Does Jey Uso still ACKNOWLEDGE his Tribal Chief?

Jey Uso returned to the Bloodline on Raw, but now Roman Reigns wishes to see it for himself. Will all be well within the family on SmackDown?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• WWE Intercontinental Championship Qualifier Furious 5 Way: Drew McIntyre VS Sheamus VS Karrion Kross VS LA Knight VS Xavier Woods; McIntyre and Sheamus win and advance to WrestleMania 39.
• Six Man Tag: Legado Del Fantasma VS The Judgment Day; The Judgment Day wins.
• Braun Strowman & Ricochet VS The Viking Raiders w/ Valhalla; The Viking Raiders win.
• Charlotte Flair VS Shotzi Blackheart; Charlotte wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Paul Heyman welcomes The Usos.

Jimmy says what up, and Jey says, “Where’s the Tribal Chief?” Heyman hugs Jey, and says the Tribal Chief is so proud of Jey. But Jey’s stoic face has Heyman worried. Jey wants Heyman that when he finds Roman Reigns, to tell Roman Reigns that Jey’s here. Kayla Braxton then walks over and asks why Jey turned on Sami Zayn. Jey tells Kayla that everything he needs to say will be said in the middle of the ring tonight. Jimmy says we should be asking why Cody Rhodes stuck his nose in Bloodline business. The Usos head out, what will Main Event Jey say to the Head of the Table?

WWE Intercontinental Championship Qualifier Furious 5 Way: Drew McIntyre VS Sheamus VS Karrion Kross VS LA Knight VS Xavier Woods!

Everyone wants after Der Ring General’s gold! The Celtic Connection may have broken down as both McIntyre and Sheamus want their shot, but will either of them win their spot on the Grandest Stage of Them All? Or will an other step up to have their Hollywood dreams come true?

The bell rings and Woods fires off on Knight! Kross goes after Woods, he and Knight throw Woods out, but McIntyre and Sheamus just stare down with each other. But then Kross and Knight go after them! Kross and McIntyre brawl as a revisit of their feud, and Sheamus fires off with Knight! Sheamus and McIntyre each get the edge, McIntyre clotheslines Kross out and Sheamus TOSSES Knight. Fans fire up as the Celtic Connection stare down again. McIntyre says it didn’t have to be this way, but then Kross and Knight blindside them both! Knight tosses Sheamus out, Kross throws McIntyre out.

Knight talks trash while Kross beats down on McIntyre. Pittsburgh boos the Mega Star while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Kross digs his boot into Woods in the corner. Knight talks some smack but Woods fires off on him and Kross! Kross ROCKS Woods, DECKS him, then he and Knight both dig their boots in. They let off to intercept McIntyre! Kross beats McIntyre down, kicks him out, and Knight stomps away on Woods. Fans rally, Sheamus drags Knight out and RAMS him into barriers! Kross goes after Sheamus! But McIntyre brings Knight around, only for Knight to POST him! Knight gets in the ring and CLOBBERS Woods! Knight drops an elbow, then Kross storms back in.

Kross and Knight drag Woods up, they double whip, and they DOUBLE FLAPJACK! Knight calls out McIntyre coming in, but McIntyre fires off on him and Kross! McIntyre CHOPS, ROCKS and CHOPS on repeat! Kross puts McIntyre on the apron, McIntyre ROCKS Kross but Knight RAMS into McIntyre! Knight and Kross double suplex McIntyre up and in! But Sheamus climbs up! FLYING LARIAT for Sheamus! But Kross drags him off Knight, only for Sheamus to LARIAT! Sheamus UPPERCUTS Knight, UPPERCUTS again, then fires body shots! McIntyre has Kross, but Kross fights Future Shock!

Kross has a leg! HALF CRAB on McIntyre! Sheamus fireman’s carries Knight but Knight slips off to POST him! Then he drags Sheamus out for a JUMP NECKBREAKER! Cover, but Kross lets McIntyre go to drag Knight away! The alliance only lasts so long but Knight smirks and nods. Knight and Kross argue, but Kross goes to Woods. Only for Knight to DECK Kross! Knight tells Kross to never pull him off a pin. But Woods fires off haymakers and CHOPS! Woods lights Knight up, whips, but Knight reverses, only for Woods to duck ‘n ‘dodge and slide, ROLLING ELBOW! But Kross whips Woods to a corner!

