Whose game is it?

While Bayley & Naomi take on Nia Jax & Tiffany Stratton, LA Knight defends his WWE United States Championship against Andrade El Idolo!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• WWE United States Championship: LA Knight VS Andrade; Knight wins and retains the title.
• Giovanni Vinci VS Apollo Crews; Apollo wins.
• High Stakes Tornado Tag Match: Bayley & Naomi VS Nia Jax & Tiffany Stratton; Bayley & Naomi win and…?
• Six Man Tag: Kevin Owens & DIY The Street Profits VS The Bloodline; Kevin & The Profits win, by disqualification.

PLAY BY PLAY

The Bloodline arrives.

They go through the metal detectors, but obviously it goes off for Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa given they’re carrying the WWE Tag Team Championships. Security asks to pat them down but the Guerrillas of Destiny refuse that. Jacob Fatu walks in, he also sets the detectors off, but he HEADBUTTS and SUPERKICKS security out of his way! The Samoan Werewolf asks if anyone else wants a pat down. That’d be no thank you. Will Fatu, Tama & Loa tear into more than just security guards tonight?

WWE United States Championship: LA Knight VS Andrade!

The Mega Star’s “Hit It & Quit It” tour has come to the capital of California, ready to defend his title again! Will LA win this for Sacramento, CA? Or will the title soon belong to El Idolo?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who has gold in the Golden State!

The bell rings and the fans fire up as the two circle. Andrade offers a handshake, the fans rally for Knight, and Knight takes the handshake. They circle, tie up, and Knight wrenches to a wristlock, only for Andrade to trip him. Andrade steps through, Knight cradle counters! TWO, Andrade kicks low, but Knight fights the underhooks! Andrade avoids the cravat and bails out, Knight says it was that close. The fans applaud, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Andrade breaks free of a wristlock to CHOP! Knight CHOPS back! Knight whips, Andrade KICKS the backdrop away! Then CHOPS again! And again! And again! Knight blocks one to ROCK Andrade again and again! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Then a CHOP! Andrade kicks low, then puts Knight in a corner. Andrade CHOPS, then whips corner to corner. Knight reverses, Andrade goes up and out! Andrade ROCKS Knight, goes up a corner, then leaps to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Knight stays in this and the fans rally up. Andrade keeps cool, brings Knight into a chinlock, and the fans rally again.

Knight fights up, Andrade shifts to a headlock, but Knight powers up and out. Andrade runs Knight over, things keep moving, and Knight UPPERCUTS Andrade down! The fans fire up while Knight catches his breath. Andrade bails out, checks his teeth, then he drags Knight out! Knight fires hands but so does Andrade! Andrade then kicks low, brings Knight over, but Knight blocks the bump off the desk! Knight SMACKS Andrade off the desk! And again! And again! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” The ring count climbs but Knight winds up to SMACK Andrade off the desk again! Knight puts Andrade in, then takes aim.

The fans rally, Knight slingshots, BIG shoulder tackle! Cover, TWO! Andrade stays in this but Knight stays on him. Knight brings Andrade up to RAM him into a corner! The fans rally as Knight RAMS Andrade again. Knight whips corner to corner, runs up, but Andrade puts him on the apron. Andrade ROCKS Knight, goes out to join him, but Knight fires body shots! Knight torture racks! But Andrade fights with elbows! Andrade is free, and he POSTS Knight! Knight falls to the floor and Andrade climbs up! The fans fire up as Andrade aims, to ARIHARA MONSAULT! Down goes Knight and the fans fire up again!

Andrade and Knight sputter on the floor, right next to the belt on its podium, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Knight and Andrade slowly sit up, and Andrade stands to roll into the ring. Andrade then goes back out, points to the belt, and fetches Knight. Andrade RAMS Knight into the barriers, then puts him in the ring. Andrade covers, ONE!! Knight is tougher than even all that, but Andrade stalks him to a corner. Andrade stomps Knight again and again, then puts him in the drop zone. Andrade tries to position Knight just right, and gets caught into a cradle! TWO!! Andrade KICKS Knight low! And CHOPS him into the corner! Andrade wrenches, reels Knight in, and hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Knight is still in this and Andrade is frustrated.

Andrade clamps on with another chinlock, and he squeezes tight on the hold. Knight endures, fights up, and he fires body shots! Knight is free to run, but he runs into a kitchen sink knee! Cover, TWO! Andrade keeps cool as he stalks Knight back to the corner. Knight stands up but Andrade pie faces him. Andrade talks trash, pie faces Knight more, then throws haymakers! Andrade stomps a mudhole in, the ref counts, and Andrade stops. Knight comes back with haymakers! Knight spins to DISCUS LARIAT! Then Knight drags Andrade back up, for a BIG back suplex! But Andrade lands out! Andrade wrenches Knight, CHOPS him, and SmackDown returns to single picture.

