One last showdown before Saturday night!

Before battling for the Undisputed WWE Championship, Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens will have some last words. But will they keep it to just words? Or will they look to pop off before arriving in Long Island?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• WWE Women’s United States Championship Tournament Semifinal: Tiffany Stratton VS Mia Yim; Mia wins and advances to Saturday Night’s Main Event.
• Carmelo Hayes VS Braun Strowman; Braun wins.
• Solo Sikoa w/ Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga VS LA Knight; Knight wins, by disqualification.
• WWE Women’s United States Championship Tournament Semifinal: Bayley VS Chelsea Green; Chelsea wins and advances to Saturday Night’s Main Event.

PLAY BY PLAY

Jimmy Uso is here!

Hartford, Connecticut is fired up but #BigJim has a crutch as he walks. A busted toe is a small price to pay to win WarGames with the OG Bloodline, and he still makes it into the ring to grab a mic. The fans cheer Jimmy on, but they’re using “YEET!” Jimmy says that’s the wrong twin. But hey, first off, WarGames was lit. The fans cheer that. Jimmy says WarGames didn’t get #BigJim, but it got his big toe. And he needs to say that WarGames meant everything to him. Why? Because you’re sitting there with family, both they might not like and those they always fight. But the biggest message is, you can bounce back, be 100, and throw those ones up together.

The fans cheer that, and Jimmy says the OG Bloodline came out on top! But WarGames is behind us. What is in front of us is the question. Jimmy’s watched his family dominate and entertain the WWE Universe since he was knee high. Now that he gets to do this is a dream come true. He gets to live this every single day and he is proud. He has watched Roman Reigns be the most dominant champion and Jimmy is proud of that. The fans chant “O T C! O T C!” Jimmy watched his twin brother, Main Event Jey Uso, “YEET!” become one of the hottest superstars today. He came up from a childhood memory to a real life dream. Jimmy’s proud of that.

Jimmy is even proud of his little brother, Solo Sikoa. The fans boo, and Jimmy says yeah, he doesn’t like what Solo’s doing, but he’s still proud of the boy. So with that said, Jimmy is so proud, and yet he is also asking himself, reading what the fans are saying. What’s next for Big Jim? What’s he gonna do? Well he has an answer, and the answer is… He doesn’t know. But he wants y’all to ride with Big Jim! It’s a big year in front of Big Jim, it’s gonna BE a big y ear for Big Jim. Royal Rumble winner? US Championship? Hell, if we’re dreaming, dream big and talk the UNDISPUTED WWE Championship!

So hey, big year in front of Big Jim, and ain’t nothing gonna stop Jimmy from doing what he loves to do, and that is showing up week in and week out. Ain’t no OTC, ain’t no Jey, ain’t no Sami, ain’t no CM Punk or Wise Man! Jimmy showed up with a busted toe! The New year is coming, and so is JIMMY UUUUUUSOOO~! But then CLAYMORE from McIntyre!! Drew McIntyre shows up on SmackDown JUST to attack Jimmy Uso!! The producers and Nick Aldis rush out here as McIntyre rains down fists, but then he lets off with a smug smile on his face. McIntyre soaks up all the heat as he makes his exit, will McIntyre ruin everyone else’s holidays?

Tiffany prepares backstage

Candice LeRae & Nia Jax join in. Nia says just look at Tiff, looking like a Christmas present. IS she ready? Duh! It’s Tiffy Time, and no one takes that from her. Nia knows Tiff is right, and has all the faith in her. And when Tiff becomes the first-ever WWE Women’s US Champion, she won’t even need that briefcase. Her legacy will be winning round after round in this tournament and becoming the first-ever. No more cheap tactics, right? R-Right… Candice is sure Tiff will blow them all away. They’ll be watching! They wish Tiff luck then head out. What could Nia mean about not needing the briefcase? Or is it more obvious than Tiff realizes?

Aldis reprimands McIntyre backstage.

Aldis says the Scottish Warrior was invited here for a meeting, not for a stunt like that! This is not what Aldis wants to deal with. They’ve known each other a long time but Aldis can’t cover for this. It is a mountain of paperwork and a giant headache, and Aldis will not have it. But then Bianca Belair & Naomi walk over and just want to check. Is this a good time to talk or should they go back? Aldis tells McIntyre to go to his office and wait. McIntyre salutes rather mockingly and Aldis talks with the ladies. Bianca hopes this is about information on Jade Cargill’s attacker. It is, but all he can say is that the investigation is on going, no conclusions yet.

So for now, Aldis needs to talk about a rather awkward situation. He sees no other option but for Bianca & Jade to vacate the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. Bianca says no, that’s not fair! She can’t do that! Naomi says Bianca has never relinquished anything in her life and Naomi won’t let her start not. If Bianca needs a partner, Naomi can step in. Yes! Bianca knows this is not an ideal situation, but it has been done before, right? And Naomi’s always had Bianca’s back. Please says this is an option.

