SmackDown could get rowdy in Raleigh!

On the same night as Drew McIntyre fights Jacob Fatu, Randy Orton promises to explain his brutal actions on last week’s Friday Night SmackDown!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Drew McIntyre VS Jacob Fatu; cancelled…
• WWE Tag Team Championships: Tama Tonga & JC Mateo w/ MFT VS Damian Priest & R-Truth; Priest & Truth win and become the new WWE Tag Team Champions.
• Motor City Machine Guns VS Fraxiom; MCMG wins.
• Sami Zayn VS Aleister Black w/ Zelina Vega; Aleister wins.
• WWE United States Championship Open Challenge: Carmelo Hayes VS Ilja Dragunov; Melo wins and retains the title.
• WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Nia Jax & Lash Legend VS The Bella Twins; Nia & Lash win, by disqualification, and retain the titles.

PLAY BY PLAY

Jelly Roll arrives.

The Grammy-winning country music star is happy to be in Raleigh, North Carolina, but something is already going down! Security and producers rush out to the parking lot, a cameraman follows, and DREW MCINTYRE HAS T-BONED JACOB FATU’S CAR! Deja vu of a violent sort as Drew then climbs onto the hood, rips the busted windshield away, and then drags Fatu out onto the hood to beat him down! And he DRIBBLES Fatu off the hood! The producers drag Drew down but Drew HEADBUTTS away on Fatu! Drew tells Fatu he’s gonna pay! Drew leaves and Fatu is down on the ground, bloodied and bruised!

No one knows what to make of this, other than Drew doesn’t wanna face Fatu, he wants to demolish him! Will the match set for tonight still be on? Or will there be consequences- Wait! Drew is in the arena and he has the mic! “What’d you think was gonna happen?! All you want me to do is shut up and wrestle? The only place I should be wrestling is the main event of WrestleMania, and you took that from me!” The fans boo but Drew storms into the ring to say he came here to fight! And if anyone wronged Drew McIntyre, your ass belongs to him! Nick Aldis storms out here to ask what the HELL is wrong with Drew!

Aldis swears, Drew is the most self-sabotaging person in this business! Every opportunity has been handed to him and he still acts like a maniac! Drew wanted to be champion but didn’t want to defend the title. Drew wanted to fight Fatu, and trust Aldis when he says so did Fatu. But now, Drew can’t leave Fatu alone! Drew wants to be on the way to Mania? The only place he’s on his way to is unemployment! Drew says how dare Aldis threaten to fire him! Drew tried to quit but Aldis would love that! The fans would all love that, huh?! But Drew has a better idea. They think he’s acting like a child, but Aldis’ child, Donovan, should be ashamed of his stooge of a father!

Drew vows to cause chaos all night if he has to! But then FATU IS UP!? Fatu rushes the ring, he and Drew throw hands! The fans fire up, but Drew THROWS Fatu into barriers! Drew HAMMERS away on Fatu, then whips him, only for Fatu to reverse and POST Drew! Drew staggers up, Fatu whips him into the steel steps! The fans fire up again as Fatu rises up! Fatu brings Drew up, and he THROWS Drew over the desk! Fatu rips the desk apart while the fans cheer again! Fatu drags Drew up, HEADBUTTS away on him, then HAMMERS away on him! Refs and producers drag Fatu back but the fans boo that!

The fans want to “Let Them Fight!” and Fatu gets past the security to go up onto the barriers! DIVING HEADBUTT down through commentary! The fans fire up again as Fatu rises, leaving Drew down in the wreckage! The Samoan Werewolf has gotten back at the Scottish Terminator, if only for now. What will it take for these two to finally put this one to rest?

WWE Tag Team Championships: Tama Tonga & JC Mateo w/ MFT VS Damian Priest & R-Truth!

While Solo Sikoa’s family has been able to deny the Wyatts their revenge in both taking these titles and the Wyatt lantern, the newest duo on the scene gets their shot at the gold. Will the “Archers of Truth” soon live forever as champions? Or will nothing stop MFT and their reign of terror?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who heads for WrestleMania with them!