Andrade whips, Knight reverses, but Andrade FLYING FOREARMS! Both men are down again and the fans fire up! Knight goes to a corner, but Andrade kips up! The fans fire up and Andrade storms over to Knight. Andrade stomps a mudhole into Knight, then goes corner to corner! CIEN BUCKLES as Knight moves! DDT! Cover, TWO! Andrade survives and Knight is frustrated, but the fans continue to rally. Knight stomps a mudhole now, “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight lets off as the ref counts, runs corner to corner, and he KNEES Andrade in the face! The fans fire up again, and Knight whips Andrade back into the corner! JUMP NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!

The fans fire up again as Andrade stays in this. Knight drags Andrade up, “This is Awesome!’ as Knight puts Andrade on the very top. Knight climbs up behind him, but Andrade CLUBS away with elbows! Then he ELBOWS Knight off the corner! Andrade sees Knight is in the drop zone, and he smiles as he stands up! MOONSAULT DOUBLE! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives but Andrade feels how close he was! Andrade sees Knight go to the corner, he pounds the mat, “SI! SI! SI!” Andrade runs corner to corner now, CIEN SHADOWS!! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives but Andrade stays close. Andrade reels Knight in, but Knight suplexes first!

Andrade slips free, and JAWBREAKESR! Knight staggers, Andrade runs, but into a scoop! Knight powers up to POWERSLAM! The fans are thunderous as Knight goes up! They spell it out with him, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!!” JUMPING MACHO ELBOW! But that’s not all! Cravat and- NO, Andrade rolls Knight up! TWO!!! Knight escapes, but the boot feint ELBOW hits!! Cover, TWO!!! Knight survives again, and yet Andrade grins! Andrade is enjoying this like the fans are! Andrade drags Knight up and to the corner, then he goes up top! Andrade drags Knight up to join him, but Knight fires hands! Andrade HEADBUTTS Knight!

Knight staggers back, Andrade adjusts, but Knight JUMPS right up! Knight wobbles, Andrade ROCKS him, then leaps! But Knight avoids the missile dropkick!! Knight hurries to cravat, B F T!! Cover, Knight wins!

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

YEAH!! The Mega Star holds onto the belt, even with how hard El Idolo hit him! Knight shows Andrade respect, offers a fist bump, but Andrade insists on a handshake. The handshake is accepted, and Andrade heads out. But will we see these two run it back one day?

Nia Jax & Tiffany Stratton talk backstage.

The Queen of the Ring listens to Tiff go on and on about getting ready for the day. Tiff says she was in the nail salon, bragging to everyone how she and Nia are gonna beat the brakes off of Bayley & Naomi. It will feel so good to send one of them packing and never see them on SmackDown again! Nia says, “You go girl. Oh, and Tiffy, don’t forget. Bayley and Naomi are coming after my title, so if you lose tonight, it might be a good idea if you leave SmackDown. Tootles.” The Irresistible WWE Women’s Champion gives Miss Money in the Bank a fair warning, will Tiffy make sure she doesn’t mess things up for them?

Andrade returns backstage.

But waiting there with a grin is Carmelo Hayes. He asks what was that. Melo hasn’t seen someone choke like that since the Kings faced the Lakers. And it couldn’t have been H1M. But hey, put the fries in the bag, bruh, and watch Melo- Andrade pie faces him! They brawl, and Andrade throws Melo into a road case! Now security and refs rush in but the brawling keeps going! Andrade THRWOS Melo down, bumps into a cameraman, but Melo is back up! The refs get them to separate, will we end up needing to see “game six” from these two after all?

Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns met in Atlanta.

Bad Blood isn’t for a few more weeks, but the American Nightmare and the #OTC wanted to meet face to face, one to one, on hallowed ground that they have in common: Georgia Tech’s Bobby Dodd Stadium. Cody being a Georgia boy and Roman being a former Yellow Jacket, it all lines up perfectly. Both men go to the 50 yard line, the Undisputed WWE Championship on Cody’s shoulder. Roman speaks first. “Do you see the ground you stand on? Everything you put your eyes on in here… It’s mine. Years ago, I shed blood, sweat and tears on this field. Many times. So that means this is my field. And if this is my field, that means this is my stadium. And if this is my stadium, you better believe this is my city. What have you down for my city?”

