CM Punk returns home!

SmackDown is in Chicago, and no way was CM Punk going to miss this! It’s a special homecoming, but will someone try and ruin the fun?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Bianca Belair VS Chelsea Green VS Mia Yim; Chelsea wins and advances to MITB Toronto.
• Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Randy Orton VS Tama Tonga VS Carmelo Hayes; Melo wins and advances to MITB Toronto.
• Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Kevin Owens VS Andrade VS Grayson Waller; Andrade wins and advances to MITB Toronto.
• Cody Rhodes VS Solo Sikoa w/ Paul Heyman; Cody wins, by disqualification.

PLAY BY PLAY

CM Punk is here!

SmackDown is in Chicago, so where else would he be? The fans fire up as they get to high-five their Second City Saint, and even join in on “IT’S CLOBBERING TIME!” Punk even waves a fan’s Chicago flag before going to the ring. Punk jumps in, but then sits down cross-legged in the middle of the ring as he revels in the chants and cheering. Punk says, “Live television on Fox, I gotta start off by saying, is it great to be alive in Chicago on a Friday night or what?” The fans fire up and Punk says live TV is pressure. Every time he comes out, and he is grateful to be graced by these fans, is pressure.

Speaking in front of his home town is pressure. Promising to do his best and walk away a champion in front of his people is pressure! And y’all might think he’s a little bit crazy, but even to this day, right before hearing the static and hearing Living Color, he wonders… Can he handle the pressure? Here’s a date, you let him know if you were there. July 17, 2011! Punk promised himself and he promised everyone in Chicago that he’d walk out of here THE WWE Champion. That was pressure! He could’ve slipped on a banana peel, fell on his face, and made an embarrassment of himself and the city of Chicago. Did he? “No!” Did he? “NO!”

One more time, did he embarrass Chicago? “NO!!” Then you see where this is going, right? Punk was told he was gonna get jumped in Glasgow. That they needed to hire extra security, because if Punk showed up, messed with the title match, they’d have his head on a pike. Did he ruin everyone’s day? Not for Chicago. And Punk says he’d hate to kick a man while he’s down but this is a bit of revenge. For weeks and months, Drew McIntyre kicked Punk while he was down. And Punk keeps the promises he makes, because McIntyre wasn’t just kicking Punk, he was kicking Chicago.

You can do three things in that situation: You can stay down, but that’s not an option; you can get back up and turn the other cheek, but for Chicago, that’s not an option; Punk did things the Chicago way, if they send him to the hospital, he sends them to the morgue! Punk wasn’t gonna kill a man, but he was gonna kill a career. Punk planned on burying McIntyre’s career six feet under! He just didn’t think it’d be this easy. Because if you haven’t seen it by now, McIntyre has quit! McIntyre couldn’t take the pressure! McIntyre “prayed” for bad things to happen to Punk, so Punk preyed on him to make things happen.

Punk looked forward to making more things happen, but McIntyre has taken his ball and gone home. “Ladies and gentlemen…” The fans are torn seeing The Wise Man make his way out here! Heyman continues his introduction, and he is NOT out here in disrespect to Punk. Of all people, Heyman would never do that. Heyman just got here, is running late, and if you can’t tell, it is hot as balls outside! And when CM Punk opens a show, it gets hot as balls in the Allstate Arena, too. That man right there sat next to Heyman’s children when he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, despite being the Wise Man for The Tribal Chief, Roman… Reigns.

Heyman told the world that Punk is his best friend. Heyman meant it then, means it now, and has come in an urgent situation. Heyman asks for permission to step into the ring, but Chicago chants, “We Want Roman!” Punk says there’s one person in this world that can hijack Punk and get the fans to cheer for Roman, and it’s Heyman. Is he okay? He doesn’t look too good. The fans chant for Punk, and Heyman brings Punk in for a hug! The fans cheer, and Heyman seems rather emotional but also a bit relieved. Heyman apologizes, he just needed that.

