YEAH VS YEHYEHYEHYEHYEHYEH!

LA Knight wants payback on Solo Sikoa’s rogue Bloodline, starting with The Good Bad Guy, Tama Tonga! But… is Solo Sikoa even still in charge?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Motor City Machine Guns VS Pretty Deadly; MCMG wins.
• Mia Yim & B-Fab VS Chelsea Green & Piper Niven; Mia & B-Fab win.
• Six Woman Tag: Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair & Naomi VS Nia Jax, Candice LeRae & Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; Nia, Candice & Liv win.
• Johnny Gargano w/ Tommaso Ciampa VS Apollo Crews; Apollo wins.
• LA Knight VS Tama Tonga w/ Jacob Fatu; Knight wins.
• Damian Priest VS Carmelo Hayes; Priest wins.
• Kevin Owens VS Jimmy Uso; Kevin wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Joe Tessitore is in the ring.

He welcomes all the Longhorns here in Austin to SmackDown, and he welcomes out the WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes! The fans fire up as The American Nightmare makes his entrance, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody high-fives fans, goes to the ring, and he shakes hands with Joe. Joe says it’s a pleasure, and Austin cheers Cody on. Joe knows Cody always appreciates his family legacy, and that’s even more special here, because this is the hometown of The Son of a Plumber, Dusty Rhodes. But 24 hours from now, Shawn Michaels will moderate the contract signing for the ladder match at the Royal Rumble.

That means Cody will have to turn over something of his that is most cherished. With that thought, knowing that title will be gone for a week then suspended above, how does Cody feel knowing this could be the last moment with this title in his grasp? The fans cheer Cody again and Cody smiles. Cody says HBK is certainly the perfect person to moderate this contract signing tomorrow night. Cody saw HBK win not just one but two Royal Rumble matches, and he also knows a thing or two about ladder matches. And the WWE as a company has put the future of this company in the hands of HBK with NXT.

Cody has no problem handing over his title to HBK. Now, we’re in a season where everyone will talk about main eventing WrestleMania, and making WrestleMania Moments. It is very simple how you walk into WrestleMania and how you main event it: You have the Undisputed Championship with you. Joe says tomorrow night, Saturday Night’s Main Event, the last one of these saw a “post match horror” between Cody and Kevin Owens involving a package piledriver. Cody was out of action, only just recently cleared. It has been on-sight with Kevin ever since, so how can Cody explain what he sees in this version of KO?

Cody isn’t sure. Austin, what do you think about Kevin? The fans boo, and Cody smirks. Cody says you can ask this in ever locker room, the ecosystem of this sport, and you’ll get a mixed bag, a lot of opinions, and a lot of people judge the book by its cover. You shouldn’t do that with Kevin because he will subvert expectations every time with the feats he is capable of. Kevin is a genius in the ring, a hell of an athlete, a once in a generation athlete. But what hurts when it comes to Kevin Owens is that when he was faced with a choice of the easy way out or the hard way, 10 times out of 10, Kevin will choose the easy way out.

But that’s why a ladder match is so apt. There is not a referee to stop them, there is not a referee to miss a count, there is not a referee to call for a disqualification! It is simply about who can climb the ladder, find the grit, pull down the belt, and leave Lucas Oil Stadium as THE WWE Champion. Joe says that the ladder match is one week away, that’ll be the biggest title defense in Cody’s reign. But tomorrow, he will still be face to face with Kevin. Joe isn’t sure, based on the version of Kevin we’ve seen, that Kevin can remain calm enough to truly listen. But if Cody could look him in the eyes and say something before arriving in Indianapolis, what would Cody say?

Cody takes a moment to think while the fans cheer him on again. Cody says if he could look Kevin in the eyes, he’d say… That yes, maybe Cody smile and shake hands and appear to be a good guy, because that is what he’s trying to be. But that doesn’t mean that when you press a button, that this gnawing and pettiness ceases, that this covert BS, that this overt BS, like a package piledriver, continues. Cody would tell Kevin to not forget that Cody defeated Der Ring General! Cody dethroned the greatest champion of this era! Cody is the WWE QB in form and in function. Cody is the Grandson of a Plumber, but he is also the student of Randy Orton!

Before anybody loved The American Nightmare, Cody was as mean as they could get! Kevin, Cody has no problem punching you firmly in your face, right in the front seat of that car where you do your promos from, on the way to that Island of Self-Righteousness that you live on! Simply put, going into the Royal Rumble, Cody has one thing to say: Good luck. The fans cheer that! Cody shakes Joe’s hand and is more than ready for what’s coming, but will Kevin again subvert expectations between now and Indianapolis?

DIY talks backstage.

They talk about Johnny Gargano going after Apollo Crews. Gargano says he had it coming, he talks too much. Pretty Deadly walks over and Kit Wilson says tonight is a big night. Elton Prince says they wanna know the game plan. Game plan? Tommaso Ciampa is already annoyed but Gargano says he has a match with Apollo tonight. He’s got to to get ready, so sorry, but DIY can’t be out there to help. Elton says they made this arrangement, and Kit says they’re not feeling the quid pro quo. Ciampa says DIY are THE WWE Tag Team Champions! Are Kit & Elton questioning their integrity? No, they aren’t doing that.

But… Pretty Deadly does have Motor City Machine Guns tonight. They know that. So just handle your business. Kit says they will, but what about Legado? Ciampa says again: Handle your business! Gargano says they believe in Pretty Deadly. Do whatever they have to in order to get this done! #YesBoy! DIY leaves, Pretty Deadly heads out, but then Pretty Deadly runs across Legado Del Fantasma. Santos Escobar looks them up and down, then smiles. Legado steps aside, but will there still be scores to settle after Pretty Deadly “handles” things?

Motor City Machine Guns VS Pretty Deadly!

Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin beat A-Town Down Under, they beat Los Garza, so now they look to wrap up by beating Kit & Elton. Will MCMG run the table in this unofficial round robin? Or will DIY actually be saying #YesBoy to a tag title defense with Pretty Deadly?

SmackDown returns and Pretty Deadly makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Elton starts against Sabin. They tie up, Elton puts Sabin in a corner, and then Elton stomps Sabin! Elton whips corner to corner but Sabin goes up and over! Sabin arm-drags Elton down, then arm-drags him again! Elton avoids the leg sweep to BOOT Sabin! Elton CLUBS Sabin, headlocks, but Shelley tags in as Sabin powers up and out. Sabin drops down, Shelley ROCKS Elton, and MCMG pinballs Elton around. They double wrench, maypole the arms, and then DOUBLE GIRI SANDWICH! Elton falls, the fans fire up, and Shelley brings Elton around.

Elton stomps Shelley’s foot, then scoops to SLAM him! Tag to Kit, but Shelley BOOTS Kit away! Shelley fires forearms and body shots, then he tags Sabin. MCMG whips Kit, then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! ELton gets mad but MCMG DOUBLE PUNCH him! Kit runs back up, into a DOUBLE FLAPJACK! Cover, ONE, but Sabin whips. Kit reverses, then distracts the ref so Elton can get a cheap shot in! Sabin ROCKS Elton for it, but Kit CLOBBERS Sabin! Sabin falls out of the ring, Elton tags in so he can go after Sabin on the outside! The fans boo but Pretty Deadly POST Sabin! Then they TOSS him over the barriers!

