And with the first overall pick…

The WWE Draft returns! SmackDown will be the opening around, who will each brand choose to build the best rosters possible?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• “Butch” Pete Dunne w/ The Brawling Brutes VS LA Knight; Knight wins.
• Tag Team Triple Threat: The Street Profits VS Braun Strowman & Ricochet VS Latino World Order; The Street Profits win.
• Zelina Vega VS Sonya Deville; Zelina wins.
• Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn VS The Usos; Kevin & Sami win and retain the titles.

PLAY BY PLAY

Triple H is here!

Corpus Christi fires up as The Game is back again! HHH goes to the podium on stage to say, “Welcome to Friday Night SmackDown! And welcome to the 2023 WWE Draft. Now, before we get started, I just wanted to lay down some ground rules, because everybody knows I’m’ a big stickler for rules. Every superstar on Raw, every superstar on SmackDown, are subject to the possibility of transferring to another brand. 50% of the roster will be drafted tonight. The other 5% will be drafted this Monday on Raw.”

And the graphic shows us tonight’s draft pool! Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Bobby Lashley, Candice LeRae, Chelsea Green & Sonya Deville as a team, Cody Rhodes, Damage CTRL, Dexter Lumis, Dolph Ziggler, Drew McIntyre, Edge, Hit Row, Imperium, Lacey Evans, Matt Riddle, Maximum Male Models, Mustafa Ali, Natalya, Omos & MVP as a duo, Shinsuke Nakamura, The Miz, The O.C. (including “Michin” Mia Yim), The Street Profits, The Viking Raiders, and half of The Bloodline in Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa. HHH says in addition to this, select superstars from NXT will be eligible, too. Fans like the sound of that!

“The post-draft rosters will officially go into effect on Monday, May 8th, right after Backlash. So it’s time to shake things up! Time to make things a bit more exciting for each and everyone of you.” The first four picks are already in, so the question is, “Are you ready?” No, no, Corpus Christi, ARE! YOU! READY!? Then here is the first pick of the 2023 WWE Draft. SmackDown selects… THE BLOODLINE! Roman, Solo and even Paul Heyman. The Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns, stays on Fridays! And with that, that means the NEW WWE World Heavyweight Championship will be exclusive to Monday Night Raw.

Speaking of, Raw chooses… THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE, CODY RHODES! HHH says the fans almost nailed the “Whoa” in the song. SmackDown has the third overall pick, and they select… THE EST, BIANCA BELAIR! But that means the Raw Women’s Champion is going to SmackDown? How is that gonna work? Raw finishes this first round with… THE MAN, BECKY LYNCH! Mondays are still Big Time as they hold onto the former SIX-TIME Women’s Champion. HHH says that concludes round one, and the second round is being deliberated right now. HHH introduces the greatest tag team, who are challenging for the titles in a WrestleMania rematch, it’s the USOS!

Corpus Christi fire up as Jimmy & Jey walk out, mics in hands. They shake hands with HHH then go to the podium. Jey says the Bloodline is now in your city! Fans are torn but plenty raise the fingers. Jimmy congratulates the Tribal Chief for once again being the number one draft pick, baby! Jey says the Chief is home watching, and tonight, the Usos bring back gold to the Bloodline! YES! Roman has been feeling some kind of way since WrestleMania, obviously. The Usos text but he doesn’t text back. NOPE. They call but he doesn’t call back. NOPE. DM’s. NOPE. Emails. NOPE. Smoke signals. NOPE. Letter in a bottle. NOPE.

But listen! The Usos will do what they said last week. They dedicate tonight’s victory to Roman Reigns, the Tribal Chief! And they will become NINE-TIME TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS! Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, you the twos, and #WeTheOnes! But speaking of, here they come! Kevin & Sami make their entrances, belts on their shoulders and mics in their hands. Corpus Christi also fires up for “SAMI! SAMI!” and Sami says, “Look, guys, I’m not here to try and talk sense into you, I’m not here to try and talk you into anything or out of anything. I think I’ve said everything I could possibly say.