Heyman is here because driving in on the radio, they were listening to the radio, and it said that Chicago is CM Punk’s town. The fans cheer, but Heyman says that pissed off Solo Sikoa. The fans boo that, but Heyman says Solo, now that he’s The Head of the Table, wants every town to be HIS town. And well… Heyman is doing Punk a favor while asking for a favor in return. Heyman’s favor is that any day now, Punk will get medically cleared. Anyone that steps in the ring with Punk will learn they step to the Best in the World. And if Punk doesn’t get outta here right now, The Bloodline’s coming for him.

That won’t do any good, because you can see the extra security here, and there’s already some in the back. That’s for the Wyatts given what we saw on Raw, but not for a bunch of rogue Polynesians who are taking this way outta proportion. So Heyman’s favor is to say with love and respect, against Punk’s own instincts, he has to please just get outta here. The fans boo, then they chant for Punk. Punk asks if Heyman is serious. Punk is to leave because Solo and his Tongans are gonna try and jump him in Chicago? The fans get really rowdy now, but then here comes The Bloodline! Solo, Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa stand on stage, and Solo has a mic.

The fans boo as Solo calls out Punk. If Punk wants to be on SmackDown, Solo’s show, then he’s got two options. One: Pay your respect to The Bloodline. Two: The Bloodline makes sure Punk never, ever gets cleared to wrestle again. The fans boo but Solo asks which one Punk wants. Chicago’s got Punk’s back but Heyman is worried. Punk tells Heyman, “What’s the favor you wanted to ask of me if I do you this favor?” Heyman hesitantly says for Punk to take him with Punk. Fans chant “YES! YES! YES”! but Punk wants everyone to hold on. Punk tells Solo, “I acknowledge… the fact that I don’t see the Bloodline standing in front of me. I see a bunch of fake ass Usos!”

The fans go nuts and Punk says Solo is a phony cosplaying Tribal Chief! Solo, Tama & Loa storm up to the ring but Punk stands his ground. The Bloodline steps in, but here’s Cody Rhodes! And he has baseball bats!! The fans fire up as The American Nightmare lets Punk have one, and the two get The Bloodline to back down! The fans go nuts for Cody, and Cody tells Solo, “You fashion yourself the Head of the Table, right? I’ve already beaten one Head of the Table. So why don’t you leave your family backstage, Kevin and Randy won’t accompany me, and we settle this here, we settle this TONIGHT!” The fans love it!

Solo says challenge accepted! Solo will go solo against the WWE Champion, but will he have a Samoan Spike with Cody’s name on it?

Bianca Belair is at gorilla position.

The EST is getting ready, and Jade Cargill walks over. Jade knows tonight is about qualifying for Money in the Bank, and she won’t be a distraction, but after, she’s gonna go talk with Nick Aldis about a rematch for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. Bianca hears that, but she will focus on her match, same as Jade will on hers. A rematch is a good idea since they weren’t even pinned. But they gotta handle business, go qualify for MITB, and then they get the tag titles. Jade loves it. Bianca heads out, but will the StrongEST, the FastEST, the RoughEST, the ToughEST lose another Triple Threat?

Randy Orton & Kevin Owens find Cody Rhodes backstage.

The Viper & Prizefighter check in on Cody. With everything going on, does Cody really wanna face Solo alone tonight? Cody says it is something he has to do. Randy and Kevin have qualifiers, Solo isn’t ready, Cody’s got this. He asks they trust him, and Randy fist bumps. Kevin says he still doesn’t like this. He gets wanting to do it on their own, but The Bloodline always has a plan. Cody knows, Kevin is probably right about this, but Cody’s got a plan of his own. Cody wishes Kevin luck then heads out, but will Cody be the one not ready for this fight?

Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Bianca Belair VS Chelsea Green VS Mia Yim!

