Just 36 days until WrestleMania!

Now that Cody Rhodes is once again Undisputed WWE Champion, he and Randy Orton are set to face off at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas! But you know what that means? Time for a contract signing!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Uncle Howdy & Erick Rowan VS Solo Sikoa & Talla Tonga; Howdy & Rowan win.
• Jade Cargill VS Mia Yim; Jade wins.
• WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Nia Jax & Lash Legend VS Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss; Nia & Lash win, by disqualification, and retain the titles.
• Damian Priest & R-Truth VS Los Garza; Priest & Truth win.
• Tiffany Stratton VS Kiana James w/ Giulia; Tiff wins.
• Jacob Fatu VS Trick Williams; Trick wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Drew McIntyre shouts for Nick Aldis!

Just as cameras are watching the SmackDown General Manager look over the title contract for WrestleMania, the Scottish Warrior has a mic and storms through the crowd! “Aldis, you can take that contract and shove it up your arse!” Drew pushes his way to ringside and asks commentary if they saw what happened last week! The title was STOLEN from him! Aldis couldn’t help himself, could he? He had to make sure the golden boy had the title back before WrestleMania, huh? Aldis is gonna get out here right now and make this right! Drew will stay here all night if- Aldis steps out on stage and says he’ll explain this in plain English: There is nothing to make right.

Part of being champion is defending the championship. Aldis made Drew do that in a fair 1v1 contest. A contest in which Drew headbutted a referee, and it still didn’t go his way, did it? And now Drew is playing victim again. Drew’s looking for someone to blame, but he should be looking at the consequences of his own actions. Oh, the consequences of his actions? When Jacob Fatu got involved? Aldis had to make the match with Cody, sure, despite the deal he had with Drew. Cody lost in the Royal Rumble, he lost in the Elimination Chamber, but Aldis had to make sure the “Corporate Champion” had his title back, “you corporate stooge!”

Aldis says how dare Drew call him that! Drew know who Aldis is and where he came from. If we’re talking Rumble and Chamber, the matches where Drew screwed Cody? Real rich from the guy claiming he’s the one getting screwed! So listen to Aldis now: Drew did everything he could to prevent Cody from getting his fair shot, and now we understand why. The first time Cody got one, he beat Drew. The fans are torn on that but Drew storms from commentary to ring! Drew gets in Aldis’ face and he says Aldis knows it as well as Drew does: THIS IS BULLSH*T! Now, Aldis better make this right or else!

But wait! Jacob Fatu is here! The fans cheer as the Samoan Werewolf storms down the ramp, mic in hand. Fatu stares Drew down, then steps into the ring. The fans are torn as Aldis steps back, but Phoenix sounds like they’re behind Fatu on this. “Yadada mean?! Fix? Heh. Fix what? Huh, Drew? You wouldn’t even be champion if it wasn’t for me.” The fans agree with that. Fatu says let’s state facts: Fatu fixed the situation last week so Drew McIntyre is no longer champion. So this isn’t about Aldis, this isn’t about Cody, and this isn’t about anybody else. Drew’s pointing fingers, blaming people, blaming the ref, blaming Aldis, blaming everybody else…

Let’s keep it 100. FATU is the one that screwed Drew! So let’s break it down for you, Drew: What the hell you gonna do about it!? Fatu and Drew have stepped up closer now, and Drew says, “What am I gonna do about it? You wanna know what I’m gonna do about it? You, Nick, Cody, these people, I’m done with you all. I QUIT!” Drew throws down his mic and storms out of the ring! No one knows what to make of this as Drew storms back out through the crowd the way he came in! Drew tells Phoenix to shove it, but is he serious about leaving SmackDown?

MFT is backstage.

Solo Sikoa says the plan worked perfectly last week. The Wyatts aren’t #1 contenders, and MFT still has the lantern. But the job isn’t done. Tonight, Solo & Talla take care of Howdy & Rowan. As for the lantern, he entrusts it to Tama Tonga to guard it with his life. Without this, the Wyatts are nothing. Tama nods as he holds onto the lantern, but then he lingers to look at it. And he can tell someone is there. It’s Nakamura! Tama asks why Nakamura is here, but Nakamura asks Tama when he’ll finally be his own man, instead of Solo’s minion. Solo steps back in and tells Nakamura to stay away from their family before he gets hurt.

Solo pats Tama on the shoulder, and the Good Bad Guy follows Solo out. The screen glitches for the Wyatts, will Howdy & Rowan be able to take back what’s rightfully theirs?

Fatu and Aldis talk backstage.

Neither of them can make heads or tails of Drew saying he quits. He quits right when Fatu was about to whoop- But then Trick Williams steps in and asks whoop what? Only one man does the whooping around here, and that’s Trick! Get your own material, dawg! Now, Aldis, when you- Fatu tells Trick to shut up! The only job Trick’s got tonight is Fatu whooping HIS ass! Aldis has Fatu calm it down, and Fatu says last time he did, look what happened. It ain’t happening no more. And no more disrespect, either! Fatu storms off, and Trick asks what Fatu knows about disrespect! That was disrespect! What Orton did last week was disrespect! Do you job, Aldis!

Well, speaking of Orton, he’s busy tonight. But Fatu’s ready, so Trick VS Fatu tonight! That’s not what Trick meant!  Who hired this man? Where’s Trips? Aldis says Drew already quit. If Trick wants to also lose his job, keep talking. Trick says Aldis sure is something else. Trick Willy and Jacob Fatu are both in fighting moods, but who will take out their frustrations on the other in Phoenix?

Uncle Howdy & Erick Rowan w/ The Wyatt Sick6 VS Solo Sikoa & Talla Tonga w/ MFT!

SmackDown returns and MFT makes their entrance. The teams sort out and the big men step up. Rowan and Talla RAM shoulders, then RAM again! The fans fire up as Rowan eggs Talla on. Talla feints the run to UPPERCUT! Talla then runs for real and CLOBBERS Rowan! Talla stomps Rowan, drags him up, and HEADBUTTS him back down. Talla has Rowan on the ropes and CHOKES him! The ref counts, Talla stops at 4, but Talla tags in Solo. The fans boo as Solo smirks and taunts Rowan. Rowan reaches out, but Solo HEADBUTTS him! Solo runs, RAMS, but Rowan rebounds to RUN Solo over! The fans fire up as Rowan tags Howdy!

Howdy CLOBBERS Solo, stares Talla down, then stomps away on Solo in the corner. The ref counts, Howdy LARIATS, and the fans join in on, “YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH!” But then Solo UPPERCUTS Howdy! Solo storms up on Howdy to ROCK him in the MFT corner. Solo tags Talla back in, they mug Howdy, but Howdy fights back! Howdy fires off on Solo, but Solo shoves Howdy! Talla trips Howdy, drags him out, and SMACKS him off the apron! And then SMACKS him off the desk! Then THROWS him into barriers! MFT talks trash and stands tall while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Solo soaks up heat and talks trash while he and Talla refresh the count. JC Mateo & Tonga Loa stand in the way of the Wyatts as Talla scoops Howdy. Talla SLAMS Howdy on the desk! Howdy slumps to the floor, Loa talks some trash, but the Wyatts coach their leader on. Talla drags Howdy up, HEADBUTTS him, then puts him in the ring. Talla steps in, taunts Rowan, then stomps Howdy. Talla drags Howdy up to UPPERCUT him back down! Then Talla whips Howdy to ropes, and ELBOWS him down! Talla runs and adds an ELBOW DROP! Talla shakes out the arm before he steps on Howdy, then tags in Solo.

