SmackDown of Arabia!

For the first time ever, Friday Night SmackDown is live in Saudi Arabia! Nia Jax battles Bianca Belair to face Lyra Valkyria in Queen of the Ring while Randy Orton battles Tama Tonga to face Gunther in King of the Ring!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Nia Jax VS Bianca Belair; Nia wins and advances to the finals.
• Six Man Tag: LA Knight & The Profits VS Carmelo Hayes & A-Town Down Under; Knight & The Profits win.
• Bayley VS Chelsea Green w/ Piper Niven; Bayley wins.
• King of the Ring Semifinals: Randy Orton VS Tama Tonga; Orton wins and advances to the finals.

PLAY BY PLAY

BREAKING NEWS for King & Queen of the Ring.

As Triple H himself announced the other day, there are now stakes even bigger than just the crowns! The new King & Queen of the Ring will also be #1 contenders, with world title shots waiting for them at SummerSlam in Cleveland, Ohio! With the stakes raised, who will be even more motivated than before to win it all?

Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Nia Jax VS Bianca Belair!

The Irresistible Force pushed Jade Cargill’s buttons and got her to lose both her cool and the match, which is why Nia is the one facing The EST here in the semifinals. Raw’s Lyra Valkyria is watching from ringside, will she see Nia get one over on the other Women’s Tag Team Champion? Or will Bianca avenge Jade and take on The Morrigan in the biggest match of their careers?

The bell rings and the fans fire up for the “EST! EST!” Nia ties up with Bianca, and Nia powers Bianca back with size and strength. But Bianca digs in her heels and pushes back! Only for Nia to throw her down! The fans boo but Nia soaks it up. Nia TOSSES Bianca to a corner, runs up and SPLASHES! Then Nia TOSSES Bianca the other way! Nia runs in to SPLASH again! Bianca sputters but the fans rally, only for Nia to scoop. But Bianca slips around to a SLEEPER! Nia endures, RAMS Bianca into buckles again and again, and gets free. Nia is mad now, and she storms up on Bianca. Nia THROWS Bianca but Bianca handsprings through!

Nia runs up, Bianca ELBOWS her back! Bianca goes up, says kiss this, and then backflips up and over! Bianca BOOTS Nia, then RAMS her! Nia stays up, Bianca runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and RAMS Nia again! Nia staggers around, Bianca runs up to RAM her again! Nia is in a corner, Bianca RAMS into her! Bianca climbs up, the fans fire up and Bianca rains down fists! The fans count but only get to five before Nia dumps Bianca to the apron. Bianca ducks a lariat to bump Nia off buckles! Bianca dribbles Nia for five, then climbs up! Bianca finishes those fists from earlier, and gets all the TEN, then keeps going! Bianca goes to TWENTY!

Nia ROCKS Bianca in return, though! And she uses the braid to THROW Bianca away! Nia runs, Bianca jumps up and over, and Nia POSTS herself! Bianca then PLANCHAS! Down goes Nia and the fans fire up! Bianca stands tall as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns and Nia has Bianca down in a cobra clutch! Bianca endures and the fans rally, but Nia throws her down! Nia takes Bianca’s tiny little tiara and puts it on herself like she’s already the queen. But Bianca kicks Nia, DROPKICKS Nia, then brings her up. But Nia HEADBUTTS Bianca down! The fans boo but Nia looms over Bianca. Nia drags Bianca around by the bad leg, turns her over, and has a STRETCH MUFFLER! But Bianca sits up, sunset flips, but Nia stays up! Only for Bianca to avoid the hip drop! Ghost pin, TWO! Bianca CROSSBODIES, but Nia catches her! Pop-up and SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!

Bianca survives and the fans fire up! Nia storms up on Bianca, drags her up, but Bianca throws hands. Nia shoves her to a corner, runs in, but Bianca slips out to the apron. Bianca RAMS Nia, HOTSHOTS her, then goes up the corner! CROSSBODY, and this time Nia falls! Bianca bounces off Nia and has to crawl back to the cover, TWO! The fans rally up while both women are down. Bianca slaps her bad leg, hobbles up, but Nia runs up! Bianca counter punches! And  counter punches again, and again and again! But Nia sweeps the legs! LEG DROP on the bad knee! The fans tell Nia, “YOU SUCK!” as she puts Bianca in the drop zone.

