Guten Abend, Berlin!

On the eve of Bash In Berlin, WWE SmackDown sets the stage! Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens have one last face-to-face before their match for the Undisputed WWE Championship! Will these friendly rivals stay friendly?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• WWE United States Championship Open Challenge: LA Knight VS Ludwig Kaiser; Knight wins and retains the title.
• Apollo Crews & Baron Corbin VS Legado Del Fantasma; Legado wins.
• Andrade VS Carmelo Hayes; Melo wins and the series is 2-2.
• WWE Women’s Championship Street Fight: Nia Jax VS Mia Yim; Nia wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

WWE United States Championship Open Challenge: LA Knight VS ???

Berlin goes wild for the Mega Star as he makes his way out to the ring! Knight poses on the corner, then grabs a mic while fans chant his name. Knight says, “LEMME TALK TO YA! 27 years… Some of you might not know this, but it’s been 27 long years since the WWE has come here and done a major televised event in Berlin. And MY GAWD, what a way to kick it off other than with the man they call the Mega Star, YEAH!” The fans say “YEAH!” and cheer him on again. Knight understands that sitting on his should is the United States Championship, and just last week, he had his very first and successful title defense in the US capital, Washington, DC.

Hey, now, no need to boo that. Because Knight thought to himself… The fans chant “You Deserve It!” in terms of the title reign, and Knight says hold on, let’s do that in a minute. Because he thought if he was gonna defend this title, defending it in one capital, he might as well defend it in the capital of Germany! It might become a trend! They can call this The Capital Championship! But right here, your US Champion, Knight said he’d hold an “LA Knight Invitational Open Challenge!” So anyone who wants to answer, tell ya what, we’re just a day away from Bash In Berlin. But SmackDown is in Berlin, and as far as he’s concerned, whoever wants it can get bashed, YEAH!

Knight waits on a response, and wait! Imperium’s Ludwig Kaiser makes his way out here! Or rather, Germany’s own Ludwig Kaiser! The fans cheer, and Kaiser tells Berlin, in German, that Ludwig Kaiser is home! And if Knight really is the champion he says he is, then he surely wants to defend his championship against the very best all over the world! Well, Kaiser himself and the entirety of Berlin can guarantee Knight that there is no one better on German soil than the Impeccable German, Ludwig Kaiser! So here’s a news flash: After Kaiser beats Knight in his home country’s capital, he will take that title, bring it all across Europe, and make it bigger than it ever was as the EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP!

The fans are fired up for Kaiser, perhaps a first for him. Knight says he has to be honest, that reaction is impressive, for Gunther’s stooge. But hey, talking about what he wants to do with this title, he can do anything he wants. The only problem is, he has to win it! But he won’t, cuz he can’t, cuz Knight won’t let him! So here’s how it goes. Kaiser wants to talk about what he wants, well all he gets is three the hard way! Knight will hit it ‘n’ quit it, move on to the next, and then the world can pledge allegiance to the champ, with everybody saying, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” The match is set, we just need a ref! While we wait, SmackDown takes a break.

SmackDown returns, a ref is here, and the bell rings. The fans fire up and cheer on Kaiser. There are Knight fans, but the split is pretty one-sided. The two tie up, are in a deadlock, and they go around. Kaiser uses his height for leverage but Knight turns things around to put Kaiser in a corner. Knight lets off cleanly, and the fans rally as the two reset. They feel things out, tie up again, and Kaiser chinbars. Kaiser wrenches Knight, wristlocks, and he pushes on the hold. Knight endures, fights up, and rolls to wrench and YANK the arm again and again! The fans are torn, Knight WRINGS Kaiser out, but Kaiser gets right up!

