Wrestling has more than one royal family.

Cody Rhodes promised on Raw he’d show up tonight on SmackDown, but will he get that face to face with Roman Reigns?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Liv Morgan VS Rhea Ripley w/ Dominik Mysterio; Rhea wins.
• Santos Escobar VS Dominik Mysterio w/ Rhea Ripley; Dominik wins.
• Shayna Baszler w/ Ronda Rousey VS Tegan Nox w/ Natalya; Shayna wins.
• Sami Zayn VS Solo Sikoa w/ Jimmy Uso; Solo wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Roman Reigns is here!

As promised, the Tribal Chief, the Head of the Table, the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion returns to address all the issues on the Road to WrestleMania. Paul Heyman, Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa are with him, but Jey is not. They set off the pyro, continue to the ring, then set off more pyro. Fans are torn, but Heyman hands over the mic to Roman. Heyman says the fans are all here for Roman but the boos say otherwise. Roman says, “Washington, DC! ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” But then CODY RHODES makes his entrance! DC fires up for the American Nightmare as he has his pyro and soaks up the energy.

Roman and the Bloodline wait as Cody enters the ring and fans sing the song. Fans then chant for “CODY! CODY!” Cody has a mic to say, “Contrary to what Mr. Heyman might’ve told you, I am not here to invade, I am not here to engage in… reckless negotiations. I am here to have a conversation with my WrestleMania opponent one on one, man to man. So I don’t see any reason for your compatriots here. Unless, you feel that you need them here.” Roman chuckles and Heyman grins. Roman says, “Wise Man, leave us.” Heyman is surprised by that, and asks if Solo and Jimmy should stay. Roman says they should go, too.

Heyman accepts those orders, gives Roman his belts, and he leads the Bloodline away. Fans cheer as we get just Cody and Roman in the ring. Roman asks Cody if that’s better for him. In fact, let’s get comfortable. Cody may not like this but Roman will do it anyway. Roman throws down the World title belt, and then the Universal belt. “So what do you wanna talk about?” Roman smirks and Cody says, “Fair enough. Let’s talk about you. 915 days, you have been our WWE Undisputed Universal Champion. No need to print the legend, the reality has become legendary enough. You have superseded hyperbole, congratulations.

“Let me tell you something about me. About your WrestleMania opponent. Something you may know, something you may not know. For some, you have become this impossible mountain to climb, but that’s kinda my thing.” Cody repeats old criticisms: He’s nothing more than Randy Orton’s understudy; Cody won’t survive being Stardust; critics swore that there was no way 10 THOUSAND people would pay to see Cody’s and his buddies’ “little indie show.” And ever since then, the goal posts have continued to move and Cody continued to punch it through the uprights. So for everyone else, Roman might be the impossible. But not for Cody.

Fans cheer Cody on again and Roman is annoyed. Roman laughs it off, and says that was good. That was like Cody rehearsed it all week, it was flawless. But Roman will switch gears here and ask a question. “You ever won that one?” He points to the world title. Well, we know he hasn’t. But has he ever even competed for one of these? Oh, no, how about this? Has Cody even main-evented WrestleMania before? Because Roman did all of that! He is the most experienced main-eventer of all time! “But here’s the kicker. I’ve been groomed since I was just a little boy. Not only by my father, but by your father, too.”

Roman smirks while he lets that soak in. Roman says he isn’t done with the story there, either. Let’s talk about Cody’s dad. Easy now, Roman has too much love and respect for that man to degrade him. They spent a lot of time together. Roman said this many times before but The Dream is the one who put the confidence in Roman and told him, “Baby, you have ‘it.’ You couldn’t get rid of it, you couldn’t sell it if you wanted to. You are ‘it.'” Fans cheer the impression, and Roman says they’d sit for hours and talk about everything. It was a lot about what is going on right now, being the main event and the face of the company. Dusty called it all before it happened.

Roman says Dusty was the best. But you know what Dusty would say about Cody? Nothing. Dusty never said anything ever, at least not when he was with Roman. Maybe when Dusty sat down with Seth Rollins or Kevin Owens or even Becky Lynch. But when Roman was with Dusty, it was like Cody didn’t exist. Fans boo but Roman says he knows this is a lot, he just wishes Dusty was here right now. Roman knows Cody misses Dusty. Roman misses Dusty, too. Roman picks up the belts, and says that though Dusty isn’t here anymore, know this: if there is something Dusty didn’t teach Cody, Roman will.

