The Bloodline defends their gold!

Jacob Fatu is back, and tonight on SmackDown, he defends the WWE Tag Team Championships alongside Tama Tonga against The Street Profits!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• WWE United States Championship: LA Knight VS Santos Escobar w/ Legado Del Fantasma; Knight wins and retains the title.
• Six Woman Tag: Naomi, Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair VS Blair Davenport, Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn; Naomi, Jade & Bianca win.
• WWE Tag Team Championships: The Bloodline VS The Street Profits w/ B-Fab; The Bloodline wins and retains the titles.
• Cody Rhodes & Kevin Owens VS A-Town Down Under; Cody & Kevin win.

PLAY BY PLAY

SmackDown presents a brand new Grayson Waller Effect!

“The Audacious” Austin Theory and the Aussie Icon are already in the ring and fans boo. Waller welcomes us to his show, and says he is excited. But no time to waste, because their guest loves to make things about himself. He is the WWE Champion, The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes! Washington DC cheers now, and they sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and the pyro goes off. But then Waller has Cody stop from getting on the corner, and says we already got the pyro and the “cringe” sing-along, time for the interview. The fans boo again but Cody steps inside. The fans cheer on Cody as he grabs a mic.

“So…” Waller cuts him off by saying, “Washington DC, whaddya wanna talk about?” Waller says “We get it. Everything’s about Cody Rhodes. Even on my own show, it’s gotta be about you. Because everything int he WWE’s about Cody Rhodes, right?” Cody doesn’t have to answer, Waller knows that this is Cody! The fans cheer Cody on, and Waller says Cody is the hero of the story. Only because these idiots don’t know the real Cody! But Waller does. He knows how selfish Cody is, and how all he cares about is the title. How many times have Cody’s “friends” gotten beaten up because of Cody while Cody gets all the glory? What kind of friend is that?

Cody asks if Waller is done. He’s a bad friend, huh? Then let’s talk about his friends. Kevin Owens, Cody’s opponent at Bash In Berlin. Waller must think Cody giving Kevin the title shot is charity. But in reality, if Cody were to put the list of SmackDown superstars up on the wall, and asked if Kevin could beat each and every one of them, the truth is, Kevin could and probably already has. Kevin was fighting The Bloodline long before Cody came back. Kevin’s been beaten up, but he has not stopped fighting! The fans cheer that! Cody says in fact, Cody would not be sitting here WWE Championship if not for Kevin Owens.

But never once has Cody “used” Kevin. Can Waller say the same? Because this “relationship,” is this friendship? Or is Waller just using Theory? The fans go, “Oooh~!” Cody asks if Magic Mike understands. This guy here is trying to convince everyone that he’s going to show the real Cody Rhodes, when in actuality, Waller is the one being a user, and he is using Theory. Everyone else is just waiting for Theory to do something about it. DC cheers, but Waller says Cody is not turning the tables! This is Waller’s best mate! His tag partner! They won the tag team championships at WrestleMania together! They’d never turn on each other.

But Waller knows someone who would do that. In fact, everyone needs a reminder of what Kevin is capable of. Waller prepared a little something just for Cody. It is a highlight reel of Kevin Owens’ past TEN YEARS, from Sami Zayn, to John Cena, to Chris Jericho, o Kofi Kingston & The New Day, to Sami Zayn again. Waller then says, “Wow…! That doesn’t look like a good friend to me.” But here comes Kevin! The fans cheer for “KO! KO!” and Kevin has a mic to say, “Alright. I can’t stand back there any longer, cuz we get the point. You guys are trying to convince Cody that I’m gonna turn on him, stab him in the back viciously, try to end his career, all that stuff.”

Kevin tells Cody that everyone in that video kinda had it coming at the time. Except Kofi, that was all on Kevin, he apologizes. But everyone else…! Plus, he and Cody have always been close, always been cool. And as far as ATDU, Kevin and Cody will beat them up, someone in the back will make a tag match out of it, so let’s just skip ahead to that. Nick Aldis, please come out here so we can get to the point. Aldis walks out, Kevin says he looks great, Kevin wishes he could pull off a suit like that. But can Aldis just make the match already? The fans cheer, they wanna see it, too! Aldis says yes, it is a done deal! Tonight’s main event will be Kevin & Cody VS ATDU!

