The storm has arrived on Friday nights!

WWE’s hottest free agent is finally a SmackDown superstar! Jade Cargill returns as a proper part of the blue brand, but what will be her first move?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Randy Orton & Kevin Owens VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins.
• Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The Street Profits VS A-Town Down Under; A-Town Down Under wins and advances to WrestleMania.
• Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: New Catch Republic VS Legado del Fantasma; New Catch Republic wins and advances to WrestleMania.
• Bianca Belair VS Dakota Kai; Bianca wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

The Bloodline arrives backstage.

The Wise Man, the Enforcer, and “Big Jim” Uso are in the building, and will surely elaborate on what The Final Boss did to the American Nightmare last Monday Night Raw in Chicago.

Randy Orton & Kevin Owens VS Pretty Deadly!

While the Viper and the Prizefighter are both going after Logan Paul and the United States Championship at WrestleMania, they’re more than happy to team together again if it means humbling Elton Prince & Kit Wilson. The two tasty dishes are friends to Austin Theory, and so that makes them distant friends to the Maverick. Will #RKKO make examples out of Pretty Deadly? Or will there be quite the shocking upset in the Mohegan Sun Arena?

The teams sort out and Kevin kicks Kit! The bell rings, Kevin fires off fists at the ropes, then whips. Kevin ELBOWS Kit down, SENTONS, then covers, TWO! Kevin drags Kit up, facelocks, and he tags in Randy! The fans fire up but Kit gets away to tag in Elton. Elton and Orton circle and the fans rally for “RANDY! RANDY!” Randy and Elton tie up, Orton puts Elton in the corner, and he throws body shots. Orton HEADBUTTS, then climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count along, Orton goes to nine, then whips Elton to the opposite corner. But Kit “tags” and shields Elton! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Orton DECKS Kit!

Elton TOSSES Orton out, and Kit POSTS Orton! Orton staggers back, Elton SMACKS Orton off the desk, then Elton gives Orton a DESK BACK SUPLEX! Orton writhes from tasting his own medicine and Pretty Deadly soak up the heat while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Orton fights up from a chinlock. The fans rally up as Orton reaches out, but Kit brings him around. Orton powers up to hit a BIG back suplex! The fans fire up as both men crawl, hot tags to Elton and Kevin! The fans are thunderous as Kevin dodges, CHOPS then fires off forearms and haymakers! Kevin whips, Elton reverses but Kevin KICKS back! Then LARIATS! Elton staggers up, into an atomic drop! And DDT! Cover, TWO! Elton stays in this but the fans fire up as Kevin climbs! But Kit runs up! Kevin DECKS Kit, adjusts and SWANTONS onto knees! Double-edged but then Kit YANKS Orton down!

Orton ROCKS Kit, DECKS him, then brings him around! Orton SMACKS Kit off the desk, then clears it all off! The fans fire up but Elton CLUBS Orton first! The fans boo, Pretty Deadly mugs Orton, and LOGAN PAUL slides out from under the ring!! The fans boo as Logan BRASS KNUCKLE SUCKER PUNCHES Kevin!!! Cover, Pretty Deadly wins!!

Winners: Pretty Deadly, by pinfall

Logan helps his mutuals all because it’d screw his enemies! Orton can’t believe what happened, but he doesn’t realize it was all the ImPAULsive Influencer! The replay shows the evidence, and now The Viper is even angrier. But wait, Logan went to hide back under the ring… Orton makes his way out of the ring, and lifts the apron skirt! Found him! Orton throws hands on Logan! The fans fire up and Orton SMACKS Logan off barriers! Logan staggers over to the desk! Orton SMACKS Logan off the desk, rains down fists, then climbs up to join Logan! The fans fire up even more as Orton drags Logan up!

But then Pretty Deadly return to CLOBBER Orton! Logan’s friends make the save, then they put Orton in the ring. They haul Orton up but Kevin’s recovered! STUNNER for Elton! RKO for Kit! Orton and Kevin look at Logan, and Orton rushes out after him! Logan runs away into the crowd but he eggs Orton on. Orton pursues, they head for the stage area, but there’s Kevin! Logan panics and goes backstage, but his challengers pursue! Logan keeps talking trash because that’s what he does best, then he takes off in his Corvette! Logan won’t be able to just run away at WrestleMania, are his days as US Champion numbered?