SmackDown returns and everyone is in the ring. The bell rings, The Hot Mess ROCKS Bianca, but Michin rolls her up! TWO, an Chelsea ROCKS Mia! Bianca spins Chelsea around to ROCK her, Mia add son, and Chelsea is a pinball! The fans fire up as Chelsea falls over! Mia and Bianca then circle, tie up, and Bayley is watching backstage. Mia headlocks, Bianca powers up and out, then runs Mia over! The fans cheer as Bianca flexes, and Bianca runs, only for Mia to drop down. Chelsea is back to ROCK Bianca! Mia POUNCES Chelsea! Bianca rolls Mia up! TWO, then Mia gets around and redirects. Bianca avoids the dropkick and wags her finger.

Bianca handsprings but Chelsea trips her up! Chelsea TOSSES Bianca, avoids Mia’s dropkick, then ROCKS Mia! Chelsea brings Bianca up, but she ducks the forearm and Bianca DECKS Mia! Bianca still ROCKS Chelsea, but then Mia ROCKS Bianca! The forearms fly, but Chelsea DIVES! Direct hit and down go both Bianca and Mia! The fans fire up as Chelsea laughs at her opponents, and SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns again and Chelsea goes up. Bianca CLUBS her, Mia slides back in, and while Bianca climbs up behind Chelsea, Mia climbs up behind Bianca! DOUBLE SUPER BACK SUPLEX!! The fans are thunderous as all three women are down! Bayley is still watching closely as the three stir. Mia and Bianca brawl with foraerms, theN Mia CHOPS! Bianca fires a forearm, Mia fires a flurry! Bianca shove sMia, ducks a roundhouse then rolls Mia up, TWO! Mia runs up, ducks ‘n’ dodges then RAN- NO, Bianca stops that to get Mia up! Mia fights with fists, sunset flips, TWO! Bianca swings, but into a wrench and SOLE FOOD!

Bianca falls out of the ring, Chelsea rolls Mia up! TWO!! Mia escapes, wrenches, and- NO, Chelsea won’t Eat Da Feet! Chelsea hooks arms, Mia powers out, but Chelsea SLAPS! Mia HEADBUTTS! Mia reels Chelsea in, hoists her up, and hits a STYLES CLASH! Cover, BIANCA BREAKS IT! The fans are fired up again as this phenomenal match continues! Mia drags Bianca up, SOBATS, then waistlocks. Bianca pries free to switch and GERMAN SUPLEX! Mia flounders around, Bianca torture racks! KISS OF DEATH!! Cover, but Chelsea TOSSES Bianca out! Chelsea snipes the cover, and WINS!!

Winner: Chelsea Green, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)

Chicago is all fired up while Bianca is stunned! The Hot Mess is going to Toronto, but will she bring down that briefcase to become Ms. Money in the Bank?

Bayley can’t help but laugh. Of course it ends up like that. But Blair Davenport walks in because she wants Bayley to tell Naomi that Blair is so looking forward to beating her in their qualifier next week. And when Blair becomes Ms. MITB, she is really looking forward to cashing in on Bayley. Blair heads out, but will Bayley beware?

The Bloodline returns to their suite.

Solo glares at Heyman, and asks if Heyman wants to leave. Heyman says no. Well, before he leaves with CM Punk, Heyman needs to tell the Tongans that they need to make sure Randy and Kevin don’t make it outta here. Solo wants Heyman to tell them? Solo says when he tells Heyman to do something, Heyman better go do it. Heyman says he’ll go take care of it, but Solo adds that when Heyman comes back, the two of them… are gonna have a talk. Solo pats Heyman on the chest, and Heyman heads out. Tama’s up first, will Heyman make sure the orders are issued?

Backstage interview with Grayson Waller.

Kayla Braxton is with one half of the WWE Tag Team Champions, and she imagines Waller is having a hard time focusing since Austin Theory is at home recovering. Waller says yeah, shoutout to his boy, he is thinking of Theory tonight. That’s why Waller is gonna win his qualifier tonight, go on to MITB and win the briefcase, all for Austin! But then DIY walks over, and Johnny Gargano says Waller doesn’t actually care for Austin. He only cares about himself! Tommaso Ciampa thinks Ciampa sacrificed his “best friend” Theory last week, all so- WHOA, okay, who or what is banging on the garage door?