“But I’m just gonna say this one last thing and then you do whatever you want, okay? You don’t think it’s strange that since we beat you for the Undisputed Tag Team Championships in the main event of WrestleMania, that all this time, Roman hasn’t called you, texted you, messaged you? You said it yourself! He has not said a single word to you this whole time, and yet you’re out here dedicating this match to him tonight? Yo, and if it’s not enough, did you not just see what everybody else saw? The fact that Roman Reigns was drafted with Paul Heyman and Solo Sikoa. No Usos, no Bloodline.”

Fans boo, that is suspicious. And Sami says if that’s not enough, he doesn’t know what to tell them. If they wanna keep dedicating this match to Roman, fine. But make no mistake, tonight, Sami & Kevin walk out- Jey interrupts to say Sami’s not walking out with a damn thing! Those are coming back, Jey & Jimmy beat you tonight! And Jimmy adds that once they do put an end to this tag title reign, Kevin’s gonna turn on Sami again. And that’ll be the end of this whole thing. Kevin says he’s sick of this talk and this crap! He can’t take it anymore! Do they know what Kevin cares about?

Kevin doesn’t care what happens to the Usos, he doesn’t care what the Usos think about them, and he definitely doesn’t care what happens to Roman! Kevin only cares that they get in that ring, and they beat the hell out of the Usos tonight! The tension hits an all time high, what happens when that bell rings?

NXT is having a watch party!

Who knows who among this crop of rising stars will be called to move up to Raw or SmackDown, but they’re all fired up for the possibility!

Bianca Belair speaks.

The EST says, “Hey, y’all, what’s up? Yes, you heard it right, the EST of the WWE is coming back to the Blue Brand, Friday Night SmackDown. I am so excited to be your SmackDown Women’s Champion again. You all know the SmackDown title was the very first title I got, so it holds a very special place in my heart, so I’m so excited to be walking in again on Friday nights as your SmackDown Women’s Champion. And I’m here to represent so every time you see me in the ring, you see yourself. Let’s do this. I wanna make this an amazing reign, I wanna be your fighting champion, I wanna represent.

“Can’t wait to walk in day one as your SmackDown Women’s Champion, and let’s keep riding, and eventually become your longest reigning SmackDown Women’s Champion. Can’t wait to see you on Fridays.”

“Butch” Pete Dunne w/ The Brawling Brutes VS LA Knight!

The Bruiserweight is all fired up for Fight Night against LA Knight, YEAH! But will Dunne shut the Mega Star’s mouth and snap those fingers? Or will Knight prove why he’s a hot commodity in this year’s Draft?

SmackDown returns as Knight makes his entrance. The bell rings and Dunne rushes up on Knight. Knight kicks and throws hands! Knight headlocks, Dunne powers out and things speed up. Dunne hurdles, Knight jumps over, but Dunne CLOBBERS him! Dunne wrenches, snapmares and traps the arm to then bend Knight’s fingers! And bend! And then he bends the elbow, isolates the arm, and STOMPS it! Fans cheer as Knight goes to the corner. Dunne storms up but into an elbow! Knight puts Dunne on the apron, swings, but into some BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! Dunne goes WAY past ten!

Fans cheer as Dunne lets off, and Knight staggers. Dunne goes up the corner, leaps, but Knight gets under. Dunne rolls, comes back, and jumps on for a HOVERBAORD KIMURA! Knight gets in the ropes, the ref counts, and Knight HOTSHOTS Dunne down! Dunne sputters, Knight goes out after him, and Knight hits an APRON BACK SUPLEX! Dunne flops to the floor and Knight soaks up the cheers and jeers as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Dunne throws hands with Knight. Knight ROCKS Dunne but Dunne ROCKS Knight! Dunne GAMANGIRIS Knight, then drops knees on the arm! Knight crawls, Dunne stomps both hands! And BUZZSAWS Knight down! Cover, TWO! Knight bails out of the ring, fans duel, and Dunne MOONSAULTS off the apron! Direct hit and down goes Knight! Dunne puts Knight in the ring, climbs the corner again, but Knight ROCKS him first! Knight climbs up after Dunne, fans rally up, but Dunne gets the fingers! Dunne bends them, then SNAPS them! Knight drops back, but he springs back up!