Iyo Sky speaks.

“Bayley started Damage CTRL because she was lost. It was never about helping new talent. She saw an opportunity to latch onto us and get into the spotlight again. The only reason Bayley wanted us to succeed was so she could take the credit. She’s a narcissist who loves to claim she’s a victim. And now… You all feel sorry for her? Your hypocrisy disgusts me! However, I know Bayley played a role in me becoming champion. But! I made Bayley relevant! Dakota and I felt obligated to keep her around. But our patience wore thin. We got tired of her. We outgrew Bayley. So I did what needed to be done.

“There was a time when I saw Bayley as my friend. And I’ll regret that for the rest of my life. She’s an embarrassment and a tragedy to this company. I hope after WrestleMania, I never see her again.” Iyo stands up from her seat, but BAYELY CLOBBERS HER!! The Role Model and Evil Genius brawl, and Bayley THROWS a light at Iyo! Then throws lights ON Iyo! Bayley rains down fists, Iyo kicks her away, but then Bayley TACKLES Iyo through the backdrop! The film crew rushes in to stop the brawling but it is clear the bitterness between them has reached its peak! Will nothing stop Bayley from taking control back from Iyo?

Nick Aldis is in the ring.

The SmackDown General Manager says, “Ladies and gentlemen, we have a monumental piece of business to take care of, but before we do that, a quick question: Who’s ready for WrestleMania?” Mohegan Sun cheers and Aldis says he loves hearing that. So then, ever since he came aboard as SmackDown GM, he has had one singular, definitive goal: Make SmackDown the number one show in ALL of pro-wrestling, all for the fans, the WWE Universe. And Aldis firmly believes the acquisition of this superstar takes him one giant step closer to that goal. So please welcome the newest member of the SmackDown roster… JADE CARGILL!

The fans fire up as “A storm… is coming.” Jade makes her entrance under mist and spotlight before all the lights come back up. Jade high-fives fans as she makes her way down the ramp, and even signs a fan’s sign. She stands with Aldis in the ring and signs on the dotted line. Then Aldis hands over the mic so Jade can say, “Hell, if you asked me, Nick, it’s about damn time.” The fans cheer that! And since they finally put pen to paper, Jade wants to make herself crystal clear. “We have one of the best female rosters in the world!” Fans also cheer that! Jade adds, “But… they’re not Jade Cargill. They’re not the headline, they are not a once in a lifetime superstar!”

And Jade will give us “another weather update. The storm… has arrived!” Statuesque with a rock solid confidence, will nothing stop Cargill from carving a path through SmackDown?

Backstage interview with DMG CTRL.

Kayla Braxton is with Dakota Kai, Kairi Sane & Asuka to say it has already been an eventful night for the SmackDown Women’s Division. Iyo got attacked by Bayley and Jade Cargill is officially SmackDown- Dakota interrupts to ask, “Jade? Jade?! What has Jade done besides stand there? And Bayley? Bayley is going to be embarrassed next week, at WrestleMania, thanks to Iyo. But do you know what the best part of SmackDown’s gonna be tonight? It’s gonna be when I beat Bianca in the middle of that ring! She was not even a thought in our minds, and yet she decided to reinsert herself back into our business by helping Naomi.”

Dakota says Bianca went through two years of DMG CTRL beatdowns. She wants to call herself the strongest, the fastest, the roughest, the toughest, maybe if she were the smartest, she would’ve never gotten involved in DMG CTRL business. Dakota leads the way out, but will she be able to bring down the EST? Or will Bianca get even for Naomi?

Isla Dawn & Alba Fyre find Nick Aldis backstage.

The Unholy Union is rather… normal as they ask the SmackDown GM for some help. Isla wants to talk entrance graphics, music, etc. but Alba has her move her motormouth on. Aldis says they can talk later then. But then AJ Styles finds Aldis. Did Aldis make sure LA Knight won’t be here tonight? Like Aldis told Styles before, he asked Knight not to be here tonight. Styles says Aldis should’ve told him not to. The Phenomenal One storms off, will he have to worry about the Mega Star finding him in the Mohegan Sun?

Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The Street Profits VS A-Town Down Under!

Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins punctuated their story with the Authors of Pain with a win, while Austin Theory & Grayson Waller managed to sneak one past the Good Brothers. But only one team is going to be in the Tag Team Six Pack Ladder Match, and we see Bobby Lashley & B-Fab with the Profits at gorilla. All week, they’ve been getting ready. Tonight, they cash in on those golden tickets! Grab your future with your own hands, then get those titles. They’ve even got champagne waiting! Ford & Dawkins secret handshake and head out. Will they handle business as we enter the homestretch to WrestleMania?

We get a shot of the Judgment Day backstage watching this, certainly scouting both teams. Ford starts against Waller and the bell rings. Waller kicks low, headlocks, but Ford wrenches and headlocks. Waller powers out, Ford grabs ropes to stop himself. Ford ELBOWS Waller away, but Theory anchors Ford! Waller LCUBS Ford, then throws hands. Tag to Theory, and Waller reels Ford in. Theory helps out to double suplex, but Ford lands out! Tag to Dawkins, but Ford still ROCKS Theory! Waller JABS Ford! Waller builds speed, slides, but Ford dodges and Dawkins runs in to POUNCE! Waller ends up on Corey Graves’ lap!

The fans are thunderous and the Profits are up while SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns as Waller has a cravat on Dawkins. Dawkins endures the neck wrench, fights up as the fans rally, and Dawkins throws body shots. Waller throws knees then DECKS Dawkins! Waller goes up the corner, goes along the rope, but Dawkins stands! Waller leaps but into an EXPLODER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Dawkins and Waller crawl, hot tag to Theory! Theory drags Dawkins back, but Dawkins rolls and sends Theory away! Dawkins then dodges Theory, hot tag to Ford! Ford GAMANGIRIS Theory, then springboards in to FLYING ELBOW! Ford DECKS Waller, then CLOBBERS Theory!

Ford keeps moving, dodges Theory again to LARIAT! The fans fire up with Ford as he hits a BIG back suplex! Kip up, point at the sign, and STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Ford drags Theory over, tags Dawkins, and Dawkins Electric Chair Lifts! Ford climbs, for the BLOCKBUSTER DOOMSDAY! Cover, Waller breaks it! Waller drags Ford up to TOSS him out, but Dawkins DECKS Waller! Theory rolls Dawkins, TWO! Theory goes to the apron, Dawkins runs up but into a HOTSHOT! Theory somersaults n, into the SKY HIGH! Tag to Ford and the fans are thunderous! One more point at the sign, but OH NO! The Final Testament just wiped out Lashley & B-Fab!

Karrion Kross says this is good stuff, but it is very unprofessional to be drinking on the job, Bob. As for the Profits, Kross knows they’re busy, Mania is important, but you’re missing the party! Kross & Scarlett leave Lashley & B-Fab, and Dawkins is concerned. Ford says he can go help, then takes aim, FROM THE HEAVENS onto knees!! Theory covers, A-Town Down Under wins!!

Winners: A-Town Down Under, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

The Final Testament didn’t even have to touch the Profits to mess them up! But then AOP CLOBBER them anyway!! The fans boo as Akam & Rezar mug Ford & Dawkins! LARIAT for Ford while Rezar CHOKES Dawkins against ropes! Kross then storms out here to join his soldiers. The fans boo harder as the AOP get the Profits up, for the SUPER COLLIDER!! Kross grins as he and his hellions have wrecked The All Mighty’s team all in one night. Wait! Lashley is storming his way out here! Kross tells AOP to stand down, and they let Lashley get in the ring. Lashley still CLOBBERS Kross! The AOP go after Lashley now!

The fans boo as Ellering and Scarlett coach their men on to mug Lashley. Then they set Lashley up for the KROSS HAMMER!! Kross wants Lashley to understand! Nobody goes to WrestleMania without Kross’ say! Lashley has failed! Is this the true ending of this story between these forces of nature?

Legado Del Fantasma heads to the ring.

While Angel Garza y Humberto Carrillo will be in action, this moment is going to be about Santos Escobar thanking Dominik Mysterio for his help last week! Is Dirty Dom somehow bridging the gap between Legado and Judgment Day? We’ll have to see, after the break.