The fans cheer as Kaiser gets in Knight’s face then shoves. Knight shoves back, they tie up again, and they go around. Kaiser pulls hair to put Knight in a corner, then he fires hands! Kaiser headlocks for a takeover to grind Knight down. Knight endures, fights up, and rolls Kaiser. Kaiser lets go, Kaiser ELBOWS him down! Knight puts Kaiser in a corner, stomps him, “YEAH! YEAH!” Then he JABS, “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips Kaiser corner to corner, but Kaiser reverses. Kaiser runs up, blocks a boot, and the fans join in saying, “NEIN!” UPPERCUT! The fans cheer, Kaiser stomps Knight, and they say “JA! JA! JA!”

Kaiser lets off, runs up, but Knight LARIATS first! The fans fire up as Knight kicks Kaiser out. Knight goes out, brings Kaiser around, and hits an APRON BACK SUPLEX! The fans sing a German soccer song as Knight brings Kaiser around, and Kaiser RAMS Knight into the apron! And then throws him into the steel steps! The fans rally as Kaiser refreshes the count, then builds speed around the way! SHOTGUN against the steps! Knight writhes, the ref has Kaiser back off, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and the fans cheer as Kaiser stands over Knight. Knight goes to the apron, Kaiser goes after him and HAMMERS away! The ref counts, Kaiser lets off to then juke and CLOBBER Knight more! The ref counts, Kaiser lets off, and the fans continue to sing for Kaiser. Kaiser pushes Knight around, then sits him up. Knight hits back, but Kaiser fires hands! They go back and forth, shot for shot, then they stand to keep going! Kaiser CHOPS then BOOTS Knight, then eggs him on! Kaiser signals he will be champion and the fans fire up. Kaiser drags Knight up, but Knight RAMS him into a corner!

Knight fires off hands then lets off, to CHOP! Kaiser staggers to another corner, Kaiser runs up to LARIAT him up and out! Knight goes out to SMACK Kaiser off the desk again and again! Fans are torn between boos and “YEAH!” but then Knight winds up to SMACK Kaiser off the desk once more! Knight puts Kaiser in, but has to dodge quick! Knight then JUMPING NECKBREAKERS! Kaiser is down, Knight kicks him to a drop zone. Knight goes up, spells it out, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” AX HANDLE! Cover, TWO! Kaiser stays in this and Berlin cheers! Knight is a bit frustrated, but he stalks Kaiser to a corner.

Knight stomps Kaiser, lets off as the ref counts, then he runs corner to corner to KNEE Kaiser down! Knight brings Kaiser around, whips him to ropes, and then atomic drops! ROLLING- NO, Kaiser dodges! Knight dodges in return, but Kaiser GAMANGIRIS! Cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Kaiser just grits his teeth and brings Knight up. Fireman’s carry, but Knight fights free to fire hands! Kaiser hits back, the fans fire up as they keep going! Knight gets the edge, he whips, then scoops to POWERSLAM! The fans are still torn but they’re hot all the same! B F- NO, Kaiser rolls Knight up, TWO! Knight stands, into a CHOP!

Kaiser reels Knight in, short arm LARIAT! The fans fire up as Kaiser PENALTY KICKS Knight! The fans fire up even more as Kaiser brings Knight up! B F- NO! Kaiser shoves free, fireman’s carry, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives but Berlin is thunderous behind Kaiser! Kaiser brings Knight up, clinches, SIDE- NO, Knight slips free, wrenches, and hits a SIDE EFFECT! The fans boo but Knight cravats for the B F T!! Cover, Knight wins!

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

Kaiser may have lost out, but he surely made his country proud! Kaiser will also be in the Intercontinental Championship Contender’s Tournament on Monday, will he use that as his second chance at a championship? As for Knight, where else will he take this title as he looks to prove he’s the best ever?

Apollo Crews & Baron Corbin VS Legado Del Fantasma!

While they were having a laugh at Santos Escobar’s expense, they won’t back down just because Angel & Berto are looking for a fight. Will #ACBC rock #LosGarza then roll on towards bigger and better? Or will they learn not to get on Legado’s bad side?