Cody takes a moment and sees Roman’s seven cars. Subtle. “Your stadium? You know what’s on the other side of this stadium? Right over there.” No, what? Tech Wood Studios. Down the street, Center Stage. Just that way. It’s what used to be The Omni is now State Farm Arena. “Multiple generations of my family have bled for this city, and in this city. You played football here. Thank you. And then you went back to the beach. This is your field, but this is my home.” Roman says that’s very good. This is Cody’s home. But why not cut to the chase? Enough history lessons, let’s get to the facts.

Cody signed himself into a lose-lose situation. He has everything to lose, and he is dealing with people who have nothing to lose. Take Roman for example. They took Jimmy from him. They took The Wiseman from him. They took The Bloodline, and they took the ula fala. Roman has nothing to lose. For the first time in a long time, there is no weight on his shoulders, it is all on Cody. Roman is a man with no country. Cody says Roman’s acting like this is supposed to surprise Cody. Cody told Roman before WrestleMania the first go around, Roman would be standing like he is now: a chief without a tribe.

Cody says yes, they took Jimmy, and they took Paul Heyman, and they took the ula fala. But they think Roman’s got nothing to lose? Because Cody says he sees that and raises Roman another. Take a look around the WWE, and a good, hard look. “We’ve already got a Tribal Chief. It’s not you. And we have a WWE Champion that’s not you. So if you can’t even beat your own Bloodline, who’s standing here right now? I’ll tell you who. It’s not the biggest box office attraction in the history of WWE. It’s not that guaranteed WrestleMania main eventer, no. It’s the guy they used to call… Roman… Reigns.”

Roman asks what Cody wants. Just tell him what you want. What does Cody want? Cody wants Roman’s word. Cody wants Roman’s word that he will have Cody’s back so that he can have Roman’s. Roman says he gives Cody his word. He will have Cody’s back. But just understand this: When it’s all done, Roman will take back what’s his. Both men go to leave, but they end up walking into each other. Cody says it’s not Roman’s to take. Roman says Cody’s in his way. Cody steps back, but Roman says Cody is still in his way… in life. The OTC goes back to his convoy, and Cody watches him go. Will these two be able to work together long enough to tear down Solo Sikoa?

Kevin Owens watches all this.

And he isn’t sure what to make of it. Byron Saxton walks over to talk with Kevin. We all know the extensive history between Kevin and both men, Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns. After that face-off we just saw, what are his thoughts? Kevin takes a moment, but then just leaves. As if Kevin wasn’t conflicted on this journey alongside Cody, is this only making that internal struggle harder?

Giovanni Vinci VS Apollo Crews!

The Pride of Italy was perhaps taking his in-ring return far too lightly. Not only was he not listening to the ref, he got caught by a simple roll-up! Will it be #VeniVidiVinci for real now? Or will he end up on Crews Control two weeks in a row?

As Vinci goes to the ring, he is already out of his luxury tracksuit, and he is already laser focused on Apollo. The bell rings and the two tie up. Vinci knees low, CLUBS Apollo, then fires haymakers in the corner! The ref counts, but he has to pull Vinci away from Crews. Vinci storms back up, CHOPS and UPPERCUTS on repeat, but lets off as the ref counts. Apollo CHOPS back! And ROCKS Vinci with forearms! Vinci throat chops! Vinci kicks low, whips Apollo to a corner, then runs up. Vinci blocks the boot, and he short arm LARIATS! Vinci snarls, drags Apollo from ropes, and he rains down fists! The fans boo but Vinci lets off to stomp Apollo.

Vinci drags Apollo up, scoops and SLAMS him into ropes! Then Vinci scoops and SLAMS Apollo into ropes again! The ref wants to check Apollo but Vinci scoops and SLAMS Apollo again! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Vinci drags Apollo up. Vinci hoists Apollo up, but Apollo sunset flips, and high stacks! APOLLO WINS!!

Winner: Apollo Crews, by pinfall

Well, Vinci can’t make an excuse this time. But then he is a sore loser and BOOTS Apollo down! The fans boo but Vinci sends Apollo into barriers! Vinci puts Apollo in, storms up on Apollo, and reels him in for a suplex! BRAINBUSTER! The fans boo but Vinci tells Apollo not to disrespect him! Vinci may not have had vittoria tonight, but will he make an impact on the roster one way or another?

Backstage interview with Kevin Owens.

Byron apologizes for finding him again, but is he more comfortable to talk about Cody and Roma now? Kevin says y’know what? No offense, Byron, but if Kevin’s gonna talk about it, he might as well do it out there. Kevin heads for gorilla, what will The Prizefighter have to say about Cody’s truce with the OTC?

SmackDown returns as Kevin Owens heads to the ring!

