Spooky scary on a Friday night!

Halloween SmackDown is also the eve of Saturday Night’s Main Event! But will Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre behave themselves in tonight’s contract signing?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• WWE United States Championship Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS Nathan Frazer; Ilja wins and retains the title.
• Carmelo Hayes VS Kit Wilson; Melo wins.
• Alexa Bliss w/ Charlotte Flair VS Nia Jax; Alexa wins.
• Motor City Machine Guns VS Tama Tonga & JC Mateo w/ MFT; Tama & JC win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Tiffany Stratton surprises even commentary!

She has a mic and has them cut the SmackDown intro. “I got a bone to pick with Jade Cargill, and I’m not waiting until my music hits, and I am not waiting until tomorrow night! JADE CARGILL, I want you right here, right now!” The fans fire up for that! Tiff is all fired up, but Nick Aldis has her hold on and think this through. We all know that Tiff’s “cleared as tolerated.” That means absolutely no physical contact before the match, Aldis cannot jeopardize the title match set for Saturday. Tiff says she doesn’t care what the doctors have to say. For “The Storm” to be so strong, she sure seems like a coward! Tiff wants Jade to get out here now!

And so here comes Jade! The fans fire up again as Jade walks out here, dressed as Michelle Pfeiffer Catwoman, but Aldis wants everyone to stop. No contact before Saturday! Security! Security! Oh, security? The fans boo but Jade says hold on, this ain’t that serious. Jade wasn’t gonna do nothing. This here doesn’t serve Jade. She got busted open a couple weeks ago, she tasted her own blood. Now she knows what she wants, and that’s the title. So tomorrow night, Saturday Night’s Main Event, “Tacky Time” is up! Tiff says no, her time is now! Tiff jumps in but the security catches her! The fans boo but Jade just smirks as she takes her leave.

The fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” but Tiff will just have to wait another 24 hours. Will it still be Tiffy Time after Saturday night? Or will her time end with Daylight Savings?

Ilja Dragunov speaks.

“Difficulties show what men are.” The Mad Russian Dragon shows his work regiment, the very regiment that got him back to the ring. “We walk through Hell not to be consumed, but refined. Suffering is the true test of life. And pain will entertain you.” Now that Ilja has gold, will nothing stop him from fighting with all his might? We’ll see, because he holds another Open Challenge tonight in Salt Lake City!

R-Truth hands out candy.

Thing is, he’s being Santa Claus… Motor City Machine Guns double check with him: This is his Halloween costume, right? Is he being Kris Kringle for Halloween? Not Christmas? Truth says they must be confused, got the wrong month. Bless their hearts. Truth heads out, ho ho ho, but then MFT steps in. Solo Sikoa says what an idiot. But who do MCMG think they’re looking at? He’ll tell them what he’s looking at: two bums taking candy from a stranger. In fact, Solo heard MCMG wanted to rub in how he beat Solo’s guys one year ago. Yeah, and for the tag titles, don’t forget that. Yeah, does Solo remember that? MCMG sure does.

In fact, MCMG is on the road back to the tag titles and will be TWO-TIME champs soon enough. Solo says hold it right there, Harry Potter. MFT are first in line for the tag titles! Wow, Potter, huh? Well, if they were wizards, they’d cast as spell to shut Solo up. But seeing as they’re not and Solo thinks his guys are next in line when MCMG knows they’re next, how about they really find out and fight it out. Goo d idea. Solo will talk with Aldis and show MCMG how much has changed in a year. Solo heads out, but which two in Solo’s “Family Tree” will fight Shelley & Sabin?

WWE United States Championship Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS ???

SmackDown returns and the Mad Russian Dragon awaits. His challenger? Nathan Frazer! Ilja did dare Fraxiom to take him up on this, but wait! DIY is here, too? Tommaso Ciampa pushes past Frazer with a mic in hand to say, “No, no, no, no, no, no! You can’t seriously be thinking of giving this nerd a shot at the US Champ-” Frazer snatches Ciampa’s mic! “What the Hell did you just say to me? You snooze, you lose, pal!” Ciampa snatches the mic back to ask when was the last time- Frazer SLAPS Ciampa! The fans fire up for that, but Ilja grabs the mic to shout, “HEY! Gentlemen, the Open Challenge is made for every competitor.

“But to be fair, Nathan was here first.” The fans cheer that! “And when it comes down to the United States Championship, there is no reward for jackasses.” Ciampa is pissed, but he has no choice but to leave. The Sicilian Psycho accuses Ilja of being afraid, but will he just have to wait and see who wins this match? Introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if NXT UK takes over the US!