Aldis sighs, thinks about it, and says he’ll run it up the flag pole. But if they’re gonna do it, they’ll have to be fighting champions. That means defending as earlier as next week. Okay, let’s do it! They’ll be ready. Aldis nods and goes into his office. Can The EST & Glow keep the gold safe on behalf of Jade?

WWE Women’s United States Championship Tournament Semifinal: Tiffany Stratton VS Mia Yim!

Miss Money in the Bank wants to make Nia Jax proud, but she also wants to do this for herself. Though, that goes the same for Michin, who hasn’t even held a title in WWE yet. Will Mia make sure we all know she’s the Head Baddie in Charge? Or will Saturday Night’s Main Event be on Tiffy Time?

The bell rings and the fans rally up as Mia and Tiff circle. They tie up, go around, and Tiff puts Mia in a corner. Tiff pie faces, and she hears Hartford cheering on Tiffy Time. Mia shakes that off, circles with Tiff again, and they tie up. Tiff throws Mia down by her hair! The fans cheer, but then Mia TACKLES Tiff! Mia rains down fists, Tiff kicks free but Mia DROPKICKS Tiff! Mia runs up to fire shots and CHOPS in the corner! Mia whips corner to corner, Tiff reverses, but Mia BOOTS in return! Mia goes up, and she manages to RANA Tiff away! The fans rally, Mia runs and rallies on Tiff! Tiff flounders, Mia storms up at the ropes, and stops from being thrown out!

Mia TOSSES Tiff out instead, and then builds speed to WRECK Tiff with a dropkick! Tiff staggers, Mia goes to the apron, but Tiff blocks the kick! Tiff trips Mia up, and then hops up to APRON STOMP! Tiff smiles and the fans cheer while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Tiff stalks Mia, drags her up and SMACKS her off the apron. Tiff brings Mia around to SMACK off more apron! Tiff brings Mia around to a third side, but Mia turns things around to SMACK Tiff off apron! Mia pushes Tiff in, hurries after her, but Tiff kicks low! Tiff brings Mia up, bumps her off buckles, then off more buckles, then off more buckles! Tiff stomps away on Mia in the corner, the ref counts, but Tiff yanks Mia to a cover, TWO! Mia toughs it out buy Tiff just rolls her eyes. Tiff fires herself up and it seems Hartford joins in, but Mia rolls her up! TWO, and Tiff CLOBBERS Mia! Cover, TWO!

Tiff drags Mia up into a chinlock and grinds her down. Mia endures, fights up, and throws body shots. Tiff throws Mia down by her hair again! Cover, TWO! Tiff drags Mia up to snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Mia stays in this but Tiff stays on her by pulling a pigtail. Tiff hauls Mia up, but Mia fights the suplex to suplex! Tiff flounders, Mia covers, TWO! Mia drags Tiff up but Tiff ROCKS Mia! Mia stumbles and flounders to ropes, and Tiff CHOKES her! The ref counts, Tiff lets off, but then she CLUBS Mia down. Tiff talks some smack on Mia, stalks her to ropes, then puts her on ropes to CHOKE! Tiff runs side to side to HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO!

Tiff grows frustrated but she drags Mia around by the pigtails. Tiff goes to a corner, says it’s time, and SmackDown returns to single picture. Tiff goes up, but Mia bails out! Tiff goes to the apron, runs up, but Mia dodges! The stomps miss and Tiff flops to the floor! Mia hurries to the apron, PENALTY KICK! Mia hit Tiff so hard, she’s clutching her own foot! Mia fires up and puts Tiff in the ring, then hurries in to TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up and Mia hauls Tiff up for another TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Tiff survives and the fans rally up! Mia hobbles over to Tiff, stands her up to wrench and- NO Sole Food for Tiff!

Tiff cartwheels and Alabama Lifts, but Mia grabs ropes! Mia scrambles her way into a TARANTULA! The ref counts, Mia lets off, and Mia goes up a corner. Mia leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK but Tiff dodges! Tiff cartwheels to Alabama Lift, ALABAMA SLAM! High stack, TWO!! Tiff is beside herself as Mia survives! The fans fire up and Tiff fireman’s carries, but Mia slips around into a SLEEPER! Tiff RAMS Mia into the corner! Tiff puts Mia up top, climbs up after her, but Mia fires hands! Mia HEADBUTTS Tiff down, then adjusts, but Tiff trips her up! Tiff fireman’s carries Mia out for the ROLLING SENTON! Then PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!!

But Mia dodges just enough to get up! Mia hits EAT DA FEET! Cover, MIA WINS!