The fans are torn but Shelley attacks Pretty Deadly! The ref has everyone calm it down, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Pretty Deadly regroups in the ring and soaks up the heat while Shelley checks on Sabin. Sabin makes his way back over the barriers, and Elton goes out to fetch him. Elton puts Sabin in the ring, he soaks up more heat, then he rains down fists! Elton lets off to tag in Kit, and Pretty Deadly drags Sabin up. They mug Sabin, Kit covers, TWO! Kit drags Sabin up to wrench and whip, then HIP TOSS! Cover, TWO! Sabin stays in this but Kit stays on him with a rain of forearms! Cover, TWO! Kit snarls and he clamps onto Sabin with a cobra clutch! Sabin endures, fights up, wrenches out, and he hits a JAWBREAKER!

But Kit yoyos in the ropes to LARIAT! Sabin’s down and Kit tags Elton. Kit drops knees on Sabin’s arm, then Elton KNEES him in the back! Elton clamps on a top wristlock and he grinds Sabin down. Sabin fights up, fires body shots, then runs, but Elton catches him! Elton RAMS Sabin into the Pretty Deadly corner! Tag to Kit and he taunts Shelley before he UPPERCUTS Sabin! Kit drags Sabin to a cover, TWO! Kit drags Sabin up to UPPERCUT, and Sabin goes to ropes. Kit CHOKES Sabin while SmackDown returns to single picture. The ref counts, the fans boo, but Kit lets off at 4. Kit stomps Sabin, rains down fists, then he stomps Sabin again.

Kit tags Elton, they sit Sabin up for more stomps! Elton UPPERCUTS Sabin, puts him back in the corner, and he fires UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT! Elton knees low, then tags Kit. Shelley protests and the fans boo, but then Sabin fights back with CHOPS! Kit kicks low, Elton runs up, but Sabin TOSSES Elton up and out! Sabin BOOTS Kit, then runs up to GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up while both men are down! Kit and Sabin crawl for their corners, hot tags to Elton and Shelley! Shelley fires haymakers on Elton! And he ELBOWS Elton! And DECKS him! Elton gets under, Kit runs in, but Shelley still BACKDROPS Kit away!

Shelley spins things around to facelock Elton, then he catches Kit on the return! COMPLETE SHOT DDT COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton flounders away, Kit runs up, but Shelley TOSSES Kit! Tag to Sabin, Shelley runs to WRECK Pretty Deadly with a dropkick! Then Shelley holds the way open, Sabin DIVES to take Pretty Deadly out! Sabin puts Elton in, he and Shelley coordinate. UPPERCUT in the corner, tag to Shelley, and a feed to the clinch! Sabin goes up but Elton fights free! Elton sends Shelley into ropes and that trips Sabin up! Tag to Kit, Elton KNEES Shelley and whips. Shelley reverses but Kit goes up and over Elton!

Shelley runs up, Elton gives Kit the boost, BAD APPLE MARTI-KNEES! Shelley sputters, Sabin runs in, but Elton hurdles for Kit to DDT Sabin! Shelley staggers up, Elton tags back in! Elton brings Shelley around, Kit goes up! Half nelson and lift, FLYING BULLDOG!! Cover, TWO!! Shelley survives that combo, but Elton tags Kit back in! They hoist Shelley up, but Sabin climbs! Sabin MISSILE DORPKICKS Elton! Shelley slips free, Kit ROCKS Sabin! Kit dodges Shelley and kicks low! Kit whips but Sabin sneaks the tag! Shelley reveres to then pop Kit up! DREAM SEQUENCE! The fans fire up and we get the BOOT ENZIGIRI COMBO!

Kit staggers, Shelley tags back in! Shelley goes up, Sabin turns Kit, SKULL & BONES!! Cover, MCMG wins!

Winners: Motor City Machine Guns, by pinfall

Pretty Deadly brought out their best stuff, but it wasn’t good enough to stop the best! MCMG is putting DIY on notice, will they get those tag titles back soon enough?

Nick Aldis meets with The Miz.

Miz shakes hands with the SmackDown General Manager, and says he saw that interview Cody Rhodes did with Joe Tessitore. Joe does a great interview, but it’s no MizTV. Is that why Miz is here tonight? Is he to get Kevin’s side of the story? Um… No one told him? Miz isn’t just here for a visit, he is on SmackDown now. The Transfer Window. No. Yes. Seriously? Yes, welcome to team blue. Miz says the Wyatts are here, though. Yes, they are. No, Miz had them moved here strategically so he could get away from them! Why is he here?! Did Karrion Kross betray him!? Aldis says Miz might need to make some new friends, and fast.

The Hollywood A-Lister is not happy that he’s where Bo Dallas can find him, but will Miz find a way to avoid disaster? Or is this going to be the last time he’s on the USA Network?

Kevin Owens storms out here.

The Prizefighter tells Joe Tessitore that he’d love to know where HIS interview was! Explain that to him, Joe! Joe interviews Cody but not Kevin? What kind of journalist is he? Kevin can’t believe he’s going to say this, but Joe makes him miss Michael Cole! Of course, Cole is too busy kissing Pat McAfee’s ass to be here! Just like everyone is too busy kissing Cody Rhodes’ ass! Joe, The Rock, EVERYONE! Kevin gets on the desk with his Winged Eagle title, and he asks Joe why everyone wants to be Cody’s friend. Here’s what happens to Cody’s friends: He uses them then betrays them!

But that’s okay, because at the Royal Rumble, Kevin will prove to everyone that he is the TRUE, RIGHTFUL WWE Champion! Oh, what’re you looking at, McConaughey? McConaughey tells Kevin, “Boo-hoo.” Kevin says at the Rumble, he’ll beat Cody just like how Ohio State beat the stupid Longhorns. The fans boo even more, but then wait! Jimmy Uso is here! Kevin says McConaughey is lucky, and Kevin hops off the desk as #BigJim goes to the ring. Kevin has them cut “that terrible music,” and he asks what this is. What does Jimmy even want? Jimmy steps to Kevin in the ring and says this is cuz Kevin talks too damn much.

UPPERCUT! Jimmy tackles Kevin, rains down fists, but Kevin shoves him away! Jimmy SUPERKICKS Kevin down! T he fans fire up as Jimmy climbs, but Kevin scrambles away! The fans boo but Jimmy grins. Jimmy tells Kevin, “Where you running to, boy?” Things get weird in Austin? How about tonight, we get Kevin Owens VS Jimmy Uso! HOOK ‘EM! McConaughey approves! Will Jimmy make sure Kevin is anything but ready for Saturday Night’s Main Event?

SmackDown returns and…

Nick Aldis finishes a phone as Carmelo Hayes walks in. Melo asks what’s going on here. Kevin VS Jimmy? It was supposed to be H1M VS Jimmy! Aldis knows, things happen. But the match of Melo VS Jimmy will be next week. Though this is also quite the opening. The Transfer Window has brought another star over to SmackDown, and Melo would make the perfect first opponent. Melo doesn’t trust that. Aldis did that with Braun. Melo wants to see this guy first. That’s fair. In fact, he could wait a moment because he’s on his way. Melo says that’s perfect. He’ll tell this guy that SmackDown is the land of the sharks. Melo will humble and embarrass this guy!