Roman offers a handshake but fans boo. Cody smirks and says, “Oh my God. I’m not even playing on the same field. This is… This is not chess. You didn’t send Mr. Heyman to Raw to get inside my head, you sent him to relay and convey the real-life situation. You sent him to tell me the truth? If that’s the truth, then the truth is one of the fabled ‘Dusty’s kids’ than Dusty’s actual kid. If that’s the truth, then the truth is that you are the son he always wanted. And that changes absolutely everything. Because it’s not just a dream, it’s not just an urge or a want, or a desire, or some story that needs to be finished. This becomes a necessity!

“You say I don’t exist? I HAVE to exist! And the only way that I can exist… is by beating you at WrestleMania!” Fans fire up and Roman frowns. Cody says that Roman, “sir, champ, may the better man win.” Cody accepts the handshake after all, but Roman’s calculated mind games may have only added fuel to the flame. Will the American Nightmare burn down the Island of Relevancy and take that throne from the Tribal Chief?

Liv Morgan VS Rhea Ripley w/ Dominik Mysterio!

As extreme as Liv likes to live, she might be pushing things too far taking on the Eradicator. Rhea is determined to take the top spot from Charlotte Flair, will she have no problem throwing Liv to the Riptide?

The bell rings and Liv SHOTGUNS Rhea! Fans fire up, Liv fires off on Rhea in a corner, but Rhea shoves her away. Rhea choke grips, Liv breaks free and kicks low. Rhea blocks the boot, whips Liv, but Liv wheelbarrows to arm-drag! Rhea staggers up, Liv runs in to springboard, only for Rhea to catch Liv and TOSS her! Then KNEE her down! Dom cheers Mami on but DC boos. Rhea soaks up the heat, saying they’re looking at the NEW SmackDown Women’s Champion. Rhea CHOKES Liv, tells Charlotte to watch closely, “there’s no saving you.” Rhea lets off as the ref counts, and then she CLUBS Liv down!

Rhea CLUBS Liv more, stands her up, and then hauls her up, but Liv sunset flips! Rhea stays up, drags Liv back up and bumps her off buckles. Rhea runs in, Liv dodges and back body blocks! Liv then comes back to SHINING WIZARD! Liv pushes Rhea down, goes up top, and fans fire up for the MISSILE DROPKICK! Rhea flounders out of the ring, and Lib builds speed to DIVE! Rhea SWATS Liv outta the air! Rhea again says Charlotte won’t be able to hide from Rhea Bloody Ripley! Rhea goes back to Liv as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Rhea ROCKS Liv in the back. Rhea stands Liv up, shoves her to ropes and ROCKS her again! Rhea stands Liv up and Liv grins! Rhea whips, Liv swings, but into a back suplex! Liv lands on her feet, to hit a BACKSTABBER! Fans fire up, Liv goes to a corner and BOOTS Rhea! Liv goes up again, FLYING RANA! Rhea hits ropes, flounders, and then Liv kicks low! Front kick and CODE BREAKER! Rhea wobbles,, Liv springboards off ropes to CODE BREAKER again! Liv then goes up a corner, waits on Rhea, and says “SUCK IT!” FLYING CODE BREAKER!! Cover, TWO!! Rhea survives and Liv is beside herself!

Dom is worried and he coaches Rhea up. Liv waits on Rhea to stand, grins as she goes to ropes, and then runs in, but Rhea fights off the clinch! Rhea swings Liv around, but Liv slips free! ENZIGURI! Rhea goes to a corner, Liv SHINING WIZARDS! Liv goes to the very top while Rhea flounders! DC fires up as Liv leaps, but Rhea POWERBOMBS her down! Then pump handle and RIPTIDE!! But Rhea doesn’t wanna end it there! She grabs the legs and ties them up, PRISM TRAP!! Liv endures and reaches out, but Rhea KNEES her down! Liv taps, Rhea wins!

Winner: Rhea Ripley, by submission

Mami sends a message! Charlotte may have the Figure Four, but Rhea has her Prism Trap Cloverleaf! Will that help Rhea eradicate The Queen?

The Bloodline talks backstage.

