It’s another Collision between #RatedFTR and The Learning Tree!

Last week’s Six Man Tag wasn’t enough to settle things, so now Adam Copeland goes 1v1 with “Big Bill” Morrissey! Can the Redwood cope with Cope?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Adam Copeland VS “Big Bill” Morrissey; Cope wins.
• PAC VS Komander w/ Alex Brahantes; Pac wins.
• The Outrunners VS Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta; Claudio & Yuta win.
• Mariah May VS Harley Cameron; Mariah wins.
• Brody King w/ Julia Hart VS Trevor Blackwell; Brody wins.
• AEW TNT Championship: Daniel Garcia VS Katsuyori Shibata; Garcia wins and retains the title.
• Dax Harwood VS Chris Jericho; Jericho wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Harley Cameron speaks.

Or rather, sings, “Feel the Wrath!”

Mariah May speaks.

“Tonight, it’s hot girl graps. Well, for one of us.” Mariah is the Women’s World Champion, the Woman From Hell, and she’ll make it so Harley will never sing again, because Mariah’s gonna rip out those vocal cords and throw them into the third row. Mariah’s all smiles, but will she make this anything but pleasant?

The Learning Tree Speaks.

The Redwood, “Big Bill” Morrissey says that as The Learning Tree, Chris Jericho, always says, “Brevity is the soul of it.” And while “Cope” may have shortened his name, Bill’s gonna shorten Cope’s career. Chris Jericho says last week, they proved Cope is a Dope, so tonight, Jericho shows that Harwood is no good! Bryan Keith says it’ll be a clean-ass sweep! Jericho then waves and says, “Bye, guys.”

Rated FTR speaks.

Dax says Jericho’s Learning Tree gets chopped down by Dax The Ax! And Cope says he’s been called many things, from Paul Bunyan to a lumberjack, and that is apropos because he’ll chop down that Redwood right now! See ya, boys! Cope heads to gorilla, Cash has the honors of saying #TopGuysOut. Will Collision once again be Rated R?

Adam Copeland VS “Big Bill” Morrissey!

Athens, Georgia is fired up to see the Rated R Superstar, but of course Jericho joins commentary, Bryan Keith by his side. Will The Learning Tree make Cope RESPECT Chris Jericho? Or is a Redwood about to fall?

The bell rings, the two tie up, and Cope manages to push Bill back step by step! The fans rally, but Bill powers Cope all the way to a corner! Cope bounces off buckles, bails out of the ring, and Bill soaks up the heat. Cope shakes off hitting buckles but Bill storms out after him. Bill runs up, but Cope drop toeholds him into steel steps! Cope then SMACKS Bill off the apron, then off the barriers! The fans fire up as Cope bumps Bill off railing, then off the desk! The fans fire up, Jericho protests, but Cope DRIBBLES Bill more! Jericho warns Cope, but Cope lets off and the fans fire up more! Jericho tells fans to shut up but Cope leaves Bill behind.

Jericho coaches Bill up, but Cope drags Bill to the apron! Cope fires forearms, then runs, but Bill dodges! Bill CLUBS away on Cope in the ropes! The fans boo but Jericho says that’s what Cope deserves! Bill then hops down, so he can BOOT Cope! Cope tumbles to the floor, Bill soaks up more heat, and the ring count begins. Bill drags Code up, to SNAKE EYES off the desk! Jericho is okay with it when it’s Cope taking the desk to the face. The fans duel, Bill SMACKS Cope off the apron, then he SMACKS Cope off steel steps! Bill refreshes the count, taunts the fans, and he stands Cope up to scoop, SNAKE EYES to the steps!

Cope falls back, Jericho and Keith applaud, and Jericho even high-fives Keith and Bill. Bill refreshes the ring count, then he drags Cope up. Bill puts Cope against railing, and puts some stank on the CHOP! The fans are torn, Bill mocks Cope’s pain, then Bill scuffs Cope. Cope stands Bill up, to CHOP him down again! Bill refreshes the count yet again, and he gets the fans to boo him louder. Cope rolls into the ring, but Bill puts him on the apron! Bill CLUBS Cope, taunts him with the rock ‘n’ roll hands, then CLUBS Cope again! Cope slumps down, Bill stands him up! Bill hits SNAKE EYES off the barriers!

The fans boo while Bill mockingly asks if Cope is okay, and Collision goes picture in picture.

Cope reaches out in a daze but Bill leaves him behind. Bill refreshes the count, taunts Cope and the fans, then stands Cope up. Bill whips Cope hard into railing, and Cope slumps down again. Bill storms up on Cope, stands him back up, and blows a kiss to the fans. Bill puts Cope in the ring, stalks him, and soaks up more heat. Cope sits up, but Bill CLUBS him back down! Bill stands on Cope’s neck! The ref reprimands, counts, but Bill steps away at 4. Cope goes to ropes, Bill CHOKES him, but the ref counts again. Bill stops at 4, then stands on Cope’s neck! The ref counts, Bill steps off again, and Cope sputters under the ropes.

Bill soaks up more heat, then goes back to bring Cope up. Bill puts Cope in a corner, winds up, and UPPERCUTS! Bill mockingly claps for Cope, then grabs Cope’s arms. Bill traps one arm and then clamps on a neck wrench! Cope endures, Collision returns to single picture, and the fans rally up. Cope fights up, fires shots at the big legs of Big Bill, and the fans fire up more! Cope short arm LARIATS, but Bill stays up! Cope fires LARIAT after LARIAT, Bill wobbles, then Cope runs. Bill choke grips Cope, but Cope kicks the legs! Cope fires KNEES into Bill’s face! Cope then runs to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Bill is down! Cope hurries to cover, TWO!

The fans rally for Cope as Bill is still in this. Bill goes to ropes, Cope storms over and whips. Bill reverses, Cope ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Bill hits a BIG BOSS MAN SLAM! Cover, TWO! Cope survives and the fans fire up, but Jericho still loves seeing Bill “drop the hammer” on Cope. Cope sputters, Bill calls to Jericho, and Jericho goes over to talk with his Branch> The ref says no, Jericho needs to stay back. But Bill yanks a buckle pad away! Cope stagger sup, Bill scoops, and Bill aims for that corner! But Cope slips free! Bill avoids the buckle, then puts Cope on the apron. Cope ROCKS Bill, HOTSHOTS him, then hurries back up!

Jericho plays dumb about the buckle pad while Cope climbs. Bill UPPERCUTS Cope, and Jericho says Cope’s outta hope! Bill climbs up to get Cope, but Cope fights the suplex! Cope fires body shots, then he CLUBS away on Bill’s back! Cope BUMPS Bill off the steel! Jericho is furious, but Cope still POWERBOMBS Bill!! Cover, TWO?!? Bill survives and Jericho is relieved. The fans rally up and Cope goes to a corner. Bill goes to the other, and it’s the very corner with the bare buckle Cope runs in, but Bill HURDLES! Cope hits the bar buckle! Bill BOOTS Cope down! Cover, TWO!! Cope survives and shocks everyone!

The fans fire up but Bill takes aim. Cope stands, Bill has the choke grip! CHOKE- NO, Cope slips free, for an IMPALER DDT!! Bill flounders and Cope goes to a corner! SPEAR!! Cover, TWO?!?! Cope is shocked and even Jericho can’t believe Bill survived! Athens is going nuts as Jericho shouts for Bill to get back up! Bill grabs Cope from below! Cope shoves the ref to LOW BLOW!! SPEAR!!! And then HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS!! Cope is sending a message to Moxley before clamping on a REAR NAKED CHOKE!!! Bill is OUT, Cope wins!!

Winner: Adam Copeland, by submission

Jericho is furious, so he and Keith storm the ring! They beat Cope down, but Cope wasn’t even making this about them! Cope was calling out the Death Riders, but here comes FTR! Dax brawls with Keith, Cash TACKLES Jericho, and now refs rush out here! The fans rally for Rated FTR, but now security has to hurry to stop this! The fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” but for the sake of tonight’s main event, the two sides must be separated! Chris Jericho has his Learning Tree regroup, will things only be more violent when the ROH World Champion goes 1v1 with Dax?

Hangman Page speaks.

“I have worked so hard in my wrestling career to protect my family from the kind of prying eyes, the kind of intrusions that even a small amount of fame can bring. And in one night, all of that work was undone. And it nearly tore my family apart. And though it didn’t tear my family apart, it broke me. Because for the first time, I was ashamed! I was ashamed to come here every week, I was ashamed to stand in front of the world, and I was ashamed to look my wife and my son in the eyes after what I allowed to happen to them! And I knew after awhile, that I had to make a decision. I could either remain the husk of a man that I was…

“Or I could do something about it. So I found Swerve Strickland. And I made sure that he did not hold the AEW World Championship. And I severed the ties to the last hope that he had that he could build a family and a home like I had! And in September, I all but spilled his brains in front of the world. Christopher Daniels, I know, I understand what you are trying to say to me. And I humored you, maybe for too long, because of who you were. When I met you 14 years ago, I was just a kid, and you were the first wrestler I’d met that had ever done anything, who told me that I could, too.

“So I humored you for awhile. But I listened for too long. And last Saturday, you crossed a line when you laid hands on me. And for that, you will pay the price. Saturday on Collision in Cincinnati, Maximum Carnage, Christopher Daniels, I will see you… in a TEXAS DEATH MATCH. And I need you to understand this going into Cincinnati. I have decided who I will be. And I will wake up every morning and I will make that same decision over and over again, because I would rather injure and maim, I would rather tear every life on this Earth apart, than be the man that I was last year.

“CD, you have made your bed.  And next Saturday, I lay you down in it… forever.” The Cowboy has called his shot, but will The Fallen Angel make sure to strike first?

PAC VS Komander w/ Alex Brahantes!

The Bastard is back in action, and he’s surprisingly alone right now. The Commander of the Skies wants his revenge on The Death Riders and they want revenge on him, how will walk away from this Collision?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. The two tie up, Pac puts Komander on ropes, but the ref counts. Pac shifts to a cravat and snapmare, but Komander handsprings through! The fans cheer, the two tie up again, and they end up on ropes again. Pac lets go to then headlock, and Pac hits a takeover. Komander endures the grind, fights up and around, and Komander powers up and out. Pac RUNS Komander over, tells the fans to hush, but the fans boo instead. Things speed up, Pac handsprings over the dropdown but Komander runs up. Pac scoops but Komander slips free, only for Pac to kick low.

Pac whips, Komander reverses to hip toss! Pac is right up but Komander MONKEY FLIPS! Pac lands through! Komander ducks ‘n’ dodges to jump and RANA! Pac tumbles out, Komander keeps moving, and Komander rolls to slow-mo roll and RANA! The fans fire up for that tricky move, and Komander goes to the far side. Komander climbs up, tightrope walks, and he salutes for the SPACEMAN MOONSAULT! The fans fire up and Komander puts Pac in, to then springboard and CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Pac escapes but Komander storms up. Pac kicks low and he sends Komander into buckles!

Komander sputters, Abrahantes coaches him and the fans rally up. Pac digs his boots into Komander’s face, the ref counts, and Pac lets off at 4. The fans boo but Pac soaks it up, while also standing on Komander! The ref reprimands, Pac steps off, but he drags Komander up. The fans rally, Pac mocks them, and he TOSSES Komander out. Pac goes out to then send Komander into railings! Komander falls, the fans boo, but Pac soaks it up. Pac stomps Komander, digs his boots in, but the ref counts. Pac steps off, and he glares at Abrahantes. The Hype Man asks what happened to Pac that he’s like this, but Pac goes to the ring.

Komander crawls, Abrahantes coaches him up, and Komander is back in. But Pac runs corner to corner, but Komander dodges! But then Pac dodges! Pac BOOTS and Komander sputters while slumped against ropes. Pac pushes Komander down and covers, TWO! Komander stays in this but Pac stalks him. The fans rally, but then Pac goes out just to CHOKE Abrahantes! The fans boo but Komander hurries to go up, up, and ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Down goes Pac and the fans fire up! Komander and Pac both sputter while Abrahantes is pumped! Komander rises, he puts Pac in the ring, and then aims again.

Komander springboards, Pac gets under, but then Komander ducks ‘n’ dodges! Roll and FALLING CUTTER!! The fans fire up as Komander keeps moving, and he QUEBRADAS! Pac catches Komander, but Komander swings around to a DDT! Cover, TWO! Pac survives and the fans rally up. Komander goes to a corner, tunes up, and then runs corner to corner. Komander goes up, up, but Pac trips him up! The fans boo but Komander is stuck on the top rope! Komander slowly slumps down, and now Pac goes up the corner! Komander rolls away and the fans cheer, but Pac is just angrier than before. Pac runs corner to corner, but into a SUPERKICK!