The teams sort out, JC Mateo steps up to Damian Priest, and JC rushes Priest at the bell! Priest fires haymakers in return, then whips, but JC reverses. Priest clinches JC for a FLATLINER! Tama runs up but into a KICK! Priest clinches Tama, Truth runs in, and they ELBOW LEG SWEEP COMBO! Priest SPLASHES JC, then runs to RUN him over! Loa gets on the apron, but that keeps the ref from seeing Talla YANK Truth down! The fans boo but JC runs up to LARIAT Priest up and out! Then Talla CLOBBERS Priest! The fans boo as MFT gets away with their 5v2 already, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Priest slowly sits up and shakes it off, but JC drags Priest up to ROCK him with a forearm! JC then SMACKS Priest off the apron, pushes him into the ring, and tags Tama. They DOUBLE HEADBUTT Priest down, then Tama runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Tama rains down fists on Priest, then stomps to stomp away on him! Tama CLUBS Priest, taunts Truth, and taunts the fans. Truth rallies the fans but Tama brings Priest up. Priest ROCKS Tama, fires forearms, but Tama HEADBUTTS back! Tama puts Priest in the corner to fire off body shots. Tag to JC, he RAMS into Priest again and again, then CLUBS him down!

JC CHOKES Priest on the ropes, but he stops as the ref counts 4. JC argues with the ref, and that lets Loa sucker punch Priest! JC stands Priest up, CLUBS him on the back, then stomps a mudhole into him! The ref counts, JC backs off, and he tags Tama. They double whip Priest to DOUBLE LARIAT him down! Tana again taunts Truth and the fans while he circles Priest. Tama drags Priest to center, then DDTS the foot! Priest writhes, but Tama CLOBBERS him back down! Tama throw down forearms and HEADBUTTS, then tags JC. They DOUBLE SUPLEX Priest now, and JC covers, TWO! JC pushes Priest down for another cover, ONE!

JC stays on Priest with another HEADBUTT and has him in the MFT corner. JC winds up and CHPOS as SmackDown returns to single picture. Priest hits JC back, knocks Tama down, and ROCKS JC! But JC RAMS Priest into the corner! The fans rally for Truth, but JC ELBOWS and JABS Priest, to then SOUTHPAW LARIAT! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Truth rallies the fans, but JC runs in at Priest! SPLASH in the corner! Sucker punch for Truth! The fans boo but JC mocks Truth with “What’s Up?!” JC runs, but into the SPIN KICK from Priest! Priest crawls, hot tag to Truth and Tama!

Truth ducks ‘n’ dodges to start up the CENA SHOULDER TACKLES! Then the SPIN-OUT BOMB! The fans fire up as Truth says, “You Can’t See Me!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Fireman’s carry and- NO, Tama slips free! Tama ELBOWS Truth away, tags JC, then Tama runs to DROPKICK Truth into JC’s ATHLETIC PLEX! Cover, Priest breaks it! The fans fire up, but Tama TOSSES Priest! The ref reprimands but Tama brings Truth up. Tama scoops, Truth slips free, and he kicks low for a STUNNER! The fans fire up while Truth and JC are down, and Priest FLYING LARIATS Tama down! Truth drop toeholds JC into the S T F R!!

JC endures, reaches out, but Truth drags JC back! But now SOLO gets on the apron! The ref is distracted as Talla drags Truth out of the ring! APRON CHOKE SLAM!! The fans boo as Talla shoves Truth back to JC for a cover, TWO?!?! The fans are thunderous as Truth survives, and now the lights star tot flicker! THE WYATTS ARE HERE! The fans fire up as Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis brawl with Talla & Loa! The fans fire up as they all go up the ramp, and surprise! Uncle Howdy gets Solo!! MANDIBLE CLAW!! JC SUPERKICKS Howdy off of Solo, then THROWS him into barriers! The fans boo as JC makes sure Solo keeps the lantern.

JC gets in the ring, but Truth dodges with the splits! CALF KICK! Priest LARIATS Tama down! Truth fireman’s carries JC! ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!! Cover, TRUTH & PRIEST WIN!

