SmackDown is going big in Bakersfield!

John Cena, Logan Paul, Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, and ALL TWELVE Money in the Bank contenders, all here on the same night! Is SmackDown about to blow the roof off this place?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu VS Jimmy Uso; Jimmy wins.
• Bakersfield Brawl: Zelina Vega VS Piper Niven w/ The Green Administration; Zelina wins.
• LA Knight VS Aleister Black; Knight wins, by disqualification.
• Six Woman Tag: Rhea Ripley, Alexa Bliss & Stephanie Vaquer VS Naomi, Roxanne Perez & Giulia; Rhea, Alexa & Vaquer win.
• Andrade & PENTA VS The Creed Brothers w/ Chad Gable; Andrade & Penta win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Seth Rollins heads to the ring!

The Visionary is just one of the six men in this year’s Money in the Bank Ladder match, and he of course has Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker & “Big” Bronson Reed with him. The fans sing along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” and Rollins revels in it as he stands in the ring in his all indigo suit with gold necklace. The fans also bark for Bron, and others get an “O T C!” chant and a “C M PUNK!” chant going. Rollins is handed the mic by The Wise Man to say, “Bakersfield… I am a Visionary. I am a Revolutionary. I am… SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS!” The fans do cheer, and Rollins vows that tomorrow night, HE TAKES EVERYTHING!

Rollins points to the briefcases up above and the fans are torn. Rollins says when he wins the MITB contract, he will have ABSOLUTE POWER, and he will have TOTAL CONTROL over this entire industry! Rollins paces while the fans chant for “O T C! O T C!” Rollins says yeah, no, he can’t hear you. That guy is off on the Island of Irrelevancy where Rollins put him after WrestleMania! But that total control Rollins will have doesn’t just mean Raw. It will include SmackDown, as welL! So they are here to deliver a message! Anyone who stands in their way will suffer the same fate as anyone who has already stood in their way.

“Sami Zayn stood in our way. He’s in the dirt. CM Punk stood in our way. POOF! Gone! Roman Reigns stood in our way, and he is Missing In Action. Roman Reigns is not coming to save you. Roman Reigns doesn’t care about you! Roman Reigns has never cared about you! But y’know who has?! You know who has?! SETH FREAKIN’ ROLLINS!” The fans are again torn, but Rollins says he will drag all of you, kicking and screaming if he has to, into the future because that is what Rollins does. Not just for himself, not just for his group, but for the entire industry! And there is NOBODY who can stop him!

Wait! Here comes Solo Sikoa and his “family.” The fans actually cheer as Solo, JC Mateo & Jacob Fatu head to the ring. Rollins and his faction stand their ground as Solo grabs a mic and leads the way for his rogues into the ring. The fans cheer on “FATU! FATU!” and Solo says, “You said that, uh, if anybody gets in your way, that you’re gonna lay ’em out?” Rollins says, “That’s right.” And that there is nobody here to stop him? That’s also right. Well, uh, Solo’s team is standing here right now. Oh, is that so? Solo says by the looks of it, Rollins has his own little “Bloodline” going on. Which one is Bron supposed to be? The Right Hand Man, Jey Uso? “YEET!”

Then does that make Bronson the “Honorary Uce?” After everything they’ve been through… Bronson was on Solo’s side for WarGames! And now, he no calls, then shows up and teams up with this guy? But Rollins even has The Wise Man. Speaking of, long time no see, Heyman. Rollins tells Solo to choose his next words very carefully. Solo laughs that off, and says let’s cut to the chase. All we know is, tomorrow night, Solo climbs the ladder, grabs the contract, and then all that power and control Rollins talked about will all be Solo’s. Rollins laughs that off and says he sees. This is Solo’s turf, he is pushing back.

Is Solo threatened because Bron Breakker is the future of this industry and Solo is not? Is he threatened that Bronson Reed could squash Solo like a bug at the snap of Rollins’ fingers? Well, Solo should be worried. But he should really be worried about the fact that Solo’s own family would rather stab him in the back than have his back. Rollins looks at The Samoan Werewolf, and says, “What’s up, Jacob? You look like you wanna say something. C’mon, take the mic from Solo. You gonna let Solo talk for you?” Solo tells Rollins to shut up. Rollins says Fatu is the werewolf, but there could be a new nickname for him, like “Solo’s B*tch.”

The fans fire up and Rollins says hey, in all seriousness, it took a lot of guts for Solo to come out here and talk to him. Solo is threatened by Rollins, while Rollins is threatened by one Fatu in here, and it ain’t Solo. Rollins smiles, the fans cheer Fatu on, but Solo takes off his jacket. Rollins takes off his jacket, but Bron steps up. So Fatu steps up! The sunglasses come off, but Rollins has Bron stand down. Rollins has his faction leave first, but will all these heavy hitters throw down soon enough?

Wait! Jimmy Uso CLOBBERS JC Mateo into Fatu! #BigJim snuck in from the crowd side! Solo bails but JC takes the SUPERKICK! The fans fire up and Rollins chuckles. Solo has Fatu calm down, Jimmy is the issue, not JC! Will JC take Jimmy on a Tour of the Islands? Or will that be a #NoYeet?

JC Mateo w/ Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu VS Jimmy Uso!

SmackDown returns and this match is underway as JC TOSSES Jimmy to a corner! JC mocks the No Yeet before he runs in, but Jimmy dodges! Jimmy UPPERCUTS, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Jimmy climbs up, the fans fire up, and Jimmy rains down fists! The fans count along, but JC stops Jimmy at 7! JC DUMPS Jimmy to the apron, but Jimmy RAMS and GAMANGIRIS JC! Jimmy goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, ONE!! JC is tougher than that but Jimmy clamps on with a chinlock. JC endures, fights up, and the fans rally. JC slips around, shoves Jimmy, and clinches for an EXPLODER!

The fans rally while both Jimmy and JC catch their breath. JC stands on Jimmy’s hand, then drags him up with a fishhook! JC makes Jimmy look at Solo, Solo says it is not too late. Jimmy can just come back home, unless he wants to get his ass kicked. Jimmy refuses, so JC hits a BIG back suplex! Solo eggs Jimmy on, JC stomps Jimmy, then JC clamps on a chinlock. The fans rally up and Jimmy fights to his feet. Jimmy fires body shots, JC shoves him away, and then JC ELBOWS Jimmy down! JC stalks Jimmy, CHOPS him against the ropes, then CHOPS him again! JC whips, Jimmy grabs ropes, and then Jimmy dodges to TOSS JC!

JC gets up but Jimmy UPPERCUTS him down! The fans fire up, Jimmy builds speed, and Jimmy DIVES! Direct hit into JC and the fans fire up again! Jimmy hurries to get JC up and into the ring. Solo asks Jimmy what’s going on here. They can still be family! Jimmy GAMANGIRIS JC instead! Jimmy goes up but Solo barks at him. The ref reprimands Solo, but JC DROPKICKS Jimmy to the floor! Solo says this is what he’s trying to tell Jimmy, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Jimmy sputters, the ring count climbs, but JC rolls out to fetch Jimmy. JC THROWS Jimmy into barriers! Solo talks trash, JC drags Jimmy up and SMACKS him off the apron. JC pushes Jimmy into the ring, stomps him around, then talks trash on the fans cheering Jimmy on. JC puts Jimmy on the ropes to CHOKE him! Fatu frowns, Solo talks trash, and JC stomps Jimmy again. JC HEADBUTTS Jimmy in the corner, then gets space. JC runs and HIP ATTACKS! Jimmy sputters and flops over, Solo tells him that this can stop, but Jimmy refuses to give up. JC clamps on a chinlock and grinds Jimmy down!

Jimmy endures, fights up, but JC wrangles him back down! JC grinds Jimmy down more, but Jimmy still endures. Jimmy fights up, only for JC to squeeze tighter. Solo talks trash the whole time as Jimmy endures, and SmackDown returns to single picture. The fans rally harder and harder as Jimmy stands! Jimmy JAWBREAKERS free! But JC ELBOWS, JABS, and YUKON LARIATS! Then GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Jimmy sputters and scrambles away, but JC smirks as he stalks Jimmy to the ropes. JC CHOKES Jimmy, lets off as the ref counts, and Solo asks again. Jimmy says no, so Solo says Jimmy isn’t done, so JC needs to kick his ass more.

