Who will be ACKNOWLEDGED?

SmackDown holds their part of the World Heavyweight Championship Tournament, and the Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, makes his return! What will the WWE Universal Champion have to say about The Bloodline’s victory at Backlash?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament Triple Threat: AJ Styles VS Rey Mysterio VS Edge; Styles wins and advances to tonight’s main event.
• WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament Triple Threat: Bobby Lashley VS Austin Theory VS Sheamus; Lashley wins and advances to tonight’s main event.
• Cameron Grimes VS Baron Corbin; Grimes wins.
• WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez VS Bayley & Dakota Kai w/ Iyo Sky; Liv & Raquel win and retain the titles.
• WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament SmackDown Finals: AJ Styles VS Bobby Lashley; Styles wins and advances to Night of Champions.

PLAY BY PLAY

WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament Triple Threat: AJ Styles VS Rey Mysterio VS Edge!

What a phenomenal way to open SmackDown! Seth Rollins waits on the other side of the bracket, and three men he’s very familiar with are starting off this side of the bracket! Who takes the first spot in the SmackDown finals?

The bell rings, the three circle, and Rey fires off on Edge! Styles joins in, fans boo, but then Styles hits Rey. Styles whips Rey to a corner, runs in, but into an elbow! Rey goes up, Electric Chair lift and sunset flips, but Styles rolls through, only for Edge to O’Conner Roll! TWO and Edge runs into Rey’s cradle! TWO, and all three men stand off, but only for a second before Edge BOOTS Styles right down! Edge ROCKS Rey and then goes back for Styles. Edge stomps Styles, then goes back to Rey. Fans rally for Edge as he ROCKS Rey, then whips him corner to corner. Edge runs in, Rey puts him on the apron and GAMANGIRIS!

Rey HOTSHOTS Edge, but then Styles trips Rey. Styles lifts Rey but Edge slingshots! SUNSET CATAPULT COMBO! But styles rolls through to CATAPULT Edge onto Rey! And then Styles runs in, but Edge FLAPJACKS him onto Rey! EDGE-O-MATIC! Cover, TWO! Styles stays in this but Edge keeps focus. Edge throws forearms, fans rally up, and Edge whips Styles corner to corner. Styles hits hard and falls back, then Edge runs to BOOT Rey out of the ring. Fans rally up and Edge goes back to Styles. Styles fires off the Phenomenal Blitz! LARIAT, then SLIDING FOREARM! But Rey returns and shoulders into Styles.

Rey runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Styles stans but Edge kicks him low! Edge whips, Styles reverses but Edge holds ropes. Styles clotheslines Edge up and out! Styles goes to Rey now, whips him corner to corner, but Rey goes up and over, tilt-o-whirls and RANAS! But Edge returns! Rey dodges him to tilt-o-whirl and RANA him, too! Fans fire up but Styles kicks Rey. Styles runs, sunset flips, but Rey slips through to BUZZSAW! Rey has the fans fired up but Edge grabs Rey. Rey ELBOWS Edge, springboards, but into Edge’s arms! Edge BOOTS Styles, then FALL AWAY SLAMS Rey!

Rey and Styles are in one corner and fans fire up as Edge looks over. Edge goes to the other corner, and he takes aim! But Rey & Styles KICK Edge first! Rey kicks Styles, wheelbarrows Edge, Edge throws Rey but Rey RANAS Styles! Rey kicks Edge, hops on, SUNSET BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Edge flops to the apron, fans rally up, and Rey goes after Styles. Rey fires forearms, whips him to ropes, but Styles reveres. Rey slides under, Styles mule kicks. Styles whips, Rey slides, into Edge’s arms! But then Styles WRECKS Edge into giving Rey a DRAPING DDT! Fans fire up as all three men are down and SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns, Styles and Rey are at the ropes, and Styles suplexes Rey up and over, only for Rey to slip free and land safe on the apron. They brawl with forearms and haymakers, but then Edge SPEARS them both to the floor!! Fans lose their minds and the ref checks all three men! Rey staggers up first, Edge follows him, and Edge puts Rey into the ring. Edge covers, TWO!! Rey is still in this and Edge is beside himself. Rey crawls, Edge stalks him then stomps him into a corner. Styles slowly rolls into the ring but Edge stomps Rey more. Edge sees Styles, storms over, but Styles to sees him out hard!