Woods BOOTS Kross, and hits the HONOR ROLL! Knight returns, but Woods drop toeholds him to ropes! Woods runs, and he SLIDES on Knight to WRECK McIntyre with a dropkick! Sheamus runs in around the way, Woods dodges to SUPERKICK! Woods hurries up, shoulders into Kross, then steps in, TORNADO DDT! Knight runs into a fireman’s carry! GUTBUSTER DROP! Fans fire up for Woods and he hurries to the apron! Woods climbs, walks the tightrope, “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” LIMIT BREAKER!! Cover, EVERYONE breaks it!! Fans fire up while all five men are down, but then Imperium shows up on the stage.

Fans boo the Intercontinental Champion and his cohorts, but they keep their distance as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Kross bumps McIntyre off buckles. Kross hoists McIntyre into a Tree of Woe, stomps him, then DECKS Knight! Sheamus gets up, Kross BOOTS him down! Kross goes up the corner, but Knight goes up and after him, but McIntyre adds on! SPIDER GERMAN SUPERPLEX COMBO!!! Fans are thunderous but Imperium doesn’t seem impressed. Fans rally as all five competitors are down around all over, but McIntyre rises. McIntyre snarls as he runs in and CLOBBERS Kross! And again! McIntyre whips and ELBOWS Kross down! McIntyre then goes after Knight to clinch and OVERHEAD Belly2Belly!

Kross runs in, McIntyre dodges to NECKBREAKER! McIntyre kips up and fans fire up! McIntyre aims at Knight, brings him up but Knight wrenches out of the underhooks to LARIAT! Sheamus returns as Knight talks trash, and Sheamus CLOBBERS hm! And again! Woods returns, but into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Knight runs in, into a POWERSLAM! Fans fire up with Sheamus, and he has Woods on the ropes! Sheamus CLUBS Woods in the back, then bends him back for BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! Fans count all the way to TEN, Sheamus lets Woods down, and then he catches Kross! Fans fire up for MORE BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN!!

Sheamus gives Kross his ten, and now Knight flounders up! Fans are thunderous as Sheamus gets the Mega Star! EVEN MORE BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! That’s THIRTY total!! Sheamus points to the WrestleMania sign, beats his chest as he aims from the corner, but McIntyre HEADBUTTS Knight down! The Celtic Connection stare down and argue. Sheamus says McIntyre stole his spotlight again! Woods LEAPS, but into a BROGUE!! Knight runs in, into a CLAYMORE!! Double covers, DOUBLE WIN!?!?

Winners: Sheamus and Drew McIntyre, by pinfall

One ref counted McIntyre’s three count, another counted Sheamus’, so what does this? Fans have the answer: “TRIPLE THREAT! TRIPLE THREAT!” Sheamus and McIntyre argue about this, and even Imperium isn’t sure what to make of it. How will Adam Pearce and upper management choose to handle this?

Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.

Kayla asks the Wise Man about how she tried to ask Jey Uso why he did what he did on Raw. Does Heyman have any insight as to what’s going on? Heyman seems a bit distracted himself. But this Cody Rhodes is too much, isn’t he? The Bloodline gets all this criticism for invoking the names of Cody’s family, and yet what did Cody do? He got involved in Bloodline business, and Bloodline business is family. Maybe that’s Cody’s counter attack. For almost 1000 DAYS, Roman Reigns has been champion. And every time a new challenger comes along, the Tribal Chief asks the Special Counsel how to handle this new challenger.

Do they do it like gangsters? Do they lie, manipulate and get inside the opponent’s head, so that by the time the match happens, they’re already defeated? Or do they do it with the truth? Because the truth is, Roman Reigns is the GOAT. Heyman is the GOAT.  The Usos are the GOATs. And when they are aligned, the Bloodline cannot be stopped. But then comes along one Cody Rhodes. “Stylistically, a nightmare for us. He’s the one guy I never wanted to see across the ring from Roman Reigns. I went to my Tribal Chief, and I said, ‘What do we do? Gangster? Truth?’