Pac staggers, Komander SUPERKICKS again! The fans fire up and Komander climbs! Pac stands, but into a FLYING DESTROYER!! Komander hurries up top again, for the 450- NO, Pac gets his knees up! And now Komander’s in the BRUTALIZER!!! Komander TAPS, Pac wins!

Winner: Pac, by submission

The Bastard beats the ROH World Television Champion, and only lets go when he wants to! But that isn’t all, because here comes the rest of the Death Riders! Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta make their way out here, and then they all get Komander to his feet. The Swiss Superman is still mad about that Continental Classic match, but here come The Outrunners! The fans fire up as Turbo Floyd & Truth Magnum brawl with Yuta & Claudio! This match was meant to happen a little later, but it might as well happen now! The ref rings the bell, can the Youngest Men Alive get their own revenge on The Death Riders?

The Outrunners VS Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta!

The fans fire up as Turbo has Claudio on the outside, but Yuta KNEES and CHOPS Truth in the ring. Yuta whips, Truth reverses, and then Truth ELBOWS Yuta down! Turbo fires off on Claudio but Claudio turns things around. Truth stomps Yuta, bumps him off buckles, then he stomps again. Yuta knees low, bumps Truth off buckles, then CHOPS! The fans boo Yuta while he talks trash, and then Yuta CHOPS! But Truth bumps Yuta off buckles! Truth CHOPS, and CHOPS, then whips corner to corner. Yuta staggers forward into a CHOP! The fans fire up, Turbo tags in, and he wrenches Yuta to whip into the corner.

Turbo ELBOWS Yuta, tags Truth, then snapmares Yuta down. Truth hits the NECK SNAPPER, Turbo hits an ELBOW DROP! Yuta staggers up, Truth DECKS him! Truth tags Turbo back in, but Yuta headlocks. Yuta CLAWS Turbo’s eyes, has him on the ropes, but the ref counts. Yuta lets go of Turbo to argue with the ref, but Claudio LARIATS Turbo from behind! The fans boo, Yuta stomps Turbo, then Yuta tags Claudio. They stomp Turbo, then split the wishbone! Claudio BOOTS Turbo, then stalks him to the ropes. The fans rally, and Turbo fires hands on Claudio! But Claudio scoop SLAMS Turbo!

Claudio runs to DOUBLE STOMP! Turbo sputters, Claudio clamps onto his arm with a cording hold. The fans rally and Turbo fights to his feet! Turbo fires body shots, but Claudio UPPERCUTS! Turbo goes to ropes, but Claudio brings him around to UPPERCUT! Claudio ROCKS Turbo, fires body shots at the ropes, then UPPERCUTS! Claudio smothers Turbo against ropes, then whips. Turbo reverses to THESZ PRESS! The fans fire up for those fast hands! Turbo roars, then he tags Truth. The Outrunners whip Claudio to BODY SHOT, KNEE LIFT, and BIG back suplex! The fans fire up but Yuta storms in! Truth DECKS him!

Claudio is back up, but the Outrunners LARIAT both Claudio & Yuta up and out of the ring! The fans are thunderous for the Outrunners, and Collision goes picture in picture.

Truth goes outside to CHOP Claudio against the barriers! And CHOP him again! Yuta storms up but Truth DECKS him again! But then Claudio whips Truth hard into the steel steps! Truth tumbles up and over, clutches his legs, but Claudio stalks him. Truth hobbles away, falls back down, but Yuta is there, too! Yuta & Claudio mug Truth, stomp him on the floor, but back off as the ref reprimands them. Turbo storms over but the ref keep shim back, too. Claudio grabs Truth’s leg, and hits a SHIN BREAKER off the railing! Claudio leaves Truth behind and distracts the ref, so Yuta goes after Truth. Truth CHOPS first!

Yuta kicks the bad leg, puts Truth back in, and Claudio drags Truth up to UPPERCUT! Claudio puts Truth’s bad leg in the ropes to KICK and CHOP! The fans rally for the Outrunners but Claudio tags Yuta, and Collision goes to break.

Collision returns and Claudio has Truth down with an ANKLE LOCK! Truth endures, fights, and rolls! Claudio is thrown away, but he BLASTS Turbo! Claudio then DECKS Truth and tags in Yuta. The fans boo but The Death Riders give Truth a HART ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Yuta keeps on Truth after that message to FTR for their love of the Hart Foundation. Yuta hauls Truth up but Truth fights the suplex. Yuta kicks a leg, hits the suplex, then tags Claudio. Claudio goes up to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Claudio clamps onto an arm. Truth endures the double wristlock, fights up, but Claudio stops the jawbreaker!

Claudio ROCKS Truth, runs up, but Truth TOSSES him up and out! The fans fire up as Truth crawls, but Claudio intercepts! But Truth powers up! Truth lifts Claudio, seps forward, repeat! Truth BACKDROPS, Claudio sunset flips, but Truth rolls through! Truth dodges, hot tag to Turbo! Yuta hurries to tag in, but Turbo DECKS him! And DECKS him! And DECKS him again! The fans fire up as Turbo scoops and SLAMS Yuta! Claudio runs in, into a scoop and SLAM! Truth joins in, Turbo scoop SLAMS him onto Yuta! The fans fire up and The Outrunners power up! “Turbo Floyd, you sonova b*tch!” DOUBLE ELBOW DROP!

The fans fire up as Yuta staggers to his feet and Turbo scoops him. Truth runs, but Claudio trips him! No Total Recall as Claudio sends Truth into barriers! Yuta  sends Turbo into an UPPERCUT! Then O’Conner Roll, TWO! Yuta hurries to whip Turbo, but Turbo sunset flips! TWO! Yuta hurries up but Turbo whips him, only for Yuta to sunset flip! Turbo sits on the cover! TWO!! Yuta escapes, then wrangles Turbo into the lateral press, ONE, Turbo turns it around to a ghost pin! TWO!!! Yuta escapes by nanoseconds this time! Yuta KNEES low, THROWS Turbo down, then basement DROPKKICKS him down!

The fans boo but Yuta drags Turbo up. But it’s Turbo who suplexes! Cover, Claudio stomps it! And he BOOTS Truth off the apron! Claudio THROWS Yuta to the Death Rider corner, then tags himself in. The Swiss Superman says this is how they do it! GIANT SWING! The fans are torn, but then Yuta DROPKICKS Turbo at TEN! Cover, Truth breaks it! Truth ROCKS Yuta, then LARIATS Yuta and himself up and out! Claudio ignores that to put Turbo up top. Claudio ROCKS Turbo, climbs up, but Turbo fights with body shots! The two brawl, and Turbo winds up to DECK Claudio! The fans fire up as Turbo adjusts!

But wait, Claudio grabs at the ref, and Yuta trips Turbo up! The fans boo but Claudio goes up, to SUPER GUT WRENCH PLEX! Then Claudio makes Yuta his weapon, ROCKET LAUNCHER SPLASH! Cover, Death Riders win!

Winners: Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta, by pinfall

It was a harder fought match than Claudio would’ve liked, and he tells Yuta as much. But will no one, in any division, be able to stop the reign of terror The Death Riders are on?

“Powerhouse” Will Hobbs speaks.

“Mox. Everything you want is right in front of you, dog. See, I’ve been listening since the beginning. Since all this Death Rider BS started, I’ve been listening. Everything you want is in front of you. You wanted people to stand up, you wanted AEW to be a place where people took initiative. Well guess what, Mox? I took initiative. I won the Casino Gauntlet. I beat seven other people, Mox. I stood up to you Wednesday on Dynamite, and what’d you do? You backed away. You cowered out, you tucked your tail between your legs. What type of leader, what type of world champion is that?

“This Wednesday night, Maximum Carnage, I know where we’re at. Cincinnati, Ohio, the birthplace of Jon Moxley. Well guess what, Mox? I’ve between shot, I’ve been stabbed, I’ve been homeless. Hell, there’ve been times when I was left for dead. But guess what, Mox? There’s nothing you can actually do to me. So this Wednesday, Cincinnati, Ohio, I’m gonna make you my b*tch.” The Powerhouse is ready, will the Book of Hobbs have its greatest chapter yet?

Mariah May VS Harley Cameron!

The Glamour feels no one in the AEW Women’s Division is on her level, or even the level below that, but this wild Aussie is too crazy to care! Will the AEW Women’s World Champion FEEL THE WRATH? Or will she show us just why she’s The Woman From Hell?

The bell rings and Mariah doesn’t even take Harley seriously as she sits perched on the corner. Harley says c’mon! It’s HOT GIRL GRAPS! The fans fire up, Mariah hops down and still mockingly asks, “What is this?” The two storm up, Harley talks some smack, but Mariah laughs and looks awya., Harley rolls her up! ONE!! Harley Oklahoma Rolls, oNE! Harley snatches Mariah for a cradle, TWO! Mairah is up, and she HEADBUTTS Harley!! Harley sputters and flounders, and Mariah smiles. The fans rally for Harley while she goes to a corner, and Mariah storms up. Mariarh stomps a mudhole in, but lets off as the ref counts 4.

Harley flounders to another corner, but Mariah storms up on her there. Mariah says, “Feel the Wrath!” and she CHOPS! Harley staggers away, Mairah whips her to a corner, then Mariah runs up. Harley BOOTS Mariah, runs up, and she LARIATS! The fans fire up with Harley, and she kicks low! Then she KNEES low again and again! Harley clinches to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, ONE!! Mariah snarls but Harley stays on her with elbows into the shoulders! Harley runs, but Mariah ducks the Shining Wizard! Mariah fireman’s carries but Harley fights free! ENZIGIRI! Mariah falls, Harley covers, TWO!

Harley is frustrated already but the fans rally up. Mariah goes to ropes, and Harley storms up behind her! Harley grabs the legs, Mariah grabs the ropes! Mariah BOOTS Harley away, but Harley comes back! Mariah sends her into ropes! Mariah runs and SHOTGUNS Harley down! Cover, TWO! Harley stays in this and Mariah grows frustrated, but Collision goes picture in picture.

Mariah storms around, Harley flops against ropes, but Mariah stands her up. Mairah scoops for teh SPIN-OUT SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! Mariah snarls again and stalks Harley to ropes. Mariah CHOKES Harley, blows kisses, then lets off as the ref counts. Mariah storms back up on Harley i a corner, and CHOPS! Harley staggers away again, but Mariah follows her to a corner. Mariah digs her boots in, steps off as the ref counts, and Mariah soaks up the heat. Mariah stomps Harley, mocks the fans clapping for Harley, then storms up on Harley in the corner. Mariah scrapes Harley’s face off the ropes! The ref counts but Mariah stops once she goes side to side.

Mariah plays innocent, “apologizes” to the ref, then stalks Harley to ropes. Mariah stands Harley up to DECK her! Harley writhes then crawls, but Mariah kicks her to a corner. Mariah snapmares Harley, clamps on a chinlock, then shifts things to a straitjacket stretch! Harley endures, even as Mariah’s knee digs into her back. Mariah mockingly laughs in Harley’s ear, and Collision returns to single picture. Harley fights up as the fans rally, but Mariah throws her down! The fans boo but Mariah drags Harley up. Mariah hoists Harley to the top rope, then puts some stank on the DOUBLE CHOPS! The fans still “WOO~!” while Harley sputters.

Mariah runs up, and hits some STRATUSFACTION! Cover, TWO! Harley stays in this, and Mariah is almost amused. Mariah taunts the fans that this is someone they like. Mariah reels Harley in, but then spins her out. Harley dodges the lariat to FLYING FACEBUSTER! The fans fire up while both women are down! Harley rises as the fans rally behind her, and she runs up to fire forearms! Mariah staggers, Harley fires more counter shots, then Harley DECKS her! And DECKS her! Harley runs and RAMAS Mariah in a corner! Then whips corner to corner to SPALSH! Snapmare, run, wrench, NECKBREAKER!

The fans fire up as Harley has Mariah hooked up! PUMP HANDLE SAIDO! Cover, TWO!! Mariah survives and Harley is furious! The fans rally up again and Harley brings Mariah around. But Mariah knees low! Mariah reels Harley in, STORM- NO, Harley makes it a jackknife bridge! TWO, and Mariah KNEES Harley down! Then Mariah reels Harley back in, STORM ZERO!! Cover, Mariah wins!