Knight SUPERPLEXES Dunne!! Cover, TWO!! Dunne survives and Knight grows annoyed. Knight shakes out the bad hand, and he stalks Dunne. Fans rally, Knight torture racks, but Dunne lands out of the throw! ENZIGURI! Fans fire up, Dunne runs in, but Knight BOOTS him down! Knight brings Dunne up, kicks and- NO, Dunne gets the arms! Dunne wrangles Knight down, FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Knight gets the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, but Dunne bends fingers! Knight scrambles out of the ring, but Dunne drags him up. Knight POSTS Dunne! Knight cravats for B F T!! Cover, Knight wins!

Winner: LA Knight, by pinfall

That Blunt Force Trauma brings down the Bruiserweight, and Corpus Christi goes wild, YEAH! Will Knight find himself a big part of night two’s draft picks?

The Bloodline talks in the private suite.

Jimmy says tonight is the night, and Jey says it’s a big night. Heyman nods and says tonight IS the night. The whole world is distracted. The whole world thinks The Usos will be drafted on Monday to Mondays, but no! The Usos get “drafted” tonight to the Island of Relevancy as champions! Or they get drafted to the Ocean of Obscurity as Ex-champions. The Tribal Chief says that success is their only option! Tonight is the night that the Usos reject the failure that Sami & Kevin have put as a stain on the Bloodline! Tonight they embrace the Bloodline, rise to the occasion, and return to the locker room as Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions!

Because the Tribal Chief wants the Usos to know that one way or another, he will only accept the fact that tonight… is the night. Heyman looks at Solo there as he tapes up that thumb. The Usos are pumped up, but is the Samoan Spike going to be for Kevin & Sami? Or for whoever loses the match?

The WWE Draft has some special presenters!

Rob Van Dam finishes talking with Team Raw, but Michael P.S. Hayes finishes talking with Team SmackDown! What will the next round look like? We find out, after the break.

Rob Van Dam goes to the stage!

The One of a Kind WWE Hall of Famer is here, and fans get to chant, “R! V! D!” But then here comes the Fabulous Freebird, Michael PS Hayes! The NXT roster is watching closely for this one, this could be their time. Hayes says with the first pick of the second round, SmackDown chooses… THE STREET PROFITS! Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins are sticking together! RVD says it is “Van-tastic” to see the fans again. Raw selects… IMPERIUM! Ludwig Kaiser, Giovanni Vinci & the Intercontinental Champion, GUNTHER, are all going to Mondays!

SmackDown selects a big one! The WWE Hall of Famer, THE RATED R SUPERSTAR, EDGE!! Fridays are now Rated R as Edge returns to the Blue Brand! And Raw rounds out the second round with… THE ORIGINAL BRO, MATT RIDDLE! Raw stays on a high, the third round is on its way. But first, here come the Street Profits! Ford gets a mic to say, “The beautiful state of Texas…! As you can see, me and my boy, my right hand man, 100 grand, Angelo Dawkins, are back in the blue! So baby, what it do?” They’re back on Fridays, and ain’t nothing changed but the day they work on. The Profits still live and die by #WeWantTheSmoke!

But then, Ricochet and Braun Strowman make their entrances! Followed by Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde! The Profits’ return to SmackDown is a big one, will they make it through their first night back?

Tag Team Triple Threat: The Street Profits VS Braun Strowman & Ricochet VS Latino World Order!