SmackDown returns and Legado makes their entrance, and they’re all in a serious, angry mood. The teams sort out, Apollo starts against Berto and the two tie up. Apollo headlocks, Berto powers up and out, then drops down to hurdle. Apollo leaps over Berto, hurdles him again, drops down, then DROPKICKS him down! The fans fire up and Apollo suplexes Berto. Apollo holds Berto up, the fans fire up as he keeps going, and then he SLAMS Berto down! Cover, TWO! Apollo brings Berto over, tags Corbin, and Corbin fires hands! The fans cheer Corbin but Berto kicks and CLUBS in return. Tag to Angel and Los Garza double whip.

Corbin ducks ‘n’ dodges, and he flips free of the double hip toss! Then he DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up as Corbin storms after Angel. Corbin climbs, he rains down fists, and the fans count all the way to TEN, but Garza YANKS Corbin down! But Corbin URENAGES Angel in the corner! Then runs to LARIAT! The fans fire up and Santos is annoyed. But Angel RAMS Corbin into the corner! Tag to Berto, and the mugging begins! The ref reprimands but Angel GAMANGIRIS! Berto HOTSHOTS Corbin, sits him down, and Angel KNEES Corbin down! Angel taunts the fans but Berto pushes Corbin to a cover, TWO!

Corbin grabs Berto by the neck! And he SHOVES Berto up and out! Tag to Apollo, he mule kicks Angelo then runs in to BOOT! And then he RANAS! Angel bails out to regroup with Berto, and Corbin says go! Apollo runs, Corbin is there to HIP TOSS TOPE! Direct hit on Los Garza and Berlin loves it! Santos & Elektra do not, but SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Angel hooks Crews up in a Gory Especial! Tag to Berto, GARZA ESPECIAL CUTTER! Cover, TWO! Apollo survives but Berto drags him up. Berto puts Apollo up top, tags Angel back in, and they mug Apollo up top! The fans boo, the ref counts, and Los Garza lets off. Berto shoves Apollo down, Angel KNEES him in the corner! Angel drags Apollo up, whips him back in, then runs up to SPLASH! Tag to Berto, and Angel runs up again, into a BOOT! Apollo ELBOWS Berto, LEAPS Angel and Angel POSTS himself! The fans fire up as Apollo hurries, hot tag to Corbin! Corbin ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER ANgel!

Corbin HIP TOSSES Berto, then KNEES him down! Corbin fireman’s carries Angel to DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! The fans fire up as Corbin LARIATS then SHORT ARM LARIATS Berto! Corbin goes up, for a FLYING LARIAT! A big hat trick, and then Corbin suplexes into a CUTTER! Cover, Angel STOMPS it apart! Apollo GAMANGIRIS Angel, tags in, but Angel mule kicks Corbin! Apollo CROSSBODIES Angel! Then GERMAN SUPLEXES him! Apollo ROCKS Berto, then deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES Angel! GERMAN SUPLEX for Berto, but he lands out! Berto runs to the ropes to springboard and FLYING CHUCK!

Berto runs at Corbin, Corbin TOSSES him to the corner! Angel SUPERKICKS Corbin! Apollo dodges Angel, Angel dodges Apollo, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES take both men down! The fans chant German for “This is Awesome!” while Corbin and Angel go out. URENAGE onto the desk! Lopez distracts, Santos RAMS Corbin into steps! The fans boo but Berto rolls Apollo! TWO, Apollo BOOTS Berto! Apollo goes to a corner and the fans fire up! But Angelo runs up! Apollo BOOTS Angel, but Berto SUPER ARM-DRAGS! Tag to Angel, and they stand Apollo up! POP-UP KICK!! Cover, Los Garza wins!

Winners: Legado Del Fantasma, by pinfall

It was 4v2, but Los Garza did it for #MTY, Monterey! Will nothing stop them from forcing their way to the top of SmackDown?

Solo Sikoa speaks.

“You know what’s gonna happen next week? The Bloodline VS DIY and The Street Profits. And the four of you, you will acknowledge me. So that you understand what you’re up against, the first day I took over The Bloodline, I sacrificed my own brother, Jimmy. Then I took out The Wise Man, Paul Heyman. Then, I took out Roman Reigns. Not only did I take out Roman Reigns, I took his ula fala. I took the right to be called The Tribal Chief. I took ownership of this family. Now imagine, if I’ve done this to my own family, imagine what the four of us are going to do to the four of you.”