Solo soaks up heat, taunts Rowan, then HEADBUTTS Howdy! And HEADBUTTS! Solo rains down fists, CHOKES him on the ropes, but he backs off as the ref counts. Talla gets a cheap shot in! The ref has to keep Rowan back, and Solo sits Howdy up for a shoulder claw! Howdy endures while Solo just adds more trash talk. Howdy fights up, fires body shots, then reaches out, but Solo holds onto the wristlock! Howdy ROCKS Solo, reaches out for Rowan, and repeat! But then Solo clinches to URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Howdy survives but Solo tags Talla. Talla storms in as SmackDown returns to single picture.

The fans rally for Howdy but Talla taunts him. Howdy fires body shots, but Talla CHOPS him down! Talla stands Howdy up to whip him into a corner. Talla runs up and SPLASHES! Then fireman’s carries for a RUNNING SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Howdy but Talla tags Solo. Solo paces around Howdy, drags him up, and clinches for SISTER- NO, Howdy slips through and hits a BIG back suplex! The fans fire up while both men are down! Solo and Howdy crawl, reach out, and hot tag to Talla and Rowan! The fans fire up as Rowan fires forearms on Talla again and again!

Rowan ROCKS and whips Talla, but Talla reverses! Rowan returns to DDT! Rowan DROPKICKS Talla to the corner, then runs up to ELBOW! Rowan keeps going and he BLASTS Solo! The fans fire up as Rowan runs in, but Talla BOOTS him! Talla runs up, Rowan dodges, and Rowan returns to BODY CHECK! Rowan goes up, leaps, FLYING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Talla survives and Rowan is surprised, but the fans rally up again. Rowan roars and says he’s gonna lift him! Fireman’s carry, but Solo tags in! Talla slips free, and he shoves Roawan into a GAMANGIRI! Talla LARIATS, and Solo goes up! FLYING SOLO, but onto knees!

The fans fire up as Rowan hot tags Howdy! Clinch and- NO, Solo slips free, to SAMOAN SPIKE!! Cover, ROWAN BREAKS IT! The fans fire up but here comes Talla! Talla LARIATS Rowan up and out! Talla then goes out after him, only for DOUBLE LARIATS to collide! The fans fire up, but now Gacy & Lumis stare down JC & Loa. The fans fire up as these four talk some trash, but then JC says let’s cool off. Only to run up on Lmis! Lumis SUPERKICKS JC! Loa goes after Lumis, Gacy goes after Tama! They brawl while the fans fire up! Solo goes outside to get Gacy with a SAMOAN SPIKE! Then he SAMOAN SPIKES Lumis!

The fans boo as Solo solos the Wyatts! Solo gets back in the ring, and he winds up another one for Howdy! The fans boo, but Nikki Cross has the lantern! The fans cheer but Solo says you leave that alone! Nikki says nope, it’s theirs! Nikki taunts Solo with the lantern now, and Howdy rises! Solo turns around, into SISTER ABIGAIL!! Cover, Wyatts win!!

Winners: Uncle Howdy & Erick Rowan, by pinfall

Nikki hands Howdy the lantern, and all is right in the dark and twisted world- NO! CUTTHROAT ELBOW from Tama!! The Good Bad Guy completes his mission as he takes the lantern back! The fans boo, but MFT runs away with everything again! Will anyone ever have a fair fight when it comes to MFT?

Damian Priest & R-Truth finish watching this.

The Archer of Infamy admits, MFT are gonna be tough. Truth says Judgment Day looks really different. They can’t let their history with Judgment Day cloud their judgment and cost them the tag titles. Priest asks what Truth is talking about. That’s not Judgment Day. Truth says of course it is! That guy with the big head is JD McDonagh, he just been eating good. The guy with the slicked back hair is Tom ‘n’ Nick Mysterio. They just put on some muscle. Priest sighs and says when they face those guys, they will become WWE Tag Team Champions. Truth says that’s what’s up. But then Los Garza step in and say blah blah blah, all talk.

Everyone knows Truth & Priest are only #1 contenders thanks to Angel y Berto, because they did all the hard work! While Truth & Priest were relaxing backstage doing their hair… Well, maybe not Truth… Los Garza was beating all the tag teams and stacking them up. Priest says yeah, true, Los Garza did do the hard work. But then Priest & Truth wiped the floor with them. But hey, they’re fresh now, so are Priest & Truth. Is Truth are thinking what he’s thinking? Yes. He hasn’t seen these two a day in his life. And also, one of them isn’t wearing deodorant. No, Truth. Priest says he’ll talk to Aldis, and they’ll have a match.

Tranquilo, Los Garza just has to put on the tearaway pants, scratch each other, whatever it is they do to get ready, and meet them in the ring tonight. Truth says now that’s what’s up. But will the “Archers of Truth” prove they’re truly the deserving tag team? Or is this a trap game against Angel y Berto?

Kiana James & Giulia speak.

Miss Management tells Tiffany Stratton, “You talk a big game, but talking only gets you so far.” The Beautiful Madness adds in both Japanese and English, “You really think you deserve a title? You can’t even beat Kiana tonight, let alone me.” Kiana has zero issues shutting Tiffany up and showing that #TiffyTime has expired. Will that be true? Or will the Wrestling Barbie prove only she says when it’s over?

Jade Cargill VS Mia Yim!

The Storm is in Phoenix, ready to settle things with Michin once and for all. Will Jade prove to Mia, as well as Rhea Ripley, that she is #ThatB1tch? Or will she see that Mia really is the Head Baddie in Charge?

SmackDown returns as Michin makes her entrance, from the crowd side! Mia attacks from behind, then HAMMERS away on Jade! Mia SOBATS then ROUNDHOUSES Jade out of the ring! The ref has Mia stay back while Jade gets back in. The bell rings, Jade runs up, but Mia dodges! Mia SHOTGUNS Jade to a corner, then fires off CHOPS and forearms! The fans fire up, but Jade whisp Mia into the corner. Mia BOOTS Jade, then goes up the corner! Mia leaps to FLYING RANA! Jade tumbles right back out of the ring! Mia builds speed as the fans fire up, but Jade goes around the corner. Mia has to stop short of the dive, to then change course and DIVE out the side!

The fans fire up with Mia as she gets Jade back in. Mia follows, but Jade BOOTS her down! Then scoop SLAMS her! Jade pushes Mia down, stomps her around, and KICKS her in the back! Jade stalks Mia, bumps her off buckles, then stomps away. The ref counts, Jade CHOKES Mia, but she stops at 4. Jade lines up a shot to KICK Mia in the side! Mia goes to ropes, Jade eggs her on, and she pie faces Mia. Mia fires a body shot, but Jade CLUBS her! And kicks her! And stomps her again! The fans rally as Mia rises, and she fires more body shots! Jade CLUBS Mia again, then whips her to ropes. Mia goes Spider-Woman, then she ducks down to DUMP Jade out!

The fans fire up as Mia aims from the apron, PENALTY KICK! Jade staggers around while Mia says th ekick is good! The fans cheer, and Mia CROSSBODIES, but into Jade’s arms! FALL AWAY SLAM on the floor! Jade kips up and fires up but SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Mia ROCKS Jade! Mia runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Mia survives and Jade grows frustrated. Jade drags Mia up, guzels, then CHOKE- NO, Mia slips into a wheelbarrow, but Jade chicken wings from there! Mia fights with elbows, then finishes the STUNNER! The fans fire up while Jade staggers, Mia reels Jade in, and uses the ropes, TORNADO DDT! Not the cleanest but Mia hurries to cover, TWO! Jade survives but Mia drags her back up. Mia wrenches and SOLE- NO, Jade refuses to eat da feet, but then Mia dodges! PELE! And SLICED BREAD!

