SmackDown returns to Madison Square Garden!

As Solo Sikoa makes HIS Bloodline more and more dangerous, he demands SmackDown and the WWE acknowledge him in the greatest sports arena in the world, Madison Square Garden!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Jade Cargill VS Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae; Tiffany wins and advances to MITB Toronto.
• Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: LA Knight VS Logan Paul VS Santos Escobar; Knight wins and advances to MITB Toronto.
• Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Naomi VS Blair Davenport VS Indi Hartwell; Naomi wins and advances to MITB Toronto.

PLAY BY PLAY

Paul Heyman greets The Bloodline backstage.

Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa exit the car, and walk up to The Wise Man. Heyman says, “Not that you answer to me, but may I respectfully ask… Where’s Jacob Fatu?” Solo pats Heyman on the shoulder and leads the group on. You can hear the fans chanting “WE WANT ROMAN!” as The Bloodline steps through gorilla and right on stage. The Samoan Werewolf is unaccounted for, but the NEW Head of the Table and his men- WAIT! Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton & Kevin Owens arrive backstage! And they’re storming their way out to the stage! They aren’t waiting for Money in the Bank and the Six Man Tag! The brawl is on NOW!

The fans are thunderous as Cody is after Solo, Orton fights with Tama and Kevin has Loa! This goes all around the stage, down the ramp, and then to ringside! The fans cheer Cody’s side on as he SMACKS Solo off steps! Kevin and Loa have actually ended up around the backside of the crowd, and are fighting near the tech area! Kevin SMACKS Loa with a briefcase, then into a road case! Orton throws hands and stomps Tama! Kevin puts Loa on a table! Orton SMACKS Tama off the apron! Kevin goes up into the crowd, Orton hits a BARRIER BACK SUPLEX on Tama! Kevin goes onto the ledge, to SUPER SWANTON BOMB through the table!!

Madison Square Garden is losing its mind as Cody TOSSES Solo! Cody and Orton stand tall in the ring, but here comes Nick Aldis and a troop of security guards! Cody’s side holds the ring, even as Kevin holds his side, but The Bloodline is in retreat! So much for their “acknowledgement ceremony!” What will Aldis have to say about all this chaos to open his show?

SmackDown returns and…

Cody, Randy & Kevin still have the ring but Aldis tries to reason with them. Randy says he can’t hear Aldis because of all these people! Aldis and Cody argue about preserving the MITB match but Cody says this has been the best part of the night already! Aldis tells security to escort these three, and the first guard to step in pleads with them. Orton says what’s that over there? RKO!! Then all hell breaks loose again! Cody, Kevin & Randy fight off over a dozen guards, despite Aldis’ protests! This may be a huge fine for all three men, but Kevin gets a STUNNER in, then Orton hits another RKO! Cody tops it off with a CROSS RHODES!

Aldis storms off, frustrated with his top stars, but Cody gets mics for the three of ’em. The fans are all fired up, and Kevin tells Bloodline, if they thought this group was waiting until MITB, then they’re dumber than they look! And Randy says, “Check it out, The Bloodline has been crawling up my ass for over two years. They put me on the shelf for 18 FREAKIN’ months! So at Money in the Bank, we put The Bloodline down, for good!” Cody adds that The Bloodline looks at this ring, and they see three victims. Cody doesn’t see three victims. He sees one of the baddest men on the planet, someone that has headlined WrestleMania, and a good friend in Kevin Owens!

Cody also sees a FOURTEEN TIME World Champion, an first ballot Hall of Famer, and someone responsible for Cody standing here today in Randy Orton! And here’s what else Cody sees. Cody sees a sold out, world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden! The fans cheer that! Cody says magic like this, he should be defending his WWE Championship here tonight against a worthy, credible opponent. But instead, he’s fighting a war with The Bloodline he thought he already finished at WrestleMania! But wait, here comes Aldis with POLICE! The fans boo but Cody tells Solo to look at him.