Winner: Mariah May, by pinfall

Harley brought the fight to the champion, but not even #HotGirlGraps can bring down The Glamour. The first-ever Women’s Casino Gauntlet happens next week, who survives Maximum Carnage to meet Mariah in Australia?

Christopher Daniels speaks.

“Hangman Page, what you don’t seem to understand is I was never approaching you as an AEW official. Even when I was still an EVP, I was trying to be a friend to you. I’ve known you for more than 15 years, and I saw you go through the worst year and a half of your life. I saw all of your friends desert you. I saw the fans turn their backs on you. And I wanted to be a friend to you. But every time I reached out, you responded with violence. And I don’t even care about getting punched, I’ve been knocked on my ass more than 1000 times in my life, Adam! But when we stood face to face, you called me an old man and asked me what I’ve done in professional wrestling?

“That hurt. Apparently, it’s time for a history lesson, Adam. I’ll tell you what I’ve done. I’ve won championships, I’ve main evented PPVs, I’ve wrestled all around the world. And if a professional wrestling company mattered in the last THIRTY-TWO YEARS, I wrestled there! I helped build two professional wrestling companies from the ground up. I was AEW before AEW was even real. So maybe 2024 wasn’t my best in-ring year of my career. But it’s 2025 now, and I’m not an EVP anymore. I’m just a man who’s sick and tired of being disrespected!

“Maximum Carnage Collision, Adam Page, you want Texas Death? I already shown I’m willing to shed MY blood, I’ll shed yours, as well. Maybe I’ll add beating your ass to my list of accomplishments.” The Fallen Angel is ready, will he make sure Texas Death is the end of #CowboyS*it?

Brody King w/ Julia Hart VS Trevor Blackwell!

The House of Black’s foundation has been questioned by Will Ospreay, but that is perhaps fair after Brody failed to meet him in the Continental Classic, along with failing to win in the Tokyo Dome. Can the House rebuild with what remains? Or is it time for the King of Death to sit on the throne?

The bell rings, Athens barks for Brody, and Brody eggs on Trevor. Trevor fires a haymaker, but Brody doesn’t flinch! Brody CHOPS Trevor off his feet! Trevor scrambles to a corner, throws elbows, but Brody fires back! Brody TOSSES Trevor across the way, then storms up to put him across the top rope. Brody winds up and CHOPS Trevor right down! Julia is pleased as Brody goes out to stalk Trevor. Trevor is in a real-life horror movie as he finds himself surrounded. Julia wags her finger, Trevor turns around, Brody CHOPS him down again! Brody puts Trevor in the ring, then runs, runs, and LARIATS!!

Brody isn’t done, he TOSSES Trevor back to a corner, and the fans bark again. Brody runs to CANNONBALL! Brody hauls Trevor up and in, then hoists him up! GONZO BOMB!! Cover, Brody wins!

Winner: Brody King, by pinfall

The Princess of the Black Throne stands with her King, and the fans bark in celebration. Will 2025 be the year AEW fades to Black?

Backstage interview with Brody King & Julia Hart.

Lexy Nair is with the House of Black and says we saw him end 2024 on a strong note with his great showing in the C2. He continued that momentum into 2025 in the Tokyo Dome, we heard everything good Ospreay had to say about Brody and Buddy, and Brody just got a big win. How is he feeling? Brody says right now, it is a confusing time for the House of Black. But then in steps Cope. Cope says they’ve been through a lot. But he hopes that at the end of all of it, Cope respects Brody, Julia, and Buddy. They have the world at their feet. Cope knows what Brody brings to the table, because he felt it. Cope wanted this to be a group.

But hey, time for Brody to take the reins and run things. Cope heads out, leaving Brody with a lot to think about. Will there be a new head of the house now?

AEW TNT Championship: Daniel Garcia VS Katsuyori Shibata!

Red Death has great respect for The Wrestler, has teamed up with him a few times, and had made the promise that once he took this title off Jack Perry, he and Shibata would battle for it. That promise is now fulfilled, but will Garcia still be golden afterward? Or will Shibata add a new accolade to the list?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we’re about to see who earns the title of “The Face of TNT!”

The bell rings and the fans rally up. The two stare down, then slowly circle. They feel things out while fans duel, and then the two back away. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and Shibata powers Garcia to ropes. The ref counts the break, Shibata and Garcia let go slowly, and then Shibata backs away. The fans cheer the sportsmanship, and the two reset. Shibata and Garcia tie up, then break, and Shibata CHOPS! Garcia stands his ground and the fans fire up. Garcia CHOPS Shibata, Shibata nods, and he CHOPS again! The fans fire up and Shibata eggs Garcia on. Garcia CHOPS, Shibata CHOPS, repeat! The fans “WOO~” with every CHOP!

Garcia headlocks, Shibata powers up and out, but Garcia RAMS Shibata! Shibata CHOPS Garcia off his feet! Garcia hurries back to his feet, and the fans are fired up. Garcia CHOPS, Shibata eggs him on! Garcia CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS, but Shibata still eggs him on! The CHOPS keep going but Shibata steps into them! Shibata then CHOPS Garcia to the corner! Shibata CHOPS, CHOPS, and MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Garcia sits down, Shibata goes corner to corner, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Garcia sputters, Athens is thunderous, and Shibata hits a SNAP HALF HATCH! Cover, TWO! Garcia grits this out but Shibata ROCKS him in the back!

Shibata has Garcia’s leg for a toehold, but Garcia endures. Garcia keeps his shoulder sup but Shibata puts the toehold on deep! Shibata goes to tie up both legs, Garcia tries for a chinlock, but Shibata shifts around while Collision goes picture in picture.

Shibata sits up with the INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Garcia endures, and he CHOPS from below! Shibata eggs him on, so Garcia CHOPS! And CHOPS! Shibata CHOPS Garcia down! Garcia sputters, but he keeps his shoulders up. Shibata puts on the pressure, grabs Garcia’s arm, and he puts on a top wristlock. Shibata uses that to make this a cover, TWO as Garcia gets the other arm up! Shibata lets off the legs to then STOMP the arm! Garcia scrambles to ropes, but Shibata storms up to wrench his arm. Shibata wrangles Garcia to the mat, isolates the arm again, and STOMPS it! Garcia goes back to ropes but Shibata is after him again.

Shibata brings Garcia around, snapmares him, then steps through for the INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Garcia endures all over again! Garcia powers up to back stroke his way to ropes, and the ROPEBREAK! Shibata shows respect by letting go quickly, then he waits on Garcia. Garcia stands, into a CHOP! Garcia snarls, rises, and Shibata CHOPS again! Garcia falls and Collision goes to break.

Collision returns again and both men run, Garcia LARIATS Shibata down! The fans fire up as both men stand. Garcia has Shibata in a corner, climbs up, and he rains down fists! The fans count along, Garcia goes to nine, then he winds up for TEN! Garcia fires up, the fans are with him, and he brings Shibata in. TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Cover, TWO! Shibata survives, as he knows that move from Tanahashi. Garcia waits on Shibata to rise, and then he runs up to trip Shibata! Garcia steps through, but Shibata drags him down to a cradle! TWO!! Shibata brings Garcia up, trips, but Garcia drags him down to a cradle! TWO!

Garcia BOOTS Shibata! Shibata stays up, so Garcia runs to BOOT him again! Shibata shakes his head, runs, and he BOOTS Garcia! Garcia runs again, and he BOOTS Shibata! Shibata rebounds to BOOT! Garcia rebounds to BOOT! Shibata BOOTS! Shibata runs, but Garcia BOOTS him down! But then Shibata’s right up! BOOT! SAIDO! But Garcia’s up! SAIDO! Both men stand, and they DOUBLE LARIAT! Neither man falls, they both roar! But then Shibata catches Garcia to an S T O! The fans fire up and the ref starts a count! The fans rally, “This is Awesome!” as we pass 5 of 10! Then pass 7!

Garcia an dShibata both sit up at 8! Garcia an dShibata go forehead to forehead, stand to their feet, and Garcia CHOPS! Shibata CHOPS! The CHOPS go back and forth again and the fans love it! Shibata CHOPS, and CHOPS, and then clamps on a COBRA TWIST! Garcia endures the Inoki signature, and he marches forward to the ROPEBREAK! Shibata lets go, but then Garcia blocks his kick! DRAGON SCREW! ANKLE LOCK!! Shibata rolls to get the ANKLE LOCK on Garcia! Garcia rolls, victory roll even, TWO! Both men stagger up, and Garcia trips Shibata! Garcia steps through, for the DRAGON TAMER!!

The fans are thunderously dueling, and Shibata rolls to drag Garcia down! HEEL HOOK KNEEBAR COMBO!! Garcia endures the “Achilles Lock,” but Shibata drags him from ropes! FIGURE FOUR LEG LOCK!! Garcia endures the classic, fans “WOO~!” as Shibata puts on the pressure! Garcia backstrokes his way to the ROPEBREAK! Shibata lets go quickly and the fans fire up again. Shibata roars, stands Garcia up, and Shibata snapmares Garcia to KICK him in the back! Shibata runs, but Garcia ducks the Penalty Kick! DRAOGN- NO, Shibata steps through! ARMBAR, but Garcia stacks Shibata! TWO!!

Shibata SLAPS Garcia!! And then ripcord and- Leg trip! Jackknife bridge!! GARCIA WINS!!

Winner: Daniel Garcia, by pinfall (still AEW TNT Champion)

Garcia snatches victory away from Shibata, and Shibata shows him respect. Shibata raises Garcia’s hand, and Garcia raises Shibata’s hand. Will these two run it back some day? Who will step to Garcia for the title next?

BREAKING NEWS for Maximum Carnage!

After a brutal match and a tense confrontation, Mark Briscoe & Private Party join forces against The Hurt Syndicate! Will The Sussex County Chicken help the AEW World Tag Team Champions fend off their challengers? Or will MVP, The Standard of Excellence & The All Mighty handle their business?

Dax Harwood VS Chris Jericho!

After the chaos between Rated FTR and The Learning Tree to open the night, a ringside ban has been put on this match! Only Dax and Jericho are going to be out here so that we can have a true 1v1 match! Will Dax the Ax chop down The Nueve? Or will Jericho show Harwood is no good?

The bell rings, the two circle, and Jericho soaks up the heat from Athens. Jericho and Dax tie up, break, and then Jericho claims Dax was digging at his face. The two go again, Jericho puts Dax in a corner, but then Dax turns things around. Jericho turns things around, then they tumble out to the apron! They keep going and tie up on the outside! They go around the desk, into railing, then along the LED barrier. The ref wants this in the ring but these two continue the collar ‘n’ elbow all the way to the ramps ide! The front row almost has this match in their laps! Dax and Jericho finally break and go back to the ring!

Dax and Jericho tie up again, end up in a corner, and Jericho CHOPS! And CHOPS! As if we didn’t get a ton with Shibata and Garcia. Dax CHOPS, CHOPS, and then grabs a leg! Dax hits a deep DRAGON SCREW! Jericho crumbles, but Dax drags him to the corner! The ref reprimands but Dax gets a high-five from the young fans before he SLAMS Jericho’s leg into the post! Dax goes up the steel steps, but Jericho YANKS Dax into the post! Dax staggers away, Jericho goes out, and he runs up to LARIAT Dax over the railing! The fans boo but Jericho storms out after Dax. Jericho ROCKS Dax, Dax CHOPS back!

Dax TOSSES Jericho to ringside and the fans fire up again. Dax climbs jump onto the barriers, but Jericho SMACKS him! Jericho fires hands but so does Dax! Dax CHOPS, CHOPS, and then hops up and over. Dax puts Jericho in the ring, brings him up, suplex and BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Jericho survives but Dax hurries to a corner. Dax climbs, the fans fire up, but Jericho shoves Dax down! Dax lands on his top guys, and Jericho CHOPS him! Jericho climbs up after Dax, waves to the fans, then SUPER STEINERS! The fans boo while Dax tumbles all the way to the other corner! Jericho waves to the fans, and Collision goes picture in picture.

Jericho soaks up the heat, storms over to the corner, and he stomps away on Dax. Jericho grabs Dax’s legs, and BUCKLE GUILLOTINES! Dax sputters, but Jericho slaps him around. Jericho stands Dax up and hits a BIG back suplex! Dax writhes but Jericho stands on him for a cocky cover. OEN, but Jericho waves to the fans. Jericho goes back to Dax, throws down crossface shots, then stalks Dax to a corner. Dax CHOPS in return! And CHOPS again! Dax whips, Jericho reverses, and Jericho CLOBBERS Dax! SENTON! Jericho soaks up more heat while Dax sputters. Cover, TWO! Dax stays in this but Jericho brings him up.

