Gold is on the line in Lyon!

SmackDown returns to France, and Sami Zayn challenges Solo Sikoa for the WWE United States Championship! But will MFT play a part in Solo surviving?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss VS The Secret Her-vice w/ Chelsea Green; No Contest.
• Alexa Bliss VS Chelsea Green w/ Alba Fyre; Alexa wins.
• Title Gatekeeping: Mia Yim VS Kiana James w/ Giulia; Mia wins and earns WWE Women’s United States Championship match.
• WWE Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders match: The Street Profits VS #MeloDon’tMiz; The Profits wins and will challenge the Wyatts for the titles at Clash In Paris.
• WWE United States Championship: Solo Sikoa w/ MFT VS Sami Zayn; Sami wins and becomes the new WWE United States Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

A car pulls up to SmackDown.

And it’s Logan Paul. The fans are booing already as The Maverick is feeling good stepping into the building. He pretends he can’t hear the fans, and then he goes right to gorilla for his entrance. The fans boo more but Logan just soaks it all up. Logan goes to the ring, still acting like he can’t hear this all around him. Logan grabs a mic, the fans boo even louder, and even chant, “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” Logan says John Cena thinks Logan’s a parasite? Sounds like y’all think that, too. HE doesn’t know if the Frenchies even know what he’s saying, but he’ll stick to English cuz he’s an American.

Logan says the fans don’t have a problem with Logan. No, they have a problem with change. He’s not a parasite. In fact, dang, he’s the opposite! He’s a disruptor! The fans tell Logan off in both French and English, but Logan says they don’t mean that. They gotta stop, or they’ll get cut on TV. Logan is just saying, he is not a parasite, he was hired, put in this ring to shake the core foundation of this company, and he has! After he signed with the WWE, what happened? Here are facts! The WWE fans don’t like those! Logan put WWE on Netflix! He put them on ESPN! The values Logan brings to this company is incalculable, but it is around 1.6 BILLION!

From six seconds to 1.6 BILLION, you’re welcome, TKO! The fans still tell Logan he sucks, but Logan says no, look around! Y’all’re so stupid! All he does is add! He brought PRIME to the WWE! The fans boo and Logan says they can’t be mad at hydration! Get a life! But the WWE is becoming the W-W-ME! Logan IS the future, whether we like it or not. And the one person who represents the outdated, institutionalized WWE is JOHN CENA! Who by the way, Cena dared Logan to bring his A Game to Paris? HAH! The audacity! Logan eggs the fans on in what little French he knows, and says Cena needs to bring HIS A Game like, Logan isn’t some phenom that won’t push Cena to his limits!

Logan tells Cena in French that he needs to come to Paris ready to fight, not as some imposter! And when, WHEN, Logan beats Cena, Logan will show us all that he IS the future! Wrestling is changing, and Logan is wrestling! If you can’t change with it, you will get left behind! But then JOHN CENA IS HERE!? Now this is a surprise! The fans sing along with My Time Is Now as Cena already sports his French flag inspired gear and towel. Time to go to work! Cena runs down the aisle, slides into the ring, and he throws up the threes! The fans continue to sing along, but Cena has the song fade out so we can hear the fans all cheering.

Cena has Mark Nash give him the full intro, “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the Greatest Of All Time! The Never-Seen Seventeen! Celebrating with each and every one of you here in Lyon one final time! He is the Last Real Champion, JOOOHN CENAAA~!” The fans cheer again and Cena grabs himself a mic. “Damn, you are stupid. Man, you can’t do it all alone. If we don’t have the fans, we don’t have a show. They’re not gonna get ‘left behind,’ dude, they set the pace. Alright, we’re just here to make it a good time for them. They’re the ones that hold the keys to whether or not you will join our family and have a career over 25 matches. Do you understand?”

The fans cheer, and Cena says when he looks at Logan, he sees so much potential. That’s why fans are angry. Fans wanna cheer, just look at Logan! Logan wants to take WWE to new heights, but everybody knows that Logan won’t put one ounce of effort to try and really understand what we actually do here. “Because if this young man did his homework, he would understand that he’s not a disruptor, he’s just a wannabe. You’re standing in the ring with one of the original disruptors, homes. A man who wore jorts and sneakers, even though they said he’d be fired if he did. A man who changed up championships and pissed off purists. A man who rapped his way to WrestleMania.

“You talking like me now, and knocking people out with the brass knucks? I was doing that 25 years ago, and mine said, ‘Word Life.’ Logan Paul, that is your first lesson in Basic Thuganomics. And this Maverick Logan Paul is nothing more than a dollar store John Cena.” The fans cheer that! Cena says no, no, Logan has accomplishments. He says he brought us to Netflix, that he brought us to ESPN, and claims his influence is responsible for those accolades. He claims it is his influence that carries us to where we are now. But his influence is not what it was and we all know it.