Winner: Mia Yim, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

Michin is ready to go for gold! But then who meets her at Saturday Night’s Main Event? We’ll see when Bayley and Chelsea Green battle it out!

DIY speaks.

Johnny Gargano says, “August 2nd, 2024: I return home to Cleveland, Ohio a champion. Supposed to be the best night of my life. But what happened?” Tommaso Ciampa says they were screwed out of their WWE Tag Team Championships! They were screwed out of their justified rematch! In Gargano’s city, in front of Gargano’s family, in front of Gargano’s friends, in front of Gargano’s two-year-old son! He was embarrassed. But he took that, bottled it up, soldiered on, and he told the world that he was gonna do whatever it takes to right the wrong and get these titles back. He just didn’t know what that meant yet.

Ciampa says then Motor City Machine Guns stepped in. Red carpet to the front of the line, taking DIY’s spot! And amid the chaos, all anyone was talking about was, “OMG, Chris Sabin, Alex Shelley, they were mentors to Johnny Gargano.” And while they were all looking left, DIY took one step right and got two steps ahead. It was so good to see Gargano’s good friends again. Everything MCMG has done for tag team wrestling, Gargano is glad they got their flowers. But unfortunately, it was at their funeral. Whatever it takes. But now DIY is on to better days because they are the TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions, the greatest team alive!

Ciampa is the madman, Gargano is the mastermind, BTTITW = DIY!! But will MCMG make sure revenge is as cold as the winter?

Roman Reigns speaks.

“It’s been a rough year. Not that long ago, we ran everything. And then in the Spring and through the Summer, it all fell apart. I lost my title, I lost my Wise Man, I lost The Bloodline. The entire Bloodline. But most importantly, I lost my ula fala. See, the thing is, Solo, four years ago, you weren’t here. I didn’t take that ula fala, I earned it. My father, my uncle, your Great-Uncles, they crowned me with that responsibility because I was the man to lead this family. The only thing that matters to me is my family and my ula fala and the responsibility that only I can handle. And for some, January 6th is Netflix, that’s what it’s all about.

“For me, it’s Tribal Combat. Your bloodline won one, and mine won one. I say we leave the tribes on the side and let them spectate. Tribal Chief VS Tribal Chief. On January 6th, on Netflix, I take back my bloodline. On January 6th, I take back my ula fala. On January 6th… I take back my respect. And once I have that respect, the whole world will have no choice… but to acknowledge me.” The OTC has made the challenge, who will be the NEW Tribal Chief for the New Year?

Legado Del Fantasma talk with Nick Aldis.

Santos Escobar wants the SmackDown General Manager wants Aldis to make some decisions. Aldis likes to play favorites, right? Well, Santos is sick of it! People are getting attacked backstage, from Jade Cargill to the Street Profits, and they might be next! What kind of bingo is he running here? Or maybe, just maybe, Legado is better off with… What’s his name? Angel says it’s Adam Pearce. Right, Adam Pearce! Get him on the phone! Legado heads out and Aldis says he can’t wait to hear about that conversation. But now in walks Carmelo Hayes. All this hype around his mystery opponent, and Melo’s gonna make light work of the guy, that’s crazy, right?

Light work? Yeah, obviously. Well, we’ll see. Aldis wishes Melo luck and Melo says yeah, we will see. Melo heads out, but who does Aldis have planned to face H1M?

Carmelo Hayes VS ???

With WWE opening the Transfer Window ahead of the Raw Netflix premiere, everyone is thinking about where they belong in the WWE. The SmackDown first round draft pick obviously wants the best treatment possible, but is he in for a big surprise here tonight?

Guess what? It’s BRAAAUN~! Melo is suddenly very scared and full of regret, because here comes the Monster of All Monsters! The bell rings and Melo tries to reason with Braun. This isn’t what Melo was thinking so maybe they can skip this. Braun doesn’t move so Melo shoves him. That does nothing! Braun grabs Melo by the neck, but Melo slips free and fires hands! Those don’t do much, either! Braun shoves, Melo ducks ‘n’ dodges, then springboard, but Melo BOUNCES off Braun! The fans fire up as Braun brushes himself off. Melo avoids stomps and elbow drops, then hurries to CLUB away on Braun!

Braun gets up, shoves Melo again, but Melo comes back. Tilt-o-whirl, but Braun holds Melo up! Melo slips free again, goes to a corner, and Braun runs in! Melo dodges, Braun POSTS himself! Melo hurries to run and he dropkicks the legs! Melo springboards, FADE AWAY! Cover, ONE?!? Melo is stunned but then he’s mad! Melo climbs up, NOTHING BUT- Braun catches Melo! Is that goal tending? MONSTER SLAM!! Cover, Braun wins!