Aldis says he looks forward to seeing that. But could Melo be setting himself up for another moment like with the Monster of All Monsters?

Mia Yim & B-Fab VS Chelsea Green & Piper Niven!

There is safety in numbers, so in order for Michin and Miss Fabulous to get even, they’re sticking together! Will they look to humble the Hot Mess and her “Spicy Service Agent?” Or will the blue brand still be #RedWhite&Green?

The teams sort out and Mia starts against Piper. They tie up but then Mia dodges to fire forearms and CHOPS! Mia headlocks, but Piper keeps her from B-Fab. Piper sends Mia to the corner, then runs in, but Mia dodges! Mia HEEL KICKS and Piper wobbles! Chelsea tags in and talks smack, but Mia bends Chelsea’s accusing finger! Mia TOSSES Chelsea, then brings her up to wrench. Chelsea says no to Da Feet, and she chicken wings. Mia fights the spin and shoves Chelsea to a corner. Mia CHOPS, then says get this twerk! But Piper says you can’t do that to the champ! Mia DECKS Piper, then runs in to CANNONBALL! Chelsea dodges and Mia hits buckles!

Chelsea stomps and KICKS Mia around, then she stands Mia up. Chelsea salutes, snap suplexes, and covers, TWO! Mia stays in this, but Chelsea stands on Mia’s hair and pulls the arms! Chelsea then argues with the ref. Mia KICKS Chelsea away, so Chelsea tags Piper! Piper drags Mia back, but Mia kicks and kicks and BOOTS Piper away! Piper runs back up, but Mia avoids the elbow drop! The fans fire up and Mia crawls! Piper also crawls, hot tags to Chelsea end B-Fab! B-Fab dodges to fire forearms on Chelsea! B-Fab SLAPS Chelsea, struts around, then runs up to LEG LARIAT! B-Fab whips Chelsea, then swings to BOOT Chelsea down!

Chelsea staggers up, B-Fab gets around, DDT! Cover, Piper runs up to ELBOW DROP the whole thing! Piper realizes that hurt Chelsea, too! Piper says she’ll fix it! She shoves B-Fab, Mia tags in before B-Fab takes that SCRAPBUSTER! Piper talks smack, but Mia SHOTUGNS her down! Chelsea has Mia’s arms! But Mia wrenches out, to make Chelsea EAT DA FEET! Cover, Mia & B-Fab win!

Winners: Mia Yim & B-Fab, by pinfall

Not only did they win, The Head Baddie in Charge gets a pin on the Women’s US Champion! Can Mia make good on one more shot at the title?

Melo is still waiting.

He’s pacing and saying Aldis won’t embarrass H1M this time. But then in steps Damian Priest! The Punisher shakes hands with Aldis, and Aldis says he can’t wait to get started. Priest feels the same way. Melo says, “Nah… Nah…!” Oh, right, sorry. Aldis tells Priest that Melo was interested in a 1v1 match with him here tonight. Oh, is that so? Well, Priest is here to work, and he’s ready to punch in. Melo storms off, Aldis tells him to lace ’em up tight. Priest thanks Aldis, and it looks like the former world champion is already settling in. Melo may not miss, but will he ever learn not to shoot his mouth off?

Charlotte Flair speaks.

“There is a difference between confidence and arrogance. Arrogance is insecurity. It’s convincing someone of who you are. Confidence is knowing. It’s walking into a room and everyone sits up straight because they know The GOAT doesn’t have to call themselves The GOAT. Now, I have crafted a legacy that no one, and I mean no one, can touch. And I know exactly who I am. And I’m back. So when I walk through that curtain and enter the Royal Rumble with a smile on my face and a tear in my eye, I’m going to remind you all who owns the night. WOO~!” The Queen is on her way back, will she take over this Road to WrestleMania?

Tiffany Stratton is here!

Austin fires up because it’s #TiffyTime! The WWE Women’s Champion struts right to the ring, and she gets herself a mic. “Once again, I am the center of everybody’s attention. Because next week, at the Royal Rumble, 30 women will be fighting for a chance to face me at WrestleMania. Which is funny because just last week, I beat last year’s Royal Rumble winner, Bayley. So I’m not worried even in the slightest. And next week, whoever wins, they’re gonna be running on Tiffy Time.” BUT WAIT! Rhea Ripley is here?! The fans go wild and Tiff is shocked to see the WWE Women’s WORLD Champion here on SmackDown!

Rhea smiles and makes her way to the ring, and she grabs herself a mic. Rhea knows Tiff is still a little bit new here, but she wants Tiff to know, she’s a champion, too. So champion to champion, Rhea just wants to say that she respects what Tiff did to Nia Jax. But it won’t compare to what Rhea does to Nia on Saturday Night’s Main Event. Well hold on, here comes Nia Jax now! She and Candice LeRae are on stage, and Nia says, Look what we have here.” First, why is she catching strays? That’s rude. Right, Candice? Yes, very rude. Nia says she wants both champions to know this is a historic moment.

Because see, Nia is officially announcing that she is entering and winning the Women’s Royal Rumble! The fans continue to boo as Nia & Candice go to the ring. Fans chant “You Suck!” and Nia tells one of ’em, “Your mom sucks, kid!” Nia says she knows what everyone is thinking: Isn’t Rhea’s title reign gonna end tomorrow night when Nia beats her? Yes, you’re correct. But Nia is gonna beat Rhea~ Ripley~ AND still win the Royal Rumble, so Nia can take the title that is rightfully hers! WAIT! Now we add Bianca Belair & Naomi! The fans fire up as the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions make their way out, mics already in hand.

The StrongEST Glow can ‘t believe this. The ring is filling up real quick. But that is why they came out here to say that Naomi will be entering and WINNING the Women’s Royal Rumble! Bianca says she likes that, except that she is also entering and winning the Royal Rumble! But if Bianca doesn’t win, then maybe Naomi wins. Yes, that’s a good point, because if Naomi doesn’t win, Bianca will win. So long as one of them wins, that’s all that matters! It definitely won’t be anyone else. And certainly not Nia. Hold on! Now Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez are here! Liv has a mic to say, “Well, well, well. Raquel, look what we have here.”

There’s the girl that lost her man to a real woman, that’s Rhea. Then there’s the wannabe Liv holding a title that’d look way better on Liv, in Tiffy. And we have a bunch of other women declaring for the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble, but Liv~ doesn’t~ care~! Do you know why she doesn’t? Because the headline won’t be about them, it’ll be about her! Liv hereby declares her entry to the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble. And not only that, but she declares her victory! And she is the only person in this company who can do that. Why? Because Raquel Rodriguez is going to ensure that victory for the Royal Rumb- HEADBUTT from Rhea!!

The fans fire up as the brawl breaks out! Nia & Candice mug Rhea, Naomi & Bianca fight Raquel, but Liv gets up to help Raquel. Tiff got away and is laughing at everyone else going wild. Rhea ROUNDHOUSES Nia! The tag champs toss Liv & Raquel, and they stand tall with Rhea. Aldis makes his way out here, what will he do to sort out the madness?