Winners: Damian Priest & R-Truth, by pinfall (NEW WWE Tag Team Champions)

Even Priest is shocked! MFT was so focused on keeping the lantern that they lost the gold! Priest & Truth now reign, will they show everyone what’s up at WrestleMania?

Backstage interview with The Bella Twins.

Cathy Kelley is with Nikki & Brie and notes they’re looking to take home tag gold themselves. It has been a minute since these two have tamed, but is there enough #TwinMagic left to take down the Irresistible Forces? Brie sure thinks so. And anyone who underestimates them is making a big mistake, but it’ll be all the sweeter when she and Nikki beat Nia & Lash for the titles. Nikki says yes, The Bellas paved the way to a world where the Women’s Tag titles even exist. They’ve made history throughout their careers, so there’s no one- Oh, #Charlexa steps in, and they’re eating their feelings, aka big tubs of ice cream.

Charlotte Flair says of course these two skipped the line, after interrupting their title opportunity. Do the Bellas know what that’s called? Selfishness! Alexa Bliss says what Charlotte is trying to say- Charlotte interrupts “Lexi” to tell her to keep eating her ice cream. Everything is fine. Charlotte’s point is that they will NOT interrupt The Bellas’ match tonight, because Charlexa won’t hog the attention. Whoever wins will just face Charlexa next. Nikki says no, please come out and watch how real legends get it done! And then Brie snatches Alexa’s spoon! Alexa is mad now, but Charlotte says everything is fine. But is it? Or will The Queen & Lil’ Miss Bliss have to return the favor?

Candice LeRae & Johnny Gargano are backstage.

The Poison Pixie has no idea what else she’s supposed to do. And then Danhausen appears! Danhausen asks what’s wrong with this guy. Candice says Johnny might be cursed. Does Danhausen have anything to fix that? Does she have “twenty human dollars?” Um… Johnny does! Danhausen says thanks! Candice assures Johnny it’ll be alright, bit then Danhausen disappears. Motor City Machine Guns walk by, Shelley wants to ask what happened but Sabin reminds him, they have a match. MCMG continues to gorilla, can they focus on Fraxiom and head for the tag titles?

Sami Zayn is backstage.

And like the rest of us, he watches the special video recapping Randy Orton’s vicious assault on Cody Rhodes, along with the highlights of various reactions from across the Internet Wrestling Community. Sami paces as he tries to understand, and Cathy Kelley walks over to ask him about his reaction. Sami says he has his match with Aleister Black tonight, he should give that his focus. But yeah, he can’t stop thinking about Cody and how things have been between them the last few weeks. You can say a lot about Cody, Sami has said a lot to Cody, but you have to give Cody credit for trying to be good.

Sami sees how Cody goes the extra mile to be good and to do everything he can for the fans. And how’d he end up? In a pool of his own blood, carried out on a stretcher! Meanwhile, Randy, someone Sami looks up to, Randy does what he does and how does the night end for him? He’s hold the WWE Championship. Sami doesn’t know what to make of this anymore. It is starting to feel like the more Sami does things the right way, the more things go wrong. He feels people pulling away, and he’s starting to feel like that the world he believes in no longer exists.

Trick Williams walks over and asks what was that Sami said last week. Good luck against Fatu? The monster that was just in a car wreck but got back up? The one nobody can beat, except for Trick Williams. Trick says that look on Sami’s face, and he knows it hurts. But as they say, when life gives you lemons, you put on your lemon pepper steppers and mind your business when grown folks is talking! Sami says yeah, they’ve been talking, but maybe they do something about it. Trick says easy, Sami, you’ve got your match. But Trick will check the schedule, look in his Palm Pilot, and if he has the time, maybe Trick will check out that match. Maybe even give him some pointers.

Sami says wow, pointers, winners, that’s funny. Get a REAL good look, Trick. Sami heads out, Trick frowns, but will the Underdog from the Underground have pointers for Trick? Or will he just #FadeToBlack?

Motor City Machine Guns VS Fraxiom!

With NEW WWE Tag Team Champions now crowned, the chase is back on! Will Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin lock ‘n’ load for another shot at the gold? Or will Nathan Frazer & Axiom have the winning formula?