JC puts Jimmy in a corner, UPPERCUTS, and then brings him around to whip corner to corner. Jimmy goes up, over, and then SAMOAN DROPS! The fans fire up as Solo is upset and confused as to how Jimmy has more to give. The fans rally again, and both men stand. Jimmy counter punches! Then HEADBUTTS! Then mule kicks, pops ‘n’ locks and UPPERCUTS! Jimmy dodges a lariat, fireman’s carries again, but JC slips free! JC JABS while Jimmy kicks low! Jimmy rebounds, JC blocks the kick and spins him, but Jimmy DRAGON WHIPS! JC staggers to a corner and Jimmy CHOPS! Jimmy whips corner to corner, JC reverses, but Jimmy ELBOWS JC1

Jimmy goes up, up, and USO IN THE WIND! Cover, TWO!! JC stays in this and Jimmy is stunned! The fans rally more as Jimmy and JC go to corners. Jimmy says, “UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs in, but JC catches him to a waistlock! Jimmy fires elbows, whips, but JC reverses and reels Jimmy in, ATHLETIC PLEX! Cover, TWO! Jimmy survives and Solo says it’s alright. JC whips Jimmy to the corner, runs in, but Jimmy BOOTS JC! And then SUPERKICKS! And then SUPERKICKS again! JC still comes back, but Jimmy dodges to SPEAR! The fans fire up as Jimmy hurries up a corner! Solo distracts from the apron! The fans boo, and now Fatu is up!

Jimmy hops down before Jacob can do anything. They glare at each other, but Jimmy dodges JC! JC CLOBBERS Fatu! Roll-up, JIMMY WINS!!

Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall

#BigJim uses the numbers game against Solo’s side, and now he’s got a win over a former Olympian and multi-time champion from NJPW! JC blames Fatu for this, Fatu doesn’t wanna hear it, and Solo does his best to smooth things over. But will Solo’s team lose all control before he ever becomes a champion?

Zelina Vega crosses paths with Giulia.

The Women’s United States Champion tells the Beautiful Madness that she made her intentions very clear last week. Now allow Zelina to make her intentions very clear: Zelina has worked her ass off to have the title. If Giulia wants her shot, then pry it from her lifeless body. Zelina is not giving this up for anything. Giulia says no, she likes Zelina. Zelina has confidence. Yes, well… La Muneca heads out to handle business with the Green Administration. Will Zelina survive now that Chelsea has gotten rid of the rules? Or will Piper Niven help Madam President Green make SmackDown a hot mess again?

Jacob Fatu returns backstage.

He is in no mood, but Damian Priest walks over anyway. The Archer of Infamy says it’s tough working with family. What Fatu is going through, he’s been there, and he doesn’t envy it. But regardless of the situation, man to man, face to face, Priest wants Fatu to know that at some point, Priest is coming for the US Championship. Fatu says Priest can line it up. Because if Priest doesn’t handle business with Fatu, he’s send to the back of the line with it. YADADA mean? Fatu heads out, when and where will these monstrous men battle it out?

Bakersfield Brawl: Zelina Vega VS Piper Niven w/ The Green Administration!

SmackDown returns as the WWE Women’s US Champion makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally up. The two tie up, Piper SHOVES Zelina down, and then grins as she flexes. Zelina brushes that off, resets with Piper, and they tie up again. Piper SHOVES Zelina away and Zelina goes to the outside. Piper salutes but Zelina brings something out from under the ring! Piper storms her way over, and SMACK! Kendo stick! Zelina uses Chelsea’s tricks against her, SMACK and SMACK for Piper! Piper grabs the stick to HEADBUTT Zelina! Piper snarls and storms up to bring Zelina around. Piper scoops, but Zelina slips free!

Zelina has the stick again! SMACK! Zelina then adds a CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Piper is tougher than that but she bails out of the ring. The fans rally for Zelina and call for tables. Chelsea says no they don’t! Zelina WRECKS Piper with a dropkick, then DOUBLE STOMPS her down! Zelina hurries to go up the steps, then she FLYING- NO! Piper stops the rana to swing Zelina up and around. ELECTRIC CHAIR SLAM on the apron! Zelina sputters, Piper goes up the ramp, and then Piper runs downhill! SPLASH against the LED! The Green Administration is standing tall while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and both women are down. Chelsea shouts for Piper to get up so Piper rises. Piper goes to a corner, and she brings a chain over! The fans rally but Piper uses the chain to CHOKE- NO, Zelina blocks the chain, but Piper makes it a GAG! Piper still chokes Zelina, brings her to a corner, and BOOTS her into the buckles! Zelina is in a daze, and Piper teases fans by taking off her suit jacket. Piper throws the jacket aside, grabs a chair, and she sits it up at center. Piper drags Zelina up and over, coops her, and salutes for the FULL METAL- DDT COUNTER!! Zelina turns things around, hurries to cover, but Piper flops right out of the ring!

Chelsea stresses out but Zelina now goes to the apron. Then she climbs up the corner, and she ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! Down goes The Green Administration! Zelina hurries back up, but Piper SLAPS her first! Piper has Zelina stuck up top and climbs up to get her. The fans rally, Piper brings Zelina to the top rope, but Zelina fires body shots! Zelina HEADBUTTS again and again, then SMACKS Piper off buckles! Zelina climbs up, and she hops on for the SUPER CODE RED!!! Cover, ALBA BREAKS IT! Then Chelsea drags Zelina out! There’s nothing to stop them from mugging Zelina! The fans boo but this is why Chelsea had this match made to start with!

Piper shouts to Alba, “GET THE TABLES!” Alba fetches exactly that and the fans fire up! The table is put in the ring, Piper scoops Zelina, PIPER DRIVER on the floor! Zelina sputters but The Green Administration isn’t done with her! The table is set up near a corner, Piper pushes Zelina in, and Chelsea says the people get what they want! Piper puts Zelina on the table, waves goodbye, then goes up the corner. But wait! GIULIA is here?! She DOUBLE LARIATS Alba & Chelsea! And Zelina gets under Piper! Piper holds on, but Giulia uses a kendo stick to SMACK Piper’s hands! Piper loses her grip, Zelina POWERBOMBS Piper down through the table!! Cover, ZELINA WINS!!

Winner: Zelina Vega, by pinfall

Giulia grins as she helps Zelina survive. But was this less about helping Zelina so much as helping herself? YEP! She HEADBUTTS Zelina and reels her in! NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB!! Giulia is no fool, it is easier to beat a champion who is all alone than one with minions hanging around. Will Giulia soon take all the gold for herself once she becomes Miss Money in the Bank?

Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes meet backstage.

The American Nightmare asks how Main Event Jey is doing. A bit banged up from Monday but he’ll be fine. How about Cody? He looks good. And then Jimmy joins in. They shake hands and Jimmy asks if Jey is okay. Jey says of course! What does everyone keep asking? Jimmy says he has a match tomorrow and a big title match on Monday! They just want to make sure The YEET Man is ready to YEET. Jey says yeah, that’s what champs do. But the only thing they need to worry about tonight is what John Cena & Logan Paul are gonna say. After that, they handle tomorrow. YEET? YEET! Jey heads out, but will he and Cody handle business? Or will they get handled instead?

Aleister Black speaks.

“No. I can’t let it go. Initially, I had convinced myself that someone of your standing, someone that’s so loved by the WWE Universe, using the Black Mass was almost respectful. And in a weird way I almost respect it, but the longer I think about it, the more I think that you stole something from me. And that does not sit well with me. It’s funny what the human mind can do. But now, I wanna take away all this security that you had in that match. No Shinsuke Nakamura, no relaxed rules. Just you, and me. And all the shadows that are there. And I will drag you into the light, and see what’s left of you.

“But if you beat me, LA Knight, I will look you in the eyes, I will shake your hand, and I will accept defeat.” The Dark Father wants the Mega Star to earn his respect, can he do it?