Heyman and the others are still getting a kick out of Roman doing a Dusty Rhodes impression, but Roman asks if Jimmy’s talked with Jey. Jimmy has. Then what’d Jey say? You know, Jey’s the hothead. He just needs time. Time? How much time? Uh, Jimmy talked to him this morning. Jey’s doing better today than he was yesterday. Jimmy will let Jey know. Roman says he’s running out of patience. Jimmy will tell Jey, too. Roman says it’s not with Jey. He’s running out of patience with Jimmy. Jimmy again says he’ll let Jey know, and heads out. Is the Bloodline (not) fine?

Rhea and Dom regroup backstage.

Rhea says Charlotte is scared, it’s why she’s not here. But then Santos Escobar walks over. Dom asks if there’s a problem. Santos says Rey should’ve punched Dom in the face last week! But he also understands why he couldn’t. But guess what? Santos can! And Adam Pearce agrees with him. So Santos will teach Dom a lesson in respect. Santos is going to the ring right now. And if Dom is even half the man he claims to be, he’ll meet Santos out there. Hombre a hombre. And then Santos blows a kiss to Mami! Santos heads to gorilla, will Dom man up and handle things like he (supposedly) did in the prison yard?

Santos Escobar VS Dominik Mysterio w/ Rhea Ripley!

The Emperor of Lucha makes his entrance, holding up the mask Rey Mysterio gave him personally as a gift of respect. Escobar respects family and legacy, but “Ex-Con Dom” does not. Will Escobar make Dom respect him? Or will Dom still do things his way?

The bell rings and fans boo but Escobar runs in. Dom uses ropes as a defense so the ref backs Escobar off. Dom then dropkicks Escobar down! Fans boo but Dom drags Escobar up to headlock. Escobar powers up but Dom holds on tight. Escobar throws body shots, powers out, and things speed up as Escobar drops, to then DROPKICK Dom! Dom ends up in a corner and Escobar fires off forearms! Rhea protests but Escobar makes Dom look at the mask. “That’s your legacy! Do you respect your legacy?!” Dom shouts “NO!” so Escobar CLUBS him down and ELBOWS him! Escobar hooks up the legs, Dom resists and reaches, but Escobar gets those arms!

Escobar pulls back and lifts Dom right up into a ROMERO SPECIAL! Dom endures, but Escobar pulls his hair! Escobar then throws Dom down, waits on Dom to get up, but Dom wants mercy. Dom says he’ll respect legacy, but then he YANKS Escobar into buckles! Escobar bails out, Dom goes up and CROSSBODIES! Rhea fans Dom off while fans boo and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Dom has Escobar in a corner. Dom fires off body shots and haymakers while Rhea cheers him on. Dom climbs up, he rains down fists, but fans boo instead of counting. Dom stops short of ten anyway, and fans boo more. Dom whips but Escobar reverses, only for Dom to wheelbarrow and throw Escobar to ropes! Dom dials it up as fans boo harder, but then Dom stops to CHOKE Escobar! Rhea laughs as Dom trolls the fans, but Escobar DECKS Dom! Escobar fires off fists and fans fire up! Escobar fireman’s carries, but Dom rakes eyes! Escobar goes to a corner, Dom ROCKS him and throws more hands.

Dom knees low, backs off to soak up heat, and then runs in corner to corner to clothesline! Escobar staggers and Dom makes Escobar look at the mask. Respect legacy? Respect DOM! Dom throws Escobar down then soaks up more heat. Dom sits Escobar up, “Is that what you want? Huh?” Dom SLAPS Escobar! Dom tells fans up theirs, then says HE is the man! Dom whips corner to corner, but Escobar goes up and over, keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges to FLYING FOREARM! And then again! Rhea freaks out as Escobar CLOBBERS Dom! Escobar scoops for a BACKBREAKER and hits a LEG DROP! Cover, TWO!!

Rhea is relieved that Dom survives. Escobar powers up and Dom wants mercy again. Escobar knows better but Dom dodges. They both dodge, and HEADS collide! Both men are dazed but Dom drags himself to ropes. Dom has brass knuckles?! The ref is distracted by that as Rhea drags Escobar out! RIPTIDE to the floor!! Fans boo, but Rhea puts Escobar in for Dom to FROG SPLASH!! Cover, Dom wins!