Cena isn’t sure Logan saw, but yesterday, there was a list. It was a list of the top 25 influencers in the world. Your boys were on there, from Drewski to IShowSpeed, but Logan? Nowhere to be found. The fans cheer that! Cena says it is time to talk as a friend so that Logan can face facts. Logan made videos of stunts and pranks at 12, dropped diss tracks at 18, and now at 30 years old, when Logan makes the front page, it is for the wrong reasons. Logan’s influence didn’t bring us to him, that influence is shrinking. And now, Logan is so desperate for a new revenue stream, he isn’t here to save wrestling, he’s here to use wrestling to save his own ass!

Logan says shut up but Cena will not shut up because everyone is riding the wave. The fans don’t fear change, they just see through fakeness. The fans chant at Logan, “He’s an A-Hole!” and Cena says excusem moi, but he appreciates their good English. Logan says Cena is stupid, HE knows French! The fans tell Logan off again, and Cena says his French isn’t that polished. But Cena’s real, Logan’s not. Logan’s a gimmick. Until Logan can be real and give his heart to this, the fans will see through him and be disgusted with him. Because WWE gives Logan opportunity after opportunity, yet Logan gives us no respect.

This here is a teachable moment, and Cena will show him what respect is here. Cena goes outside and asks, “Where’s my boi at?” The fans cheer as Cena tells dumbass Logan to watch. This is respect. Respect here is when you have a bad day or say something hurtful, they know it’s just you having a bad day, cuz it’s all love. Respect here is the ability that the next time you see that person… is to say you’re sorry and thank them for being there when they needed you. BELGIAN KID IS HERE! Cena says hey, he’s sorry, bud. He was having a bad day, but thank you for being here for him. Love you, bud. The fans cheer as Cena makes amends, then heads to the ring again.

Logan asks when did this promo become a charity case! Make-a-Wish, Break-a-Wish, and back again! Professional pretender! Wrap it up, man! Cena says fine, but Logan needs to remember, “You asked for this match, d*ckhead.” Now Logan’s got it. Logan’s got the “Disappearer VS The Disappointment! Paragon VS Parasite!” Greatest of All Time VS Logan Paul, and Logan asked for it! Logan has 24 hours to whip himself into the best shape we’ve ever seen. If after Sunday, Logan still doesn’t get the fans, he won’t be ruining wrestling, wrestling will ruin him! Cena drops the mic and leaves Logan behind, will it be just like that for their Clash in Paris?

Backstage interview with The Street Profits.

Jackie Redmond is with Montez Ford, Angelo Dawkins & B-Fab. Tonight, it is the Profits VS Melo Don’t Miz in a #1 Contenders match. After recent success, how do they navigate one of the final hurdle to reclaiming the tag titles? Dawkins says they’re gonna reclaim those titles, the W is theirs. Ford says it is cute, but Melo is NOT H1M, and Miz is All Talk. B-Fab says the Profits have basically been running the tag division these last eight years. Ford says that means B-Fab & The Profits are always up! And they want… deep breath…

Bo Dallas walks in! And he says eight years is a long time. But the blood running through their veins, does it right through each other’s? Are they real family? Because the Wyatt Sick6 is. And when you come for them and fail… You’ll find out if you really are brothers. Bo leaves, The Profits look to each other, is Uncle Howdy getting in their heads already? Or can they pull through like they always do?

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss VS The Secret Her-vice w/ Chelsea Green!

Speaking of tag titles, despite “not” being friends, The Queen & Lil’ Miss Bliss have made quite the championship combination! But will they stay golden as Summer- OH NO, the Green Administration strikes during entrances! Chelsea CHOP BLOCKS Charlotte while Alba is after Alexa! But where is Piper Niven? The refs rush out here, Alba SUPERKICKS Charlotte, then she KICKS away on a leg! The refs and producers separate the teams, and it seems Chelsea called an audible. But will The Hot Mess & Firekeeper get those belts? Or can #Charlexa only use this as fuel for their fire? We’ll see, after the break!

Alexa Bliss VS Chelsea Green w/ Alba Fyre!

Well, “card subject to change,” as they say. Piper couldn’t compete tonight, and the Green Administration made sure Charlotte couldn’t, so no tag titles tonight! The bell rings and Alexa hits a THESZ PRESS on Chelsea! The fans fire up for those fast hands! Chelsea gets up, but Alexa hits another THESZ PRESS! Then she ducks a roundhouse to clinch! Alba gets on the apron, Alexa storms up on her, and Alba wants Alexa to hold on. Chelsea runs up, but Alexa dodges to THESZ PRESS on Alba! Chelsea CLUBS Alexa, but Alexa ROCKS Chelsea! Alexa puts Chelsea in the ring, but Chelsea jumps, only for Alexa to dodge the stomp!

