Cody Rhodes already knows what Solo Sikoa wants to talk about.

Returning from Bash In Berlin STILL Undisputed WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes will now address Solo Sikoa wanting to go another round with him. Will the American Nightmare have an answer Solo likes?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Tiffany Stratton VS Bayley; Bayley wins.
• Giovanni Vinci VS Apollo Crews; Crews wins.
• Triple Threat: Kevin Owens VS Austin Theory VS Grayson Waller; Kevin wins.
• Mia Yim VS Chelsea Green w/ Piper Niven; Chelsea wins.
• 8 Man Tag: The Bloodline VS #DIY & The Street Profits; The Bloodline wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Cody Rhodes is here!

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada fires up for The American Nightmare as he brings the Undisputed WWE Championship with him. They sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and Cody gets his pyro before he continues down to the ring, making sure to shake hands and high-five as he goes. Cody grabs a mic as he enters the ring, with fans chanting his name. Cody smiles, he revels in it a moment, and then he asks Edmonton, “Whadda we wanna talk about? Well, this is an extremely large crowd. If you’re up there, say hello to our friends down here. Our friends down here, say hello to them up there!”

The fans cheer, and then Cody says that at Bash In Berlin, he was victorious in a hell of a match with Canada’s own, Kevin Owens. The fans cheer and chant “K O! K O!” Cody didn’t get to do this last week because of a language barrier, but c’mon, they gotta welcome him back! Michael Cole is back on SmackDown! The fans cheer for Cole, and he waves to the crowd. Cody then says he could go on and on, but he has done this gig long enough to know it is very likely that any moment now, he will be interrupted. The fans boo but he has a point. So before then, allow Cody to just extend an invitation to The Bloodline.

The fans boo more but Cody watches the ramp. And yes, here comes The Bloodline. The Usurper of The Table wears the ula fala as he heads down, leading the way for his Enforcer, the Samoan Werewolf, Jacob Fatu, as well as the WWE Tag Team Champions, The Guerrillas of Destiny, Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa. Solo steps up to the steps while the Guerrillas stay at the ramp. Fatu then stands down as Solo goes into the ring. Solo has a mic already, and the fans boo. Solo says he’s happy to see them, too. Solo asks if Cody’s done running his mouth to the people. Is he done playing around? The fans chant for “O T C!” “WE WANT ROMAN!”

Solo asks if Cody is ready to defend his title against a real challenger, in Solo Sikoa. Because everyone knows, including Cody, that Solo could’ve been champion. Solo had Cody beat at SummerSlam, if not for… If not for ROMAN… REIGNS! The fans cheer that! Solo says he deserves a rematch! Cody says certainly, the “season premiere” of SmackDown should have something big like an Undisputed WWE Championship match. The fans continue to chant “WE WANT ROMAN!” Solo gets annoyed, but Cody says Solo, the formidable athlete, the effective and unhinged, and truthfully the number one contender on Cody’s book.

Here is a man who stepped out of the shadows of The Tribal Chief, someone who tried to keep him down. This man indeed does deserve an Undisputed WWE Championship match! The fans boo that but Solo says finally! Thank you! Cody says he wasn’t talking to Solo. Cody was talking to JACOB FATU! The fans fire up as Cody dares Jacob to step up! Jacob snarls, his gold grills shining. Jacob goes to the apron as fans chant “STEP UP! STEP UP!” Solo looks at his Enforcer, and that look tells Fatu to step down. The fans boo, but Solo is Tribal Chief now, and Jacob shouts, “I love you, Solo! You are MY Tribal Chief!” Fatu then stands down.

The fans boo more but Solo nods. Cody says okay, guess it was worth the shot. Cody is crazy to wanna wrestle any of them, that’s for sure. But Solo, you believe it, don’t you? “Every second, every minute, every hour, you do indeed get better. And you, sir, are wearing the ula fala, which means The Bloodline revolves around you. But me…? This right here, the Undisputed WWE Championship, the WWE revolves around this. And perhaps one day, I will be looking up at those lights, courtesy of that iron thumb of yours, but I can tell you this, it sure as hell ain’t gonna be next week.” Solo says he sees what Cody’s doing. Cody’s trying to turn Fatu against Solo.