Waller backs up, blaming DIY for Theory being stuck at home, and then the garage door lifts to reveal… CM PUNK IS DOWN! DREW MCINTYRE IS STANDING OVER HIM!! The Scottish Terminator quit the WWE but he did not give up his grudge! He hauls Punk up, fireman’s carries him, and with bloody hands, he brings Punk through the halls for the entire roster to see! McIntyre is heading for gorilla even! The fans can be heard booing as McIntyre storms right through the curtain and on stage to show Punk’s people their fallen hero. And then he just DUMPS Punk onto the floor! Punk’s forehead and mouth are bloodied, and McIntyre kneels down.

McIntyre mocks Punk by touching the ground, checking Punk’s own watch, then stealing it! “Clobbering time” doesn’t even cover this! Aldis storms out here, he shoves McIntyre but McIntyre shoves Aldis! Producers hurry to not only keep these two from fighting but to check on Punk. Medics hurry out already, with a stretcher, and the fans boo as McIntyre slowly steps away, keeping his eyes on Punk. Did McIntyre just make sure Punk never gets medically cleared again?

SmackDown returns and…

Punk is loaded into the ambulance. Aldis has security make sure McIntyre is nowhere in the building, but will there be no reason for McIntyre to come back after what he’s just done?

Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Randy Orton VS Tama Tonga VS Carmelo Hayes!

The Viper is on the Bloodline’s hitlist, and you can bet “The Right Hand Man” is going to do everything he can to take him out. Will Orton or Tama be the one shot down #outtanowhere? Or are they both overlooking H1M?

SmackDown returns, Melo is already in the ring and Tama makes his entrance. Orton makes his entrance, and the fans fire up for the Viper! The bell rings and Orton glares at Tama and Tama glares at Orton. Chicago is on Orton’s side, but then Tama and Melo work together to mug him! The fans boo but they both beat Orton down int he ring. Tama shoves Melo and stomps away on Orton, so Melo rolls Tama up! TWO, and now Tama and Melo start shoving. Orton gets up to UPPERCUT Melo, kick Tama, and he TOSSES Tama out! The fans fire up as Orton goes out, throws hands on Tama, then SMACKS him off the desk!

Orton gets Tama up but Melo CLUBS Orton! The fans boo but then Orton kicks Melo! Orton brings Melo around but Tama CLUBS Orton! Orton gets mugged again, and against the mask! Melo and Tama learn to take turns, but then Orton fires hands on them both! The fans fire up, and Orton gives Tama the DESK BACK SUPLEX! then a DESK BACK SUPLEX for Melo! The fans are thunderous as Orton stands tall, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Melo whips Tama, but Tama reverses to then UPPERCUT Melo! Tama drags Melo up, drags him in to CLUB away on his chest, then runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Tama is annoyed but he drags Melo up. Tama HEADBUTTS Melo then clamps on a chinlock. Melo endures, the fans rally for Orton, but Orton is down on the outside somewhere. Melo fights up, Tama CLUBS him, but Melo BOOTS back! Then SUPERKICKS! Tama roars, blocks a kick, and he shoves Melo. Melo runs back in, LA MYSTICA! Cover, TWO! Tama stays in this and Melo grows frustrated.

Melo facelocks Tama, brings him up, and glances to the briefcase. Melo suplexes, but Tama blocks! Melo shifts to a cradle, TWO! Tama swings, Melo dodges and ELBOWS! Melo springboards, into a clinch! URENAGE BACKBREAKER! Cover, Orton breaks it! The fans fire up and Tama is furious! Orton ROCKS Tama first, then ROCKS him again! Melo gets up but Orton kicks him! Orton UPPERCUTS Melo down, LARIATS Tama, and then LARIATS again! Orton dodges Tama to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up but Melo is up top! Orton ROCKS Melo then throws more hands. Orton glances at Tama, then goes up after Melo.