The bell rings and the two run up! Frazer hits a JUMP KNEE! Then he fires off CHOPS in the corner! The fans “WOO~” with every CHOP, but then Ilja KNEES low and UPPERCUTS Frazer down! Frazer goes to a corner, Ilja CHOPS him down! Ilja stands Frazer up, whips corner to corner, then runs up, but into a BOOT! Ilja blocks the superkick, but the DRAGON WHIP hits! Ilja tumbles out, Frazer takes aim, and Frazer builds speed! Frazer DIVES and down goes Ilja! The fans fire up with Frazer while Ilja flounders. Frazer puts Ilja in, goes up the corner, but Ilja hurries to grab Frazer! Frazer fires shots first, then leaps, but Ilja ducks under!

Frazer rolls through, comes back, but into a clinch! Ilja waistlocks but Frazer fires elbows! Frazer runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then ducks a boot! He redirects, but Ilja still CHOPS him down! Ilja fires up, the fans are with him, and he drags Frazer up. Ilja CHOPS Frazer right down! Cover, TWO! Frazer toughs it out and Ilja shakes out his own hand from hitting Frazer that hard. Ilja KNEES Frazer in the side, then KNEES him in the side again! The fans rally, Frazer fires shots, but Ilja CLUBS him! Ilja bumps Frazer off buckles, CHOPS him again, and Frazer flops down! The fans fire up and Ilja drag Frazer from the apron.

Frazer HOTSHOTS Ilja and Ilja sputters away. Frazer springboards in, but he fakes Ilja out! Only for Ilja to run up and BOOT Frazer off the apron! Frzer hits desk then floor and the fans fire up with Ilja! Frazer is dazed, Ilja goes out to fetch him, and “It’s nothing personal!” GERMAN SUPLEX to the floor! Frazer flounders away and Ilja fires up with the fans while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns as Ilja CHOPS away on Frazer in the corner, the HEADBUTTS! Frazer fires body shots, swings, but into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Ilja holds onto Frazer, drags him back up, and he GERMAN SUPLEXES again! The fans fire up as Ijla drags Frazer up again, but Frazer fires elbows! Frazer pries the hold open, but Ilja powers it back on! GERMAN- Frazer lands out! Ilja doesn’t realize it until he turns around, then he takes a swing. Frazer ducks ‘n’ dodges, but then Ilja dodges to CONSTANTINE- NO, Frazer blows past, QUEBRADA DDT! RUNNING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO!! Ilja survives and the fans fire up again!

“This is Awesome!” as both men flounder. They rise up, and Ilja has Frazer for a forearm! Frazer comes back to forearm Ilja! The shots go back and forth, then Ilja fires a flurry! Ilja fires up, but Frazer fires a flurry in return! Ilja KNEES and CHOPS, but Frazer stay sup! He ducks a chop to SUPERKICK! Ilja sits down, but he blocks the basement superkick! Ilja stands, Frazer SLAPS Ilja, but Ilja SPIN CHOPS! And SPIN CHOPS the leg! Then SAIDO SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Frazer combines and the fans are fired up! Ilja goes up a corner, the fans fire up, and SUPER SEN- NO, Ilja has to roll through as Frazer moves!

Ilja CHOPS, Frazer SUPERKICKS, but Ilja pops up to PELE! Then KNEE!! Frazer sputters at the ropes and the fans fire up again! Ilja gets space, runs up, but Frazer dodges! Ilja goes up and out and to the floor! Frazer hurries to a corner, waits on Ilja, COAST2- LARIAT!! Ilja intercepts Frazer’s attack, then goes up for his own! SUPER SENTON FLOPS! Frazer goes up, up, and FROG SPLASHES!! Cover, TWO!! Ilja survives and Frazer is stunned, but SmackDown goes back to break!

SmackDown returns again and Ilja rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Then he reels Frazer in, lifts, but Frazer fires hands! Frazer slips free, Ilja goes to a corner, and Frazer CHOPS! Frazer puts Ilja up top, GAMANGIRI! Ilja wobbles, the fans rally, and Frazer goes up, up, and SUPER- NO! Ilja stops the rana and he brings Frazer back up! But Frazer tries again! Not yet! Third time’s the charm! SUPER STEINER! Ilja tumbles out, Frazer FLIES!! Down goes Ilja and the fans fire up again! Frazer staggers up but he still DROPKICKS Ilja into the steel steps! Frazer gets Ilja in the ring, goes up the corner, PHOENIX SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!!!

Ilja survives again and the fans are thunderous! Frazer is frustrated but “This is Awesome!” Frazer rains down fists of fury on Ilja, even some AX HANDLES to the bloody forehead! But Ilja won’t let Frazer go to the corner! Frazer HAMMERS and KICKS at Ilja, SLAPS him, and he is free! Frazer goes up, up, but Ilja anchors him! Ilja climbs, Frazer fires elbows, and Ilja falls back! Frazer huffs ‘n’ puffs and resets up top, but Ilja CHOPS the leg! Frazer sits down, Ilja CHOPS him again! And again! Ilja rises up the corner now, CLUBS away on Frazer, and then he waistlocks! SUPER DUPER GERMAN!! Cover, TWO!?!?