LA Knight VS Aleister Black!

SmackDown returns as Knight makes his entrance, and he grabs a mic. “LEMME TALK TO YA! It’s that time of the year again. Yeah.” “YEAH!” “It’s MITB season!” “YEAH!” “And I think about it, and you do a little bit o’ math here, yeah.” “YEAH!” “This is my third year in a row being in MITB.” “YEAH!” “What’s that, sir? You said third time’s the charm?” “YEAH!” “Whatcha think, third time’s the charm?” “YEAH!” Knight ain’t satisfied with that. He looks at five guys running out here, like Penta. We like Penta, right? He’ll do everything under the sun to try and reach up and grab that case. “YEAH!”

There’s Andrade. They like him a bit, right? Another guy who’s gonna do every possible thing he can to get up there. Well, everyone’s gonna do everything they can, but those guys take it to another level. But those guys, we respect them a little bit, but then we get to the “Goons.” Then we get to… El Grande Americano Chad Gable. The fans are torn and Knight asks him which is it? Do we like him or not? The fans are still conflicted, but Knight says dummy number two is Solo Sikoa. Everyone hates him! Knight feels the same! And Solo, they’ve done this a million times, and Knight can drop him on his head one more time to climb up the ladder and take the briefcase.

But then there’s dummy number three. Knight thinks about a men he hasn’t really had interactions with, a man who has gotten crewed up and that is Seth Rollins. The fans are torn again, but Knight says Rollins has been here, done that, had the case and cashed in. He wants to #BurnItDown! But Rollins has to understand that there is nothing hotter than a night in LA with LA Knight, YEAH! And what that means Rollins won’t be burning anything done, ROLLINS gets burned down by this man, YEAH! Before that, we have tonight, Aleister Black. Aleister had a shot, and Knight understands. This is a big deal! MITB is a big deal!

MITB can make or break careers, so Knight gets why Aleister’s feelings got hurt when Knight “stole” the win. But it was a Triple Threat, Knight had to do what he had to do and got the job done. If that hurt Aleister’s feeling, sorry. But now he’s set himself up to get those feelings hurt one more time, YEAH! And you know that coming into California, Bakersfield, Aleister will be home on Saturday watching whose game this is, with everybody saying L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!! But then Aleister makes his entrance. Will the Mega Star still shine? Or is he about to #FadeToBlack? We find out, after the break.

SmackDown returns and the bell rings. The two circle, the fans rally, and the two tie up. Knight headlocks, Aleister powers up and out, then Aleister drops down and hurdles over. Knight stops and waistlocks, Aleister switches, and they go to ropes. Knight bucks the O’Conner, but runs up into a victory roll! TWO, the two stand, and Knight avoids a boot to flip and sunset! TWO, and Knight blocks a shot, only for Aleister to stop the BFT! Knight comes back, but narrowly avoids the Black Mass! The fans cheer the standoff as the two reset. The two circle again, tie up, and they go around. They end up on the ropes, in a corner, then the ropes again.

The fans cheer as they go around and around and make a full lap! And then they keep going! They finally stay in a corner, the ref counts, and Knight slowly lets off. Aleister shoves, Knight shoves, and Aleister hits a headlock takeover. Aleister grinds Knight down but Knight fights up. The fans rally, Knight stands up and fires body shots. Knight powers up and out, then he CLOBBERS Aleister! The fans rally, Knight stomps Aleister, and then stalks him. Knight brings Aleister up, snap suplexes, then covers, ONE!! Aleister is tougher than that but the fans rally. Knight brings Aleister up, bumps him off buckles, and RAMS into Aleister!

The ref counts as Knight RAMS Aleister again and again. Knight whips corner to corner, Aleister KICKS him in return! Aleister waistlocks, Knight elbows free, kicks, but Aleister denies the DDET! Knight UP KICKS, but then Aleister ROUND KICKS! Aleister runs, but into a LARIAT! Cover, TWO! The fans rally while both men catch their breath. Knight storms up on Aleister, drags him up, but Aleister JAWBREAKERS! Knight scoops, Aleister lands out, they throw hands, and Aleister shoves Knight to a corner. Knight kicks but Aleister blocks to JUMP KNEE! Cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but he might be seeing stars.

Aleister stalks Knight, brings him around, and KICKS him against ropes! Knight goes to a corner, Aleister BOOTS him, and Aleister fires forearms. Aleister brings Knight in for a snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Aleister stays on him. Knight fires hands, Aleister fires a strike fest! LEG SWEEP! Aleister runs to SLIDING KNEE! Aleister handsprings, goes up, but Knight LRAIATS Aleister and himself up and out! The fans fire up while both men are down, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Aleister FLYING SUNSET FLIPS, but Knight rolls through! Aleister avoids the boot, kips up and BOOTS back! Then QUEBRADA! Cover, TWO! Knight stays in this and Aleister is stunned! Aleister waits on Knight while the fans declare, “This is Awesome!” Aleister aims, Knght ducks the Black Mass, but Aleister denies the BFT! Knight dodges Aleister to hit the JUMPING NECKBREAKER! POP-UP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up and Knight climbs, then spells it out! “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!!” BOX JUMP ELBOW DROP, but Knight blocks the boot! Knight rolls Aleister to his feet, spins him around, and tortuer racks!

The fans fire up for Knights’ BURNING- NO, Aleister lands out! Knight narrowly deflects the boot to roll Aleister up! TWO, and both men hurry to their feet! Knight shoves, Aleister fires a haymaker, Knight fires back, and they go back and forth with fists! Aleister BOOTS Knight’s  lariat, fires more strikes, but Knight shoves him away again. The BOOT hits on the return, then Aleister goes up again! But Knight turns it into a torture rack! BURNING HAMMER!! But Aleister flops out of the ring! The fans fire up, but wait! SETH ROLLINS CURB STOMPS KNIGHT!!

Winner: LA Knight, by disqualification

The Visionary must’ve heard Knight mention him, and so “dummy number three” just gave Knight his first interaction! The fans chant for Punk, but Aleister steps in Rollins’ way instead! The fans fire up for that stare down, but then here comes Bron Breakker!! SPEAR on Aleister!! Rollins TOSSES Aleister out, and then a SENTON from Bronson Reed onto Knight! The fans boo but Bron builds up speed to SPEAR Knight!! Rollins tells Knight this is what he was talking about! You stand in Rollins’ way, you don’t stay standing! Will Rollins bring his behemoths with him to absolutely bulldoze the ladder match?

Nick Aldis & Adam Pearce speak.

The SmackDown General Manager says, “In the WWE, things tend to move fast. This week, we’re climbing the ladder at Money in the Bank, and next week, we’re kicking off the King and Queen of the Ring Tournaments.” The Raw General Manager says, “This year, it’s bigger than ever. The tournament begins with four Fatal 4 Way matches in the men’s and women’s divisions, and the winners advance.” Aldis says from there, it is a co-branded single elimination tournament with the semifinals and finals. Those finals take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for Night of Champions. And the stakes could not be higher!

The King and Queen of the Rings get title matches on their respective brands for the biggest show of the summer, SummerSlam! Aldis & Pearce wish everyone luck, and may the best man and woman win. With so many spots open, who gets in, and who makes it to the Night of Champions?

Backstage interview with Jade Cargill.

Byron Saxton is with The Storm, and knows that while she would’ve loved to been in MITB, how good does it feel to know she is in the Queen of Ring? Jade says it feels great. She understands she won’t have the chance to climb the ladder and grab the briefcase, but she’ll keep climbing the ranks. She is The Storm, she is in that tournament, and when the dust settles, she will be Queen of the Ring. Then at SummerSlam, she won’t ask for a belt, she’ll take it. On a different note, we saw Bianca Belair refuse to forgive Naomi, but where do things stand between Biansa and Jade? Well, Charlotte Flair walks in and tells Jade as a reminder: Salt and sugar look the same.

That is to say, choose your friends wisely, or don’t have any at all. And as for QOTR, Jade will need a prayer to win. There is only ONE Queen in the WWE. But then Tiffany Stratton walks by and tells them both good luck with that. The WWE Women’s Champion heads to gorilla, what will she have to say the night before a new Miss MITB is crowned?