Winner: Dominik Mysterio, by pinfall

Dom snatches the mask from the corner, and TEARS it! He insults Rey’s legacy, Eddie’s legacy, and lucha libre culture as a whole! What will it take to finally humble him? Wait! Here comes Rey!! Rey shakes his head, tells Dom to give the mask back, but Dom dares Rey to hit him. If Rey hits Dom, Dom will give the mask back. Dom gets in Rey’s face literally, then he drops the mask on the ground! Rey picks the mask up, and Dom DECKS Rey with a sucker punch! Fans boo, but Dom just soaks it all up. Can anything ever stop Dom from stooping to these lows?

WWE shares Sami Zayn’s video post.

“Big energy tonight in Washington, DC. You can feel the heat in here. I’ll tell you one person I know is feeling the heat, and that’s Roman Reigns. Because he knows that everything I’ve been saying for weeks is coming true. The Bloodline is crumbling from within. And now, all of the sudden, I find myself in a match with Solo Sikoa. I’m not stupid. I know how it works in the Bloodline. I know tonight’s match is not about wins and losses. I know tonight’s about sending me a message. But here’s the thing, Solo. I’m the one sending a message tonight. The message is loud and clear. The Bloodline is not getting rid of Sami Zayn, until the Bloodline goes down!”

The DC fans around Sami are fired up as Sami says that this doesn’t end until Sami sees with his own eyes that the Bloodline is going down! Sami knows, and the people know, that the Bloodline is going down! “See you tonight, Solo.” DC is behind the Great Liberator, but will that Bloodline trap catch him all the same?

Drew McIntyre is here!

Fans fire up as The Scottish Warrior heads to the ring. He’s been gunning for Gunther and that Intercontinental Championship, and we hear what he has to say, after the break.

SmackDown returns and McIntyre says, “There’s four weeks to WrestleMania, and Drew McIntyre still does not have a match. How about we remedy that right now, DC? And there’s a certain individual I wanna beat the absolute shhhhnitzel out of. GUNTHER! I’m calling you out!” Fans fire up, but SHEAMUS makes his way out first! The Fella has a mic to ask McIntyre what he’s doing. He just thought he’d go behind Sheamus’ back? McIntyre says this isn’t personal. Like he it isn’t personal! McIntyre of all people knows how important winning the Intercontinental title is to Sheamus! 15 YEARS, Sheamus has wanted that title.

McIntyre wants Sheamus to calm down and talk this out. Sheamus tells McIntyre, “Don’t you DARE tell me to calm down!” McIntyre knows better than anybody that how much Sheamus has wanted it. McIntyre knows Sheamus wants Gunther at Mania, and now McIntyre is the one calling him out? Well, Sheamus isn’t McIntyre’s parent, so why does McIntyre need Sheamus’ permission to do something? Does he need permission to wipe his own arse next? Sheamus says McIntyre’s right, Sheamus isn’t McIntyre’s parent. But he thought McIntyre was his brother. But no, he’s just a backstabbing bastard.

McIntyre says fine. If we’re telling the truth as friends, the truth sometimes hurts. And the truth is, Sheamus had his chance, and lost, TWICE. But here comes L A KNIGHT! DC is actually excited to see LA, and he says, “LEMME TALK TO YA! Somebody talking about the Intercontinental title, then you gotta be talking about L, A, Knight, YEAH!” Meanwhile, these two have been handed every single opportunity and still they cry. They’re still arguing with each other, and Knight says that’s fine, so long as they listen. If Knight hasn’t made it clear enough already, “you can’t have an LA WrestleMania without L A Knight!”

But then here comes the NEW DAY! DC is even more fired up to see Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods! Woods tells Washington, DC, “it’s ya bois the NEW~ DAY~!” And they just wanted to come out and apologize on behalf of L, A, Knight, YEAH. That’s right! Cuz for the past two weeks, Knight comes out crying, begging, “You can’t have a WrestleMania in LA without LA Knight, please~!” But this is sad. Sad! The New Day joins everyone else in the ring. Knight wants a match at Mania. However, as of late, Knight can’t even win a match on SmackDown! OH~! But then here comes KARRION KROSS!?

Kross, with Scarlett by his side, storms right up to the ring. Everyone watches as Mr. & Mrs. Doomsday circle the ring, but Knight CLOBBERS Kofi! Woods goes after Knight, Knight shoves him into Sheamus and McIntyre! They shove him back, and Knight TOSSES Woods out! But then Sheamus clotheslines Knight out! Sheamus turns around in time to see McIntyre creeping up. McIntyre backs off, only to come back and FLY out onto New Day and Knight!! Then Kross CLOBBERS Sheamus and POSTS him! Kross is vicious but also opportunistic. Is the apocalypse going to sneak in and take that title opportunity for his own?