Alexa trips Chelsea, stands on her, and SKATEBOARD STOMPS! The fans cheer, the ref counts, but Alexa stops at 4. Alexa drags Chelsea up, cravats to snapmare, and Alexa runs to KNEE DROP! Then INSULT2- NO, Chelsea dodges the senton to SLAP Alexa! The fans boo but Alexa SLAPS back! Alexa runs up at the corner, but into a BUCKLE SHOT! Chelsea takes a page out of Charlotte’s book for that! Chelsea bumps Alexa off buckles again and again, the fans rally up, but Chelsea puts Alexa on the ropes. Chelsea climbs up to CHOKE Alexa, then YANKS the ropes to snap her back! And Chelsea BOOTS Alexa down!

The fans boo but Chelsea mocks them. Chelsea drags Alexa up, whips her to ropes, then scoops, but Alexa tilt-o-whirl RANAS! Chelsea tumbles out, Alba goes to check her, but Alexa is on the apron! Alexa CANNONBALLS, Alba takes the hit! Chelsea whips Alexa into steel steps! The fans boo but Chelsea soaks up heat while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Chelsea puts Alexa in the ring, and she DRIBBLES Alexa off the mat! The fans boo but Chelsea grins as she taunts the fans. Chelsea rains down forearms, then covers, TWO! The fans cheer but Chelsea drags Alexa up. Chelsea short arm LARIATS, then short arm LARIATS again! Then swings, but Alexa ducks, but Chelsea THROWS Alexa by her hair! Cocky cover with a salute, TWO! Chelsea huffs ‘n’ puffs and clamps on with a chinlock. Alexa endures, the fans rally, but Chelsea leans on the hold. Alexa fires body shots, Chelsea whips her to a corner, then she runs in, but into an ELBOW! And a BOOT!

Alexa swings, Chelsea dodges and THROWS Alexa by her hair again! Chelsea soaks up heat before going back to Alexa. Chelsea drags Alexa up, TOSSES her out, then distracts the ref so that Alba can get a cheap shot in! The fans boo louder but the ref misses it all. The ring count begins, Chelsea counts along, but the fans rally up. Alexa rises, rolls into the ring, and SmackDown returns to single picture. Chelsea CLUBS Alexa, goes up, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Alexa tumbles out, Chelsea slides out, and she SMACKS Alexa off the desk! Chelsea whips, but Alexa reverses to send Chelsea into barriers!

The fans fire up, Alba panics, but both women are down as the ring count climbs! Alexa and Chelsea stir at 7, then hurry back in at 8! The fans cheer, Chelsea stumbles her way over to Alexa, but Alexa fires a forearm! Chelsea fires back! The fans cheer Alexa, boo Chelsea, and repeat! Alexa fires off, then mule kicks! Alexa runs to RUN Chelsea over! And she RUNS Chelsea over again! SLAP, ROCK, KNEE, and DROPKICK! The fans fire up for the combo, and Alexa BLOCKBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up behind Alexa and she drags Chelsea up. But Chelsea wrenches out for a ZIGZAG! Cover, TWO!

Chelsea is losing her cool and she goes to a corner. Chelsea climbs up, but Alexa storms up. Alexa blocks a kick, spins Chelsea around, and YANKS her into the Tree of Woe! Alexa runs, DROPKICK! Chelsea falls out of the Tree and Alexa climbs! The fans fire up, but Alba gets on the apron! Alexa BOOTS her down, aims, TWISTED BLISS onto knees! Chelsea drags Alexa up, chicken wings, and- NO, Alexa powers out and clinches! TWISTED- NO, Cheslea switches! Alexa switches! Repeat! Alexa rolls Chelsea deep, ALEXA WINS!

Winner: Alexa Bliss, by pinfall

Chelsea is furious but The Hot Mess may have messed up tonight! Alexa avenges Charlotte and tells Chelsea to cry about it. But then Alba SUPERKICKS Alexa! The fans boo as Alba puts Alexa back in, then she and Chelsea mug Alexa! But Charlotte hobbles her way out here! The fans fire up as Chelsea ROCKS Alba, then LARIATS! Charlotte goes to the apron, she RAMS Chelsea, then fires off CHOPS! But Alba HOTSHOTS Charlotte! Chelsea brings her around, UNPRETTY-HER! GORY BOMB for Alexa! Chelsea & Alba salute but the fans boo. Will they just have to wait until we’re stateside to take those titles?

Backstage interview with Sami Zayn.