The fans fire up as Mia goes again, and here’s SOLE FOOD! But Jade falls out of the ring! Mia is frustrated but she hurries out to the apron. Mia aims and runs up, CANNONBALL misses as Jade dodges! Jade reels Mia in, lifts her up, and BARRIER BOMBS! Jade pushes Mia into the ring while the fans are torn. Mia flounders but Jade hauls her up. Jade takes a taste before she CHOKE SLAMS! Then chicken wings and JADED! Cover, Jade wins!

Winner: Jade Cargill, by pinfall

No revenge for Mia tonight, The Storm is rolling towards WrestleMania! Cathy Kelley steps in the ring to interview jade. She congratulates Jade on the win, and brings up the growing tensions between her and Rhea. Jade snatches the mic from Cathy! Cathy hurries away and Jade says, “Hold up, hold up. Y’all see that? That is what happens when these wrestlers believe in their own hype! Now all these women backstage know what it is. When they see me in these hallways, they get real quiet. But for some reason, the world tells me that I should be scared of one woman: Rhea Ripley.” The fans cheer that!

“And for some reason, I keep thinking, ‘Scared of what? Who? I’m ME!’ And what am I afraid of? I don’t see a challenger, I don’t see a threat. And I ain’t been afraid of nothing my whole damn life! And that damn ain’t starting today! So Rhea, I’m gonna beat yo’ ass come WrestleMania. And I’ma show you why I’m always on top.” But just as Jade drops the mic, RHEA APPEARS! The fans fire up as Mami is in Phoenix, and she’s storming up on The Storm! Rhea steps into the ring, stares Jade down, and dares Jade to do something tonight. Jade just exits the ring instead. The fans boo but Jade says they do things on her time.

Rhea grabs the mic to say Jade’s the one running her mouth, but now she’s running from a fight. Jade is not the embodiment of female empowerment! She’s not THE, or even A… but after Mania, she will be Rhea’s B*tch! The fans cheer that! Will Rhea eradicate Jade in Las Vegas? Or will The Storm keep the reign going in Sin City?

Nick Aldis is on the phone.

He’s talking with others about Drew McIntyre. He’s tried to get in contact, but please let him know if they can reach Drew. Aldis finishes the call while Cody Rhodes steps in. Cody asks what’s going on with that Drew situation, but Aldis says honestly, who knows. Aldis has to take it seriously, but he just wants Cody to focus on the contract signing. Cody say she looked it over, it is in order. Then see you out there. Aldis heads out, and in steps Sami. Sami again wants this not to turn into something, he just wants to say congratulations. Cody did it! He said he would, and he did, and now he’s walking into WrestleMania as Undisputed Champion.

Sami again says congratulations, and for what it’s worth, Sami is rooting for Cody. Cody says he won’t make this a thing, either. But he knows Sami said the exact same thing to Randy Orton last week. Sami, what are we doing? Let’s just get to the root of it. If Sami’s looking for a title match after Mania from one of them, Cody hasn’t even faced Orton yet. Sorry if he’s short with Sami, but if anyone deserves the match, it IS Sami. They could go to Aldis and get Sami that because he IS Sami Zayn! Is that what this is about? Sami wanting a title shot? Sami takes a moment, and says he cannot believe Cody thinks so lowly of him.

Y’know why Sami said all that to Orton? Because that’s RANDY ORTON! Okay?! Randy Orton is one-of-one, a FOURTEEN-TIME WWE World Champion, there will neve be anyone like Orton in this business ever again! Sami looks up to Orton! Sami doesn’t look up to Cody! But do you know why? Because Sami and Cody are friends. Remember? And friends are equals, okay? So yeah. Cody is walking into the main event of WrestleMania again, and he may be WWE Champion again, but in Sami’s eyes, they’re equals. Cody doesn’t get to talk down to Sami like that! Cody defends he is not talking down to Sami!

But if Sami is talking about not looking up to Cody, Cody just spent this entire week talking to media about how Sami was magical because Cody DOES look up to Sami! Cody is inspired by Sami! What is this whole thing about, Sami?! Not looking up to him, fine, Sami made his point on that. But Sami doesn’t need to, just look right here at the belt. Cody storms off and Sami is frustrated again. And yes, he smacks more water bottles. Zelina Vega laughs as she steps in, followed by Aleister Black. All this chasing the world title, Sami, and you ever think that maybe it’s not meant for you? Sami tells Aleister to stay far, far away from him. Understood?

Sami storms off now and Zelina mockingly says all that anger can’t be good for him. Something’s got to give, but will Sami snap or just self-destruct?

Mia Yim and B-Fab regroup backstage.

Michin is icing up after that loss, and she’s frustrated. Fab says she still fought really hard. Mia says that’s not good enough, though. Rhea steps in and says that was a great match. Mia shrugs the hand off and says congrats on Mania. If Jade hadn’t taken Mia out of action months ago, this would be a very different conversation. The pity party is not her scene. Fab calms Mia down, and thanks Rhea. Mia just needs to cool down. They’ll go somewhere else and talk this out. Rhea isn’t sure what to make of this, but she is the “new girl” on SmackDown again. Will Mami be able to focus on herself and the fight she has with Jade?

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Nia Jax & Lash Legend VS Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss!

The Irresistible Forces took these titles from #RheYo, but now #Charlexa wants them back! Will Nia & Lash just keep celebrating on the road to WrestleMania? Or will The Queen & Lil’ Miss Bliss become the immovable objects?

Wait, the Bella Twins are here? Phoenix cheers on Nikki & Brie as they return home! The Bellas step into the ring and Charlotte is at least a little happy seeing them again. The Bellas get the mics, and Brie starts by telling Phoenix and the “Bella Army,” it feels good to be back on SmackDown in their hometown. Nikki says hi Charlotte, hi Alexa. As much as the Bellas want to wish them luck tonight, that’s not why they’re here. No matter who wins here tonight, the Bellas are back for gold, so they’re next in line! The fans like that idea! So tonight, the Bellas will be ringside to get a good look at the competition.

With that, Nikki & Brie hop out of the ring and sit by commentary. Will they get plenty of notes on all four women in this match? We see, after the break.

SmackDown returns as Nia & Lash make their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who heads for WrestleMania!

The teams sort out, but then Nia & Lash just attack Charlotte & Alexa! The fans boo the Bougie Bullies, but Nia HAMMERS away on Alexa while Lash drags Charlotte up. They take the challengers to corners, then SPLASH! Nia stomps Alexa, Lash snaspmares Charlotte, and Lash bumps Charlotte off buckles. The champs high-five, but then Charlotte ELBOWS Lash while Alexa BOOTS Nia away! The fans rally up as Charlexa then DUMPS Nia out! Lash runs up but Charlexa dodges, to DOUBLE DROPKICK! Lash tumbles out now, regroups with Nia, but Alexa goes to the apron. CANNONBALL, but Nia catches Alexa with ease!