Jacob Fatu wants to adorn Solo, but Solo says not yet. Because first warns Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens, “I don’t give a damn which one of you wins. Because whoever is the champion after tomorrow, The Tribal Chief is coming for you.” Now Solo accepts the ula fala. Will nothing stop him and his Bloodline from becoming the ones that run SmackDown?

Nick Aldis is in the ring.

The fans cheer as SmackDown returns with its General Manager here, and he says it feels so good to be live in the lovely Uber Arena! Now, in just 24 hours, superstars from both Raw and SmackDown will compete in matches that could change the landscape of the WWE forever, as they bring you the latest Premium Live Event, Bash In Berlin. The fans cheer that! Aldis says Bash In Berlin is the culmination of unbelievably successful European tours. Aldis cues up a montage: From the Netherlands; to Belgium; to Oberhausen, Germany; to Stuttgart, Germany; Frankfurt, Germany; and of course, right here in Berlin!

The fans cheer that, and Aldis says on behalf of the WWE, and in German, he thanks everyone so very, very much. Now, to business! One of the most important matches- No, wait, as SmackDown GM, he knows it is THE most important match, the Undisputed WWE Championship is on the line! So at this time, allow him to introduce first, the challenger, Kevin Owens! Berlin fires up for KO as he makes his entrance. And of course, the champion, Cody Rhodes! Fans cheer as The American Nightmare makes his entrance, and they even sing along with the song, “WHOA~, OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, the meter shows triple digit decibels, and Cody continues to the ring.

Cody and Kevin get mics while the fans cheer, and Aldis wishes them both the best of luck tomorrow night. The floor is theirs. Aldis leaves the ring, the fans are torn, but eventually a song of, “Cody Rhodes~! Cody, Cody Rhodes~!” takes over. Kevin starts by saying “Cody… Whaddya wanna talk about? Get it? Because Cody always says that. Cody says in German, this championship right here! The North Star in their sport, and the fact that Cody and Kevin are going 1v1, and have sold out Berlin, Germany, for the Undisputed WWE Championship! The fans fire up for that! Kevin waits out the singing before he begins again.

They could talk about that title, sure, that is huge. But there is something Kevin wants to talk about, maybe Cody doesn’t. Let’s talk about that European tour. More specifically, something that happened to Cody’s knee. Cody says no, nothing happened. His knee is fine. But let’s talk about last week. Cody & Kevin beat two of the WWE’s biggest future stars in Austin Theory & Grayson Waller, that was great. The fans applaud, and Cody does want to ask about the ending. Kevin handed Cody his title, but to a lot of people, it looked like if Cody hadn’t turned when he did, he was gonna get hit in the back with it.

Cody is not accusing, but Kevin did bring it up. Given Kevin’s track record… Kevin says yeah, okay, c’mon. Kevin gets it, but like he also said last week, that video, that list of guys he “turned on,” everyone on it deserved it. Except for Kofi Kingston, so again, Kevin is very sorry. But hey, that doesn’t matter. Kevin and Cody have never had that relationship, they’ve always been close. Even before they met, Kevin’s relationship with Dusty, what makes Cody think Kevin would ever do that to him? Why would he ever do that? Why, indeed. Cody knows they’ve never spoken about this, but now seems a good time as ever.

Cody thinks maybe Kevin is angry with him. 2015, 2016, Cody “went out into the world,” went to a lot of places Kevin had been, walked with a lot of people Kevin knew. The whole change, the revolution, the wrestling renaissance going on, it feels like Kevin doesn’t get enough credit, and perhaps Cody gets too much. That is something Kevin might be mad about. The fans cheer now, and Kevin chuckles. Kevin says that is all very nice, but he isn’t sure what to say to that. Kevin says he’d never do that to Cody because he doesn’t need to. You know why? Because what Kevin was talking about earlier: Cody’s bad knee.