Legado Del Fantasma meets.

Santos Escobar is in a good mood, but Berto asks him why he brought them here. Santos says, “Family.” After the meeting they had, they agreed they were going to compete at Worlds Collide. And now, Santos has a plan. It is very simple: Worlds Collide, they will prove once and for all, they will establish, before their people, before their country, and before the world, just who owns lucha libre. Want a scoop? It’s Legado taking on Psycho Clown, Pagano and “the one who will always live in the shadow of his father,” El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr, aka Dr. Wagner the Third. They will remove the heart and soul of AAA!

So pay close attention to Santos, because he knows they have the tools to win. That is how it is. They will establish themselves as the ones who own lucha libre. And it only takes two words: Legado y Familia! But will Santos, Angel y Berto truly make themselves the three kings of lucha libre? Or will they be the ones to fall when Worlds Collide?

Backstage interview with American Made.

Byron is now with the Creed Brothers & Chad Gable, and Byron says it is a big day tomorrow for Chad as he challenges El Hijo Del Vikingo for THE AAA Mega Championship. How confident is he going into that match? Oh, confidence is high. He is a bit disappointed he didn’t qualify for MITB, but the WWE found a “suitable replacement” for him in the greatest luchador of all time, El Grande Americano! As for Gable, he will put himself in the history books when he beats Vikingo and win the most prestigious title in all of lucha libre! But then in walks Andrade. El Idolo says in Espanol that Gable wants to beat Vikingo. Gable says, “Si.”

Andrade points out something about Vikingo and Gable keeps saying, “Si,” but Andrade asks, “Si to what?” But then in steps Penta! Penta and Andrade both talk in Espanol that Gable is crazy. Gable says enough! It’s not funny to use Espanol on him! And it won’t be funny when El Grande Americano puts them both through ladders tomorrow! The Creeds agree, but then Aldis steps in. Aldis has everyone stand down. There’s enough going on tonight, so settle this in the ring, tonight. Andrade y Penta are up for that. Will the luchadores put Julius & Brutus in their place? Or will the SmackDown before MITB be American Made?

Tiffany Stratton heads to the ring.

The fans cheer as the WWE Women’s Champion struts out here, then grabs a mic before stepping in the ring. The fans cheer more, Tiff soaks it up, and she says, “Let’s call it for what it is, shall we? Last year, I didn’t just become the youngest Miss MITB. I became the It Girl of WWE, which is why I can see it now. Every single lady in that match is gonna try and pull a Tiffy and pull someone off a ladder, and then reach for the stars. I mean, we can all agree that every single lady in that match is championship material, right?” The fans do cheer that. Tiff says it doesn’t matter, because whoever wins MITB, their world will revolve around Tiff.

“So, ladies, you can win the match, you can trend for one night, but I fear no one can outdo the doer. Because, Bakersfield, what time is it?” “TIFFY TIME!” But then RHEA RIPLEY makes her way out here and the fans fire up for Mami! Rhea joins Tiff in the ring, grabs herself a mic, and the fans cheer on “MAMI! MAMI!” Rhea smiles and says, “Y’know, Tiffy, I’ve never actually been a part of the MITB ladder match before, because the fact is, I never had to.” The fans cheer that. Rhea says she doesn’t know what it feels like to win the contract like Tiff does, but Rhea knows what it feels like to be a champion. And Rhea misses that feeling.

But wait! Here comes La Primera, Stephanie Vaquer! The fans fire up as another of the Miss MITB contenders makes her entrance, followed by Alexa Bliss! And with that signals tonight’s Six Woman Tag! Will the dark, twisted, brutal trio of Vaquer, Bliss & Ripley stand tall just 24 hours before they make the climb? Or will Naomi, Roxie & Giulia make them #ProceedWithCaution?

Six Woman Tag: Rhea Ripley, Alexa Bliss & Stephanie Vaquer VS Naomi, Roxanne Perez & Giulia!

SmackDown returns and Naomi makes her entrance, followed by Roxie’s entrance, then Giulia’s. The teams sort out and Vaquer starts against Giulia. The fans fire up for this NXT rivalry revisited. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and Vaquer stands on Giulia’s hand to then turn her around. Giulia endures the standing motorcycle stretch, then turns it around so she can KNEE Giulia low. Giulia swings, Vaquer ducks and whips, then blows past to slip around and arm-drag! Giulia is up, Vaquer wheelbarrows and sunsets, but Giulia rebounds off ropes to sunset back! ONE, Vaquer has it! ONE and Giulia has it back! They go back and forth, then break!

Vaquer slips around, drags Giulia down, turns her over, JAPANESE LEG ROLL CLUTCH! ONE, and Giulia runs up, but into a SOBAT! Vaquer snapmares Giulia, then smiles. The fans fire up as Vaquer wraps on the headscissors, but Giulia pops out the back! Giulia ties up the legs, pulls on the arms, ANGELITO STOMP! Cover, TWO! Giulia tags Naomi and she SLIDING LARIATS! Naomi says she’s gonna do it now, and she wraps Vaquer up in headscissors! The fans are torn but Vaquer turns it around to push back for a cover, TWO! Vaquer goes up and over, and now she has the headscissors! But then Roxie & Giulia run in!

Alexa & Rhea intercept, STO for Roxie and an atomic FACEBUSTER for Giulia! The fans fire up as Alexa has Roxie at the ropes and Rhea rear mounts Giulia! Vaquer turns Naomi over, and together, “AH! AH! AH! AH! AH! AH! AH! AH! AH! AH!” Vaquer gives Naomi DEVIL’S KISSES, Alexa’s SKATEBOARD STOMPS Roxie, and Rhea just ground ‘n’ pounds Giulia! The fans cheer as Vaquer, Rhea & Alexa stand tall while the others regroup. Vaquer chases after Naomi, puts her in the ring, but then Naomi YANKS her into ropes! The fans boo but Naomi bumps Vaquer off buckles. Naomi stomps a mudhole in but the ref counts.

Naomi steps off, but this lets Roxie & Giulia CHOKE Vaquer! The fans boo, Naomi storms over and tags in Roxie. They mug Vaquer, then Roxie digs her boots in. The ref counts, Roxie steps off and DOUBLE STOMPS! Roxie shoves Vaquer to a cover, TWO! Roxie whips Vaquer to the corner, UPPERCUTS, then tags Giulia. They mug Vaquer, then Giulia snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Tag back to Naomi and she keeps Vaquer from her corner. The fans chant, “We Want Mami!” but Naomi CLUBS and KNEES Vaquer down! Naomi swings on Rhea, misses, then goes back to Vaquer. Naomi back suplexes, Vaquer lands out! Hot tag to Alexa!

The fans fire up for Alexa as she rallies on Naomi, BLASTS Giulia & Roxie, then CLOBBERS Naomi! BASEMENT DDT! Alexa drags Naomi up, but Naomi headlocks. Alexa slips out so the corner bulldog just sends Naomi into buckles! Alexa storms up, Naomi ELBOWS her away, tag to Roxie! Alexa DECKS Roxie, SLAMS Naomi, then Alexa runs to basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Alexa goes out to the apron, CANNONBALL onto Giulia & Naomi! But Roxie RAMS Alexa into the steel steps! Roxie says that is why SHE is the Prodigy! The fans boo, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Roxie drags Alexa up and into the ring, then storms up on her. Roxie SMACKS Alexa off the mat, then taunts Rhea by holding out Alexa’s hand. Roxie wrenches Alexa to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Roxie is annoyed but she keeps Alexa down. Roxie drags Alexa over, tags Giulia, and they mug Alexa with a CHOP! Giulia drags Alexa around, bumps her off buckles, then whips corner to corner. Alexa hobbles, Giulia runs up and SHOTGUNS her down! Cover, TWO! Giulia goes up the corner, aims, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Giulia tags Naomi and she runs to METEORA! Cover, TWO! Alexa stays in this but Naomi stays on Alexa with a facelock.

