The game ain’t over yet!

Jimmy Uso helped Roman Reigns hold onto the WWE Universal Championship but LA Knight looks to make him pay for it! Will the Mega Star have mega vengeance for Crown Jewel?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Triple Threat: The Brawling Brutes VS Pretty Deadly VS The Street Profits; The Street Profits win and will challenge The Judgment Day for the titles next Friday.
• Dragon Lee VS Axiom; Dragon wins.
• Grayson Waller w/ Austin Theory VS Cameron Grimes; Waller wins.
• LA Knight VS Jimmy Uso w/ The Bloodline; Knight wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Damage CTRL is here!

Bayley, Dakota Kai, Iyo Sky and their new allies, Kairi Sane & Asuka, all go to the ring together to the chagrin of the fans. This fearsome five get the mics, and first to speak is the Role Model. “Aw c’mon, we’re just here to have a good time with you guys! Welcome to Friday Night SmackDown! Trust me, we don’t wanna share this huge moment with a bunch of dumdums like you guys in this place you call a town. But whatever, here we are.” Bayley says her plan to bring Asuka into DMG CTRL has to be a top moment in history, right? The others agree, even though it wasn’t really Bayley’s idea. But Bayley is sure the fans are upset, but c’mon, it was brilliant!

The new and improved DMG CTRL is obviously without a doubt the strongest faction in the WWE right now! LOOK AT THEM! They’re all playing chess while you idiots are playing Candyland and Yahtzee. Oh, she has one more, too! Charlotte, Bianca & Shotzi were NOT ready for Asuka! Fans boo but Bayley is all laughs. The others shrug, but Asuka says in Japanese that it was “tanoshii,” a lot of fun! Iyo & Kairi agree, “Asuka-nee” really surprised them, she’s so awesome. Bayley pretends to know what they’re saying, but then Dakota translates some of it. Iyo feels this isn’t the new and improved DMG CTRL yet, because someone in here isn’t part of it.

Uh… Who is that? Dakota says no, relax, it’s that Asuka isn’t officially in until Bayley says! R-Right! Right! Good joke. She’ll do the honors. Hey, kid, shh! This is a very important moment! Sorry about that, Asuka, you’ll have to get used to these idiots. Bayley has a shirt and kneels to ask Asuka to join DMG CTRL. They’ll get new ones to get everyone on them. Asuka accepts and DMG CTRL cheers! Bayley wants to celebrate but Dakota has her hold on. Iyo had one more idea, and Bayley will love this one. Iyo says that Bayley, Iyo, Asuka & Kairi challenge Bianca, Charlotte & Shotzi to find a fourth to face in WARGAMES!

Only Bayley doesn’t cheer that. But then she says that’s great, they read her mind! WARGAMES! BRING IT! But then here comes Shotzi…’s tank? Well, who knew it could go on autopilot. But Shotzi is up top! CROSSBODY onto Bayley & Kairi! The others attack her but she sends Asuka to a corner! And she DECKS Iyo! Charlotte & Bianca rush in and they all brawl! Fans fire up as Bianca rains down fists on Iyo, but Bayley CLUBS Bianca to TOSS her out! Charlotte ROCKS Bayley, Iyo SUPERKICKS Charlotte! The others mug Shotzi, then they toss Charlotte & Shotzi out! Fans boo, refs rush out, and this was just a taste! Who will join the fight to take down DMG CTRL?

BREAKING NEWS for next week’s SmackDown!

For the Friday before Survivor Series, SmackDown shifts over to FoxSports1! Make sure to set your DVR so you don’t miss the lead-in to the Premium Live Event!

Bianca, Charlotte & Shotzi regroup backstage.

The EST asks what that was! She appreciates Shotzi’s passion but they can’t just rush into this. Shotzi understands, she was overly compulsive. But she just can’t control herself, she wants payback on Bayley! Charlotte gets that, and DMG CTRL has receipts coming. But they need to be patient. They also need a fourth teammate. Charlotte, you gotta know someone who can help, right? Charlotte will think about it. Nick Aldis walks over to say he needs to know who that is by the end of tonight. The pressure is on, will the Queen be able to draw an ace?

Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Triple Threat: The Brawling Brutes VS Pretty Deadly VS The Street Profits!

Ridge Holland & Pete Dunne have gone back and forth with Elton Prince & Kit Wilson, and now Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford add themselves to the mix! Who earns their title shots at the Judgment Day for next Friday Night SmackDown?

SmackDown returns as the Brutes make their entrance, feeling good after beating #OTM on NXT. Kit & Elton then make their entrance, and in this Triple Threat, one man for each team is legal. Dunne starts and he just goes right after Elton at the bell! Then he CHOPS Dawkins, and CHOPS, and CHOSP! Elton runs up, Dunne dodges to CHOP him, too! And CHOP! And CHOP! Dawkins returns to run Dunne over! Then he runs Elton over! Dawkins drags Dunne up, tags Ford, and they double whip to DROPKICK! Elton stands up, into a DOUBLE FLAPJACK! The Profits fire up and fans are with them, and we see Bobby Lashley watching and smiling.

Ford bumps Dunne off buckles, then CHOPS! Ford SPLASHES onto Elton, then he stomps a mudhole into Dunne. Tag to Dawkins, he stomps away on Dunne, then he drags Elton up. Dawkins puts Elton in a corner to fire off fast hands! Dawkins DECKS Elton, tags Ford, and the Profits mug Dunne. Dunne CHOPS back! And CHOPS, and ROCKS, but Ford mule kicks. And front kicks! And LARIATS! Ford snarls and fans rally up. Ford storms up on Elton to keep him from Kit, but Kit saves Elton from the back suplex! Elton elbows Ford away, tags Kit, and they crisscross to UPPERCUT Dunne and SPEAR Ford!

Fans cheer as Kit stomps away on Ford. Kit pushes Ford around, ROCKS him with a forearm, then waistlocks. Ford switches, Kit switches, they go to ropes and Dunne RAMS into them both! Dunne slingshots up and over to tag in Ridge! Ridge Da Fridge CLOBBERS Ford, THROWS Kit, and then he gets Kit up again to RAM into ropes! Kit is stuck in the corner, Ridge SPLASHES! Then HALF HATCH SWING, but Ford runs in! Ridge BACK DROPS Ford then DDTS Kit! Fans fire up with Northern Grit, and he clotheslines Kit up and out! Elton storms over but Dunne has him! DOUBLE BEATS- NO, The Profits attack!

But then the Brutes turn things around on the Profits! DOUBLE BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! Fans fire up as the Brutes go to TEN, but then Elton YANKS Dunne down! Ridge storms out, but Kit CHOP BLOCKS a leg! Then Pretty Deadly RAM Ridge into steel steps! “YES BOY!” as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Ford agrees to work with Elton so they can double suplex Ridge. But Ridge fights it! And he still fights it, and he still fights it, to DOUBLE SUPLEX Ford & Elton! The fans fire up, hot tags to Dunne and Dawkins! Dunne runs up to ENZIGURI Dawkins! And ENZIGURI for Elton! ENZIGURI for Kit! ENZIGURI for Ford! Dunne keeps going, he ASAI MOONSAULTS Kit on the outside! And then a leap off the steps, TORNADO DDT for Elton! Dunne returns to STOMP Dawkins’ hands, and BUZZSAW his head! Fans are all fired up for Dunne as he sees the group gathering outside. Dunne goes up, ASAI MOONSAULT on them all!!

The fans are thunderous as Dunne puts Dawkins in. Dunne mule kicks, cravats, SLICED BREAD! Cover, TWO! Dunne gets the ARMBAR! Dawkins moves, stacks, but Dunne TRIANGLE HOLDS! Elton runs in as Dawkins deadlifts Dunne, and Dawkins SWINGS Dunne into Elton, to then POWERBOMB him onto Elton! All three men are down and the fans fire up again! Hot tags to everyone else! Ridge brawls with Ford, but Kit picks his spot to CLUB Ridge! Ford CHOPS Kit! Ridge HEADBUTTS Ford! Kit yoyos to LARIAT Ridge! Kit goes up top, but Ridge ROCKS him first! Ridge climbs, drags Kit up, but Elton sneaks a tag before the SUPERPLEX!!