SmackDown returns, Santos has a mic and he says he “hates to be that guy,” but he told you so~! And he wants us to remember and never, ever forget, especially the little kids with Rey Mysterio masks, that it was Santos who put Rey on the shelf for months! And Santos knows he didn’t get the amputation like he wanted, but he got the next best thing. Santos got to beat Rey in the center of this ring! Fans boo but Santos says Rey is the greatest luchador of all time. Or at least, he was. Santos says he outsmarted Rey! And all it took was one little phone call. One call to a man that despises Rey just as much as Santos does!

And with that, here comes Dominik! The fans boo as Dom struts his way to the ring and stands with Legado. Dom shakes everyone’s hand and then gets a mic. The fans boo even more but Santos tells them to shut up. Santos apologizes to Dom for them, then says from the bottom of his heart, thank you y gracias. And, an apology. Santos knows they didn’t see eye to eye at first, but now, he can say this to Dom’s face. “You were right.” They hug! The fans boo more as Dom starts to speak. Dom tells them all to shut up so he can speak! Santos adds to that, but the booing doesn’t stop. Dom huffs and puffs as they only get louder!

Dom says he will do everything in his power “to make that deadbeat’s life a living Hell!” See what you did, Rey? You always turn your back on everyone who loves you, and Santos will be damned if he lets a deadbeat, good-for-nothing father like Rey- REY IS HERE! The fans fire up as he and the Latino World Order is here! Zelina, Carlito, Cruz y Joaquin all head to the ring, and the five of them stand across from Dom y Legado. Rey has a mic of his own to tell Dom, “What a shame. A real shame. I truly believed that I was done fighting you, son.” The fans chant for the “L W O! L W O!” and that annoys Santos.

Rey says now that Santos has dragged Dom into this and Dom wants to be a part of it, Rey realized that this moment, both of them in front of him, the two men he despise the most, is truly divine intervention. And here’s why: Rey now has the opportunity to beat some respect into both of them! The fans cheer and Rey will put out this challenge: Dom y Santos VS Rey and a partner of his choosing! The fans like the sound of that! The fans also hope it’s Carlito. Rey adds on that it’ll be at WRESTLEMANIA! Dom asks, “Which one of these dorks is gonna be the one? The one from the Lollipop Guild? The one with the hair? Or the non-Latino?”

Uh, it’s the newest member of the LWO, actually. DRAGON LEE!! The fans are thunderous as The Boy Wonder makes his return to SmackDown! Santos and Dom both sigh that Rey once again picks his surrogate son. Legado turns to go, but then Lopez and Zelina get into it. Lopez tells Zelina she’s just “a puny little troll,” so Zelina SLAPS her for it! Dragon steps in to stop the fight but Santos BOOTS Dragon down! So Rey DECKS Santos! Dom DECKS Rey! Carlito DECKS Dom! The rest of the teams fight now! LWO TOSS Legado to then ENZIGIRI them off the apron! But Lopez and Zelina brawl on their way out!

Santos DECKS Cruz, DECKS Joaquin, and then he and Dom fight with Rey and Carlito! Rey TOSSES Santos, Dom DECKS Rey! Rey’s on ropes, dials it up, but Carlito TOSSES Dom out! Then Dragon Lee FLIES out onto them all!! The fans are thunderous as the LWO has already won the first round! Will Angel y Humberto be able to rebound in time for their WrestleMania qualifier?

Naomi finds Bianca Belair backstage.

Naomi says hi to BB and they hug. Naomi just wants to wish The EST well against Dakota. And if DMG CTRL tries something, Naomi has Bianca’s back like Bianca had hers. Bianca appreciates that. And after they talked last week, Bianca realized that she can’t be mad at Naomi for doing what Bianca was trying to do the past two years, and that’s take out DMG CTRL. But at this point, it isn’t even about Bayley. Naomi’s here, and if there’s any time to take DMG CTRL down, it’s now. Naomi gets that. They’re in this together, they’re getting DMG CTRL one way or another, and it starts with Dakota. They don’t want none!

Who’s the roughest? Bianca! Who’s the toughest? Bianca! Who’s the strongest? Bianca!! You gonna snatch ’em? Snatch ’em and drag ’em! Naomi shows off she’s got EST in her hair! Bianca is all fired up now! Will Bianca put Dakota in her place on the homestretch to WrestleMania?