Styles staggers but Rey walks up to him. Rey throws forearms, then an ENZIGURI! Styles goes to a corner, Rey runs in, but Styles catches him! Roll and CALF CRUSHER! Rey endures, but Edge joins in with a CROSSFACE! Rey endures two submissions, and Styles fights Edge! Edge lets Rey go, but then HEADBUTTS away on Styles! Rey gets free completely now, and Styles gives Edge some HEADBUTTS! They both throw haymakers, the fans are with Edge, and Edge gets around Styles, but Rey leaps in to DOUBLE RANA! Edge and Styles are both on ropes, so Rey dials it up, to run into a DOUBLE DROPKICK!

Edge and Styles get up, they DOUBLE LARIAT each other down! “This is Awesome!” as all three men are down! Rey crawls, Edge stirs, and Styles sits up. Rey goes after Styles with a KICK to the leg! Rey whips Styles to ropes, but Styles reverses. Rey dodges, comes back, and DROPKICKS Styles down! Rey keeps moving, but Edge BOOTS him down! Styles returns, he runs in but Edge sends him into buckles! Edge crawls over to where Styles is, then drags himself up the corner. But Rey ROCKS Edge first! Rey climbs, fires forearms, then positions things just right. Rey goes up, but Styles CLUBS Rey first!

Styles brings Rey out, RUNNING POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Rey survives, he and Styles are both down, but Styles sits up first. Styles goes back to Edge and fans rally up. Styles throws haymakers on Edge, climbs up after him, and CLUBS him into position. But Rey CLUBS Styles! Rey climbs up, SUNSET FLIP SUPERPLEX COMBO!!! Cover on Styles, TWO!!! Styles survives and Rey is shocked! Rey calls his shot, he dropkicks Edge onto the ropes, and Rey dials, only for Styles to trip him up! Styles aims now, springboards, but Edge gets under! Edge runs in, styles avoids the Spear but the SEATED SENTON hits!

Rey sees Edge on ropes, dials it up, but Edge blocks the 619! Step through, into the EDGE-U-CATOR!! Rey endures, Edge leans on the hold, but Styles rises! Styles rushes in, Edge drops Rey to get Styles! Edge puts Styles in the EDGE-U-CATOR!! Styles endures, claws his way forward, and he’s in the ropes! But Rey hits a 619 on Edge!!! Rey goes up top, FROG SPLASH SPEAR!? Edge counters just in time, but the PHENOMENAL FOREARM flies in!! Cover, STYLES WINS!

Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall (advances to later tonight)

And that was a phenomenal finish to this match! Styles is in it to win it, but who meets him from the second Triple Threat? Well, why wait?

WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament Triple Threat: Bobby Lashley VS Austin Theory VS Sheamus!

Talk about an all mighty FIGHT NIGHT! The Rocky Mountain Machine was robbed at Backlash by the still WWE United States Champion, but he could get his revenge while also getting closer to new gold! Will Lashley, Theory or the Celtic Warrior join Styles in tonight’s main event?

SmackDown returns and Lashley makes his entrance, followed by The Now, Austin Theory. The bell rings, and Theory bails out? Fans boo but he shrugs. But then Sheamus and Lashley go out to get him! They keep him from running away, and they just batter him down! Fans fire up and Sheamus pushes Theory back in. Theory hurries to a corner, only for Lashley to RAM into him! Lashley turns Theory for a NECKBREAKER! Sheamus drops a KNEE on Theory, then fireman’s carries. ROLLING SENTON! Lashley runs to clothesline Theory right out of the ring! Fans fire up now that it’s between the Fella and the All Mighty.