Frazer survives and Ilja is shocked! But Ilja and Frazer both throw hands! They both flop over from exhaustion, the ref checks them both, and the fans rally up as they both rise up again! Ilja fires a flurry, then reels Frazer in! Frazer fights, but the POWERBOMB hits!! H-BOMB FOREARM!!! Cover, ILJA WINS!

Winner: Ilja Dragunov, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)

Tonight may be Halloween, but that was a fireworks display worthy of the Fourth of July! Frazer fought his heart out, but he did win Ilja’s respect. Ilja stands Frazer up and the fans cheer. Will these two run it back again some day? But then Ciampa CLOBBERS Frazer! The fans boo and Ilja seethes, but will it be clear who gets the next opportunity?

SmackDown returns to Fraxiom and DIY brawling backstage!

Producers and security try to stop Frazer & Axiom getting revenge on Ciampa & Gargano, but Ilja storms in and shouts, “What is going on here?! Stop that!” The champion is seething over the dishonor, but then he seethes as he spots Tama Tonga holding the US Championship. The Good Bad Guy just says, “YEYEYEYEYEYE,” then hands the belt back. Could another dangerous fighter throw his name into the hat?

Carmelo Hayes VS Kit Wilson!

Melo Don’t Miz, in that he no longer has beef with the Hollywood A-Lister. He got his receipt on Miz and is washing his hands of it. But then Mr. Anti-Toxic-Masculinity had to go and confront H1M over supposed arrogance and selfishness, so here we are. Will Melo not miss knocking the Pretty Deadly out of Kit? Or will Kit, in his own mind, show us what real masculinity looks like?

The bell rings and Kit throws his jacket at Melo! Kit fires hands, UPPERCUTS Melo, then runs corner to corner. Melo dodges, then he ROCKS Kit and CHOPS, CHPOS, CHOPS! The fans fire up but the ref counts. Melo backs off, but Kit pokes him in the eye! The fans boo but Kit runs up, and he UPPERCUTS Melo down! Kit shouts about all the toxic-masculinity here, and he runs up to UPPERCUT again! Kit then fishhooks Melo’s face, wraps him up in a straitjacket stretch, and he grinds Melo to the mat! “Toxic, toxic, toxic!” Then Kit stomps Melo down! Kit waits on Melo, then brings him around, SWINGING DDT!! Cover, TWO!!

Melo survives and Kit seethes. Kit UPPERCUTS Melo, taunts H1M, then fires body shots. Kit soaks up the heat from Salt Lake City, then suplexes. Melo slips free, and he ROCKS Kit again and again! The fans fire up with Melo as he CHOPS! Melo whips, dodges Kit, then springboards, FADE AWAY LARIAT! Then a LA MYSTICA! Kit sputters, Melo SLAPS him on the back, and then suplexes, ANARCHY CUTTER! Cover, TWO! Kit survives and bails out but Melo builds speed. Melo FLIES and down goes Kit! The fans fire up again and Melo puts Kit in his ring. But then MIZ POSTS MELO! The ref is busy checking Kit, he misses it all!

Kit goes up top, takes aim, and SENSITIVE MALE ELBOW! Cover, TWO!?! Miz is just as upset that the screw job didn’t work! Miz tells Kit to keep on Melo! Kit runs up, but into the FIRST 48!! Cover, Melo wins!

Winner: Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall

The A-Lister tried to help Kit mess Melo over, but now he does it himself! FINALE!! Miz says Melo doesn’t say when this is over, MIZ says when this is over! And clearly, it ain’t over! Will Miz not stop until he’s ruined everything for H1M?

Backstage interview with Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss.

Cathy Kelley is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, and she congratulates them on the title defense this past Monday. What are their thoughts on the subsequent attack by the Kabuki Warriors? Alexa says if Asuka & Kairi have a problem, they know where to find #Charlexa. Those two are just chasing what these two already have. Charlotte says everyone wants what they have, because it works. Charlotte doesn’t usually let people in, but she let “Lexi” in, and Lexi’s life is better for it. Alexa says Charlotte is unbelievable. Charlotte thanks Alexa for the compliment.

As for Nia, she still lives in fear. She is not healed. That’s why she has no friends. Classic Gemini behavior. Alexa asks what that has to do with anything. But Alexa does agree, Nia’s been living in her bitterness for years. Alexa will remind Nia why Alexa outgrew her. Charlotte says that’s classic Leo behavior. #Charlexa heads out, but will Nia be feeling Twisted Bliss this Halloween Night? Or will the Irresistible Force be the one we all fear?

Sami Zayne talks with Nick Aldis.