Nia climbs, but Bianca gets under her! And somehow, someway, carries and POWERBOMBS Nia down!! Cover, TWO!! The fans are thunderous, “This is Awesome!” even Lyra is impressed. Bianca rises, as does Nia. Bianca hobbles over, brings Nia around, and wants to torture rack?! Nia fights free, CLUBS Bianca down, then SMASHES that knee! Nia kicks Bianca around, has the leg, and DDTS the foot! Nia drags Bianca back to a drop zone, goes up the corner, but Bianca rises again! Bianca CLUBS Nia on the back! And the corner helps with the torture rack! KISS OF- NO, the leg gives out! Nia runs to SENTON!

Nia drags Bianca back to the drop zone, for the A-NIA-LATOR!! Cover, NIA WINS!

Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

The strongEST, the fastEST, the roughEST, the toughEST isn’t invincible, and Nia pushed her to those limits! While medics check Bianca’s knee, Kayla Braxton interviews Nia, congratulating her on advancing to the finals. Nia will have one match left- Shut up, Kayla! Nia tells Lyra, “You see that? That’s Bianca Belair. I just bust through Bianca Belair!” Nia has Kayla follow her to ropes as Nia says she also busted through Becky Lynch and Rhea Ripley! And she’s gonna do the same to Lyra. And thanks to HHH, SummerSlam will see Nia become Queen AND champion! And it all starts tomorrow when she busts through Lyra.

The Irresistible Force is ready and looking nigh unstoppable. But can The Morrigan bring about a massive change of fortune when the crown is on the line?

Grayson Waller & Austin Theory talk backstage.

They’re getting ready for a first-ever Grayson Waller Effect emanating from Jeddah, but will they be ready for the Mega Star, L A Knight, as their special guest? We’ll find out, after the break.

Bianca gets ice on the leg.

Tiffany Stratton walks up to say, “Better luck next time, loser.” Tiffy struts away and Bianca scowls, but Byron Saxton walks over to interview. he knows that loss has to sting, but does she care to share her feelings? Bianca says it’s no surprise she’s disappointed, she really, really wanted the crown. But she took her knee to the limit and- now Candice & Indi walk over to mock Bianca’s “widdle knee.” But Candice is also taking credit for being the one that hurt Bianca’s knee so that someone more deserving could win the tournament. You’re welcome! Bianca stands up, Indi mocks her, trying to go one leg against four.

But then Jade steps up! What’s happening here? Candice has Indi stand down and they leave. Jade says it seems like those two want their wigs split. Bianca agrees with that. Jade will go talk to Aldis about this. Bianca says bet. Will the strongEST storm blow away the Poison Pixie & #IndiWrestling?

It’s the Grayson Waller Effect!

We get a QR code ass the “Friday Night Sensations,” the WWE Tag Team Champions, Grayson Waller & Austin Theory, are being introduced. Waller welcomes us to a championship edition of the Grayson Waller Effect with his special cohost, Austin Theory. The fans taunt them with “S T D! S T D!” Waller says they know they’re the best! Shut up already. Theory says moving on, some here might call this man a Mega Star. Allow Theory to introduce to us one of the most talented, most entertaining superstars on SmackDown today- CARMELO HAYES?! Well, A-Town Down Under isn’t complaining but they weren’t talking about HIM.

Melo has the mic to say thanks for that great introduction, but he had to stop them. It sounded too much like him. The problem is, they missed a few details. For one, SmackDown’s first round draft pick. The hottest new star here on SmackDown. And most important… he’s HIM. Theory tells “HIM” that he forgot what happened the last time they met. Oh, hey, Theory, Melo knows. Let’s put that aside. Guys like them gotta stick together. Waller agrees, actually. Melo is a way better guest than LA Knight. yeah, Knight sucks. And Melo’s doing things the right way, he’s getting that Waller Rub. Right, and they get the ratings! Win-win!