Elton goes up while Ford hits FROM THE HEAVENS! Elton hits the SUPER LEG DROP! Cover, DUNNE BREAKS IT!! Fans are thunderous but Lashley isn’t so happy. B-Fab walks over and she compliments The Profits’ growth, that’s all him. But just hear her out… We cut away from that as Dunne sees targets all around. CHOP for Kit! CHOP for Elton! CHOP for Ford! CHOP for Dawkins! Repeat! Dunne fires off on the Profits from all ends, then runs, only for Pretty Deadly to DUMP him out! But the Profits DOUBLE DORPKICK them! Ridge runs in to DOUBLE LARIAT the Profits! And he DOUBLE LARIATS Pretty Deadly!

Ridge is huffin’ and puffin’ and he scoops Elton. Elton fights, dodges, Dunne’s BOOT hits Ridge!! Ford tags Dawkins, Elton TOSSES Dunne! Ford TOSSES Elton, and then the Profits whip Ridge, into THE REVELATION!! Cover, Profits win!!

Winners: The Street Profits, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships)

Dawkins & Ford cash in big and now they hold the golden tickets! But will they make Lashley even prouder by bringing down Finn Balor & Damian Priest?

As for Ridge, he is frustrated most of all. The Brutes have been doing so well but have nothing to show for it, how are they to rebound now?

Bianca talks with Mia Yim.

The EST and Michin have had history, mostly good, and Bianca knows Mia doesn’t like DMG CTRL any better. They shake hands, could Mia be their fourth for WarGames?

SmackDown returns and DMG CTRL attacks Mia Yim!

They clearly saw Bianca talking with her like we all did, and security and producers rush in to stop them! But the damage is done, consider Mia out of the running now!

Rey Mysterio posts on Instagram.

After the brutal betrayal by Santos Escobar, the King of Lucha is at home. “Knee surgery was successful, now payback on Escobar is on the horizon. Pagaras per el dano hecho, Santos.” Good news but also a warning, will the Emperor of Lucha pay for his actions?

Dragon Lee VS Axiom!

The Boy Wonder won back to back in two incredible matches with Cedric Alexander, and looks to carry that momentum forward. As much as Dragon wants to avenge Rey, Nick Aldis wants him to focus on showing the world what lucha libre is all about. Will this be like a Marvel superhero movie in real-life?

The bell rings and the two circle. They shake hands and fans applaud the respect. They tie up, Axiom rolls and trips Dragon but Dragon trips Axiom back. Axiom kicks Dragon away and both men kip up. Axiom gets around but Dragon wrenches to whip. Axiom reverses to backslide, TWO! Dragon kicks low, runs, but Axiom follows, only to get caught in a victory roll! TWO, and Dragon hits a headlock takeover! Fans cheer the exchange, and Axiom fights up. Axiom powers out, things speed up, but Dragon SHOTGUNS Axiom outta the air! Fans cheer as Dragon builds speed, to FLY! Direct hit at the ramp!

Dragon gets the fans fired up more and he puts Axiom in. Dragon then runs in at the corner, JUMP KICK, leg sweep, COMBINACION DRAGON! Fans cheer and Dragon throws hands on Axiom. The ref counts, Dragon lets off and runs corner to corner, to then DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Axiom hangs in there but Dragon keeps cool as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Dragon runs in at a corner. Axiom elbows him away, then FLYING ARM-DRAGS! Axiom DROPKICKS Dragon out, then he builds speed to go up and up the corner, for an ARIHARA MOONSAULT! The fans fire up again and Axiom roars! Axiom gets Dragon up and into the ring, then he climbs back up. Dragon gets under the jump, pops Axiom up to SUPERKICK him upside-down! Axiom falls, Dragon goes up! But Axiom gets up to ROCK Dragon! Fans rally, Axiom climbs, but Dragon trips Axim. They brawl with forearms, fans rally up, and Dragon ROCKS Axiom into the Tree of Woe! WOE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!!