But okay, if Cody wants this next week, then he’s on. But they don’t even have to wait. Solo drops the mic, Cody drops his, and then Solo snaps his fingers! The Bloodline rushes in, but then DIY & The Street Profits run in! Nick Aldis hurries out here. He says that unless everyone wants to be fined and suspended, they all need to take a step back and simmer down. The fans boo but Aldis says now would be nice. Fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” but Aldis says he knows they wanna tear each other apart. They all can, in their 8 Man Tag match main event, as promised. But not a moment sooner!

And speaking of main events, then Cody VS Solo for the Undisputed Championship will be official. But Cody can surely agree with Aldis here, the whole Bloodline numbers game is getting a little old. It’s bad for business. Here’s a solution that is best for business. Next week, Cody VS Solo, Undisputed Championship, will be in a STEEL CAGE!! Solo doesn’t like that but Cody smiles. Will that steel keep things to a true 1v1 showdown? Who walks away when it’s all on the line?

Pretty Deadly helps Tiffany Stratton prepare.

Elton Prince says that like all great finales, Bayley’s story will come to an end, all because of Tiffany! Kit Wilson says with the end, we look ahead to a new premiere. SmackDown premieres on the USA Network, but there’s also their premiere of… Pretty Deadly: The Musical! Nia Jax steps in, Pretty Deadly bow to their Queen of the Ring, and they take their leave. Nia tells Tiff that it’s so crazy. It seems the entire locker room thinks Tiff was going to cash in on Nia. That’s so stupid. Tiff says she would never do that! She was only helping Nia against Mia. But y’know who is spreading those awful lies? Chelsea Green! You can’t believe a word that wannabe says!

The Hot Mess is so jelly of this friendship. Nia says yes, it is all unbelievable, because Tiff would never lie to Nia. No, never! Anyways, will Nia be in her corner tonight? Maybe. And maybe Nia will “help” Tiff like Tiff did last week. Nia heads out and Tiff is nervous. Will the Queen & Princess of the Ring stick together? Or can the Role Model start tearing them down one piece at a time?

Tiffany Stratton VS Bayley!

SmackDown returns and Tiffany makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally as these two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and Tiff pulls hair to put Bayley in the corner. The ref counts, Bayley pushes Tiff back, and the two circle. They tie up again, are in another deadlock, but Tiff puts Bayley in a corner. Bayley turns things around, rolls Tiff up, TWO! Bayley wrenches, wristlocks, and CLUBS the arm. The fans rally, Tiff fights up but Bayley pushes the wrist. Tiff cartwheels to wrench and wristlock back, but Bayley goes to ropes. Bayley steps out to the apron, steps back in, and she has the arm trapped!

The fans sing for Bayley while she messes Tiff’s hair, then lets off at 4. Tiff frowns, takes a swing, but Bayley ducks to wrench and wristlock. Bayley YANKS the arm, grinds the shoulder, but Tiff ROCKS Bayley then THROWS her by her hair! The fans boo but Tiff drags Bayley up. Tiff whips Bayley to a corner but Bayley BOOTS back! Bayley goes up to FLYING ARM-DRAG! SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Bayley whips Tiff, Tiff reveres, then Tiff runs in. Bayley slips out to the apron, catches Tiff for a HOTSHOT, and then hurries up again. Tiff runs up to ROCK Bayley! Bayley is stuck up there, and Tiff goes to the apron.

Fans worry a bit as Tiff Alabama Lifts Bayley, but Bayley sunset flips it! Tiff rolls through to PENALTY KICK! And then basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up, it’s #TiffyTime as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Tiff has Bayley in a chinlock. The fans rally up as Bayley fights to her feet. Bayley fires body shots, then forearms! Bayley backs Tiff into a corner, but Tiff throat chops! Then she THROWS Bayley by her hair! Tiff drags Bayley up, puts her in another corner, and then soaks up cheers and jeers as she goes to the far side. Tiff runs to handspring and BACK ELBOW! Then she snapmares Bayley, but Bayley dodges the boots! Cover, TWO! Tiff runs up, drop toehold! Bayley is on ropes, Tiff runs, but into a LARIAT!! Bayley snarls, hauls Tiff up, but Tiff drops down to send Bayley away.

Bayley comes back, Tiff DROPKICKS her down! Bayley is back on ropes, and Tiff runs to HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Bayley survives but Tiff stays cool. Bayley flounders to a corner, Tiff storms around, drags Bayley out, and then SLAMS her arm into the post! And SLAMS the arm again! Bayley falls out of the ring, Tiff stalks her, and then drags her up. Tiff hammerlocks the arm, whips, but Bayley reverses to POST Tiff! Tiff staggers, Bayley puts her on the apron, and she drags her out for a DRAPING SUPLEX to the floor! Bayley drags Tiff back up and in, runs up, and LARIATS! Bayley rallies, gets around Tiff, and SAIDOS!