At MITB, we don’t know why they’re The Bloodline. Cody doesn’t see the Final Boss, the Tribal Chief, or the Head of the Table. He just sees a seat filler! The fans love that, but the NYPD ask Cody and team to stand down. The fans sing along with Cody’s song as he, Orton and Kevin exit peacefully. But will there be no stopping the American Nightmare, the Viper & The Prizefighter when they’re taking on Solo’s squad in Toronto?

Backstage interview with Nick Aldis.

Kayla Braxton walks over to the SmackDown General Manager as he and the police accompany Cody, Randy & Kevin out of the building. She knows it has already been a wild night, but she asks if he cares to comment. Aldis says sorry, there’s just too much going on. Cody, Randy & Kevin hop back into the car that brought them and it drives off. Will they just have to wait until next Saturday to get their hands on The Bloodline?

Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Jade Cargill VS Tiffany Stratton VS Candice LeRae!

While The EST could not get through her qualifier, her tag partner is looking to win this one for the both of them. Will a storm be heading for Toronto? Will it be #TiffyTime instead? Or will The Poison Pixie find a way through to her own golden opportunity?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. Candice makes a truce with Tiff, they rush up but Jade ROCKS Tiff then ROCKS Candice, repeat! Tiff dropkicks a leg, SMACKS Jade off the mat, then Candice STEP-UP SENTONS! Tiff gets Jade up and Candice helps out, they DOUBLE SUPLEX! They mug Jade with forearms and stomps, then they rain down fists. Tiff stomps a bit more, then brings Jade back up. Tiff & Candice reel Jade back in, DOUBLE SUPLEX, but Jade lands out! Jade then DOUBLE LARIATS them down! The fans fire up and Jade scoops Candice to SWINGING BACKBREAKER! Tiff runs up, Jade wrenches and reels her in, to GOURD BUSTER!

Jade aims to SUPERKICK! Tiff falls out of the ring, Jade dusts her boots off, then storms up on Candice. Jade scoops Candice into a military press! Jade smiles, then TOSSES Candice out onto Tiff! The fans are thunderous behind the storm, but here comes Nia Jax! The Irresistible Queen of the Ring storms out here to back up “Princess Tiffy,” but here comes Bianca now! Bianca gets in Nia’s face and now Jade has back-up, too! Bianca and Nia argue while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Tiff CHOKES Jade on ropes! Candice runs in to DROPKICK Jade, then Tiff CHOKES her more! Tiff  and Candice switch places, Tiff runs, but Candice CLOBBERS Tiff! Candice says it’s her time, then drags Tiff up. Candice reels Tiff in, kicks off Jade and hits a TORNADO DDT! Cover on Tiff, but Jade breaks it up! Candice ENZIGIRIS Jade, Jade SUPERKICKS back! Tiff staggers up, Jade whips her to a corner, Jade runs in, Tiff goes up and over then cartwheels to Alabama Lift Candice! ALABAMA SLAM in the corner! Tiff then handsprings corenr to corner to BACK ELBOW! Tiff handsprings back the other way, but Candice dodges!

Tiff staggers, Candice pushes her into the corner, BULLDOG- SPINEBUSTER! Jade turns Candice’s combo against her, but Tiff SHOTGUNS Jade down! Cover, Candice breaks it! Nia is frustrated but Bianca coaches Jade. The fans rally, all three women stir, and Candice CLUBS away on Tiff! Candice then rains down fists on Jade! The fans boo but Jade rises up. Jade is mad, and she grabs Candice with both hands! Jade TOSSES Candice to a corner, then RAMS Tiff into the other! Jade RAMS into Tiff again and again, then runs corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH! Jade goes back for Tiff, but Tiff dodges! Jade tumbles up and out!

The fans rally up and Nia grins as Jade is prime for the picking. But Bianca storms over to turn Nia around! The ref gets between these two as they argue, but Jade sees Nia. But then Indi shows up to POST Jade! Bianca chases Indi off but Tiff has Candice! Only for Candice to cradle! TWO, Candice SUPERKICKS! Tiff is down, Candice LIONSAULTS, but onto knees! PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Tiff wins!

Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall (advances to MITB)

The deciding factor wasn’t Bianca or Nia, it was #IndiWrestling! But while the Queen of the Ring is happy, will she have to be careful the Princess doesn’t try to usurp the throne with a cash-in?

Bayley talks with Naomi backstage.

The Role Model asks if The Glow just saw that. Tiff is so annoying, and she’ll only get worse if she wins the contract. But no worries so long as Naomi gets in! Naomi will take care of business. But if that happens, then she might have to cash in on Bayley at some point. Yeah, okay, but we’ll worry about that at some point later. And Blair Davenport walks over to say this is so cute, them talking about fictional scenarios. Because we all know Naomi is not winning tonight. And Bayley should really hold on tight to the title, because her days as champion are numbered. Naomi tells Bayley to stay cool, Naomi will handle that.

There’s one more Triple Threat to go for the ladies tonight, will Blair have to beware The Glow? Or are they both overlooking #IndiWrestling like everyone else just did?

Mia Yim talks with Aldis in his office.

Michin knows he saw what happened last week. Nia jumped her from behind, and now she needs to get that lick back. Please give her a match! Aldis says he’ll see what he can do. She appreciates that, then heads out. Now B-Fab & The Street Profits walk in. And B-Fab knows Aldis sent Cody, Kevin & Randy home for the night, but The Profits are here and they need to get hands on The Bloodline. No, not happening. What? Aldis says it has already been chaotic tonight, and he promised them time for their ceremony. Just save it for next week. But then in step Pretty Deadly, cheering their own return to SmackDown.

Kit Wilson & Elton Price are inspired by being here in New York. If Aldis is willing to receive, they are willing to give the perfect pitch. Think about this: Pretty Deadly, the Musical! Dawkins says hold up. Nobody cares about their musical! B-Fab knows the Backstreet Boys wannabes didn’t just come up and interrupt business. Ford says they’d need artificial crowd noises like this is the ThunderDome Era. Aldis, Ford has a new idea: The Profits VS Pretty Deadly, the beatdown! That sounds great to Aldis! Dawkins & Ford mock the wiggly fingers while Pretty Deadly is upset, but will The Profits be up in the Big Apple?

The Bloodline regroups backstage.

Solo checks his jaw while Heyman informs him that Cody, Randy and Kevin have all been removed from MSG by the NYPD. All this leaves now is one Solo. Heyman wishes to serve him as The Wise Man. He asks what they hell they’re doing tonight, and where the hell is Jacob Fatu. Solo says he hears Heyman. Heyman is his Wise Man. What’s the point of having a Wise Man if he doesn’t take the advice? Right! So Solo will listen to Heyman. Jacob is too dangerous, so he ain’t here. And he won’t be here. And that is why Heyman is Solo’s Wise Man. They make that official tonight. Solo again pats Heyman on the shoulder, but now Heyman is more confused than before!

Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: LA Knight VS Logan Paul VS Santos Escobar!

The Mega Star has been trying to get The Maverick to show up to work, and finally, here he is! But at the same time, The Emperor of Lucha Libre is part of the mix, and he could take advantage of some divided attention. Will Santos be heading to Toronto to become the NEW Senor Money in the Bank? Will Logan’s #OneLuckyRight be all he needs to punch his ticket? Or will LA Knight say YEAH to taking out two birdbrains with one stone?

SmackDown returns as the United States Champion makes his entrance. Sadly, he has a mic to say, “Madison Square Garden, the Mecca of Sports and Entertainment. Where heroes are made and legends are born. And tonight, Logan Paul gets to perform in this historic arena.” The fans boo that but Logan says to truly understand what it takes, he got a mentor. That is why he has in his corner someone who knows what it means to actually win in MSG! So ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the Indiana Pacers’ star, Tyrese Hailburton! As if the fans weren’t pissed seeing just Logan! One of their mortal enemies now accompanies Logan to the ring.