Axiom survives and Dragon is rather surprised. Dragon focuses, and he brings Axiom up. Fans rally, Dragon fireman’s carries, but Axiom throws elbows. Dragon CHOPS, Axiom wobbles, and then Dragon CHOPS again! Axiom goes to ropes, Dragon eggs him on, so Axiom CHOSP! And CHOPS! And whips, to then DROPKICK! Dragon flounders to ropes, Axiom gets him in a waistlock. Dragon bucks the O’Conner, but runs into a HALF ‘N’ HALF! And Dragon sits up into a PENALTY KICK! Axiom drags Dragon up, but Dragon suplexes to a BRAINBUSTER! Both men are down and the fans rally back up.

Dragon grits his teeth, Axiom stirs, and Dragon stands. Fans fire up as Dragon reels Axiom in. POWER- DESTROYER from Axiom!! Cover, TWO!!! Dragon survives and Evansville can’t believe it! Dragon flounders to the apron and Axiom snarls. Axiom drags Dragon up, “This is Awesome!” Dragon ROUNDHOUSES Axiom down, then he goes back up. Fans fire up as Axiom stands to GAMANGIRI! Axiom climbs, they go tot he very top, and Axiom has Dragon for a SUPER SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO?!?! The fans are loving this as Dragon shocks Axiom! Axiom drags Dragon up, Dragon shove shim but Axiom BOOTS!

Axiom runs in, Dragon side steps to roll up, TWO! DEADLIFT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?! Now Axiom shocks us! Dragon V-TRIGGERS Axiom, then runs in! OPERACION DRAGON~!! Cover, Dragon Lee wins!!

Winner: Dragon Lee, by pinfall

Another instant classic from the Boy Wonder, his momentum continues to build! There is also respect show between them, will both young luchadores be the future of the WWE?

Santos Escobar is here.

Fans boo the Emperor of Lucha as he makes his way out all alone. Santos steps into the ring, grabs a mic, and fans boo more as he says, “There’s something I need to say. I gotta get it off my chest.” He takes his sunglasses off while fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” Santos says there’s an old expression that says, “Never meet your heroes.” He comes from a rich lucha libre tradition, and his family have all been labeled “heroes.” but to Santos, like most of us, especially the kids, his hero was Rey Mysterio. The rest of LWO watches backstage as Santos says he patterned himself off of Rey. And it was his wish, still is, that the next generation would see him the way he saw Rey.

Fans boo more but Santos continues. “You became a father figure to me. And you made me feel at home. But after last week, I realized that he was right! Everything he said about you, down to a T, Dominik was right!” Fans really boo now! No, think about it. Santos wanted and deserved to be US Champion, but who did it? Rey. Santos wanted to rebuild the LWO and who came in and added new members? Members like Carlito. Fans cheer Carlito but Santos throws off his jacket. He tells Carlito in Spanish and English, they were supposed to be close! Familia, until death! But what did Rey do? He sided with an outsider like Carlito over Santos!!

So y’know what? Santos knows Rey is watching from a hospital bed. All this pain he is suffering will be a reminder of how Santos felt when Rey betrayed him. And then to the fans, Santos tells us, “You gonna like this one more. You thought I was gonna come out here and apologize? Alright, I’ll apologize. I apologize for not doing more damage! And Rey, this one, from the bottom of my heart. I hope the surgery didn’t go well, I hope you catch an infection, and I hope they amputate your leg! I hope you NEVER come back!! You’re nothing but a selfish, no good, outright TRASH! That’s what you are!” Zelina can’t take it anymore and she storms out to the ring!

Santos sees Zelina and she asks him what he’s even thinking! He says they talked about this, but she says it was a group decision! Santos says they’re done, so Zelina SLAPS him!! Zelina says the only one she hates more than Santos is herself for ever trusting him! Zelina storms back out, in tears, but Santos says that’s so cute. Cruz & Joaquin are choosing her over him? He made them! They only exist in the WWE because he allowed them to! What is this?! Well, the OG Legado members get in the ring with Santos, they argue, and Santos says it’s the three of them again, right? Wilde says no! Santos is out of line doing what he did to Rey and Zelina!