Lashley swings, misses, the haymakers fly, but Lashley clinches. Sheamus fights free, fireman’s carries, but Lashley slips out to FLATLINER! Sheamus goes to a corner, Lashley RAMS into him now! Lashley throws back elbows over and over, then runs corner to corner, to RAM into Sheamus again! Sheamus sputters and goes along the ropes, but Lashley stays on him. Lashley ROCKS Sheamus, runs, but into a scoop! POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Lashley is tough but Sheamus is mean, he CLOBBERS Lashley from behind! Sheamus drags Lashley up but Lashley shoulders into him! Lashley then suplexes!

Sheamus fights, throws body shots, then wrenches to HOTSHOT! Sheamus CLUBS Lashley on the back, turns him around, but Theory runs in! Sheamus moves aside so Theory CLOBBERS Lashley off the apron, and then Sheamus grabs Theory! Sheamus ROCKS Theory, turns him around, and gives Theory the BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! Fans count along, Sheamus goes to TEN, and Theory flops down! Fans fire up with Sheamus while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Lashley runs in to CLOBBER Theory outside the ring! Fans fire up and Lashley brings Theory up to fireman’s carry. Lashley POSTS Theory and fans fire up more! Lashley sees Sheamus in the ring and the two stare down again. Lashley gets back in the ring, he and Sheamus circle, and fans rally up as the two start throwing hands! They go back and forth, harder and harder, and it’s just a scrum! Sheamus throws body shots, whips, but Lashley reverses. Sheamus KNEES Lashley away, runs, but into a LARIAT! Lashley is feeling it and the fans fire up. Lashley runs corner to corner, but into BOOTS!

Sheamus skins the cat to the top rope! Lashley staggers up, and Sheamus FLYING- NO! Lashley catches Sheamus for an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Lashley stalks Sheamus, full nelsons, but Sheamus fights it off! Theory somersaults and SHOTGUNS! Then he CHOP BLOCKS Sheamus! And DECKS him with a forearm! Cover, Lashley breaks it up! Lashley drags Theory up, he fires off haymakers, then he whips Theory to a corner. Lashley runs in, into a BOOT! Theory somersaults again, to SLINGBLADE! Cover, Sheamus breaks it now. Theory RAMS Sheamus into the corner, then stomps away! Theory digs his boot in while fans boo.

Theory sees Lashley get up, so he clotheslines him out! Payback for earlier, and then Theory goes out after him. Theory RAMS Lashley right into steel steps! Fans boo but Theory soaks it all up. Theory sees Sheamus stirring in the ring, he slingshots and somersaults, but into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Fans fire up as Sheamus grins. Sheamus watches Theory rise, and Theory sees he’s in a bit of trouble. Theory rushes in but Sheamus CLOBBERS him! And CLOBBERS him again! Then CLOBBERS him in a corner! Sheamus whips corner to corner to clothesline and fireman’s carry! Sheamus goes up the corner!

Fans fire up as Sheamus tucks Theory, for the SUPER WHITE NOISE!! Cover, TWO!! Theory survives and Sheamus grows frustrated. Sheamus looms over Theory, gives Theory his last rites, and reels him in for a Canadian Rack! Theory sunset flips out of the cross, TWO!! Sheamus KNEES Theory in the face! Theory sputters away and fans fire up again! Sheamus hears the Volunteers, and they all echo “BROGUE! BROGUE! BROGUE!” But Lashley SPEARS Sheamus! But Theory POSTS Lashley!! Theory covers Sheamus, TWO!! Theory doesn’t steal it like he did at Backlash and that shocks him more than anything!

Theory hurries to get Lashley, but Lashley swings on him! Theory dodges, ROCKS him, then fireman’s carries! A-TOWN- NO! Lashley fights out, then MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTERS!! Fans fire up as a bloodied Lashley hauls Theory up! HURT LOCK!! Theory pushes off the ropes but that’s not enough! He tries again, still not enough! Sheamus BROGUES Theory!! Lashley TOSSES Sheamus and he covers Theory, Lashley wins!!

Winner: Bobby Lashley, by pinfall (advances to later tonight)

True redemption from Backlash as Lashley beats Theory the way Theory beat him! But if the All Mighty bleeds, does that mean Styles stands a chance?

Adam Pearce talks with someone on the phone.