But these veterans, they gotta learn from the new generation! Theory says yeah, look at Lashley. Where’s the advice now? The only thing he gave the Profits was how to lose to A-Town Down Under! Yeah, guys like Lashley and Corbin are all selfish, jealous and egotistical! Speaking of egos, Melo calls out LA Knight. That guy’s the worst! Nothing worse than a vet who hasn’t accomplished anything that wants to talk all this talk. But the fans are thunderous for “L A KNIGHT! L A KNIGHT!” Theory says he thinks everyone is talking about that LOSER! The guy who can’t win the big one? YEAH~! The one who got drafted late? YEAH~!

But let’s do this, then. Leave the fraud in the back and have some real stars- WAIT! Here comes L A KNIGHT! Knight makes his way down to the ring as the fans go nuts! And Knight starts chucking the plants and props out of the ring! Knight gets himself a mic while the fans chant for him. Knight says, “LEMME TALK TO YA!” Waller says no way is he talking! Does he know how much it cost to get those plants? Knight says he doesn’t remember asking those two a damn thing! But he’ll keep this short and sweet because he’s got better things to do. “YEAH!” Knight says Melo is poking a mean dog with a sharp stick. “YEAH!”

You keep knocking at his door, this mean dog is gonna bite the hell outta HIM. “YEAH!” And it won’t take Melo very long ot figure out exactly whose game this is, with everybody saying…! “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!!” But then Melo sucker punches Knight! Melo fires off, but Knight fires back! But then ATDU help Melo mug the Mega Star! So here come the Street Profits! Montez & Dawkins DECK Waller, LARIAT Theory, and fire off on Melo! The Profits TOSS Melo out and stand tall with Knight! Will we get a Mega Star Six Man Tag outta this? We’ll have to wait and see after the break!

Blair Davenport speaks.

“Everybody wants to talk about ‘living your truth. Embracing who you are and that anything is possible.’ It’s embarrassing. Truth is, you’re weak. You’re lazy. And the reason bad things keep happening to you is because you allow it. You’re not successful because you’re not good enough. So while you cry about being overlooked, Blair Davenport has already taken your spot. Does that hurt your feelings? Well come and do something about it.”

Six Man Tag: LA Knight & The Profits VS Carmelo Hayes & A-Town Down Under!

As Teddy Long might say, HOLLA HOLLA! The teams sort out and Melo starts against Ford and the fans fire up. The two circle, tie up, and Melo wrenches to a wristlock. Ford wrenches through, wristlocks, but Melo spins to wrench back. Ford rolls, handsprings, and wrenches back! Melo rolls, wrenches, wristlocks, but Ford rolls to arm-drag! Melo staggers up, Ford runs, but Melo dodges. Ford goes up and over in the corner, Melo hits buckles as Ford flips! Then Ford DROPKICKS Melo down! Ford swaggers and the fans fire up. Ford tags Dawkins, Dawkins goes up, and he AX HANDLES the arm! Dawkins wrenches Melo but Melo kicks low.

Melo headlocks, Dawkins powers up but Melo spins that around. Melo hurdles, drops, but Dawkins handsprings! Dawkins gets under Melo for a FLAPJACK! The fans fire up and Dawkins fires up with them! Dawkins wrenches, tag to Knight, but Melo runs away! Tag to Theory and the fans rally behind Knight. Knight and Theory circle, tie up, and Knight wrenches to YANK, YANK and YANK! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” But Theory kicks low! Theory whips, Knight reverses but Waller sneaks a tag. Theory slips free of the scoop, Knight DECKS Waller, but Theory CLOBBERS Knight! Theory and Waller mug Knight but the ref reprimands.