The teams sort out, Shelley steps against Frazer, and the two tie up. Frazer headlocks, Shelley powers up and out, drops down, but Frazer ducks ‘n’ dodges to DROPKICK Shelley! Tag to Axiom and he stands Shelley up. Shelley CHOPS Axiom, Axiom headlocks, but Shelley powers up and out. Sabin tags in and MCMG DOUBLE TACKLE Axiom! Sabin BLASTS Frazer off the apron, covers Axiom, TWO! Tag to Shelley and MCMG whip Axiom to a corner. Axiom ELBOWS Sabin, BOOTS Shelley, then runs up. Shelley pops Axiom up but Axiom DROPKICKS Sabin! Axiom then slips around Shelley, shoves him to ropes, and LARIATS!

Tag to Frazer, Axiom whips Shelley into a BOOT! SNAP GERMAN! DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Shelley tumbles out, Sabin gets up, but he gets DOUBLE SUPERKICKS, too! The fans fire up with Fraxiom while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns as Shelley sets Axiom up, but Axiom uses the corner to go up, over, and arm-drag Shelley away! Sabin goes to the apron but Axiom blocks the Penalty Kick! Axiom trips Sabin, then slides in, hot tag to Frazer! Frazer builds speed to FLY! Down goes MCMG! The fans fire up as Frazer puts Sabin in the ring, goes up the corner, and FROG SPLASHES! Cover, Shelley breaks it! Shelley then stands Frazer up, blocks a kick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Hot tag back to Axiom, but Sabino fireman’s carries! Frazer slips down, Sabin standing switches, but Axiom waistlocks Sabin. Frazer SUPERKICKS Shelley!

Sabin breaks free of Axiom, but Frazer goes up, over, and victory rolls with Axiom to then FLING Frazer at Sabin! Frazer suplexes Sabin, he and Axiom CHASE THE DRAGON! Cover, TWO!! Sabin survives and Fraxiom is stunned! The fans rally up as Fraxiom brings Sabin up. Axiom puts Sabin up top, Frazer tags in, then Axiom climbs. Sabin fires hands on Axiom, but Frazer jumps up! Frazer steadies himself, but Sabin shoves him away! Sabin then DOUBLE CROSSBODIES Fraxiom down! Shelley tags in, Sabin KICKS Axiom to keep Frazer, and Shelley helps out for MAGIC KILLER! Cover, TWO!! Frazer survives and MCMG is frustrated!

Candice LeRae is now ringside for some reason, but Shelley tags Sabin. MCMG wait on Frazer, he stands up, and Sabin SOBATS! Shelley SUPERKICKS! Axiom returns to SUPERKICK Shelley! Sabin kicks Axiom, Axiom blocks, and Frazer SUPERKICKS Sabin! MCMG are both outside, Fraxiom builds speed to DOUBLE DIVE! Down go MCMG! But they keep going, another DIVE on Shelley, another DIVE on Sabin! The fans fire up while Frazer puts Sabin in. Axiom goes up, but Shelley YANKS him down! Frazer O’Conner Rolls Sabin, TWO, and Candice SMACKS Frazer?!? Sabin rolls Frazer up, MCMG WINS!

Winners: Motor City Machine Guns, by pinfall

The Poison Pixie just gave MCMG the assist, and the only one who doesn’t know is Sabin! Will Sabin have to check the replay again to see the truth? How will he feel about it when he does?

Randy Orton arrives.

The Viper sees the car wreck caused by Drew McIntyre, but he moves on to enter the building. He promised us on Monday that he’d explain all tonight, but will he keep that promise? We find out, after the break.

Randy Orton heads to the ring!

Raleigh cheers The Viper and sings along with Voices, you’d almost think they don’t care about what he did to Cody last week. Orton grabs a chair, and given the dents in it, it seems to be the very one he used last week to smash Cody against the steel steps. Orton brings the chair into the ring, sets it up, then grabs a mic. The fans still cheer Randy on as he takes a seat in the damaged chair. Orton takes a moment, then says, “For years, when my entrance music hits, for years now, all you guys sing along.” The fans cheer that, and Randy says, “What a feeling that is, the love that you show me. So I try to return it. I give the fans high-fives, I sign the action figures, I sign the replica titles.