Winner: Braun Strowman, by pinfall

Melo don’t miss, but Braun’s one big SOB! Braun is officially on the blue brand, will he make 2025 the Year of the Monster?

Backstage interview with LA Knight.

Byron Saxton is with the Mega Star and brings up the assault by Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline last week. Knight has Solo 1v1 tonight, but how concerned is he about the rest of them being out there? Knight of course says, “LEMME TALK TO YA! The man they call the Mega Star is in the building in Hartford! YEAH! Now whether I’m in Hartford or anywhere else, the one thing I’ve done in my career is make sure to basically handle my business, and only my business, and do it my way. Now WarGames, I was asked, ‘Hey, man, we’d love for you to get involved in this Bloodline business.’ And I said, ‘NAH NAH!’

“Do you know why? Cuz it ain’t my business. I don’t need anything to do with that business, they don’t have anything to offer me. I don’t care about any ufa lafa. I don’t care about that, I don’t need that. What I’m worried about is gold. That little red necklace doesn’t do anything for me. So I’ll tell you like this: That whole dysfunctional family, I ain’t got any love for Roman Reigns, I ain’t got any love for Solo. As a matter of fact, that whole family can go to Hell. The only person that really is worth a damn that I can say is Jey Uso. YEET. YEAH! So Solo, what you’ve done is let your necklace, your little red necklace, get in the way of my gold belt.

“And what that means is now my fist is gonna have to get in the way of your face, and my foot is gonna have to get in the way of your big, fat ass. And what that means is whether you remember to grab your ufa lafa or you don’t, you will remember whose game this is, with everybody saying, L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!!” The Mega Star heads out, but will he bring the “Undisputed” Tribal Chief down a notch? Or will Solo use Knight to send a message to Roman Reigns?

Solo Sikoa w/ Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga VS LA Knight!

SmackDown returns as the Bloodline makes their entrance, the ula fala around Solo’s neck. The fans boo as this Bloodline raises their ones to the sky, but Solo grabs a mic. Solo waits out the booing, as well as the chants of “O T C! O T C!” Solo then tells Hartford, “ACKNOWLEDGE ME.” The fans just boo more. Solo tells Roman that- LA Knight makes his entrance! The fans cheer as the Mega Star goes right to the ring. The bell rings and the two stare down. Knight paces while fans rally behind him, and Solo says these fans don’t matter. Solo and Knight step to each other, and the haymakers start flying!

The fans fire up for Knight,” HYEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” But Solo puts Knight in a corner and SPLASHES! Then UPPERCUTS! Knight falls, the fans boo, but Solo soaks up that heat. Solo HEADBUTTS Knight at the ropes, then HEADBUTTS him again! Solo mocks the “YEAH!” then throws down fists! Solo brings Knight up, whips him to ropes, but Knight KICKS back! And LARIATS on top! Solo flounders to ropes, Knight runs to STRADDLE ATTACK! Knight keeps moving, and he LARIATS Solo up and out! The fans fire up more and Knight goes after Solo. Solo drags Knight out and RAMS him into the apron!

Solo stalks Knight, SMACKS him off the desk, then raises his one to the sky. The fans boo more but Solo drags Knight up, The ring count passes 5 of 10 but Solo sends Knight into barriers! Solo rolls into the ring, Knight crawls at 8! Knight rolls in at 9, but Solo is right on him. Solo HEADBUTTS Knight, Knight flops back out of the ring, and Solo goes out after him. solo whips Knight but Knight reverses! Solo hits steel steps! The fans fire up and Knight hurries after Solo! Knight SMACKS Solo off the desk, then rains down fists! The fans “YEAH!” all the way to TEN, then Knight puts Solo in the ring.

Solo staggers to his feet but Knight fires hands! Knight whips, Solo reverses, and Solo SAMOAN DROPS Knight! The fans boo Solo but he stalks Knight to a corner. Knight stands, Solo HEADBUTTS him, then Solo throws body shots. Knight is in a corner, Solo whips corner to corner, then Solo runs up. Knight BOOTS Solo, goes up, FLYING BULLDOG! The fans cheer as Knight hurries to whip Solo. Solo reverses but Knight grabs ropes! Solo runs up but Knight DUMPS him out! Knight builds speed but Tama takes the DROPKICK for him! Solo URENAGES Knight on the desk! The fans boo but Solo soaks it all up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.

The ref has the ring count going but Solo takes his time going up the steel steps. Solo steps in at 7 of 10, Knight flounders in at 9, and Solo is back on him. Solo HEADBUTTS Knight, Knight goes to a corner. and Solo goes to the other end. Solo fires up, runs in, HIP ATTACK! Knight sputters and flops over while Solo soaks up more heat. Solo talks smack we can’t even hear while he HEADBUTTS and rains down fists! Knight goes to a corner, Solo is on him again, and Solo whips corner to corner hard! Knight falls to the mat and Solo stands over him. Solo soaks up more heat from Hartford before he drags Knight up.