Waller brings Knight up to UPPERCUT, and he whips Knight to ropes. Knight tries to reverse but loses hold, so he just holds ropes and KICKS back! Knight runs up to LAIRAT Waller down! Tag to Dawkins, he whips, but Waller reverses. Dawkins hurdles, then UPPERCUTS! Waller goes to a corner, Dawkins runs to CYCLONE SPLASH and ENZIGIRI! Dawkins whips, runs corner to corner, but Theory saves Waller from another splash! Melo distracts Dawkins, ducks a haymaker, but not the SOUTHPAW! Theory somersaults in to SHOTGUN! Waller then slides out to LARIAT Dawkins down! The fans boo but ATDU & HIM soak it up while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Melo keeps Dawkins from his corner, Dawkins fires forearms, Melo holds on, then Melo KICKIS a leg! Melo SLAPS Dawkins, runs, FADE- NO! Dawkins catches Melo to hit an EXPLODER! Both men are down, the fans fire up, hot tag to Waller! Waller BLASTS Ford, taunts Knight, and Theory YANKS Knight down! ATDU mockingly reach out, but Dawkins runs up! Waller ROCKS Dawkins, goes up, and leaps, into a HAYMAKER! Knight YANKS Theory down and LARIATS! Knight reaches out, the fans fire up, hot tag made! Knight DECKS Waller, stomps away in a corner, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!”

Melo runs up, Knight LAIRATS him down! Knight runs corner to corner to KNEE Waller! Then he DROPKICKS Theory! Knight mocks Waller now with reaching out for a tag! Then SLINGSHOT SHOULDER TACKLE! Scoop and POWERSLAM! Knight runs to JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, Melo breaks it! The fans boo but Knight kicks Melo! No BFT, though, the FIRST 48 hits instead! Ford ENZIGIRIS Melo! Theory DECKS Ford! Dawkins runs up to POUNCE Theory! Waller JUMP KNEES Dawkins! The fans fire up as Waller somersaults and- B F T!! But Melo whips Knight but Knight reverses to TOSS Melo! Tag to Ford, and Ford goes up!

Knight goes out to get Melo, TACKLE onto the commentary desk! The fans are thunderous for Ford coming in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Cover, Profits & Knight win!

Winners: LA Knight & The Street Profits, by pinfall

YEAH! A big win over the WWE Tag Team Champions and the self-proclaimed next big thing, will Ford, Dawkins & The Mega Star tear them all down?

Cody Rhodes crosses paths with Randy Orton.

The American Nightmare wishes The Viper good luck tonight, and Orton thanks him for that. Orton has to make it through Tama Tonga tonight and then Gunther tomorrow, but is there a chance we see Legacy VS Legacy at SummerSlam?

Cody Rhodes is here!

Jeddah fires up for the American Nightmare and sings along with the song as he makes his way to the ring, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, gets in the ring, and gets the mic as the fans chant his name. But before he can say anything, Logan Paul makes his entrance! The United States Champion swaggers down to the ring, mic already in hand. “Hey Cody, bad news bears, brother. You got played. For the third time I’m walking down the aisle in Saudi Arabia with a championship in my sights. And unfortunately this time, you’re the victim.

“Because tomorrow night, brother, I’m walking outta here with the Undisputed title on my shoulder–Yeah, the one you’re holding right now–as well as the United States Championship.” The fans boo but Logan says he has some facts for Cody. While Cody may have the edge in experience, Logan is smarter. All that bleach must be getting to Cody’s brain. Cuz here’s one thing Logan does know: He certainly is a better athlete, better entertainer and better performer. And for anyone who thinks he needs cheap tactics, you’re wrong. We all saw him hand over his brass knuckles to Michael Cole, and we have his word he’ll not use them.

Cody says maybe Logan is smarter. Cody isn’t an idiot, though. And his experience would lead him to believe that Logan is just a scared little kid. The fans like that one! Cody says Logan is afraid someone will see him as a fraud in the WWE. A YouTuber pretending to be a pro-wrestler. The fans chant “YES YOU ARE! YES YOU ARE!” But Cody says he doesn’t believe that. He’s seen how good Logan is. But he also has Impostor Syndrome. And standing face to face here, Cody’s gut leads Cody to believe that Logan has a spare pair of knuckles on him right now. Oh, so is Cody calling Logan a liar? This is what he means by Cody being stupid!