How great is the main event? Think about it: AJ Styles VS Bobby Lashley, two former WWE World Champions, and the winner goes on to Night of Champions. This couldn’t have worked out any better. What a main event! But in walks Grayson Waller! Pearce says bye to the person on the phone to say hello to the SmackDown draft pick. Waller, congrats on coming to SmackDown. Waller says SmackDown should be congratulated for picking Waller. Even though it was a little late, but Pearce can make it up to him. Whoever wins tonight in the main event, Styles or Lashley, you put them in the hotseat on the SmackDown debut of the Grayson Waller Effect! That’s viral, right?

Pearce actually agrees, that’s a great idea. It is official! Waller loves it! He can get used to being on Fridays. But then, will Waller’s SmackDown debut be phenomenal or all mighty?

Cameron Grimes VS Baron Corbin!

Speaking of the SmackDown draft picks from NXT, the Cash Money Caveman of Carolina is here to make his in-ring debut, all because the Lone Wolf had to call him “Mr. Irrelevant.” Will Grimes show Corbin just who’s irrelevant here tonight?

But then Corbin gets a mic to say, “Look everybody, it’s Cameron Grimes, SmackDown’s very last pick in the draft.” Corbin is surprised Grimes even showed up. That takes gut all on its own. And Corbin gets it, Grimes is trying to make a name for himself. But in about two minutes, Grimes will be flat on his back, wishing he was back in NXT. Corbin chuckles, the bell rings, and Grimes hits the CAVE-IN!!! Cover, GRIMES WINS!!

Winner: Cameron Grimes, by pinfall

Forget two minutes, that wasn’t even 10 seconds! Corbin loses because he stuck his foot in his mouth, will Grimes go #ToTheMoon here on SmackDown?

Roman Reigns heads to the ring!

The University of Tennessee cheers since The Tribal Chief is actually here! He leads the way for Paul Heyman, Solo Sikoa & The Usos as they stand on stage. The WWE Universal Championship is raised, as are the fingers, for the pyro to go off. But what will the Head of the Table have to say about all things Bloodline? We find out, after the break.

SmackDown returns and the Bloodline has moved into the ring. Roman lifts the belts for the second round of pyro, and the Bloodline raise the fingers. Heyman has the mic, The Bloodline revels in the cheers and jeers for a moment, and then Heyman hands the mic over to Roman. Roman says, “Knoxville, Tennessee! ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” Fans are torn, but plenty chant for “ROMAN! ROMAN!” Roman continues with, “Y’see, that’s what greatness garners. It garners respect. But regardless of reactions or not, this is one thing that must be respected.

“There’s a lot of talk about royal families and families of importance in the wrestling business here, but let’s be honest: there’s only one. Every man in this ring, every man in this ring main evented both nights of WrestleMania. And I know you’re probably saying we’ve only done two nights for so long, but, let’s just say this. We’re the only ones that will ever main event both nights of WrestleMania. And the success, it doesn’t stop there, we just kept pushing along into Backlash. Even when the Tribal Chief isn’t there, somebody’s gotta step up. And who stepped up this time, huh? Solo stepped up!”

Fans are torn again as Roman looks at The Enforcer of the Island. Roman says he must admit, “There was a little concern when we first got Solo up here on the road, because let’s be honest, he’s in the ring with some of the best of all time. Excuse me, not some of the best, the best of all time. And when you get thrown into the deep end, you can either sink or you can swim. And let’s be honest, Solo swims like a shark. If there’s every a problem, he eliminates it. Look at the Riddle problem. Handled, right?” Solo nods, but he brings up Kevin and Sami. That’s how good Solo is! He’s still concerned with that problem!

Roman tells Solo that Kevin and Sami- But then the fans start chanting for “SAMI! SAMI!” and “KEVIN! KEVIN!” Roman says not to worry about that anymore. Those two aren’t a problem. They’re not the problem. But there is a problem. A real problem, an actual problem, but it is not Sami & Kevin. “The problem… are your brothers.” Fans are stunned and the Usos aren’t sure how to react to that. Roman walks over to Jey & Jimmy, and he asks what they thought was going to happen. That they were gonna lose in the main event of WrestleMania and no one talks about it? That they were gonna beg for a rematch and then dedicate it to him for some reason, and then lose?