Solo whips corner to corner, runs up, but Knight sends him into buckles! Knight fires hands on Solo again and again, but Solo shoves Knight away! Knight comes back to kick low and DDT! Cover, TWO! Solo stays in this but Knight stays close. Knight brings Solo up but Solo FLAPJACKS Knight off the ropes! Solo runs to LARIAT Knight down! Cover, TWO! Solo grows frustrated with Knight but he looms over him. Solo pushes Knight to ropes and CHOKES him! The ref counts, Solo steps off, but then Solo CHOKES Knight again! The ref counts, Solo steps off, and then Solo goes outside. Solo soaks up more heat, then runs to DRIVE-BY!

Solo mocks Roman with that move and holds up the one while SmackDown returns to single picture. The fans boo more but Solo just revels in it. Solo even mocks the lock ‘n’ load! Solo aims at Knight, runs up, but Knight avoids the superman punch! BIG back suplex! The fans fire up while Knight drags himself to a corner. Knight now drags himself up the ropes, and he fires handso n Solo! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Solo reverses but Knight ducks ‘n’ dodges to LEAPING LARIAT! Knight then rains down fists! Solo gets free but Knight stomps a mudhole into him at the corner! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!”

The ref counts, Knight runs corner to corner, and KNEES Solo down! The fans fire up more and Knight waits on Solo. Cravat and- NO, Solo pushes free and bails out of the ring. Knight storms out to the apron, aims, but he DOUBLE LARIATS Tama and Jacob first! The fans fire up and Knight goes to Solo. Knight brings Solo up, but Jacob runs up! Knight BACKDROPS Jacob onto the desk, and Jacob tumbles into the barriers! The fans fire up and Knight hurries to put Solo in. Solo stands to SUPERKICK! And then SAMOAN- NO, Knight ducks it to hit a SIDE EFFECT! The fans fire up again as Knight goes up a corner!

Knight spells it out, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” DOUBLE JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO!! The fans cannot believe it and even Knight’s a bit shocked. Wait, Jacob rises up like the monster he is! And he GRABS Knight! Jacob CHOKES Knight, the ref calls the bell!

Winner: LA Knight, by disqualification

The Samoan Werewolf whips Knight, but Knight reverses! Jacob hits barriers so hard, he tumbles up and over! But he’s right back up! Tama goes after Knight now, then he sets Knight up for Jacob to HIP ATTACK against the barriers!! The fans boo but Solo says they’re not done! Jacob drags Knight up and Tama helps shove Knight into the ring. Solo hits the SAMOAN SPIKE!! Solo wants more damage done, so Tama and Jacob just stomp and punch away! Wait! Here comes El Idolo! AND Apollo Crews! They were also attacked by Solo’s Bloodline without provocation, so here’s the payback!

The fans fire up as Andrade and Apollo brawl with Tama and Jacob! Andrade dodges to CLOBBER Jacob! Solo is back to SAMOAN SPIKE Andrade! Apollo dodges, leaps, but into a SAMOAN SPIKE!! The fans boo as Solo stands over some of SmackDown’s brightest rising stars, ready for one more war with Roman Reigns. Will Tribal Combat be where Solo proves he is truly THE Tribal Chief?

Pretty Deadly walks over to Braun backstage.

Kit Wilson & Elton Prince are a bit nervous, but also excited. They just saw him out there, and, well, le gasp! They’ve been trying to cast a monster for months, and Braun has the perfect amount of hideous for Pretty Deadly: The Musical~! Braun is already annoyed as he looks at their playbill. He shoves it back at them and heads out. Byron then walks over to welcome him back to SmackDown, but this is all interrupted by A-Town Down Under. Grayson Waller says yes, a literally big acquisition for SmackDown, but why is Byron doing an interview? Austin Theory agrees, why is Byron still standing here? Just go! Get outta here!

Waller apologizes to Braun, but they just figured a big star like Braun needs real journalists interviewing him. So maybe next week, Braun on the Grayson Waller Effect? Big show for them all, right? Braun stares them down, and says, “Y’know what? I’ll see you guys next week.” Braun heads out, ATDU is pumped, and Waller even rubs it in on Byron that they got the scoop! But will Waller & Theory be careful not to stick their collective feet in their mouths next week? Or will they both #GetTheseHands?

WWE Women’s United States Championship Tournament Semifinal: Bayley VS Chelsea Green w/ Piper Niven!

With Michin waiting on the other side of the bracket, the winner here will move on to that title match finals! Will The Role Model look to add to her already historic résumé? Or will the Hot Mess be one step closer to her first title in the WWE?