“And in his infinite wisdom, the Tribal Chief said to me, ‘Wise Man, the most gangster thing we could do to Cody Rhodes is to smash him with the truth.’ Because the truth for Cody Rhodes is in his past that he couldn’t control, that he can’t escape, that will put such emotional baggage on Cody Rhodes that he never knew existed that by the time he walks into the ring at WrestleMania, he’ll already be a defeated opponent. And then, then the only story left for Cody Rhodes to tell will be when he takes his shoulders off the mat after being defeated by Roman Reigns, and has to pick the time and the place that he truthfully acknowledges his Tribal Chief, Roman… Reigns.”

Sheamus and McIntyre argue backstage.

Sheamus is still upset that McIntyre wants to snipe the Intercontinental Championship from him but McIntyre insists it didn’t have to be this way. The Brawling Brutes come in to stop the arguing, McIntyre says this should be like the old days, where they fight and then have drinks after. Will these men ever toast as friends again?

WWE announces the first of the 2023 Hall of Fame class!

It’s THE KING OF LUCHA, REY MYSTERIO! Kurt Angle, one of his greatest rivals, notes that Rey had the ability of igniting any crowd. Kofi Kingston says you couldn’t blink, because you knew Rey would do something incredible. The 619, the charisma, the connection to the fans as the Ultimate Underdog, Rey showed that it doesn’t matter your size, so long as you have heart. John Cena says to Rey, “impossible” was just a word. If Rey is headlining, just how big will this year’s class be?

Rey Mysterio is here!

Fans fire up as the King of Lucha is in Steel City! Rey high-fives the front row as he goes to the ring. Rey gets the mic, fans chant, “You Deserve It!” and Rey says, “Wow. This is a moment-” Wait. DOMINIK Mysterio shows up. And he’s brought the Judgment Day with him! Dom has the mic to say, “How pathetic.” Fans boo, Dom tells them to shut up, and he says that “WWE is really gonna induct a washed-up old man into the Hall of Fame? Huh? Look at me!” How many birthdays, how many Christmases, how many Thanksgivings, how many soccer games did you miss? All to make this Hall of Fame career.”

Fans boo more as the Judgment Day gets in the ring. Dom says Mami Rhea was right. Dom is ashamed to be Rey’s son! But here comes Legado Del Fantasma! Fans fire up as Santos Escobar leads Zelina Vega, Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro right to the ring to get in the Judgment Day’s faces! Rey hands the mic over to let Escobar speak. “Your father may have let go of what you did last week, but I haven’t. So SHUT UP! Legado del Fantasma and Judgment Day are supposed to have a match later tonight. How about we have it right now?!” Fans like the sound of that!

Finn grins and Dom talks trash, but it seems like we’re in agreement! A ref rushes out, will the Emperor of Lucha humble “Ex-Con Dom” once and for all?

Six Man Tag: Legado Del Fantasma VS The Judgment Day!

SmackDown returns and the match is under way! Cruz Del Toro arm-drags Finn Balor but Finn gets up to scoop. Cruz slips out to DROPKICK Finn! Cruz whips, Finn reverses but Cruz sunset flips! Finn rolls through to basement dropkick! Rhea is having fun, and Damian Priest tags in. Priest stomps Cruz, lines up a shot, and he BOOTS Cruz to a corner! Priest stomps away on Cruz, the ref counts, and Priest lets off at 4. Fans boo but the Judgment Day soak it up. Priest whips Cruz to ropes then ELBOWS him down! Cover, TWO! Priest drags Cruz up, tags in Dom, and they mug Cruz. Fans boo but Dom drags Cruz up and gives us Latino Heat.