The fans fire up, Bayley runs, and she KNEES Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Bayley drags Tiff to a drop zone, goes to a corner, and climbs up top! The fans cheer the MACHO ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Tiff stays in this, and now Nia shows up! She did say that she might help Tiff, so here we are! Bayley still clinches Tiff, but Tiff pulls hair! Tiff CLUBS Bayley, cartwheels into the Alabama Lift, and she ALABAMA SLAMS! High stack, TWO!! Tiff is furious but she drags Bayley up. Tiff fireman’s carries, but Bayley slips out to waistlock! Tiff bucks the O’Conner, but runs into the BAYLEY2BELLY!! But Bayley can’t cover!

Nia coaches Tiff while Bayley clutches her arm. Tiff crawls over to Nia, but Bayley DIVES! She hits Nia and sends her tumbling! Bayley goes back for Tiff, but Nia gets up! Tiff backslides, the ref is missing this! Now the count, TWO!! Bayley rises up, spins Tiff around and steps over, ROSE PLANT!! Cover, Bayley wins!

Winner: Bayley, by pinfall

Well some help Nia was! And now she’s mad! Nia storms in, Bayley bails out, but will all this equal Bayley getting a rematch for the WWE Women’s Championship in the near future?

Kevin Owens is backstage.

And like any good Canadian, he is admiring the poster dedicated to THE Wayne Gretzky. But then Austin Theory & Grayson Waller walk over. Theory mockingly asks what Kevin’s reading, a story of a bunch of losers? Waller says hey, Kevin’s actually got a lot in common with the Edmonton Oilers. Oh, yeah? Yeah. The only way either of them will ever get a championship is off WWE Shop. Waller shows off the custom Oilers legacy belt. Theory says hey, Kevin’s match with Cody, he thought he didn’t deserve it? Well, guess he proved himself right. Yeah, they might not even be friends anymore. Didn’t you see Kevin NOT out there for Cody against The Bloodline?

Kevin says first of all, these two are idiots. Second of all, they’re morons! And don’t worry about Kevin and Cody, they’re fine. Kinda like how A-Town Down Under is fine, right? Better than fine, even! Great friends, great team, maybe even better than the Oilers! Oh, so better. Well, then here’s a great idea. Kevin fought his friend, Cody, at Bash In Berlin, so surely Waller and Theory won’t have a problem facing each other! Wait, here’s an even better way to prove they’re a great team! Kevin, Waller, and Theory, all in the same match! How? Well as the great Wayne Gretzky would say, tonight’s a great night for a Triple Threat!

Sounds good, right? Okay, Kevin will go talk with Aldis! Oh, and also, Waller doesn’t get to have the Oilers belt, it is too nice looking. It’s Kevin’s now. And get another shirt. Kevin leaves and Waller says he hadn’t paid for that belt yet. But then Waller says hey, that Triple Threat can be more like a Handicap match! Theory isn’t sure, he doesn’t recall Gretzky ever saying something like that. No, man, the match! This will be fine, right? They’re friends, this will be fun, right? Yeah, they’re boys, they’ve got this. ATDU is confident, but will Kevin just find a way to punch them both at the same time like he did in the past?

Legado Del Fantasma sits down for a drink.

Angel & Humberto are still excited about last week’s win. It was perfect! Did you see the looks on the faces of Corbin & Crews? They were suffering! Santos Escobar steps in, and everyone stands up. He says buenas noches, and everyone is seated. Santos asks why they’re so excited. Well, because they won last week. Oh, was it a championship match? No. Well, who did they beat? It was Crews & Corbin. Doesn’t he remember? Plus, it’s all over social media. Santos sets his drink down and takes off his sunglasses. “Don’t be shocked by success. Victory is not what we obtain. It is part of who we are. And success? Well, we don’t just find it. No, no, no. We make it.

“It is there for us to take.” Angel says yes, this is just the beginning! Berto says this is their time! Elektra says everything is finally falling into place. SmackDown is bound to be Legado’s turf. Exactimente. It WILL belong to The Emperor, and his familia, Legado Del Fantasma. Salud! They toast now, and the celebration truly begins. But when and where will they celebrate with championships?