Six Woman Tag: Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair & Naomi VS Nia Jax, Candice LeRae & Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!

SmackDown returns and in Aldis’ best Teddy Long, he’s put together this tag match! Will Mami & The StrongEST Glow shine together as champions? Or will the Irresistible Force, the Poison Pixie & the Liv Morgan Revenge Tour be rolling on the Road to WrestleMania?

The teams sort out, Rhea and Nia start, and the fans rally up. Rhea and Nia talk trash, but then Nia runs away to tag Candice. Rhea takes a deep breath, Nia is just playing games. Candice runs up to fire forearms, then runs the ropes. Candice ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl, but Rhea stops the crucifix takedown. Candice swings but Rhea stops the arm-drag! Rhea throws Candice to a corner, but Candice BOOTS back! Candice goes up, TORNADO- NO, Rhea stops the DDT! Rhea suplexes Candice and holds her up! Bianca reaches out to tag in, Rhea SLAMS Candice down! Bianca tags Naomi, they run up on Nia to DOUBLE DROPKICK!

Liv stays back while Naomi gets a boost from Rhea & Bianca, rockabye baby in the treetop SPLASH for Nia! Then a cover on Candice, TWO! Naomi keeps Candice back, but Candice BOOTS her away! Tag to Liv, but Naomi RANAS first! Liv flounders, Naomi tags Bianca. The tag champs double whip Liv to DOUBLE HIP TOSS! Then Bianca and Naomi secret handshake before the STANDING MOONSAULT LEG DROP COMBO! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Bianca while Liv scrambles to a corner. Bianca runs up and RAMS into Liv! Bianca then climbs up and she rains down fists! The fans count along, but Candice runs up from the apron!

Bianca gives Candice number six, but Liv YANKS the braid! Nia tags in, Bianca BACKFLIPS free! Bianca DROPKICKS Liv, kips up, but Nia LARIATS Bianca down! Nia soaks up the heat then LASHES Bianca with her own braid! The ref reprimands, Nia HEADBUTTS Bianca down, then she DRIBBLES Bianca off the mat! Nia soaks up heat, tells Rhea to “SUCK IT!” and then she brings Bianca up. Nia scoops Bianca, SLAMS her into the drop zone, then goes up the corner! But Bianca stands to SHOVE Nia over! Bianca ROCKS Nia, Nia falls to the floor! Raquel checks Nia while Bianca crawls for her corner.

The fans rally, Nia sputters, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Nia drags herself up and into the ring, hot tag to Candice! Hot tag to Naomi! Naomi rallies on Candice with LARIAT after LARIAT, then she whips. REARVIEW! Naomi is all fired up but Candice flounders away. Nia tags back in and she storms up on Naomi. Naomi fires forearms but Nia shoves her away. Naomi slides under the lariat, MULE KICKS, then DROPKICKS! Nia staggers around, Naomi runs up on her, but Nia puts Naomi on the apron. Liv runs up but Naomi DECKS her! Naomi RAMS Nia, then brings her into the ropes for a slingshot sun- NO, Nia stays up out of the sunset! Candice keeps Naomi down, Nia SITS on Naomi! Cover, TWO!!

Naomi survives that downsized A-Nia-Lator but only barely. Nia argues with the ref about it, but then she tags Candice. Candice stomps Naomi, CHOKES her on the ropes, but lets off at the ref’s count. Candice drags Naomi back, covers, TWO! Candice keeps Naomi down with a facelock but Naomi endures the grind. Naomi fights up, fires body shots, and she backs Candice down! Candice digs her heels in, but Naomi wrenches out to ENZIGIRI! Naomi crawls, reaches out, but Candice CLOBBERS her! No tag, and Candice drags Naomi all the way back. Liv tags in and she stomps away on Naomi!

Liv drags Naomi up, reels her in, and snap suplexes! Una Amiga, and Liv hits another snap suplex! That’s Dos Amigas, and then THREE AMIGAS! Liv shouts out Dirty Dom, then ENZIGIRIS Naomi! SmackDown returns to single picture with the cover, TWO! Liv is frustrated but she drags Naomi back. Nia tags in, Nia stomps Naomi, and then Nia whips Naomi to a corner. Nia runs up to SPLASH in a corner! Naomi sits down, Nia says kiss this, HIP ATTACK! And STINK FACE! Nia rubs it in, then soaks up the heat. Nia storms back up, but Naomi kicks her low! And kicks again! Naomi stands to ROCK Nia, and roll her up! TWO!

Nia is up, and she CLUBS Naomi down! Nia brings Naomi away to tag Candice. They mug Naomi, the fans rally for Rhea, but Liv tells them to shut up. Candice snapmares for a NECK SNAPPER! Then jackknife bridge, TWO! Candice knees on Naomi’s neck but the ref notices that. Candice steps away to stomp Naomi, but Naomi KICKS from below! Naomi crawls, Candice CLUBS her down, then Candice sucker punches Rhea! The fans boo but Candice snap suplexes! Cover, but the ref is busy with Rhea! Candice drags Naomi to the corner, argues with the ref, then she stands on Naomi. The ref counts, Candice steps off at 4.

The fans rally for “MAMI! MAMI!” but Candice keeps on Naomi. Naomi fights back, but Candice blocks the kick! But the REBOUND ENZIGIRI takes Candice down! Liv panics, but Nia already YANKS Rhea off the apron! The fans boo as Nia gets away with one! Liv then YANKS Bianca down! The ref can’t keep up with all these underhanded tactics! Candice RAMS Naomi into the corner, but Naomi fights free! Naomi goes up and up and FLYING FACEBUSTERS Candice! The fans fire up as everyone is down! Raquel coaches Liv and Nia, but Rhea rises! Naomi crawls her way over, hot tag to Rhea! The fans are thunderous for Mami!

Rhea rallies on Liv with LARIAT after LARIAT, then a ripcord and HOOK KICK! Then a FACEBUSTER! SLIDING KICK! Rhea runs to DROPKICK Nia & Candice! Raquel is furious but the ref stops her from storming in! Rhea goes after Raquel, but Liv hits a BACKSTABBER! Rhea tumbles, Bianca tags in! Bianca stops Liv’s Code Breaker to throw her back! Liv returns, but Bianca wrenches and suplexes! Liv slips free, but Bianca ducks the enzigiri! Bianca handsprings, knocks Candice down with it, but Liv’s knees hit the moonsault! Both Liv and Bianca runs, and Bianca SPEARS Liv!! Cover, Nia breaks it!

The fans boo but Naomi runs up! POP-UP HEADBUTT from Nia! Rhea HEADBUTTS Nia!! RIP- NO, Liv jumps on Rhea! Rhea still DECKS Nia, then she THROWS Liv off her! Rhea pump handles Liv, RIPTIDE onto Nia!! Raquel is up again, so Rhea BOOTS her back down! But Candice DUMPS Rhea to the apron! And then CODE BREAKER in the ropes! Rhea falls, but Bianca torture racks Candice! KISS OF DEATH!! Only for Liv to ghost pin Bianca! LIV’S TEAM WINS!!