SmackDown returns and, “Shh… It’s Chelsea~ Green~!” Chelsea makes her entrance, Piper by her side. The bell rings, Chelsea runs up, but into a BAYLEY2BELLY! Cover, TWO!! Chelsea scrambles away and is upset, claiming she wasn’t ready. But she attacked first! Bayley drags Chelsea back into the ring, Oklahoma Roll, TWO! Ghost pin from Chelsea, TWO! Bayley has a jackknife bridge, TWO! Chelsea has the Oklahoma Roll, TWO! Bayley swings, Chelsea ducks to SLAP Bayley! Chelsea then stomps away in the corner! The ref counts, Chelsea stops to whip corner to corner, but stays back as Bayley goes up and over!

Chelsea ROCKS Bayley and Bayley sits down. Chelsea says, “So close! So close!” Chelsea whips Bayley corner to corner again, runs up, but into an ELBOW! Bayley goes up and up to FLYING ARM-DRAG! Then Bayley runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Chelsea flounders away to a corner but Bayley stalks her. Bayley whips Chelsea corner to corner, but Chelsea reverses. Bayley goes up and over and arm-drags! And arm-drags again! Bayley steps over, LA MAGISTROL! TWO! Chelsea scrambles to her feet but Bayley LARIATS her down! Chelsea scrambles away again, to the safety of Piper on the outside.

Bayley is annoyed, the ring count climbs, and Bayley WRECKS Chelsea with a dropkick! Bayley keeps after Chelsea but Chelsea gets int he ring. Bayley hurries, Chelsea dodges, and Piper is there! Bayley stops short, but she still throws hands on Chelsea! Chelsea shoves Bayley away, claims she got poked in the eye, but this just lets Piper trip Bayley! Chelsea runs up to jump and STOMP! Cover, TWO! Bayley is still in this and Chelsea is annoyed, but SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns as Bayley and Chelsea trade forearms! Chelsea then ENZIGIRIS Bayley down, runs, and SLIDING FLATLINERS! Chelsea clamps on body scissors, rolling clutch! TWO, and Chelsea argues the count. Bayley goes to a corner, Chelsea stalks her, and she pulls Bayley into the ropes! The ref counts, Chelsea lets off and she makes happy kissy faces with Piper. Chelsea clamps onto Bayley with a chinlock, and SmackDown goes picture in picture to plug Mufasa: The Lion King.

Bayley endures, fights around, and fights up to her feet. We return to single picture as Bayley throws Chelsea, but Chelsea holds on to drag Bayley down! Bayley fires body shots, puts Chelsea in a corner, but Chelsea throws Bayley down by her hair! Chelsea goes to the apron to join Bayley, and then clamps on the SLEEPER! Bayley RAMS Chelsea into the post! Chelsea staggers, Bayley fires hands, but Chelsea fires back! They brawl on the edge, the fans rally up, and both women ROCK each other! Bayley stands and puts Chelsea in ropes, HOTSHOT! Chelsea flops to the floor and Bayley storms after her, SLIDING LARIAT!

The fans fire up while Bayley rains down fists! Bayley drags Chelsea up, throws her onto the apron, and then hit a DRAPING SUPLEX to the floor! Chelsea clutches her back but Bayley puts her back int he ring. Bayley runs up, gets around, and SAIDOS! Bayley drags Chelsea to a cover, TWO!! Chelsea stays in this but Bayley stays focused. Bayley drags Chelsea by a leg and puts her in the drop zone. Bayley climbs a corner, but Chelsea hurries to GAMANGIRI! Chelsea then runs to TOP SHELF KNEE! Bayley flops down and Piper coaches Chelsea to go up! Chelsea nods and goes up! The fans fire up for the VADER FLOP!

Chelsea sputters, Bayley KNEES her down! Chelsea staggers back up, into the SUNSET BUCKLE BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Chelsea survives and Bayley is growing frustrated. The fans rally, Bayley waits on Chelsea, and Chelsea rises up. BAYLEY2- NO, Chelsea slips free to roll Bayley up! TWO!! Bayley is up but Chelsea BAC- NO, Bayley bucks the backstabber! She then runs, but into a ROUGH RYDER!! Cover, TWO!! Chelsea can’t believe it but the fans rally up! Chelsea hooks the arms, turns Bayley, but Bayley shoves Chelsea, ZIGZAG!! Bayley drags Chelsea to a drop zone and goes up top! The fans are torn but Piper drags Chelsea to safety!

The fans are still torn, but then Bayley MACHO ELBOWS Piper! Piper goes down in a heap but Chelsea TOSSES Bayley over the barriers! Chelsea hurries into the ring and wants the count to hurry up! We’re at 5 of 10 as Bayley flops back over! Bayley hurries but we’re at 7! 8! Bayley’s in at 9, but Chelsea KICKS her! And UNPRETTY-HER!! Cover, CHELSEA WINS!