Kevin appreciates that! So now we gotta end the segment, but does he have time to punch people? This all usually goes in reverse. Aldis says just make it quick. Thank you! Kevin and Cody rush ATDU and the brawl is on! The fans fire up as Kevin and Cody then get ATDU in place! But Waller shoves Kevin into Cody! The fans boo as ATDU run away! Cody understands what happened, and Kevin CHUCKS the comfy chair! But will Kevin and Cody humble Waller & Theory once and for all?

WWE United States Championship: LA Knight VS Santos Escobar w/ Legado Del Fantasma!

The Mega Star is almost amused at how often The Emperor of Lucha keeps coming back for a fight. And this time, it’ll be with gold on the line! Will Knight finally shut Santos down and send him packing? Or will this title soon belong to ES-CO-BAR, SI?!

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if DC belongs to LA!

Angel & Berto drag Knight out! The fans boo but Knight fights them! That’s still 2v1! Angel & Berto THRWO Knight into barriers, then stomp away! The fans boo but Santos shrugs, as if he wasn’t behind this. Now Angle & Berto RAM Knight into steel steps! They finally put Knight back in, but the ref EJECTS them! The fans cheer that, and now Lopez gets attitude! The ref says fine, Lopez is GONE, too! The fans cheer as now Santos’ chess pieces are all gone! But the damage is done, can Knight still fight? Knight says YEAH, and the bell rings! Santos runs up but Knight dodges the splash! Knight rolls Santos up, TWO!

Santos runs up again, V-TRIGGER! Then he POSTS Knight! Knight sputters, Santos brings him around, and he underhooks! The fans fire up for Knight, but Santos still hits a SHOULDER BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives and Santos is beside himself, but SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Santos fires hands on Knight! Santos whips, but Knight turns him for a NECKBREAKER! Santos bails out, Knight goes out to SMACK him off the desk again and again! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight stops to then wind up and SMACK Santos off the desk again! Santos slumps down, and Knight clears the desk! The ring count is 5 of 10, Santos rolls inside, but Knight drags him out! Knight sends Santos to the desk, Santos wants mercy, and the ref reprimands. Knight storms up but Santos drop toeholds him into the desk! Santos then GAMANGIRIS Knight, goes up onto the barriers, and then leapfrogs the Hydration Station to METEORA onto the desk!

The fans boo but Santos brings Knight into the ring. The fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” but Santos just grins. Santos goes up a corner, takes aim, and FROG SPLASHES! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives again and the fans fire up! Santos stalks Knight to ropes, kicks him and stomps him, but lets off as the ref counts. The fans boo more but Santos stalks Knight. Santos talks smack then he CHOPS Knight! Santos CHOKES Knight on ropes, the ref counts, and Santos lets off. Santos goes corner to corner, but Knight ELBOWS him! Knight whips, Santos THROWS Knight by his hair! Then Santos runs, but Knight avoids the elbow drop!

Both men stand, Knight runs up, but into a BOOT! Knight staggers, Santos runs, into an atomic drop! And DISCUS LARIAT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Knight goes to the ropes, the fans rally as hard as they can, and Santos runs in again! Into another LARIAT! Knight hauls Santos up, whips him to a corner, but Santos stops himself! Knight gets him with a JUMPING NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Knight stomps Santos in the corner. The ref counts, but the fans say “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight goes corner to corner, but Santos kicks! Knight blocks to SIDE EFFECT! Cover, TWO!!

Santos survives but the fans still rally for Knight. Knight waits on Santos, then reels him in, but Santos spins free to CHOP! Santos fireman’s carries, but Knight slips free! So Santos CALF KICKS Knight to a corner! Santos then hauls Knight up top, and GAMANGIRIS! Knight wobbles, Santos climbs, and the fans rally up. Knight fires body shots, then he SHOVES Santos down! The fans fire up as Knight stands, and he spells it out, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” Knight jumps up for the MACHO ELBOW! Santos stagger sup, into the B F T!! Cover, Knight wins!

Winner: LA Knight, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)

Was that an awesome match? YEAH! But did Santos learn from his past defeats? NAH-NAH! Knight is still on top, who will be next to step to the Mega Star?

Carmelo Hayes speaks.

“Andrade, you would be the type to sneak me. What you mad for? Because you lost? Truth is, you only as good as your last match, and last match, you just wasn’t as good as me, and you never will be. If anything, you should be thanking me, because you beating me two-to-nothing is the only thing keeping the lights on in your career.” But then Andrade storms in! El Idolo wants after H1M, but everyone else in the barbershop keeps him back. Andrade says that last week, Melo did win. But what Melo did after the match, that was disrespectful. Melo says, so what? Andrade says next week, they go 1v1 one more time.