Jackie Redmond is with the Honorary Uce, and says that ever since returning to SmackDown, it seems like Sami’s returned to the most confident form of himself. Momentum is on his side going into tonight’s US Championship match, how does he feel about his odds? Sami feels great, she really hit it on the had. He feels renewed here. That last month on Raw just didn’t feel like the best version of Sami. he was in his own head, and when that happens, doubt creeps in. But he isn’t feeling that tonight. Honestly, he feels the way he did when he main-evented WrestleMania. He feels the way he did the night he ended Gunther’s Intercontinental Championship reign at WrestleMania.

Sami is feeling totally confident! So now, it is just about going out there and doing it. And no better place than here in Lyon! Sami tells the fans in French that he is ready to be the NEW US Champion! The fans sound ready for it, too! But will it happen? Or will Solo Sikoa & MFT tear down all of that confidence?

The Rhodes Family grows!

Cody & Brandi welcome their new baby, Lani Rhodes! Wrestling has more than one royal family, but will the Rhodes Family continue to define the future?

Aleister Black speaks.

“What did you think was gonna happen now, Priest? Maybe it’s time to take off the mask and show you what Hell really looks like. Because obviously now, the violence is going to exacerbate. But perhaps once I cut the morality from your skin, I can show the entire world just how misguided and hollow you really are. And when you sit at home at night, and you feel that pressure on your chest, and you can’t move your arms and you feel paralyzed… Well, that’s me, Damian Priest, kneeling on your chest, whispering, ‘I warned you!'”

Backstage interview with Damian Priest.

Cathy Kelley is with the Archer of Infamy and asks his reaction to the “chilling words” Aleister had for him. Priest says Aleister sounds so educated. Talks like he’s educated, dresses like it, and we know he’s educated in the martial arts cuz he cracked Priest’s jaw. That’s all well and good, and Aleister clearly wants to be like Priest, but he’s not. Priest doesn’t make empty threats. Threatening Priest with violence proves how unprepared Aleister is for this fight. But that’s okay, Priest will prepare him. Priest tells Aleister that he will teach Aleister what it is to be like him and where he’s from, and will teach him a lot about pain.

Priest knows they’ll square up again somewhere, and Priest will be smiling like this, because he will enjoy every bit of violence that he inflicts upon Aleister. Back to Michael & Wade. Priest leaves, commentary appreciates that, but will Priest bring down the Dark Father? Or will Priest be made to #FadeToBlack?

Title Gatekeeping: Mia Yim VS Kiana James w/ Giulia!

Michin is sick and tired of waiting for an “appointment,” so she confronted Miss Management directly! The bet was made that if Mia gets through Kiana, she gets a Women’s US Championship match! Will Kiana keep her client safe from doing her job? Or will the Head Baddie in Charge get to face the Beautiful Madness?

SmackDown returns as Kiana makes her entrance, Giulia by her side. The bell rings and Kiana takes a swing with her purse! Mia dodges her, rolls her up, AND WINS?!?

Winner: Mia Yim, by pinfall (earns a WWE Women’s United States Championship match)

Kiana is pissed, but Giulia BOOTS Mia down! Giulia & Kiana mug Mia, the fans boo, but Mia dares her to do it! ARRIVEDERCI KNEE!! Giulia then drags Mia out to THROW her into barriers! Giulia DRIBBLES Mia off the barriers, then brings her to steel steps! The fans boo but Kiana says Mia wanted this! CURB STOMP onto the steel! Giulia snarls, the fans boo, but the Beautiful Madness is only getting started! Will she finish Mia off when it is time for their title match?

Drew McIntyre is here!

Lyon cheers as the Scottish Terminator heads to the ring! But he makes sure to check under the ring after how The Viper slithered in and struck outta nowhere. Drew then grabs a mic, and he asks if Randy is hiding behind barriers. No? Michael Cole is always kissing Cody Rhodes’ arse, any medical update? Nope? Didn’t think so. Drew says bonjour to France, and the fans sing, “OH~ Drew McIntyre~!” Drew tells Randy Orton, “You wanna face me like a man, I’ll fight you. I just wanna talk, so give France what they want, get out here and let them sing your song.” Voices plays and the fans indeed sing along!

Orton walks out on stage, and he goes down the aisle to the ring. Orton takes his time to high-five fans, autograph a sign, and mostly let the song play for the fans. Orton then steps into the ring, grabs a mic, and the fans cheer as the song ends. Drew says, “Now wasn’t that special? Now, Randy, if you’ll indulge me for two minutes, I’ve got something to say, and I’ve got a feeling if you listen to me, you’re gonna see things my way. If you’d attacked me last week for you, that’s fine. If you’d attacked me because you were embarrassed about SummerSlam, that’s fine, too. You did pick Jelly Roll as a tag team partner, to be fair.