The fans fire up as Orton brings Melo to the top, for a SUPERPLEX! Orton crawls to the cover, but Tama breaks it! Tama then clamps on a SLEEPER! Orton is already turning red, but he THROWS Tama off! Tama comes back to fire off fast hands from all sides! Orton pokes Tama in the eyes! Melo hits the FIRST 48! Tama hits the COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, but Melo drags Tama off! Cover on Orton, Tama drags Melo off! Melo fires on Tama, Tama fires back! They brawl, Tama gets around to back suplex, but Melo lands out! Orton TOSSES Tama, then he puts Melo in the ropes! Tama hurries up, Orton kicks him low!

The fans are thunderous as Orton reels Tama in, too! DOUBLE DRAPING DDTS! Orton grins as he now has double the targets. Chicago is cheering Orton but he hears the voices in his head! But here comes Tonga Loa! Orton DECKS the Silverback, and Kevin appears! Kevin fires off on Loa, but Orton turns around into Tama! Orton TOSSES Tama first! But Melo rolls Orton up! MELO WINS!!

Winner: Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)

And indeed, they were all overlooking H1M! Melo finds his opening, takes his shot, and Melo Don’t Miss! But will he turn things into #MeloInTheBank?

LA Knight is here!

Chicago cheers as The Mega Star goes right to the ring! Knight then gets a mic and says, “LEMME TALK TO YA!” And not to waste any time, Knight tells Logan Paul to bring his goofy keister out here, and to bring that US Championship with him! The fans boo as we wait and Knight asks if they’re really doing this again. MAH GAWD, you gotta be kidding him! Knight looked down the barrel and said he wants that US title. That liver tailed goof said no. So Knight did him one better. He showed up at Logan’s house, pressed the issue, but then Knight got a phone call saying Logan would be right in this ring. That’s the way to do it!

And yet what does Logan do? He no shows Chicago! The fans boo, but Knight says time is running out. Next week, Madison Square Garden, Triple Threat Qualifier of Knight VS Logan VS Santos Escobar. It’s not the match Knight wants because he wants it 1v1 for the US title. Instead they got a qualifier for MITB, and that got Knight thinking. Knight started thinking that he beats Logan next week, moves on to MITB, snatches the briefcase, and just comes looking for Logan. Double the pleasure, double the fun! YEAH! But wait, here comes Santos! Santos starts ranting in Spanish but Knight says cut the music and cut the crap, he didn’t ask for Santos.

Santos goes to the ring and he tells Knight to callete, aka shut up. Santos doesn’t need an invitation, he shows up and he tells the truth. And the truth is, Knight must be delusional! Knight is here, running his mouth, chasing Logan Paul like a desperate Chicago fanboy. It is embarrassing! But let’s wise Knight up. Next week, Knight isn’t just dealing with his icon, his idol, his guru, Logan Paul. He’s dealing with Santos Escobar! So Knight would be wise to remember that. Knight says Santos is clearly a “fan favorite,” they all love to boo him. But Knight’s beaten Santos before, so he isn’t looking at Santos, he’s looking past Santos!

The guy Knight is looking at- OH, Santos kicks Knight low! Santos then fireman’s carries, but Knight pops free! B F T!! The fans fire up as Santos flops out of the ring! Knight says he told Santos already, and he told Logan that- LOGAN ATTACKS FROM BEHIND! Then he POSTS Knight, loads up, and demands Knight get back up! ONE LUCKY PUNCH!! The Maverick is a POS but he’s a smart POS! But will Logan make sure both Knight and Santos miss out on their shot at the briefcase so that he can become The Maverick in the Bank?

Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Kevin Owens VS Andrade VS Grayson Waller!

From one qualifier to another, The Prizefighter may have to watch his back. Not only is The Bloodline out to screw over their enemies, but El Idolo and the Aussie Icon are no joke. Will Kevin #JustKeepFighting until he comes out on top? Or will the chaos benefit the most opportunistic of them all?