The teams sort out, and in this kind of Triple Threat, one man is legal for each team! Ford, Braun and Wilde start and fans fire up. Wilde and Ford go after Braun together! But Braun shoves them both away! Braun TOSSES Ford, then TOSSES Wilde! Cruz and Dawkins get in but Braun UPPERCUTS Dawkins and TOSSES Cruz! Ricochet gets in, Braun is ready to toss him already! Ricochet says no, hold on, it didn’t really go so well last week against the Viking Raiders. Braun says it’s fine, he’s got it this time. Ricochet says a quick prayer, then Braun TOSSES him! Ricochet wipes out everyone else and fans fire up as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns and Dawkins CLUBS Cruz down. Fans chant “WE WANT THE SMOKE!” as Dawkins suplexes Ricochet, but Ricochet slips out. Ricochet throws hands, Dawkins shoves him away, but Cruz fires off now! Ricochet and Cruz mug Dawkins, stomp him down, then coordinate. They double whip, but Dawkins sends Ricochet to the corner. Dawkins whips Cruz in, but Ricochet puts him on the apron. Ricochet elbows Cruz, Dawkins runs in but into a BOOT! Cruz GAMANGIRIS Ricochet, goes up top, then one-hop springboards to SHOTGUN Dawkins! Fans fire up with Cruz, but Ricochet sobats!

Ricochet ROCKS Cruz with haymakers, whips him to a corner, but Cruz slips out and Ricochet hits buckles! Cruz slingshots up and over, runs back in, but into a BOOT! Ricochet goes up but Cruz cartwheel GAMANGIRIS! Tag to Wilde and he hurries to SWANTON onto the Profits! Fans fire up as Wilde drags himself back up. Wilde hobbles into the ring, shoulders into Ricochet, and slingshots up and over. Wilde keeps moving, but Ricochet springs up and over! But Wilde RANAS to a cover! TWO!! Ricochet escapes and Braun is relieved. Wilde whips but Ricochet reverses to send him back out.

Ricochet crawls, fans rally, but Wilde hurries in to hot tag Cruz! Cruz rushes up to hit Braun and BOOT Ricochet! Braun is just annoyed, but Cruz drags Ricochet up to suplex, TWISTING BRAINBUSTER! Cover, Braun gets there just in time! Ford GAMANGIRIS Braun! Ford slingshots, into an UPPERCUT! Braun UPPERCUTS Cruz! Braun sees Ricochet is still down and everyone else is outside! So the Strowman Express gets on the tracks! Braun CLOBBERS Cruz! And CLOBBERS Ford! But Dawkins FLIES to take Braun out!! The Curse of Greatness does it again! But then Ricochet FLIES to take out Dawkins!!

Fans are thunderous as Ricochet puts Dawkins in! GAMANGIRI, then Ricochet goes up the corner! Ricochet 450- NO, he has to bail out as Dawkins dodges! Ricochet turns around into a HEAVY RIGHT! Ford is back, Dawkins tags then runs, into a V-TRIGGER! But Dawkins comes back with the ANOINTING! Ford is up top, FROM THE HEAVENS!! Cover, the Profits win!

Winners: The Street Profits, by pinfall

A big return and a big win for Ford & Dawkins! Will being back on the Blue Brand help the Profits get back to the gold?

The next guest presenters are here!

John Bradshaw Layfield is here for Team SmackDown, while Teddy Long is here for Raw, player! Round three of the Draft is on, after the break.

JBL walks out on stage!

Corpus Christi cheers their fellow Texan, and then here comes Teddy! Fans cheer the former SmackDown General Manager as he joins JBL at the podium. JBL says that the first pick of the third round, SmackDown selects… THE ALL MIGHTY, BOBBY LASHLEY! SmackDown just got massive as the 2023 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal winner moves in! Teddy says Raw’s pick is… THE SCOTTISH WARRIOR, DREW MCINTYRE! A big move in return from Raw as they get the former WWE World Champion! SmackDown’s next selection is… THE OC! Mia Yim, the Good Brothers & AJ Styles are making SmackDown phenomenal!

And Raw rounds out this round with… THE HOLLYWOOD A-LISTER, THE MIZ! Raw stays Must-See with Miz and his talk show, as well as Miz & Mrs.

Zelina Vega VS Sonya Deville w/ Chelsea Green!