Giovanni Vinci VS Apollo Crews!

After being rejected by Imperium (again), The Pride of Italy had to find himself again (again). He is ready to bring prestige, courage, honor, and more to the ring, but will it be all about #VeniVidiVinci?

Vinci is all smiles as he takes his time with his very high end tracksuit. The bell rings and Crews runs up to crucifix roll Vinci up! CREWS WINS?!?

Winner: Apollo Crews, by pinfall

Vinci is furious! He claims he was still getting ready! Well, Vinci should stay ready so he doesn’t have to get ready! Will it be #VeniVidiVinci next time?

Aldis meets with Chelsea Green & Piper Niven.

The Hot Mess says it is unacceptable! Did Aldis see what Giulia did to Chelsea on NXT? Or was he too busy shopping for more ugly pocket squares? What’s wrong with his pocket square? Is he even listening to her?! Piper flips Aldis’ phone so he can’t get any calls. But knock knock, it’s Mia Yim. Oh, is that trash Chelsea smells? Oh, hi, Michin! So fitting that you ended your last match in a trash can, considering that is where trash goes. Mia says ha, yeah, and last time we saw Chelsea, she was getting her little egghead scrambled in NXT. Which must be why she’s confused, running her mouth, thinking Mia won’t whoop that pancake of hers here and now.

Actually, Mia says that is what Chelsea is asking for. No, no, Chelsea is far too stressed mentally, and no amount of red wine or essential oils will get her ready for tonight. Aldis says how about this? While we’re going on with obvious analogies, Aldis likes the one about falling off the horse and getting back up on it again. So that is what happens tonight when Chelsea goes 1v1 with Michin. And put the phone back. Chelsea puts the phone on the hook, but will she just come right back here to complain after she gets cooked by the Head Baddie In Charge?

Triple Threat: Kevin Owens VS Austin Theory VS Grayson Waller!

He may have held back “The Prizefighter” in Berlin, but surely Kevin will #JustKeepFighting until he has another title opportunity. Will he make this a two birdbrains with one stone kind of situation? Or can A-Town Down Under actually make this work out in their favor?

As Kevin makes his way to the ring, he sees a fan sign asking that he rip said sign up. Kevin shrugs and tears into it! The fans cheer, and Kevin continues on. The test of friendship begins, after the break.

SmackDown returns and ATDU makes their entrance together, and Waller is of course wearing a Florida Panthers jersey just to insult the Oilers fans. The bell rings and Kevin LARIATS Theory! Kevin DUMPS Waller out, then goes to the apron to CANNONBALL them both down! The fans fire up with Kevin, and he SMACKS Theory off barriers! Kevin beats Theory up in front of the Oilers’ own Corey Perry! Waller goes after Kevin now but Kevin beats him up, too! Kevin clears the desk and the fans fire up! But ATDU mug Kevin and RAM him into barriers! Waller goes looking and finds a table! The fans are torn, they love tables but loathe Waller.

Waller sets the table up while Theory brings Kevin around, only for Kevin to THROW Theory into barriers! Waller ROCKS Kevin, brings him over, but Kevin wrenches out! Kevin reels Waller in, POWERBOMB through the table!! Kevin stands tall on the apron while the fans go wild, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Theory rains down fists on Kevin in a corner, but Kevin stops him at 9! The fans cheer as Kevin now fires hands in return! The fans count along and Kevin goes past ten, then stomps away on Theory at the ropes! Kevin lets off to shake out some stars, but Theory runs up to ELBOW him down! The fans boo, but Theory goes out to check on Waller. Waller is at least claiming he’s still in bad shape, so Theory aims from the apron. Somersault, but into a kick and DDT! Kevin and Theory are down, and the fans rally up. Kevin rises, Theory runs up, but Kevin counter punches! And again! And then CHOPS! ROCKS! Repeat!

The fans fire up as Kevin CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS away! Kevin whips, Theory reverses but Kevin KICKS the backdrop away! Theory still takes a swing but Kevin dodges to LARIAT! And SENTON! Theory goes to a corner, Kevin aims, “SUCK IT!” CANNONBALL! Theory flops into the drop zone and Kevin goes up! SWANTON BOMB! Cover, Waller breaks it! The Aussie Icon saves his mate and rains down forearms on Kevin! The fans boo but Waller drags him up. Waller runs, but Kevin DECKS him! Theory ROCKS Kevin, somersaults, and BLOCKBUSTER! Waller is back to cover, but Theory stops him?!