Well speaking of, Tama & Loa just attack Kevin right as he makes his entrance! The fans boo but the Tongans won’t even let Kevin have a chance! But Orton has a chair! Orton runs in to run Tama & Loa off! Kevin hobbles up, Orton asks if he’s okay, and Kevin says just make sure the Tongans don’t come back. Kevin storms into the ring, says just ring the bell, and so the bell rings! Waller runs up but Kevin fires back! Waller stomps Kevin down, but then turns around to see Andrade run up. Boot feint to BACK ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! Waller survives, but Andrade grins. Andrade PLANCHAS to take Waller down!

Andrade brings Waller up but Waller SHOVES Andrade into the apron! Waller then slides in, builds speed, and slides out to LARIAT! Down goes Andrade, but Kevin LARIATS Waller! The fans fire up as Kevin SENTONS onto Waller! Kevin even slaps Andrade’s mask aside before he puts Waller back in. Kevin climbs, but Andrade anchors him! Kevin hops down, Andrade fires hands but Kevin gives those back. Waller joins in, it is a brawl on the apron, and Andrade CHOPS Waller right down! Waller gets up to BOOT Andrade, then Kevin ROCKS Andrade with a forearm. Andrade BOOTS Waller, but Kevin ROCKS him again!

Waller JUMP KNEES Andrade, Kevin LARIATS Andrade into the ring! Waller then kicks Kevin’s bad leg! Kevin blocks the suplex and throws body shots. Kevin reels Waller in, but Waller fights the lift to back drop Kevin onto the apron! But Andrade LEAPS to SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB to the floor!! All three men writhe on the outside and fans fire up while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and all three men are now down in the ring. The fans rally up, Kevin and Andrade fire forearms, but then Waller joins in. Kevin hits Waller, Andrade hits Kevin, but then Kevin HEADBUTTS Andrade! Kevin CHOPS Andrade, ROCKS Waller, and repeat! Kevin fires off, but Andrade then returns the favor! Forearms for Kevin, CHOPS for Waller! Waller backs off, Kevin CHOPS Andrade! And ROCKS him! Kevin wobbles a moment but Andrade fires more forearms! Andrade CHOPS, but then Waller turns Andrade around. Andrade swings, Waller dodges, then Waller ROCKS Andrade!

Waller JUMP KNEES Kevin, runs at Andrade, but Andrade drop toeholds him into buckles! The fans rally up, Andrade sees his targets! “SI! SI! SI!” echoes in the building, CIEN SHADOWS for Waller! CIEN SHADOWES for Kevin! Andrade pushes Kevin to a cover, TWO!! Kevin survives but Andrade just smiles. Kevin goes to ropes, the fans rally up, and Andrade storms up. Kevin CHOPS, and ROCKS, then CLUBS Andrade! Andrade hits back with forearms and CHPOS, then the two fire off haymakers like a Blackhawks hockey game! Kevin kicks low, but Waller somersaults to DOUBLE COMPLETE SHOT! Cover on Andrade, TWO! Cover on Kevin, TWO!

Waller is furious but he says A-Town Down! Waller did dedicate this to Theory, and he gets Kevin up in a fireman’s carry. But Kevin slips free to STUN- NO! Waller powers out, then KICKS out the leg! Kevin falls hard, but Andrade SPLASHES Waller in a corner! Andrade whips, Waller dodges, but then Andrade puts Waller on the apron. Waller ROCKS Andrade, goes up, but Andrade CHOPS! Waller wobbles up top, but Andrade climbs up after him. Andrade fires a forearm, then another, then he stands Waller up. Waller resists the lift, fires body shots, and Kevin joins in! TOWER OF DOOM!! Waller flounders away, Kevin climbs up!