Andrade storms off and Melo says they need to lock the doors in here next time. And someone get him a Prime! Will Melo be able to tie up the series 2-2? Or will Andrade just make it an even more one-sided 3-1?

Legado Del Fantasma argues backstage.

Lopez tells Angel that yes, that was the plan, but it was at the wrong time! And look what happened! Santos storms in and Angel is apologetic, but Santos shouts “NO! NO! NO!!” Nothing Angel says now makes up for what happened! Angel is no good to him if he’s not out there! But then Baron Corbin & Apollo Crews come in, sarcastically clapping. A lot of help those guys were out there. What’s the tagline again? ES-CO-BAR lost? Santos asks what they are, the presidents of his fan club? He won’t tolerate this disrespect. Is he mad? That’s an understatement! He’s going to talk with Aldis, and he’s going to have this all sorted out next week.

Santos leads Legado away and Corbin sarcastically wishes bueno suerte. Apollo asks what that means, and Corbin says it’s, “Good luck.” Crews agrees then, good luck. But will Legado redeem themselves? Or will #ACBC leave them wanting more?

Six Woman Tag: Naomi, Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair VS Blair Davenport, Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn!

Nick Aldis broke the news earlier today that for Bash In Berlin, The StrongEST Duo gets their tag title rematch against The Unholy Union in a 2v2 showdown! That means this battle of #TheBig3 against these three wicked witches is all about momentum! Who gets rolling towards next Saturday with a big win?

SmackDown returns and The Big 3 make their entrances: first, Jade Cargill bringing the storm; second, Naomi bringing the glow; and third, Bianca Belair bringing the EST! The teams sort out, and Isla starts against Bianca. They tie up, and Isla CLUBS away on Bianca! Isla CLUBS Bianca down, mocks everyone, and pie faces her around. Isla runs, but Bianca hits a SPINEBUSTER! Bianca runs to handspring and MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Isla scrambles away but Bianca is after her in a corner. Bianca whips,. Isla reverses but Bianca goes up to say kiss this! Isla runs up, Bianca flips up and over!

Isla hits buckles, staggers, and Bianca DROPKCIKS her! Isla bails out, Bianca kips up, and the fans fire up for the PLANCHA! Down goes Isla and Bianca is all fired up! DC fires up with her, but SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Blair has Bianca down with a chinlock. The fans rally, Bianca fights up and Bianca CLUBS Blair. Blair CLUBS back, whips Bianca to a corner, then runs up. Bianca slips out, RAMS in, then fights off Alba. Bianca slingshots to roll Blair up, TWO! Blair stands to kick low! Blair brings Bianca up, tags in Isla, then Isla tags Alba. Feed to the TARANTULA, and a SUPERKICK! Tag back to Blair and she goes up, to DOUBL E STOMP Bianca on the back! The fans boo but Blair covers, TWO! Bianca toughs it out as the toughEST, but Blair tags Isla. Blair CHOKES Bianca on ropes while Isla taunts Jade!

The ref has to keep Jade back, and that lets Alba get a cheap shot in! Isla runs in to DOUBLE KNEE Bianca in the back! Then Isla CHOKES Bianca, but lets off as the ref counts. Isla drags Bianca up, keeps her from her corner, but Bianca fires body shots. Isla whips, Bianca holds ropes to BOOT back! But Alba gest another cheap shot in! Isla KNEES low, tags in Alba, and they DOUBLE GOURD BUSTER! Then Isla METEORAS! Alba covers, TWO! The fans rally for Bianca but Alba keeps her from her corner. Alba stands Bianca up, but Bianca scoops! The fans fire up but Alba slips free to whip! Bianca reverses, to scoop, only for Alba to slip through, IRON OCTOPUS!

The fans boo as Isla links up with Alba! Bianca flails, but the ref notices! Isla lets off and Bianca storms around! She swings Alba into a BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while both women are down! Bianca and Alba crawl, hot tag to Isla and she STOMPS Bianca down! Then she sucker punches Naomi! Isla leaves Jade alone, but Bianca wrenches Isla into a BIG suplex! Bianca and Isla crawl now, hot tags to Blair and Jade! The fans are thunderous as Jade rallies on the entire Unholy Union! Jade gets Blair up to POWERBOMB! Then she fireman’s carries Alba, pops her around, and FALL AWAY SLAMS her into Blair!