Dom suplexes Cruz, Uno Amigo! Another suplex, Dos Amigos! Dom gives more Latino Heat, and he RAMS Cruz into the corner! Tag to Finn and he RAMS into Cruz. Finn CHOPS Cruz, whips him corner to corner, but Cruz BOOTS back! And then RANAS! Hot tag to Escobar! Escobar brings Finn around, fires forearms, and whips him to the corner! Tag to Wilde, he runs in to clothesline! Tag to Cruz, he runs in to clothesline! Escobar tags in and he runs to clothesline! Rhea is furious but Wilde tags in again. Wilde runs in, another clothesline! And then a snap suplex! Wilde fires up, fans fire up with him, and Wilde runs to IMPLODER SPLASH! Cover, TWO!

Finn flounders to a corner, he dodge Wilde, and then blocks Wilde’s boot to YANK him down! Wilde writhes but Finn drags him up. Tag to Priest, he and Finn mug Wilde, and Priest DECKS Wilde! Priest CHOKES Wilde on the ropes! The ref counts, Priest lets off and Wilde sputters. Priest whips Wilde to run him over! Cover, TWO! Priest looms over Wilde, fans rally up, and Priest drags Wilde up. Priest whips Wilde into the corner! Priest runs in to back elbow! Tag to Finn, and Priest hits BROKEN ARROW, and Finn STOMPS Wilde down! Tag to Dom, slingshot senton! Tag back to Finn, and he tags Priest back in.

Finn scoops Wilde and hits a BACKBREAKER! Priest adds a LEG DROP! Then Priest and Finn BLAST LDF! Fans boo but the Judgment Day soaks up the heat as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and fans rally as Dom and Wilde crawl. Hot tags to Finn and Escobar! Escobar dodges Finn, BLASTS priest, then kicks Finn. Escobar runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then CLOBBERS Finn! Escobar keeps moving to hit FLYING FOREARMS! ENZIGURI for Priest! Tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER for Finn! Then a LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Escobar drags Finn up, fireman’s carries, but Finn fights free to ELBOW DROP DDT! Fans rally up, both men crawl, hot tag to Dom! Dom drags Escobar back as fans boo, but Escobar ENZIGURIS! Hot tag to Cruz! CROSSBODY! SOBAT!

Crus whips but Dom reverses to kick low. Dom runs, but into a SPANISH FLY! Cover, Priest breaks it! Priest drags Cruz up, whips him to a corner, but Cruz slips out and Priest hits buckles! Cruz goes up, to MISSILE DROPKICK! Priest flops out of the ring, Escobar and Wilde DIVE! Direct hit on Priest and Finn! Fans are thunderous, Rhea panics, and Vega RANAS! Rhea blocks, to BOMB Vega onto Escobar! Cruz runs at Dom, but Dom dodges! Cruz hits buckles Dom kicks and whips, but Cruz reverses. Dom uses that to WRECK Rey! But Cruz rolls Dom! But Rey’s anger is a distraction! Priest HEEL KICKS Cruz!! Dom covers, Judgment Day wins!!

Winners: The Judgment Day, by pinfall

Rey realizes Dom and the Judgment Day got the better of him again! Dom gets the mic to tell Rey, “Jefe… Hey, hey. Why don’t you guys shut your mouths when greatness is speaking!? I wanna have a man to man with you, Dad. I wanna have a heart to heart. So why don’t you guys give me the ring.” The Judgment Day asks if he’s sure and he says it’ll be fine. Fans boo but Dom assures Rey it’s just a talk. Rey has LDF stand down, and he walks into the ring as fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” at Dom.

Dom tells Rey that the one thing he doesn’t understand is why the WWE is inducting Rey, when the only Hall of Fame would be the Deadbeat Dads HOF. At the end of the day, Dom should’ve been Eddie’s son. Rey wants Dom to take that back but Dom tells Rey he needs to accept what he’s done. Dom pie faces Rey right into ropes! Dom eggs Rey on, fans want to see Rey do this, and Rey stands up. Rey steps out, but Dom rushes in, and Rey dumps Dom out! Dom is fired up from being embarrassed, and he shouts that he’s the one that matters! Rey says he will NOT fight Dom, no matter what he does. Dom says Rey will, but what will Dom do to escalate this further?

Adam Pearce finds Charlotte Flair waiting for him.