Sacramento cheers as KO makes his entrance. Kevin high-fives some front row fans, then grabs a mic as he enters the ring. The fans cheer more, and Kevin thanks them for that. “Now, um… Obviously, Byron asking me twice in the span of 10 minutes make this pretty obvious, but I’m already aware that a lot of people are wondering what I think about this situation with Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes, and what… What Cody agreeing to team with Roman, how that makes me feel after everything that’s happened over the last several years. And um… Y’know, I gotta be honest.” WAIT. Here comes The Bloodline!

Tama, Loa & Fatu are here, and Tama already has a mic. The Right Hand Man hushes everyone, but the fans boo him back. Tama says, “Hey! You better let The Right Hand Man speak! Shh…! Last week, Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes embarrassed our Tribal Chief! Big, big, big, big mistake! They’re gonna get what’s coming to them at Bad Blood. But YOU, Kevin Owens! Tonight, you’re gonna get what you got coming. By orders of the REAL Tribal Chief, Solo Sikoa!” The fans boo more and Kevin says before Tama talks again, because surely no one has ever wanted to hear Tama talk… We all know how this goes, so just get up here so he can punch you in your stupid faces.

The Bloodline runs up, Kevin DECKS Tama! And he BOOTS Loa! Fatu stares Kevin down and the fans fire up! Kevin dares the Werewolf to bring it, so he does! But then Tama & Loa get back up and they’re all mugging Kevin! But wait! Here comes DIY! Gargano & Ciampa also have beef with The Bloodline, and now it’s a fair 3v3! Kevin DUMPS Fatu, Gargano SUPERKICKS Loa, and Ciampa catches Tama! Ripcord, into the SHATTER MACHINE!! The Bloodline regroups, the fans fire up, and here comes Aldis with a lot of security! But The Bloodline is just tearing up the ringside area! Kevin looks to Aldis, Aldis steps in, even as fans shout, “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!”

Aldis says hey, he’s getting some deja vu here. He is sick and tired of all this fighting when there isn’t a bell ringing. But he can’t help but notice: The Bloodline has three, Kevin with Gargano & Ciampa makes three, can Sacramento see where this is going? The fans cheer because they do! Then, Kevin & DIY VS Bloodline, Six Man Tag main event here tonight! The fans cheer again! Can #KODIY tear down The Bloodline ahead of Bad Blood?

Naomi and Bayley talk backstage.

With tonight’s match now a Tornado Tag, they need eyes in the back of their heads. It will be all four at the same time. Bayley ain’t leaving SmackDown, and she knows Naomi doesn’t wanna leave, so they gotta focus on Nia or Tiff to then get a title opportunity! Bayley’s been waiting on that since SummerSlam. Hey, Naomi’s been waiting on hers since she got back. Bayley knows, she’s thinking about them both, it is a common goal to get the belt off Nia. They are in this together. May the best woman win. Right. And when Naomi does, Bayley will be the first to get a title opportunity! Oh, haha, we’re going there? Naomi wants a hug? They do hug it out.

And, when Bayley wins, she’ll throw a party, and Naomi will be first on the list so that they can talk title opportunities over drinks. Who will be toasting to the other’s success after tonight? Or, will the Queen and Princess of the Ring exile someone to Monday nights?

High Stakes Tornado Tag Match: Bayley & Naomi VS Nia Jax & Tiffany Stratton!

SmackDown returns and Naomi makes her entrance, followed right by Bayley’s. The bell rings and the brawl is on! Naomi has Nia and Bayley has Tiff. Tiff puts Bayley in a corner, Nia TOSSES Naomi to the other, and they fire off! Tiff & Nia coordinate, then whip, but Bayley & Naomi dosido to ROCK Nia & Tiff! They fire off, stomp and elbow, and Naomi SCORPION KICKS Nia! Bayley & Naomi coordinate now, and Bayley whips Naomi in to SPALSH Tiff! Then Naomi sends Bayley in to UPPERCUT! Nia runs up but gets DOUBLE FOREARMS! The fans fire up as Naomi runs at Tiff, slingshot BULLDOG!

Bayley brings Nia around, Naomi helps out, they DOUBLE BULLDOG Nia into buckles! The fans fire up but here comes Tiff! Bayley RAMS Tiff, she brings Tiff into ropes the same as Naomi does with Nia. HOTSHOT for Tiff, HEATSEEKER for Nia! Then Naomi & Bayley run to DOUBLE SLIDING LARIAT! Double cover, TWO! Naomi & Bayley have a bit of tension, but they get Nia up. Nia HEADBUTTS Bayley, Naomi fires forearms! Naomi runs, into a FLAPJACK! Bayley fires off on Nia but Tiff throws Bayley down! The fans boo but now Nia hauls Bayley up. Tiff climbs while Nia fireman’s carries, BLOCKBUSTER SAMOAN DROP COMBO! Cover, TWO!!