The fans are electric as this storm gets rolling! Isla runs up, but into Jade’s grip! CHOKE SLAM! Blair whips Jade but Jade reverses, sending Blair into Alba! Jade runs up, Blair moves but the ELBOW still hits Alba! Blair SUPERKICKS Jade, but Naomi climbs up to tag in! Naomi then CROSSBODIES Blair & Isla! The fans fire up and Naomi SHOTGUNS Alba! Blair runs up but Naomi TOSSES her! And KNEES her! And ROUNDHOUSES Isla! Naomi gets Blair & Isla set up, for DOUBLE DRPAING DDTS! Cover, but Alba breaks it! The fans boo but Jade is up to BOOT Alba! Isla ENZIGIRIS Jade! Isla kicks Jade out, fires hands, and Alba joins in!

The fans fire up as Bianca goes up! Bianca SUPER CROSSBODIES them all!! Blair rolls Naomi! TWO! Naomi stands, Blair kicks and suplexes, but Naomi slips free! Naomi kicks, Blair blocks, but the COMEBACK ENZIGIRI knocks Blair down! SPLIT LEG MOONSAULT! Cover, The Big 3 win!!

Winners: Naomi, Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair, by pinfall

Blair just felt The Glow, and now Alba & Isla have just eight days to prepare! Will they be ready for the storm that’s coming to Berlin? Or can they whip up something wicked to stop these forces of nature?

Natalya narrates The Road to Berlin.

“On Saturday, August 31st, for the first time ever, WWE is in Germany for a Premium Live Event. The journey to Bash In Berlin started over a quarter century ago.” WWE was on the rise overseas, and Bret Hart was a major part of it. He loved the amazing fans in Germany, that they were the very best in the world! And that led to March 3rd, 1997, Monday Night Raw in Berlin. It was the first-ever Raw broadcast outside of North America. And again, The Hart Family was key as Natty’s uncles, Owen Hart and Davey Boy Smith, battled to become the inaugural WWE European Champion. An instant classic crowned The British Bulldog that night.

That night was filled with stars and special moments. Mick Foley even cut a promo in German! “But that was only a taste of what was to come.” WWE announced it last year in October that they would return for a PLE. It is Natty’s honor to salute the German fans, their love of the WWE, and how it is making history once again.

WWE Tag Team Championships: The Bloodline VS The Street Profits w/ B-Fab!

Solo Sikoa leads the way for his champions, Tama Tonga & Jacob Fatu, Tonga Loa also back to support them. They kept the precious ula fala away from Roman Reigns, will they now keep these precious belts away from The Profits? Or will Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins end the drought and make it reign in DC?

Before the match, however, Solo has the mic. “Washington, DC. ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” The fans boo instead, but Solo says “Your Tribal Chief has a lot to talk about tonight, so bear with me. Try to keep it down.” The fans just boo louder! Solo says item number one, The OTC is D-O-N-E! The fans still chant for “O T C! O T C!” Solo says item number two, whether it is Cody or Kevin who wins in Berlin, Solo’s got next! He brings the Undisputed Championship back to his family, and he finally brings it home to himself. The fans chant “We Want Roman!” Solo says chant all you want, Roman’s not here!

Solo then says that item number three, since he will be the next Undisputed Champion, there is something “wrong” with the tag team titles. Oh? Solo tells Jacob Fatu to step up. Fatu does as told, and the fans continue to chant for Roman. Solo gets annoyed, but he tells Jacob to hand over the belt. The fans boo, but Jacob does as told. Solo then says, hand it to Tonga Loa. Jacob still does as told, and Loa holds the belt. The fans chant, “YOU CAN’T WRESTLE!” and it’s hard to know if they mean Jacob and his bad foot or Loa in general. Solo tells Fatu that he cannot be a tag team champion if he is also to be Solo’s Enforcer.

Solo and Jacob hug it out, and Jacob says he loves his Tribal Chief. But wait! Here come The Profits! B-Fab tells Solo that they don’t care who the bodyguard is or who are the champs, because we’ve got business. They can get back to Family Matters later. Montez says hold on, Solo ain’t Urkel, and you can’t talk about Bloodline Version 8675309 like that. They’re happy, because they just got a promotion! Dawkins says, “Aww…!” But sorry, this is demotion season, as they’re gonna be former tag team champs! Because The Street Profits are up, and #WeWantTheSmoke!