He asks the SmackDown Women’s Champion what he can do for her. She asks him if he’s been having a rough day at work. Or is he just not happy to see her? Pearce says he’s always happy to see the champ. But really, what’s up? Charlotte says that this is WrestleMania season, so she wants a match. Any match. Tonight? Tonight. Okay, he can do that. He’ll find someone suitable. She thanks him and heads out. And she tells him to hang in there. He’ll do his best. Who will Pearce serve up for The Queen just a month out from WrestleMania?

Braun Strowman & Ricochet VS The Viking Raiders w/ Valhalla!

The Monster of All Monsters and the King of Flight were involved in a massive tag brawl involving the Celtic Connection, Hit Row and their opponents here tonight. Will Braun & Ricochet be able to stop Ragnarök? Or will the warpath Erik & Ivar are on be able to topple two forces of nature?

The teams sort out and Ricochet starts against Erik. They circle, fans rally up, and Ricochet kicks at Erik’s leg. Erik shrugs it off, he rushes in but Ricochet slips around to headlock. Erik lifts Ricochet but Ricochet uses that to hit a headlock takeover. Erik fights right back up to his feet, Ricochet hits another takeover, but Erik fights up again. Erik throws body shots, whips Ricochet to a corner, but Ricochet goes up and over. Things speed up, Ricochet RANAS! Erik stands up to KNEE Ricochet down! Tag to Ivar and he runs in, but Ricochet dodges! Ricochet fires off kicks, headlocks, but Ivar powers up!

Ricochet fights the lift, Ivar powers out of the hold, and they RAM shoulders. Ivar CLUBS Ricochet but Ricochet fires off hands! Ivar blocks a whip, whips Ricochet, but Ricochet rolls off Ivar’s back! Ricochet comes back to RANA Ivar! Ivar gets up, into a DROPKICK! But Ivar rebounds, only for Ricochet to avoid the splash! Tag to Braun and fans fire up! Ricochet BOOTS Ivar, and then Braun clotheslines Ivar out of the ring! Erik runs in, but Braun CLUBS him out of the ring, too! Fans fire up as Braun TOSSES Ricochet onto the Vikings! Fans fire up as Braun stands tall, and Ricochet gets up to join him, as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Ricochet throws body shots to get out of a headlock. Erik shoves Ricochet to ropes, then CLOBBERS him on the rebound! Fans rally for Ricochet while Erik looms over him. Erik drags Ricochet up, tags Ivar, and the Vikings mug Ricochet. The ref counts, the Vikings let off at 4, but Ricochet is down on the mat all the same. Ivar stomps Ricochet, tags Erik, and Erik brings Ricochet up to feed Ivar’s KNEE! Ivar feeds Ricochet to Erik’s KNEE! Cover, TWO! Ricochet is hanging tough and that frustrates “Valhalla” Sarah Logan. Erik clamps onto Ricochet with a chinbar and grinds him down.

Braun coaches Ricochet and the fans rally up. Ricochet fights up, throws body shots, but Erik KNEES Low! Erik brings Ricochet around and he says he’s gonna break Ricochet’s pretty face. Ricochet ROCKS Erik, but Erik ROCKS Ricochet! The forearms go back and forth, heavier and heavier! Ricochet ROCKS Erik again, and again, and again! Ricochet spins, but into an ax handle! Erik DECKS Ricochet! Erik asks Braun if he wants some. Braun says why not! But Ivar sneaks up and anchors a foot! Braun kicks Ivar away but Erik BLASTS him! Braun ends up against barriers, and Ivar SPLASHES him against them!

Fans boo but Ricochet reels Erik in! Erik fights the cradle to suplex! Ricochet slips free, and V-TRIGGERS! Erik staggers but Ricochet has no one to tag! Ricochet dodges Erik, Erik hits buckles, and Ricochet fireman’s carries! But Ivar runs in! Ricochet handspring kicks him away! Ricochet dodges Erik, to RANA! Cover, TWO!! Erik survives, to hit Ace Ten Maou!! And then SIT-OUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Now Ricochet survives! Sarah grows frustrated but Erik looms over Ricochet. Erik drags Ricochet up, but Ivar isn’t at the corner. Ricochet wrenches and ROCKS Erik, but Erik just snarls.