“I’ll see a little kid with a poster that says ‘Randy, it’s my birthday!’ I’ll see that kid, I’ll go up to that kid, I’ll wish him a happy birthday, and I know that kid’s gonna remember that moment for the rest of their lives. That’s a power that I have that comes with doing this for as long as I’ve been doing it. The love you show me, the love that I give back, that puts a smile on my face.” The fans cheer that, too. Randy then adds that smile is the emptiest feeling that he has felt in his entire life. The fans boo, but Randy says he’s been doing this longer than most. But the reality is, nothing lasts forever.

So when the time comes to hang up the boots, Randy doesn’t want his legacy to be the moments he gave fans, the high-fives and autographs, the smiles he’s put on faces. Randy wants his legacy to be how much world championship gold he has put around his waist! Fans still cheer that, at least. Randy says not too long ago, he won Elimination Chamber and was going to fight Drew McIntyre for the title. Randy knew he could be exactly who he needed to be to face Drew. But then Cody came into the picture, beat Drew, took the title, and Randy didn’t know if he could be the person he needed to. Randy loves Cody like a brother, and he still does.

But last week, Cody took that burden off his chest. Cody took all that weight off Randy’s shoulders when Cody said he wants Randy to be the best version of Randy he can be. And not just for Cody or for the fans, but for Randy! Cody needed Randy to be The Viper, to listen to the voices! The problem with listening to the voices is that Randy isn’t always in control. Things can happen, there’s no plan, it’s chaos. Hell, sometimes Randy gets hurt just as bad as everyone else, but he knows he needs that killer instinct. Randy knows he needs that to add number 15 to his legacy! The fans cheer that.

Randy looks to the WrestleMania sign, and says he’s gonna do it with the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment, R K O. The fans cheer that, too! Randy says he is hearing the voices in his head. They counsel him, they understand. They talk to him. They talk to Randy and tell him that he is going to beat Cody Rhodes! The voices tell Randy that he is going to beat Cody for the WWE Championship! The voices tell Randy that he is going to beat Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship, and he is going to do it at the main event of WrestleMania! The song plays and Randy sets the mic down. He has said his part, but will the best version of Randy beat this version of Cody?

Randy returns backstage.

He walks past Rey Fenix y Los Garza. They stay quiet and move on, but then Randy spots Matt Cardona & Apollo Crews. Apollo moves on, but Cardona steps to Randy. Randy says he has no beef with Cardona, but if Cardona has something to say, he should just spit it out. Cardona asks what the hell was that last week. He’s known Cody and Randy for decades, they’re like brothers! And yeah, Cardona gets that Randy wants the title, but what that was- Oh, is Cardona freaking kidding?! He has the nerve to talk to Orton like that of all people! Doesn’t Cardona have some action figures to go play with? Mark-ass stooge! Indie nerd!

Orton is done! Then he DECKS Cardona! Now stay out of Orton’s business! You wouldn’t understand. Orton storms off while a ref checks on Cardona. Will everyone learn to keep their distance from the Viper?

Sami Zayn VS Aleister Black w/ Zelina Vega!

While the Underdog is dealing with his moral dilemma, the Dark Father’s own theme song says no man is every truly good, nor is he ever truly evil. But is that true? Can Sami simply do things the way he always has and come out the winner? Or will he have to choose a side and do everything he can just to survive?

SmackDown returns as Sami makes his entrance. But wait, the lights go down, so that Trick Williams can make his entrance! Raleigh chants “Whoop Dat Trick!” as Trick walks down the ramp. Sami frowns but Trick is here to do what Sami said and “get a good look.” The bell rings and Aleister waistlocks to SLAM Sami! Aleister rains down fists and elbows on Sami, then clamps onto the arm, but Sami arm-drags free. Sami and Aleister trade shots, Aleister KICKS and KICKS and KICKS! Aleister ROCKS Sami in the corner, ROCKS him again, then fires fast hands and a KICK! Sami dodges a shot to CHOP! CHOP! CHOP!