You dedicate a match to Roman and then you lose!? Roman’s not attached to the tag titles, why are they dedicating something like that to him!? He’s not IN a tag team, he’s the greatest singles wrestler of all time! “We literally have Hall of Fame tag teams in our family, and you dedicate it to me? You disrespect our bloodline and dedicate a tag team championship match to me?” The Usos aren’t sure what to say but Roman says he tried to take some time off, and what do the Usos do? They embarrass him! They misrepresent him, the Bloodline, and the family! They know better than this. APOLOGIZE!

Fans say “NO! NO! NO!” but the Usos look at each other. Roman says don’t look at each other, look at him and apologize! Roman tells the Usos that he doesn’t want anything to come out of their mouth unless it is “I’m sorry” or “I apologize, My Tribal Chief.” The Usos still aren’t sure, and Jimmy starts to chuckle. Roman doesn’t like that, but then the fans are even louder with the “NO! NO! NO!” Roman says he wouldn’t listen to the “idiots.” He’d just apologize. Roman gets closer to Jimmy and says he’d listen up and apologize. Jimmy says this is too much. Oh, so Roman’s just here to make them smile? Are they doing their Goodfellas commercial again?

Roman is here to pop Jimmy, he’s a clown now? He pie faces Jimmy as he asks, “Who’s the clown?” Fans boo and Jimmy scowls. Roman dares him to do something. Heyman gets out of the ring just in case… Fans chant “WHOOP SOME ASS!” But then Jey steps up, to apologize for them both. “We apologize, Uce. Alright?” But if Roman gives them one more shot, they’ll bring those titles back to the Bloodline. Roman says that’s right, those titles will come back to the Bloodline. “Wise Man, fill ’em in.” Heyman returns to the ring, takes the mic back and thanks Roman.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the Tribal Chief has shown up here tonight with a game plan already in hand. The Tribal Chief, this week, authorized me to pull every string, to flex our Bloodline muscle with the Board of Directors, and here it is. The Undisputed Tag Team titles come home to the Bloodline at the Night of Champions! When Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn will lose the tag team championships to…! SOLO… and Your Tribal Chief, ROMAN! REIGNS!” Jey is livid now but he can’t do anything about this! Roman says at Night of Champions, they do what they always do: they represent for The Bloodline.

And Roman dedicates this victory and their reigns to the greatest tag team of all time, Afa & Sika, the Wild Samoans. Jey is still livid, Jimmy is speechless, but their hands are tied as Roman takes the responsibility away from them. Will the Head of the Table have only more gold on his plate after WWE’s return to Saudi Arabia?

Backstage interview with Damage CTRL.

Kayla Braxton is with Bayley, Iyo Sky & Dakota Kai, and Bayley says, “Crushing over Roman Reigns much? Huh? This is supposed to be our interview time. But y’know what, I get it. Roman and I have so much in common. We’re both Grand Slam Champions and we’re both exceptional leaders. Even when things don’t exactly go as planned.” But Bayley tells Iyo not to worry, Bayley will take the blame for what happened at Backlash. She pushed Iyo too hard, and maybe Iyo wasn’t ready yet. Iyo rolls her eyes as Bayley continues to say, “But like Roman, sometimes leaders need to take things into their own hands.

“And that’s exactly what I’m gonna do tonight when Dakota and I exert our dominance and win back the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships! So Kayla, why don’t you go tell Roman that SmackDown belongs to Damage CTRL! HAHA!” The Role Model leads the way, but will DMG CTRL really take control? Or will the champions still be #LivingLarge?

The Usos grumble backstage.

They hear the LWO laughing and Jey gets mad. Is something funny to them? Joaquin Wilde says ain’t nobody speaking to the Usos, they were talking in Spanish and stuff. Jimmy says the LWO must’ve seen what just happened out there and now everything’s funny. How ’bout Jimmy kicks them in the face? Cruz asks what’s wrong with them, they all start shouting, Zelina tries to keep the peace, but then Rey & Escobar walk over. Escobar says it’s not the LWO’s fault that the Tribal Jefe doesn’t love them no more. Now that’s funny. The Usos decide to leave, but what will it take for them to cool off from what Roman did?