Judgment Day talks backstage.

Dom hasn’t made it back yet and Rhea wants to know what is going on with him. WrestleMania is the biggest show of the year and they’re not communicating! Did any of the boys know Dom was gonna go out there? No, he never said a word. Wait, wait, Dom didn’t even tell Rhea about this? That’s odd. Is there something Rhea needs to tell them? Rhea isn’t sure but then Dom walks in. Rhea asks him what’s going on, and again reminds him that they just talked about communication. Dom tells Mami that he’s sorry, he just wanted to make the team proud and handle business. Finn asks if there’s anything else he needs to tell them.

Yeah, he needs to go see the doctor. JD knows where to go and leads the way. Priest says this Mania is way too important for not only them as a group, but also as individuals. Rhea asks if that’s something Priest is trying to tell her. Finn says hold on. The only thing that needs to be said is that the biggest WrestleMania ever will belong to the Judgment Day! That they can all agree on. But by “The Judgment Day,” will Dirty Dom still be part of the picture?

Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: New Catch Republic VS Legado del Fantasma!

Tyler Bate & Pete Dunne were so close to beating the Judgment Day when it was 2v2. And now they’re one step away from getting quite the wild second chance. Will the Big Strong Boi & Bruiserweight be heading to Philadelphia? Or will Angel y Humberto prove even beat up, they’ve got a fighting chance?

SmackDown returns and the match is already underway. Dunne runs in but Humberto dodges, so Dunne just BLASTS Angel! Dunne runs at Humberto again but Humberto puts him on the apron. Angel then SHOTGUNS Dunne off the apron! Angel drags Dunne up, puts him in, then drags him to tag in Humberto. They sit Dunne up, whip and LARIAT! Humberto fires up and he drags Dunne up for kicks. Humberto CLUBS Dunne, tags Angel back in, and Angel KNEES Dunne low! Judgment Day tunes in as Angel puts Dunne on ropes. Angel CHOPS, Dunne snarls as he sits down, and Angel soaks up the heat.

But Dunne gets Angel’s fingers! Dunne bends them, but Angel ROCKS Dunne with a right! Angel runs up but Dunne sidesteps to SNAP GERMAN! Hot tag to Bate! Bate CLOBBERS Angel, BLASTS Humberto, but Angel runs back up. Angel blocks a boot but not the KNEE, and Bate goes up to FLYING UPPERCUT! Humberto storms in but Bate catches him, EXPLODER! Bate kips up, STANDING SHOOTING STARS, then covers, TWO! Bate runs to BLAST Angel, then he dodges Humberto to tilt-o-whirl RANA! Legado regroups on the outside but Dunne STOMPS the hands off the apron! Then he BUZZSAWS Humberto!

Bate goes up and up and uses Dunne for the boost, CANNONBALL onto Legado! New Catch Republic stands tall and Mohegan Sun fires up as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Legado double whip Bate to then POP-UP, but Bate RANAS Angel! Bate then dodges Humberto, hot tag to Dunne! They dodge and GAMANGIRI Humberto, then work together, REBOUND LARIAT GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO!! Cover, TWO!! Dunne snarls, tags Bate back in, and they have Humberto in a corner for TOP BINS! Humberto staggers, Bate reels him in for a fireman’s carry. But Angel manages a tag as the AIRPLANE SPIN starts! Angel waits, and he SUPERKICKS Bate! Then he SHOTGUNS Dunne! Humberto steadies himself, he sunset flips and deadlifts Bate for a POWERBOMB!

Angel goes up to LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Bate stays in this and the fans rally up! Angel is frustrated but he tags Humberto back in. They get Bate up, SUPERKKICK for Bate and SUPERKICK for Dunne! Humberto CHOPS Bate to the corner, puts him up top, tag to Angel. Angel y Humberto both climb, both trophy lift, SUPER PRESS SLAM!! Angel hurries to cover, Dunne STOMPS it apart! Humberto runs in, Dunne dodges, SATELLITE DDT! Angel KNEES Dunne down! Then KNEE for Bate! Angel hauls Bate up and in, looks to the sign, but Bate slips free! Bop up, BANG! Tag to Dunne, and NCR hit the BIRMINGHAMMER!! Cover, NCR wins!