Hey, man, Kevin knows Cody got hurt. Because every night after, Kevin would get messages from people that Cody was limping, in the training room, hours at a time. Kevin knows Cody is hurt. So if Cody isn’t 100%, he- Cody stops Kevin there. 100%, his knee, what is this? IS this some kind of sabotage? Is this Kevin trying to find an excuse like he did three weeks ago? Does he still feel he doesn’t deser- Kevin stops Cody now, and says if Cody’s so fine, why didn’t he take a knee like he usually does during his entrance? The fans realize that’s true. Kevin says the reason he’s bringing this up is because yesterday, that was eight YEARS since the night Kevin won the Universal Championship.

Fans cheer, and Kevin says he can remember that night like it was yesterday. Kevin won the title, he should’ve been on top of the world, but people told him he didn’t deserve it. He was told he only had the title because of Triple H. That tainted that reign forever, to this day. Kevin is still bitter. So if Cody walks in NOT 100%, with only one good leg, what happens when Kevin beats him- When? Tainted victory? Is Kevin hearing himself? Cody’s knee is 100%, rock solid! So he is ready for Kevin tomorrow! It sounds like Kevin is talking with confidence, but this is anger. Kevin is angry because he knew what it meant for Cody to come back.

It meant Cody was going to blaze a path, leave people in the rearview mirror, friends included. he couldn’t take everyone with him! Kevin knew! WrestleMania 38, the biggest night in Kevin’s career, squaring off with Stone Cold Steve Austin, and the very next day, Kevin had to share the spotlight with Cody> Cody would be angry, too. But Cody says he loves Kevin. The fans cheer that! Cody doesn’t have many friends but Kevin is one. Someone once asked Cody this that Cody is asking Kevin. Cody will defeat Kevin tomorrow, no tainted victory about it, and when that happens… “Will we still be friends?”

The fans like where this is going. They chant “YES! YES! YES!” but Kevin’s look might say otherwise. Kevin drops his mic, whispers something to Cody, then leaves. He didn’t answer, but will his actions speak volumes when it is time to Bash In Berlin?

Apollo Crews & Baron Corbin regroup backstage.

They were close tonight, but then it fell apart, and they don’t get why. But then Austin Theory & Grayson Waller walk over. Waller mocks “these two losers” for having no charisma, no chemistry. Theory told Waller that Crews & Corbin aren’t even half the tag team A-Town Down Under is! Theory’s face clearly says Waller is selling him out, but Corbin says if that’s true, say it to his face. Theory says fine, he said that. Corbin says he will beat the brakes off him! Crews has Corbin cool off, and Theory tells Waller not to do that. Then he tells Waller to stop, because he’s talking. Terrence Crawford knocks Theory out, and why? Because Waller was talking!

And now Waller’s calling out Corbin & Crews, telling them they’re falling apart? Nah, A-Town Down Under’s falling apart. Waller apologizes, but all his mates and family are back home. It’s just what they do in Australia. But for real, Theory is his best friend. He is sorry for not treating him that way. They good? Theory says yeah, and they shake hands. But will ATDU be able to hold things together to head back for the WWE Tag Team Championships?

Giovanni Vinci speaks.

“Inspire, rise above, and win with honor. This is my purpose. This is not my return. It is my arrival. Soon, everyone will remember my name. Vinci. Giovanni Vinci.” Who will be inspired when The Pride of Italy arrives on SmackDown?

Andrade VS Carmelo Hayes!

It seems the Best of… who knows series continues! El Idolo is still up 2-1, will he finally leave H1M behind at 3-1? Or will Melo keep going until he’s the one in the lead?