Sami knows Aldis knows where he comes from, and that Sami has a lot of respect for him. Sami knows he is not cleared, but all he is asking for him to be out there. He has known MCMG a long time, Sami just wants to have their back. Otherwise, we all know what MFT will pull. Aldis says he appreciates the fighter in Sami, he knows the fighting spirit he has, and Aldis has also known MCMG a long time. But if Sami isn’t cleared, and when it comes to MFT, they’ll only make it worse. Aldis asks that Sami please sit this one out. Sami says alright, he’ll sit it out. And then in steps Cody Rhodes.

Sami and Cody hug it out, and Cody tells Sami that what Sami did with the US Championship was great. Cody is proud of Sami, and Sami should be proud of Sami. Sami thanks Cody for that, and says he is dealing with all this MFT stuff. Hopefully once that’s done, better days ahead. Sami wishes Cody luck with Drew, then heads out. Aldis talks with Cody now. Aldis says he just has two questions. First, and there’s no easy way to say it, but Aldis needs Cody to tell him the truth. Did Cody have anything to do with what happened to Jacob Fatu? Cody says he knows it is just Aldis’ job to ask, but no, Cody likes Fatu, he would never do that.

Then second, the contract for tonight. Cody had his copy, so surely everything in there is okay with Cody. Cody says yeah, he knows it’s on the up and up. It’s not about Cody, Aldis needs to show that to Drew. Aldis says that’ll be later tonight. Cody says he’ll see Aldis out there. Cody heads back out, but will the Scottish Terminator be satisfied with things?

Alexa Bliss w/ Charlotte Flair VS Nia Jax!

SmackDown returns and Lil’ Miss Bliss makes her entrance, accompanied by The Queen. Nia is already waiting, the bell rings, and then Nia CLOBBERS Alexa! The fans boo, but Nia HEADBUTTS Alexa! Alexa goes to a corner, Nia brings her out to whip her to the other corner, and then she SPLASHES Alexa! Nia whips corner to corner again, for another SPLASH! Nia pushes Alexa down while she soaks up heat from Salt Lake City. Nia then drags Alexa up, puts her up top, but Alexa BOOTS back! Then hops on for a SLEEPER! Nia THROWS Alexa off, but Alexa SLAPS her! Nia just frowns, and then shrieks!

Alexa also shrieks, runs, but Nia CLOBBERS her! The fans boo but Nia soaks it all up again. Nia stands Alexa up, HEADBUTTS her down, then runs, only for Alexa to avoid the elbow drop! The fans rally up, Alexa runs, but Nia pops her up! Alexa tries to rana but Nia blocks it! Alexa fights with fists now, but Nia POSTS her! Nia goes to the apron, runs up, but Alexa dodges! HIP ATTACK into POST! And then Alexa DROPKICKS Nia down! ALexa CROSSBODIES, but Nia catches her! SNAKE EYES off barriers! Nia drags Alexa up, THROWS her into more barriers, and then soaks up more heat while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Nia takes a bow while Charlotte checks on Alexa. Charlotte helps Alexa to her feet, and Alexa drags herself into the ring. Nia is already there waiting for her, and she drags Alexa up to TOSS back out! Alexa flops to the floor, Nia counts along with the ring count, but Charlotte again helps Alexa stand. Alexa again gets herself back in the ring, and she SLAPS Nia! Alexa fires body shots, then forearms, then a DROPKICK! Nia drops to a knee, Alexa runs up, but into a LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Nia is frustrated, but she drags Alexa up to put on ropes. Alexa then SITS and TWERKS on Alexa to CHOKE her! The ref counts, Nia stops, and Charlotte is not sure what any of that was about.

Nia drags Alexa up to TOSS Alexa back out! Nia mocks the “YES! YES! YES!” from the fans while Charlotte again checks Alexa. Charlotte hauls Alexa up to the apron this time, the ref has Nia stay back so he can check Alexa. Alexa sputters and rises up, but Nia is on her. Alexa JAWBREAKERS free! And then JAWBREAKERS again just because! And then again! Alexa ROCKS Nia, but Nia HEADBUTTS Alexa! Nia clamps onto Alexa for a COBRA CLUTCH! Charlotte is frustrated for Alexa while Alexa endures. Nia pushes Alexa down to the mat but Charlotte rallies the fans. Alexa fights back up, but Nia THRASHES her around!

SmackDown returns to single picture, the fans continue to rally, and Alexa fights up again. Nia whips her to a corner, then SPLASHES! Alexa sits down, and Nia HIP ATTACKS! Nia twerks again, then runs back up, but Alexa dodges! Hips hit buckles this time, and Alexa DROPKICKS Nia! Charlotte coaches Alexa on, but Nia HEADBUTTS Alexa again! Nia TOSSES Alexa out, but Charlotte is right there to get Alexa up. Nia BLASTS Alexa off teh apron, but again Charlotte helps her up! Nia runs up again, Alexa HOTSHOTS her in return! Alexa SMACKS Nia, but Nia blocks the next shot! Nia whips Alexa, but Alexa BOOTS back!