Cruz says they can’t accept him after what he did. Well, okay then. Get the hell out of here! He doesn’t need them, never needed them, they’re dead weight! So GO! Leave him! Cruz & Wilde turn, but then Santos CLOBBERS them both! Santos stomps on Cruz, tells him this is all because of Rey! And he BOOTS Cruz into buckles! Then he KICKS Wilde, hauls him up, says that he made them so he can destroy them! But here comes CARLITO! Fans fire up as Caribbean Cool storms out to the ring. Santos says c’mon then, but he’s the one to run away! Fans boo but Santos says this is HIS show. Will Santos then pay for his actions on his show?

Grayson Waller w/ Austin Theory VS Cameron Grimes!

A-Town Down Under is feeling good after they goaded Kevin Owens into being suspended. But will the Aussie Icon stay up as we pass through Survivor Series season? Or will the Carolina Caveman bring him down while he goes #ToTheMoon?

SmackDown returns as Grimes makes his entrance. Theory joins commentary to say Maggle needs to stay out of his DMs. Anyway, the bell rings, Waller and Grimes tie up, and Waller wrenches. Grimes cartwheels through to back drop Waller! Grimes has the armlock but Waller rolls, kips and goes to the ropes. The ref counts, Waller sucker punches! Grimes gets around, Waller bucks the O’Conner but Grimes DROPKICKS him down. Waller tries to crawl out of the ring but Grimes gets the legs. Waller BOOTS Grimes away, bails out, and then somersaults in to COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO!

Theory says that’s fine, Waller ain’t done. Waller throws hands down on Grimes, then lets off to talk trash. Fans boo but Theory applauds. Waller clamps onto Grimes to throw down Hammer ‘n’ Anvil elbows! Waller clamps onto the chinlock and he grinds Grimes down. Grimes fights up, fans rally, and Grimes throws body shots. Grimes powers out, rolls Waller up, TWO! Grimes keeps moving and he CLOBBERS Waller! And again! And then atomic drop, to a ROUNDHOUSE! Waller wobbles, Grimes SOBATS and runs, SLIDING BOOT! Fans fire up with Grimes, he scoops and SWINGING SIDE SLAMS! Cover, TWO!

Waller flounders, Grimes goes to the corner, but Waller avoids the Cave-In! Waller bails out, Theory helps his buddy up, but Grimes goes to the apron. PENALTY KICK hits Theory! Waller trips Grimes up! Waller then aims, runs in, ROLLING KILLSWITCH! Cover, Waller wins!

Winner: Grayson Waller, by pinfall

The #DingoDriver takes down Grimes, and now Theory celebrates with his pal while talking some trash on Maggle. Will these two egomaniacs run wild on SmackDown? Or will they have to watch for when Kevin Owens’ suspension is up?

Bianca now talks with Zelina.

La Muneca is still very emotional, so it’s hard to say if she’s even in the right mindset to consider taking on DMG CTRL. But will DMG CTRL also make sure Zelina isn’t an option?

SmackDown returns, and again DMG CTRL has attacked!

The fearsome five laughs as they leave Zelina down and out! That’s two down, who else is there to help Bianca’s team?

The Bloodline is in the ring.

And of course, “Ladies and gentlemen,” the Wise Man introduces himself. And as such, Paul Heyman has a special surprise for us tonight. This is an impromptu acknowledgement ceremony, puns intended, for the winner of Crown Jewel’s match, pinfall and several Samoan Spikes direct from the Island of Relevancy and on behalf of The Bloodline, “the winner is… SOLO!” Fans boo but Solo Sikoa isn’t bothered. Heyman says they’re also about to cheer. The surprise of the night, live here tonight in Evansville, the 16 time world champion of the world, JOOOHN~ CENA…!! Is NOT here, all thanks to Solo!

In fact, John Cena will never appear in a WWE ring ever again! And that is all thanks to Solo. And Heyman sees the kids in the front row crying, not wanting to believe it. Cena didn’t say so! Well Cena can barely speak, and that’s all thanks to Solo. And even if Cena could speak, would he? Cena has such hustle, loyalty, respect, admiration and affection for each and every single fan, that Cena doesn’t have the heart to say goodbye to the WWE Universe. So Heyman get to say goodbye to Cena, and goodbye to the fans for Cena. So on behalf of Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso, and Solo Sikoa, “John Cena, GOOD BYE!!”