Bayley survives, she’s still on SmackDown for now, but Tiff & Nia regroup as SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Tiff stomps Bayley, then kicks Naomi. Nia HEADBUTTS Bayley, Tiff drags Naomi up, and Tiff snap suplexes. Naomi writhes, Tiff covers, TWO! Nia brings Bayley around, she and Tiff mug Bayley with a SHOTGUN dropkick! Bayley tumbles out of the ring, Tiff & Nia soak up the heat. Nia runs up to HIP ATTACK Naomi! Nia mocks the twerking, but Naomi kicks low! Naomi goes up to then BLOCKBUSTER Nia! Cover, TWO! Tiff is after Bayley on the outside so Naomi kicks at Nia. Bayley turns things around and sends Tiff into barriers! Naomi hits a CODE BREAKER on Nia! Nia goes to ropes, Naomi is after her, but Nia HEADBUTTS her down!

Tiff puts Bayley in to cover, TWO! Nia drags Naomi up to POST her! Naomi falls to the floor, Nia HEADBUTTS Bayley, and then she coordinates with Tiff again. Nia has Bayley’s legs, to CATAPULT her into a SHOTGUN from Bayley! Bayley lands on Nia’s knees, Tiff covers, TWO! Bayley stays in this for the team, but Nia & Tiff stay on her. They whip Bayley to a corner, then Tiff handspring back elbows! Bayley flops down, Nia hurries to cover her, TWO! Bayley is still in this, and then Naomi CLOBBERS Nia! Tiff stomps Naomi for it, and Nia TOSSES Bayley out. Nia goes out to stand on Bayley and stomp away!

Tiff sends Naomi back out, tot hen send her into barriers! Bayley fights back with forearms, but Nia SHOVES her into barriers! Tiff joins in, Nia soaks up some heat, and Tiff SMACKS Bayley off the apron. SmackDown returns to single picture as Bayley fights back again. FLAPJACK off the apron! Naomi SLAPS Nia! But Nia HEADBUTTS Naomi! Nia TOSSES Naomi into the timekeeper’s area! Nia scoops Bayley, and heads over. Bayley slips free, Naomi ROUNDHOUSES Nia down! Bayley hurries back into the ring, but Tiff drags her out! So Bayley LARIATS Tiff down! Tiff crawls away, Bayley pursues her to the ramp!

Bayley runs Tiff down to send into barriers! Tiff slumps down, Bayley & Naomi coordinate. Naomi sets Nia up, Bayley builds speed, and Bayley DIVES! Direct hit into Nia but Nia stays up! So Naomi goes up to FLYING SEATED SENTON! The fans fire up for Bayley & Naomi as they now put Tiff in the ring. Tiff stands up, she LARIATS Naomi! Bayley gets under a lariat, sets Tiff up, and Naoim goes up, FLYING CHUCK into a SAIDO! Cover, but Naomi drags Bayley off!? The fans boo, Bayley and Naomi argue, but then wait! Naomi shoves Bayley aside so that Nia CLOBBERS Naomi! Bayley jumps on Nia for a SLEEPER!

Nia THROWS Bayley away, but Naomi is up to ROUNDHOUSE! Nia wobbles. Naomi & Bayley double whip. They DOUBLE BACKDROP Nia!! The fans are thunderous as all four women are down! Bayley feels that energy and she rises first! Bayley waits, sees Nia rise, and she runs in. Nia ELBOWS Bayley down! Naomi tries, but runs into a SEATED SENTON! The fans boo as Nia roars! Nia drags Naomi around, CLUBS her down, then goes up a corner! But Bayley CHOP BLOCKS Nia first! Naomi joins in, they CLUB away, then climb up! Bayley & Naomi have Nia but Tiff YANKS Bayley down! Nia fights Naomi off, but Bayley BOOTS Tiff!

Bayley goes up, she and Nia stare down. SUPER LEG DROP for Naomi, MACHO ELBOW fore Tiff! They both cover, TWO!! Tiff and Naomi stay in this for their teams, but then Bayley KNEES Nia! Bayley snarls, drags Tiff up, and she SMACKS her off buckles! Naomi helps hoist Tiff up, then she and Bayley both climb. But Nia HEABUTTS Bayley down! Tiff and Naomi fight, but Nia gets under Naomi! Naomi fights, FACEBUSTER for Nia!! Tiff is panicked, Naomi covers, Tiff SWANTON BOMBS but Naomi moves! NIA takes the hit!! Tiff panics more, but Naomi and Bayley flank Tiff. The fans fire up as Tiff fights them off, but that’s still 2v1!