The fans fire up as ATDU are arguing. Waller makes the argument that they’re a team, one of them winning is both of them winning! Theory agrees, and ATDU mugs Kevin. They put Kevin up top, climb up after him, and the fans boo more. But Kevin fights off the double suplex with body shots and elbows! Kevin ROCKS Theory, ROCKS Waller, repeat! Then he gives them a meeting of the minds! Waller falls out, Theory falls in! Theory stands up to fire hands! Theory climbs back up, but Kevin fireman’s carries! SUPER ROLLING SENTON!! Cover, Waller breaks it again! Waller drags Kevin up to RAM him into a corner, then puts him up top!

Waller climbs, these guys never learn! SUPER FISHERMAN BUSTER!! Kevin crawls, covers, Theory breaks it! The fans boo but all three men are down! The fans fire up for Kevin but Theory says A-Town Down! Theory fireman’s carries, but Kevin slips free! Kevin shoves Theory at Waller, ATDU stops from colliding, but then Kevin dodges Theory to kick and STUN- NO, Theory shoves Kevin away, into Waller! Waller falls, Theory rolls Kevin up, with tights! TWO!! Kevin is free, he STUNNERS Theory!! Cover, Kevin wins!

Winner: Kevin Owens, by pinfall

But Waller CLOBBERS Kevin! ATDU are sore losers, but they still lost. Kevin TOSSES Waller, but Theory ROLLING ELBOWS! Fireman’s carry, A-TOWN DOWN! SOMERSAULT FLATLINER! Kevin won the match, but ATDU stuck together as a team. Will Waller & Theory get going and go back for those tag titles?

LA Knight is here!

Edmonton fires up as the WWE United States Champion makes his way to the ring, “YEAH!” Knight gets the mic, to say, “LEMME TALK TO YA! What are we? Just a little over 30 days into this US title reign, and we’re already talking two successful title defenses! Hit it ‘n’ quit it! YEAH!” “YEAH!” Knight’s crossing borders with this! DC to Berlin to “The Big E,” Edmonton, YEAH! No matter where you go, it’s always the same. Everywhere you look, everybody’s gunnin’ for this thing. It doesn’t matter if it’s an open challenge, a #1 contender, a part-timer, a world class athlete, a cross-eyed halfwit, an Incel, they’re alike!

But NAH NAH! No one comes away with this, because that’s how Knight made it because that’s how it has to be! But wait, Carmelo Hayes makes his way out here. The fans boo H1M, but Melo says hold on. Knight really out here bragging about two successful defenses? C’mon. If anyone should be bragging, it’s Melo! Melo’s put the show on his back, match of the night, stealing the show, effortless. And Knight? What’s he been doing? What he always does: run his mouth. Melo steps into the ring and says what Knight should be doing is checking the scoreboard. Melo is up two straight on Andrade, and by default, that makes Melo next in line.

The fans boo, and Knight is confused. Knight wants to point out, the reason the two title defenses is important is because it’s the same number in one month than his predecessors 270+ DAYS, YEAH. But Melo is worried about Match of the Night? Knight’s not worried about that, he’s just worried about winning. That’s why he’s champ and Melo’s not, YEAH! Melo says good news is, there’s only one guy Knight needs to worry about, and it’s H1M. But wait! Here comes El Idolo! Melo sighs but Andrade has a mic to tell Melo, “Take it easy! Tranquilo, nino. I know you beat me. Yes, I know. Twice. But remember, I also beat you twice, too.”

Melo says it’s crazy, no one remembers that part. Oh, Andrade remembers. And surely everyone here remembers! The fans cheer that! So Andrade has a question for H1M. Does Melo think he really deserves an opportunity for the United States Championship? Damn right! Oh, then what about Andrade? Knight says he isn’t sure if they noticed, but he’s busy. He can’t take time for these two to have a little tiff out here. So here’s what he wants them to do. If Andrade beat Melo twice and Melo beat Andrade twice, whatever! If they’re fighting to see who gets dropped on their head next by Knight, then be his guest! It doesn’t make a bit of difference.

Andrade says wait, hold on. The championship was Andrade’s. Knight says yeah, “Was” is the keyword. Then Knight, enough talking! Andrade was campeon, he’ll be campeon again! Unfortunately, most of that was in Spanish and this is Canada. Knight says he doesn’t know a thing Andrade just said, but he better check that tone. Use your inside voice before your keister gets thrown outside. Andrade gets heated, but then Melo gets in his face about their business. So Andrade shoves Melo into Knight! Melo runs up, Andrade dodges, and BOOTS Melo! But then Knight turns Andrade around, B F T! The fans cheer and Melo talks smack on Andrade.