Three, two, one, and now you know how serious this is. That was Cena’s cue! Someone out here talks about never seeing Cena again, how if he did show up, Solo would just whoop his ass again, and then Brdrdrdrdr, DO DOO DOO DOOO~! Cena runs down the ramp, slides into the ring, hits his Five Moves of Doom on Jimmy and Solo and maybe even Heyman, they fall out of the ring and the fans go crazy! You’ll never experience that again, all because of Solo. Fans boo but Heyman continues that he knows what we’re thinking. No one stays gone forever. And if Cena ever does come back, Solo has to be his opponent. Otherwise, it’s not John Cena. And we all know he’s Cena 24/7/365.

Except Cena can’t communicate, so he’s not really Cena anymore. And that’s all because of Solo. Jimmy, it would’ve been the greatest promo of Cena’s career. He just had to acknowledge the real GOAT. But now he can’t even say goodbye since Solo spiked him in the throat! You won’t see him in Hollywood, in WWE, or anywhere. You can’t see Cena, because Cena won’t be here! And it’s all- “L! A! KNIGHT!” Fans fire up as the Mega Star makes his way out here, “LEMME TALK TO YA!”

Knight says Heyman’s talking about cause and effect. The one cause and effect Heyman hasn’t mentioned is that no matter how good Roman has been, everybody knows the only reason Roman is still champion today is because of the Bloodline, YEAH! “YEAH! Knight says everyone here knows that’s a problem. “YEAH!” The whole world knows that’s a problem! “YEAH!” And Knight knows that’s a problem. “YEAH!” So Knight thinks, if we’ve got a problem, we’ve got a problem solver, and that is L A KNIGHT, YEAH! But what’s that mean? That means that he is here on SmackDown, because he made it that way! “YEAH!”

Knight stood across from the WWE Champion at Crown Jewel because he made it that way. “YEAH!” And the Bloodline will cease to exist because Knight will make it that way. “YEAH!” But first stop on that path, every single one of ’em, Solo, Jimmy, Paul, they all fall until it is only Roman and Knight! Nowhere else for Roman to go, no one else there to save him, and tonight, that first stop is ol’ Jim Uso. “YEAH!” Jimmy grins but Knight says since Jimmy cause him the title, Jimmy’s been chosen to pay the price. But since we just heard ol’ Boss Hog out here, he wanted to go and give us some lyrical stylings, but here’s something Knight’s put together for ol’ Jimbo.

“He says YEET or NO YEET. Jim is Him. But Jim gon’ be real dim, after all the drama, he eats a BFT, that Blunt Force Trauma. YEAH!” That means Jim has a first class ticket to getting stomped out by the man they call the Mega Star, with everybody saying, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!!” Evansville is ready, and that main event moment is up next, YEAH!

Bianca regroups with Shotzi & Charlotte.

Well, DMG CTRL took out Bianca’s choices, so they don’t have any more options. Charlotte, you need to make that call. Charlotte sighs and says okay. She’ll go. She heads out to make the call in private, but just who is it The Queen has in her contacts?

LA Knight VS Jimmy Uso w/ The Bloodline!

SmackDown returns and Heyman says he and Solo have to go? A phone call from Roman Reigns? The bell rings and Knight fires off haymakers on Jimmy! Knight whips to then back drop Jimmy away! Fans fire up, Knight hauls Jimmy up to snap suplex! Cover, ONE, but Knight keeps cool. Jimmy goes to a corner, Knight stomps a mudhole into him, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” The ref counts, Knight lets off to run, but Jimmy bails out. The fans boo but Knight pursues! Knight ROCKS Jimmy, puts him in the ring, but Jimmy KICKS Knight int he ropes. Jimmy storms back up but Knight HOTSHOTS Jimmy down! Jimmy staggers up, into the SLINGSHOT SHOULDER! Cover, TWO!