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez VS Bayley & Dakota Kai w/ Iyo Sky!

SmackDown returns as DMG CTRL make their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see just who controls the Women’s Tag Division.

The teams sort out and Dakota starts against Raquel. They rush in, Dakota tilt-o-whirls but Raquel easily stands up against the crucifix takedown. Dakota shifts to a sunset flip, still not enough power and Raquel drags Dakota right up! Raquel whips Dakota to the corner, runs in and RAMS into Dakota! Tag to Liv, Liv taunts Bayley and Raquel whips her in to body block Dakota! Then Liv whips Raquel to SPLASH Dakota! Snapmare and basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Liv keeps cool and Bayley coaches Dakota. Dakota PELES Liv down! And we see Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn, the NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions, watching this match gleefully.

Dakota rolls Liv, TWO, but Dakota Oklahoma Rolls, TWO! Liv trips Dakota, covers, TWO! Dakota ROLLING ELBOWS Liv and Liv sits down in a daze. Dakota struts around, Bayley yells at Michael Cole to talk about it, and Dakota bumps Liv off buckles. Tag to Bayley, she and Dakota bring Liv around to double whip. Liv holds ropes, BOOTS Dakota, then rolls Bayley up! TWO but Liv hurries to whip Bayley. Bayley reverses, Liv goes up and over, but Dakota waistlocks. Liv slips under, dodges the haymaker, but Bayley CLOBBERS Liv! Cover, TWO! Alba & Isla pretend to be surprised while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and both Liv and Bayley are down. Fans rally, both women crawl, hot tags to Dakota and Raquel! The former friends meet again, and Raquel rallies! Dakota ducks a lariat but not the SOUTHPAW! Raquel then scoops to FALL AWAY SLAM! Dakota goes to a corner, Raquel SPLASHES her, then scoops to FALL AWAY SLAM again! Dakota’s in a drop zone, Raquel runs in, but Dakota avoids the Vader! Hot tag back to Bayley! But Raquel choke grips each of them, to DOUBLE CHOKE SLAM! Fans fire up, Liv tags in, and Raquel helps her RAILGUN BACK SPLASH! And then POWERBOMB SWING!

Raquel just CLOBBERS Bayley and Dakota with Liv, then BOMBS her onto Bayley! Dakota runs in to BOOT Raquel down! And then she runs up on Liv, but Liv TOSSES her right out! Liv runs in at Bayley, SHINING WIZARD in the corner! Liv hoists Bayley up top, climbs up after, but Dakota sneaks a tag. Bayley and Liv brawl with body shots, then Bayley slips under! Dakota GAMANGIRIS Liv and Bayley brings Liv out! Dakota climbs, for the DOUBLE STMOP BOMB!! All three women are down and Dakota jammed her leg! Alba & Isla mock the pain as Dakota crawls to Liv. Cover, Raquel breaks it!!

Bayley crawls to Dakota and drags her back to the corner. Bayley tags in, she hurries after Liv, and she has the ref check Dakota. Bayley gets Iyo to get a title belt! But Raquel stops that! And Liv bumps Bayley into Iyo! Roll-up, Liv & Raquel win!!

Winners: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)

Bayley is stunned! But there’s also a bit of deja vu as the DMG CTRL cheating only backfires on them, just like Backlash! How will DMG CTRL ever live this down?

The Brawling Brutes console Sheamus.

Ridge Holland says not to worry! They can go get some pints. #YESBOY~! Pretty Deadly is here on SmackDown, and they say hey. Well, look at that, SmackDown’s newest tag team, straight from NXT. So who is Pretty and who is Deadly? Hah. Anyway, Elton Prince & Kit Wilson are new to Friday Night SnackDown, and they wanna know how to fill these forms out. They got their names, but the rest is unclear. Like, for example, “Mr. Butch,” did you put primary language as “unintelligible grunts?” Ridge keeps Dunne from rushing them, but then Kit has to ask Ridge if he got confused by all the big words and needed mum to help.