Nia spins Alexa around, and hits SNAKE EYES off the apron! Charlotte aims to PLANCHA, and down goes Nia! But Lash runs up to PUMP THE BRAKES! The ref reprimands while Lash taunts Charlotte. Lash and Nia hug it out, then they try to intimidate The Bellas while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Lash & Nia hear the ring count and they put Alexa in. Nia steps in, tells the ref to calm it down, and she HEADBUTTS Alexa down! Nia soaks up heat, mocks The Bellas, even twerks at them a bit, but Alexa KICKS low! Alexa fires hands, KICKS, and runs, but into a LARIAT! Nia YANKS Alexa up, puts her in the corner, and tags Lash. The champs mug Alexa, then Lash THROWS Alexa down. Lash runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Alexa survives but Lash has the ref keep Charlotte back. Lash wrenches Alexa to a wristlock, then puts on the pressure! Alexa endures, fires body shots, but Lash KNEES low! Lash then straight arm levels Alexa up!

Lash carries Alexa around, drops her down, then LARAITS! Cover, TWO! Alexa survives again but Lash stays on her. Tag to Nia and she BODY BLOWS Alexa. Nia puts Alexa on the ropes and sits on her! Nia uses her twerking for evil! The ref reprimands but Nia puts Alexa in a corner. Nia runs up, but only gets buckles! Nia hurries to grab Alexa, but Alexa fires more body shots. Nia DECKS Alexa, then BLASTS Charlotte! The ref has to keep Charlotte back, but Nia bumps Alexa off buckles. Lash gets her shots in on Alexa while the ref is distracted! Nia drags Alexa up, scoops her, then tags Lash. Lash has Alexa in the ropes to CLUB away on her! Then Nia hits a SIDEWALK SLAM!

Lash hops in and SPLASHES DOWN! Cover, TWO! Alexa survives but Lash drags her right back up, only for Alexa to JAWBREAKER! SmackDown returns to single picture as Alexa crawls, but Lash goes for the legs! Alexa kicks at Lash again and again, then kicks free, only for Lash to CLOBBER her! Lash drags Alexa back, sends her to the corner, but Alexa ELBOWS Nia! Alexa BOOTS Lash, then goes up, CROSSBODY! But Lash catches her with ease! Lash taunts Charlotte, but Alexa slips free! And ducks under, hot tag to Charlotte! The fans fire up as Charlotte goes up, up, and CROSBODIES Lash! Down goes Lash!

Charlotte BOOTS Nia, then CHOPS Lash! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” with each CHOP! Lash shoves Charlotte, runs up, but Charlotte dodges! HANDSPRING LARIAT! The fans fire up with Charlotte and she storms up on Lash. Charlotte whips, Lash reveres, but Charlotte goes up and out! Charlotte BOOTS Lash away, but Nia tags in! Charlotte RAMS Nia, then goes up and over, only to get caught in a fireman’s carry! SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Charlotte survives but Nia drags her to the drop zone! Nia goes up, up, and A-NIA- NO! Charlotte avoids disaster, then drags Nia into place!

Charlotte goes up the corner and the fans fire up again! MOONSAULT! Cover, but Lash breaks it! The fans boo, but Alexa TORNADO DDTS Lash! Nia RAMS Charlotte into the apron! Nia scoops Charlotte but Charlotte slips free, and she POSTS Nia! Nia ELBOWS back, then runs up! Charlotte dodges, Nia avoids crashing into Nikki, but then Nia YANKS Nikki into Charlotte’s BOOT! Oops! Nia taunts Nikki, then DECKS Charlotte! Brie is pissed, but Nia SHOVES her down! Nia puts Charlotte in the ring, then runs up, but the leg drop misses! Charlotte SUPERKICKS, and SUPERKICKS, and tags Alexa! NATURAL SELECTION and then- NO, the Bellas attack Nia!

Winners: Nia Jax & Lash Legend, by disqualification (still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)

The fans boo as Brie ruins it for Charlexa! but then Lash CLOBBERS them all! Charlotte fires hands with Lash, Nikki goes after Nia, then she kicks Lash! The fans are torn as Nia now CLOBBERS Nikki! Nia ROCKS Nikki, then feeds her to Lash’s LEGENDARY FOREARM! Lash then scoops Nikki for a BEARHUG, and thrashes her around! Nia goes up, Lash holds Nikki up, SUPER GUILLOTINE LEG DROP!! The Irresistible Forces may have survived Charlexa, but the they demolished everyone! Will no one stop them from doing the same at WrestleMania?

R-Truth talks with Jelly Roll backstage.

They get caught up, and Truth warns Jelly about The Miz. Miz is creepy, shady, keep both eyes on him! Priest says hey, too, and Truth says this is his friend, Sushi Roll. No, Truth, Jelly. Truth likes jelly, too. Priest says time to go. Priest ushers Truth away, and Jelly sees Randy! They say hey, and Jelly congratulates Randy on his win at Elimination Chamber and going for Number 15 at Mania. Randy says congrats on the three Grammys, that’s a record, right? Nah, but it felt great. What’s Jelly doing tonight? Miz TV. Any advice? Yes, if Miz starts yapping too much, just whip his ass. They hug it out before Randy heads out, will Jelly have to roll Miz later tonight?

Charlexa regroups backstage.

They’re both upset over how that went, but The Bellas find them first. Brie asks where they think they’re going. Alexa says look, she gets it. Seeing your sister getting kicked in the face sucks, but Charlexa had the match won. Charlotte adds that sticking your noses where they don’t belong cost them those titles. Nikki says Nia & Lash came at them, they weren’t just going to sit there and do nothing. Brie adds that they came back to fight for those titles. And thanks to Aldis, they’re up next. The Bellas head out, but will Charlexa make sure to “return the favor?”

Damian Priest & R-Truth VS Los Garza!

As the “Archers of Truth” already said, they wiped the floor with Angel y Berto once, and they’ll gladly do it again if it’ll prove a point. Will Los Garza see what’s up? Or will they put the tag title match in question?

SmackDown returns and Los Garza make their entrance. The teams sort out, but then Los Garza attacks! Same move as the Irresistible Forces, but they focus on Priest 2v1! The fans boo but Los Garza soaks up the heat. Priest rises up, and as Los Garza high-ten, they spot him. Priest then DOUBLE LARIATS! Priest TOSSES Berto to a corner, Angel goes after him, but Priest TOSSES him into Berto! Priest ROCKS and HAMMERS both of them, then whips Angel back into Berto! Tag to Truth and the fans fire up! Priest whips Angel to FLAPJACK, then Truth hits the SCISSOR KICK! The fans cheer the combo, and Truth asks “WHATS UP?!” “WHAT’S UP!”

Angel stomps Truth’s foot! Angel LARIATS Truth down, then rains down fists! Angel mocks the “What’s Up” while he HEADBUTTS Truth! The fans boo but Angel puts Truth on the ropes, then tags Berto. Berto drags Truth down, turns him around, and Los Garza DOUBLE KICK COMBO! Los Garza soak up more heat, then Berto covers, TWO! Now Berto rains down fists on Truth, then he brings Truth around. Berto whips Truth, Truth ducks ‘n’ dodges, and Truth hits a tilt-o-whirl headscissors! The fans fire up with Truth as he does the splits! Truth goes corner to corner and SPLASHES! Berto staggers, Angel tags in, but Truth doesn’t see it!