SmackDown returns and Melo makes his entrance. Melo dares Andrade to come bring it to the ramp! Andrade doesn’t fall for the bait, so Melo rushes in! The bell rings and these two fire hands! The fans fire up as they go around, and Melo pushes Andrade away. Andrade BOOTS then TOSSES Melo out. Andrade runs, goes up and up and TORNILLO PLANCHAS! The fans fire up again and Andrade CHOPS Melo. Andrade puts Melo in, storms up and kicks again. Andrade whips, Melo springboards for the FLYING LARIAT! Melo goes up a corner but Andrade trips him! Melo is stuck in a Tree of Woe, and Andrade goes up!

Andrade stops Melo from hitting back, to then APRON WOE STOMP!! The fans are thunderous while Melo sputters and Andrade hobbles. “This is Awesome!” as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Melo stomps away on Andrade. Melo grabs a leg, “WOO~!” but Andrade BOOTS him away. The fans rally, Andrade rises, and Andrade then ROCKS Melo with forearm after forearm! And an ELBOW! Melo kicks but Andrade blocks to DRAGON SCREW! Things speed up, Andrade dodges to then CLOBBER Melo with a forearm! Melo writhes but Andrade kips up! The fans fire up, and Andrade goes to a corner. Andrade climbs, and MOONSAULT DOUBLE! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives and Andrade is a bit frustrated. Melo goes to a corner, the fans rally, and Andrade pounds the mat.

The fans clap along with Andrade as he powers up, “SI! SI! SI!” Andrade goes corner to corner, but Melo is there for the FIRST 48! Andrade falls into a corner, and Melo mocks him with the thigh smacks! Melo goes corner to corner, he is CIEN SHADOWS! Cover, TWO!! Andrade survives Melo’s take on his move, and Melo hobbles up. Melo drags Andrade up, CHOPS, but Andrade huffs and puffs. Andrade shoves Melo so Melo CHOPS again! And again, and again! Melo CLUBS Andrade, reels him in, and talks some smack. But Andrade snap suplexes! That’s Uno Amigo! But Melo slips out at dos! Andrade switches, rolls Melo, deadlifts and POWERBOMBS!! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up and Andrade rises up. Melo flounders, Andrade stomps him to the corner. The fans sing for Andrade and he slaps the thighs. Andrade goes corner to corner, but he sees the top buckle is missing! Melo SUPERKICKS! A distraction and another interception, Melo covers! TWO!! Andrade survives, but Melo stomps him. Melo runs, goes up, but Andrade catches him at ropes! Andrade goes up, to INVERTED SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives, Andrade is too tired to react, but the fans again say “This is Awesome!” as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again, and Andrade has Melo up top. But Melo SLAPS Andrade! And SLAPS! And SLAPS! Andrade drops back, but Melo brings him back up! Only for Andrade to turn things around, SUPER FALL AWAY SLAM!! Both men are down and Berlin is thunderous again! Andrade crawls to a cover, TWO!! Melo survives again and the fans are loving this! Andrade and Melo stir, then sit up. Melo fires a forearm, but Andrade SLAPS! Melo forearms, Andrade SLAPS again! Andrade then shots around, but Melo switches, shoves, and rolls back! Andrade boot feints to ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!!

Andrade is beside himself while Melo is in a daze. Andrade drags Melo around, rolls him to a corner and CHOPS! Andrade puts Melo up top, CHOPS him again, then climbs up after Melo. The fans fire up as Andrade goes to the very top, but Melo slips under to TRIP Andrade! Andrade hits the bare buckle!! Melo uses that to his advantage, and he goes up! NOTHING BUT NET!! Cover, Melo wins!!

Winner: Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall; series is now 2-2

The bare buckle was a complete fluke, but Melo uses it to his advantage! He gets the game winner, and now we’re all tied up! Will we need just one more? Or does this only end when the score favors H1M?

The StrongEST Duo speaks.

They are rewatching Clash at the Castle, and The EST says, “Let’s be real. This was more than just a match for you, and I get it. You come in with big hype, big expectations, you feel unstoppable, making headlines, everyone’s your best friend. But… Then a couple things go wrong. You start to doubt yourself. I’ve been there. But failure’s a part of the process, and you can’t be afraid to fail. We are not here by accident. We are either up, or getting up.” The Storm adds that, “We define our own legacy. Because the fight isn’t in the ring. It’s here (your mind), and it’s here (your heart).” This is their dream, so is she ready to make it a reality? Is she ready to take back the titles?