Alexa BOOTS again, then tilt-o-whirl RANAS! The fans fire up as Alexa hurries and KICKS Nia in the leg! And KICKS, and KICKS! Nia drops to a knee, Alexa SLAPS, ROCKS, and KNEES her! Then DROPKICKS! Nia stays up for the most part, but the fans fire up again! Alexa runs, and LOW CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Nia still has gas in the tank but so does Alexa. Alexa storms up, Nia shoves her away. Nia runs up, but Alexa dodges! Nia POSTS herself again! Alexa ROUNDHOUSES Nia, then SIT-OUT BUSTER! Alexa climbs, but Nia gets right up to fireman’s carry! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!!

Nia grows frustrated but Charlotte is worried for Alexa. Alexa bails out, Nia pursues, and Nia smirks as she has Alexa on the proverbial ropes. Nia CLOBBERS Alexa from behind! Nia stares Charlotte down, then shoves her away! The fans boo but Nia puts Alexa in the ring. Nia storms in after Alexa, drags her to a drop zone, and then goes up the corner. The fans boo but then Charlotte gets on the apron! Nia and Charlotte argue, but Alexa KICKS Nia’s legs out! Then DROPKICK! Cover, ALEXA WINS!

Winner: Alexa Bliss, by pinfall

Nia is furious! The Queen tipped the scales in Alexa’s favor, and that’s how Alexa survives! Will Nia’s bitterness turn into a grudge from here on out?

MFT heads to gorilla.

And they run across Rey Fenix. Solo asks what Fenix wants. Does he wanna fight or something? No. Then good! Go trick or treat or something. But then Fenix gets up on a road case and says he wants to fight Talla Tonga! Last week, Talla put his hands on Fenix, so now Fenix will take a piece of him! Solo laughs that off. But fine, next week, Fenix VS Talla 1v1. GOOD! Fenix SLAPS Talla! Talla snarls, roars, but Solo has him calm down. Focus on tonight, deal with that next week. MFT continues on, but will Fenix regret lighting the fire inside the Tongan giant?

Damian Priest speaks.

“Aleister Black. With everything you’ve done to me over the past few months, I should hate you. But I don’t. I don’t hate all your sneak attacks. I don’t hate the fact that you used your wife. I don’t even hate the fact that you set my face on fire. For some reason, my existence has been personal to you. But guess what, Aleister? You win. It’s personal to me now. You know what’s coming. You won’t know when, you won’t know how, but you know why. When I finally get my hands on you, Aleister, not even the devil himself will stop me. You spread your poison, now you feel my venom when Punishment comes for you. Happy Halloween.”

Aldis talks with Tiffany backstage.

The SmackDown General Manager again wants her to understand, we’re 24 hours away from Saturday Night’s Main Event and she is not 100% cleared. She says she is fine, she’ll be ready for the match. She wants to go through with this so she can show Jade- Kiana James steps in, and Miss Management says Aldis has a reason to be concerned. And judging by the shape that is in, Tiffy Time is coming to an end. Kiana says Tiff really should’ve accepted the offer to sign up with Kiana & Giulia. That way, Tiff could have someone to blame when Jade dissolves her tomorrow. Tiff says if Kiana keeps talking like that, she’ll find the time to beat her ass like last week!

Kiana gets heated, but Giulia steps in. Don’t worry about this, Tiff won’t be talking like this after tomorrow. Or at all, really. Tiff storms off, and Chelsea Green in her sassy Snow White costume wants Aldis to understand they are just 9 days away! From what? From Giulia ruining the most historic reign ever! Chelsea, spit it out, what’re you getting at? Duh! Her reign as the first-ever, longest-reigning, most-dangerous Women’s US Champion! And honestly, it is a little scary, and not in a cute Halloween way. Alba Fyre says justice must be served! Chelsea wants a match! Immediately! Aldis says the title’s barely been around a year, and even then, that’s not how this works.

Giulia says hold on, it’s fine. If Chelsea thinks she’s the better champion, she can prove it. Fine, next week it is. Aldis leaves, and Giulia says arrivederci! Giulia & Kiana leave, and Chelsea says this is going to be great! The first-and-fourth-ever, and only TWO-TIME Women’s US Champion! BUT THEN NIKKI CROSS SPOOKS HER! Chelsea & Alba run away, will the Wyatts be watching The Hot Mess take on the Beautiful Madness?

Motor City Machine Guns VS Tama Tonga & JC Mateo w/ MFT!

Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin are feeling great after their one-year-anniversary win over Los Garza. But their journey to become TWO-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions has run into some familiar foes. Will MCMG still be pedal to the metal on their way back to the top? Or will the Good Bad Guy & Imperial Unit be a major roadblock?