Jericho puts Dax on the ropes, CHOKES him, but the ref counts. Jericho steps off, taunts fans, then CHOKES Dax again. Jericho stops at 4, flexes, and soaks up more heat. Collision returns to single picture as Dax sits up. Jericho SLAPS him! Jericho slaps Dax around more, but Dax ROCKS him! And ROCKS him! And repeat! Dax whips, Jericho runs him over! Things keep moving, Jericho runs Dax over again! Jericho tries a third time, but Dax TOSSES him up and out! Jericho goes right up a corner! CROSSBODY! But Dax rolls through! Cover, TWO! Jericho swings, Dax ducks, GERMAN SUPLEX!

Dax holds on and the fans fire up, GERMAN SUPLEX! Dax still has Jericho, and he GERMAN S- NO, Jericho victory rolls, then steps through! Jericho fights to turn Dax, Dax fights it, so Jericho CATAPULTS him into buckles! Dax falls, Jericho fires up, and he springboards, LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Dax survives and Jericho frowns. The fans rally up for Dax, but Jericho soaks up heat. Jericho runs in, but is put on the apron! Jericho ROCKS Dax, step sin, but Dax DRAGON SCREWS him again! Dax grabs the legs, turns Jericho around, steps through, but Jericho BOOTS Dax into the POST! Roll-up, TWO!!

Dax survives but Jericho goes to the corner. Jericho climbs, the fans rally as hard as they can for Dax, but Jericho waves. Dax rises to ROCK Jericho! And CHOP! And CHOP! Dax climbs up to the very top, and he brings Jericho up. Jericho drops down, either slipping or fighting the suplex, but Dax keeps him at the ropes! Dax drags Jericho back up, to SUPER DUPER PLEX! The fans fire up while both men are down! Dax and Jericho slowly sit up as the fans rally. Jericho and Dax go forehead to forehead, then they go forearm for forearm! The shots go faster and faster, but Jericho gets the edge! Jericho whips but Dax blocks!

Dax CHOPS, Jericho CHOPS, repeat! The fans fire up, “WOO~” with every CHOP, but then Jericho CHOKES Dax! Dax CHOKES Jericho! The ref reprimands, Dax breaks free, but both men SLAP the other! They both fall and the fans fire up again! Jericho goes to the outside but Dax pursues. Jericho grabs his ROH World Championship belt, takes aim, but Dax BOOTS him first! Dax trips Jericho, then steps through! Jericho fights it and BOOTS Dax into the steel steps! Jericho rises, and runs up to hit a CODE BREAKER! Jericho leaves Dax behind as the ring count passes 5 of 10. Dax is down at 7 but the fans rally up.

Dax rises at 8, stumbles, but he slips in at 9.5! Jericho is frustrated, but he storms up to trip Dax! Dax fights the turnover, and he THROWS Jericho away! Dax trips Jericho again, has the legs and steps through, for the SHARPSHOOTER!! Jericho endures, turns slightly, but the fans rally as Dax puts on the pressure! Jericho fights around, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Dax won’t let go, so the ref has to pry him off Jericho. They argue, Jericho crawls and fetches his belt! But Das ducks the cheap shot! BIG back suplex! Jericho flounders, but he SLAPS the ref! Dax climbs, Jericho grabs the belt!

DIVING HEADBUTT! Dax hits the mark, but the ref’s are watering, he can’t see anything! Dax checks on the ref, Jericho BELT SHOTS Dax!! The fans boo as Jericho gets away with that, as well as hides the evidence. Jericho crawls over and covers, TWO?!?! Dax survives but Jericho dares him to get up. Dax stands, into the JUDAS EFFECT!! Cover, Jericho wins!

Winner: Chris Jericho, by pinfall

The Learning Tree’s Branches may not have been present, but Jericho still had tricks up his sleeve to cheat Dax! And now speaking of, here come Big Bill & Bryan Keith! They celebrate with Jericho, then beat down Dax! But of course Cash and Cope hurry out here! The fans fire up as the brawl is on again! But now it’s 3v2! Wait, the Death Riders run in! They go after Rated FTR, but also The Learning Tree! The Outrunners return, they help Rated FTR! The fans fire up for this chaos, especially as it spills out of the ring! Pac beats down on Cope, then runs, but into a SPEAR! The fans fire up as the Rated R Superstar stands tall!

But wait, JON MOXLEY is here! He reels Edge in for a PARADIGM SHIFT! Marina Shafir sends in a chair, and  then another! Marina puts Cope’s head on top of one, and Moxley has the other! But wait! POWERHOUSE HOBBS is here in person! He warned Moxley, and he CLOBBERS Yuta and Keith on his way down the ramp! Hobbs dodges Bill to send him into railing, then storms into the ring! The fans fire up, but Claudio runs in! SPINEBUSTER for Claudio, but Moxley SMACKS Hobbs with the chair! Hobbs doesn’t even budge!! The fans tell Moxley he messed up, and Mox seems to see that. Hobbs SMACKS the chair out of Moxley’s hands!

Hobbs storms out after Moxley, but Marina stands in his way! The fans boo as Moxley runs away, but Hobbs grins. But then Yuta LEAPS at Hobbs off the steel steps! Only for Hobbs to catch him! Hobbs brings Yuta over to URENAGE through the desk!! The fans go wild as Hobbs stands tall! But will this violence be nothing compared to what happens at Maximum Carnage?

My Thoughts:

A great Collision that did an excellent job of blending stories while telling those stories in the ring. Mariah VS Harley was great stuff, and Harley is getting to look stronger and stronger each week. While AEW has “a lot of belts,” or “too many belts” depending on your opinion, only two of those belts are women’s titles. Harley Cameron should be a contender for a Women’s International Championship, perhaps even crowning her at Grand Slam: Australia next month. But of course Mariah won, she needs to be strong going towards that same event, and the Women’s Casino Gauntlet will be great stuff to determine her next challenger.

Great TNT Championship match from Garcia VS Shibata to reach back and make good on that promo when Garcia won the title. The C2 is partly why they waited on this, but Garcia VS Shibata made for just the right thing to fill out this episode. Garcia of course retained, but it was a good move to have it be by jackknife bridge. Meanwhile, with Mark Briscoe & Private Party facing The Hurt Syndicate next week, we should definitely see things move towards Garcia & Private Party VS Hurt Syndicate, and then all those titles can be on the line. I can’t be sure how any of those matches go, but if it’s Lashley going for the TNT title, it’s very likely Lashley wins.

Brody King of course gets a squash match victory, but he was brought here mostly so Cope could talk with him in the same nature as Ospreay talking with Buddy Matthews. This is AEW telling us Malakai Black really IS leaving without saying it outright. If only TK had figured out he should book Buddy, Brody and Malakai for singles title stories like he has other factions. Basically, House of Black could’ve been doing what The Don Callis Family has been doing with Konosuke Takeshita and Kyle Fletcher. In fact, The House could’ve been feuding with The Don Callis Family, too, with those singles titles being the goal.

Good cold open promos that weren’t redundant this time, and then we got a great match of Cope VS Bill. Cope cheating to win was a bit of a surprise, but I suppose Cope was sending a message to The Death Riders. Great brawl for Rated FTR with Learning Tree, and I like how they used to that to change things up for the main event just a touch. Pac VS Komander was great stuff, too, and I like The Outrunners going after the Death Riders to save Komander. Komander & Outrunners could make a great trio that takes Pac, Claudio & Yuta on for the trios titles, even if it’s a losing effort.

Hobbs had a very good promo, but it didn’t necessarily change anything from his post-match promo on Wednesday. Great main event for Dax VS Jericho, but of course Jericho cheated. I feel like the cheat spot they wanted messed up, though. Jericho shoves ref, Dax dives, but I feel like the belt should’ve been there for Dax to “land on.” That aside, things of course turn back into a brawl, and while Rated FTR and Outrunners were on the same side, it made some sense that Death Riders would beat up Learning Tree members because everyone is an enemy to The Death Riders. I figured Moxley would get the better of Cope, and then great save moment for Hobbs.

Hobbs looks unstoppable as he takes out the Heels and scares Moxley off, but then that signals the go-home math of Moxley winning at Maximum Carnage. News is going around that Darby Allin was written off the way he was so he could climb Mount Everest like he’s always wanted. We can only hope and pray Darby doesn’t get hurt or worse on that mountain so that he can come back closer to Revolution and go after Moxley again. Honestly, Christian Cage trying to cash in on Wednesday should be a thing, too. It can even be a way to protect Hobbs in the loss, and give us a roundabout reunion of Team Taz as Hobbs and Hook go after The Patriarchy.

My Score: 8.8/10

Will the Knight dethrone the King of Strong Style?

Shinsuke Nakamura gives LA Knight his rematch for the United States Championship, and SmackDown celebrates that it’s truly Tiffy Time!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• WWE Women’s United States Championship: Chelsea Green w/ Piper Niven VS Mia Yim; Chelsea wins and retains the title.
• Pretty Deadly VS Los Garza w/ Legado Del Fantasma; Los Garza win.
• WWE United States Championship: Shinsuke Nakamura VS LA Knight; Knight wins by disqualification, Nakamura retains the title.
• Motor City Machine Guns VS A-Town Down Under; MCMG wins.
• WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Nia Jax VS Bayley VS Naomi VS Bianca Belair; wins and will challenge Tiffany Stratton for the title.
• Cody Rhodes & Jimmy Uso VS Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga; Jacob & Tama win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Paul Heyman is in the ring!

“Ladies and gentlemen,” The Wise Man gives his introduction, and he tells Portland, Oregon that “there comes a time in everyone’s career where you just cannot wait to walk down that aisle, stand in the middle of this ring, and address the entire Island of Relevancy. Tonight is one of those nights.” The fans cheer that! Heyman says it is among the greatest honors in his career to announce officially that there is only ONE reigning, defending, undisputed Tribal Chief of the WWE Universe, and of the entire Island of Relevancy! And that Tribal Chief is… ROMAN… REIGNS! The fans fire up and raise their ones as they chant for the “O T C! O T C!”

Heyman says yes, the only Tribal Chief is Roman… Reigns. And their Tribal Chief has authorized Heyman to let all of us know what he intends to accomplish next. And Heyman won’t just share this with everyone at home, and with everyone there in Portland, Oregon. Heyman wants to share this news with one man in particular, one man who deserves to hear this news face-to-face. And that man is the reigning, defending, Undisputed WWE Champion, the American Nightmare, and if he would please come out to the ring, Cody… Rhodes! The music hits, the fans fire up, and Cody is here! The fans sing along, “WHOA~ OH~” and we get the pyro!

Cody high-fives fans as he goes down the ramp, then he steps up into the ring to join Heyman. Cody and Heyman both listen to the fans cheer on “CODY! CODY!” Heyman says Cody deserves every bit of that, and a whole lot more. But he has to say, Cody has done something very few men have ever done: Cody earned the respect of Roman Reigns. Heyman has respected Cody since he was a little boy, and the fans have every reason to respect Cody, “and my God, what a champion you have demonstrated yourself to be. You, sir, are a credit not just to WWE SmackDown, but to WEW in its entirety.” The fans cheer that.

Heyman says because Cody is such a great champion, Roman has asked Heyman to come out here to tell Cody to his face, now that Roman has won back the ula fala, Roman wants the championship back. The fans have a mixed reaction to that, but Cody smirks. Heyman says just so there are no surprises, Roman will tell us how he’ll get the title back. And this is not a prediction, this is a spoiler. Roman hereby declares for the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble match, with full intentions of winning and going on to WrestleMania to once again face Cody for the championship! So with that in mind, Cody, whaddya wanna talk about?

Cody smirks at Heyman using his line, and then gets himself a mic. Cody looks to the title, then takes a breath. But then Kevin Owens interrupts by saying, “You know what I wanna talk about?” The Prizefighter is up in the stands, and he says he wants to talk about how, just when he thought Cody couldn’t get worse, that things couldn’t get worse than Cody teaming with Roman, it all does! Because Monday Night on Raw, Cody goes and shakes hands with The Rock!? WHY!? Because he kissed Cody’s ass?! And now Cody shakes hands with Paul Heyman and what happens? Thirty seconds later, Heyman looks Cody in the eyes and says Roman Reigns~ wants the title back~!