Sheamus holds Ridge back now, Pretty Deadly say “Sorry about that loss.” Sheamus glares as Pretty Deadly walks away, but he does agree to those pints. Ridge’s treat, of course. Will the Brawling Brutes all bounce back soon enough? And will Kit & Elton watch themselves before they end up pretty dead meat?

Bianca Belair is here!

Knoxville cheers for their own as the longEST reigning women’s champion of the modern era makes her way to the ring. Bianca gives kisses to her family in the front row, then gets in the ring for this championship celebration! And look at all that pyro! But uh, then Asuka shows up…? The Empress of Tomorrow did join SmackDown along with Bianca through the WWE Draft, but she also lost to Bianca not too long ago. Asuka enters the ring, and offers a handshake. Fans chant for the EST, perhaps to encourage her. Bianca accepts the handshake, but then gets BLUE MIST!! Asuka is a sneaky one!

Bianca flails and writhes while Asuka laughs and enjoys her handiwork. Fans boo but Asuka blows kisses as she leaves. Refs and medics get Bianca water and towels, but will Bianca make Asuka regret ruining her homecoming?

WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament SmackDown Finals: AJ Styles VS Bobby Lashley!

The Phenomenal One beat the King of Lucha and the Rated R Superstar, but the All Mighty beat the Celtic Warrior and The Now. Only one gets to face Seth Freakin’ Rollins at Night of Champions, who wins that golden ticket to Saudi Arabia?

The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally up and the two approach. Styles slips around to CHOP and forearm but Lashley doesn’t budge. Styles and Lashley approach, Styles dodges again to fire off more shots! Lashley snarls and storms up to Styles. Styles ends up cornered, but then he dodges Lashley’s haymaker to fire off forearms and CHOPS! The ref counts, Styles lets off, and Lashley glares at him. They circle, Lashley corners Styles again, and the fans duel. Styles swings on Lashley but Lashley blocks and knees low! Lashley bumps Styles off buckles, throws down elbows, and then he stomps away!

The ref counts, Lashley lets off, and then he hauls Styles up. Lashley throws forearms, runs side to side, but Styles dodges! Styles CHOPS, fires off forearms, CHOPS again, and keeps Lashley on the ropes with kicks. The ref counts, Styles lets off, but Lashley blocks the whip. Lashley then TOSSES Styles out of the ring! Styles flounders, Lashley goes out after him, and he drags Styles up to RAM him into the apron! Styles drops to his knees but Lashley fireman’s carries him, to POST him! Styles is dazed and Lashley fires up while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Lashley looms over Styles. Blood trickles down Lashley’s face, his stitches having popped open, but he still stands Styles up. Styles throws body shots but Lashley knees low. Lashley CLUBS Styles on the neck again and again, then whips Styles to ropes. Styles kicks Lashley, KICKS the leg, KICKS it again, then KICKS it again! Styles stomps the leg, stomps the foot, but has to catch his breath. Styles runs, but Lashley CLOBBERS him! Lashley rains down forearms, digs them into Styles’ forehead, then ROCKS him with another. Lashley drags Styles up, whips him to a corner, and then runs in, only for Styles to catch him!

Styles rolls Lashley, to the CALF CRUSHER! Lashley endures, reaches out, but then grabs Styles to DRIBBLE his head off the mat! Styles lets the leg go and Lashley drags Styles back up. Lashley stands Styles up but Styles fires off the Phenomenal Blitz! Styles KICKS the leg out, rains down fists on that bloody welt, and then DDTS Lashley down! Cover, TWO!! Lashley flounders to a corner but Styles stalks him. Styles throws hands on the wound, then he brings Lashley up. Styles fireman’s carries, but Lashley slips off! Lashley clinches to FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Styles survives and Lashley snarls through his crimson mask.

Lashley drags Styles up, gut wrenches to a Canadian Rack, and hits the CLIFF- NO, Styles lands on his feet! SLIDING FOREARM! Lashley flounders and hobbles away, but Styles runs in! Lashley catches him to the full nelson! HURT LOCK!! Styles endures, pries at the hold, reaches out, and steps through the rope! Lashley lets go at 4, and Styles flops to the apron. Lashley goes out to SMACK Styles off the steps! Lashley then brings Styles around to throw hands. Fans duel, but Lashley fireman’s carries again. Styles slips free to POST Lashley! Lashley staggers, into a PELE! Lashley crawls, Styles pushes him into the ring.