Winner: Chelsea Green, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

Even Chelsea is shocked she pulled this off! But now Saturday Night’s Main Event will see some old rivals in Chelsea and Mia fight for the title! Who will finally have their first WWE singles title while becoming the first WWE Women’s US Champion?

Motor City Machine Guns speak.

Chris Sabin says the MCMG came to the WWE to make a statement. That is what they did when they won the WWE Tag Team Championships in only their third match. But of course that rubbed some people the wrong way. They saw it in the Street Profits, and it was blatantly obvious in Ciampa. But the one person they didn’t expect this from was Gargano. 18 YEARS, and one superkick destroyed that. That is not the Gargano that Shelley helped break into the industry. Gargano changed, but the MCMG get it. DIY changed because THE WWE Tag Team Championships are the most important titles on the planet.

But that’s not what this is about anymore. Now it’s a fight. Next week, we find out why Shelley was the teacher and Gargano was the student! The rematch is coming, will we see MCMG > DIY?

Shinsuke Nakamura speaks.

“Do you feel it? A shift has taken place. No longer will the feeble, weak minded be praised as victors. Their weaknesses, hidden behind false confidence, will be dragged into the light for all to see. One by one, they will fall before my feet. Broken, humiliated, and forgotten. LA Knight was just the beginning. He held something he never deserved. Something he should never have touched. And now, he claws for what he cannot have, what is no longer his. What never truly was! I am imminent. I am inevitable.” Will the King of Strong Style begin a reign of terror like we’ve never seen before?

Nia talks with Tiffany backstage.

Nia says it was a tough night, huh? Not everyone is meant to be a singles champion like Nia. But Candice walks over to say perk up! Because she has great news. While Tiffy was out there trying her best, Candice talked with Aldis. Next week, Candice & Nia have a tag title match with Naomi & Bianca! Oh, wow! That’s amazing! Yeah, and, well, while Tiff couldn’t bring gold to the group, now Nia gets to become a DOUBLE CHAMPION! Nia says that is great. They should go brainstorm. Talk to you later, Tiff. Nia heads out and Candice tells Tiff, “Maybe singles wrestling just isn’t your speed.” Is that a double jab at Miss MITB? Will Tiff look to hit back?

Michael Cole is in the ring.

He welcomes out the Undisputed WWE Champion, the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes! Hartford fires up and sings the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” as Cody prepares for one more face to face before Saturday Night’s Main Event. Cody gets his pyro, high fives fans and steps into the ring to shake hands with Cole. Cody gets himself a mic, and Cole now welcomes out the challenger for the WWE Championship, Kevin Owens! Fans boo but where’s Kevin’s music? Cole gives another introductions, but still nothing. Cody sighs and says, “Okay. Kevin Owens is not here, but this wonderful crowd is.” The fans cheer that!

Cody says he and Cole will do this as professionals would so they’ll conduct the interview on their own. No needing to get in a car? Nope, no car, they can do it right here in front of all these lovely folks! Then Cole will kick off with what’s taken over social media the last couple days. Triple H seemingly gifted Cody with something for “one night only” tomorrow night at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Could Cody give us an idea what that gift is? But then Kevin is on the tron! Kevin says who cares about what the little golden boy has up his sleeve! Cole, last week, you said you were an unbiased journalist, so take this opportunity to prove that.

Kevin wants Cole to ask Cody some real questions. The real question we want answered is, “How could Cody Rhodes be okay with using not just me (Kevin), but all of his friends, to help finish his stupid, pathetic little story at WrestleMania? But then he’s okay spitting in all our faces by teaming with Roman Reigns at Bad Blood! Huh? And Cody, y’know what, once Michael asks that question, why don’t you take a chance to do something I bet you are physically unable to do, and that is be honest, tell the truth, don’t lie, and tell Michael that it’s because you’re as bad a friend as you are a son and brother.”

The fans boo but Kevin says here’s something he’s been meaning to tell Cody. It’s that, no matter how long Cody will be champion for, or how many main events he’ll be in, the truth will always be that Cody was way more interesting as Stardust. Cody does his best to laugh that off, and Cody says obviously, Kevin knows the assignment. Kevin has a lot more zingers up his sleeve. But y’know what? Why wait for Kevin to do more from wherever he is? Cody’s gonna go find Kevin. Cody heads out of the ring and to the back, ready to go to the parking lot if he has to! Cameras follow Cody as he goes, but Kevin finds Cody first!