They both tell each other, “Let’s go!” They are here to finish what they started. They are coming back for THEIR tag team titles! “It’s inevitable.” Will Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill make those promises into a reality? Or will the wicked witches, Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn, find another way to survive these forces of nature?

WWE Women’s Championship Street Fight: Nia Jax VS Mia Yim!

The Irresistible Queen of the Ring may have had her notes about the celebration Tiffany Stratton threw for her, but she most certainly did NOT appreciate Michin busting in there and busting it up! Will Nia make Mia pay with blood, sweat and tears? Or will the Head Baddie in Charge finally be a champion?

SmackDown returns and Mia walks ‘n’ talks to gorilla. “I’ve fought my whole life for this. Every battle, every war. And it’s all led me hear to Berlin. Now, you can like me or you can hate me, but I promise you, after tonight, when I become the new Women’s Champion, you will not forget me. You’re about to understand that Michin is not who I am, it’s what I am.” And The Head Baddie is bringing a shopping cart of goodies! Will Mia use every single one of those in beating down and dethroning the Queen of the Ring?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it’s time to get nuts!

The bell rings, Mia dodges to already SMACK away with a kendo stick! Nia bails out, Mia chases her, and SMACKS, but Nia blocks the stick! Nia stares Mia down, pokes her with the stick, and now Mia backs off. Nia swings, Mia ducks, and Nia smacks post! Mia POSTS Nia, grabs the stick back, and fans want tables. Mia brings Nia into ropes first to SMACK her, then SPIKE RANA! Cover, TWO! Nia is still in this but she clutches her neck. Mia goes out, brings out more kendo sticks, then brings out a chair! The fans rally, Mia keeps searching, and yes, she finds a TABLE! The fans cheer but Nia runs up to SMACK Mia!

Nia SMACKS Mia again, puts her in the ring, and she upsets the fans by putting the table back under the ring! But then Mia WRECKS Nia with a dropkick! Mia PENALTY KICKS from the apron, brings the table back out, and fans cheer again! Mia gets the table into the ring, but SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Mia is SMACKING away on Nia again! The fans fire up, but then Nia TOSSES Mia out! Mia tumbles to the apron, gets up, but Nia catches her first, to APRON URENAGE! Mia falls to the floor, the fans are torn, but Nia is still angry. Nia sets up the table in a corner and the fans cheer. Nia drags Mia up, but Mia FIRE EXTINGUISHER BLASTS her! Mia storms up a corner, then MISSILE DROPKICKS! Nia tumbles and is close to the table! Mia hurries to grab that trash can, and she brings Nia up. Mia brings Nia around to TORNADO- NO, Nia SLAMS Mia on her own trash can!

The fans are torn as Mia is by the table now. Nia storms over, but Mia JAMS and SMACKS her with a trash can lid! Then she SMACKS away with two trash can lids! Mia sets those down, brings Nia around, TORNADO DDT onto the lids! The fans cheer, Mia drags Nia to a cover, TWO!! Nia survives but the fans rally up. Mia kicks things around, brings over a second table, and she sets this one up in another corner. The fans rally, Mia hurries to go fetch some more things. Mia brings out a new trash can, tosses that in, and then hurries back in. Mia finishes with the table, but Nia CLUBS her! Nia HEADBUTTS Mia down, then SMACKS her with a chair!

Nia brings Mia around, puts her on that new table, and she goes up a corner. The fans boo but Mia hurries up! Mia CLUBS Nia on the back! And CLUBS her again, and again! Then Mia carries Nia off the corner, to POWERBOMB through the table!!! But Mia can’t make the cover!! The fans are thunderous, and “It’s Tiffy Time!” Now the fans are really going nuts because Miss Money in the Bank is here! She JAMS and SMACKS Mia! Tiff did it to save Nia, but now she thinks about it…! But then Nia wakes up and sees Tiff! Tiff says she’s saving Nia! Tiff CLOBBERS Mia, helps Nia cover her, TWO!!