Call Logan what you want but he’s no liar. Michael Cole has the knuckles, not Logan. No need to accuse him. The fans chant “LIAR! LIAR! LIAR!” Logan says they’re as dumb as Cody. Cody says fine, we’ll give Logan a chance to prove himself. Logan is a man of his word, giving his only brass knuckles to Cole. So then senior official, Ryan Tran, is here. Let’s make this official. Ryan, come frisk Logan. Logan says hold on, is this TSA? Ryan still asks Logan to T-pose. Well, fine, Cody first though! Champ privilege. Cody says fine, and he lets Ryan pat him down. Logan wants every crevice. Ryan says Cody is clean, and the fans cheer.

Logan says fine, nothing to hide. Do what you gotta do, Ryan. Ryan pats Logan down, but that’s a pretty puffy jacket. and pants. Wait! Speaking of the pants…! Surprise! In that pocket are BRASS KNUCKLES! Okay, okay, Logan doesn’t know how those got there! He borrowed these pants from his brother! He doesn’t wear Prada, he’s from Ohio! But the fans chant “LIAR! LIAR!” Logan says fine, he wasn’t being 100, but now he is. He said he wouldn’t use them in the match tomorrow. Those were for self-defense. But now Cody has them, those are illegal, someone do something! Logan backs out of the ring while Cody holds the knuckles up.

The fans boo but Logan tells them to shut up! Nothing changes! Logan does NOT need those to beat Cody! He’s better than Cody, is taking everything from him, so keep those. Logan will beat Cody fair and square! Okay, then. One more thing: Cody says those knuckles are the difference between them. These titles are a crutch for Logan and everything he’s done in his careers. It’s another way to get clicks. But this title is Cody’s whole life! It’s all Cody’s ever wanted to be. Every ounce of blood, every drop of sweat, every cheer from the fans, it is the thing people love and hate about the Rhodes family! They’re as real as real gets!

The fans fire up behind Cody and Cody says that Logan brought up Cody is just saying the same thing as others. Cody will say something new then. Cody doesn’t think of Logan as a YouTuber. Cody sees Logan as a pro-wrestler, as a WWE superstar. But until Logan stops treating this part-time and dedicates his heart and soul and respects this ring, Logan will never, and he means NEVER, be on Cody’s level! He will NEVER be Undisputed Champion! And Cody will beat this “kid” so badly, Logan will regret ever having stepped in this ring. Cody puts Logan in his place emotionally, but will he do that physically?

Backstage interview with Randy Orton.

Byron Saxton is with The Viper and says a couple weeks ago, Orton had a very direct message for Tama Tonga. Tonight, it is Tama who stands in his way of the finals. Orton says ever since Tama came to WWE, he has proven he is vicious, unhinged, unpredictable. Unfortunately for Tama, this is Randy Orton. Orton has made a name for himself by being vicious, unhinged and unpredictable. Now, the Bloodline has the numbers, but time and again through Orton’s career, he has overcome the odds. Tonight is no different. It won’t be any different when Tama sees it coming, and still gets hit with the three most dangerous letters in WWE: R K O!

Bayley is heading to gorilla.

The Role Model passes by Michin and they both say hi. Bayley will catch Mia later, she’s got some business to attend to. Bayley then passes by Nia, and Nia says hi. Nia also says keep the title clean until SummerSlam. Bayley scowls and moves past Nia, will she worry about “Queen Nia” after cleaning up the Hot Mess?

Backstage interview with The Pride.

Kayla Braxton is with Montez Ford, Angelo Dawkins & B-Fab as they’re all fired up. Great win over the WWE Tag Team Champions, and clearly they’re feeling good. Ford says they’re fantastic. No noe likes losing. Waller & Theory talking about the smoke, well the Profits are the smoke! And then in step DIY! Ciampa & Gargano celebrate with the Profits, and nothing but respect. But the agenda is DIY as the next tag team champions. But what Ciampa loves about The Profits, they are always so optimistic. This red Solo cup is always half full, right? But like Gargano said, DIY is after those titles. If they gotta go through Profits, then so be it.

Ciampa dumps out the drink, and cup’s empty now. DIY leaves, will the Profits make them pay for that one?

Bayley VS Chelsea Green w/ Piper Niven!