The bell rings and Knight fires off on Logan! The fans cheer, Santos storms up, but Knight ELBOWS him away, then DECKS him with a right! Logan storms up but Knight RAMS him back into the corner! Knight RAMS into Logan again and again, then he LARIATS Santos! Knight storms back up but Logan kicks low! Logan fires hands but Knight fights back! Santos TACKLES Knight! The fans boo but Santos and Logan stomp away on Knight! The fans boo more but then Santos and Logan stare down. Knight flounders away but Logan and Santos still stomp him! Santos ROCKS Knight, has him on ropes, but Logan steps in to UPPERCUT!

Santos steps in to ROCK Knight! Santos then runs to RANA Knight! Logan likes what he sees but the fans boo. Then Logan sucker punches Santos! Logan TOSSES Santos, goes back to Knight, and wrenches to gut wrench and SLAM! Cover, TWO! Knight’s tougher than that but Logan just smirks. Haliburton cheers but he’s the only one. Logan gets Knight up but Knight fires body shots! Logan knees low, whips Knight to ropes, but Knight ducks ‘n ‘dodges then WRECKS Santos with a dropkick! The fans fire up, but Logan runs up, only for Knight to RAM into him! Knight SLINGSHOT SHOULDER TACKLES, too!

The fans fire up more as Knight stomps Logan now! Knight rains down fists on Logan, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight says “YEAH~!” and the fans rally up again. Knight gets Logan up, whips him to ropes, but Logan KICKS back! Logan reels Knight in, taunts the fans, ALLEY-OOPS! Knight flounders out, Logan gets the “assist” from Haliburton before he shoots a three. Logan then aims to PLANCHA Knight down! Logan is all fire dup, but Santos DIVES onto Logan! The Arrow From Hell takes down the Maverick and the fans fire up while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again as Knight dribbles Logan off the desk! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” But then Santos LEAPS onto Knight from the apron! Logan gets away, Santos brings Knight around and puts him in the ring. Santos steps in, stalks Knight to a corner, then runs up, but into an ELBOW! Knight fireman’s carries, goes up a corner, and the fans fire up. It gets a bit scary up there but Knight stands, only for Santos to throw elbows! Santos adjusts and SUPER STEINERS! Cover, Logan breaks it! The fans are torn but Logan gets Santos up. Logan reels Santos in, to ALLEY-OOP him onto Knight! But that’s a  cover! Logan breaks that, then covers Knight, TWO!

Logan covers Santos, TWO! Tyrese is just as frustrated as Logan, and Logan gets Knight up. Logan UPPERCUTS Knight, eggs the fans on, but Knight ROCKS Logan! Logan UPPERCUTS, but Knight gets around to kick, JAB! JAB! JAB! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight ROCKS Logan, whips him to ropes, but Logan reverse. Knight ducks under, gets around, and hits a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Santos runs up, but into a DDT! Knight covers Santos, but he moves as Logan leaps! SPLASH onto Santos, but that’s a cover! Knight drags Logan right up, to back suplex and SLAM! The fans fire up with Knight and he paces around.

Knight spells it out, but Santos KNEES him down! Santos brings Knight around, fireman’s carries, but Knight pops free! Knight shoves, pop-up POWERSLAM! Then the MEGA ELBOW DROP! The fans fire up while all three men are down! Knight sees Logan in a corner so he storms over to stomp away! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight then goes corner to corner to KNEE Logan! Santos DOUBLE KENES Knight! Fireman’s carry, PHANTOM DRIVER!! Cover, Logan breaks it!! The fans boo but this one continues as Santos goes to a corner. Logan stands up, runs in, and he forearm smashes Santos! Then CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again!

Santos turns things around to CHOP back! Santos CHOPS and LARIATS in one go! Santos puts Logan up top, but Logan ROCKS Santos! Logan adjusts, but Santos GAMANGIRIS! Santos goes up the corner, but Knight grabs Santos! Santos kicks Knight away, goes up, but Knight is right back! SUPER BACK SUPLEX!! Both men are down, and Logan has targets acquired! SWANTON BOMB on Knight!! Cover, TWO!!! Knight survives and shocks everyone! MSG is thunderous as all three men are down! But Tyrese fetches Logan his brass knuckles! Not this again! But in steps Jalen Brunson! MSG goes nuts for the Knicks star as he stares down the Pacer!