And y’know what? That is Cody’s fault! Cody did that to himself! Cody should’ve just let The Bloodline rip Roman to shreds! But instead, no, Cody chose to help Roman, and now look! Forget betraying Kevin, if Cody lets Roman get that title back, he’s betraying the entire WWE! Cody has had it, and he rushes from the ring into the crowd! The fans fire up as Cody and Kevin brawl in the stands! Security hurries up there, but this is moving up and up and up! The fans fire up as the brawl is on in the back, but Heyman doesn’t realize Tama Tonga & Jacob Fatu have arrived! Heyman turns around and he might as well be in there with hungry lions!

Heyman wants The Bloodline to stand down, Solo Sikoa lost to Roman so they ALL should fall in line behind Roman Reigns! But Tama & Jacob creep closer! But “USOOO!” It’s #BigJim! Jimmy dodges Tama, SUPERKICKS Jacob, then fires off hands on Tama! SUPERKICK for Jacob again! SUPERKICK for Tama! The fans fire up as Jimmy HIP ATTACKS Jacob, then HIP ATTACKS Tama! Jimmy high-fives Heyman, then grabs himself a chair! Jimmy gets in the ring, and he SAMCKS Tama on the back! Then he SMACKS Jacob! But the Samoan Werewolf just gets pissed! He CLOBBERS Jimmy with that back elbow!

Jacob stomps Jimmy, puts him in a corner, and Tama stomps away !The fans chant for “YEET! YEET! YEET!” but the chair is put around Jimmy’s neck! Refs rush out here, but Jacob SUPERKICKS the first one in! Then Tama & Jacob dig their boots ion to choke Jimmy! But wait, Cody comes back, having run Kevin off! Producers get in, but Jacob SUPERKICKS Kenny Dykstra! The fans fire up as Cody returns to ringside! Cody fires hands on Tama, then TOSSES him! Jacob turns around to see Cody and Cody dares him to bring it! Jacob roars, runs up, but Cody dodges! Cody fires hands, Jacob shoves him back, but Cody dodges again!

Cody LARIATS Jacob up and out! The fans fire up and The Bloodline’s rogue element regroups. Cody may have Kevin at the Royal Rumble, but will he still have to fight Solo’s minions along the way?

SmackDown returns and…

Security is doing their best to get Tama & Jacob out of the building. Nick Aldis is there as the guards shout and usher them to the door. Jacob starts shoving them back, and tells them to start thinking about their lives right now. Ain’t no way these guys are getting him outta here! But then LA KNIGHT CLOBBERS Jacob out the door! The Mega Star says Jacob didn’t use his inside voice so he just put Jacob’s ass outside. Now if you’ll excuse him, he’s got a title to win, YEAH! Aldis nods, will Knight be able to dethrone the King of Strong Style?

WWE Women’s United States Championship: Chelsea Green w/ Piper Niven VS Mia Yim!

Speaking of titles, this is a direct rematch from the championship finals at Saturday Night’s Main Event! That night, SmackDown became #RedWhite&Green, but will it stay that way? Or can Michin truly become the Head Baddie in Charge?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and history is going to be made again in this first-ever defense!

The bell rings and Mia dodges Chelsea to then wrench and0 NO, Chelsea fights off Da Feet! Chelsea bails out, talks with her Secret Service captain, Piper. Piper peps Chelsea back up, she slides back in, but Mia dodges again. Mia CHOPS, ROCKS, and CHOPS again! Mia fires off in the corner, then HEEL KICKS! Chelsea staggers, Mia runs, and Mia DROPKICKS Chelsea down! Cover, TWO! Chelsea flounders away to ropes, but Mia waistlocks! Chelsea fires elbows, then bumps Mia off buckles. Chelsea runs up, but Mia BOOTS her! Mia goes up, reels Chelsea in, and has her in a TARANTULA! The fans fire up but Piper protests!

The ref counts, Mia lets go at 4, then she goes up top! CROSS- NO, Chelsea moves! Mia rolls through, comes back, but is sent into ropes! Chelsea TOSSES Mia out, says hi to Wade & Joe on commentary, then says watch this. She THROWS Mia into the barriers, then she and Piper salute. The ring count climbs, Chelsea leaves Mia behind, but Mia hurries in at 8! Chelsea is upset with the slow count, and she HAMMERS away on Mia! Mia scrambles to a corner and Chelsea fumes while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Chelsea digs her boots into Mia at the corner, Piper talks trash, but Chelsea stops as the ref counts 4. Mia sputters along ropes but Chelsea CLUBS her down. Chelsea says yeehaw, then she HIP DROPS! Chelsea talks some smack on Portland, but it may have to do with how there aren’t cowgirls in Oregon. Chelsea HIP DROPS, but onto knees! Mia turns over to get the better of Chelsea, and then she sunset flips! TWO, and both women hurry to their feet. Chelsea BACKHANDS, then ENZIGIRIS! Mia flounders to ropes, Chelsea stalks her, and CHOKES her! The ref counts, Chelsea lets off, then YANKS the ropes to jam Mia up!

Chelsea runs, slides, and BASEMENT FLATLINERS! Cover, TWO! Mia stays in this and Chelsea is upset with the ref. Chelsea stalks Mia, talks more trash, then pie faces Mia around. Mia stands to fire body shots and forearms! Mia then rolls Chelsea up, TWO! Chelsea hurries up and LARIATS Mia down! Chelsea cools off, and grins as she shakes out her arm. Cover, TWO! Mia is still tougher than that, so Chelsea TOSSES her out! Chelsea distracts the ref so Piper can SLAP Mia down! Piper puts Mia back in, Chelsea drags her to a cover, TWO! Still not enough and now Chelsea is frustrated. Chelsea soaks up cheers and jeers, but Mia rolls her up! TWO!

Chelsea DROPKICKS Mia to a corner! Mia bounces off buckles and flops down. Chelsea soaks up more cheers and jeers, then she storms up on Mia. Chelsea SMACKS Mia, snapmares her, then clamps on a chinlock. Mia endures while Chelsea leans on the hold, and SmackDown returns to single picture. The fans rally, Mia fights up to fire body shots, but Chelsea keeps her from running the ropes! Chelsea grabs Mia in a SLEEPER! The fans rally, Chelsea thrashes Mia around, but Mia arm-drags free! Chelsea hurries back and has the SLEEPER again! Mia reaches out, drops to her knees, but gets a second wind!

Mia fires body shots, whips, but Chelsea reverses, and has the SLEEPER again! But Mia hits a SAIDO! Both women are down and Piper is panicking! Chelsea staggers up but she’s loopy. She runs up, but Mia avoids the elbow drop! Chelsea runs up again but Mia ELBOWS her! Mia goes to a corner, Chelsea runs in, but into a BOOT! Mia goes up for a RANA! The fans fire up and Mia RANAS again! Mia then SHOTGUNS Chelsea into a corner! The fans fire up, and Mia says get this twerk! CANNONBALL! High stack cover, TWO! Piper coaches Chelsea but Mia brings her up,> Chelsea blocks the whip, then clinches, for a lift and ELEVATED FLATLINER! Cover, TWO!!

Chelsea is shocked, furious, and she covers again, TWO! Mia is still in this and Chelsea hurries to think what she has to do. Chelsea goes up a corner, but Mia stands! Mia avoids the missile dropkick! And then SOBAT! PELE! Run and PENALTY KICK! Mia drags Chelsea to a drop zone, goes to the apron, but has to avoid Piper’s sweep! PENALTY KICK for Piper! Piper staggers around, so Mia CANNONBALLS! Mia sees the belt, is fired up again, and she heads right up top! Chelsea sputters and stands, into Mia’s CROSSBODY! But a roll through, roll up, and with tights!! CHELSEA WINS!

Winner: Chelsea Green, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s US Champion)

Chelsea stole this one, but Mia won’t let Chelsea get away with it! Mia grabs Chelsea’s legs, drags her back, but Piper CLOBBERS Mia! Then runs to SENTON! The fans boo but Mia shakes her head. Will Michin not stop until she’s gotten that gold and her revenge?

Nick Aldis meets with the many tag teams of SmackDown.

Chris Sabin says everyone knows Motor City Machine Guns would be the champs again if not for Pretty Deadly AND Los Garza showing up. Those four defend their innocence, but Aldis has a solution. But then Grayson Waller & Austin Theory walk in, and the Aussie Icon says wow, these guys all get tag title opportunities! Theory says that’s weird, since A-Town Down Under has more tag title reigns than all three combined. Maybe ATDU should use the Transfer Window to take their talents to Raw, where a certain handsome, bald-headed GM might actually know how to use real superstars. But go ahead, have fun.

The teams argue again, Aldis shouts, “ENOUGH.” First off, Los Garza and Pretty Deadly obviously have their issues, so they can settle that in a match. Second, MCMG and ATDU are both former champions, so they can prove themselves worthy in their own match. And third, never interrupt him like that again. Oh~! Maybe they’ll finally get fair treatment. ATDU heads out, and they tell MCMG that they’ll see them out there. Which teams will rise above and be that much closer to the tag titles? We find out, after the break!

Pretty Deadly VS Los Garza w/ Legado Del Fantasma!

SmackDown returns and #YesBoy, Kit Wilson & Elton Prince have made their entrance. But then Angel y Berto go after them! The bell rings, Los Garza run to DROPKICK Kit and RANA Elton! Pretty Deadly bail out, Berto DIVES onto them! Angel then hurries out after, but Elton runs away! Berto puts Kit in, RAMS him, then slingshot sunset flips! Kit rolls through, Berto ducks the Penalty Kick, then Berto kips up. Kit ducks one kick but not the PELE! Berto fires up and Portland is with him as he rolls back and MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Berto kicks Kit to the corner, tags Angel, but Kit begs for mercy!

The fans boo, Lopez & Santos say no go, and Los Garza catch Kit! They shove, double hip toss and TU LO SABE! Then DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Garza puts Kit on ropes, then under them. Tag back to Berto, and Angel runs so he and Berto can KNEE ENZIGIRI COMBO! Cover, TWO! Berto storms up but Kit kicks low. Kit fires forearms, Berto knees low, then runs. Berto springboards and FLYING ARM-DRAGS! Then DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Berto keeps Kit from Elton with a headlock, but Kit powers out and Elton tags in. Kit drops, Berto BOOTS back, but Elton HOTSHOT NECKBREAKERS Berto right over the top rope!

Portland fires up, Elton talks trash on Berto, then keeps on him while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Elton clamps onto Berto with a chinlock. The fans rally up, Berto fights up, and he fires body shots. But Elton keeps Berto from Angel! Berto fires hands, reaches out, repeat! Berto DECKS Elton, both men crawl, but Elton grabs a foot again! Then he ducks the enzigiri! Elton RAMS Berto to the corner, tags Kit, and Kit runs up, only for Berto to dodge! Kit hits buckles, Elton staggers around, and then Berto dodges Elton! Hot tag to Angel! Angel rallies on Pretty Deadly, BACKBREAKER after BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up with Angel and he runs in again. Kit puts him on the apron, but Angel GAMANGIRIS!

Angel goes up, up and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Kit survives but Angel drags him up. Angel whips, Kit reverses, but Angel tilt-o-whirl RANAS! Kit flounders to the ropes, he shouts for DIY! Angel TAKES OFF HIS PANTS! SUPERKICK to Kit! Cover, TWO!! Kit survives, and he stomps Angel’s foot! Kit whips, Angel KICKS back, but Elton grabs Angel’s hair! Kit distracts the ref and Elton THROWS Angel down! The fans boo but Kit tags Elton. Elton talks smack but now Lopez distracts the ref. Santos sneaks up on Elton to YANK him down! Elton lands on his prince, hot tag to Berto! BOOT for Kit, then Los Garza give Elton the double press and THUNDER VALLEY!! Cover, Los Garza win!

Winners: Los Garza, by pinfall

Johnny Wrestling & the Sicilian Psycho left Pretty Deadly hanging, which is why Elton took that hard fall! Will Legado climb the mountain and finally reign on SmackDown?

WWE United States Championship: Shinsuke Nakamura VS LA Knight!

Chelsea Green retained her gold in her first defense, and now The King of Strong Style looks to do the same. Will the sinister samurai cut down the Knight? Or will The Mega Star be golden again?

SmackDown returns and Nakamura makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who has whose number now!