The LWO didn’t win tonight’s Triple Threat Tag, but La Muneca, the former Queen of the Ring, is ready to go for gold in Puerto Rico! Will Zelina be en fuego going into Backlash? Or will the Pride Fighter have something to say about that?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Sonya throws Zelina down, and then taunts her. Vega gets up and resets with Sonya. They tie up again, go around, but Sonya throws Zelina back down. Fans boo but Sonya soaks it up. Chelsea tells the fans to be quiet, but things speed up. Zelina dodges Sonya, wheelbarrows, and arm-drags her to a corner! Zelina runs in, gets around, crucifix to sunset flip, but Sonya throws her away. Sonya kicks low, bumps Zelina off buckles, then fires off body shots! The fans boo and the ref counts but Sonya lets off at 4. Zelina catches Sonya for a HANGING ARMBAR!

The ref counts, Zelina lets off at 4, and Chelsea starts mouthing off. Zelina gets in Chelsea’s face, but Sonya BOOTS Zelina down! Fans boo again but the Complaint Department soak up the heat. Sonya puts Zelina back in the ring, covers, TWO! Sonya bumps Zelina off buckles, kicks away on her, but the ref counts. Sonya lets off, then snapmares Zelina into a chinlock. Sonya thrashes Zelina around but she endures. Fans rally up, Sonya cranks on the hold, but Zelina fights up. Zelina JAWBREAKERS free! Zelina runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Sonya ROUNDHOUSES Zelina down! High stack, TWO!!

Zelina survives, Chelsea complains about the count, and Sonya drags Zelina up. Sonya fires off body shots and haymakers, but the ref counts. Sonya lets off, drags Zelina out, and then suplexes. Fans rally, Zelina fights her way out and around, but Sonya elbows her down! Sonya runs, but Zelina ducks the knee! Roll up, deep cover, Zelina wins!!

Winner: Zelina Vega, by pinfall

Chelsea is speechless! But RHEA RIPLEY DROPKICKS Zelina outta nowhere!! Sonya gets mad and gets in Rhea’s face, but Rhea HEADBUTTS Sonya down! The Eradicator glares at Chelsea and Chelsea runs away. Fans chant for “MAMI! MAMI!” as she reels Zelina back in, RIP- DDT!??! Zelina turns the tide on Rhea! Will Zelina get the better of the SmackDown Women’s Champion at Backlash?

The LWO regroups backstage.

Santos Escobar says he’s so proud of Zelina. Just one moment like that at Backlash and she’ll be champion! And Rey Mysterio walks over. He also likes what she pulled off out there. Zelina thanks them both, and feels that the LWO has lit a spark in her. She gets to do this in front of her family at Backlash in Puerto Rico. Santos says in Spanish, and Rey agrees, that no matter what anyone thinks about Zelina’s chances, only she needs to believe. Rey was smaller than just about every opponent he faced, but he fought his way all the way to the WWE Hall of Fame. If Zelina fights with what’s in her mind, and what’s in her heart, then she’ll leave Puerto Rico the NEW SmackDown Women’s Champion, as part of the LWO!

The OC is here!

AJ Styles is back, and he’s brought Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson & “Michin” with him! Fans fire up as they go to the ring and get the mics. But before they can say anything, the Viking Raiders make their way out! Erik, Ivar & “Valhalla” Sarah Logan storm down to the ring to stare the OC down. Styles has everyone hold on, and he wants to make sure that the Vikings are here to fight. Okay, he gets it. But it’s 4v3, the Vikings are smarter than they look. But here’s a solution to the problem. Styles will step back to the corner, and the rest of them can have at it. OC, handle business! And the brawl is on!

Mia and Sarah go to one corner, Gallows UPPERCUTS Ivar but Erik throws knees on Karl! Gallows BOOTS Ivar down, Mia wrenches Sarah into DA FEET! Erik turns around into a BOOT from Gallows! The Good Brothers give Erik MAGIC KILLER! Styles hops back down from the corner and fans fire up. “SmackDown, we have just started.” The OC all Too Sweet, will they once again make SmackDown the House that AJ Styles Built? Wait, Styles takes aim and PHENOMENAL FOREARMS Ivar! Maybe that answers the question right there.

The fourth round’s special presenters are here!