SmackDown shares footage from before the show.

Shayna Baszler & Ronda Rousey got jumped first by Tegan Nox and Natalya, cameras only caught things after Ronda and Natty were down and Shayna got Tegan on the ground. Adam Pearce and referees rushed in to stop this, and had to cancel their scheduled tag team match for tonight, making it just a singles match. Ronda swears Shayna better break Tegan’s arm for this! Will the Queen of Spades get payback on the Welsh Firecracker?

Shayna Baszler w/ Ronda Rousey VS Tegan Nox w/ Natalya!

The bell rings and the two rush each other! Nox dodges, then SHOTGUNS Shayna down! Then PENALTY KICKS her back down! Then CANNONBALLS in the corner! Nox rains down fists on Shayna from all sides, but Shayna shoves her away and gets an arm. Shayna isolates the arm, but Nox reaches up to headscissors her away! ROUNDHOUSE! Shayna wobbles, but she blocks the knee to throw Nox! Shayna has the arm again, and STOMPS it! Ronda asks Nox how that feels, but Natty and DC rally for Nox. Shayna runs in, but Nox dodges the knee! Nox fires off jabs and haymakers, but Shayna KICKS the bad arm!

Shayna grabs the arm to YANK it! Ronda mocks “Skittles” while Nox crawls to a corner. Shayna storms up on Nox, drags her by the bad arm but Nox KICKS her away! And then HEADBUTTS! But Shayna WRINGS Nox’s bad arm! Ronda continues to mock Nox and Shayna talks trash with Natty. Shayna goes back but Nox rolls her up! TWO, and Shayna KNEES Nox down! Shayna gets the bad arm for an ARMBAR!! Nox taps, Shayna wins!

Winner: Shayna Baszler, by submission

A shoutout to her teammate and friend with that armbar, Ronda celebrates with Shayna. Will the Baddest Women on the Planet tear apart all of SmackDown?

Backstage interview with Gunther.

Kayla Braxton is with Der Ring General and the rest of Imperium, and he already knows she’s asking about all the superstars interested in his title. Gunther says it was an absolute disgrace that a man like him has been kept waiting. What a lack of leadership by Adam Pearce! One month away and Pearce still hasn’t identified the man to challenge Gunther at WrestleMania. So then is he concerned? Gunther says the only thing he is concerned about is not having a worthy opponent to do battle with for this great prize in their great sport, and “for the legacy of Der Ring General, on the greatest stage of them all!” Then what will Pearce do about this issue?

Bobby Lashley is here?!

The All Mighty visits SmackDown by surprise! But why? Wait, the White Rabbit makes it clear. Then what will Lashley have to say about Bray Wyatt’s antics? We’ll hear all that, after the break.

SmackDown returns and Lashley has the mic. “So, so, so, for the past two weeks, Bray Wyatt has been telling me to run. But I don’t run from anyone. And since that didn’t work, he starts playing these little kids, like the Muscle Man Dance. Which I thought was a little comical, but for me, it looked like a sign of weakness. And from where I come from, if you have a problem with somebody, you come see that somebody and tell them to their face. And since Bray Wyatt is not man enough to come see me in my face, I decided to come to his show of SmackDown, to come see him. So I say, Bray Wyatt, if you are man enough, I’m here. So come see me.”

Lashley waits, fans look to the stage, and UNCLE HOWDY appears, from behind! Howdy beats Lashley down, laughs at him, then runs, into a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! Lashley is furious and he wants Howdy to get up. Fans rally, Howdy staggers over, but the lights go out! And when the lights come back, Howdy is gone. Lashley is even more annoyed, but the White Rabbit cuts him off. Will Lashley see that Bray isn’t just playing kid games?

The Bloodline regroups.

Jimmy sits with Roman and says he called Jey. And what’d he say? Well, Jey said he needs more time. Roman repeats that: Jey needs more time? Well, no, he actually said to leave him the hell alone. Roman says he doesn’t understand how Jey could do this to them. After everything Roman… No, after everything they’ve done for Jey. Haven’t they always helped Jey? Always had his back? Matter of fact, this didn’t start happening until Sami Zayn came around. Maybe that’s where the selfishness and greed come from. In fact, here’s what they’ll do> They’ll fix the Sami problem once and for all.