The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two circle. Nakamura and Knight tie up, then break, then circle again. They go again, another tie up, and another break. The fans rally up as the two circle again, then Nakamura kicks! Knight dodges, headlocks, but Nakamura power sup and out. They RAM shoulders, the fans cheer, and the two tie up again. They go around, end up in a corner, then on ropes, then in another corner. Knight has Nakamura caught, but then Nakamura pulls hair to turn things around! The ref calls the break, Nakamura lets off slowly, but Knight blocks the cheap shot to fire off haymakers!

Knight whips, Nakamura reverses, but Knight NECKBREAKERS! Knight storms after Nakamura in a corner, stomps a mudhole in, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight then runs corner to corner, but Nakamura bails out to the apron! The fans boo but Knight drags Nakamura up. Nakamura PELES Knight down! Nakamura then drags Knight to the apron, runs up, and KNEE LIFTS! Knight flounders away but Nakamura storms in. Nakamura kicks Knight, stomps him, then has him at the ropes. Nakamura bumps Knight off buckles, then CHOPS him! Knight fires hands and CHOPS, but Nakamura fires a strike fest in return!

Nakamura kicks Knight back to the corner, then fires a forearm. Nakamura puts Knight up across the top rope, CLUBS him, then gets space. Nakamura runs up, TOP SHELF KNEE! Then he SHOVES Knight to the floor! The fans boo but Knight crawls back in. Nakamura storms up, avoids a shoulder tackle and KNEES Knight! Knight is stick, Nakamura runs up, but Knight manages to LARIAT back! Knight then DUMPS Nakamura out! Knight then runs to WERCK Nakamura with a dropkick! Nakamura hits the desk and the fans fire up! Knight DRIBBLES Nakamura off the desk, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!”

Knight winds up and SMACKS Nakamura off the desk one more time! The fans fire up and Knight puts Nakamura in. Knight storms in, stalks Nakamura, and then LARIATS Nakamura up and out! The fans fire up as Knight goes back out and hauls Nakamura back up. Knight scoops and aims for a corner, but Nakamura slips free! Knight hits POST, then Nakamura THROWS him at it! Knight falls in a heap, the fans boo, but Nakamura seethes while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Nakamura storms back over to Knight, drags him up, and puts him in the ring. Nakamura storms in, goes up a corner, and waits for Knight to rise. FLYING KNEE! Knight falls, Nakamura covers, TWO! Knight survives and Nakamura seethes. Nakamura drags Knight up and facelocks, suplexes, but Knight slips free to NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight hurries after Nakamura to whip him corner to corner. Knight runs up, but Nakamura BOOTS him down! Nakamura storms up and drops a KNEE! Cover, TWO! Nakamura grows frustrated with Knight but he stalks him to a corner. Nakamura stomps away, but the ref counts.

Knight backs off, comes back, but Knight fires hands! Nakamura fires knees in return! Nakamura KICKS Knight to ropes, Knight sputters, but Nakamura brings him up into a SLEEPER! Knight reaches out but Nakamura grinds him to the mat. Knight endures, even as Nakamura squeezes tight. Knight fights up, fires body shots, but Nakamura KNEES him low! Knight goes to a corner, Nakamura runs in, but Knight ELBOWS him away! Knight goes up and FLYING BULLDOGS! Both men are down and SmackDown returns to single picture. The fans rally up, Knight crawls but Nakamura stands. Nakamura fires forearms but Knight fires back!

The fans cheer Knight, boo Nakamura, and the forearms go back and forth! “YEAH! BOO! YEAH! BOO!” Nakamura winds up but Knight dodges, and he LARIATS! Knight rains down fists on Nakamura and the fans fire up! Knight lets off to stand Nakamura up for a whip. Knight scoops to POWERSLAM! The fans fire up again and Knight paces. He spells it out, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Nakamura survives but Knight grits his teeth. Knight drags Nakamura up, torture racks, but Nakamura CLAWS Knight’s face! Nakamura is free, but Knight fires JAB after JAB! But Nakamura ducks the haymaker!

Nakamura waistlocks, Knight switches, and Knight RAMS Nakamura into the corner! O’Conner Roll, but a buckle pad has come loose! TWO, Knight avoids the bare steel! Nakamura runs up, he blocks boots and he puts Knight int he ropes! ROUNDHOUSE and then SLIDING GERMAN! Knight flounders, the fans rally, and Nakamura snarls. Nakamura storms back to the ring but he might be running out of gas. Nakamura climbs, but Knight storms up! Nakamura blocks a punch to ROUNDHOUSE! Nakamura goes up, but Knight is right up top! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Cover, TWO!! Nakamura survives and the fans can’t believe it!

Both men are down again, this one is pushing them to their limits! The fans rally for Knight and he brings Nakamura up. But Nakamura breaks free! Knight stops the kick, trips Nakamura, and he has both legs! Knight turns Nakamura over for a SCORPION SURFBOARD! Nakamura endures, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! Knight lets go in frustration, and he drags Nakamura to the center! But Nakamura trips Knight into an ARMBAR! Knight clasps hands, Nakamura CLUBS the grip apart! Knight stacks Nakamura, TWO! Knight ducks a roundhouse but not the WHEEL KICK! Nakamura aims, KINSHA- NO, Knight roll shim!

Nakamura rolls through, Knight barely blocks the kick! Nakamura denies the BFT for that BACK ELBOW! And then KINSHASA!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!!! Knight survives by a literal foot and Nakamura can’t believe it! Nakamura storms around, drags Knight to his feet, and Portland rallies for Knight. But Nakamura puts Knight against the bare buckle! Nakamura runs in, Knight dodges! Knee hits steel, Knight hits the B F T!! But wait! TAMA & JACOB ATTACK!!

Winner: LA Knight, by disqualification (Nakamura is still WWE US Champion)

The fans boo as the rogue Bloodline ruins the match! They beat Knight down, then get Knight up for a whip and POP-UP SAMOAN DROP!! Then they put Knight in the corner, HIP ATTACK!! HIP ATTACK!! Knight flops over but Tama puts him in a drop zone! Jacob goes up, up, and BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Knight writhes in pain but the Samoan Werewolf and the Good Bad Guy are all fired up! But wait, Cody and Jimmy rush out here! They fire hands with Jacob & Tama! They TOSS Tama, then SUPERKICK after SUPERKICK for Jacob! DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Cody then SMACKS Jacob off the steel steps before they TOSS him to join Tama!

The fans fire up as Solo’s Bloodline is regrouping. Cody grabs a mic and tells Aldis that they are NOT just sending The Bloodline home! They’re here, Cody and Jimmy are here, so why not do this here tonight?! The fans fire up, and Aldis says if that’s what they want, then it’s on! Cody & Jimmy VS Jacob & Tama, will this be the final nail in the coffin of Solo’s rogue Bloodline? Where even is Solo right now?

Motor City Machine Guns VS A-Town Down Under!

Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin have a point about how close they were to regaining the WWE Tag Team Championships if not for outside interference. But Grayson Waller & Austin Theory are themselves former champs, so could this be their way back to the top? Or will we see MCMG > ATDU?

SmackDown returns and ATDU makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Waller starts against Shelley. They circle, tie up, and Shelley wrenches an arm to a wristlock. Waller spins, JABS, and the fans boo. Waller talks smack, UPPERCUTS Shelley, then tags Theory. They whip, Shelley reverses, but Waller slides out. Waller stops Sabin’s Penalty Kick to trip him up, then Theory CLOBBERS Shelley! Waller says ATDU is the best team in the world, and Theory sits Shelley up so he can fire punches again and again! Theory whips Shelley hard into buckles, then covers, ONE! Theory laughs that off, and he bumps Shelley off buckles.

Theory whips corner to corner hard, then LARIATS in the corner! The fans boo but Theory soaks up the heat. But Shelley fires off forearms! Theory headlocks, Sabin tags in as Shelley powers out, and Shelley drop toeholds. Theory stays up, so Sabin BULLDOGS him down! Cover, ONE! Theory gives that same toughness back, but Sabin brings him up. Theory RAMS Sabin into the corner! Tag to Waller, he cravats for a neck wrench, and he tries to get fans to join in on “AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE! OI OI OI!” It doesn’t work. Sabin fires body shots but Waller fires knees! Sabin arm-drags free, then fires a foreartm!

Sabin runs, Waller hurdles then bypasses to ROLLING ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Waller clamps onto Sabin with a cording hold but Sabin endures. Waller CLUBS Sabin down, drags him up, and whips. Shelley sneaks a tag, Sabin ducks ‘n’ dodges to slide out. Sabin YANKS Theory down. Shelley has Waller in a SLEEPER! Waller sits down, into a PENALTY KICK SANDWICH! The fans fire up, MCMG DOUBLE LARIAT Waller up and out! Shelley holds the ropes open as Sabin builds speed, but Theory trips Sabin up! Theory drags Sabin out, DECKS him, but then Shelley DECKS Theory! Waller SOMERSAULT FLATLINERS! Cover, TWO!

Waller snarls, clamps onto Shelley and HAMMERS him down, but SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and it seems ATDU kept MCMG from making a tag. They put Shelley in the corner, then Waller whips Theory in for a LARIAT! Theory feeds Shelley to Waller’s BACKBREAKER, and then “ALL DAY!” DOUBLE ROLLING ELBOWS! Waller BLASTS Sabin off the apron while Theory covers, TWO! Theory CLUBS Shelley down, then clamps on a chinlock. Shelley endures, reaches out, and the fans rally up. Shelley fights to his feet, fires body shots, but Theory shoves him and ELBOWS him down! The fans boo but Theory says “SUCK IT!” Theory then tags Waller, scoops Shelley, and Waller grins as he goes to the ropes.

But Shelley slips free and shoves Theory into Waller! Waller is down, Shelley SUPERKICKS Theory! The fans fire up as Shelley crawls for his corner! Hot tag to Sabin! Sabin fires hands on Waller, dodges him, then fires more hands! Sabin DECKS Waller, DROPKICKS Theory, then BOOTS Waller! Sabin goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! Sabin then goes out to PENALTY KICK Theory! Sabin goes back in, runs up on Waller, GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Sabin tags Shelley. MCMG double DROPKICK ATDU into the barriers! Shelley holds the way open again and Sabin DIVES! Direct hit on ATDU and they go back into barriers!

The fans fire up with MCMG and Sabin puts Waller in. Shelley is there to clinch, then fires knee after knee! Sabin goes up, MISSILE DROPKICK FLATLINER COMBO! Cover, TWO! Waller survives but Shelley storms after him. Shelley wrenches an arm, tags Sabin, and “This is Awesome!” as MCMG double whip. Theory sneaks the tag, Waller KICKS Sabin and KNEES Shelley! Waller TOSSES Sabin, then runs to slide, but Sabin dodges! SUPERKICK for Waller! Sabin slides back in, builds speed, but Theory CLOBBERs him! Theory DECKS Shelley, tags Waller back in, and ATDU get Sabin back up.

ATDU double whip, then DOUBLE POP-UP HAYMAKERS! Cover, TWO!! Sabin survives and the fans rally up! Waller is frustrated, maybe even exhausted, but he drags Sabin up. Sabin JAWBREAKERS free! Theory tags in, Shelley is still down! Waller runs up but Sabin DUMPS him! Theory fireman’s carries, Sabin slips free and O’Conner Rolls, but SOMERSUALT- NO, Sabin DECKS Waller first! Theory tries again, Shelley sneaks a tag! Theory ROCKS Shelley! Sabin SUPERKICKS Theory! Waller LEG LARIATS Sabin! All four men are down and Portland fires back up! Sabin goes to the corner, Waller scowls at Shelley.

Waller whips, Sabin sneaks a tag! Shelley hits the atomic drop! The DREAM SEQUENCE hits! The fans fire up again and MCMG focus on Theory! BOOT ENZIGIRI COMBO in the corner! Tag to Shelley, he climbs, and we get SKULL ‘N’ BONES! Cover, MCMG wins!

Winners: Motor City Machine Guns, by pinfall

Truly a battle worthy of the tag titles between these four former champions, but it is your favorite tag team’s favorite tag team that comes out on top! Will MCMG be taking aim at DIY one more time? Or will they have to get past Los Garza first?

DIY is watching this backstage.

And they are NOT happy! Gargano says stupid Theory & Waller…! DIY moves on but then Pretty Deadly finds them. What happened to their agreement? They scratch DIY’s backs, DIY scratches theirs. Ciampa thought he made it clear that he doesn’t want them scratching his back. Gargano says DIY appreciates Pretty Deadly having their backs, but there’s a lot of heat on them right now. Gargano & Ciampa couldn’t go out there to help them, y’know? Kit says that “heat” is what makes Pretty Deadly glow! DIY owes them for the save! Save?! Ciampa gets heated, Gargano calms “Kip” down. No, it’s Kit. Kit, with a T.