Styles aims from the apron, he prepares that elbow pad, and he springboards, PHENOMENAL- Fireman’s carry! Lashley catches Styles and brings him around, but Styles slips off and wants the leg! Styles rolls Lashley but Lashley rolls through, deadlift suplex! But Styles knees free! Styles fires off shots, runs, but into a scoop! Styles fights but Lashley still hits the POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Lashley hurries to haul Styles back up, but Styles resists the full nelson! Styles throws elbows, but Lashley throws haymakers! Styles goes to a corner, Lashley runs in, but Styles moves! Lashley POSTS himself!!

Styles then KNEES Lashley into the post! Lashley staggers away, Styles takes aim! PHENOMENAL FOREARM!!! Cover, Styles wins!!

Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall (advances to Night of Champions)

A phenomenal start to SmackDown, and a phenomenal finish to SmackDown, because AJ Styles is heading to the title match! Styles stands by the belt on stage, and the OC rush out to celebrate with him! Will Styles be a phenomenal new World Heavyweight Champion?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown, with great action and great build to Night of Champions. Great stuff in the SmackDown half of the World Heavyweight Championship tournament, especially that first Triple Threat. The constant action and how the opponents were quite literally used against each other reminded me of the Triple Threat of Samoa Joe VS Christopher Daniels VS AJ Styles way back when in TNA Impact. Then the second Triple Threat was really good at playing up the opportunistic finish Theory pulled on Lashley and then flipping it. But ouch, Lashley really did get a bad welt and cut off the steel steps.

Styles VS Lashley was great stuff, but maybe held back by how Lashley got that welt and cut. Styles winning is fine, I’m doubtful anyone was gonna beat Rollins anyway, and you can check my article from Raw on why it’s gotta be Rollins anyway. We also got good stuff in promos to play off these results, like Pretty Deadly taunting The Brawling Brutes to get themselves in their first feud, and Grayson Waller wanting to interview whoever the main event winner was for his own debut. Styles winning in this case also works because he’s already had beef with Waller when Styles did that quick visit to NXT.

I almost busted up laughing at Grimes squashing Corbin, just… wow! Corbin has been the butt of jokes for WWE, but I would not have thought they’d do this to him. But hey, great for Grimes, he deserves to get going somehow. Maybe Grimes can take the US title off Theory. Good promo from Bayley before the really good tag title match, and as I figured, DMG CTRL cheating costs them the win. The big surprise was Alba & Isla watching this match, but who knows, there could be something big in the works. Raquel & Liv will surely beat Sonya Deville & Chelsea Green on Raw, and then maybe Night of Champions gives us Women’s Tag Champs VS Women’s Tag Champs.

Speaking of women’s titles, I’m a little surprised it was Asuka interrupting Bianca’s title celebration and not either Rhea Ripley wanting to do something about how they’re both champions of the other brand, or someone completely different wanting their first shot at Bianca. That said, of course Asuka was gonna mist Bianca, and we’re getting that match one more time around. Bianca has the record for longest reign now, so maybe now she can drop the title? We’ll have to wait and see. But where Rhea is going to face Natalya and surely win, I wouldn’t be surprised if Bianca beats Asuka one more time, and then we get Rhea VS Bianca at some point in the near future.

And of course, the Bloodline story continues to be so very good. I had a feeling Roman was going to put Solo in the tag title situation over at least one Uso, like he sticks it to Jey for talking with Sami in secret, but he instead also inserts himself into this. Once again, Sami is proven right about how Roman was not for the Usos dedicating things to Roman and then losing, but uh, are Sami & Kevin really going to Night of Champions? They’ve been against Saudi Arabia shows, never being on one in any capacity, so was I right to fantasy book a title match on TV that Kevin & Sami lose? Now that fans have been told about Roman & Solo VS Sami & Kevin, that move would feel like a ripoff. I guess that’s another “wait and see” move.

My Score: 8.8/10