SmackDown returns and Chelsea makes her entrance, Miss P following alongside. The bell rings and then Chelsea DECKS Bayley! Chelsea bumps Bayley off buckles, soaks up the heat, then runs in, only to be put on the apron. Chelsea SLAPS Bayley, goes up, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Chelsea is upset already but she drags Bayley up. Bayley throws body shots, JAWBREAKERS free, and then goes to a corner. Chelsea says this is her moment! Chelsea runs, slides and trips Bayley! Chelsea spins Bayley around to BOOT her! Bayley dangles off the apron, Chelsea says thank you, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Bayley throws forearms back and forth with Chelsea! Bayley gets the edge, then LARIATS Chelsea down! And LARIATS again! Bayley gest around to SAIDO! Chelsea flounders to a corner, Bayley storms up and reels her in, TWIST- NO, Chelsea shoves her away! Chelsea then runs up to ZIGZAG! The fans boo but Chelsea hits a ROUGH RYDER!! Cover, TWO!! Chelsea is shocked that her hubby’s move didn’t finish this! Chelsea hurries to a corner, takes aim, runs up again, but Bayley POWERBOMBS her! Bayley then rolls Chelsea to her feet, hooks her up, and ROSE PLANTS her! Cover, Bayley wins!

Winner: Bayley, by pinfall

But then Piper SPLASHES in!! The fans boo but the Scottish Viper pushes Bayley to a corner. Piper checks on Chelsea, then runs in, but Bayley BOOTS her! Bayley BOOTS again, then throws hands! The fans fire up as Bayley ROCKS Piper, whips, but Piper blocks! Piper whips Bayley to scoop and SCRAPBUSTER! Piper says you like that? Then SENTON! And another SENTON! Chelsea says keep going! Bayley stirs, Piper SENTONS again!! The ref reprimands but the damage is done! Will Piper get to Bayley before Nia does?

AJ Styles talks with Nick Aldis.

The Phenomenal One says he won’t take up too much of Aldis’ time, he knows he hasn’t been the easiest to deal with. Styles just wants to say that we saw what happened in France. he and Cody tore the house down, and Styles was one second away from beating Cody. Same for how close he was to beating Orton in KOTR. So before Styles makes any rash decisions, he just wants one more chance. Whoever comes out on top between Cody and Logan. Please. And Aldis, Styles needs this. Please. Aldis knows Styles wants to be WWE Champion, and Styles knows how much respect Aldis has for him. If you’re asking personally, 100% yes every day of the week.

But professionally, Aldis can’t just give Styles what he wants. That chance he’s asking for has to be earned. And that takes time. Styles says Aldis knows he doesn’t have time! Aldis tells Styles, that’s not something he can help Styles with. He’s sorry. Styles sighs and leaves, what will it take for the Phenomenal to be Undisputed?

Andrade speaks.

“I am not here to tell you I am a third-generation luchador, and that this is in my blood. No. I am here to show you. I am not only the luchador from Mexico. No. It is easy to say, ‘I was born to do this.’ But because I have been judged my entire–yes, my entire life. They have criticized me, they have insulted me, and they have tried to control me. But limiting expectations doesn’t control my destiny. I control my destiny. I know who I am. I know what I want. And now on SmackDown, I show everyone who Andrade El Idolo is.” When and where will we all see Andrade start to take over?

Legado Del Fantasma watches this backstage.

Humberto says he can’t stand Andrade. He should’ve just stayed on Raw. Angel says he isn’t so sure. Andrade has skills, he could be a valuable addition. Elektra Lopez says to keep it smart. Santos Escobar agrees. Let bygones be bygones and think about the business. Santos says the smart money is that Andrade’s skills will make all the difference. Will the Ungovernable really join up with The Emperor of Lucha for the benefit of them both? Or will this be the LWO drama all over again?

The Bloodline prepares backstage.