Yeah, no, Gargano knows that. Kit. They’re friends, #YesBoys! And they’ll get the title match, for sure. They can do the backstage politics and stuff, but DIY has them, just wait. Gargano & Ciampa head out, Pretty Deadly discusses it among themselves, but then Apollo Crews walks over. Apollo says if they’re dumb enough to believe DIY, then you deserve what is coming. And trust Apollo, it won’t be the tag titles. Just saying. Apollo leaves, Pretty Deadly figured that was the case. What will Kit & Elton do if DIY leaves them high and dry?

Candice LeRae talks with Nia Jax.

The Poison Pixie knows the Irresistible Force is upset, but she just saw Tiffany Stratton heading for gorilla. Nia wonders what Tiff will say tonight. In fact, Nia should go “congratulate” Tiff herself. It’s almost time for the Tiffy Time Celebration, but will the Queen of the Ring crash the Princess’s party?

Tiffany Stratton heads to the ring!

The fans cheer as the NEW WWE Women’s Champion makes her entrance, and SmackDown is finally on Tiffy Time! She holds up the title, steps into the ring, and Byron Saxton is there to say Tiffy shocked the entire world when she cashed in on Nia Jax to become the NEW WWE Women’s Champion. The fans cheer, and Tiff smiles. But Byron says also, congratulations. Tiffy thanks Byron, and says IT’S TIFFY TIME~! And what a Tiffy Turn of events, amirite? The fans also cheer, and Tiff says less than a year ago, she debuted here on SmackDown. In no time at all, she became Miss Money in the Bank, and at the young age of 25, she is already better than your favorites!

And yes, she is the NEW WWE Women’s Champion~! Byron then says before last week, she and Nia were “best of friends.” But then, the reason Nia bullied Tiff was- Tiff stops Byron there and takes the mic. Nia didn’t bully Tiff. Tiff befriended Nia and got Nia to trust her. Nia thought Tiff was stupid? Well, who’s the stupid one now?! The fans cheer Tiff, and Tiff says Nia thought Tiff was “just a dumb blonde.” But she only thought that because Tiff let Nia think that! And Nia let her guard down. Because of that, Tiff stole Nia’s most prized possession! And now, Tiffy is at the Tiffy Top of her game.

Without further ado, put some respect on her name, and tell her what time it is! Well, Nia is making her entrance, so time to face the music. Nia tells Tiff, “You ungrateful little s*it!” Tiff, Nia could KILL you right now. Tiff is standing there, saying she made a fool of Nia and is at the Tiffy Top? Tiff would be NOTHING without Nia! Nia practically made Tiff! Congrats on rubbing two brain cells to come up with that plan! Tiff finally took advantage, and it took her long enough. Nia steps closer and closer to the ring, and she says Tiff is having her moment. Sure, alright. Yay, it’s Tiffy Time~! The fans do cheer, but now Nia steps into the ring.

Tiff stands her ground, but she is very wary of Nia. The fans chant “TIFFY TIME! TIFFY TIME!” But Nia says time’s up. Now, either Tiff just gives Nia the championship back, or Nia takes it from her. But wait! Is that Bayley? The fans cheer as The Role Model makes her way out, a mic in her hand. “Uh, ding dong, Nia, how ’bout you shut the hell up, okay?” And Tiff, if that was her plan all along, then she got Bayley, too. Bayley also thought Tiff was stupid. But Nia, Bayley knows you’re that stupid. Nia “made” Tiff, groomed her, put her under your wing, and Tiff STILL outsmarted you? Bayley laughs while she joins the others in the ring.

Bayley knows this is Tiff’s moment and all, but she doesn’t want Tiff to think Bayley forgot that the only reason Nia even had the title was with Tiff’s help. And the only reason Nia kept Tiff around was to make sure that didn’t change. So as Bayley sees it, it is only fitting that she takes the title from Tiff. But now Naomi joins the party, Bianca by her side! The fans fire up and Naomi says, “Hey, y’all!” But Naomi says everyone knows that Naomi had Nia beat last week. And if not for Lil’ Miss Tiffer, Naomi would be holding two titles now. So if anybody gets a fight with Tiff for the championship, see Naomi first.

Nia tells Naomi that no one cares! But then Bianca steps in the way! Nia gets in her face, then SMACKS Naomi and Bianca off each other! Bayley goes after Nia! The fans fire up, Tiff bails out, and now Naomi & Bianca go after Nia again! The 3v1 doesn’t work, Nia shoves them all away! Bianca jumps on for a SLEEPER, but then Tiff goes up a corner? Tiff aims at all four, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER on them all! The fans fire up as SmackDown is still on Tiffy Time! But then Nick Aldis makes his way out here! He wants the ladies to calm down so he can interrupt. He has just had an idea.

Seeing as four women want their hands on Tiff and the title, then it will be a FATAL 4 WAY #1 Contender’s Match, and uh, it’s now! The fans fire up as we get a star-studded surprise, but who comes out on top to go after the #TiffyTop?

WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Nia Jax VS Bayley VS Naomi VS Bianca Belair!

SmackDown returns and the bell rings. Nia again fights 3v1, and she RAMS Bianca into a corner! Naomi & Bayley go after Nina but she shoves them away. Nia TOSSES Bayley out, whips Naomi into Bianca, and then soaks up the heat. Nia runs in, Naomi gets clear and Bianca BOOTS Nia! Naomi BOOTS Nia, fires body shots, then CLUBS away on Nia! Naomi & Bianca reel Nia in, but she fights the double suplex! Nia DOUBLE SUPLEXES the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions! Nia rises, the fans boo, but Bayley CLUBS Nia! BULLDOG! Bayley fires forearms and body shots, and she puts Nia in a corner for even more!

Nia SHOVES Bayley away, but Bianca sends Naomi in! SPLASH! Naomi sends Bianca in and she RAMS Nia! Bianca RAMS Nia gain and again, Bayley and Naomi add on and the fans fire up. But then Nia EXPLODES free of the 3v1! Nia bails out, she’s fed up with this! The fans boo but then Naomi, Bianca and Bayley watch each other. The fans rally as the three circle, but of course Nia YANKS Bianca out of the ring! Nia sends Bianca into barriers, the fans boo, but Naomi & Bayley DOUBLE DROPKICK Nia down! Bayley and Naomi have the ring to themselves now and they circle. The fans rally, the two tie up, and Bayley headlocks.

Naomi powers up and out, Bayley RUNS Naomi over, then things speed up. Naomi hurdles, arm-drags, but Bayley arm-drags back! Naomi slips around to crucifix takedown, TWO! Bayley is up to trip Naomi, jackknife bridge! TWO! Bayley and Naomi hurry to their feet and Bayley whips. Naomi slides under, twerks, then drop toeholds! Naomi hooks an arm, steps over, LA MAGISTROL! TWO, but Naomi hurries after Bayley. Naomi whips, Bayley KICKS her back! But then Nia YANKS Bayley out of the ring and sends her into barriers! Nia storms in, storms up on Naomi, but Naomi RAMS into her!

Nia smothers Naomi but Naomi JAWBREAKERS free! Naomi runs, but Nia stops the rana! Nia POWEROMBS Naomi, covers, Bianca breaks it! The EST came in hot but now she has Nia up! Bianca fires forearms, then tries to torture rack! Nia fights that off, CLUBS Bianca down, and then Nia whips. Bianca goes up and over, then DROPKICKS Nia! Bianca kips up, the fans fire up, and Bianca RAMS into Nia! Bianca climbs up, the fans cheer, and Bianca rains down fists! The fans count along and Bianca goes past TEN, only for Nia to stop her at 13! POWERBOMB! Cover, Bayley KNEES Nia down!

The fans fire up while Bayley snarls. Bayley looms over Nia, tells her this is for SummerSlam! Bayley fires forearms, then whips, but Nia blocks! Nia whips, Bayley reverses and SAIDOS! Cover, TWO!! Nia survives being thrown around, but Bayley goes up a corner! The fans fire up, Nia stands, and Nia ROCKS Bayley first! Nia clears out the cobwebs, then climbs up to get Bayley. The fans boo but Bayley fires body shots! Bayley shoves Nia back, but Nia HEADBUTTS Bayley! Nia climbs up again, gets under Bayley to fireman’s carry, but Bianca & Naomi join in! TOWER OF DOOM!! All four women are down from the double bomb Samoan drop, and SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns again and Nia looms over Naomi. Nia drags Naomi up but Naomi JAWBREAKERS again! And mule kicks! Naomi runs, but into a scoop! The fans boo but Nia hits a SWINGING SLAM! Cover, Bayley AND Bianca break it! Bayley and Bianca stare down, but they agree to work on Nia. They fire forearms back and forth, pinballing Nia between them! The fans rally up as they mug Nia at the ropes! Bayley & Bianca both run, and they DOUBLE RAM Nia out of the ring! The fans rally up as the two circle. They start firing forearms on each other! The fans fire up as it is fast ‘n’ furious! Bayley shoves, Bianca dodges, then wrenches!

Bianca suplexes, Bayley fights to a cradle! TWO! Bianca is up but Bayley has her! BAYLEY2- NO, Bianca slips free and torture racks! But Bayley slips free! Bayley ducks a lariat, but Bianca bucks the O’Conner Roll! Bianca gets around, Bayley switches, O’Conner Roll after all! TWO, and Nia CLOBBERS Bayley! Nia then CLOBBERS Bianca! Naomi returns to LARIAT, but Nia stays up! Naomi UPPERCUTS, then ENZIGIRIS! Nia wobbles, the fans fire up, and Naomi runs to tilt-o-whirl, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Naomi puts Nia in a drop zone to go up, up, SPLIT LEG MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!

Nia survives, but Bayley is up top! MACHO ELBOW DROP! Cover on Nia, Naomi YANKS Bayley away! Bianca is up top now, 450 SPLASH on Nia!! Cover, but Bayley YANKS Bianca away! They ALL cover Nia, the ref says no, that doesn’t work! Wait, Candice runs out here while the three scrap. The ref notices Candice and tells her to watch herself. Nia tumbles out, Candice goes to her side. Naomi & Bianca get Bayley, but Bayley ducks a roundhouse! Bianca and Naomi both wrench Bayley to then DOUBLE RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! And DOUBLE ELBOW DROP! Bayley tumbles out, so now the tag champs have to square off!

The fans fire up as Bianca and Naomi figure they might as well, but then wait, Bianca and Nia are both getting up! Bianca PLANCHAS Bayley! Naomi DIVES onto Nia, but Nia catches her! Nia RAMS Naomi into the apron! The fans boo but Nia soaks it up. Nia goes back to the ring, fireman’s carries Bianca, but Bianca slips free! Bianca ducks ‘n’ dodges and SPEARS Nia! Cover, Bayley breaks it! BAYLEY2BELLY for Bianca! Cover, Naomi breaks it! REARVIEW on Bayley! Cover, Nia breaks it!! Nia scoops Naomi to SAMOAN DROP! Cover, Bianca breaks it!! The fans are thunderous as all four women are down!

Bayley and Bianca go to ropes, Nia is after Bianca. Nia POSTS Bianca, but Bayley anchors Nia’s legs! Naomi SHOTGUNS Nia down! Naomi kicks, Bayley blocks and KNEES Naomi down! Bianca SPINEBUSTES Bayley! Then Bianca handsprings to MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Bayley stays in this and Bianca grows frustrated. Bianca stalks Bayley, stands her up and torture racks her! But Candice pulls Bianca’s ponytail! The ref reprimands but then Candice lets go, the braid LASHES Naomi!! Bianca can’t believe what just happened, but then Nia YANKS Bianca out! Bianca fights back, she DECKS Candice, and TACKLES Nia over the desk!

Naomi gets Bayley, but Bayley wrenches free! Bayley hooks Naomi up, for the ROSE PLANT!! Cover, Bayley wins!!

Winner: Bayley, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the WWE Women’s Championship)

An epic was just made at a moment’s notice, and now The Role Model is on her way back to the title! Will Bayley make sure Tiffy Time’s days are numbered?

Cody Rhodes meets with Jimmy Uso backstage.