The refs rush out to stop this from turning into a fight on the court! The fans chant “MVP! MVP!” for their guy, and Santos DOUBLE KNEES Logan! Santos then runs at Knight, but Knight dodges knees! B F T!!! But Logan rolls Knight up!! With tights! TWO!! Knight gets Logan!! KNIGHT WINS!!!!

Winner: LA Knight, by pinfall (advances to MITB)

Logan is beside himself, but that’s what he gets! Knight not only gets one over on the United States Champion, but he’s heading to Toronto! Will Knight turn this into the Mega Star in the Bank? Wait, Tyrese gets in the ring, and HE has the brass knuckles on! Knight is between Logan and Tyrese, but here comes Brunson, WITH A CHAIR! The fans fire up as Brunson stands with Knight! Logan has Tyrese stand down, they don’t need this heat. Will Logan just wait to settle things with Knight down the road?

Baron Corbin and Apollo Crews are watching backstage.

They both really enjoyed that. Props to Knight getting the win over two opponents, but Knight doesn’t know what he’s getting himself into. That MITB match is no joke. Crews says, didn’t Corbin win one? Oh, gotta bring that up, huh? But yeah, he did win. Crews puts his money on Main Event Jey Uso. But hey, the best part is that Santos has NO chance of becoming Mr. MITB now! He’ll be at home with karma. But is that enough? Crews got some payback of his own on Angel & Humberto in NXT, but- In steps Carmelo Hayes. Melo in the Garden! Oh, is Carmelo Anthony here? Maybe he’ll take a pick with Hayes.

Ha ha, no. Hayes meant the Melo that actually won a championship. But he wants to run something by them real quick. When Melo wins MITB, he wants to get a new T-shirt. He’s thinking “Melo in the Bank.” That’ll sell out first week, topping Cody, topping Jey- Whoa, bro, c’mon. It’s good to be confident, but Melo is naive, in way over his head. Oh, then they must be living under a rock because just last week, Melo pinned the FOURTEEN TIME WWE Champion, Randy Orton. Let’s talk about it. Lot of people have their money on YEET, a lot have their money on YEAH, but they should be betting on HIM. Take that to the bank.

Melo heads out, Corbin says he’s a betting man, and Melo has no shot. Crews agrees, but will they both be proven right? Or will Melo prove that when the stakes are at their highest, never bet against HIM?

WWE mourns the loss of Leati “Sika” Anoa’i.

“Prestigious. Ferocious. Influential. Iconic.” There are countless ways to describe the Anoa’i Family, it is clear they stand as one of the most powerful dynasties in pro-wrestling. WWE is saddened to learn of the passing of the great Sika, a patriarch of this legendary bloodline, “who established a legacy of dominance with one of the most imposing tag teams of all time,” The Wild Samoans. Sika was born and raised in Samoa then moved to San Francisco. Trained by his brother, Afa, the two would then become one of the most world renowned tag teams. Even legends like Hulk Hogan had to admit they had intimidating presences.

In their 30 YEAR career, The Wild Samoans would hold 21 total tag team championships, becoming one of the most acclaimed teams of all time, and were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2007. Mick Foley says those two were pillars of the Samoan Dynasty that leads to today. Sika instilled a relentless work ethic into the rest of the family, especially his own son, Joe Anoa’i, aka Roman Reigns. Roman is much like his father, a strong presence but a gentle soul, and has truly made his father proud.

The Anoa’i Family has created so many great Samoan superstars, and Sika will be remembered as a caring brother, loving father, and proud grandfather. Sika’s influence has ensured that the Anoa’i Family name will never be forgotten.

Andrade speaks.