“But if you attacked me because you think Cody Rhodes is your friend, that’s not fine at all. Cody is nobody’s friend. He doesn’t know how to be friends with people, he’s a liar, a manipulator, a politician. I did say hear me out, as long as you’re listening. When you were out for two years, major back surgery, I guarantee Cody was in constant contact with you, always on the phone, checking in, and you gave him all the details about what was going on with your recovery. Randy, that wasn’t friendship. That was intel to use against you.

“You remember what happened at King of the Ring in the finals, yeah? When Randy Orton hesitated to punt Cody Rhodes in the head because he’s your ‘friend?’ Well, Cody didn’t hesitate, he want right for your back. He attacked your back because he knew how to hurt you, and he knew how to hurt you because you told him, Randy. You gave him the answers.” The fans boo but Drew says they all know it is true. Drew can see Randy is thinking. If Randy thinks Cody is still his friend, then he’s naive. At this point, he’s an idiot! The fans tell Randy not to listen, but Randy says, “Drew, you make a very compelling argument. You do. I’ll have to give that some thought.

“But if you think I dropped your ass last week for Cody, you’re wrong. I dropped you last week, Drew, because I think you’re a p*ick.” Drew smirks, and then HEADBUTTS Orton down! The fans boo the Glasgow Kiss, but Drew throws off his vest and aims from a corner! Orton rises up, Drew runs in, but Orton drops down! The Claymore misses and Drew crashes down! Drew goes to the apron, and the fans fire up as Orton rises up! Orton drags Drew through the ropes, for the DRAPING DDT! The fans fire up again as Orton is hearing those voices in his head! Drew rises, but security and producers rush out here!

The fans boo, they wanted to see the RKO! Orton says okay, okay, he’ll go. But then he still hears those voices… RKO for a guard! And an RKO for the other guard! Orton sees Shane Helms is the only one left, and he pats him on the shoulders. It’s okay. RKO FOR HURRICANE HELMS! The fans fire up as now Orton takes aim from a corner! Drew rises up, but he bails out before Orton can run in! Orton wanted to kick Drew’s head off, will he just have to wait for another opportunity? Or will it be the other way around?

The Miz gets ready in the locker room.

Carmelo Hayes finds him, and wants to talk real quick. The stuff that’s been happening the last couple weeks can’t keep happening. And by that, Melo means Miz sniping the win. Miz says that’s Melo’s problem! They’re still winning! Melo has won more in the past two weeks than the whole month Miz was gone! Melo says don’t play that, because Miz has won more the past two weeks than he has all of 2025! So who is helping who? Miz says this isn’t a “you or me” thing, but an “us” thing! They share their glory! They win tonight, they get a shot at a title! Isn’t this what Melo wants? This is magic they’ve captured! Lightning in a bottle! Melo needs to harness it, not throw it away!

And they do that together. They are a team! And they are Melo Don’t Miz! They are AWES- Wait, Bo Dallas interrupts. Bo says there are always different perceptions. But perception isn’t reality, Bo is. Can Melo handle that? Melo says don’t write a reality check you can’t cash. Bo laughs then leaves, and Melo tells Miz, “We got this. We got this.” They fist bump, but will they still be AWES-H1M? Or will this be the night Melo misses his shot?

Nick Aldis has Randy Orton in his office.

The SmackDown General Manager gets RKOs for superstars, but refs, security guards, and even a producer!? Orton says he is sorry. Sometimes, it’s more fun to be bad. Here’s a gift. That’s some Fireball whiskey, the best in America. Enjoy. Orton heads out, and R-Truth steps in! Truth asks if Nick’s gonna have this. After the day he’s had, yes. Ain’t got nothing else? Okay. Truth lets Aldis have the Fireball, will that at least ease some of the stress Orton is putting him through?

WWE Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders match: The Street Profits VS #MeloDon’tMiz!

SmackDown returns and the fans are still bumping with The Profits. Miz & Melo make their entrance now, and the teams sort out. Miz and Ford start, and fans chant, “Miz is Awesome!” Ford headlocks, Miz powers up and out, but Ford goes up and over! Ford cartwheels and handsprings just to show off, and the fans do cheer. Miz runs up, Ford drops down, hurdles over, then DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and pump their fist with Ford. Ford tags Dawkins, they double whip Miz to DOUBLE FLAPJACK! Dawkins drags Miz up, but Miz JAWBREAKERS! Dawkins shoves Miz, Melo tags in, and Melo says this is teamwork!