Winner: Nia Jax, Candice LeRae & Liv Morgan, by pinfall

The EST had this, but the chaos allowed Liv to steal it from her! Will the Royal Rumble be even wilder than this? Will the Liv Morgan Revenge Tour go all the way to WrestleMania?

Chelsea Green & Piper Niven regroup backstage.

Chelsea complains even while Piper tends to her. Where was Piper? Look what happened! How did it happen!? Mia & B-Fab walk in, and B-Fab says it happened because the math is finally mathing, and things were even. And Piper has to protect Chelsea even more now since Mia has back-up. And Mia is feeling real good about taking that US title. Actually, Mia talked with Aldis, and she gets one final crack at it next week. Good luck, Chelsea. You’re gonna need it. Mia & B-Fab head out, and Piper says they need a bigger security detail. But who could they possibly get that can stomach- er, guard Chelsea Green?

Johnny Gargano w/ Tommaso Ciampa VS Apollo Crews!

Johnny Wrestling doesn’t appreciate Apollo telling Pretty Deadly the truth, so he has to shut him up personally. Will DIY show Pretty Deadly how to handle business? Or will Apollo show up Gargano 1v1?

SmackDown returns as Apollo makes his entrance. The bell rings and the brawl is on! Apollo runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then he RUNS Gargano over! Apollo suplexes Gargano, holds him up, but Gargano fires knees! Apollo keeps Gargano off the mat to suplex again! The fans fire up for the SLAM! Apollo then storms up on Gargano at the ropes. Gargano fires hands in return, then whips. Apollo reverses, hurdles, then drops down. Apollo DROPKICKS Gargano and the fans fire up! Gargano bails out but Apollo aims, PLANCHA! Gargano slips in, Apollo lands on his feet. Gargano slides out but Apollo dodges to ASAI MOONSAULT!

The fans fire up with Apollo, but Apollo keeps his eyes on Ciampa. Apollo puts Gargano in the ring, goes up a corner, and he leaps, only for Gargano to move! Apollo rolls through the splash, but the SUPERKICK hits! Cover, TWO! Gargano is already frustrated but he stomps Apollo in the corner. The ref counts, Gargano stops at 4, but Ciampa is there to talk trash on Apollo. Gargano and Ciampa applaud themselves, pat themselves on the back, and Apollo goes to another corner. Gargano runs up, but into a BOOT! And an ELBOW! Apollo blocks a kick to mule kick, KNEE LIFT, and whip! LEAPING LARIAT!

The fans fire up with Apollo and he military presses Gargano! The fans fire up for the PRESS SLAM! And then STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Gargano survives but Apollo keeps cool. Gargano goes to a corner, Apollo builds speed, but Gargano dodges! Gargano comes back, blocks a kick, and he puts it in the ropes to KICK the thigh! Then ENZIGIRI! Apollo is stuck in the ropes, DRAPING BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Gargano grows frustrated again but Ciampa still talks trash on Apollo. Gargano brings Apollo up, but Apollo ROCKS Gargano! Gargano fires forearms in return, but Apollo fires back!

The fans rally behind Apollo but Gargano fires a flurry! And a ROLLING ELBOW! But Apollo BOOTS! Gargano rebounds, but Apollo ENZIGIRIS! Apollo runs up, but Gargano sends him out! Apollo clutches his arm, Gargano distracts the ref, Ciampa KNEES Apollo down!! Ciampa puts Apollo in and Gargano brings Apollo up. But wait, MCMG is making their way out here! DIY tells MCMG to watch themselves, but Apollo rolls Gargano! APOLLO WINS!

Winner: Apollo Crews, by pinfall

DIY should’ve been watching themselves, because Apollo just snatched victory from the jaws of defeat! MCMG shrug, but will DIY have to face the facts that they can’t do it themselves?

Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga walk backstage.

The Samoan Werewolf says, “YEAH! Tomorrow night, Braun Strowman…. The Werewolf VS The Monster. Hell, Godzilla VS King Kong. Hell, you ain’t Godzilla or King Kong! Cuz I’m BOTH! Hey, don’t get it twisted now, Braun. They don’t make ’em like me no more! They ain’t never made ’em like me! I’m off the scale with it. I’m raw, uncut with it. I’m all gas, no brakes with it. Know what I mean?! First off, LA Knight, my taka ua is coming live!” Tama Tonga adds, “With everybody saying, YEHYEHYEHYEHYEH!” The Good Bad Guy makes his way to the ring, Jacob at his back. Will the rogues of the Bloodline be even more dangerous without Solo Sikoa around?

LA Knight VS Tama Tonga w/ Jacob Fatu!

SmackDown returns and The Mega Star makes his entrance, “YEAH!” But Knight gets a mic to say cut it. “LEMME TALK TO YA!” The man they call The Mega Star is in the building in Austin, and that means these two cross-eyed halfwits have hell to pay! “YEAH!” They ain’t gonna cost him the US Championship and think they’re getting away with it. He may not have ended up on top, but he got his ass kicked and was willing to take it if it meant getting a piece of them. But tonight, he won’t just get a piece, he’s getting a whole big chunk! “Tommy Tonga” just drew the short straw, and that means he’ll get the BFT for his troubles.

And if Jacob wants to get his fat head in here, Knight will kick him so hard, he won’t be able to stop the shakes. Knight mocks Jacob’s shaking around, and says that there might not be anything left for Braun on Saturday. Sorry, Braun, but it’s gotta be done. But it starts right now with Tama getting his first class ticket to getting his head stomped in! With everybody saying, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” Knight storms in, dodges Tama’s sucker punch, and the brawl is on! The bell rings and the fans fire up as Knight fires more shots! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight whips, Tama reverses to ROCK Knight!

Tama fires hands, CLUBS Knight, then fires even more shots. Tama whips, Knight ducks ‘n’ dodges to then catch Tama, POWERSLAM! Cover, ONE!! Tama survives but Knight stomps him. Tama goes to ropes, Knight stomps him, then Knight ROPE GUILLOTINES! Tama tumbles out, Knight pursues, and Knight fires more hands. Knight stalks Tama, SMACKS him off the barriers, and the fans fire up. Knight whips, Tama reverses, and Knight hits the barriers now! Knight staggers, the fans cheer him on, but Tama runs and uses the steps! FLYING- NO, Knight catches Tama to FLAPJACK him off the barriers!

Knight winds up and he LARIATS Tama into the crowd! The fans fire up as Knight stands on the corner. “YEAH!” Knight then goes back out, and he drags Tama up, only for Tama to HOTSHOT him off barriers! Knight staggers away, Tama climbs up, and Tama tightrope walks so he can FLYING LARIAT! Down goes Knight and Tama soaks up the heat. The ring count is climbing, but Tama fires hands on Knight. Tama brings Knight over but Knight SMACKS Tama off the apron! Knight puts Tama in at 8 of 10, then RAMS into him! Knight slingshots, FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Tama right up to whip him again.