Knight keeps cool as he brings Jimmy up for more haymakers. Knight CLUBS Jimmy, whips him to ropes, but Jimmy reverses to SAMOAN DROP! Fans boo Jimmy but he soaks it up. Knight goes to a corner, Jimmy drags him up and puts him on ropes. Jimmy CHOKES Knight, the ref counts, but Jimmy lets off at 4. The fans rally for Knight and that annoys Jimmy. Jimmy punches but Knight counter punches! And again, and again! Knight whips, Jimmy reverses but Knight holds ropes. Jimmy still runs up to RAM and CHOP Knight! Knight goes to another side, Jimmy runs in but Knight DUMPS Jimmy out!

Knight builds speed to WRECK Jimmy with a dropkick! Jimmy hits the desk and Knight storms up. Knight SMACKS Jimmy off the desk, and again, and again! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” The ring count climbs but Knight still dribbles Jimmy’s head off that desk hood! Knight then TOSSES Jimmy over the desk! Kevin Patrick almost gets wiped out as Knight stands tall and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Jimmy has a chinlock. But Knight fights up and around to JAWBREAKER free! Jimmy rebounds, Knight blocks the kick, but the DRAGON WHIP hits! Cover, TWO! Jimmy is annoyed but he sees Knight go to the corner. Jimmy storms up as the fans rally for Knight. Jimmy rains down fists, then backs off to pace around. Fans boo but Jimmy soaks that up. “UCE!” No one joins in. Jimmy runs in, but Knight dodges! Jimmy hits buckles, scrambles after Knight, but Knight throws elbows and haymakers! Knight whips, Jimmy reverses to SAMOAN- NO, Knight slips free to kick and DDT! Fans fire up while both men are down!

Knight and Jimmy stir, and Knight rises up. Jimmy follows but Knight again counter punches! Knight whips to LARIAT Jimmy down! Knight whips Jimmy again, to then FLAPJACK him down! Jimmy rushes up but Knight gets around, atomic FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Jimmy checks his teeth, they’re still in his mouth, and Knight storms up on Jimmy at the apron. Jimmy GAMANGIRIS, then goes up top. But Knight ROCKS Jimmy! Knight climbs, Jimmy fights back, then Jimmy shoves Knight away. Jimmy adjusts, but Knight springs right up! Jimmy shoves Knight away again, but Knight avoids the ax handle!

Knight blocks the kick, cravats, but Jimmy powers out! Knight avoids the superkick, then cravats for B F T!! Cover, Knight wins!

Winner: LA Knight, by pinfall

One pawn down, YEAH! But wait, here comes the rook! Solo Sikoa and that thumb are ready, but Knight stands his ground. Only for Jimmy to CLOBBER him from behind! Knight stumbles out of the ring, and into the SAMOAN SPIKE!! The fans boo but Solo clears the desk! Jimmy drags Knight over and Solo brings Knight onto the desk. Solo rains down fists, but here comes CODY RHODES!?! The American Nightmare is here and he fires off on Solo! Cody SMACKS Solo off a post, fires off hands on Jimmy, and the fans go wild! Cody and Knight mug Jimmy, and Cody whips Jimmy into steel steps!

Fans are thunderous as the #AmericanKnightmare stands tall! But what was Cody even doing here tonight? Is this a sign of just how badly The Bloodline’s enemies want them gone?

Bianca & Shotzi regroup with Charlotte again.

So how’d the call go? Charlotte called but she won’t know if this person makes it in time. Well, it is what it is, Bianca’s team has to report in. The three head out, will they have their fourth for WarGames?

Nick Aldis confronts Cody Rhodes backstage.

Cody shouldn’t be here as a Raw superstar, but what’s done is done. So that means Cody has to now get out of here. Cody apologizes, but fine, he’ll go. Cody heads out, will Adam Pearce have something to say about one of his superstars showing up where they want when they want?

Bianca Belair heads to the ring!

Evansville cheers as The EST goes down to the ring, but she isn’t alone! Shotzi and Charlotte each make their entrances, then they get the mics. Fans “WOO~” for Charlotte and she says they could stand here all night and talk about what DMG CTRL has done, but they’re running out of time. This trio has accepted the WarGames challenge, and Charlotte knows a thing or two about turning on best friends. And there is a thin, thin, thin line between love and hate. But if they’re going to war, there is only one person Charlotte wants on her side. But wait, here comes DMG CTRL to run the moment.