For SmackDown, it’s the Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels! And for Raw, it’s another part of DX, the Road Dogg! Are you ready? We’ll see, after the break.

Degeneration X makes their way on stage!

The fans fire up as HBK and Jessie James go to the podium to the classic DX theme. Fans chant for “HBK! HBK!” and HBK revels in it for a moment. Then to business. With the first pick of the fourth, SmackDown selects… DAMAGE CONTROL! Bayley, Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky are following The EST to Fridays! Will Michael Cole survive Bayley’s bullying? As for Raw, they select… THE KING OF STRONG STYLE, SHINSUKE NAKAMURA! Nakamura just returned to SmackDown last week, will he be ready for Mondays? Or rather, will Mondays be ready for Nakamura?

With their last pick of the night, SmackDown selects… Well, HBK isn’t thrilled about it, but it’s THE NXT WOMEN’S TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS, Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn!! The NXT group is all fired up as Fyre & Dawn get the news. They’re both happy and emotional, but will they soon cast their spells on all of SmackDown? And for Raw’s final pick of the night… Well, if HBK didn’t like that last pick… Is it possible to lose your smile twice? Because Raw selects THE NXT WOMEN’S CHAMPION, INDI HARTWELL!! Indi has been #Impressive since Stand & Deliver, and she managed to retain her title at Spring Breakin’ with a busted freakin’ ankle, is she gonna do it all again on Mondays?

We check in with the Performance Center.

McKenzie Mitchell says the NXT Women’s Division has now been turned upside-down with all the champs moving on to Raw and SmackDown. With her now are the tag champs, and she congratulates them on being drafted to SmackDown. How are they feeling? Ecstatic, excited, and so much more. This “unholy union” have dominated NXT and now… Katana Chance & Kayden Carter walk up. KC Squared isn’t about to let them take the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships to SmackDown. They want a title match this Tuesday! Well, okay, sure. See you then. Will Fyre & Dawn cast one last spell on NXT before moving on up?

Backstage interview with Shinsuke Nakamura.

Kayla Braxton is with the King of Strong Style, who we now know is heading to Raw. SmackDown has been his home, but how is he feeling about the move to Mondays? Nakamura is so excited. This will be his- KARRION KROSS ATTACKS! He clobbers Nakamura, then TOSSES him into road cases! Kross and Scarlett stand over him, did they just empty the hourglass on him?

The Usos are ready!

Jimmy & Jey are pumped, and they want Solo to come along with them to gorilla. But Heyman says Roman wants Solo to stay back. After all, the spotlight should be on the Usos. Because tonight is the night! Yes it is! The Usos still don’t see the glance to Solo, but will they make “that” unnecessary with a win?

Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn VS The Usos!

SmackDown returns as the Usos make their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see the fate of the Bloodline unfold before our very eyes!

The teams sort out and the Usos just attack Kevin & Sami! The bell rings as Jimmy stomps Sami and Jey fires off on Kevin! The Usos then both stomp away to kick Kevin &S am out of the ring. They go to the desk, Jimmy SMACKS Sami off the cover! Then he POSTS Sami! The Usos mug Kevin, talk trash, and then put him in the ring. Jey aims, SUPER- NO, Kevin blocks to STUN- NO! Jey powers out and SUPERKICKS! Kevin falls, Jey tags Jimmy. The Usos aim at Kevin, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO!! Kevin is still in this while Sami is dazed on the outside, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and The Usos POST Kevin! Then Jimmy drags Kevin into the corner to SLAM his leg against the post! Sami protests and the fans boo but the Usos soak it all up. Jimmy takes his time returning, then he raises the finger. Jimmy drags Kevin out to stomp him down. Tag to Jey, they split the wishbone! Kevin writhes and Jey taunts him while blocking him from Sami. Jey drags Kevin by the legs, tags Jimmy back in, and they put him in the corner again, to SLAM the leg against the post again! Fans boo more, Kevin grits his teeth and clutches his knee, but Jimmy gets the leg again. Kevin YANKS Jimmy into the post!