Knight BACKDROPS Tama, and Tama flounders. Knight runs up to LARIAT Tama out of the ring! The fans fire up again and Knight goes after Tama. Knight stares Jacob down, but Tama runs up! Knight counter punches Tama, stalks him, then he blocks a kick But Tama blocks the lariat to COMPLETE SHOT into the steps! Knight goes down in a heap and the fans boo, but SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Knight fires hands on Tama! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight scoops, Tama slips free, but Knight buck sthe O’Conner! SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Tama stays in this and Jacob seethes. Knight whips, Tama grabs ropes, and then Tama DUMPS Knight ot the apron! Knight ROCKS Tama, steps in, but Tama grabs a leg! DRAGON SCREW! Knight clutches that leg but Tama drops an ELBOW on the knee! And another! And then Tama DDTS the foot! Knight crawls away but Tama stalks him to the corner. Tama stomps Knight, then HEADBUTTS him! The fans rally and Knight rises.

Tama reels Knight in, but knight slips free of the suplex, to hit a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Tama survives, Knight whips, but Tama reverses. Kitchen sink knee for Knight! Tama paces while the fans boo. The fans rally for Knight but Tama clamps onto Knight’s shoulders. Tama digs the claws in, but Knight fights up. Knight fires elbows, fires haymakers, but Tama knees low! Tama whips, Knight LEAPING LARIATS! The fans fire up as Knight rains down fists! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight stands Tama up to whip him hard into a corner, then JUMPING NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up with Knight again while Tama goes to thea pron.

Knight storms over, but Tama RAMS into him! Knight ROCKS Tama in return, “This is Awesome!” Knight storms back up, but Tama HOTSHOTS Knight! Tama hurries back up, but Knight BLASTS him off the apron! Tama hits the desk, and then Knight WRECKS Tama with a dropkick! Knight huffs ‘n’ puffs as he drags Tama up and into the ring. Knight hurries to reel Tama in, but Tama fights the torture rack! Tama fires hands, but Knight dodges the boot! Tama dodges a lariat to VENOM DDT! Cover, TWO!! Tama seethes as Knight survives. Tama stalks Knight to a corner, hoists him up top, and he climbs up.

But Knight fires haymakers! Tama and Knight brawl, “YEAH! BOO!” Tama fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! But then Knight DECKS Tama! Knight adjusts, but Tama returns to ROCK him! Tama goes back up, but Knight SUPER GOURD BUSTERS! Tama flounders, Knight powers up, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” DOUBLE JUMP ELBOW DROP! Knight brings Tama up again, but Jacob gets on the apron! Knight BOOTS Jacob! Tama rolls Knight! TWO!! Tama scrambles, but Knight kicks low! B F T!! Cover, Knight wins!

Winner: LA Knight, by pinfall

But Jacob drags Knight out of the ring! Jacob RAMS Knight into the apron, then fireman’s carries to SAMOAN DROP Knight on the desk! The desk doesn’t break so Jacob stands tall! Jacob then TOSSES the armchairs aside, drags Knight up, and he HEADBUTTS Knight back onto the desk! Jacob HEADBUTTS Knight again, and again, and again! The fans boo, but here comes BRAUN!! Jacob spots the #OneBigSOB heading down the ramp! They stare down from across the ring, and Braun steps in. Braun says come get some, Tama wants Jacob to stand down! Jacob shoves Tama away to get in the ring!

The fans are losing their minds as monster and monster stare down! Braun rips his shirt off, roars, and the fans are even more fired up! Jacob roars, but Tama gets in! Braun grabs Tama, but then he dodges Jacob! Braun runs to LARIAT Jacob up and out! Tama now gets Jacob to stand down, and Knight manages to get in the ring. Braun tells Jacob that they don’t run SmackDown anymore! Will Jacob #GetTheseHands when these two arrive in San Antonio?

The Miz talks with A-Town Down Under.

He is glad to see two bright, young talented superstars, the next big thing in WWE, and him, the reality icon and first-ever TWO-TIME Grand Slam Champion in WWE history! They are made from the same cloth. Just imagine: Marine 7! Waller, Theory & Miz. Box office gold! Theory says they’ll be rich! Waller feels this was meant to be. Together, they can run SmackDown! But Aldis steps in and says he has three words for them: Pack your bags. Transfer Window is sending them to Raw! What? They’re going to Raw? AWESOME! ATDU is fired up, and tell Miz they’re still in for Marine 7. Laters!

Miz can’t catch a break. Will no one be around to save him from the Wyatts?

Shinsuke Nakamura speaks.

“This is a warning to all those who challenge for my United States Championship. The attempt will be a fruitless effort. Even if you challenge with the determination to seek glory and give it everything, you will get nothing. The only thing left will be the body that has been crushed, hurt, and shattered, and this title will still be in my hands. But that’s not enough. I aim for further heights. Shinsuke Nakamura will bein the Royal Rumble! Just as I won before, I will seize the victory again. 2025 will be the year of my conquest, beginning with The Royal Rumble.”

Damian Priest VS Carmelo Hayes!

Much like with Braun Strowman, The Punisher was a bit more of a surprise than expected for Melo. But now that Priest is on SmackDown, will we #AllRise for the outlaw? Or will Melo finally start living up to being H1M?

SmackDown returns and Melo makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. Melo and Priest feel things out, then Melo slips around Priest. Melo brushes himself off and circles with Priest again. They knuckle lock, then Melo kicks low! Melo fires hands, CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Melo whips but Priest blocks! Priest stands up tall, whips Melo, but Melo rolls off Priest’s back! Melo CLUBS Priest on the back, runs, but Priest CLOBBERS him! Priest TOSSES Melo to a corner, ROCKS him, then fires off more shots! Priest stomps away, the ref counts, and Priest stops at 4. The fans cheer while Priest drags Melo up.

Priest knuckle locks Melo, twists the wrist, then climbs up the corner. Priest tightrope walks, and the fans love that he goes OLD SCHOOL CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Melo goes to the apron and Priest grins. Priest goes outside, brings Melo around and ROCKS him! Priest shakes out his hand, that’s how hard he hit Melo. Priest scoops Melo, takes aim, but Melo slips free! Priest sops from hitting the post, but Melo ducks the roundhouse! Priest is stuck partly on the apron, so Melo ENZIGIRIS, then KICKS the plant leg! Melo POSTS Priest, then soaks up heat while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Melo rains down fists in the corner! Priest shoves Melo away at 5 but Melo runs up to fire more shots! Then Melo BOOTS Priest to the outside! Priest stands, storms up to the apron, but Melo KNEES him down! Melo then builds speed and FLIES! Down goes Priest and the fans admit, that was good. Melo drags Priest up and into the ring, then he goes up the corner. Priest stands, Melo leaps, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Melo is annoyed but he brings Priest around for a top wristlock. Priest endures, fires body shots, but Melo CHOPS! Melo taunts Priest, CHOPS again, then CHOPS again!

Priest gets mad and the fans fire up! Melo is worried, but he runs, only for Priest to DECK him! And DECK him! Priest kicks, KICKS, and KICKS, then ROLLING ELBOWS! Priest winds up to DECK Melo again! The fans fire up with Priest while Melo staggers to a corner. Priest runs up, Melo BOOTS him away! Melo brings Priest in, but Priest suplexes first, for the BROKEN ARROW! Priest goes to a corner to take aim. Priest runs in, ELBOW in the corner! And then a FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Priest grows frustrated but he powers up the arm. The fans rally, Melo rises, but Melo also bails out! The fans boo but Priest goes out the side.