Tama Tonga is snarling and ready, but The Wise Man talks to Solo Sikoa. Solo knows Tonga Loa isn’t here tonight, right? Yes, he knows. And that’s because they couldn’t get him “across the border.” Solo knows that, too. Heyman says he can’t get the Tongans here because they can’t clear customs! As soon as Loa gets a background check…! These are very dangerous men Solo is recruiting! Solo knows. Heyman says there’s reason the Tongans weren’t brought into The Bloodline in the past! Heyman just asks that until Roman- Solo says until Roman Reigns returns, SOLO is in charge. If Heyman has any problems, they’re up to him to fix it.

Heyman accepts that. And he says this respectfully, but the problem regarding Tama Tonga- What problem? Tama scares Heyman and Tama says, “You know why Solo recruited me? Because I am THAT dangerous!” And tomorrow, the crown comes back to The Bloodline. “By orders of The Tribal Chief.” Tama & Solo head out, but what is The Wise Man to do about this?

King of the Ring Semifinals: Randy Orton VS Tama Tonga w/ The Bloodline!

The Bloodline has always been after power, but this time, it feels different. They already took out Kevin Owens back at Backlash, and The Viper vows vengeance! Will Orton strike Tama down and head on to the finals tomorrow? Or will Solo Sikoa’s MFT avoid an RKO to be one step away from the crown?

SmackDown returns as The Good Bad Guy makes his entrance, Solo & Heyman following. The bell rings and Tama rushes Orton with fast hands! Tama fires off body shots and haymakers in a corner, then follow Orton to another corner for more! The fans rally for Orton but Tama just hammers and HEADBUTTS him again and again! The ref backs Tama down, and Orton kicks back! Orton scoops Tama for a FALL AWAY SLAM! That’s a new one for The Viper! Orton gets Tama up, POSTS him, and then brings him around, to POST in the other corner! The fans fire up, Orton drags Tama out to POST in a third corner!

Orton won’t let off, he UPPERCUTS Tama, UPPERCUTS again, then UPPERCUTS again! Orton climbs up, and the fans count along as Orton throws down hands! Orton goes all the way to TEN, then hops down to TOSS Tama out! Orton goes out after Tama, SMACKS him off the desk, then DESK- NO, Tama slips out of the back suplex to CHOP BLOCK a leg! Then he RAMS Orton into steel steps! Orton falls, clutches a knee, and Tama soaks up the heat while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Tama grinds Orton’s leg into the mat. Tama then drops knees on the knee! The fans rally for Orton, we see Gunther watching from the crowd, and Tama goes up a corner. Tama FROG SPLASH FLOPS as Orton moves! The fans fire up while both men are down! Orton rises, hobbles over, and the fans are thunderous as he has Tama in the ropes! But Tama slips in to CLUB the leg! Tama trips Orton, stomps the leg, then DDTS the foot! Orton clutches the knee, but Tama CLUBS Orton in the chest again and again. Tama clamps on a SLEEPER and he grinds Orton down. Orton endures and the fans rally up.

Orton stands, Tama becomes a backpack and Orton drops to a knee! Tama squeezes tight but the fans rally up more. Orton fights back up, RAMS Tama into buckles, but Tama holds on! Orton stays up, and RAMS Tama into buckles again! Tama lets go, and he CHOP BLOCKS again! Orton clutches the bad leg, and Tama clamps on with another SLEEPER! The fans rally for Orton as hard as they can as he endures again! Orton stands, face turning red, and Tama thrashes the hold! Orton sets his jaw, gets his bad leg working, and he BACK SUPLEXES Tama down! The fans fire up as Orton is free of the sleeper!

Orton clutches the bad knee, Solo coaches Tama, and both men rise. The fans fire up as Orton waits on Tama. Tama runs up, but into a LARIAT! And another LARIAT! Orton ducks a lariat to SNAP POWERSLAM! Orton still clutches the bad leg, but he rises up again, and he puts Tama in the ropes! The fans fire up for the- NO, Tama DUMPS Orton out of the ring! Still no vintage Orton as Tama goes out after Orton now. But Orton pokes Tama in the eyes! Orton reels Tama in, DESK BACK SUPLEX! And Orton isn’t done there! ANOTHER DESK BACK SUPLEX! The fans fire up as both desks get a taste, but Orton isn’t done there!