Kevin crawls, fans fire up, and Jey shouts at Jimmy! Jimmy hurries in, tags Jey, but Kevin hot tags Sami! Sami rallies on Jey as fans fire up! Sami whips, Jey reverses and ELBOWS Sami down! But Sami’s right back up to CLOBBER Jey! Fans fire up as Jey staggers about, and Sami clotheslines Jey out of the ring! Jimmy runs in but Sami tosses him out! Sami builds speed and he FLIES! Direct hit and down go the Usos at the ramp! Corpus Christi is thunderous as Sami gets back up. Sami storms up on Jey, pushes him into the ring, and he climbs a corner. Jey UPPERCUTS first! Jey climbs up after Sami as the fans rally and duel.

Sami hits back with body shots and CLUBS away on Jey! Sami adjusts, to SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Jey survives and Sami is shocked! Jey crawls away but Sami stalks him. Sami brings Jey up but Jey fights off the lift with punches! Jey runs, but Sami reels him into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Jey survives again but Sami keeps his cool. Sami drags Jey to a drop zone and he goes to the corner again. Fans are thunderous as Sami climbs again. But Jey springs up to ENZIGURI! Sami falls to the floor and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns once more and Sami crawls to the corner! Hot tag to Kevin! Kevin BLASTS Jey off the apron, then tells Jimmy, “SUCK IT!” before the CANNONBALL! Kevin puts Jimmy in the drop zone, he hurries up the corner, but Jimmy UPPERCUTS! Jimmy climbs up after Kevin, throws hands, and then brings Kevin up. Kevin resists the suplex, throws body shots, and SUPER FISHERMAN BUSTERS!! Fans fire up again as Kevin hobbles over to another corner. Kevin climbs up again, for the SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Jimmy survives and fans can’t believe it! But Heyman and Solo are watching…

Heyman gets a call from Roman. “Yes, sir? Yes, sir. … Yes, sir.” Heyman gets a sinister grin on his face with that last one… But the fans are saying, “This is Awesome!” as Kevin gets to his feet. Heyman tells Solo that that was the call. Tonight is Solo’s night. Solo heads out, what does all that mean!? But back in the ring, Kevin kicks, only for Jimmy to block the Stunner! But Kevin blocks a superkick to SUPERKICK back! Then a whip and POP-UP- but Jimmy slips free! Jimmy runs in, bu tinto the POP-UP POWERBOMB!! Cover, JEY BREAKS IT! Sami gets in to fire off hands on Jey! Fans are thunderous as Sami TOSSES Jey out!

Sami PLANCHAS, into a SUPERKICK!! Jey gets up, Kevin DECKS him! Jimmy rolls Kevin up, TWO! Kick and STUNNER!! Cover, TWO!?!? Jimmy survives to keep the Usos alive in this! All four men are down and the fans are thunderous again! Kevin sits up, huffs ‘n’ puffs and goes to the corner. Kevin drags himself up with the ropes, but here comes Solo! But MATT RIDDLE intercepts! Fans fire up as the Original Bro keeps the Enforcer of the Island from doing his part! They brawl offstage, then to the back! Kevin goes back to Jimmy, but Jimmy kicks! Kevin blocks, but the DRAGON WHIP hits!

Tag to Jey, SUPERKICK! SUPERKICK! DOUBLE SUPERKICKS!! Jey covers, TWO!?! Kevin survives but barely! Kevin pushes Jey’s hands away but Jey talks with Jimmy. Jey tags Jimmy in, and the Usos watch Kevin rise. DOUBLE SUPERKICKS again!! Sami returns, but he gets DOUBLE SUPERKICKS!! Kevin sits back up, for MORE DOUBLE SUPERKICKS!!! Cover, TWO!??!?! This rematch is starting to look just like the match at WrestleMania! Jey calls to Jimmy and Jimmy tags him in. The Usos drag Kevin up, Jey SUPERKICKS Kevin down! Cover, TWO!!! Kevin has new life, even as he hobbles on one good foot!