“Money in the Bank. This is not just any match. It’s where careers are made, and dreams are destroyed. For most, it’s a chance for glory. For me, it’s a destiny. Because I don’t fight to win. I fight to destroy. Remember, Andrade is here to take over. And trust me, I am not just taking the briefcase. I am taking everything!” El Idolo has spoken, but will he make his destiny into a reality?

Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Naomi VS Blair Davenport VS Indi Hartwell!

Speaking of MITB, The Glow has been meaning to “welcome” Dangerous Davenport to SmackDown, and now they finally meet in the ring. But again, Indi is in the mix, will she make sure things down go well for either of them? Or will someone #FeelTheGlow in the Garden?

The bell rings and Blair tries to team up with Indi, only for Naomi to SHOTGUN them both down! Naomi fires off on Blair, CLUBS and kicks Indi, but Blair goes after Naomi. Indi and Blair mug Naomi, double whip, but then Naomi slides under the double lariat! Naomi double mule kicks, runs, and DOUBLE- NO, the crossbody is caught and the two SLAM Naomi down! Indi storms up to Naomi but Blair rolls her up! TWO, and Blair apologizes for trying something. Indi calms down, then she and Blair double whip Naomi to a corner. Blair runs up but Naoi BOOTS her away! Indi runs in but Naomi RANAS, only Indi to block!

Indi SWINGS Naomi into Blair, then BOMBS Naomi! High stack, TWO! Naomi is still in this but Indi drags her out. Indi wheelbarrows but Naomi grabs ropes. Blair DOUBLE STOMPS Naomi down! Indi then goes after Blair, but Blair whips her away, into steps! Blair then goes up and up to DOUBLE STOMP Indi down! Blair says SHE is gonna be Miss MITB, but SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Indi has Blair in a chinlock but Blair has Naomi in a chinlock! Blair lets go of Naomi so she can JAWBREAKER free! Naomi mule kicks Blair, brings her around to then send into Indi, then NECKBREAKER DDT COMBO! The fans fire up while all three women are down! Indi and Naomi sit up first while the fans rally. Naomi stands, goes up a corner, and she aims to DOUBLE CROSSBODY! Down go Indi and Blair! Naomi runs to LARIAT Blair! Then she dodges Indi to go up and up and FLYING CHUCK! Indi flounders against ropes, falls over, then Naomi runs to DOUBLE SPLIT LEG DROP!! Cover, TWO!!

Blair and Indi survive but Naomi stays fired up. The fans rally with Naomi and she runs in to SMASH Blair! Naomi runs to SMASH Indi! Naomi SMASHES Blair, dodges Indi, then runs in again. Indi dodges so Naomi SPLASHES Blair! Indi clinches to SPINEBUSTER Naomi! And then Indi SPINEBUSTERS Blair onto Naomi! Double stack cover, TWO!! Indi is frustrated but she focuses on Naomi. Indi drags Naomi up to full nelson, but Naomi fights free. Naomi headlocks Indi, and runs to BULLDOG LARIAT COMBO in the corner! Naomi pushes Indi down, Blair falls down next to her. SPLIT LEG MOONSAULT but Blair moves!

Naomi still gets Indi with the moonsault, but Blair BUZZSAWS her off the cover! Blair drags Naomi up, suplexes, and hits a FALCON ARROW! Cover, Indi breaks it! The fans fire up as this continues! All three women rise up, and Naomi ROCKS Blair! Then she ROCKS Indi! Blair and Indi each hit Naomi, but then Blair hits Indi! The forearms keep going, Blair SUPERKICKS Naomi! Indi BOOTS Blair! Indi storms over to Naomi but Naomi DUMPS her out! Indi gets in but Naomi KICKS her in the ropes! HEATSEEKER! But Blair whips Naomi away to a corner! Blair runs up, blocks a boot, but not the ENZIGIRI!