Miz & Melo swing, but Dawkins dodges to CLOBBER them both! The fans fire up, Dawkins runs, CYCLONE SPALSH for Miz! CYCLONE SPLASH and a GAMANGIRI for Melo! “SI~!” Dawkins whips Melo, Melo grabs ropes, then Melo DUMPS Dawkins out! Dawkins ROCKS Melo, but Miz grabs a foot! Dawkins kicks at Miz, but Melo hits the IMPLODER LEG DROP! The fans fire up for Miz & Melo while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Melo goes out to CLUB Dawkins, brings him up and into the ring. Melo hurries in, intercepts Dawkins from Ford, then taunts Ford. Tag to Miz and the fans cheer. Miz & Melo double whip Dawkins, they DOUBLE ELBOW, and then Miz basement BOOTS! Melo adds a LEG DROP, bruh! The fans cheer, Miz looms over Dawkins, and then he fires a KICK! The fans cheer the “It Kicks!” Miz then winds up, but Dawkins ducks the buzzsaw! Roll up, TWO! But Miz BOOTS Dawkins down! The fans cheer and Miz is confused, but he likes it. Miz brings Dawkins up to bump off buckles, then he tags Melo.

Melo stomps Dawkins, then sends Miz in for an A-LIST LARIAT! Shove and FADE AWAY JUMPER! Cover off the lariat, TWO! Ford was ready but Melo taunts him for it. Melo drags Dawkins up and around, then CHOPS! Dawkins sputters to the ropes, then Melo puts Dawkins in the corner. Tag to Miz and the fans cheer again. Miz stomps away on Dawkins now, then digs his boot in. Miz stops to argue with the ref, and that lets Melo CHOKE Dawkins! The fans boo but Miz shrugs. Miz drags Dawkins around to HIP DROP! Miz drags Dawkins up with a fishhook, and Melo tags himself in. They mug Dawkins, and the fans continue to cheer.

Melo keeps Dawkins from Ford with a wristlock, then he KICKS the arm! Melo points to Miz, the fans applaud, and Melo tags him in. They mug Dawkins more, and now Miz points back at Melo. Miz tags Melo back in, the fans applaud, and the mugging continues with a DROPKICK! Cover as SmackDown returns to single picture, TWO! Melo stalks Dawkins back to the corner, then ROCKS him with a right! Dawkins ROCKS Melo back! And ELBOWS Miz! And repeat! Dawkins hurdles Melo, but Melo grabs an arm! Melo dodges the haymaker to SUPERKICK! Dawkins rebounds to ROCK Melo! Melo tilt-o-whirls, but into a GUT BUSTER!

Both men are down and the fans fire up! The two crawl, hot tags to Miz and Ford! Ford GAMANGIRIS Miz away, then goes up to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up, Ford DECKS Melo, and then Ford ducks ‘n’ dodges Miz to blow past him and LARIAT! Ford then hits a BIG back suplex! And a kip up! The fans fire up again and Ford gets the fists pumping. STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! B-Fab is frustrated for her guys but Ford drags Miz back up. Miz breaks free, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and he WRECKS Dawkins! But Ford ENZIGIRIS! But Miz kicks a leg out! DDT! Cover, TWO! Ford survives and the fans fire up!

Miz watches Ford, he wants to finish this! Full nelson, but Ford powers out! Melo tags in as Ford arm-drags! Ford lifts Miz, ANGLE SLAM! Ford hurries up top, but then so does Melo! Ford hits FROM THE HEAVENS on Miz, but FROG SPLASH from Melo!! Cover, TWO!! Ford survives and the fans stay fired up! Melo and Ford rise up to fire forearms and the fans cheer! Ford CHOPS, Melo ROCKS Ford, then Melo dodges! FADE AWAY into a DROPKICK! Both men are down and Miz rises up! The fans are thunderous, but wait! The Wyatts are here! Howdy, Lumis, Nikki Cross, they all scare Miz! Dawkins tags in, and he BLASTS Miz!

The fans are torn, but then Profits hit Melo with THE REVELATION!! Cover, Profits win!!

Winners: The Street Profits, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the WWE Tag Team Championships)

And now, with just 48 hours to prepare, The Profits and the Wyatts will battle for the gold! But can Ford & Dawkins get the titles back when it is just 2v2? Or will Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis keep SmackDown’s Tag Division in the dark?

Jade Cargill finds Tiffany Stratton backstage.

The Storm asks the champ if she’s heard the news. What news? Jade just spoke with Nick Aldis. Since Jade won last week, Jade is THE #1 contender to her WWE Women’s Championship. Tiffy turns around to look Jade in the eye and tell her, “You’re welcome. Because if it weren’t for me letting you win last week, then you wouldn’t be in this position.” Jade tells Tiff to cut it, whatever floats your boat. Tiff has been walking around like a threat, like Jade won’t snap Tiff in two. Tiff says Jade can go on and on about how if not for the ropebreak, she’d be champion, because they both know that Tiff would’ve found a way to win.