With one good leg, Kevin hits a SWANTON BOMB on Andrade! But the bad leg bothers him! Cover, TWO!! Andrade survives, perhaps thanks to the delay. The ref checks with Kevin and Kevin says he’s fine. Kevin stands, the fans fire up again, and Kevin goes back for Andrade. Kevin whips, pop-up, but the leg gives up! Andrade hurries to underhook but Kevin wrenches out! Kick and STUNNER!! Andrade flops over, Kevin covers, WALLER DRAGS KEVIN OUT! Waller SLAMS the leg on the apron, then DDT to the floor! Waller gets space, runs and somersaults, INTO THE MESSAGE!!! Cover, Andrade wins!!

Winner: Andrade, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)

El Idolo succeeds in punching his ticket to Toronto! He joins Melo and Jey Uso, but will Andrade be the next Senor Money in the Bank?

Mia Yim recovers backstage.

But then Tiffany Stratton has to walk over and mock her. “Aw~, looks like someone can’t handle the pressure.” Tiff says that unlike Michin, Tiff actually has what it takes to win her qualifying match next week, and then go to MITB. At least Mia doesn’t crawl to Nia Jax for protection. Tiff goes to slap but Mia blocks it, and PUNCHES back! Only for Nia to CLOBBER Mia! Nia and Tiff nod to each other, and Tiff tells Mia tootles. Will the Queen and Princess of the Ring soon be running SmackDown with iron fists? Or will Tiff be humbled given her match has Jade Cargill in it?

SmackDown goes to Kayla Braxton backstage.

Kayla reminds us that earlier tonight, CM Punk was brutally attacked by Drew McIntyre. McIntyre simply told Kayla, “See you on Monday.” Kayla isn’t sure how badly Punk’s recovery is affected by this attack, but he will be staying overnight at a Chicago hospital for further evaluation. Not to bury the lead, but does that mean McIntyre has not terminated his contract with the WWE? What will he have to say for himself when we return to Monday Night Raw?

Cody Rhodes VS Solo Sikoa w/ Paul Heyman!

The American Nightmare said he’d walk out here alone, but then The Bloodline made sure he’d be alone by attacking Orton and Kevin earlier tonight. Will Solo still honor the agreement by doing this on his own? Or will he do things exactly like the previous Head of the Table?

The fans fire up for Cody’s entrance and they of course sing his song, “WHOA~ OH~!” The Undisputed WWE Champion is ready for this fight, but is that all he’ll be getting? We find out, after the break.

SmackDown returns and Heyman is with Solo at gorilla. Heyman says he told the Tongans, and they did Solo’s bidding. But Heyman says Solo is “breaking commandments.” After WrestleMania, there were several things Roman Reigns said to Heyman. And one was that CM Punk was off limits. Punk is very personal to Heyman, and Cody Rhodes is not something that Solo is supposed to handle. Solo is just to have Cody in check so that when THE Tribal Chief returns- Solo stops Heyman there. Solo hates to be the one to tell Heyman this, because he “loves” Heyman, but… Roman is NOT coming back.

The music hits while Heyman is in shock. Solo pats Heyman on the shoulder then makes his entrance. Is Solo telling the truth that Roman Reigns is NOT making a return to the WWE? Is there no stopping the new Head of the Table because of that? Solo goes to the ring, Heyman following behind in a stupor, and the bell rings. Cody and Solo stare down while Heyman rests against steel steps. Solo and Cody circle, then Solo runs up. Cody dodges, kicks low and hits the RHODES UPPERCUGT! Solo UPPERCUTS, then runs up. Cody TOSSES Solo out, and he almost hits Heyman! Cody runs to DIVE! Solo hits barriers and almost tips them over!

The fans fire up as Cody fires hands, but Solo UPPERCUTS! Solo storms up on Cody, whips him, but Cody reverses! Solo hits steel steps and breaks them apart! The fans fire up and Cody pushes the top half over! Cody whips Solo into the other steel steps, throws the top half away over there, too, then he puts Solo in the ring. Cody storms up behind Solo, dragon sleepers, but Tama & Loa attack after all!!