Winners: New Catch Republic, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

And with that, our Six Pack is complete! Or perhaps it’s really a dirty dozen. But in the end, will Bate & Dunne make sure the Judgment Day is no longer undisputed?

Paul Heyman speaks.

“‘By orders of The Tribal Chief.’ When you hear those words, you know something is about to happen. What do you think happened to Cody Rhodes on Monday? The Final Boss took out Cody Rhodes. Why? By orders of The Tribal Chief.” Jimmy Uso adds that b these orders, Jey won’t make it to Mania. It will be lil’ bro VS lil’ big brother, Solo Sikoa! By order of The Tribal Chief. Solo tells Jey, “I’ll see you next week. I’m gonna miss you. But I gotta take you out. By orders of the Tribal Chief.” Will Main Event Jey’s Road to WrestleMania be stopped right at the goal line?

WWE honors National Medal of Honor Day.

Retired Navy SEAL, PO Mike Thornton, shares his story. Vietnam, October 1972, his unit was sent on a reconnaissance mission. They ended up in the wrong place, ended up in a three hour firefight, then had to retreat. His team captain got hit in the temple, but Thornton didn’t leave him behind. He saved the captain’s life, and earned his Medal of Honor. On behalf of the WWE and The Chairshot, thank you, PO Thornton for your service.

AJ Styles heads to the ring.

The Phenomenal One checked with Nick Aldis about LA Knight, and as far as anyone knows, Knight isn’t here tonight. What will Styles have to say about this grudge’s increasing intensity? We’ll find out, after the break.

SmackDown returns and Styles has a mic to say, “It’s been a little over a week…” He stops because fans are chanting “YEAH! YEAH!” Styles says these fans are the reason Knight came to Styles’ house and assaulted him in his own front yard! “YEAH!” Well yeah, Styles should’ve had Knight’s ass locked up in jail for what he did, and make him miss WrestleMania! But Styles has bigger plans! He wants the biggest spotlight possible for Knight, and that’s WrestleMania. “YEAH!” Styles says he will expose Knight for the “overachieving, under talented piece of trash that he is!” And yeah, Aldis asked Knight not to be here. But Styles guarantees that Knight’s here.

So, LA Knight, are you gonna walk out here from the ramp? Is this it? Then come on. Styles waits, daring Knight to show up. Knight could be anywhere! He could be up in the bleachers with the idiot fans, or even a camera man! Styles gets up in the cameraman’s face, slaps his hat off, but it isn’t Knight. Styles dares the guy to do something, then tells him to get out of the ring. At least he’s better looking than Knight, but that ain’t saying much. The fans boo but Styles asks if they’re disappointed. The fans start chanting for “L A KNIGHT! L A KNIGHT!” and then someone jumps the barriers! Security stops the guy and Styles says he knew it’d happen!

Wait, this is just some crazy guy who wanted to get near Styles! The security guards drag the rando away, and Styles asks if they’re done with the games. Knight, fi you can hear Styles, are we done here? Because Styles won’t be playing games at WrestleMania! Wait, the security guard who stared behind takes off hsi hat and takes off a wig! It’s LA Knight!! The Mega Star fires off on the Phenomenal One, gets him in the ring, and CLOBBERS him! Then he stomps a mudhole in, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight runs corner to corner to KNEE WASH, “YEAH!” Knight then goes out to get himself a chair!

Knight gets in the ring, aims, but Styles runs away! No chair shot, and Styles even flees into the crowd! Knight leaves it at that, but he does get a mic. Knight gets on the desk as the fans are thundeorus, and Knight takes off the security shirt to show off the new merch. “AJ, you talk about I’m trash? You gotta be the biggest piece of human walkin’ waste I have ever seen!” “YEAH!” So Knight puts it like this: run, hide, do everything you need to. But at the end of the day, at WrestleMania, Knight is not gonna ask you, and he’s not gonna tell you, because you will KNOW whose game this is, with everybody saying, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!!” “You damn right, YEAH~!”

The grudge match has just kicked it up another notch! Will Knight win big on the Grandest Stage of Them All?

Tiffany Stratton speaks.