Berto runs up, ducks the leg lariat, but Truth does the splits again! Truth runs, but Berto ducks, and Angel holds the ropes open! Truth falls to the floor, Berto FLYING CHUCKS Priest down! Then Los Garza set up on the corner, DOUBLE MOONSAULTS! Down go Truth & Priest, and off come the tearaway pants! Los Garza stands tall while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Berto has Truth in an abdominal stretch. Truth fights up, fights free, and ROCKS Berto! Berto ROCKS Truth, then he puts Truth in the corner. Berto runs up to LARIAT, then Angel tags in. They whip again, and send Berto at Priest! Angel LARIATS Truth while Berto knocks Priest down! Then they LEAP FROG ATTACK Truth! And then feed to the SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Truth survives and the fans rally up. Angel drags Truth up, brings him around, and snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Angel grows frustrated, and he HAMMERS Truth with forearms! Angel says “You Can’t SEe Me~!”

The fans boo, but Truth suplexes Angel for an OSAKA STREET CUTTER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Truth and Angel crawl, tag to Berto! Berto runs up but Truth TOSSES Berto out! ANgel runs up, Truth DUMPS him out! Hot tag to Priest! The fans fire up as Priest DECKS Berto, DECKS Angel, ROUNDHOUSES Berto, then ROUNDHOUSES Angel! ROUNDHOUSE again and again, then Los Garza end up in corners! BACK ELBOW for Angel, BACK ELBOW for Berto! SHOULDER TACKLE for Angel! Priest wrenches Berto, goes up the corner, and the fans cheer as Priest goes Old School for the CROSSBODY!

The fans fire up with Priest again, and he powers up the arm. Berto rises, Priest runs, COMEBACKER! Cover, but Angel breaks it with a dropkick! The fans boo but Angel stands Priest up. Priest DECKS Angel! Berto runs up, but into a kick! Priest reels Berto in, lift shim up, but Angel makes the save! Angel tags in, then GAMANGIRIS Priest! Berto springboards to BACK ELBOW! Angel LIONSAULTS! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives the onslaught and the fans fire up! Angel tells Berto to go up! Angel drags Priest into position, tags Berto, and Berto MOONSUALTS, but into boots! Angel jumps in, but Priest catches him in a guzel!

The fans fire up as Priest rises, but Angel slips free! Angel goes up, but Priest grabs a foot! Priest CLUBS Angel on the back, then crucifix for the RAZOR’S EDGE! The fans fire up as Priest then points to Truth! Truth feels it, and he tags in! Priest & Truth each get a Garza, and they DOUBLE BELL CLAP! Guzel for Angel, fireman’s carry for Berto! SOUTH OF HEAVEN and ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! Cover, Priest & Truth win!

Winners: Damian Priest & R-Truth, by pinfall

Now you know they’re proper #1 contenders! Will they hit the mark and take the gold right from MFT?

Alex Shelley again tries to help Candice LeRae & Johnny Gargano.

Shelley says last week was tough love, it didn’t work, but at least they tried. Shelley tries to encourage “the greatest wrestler on the planet,” but Candice feels they’ve hit a dead end. Shelley says they need to get back to basics, try small, simple things. Right, yes! They gotta get Johnny Wrestling wrestling! They push the cart along, and then Chris Sabin walks in. Shelley says he is ready for an apology hug. They both saw the replay, right? Bring it in. Sabin skips that to ask Shelley why he’s still wasting time on Gargano! Oh, c’mon, let’s get over that. Gargano is a human being, there is history here, they can forgive him.

Sabin says while Shelley’s wasting time with the man who once cost them the WWE Tag Team Championships, Sbin is busy helping the MCMG. They have a match next week! And guess who with? Fraxiom! Awesome! Couldn’t be better. Is Shelley still committed or what? C’mon, Sabin, what do you think? Then prove it. Sabin heads out, but in the background… Was that B-Fab talking with Jade? And did they walk off somewhere together? Maybe that’s an allegiance that needs to be questioned.

The Miz is backstage.

And Danhausen surprises him! Danhausen says hello to Mentor Miz, and says as his mentor, Miz should wear Danhausen’s new, best-selling T-shirt as he hosts Miz TV with “Jelly Jam!” Wait, Danhausen has his own merch? Yes, doesn’t everyone? No, not everyone gets a shirt the first week they’re in WWE! Well, Danhausen did. Anyways, let’s do Goodnighthausen with Danhausen, and he’ll get his own guests, and it’ll be a great time. Best of all, it’ll replace Miz TV! Miz says NO to all those ideas. Wow, really? Really? Really? Miz is not amused with Danhausen using his old shtick.

But Danhausen wants Miz to remember last week. Oh, what? About the cu- SILENCE! Let him finish. Miz. Is. CURSED! Miz grumbles, rolls his eyes, but before he can use the “Really?” on Danhausen, Danhausen is gone! Will this be the most cursed WWE talk show of all time tonight?

SmackDown returns with Miz in the ring.

He welcomes us to the Most Must-See WWE Talk Show- Oh no! The mic cut out! Part one of the curse? Miz gets another mic, tries again, and says he knows it’s been awhile. But welcome to MIZ T V! His guest tonight is fresh off of being inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, a THREE-TIME Grammy winner, it is JELLY ROLL! The fans cheer as Jelly makes his entrance, and he high-fives the fans along the front row. Jelly likes Miz’s two step to Toby Keith, and Miz says give it up for Jelly Roll! Miz welcomes Jelly and asks what brings him to SmackDown. Jelly says it is the Road to WrestleMania! There is no way that he was gonna miss two of his friends main-eventing WrestleMania!

His friend, Cody Rhodes, and his brother, Randy Orton, are signing the contract tonight in one of Jelly’s favorite cities in America! What’s up, Phoenix?! Yes Phoenix loves Jelly. Miz sees Jelly’s potential, the moxie. All Jelly needs is a mentor. He needs someone to tell him the three principles of M I Z: Master, Inspire, and Zone-In! That mentor is none other than Miz! All Jelly has to say is “yes!” The fans chant, “NO! NO! NO!” Jelly also says, “No.” N-No? No. Jelly loves Miz, he does, but we all know that Miz has a history of every time he gets a partner, he just kinda… stabs them in the back.

Stab ’em in the back? Well, Jelly is a good ol’ redemption story, right? Everyone celebrates it, right? But no one talks about the person behind that story, and that is MIZ! Two years ago, SummerSlam, Jelly fell down, and his big ol’ obese butt couldn’t get himself back up! So what happened? To save Jelly, Miz reached out, picked Jelly up, and in that moment, Jelly realized that he needed to change his life! Jelly asks if he’s hearing Miz right. Miz is taking credit for Jelly losing 250 pounds?! Is that Miz that delusional and narcissistic that he wants to come out here and take credit for someone else’s hard work?

JELLY is the one who ran them miles! Jelly is the one who changed his life for the better! Jelly is the one who brought that dog outta himself! And for Miz to take credit, he should be disgusted with himself! Miz says he liked Jelly a lot better when he was fat! Jelly tells Miz that fat or skinny, he will whip Miz’s ass! The fans cheer that! Miz says understand who you’re in the ring with! Show respect to the locker room leader! Jelly says Miz is a locker room LOSER! But wait! KIT WILSON is here! Kit has a mic and begs Miz to stop wasting his time on Jelly. The problem isn’t with Miz mentoring Jelly, the problem is with Jelly!