Winner: Cody Rhodes, by disqualification

The fans boo as The Bloodline honors no such agreement! They beat Cody down, then Solo has his men hold Cody up. But here comes Orton! And Kevin, even on one good leg! Orton and Kevin brawl with Tama and Loa, then Cody goes after Solo! The Bloodline has control, but Kevin kicks low to STUNNER! Loa falls, then Orton gets loose to RKO! Tama is down, Kevin helps Cody stand! Cody high-fives with his guys, and Solo sees he’s the one outnumbered! Solo panics, asks for mercy, but then he smiles…? Solo shouts to his trump card! SUPERKICK for Orton! SUPERKICK for Cody! Kevin SUPERKICKS this guy, but he just fires up and LARIATS Kevin!!

Fans are going nuts because this is the missing Uso, JACOB FATU!! Jacob goes out to bring those steel steps around, and then he brings Kevin over! The fans are losing their minds as we get a SAMOAN DROP on the steps!! Jacob has a wild look in his eyes, then runs around the way to SPEAR ORTON THROUGH BARRIERS!! The Viper’s already got a bad back, did Jacob just send him back to the sidelines? And that’s not the end! Jacob storms in, but Cody fires hands on him! Cody clotheslines Jacob up and out! But Jacob drag shim out, to APRON URENAGE! Solo applauds as Jacob HEADBUTTS Cody and clears the desk!

Jacob brings Cody up, HEADBUTTS him onto the desk, then goes to a corner. Jacob climbs and the fans are freaking out! SUPER SAMOAN SPLASH through the desk!!! The fans lose their minds all over again as Jacob stands up from the wreckage over Cody’s wrecked body! Jacob then joins his cousin in the ring and they hug it out. The Samoan Werewolf raises his ones to the sky, and this already dangerous new Bloodline has only gotten more dangerous! Will there be nothing to stop Solo from taking over now?

My Thoughts:

An awesome episode of SmackDown here! It was such a great blend of following up Clash at the Castle, setting up for MITB, and also adding on from a great Raw. Punk had a great opening promo where he of course called out McIntyre, and of course McIntyre’s response was a violent ambush. For a second, I thought the banging on the garage door was the Wyatt 6 but no, they’re definitely Raw exclusive despite being super scary and therefore unruly. But clearly, this is building to the big McIntyre VS Punk match at SummerSlam that honestly should just outright be a No Disqualification type match so they can just do whatever they want.

They also did great with continuity of when Punk was a Paul Heyman Guy, as The Bloodline confronted Punk, only to set up the throughline story of the night with Cody, Kevin and Orton, but also have Solo drop the bomb on Heyman about Roman supposedly never coming back. Pretty sure that is full on psychological manipulation by Solo, which really does follow Roman’s example during his reign as Tribal Chief. Great stuff from all the qualifiers tonight, and it made for good reason as to why Orton and Kevin weren’t advancing. Though there was a rather subtle copypasta: Melo and Andrade each entered while SmackDown was on commercial, and they end up winning. But in the end, it was also because duh, everyone else has story to deal with.

Likewise, really good promo turned fight from Knight, Santos and Logan Paul. Logan stands tall tonight but duh, he and Knight are gonna have a US Championship match so Santos surely finds a way to win out of that. Very good Triple Threat for the women, as well, but for similar reasons, the superstar that has no other story wins out. Bianca and Jade have the tag titles, Michin has Tiffany & Nia and is still in need of a teammate, so Chelsea gets in. Chelsea is a great character and got to show quite a bit more in the ring than usual, but I still don’t see her winning. Blair Davenport may qualify, she may not, but she’ll have a great showing in next week’s Triple Threat.

And of course, great finish to the show. Cody was dominating, Solo gets saved, and then we get another surprise in this story as Jacob Fatu joins Solo’s side to make this form of the Bloodline four people strong. And we all know in pro-wrestling, four is practically the perfect number. Solo can go after Cody for THE WWE Championship, Tama & Loa stick together as a tag team, and now Jacob can be the midcard title guy. Now there can be an 8 Man Tag if Cody, Kevin & Orton are able to add a fourth, and we’re that much closer to a WarGames match for Survivor Series in November.

My Score: 8.9/10