DC is fired up for that! But will The Profits be ready now that they’re facing The Guerrillas of Destiny? We find out, after the break.

Backstage interview with LA Knight.

Byron Saxton starts to congratulate The Mega Star, and Knight says he knows, and with no disrespect, Byron’s already talking a little too much. Knight says LEMME TALK TO YA! Knight is in his home, because he spent his first 20 years just up the road. The last 12 were in LA, so this bicoastal champion just successfully defended his US Championship, right here in DC! And what that means is he’ll go across the ocean, go to Berlin, and successfully defend it there, too! Anybody out there that has the tingle in their loins, show up in Berlin, come on down, because at the end of the day, it’s the same song all around the world, #AndStill, with everybody saying, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!!” Goodnight, everybody!

The Mega Star just put out a mega open challenge, who will surprise us all by answering the call?

WWE Tag Team Championships: The Guerrillas VS The Street Profits w/ B-Fab!

SmackDown returns and Dawkins starts against Loa. The bell rings, Loa fires off on Dawkins with HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! Loa whips, Dawkins sunset flips and covers, ONE!! Loa stands but Dawkins ROCKS him! Dawkins fires off fast hands in the corner, then ROCKS Loa! The fans rally, Dawkins whips corner to corner, but Loa comes back to LARIAT! The fans boo but Loa stalks Dawkins. Tag to Tama, the Guerrillas double whip to body shot, UPPERCUT, and NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Tama keeps his eyes on Ford, then goes after Dawkins with body shots. Tama whips corner to corner, runs up, but Dawkins dodges the splash!

Dawkins FLAPJACKS Tama, tags in Ford, and they whip Tama now to drop and CLOBBER Tama! Cover, TWO! Ford hits a BIG back suplex! Then a STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans rally while Solo snarls at ringside. Tama fires hands, whips, but Ford reverses, follows, and LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Ford is a bit frustrated but he swings on Loa! Loa avoids the shot, Tama SPLASHES in the corner! Tama fires hands, ROCKS Ford, then tags Loa. The Guerrillas get Ford up for a BACK SUPLEX NECKBREAKER COMBO! Loa covers, TWO! Loa ROCKS Ford, stalks him to a corner, then HEADBUTTS away!

Loa brings Ford around, taunts Dawkins, then back suplexes, but Ford lands out to ENZIGIRI! Tag to Dawkins, the Profits double whip to DOUBLE SHOULDER! Then BACK SUPLEX SPLASH! Tama runs up, into a DOUBLE FLAPJACK! The Guerrillas stand, Dawkins gives Loa a SKY HIGH! Tag to Ford and he goes up! FROM THE HEAVENS!! Cover, Tama breaks it! The Right Hand Man saves it, but Dawkins TOSSES him! Loa goes to a corner, Ford runs up, but Loa TOSSES him up and out! ford hits steps on the way down, Tama tags in! Tama brings Ford up, in, and TONGAN TWIST to the floor!

The fans boo as Tama stands over Ford, and Solo applauds. Solo says, “That’s how you do it,” and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Loa has Ford in a chinlock. Ford fights up, pries the hold open, but Loa HEADBUTTS Ford in the back! Loa CLUBS Ford, then whips him to the corner. Ford ELBOWS Tama! And ROCKS Loa! And ELBOWS Tama again! Loa catches Ford, shoves him back, then pops him up, but Ford SATELLITE DDTS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ford and Loa crawl, hot tags to Tama and Dawkins! Dawkins rallies on Tama and the fans fire up again! Dawkins whips, Tama reveres, but Dawkins hurdles to then UPPERCUT Tama down! Dawkins DECKS Loa for good measure!

Dawkins runs to CYCLONE SPLASH and ENZIGIRI Tama! Cover, TWO! Solo is stressed as Dawkins brings Tama up. Tama ELBOWS Dawkins, but Dawkins wrenches to underhook, SILENCER! Tag to Ford and they whip Tama! THE REVELATION!! Co0ver, Loa breaks it! The fans boo but Dawkins TOSSES Loa out! The Guerrillas are both outside, Ford tags Dawkins! Dawkins builds speed to run up and POUNCE Tama into Loa! Solo stands in Dawkins’ way, but Ford FLIES out onto The Guerrillas! The fans are thunderous as they put Tama in, but Solo distracts the ref! Jacob SUPERKICKS Dawkins! And SUPERKICKS Ford!