The fans cheer, Tiff panics, and she hurries up a corner! But wait! Here comes Bayley! The Role Model is back to make sure Tiff doesn’t get what she wants! Tiff takes a swing, Bayley dodges to CLOBBER Tiff! The fans fire up as Bayley throws Tiff out, DUMPS her over barriers, and brawls with her! Mia dodges Nia! Nia hits buckles, Mia rolls her up, TWO! Nia is still in this, but Mia KICKS, ROUNDHOUSES, and ROUNDHOUSES again! Mia runs up, but Nia fireman’s carries! SAMOAN DROP THROUGH THE OTHER TABLE! Nia drags Mia all the way to the other corner, and even puts a trash can on her!

Nia goes up and up for a FULL METAL A-NIA-LATOR!!! Cover, Nia wins!!

Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Champion)

The Queen is victorious, but she’s not done! Nia CHUCKS pieces of table at the can, SMACKS away on it with a kendo stick, and only lets off as the ref gets between her and Mia. Who will be the next to feel her wrath?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown here, as have all these go-home episodes been. Especially when we’re talking these international shows, Berlin was another great crowd. I should’ve realized Kaiser would accept the open challenge, and even though Knight was going to retain no matter what, it was a good move. The fans got to cheer both guys one way or another, and it was a great showing for Kaiser. I almost thought Giovanni Vinci was going to accept the challenge, but no, he’s Italian. He’ll have his debut next week, as his newest promo reminded us, and he’ll surely start on a story towards the US Championship.

Good videos to recap things and hype Bash In Berlin, and we also got a good promo from Bianca & Jade to hype up the tag title match. Still not sure the win the belts back, even as great as they both are, but we’ll have to wait and see. Good promo from Solo, with the best detail being he told Jacob to wait with the ula fala. Solo most certainly will make his move for the title after Bash In Berlin on the way to Bad Blood. And great promo segment from Cody and Kevin to add some final heat to their title match. Kevin trying to use house shows as part of kayfabe is brilliant, and Cody brushing that off while subtly bringing up his connection to The Young Bucks and everything he did outside of WWE is also good, this is going to be a really good match just on story alone.

Very good tag match from #ACBC and #LosGarza, and I like that they are getting that latter team name going. The whole time Angel & Berto were on their on, this gimmick of theirs with the claw mark tattoo being from NXT, no idea why they didn’t have that name by now. Now, obviously Legado cheated to win, Crews & Corbin face a crisis of confidence, but then A-Town Down Under has to pile on. But with that promo, I do like Theory calling Waller on his trash talk and getting Theory in trouble. The dysfunction was smoothed over, but that’s just another sign they’re getting close to breaking up, just not sure what the last straw will be.

Awesome fourth match from Andrade and Melo, but I had a feeling Melo would win to make this a tied series. Maybe they make the fifth one the final, but they could easily make this an official best of seven, the final one appointing the winner as #1 contender to a title. That winner could even face LA Knight for the US Championship at Bad Blood. And then, a great Street Fight match for the WWE Women’s Championship. Good promo from Mia beforehand, I do like that they’re doing these to lead into important matches. But I figured Mia was going to lose this. For one, this parallels DIY losing despite having a walk ‘n’ talk promo, and also I just felt how Tiff was going to show up. She wants to cash in, Nia scares her into not doing it, and Nia retains.

Bayley being back is great, hopefully she can get some charisma going, she was a little subdued when she was champion. But she can feud with Tiffany on the side of Nia waiting on a new challenger, maybe she and Mia stick together, and you can even throw Chelsea Green & Piper Niven into the mix to build various stories at once. Maybe Piper finds her way to being a challenger for Nia, making it powerhouse VS powerhouse, and opening the window for Tiffany to try another cash-in.

My Score: 8.8/10