The Spoiled Rich Girl quotes Paris Hilton of all people in saying, “Some girls are born with glitter in their veins,” and says that Paris meant Tiffany. Everyone thinks life is so much easier when you’re an insane athlete, have a gorgeous complexion, have perfectly pearl white teeth and are a main event talent. But carrying the burden of perfection is not as easy as Tiff makes it look. To her adoring fans on SmackDown, she vows to always look hot and to spare your eyes from the uggos. But two words for you: lip filler. Everyone will find out exactly what #TiffyTime is all about. Tootles!

Bianca Belair VS Dakota Kai!

The EST knows this isn’t a rerun or a remake but a direct sequel to her two year saga with DMG CTRL. But then, does that mean Bianca will make it through to stand tall in the end like she has before? Or will #CobraKai add to Bianca’s lowlight reel instead?

SmackDown returns as Dakota makes her entrance, surprisingly without DMG CTRL. The bell rings and the two rush in! Bianca TACKLES Dakota, rains down fists, but Dakota turns things around to give those back! Bianca pushes Dakota away, TOSSES her across the way, then runs up to RAM her in the corner! Bianca brings Dakota around to TOSS her again! And then runs in, but into a BOOT! Dakota goes up and over to roll Bianca up, TWO! Dakota swings, but Bianca blocks, spins and suplexes! Bianca rolls through to suplex again! And then she rolls through to suplex again! The fans fire up but Dakota knees free!

Dakota is on the apron, Bianca runs up but Dakota dodges, then KNEES her into the POST! Bianca tumbles to the floor, Dakota talks smack, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns once again as Dakota knocks Bianca down then covers, TWO! Dakota clamps on with a chinlock and she grinds Bianca down. Bianca endures, fights up, and she carries Dakota to RAM her into buckles! Bianca RAMS her again and again, gets free, but Dakota runs up. Bianca spins her around to suplex! Bianca keeps Dakota up to then SLAM her down! Dakota staggers around, Bianca kips up, and the fans fire up. Bianca runs in to RAM Dakota, then she climbs up the corner! The fans cheer as Bianca rains down fists! Bianca goes all the way to TEN! Then ELEVEN, but Dakota slips free to YANK the braid!

The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Bianca backflips free! Dakota runs, but into a tilt-o-whirl GUTBUSTER! Dakota staggers back up, runs up, Bianca sidesteps and just throws Dakota down! And around, and then down again! Bianca just ragdolls Dakota! Then she handsprings and MOONSAULTS, but Dakota moves! Bianca belly flops, and Dakota grabs the braid again! The ref reprimands, but Bianca uses the tug-o-war to handspring! Dakota dodges, runs in, but Bianca ELBOWS her back! Bianca then hurries to chicken wing! GlamEST SLAM! Then the handspring and MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!

Dakota shows she’s got toughness, too, but Bianca keeps her cool. The fans rally, Bianca stalks Dakota, and Bianca chicken wings again! Lift and- NO, Dakota victory rolls to send Bianca into buckles! Dakota puts Bianca in the ropes, to then GUILLOTINE STOMP! Cover, TWO!! Bianca survives as the toughEST, and Dakota grows frustrated. Dakota waits on Bianca to rise, scuffs her with a kick, but the fans rally behind “E S T! E S T!” Dakota kicks Bianca around, taunts her, then kicks her again. Bianca snarls, blocks a kick, and she throws Dakota down! Bianca CLUBS Dakota, drags her up, then ROCKS her with a forearm!

Dakota gives a forearm back so Bianca throws another! The forearms go back and forth, harder and harder, and Dakota rebounds to ROCK Bianca! Bianca rebounds to DECK Dakota! Dakota gets up but Bianca fires more shots! Dakota shoves Bianca, Bianca blocks a boot but not the SCORPION KICK! Bianca staggers to a corner, Dakota goes Around the World! But Bianca dodges the boot! Bianca torture racks but Dakota holds ropes! Bianca puts Dakota on the apron, runs in, but she avoids the knee! Dakota’s knee hits POST! Dakota hobbles, and Bianca goes after her at the corner! They both throw clubbing shots but Bianca still climbs.

The fans rally and Bianca drags Dakota up to join her! Deadlift SUPERPLEX!! Both women are down and the fans fire up again! Both women slowly rise, and Bianca SPEARS outta nowhere! Then torture rack! KISS OF DEATH!! Cover, Bianca wins!

Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall

AND NOW DMG CTRL ATTACKS! Asuka & Kairi beat up on Bianca, even using an umbrella! But here comes Naomi! The fans fire up as Naomi dodges Asuka to THESZ PRESS Kairi! But then Asuka CLUBS Naomi! Naomi ROUNDHOUSES Asuka! Naomi gives Asuka some shots now! The fans fire up, but Kairi CLUBS Naomi with the umbrella!! Then SLIDING DOUBLE SHOT! Bianca is up and goes after Kairi! Bianca DECKS Kairi, DECKS Asuka, but Dakota is up! The numbers are in DMG CTRL’s favor as always! The fans hope Bayley can find her way out here, but instead, it’s JADE CARGILL!

The fans fire up as The Storm, in a new outfit, makes her way out. DMG CTRL don’t sweat her but maybe they should! Jade gets in the ring, and she BOOTS Asuka! And then she blocks Dakota’s boo to POP-UP POWERBOMB! Kairi jumps on but Jade throws her off, gets her around, and she gives Kairi her own GlamEST SLAM! “Cover,” and Jade gets her three count! The Storm just wiped out DMG CTRL all by herself! Naomi and Bianca stand side by side with Cargill, are they going to make DMG CTRL feel very jaded this WrestleMania season?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown, lots of great go-home type stuff with just one week left before WrestleMania. Great tag match for Orton & Kevin, even with Logan cheating them, but that adds to the US Championship match. Logan gets his shot on Kevin but then runs away from Orton, bit of a wash for the math, but as I’ve been saying, the nature of the Triple Threat can keep everyone strong no matter who wins. Still thinking Logan finds a way to retain by playing Orton and Kevin against each other, though. And good promo from Bloodline with Heyman helping Roman take credit for what The Rock did to Cody but also setting up Jey’s go-home match with Solo next week, which will be great stuff.

Great stuff with LWO and Legado, and I really like the seed that is being planted with Dom and Judgment Day. Could Dom be leaving Judgment Day to join Legado? The tag match will perhaps figure that out. Just Rey & Dragon VS Dom & Santos isn’t quite as big as I thought, but we’re definitely getting Zelina VS Lopez on the side. And I like that the uncertainty with Dom has again stirred up all the other uncertainties within Judgment Day. It’s kinda funny thinking Dom is the linchpin to that group. Anyway, great tag matches in the tag title story, and of course Final Testament is why Profits don’t win. That should also be a big grudge match set up for Mania, maybe they’ll put something together next Friday.

As for the teams that got in, I am pretty confident A-Town Down Under isn’t winning. There’s speculation that they could split the titles back to Raw and SmackDown belts with strange shenanigans, and I honestly wouldn’t mind that as it’s really tricky for these “undisputed” tag teams traveling between brands. New Catch Republic would therefore be the SmackDown winners and maybe Awesome Truth are the Raw winners to really make Judgment Day agonize in the Mania aftermath. Also, with Priest talking about individual success, him losing all his belts would definitely compel him to desperately cash-in on (I would assume) the World Heavyweight Championship one more time.

An odd thing tonight, though, was Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn not being spooky scary. I don’t want this to be a sign of them ditching gimmicks, but clearly it just wasn’t clicking on main roster after waiting a little too long to have them go after the tag titles and then basically being jobbed out anyway. But then great segue from their moment to Styles confronting Aldis and then calling out Knight. Great moment for LA Knight to run Styles off, but if he’s gonna win at Mania next week, Styles has to get Knight back next Friday to turn the math around.

And great stuff in the big DMG CTRL story. Bayley going after Iyo right at the end of her vignette promo was great, that doesn’t happen enough in WWE, or wrestling in general. And with Jade Cargill “signed” to SmackDown now, I really like that she’s joining Naomi and Bianca against the rest of DMG CTRL. That is going to be a great Six Woman Tag, certainly on the Mania card to make Jade’s first WWE match as big as possible, and I would think we’re gonna see Jade, Bianca & Naomi win. We might even get stereo GlamEST Slams, aka double Jaded, as the finish. And whether Bayley wins or loses, you can bet Jade is gonna go right to the women’s title scene.

My Score: 8.8/10