#BigJim says sup to “C-Dawg,” and that all this talk about Roman Reigns… Cody knows, as far as Roman’s concerned, when it comes to this championship, this was a long time coming. But hey, they’ve got each other tonight, right? They shake hands on that and Cody heads out, but then Carmelo Hayes walks in. Melo says sup to Big Jim, and says last week was 3v1. Now it’s just Jimmy and H1M. What’s good? But hey, Melo will let it slide. But he wants Jimmy to know that Melo and Solo, they tapped in. If Jimmy wants that again, he’ll end up like Braun Strowman. He’s just saying. Melo turns to leave but Jimmy has him hold on.

Jimmy asks what that line is Melo’s always saying. Oh, Melo Don’t Miss. Yeah? Because with all those bricks, he could build a damn house. Oh, and, uh, (NO) YEET. Jimmy heads out, but will Melo not miss getting

WWE and Red Cross team up against the Los Angeles wildfires.

Text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation today to help all those devastated by this disaster.

Backstage interview with Bayley.

Byron Saxton congratulates her on winning that impromptu #1 contender’s match, meaning she challenges Tiffany for the title. But we also just learned that the match takes place next week. How does she feel about her chances? Bayley says her whole career’s been built on chances. Taking advantage of those opportunities, like Aldis just telling them to wrestle when they weren’t even scheduled, that is what this is about. Tiff took her big opportunity last week, and look at her now. Bayley practically grew up in this business, she has known people like Tiff her whole career, and she’s wrestled Tiff herself all 2024.

So Bayley knows one thing: Tiff’s never beaten Bayley. Bayley leaves it at that, but will she be leaving San Diego the NEW WWE Women’s Champion?

Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga head for gorilla.

The Samoan Werewolf is fired up again. “Yeah! Oh, yeah! Come on with it! Y’all been seeing what me and Tama been doing all day! And yo, Big Jim! The difference between our bloodline and your bloodline is that your bloodline left you on the frontline to dead line! And Cody Rhodes, I suggest you wake your ass up! This ain’t Elm Street! Because your nightmare is here!” Jacob & Tama make their entrance, will they avenge their Tribal Chief with their own hands?

Cody Rhodes & Jimmy Uso VS Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga!

SmackDown returns and Jimmy makes his entrance, followed by Cody’s, “WHOA~ OH~!” The pyro goes off again, and Cody presents his weight belt to a young fan in the front row. We get another “WHOA~ OH~!” and more pyro, then Cody & Jimmy go to the ring. The teams sort out and Cody starts against Tama. The fans rally up behind “CODY! CODY!” as he circles with the Good Bad Guy. They tie up, Cody waistlocks, but Tama fights with elbows! Cody kicks low, RHODES UPPERCUTS, then brings Tama in to suplex. Cody holds Tama up, then GOURD BUSTERS! Cody dares Jacob to do something, but then Tama kicks low!

Tama wrenches, Cody wrenches back, but Tama goes to the ropes. Cody brings him away, tags Jimmy, and Jimmy goes up to AX HANDLE! Jimmy wrenches Tama, but Tama fires body shots and forearms! Tama puts Jimmy in the corner, tags Jacob, and the rogues mug Jimmy! The fans boo, the ref counts, but Jacob stomps away! The ref counts again, Jacob puts Jimmy in another corner for a SPLASH! Jacob snarls, HEADBUTTS Jimmy, then whips corner to corner, Jimmy stops himself to UPPERCUT! Jimmy whips, Jacob reverses, but Jimmy ELBOWS back! Jimmy DECKS Tama, CHOPS Jacob, but then Jacob POP-UP SAMOAN DROPS!

The fans boo but Jacob snarls, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Jacob stomps Jimmy to the outside, tags Tama, and Tama goes out to LARIAT Jimmy against barriers! The fans boo but Tama stalks Jimmy. Tama then runs to SLIDING FOREARM! Jimmy flounders, Tama puts him in the ring, and then taunts him. Tama runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Jimmy flounders but Tama tags Jacob. Tama CHOKES Jimmy on the ropes, lets off as the ref counts, and now Jacob CHOKES Tama! The ref counts again, Jacob stops at 4, but Tama gets a cheap shot in! The rogues soak up the heat while Jimmy writhes. Jacob drags Jimmy up, whips him to a corner hard, then watches Jimmy fall to the mat.

Jacob paces, staying between Jimmy and Cody. Jimmy fires counter punches! Jimmy goes for the corner but Jacob holds him back! Jimmy fires hands, reaches for Cody, but Jacob whips Jimmy to the corner! Jacob talks trash on Jimmy, then FALLING HEADBUTTS! Jimmy sputters, but Jacob FALLING HEADBUTTS again! Jimmy writhes, Jacob soaks up the heat from Portland, then Jacob drags Jimmy up. Jacob DECKS Jimmy, then glares at Cody. Cody rallies the fans, Jimmy rises up, but Jacob brings Jimmy around. But Jimmy UPPERCUTS first! And CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Jimmy kicks, Jacob blocks, but the DRAGON WHIP hits!

Both men are down and SmackDown returns to single picture. Jacob and Jimmy rise, and Jacob LARIATS Jimmy down! Tag to Tama, SLINGSHOT SENTON! Tama says, “YEYEYEYEYEYEH!” then he DROPKCISK Cody! The ref has to keep Cody from storming in, and that lets Tama drop elbows on Jimmy’s leg! Tama clamps onto Jimmy’s shoulders, Jimmy endures, and the fans rally up again. Tama HEADBUTTS Jimmy down, but the fans continue to rally. “Let’s Go, Jimmy!” Jimmy reaches out, then reaches up, JAWBREAKER for Tama! Jacob tags in, and he hurries to BLAST Cody! Then SENTON on Jimmy! Cover, TWO!

Jacob stalks Jimmy to a corner, then runs corner to corner for the HIP ATTACK! Jacob is all geeked up but the fans boo. Jacob taunts Jimmy, runs again, ANOTHER HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Jimmy survives but he sputters at the ropes. The fans rally, Jacob stalks Jimmy, and Jacob puts Jimmy on the top rope. Jacob climbs up, HEADBUTTS Jimmy in the back, then HEADBUTTS him again! Jacob taunts Jimmy, and says, “I LOVE YOU, SOLO!” But Jimmy fires elbows! The fans fire up and Jimmy sends Jacob tumbling away! Jacob gets up, as Jimmy WHISPERS IN THE WIND! Direct hit and the fans fire up while both men are down!

Jimmy and Jacob crawl, hot tags to Tama and Cody! Cody fires hands, runs, and rallies with forearms! Tama runs up, Cody goes up and over! SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up, Cody springboards, BEAUTIFUL DISASTER KICK! The fans fire up more and Cody has Tama for a scoop. Tama slips free, shoves Cody, but Cody stops. Tama runs in, Cody DUMPS him out! Jacob runs in, Cody DUMPS him out! Cody builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit on the rogues! The fans are thunderous and Cody puts Tama in the ring. Cody JABS! JABS! JABS! Flip, flop, fly, BIONIC ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! Tama survives but Cody BLASTS Jacob fitst!

Cody gets Jacob’s leg for a DRAGON SCREW! Tama runs up, Cody catches him! But Tama knees free of the dragon sleeper! VENOM DDT! Cover, TWO! Cody stays in this and Tama snarls. Tama stalks Cody, brings him up, but then Tama DECKS Jimmy! Cody fireman’s carries Tama and puts him up top! Cody UPPERCUTS Tama, Jimmy tags in! Jimmy goes to the other corner, so we get a SUPER DUPER PLEX for the Power! USO SPLASH for the Glory!! Cover, Jacob drags Jimmy up! Jimmy UPPERCUTS Jacob, Cody goes up, up and SUPER CODY CUTTER!! Jimmy DIVES onto Jacob on the outside, and Jacob tumbles over the desk!!

The fans are thunderous, but wait! Kevin is here! Cody intercepts Kevin at the ramp! The fans fire up as Cody throws Kevin around, fires hands, but now he’s away from the ring! Jimmy is alone, Tama rolls him up! TWO!! SUPERKICK from Jimmy! Jimmy runs to SPEAR Tama!! Jimmy hurries up a corner, takes aim, USO SPLASH!! Cover, JACOB DRAGS HIM AWAY! Jimmy lands on the floor hard, and now Jacob tags in! Jacob DRIBBLES Jimmy off the desk again and again! Jacob puts Jimmy in, drags him back up, and IMPALER DDT!! But that’s not the end of it! BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, the rogues win!!

Winner: Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga, by pinfall

Cody’s grudge with Kevin completely derailed this match! And speaking of, they’re still fighting backstage! They end up coming around the stage and into the crowd! Kevin throws Cody onto a road case, then climbs up there to stomp away on Cody! The refs rush out here but Kevin is aiming for tables! Cody fights back and the fans fire up! Both men throw hands, then Kevin HEADBUTTS Cody! Cody runs up to TACKLE Kevin off the cases and down through the tables!! The fans are losing their minds while refs and producers check on both men.

The American Nightmare and The Prizefighter stir, and then Cody stands tall! Will this be the scene at the Royal Rumble? Or will Kevin be the one atop the ladder, holding both corporate logo and winged eagle championships?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown here, really packed full of action to propel stories forward in all the title divisions. Getting both US Championships tonight was quite the surprise, as there was theories and rumors that Chelsea VS Mia wouldn’t happen again until Saturday Night’s Main Event on the 25th. At the same time, what could they possibly do to keep stretching the story? Chelsea VS Mia was a great rematch, but of course Piper was again a factor, and so Chelsea retains. Maybe Mia fights her way back, maybe someone new steps in using the Transfer Window, we’ll just have to see.

Knight VS Nakamura was great, but there’s clearly more story for Knight and Solo’s Bloodline to be had, which allows Nakamura to retain and perhaps move on. Though, I don’t think anyone would complain if someone like Jacob Fatu got in on the US Championship story, as Nakamura VS Jacob would be awesome. Carmelo Hayes might also get in on the Solo Sikoa story since he namedropped him and kayfabe’d why Braun Strowman’s out. The real reason is a nasty flu that Braun himself confirmed took 36 pounds off of him. Well wishes to the Monster of All Monsters, hopefully he can come back to continue his part in this story.

Great stuff with the tag division, Los Garza VS Pretty Deadly was a natural move, and MCMG VS ATDU was a great bonus. Legado del Fantasma is oddly turning Face by default, so technically both Face teams won tonight. That’s totally fine as it all works in story. Los Garza needed to give Pretty Deadly their comeuppance for falsely accusing them, and we got a very good promo between Pretty Deadly, DIY and Apollo. And while MCMG’s win brings them closer to a tag title rematch, I also hope we get a little closer to ATDU’s meltdown. We waited so long in 2024, maybe 2025 is the time. DIY was even upset seeing MCMG win, that moment could be used to have DIY get Theory away from Waller to unofficially reestablish The Way.

That Women’s Fatal 4 coming outta nowhere was great stuff, and I’m sure they just wanted it to look “impromptu.” It was something resulting from the brawl after that very good promo segment, and it was perhaps the best match of the night because of how great Nia, Bayley, Naomi & Bianca all are. Bayley makes a natural choice as Bianca & Naomi are tag team champions and have those to defend, and Nia can’t get her rematch just yet, that needs a bigger stage, such as Saturday Night’s Main Event or the Royal Rumble PLE. Bayley VS Tiff next week will still be great stuff, but surely that is so Tiff has a solid first defense on her reign before facing Nia again.

And of course, we still got more good stuff from The Bloodline. Heyman being here without Roman is certainly a throwback to those earlier days, and I do appreciate that Roman is actually willing to work for his rematch by entering the Royal Rumble. Plus, that pumps the star power of that match up even more, as John Cena just declared on Monday and CM Punk declared weeks ago. Then of course Kevin Owens had to get on Cody’s nerves, and then Jacob & Tama started trouble so that Cody & Jimmy would go out after them. Great main event tag match, but obviously Kevin was getting involved there, giving Tama & Jacob the win.

Solo Sikoa’s return to SmackDown will be next week, and there will surely be some interesting interactions between him and his team. Solo lost, the rules are that he must acknowledge Roman Reigns as Tribal Chief, and that could upset Jacob, Tama, and by extension Tonga Loa. And with Hikuleo still on standby (cuz he sure isn’t in AEW or NJPW), maybe Jacob builds his own faction, Hikuleo as the fourth man, and they start going wild on SmackDown, sending Solo crawling back to Roman. The punctuation on that can be Roman forgiving Solo, because he’s family and that’s what matters. It’d be a great moment for Roman to show he has changed for the better, and it fits what the OG Bloodline was saying going into WarGames.

My Score: 8.9/10