! Gunther reels Moss in, suplexes, but Moss fights it off! Moss suplexes but Gunther fights it off! Moss tries again, and he gets Gunther up and over! Moss hurries to stand Gunther up and turn him, PUNCHLINE!! Cover, TWO!?! Gunther survives Moss’ best shot and Moss can’t believe it! Gunther crawls to a corner and fans rally up. Moss runs in to RAM into Gunther! But Gunther pulls Moss’ hair to bring him into the SLEEPER! Moss arm-drags free, scoops Gunther, but Gunther powers free to turn Moss! Gunther CHOPS Moss down!

Gunther goes to the corner, he climbs up top, but Moss ROCKS him first! Moss throws more forearms, he goes up after Gunther, but Gunther CHOPS Moss down! Moss is back in the drop zone, Gunther goes back up top, but Moss returns! Moss clinches, scoops, and SUPER FALL AWAY SLAMS!! Cover, TWO!! Gunther survives again and Emma is beside herself! Moss is also stunned, what more does he have to do to win? Moss roars, runs, but Gunther catches him into a SLEEPER! Moss flails, reaches out, but he’s already fading! Fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” for Sami but he’s not here yet. Gunther turns Moss around, GENERAL BOMB!! Cover, Gunther wins!

Winner: Gunther, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)

Moss may not have proved all his doubters wrong, but he lasted a lot longer than even Gunther expected. But then, who is next to step to Der Ring General?

Sami Zayn heads to the ring!

Montreal practically explodes for their hometown hero! And he has a new shirt, “The Honourary Hab,” in honor of Montreal’s hockey team. Sami is so pumped up, he almost falls into the ring as he goes up the ropes. Fans chant “SAMI! SAMI!” as he gets the mic, then they sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~! OLE~, OLE~!” Sami soaks it all in, and even gets a little emotional. Sami smiles as the chanting and singing just continues. They even chant, “You Deserve It!” and that brings a tear to Sami’s eye. Sami can’t help but let the fans continue as they return to singing. Sami finally speaks, “I can’t follow that.”

Sami says that every year around this time, people point to the sign. Sami does, and fans cheer. “Year after year, we tell everybody that that is the most important show of the year. And it’s true. But for me, for this city, tomorrow night is ONCE IN A LIFETIME!” Sami talks some smack in French on Roman Reigns and the fans fire up. “Tomorrow night is not just Roman Reigns VS Sami Zayn. Tomorrow night is Roman Reigns VS Sami Zayn and the entire city of Montreal! ROMAN!! YOU ARE GOING DOWN!!” Sami slams the mic down and Montreal is thunderous! With this much fire inside him, will Sami burn down the Island of Relevancy? Or will he burn down with it?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown, especially for a go-home episode. Though, obviously as a go-home, there was a recap package to open it, and there were the “Sami Zayn story” video packages. Now obviously, part of those packages being there was also for how Paul Heyman told Jimmy that the Usos were staying home to see what the fans see. Those packages surely “reveal” to Jimmy that Jey talked with Sami and that there could be collusion between them. If only they had like an “Uso cam” or Uso watch party so we could get their reactions. But at the same time, there’s a chance the Usos show up during Elimination Chamber, if Canada is okay with them showing up.

Great opening tag match from Ronda & Shayna VS Natty & Shotzi. Shotzi took the loss so Ronda & Shayna could be strong in the tag division while Natty isn’t directly hurt going into the Chamber. And we got a great match out of Asuka VS Liv, where of course we saw the other entrants show up. Nikki stole the spotlight from Mella, she’s really bringing that SAnitY persona back. Asuka wins, of course, and she might be able to defy go-home math by still winning the Chamber. You can’t cool off this return to Demon Clown looking Kana style persona, Asuka has to go to WrestleMania, and maybe even win the title.

Great tag match from McIntyre & Sheamus VS The Viking Raiders, though I still wish there was a stipulation here. McIntyre & Sheamus winning again surely means they’re moving on from here, possibly to the Intercontinental title. Moss had a great showing against Gunther but of course he was going to lose. Also, I think they didn’t really time this title defense right. Moss getting booed by Montreal when he’s supposed to be the Face doesn’t work to the story they’re telling. But either way, Gunther could face McIntyre, he could face Sheamus again, he could end up facing both, and either way, we’re getting an awesome match for Mania.

Good promo from Rey and Kross, they’re of course having another 1v1, but somehow, some way, Judgment Day is moving to SmackDown after WrestleMania (probably with Rhea winning the SmackDown Women’s title) and so Rey will have no choice but to have it out with Dom. Good start to a rap promo from Hit Row, but what a surprise that Bray Wyatt & Uncle Howdy showed up. And furthermore, what a surprise that Bray is calling out Lashley and Lesnar. I suppose that does change how things could go for Lashley and Lesnar, with the winner having a great WrestleMania story with Bray. I don’t know which I’d prefer to see, but even if it’s Lesnar, I would hope Bray finds a way to win.

My Score: 8.6/10