The brawl is on and they fight their way back to gorilla! Kevin ROCKS Cody, kicks him around, throws him into a wall, then brings him out on stage with more haymakers! The fans fire up as this brawl goes down the ramp! Security hurries bout Kevin fights them off! Cody hits back, the hands keep flying, and Cody has Kevin at ringside! MORE security runs out, but Cody fights them off now! Cody rips his shirt off to get in the ring, and then he TACKLES Kevin! Cody rains down fists, producers and refs rush out here! Kevin swings on Cody all the same! The fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!”

Cody gets loose and he CLOBBERS Kevin in a corner! The producers drag Codey back, Kevin storms up, but Cody BOOTS Kevin! But Kevin has the championship belt! BELT SHOT to Cody!! Cody falls in a heap and the refs reprimand. Kevin stands over Cody, belt in hand, then he drops it on Cody. Will Kevin take that belt when these two fight in the main event of Saturday Night’s Main Event?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown for the go-home into Saturday Night’s Main Event, but clearly prerecorded. A lot of that reaction to Jimmy Uso’s promo at the start was enhanced or stock audio or something, which is a shame because Jimmy was being very genuine. But McIntyre showing up to attack him was wild. Depend on where the US Championship ends up, I feel like that’s where McIntyre should go. Like how Sheamus hasn’t had the Intercontinental Championship, McIntyre hasn’t had the US title, so McIntyre completing his Grand Slam would be great for 2025.

And speaking of the US Championship, good promo from Nakamura to insult LA Knight, essentially keeping their rematch in our minds, while also calling out everyone else. Good promo from Knight ahead of his match with Solo, and that was a great match from them. It was a clever move for Knight to win by disqualification so that both Knight and Solo stay strong, and we still get The Bloodline beating Knight down. Apollo and Andrade going out there was also good, that’s still a Six Man Tag I expect to see. Good promo from Roman Reigns to set up Tribal Combat, and I suppose waiting for Raw Netflix is fair enough. It’s going to be a big night, why not have a big story beat on it?

Good promos backstage, and it’s actually clever that McIntyre didn’t say a word to Aldis. Aldis notifying Bianca that the tag titles would have to be vacated was what I was expecting, but intriguing twist of Naomi stepping up to help Bianca defend the titles. I wonder if it’s going to be Naomi whodunnit after all. Her motivations don’t really make sense, though, other than she was hoping to improve her chances of becoming Women’s US Champion, and then when she lost her Triple Threat, this became her backup plan.

And great overlap with the rest of the Women’s US Championship story, as now Nia & Candice are coming after the tag titles instead of say Tiff & Nia or Tiff & Candice. Also, Candice’s use of the word “speed” might be because she’s currently Women’s Speed Champion. Anyway, Tiff looking at her briefcase, she could easily use this as motivation to cash in on Iyo VS Liv as a way to stick it to Candice. I say that because it seems they’ve turned away from Tiff and Nia having dysfunction, Candice is the one stirring things up, so Tiff would go for a different target. Also, I would really hope Tiff goes for a top title, not the midcard title, that’s too Austin Theory MITB of them.

Chelsea VS Bayley was a great match, and Chelsea winning to give us Chelsea VS Mia is a great move. Fans have come around on Chelsea, despite her Heel persona, so she could easily come away with the title tomorrow night. Plus, she and Mia can continue to feud for the US title as we move into 2025, really build the belt with solid matches. Good stuff with Legado acting like leaving for Raw is a bad thing for Aldis, and for Melo getting an ego before the match with Braun. Great return win for Braun, good promos backstage with Pretty Deadly and A-Town Down Under. But the Grayson Waller Effect is most certainly going to set up Braun VS Theory, maybe getting us back on track for the A-Town Down Under meltdown.

Very good promos from DIY and MCMG to set up their tag title rematch. I almost thought they were going for early The Gargano Way vibes with the black ‘n’ white, but then MCMG had that, too, so they just wanted it to be Sin City gritty. The tag match itself will be great stuff, but I don’t think they hot potato the titles, DIY might just cheat to win again. Plus, there’s gotta be a way to wrangle the Profits back into this to see if they go fully Heel or stay aggressive Faces/Tweeners. Maybe the Transfer Window helps shuffle tag teams, including some from NXT who can help freshen up the divisions. Side note, I hope the Transfer Window negates the need for a full WWE Draft, I’m not as into those anymore.

And of course, more great promos and another great brawl for Cody and Kevin. The “gift” HHH gave Cody is most certainly the old school WWE Championship, the one many have nicknamed “The Winged Eagle” title. That would be really cool to see Cody bring out, and while it is still unlikely Cody loses, it would be pretty wild if he did. Kevin could then grab the Winged Eagle and refuse to give it back, perhaps preferring to hold that belt to represent the title just to rub it in Cody’s face. After all, that was the title Dusty Rhodes chased and never won, so Kevin could really get under Cody’s skin with it.

My Score: 8.8/10