Kevin eggs on the Usos then fires off hands with Jey! Jey shoves and SUPERKICKS again! Tag to Jimmy, they raise the fingers, and they want Kevin to get up again. But Sami drags Jey out of the ring! And RAMS him into steel steps! Kevin hits a STUNNER!! Jimmy flounders, Sami tags in, HELLUVA KICK!!!! Cover, KEVIN & SAMI WIN!!

Winners: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn, by pinfall (still Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions)

They did it again! Kevin & Sami pull off another miraculous win, and Solo returns in time to see it. What does this mean for The Usos now? Are they really going to be washed away into the “Ocean of Obscurity” all because of the Tribal Chief’s insecurities? Or can they plead with him to show them mercy?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown here, even with the WWE Draft as part of it. The draft choices themselves are a mixed bag between the logical, the surprising and the honestly disappointing. I swear, if Bianca Belair was brought to SmackDown so that she and Rhea can do another one of those really stupid belt swaps, then sadly Vince really does still have too much input, because they’ve done this twice already in the last five years! But DMG CTRL moving over with Bianca makes sense, because they’re clearly not going to leave Bianca alone, and they can feud with Liv & Raquel for the tag titles now.

Roman staying on SmackDown makes all the sense given he has the blue Universal Championship belt, he’s been on SmackDown, and something just makes sense that the new World Heavyweight Championship would be on Raw. Cody stays on Raw, Becky stays on Raw so by proxy, Rollins stays on Raw, it makes sense Cody and Rollins get to be part of that title’s story. The Profits follow Bianca to SmackDown, obviously, but it makes the “will they break up?” drama seem for nothing. The Triple Threat Tag they had tonight was awesome stuff, though, and I really like that Braun and Ricochet referenced the toss botch.

I have a feeling Raw and SmackDown are also going to trade midcard title scenes, as has happened in the past. Imperium brings the Intercontinental Championship to Raw, but McIntyre and Nakamura head there to also go after that title. Honestly, still wondering why they haven’t tried to complete McIntyre’s Grand Slam card by having him get the US title. As such, Lashley has moved to SmackDown, there’s a very good chance Theory and/or Bronson join him, and whoever wins at Backlash brings the US title to SmackDown. Raw of course keeps Miz, he’s basically Mr. USA Network since he has his reality TV show.

The OC all going to SmackDown is great, and we already saw their first feud is with The Viking Raiders. Not bad, and maybe The OC get to feud with The Bloodline? Would love to see that since Styles will have back-up to counter Solo Sikoa. And while HBK played it up, I’m sure he’s proud his women’s champions are all getting recognition. Those picks feel like HHH picks, Vince hasn’t shown the best track record even recently with how he books the women’s division. And while I thought maybe we’d get a tournament for at least the tag titles, I like that KC Squared stepped up. Maybe we’ll get a tournament leading to Battlegrounds for the singles title.

Great opening match from Dunne VS Knight, and the fans clearly love Knight. Knight gets a good win since he’s been on a bit of a losing streak, and maybe the Brawling Brutes end up on Raw after Monday? Sheamus still needs that Intercontinental Championship but I don’t see him getting it off Gunther. Good match from Zelina VS Sonya, and great win for Zelina. Rhea attacking was also a good touch, as was Zelina getting the better of her in it. Good promo from Zelina, Santos and Rey, but I don’t see all this encouragement helping her win. Bianca’s promo heavily implied the title swap is happening, it just feels like no one is getting in on the swap other than Rhea.

And of course, more genius stuff out of the Bloodline story. Heyman subtly hinting at Solo Sikoa being the executioner should the Usos fail was great stuff because it feeds into what Sami has been trying to say. Roman doesn’t want to be the only champion in the family because it makes the family look bad, but at the same time, I don’t see Roman “banishing” the Usos to Raw because then Roman has less pawns to defend him during title matches. But something has to happen here, and maybe Backlash’s Six Man Tag is the last straw. That main event was awesome, Kevin & Sami retaining was a tad surprising given Night of Champions is in Saudi Arabia, but there’s time for some sort of final, final chance for the Usos to win right before NOC.

My Score: 8.8/10