Alexa fights back with body shots, but Naomi suplexes. Alexa fights that to a cradle, TWO! Naomi PENALTY KICKS Alexa down! Naomi soaks up the heat, stalks Alexa to the ropes, then CHOKES her! The ref counts, Giulia adds on, but they both stop at 4. Naomi puts Alexa in the corner, fires body shots, then tags Roxie. The mugging continues as they stomp a mudhole into Alexa! The ref reprimands and counts, the stomping stops, and Roxie brings Alexa up. Snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Roxie drags Alexa away from her corner, tags Naomi, and SmackDown returns to single picture. Naomi bumps Alexa off buckles, then stomps and KICKS her!

Naomi digs her boot in, the ref counts, but Naomi steps off at 4. The fans rally, “We Want Mami!” but Naomi runs up. Alexa drop toeholds Naomi into buckles! Alexa crawls, but Naomi hurries to ROUNDHOUSE Vaquer! Naomi picks Alexa up, but Alexa fights and DDTS! The fans fire up while both women are down! Hot tags to Roxie and Rhea! The fans are thunderous as Rhea rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! Giulia runs up, Rhea dodges to BOOT! Roxie runs up, but Rhea scoops her! FALL AWAY SLAM! Roxie tumbles away, Rhea DROPKICKS Naomi off the apron for good measure! Rhea then drags Roxie up but Roxie JAWBREAKERS!

Roxie runs, tilt-o-whirls, and RUSSIAN- NO, Rhea blocks that, and grins as she ripcords and HOOK KICKS! Then a gut wrench for the Canadian Rack! RAZOR’S EDGE!! Roxie flounders, Rhea basement DROPKICKS! Cover, Naomi breaks it! Vaquer DROPKICKS Naomi! Giulia KNEES Vaquer! Alexa clinches Giulia, TWISTED SISTER ABIGAIL! Roxie ENZIGIRIS Alexa! Rhea HEADBUTTS Roxie! Rhea pump handles, RIP- DDT from Roxie!! All six women are down and the fans fire up! “This is Awesome!” as Rhea and Roxie stir while their teams regroup. Roxie reaches out to Naomi, but then Naomi leaves her hanging!

The fans boo but Naomi knows MITB is what matters, and that is every woman for herself. Giulia has also disappeared, so Roxie is all alone! Alexa ROCKS Roxie with a right! Vaquer wrenches Roxie for SOLE FOOD! Rhea pump handles for the RIPTIDE!! Cover, Rhea’s team wins!

Winners: Rhea Ripley, Alexa Bliss & Stephanie Vaquer, by pinfall

The spookier team sticks together, and now they’re all rolling into MITB with momentum! But will it be one of these three that takes the briefcase home? Or did Naomi make the smart play?

Solo talks with JC Mateo backstage.

Solo is confident that he’ll win MITB, so long as he has JC and Fatu. JC asks if Solo really trusts Fatu after tonight. Solo says yeah, it’s okay! So long as Fatu follows Solo’s lead, it will all be okay. But will Fatu really follow Solo? Solo tells JC, “My man, you worry too much.” Solo brought Fatu in, Fatu loves Solo, and the thing about Fatu is… He’s not all that smart, y’know? All that man does is think about himself. He is all gas, no brains. Solo laughs at his own joke, and says they just gotta handle business. They leave, but Fatu was around the corner! The Samoan Werewolf heard all of that. Is Solo the one with no brains? Will he also be the one with no contract?

The Wyatt Sick6 speak.

Bo Dallas’ video interrupts Sign of the Night time so he can say, “Grief is not linear. It is not healed by time. It is a festering wound that is continually being ripped open by an echo of a presence that is no more. You don’t forget. You can only accept that which cannot be changed.” The video fuses images of Bo and Bray, and Bo says that he has watched the SmackDown Tag Division. “The loyalty. The trust. The brotherhood. But is that bond unbreakable? From our loss, we have become a family. A ship unshaken by the storm. And yet again, they wanted to forget about us. Like we were never even here. Ignoring the sacrifices.

“Dying to the flesh to become one, we return. Not for nostalgia. Not for closure. But to rip open the wound of apathy and take what we are owed. Your brotherhood will be tested. The time for repentance has passed. Accept your condemnation. We will not be forgotten.”

The SmackDown Tag Division finishes watching this.

And from DIY to MCMG to Fraxiom to the Street Profits, and even GM Aldis, everyone is worried. Gargano says that’s not good. Ciampa says as “the two guys who built this division,” which makes everyone groan, Ciampa says there is no reason for DIY to take the fall! So come clean! Who provoked the Wyatts? Gargano immediately accuses Angelo Dawkins! Montez Ford says hey, look, they’re obviously all afraid. Fraxiom, you’re not fine! Motor City, bring the guns! And DIY, you can’t do this yourselves! But let’s forget about the tag titles for just one second. They have a bigger problem on their hands and that is Wyatt Sick6.

Dawkins says they didn’t get where they are by being scared. If the Wyatts want the smoke, they can get it. Unless y’all forgot that the Profits are the real Bogeymen around here. Ooga booga! The Profits head out, Frazer says there’s no forgetting about the tag titles. But admittedly, the Wyatts do mean business. But they cost Fraxiom, so if Frazer sees Uncle Howdy…! Axiom has Frazer calm down. But yes, Frazer is right. Fraxiom is undefeated, so they will teach the Wyatts what’s what! DIY loves that idea! Go get ’em! MCMG says of course DIY second someone else handling this. MCMG says DIY will get what’s coming to them.

But for now, MCMG will put that on the backburner to get after the Wyatts. Let’s not forget who the veterans are around here, and that’s MCMG. They set the standard, so they’ll bring the fight to the Wyatts. Gargano says another brilliant idea! DIY says they can do that. Aldis, make it so those three teams fight the Wyatts. Aldis says yes, thank you for the input. DIY heads out, and Aldis certainly has a mess to sort out. Who will survive the Wyatts coming for it all? And will the tag titles go along with that?

Andrade & PENTA VS The Creed Brothers w/ Chad Gable!

El Idolo and the Man with No Fear know that whether or not El Grande Americano is really Chad Gable under that mask, Chad Gable definitely doesn’t stand a chance against El Hijo Del Vikingo. But can Andrade y Penta build momentum going into the ladder match together? Or will Julius & Brutus do Chad’s- Er, El Grande’s dirty work for him?

SmackDown returns as Andrade makes his entrance. Then American Made makes their entrance, and the fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” Andrade y Penta DOUBLE FLY out onto the Creeds! The fans fire up, Andrade fires off on Brutus with forearms while Penta POSTS Julius! Penta THROWS Julius into barriers, Andrade puts Brutus in the ring, and the fans cheer for “Cero Miedo!” Penta revels in that, and Andrade starts against Brutus. The bell rings, Brutus runs up, and Andrade drop toeholds Brutus into buckles! Juius rushes in but Andrade dodges to CLOBBER him with forearms! Andrade kips up, the fans fire up, and Andrade rallies them with “SI! SI! SI!”

Andrade CHOPS Brutus, then runs at Julius, CIEN KNEES! Then CIEN KNEES for Brutus! The fans join in for a “CERO! MIEDO!” Andrade tags Penta, he runs up to headstand and DROPKICK on Julius! Then a headstand and DROPKICK for Brutus! Penta swaggers, but Julius waistlocks! Penta fires off hands, then a CHOP! And another CHOP! And another CHOP! Penta CLUBS Julius, Brutus CLUBS Penta! Brutus snarls, ROCKS Penta, then he tags Julius. The Creeds drag Penta up, but Penta CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS again! Penta CHOPS away on Brutus, then has him on the ropes for a CHOP!