Melo says this is what Andrade gets for messing with H1M, but uh, Knight turns Melo around! B F T!! The Mega Star tells them both that’s what they get when messing with him, YEAH! But then, who is it that will step up and face Knight next?

A-Town Down Under regroups backstage.

They lost to Kevin, but they still feel good about beating Kevin down. Best tag team in WWE right here! Oh, hey, Nicholas! Hey, mate, did you see what they did to Kevin in his home country? But since Aldis just goes and makes matches, how about this? Next week, the USA Network premiere, Aldis puts his two biggest stars in a tag team match against Kevin Owens and… anyone he can find since he has no one left! You’re welcome, idiot! ATDU heads out, Aldis finishes his phone call. Will Kevin find a way to shock ATDU next week? Or will it just be a remix of what we got here tonight?

Mia Yim VS Chelsea Green w/ Piper Niven!

Michin may not have won the title, but she’s not out of the running just yet. Will she use the Hot Mess as her rebound from being literally canned? Or will Chelsea finally have something real to brag about?

SmackDown returns as Michin makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two tie right up. They go around, Mia arm-drags, but Chelsea comes back. Mia arm-drags again, then arm-drags again! Mia runs up, dodges Chelsea, then redirects her, to DROPKICK! Chelsea goes to a corner, Mia fires up, and she runs in. Chelsea uses ropes as defense, so Mia stops. Chelsea then kicks Mia low! Fans are torn, but Chelsea whips to kitchen sink knee! Chelsea dusts herself off to then KICK Mia in the side! Chelsea stands on Mia, uses her to snowboard, then brings her up to snapmare. Chelsea runs to basement DROPKICK! High stack cover, TWO!

Chelsea wraps on body scissors to squeeze but Mia endures. The fans rally, Mia fires elbows, and she gets free to hammer away! The fans are torn again but Chelsea kicks those bad ribs! Chelsea whips, but Mia turns knee into rollup! TWO, and Mia goes to a corner. Chelsea runs up, Mia BOOTS her! Mia goes up, and she FLYING RANAS! The fans fire up, Mia grits her teeth and rallies! SHOTGUN! Chelsea falls into a corner, Mia fires up again! The fans are still torn, but Mia blocks a kick to CHOP! Mia has Chelsea stuck in ropes, for a DRAPING CODE BREAKER! Mia then drags Chelsea up, reels her in, but Piper gets on the apron!

Mia pushes Chelsea down to swing on Piper! But Chelsea rolls Mia up, TWO! Mia kicks low, wrenches, and- NO, Chelsea denies Da Feet! She turns Mia, but Mia shoves Chelsea right out of the ring! Piper coaches Chelsea up, but Mia builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit and Mia fires up again! Mia puts Chelsea in, but Piper storms up. The ref has Piper back off, and Mia goes back to the ring. Chelsea ENZIGIRIS! Mia falls hard, and Chelsea hurries out! The ref says hold on, he keeps Chelsea back. But Piper SENTONS Mia! Piper pushes Mia in for Chelsea to hit the UNPRETTY-HER! Cover, Chelsea wins!

Winner: Chelsea Green, by pinfall

Canada’s own Hot Mess actually wins! Most of Canada is glad, but will Piper have to keep helping out if Chelsea wants to make it to the top?

8 Man Tag: The Bloodline VS #DIY & The Street Profits!

Solo Sikoa has what he wants in an Undisputed WWE Championship match next week on the USA Network premiere. But this here is about laying down the law and establishing dominance. Will he, the Samoan Werewolf and The Guerrillas of Destiny prove SmackDown belongs to The Bloodline then, now and forever?

Byron Saxton ins backstage with Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, Montez Ford, Angelo Dawkins & B-Fab. Earlier tonight, they were all on the same page. But will that be the case in the main event given that a win over The Bloodline is as good as having a future tag team championship opportunity? Gargano says DIY and Profits aren’t family, they’re not really that close, but they’ve all known each other a long time, so there is respect here. Ford adds that there is respect, and they also have a common enemy in Bloodline. They all have issues with The Bloodline, they all want the WWE Tag Team Championships, lots of similarities.