Last time Tiff heard, she’s the one undefeated in 2025. Oh, that’s cute. Now, Jade can teach Tiff a thing or two about that. Cuz when Jade wins, all that dies, as does this fantasy of how they were ever on the same level. Jade storms off, but will she be the one to reign when it is all said and done?

Solo Sikoa talks with MFT.

Sami thinks he’s got a chance, don’t he? Sami thinks he’s gonna do it? He thinks he can come to THEIR show and take Solo’s title? Ain’t gonna happen. Because one spike to the throat, BOOM! Sami, it is over, 1-2-3. #AndStill United States Champion, Solo Sikoa. The champ has spoken, but it is time to put up or shut up! Will Sami not be denied the next step in completing the WWE Grand Slam? Or will he be struck out with one shot?

WWE United States Championship: Solo Sikoa w/ MFT VS Sami Zayn!

SmackDown returns as MFT makes their entrance, the “Head of the Family” accompanied by JC Mateo, Tonga Loa & Talla Tonga. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see whose confidence sees them through!

The bell rings, the two tie up, and they go to ropes. Solo has Sami on the ropes, he lets off, but he sucker punches Sami! And HEADBUTTS! And fires more hands! The fans boo but Solo tells them to shut up! Solo runs up on Sami, but Sami TOSSES him out! Sami builds speed, Talla gets Solo to safety, so Sami just Arabian Presses back into the ring. The fans cheer, MFT is upset, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Sami watches Solo on the outside, and Solo slowly goes up the steel steps. Sami rushes up but Solo drops down. The ref has Sami stay back, the fans continue to rally, but JC says calm it down. Solo goes up, HOTSHOTS Sami, then LARIATS! Solo taunts the fans, then tells them to shut it. Sami rises up, but Solo HEADBUTTS him back down! The fans sing for “SAMI! SAMI ZAYN~!” Solo is annoyed, and he CHOPS Sami against ropes. Solo HEADBUTTS Sami, ROCKS him with haymakers again and again, but Sami counter punches! Sami fires forearms, then whips, but Solo reverses. Solo ELBOWS Sami down!

The fans boo but MFT applauds. Solo stalks Sami, drags him up, but then he drops Sami as he hears the fans cheering. Solo rains down fists on Sami and then taunts the fans. The fans boo, but Solo eggs Sami on. Solo taunts the fans, Sami CHOPS! And fires hands from below! But Solo DRIBBLES Sami off the mat! Solo shouts and storms around while SmackDown returns to single picture. Sami flounders to a corner, Solo storms over that way, and he HEADBUTTS! The fans rally for Sami but Solo throws haymakers. The ref counts, Solo stops at 4, and he goes corner to corner. Solo runs back in, HIP ATTACK! Sami flops over and Solo covers, TWO!

The fans rally but Solo stays focused. MFT coaches Solo as Sami rises, and Solo ROCKS Sami! Sami staggers, reaches out, but Solo swings, only for Sami to counter punch! Sami fires hands, but Solo ROCKS him again! Solo whips, but Sami goes up and over! Sami then LARIATS Solo up and out! The fans fire up as Sami builds speed, and Sami FLIES! Down goes Solo and the fans fire up! Sami rises again while MFT desperately coaches Solo. Sami puts Solo in the ring, Solo distracts the ref, and MFT mugs Sami! Feed to a JC SUPERKICK! Loa puts Sami in for Solo’s URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Solo is surprised but the fans fire up again!

And then someone attacks MFT! That’s BIG JIM! The fans cheer but Jimmy is battling JC & Loa 2v1! The fans boo, but HERE COMES JACOB FATU! The Samoan Werewolf is here in Lyon! Solo says watch the crowd! And indeed, Fatu FLIES in and CLOBBERS Talla! Talla hits back, he POSTS Fatu, but Fatu is still up! Talla runs up, but only gets POST! Fatu SUPERKICKS JC, Jimmy SUPERKICKS Loa! The fans fire up, Sami reels Solo in! BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Solo survives and Sami is shocked! Jimmy & Fatu coach Sami, but then Fatu runs up to LARIAT Talla over barriers! The fans fire up as MFT and Sami’s friends fight it out!

Jimmy goes up onto the barriers to CROSSBODY JC & Loa! Sami has Solo in a corner! But Solo bails out, no Helluva Kick yet! Sami goes out after Solo, but gets an URENAGE onto the desk! The fans boo as Solo holds up the title, and SmackDown again goes picture in picture.