The ref reprimands, Penta whips, but Brutus reverses. Penta KICKS Brutus, then he catches Julius as he runs in! Penta waistlocks Julius and tags Andrade, Andrade GAMANGIRIS! Julius falls, Andrade climbs, but Brutus rushes up! Andrade ROCKS Brutus, Brutus drops down, but he’s a step for Julius to FLYING KNEE! Andrade flops on the top rope, and Julius GUT WRENCH PLEXES him away! The straps come down, the fans boo, but Julius clinches for an OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Julius kips up, tags Brutus, and Brutus STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, ONE, but Gable is still pleased as SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Brutus stalks Andrade to the apron, drags him up and bends him against the ropes! The ref counts, Brutus lets go at 4, and Andrade flops over. Brutus stomps Andrade, digs his boot into Andrade’s neck, then steps off at 4. Tag to Julius and he drags Andrade around. The Creeds KNEE Andrade back and forth, then Julius sucker punches Penta! The ref reprimands but Julius goes back to Andrade. Andrade JAWBREAKERS free! Andrade CHOPS, CHOPS and CHOPS! Julius trips Andrade onto the ropes! Julius CHOKES Andrade, steps off at 4, then paces around. Julius drags Andrade up to RAM him into the corner!

Tag to Brutus and he runs up to BRUTUS BALL in the corner! Snapmare and a tag to Julius for the SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Julius drags Andrade into a chinlock, tags Brutus, and the Creeds mug Andrade. Brutus drags Andrade up to ROCK him with a forearm! And another! And then Brutus TACKLES Andrade so he can SMASH! Brutus stalks Andrade to a corner, eggs him on, and then drags him away from the corner to HAMMER him down! Brutus soaks up the heat, then eggs Andrade on. Andrade sits up, and Brutus clamps on a chinlock. Brutus grinds Andrade back down, thrashes him around, but Andrade fights up.

Brutus smothers Andrade as SmackDown returns to single picture. Andrade fights up again as the fans rally, but Brutus back suplexes, only for Andrade to CROSSBODY! Both men are down, Julius tags in and jumps on a leg! Andrade ENZIGIRIS free! Hot tag to Penta! Penta goes up and CROSSBODIES Julius! Penta keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges then RANAS! Julius tumbles around, Penta KICKS him in the leg! Penta whips, Julius reverses, but Penta goes up and over to BACKSTABBER! Cover, Brutus breaks it! Brutus whips, Penta reverses and out goes Brutus! SUPERKICK for Julius! The fans fire up, but Gable drags Julius to safety!

Andrade protests but the ref keeps Andrade back. Penta storms upon Gable, but Gable grabs at the mask! The fans boo, but EL HIJO DE VIKINGO jumps the railing! Vikingo YANKS Gable down and throws hands! The fans fire up, but Gable knees Vikingo low! Gable whips, Vikingo reverses and he TOSSES Gable over barriers! Vikingo pursues, they brawl more, but Julius rolls Penta up! TWO, and Penta SUPERKICKS! Brutus is in, Andrade SHADOW ELBOWS him! Penta goes up, the ref is busy with Brutus, so Andrade SHADOW ELBOWS Julius! Penta adds a FLYING DESTROYER!! Cover, Penta y Andrade win!

Winners: Andrade & Penta, by pinfall

El Idolo and Penta celebrate together, but wait! Here comes Seth Rollins! He attacked LA Knight just for being in MITB, now he looks to do the same to these two. Penta & Andrade don’t back down, even as Bron & Bronson flank the ring. The fans boo this 3v2 scenario, but the fight is on! Rollins & Bron mug Andrade while Bronson CLOBBERS Penta! The fans chant for Punk, but Rollins sets Andrade up for Bron’s SPEAR!! Bronson scoops Penta to SLAM him, then SENTON him! CURB STOMP for Andrade!! CURB STOMP for Penta!! The fans boo as Rollins has his behemoths drag Penta to a drop zone!

Rollins TOSSES Andrade, Bronson goes up, TSUNAMI!! The producers and refs can’t get in the ring with Bron barking at them, and whatever fines Rollins faces don’t matter with how close he is to having all the power in WWE! Can no one stop the Visionary from taking over the future of the industry?

Who will stand atop Evolve as THE champion?

Jackson Drake, Keanu Carver, Edris Enofe or Sean Legacy. After tonight, only one will be known as the INAUGURAL WWE Evolve Champion!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Jin Tala VS Carlee Bright; Jin wins.
• WWE Evolve Championship Fatal 4 Way Elimination Match: Sean Legacy VS Edris Enofe VS Keanu Carver VS Jackson Drake; Drake wins and is the inaugural WWE Evolve Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

Kali Armstrong is here!

The fans cheer the INAUGURAL WWE Evolve Women’s Champion as she goes to the ring, mic in her hand and belt on her shoulder. The fans chant, “You Deserve It!” and Kali says, “Oh yeeeeeah! I told y’all! The first-ever Evolve Women’s Champion, Kali Armstrong. Hey, I like the way that sounds. How ’bout y’all? You like the way that sounds?” The fans cheer, and Kali says she did what she said she was gonna do. She has been here for a year and a half, and this is what she’s on. They say it gets harder from here, but that’s fine. She ain’t ducking any of these chicks!

Kali is ready to go at it with each and every one of them, so that when she gets to NXT, they’ll know who the Difference Maker is. She is at the top of the Evolve Women’s Division, so she wants to know: Who is her first challenger? And out walks Zayda Steel. She tells Kali that seriously, she wants to be the first to congratulate the first-ever WWE Evolve Women’s Champion! Give it up for Kali, everybody! The fans do cheer, and Zayda says that Fatal 4 Way was a classic. But she realized something: They have a lot in common! They are both history makers! Kali is the first champion, and everyone already knows this, but Zayda is the first WWE ID prospect.

So from one difference maker to another, Zayda just wants to say… Kali is luck. Huh? But wait! Zayda is interrupted by Nikkita Lyons! Lyons tells Kali, “Hey, girl! Congratulations, new champ! I’m Big Kat Kita, but you already knew that. But it’s so good to meet you, for real. Like, I’m really honored to meet you. But I already talked with Stevie Turner, and I told her that once they crown a new champ to call me. So here I am.” Lyons stops Zayda before she says anything to say Zayda is cute, and she does like her. But when it comes to gold, Lyons is not afraid to pounce.

Kali tells them they’re both doing a lot of big talking, but they’re doing nothing to prove they want this title. Lyons says, “Bet.” And then Lyons & Zayda jump Kali! The fans boo as they mug her 2v1! Kali shoves Lyons, kicks Zayda, then fires hands! But Lyons THROAT CHAKRA KICKS Kali down! Zayda rains down fists, but wait! Here comes Natalya! The fans fire up as the Queen of Harts rushes out here! She dodges Lyons, TACKLES Zayda, and she has the legs! Lyons drags Zayda to safety and Natty stares them down. The fans cheer Natty and she makes sure Kali is alright. Kali is a bit salty even here as she snatches the belt back, but will The BOAT help her sink Lyons & Zayda?

Carlee Bright has been attacked!

That makes three women in about as many weeks! And this is right before her match tonight! A ref calls in medical, and all Carlee knows is someone shoved her into the chair rack. Just who is it stalking Evolve stars and taking them out?

Evolve returns and…

Stevie Turner is with Carlee and a WWE medical trainer. Stevie apologizes that this has happened, this shouldn’t be happening here in Evolve. Carlee doesn’t blame Stevie, and insists she can go. Stevie asks who did it but Carlee says they were in a black hoodie, and it was a drive-by attack. The doc says there are no serious injuries, so it is up to Carlee. Carlee says she will compete. Stevie says, “If you’re sure, girl.”

Keanu Carver speaks.

“Tonight means something to me, man. Those other three? They just want the glory, the prestige, the fame. Nah, that ain’t me. For me, that title is my ticket out. And I’ll be damned if I go back to the streets of DC. Y’all don’t get what I had to do to get here. So when I step into that ring with them three, I’ma beat the brakes off them boys! From the streets of DC to the Evolve Championship, I’ma show y’all what I’m about! Then y’all gonna remember the name, Keanu Carver.”

Sean Legacy speaks.

With Timothy Thatcher by his side, Super Sean says, “This is it, this is it. My moment. Eight long years for this. Eight long years.” Sean says Timothy taught him everything. Timothy says Sean is ready. Sean says damn right he’s ready! It’s time for Sean to create his legacy!

Jin Tala VS Carlee Bright!

Another prospect from LFG is ready to Evolve! Will “The Detonator” have an explosive debut? Or will Evolve’s future still be Bright?