The fans are torn but Jelly says no, no, listen. This is getting weird now. Jelly likes Kit Wilson. We all secretly do, don’t we? In fact, Jelly wants Kit to hear him out. Jelly does the flex and hip swivel like Kit. He was practicing! NO! It’s the face tattoos! The criminal record! It’s building a brand on bad behavior! And now Jelly comes out here, swivels his hips, and MOCKS Kit! Jelly MOCKS Kit while he’s having a serious conversation! Jelly says okay, calm down. The fans chant “TOXIC! TOXIC!”

Kit says Jelly loses 300 pounds and expects fans to cheer like he’s some kind of hero! But the fans do cheer! Kit says Jelly is no hero! Jelly is a man running away from who he truly is, and he is… FAT-PHOBIC! What?! Yes, go and laugh! Jelly’s supposed to be some changed man, right? He inspires people? He sickens Kit! Jelly doesn’t inspire anyone! He reinforces an unhealthy beauty standard, and that tells Kit everything he needs to know! Because Jelly Roll is… TOXIC! Jelly gets in Kit’s face while Miz likes what he sees. But Kit SHOVES Jelly! Miz holds Kit back, Jelly storms up, and Kit ducks! Jelly DECKS Kit!

Kit is unsure what to do now, but Jelly steps to him, so he runs away! Is Kit’s mission against toxic masculinity really just projection of his cowardice? Will Jelly make sure no one talks bad on the good he’s done for himself?

Ilja Dragunov & Apollo Crews finish watching this.

And they’re loving it! The Miz just got dropped! What a knockout punch! That was crazy! Carmelo Hayes steps in and asks Apollo if he can talk to Ilja real quick. Apollo obliges, and Melo says yeah, Miz, hah. But hey, he heard what Ilja was saying last week, about how his mom is his inspiration for the passion. That really touched Melo, and Melo finally understands Ilja a bit. Maybe the Open Challenge is too much of a burden for him. No, no, Melo doesn’t get Ilja. Melo sees opportunity, he goes and fights. But Ilja is fighting every single minute. Why? Because he is stuck between two extremes. Either complete confidence or ultimate self-doubt.

And sadly, it is the only way Ilja knows how to lie, because he does not know peace. Melo says Ilja’s right, Melo doesn’t understand Ilja. A guy like Melo knows you gotta take shots to make shots. And if Ilja didn’t give Melo the shot he did, maybe Melo wouldn’t be US Champion right now. Melo just wants Ilja to lock in. There’s not a long line of guys to fight Ilja Dragunov. So maybe Melo thinks there is more to why Ilja doesn’t want to face H1M. Ilja says that is because he can’t fight Melo when he is fighting himself. Ilja storms off, what will it take for the Mad Russian Dragon to reignite the fire?

Tiffany Stratton speaks.

“Giulia! Keep hiding behind that little secretary of yours, because as soon-” Chelsea Green literally rolls up in her wheelchair and interrupts. “Well, well, well. If it isn’t- Don’t touch me!” Tiffy SHOVES Chelsea down the hall! Tiff continues by saying after she beats Kiana, she is coming for the Women’s US Championship. Giulia can just kiss that title goodbye, because soon, everyone will know exactly what time it is! Tiff makes her entrance, but will she be able to handle Miss Management? Or will she make a bee-line right to the gold?

Kit Wilson & Miz regroup backstage.

Kit rants on that Jelly Roll needs to wake up and see he is toxic, toxic, TOXIC! But don’t worry, if it’s a fight Jelly wants, it is a fight he’ll get. Kit heads to Aldis’ office, and Miz turns around to see Danhausen again! Did Jelly Jam knock out Miz’s teeth? Danhausen has spares if he needs ’em. And if Danhausen had been out there, he could’ve defended Miz’s honor! Miz tells Danhausen to go away. Well, there’s one way to reverse the curse… Miz goes to say there is no curse, but Danhausen is already gone again. Will Miz just admit he needs Danhausen as much as Danhausen needs Miz? Wait, does Danhausen need Miz?

Tiffany Stratton VS Kiana James w/ Giulia!

SmackDown returns and Kiana makes her entrance, accompanied by Giulia. The bell rings and Tiff ties up with Kiana. Tiff powers Kiana to ropes, Kiana powers back, but Tiff headlocks. Kiana powers up and out, but Tiff goes up and over, rolls, then goes up and over the other corner to sunset flip! TWO, and Kiana KNEES low! Kiana snarls, whips Tiff into a corner, then bumps her off buckles. Kiana runs things to another corner, but Tiff blocks to then bump Kiana off buckles! Kiana staggers around, Tiff whips her to ropes, but Kiana reverses. Tiff handsprings over and the fans fire up! Tiff then baits Kiana into a drop toehold onto ropes!

Tiff runs, but Kiana avoids the hip attack! Tiff avoids a haymaker, RAMS Kiana low, then avoids the leg sweep from Giulia! But Kiana hits a DRAPING CODE BREAKER! Tiff falls back from the “Deal Breaker,” and Kiana RAMS Tiff in the apron! And again! And then into the barriers! Kiana & Giulia soak up heat while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and both women rise up. Kiana fires a forearm, Tiff fires back, and now Alba Fyre wheels Chelsea Green down to ringside. Tiff ELBOWS Kiana, then LARIATS! And LARIATS! Tiff goes corner to corner, handspring and BACK ELBOW! Tiff keeps moving, handspring and STUNNER! Cover, TWO! Kiana survives but now the fans cheer Chelsea. Tiff fireman’s carries, Kiana slips free, and Kiana shoves Tiff away. Tiff BOOTS Kiana, then cartwheels, only for Kiana to wrench through! Kiana suplexes Tiff for a FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Tiff survives and Giulia grows frustrated on Kiana’s behalf.

Kiana drags Tiff up, reels her in , but Tiff fights the bomb to slip free and ROCK Kiana! Fireman’s carry, ROLLING SENTON! And then Tiff goes up, but Giulia drags Kiana to safety! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Tiff just builds speed! Tiff DIVES and takes out Kiana anyway! Chelsea hobbles over but the ref warns her to stay back! Giulia stops Chelsea from doing anything, too, this is Kiana’s match! Giulia SHOVES Chelsea, Tiff puts Kiana in the ring, but Kiana argues with the ref. This lets Giulia grab Tiff! Kiana runs up, but Tiff slips away! Kiana BOOTS Giulia down onto Chelsea & Alba! The cheating backfires big time!

Tiff ROLLING SENTONS Kiana, then PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER! Cover, Tiff wins!

Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall

Chelsea was perhaps a variable Kiana had not accounted for, and now Tiff has the W! Will she turn this momentum into a title opportunity with the Beautiful Madness?

Backstage interview with Trick Williams.

Cathy Kelley catches him on the way to gorilla and asks his final thoughts before facing Jacob Fatu. Trick says first thing’s first, Aldis needs to do his job! He had no business making this match tonight! But it’s all good. Since Fatu wants to call out Trick without his consent, Trick has a good mind to take off the lemon pepper steppers and smack the boogeyman out Fatu’s ass! And another thing- Sami Zayn steps in. Sami says don’t stop, keep going! Trick’s been talking such a big game lately. What happened? Wasn’t Trick gonna walk to the main event of WrestleMania, put this company on his back. All that big talk and what’d he call Sami? “Mr. Can’t Get the Job Done.”

How have things been going for Trick? Trick got dropped at Chamber, got dropped by Randy last week, and now he’s gonna get dropped by Fatu, all because he keeps running his mouth and can’t back it up! Yeah, the way Trick is looking at Sami, the way he’s feeling, that burning in his chest, Sami knows that feeling very well. That’s embarrassment. And Trick should be! Trick says Sami is hating hard, and Trick knows why. Sami’s just lucky Trick as a match tonight, or he’d drop Sami where he stands. Sami says he’s here every week, and he’s real easy to find. See you around, Trick. Trick heads out, but are things about to explode this close to WrestleMania?