And one in particular, is that they get to break down The Bloodline. Ciampa says The Bloodline is known for winning belts and holding them hostage for a very long time. The Profits don’t want that, and DIY doesn’t want that. No tag team anywhere wants that. Dawkins says yeah hold on, though. DIY “just got here.” Profits have been dealing with Bloodline on SmackDown for four years now. But if getting to those tag titles means teaming up with DIY to beat The Bloodline, Dawkins is with it. B-Fab says yeah, there’s respect here. But in that ring, it will be only disrespect for The Bloodline. This team is up, and #WeWantTheSmoke.

Byron wishes everyone luck tonight, but will this super combo of former tag team champions be just the thing to tear down the tyrannical Solo and his minions? We find out, after the break.

SmackDown returns and The Profits make their entrance, going through the crowd. Feels like it’s been a minute since they’ve done that. And then DIY makes their entrance, and then the brawl is on! Gargano goes after Tama, Ciampa is after Fatu, Dawkins is after Loa, and Ford gets Solo! Ford kicks Solo out, Dawkins LARIATS Loa at ropes, but still has to dump him out, and then Gargano tosses Tama. Fatu RAMS Ciampa, Gargano brings him around to ROCK with a haymaker! Fatu grabs Gargano by the face! Gargano JAWBREAKERS free, then the Profits DOUBLE DROPKICK Fatu out! The fans fire up while The Bloodline regroups.

Solo has Fatu calm down, and they go to their corner. Loa is sent in, Dawkins dodges to JAB, JAB, JAB! Dawkins whips, Loa reverses but Dawkins hurdles and UPPERCUTS! Dawkins drags Loa up, tags Ford, and Profits whip to CLOBBER him! Then Dawkins gives Ford the boost, BACK SUPLEX SPLASH! Ford runs to PENALTY KICK! Ford taunts Tama, runs and SPLASHES DOWN! Cover, ONE!! Loa is tougher than that, but Ford KICKS him again. Ford drags Loa up, whips him to a corner, but Loa comes back to LARIAT! Loa snarls, drags Ford up, and he tags Tama. The Guerrillas DOUBLE HEADBUTT, and Tama CLUBS away!

Tama rains down fists, taunts Dawkins, then drags Ford up. Tama ROCKS Ford, back suplexes, but Ford lands out! Ford waistlocks, Tama elbows free, but Gargano tags in. Gargano ELBOWS Tama, then slingshot SPEARS! The fans fire up for “Johnny Wrestling!” as he has Tama in a corner! CHOP, whip, and then tag to Ciampa. Ciampa runs in to KNEE ENZIGIRI COMBO with Gargano! Then he ripcords and ROCKS Tama! But Fatu tags in and he CLOBBERS Ciampa! The Werewolf has just turned the tides, and he hammers away on Ciampa! Fatu drags Ciampa up, suplexes, and GOURD BUSTER on ropes! Ciampa flings right off, Fatu tosses him out!

Fatu tags Solo, and Solo SMACKS Ciampa off the desk! Solo whips Ciampa over the desk, and Corey Graves almost gets bowled over with his chair! Solo raises the one, the fans boo, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Fatu RAMS Ciampa in the corner! Fatu lets off, raises the one, and he runs in again, but Ciampa moves! Fatu POSTS himself! Loa tags in and hurries after Ciampa! Loa drags Ciampa up but Ciampa ENZIGIIRS! Tama tags and he grabs Ciampa! But Ciampa fights the suplex! Tama fights the suplex, they go back and forth! Ciampa suplexes Tama high and hard! Both men are down, the fans fire up, but Solo tags in! Ciampa kicks at Solo, BOOTS him away, hot tag to Gargano and Dawkins?! The ref isn’t sure what to do about this, so Gargano and Dawkins both rally on Solo with fast strikes!

Dawkins sends Gargano in to DOUBLE KNEE! Dawkins CYCLONE SPLASHES! Then ASSISTED ENZIGIIR! Loa & Tama get in, they get SUPESRKICK after SUPERKICK! Then Fatu gets DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Ford runs in to FLY! Down goes Fatu and Ford lands on his feet! The fans are thunderous as Gargano DIVES onto Tama! Solo staggers into Dawkins’ SILENCER! Cover, TWO!! Solo survives, but Dawkins tags Ciampa back in. Ciampa takes his kneepad down, Dawkins POUNCES Loa! Solo catches Ciampa, URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Ciampa survives, and Solo is furious! Tag to Tama and he goes up!