Roman wants Jimmy to be in Solo’s corner tonight. And they will get rid of Sami once and for all. Understand? If Jimmy and Solo get rid of Sami, then Jey will come home. Heyman smiles as Roman asks if Jimmy can do that. Jimmy says he’s got it. Roman wants Jimmy to do this for The Bloodline, to do this for the family. Jimmy nods and heads out. Heyman tells Roman, “That was wonderful, My Tribal Chief.” Roman says, “Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Heyman asks, “Then, it wasn’t wonderful?” Roman says Jey has one week. Does Heyman understand that? Yes, My Tribal Chief. Roman says if Jey isn’t back in the Bloodline in one week, Roman won’t blame Sami. He’ll blame Jimmy.

The ultimatum has been sent, the deadline has been set, but will none of it go the way Roman wants?

BREAKING NEWS on the Intercontinental Championship match!

Gunther wants a challenger and there are plenty of contenders! Next week on SmackDown, there will be a FATAL 5 WAY! Kofi Kingston VS Sheamus VS Drew McIntyre VS Karrion Kross VS LA Knight, YEAH! But this is just a qualifying match, will this just be one step on the warpath to WrestleMania?

Sami Zayn VS Solo Sikoa w/ Jimmy Uso!

The Great Liberator has stated his mission, and so far, he hasn’t failed. But will the Enforcer of the Island and the one Uso still clearly loyal to the Tribal Chief end it all here? Or are the things Sami has been saying continue to come true?

Roman is watching closely as Sami makes his entrance. Sami slides in, dodges Solo, fires off on him, but Solo shoves him back. Sami hits a THESZ PRESS! Sami rains down fists, Solo pushes him away and Jimmy runs in! Sami throws Jimmy out, dumps Solo out, and then builds speed! Sami FLIES to take out Solo and Jimmy! Sami slides back in, DC is thunderous but Roman is seething! Solo gets back in the ring, the bell rings, and this is finally a match! They brawl, Solo shoves Sami away and CLOBBERS him! Solo HEADBUTTS Sami, eggs him on, then ROCKS him with a right. Solo whips, Sami holds ropes to stop, then he dodges to clothesline Solo back out!

Fans fire up while Sami paces. Sami goes to the apron, he stares Jimmy down, and the ref tells Jimmy to back off. Jimmy jaws at Sami, and Sami turns around into a BODY CHECK from Solo! Solo POSTS Sami, then POSTS him again! The ref reprimands and counts, but Solo POSTS Sami! “You should’ve listened, Sami!” Solo TOSSES Sami into the timekeeper’s area! Roman likes what he sees now, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Solo HEADBUTTS away on Sami! Sami flops against ropes and Jimmy says this is all on Sami. Sami sits up to CHOP Solo, but then he flops back down. Solo snarls, he eggs Sami on, and Sami CHOPS again. Solo just HEADBUTTS again! “The hell’s wrong with you?!” Solo whips Sami to ropes, Sami goes up and over then LARIATS! Fans fire up with Sami while Jimmy coaches Solo up. Roman and Heyman frown as Sami stands. Sami throws haymakers, backs Solo up then whips, but Solo reverses. Sami ducks ‘n’ dodges, but runs into a SAMOAN DROP! Solo roars, fans boo, and Sami flounders to a corner.

Solo grits his teeth, goes to the opposite corner, and he runs in corner to corner, to HIP ATTACK! Solo roars but Roman still looks tense. Solo puts Sami up top, throws hands, but Sami throws hands in return! And even kicks! TORNADO DDT! Cover, ONE?!? Solo is tough but Sami has the fans behind him. Sami climbs up top, to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Sami doesn’t let that stop him, he brings Solo up and reels him in. But Solo’s too big for the Blue Thunder! Solo CLUBS away on Sami, Sami goes to a corner, but Sami dodges! The splash hits only buckles! BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!!!

Jimmy is relieved but Sami goes to the opposite corner now. Sami runs in, but Jimmy gets Solo clear of the Helluva Kick! SAMOAN SPIKE!!! Cover, Solo wins!!