Jacob Fatu VS Trick Williams!

SmackDown returns as Fatu makes his entrance, followed by Trick. Phoenix all chants “Whoop Dat Trick!” as Trick stands on the rotating platform, then heads up the ramp and into the ring. The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. Trick is already a bit cocky as he and Fatu step up and tie up. They go around the ring, on the ropes, and in the corner, then out of the corner. Trick puts Fatu in the other corner, but the ref counts. Trick lets off, but then he sucker punches Fatu! Fatu ROCKS Trick in return! Fatu fires haymakers on Trick, stomps him to the corner, then HEADBUTTS! Fatu asks, “This all he got?”

Fatu storms up but Trick knees low! Trick CLUBS Fatu, eggs Fatu on, then CHOPS! And CHOPS! Trick whips corner to corner but Fatu reverses. Fatu runs up but Trick goes up and over! Trick SMACKS Fatu off buckles, but Fatu just grins through it!? Trick SMACKS Fatu off the buckles again, but Fatu just starts headbutting the buckles! Trick is scared speechless seeing this! Fatu turns to face Trick, then ROCKS him! Trick staggers, Fatu ROCKS him again, then Fatu kicks low. Fatu whips, Trick ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Fatu BODY CHECKS him! Fatu has Trick in a corner, the fans fire up with the “YAHOO~! while Fatu rains down HEADBUTTS!

The fans count along, and Fatu goes to TEN! Then Fatu brings Trick around, whips him to ropes, but Trick turns backdrop into SPINNING NECKBREAKER! But Fatu’s right back up!? Fatu shakes his head while Trick cheers himself on. Trick is shocked again as he sees Fatu there! Fatu LARIATS! And SENTONS! And then runs to handspring and MOONSAULT! The fans fire up again as Fatu runs up, and he LARIATS Trick up and out! The fans are a bit torn, but Fatu is loving this as SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Fatu nods as he waits on Trick. Fatu says something to the camera, perhaps to the effect of Drew should be getting this whooping. Fatu builds speed, and DIVES into a FOREARM from Trick! Fatu tumbles to the floor and Trick CLOBBERS him! Trick steps up onto the desk to flex, then he refreshes the ring count. Trick stalks Fatu, drags him up, and SMACKS him off the desk! Fatu sputters while Trick soaks up cheers and jeers. Trick then CHOPS Fatu, but Fatu ROCKS Trick back! Trick staggers away, and Fatu storms up to CHOP him again! And again! Fatu SMACKS Trick off the steps, then refreshes the ring count.

Fatu nods as he looms over Trick. The fans are torn but Fatu brings Trick up. Fatu whips Trick into barriers! Trick sputters but Fatu refreshes the ring count again. Fatu brings Trick around to put him in the ring, then storms up, but into a HEEL KICK! Trick fires up now, and he rains down fists! Trick stops to shake out his fist, and he talks some smack on Fatu. Trick clamps on with a chinlock and squeezes tight! Fatu endures, pries at the hold, but Trick puts on the pressure! Trick talks some trash as he does, but Fatu still fights up to his feet. Fatu fires body shots while SmackDown returns to single picture.

Fatu HEADBUTTS Trick, whips him to the corner hard, and Trick slumps down. Fatu huffs ‘n’ puffs and runs up on Trick, but into an ELBOW! Trick runs up, Fatu dodges, and Fatu goes up to WHISPER IN THE WIND! Cover, TWO! Trick survives what was more a shout in the wind, but Fatu stalks him to a corner. Fatu ROCKS Trick, ROCKS him again, then HEADBUTTS again and again! Fatu says he is all gas, no brakes with it! Fatu runs, but Trick gets up, SPIN KICK! Fatu staggers into the BACKHAND! Then the NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fatu survives again but Trick just fires himself back up!

Trick dares Fatu to get back up, then runs up, but Fatu ducks the “Side Kick!” Fatu UPPERCUTS, then runs, but into a FLAPJACK! Trick kips up, the fans fire up, and Trick stomps Fatu. Trick lets his hair down, then he cartwheels for the RIPCORD, and BOOKEND! Cover, TWO!! Fatu survives and Trick is frustrated! The fans rally up as Trick just goes to the corner and takes aim again. Trick brings down his kneepads, then runs up, into a SUPERKICK! Fatu then POP-UP SAMOAN DROPS Trick down! The fans fire up for Fatu now as he runs to HIP ATTACK! Phoenix fires up as Fatu geeks out, and he hurries up the corner!

Trick is down as Fatu aims, SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Trick survives now and Fatu is frustrated! “This is Awesome!” as both men stir. Fatu is up first, he vows to end it now, and he goes up, only for Trick to bail out! Fatu is annoyed again, but he builds speed to DIVE! Down goes Trick! Fatu hurries to get Trick up and into the ring, but the fans already notice something! Or rather, someone! DREW MCINTYRE ATTACKS FATU! And he POSTS Fatu! The fans boo as Drew hides from the ref! Trick wants after Fatu, the ref keeps Trick in, but Drew puts Fatu in! TRICK SHOT! Trick fires up as he reloads, TRICK SHOT!! Cover, TRICK WINS!

Winner: Trick Williams, by pinfall

So much for “quitting” the WWE! Drew pulls another fake out just so he can screw over another enemy! Drew storms back into the ring  to stand over Fatu, and he watches Fatu stir. Drew goes to a corner, and he loads up! “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAYMORE!! The fans boo as Fatu is down again! Drew gives a thumbs down to Fatu, but will Drew have to face the consequences of his own actions in the end?

Nick Aldis is in the ring.

SmackDown returns with the General Manager standing by the standard table, and he says, “Alright, ladies and gentlemen, just one thing to handle before we get to the business at hand. Drew McIntyre! I guess you didn’t quit. So welcome back. And as a welcome back gift to you, you get Jacob Fatu one-on-one next week on SmackDown. Now, to the business at hand. Ladies and gentlemen, we know why we’re here: To sign the contract for the main event of WrestleMania, the WWE Championship is on the line. So without further ado, allow me to introduce the challenger, The Viper, Randy Orton!”

The fans cheer and sing along with Voices as indeed, Randy Orton makes his entrance. Orton high-fives fans in the front row, and even blows a big kiss to the crowd, before he steps into the ring. Orton hits his signature pose and looks to the WrestleMania sign. Aldis then introduces the WWE Champion, the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes! Fans now sing along with Kingdom, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get the pyro. Cody high-fives fans, goes to the ring, and we get the second “WHOA~ OH~!” and pyro before he steps inside. Cody and Orton shake hands, they each shake hands with Aldis, and they go to take their seats.

Phoenix is strongly behind Orton, so Cody gives it up for him, too. Cody grabs a mic first to say, “Phoenix! Sounds like I know what you want to talk about. In 2007, I came to WWE. My very first match in WWE was against Randy Orton. And I’d go on to watch you (Orton) win the Royal Rumble. You got into an argument with Stu about the sign and the pyro not going off. I’d go on to watch you main event a WrestleMania, and I thought, ‘Am I gonna be like that?’ And then I left. And this was probably found upon, but you put out a post about how you thought I could become world champion. And when I came back, I came back alone. There was no Codyverse.