SmackDown returns as Shelly & Sabin make their entrance. The teams sort out, Shelley starts against JC, and then JC RAMS Shelley to a corner! JC fires hands, the ref counts, but JC stops at 4. JC runs back in, but Shelley BOOTS him away! JC comes back, Shelley dodges, and Shelley CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Tag to Sabin, Shelley whips, but JC reverses. Shelley KICSK JC, then clinches, and Sabin is up top! MISSILE DROPKICK FLATLINER COMBO! Cover, TWO! JC RAMS Sabin into the corner, then tags Tama. They mug Sabin, the ref counts, and JC backs off. Tama HAMMERS Sabin, HEADBUTTS him, then rains down more fists!

Tama headlocks Sabin but Sabin endures the grind. Sabin powers up and out, Shelley tags in, and MCMG DOUBLE LARIAT! Then they BLAST JC! Tama runs up, MCMG DUMPS him out, and the fans fire up as MCMG DOUBLE PLANCHA! Down go Tama and JC while the fans fire up, and MCMG regroups. Sabin drags Tama up and into the ring, but then Tama CLUBS Sabin! Tama scoops and SLAMS Sabin, then stalks him to ropes. Tama runs, Sabin follows, and Sabin KNEES low! Tag back to Shelley, they double whip for the DREAM SEQUENCE! Cover, ONE!! Tama is tougher than that, but Shelley stays close as SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Shelley waits on Tama, then JABS! JABS! And JABS! Then he ROCKS Tama with a haymaker! Shelley whips, but JC tags in! Tama reverses, Shelley dodges him, but JC hits the SNAP POWERSLAM! JC BLASTS Sabin, then sees Shelley bail out. JC goes out, SMACKS Shelley off the apron, then ROCKS him with a right. JC pushes Shelley into the ring, then covers, ONE!! JC covers again, ONE! JC SMOTHERS Shelley into the mat! The ref counts, JC stops at 4, and he tags Tama. They whip Shelley, then LARIAT him down! Tama paces before he AX HANDLES and rains down fists! Cover, TWO! Tama drags Shelley up to snap suplex! Cover, TWO!

Tag to JC and they drag Shelley up for a DOUBLE HEADBUTT! Shelley staggers around, but he CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! JC shoves Shelley, then ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Shelley stays in this but JC stays on him with a facelock. JC CLUBS Shelley, CLUBS him again, then whips him for a SHOULDER TACKLE! Shelley flounders away, but JC stand son him! The ref counts as they’re in the ropes, and JC steps off at 4. Tag to Tama, they drag Shelley up and whip him to a corner. JC runs in and ELBOWS Shelley, then Tama STINGER SPLASHES! Cover, TWO! Tama clamps onto Shelley with a chinlock and squeeze tight.

SmackDown returns to single picture and Shelley fights up. Shelley fires body shots, Tama CLUBS him, and JC tags in. Shelley fires forearms on Tama & JC! The fans rally up, Shelley ELBOWS Tama down, but JC blocks a boot! Shelley catches JC to a BUCKLE SHOT! The fans fire up as Shelley crawls, but Tama tags in! Tama drags Shelley back, but Shelley BOOTS him away! HOt tag to Sabin! The fans cheer as Sabin dodges Tama, DROPKICKS JC, then BOOTS Tama! Sabin goes up, up, and MISSILE DROPKICKS Tama! But JC is back! Sabin dodges to mule kick, then he kicks off Tama to TORNADO DDT JC!

The fans fire up as Sabin goes up again, FLYING DDT on Tama! Cover, TWO! Tama survives but Sabin puts him in the corner. Tag to Shelley before the MONKEY FLIP! Tama tumbles, Shelley runs up, and he LARIATS Tama up and out! Shelley builds speed, Sabin tags back in, and Shelley WRECKS Tama with the baseball slide! Shelley opens the way, Sabin DIVES onto Tama & JC! JC & Tama hit the desk and the fans fire up! Sabin hurries to get Tama back in, but then he avoids Talla’s cheap shot! Shelley SUPERKICKS Talla, and Sabin PENALTY KICKS! MCMG step back in, SOBAT, SUPERKICK, and SUPERKICK ENZIGIRI COMBO!

Tama sputters, but Solo gets on the apron! The ref stops Solo, but Loa SHOVES Shelley down! Sabin DECKS Loa, but Tama hits the CUTTHROAT ELBOW! Cover, MFT wins!