Bayley asks if anyone can believe this. They know Charlotte’s bluffing, because in case you didn’t see what they did, DMG CTRL took down every girl they’ve tried to have by their side, and Bayley knows she doesn’t have that many numbers in her phone, because she’s “an idiot and a loser.” So um, they won’t even make it to WarGames! Or even out of the building! DMG CTRL steps up 4v3, but wait! In slides BECKY LYNCH! The Man has come around to SmackDown, and the brawl is on! Fans are thunderous as Becky is after Bayley, Charlotte is after Iyo, Shotzi has Kairi and Bianca has Asuka! It’s chaos!

Dakota can only watch as Becky POSTS Bayley, but the rest of the team spills out of the ring! Charlotte goes up top,  but so does Iyo! DOUBLE ARIHARA MOONSAULTS onto the cluster! The Queen and Evil Genius stand up, stare down, and fans are thunderous! Then they start throwing hands! Dakota has to back away as things reignite! Charlotte sends Iyo into the apron, then she does the same to Kairi! Shotzi & Becky mug Bayley as SmackDown fades out! Will this year’s WarGames truly be Big Time?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown, lots of build to Survivor Series, and a great throughline of DMG CTRL and the Women’s WarGames match. I loved how Bayley was so awkward and paranoid around the rest of what is supposed to be her team, and I’m thinking the rest of the team is messing with her on purpose. I will say it was a little obvious DMG CTRL was going to attack the superstars Bianca talked to, but it was so Bianca’s team would get desperate and Charlotte would have to call in Becky. Becky joining in makes a lot of sense, she still has beef with Bayley and is on good terms with Charlotte right now. This was going to be an awesome match even before this, and now it’ll be even better than that. And trust me, should DMG CTRL lose, Bayley IS getting kicked out.

Good filler match from Waller VS Grimes for Waller to get a win to just kinda rub in that Kevin Owens isn’t here. But Kevin will be back next week, so I can’t wait to see what his plan for payback will be. And we got an awesome filler match out of Dragon Lee VS Axiom, making a great case for Axiom to be on SmackDown once he’s ready for the call-up. Dragon wanting to avenge Rey also makes sense, given he looked up to him as much as anyone did. Powerful promo stuff from Santos and Zelina, and while I still put Cruz, Santos did call him “Raul” aka his shoot name, Raul Mendoza. I appreciate Santos expected them to default to Legado Del Fantasma and then they didn’t. Carlito of course makes the save, and there’s our match for this phase while Rey is out of action.

Awesome Triple Threat Tag, and I suppose it’s fine to have the tag title match next week for the go-home. But at the same time, it seems a shame if the Profits won here just to lose next week. Unless… Between Lashley and possibly Hit Row being back-up for The Profits to counter Rhea, Dom & McDonagh, and then you still have Team Cody possibly do something, all that interference makes the Judgment Day lose the belts! That’d be poetic justice since Judgment Day always uses numbers to win. And it’d be nice for SmackDown to have titles in the men’s division that actually show up. Roman is a part-timer, Logan Paul is a part-timer, and Judgment Day doesn’t show up on SmackDown enough to really feel like they’re the Undisputed Tag Champions, so yeah, hopefully Profits win.

Great promo from Heyman as always, but it almost felt rushed at parts since they still had the match to fit in before the closing segment. Good promo from Knight, though he seemed a bit hesitant to do a rhyming promo a la the old days of Thuganomics Cena. But great match from Knight VS Jimmy, and great win for Knight, but of course Jimmy & Solo worked to beat Knight down. Cody making the save was quite the surprise, and he and Aldis didn’t have the smoothest promo backstage. Maybe they didn’t come back from commercial at the right time?

But the point of it is that there is a bit of confusion as to why Cody’s here. Given that Cody is a Raw superstar, and that in kayfabe, no one should really know what’s gonna happen, why was he here? We know he doesn’t like the Bloodline any better than Knight, but he couldn’t have shown up, just waiting and hoping they’d start trouble. Cody must’ve had some other reason for showing up on SmackDown, so maybe that gets explained on Raw in a promo with Pearce.

My Score: 8.8/10