Orton drags Tama back up, puts him in the ring, and he looms over Tama. Tama goes for the bad leg but Orton fights him off! Orton shoves Tama, Tama returns to RAM into Orton, but Orton stuffs that! Orton puts Tama in the ropes! DRAPING DDT! The fans are thunderous as Tama finally feels that one! Solo is looking worried because Orton hears those voices! Solo takes off his jacket and gets on the apron! RK- NO, Tama shoves Orton away! Orton sees Solo and DECKS him first! But Tama rolls Orton! TWO!! R K O!! Cover, ORTON WINS!

Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

And with that, the Viper avenges The Prizefighter! But speaking of prizes, Orton is now in the finals, and he will face Der Ring General! But Solo CLOBBERS Orton!! The fans boo but Solo stomps away on Orton! BUT KEVIN OWENS IS HERE?!? Kevin slides in, dodges Solo and fires off haymakers! The fans are thunderous as Kevin kicks and- NO, Solo gets away from the Stunner! Kevin defends Orton from The Bloodline, will Orton thank Kevin by winning it all tomorrow night? Or will Der Ring General still become Der King of the Ring?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown as the go-home for King & Queen of the Ring, mostly because it didn’t have go-home recap packages all over and had action that of course affected KQOTR directly. HHH making the tournament about winning title opportunities was also a great touch, it’s really what such a tournament should’ve always been about so that the winners wouldn’t get lost in the shuffle after. And with something bigger on the line, things get a bit more unpredictable. Nia winning over Bianca made sense given Bianca’s bad leg, and now we get Face VS Heel as Lyra is the underdog against Nia. But good pivot for Bianca & Jade to have a tag title match with Candice & Indi now, all the more reason to get up early here in Mountain Time Zone.

Very good promos from Orton and The Bloodline tonight ahead of that great main event. I really like Heyman’s way of putting over The Guerrillas of Destiny and how dangerous they are by kayfabing Loa’s absence as like he’s a flight risk or something. And with it being Gunther the opponent, Orton winning here makes sense. Great return by Kevin Owens, though, definitely setting up Kevin VS Solo at the least, given how we already got #RKKO VS Bloodline. Orton VS Gunther is going to be awesome stuff, and it could also go either way given the winner gets a shot at a top title.

Really good Grayson Waller Effect segment because it turned into a Six Man Tag, and that Six Man Tag was great stuff. Great win for Knight & Profits, we’ll definitely get Knight VS Melo 1v1 later. Profits are in the tag title mix, but so are DIY, and the way Ciampa dumped out Ford’s cup, it almost feels like DIY is on the verge of turning Heel. Either way, Profits VS DIY will be great stuff, and the winner of that match will give Theory & Waller a run for their money. At the same time, maybe Melo takes the place of Logan Paul in a Six Man Tag against The Pride once Lashley is healthy.

Good promo from Blair Davenport to hype her SmackDown debut, and good promo from Andrade to do the same. I do like that Legado is considering recruiting him after all, which was what I was hoping for in the first place, I’m just not sure it happens after Andrade joined Rey the last time. Good match from Bayley VS Chelsea, and of course Bayley wins, but it also feels like Piper is definitely being set up for a title match at Clash at the Castle. Assuming Nia becomes Queen and will challenge at SummerSlam, I would think Bayley retains in Glasgow, despite Piper being the hometown girl. But it would work out as Face Bayley’s always been good at being the underdog. And she’d definitely be the physical underdog in facing Nia right after “surviving” Piper.

Good promo from Styles with Aldis, with Aldis basically turning Styles down. Styles hinted he might make a desperate move, could he “ruin” Cody Rhodes VS Logan Paul? Cody and Logan had a great promo segment together with the second pair of brass knuckles being found and confiscated. Cody VS Logan will be a great match because again, Logan is a great in-ring performer. Before, when it was Winner Takes All, it naturally felt like something wonky had to happen to keep someone from losing a belt. But even with it just being the Undisputed WWE Championship on the line, they’re probably going to protect Logan even in losing so that he doesn’t owe Cody a US Championship match in return. Therefore, Styles just can’t let things go, he goes after Cody.

My Score: 8.8/10