The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally, the two tie up, Jin goes for the bad arm but Carlee pushes Jin away. They go again, and Jin goes after the bad arm. Jin double wristlocks, pushes on it, and pushes on it again! Carlee endures, but Jin hits a double wristlock takedown! Cover, ONE, but Jin stays on the arm. Carlee fights up, Jin wrenches, but Carlee slips through to wrench back. Carlee trips Jin, steps over, and LA MAGISTROL! ONE, but Carlee arm-drags! Carlee keeps on Jin’s arm but Jin fights up. The fans rally, Jin moves around, but Carlee wrenches and hammerlocks. Jin reaches back and switches the hammerlock!

Carlee switches, sunset flips, TWO! Carlee DROPKICKS Jin! The fans rally, Carlee whips but Jin blocks! Jin reverses, Carlee goes up and up to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Carlee hurries to facelock Jin, Jin scoops, but Carlee fights to keep the arm. Jin wrenches and WRINGS Carlee’s arm! Jin KNEES and UPPERCUTS the bad arm, then gives it a CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Carlee toughs it out but Jin stays on that arm. The fans rally as Jin traps both arms in a modified butterfly! Carlee endures, fights up, but Jin powers those arms back again! Carlee refuses to give up and she stands again! Jin shifts to a ghost pin, TWO!

Carlee has a leg, Jin kicks her away, and Jin runs up. Carlee dodges, ELBOWS, and then ELBOWS again! The fans rally, Carlee ducks ‘n’ dodges, tilt-o-whirls, but Jin dumps her out! Carlee still headlocks for a BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Jin stays in this and Carlee shakes out her bad arm. The fans rally as Carlee facelocks, but Jin powers out! Carlee blocks a kick, spins Jin, and CODE BREAKER! Carlee sets up, STANDING MOONSAULT, but Jin dodges! Jin steps over onto the arm for a STANDING ARMBAR!! The “Bakunawa Bind!” Carlee TAPS, Jin wins!

Winner: Jin Tala, by submission

Carlee tried to fight at less than 100% and it cost her! Will Jin Tala’s technical skill be just the thing to make her a star?

Evolve shares footage from last week.

It was after the Women’s Championship Elimination Match that Kylie Rae returned backstage, only to be attacked by Wendy Choo! They brawled and Wendy would get the advantage by throwing Kylie into the garage door, and then throwing a garbage can onto Kylie! Refs broke that up, but will nothing stop wicked Wendy from having her revenge?

Chuey Martinez talks with Kylie Rae.

He says Wendy is still haunting her, and Kylie says ever since coming to Evolve, Wendy keeps sticking her nose in Kylie’s business. Sure, Wendy won those two singles matches, but Kylie eliminating Wendy should’ve ended it. And Kylie hates to admit this, but Wendy is the only person here that makes Kylie not so smiley. And after last week, Kylie is so ready to- Chantel Monroe says Kylie should call it quits. Kylie gets on Chantel’s nerves no matter if she’s smiley or angry. Chantel storms off, but both Masyn Holiday & Layla Diggs say pay that no mind. Chantel’s mirror is the only thing that shows the real her.

The Vanity Project hypes up Jackson Drake.

Ricky Smokes says Jackson has nothing to worry about! Who even knows if that was the real Lince Dorado anyway? Who trusts someone that wears a mask? Smokes gives Bryce Donovan a pat on the chest and Bryce smacks him back. Brad Baylor tells Jackson that he is the Wild Card, Heartbreak Drake! Do they all think he’s gonna be the first Evolve Champion? Hundos fo’ sho’, bro! Jackson is the future! Zayda adds that The Vanity Project is the future. Jackson says that’s right, and he’s known that since he was 13 years old when he first stepped into a wrestling ring and never looked back.

Jackson tells they all know he’s the Wild Card and Heartbreak Drake, but after tonight, the world is going to know him as the first-ever WWE Evolve Champion! The Vanity Project is ready, but will the Carolina Reaper take the title home? Or will the odds be against him?

Edris Enofe speaks.

“Man, been waiting for this moment for a long, long time. I came back from a gruesome shoulder injury, and it hurt. It hurt for real. But what hurt me even worse was the fact that I couldn’t compete in front of each and every one of y’all. But now things change. Things will be different now. Because tonight, I change the entire WWE Universe’s mind. Tonight, I go from Edris Enofe the tag team wrestler to Edris Enofe the singles superstar! Tonight, Edris Enofe, the Epitome of Excellence, the EOE becomes the first-ever WWE Men’s Evolve Champion!”

The High Ryze is here!

Wes Lee leads the way for Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe and fans boo. Wes has the mic, and he says, “Now, I can bet that none of y’all expected to see me out here on Evolve. Look, that’s understandable, especially with the boys out here dominating completely on their own the past couple of weeks, I haven’t had any reason to. But see, last week, I wanted to come to Evolve and get a better understanding of what it’s all about. They call this the evolution of professional wrestling or something like that. When I walk around and talk to the kids in the locker room, I can see it. They have big dreams, a lot of potential, and they have a lot of hope that one day they are going to become the next big thing.”

Wes laughs, and then apologizes. It isn’t funny, it’s just cute. It is! It’s okay! But see, he was the same way. Once upon a time, he wanted to come into they business and make it the best that he possibly could. He wanted to change the world, and he did! The fans do cheer that. Wes says when he walks around here, what he really sees is that they’re all naive, maybe even delusional, to think that they’re going to steal Wes’s spot one day! He has busted his ass, broken his back, all for this business, and has barely scratched the surface. Look: a Dusty Cup Winner, two-time NXT Tag Team Champion, and the greatest North American Champion ever, and he’s not even done!

So to everyone in Evolve right now, listen very closely. WES is the gatekeeper now! You wanna make it to NXT? You gotta make it through him! Well, hold on, because here come Cappuccino Jones & Jack Cartwheel! The fans cheer for “CAAA-PPUCCINO! CAAA-PPUCCINO!” Jones tells Wes that he sees what Wes is “brewing up.” Tyson & Tyriek are impressive, and Wes’s mentorship is paying off. Wes asks why Jones is out here. Or do the barista and his buddy want a rematch? Wes is sure the boys are fine beating them up one more time. Jones says he and Cartwheel aren’t here for a tag match. Jones wants a match… with Wes!

Wes is calling himself a gatekeeper, and sure, he has been the Human Highlight Reel for years. But whatever Wes has been sipping on is tasting pretty bitter. Bitter!? No! Wes has just been around the block long enough to know better! The fans chant, “Bitter~! Bitter~!” Wes says he isn’t just some happy-to-be-here kid walking around with a cup of coffee. Jones says hate on him all you want. But if you wanna be the measuring stick, Jones wants to see how he measures up. Jones feels he has what it takes, and the best way to back that up is to go 1v1 with one of the staples of NXT! The fans cheer that!

Wes looks Jones up and down, then tells him, “You really should’ve stayed behind that counter, dog. You want the match? Next week, you’ve got it.” Will the Cardiac Kid keep Evolve down? Or will he get the jitters from facing Cappuccino Jones?

Je’Von Evans is backstage!

Evolve Media asks the Young OG why he’s here, and Je’Von says he loves this! He had to come check out Evolve, but he’s here mostly to present the title to the first-ever Evolve Champion. Those boys are locked in! Je’Von notices Jordan Oasis walking by. Je’Von says hey to Oasis and asks why he’s out in the parking lot. Just walking. Je’Von says he is a big fan of Oasis, and keep running, your time is coming. Oasis appreciates that coming from Je’Von. Je’Von says he’s gotta go watch the match, but he’ll see Oasis around. Will this endorsement from NXT’s future help Oasis become Evolve’s future?

Marcus Mathers speaks.

“I’ve been waiting a very long time to introduce myself to the WWE Universe. My name is Marcus Mathers. I’ve been wrestling for about six years now, with way over 650 matches under my belt, proving I’m not just Philly’s Finest, but I’m the finest in WWE ID. And speaking of WWE ID, this was made for men and women to use this to the best of their ability, to the max. And lemme tell you, nobody used WWE ID like I did. And with the support of WWE ID, I’ve been able to travel more, get more matches, and train with the best of the best. And now I bring all that knowledge right here, right now. The WWE ID prepared me for Evolve.” Is Mathers ready to Evolve?