Winners: Tama Tonga & JC Mateo, by pinfall

The fans boo, but now MFT mugs MCMG! Loa CHOKES and HAMMERS Shelley while Talla CHOKE SLAMS Sabin! Solo says this is what you get for insulting the family! But wait! Here comes Rey Fenix! Talla tells everyone else to back off, this one’s his! But then Fenix GAMANGIRIS! And springboards to M ISSILE DROPKICK! SOBAT, then a run, but into a BOOT! Now MFT mugs Fenix, but here comes SHINSUKE NAKAMURA! The King of Strong Style ROCKS Loa, dodges JC, BLASTS Tama, and then WHEEL KICKS JC! Talla runs up, Nakamura dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Nakamura goes up, leaps, but into a CHOKE SLAM from Talla!

The fans boo as MFT stands tall over four of the best in the world. Will nothing stop them from taking everything they want?

Aldis talks with Drew McIntyre backstage.

Aldis says he wants to keep this simple. Did Drew read over the contract? Yes, he did. Is it all good? Yes. No issues? No issues. Really? Really. Why? Is Aldis worried Drew is going to walk out there with a live mic and say something he shouldn’t. In a word, yes. Drew tells Aldis he has a very stressful job, he needs to learn to relax. See you out there. Drew leaves, but will tonight’s contract signing go about how all contract signings go in the WWE? Or will the Scottish Terminator wait until tomorrow night to cause trouble?

SmackDown returns and Nick Aldis is in the ring.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we all know why we are here: to sign the contract for the WWE Championship match, tomorrow night at Saturday Night’s Main Event. So, without further ado, please welcome the Undisputed WWE Champion, The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes!” Salt Lake City cheers, and they sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, then continues down the ramp, high-fiving fans along the way. And of course, he hugs the fan in the American Nightmare duster. Cody then goes to the ring, and we get the second “WHOA~ OH~!” and pyro before he steps in and grabs the mic.

The fans cheers Cody on, and he tells “Salt Lake Citay~! Happy Halloween.” And then of course, please welcome out the challenger, Drew McIntyre! The Scottish Terminator makes his way out, gets his own pyro, and both men take their seat at the table. Aldis says they already discussed this, so there’s only one thing left to do: Sign on the dotted line. Each man says the other can go first, and the fans sing for “Cody, Cody Rhodes~!” With that, Drew decides he’ll go first. Drew has the pen, but then says he can’t sign this!? Aldis knew this would happen, but then Cody signs his part without question. The fans cheer, so now it’s all on Drew.

Aldis asks for one good reason why Drew can’t sign. Drew says that contract is completely lopsided. Aldis says there is no lopsided, it is a standard contract with standard language. Drew knows that, Cody knows that, Aldis knows that, so just sign it. Drew still says no. Drew wants to ask Aldis: If Drew gets disqualified tomorrow, what happens? Cody keeps the title. If Drew gets counted out, Cody keeps the title. Now what of Cody gets counted out? He also keeps the title! Or what if Cody intentionally disqualifies himself again? He keeps the title! It’s lopsided and Drew won’t sign it! Aldis says if Drew doesn’t wanna sign it, then Aldis has had it with him!

If Drew doesn’t want his shot at the title, if he doesn’t want to live forever, then fine! There are tons of other superstars back there who will gladly take Drew’s place, and Aldis will happily get one of them to sign this contract to get their shot at Cody for tomorrow night. Drew says fine, go ahead. The fans boo as Drew stands up, but Cody tells Drew to sit back down. Drew says okay, but this better be good. Cody says, “You think I’m a fool, Drew? What do you really want, right? I hear what you’re saying. Do you want a sitpulation, right? Do you want a clause added to this contract that if I get counted out, I lose the title?”

Drew says yes! And so then he wants a clause that if Cody gets disqualified, he loses tht title? YES! Then Cody is 110% fine with that! Aldis says hold on, Cody. He strongly advises against this. Cody says with respect to Aldis and the office of SmackDown GM, if Aldis thinks Cody wants an easy way out with Drew, Cody doesn’t give a damn! Then it’s settled! We’re all good now, right? Drew will sign that contract. Aldis says he is not happy about this, but Cody tells Aldis to just please, we all need to end this, so let it happen. Drew also tells Aldis to “do the right thing.” The fans cheer for it, too, so Aldis allows it.

Drew says it is official! He signs, and now it will be a No Champion’s Advantage match! Drew says this is happy moment, but he’s also sad. He and Cody should be the best of friends now after 20 years, traveling these same roads. Drew was the blueprint that helped Cody #FinishTheStory. Drew just doesn’t like how Cody goes about his business. Cody is Corporate America, and you think fans would hate that, but they cheer Cody every single week! Cody IS the American Nightmare, but Drew? Drew did things the right way: He works hard, tells the truth, doesn’t use his influence. He’s from a different country but he’s an American citizen!