Naomi resets up top, SPLIT LEG MOONSAULT FLOPS! Blair sits Naomi up, but Indi drags her out of the ring! Wheelbarrow and SWING into steel steps! Indi shows no mercy, and she dodges Naomi’s dropkick! Indi sends Naomi into barriers! Indi hauls Naomi up, pushes her into the ring, but here comes Jade! Jade wants payback for earlier tonight! Indi swings on Jade but Jade ROCKS Indi! And POSTS her! Jade feeds Indi to Naomi in the ring, and the fans fire up as Naomi ROUNDHOUSES, into the FULL NELSON BOMB! GEDO CLUTCH, Naomi wins!

Winner: Naomi, by pinfall (advances to MITB)

Jade applauds, because at least one of the #Big3 gets to go on to Toronto! Will Naomi soon turn this into The Glow in the Bank? And what will that mean for her friendship with Bayley?

Backstage interview with #DIY.

Byron Saxton is with Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano, and notes that next week, they have their opportunity to become WWE Tag Team Champions. What is their strategy heading into SmackDown in Toronto? Ciampa says they have a lot of history in Toronto. That is where they became NXT Tag Tag Team Champions. And now, eight YEARS later, they return there, to the same exact building. And they know what- Wait, Austin Theory walks over. Theory tells them that he has had two weeks to think about what they said to him. And what they did to him.

Gargano explains, they weren’t aiming for Theory, they were aiming for Waller. The problem is that Waller pulled Theory into the way, just like always. Is that what they think? That’s what DIY knows. Theory says what’ll happen in Toronto is that A-Town Down Under, the greatest tag team today, will show up. Then, Theory and his best friend, Waller, will- Gargano tells Theory to stop it. Waller is not Theory’s friend! Everyone but Theory sees it! Gargano isn’t saying this to hurt Theory, but he has to say it. Waller is just using Theory to keep the titles. That’s all. But then Waller attacks Gargano! And he throws Ciampa away!

Waller rains down fists, Theory pulls Waller away and the tag champs get outta there. Waller again makes sure Gargano can’t finish his talk with Theory, but will they all just talk with their fists next Friday?

Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline heads to the ring.

As they intended to do to start the night, Solo, Tama, Loa and Heyman walk down the ramp and to the ring to have their “Acknowledgement Ceremony.” And since they don’t have to worry about Cody, Randy or Kevin, will the NEW Head of the Table, his Right Hand Man and the Infamous Loa be able to conduct their business? Heyman gets the mic first, even as fans are being censored by Fox. Heyman tells these “Ladies and gentlemen,” that tonight, here in the world’s most famous arena… Solo wants the mic already. The fans boo but Heyman must obey. The fans chant “WE WANT ROMAN!” but Heyman gives his mic to Solo.

Solo says, “Before we get to that, Paul… Let me introduce to you… the newest member of The Bloodline, the Samoan Werewolf, MY Enforcer, Jacob Fatu!” The fans boo and Heyman is disappointed that Solo lied to him, but here comes Jacob! Jacob joins Solo and the rest in the ring, and the ceremony continues, after the break.

SmackDown returns and Solo says, “Madison Square Garden… ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” The fans boo and Heyman is stunned that Solo would dare use that phrase. The fans again have to be censored a bit but Solo’s Bloodline raises the ones. Solo tells the Right Hand Man to step up. Tama steps forward. “Acknowledge me.” Tama says, “Solo, my poka uah, oh Fatu, and I acknowledge you!” Solo tells Infamous Loa to step up and “acknowledge me.” Loa says, “Solo, I love always, I acknowledge you.” The fans boo more and more, and Heyman is beside himself. Solo tells Enforcer Jacob to step up and acknowledge him.

Jacob tells Solo, “I love you! My loa lava, Solo. I acknowledge you!” Solo smiles, and then turns to Heyman. Heyman, a tired look in his eyes, watches Solo step forward. Solo says this is the Wise Man’s one chance. “Paul, acknowledge me.” The fans chant “NO! NO! NO!” and Heyman looks pale. But then Loa brings out a brand new red lei! Where’d he get one of those!? Heyman is in complete shot, but Solo tells him to look at him when he’s talking. Acknowledge Solo as Your Tribal Chief! Heyman takes the lei in hand, and is given the mic. Solo awaits his anointing, but Heyman is distraught. The fans continue to say don’t, and Heyman pleads with God to stop this.