WWE Evolve Championship Fatal 4 Way Elimination Match: Sean Legacy VS Edris Enofe VS Keanu Carver VS Jackson Drake!

While Evolve started fourteen weeks ago, the journey to this moment was very different for each man in this match. But one thing they all share in common is the hard work, grit and determination they put into their careers. Whose journey culminates in a historic achievement that will be remembered forever?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, but only one man survives to put their name on it!

The bell rings and Drake already talks trash on all three opponents. Keanu DECKS him! Drake tumbles out, Keanu eggs the others on, so Legacy & Enofe go after him! But then Keanu shoves them both away! And he DOUBLE LARIATS them! The fans fire up and Keanu ELBOWS Enofe in a corner! Keanu runs corner to corner to ELBOW Legacy! Then he runs back at Enofe, but Enofe dodges and Drake GAMANGIRIS! Enofe runs to SLING-DOG! Drake runs up, Enofe dodges and SLINGBLADES! Legacy back suplexes but Enofe lands out! Enofe kicks low, runs, and jumps onto Legacy to DROPKICK Drake!

Drake tumbles out, Legacy runs in, but Enofe TOSSES him! Enofe KNEES Keanu in the corner for good measure, then he FLIES! Down go Drake and Legacy! The fans fire up and Enofe goes up a corner! Enofe CROSSBODIES Keanu down, covers, TWO!! Keanu survives, Enofe is a bit surprised, and he reels Keanu in. Keanu fights the suplex to suplex, but Enofe knees free! Enofe runs, but into an ELBOW! Keanu scoops Enofe for the CORKSCREW POWERSLAM! Cover, Keanu ELIMINATES Enofe!! As fast as Enofe was moving, Enofe is out of this match! Legacy and Drake see the intimidating power of Keanu as Evolve goes to break.

Evolve returns as Keanu SPLASHES both Legacy & Drake in a corner! Keanu then runs to DOUBLE POUNCE!! The fans fire up with Keanu, and he scoops Legacy to SLAM! Then he scoops Drake to FALL AWAY SLAM! Keanu didn’t even need to fall to throw Drake across the ring! Keanu storms up, puts Drake on the top rope, but Drake BOOTS Keanu away! Legacy MISSILE DROPKICKS Keanu down, and Drake adds a MOONSAULT! Cover, ONE!! Keanu shocks everyone, especially Legacy and Drake. He dares them to keep fighting, because that title’s still gonna be his! Legacy runs up but Keanu DECKS him!

Drake BOOTS Keanu, but Keanu scoops him! Legacy SUPERKICKS Keanu, Drake SUPERKICKS Keanu, and then Legacy GAMANGIRIS in the corner! Drake hits the UNALIVING! Legacy adds the 450 SPLASH!! DOUBLE COVER, they ELIMINATE Keanu!! And then there were two! The fans rally up behind “LEGACY! LEGACY!” as he and Drake stare down. They stand up and step to each other. Drake grins and kicks, but Legacy blocks! Drake avoids Legacy’s superkick, but Legacy avoids Drake’s roundhouse! Drake ducks an enzigiri to deadlift, but Legacy elbows free! Legacy runs but into Drake’s ELBOW! DOUBLE LARIATS collide!

Both men spring up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! And then Legacy roars! Drake dodges the lariat but not the SUPERKICK! Legacy storms up but into a SUPER PUNCH! Legacy rebounds to HEADBUTT! Drake ROUNDHOUSES! Legacy ENZIGIRIS! But Drake waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX! Legacy roars and rises again! SNAP GERMAN! Drake flounders, Legacy runs in, but Drake BOOTS him away. Drake goes up, but Legacy jumps up to get him! SECOND ROPE SPANISH FLY! And speaking of fly, Legacy goes up, out, and springboards for the 450!! Cover, TWO!! Drake survives and Legacy is stunned!

The fans rally up while Drake flounders away. Legacy huffs ‘n’ puffs and waistlocks Drake. Legacy then drags Drake up into a torture rack, but Drake CLAWS the eyes! The fans boo, but then Legacy TOSSES Drake! Drake HOTSHOTS Legacy, then KNEES him into ropes! Drake reels Legacy in for a suplex, and DROPS him on the ropes! Drake hurries up the corner, takes aim, and SWANTON BOMBS! Cover, TWO!! Legacy survives again but Drake stays on him! Handspring and LETHAL IN-JACKSON!! Cover, TWO!!! Legacy is still in this! But Drake SUPERKICKS him down! Cover, TWO!?! Legacy survives again and Drake is freaking out!

“This is Awesome!” as Legacy stirs. Drake grits his teeth, goes to a corner, and he waits on Legacy to get up. Drake runs in, but Legacy turns knee into drop toehold! S T F!!! Drake endures, flails, reaches out, and the fans are freaking out! Drake claws at the mat, crawls forward, but Legacy makes it a STRAITJACKET STF!!! Drake has one arm to reach out with, and he makes the ROPEBREAK!! Legacy lets go in frustration but the fans rally up again. Legacy rises, brings Drake up, but Drake still holds the ropes! The ref counts, Drake HOTSHOTS Legacy! Handsprings and LETHAL- Torture rack! SHAM- NO, Drake lands out to JUMP KNEE!

Drake goes to a corner, runs back in, UNALIVING!!! Cover, DRAKE WINS!!

Winner: Jackson Drake, by pinfall (INAUGURAL WWE Evolve Champion)

And Vanity Project rushes right out here to celebrate with their bro! It was certainly heartbreak for Enofe, Keanu and Legacy, but will the real tears be from all of us having to listen to Drake brag? Je’Von does present the belt to Drake, and Drake takes it from him, to bring Je’Von in for a hug! Old friends and rivals reunite in this moment, and this makes up for a bit of Drake’s bad attitude. But will this be the beginning of the Vanity Project Era? Or can someone save us from it before it begins?

My Thoughts:

A very good episode, and surprisingly only two matches. That said, less matches helped then maximize the main event, and also some story build. Another woman is attacked and we’re back to that gimmick around the Performance Center, but it can’t be Lyons when she and Zayda were beating up on Kali Armstrong. Wendy Choo is too obsessed with Kylie, so it can’t be her. Could they be quietly building up a female superstar who has been hiding in plain sight? They could do a great “It was me, Stevie! It was me all along!” with this. But that aside, a hurt Carlee makes for a protected loss to new girl, Jin Tala, who has a very creative submission finisher.

Speaking of Wendy and Kylie, good promo from Kylie but Chantel picking on her is a little too much like Jaida Parker having beef with Thea Hail over Thea’s positivity. Kylie VS Wendy should be a No Disqualification rematch so settle things once and for all. And I hope this story of Masyn knowing “the real Chantel” turns into something more. She keeps saying it, but she needs to confront Chantel on it a bit more forcefully. And as for the women’s title, Lyons would be an impressive first defense for Kali that Kali would certainly win. Zayda might be trickier, if only because she’s the bigger Heel and would totally cheat to win.

Very good promo from Wes with Cappuccino Jones, and now they’ll have a singles match, just as I expected from last week. The only odd thing is Wes says he is the gatekeeper now. Does that mean Lexis King just decided to be one and done? Is he going to do bigger things in NXT now? Anyway, good promo from Marcus Mathers, he’s finally getting his debut in Evolve and that will be a lot of fun. It does make me wonder who are the WWE ID Champions right now, and if they’ll ever show up with those belts on Evolve.

And great promos from all the Fatal 4 Way contenders tonight. Jackson Drake makes a lot of sense as the first champion. Enofe only just came back, he needs to build up. Keanu is powerful but then that’d mean two powerhouse champions so that’s redundant. Legacy is great, he can surely come around as a challenger, as Faces benefit from the chase. And with Drake holding up the title for Vanity Project, that will work with Zayda wanting the women’s title, and possibly Swipe Right asking about Evolve Tag Team Championships, really building the whole faction at once.

My Score: 8.7/10