You know what Drew is? He’s the REAL American Dream! The fans don’t like how Drew used that, and neither does Cody. Cody says, “Alright, ‘Dream.'” Cody likes how Drew keeps bringing up their parallel paths. What Drew did, how proud of it he is, and he should be, it is commendable. Drew made a blueprint that people follow to this day, that even Cody followed. When the bright lights were shattered and they had to check their egos at the door to face the mountain from the bottom up. They had to rebuild themselves, go overseas, challenge themselves with different styles. Wrestle in front of maybe 100 people, drive all night to make towns and do it again, because they love this!

Drew SHOULD be commended! All owe Drew a debt of gratitude for the blueprint that made him the Scottish Warrior, the MIGHTY Drew McIntyre! Drew built himself up so well that it was WWE who had to call Drew back! Oh, yes, but that is where the stories are different, and here’s why. When Cody got fed up here, Cody grew some balls and he walked! Drew, on the other hand, got FIRED! Good luck tomorrow, Drew. Nice guys used to finish last. And then Cody showed up. The fans fire up for that, but Drew says Cody will NOT get the last word! Cody will not spin this to get fans on his side because he needs them!

The truth is, Cody gives, and gives, and gives, and the fans take, and take, and take! One day, the fans are gonna turn on Cody, just like so many have turned on Drew! The fans boo but Drew says Cody can wear his orange suit to impress the fans and play along with it being Halloween. Oh, yay~! Cody is doing this for the fans! Y’know who would actually be happy if Cody were with them? Maybe go trick-or-treating? Cody’s lovely wife & daughters. Cody gets mad now. Drew asks Cody, “What were their names again?” Cody SMACKS Drew off the desk! Then he takes aim with the belt! Drew dodges and laughs at Cody! Drew says Cody does that tomorrow and he’s gonna lose it all!

Aldis tells Cody that, too, and then Drew slithers back in! CLAYMORE!! Drew grins as he goes to the belt and picks it up. Drew sets it aside so that he can then drag the table over! And then he gets Cody up and POWERBOMB through the table!! Aldis asks what is wrong with Drew, but it’s pretty obvious: He wants to be champion by any means necessary. Drew tells Cody this is his last night as champion. Make sure to go home on that private jet to tell his family that, because Drew’s going to take everything else from him! Drew SWEARS he will be champion again! But will the Scottish Terminator succeed in screwing Cody over? Or can Cody control his emotions in the heat of battle?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown, especially for the go-home to Saturday Night’s Main Event. Tiffany “interrupting” to call out Jade was good stuff, and they made a point to say Tiff isn’t truly 100% for her match, which is either to give her that underdog power or to excuse away her loss tomorrow night. Good promo with Tiff, Kiana, Giulia, and then with Chelsea, Alba and Nikki. Chelsea VS Giulia for the Women’s US Championship will be good stuff, especially as a rare Heel VS Heel showdown, but it feels like it’ll come down to who can cheat better. Well, that’ll still be fun, I bet Kiana has more tricks up her sleeve than Alba.

Good contract signing segment to end the show, but Drew has already made some fatal mistakes. He invoked Dusty Rhodes, even if indirectly, then mentioned Cody’s wife and kids, then had to stand tall over Cody to end the show. Drew even touched the title! Drew couldn’t jinx this any harder without going under a ladder and having black cats cross his path. Not to be mean to Cody, but I can only hope that Drew defies the go-home math. The irony is that nothing would then stop Cody pulling off a new comeback story to take that title back, so whether we like it or not, Cody Rhodes is gonna stay Undisputed.

Very good promo from Alexa & Charlotte before Alexa VS Nia. Charlotte mostly helping out was an interesting touch, but Nia surely won’t leave this alone. Nia VS Charlotte will be very good, but will Nia really get a teammate again to go for tag titles? Or is this just to help build a Women’s WarGames of Faces VS Heels? Which is kinda the same as getting a teammate but not for the titles. Very good match from Melo VS Kit, and it seems Kit is shifting into single mode with Elton Prince still out with the undisclosed injury from months ago. I don’t think he needs the long armbands, he kept adjusting those. But just as I figured last week, Miz helped Kit, even though it didn’t change the outcome. Miz VS Melo is still happening, that’ll be good stuff for Melo in the long run.

Awesome US Championship match from Ilja VS Frazer, and I really like that Ciampa wanted to get in there but was “too little too late” tonight. Very good brawl of DIY VS Fraxiom, maybe that’s a match that happens again while also figuring out who else can go for the US title. But Tama teasing a match with Ilja is awesome stuff, that match would steal the show. Fenix confronting Talla was great, too, and we got a great match from MCMG VS Tama & JC. A shame that WWE doesn’t see “it” in Loa to team with his longtime teammate in Tama, but at the same time, Loa does tend to get a bit sloppy… I wonder if we get MFT VS Team Sami for WarGames. Sami, Fenix, Nakamura & MCMG. Interchangeably, you could have Ilja lead the team on Sami’s behalf since they’re playing Sami not being healthy.

My Score: 8.8/10