Ricochet ROCKS Eri again, Erik whips but Ricochet QUEBRADAS! Both men are down, Sarah shouts to Erik, but Braun rises! Fans rally up as Ricochet and Erik crawl! Hot tags to Ivar and Braun! The Monster BLASTS Ivar, BLASTS Erik, BOOTS Ivar, and then fires off hands! Braun goes corner to corner to SPLASH! And then he keeps going, to SHOTGUN!! Ivar ends up outside the ring and Pittsburgh fires up! Braun rips off his shirt, and it’s time to get on the tracks! Tag to Ricochet, Braun runs to BLAST Ivar! The Strowman Express keeps going, but misses Erik as Sarah gets him out of the way! Braun goes flying over the announce desk!!

But Ricochet DIVES to take Erik out! Fans are thunderous but Sarah creeps Ricochet out. Ricochet hurries back to the ring and goes up a corner, aimed at Ivar! 450- NO, Ivar moves! Ricochet lands on his feet and rolls through, but turns around into the HEEL KICK!! Ivar goes up top now?! For a WARBEARD SPLASH!! Cover, The Viking Raiders win!

Winners: The Viking Raiders, by pinfall

Erik & Ivar had the help of their Norse gods in the form of Valhalla, and they are victorious in the Steel City! Will the raid soon find golden treasure?

Pearce meets with Imperium.

He knows they want to know what he’s going to do about the Furious 5 Way’s result. Gunther says Pearce was given one specific job: identify the #1 contender. “Challenger” is singular, isn’t it? English isn’t Gunther’s native tongue, but he knows the difference. “Challengers” is plural. Look at Pearce. He lost all authority! This dereliction of duties will not be tolerated! Pearce wants them to take a breath. He doesn’t appreciate their tone but he understands where they’re coming from. Next week, McIntyre VS Sheamus, 1v1, the winner of that will be the singular challenger at WrestleMania. Good. Gunther will be watching. The Celtic Connection will come to blows, who his going to Hollywood?

Charlotte Flair VS ???

Steel City fires up for the SmackDown Women’s Champion as she looks to stay sharp before WrestleMania. But who will she face here tonight? And will this be more than just a tune-up for the Queen?

SmackDown returns and Charlotte’s opponent is… SHOTZI BLACKHEART! The Wild Child is back again, will she #TCB, Take Care o’ Business?

The bell rings and fans “WOO~!” as the two circle. Charlotte and Shotzi approach, and Shotzi offers a handshake. Charlotte takes it and they even fist bump. Fans cheer the sportsmanship, and the two tie up. Charlotte hits a headlock takeover, they go around, and Shotzi fights up. Shotzi powers out, Charlotte holds ropes to then come back and run Shotzi! Charlotte flexes and fans “WOO~!” Things speed up, Charlotte rolls over the dropdown, then hurdles. Shotzi springboards to RANA! Charlotte gets up, Shotzi runs back in, crucifix to a sunset flip, but Charlotte drags her up! Charlotte blocks a kick, spins Shotzi to a waistlock, and SLAMS her down!

Charlotte keeps on the waistlock but Shotzi fights up. Only for Charlotte to SLAM her again! Cover, TWO! Charlotte waistlocks again, but Shotzi holds ropes to buck her away. Shotzi runs, into a BOOT! Charlotte glances to the WrestleMania sign, then she drags Shotzi by a leg. But here comes Rhea! We knew she was here but she’s decided to distract her future opponent. Shotzi cradles! ONE!! Shotzi kicks, Charlotte ducks and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Charlotte kips up and fans fire up, and she stares Rhea down as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns as Charlotte climbs a corner, still glancing at Rhea. Shotzi grabs at Charlotte but Charlotte kicks her away. Shotzi comes back to GAMANGIRI! Shotzi goes up, she also glances at Rhea, and she SUPER STEINERS Charlotte down! Cover, TWO! Charlotte survives and Shotzi snarls in frustration. Shotzi puts Charlotte on ropes, runs, but Charlotte dodges! Shotzi slips out of the ring, Charlotte runs up to BOOT her down! Charlotte then PLANCHAS, but Shotzi dodges to ROUNDHOUSE! And ROUNDHOSUE again! Rhea is amused as Charlotte wobbles. Shotzi gets in the ring, builds speed, but charlotte DECKS her first!