Solo makes sure Ciampa is in the drop zone, but then Dawkins and Gargano drag him out! They brawl, Loa and Fatu join in, but Ciampa CHOPS Tama! Ciampa goes up to get Tama, and fans are already going nuts as Ciampa brings him to the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX onto the cluster!! The fans are thunderous as Ford tries to help Ciampa, but that was a big wipeout of a landing! Ford still gets Ciampa in, then Tama. Ciampa tags Ford and Ford climbs up! 450 SPLASH!! Cover, Fatu SENTONS it apart! Fatu POSTS Ford, drags Tama to safety, and Fatu tags in! Fatu SUPERKICKS Gargano! And he POP-UP SAMOAN DROPS Ciampa!

Dawkins runs up, into a SUPERKICK! Fatu then SPLASHES Ford in the corner, before he hits the IMPALER DDT!!! Fatu then looks to his Tribal Chief, and he tags Solo in. Solo drags Ford up, and this is just to send a message to Cody Rhodes! SAMOAN SPIKE!!! And then ANOTHER SAMOAN SPIKE!!! Cover, Bloodline wins!

Winners: The Bloodline, by pinfall

DIY & The Profits put up a fight, but nothing could stop the feral beast that is Jacob Fatu. Fatu adorns Solo with the ula fala around his neck, but will Solo soon have gold around his waist?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown for the final episode on Fox, which is to also set up the premiere for USA Network, but it still effectively built stories as we slowly head for Bad Blood. Great stuff with Tiff and Nia, though hopefully Bayley is more than just a side character in this story. The crux of this story is the question of if and when Tiff cashes in that MITB briefcase, but Bayley still needs to be more than a set piece. Maybe she’ll cut a promo next week to stake her claim to a rematch, and we’ll get a sort of rework from SummerSlam where Tiffany’s cash-in attempt affects the outcome.

Perhaps the most shocking thing of tonight was Vinci getting embarrassed by Crews in his return match. Vinci being the self-absorbed Heel is fine, but that was borderline some Dan Matha stuff. Hopefully Vinci VS Crews gets redone and it’s a much fuller match so Vinci can show his stuff. Good promo from Legado with Santos making sure everyone understands that they need to be much more serious and focused if they are to finally start doing stuff on SmackDown, and that is all a good point. Legado should really be a much more meaningful force on SmackDown, even with The Bloodline still being a thing, and hopefully they can start doing that on USA Network.

Good promo from Chelsea and Piper with Aldis and Mia, and very good match for Chelsea and Mia. Good win for Chelsea, mostly because it was won by Piper, but maybe, just maybe, they circle back to Chelsea & Piper pestering Tiffany & Nia after Bayley’s finished up this rematch story. It also depends on if Jade & Bianca keep the tag titles. There’s the match with Alba & Isla on Monday, and it’s hard to say which is the better option. Jade & Bianca retain to then maybe give duos like Chelsea & Piper or Tiff & Nia a match? Or Alba & Isla get the belts back and they face Chelsea & Piper to reference some NXT UK stories?

Pretty good promo stuff with LA Knight, Melo and Andrade, and it basically spelled out that Andrade VS Melo Round 5 is going to be the #1 contender’s match. At least, it should be treated as such. And after that brawl where Knight stands tall, either choice is great. Knight VS Andrade, Knight VS Melo, it’ll all be great fun for Bad Blood, or at least the SmackDown before it. It really depends on how HHH feels about booking that show. There’s still the issue of what is too much and what is not enough on a PPV/PLE, but that’s for another article. Also nice detail that Knight refused to say the name of previous US Champ, and I’m okay with that.

Great stuff with Kevin and A-Town Down Under, they’re all solid characters. Great Triple Threat, and the dysfunction is still on that slow burn for ATDU. But uh, I feel like ATDU are forgetting something. Randy Orton lost to Gunther at Bash In Berlin, so he’ll return to SmackDown, and that means he’ll be Kevin’s partner. RKKO will of course beat ATDU, and it will be a lot of fun. And of course, great stuff with The Bloodline as always. Very good opening promo where A) Cody VS Solo is of course made, and B) Cody does give the nod of respect to Fatu. And for good reason, because Fatu basically won that awesome 8 Man Tag for the team. The Steel Cage aspect does not in any way erase interference, but hey, there’s a chance Cody jumps off it, right?

My Score: 8.9/10