Solo shoves Sami off the desk, soaks up more heat, but the ref reprimands. Solo puts the belt back on the pedestal while the fans sing for Sami. Solo leaves Sami behind for the ring count to handle. We pass 5 of 10, then 7, but Sami gets up and in at 8! Solo stomps away on Sami for it! Solo drags Sami up, TOSSES him out, and Sami goes back to the desk. Solo clinches, another URENAGE! And ANOTHER! Solo again leaves Sami behind, the count begins, and Sami is still down at 5 of 10! Sami stirs, but we hit 7! 8! Sami rises at 9, flounders, and SPRINGS in at 9.99!! Solo thinks he won, but then he notices Sami is inside the ring!

This place is rumbling from how the fans are erupting! Solo fires hands, but Sami fires back! They go back and forth, Solo ROCKS Sami, then he puts Sami up top. Solo climbs, but Sami fires hands! Sami CLUBS Solo, Solo HEADBUTTS Sami, and SmackDown returns to single picture. Solo tells the fans to shut up already, and he HEADBUTTS again! Solo fireman’s carries, but Sami slips through to SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Solo survives and the fans are thunderous again! Sami drags Solo around, the fans fire up, and Sami climbs! But Solo hurries up! Sami leaps, Solo gets under!

Sami comes back, but into a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Solo hurries up the corner! SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Sami survives and the fans fire up again! Solo is beside himself, but he and Sami rise up. Solo still has his ace to play, and he drags Sami up. The fans boo, SAMOAN- NO, Sami ducks the spike to roll Solo up, TWO! But Solo runs into a clinch! CORNER EXPLODER! Sami fires up, the fans are thunderous, and Solo rises, into the HELLUVA- SUPERKICK!! Solo SAMOAN- NO, Sami ducks, HELLUVA KICK!! Sami hurries to run corner to corner, ANOTHER HELLUVA KICK!! Solo falls, Sami covers, SAMI WINS!!

Winner: Sami Zayn, by pinfall (NEW WWE United States Champion)

Solo’s prediction couldn’t have been more wrong! No Samoan Spike, no #AndStill, it is #ANDNEW United States Champion, Sami Zayn! Sami can’t even believe it himself until he’s holding the belt in his hands! Tag titles, Intercontinental title, and now US title, that’s three of the four! Will Sami make the most of this reign on his way to the Grand Slam?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown here, though a shame about Piper not being able to make it. No tag title match, but good adlib with the attack and then Alexa winning the singles match. Chelsea & Alba beating Alexa & Charlotte down was also good, and surely they can build to the tag title match again for like WrestlePalooza. Meanwhile, it was obvious Mia was going to beat Kiana and earn a title match, but WOW, I didn’t think they’d job Kiana out that hard. At the same time, this was her first match in well over a year, so I guess they can claim it was ring rust. Giulia beating Mia down hard was a good way to get heat back, and I feel like they should put Giulia VS Mia on WrestlePalooza to show the Women’s US title matters.

I had a good chuckle at the recap from last week because they used the reshoot they did for the USA Network cut. Not even sure why they did that. Did they just want Logan to look a little less cowardly and more assertive with his cheap shots? Great promo from Logan and Cena again, though I guess this counts as one of Cena’s last appearances. Going into the segment, I felt they could’ve gotten away with Cena just sucker punching Logan in return and Cena tells WWE “this one’s on the house,” aka not counting towards the appearances. But as they got in it, Cena getting to have #BelgianKid in the crowd, that’s good stuff, so I’ll accept how this went. I just don’t know if this counts as “standing tall” so that the math favors Logan…

Very good promos from Bo Dallas with the Profits and then with Melo & Miz. It was a fitting move given both teams are playing with fire in terms of “Are they that close of a team?” Great tag match from them, the fans loved all four guys, but I didn’t think the Wyatts would affect the outcome like that. This certainly puts Miz and Melo on track for feuding with each other, and then I didn’t realize they were going to add the tag titles to Clash in Paris like this. I feel like Gacy & Lumis find a way to win, and that puts more pressure on The Profits. They did mention how they’ve been a team for eight years, and I don’t know if they’d make that a relevant detail unless it was going to be followed by, “Eight years, and it’s all over…”

Very good promos from Aleister and Priest, feels like they’re definitely having some kind of Street Fight as their next match, and part of me hopes it counts towards naming a #1 contender to the US Championship. And with that, what a great match from Solo VS Sami. Good promos going into it, though I feel like Sami had his hands tied in referencing Karrion Kross being why Sami couldn’t get going on Raw… But naturally, we get Jimmy & Jacob fighting off MFT for Sami’s sake. I almost thought that was going to mean Solo cheats on his own, but Sami winning here was the right choice. He’s been doing great work, this is his reward, and he really is that much closer to the Grand Slam, following in the footsteps of many greats, including his best friend, Kevin Owens.

My Score: 8.8/10