Charlotte gets in the ring, but Shotzi KICKS! Shotzi spins, into a CHOP! Charlotte CHOPS again, and again! And again! And again! Charlotte scoops Shotzi, to carry her around, and FALL AWAY SLAM! Charlotte kips up, fans fire up, and Charlotte runs in to SPEAR!! But she’s not done there! Charlotte makes Rhea watch the FIGURE FOUR! And then the FIGURE EIGHT!! Shotzi taps, Charlotte wins!

Winner: Charlotte Flair, by submission

Rhea creeps up closer just to wave at Charlotte. The Queen stands tall, but Rhea gets a mic before she joins her in the ring. Charlotte also gets a mic, and she asks Rhea what she has to say. “Watching you tonight, Charlotte, just reminded me exactly why I chose you after I won the Royal Rumble. But you can wipe that smug look off of your face. Because when I look into your eyes, I don’t only see acceptance, but I see all your insecurities. So at WrestleMania, I’m gonna take the one thing that makes you feel so important, when I become the SmackDown Women’s Champion.”

Fans boo but Charlotte says, “Hush your mouth. Your improvement may be something that you’re so, so proud of, but I have improved every single day of my life. Some people love me for it, others react negatively, but it’s a fact: I want it more. I will outwork anyone, male or female, because I take this business oh so very seriously! You’re Rhea Bloody Ripley. That means you will rip apart anyone that stands in your way. Except for me.” Charlotte drops the mic and heads out, but Rhea just smiles. Will the Eradicator end the reign in Hollywood?

The Usos head to the ring.

Main Event Jey was very vague about things earlier tonight, but now all will be made clear! This is the 600th DAY as tag team champions for Jey and Jimmy, but this could be the most important day ever. The Usos get the mics, and Jimmy tells Pittsburgh, “The Bloodline is back together, and the Bloodline is now in your city!” Fans are torn but Jey says, “The big question of the night, of the whole week.” Fans chant for “SAMI! SAMI!” Jey says, “Yeah, yeah, yeah, they be like, ‘Jey, why’d yo udo it? Why you do it? Why you betray Sami Zayn like that?'” Fans chant for Sami more, and “You’re Not Ucey!”

Jey wants them to step in his shoes. What would they do? Huh? WHAT WOULD YOU DO!? One of your family’s car breaks down, you give ’em a ride, right? They hungry, you go grocery shopping for ’em, right? Their lights gonna get shut off, you cut that electric bill down, right? You’d do anything for your family, so what would you do?! If they wanna know why Jey did it, it’s “because I had to. I had to. I ain’t wanna do it. I ain’t wanna do it. I ain’t had no choice. I never had a choice, because HE (Jimmy) is my blood!” Jimmy is his TWIN, his BROTHER, his FAMILY, not YOU, Sami! And neither are the fans!

Fans boo but Jimmy grins. Jey says they wanna blame him for this? They don’t know what he goes through! They sit in the stands, or in the living room, saying “Aw, they great!” But you don’t know what he’s going through. There IS one person he blames. Fans chant, “Sami’s Family!” Jey says that person he blames IS Sami Zayn. Jey let Sami into the Bloodline but Sami was gonna let Jimmy get clipped. Jey tells Sami, “What was I supposed to do? You know what your problem is, Sami?” Everyone’s already said it, and the problem is that Sami is selfish! All Sami had to do was fall in line! But he don’t know nothing about that, cuz his ass ain’t blood, and never will be.

Jimmy says now that they’re done with Sami, there’s one problem left: Cody Rhodes! Fans cheer that name but Jimmy says, “Cody, what is your issue? What is wrong with you?” But Cody is HERE!! The American Nightmare is in Pittsburgh and the fans fire up! Cody even gets his pyro! Cody has the mic to say, “I keep hearing my name. If you’re going to talk about me, why don’t you talk directly to me?” The Usos answer to Roman Reigns, but Cody doesn’t. Cody answers to the fans. And it sounds like the fans don’t wanna hear them talk, they’d rather see them fight! Fans cheer that!