Bayley ROCKS Tiff, she and Naomi whip, THE ONE D?!? Have they been watching Uso tapes? Nia CLOBBERS Naomi, though! And then she fireman’s carries Bayley! SAMOAN DROP!! But Naomi jackknife bridges! Bayley has a ghost pin, too!? DOUBLE COVER, BAYLEY & NAOMI WIN!

Winners: Bayley & Naomi, by pinfall

Nia is also confused! What just happened? We know which team got the win, but which individual scored the fall? Both Naomi and Bayley think they get credit for the team effort, how will this all sort out?

Chelsea Green speaks.

The Hot Mess is wearing rubber boots, rubber gloves, an orange safety vest and a pink safety helmet. She says, “It looks like it’s time to take the trash out.” But yeah, no, she doesn’t like literal trash. She’s about to barf just smelling this. Anyone else think it is unfair she has to fight Mia Yim on her home turf? Chelsea uses the pallets for box steps and jumps, uses the bags of trash as free weights, and beats up Mia dummies with everything at her disposal. Oh, is that Michin in that dumpster? Chelsea says she’s coming to get her! Oh wait no that was a racoon! Did it bite her!? But Chelsea says Mia is gonna pay for this!

Chelsea whines her way off the scene, but she and Mia are gonna compete in a DUMPSTER MATCH! Thank the legendary former SmackDown GM, Vickie Guerrero, for that idea! Will Nashville become #Trashville when Chelsea and the Head Baddie battle it out?

Naomi and Bayley argue it out.

They each want to clear up the issue, and Aldis is there to mediate. He knows they both pinned Nia, so they both have a claim to this title shot. But there can only be one #1 contender. So what’s the solution? Exactly. Next week, these two will go 1v1 and the winner gets Nia Jax all to herself. Aldis leaves, Naomi and Bayley no longer have to talk it out. Will this friendship survive their fight? Or will the gold tear them apart like it has so many others?

Six Man Tag: Kevin Owens & DIY VS The Bloodline!

The Prizefighter just wanted to voice his side of the ongoing battle with The Bloodline, but The Bloodline picked a fight with him. Gargano & Ciampa came to help, but- OH NO, they’re being mugged backstage! Fatu HIP ATTACKS Ciampa into a road case! Tama CHOKES Gargano, and Kevin knew this was going to happen! But now The Bloodline makes their entrance! Kevin says fine, and he takes them on 3v1! Kevin will always #JustKeepFighting, but still! Wait! Here come The Street Profits! Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins still have beef with The Bloodline, they brawl, and Kevin goes up! SUPER CANNONBALL onto everyone!!

Sacramento is all fired up, and it looks like we have a change of plans! Can #ThePrizeProfits be the ones to humble Fatu, Tama & Loa? We find out, after the break!

SmackDown returns, Kevin and Loa are in the ring, and the bell rings. Kevin fires hands on the Silverback, then stomps away on him in the corner! Kevin rains down hands on Loa, the ref counts, but Kevin drags Loa up. Tag to Ford, and they mug Loa. Tag to Dawkins, the Profits mug Loa, and the fans fire up as Dawkins wrenches Loa’s arm. Dawkins YANKS and YANKS and kicks low, to then ROCK Loa! Dawkins brings Loa over, tags Ford, and Dawkins snapmares Loa so Ford can slingshot SENTON! The fans fire up, Ford mocks the ones, then says SUCK IT! Ford runs to PENALTY KICK Loa! Cover, ONE!!

Ford drags Loa up, wrenches, then tags Dawkins. The Profits double whip, drop and CLOBBER Loa! Cover, TWO! Dawkins drags Loa up, wrenches again, and tags Kevin. Kevin kicks Loa, short arm LARIATS, then SENTONS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally, Kevin drags Loa up, and he bumps Loa off buckles. Tag to Ford, Ford stomps away on Loa, the ref counts, and Ford lets off. The fans chant for “O T C!” but Ford drags Loa up to wrench and whip. Loa comes back to LARIAT! Loa snarls, storms up, and he bumps Ford off buckles. Tag to Fatu, the Bloodline mugs Ford, and Fatu stalks Ford. Fatu pushes Ford around, CLUBS him, then stomps him in the corner.