Winner: Solo Sikoa, by pinfall

Step one is complete as Jimmy helps Solo win, but Roman’s orders were clear. Solo and Jimmy mug Sami with punches and fans boo. Solo grabs a chair! Jimmy tells Sami this is all his fault, and he UPPERCUTS Sami into a corner! Jimmy rains down more fists, then Solo moves him aside. Jimmy says Sami made his choice, then he stomps Sami down. Jimmy puts the chair around Sami’s head! Solo goes to the opposite corner again, they’re gonna get him like the did Riddle! Wait, Jimmy says HE wants to do the honors. Solo moves aside, Jimmy keeps saying Sami made his choice, but Sami stands! He CHUCKS the chair at Solo, dodges Jimmy, and HELLUVA KICKS!!!

Sami just turned things around on the Bloodline and DC is thunderous!! And Sami has the chair now! Sami sees Solo, though, and tosses the chair at him! Solo deflects it and Sami runs off! Jimmy couldn’t do what the Tribal Chief wanted and he is furious! Roman himself is seething backstage. What will happen now that Jimmy has failed?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown with a lot of great story progress, but with less action than I expected. One, downgrading the women’s tag to Shayna VS Nox was an interesting move, but word has it that Ronda has turned down a WrestleMania match idea. I wonder if she doesn’t want part of a Women’s Tag title match if it isn’t a guarantee that she and Shayna are winning. Anything more than 2v2 means the odds aren’t in their favor (in kayfabe), so maybe Ronda just wants to wait until she and Shayna can challenge whoever 2v2. That said, Shayna beating Nox still makes sense in story, just not sure what happens if there’s no tag matches.

Rhea and Dominik having matches back to back makes sense, as do the results. Liv loses to give Rhea more momentum, and Rhea even works a promo aimed towards Charlotte into things. I really do like the idea if they make the match about Figure Four Leglock VS Prism Trap, so that Rhea can more or less beat Charlotte at her own game. And Escobar had a great promo on Dom to set up their own match. But of course Dom lies, cheats and steals in his own way to win, and he doubles down on the Heel heat by tearing up that mask and sucker punching Rey. If Rey isn’t gonna punch Dom, and if proxies are just gonna get cheated, I’m not sure what Rey can do to stop Dom.

Great promo from several of the superstars in the midcard scene. I do like the logic in Sheamus being upset that McIntyre wants next, but also the logic in Sheamus already having his shot and falling short. Them putting “qualifying” on next week’s Fatal 5 clearly means it’ll be a Triple Threat or bigger come WrestleMania. Gunther VS McIntyre VS Sheamus feels like where this is headed, and I do think that’s where it should go. McIntyre and Sheamus have a lot to get through as frenemies, they both want Gunther, and win or lose, Gunther looks good. Gunther can lose because someone else takes the pin, or he wins by using McIntyre and Sheamus against each other.

Nice surprise appearance from Lashley, and nice response from Bray’s side. Howdy being the pawn was fitting, and that is of course Bo Dallas in there. Howdy was spared getting destroyed by the light shenanigans, but this will clearly go back and forth until we get official confirmation on what kind of match All Mighty and Eater of Worlds will have. And opening with Roman and Cody meeting was a great move. That was some great promo work from them both, and Roman really did do a decent Dusty impression. I also like that “the son Dusty always wanted” being something Roman (in kayfabe) had already said that and Heyman was just reiterating. It implies Roman doesn’t need a mouthpiece, he just likes having messengers.

And of course, Roman being thrown off by Cody not breaking is another good detail, as it feeds into the Bloodline story as a whole. Roman continues to simply expect everything going as he wants it, but that’s not how life works. Sami had a good promo though I kinda wish he didn’t do it near fans. Fans will not shut up once they spot a wrestler, so it got harder and harder to understand Sami as the promo went on. But we got a great main event out of Sami VS Solo, and just as Sami said, it wasn’t even about the win or loss. Sami loses the match because of the number game, but he essentially stands tall as he gets away, and that infuriates Roman more because again, he just expects things to go as he wants.

Jey is defiant again, Jimmy is failing him, and neither Sami or Kevin is going away. Roman might even be the one who demands the Usos defend their titles against Sami and Kevin, and that will be the make-or-break in that part of this story. And when it breaks, when things don’t go Roman’s way yet again, he will be rattled and reckless against Cody, giving Cody his way to win.

My Score: 8.8/10