The fans boo but the Samoan Werewolf feeds Dawkins to The Guerrillas, Tama hits a COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, Bloodline wins!

Winners: The Guerrillas of Destiny, by pinfall (still WWE Tag Team Champions)

Jacob shoves Loa into the ring so that they can all stand together and celebrate this victory. The fans boo, because that celebration is the mugging of The Profits! But here comes DIY! Ciampa & Gargano meet Tama & Loa at the ramp for a brawl! Then they rush in, DUMP Jacob out, and they BOOT Solo! And SUPERKICK Solo! Ciampa KNEES Jacob back out, and then DIY BOOT-SUPERKICK COMBO! The fans are thunderous as they aim at Solo, but Jacob grabs Gargano! Solo CLOBBERS Ciampa! Then he CLOBBERS Gargano! The fans boo, but Solo feeds Ciampa to the POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Then Jacob HIP ATTACKS Gargano!

Jacob is still doing all this with a bad foot, but now Solo takes off his gloves! SAMOAN SPIKE for Gargano!! SAMOAN SPIKE for Ciampa!! DIY failed to take the fight to The Bloodline, just as The Profits failed to take the titles, and as Jacob adorns Solo, the same can be said about Roman Reigns failing to take back the ula fala. Will this be the way of things for Solo’s Bloodline then, now and forever?

Kevin and Cody meet up backstage.

They fist bump, and Kevin asks if Cody is ready. Cody’s ready. They have this, they’ve beaten these guys before. Kevin agrees, tonight is just about shutting them up. Kevin would say, “for good,” but he admits, ATDU is tough, they’ll just be back at it next week. But uh, Cody gets what Kevin meant with the video earlier, right? Everyone except for Kofi had it coming. And even then, Kevin isn’t that guy anymore. Cody believes that, right? Cody says yes, he does. Okay. Because Kevin just wants Cody to know this tag match isn’t to set Cody up for anything. Cody says all he can do is take Kevin at his word and be ready for what happens next.

Cody pats Kevin on the back, then heads out. But is there a chance even Kevin doesn’t know what he’ll do this close to the title match? Or can he keep from slipping back into his old ways?

Backstage interview with B-Fab.

Byron Saxton catches her as she exits the trainer’s room, where both The Profits and DIY are being checked out after the Bloodline’s brutality. B-Fab says this is all precautionary, but then Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell hurry over. They want to check on DIY, and B-Fab says everyone is fine, just pissed. Will Ford, Dawkins, Ciampa & Gargano all decide that they should go after their common enemies together?

Mia Yim speaks.

“‘You’re too ugly to make it. You’re too fat. You don’t have ‘the look.’ You’re not the It Girl. Be nice, be patient, be less ambitious.’ Everybody has tried to limit me, and they all failed. Nia, you think you’re gonna be the one to limit me? You think you’re gonna be the one to tell me what I can and can’t do? Baby, at Berlin, it’s not gonna be a Street Fight. I’m gonna slaughter you! So good luck.” Michin blows a kiss to The Queen of the Ring, will she go from dethroning her to demolishing her? Speaking of…

Tiffany Stratton & Pretty Deadly try to fix the crown.

An unfortunate casualty from last week’s attack, the boys are using hot glue, but it’s not enough. Nia tells Tiffy that she is in no mood. Tiff doesn’t blame her. What Michin did was disgusting! Nia says Michin destroyed the celebration that Tiff put together for Nia. Nia will get Mia back for it. Mia made a huge mistake touching the crown. And now Mia thinks she’s taking the title? Mia will get the beating of a lifetime! How perfect, My Queen! Is there anything Tiff can do for her? Start by fixing the crown. Done! Elton Prince & Kit Wilson carefully carry it away, Tiff leading the way. And that’s when Nia overhears Chelsea Green & Piper Niven.

The Hot Mess mocks Tiff’s celebration for Nia as being a poor excuse for a 13-year-old’s birthday party. Uck! And Chelsea hates talking behind people’s backs, obviously, but… It was so pink, it almost gave Chelsea pinkeye! Piper says it was saccharin, to say the least. If it were Piper & Chelsea, Piper would never have let Mia get out of the ring. Chelsea agrees. Tacky Time only has Nia’s back so she can stab a knife in it. It’d be such a shame if the inevitable happened and Tiff cashed in after the Street Fight. But then Nia steps into view and the two are startled! Chelsea asks if Nia heard every single word coming out of her perfectly lined lips.