Solo still waits, and Heyman says, “Solo… I love you. And I acknowledge… that you are NOT My Tribal Chief!!” The fans go wild as Heyman, tears in his eyes, throws down the lei and the mic. SAMOAN SPIKE!!! The fans boo as Solo loses his cool! Solo tells Heyman he has tried and tried and tried! Solo tells Jacob to go up top! Jacob does as told and he climbs while Solo has Loa position Heyman just right. Jacob is up top, and he DIVING HEADBUTTS Heyman!!! Solo says this didn’t have to happen, but now Heyman must pay! The Tongans drag Heyman out while Jacob clears the desk! The fans are losing their minds, as Heyman takes a TRIPLE BOMB through the desk!!!

The fans lose their minds, refs rush out and Solo shouts at Heyman that it didn’t need to be like this! But then Jacob takes the lei, and he anoints Solo with it. Solo and his soulless soldiers stand together, fingers raised to the sky. Nothing will ever be the same again, but how much worse will they get from here?

My Thoughts:

What an excellent episode for SmackDown! For one, some surprising results in those MITB qualifiers, but still with great story motivations behind them. Indi tried to help Candice but she mostly just screwed Jade out of things, and then Jade returned the favor, so we’ll surely be getting Jade & Bianca VS Indi & Candice as a way to build the StrongEST Duo back up to the women’s tag titles. Tiffany of course got in on her match, but Naomi being in over Blair is cool. Bayley and Naomi had a good promo together with Blair, and there’s some fun to be had in the story if the friends are made enemies because of MITB.

At the same time, that story could also work with Tiff and Nia. Nia will get her shot at SummerSlam, and Tiff could be waiting with the briefcase. If Nia beats Bayley, she probably scares Tiff into not cashing in. But if Bayley “somehow survives” Nia, then Tiff could easily jump in there and go after a tired Bayley to win. LA Knight winning his match was a great surprise, and they had fun bringing in NBA stars who clearly must be fans of WWE. They played up to being in New York, so Brunson was of course the Face with Tyrese as the Heel. Knight has his part in MITB, probably won’t win it, but hey, he also has his win on Logan in his back pocket, Logan VS Knight at SummerSlam in Cleveland, Logan’s hometown, that’ll be great stuff.

Good promo from Corbin, Crews and Melo, though I was hoping Angel and Humberto were going to confront Crews over NXT and how both Crews and Corbin were talking smack on Santos. Maybe that’ll still happen next week or something, but I still expect there to be some sort of Six Man of Legado VS Crews, Corbin & Andrade at some point. Also, good promo from Andrade, though it didn’t exactly add that much. However, if anyone on the SmackDown side is becoming Mr. MITB, it would be Andrade. Knight has his feud with Logan, and while Melo is good, it still feels too soon. Andrade needs something for his return to the WWE and being Mr. MITB could be just the thing.

Very good string of promos in Aldis’ office. Mia VS Nia the rematch will be good, but I almost expect Tiff to help Nia win again. Profits wanting after Bloodline is good stuff, and Pretty Deadly making their return is also good, and the tag match we not get of Profits VS Pretty Deadly will be some really good stuff. DIY had a good promo with Theory and Waller, Waller’s attack definitely added a bit of heat to the match. I don’t see a title change happening just yet, even with them in Toronto and having the go-home show, but I think there will be more cracks in the foundation of A-Town Down Under that leads to their split by SummerSlam.

And just when you think this Bloodline story can’t reach new levels, we get tonight. Great opening brawl to help hype up the coming Six Man Tag, and it was also a good way to remove Cody’s team from the equation. Solo lies to Heyman, offends Heyman with how his Bloodline is usurping all the elements of Roman’s Bloodline, and then they put Heyman through a table. If this doesn’t motivate Roman to return soon, I don’t know what will.

My Score: 9/10