Priest runs in around the way, and he POUNCES Melo into the timekeeper’s area! The fans fire up and Priest high-fives McConaughey. Priest TOSSES Melo back to ringside, then back into the ring. Priest goes up, springboards, but into a SUPERKICK! Melo runs, springboards, but into Priest’s hands! SOUTH OF- NO, Melo wheelbarrows, STUNNERS, and then hurries to run up, FIRST 48! Cover, TWO! Priest survives and Melo grows frustrated again. Melo goes to the corner, climbs up, and he wants that three pointer! Melo shoots, NOTHING BUT- NO, he misses! Priest runs up, Melo dodges, and Melo sips through the lariat!

Melo manages a cradle, TWO!! Priest escapes, and Priest gets moving! COMEBACKER LARIAT! The fans fire up as Priest brings down the straps! Melo stands, into the choke grip! SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, Priest wins!

Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall

The Punisher got the better of H1M and has his first win here on SmackDown! Will Priest be able to reach new heights now that he’s away from Judgment Day?

DIY complains to Aldis.

They say MCMG cost them, and look! Here they are! Sabin tells DIY to relax, and asks Aldis if he told them already. Tell them what? Aldis says he was going to get to it, but MCMG can do it now. Sabin says DIY clearly have done everything they can to avoid giving MCMG a rematch for the tag titles, but… Here’s a surprise! Because Aldis already told MCMG, that at the Royal Rumble, the rematch happens! But hey, it’ll also be a Best 2 Out of 3 Falls match! Gargano says tonight sucks! DIY storms off, MCMG thank Aldis, and one way or another, this score will be settled! Will Sabin & Shelley finally have the gold back around their waists?

Damian Priest returns backstage.

And there waiting is Cody Rhodes. Cody says, “SmackDown, huh?” Priest says, “Looks that way.” Then Cody’s glad to have him. They shake hands, and Priest says, “See you soon, champ.” Could the former World Heavyweight Champion look to become an undisputed champion?

The Miz talks with Andrade.

The A-Lister says El Idolo has the look, the presence, the athletic ability in that ring. All he needs is someone to help guide him to become the superstar he truly is. Andrade says yes, he loves that idea! But he’ll go find someone who can do that. W-Wait, what? No, Miz meant… Jimmy walks by and grins at Miz as he gestures for NO YEET. Jimmy then heads to gorilla, only for Melo to be there. Melo says it’ll take a lot more than just four moves to beat KO. Oh, will it? Then how about next week, Jimmy only needs three to beat H1M? Oh, and uh… NO YEET! Jimmy makes his entrance, but Melo follows him! Melo ATTACKS at the ramp!

The fans boos as Melo rains down fists! Jimmy fights back, refs and producers get in there and separate the two! Jimmy shrugs that off, he clearly got under Melo’s skin. Will Jimmy still be ready for his fight with The Prizefighter? We’ll see, after the break.

Kevin Owens VS Jimmy Uso!

SmackDown returns and Kevin makes his entrance. He’s wearing Naomi merchandise to get at Jimmy, her husband! Kevin taunts McConaughey with the Winged Eagle title, then he puts the belt aside. The bell rings and then Kevin bails out. The fans boo but Kevin goes back to talking trash on Joe Tessitore. Jimmy storms out to UPPERCUT Kevin! Jimmy SMACKS Kevin off the apron, then off the barriers! The fans cheer, Jimmy puts Kevin in the ring, and then Jimmy says hook ’em. Jimmy steps in but Kevin fires off in the ropes! Kevin headlocks and he grinds Jimmy down. Jimmy powers up and out, but Kevin runs him over!

Kevin keeps moving, and he uses Jimmy’s dropdown against him by hitting a SENTON! “And that’s why this is MY show!” The fans boo more but Kevin CLUBS Jimmy. Jimmy goes to the corner, Kevin fires body shots, then Kevin CLUBS Jimmy. Jimmy goes to another corner, Kevin RAMS into him again and again, then he lets off as the ref counts. Kevin stands Jimmy up, whips him corner to corner hard, and it busts the corner camera! Kevin makes sure Joe saw that! Kevin whips Jimmy corner to corner the other way, and Jimmy hits the buckles hard again. Kevin brings Jimmy around to CHOKE on the ropes!

The fans boo, the ref counts, but Kevin lets off. Kevin CLUBS Jimmy, taunts the fans, mocks them, then CLUBS Jimmy down. Kevin whips corner to corner, but Jimmy comes back to LARIAT! The fans fire up and Jimmy gets the “UCE! OH!” going. Jimmy runs up, but Kevin bails out! No hip attack, but Jimmy slides out. Jimmy SMACKS Kevin off the desk! And again! And again! Jimmy again says hook ’em, then he fires hands on Kevin! The fans join in with “Hook ’em!” Jimmy puts Kevin back in the ring, goes back up to the apron, but Kevin BLASTS Jimmy into the desk! Jimmy falls back, and Kevin hits a FROG SPLASH to the floor!

Kevin mockingly cheers, “Feel the Glow~! Get it?” and SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Kevin drags Jimmy up, brings him around, and throws him into the barriers! Kevin then RAMS Jimmy into more barriers! Kevin talks smack to the fans, then goes into the ring. Kevin takes a bow while the count climbs, and he mockingly blows kisses. Jimmy slides in at 8 out of 10! Kevin is annoyed, and he ROCKS Jimmy with a haymaker! Kevinn puts Jimmy in a corner, wraps an arm around ropes and pulls! The ref counts, Kevin stops at 4, then he brings Jimmy out for an AMRBAR DDT! Cover, ONE!! Jimmy shows some grit, but Kevin stomps the arm! Then he stomps the other arm! Then he stands on one arm to SLAM the other!

Kevin SLAMS Jimmy’s arm again, and he mocks the fans some more. Kevin stands on Jimmy’s hand, to then STOMP Jimmy’s head! Jimmy scrambles to a corner, Kevin storms up, but Jimmy pushes him away. Kevin chuckles and then storms up again anyway. Jimmy guards the bad arm but Kevin still grabs it. Kevin wraps the arm around the ropes, pulls on it, then KICKS the ropes to jam it up! Jimmy falls over but Kevin brings him back up. Kevin wrenches the bad arm, but Jimmy fires hands! Jimmy ROCKS Kevin, but Kevin kicks and DDTS Jimmy down! Cover, TWO! Kevin is annoyed but he clamps onto Jimmy with a top wristlock.

Jimmy endures, SmackDown returns to single picture, and Kevin taunts McConaughey with “Alright, alright, alright~!” The fans rally for Jimmy but Kevin shakes his head. Jimmy fights up, fires haymakers, and he HEADBUTTS Kevin! Jimmy goes to fireman’s carry, but Kevin pulls on the bad arm! ARM CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Jimmy stays in this but Kevin stays on the bad arm! Kevin stomps the hand, stomps the elbow, then SLAMS the arm down! And SLAMS it again and again! Jimmy writhes, Kevin drags him to a drop zone, and Kevin climbs. The fans rally, and Jimmy stands! GAMANGIRI!