Jimmy says Cody takes another step, he won’t make it to Mania! Cody throws off his coat as Jimmy says they’ll put Cody on the shelf like they did Sami Zayn! But Sami slides in to TACLKE Jey!! Jimmy is shocked, he goes after Sami, but Cody gets after Jimmy! The Usos go after Cody but he fights them off! Sami throws Jimmy out, Cody throws Jey out! Sami TACKLES Jimmy onto the desk! Cody and Jey brawl in the crowd! Jimmy SMACKS Sami off the desk! And again! Jimmy hurries to find where Jey and Cody went. Jimmy ROCKS Cody, but Sami CLOBBERS Jimmy! The brawl is chaotic, Sami TOSSES Jey while Cody DECKS Jimmy!

Sami gets in the ring with Jey, to clothesline Jey up and out! Cody clotheslines Jimmy up and out! Fans fire up as the American Nightmare and the Honourary Hab stand tall! Cody raises Sami’s hand in victory, there has been NO problem solved! Sami says if this is what Jey had to do, then this is what Sami has to do! What will it take to put this all to bed?

My Thoughts:

A great episode for SmackDown, great developments in most of the stories, but especially in the Bloodline’s story. I like that Jey had such a stern expression that it kinda unsettled Heyman. Good promo from Heyman to try and deflect this onto Cody, and to again hype up Roman VS Cody. Cody had deduced last week that Roman was the mastermind behind the promos, Heyman added the details to that revelation, and it was all effective.

Jey’s promo was great stuff, with his motivation being logical, and about how many had figured. Jey takes the family line because it’s the family line, and he sees things their way now. Though, for half a second I hoped he was gonna blame Roman and try to reason with Jimmy that they could run things instead. Cody and Sami taking the fight to the Usos was good stuff, too, but now we just need Kevin.

The Furious 5 Way as the opener was a great move. It was a great match, and it was clever to give us a double cover finish. Like the crowd, I was hoping they’d automatically make this a Triple Threat, but Gunther had a good promo with Pearce to insist they keep things 1v1. McIntyre VS Sheamus next week will be awesome stuff but unless they come up with some kind of draw, I feel like it’s going to be McIntyre’s win. How Sheamus reacts to that will be harder to say. He could stay Face and support McIntyre, having lost fair and square. Or he could go Heel and be a sore loser. I’ve been liking Face Sheamus so I hope it’s the former.

Great use of the Hall of Fame news to give us a Rey and Dominik interaction. But giving Rey the HOF induction while he’s still active, feels like a sign that Rey is retiring this year. Great Six Man out of Judgment Day and Legado, and of course Judgment Day wins with some cheating. But wow, Dom saying he should’ve been Eddie’s son, aka Eddie should’ve won that ladder match way back when, that was some strong stuff. Rey embarrassing Dom with the fake-out was good, but now it feels like Dom might have to drag the rest of the family into this to compel Rey to have a match with him.

Great tag match out of Braun & Ricochet VS Viking Raiders. Fans still really like Braun, and I would think they still really like Ricochet, both guys can do things others cannot, but the Vikings winning made sense. Erik & Ivar needed this to stop their rollercoaster ride as a team. Whatever happens with the tag titles at WrestleMania (like Sami & Kevin taking them from the Usos), Erik & Ivar really should be serious competition for the champions. Maybe we see a big tag team contender’s match for one of the two nights, or even on the RawDown After Mania, and Viking Raiders come out on top.

Good little promo from Pearce and Charlotte, but I didn’t even realize that was Charlotte when she was first on screen. That full body blue outfit and the gloves made her like the Invisible Woman from Fantastic 4 or something. Shotzi as Charlotte’s last minute opponent made sense, as Shotzi isn’t in any story right now. Good match all the same but of course Charlotte wins. Good promo from Charlotte and Rhea, but it still feels like this is going to be Rhea’s win, and the Judgment Day moves with her to SmackDown. Then with the King & Queen of the Ring tournament/event set for May, I would hope the winner of the QOTR challenges a champion for the Summer.

My Score: 8.6/10