“My brother wasn’t with me, my wife stayed at home with the babies. But I had you.” Orton and Cody fist bump on that, and Cody says he’s not Orton’s son or brother, but he’s always been proud to be Orton’s boy. Cody then signs his part of the contract and he hands it over to Orton. The fans cheer Orton on more, and Orton takes a moment to think. Orton picks up the pen, but then takes another moment to think. Orton picks up the mic, stands up to pace, and then he comes back to say, “I don’t think you understand, Cody. I need this. I need that. But this wasn’t supposed to be hard. This was supposed to be easy. Drew was supposed to be out here, I-”

Cody stops Orton there, but Orton says no, how is he supposed to do this? Cody says they can take the weight off Orton’s shoulders. Orton is definitely hearing the voices, and when the bell rings, that is the Orton Cody expects! That is the Orton the fans expect! We get to watch the best Orton has ever been! The Randy Orton who just won a stacked Elimination Chamber! And Cody knows when the bell rings, he gets the Legend Killer, the youngest world champion in company history, the man who JBL said that if you built a pro-wrestler from the ground up, it’d look like Orton! And JBL would STILL say that about Orton!

Cody knows that we get the master of the three most dangerous letters in ALL of WWE, R K O! Cody hands Orton the pen, and says that is when the bell rings. After the main event of WrestleMania, when the last bell rings, Cody wants Orton to know, he’ll always love Orton. The fans are torn about that, but Cody pats the contract. Orton says okay, okay. Orton signs on the dotted line, then he and Cody hug it out. Then Orton SMACKS Cody off the desk! And LOW BLOWS him!? The fans are torn but everyone is freaking out! Orton shoves Cody down, RIPS that nice shirt and tie away, then TOSSES him out!

Orton goes out after Cody, THROWS him over the desk, then he pulls the steel steps apart! Orton takes aim, and he CLOBBERS Cody with the steps! Cody falls back down, and Aldis hurries back out here to stop Orton! Orton SHOVES Aldis down! Cody sits up, busted open, and Cody makes the world look at that bloody forehead! Orton CLUBS away on Cody’s chest, then SMACKS him off the steel steps! Phoenix continues to lose their minds as Orton puts Cody on the desk. Orton rains down fists on the bloody forehead, no mercy or regret visible on his face! Orton shoves the steps aside to get the big steps up!

Orton brings those steps right to the desk, and then props them up against it! Cody’s blood is dribbling out as Orton makes him rest against the steps. Producers and refs hurry out here, fans are still freaking out, but Orton is still seething. Jelly Roll reappears, and he tries to calm Orton down. Orton SHOVES Jelly Roll! The fans really don’t know what to make of this now, but Orton seems to come back to himself for a moment. Orton sees the blood on his hands, and he gets out of there! Aldis and the rest call for medical while Cody sputters behind his crimson mask. A towel is brought to stop the bleeding, but ORTON RETURNS!?

Orton has a chair?!? He hops right up onto the desk, and CON-CHAIR-TOS Cody into the steel steps!!! The fans and the WWE staff are going absolutely nuts seeing what Orton just did! Orton takes the chair to the ring, then sits it up so he can take a seat with the Undisputed WWE Championship. Is this the Viper that Cody wanted to fight? Or has Orton unlocked something even darker than that?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown, bordering on awesome given that ending. Great stuff with Drew McIntyre, too, as it also relates to the WWE Championship story. Drew naturally tried to hijack the show, Aldis laid down the law, and Fatu got in Drew’s face. Drew of course faked quitting so he could go after Fatu later, but that was an awesome match from Fatu VS Trick. Sami Zayn also had another great promo showing how conflicted he is with being Face while Cody is Face getting away with not-so-Face things. Sami also had a great part with Trick before Trick VS Fatu. Sami VS Trick could be the match that makes Sami lose his cool and be at least an edgy, aggressive version of Face Sami. Well, that or a match with Aleister Black, he keeps pestering Sami like he was Priest and Orton.

Speaking of Orton, I wonder if this relates to how Aleister was poking and prodding that inner Heel. Orton did make it seem he couldn’t fight Cody the same way he could someone else. Orton wanted it to be Drew because he could hate Drew and do these things to him without remorse. But now, Orton forced himself to do these awful things to Cody because he feels that’s what he has to do to become WWE Champion again. Cody of course bled here, it’s just like his AEW run. A lot of fans were worried this was going to be a boring build, maybe myself included, but this definitely turned things 180 degrees because I did not see it coming.

Jelly Roll had a fun time tonight, too. He got in on the closing segment as a friend of Orton’s and starting to get to know Cody, and he did a great job selling the emotional and the physical. Jelly also had a really fun segment with The Miz and Kit Wilson, and Miz had very good segments with Danhausen. Instead of “Mizhausen,” it feels like we might get Miz & Kit VS #Jellyhausen or something like that, and that should be a lot of fun, too. Good promo from Apollo, Ilja, and Carmelo to help frame Ilja’s feelings about not just the US title but himself. I’m sure Melo will get more great title matches in, but Ilja should also get some matches to help him work this issue out in the ring.

Apparently, that’s what Candice might try with Johnny, even after he got destroyed by Oba Femi. Honestly, I would love to see Johnny & Candice Wrestling go for the AAA Mixed Tag Team Championships. For one, that’s a great match with Lola Vice & Mr. Iguana. Second, if Johnny & Candice win, they could have a great reign going back and forth between AAA and WWE. The dysfunction in MCMG being caused by this is interesting, I hope they stick together, but seeing Sabin VS Shelley would be a pretty good match, too.

Very good promo from MFT and Nakamura, and a great tag match of Howdy & Rowan VS Solo & Talla. Tama definitely feels like the strongest member of MFT since he’s the only reason they still have the lantern. Very good promo from Truth & Priest with Los Garza, and a very good match from them, too. At this point, I can’t be sure if Priest & Truth win the tag titles if MFT and Wyatts are still feuding. Best case scenario, Wyatts cost MFT the titles, then they have like a ladder match for the lantern to settle that once and for all. Then Priest & Truth can carry the tag titles against this resurging SmackDown Tag Division.

We got a rather random match of Tiffany VS Kiana, but I suppose Tiff really would want whatever title she could get with the top title out of her reach. Chelsea & Alba getting involved was fun, too, and of course Tiff won. Tiff VS Giulia will be great, but maybe if Chelsea’s foot is healed up in time, she can join in and make a big Triple Threat for the Women’s US title. Great tag title match, but with the Bellas showing up, shenanigans were bond to happen. Kudos to Nikki & Brie each taking a bump on the outside, and them costing Charlexa might actually mean there’s a Triple Threat for the tag titles on the horizon. Irresistible Forces, Bellas, and Charlexa is good stuff, maybe throw a Raw team in, that way “the stacked odds” protect all teams no matter the result.

Jade VS Mia was a very good match, and obviously non-title because sadly, duh, Mia was losing. Jade had a good promo calling out Rhea, and Rhea showing up to respond was good stuff. Rhea also had a good part with Mia and B-Fab later, Mia obviously giving a cold shoulder out of more professional jealousy and bitterness. B-Fab talking with Jade is curious, though. Will B-Fab and Mia choose to join Jade since they can’t beat her? Or is it just B-Fab, leaving Mia in the lurch? Mia & Rhea VS Fab & Jade wouldn’t be a half bad match for this build. Rhea probably does need a match or two on SmackDown to build her own momentum.

My Score: 8.9/10