Jimmy goes up to get Kevin, but Kevin fights the suplex! Kevin fires body shots, and he YANKS the bad arm! Jimmy falls into the buckles and then falls to the mat! Kevin adjusts, and he SWANTON BOMBS, but onto knees! Jimmy saves himself and Kevin ends up in a corner, HIP ATTACK! Jimmy falls back, the pain in his arm is holding him back! The fans rally as both men stir, and Kevin uses ropes to stand. Jimmy HEADBUTTS! And counter punches! Jimmy mule kicks, UPPERCUTS, and kicks. Kevin blocks and spins Jimmy, but the DRAGON WHIP hits! And then a SAMOAN DROP! The fans fire up, Jimmy covers, TWO!

Kevin survives but Jimmy is too beat up to be mad. Kevin goes to a corner, Jimmy runs in again, but Kevin dodges the splash! Kevin runs, but Jimmy SUPERKICKS! Kevin falls, Jimmy covers, TWO! Kevin is still tougher than that and Jimmy is beside himself. Jimmy crawls over, brings Kevin up and reels him in, but Kevin WRINGS the bad arm out! Kevin then hoists Jimmy up, BLUE THUNDER BOMB?!? Cover, TWO!! Kevin gives a shoutout to Sami Zayn but Jimmy survives! Kevin goes to ropes and stands up again. Kevin waits on Jimmy, and he wants Jimmy to get up. Jimmy slaps the bad arm, and he stops the stunner!

Kevin stops a superkick to SUPERKICK back! Jimmy rebounds to SUPERKICK again!! Jimmy hurries to cover, TWO!! Kevin is still in this and Jimmy can’t believe it! The fans rally up for Jimmy as he goes to a corner. Jimmy climbs, the fans fire up, and Jimmy USO- NO! Kevin moves, SUPERKICKS, and then whips! POP-UP- NO! Jimmy slips free to SUPERKICK again!! Cover, TWO!!! Kevin survives again, and Jimmy doesn’t know what to make of it! Jimmy and Kevin crawl to corners, and Jimmy takes aim. Jimmy runs in, but Kevin KCIKS the spear away! But Jimmy stops the stunner! Both men run, and Jimmy SPEARS!!

Kevin scrambles but ends up in a drop zone! Jimmy goes up the corner! USO- NO, Kevin YANKS Jimmy down by the bad arm! And then Kevin POSTS Jimmy! And then Kevin whisp Jimmy, for the POP-UP POWERBOMB! Cover, Kevin wins!

Winner: Kevin Owens, by pinfall

#BigJim put up a big fight, but it just wasn’t enough to get one over on the “rightful” champion. Wait, Kevin isn’t done with Jimmy! He clears the desk, drags Jimmy up to join him, but here comes Cody! Kevin goes after Cody in the ring and they brawl it out in the ring! Cody stomps a mu7dhole into Kevin, Kevin CLAWS Cody’s face, but the hands fly! Cody stomps away on Kevin again! Austin is thunderous as Cody roars, but Kevin comes back with haymakers! Cody TOSSES Kevin, then goes out the side! Cody sends Kevin into the steel steps! And then back into the ring! SmackDown has to go off air, will Cody and Kevin brawl all the way to Saturday Night’s Main Event?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown that not only builds up the Royal Rumble a bit more, but was also a go-home to Saturday Night’s Main Event. Great stuff with getting pretty much all the top women on main roster involved in one segment tonight. Everyone wants to win the Rumble, and we got a great Six Woman Tag out of it. The Heels getting the win is fine, it certainly gives Liv momentum going into the match. It also means Nia has momentum going into SNME, where I’m fairly certain she loses so that Rhea has a strong first defense of her newest reign. And calling the Women’s Rumble is really tricky as there are a lot of possibilities.

Jacob Fatu had an awesome promo before Tama VS Knight, which was a very good match. I feel like Knight’s promo beforehand was a little uncertain, he maybe improvised most of that, but he still made it work. Great win for Knight, but of course Jacob went after him, bringing out Braun. I feel like the best result for Braun VS Jacob is either a No Contest or some kind of draw. I can picture them both crashing through something and neither gets up to get back in the ring before 10, but then Jacob stands up after to show he’s still the tougher monster. From there, Jacob can do any number of things, maybe even go after the US title.

Nakamura had a great promo to call out those in the midcard, but also to declare for the Rumble. I feel like we’ll get great interactions between Nakamura, Jacob, and a few others interested in the US title, helping to sort out who challenges Nakamura next. Melo can be in that group, as well, with a great showing even in losing. Priest ended up on SmackDown just as I knew he would, and he had a good interaction with Cody. Priest can certainly use the rest of the year to build up to the WWE Championship, assuming Cody doesn’t get transferred to Raw like I’ve been thinking. Because again, Netflix will want the best names they can get for Raw since domestically here in America, NXT and SmackDown are still contracted to cable networks.

There’s also some more Transfer Window shenanigans going on, with some of it making sense. Miz gets forced onto SmackDown because SmackDown is on USA Network and so is Miz’s reality show, Miz & Mrs. Plus, this is a second chance for Miz and the Wyatt Sick6 to properly have their story play out. A-Town Down Under moving to Raw is mostly to freshen up the tag scene over there. SmackDown’s tag division is very lively now, and we got a very good story tonight. MCMG VS Pretty Deadly was great stuff, especially with Pretty Deadly bringing out that aggression they had in NXT UK. Very good match from Gargano VS Apollo, and good win for Apollo thanks to MCMG. DIY VS MCMG in a 2 Out of 3 for the Rumble is going to be great stuff, and hard to call in a good way.

Mia & B-Fab VS Chelsea & Piper was good stuff, and I figured Mia would pin Chelsea to earn one last title match. However, this one is hard to call, and a bit in the bad way. The match is set for SmackDown, not SNME or Royal Rumble, and Chelsea only got her reign going. Mia winning would be quite the shock to help send us into the Rumble, but I don’t know if even HHH would pull that anymore. But then, what is Mia to do if she’s not even going to win the midcard title on a special go-home episode? She and B-Fab being pals now, they could go for the tag titles, but even then that might be a hard win to get with all the teams across three brands.

And great stuff with the Cody VS Kevin story tonight. Good opening promo from Cody, and of course Kevin feels he’s being treated unfairly. Jimmy going after Kevin was certainly an interesting choice, but it still works as Kevin is hating on those who helped Roman, Jimmy is someone who helped Roman, so Jimmy is stepping up on behalf of the family. Jimmy and Melo having a brawl was good stuff, too, and then we got an honestly great match from Kevin and Jimmy. Jimmy has been doing his best to be a singles guy just like Jey, and Jimmy could certainly get in on the US Championship scene. He might not win, but he’ll be able to raise the level of competition a bit.

As for Kevin and Cody, closing the show with a brawl is good stuff, and it works since SNME isn’t a match but a contract signing, and then we’ve still got Raw and next week’s SmackDown for the go-home math. Kevin continues to be a genius Heel with his choice of shirts and the moments of sound logic followed by moments of emotional outbursts, all fitting to how Cody basically complimented him in the promo. Some fans do want to see Kevin win just to take us on a detour, and I’m kinda half tempted to see that, too.

My Score: 8.8/10