The ref counts, the fans boo, but Fatu storms around. Fatu drags Ford up, whips him hard into the corner, and Ford falls to the mat! Fatu paces, the fans rally, but Fatu stands Ford up. Tag to Tama, snap suplex into the slingshot SENTON! Tama chatters at the fans to talk trash, then he swaggers back to Ford. Tama CLUBS away on Ford, runs and SLIDING LARIATS! The fans rally for Ford but Tama covers, TWO! Tama tags Fatu, they DOUBLE HEADBUTT Ford down! Fatu stands Ford up but Ford fires hands! Ford runs, but Fatu CLOBBERS him! The Samoan Werewolf snarls, and he watches Ford go to the corner.

Fatu runs corner to corner, Ford dodges! Fatu hits buckles hard and falls! Ford hurries to hot tag Dawkins! Dawkins rallies on Fatu with LARIAT after LARIAT! Dawkins whips, Fatu reverses, but Dawkins hurdles! And then FLYING ELBOWS! The fans fire up as Loa runs up, into a FLAPJACK! Dawkins DECKS Tama, then runs at Fatu! CYCLONE0 SUPERKICK! Fatu takes Dawkins down, and he drags Dawkins into the drop zone. Fatu stomps Dawkins, makes sure he is in juts the right spot, then he goes up! BEST MOONSAULT EVER! The fans are fired up because that was impressive, and Fatu stalks Dawkins out of the ring.

Fatu TOSSES Dawkins over the desk, and SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns again, and Loa whips Dawkins to ropes. Tama is there to body shot! Loa UPPERCUTS! Tama NECKBREAKERS! Cover, TWO! Dawkins stays in this for the team, but Tama drags Dawkins up. Tama claws at Dawkins’ face, then CLUBS away on Dawkins’ chest! Tama wraps on a chinlock but the fans rally for Dawkins. Dawkins endures, fights up, and fires body shots! Dawkins ROCKS Tama, goes to a corner, and Tatma runs in. Dawkins avoids the splash, then clinches for an EXPLODER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Tama tags Fatu and Fatu SENTONS Dawkins!

Fatu taunts Kevin and Ford, then he whips Dawkins hard into a corner! Dawkins falls, Fatu storms around, and Fatu drags Dawkins up. Fatu HEADBUTTS Dawkins down, HEADBUTTS him into a corner, then just fires more HEADBUTTS! Fatu goes ocrner to corner, into an ENZIGIRI! Fatu staggers back, runs up again, but Dawkins dodges! Fatu hits POST with his splash! Both men are down, they crawl for their corners, hot tags to Tama and Ford! Ford GAMANGIRIS Tama, then goes up to CROSSBODY! Ford BLASTS Loa, CLOBBERS Tama, then dodges Tama to dodge again, and LARIAT! Ford roars and Sacramento is thunderous!

Ford paces around, mule kicks Tama, front kicks, btu Tama blocks a kick! Tama flips Ford, Ford lands out to JUMP KNEE! And then a BIG back suplex! Ford flexes, to then STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Tama stays in this but Ford drasg him up. Tama shoves Ford, dodges him, and back suplexes! Ford lands out to ENZIGIRI! Tag to Kevin and he goes running on the outside! LARIAT to Loa! LARIAT to Fatu! The fans are thunderous again as Kevin is fuming! He SENTONS Fatu on the floor! Kevin takes a shortcut through thge ring, to FROG SPLASH Loa on the floor! Kevin then aims at Tama in the corner!

Kevin grins and says “SUCK IT!” CANNONBALL! Tama flounders into the drop zone, and Kevin goes up top! SWANTON BOMB!! Cover, Fatu breaks it! Dawkins runs up to LARIAT Fatu and himself out of the ring! Kevin drags Tama around, “This is Awesome!” as Kevin goes back up the corner. But Tama srpings up to ROCK Kevin! Tama fires hands, climbs up, and Tama fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! But Kevin fights with body shots! Tama hits back, but Kevin CLUBS Tama! Kevin hits the SUPER FISHERMAN BUSTER!! Both men are down, no one can superplex Kevin! Kevin crawls to cover, Loa drags him out!

Kevin kicks Loa away, goes back for Tama, and he takes aim. Tama stands, into a kick and- NO, no stunner! Tama swingts, kevin dodges, kick and now STUNNER!! Cover, Loa drags KEvin out again! Loa RAMS Kevin into steel steps, and the ref has to call it!

Winners: Kevin Owens & The Street Profits, by disqualification

Dawkins POUNCES Loa! Fatu DIVES onto Dawkins! Ford FLIES onto Fatu!! Ford says nobody messes with The Profits!! But then Fatu rises up to CLOBBER Ford! The brawling continues! Fatu TOSSES Dawkins into the timekeeper’s area! Ford beats up on Loa, but Fatu comes back to throw headbutts! Fatu SMACKS Kevin off steel steps! The fans chant for “O T C! O T C!” but The Bloodline clears the desk! They set Kevin up, but Kevin fights free! The fans are thunderous as Kevin fights the Guerrillas 2v1, but they SMACK him off the desk! Then they beat up on Ford in the ring! Loa scoops Ford to SLAM him, and Fatu is up top!