Nia doesn’t know if Chelsea heard, but Nia is in no mood tonight. Okay, they’ll go. Bye. Chelsea & Piper scurry away, but do they have a point? Could Tiff take advantage of how hardcore Nia and Mia are going to go?

Cody Rhodes & Kevin Owens VS A-Town Down Under!

Speaking of stirring the pot, The American Nightmare and Canadian Prizefighter saw the attempt by Aussie Icon and Audacious Austin to do that earlier tonight. Cody gave a bit of it back, but will he and Kevin be able to take down Grayson Waller and his best mate? Or will we see that the gold always gets in the way?

SmackDown returns and KO makes his entrance. He stands with Cody, and then ATDU makes their entrance. Waller snatches a fan’s sign that reads, “You are the Raygun of SmackDown,” and RIPS it! He will not have anyone disrespecting the Australian Olympian. The teams sort out, and Cody starts against Waller. Cody blocks a shot to kick low and RHODES UPPERCUT! Then he kicks and RHODES UPPERCUTS again! Waller swings, Cody wrenches to UPPERCUT the arm! Cody CLUBS the arm, wrenches it again, then tags in Kevin. Kevin kicks Waller, fires hands, then whips. Kevin ELBOWS Waller down, then SENTONS! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally for Kevin as he pushes Waller to the corner, and CHOPS! Tag to Cody, he and Kevin double whip, and DOUBLE ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Cody keeps on Waller with a chinlock, but Waller fights up. Cody wrenches, wristlocks, and he tags Kevin back in. Kevin DECKS Waller, stomps Waller, then brings him up. Kevin CHOPS Waller, CHOPS again, and Waller falls! Kevin brings Waller up, facelocks, but then Theory is up to something. Theory goes around the ring to go after Cody so Cody DECKS him! But that means Cody misses Kevin’s tag, and Waller pops free to ROCK Kevin!

Waller whips Kevin, Kevin holds ropes and then DUMPS Waller! Waller stays on the apron, Theory returns but Kevin DECKS Theory! Waller HOTSHOTS Kevin! Kevin staggers, Waller tags Theory, and Theory slingshot somersaults and SHOTGUNS! Then he DECKS Cody! Cody storms in but the ref stops him, and Theory rains down fists on Kevin! Theory says all day, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns as Waller has Kevin up top. Waller throws hands, but Kevin fires back! The fans rally and Kevin HEADBUTTS Waller! Waller holds on, but Kevin fires hands! And another HEADBUTT! Waller falls, Kevin hits a FROG SPLASH! Both men are down, Kevin clutches his knee, and the fans rally harder! Kevin and Waller crawl, kick past each other, hot tag to Cody! Cody rallies on Waller with big hands, then whips. Waller reverses but Cody CLOBBERS him! Cody baits Waller into a corner, goes up and over, then SNAP POWERSLAMS! The fans fire up more, and Cody is feeling it! Cody then runs, springboards, BEAUTIFUL DISASTER!

Waller bails out but Cody pounds the mat. The fans rally, Cody builds speed, but Theory trips him up! The fans boo, but Cody hits back! Cody TOSSES Theory onto the desk! Cody slides back in the ring, but Waller somersaults in, for the FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Cody survives but Waller drags him around. Waller tags Theory while Kevin rallies the fans. Waller fires knees again and again, then sets Cody up for Theory’s LARIAT! Theory taunts Kevin, and then CHOKES Cody while the ref is busy! The fans boo, Cody goes to ropes, and Theory brings him up. But Cody fires body shots in return! Cody ROCKS Theory, whips, but Theory reverses!

Cody hits buckles hard, but Theory keeps him from Kevin. Theory snapmares then chinlocks. Theory grinds Cody down but the fans rally up. Cody rises as Kevin gets the fans really fired up! Theory THROWS Cody down, then clamps the chinlock back on! The fans rally as hard as they can and Cody fights up again. Theory knees low, then back suplexes, but Cody lands out! Cody springboards, CODY CUTTER!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Cody crawls, finds his way around, but now Waller goes after Kevin! Kevin scares Waller off, Theory runs at Cody, and Cody dodges!

Theory hits buckles, Cody reaches out, but it’s the same trick as before! Kevin hurries back but Theory reels Cody in! BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Cody survives, Theory is frustrated, but he clamps on another chinlock. Cody endures, reaches out, but Theory CLUBS him in the back! Tag to Waller, and ATDU double whip. Cody KICKS Theory back, DUMPS Waller out, then he TOSSES Theory! Cody flounders, the fans are thunderous, but Cody hot tags Kevin! Kevin CLOBBERS Waller, CLOBBERS Theory, then SENTONS Theory! And SENTONS Waller! Kevin is all fired up and the fans are with him!

Kevin puts Waller in, then CANNONBALLS Theory from the apron! Kevin hurries in to then aim at Waller! The fans are thunderous for the CANNONBALL! Kevin goes right up top, “This is Awesome!” as Kevin SWANTON BOMBS! Cover, Theory breaks it! Cody returns and he spins Theory around! CROSS RHODES!! Waller stagger sup, he BOOTS Cody out, but Kevin is there! STUN- NO, Waller rolls him up! TWO!! SUPERKICK from Kevin! Kevin clinches Waller, whips him, and POP-UP POEWRBOMBS him!! Cover, Kevin & Cody win!

Winners: Cody Rhodes & Kevin Owens, by pinfall

DC is thunderous for #KODY as they are victorious over ATDU! The Prizefighter stands alongside the champion, but he’ll soon be standing against the champion. And speaking of, Kevin has the belt in his hands, and he’s looking at Cody. Kevin storms up, but to hand the belt off to Cody so that he can dare ATDU to try another round! Cody is relieved, but is it all going to change one way or another in Berlin?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown here that acted as an early go-home in a few ways. For one, great opening talk show segment to set up a great tag team main event. I do appreciate all the teasing of Kevin turning, with that great video to look back all the way to Kevin showing up in NXT, and with Kevin pulling off a great fake-out on the belt shot at the very end. It might not be until the title match that Kevin is tempted to be a Heel, and maybe that hesitation is what costs him. It would make for some compelling stuff for Kevin going forward, and is very much Kevin as a storyteller. He points out how he subverted tropes in the opening, and he always keeps continuity, even in matches, so being conflicted between who he was in the past and who he wants to be now would be a great next phase.

Great US Championship match tonight, and speaking of subverting expectations, the attack before the bell and how it backfired was good stuff. Knight VS Santos was again a great match but yeah (no pun intended), Santos lost again. Corbin & Crews get back on the story by rubbing it in, and I sense that going from a tag team match to a Six Man Tag, just not sure who outside of Knight would jump in on it. Knight wanting an Open Challenge, could this be a chance for someone like Shinsuke Nakamura to return to TV? And very good promo from Melo and Andrade to set up “game four.” I feel like Melo wins that in order to keep things going into “game five,” and only then does someone move on towards the US Championship.

Great Six Woman Tag, and great star-spangled gear for The Big 3. I was surprised the news for the tag title match came before the show, I would’ve thought it’d happen tonight after the Six Woman Tag, but in the end, The Big 3 were still winning. Now, I have no idea if Jade & Bianca win the titles back with the match now on a PLE, but I still lean towards not. As I said for Raw, it just feels like Alba & Isla still have defenses to have while we can see Jade & Bianca move on towards a singles title story. Speaking of which, great promo from Michin, and great combo promo from Nia, Tiff, Pretty Deadly, Chelsea & Piper. A Street Fight for the title definitely opens the door to overbooking, and even Tiff trying to cash-in. This will be a lot of fun for the go-home episode in Berlin next week, that’s for sure.

Great video to give us the history lesson on WWE and Germany, and great to have Natty narrate. She isn’t gone from WWE, but perhaps just waiting for her chance to do something. Great promo from Solo to essentially activate a Freebird Rule type transfer of the titles so that the Guerrillas of Destiny can hold the belts together while Jacob Fatu moves up into “Enforcer” role, even though he already had it from a previous promo, but also can be their midcard title guy. Great match from Guerrillas VS Profits, and of course Bloodline cheats to keep the belts, but I also liked DIY doing their best to fight them. That feels like an 8 Man Tag for sure, Profits & DIY VS Bloodline, almost a test run for a Bloodline WarGames match in November.

My Score: 8.8/10