Fatu SAMOAN SPLASHES!! The fans boo as The Bloodline stands tall, but wait! This isn’t the end! They go back for Kevin, but Kevin fights more! They still mug Kevin, reel him in, and with the ones raised high… WAIT! DIY is here! Gargano & Ciampa have not given up the fight! They brawl with Tama & Loa, but Fatu is again tipping the scales! SUPERKICK for Ciampa! SUPERKICK for Tama! The Bloodline goes back to Kevin! Kevin THRWOS Loa away! Kevin and Fatu brawl, Fatu RAMS Kevin into the apron! And again! And again! Another HEADBUTT, and Kevin goes into the ring. The mugging continues, and Fatu says set him up!

Loa & Tama drag Kevin up, but HERE COMES CODY RHODES! The American Nightmare made it to Sacramento, and he uses a chair to JAM Tama! Cody CHUCKS the chair into Loa, then gets it again! Fatu is ready, he SUPERKICKS the chair away! But Cody dodges to springboard and CODY CUTTER!! The Bloodline bail out, and Kevin has the chair…? The fans aren’t sure what to make of this as Kevin looks at Cody…! Cody doesn’t know, but then he turns around. Kevin puts the chair down, and Cody asks if Kevin’s alright. Cody offers his friend a handshake, and Kevin accepts. They hug it out, but is this Kevin sharing how he really feels?

My Thoughts:

An awesome SmackDown here to continue on towards Bad Blood. A touch surprised Knight VS Andrade opened, but it was great stuff. A little rough by the end but you gotta give them leeway because Sacramento was still warm today, and Knight might just need to work on conditioning so he can still bust out that top rope jump. I had a feeling Knight was retaining, but the real surprise was that Melo came back for more with Andrade. Well, maybe it isn’t that surprising, as Andrade VS Melo as a series should natural go to seven. I just feel that if that was going to be the story, they should’ve waited on naming a contender and then the US Championship match would be the go-home to Bad Blood. At the same time, we kinda needed something big for tonight, so why not the US title?

Very good promo from Chelsea Green to call out Michin, and their Dumpster Match will be really good. Not sure who wins, though, as the Women’s Championship story has gotten complicated in a good way. Both teams had great promos before the Tornado Tag, and making it a Tornado Tag match was a brilliant move that then gave us this brilliant finish. We now get Naomi VS Bayley, though we probably could’ve just had that from the start… Well, filling time until Bad Blood is fine. But much like how I thought Naomi was gonna get the pin to face Nia at the PLE, I feel like Naomi’s gonna find a way to beat Bayley. Bayley will try to be supportive, and in doing so, she messes Naomi up in the title match.

Vinci VS Apollo 2 was of course more of a match than the first one, but how wild that Apollo won again. Vinci beating Apollo up of course gives reason for a third match, but I was a little surprised we didn’t get any Baron Corbin. For that matter, no Legado Del Fantasma despite their promo about taking over. Maybe they’re just waiting out all these other stories so they can start going for the various titles. Because clearly, just as before, The Bloodline story still has the top title and the tag titles all tied up in it.

Incredibly well done vignette from Cody and Roman. That was on the level of a WrestleMania type build, and we’ve still got two SmackDowns left. Great stuff from The Bloodline through the night, even without Solo Sikoa present. And great stuff from Kevin in response to the Cody-Roman alliance. Great Six Man Tag, though I’m a little disappointed we didn’t get DIY as Kevin’s partners. But hey, The Profits are still incredible themselves, it all makes sense in story, and while Tonga Loa is probably still gonna get taunted online for botching some things, it all works that a disqualification won it for the Faces.

I have a feeling both DIY and the Profits will get a shot at the titles in a wild Triple Threat, and who knows how that turns out. Cody making the save as The Bloodline, mostly Fatu, beat down all five other guys was good stuff, because it gave us the newest Heel turn tease from Kevin. Kevin holds on for now, but he is just one more thing away from snapping and going after Cody. It might even happen during the tag team match at Bad Blood to really turn up the heat going into Roman’s return to the Undisputed Championship scene. Kevin already showed he can’t tolerate the idea of Roman just magically getting another shot at the top, Cody will try and be the peacekeeper, and we might even get a Triple Threat of those three at Crown Jewel to really pump that show up.

My Score: 9/10