The fans fire up as Sami climbs, and he rains down fists! Sami goes all the way to TEN, then adds a bunch more! Sami even stomps away on Aleister! The ref counts, Sami hops down, and he’s all fired up as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns as Aleister covers, TWO!! Sami survives what was an anti-air knee, but then Aleister KICKS him! And KICKS him! And ROCKS him! Aleister ROCKS Sami again, but Sami ROCKS Aleister back! And ROCKS him again! And again! The fans rally as Sami whips, but Aleister reverses, only for Sami to go up and over. Aleister BACK ELBOWS Sami down! Aleister then waits on Sami, and BLACK- NO, Sami ducks under! BLUE- NO, Aleister slips free to JUMP KNEE! Cover, TWO! But Aleister clamps onto a TRAILER HITCH KNEEBAR! Sami endures, reaches out, but the fans rally up!

Sami fights up to push Aleister into a cover, TWO! Sami is free, but Aleister ROUNDHOUSES him! Aleister stalks Sami to a corner, fires fast hands, then runs corner to corner, only for Sami to follow! But Aleister dodges the Helluva Kick! Aleister goes up, METEORA! Cover, TWO!! Sami survives and the fans fire up again! Trick tells Aleister to makes Sami feel it! Aleister rains down fists on Sami, then he soaks up cheers and jeers from Raleigh. But Sami is up to LARIAT Aleister up and out! The fans are torn but Sami gets Aleister up and THROWS him into barriers! And THROWS him in again! The ring count climbs but Sami huffs ‘n’ puffs as he paces.

Sami drags Aleister up, puts him in the ring, then clinches for a CORNER EXPLODER! Aleister flounders, the fans are torn, but Sami goes to the far corner. Sami aims, runs back in, HELLUVA- NO, Aleister bails out! Sami is annoyed, but he storms out after him. Sami pushes Trick’s foot aside so he can SMACK Aleister off the desk! Sami puts Aleister in the ring, but Trick SPLASEHS Sami with his drink! The fans cheer as Trick then dares Sami to do something. Sami hears the ring count, he rolls back in, but then he runs up to DECK Trick! The fans are torn again as Sami HAMMERS away on Trick! Sami goes back to the ring, but into a BLACK MASS!! Cover, Aleister wins!

Winner: Aleister Black, by pinfall

Sami had this match won, but his emotions just cost him! Aleister benefits from preying on such weakness, but will he soon be headed for gold at WrestleMania? As for Sami and Trick, will they have to sort this out in the ring themselves?

Matt Cardona talks with Nick Aldis.

Cardona pleads with Aldis, give him Orton tonight! Aldis says no, Orton is too dangerous after what he’s done to Cody. Plus, Aldis has his hands full with the Drew-Fatu situation. Cardona brings up the cheap shot, but Aldis says he’s sorry, not tonight. Cardona heads out, and Carmelo Hayes steps in. He knows Aldis has a lot going on right now, but why’re people saying the Open Challenge is now closed? Aldis says it is closed because someone made a very compelling case as to why they’re next. Oh no, it’s not The Miz, is it? No, no, it’s not The Miz. Melo thinks on that, and he turns around to see Ilja Dragunov in his ring gear!

Ilja says he was just thinking about what Melo said last week, and yeah, Melo is right. Ilja will always be fighting himself, but he can’t be the man he wants to be if he doesn’t take the shots in front of him. Melo says it’s about time. Tonight, one of them will be popping champagne, while the other one gets just pain. Then may pain entertain, whether it is Ilja’s or Melo’s. Ilja heads out, and that’s fine by H1M. Who will win this newest chapter in this storied rivalry?

Nia Jax & Lash Legend speak.

Nia asks Lash a question: It has been YEARS since the Bella Twins tagged up, right? Right. And they’ve never won tag team titles, right? Right again! Then why do they think they have a snowball’s chance in Hell at beating Nia & Lash? Lash says let’s be real right now: They are the center of attention, the Irresistible Forces! Nikki & Brie are just here to relive their glory days. Charlexa is trying so desperately just to stay at their heels. And even on Raw, there are The Kabuki Warriors, Bayley & Lyra, all saying they’re coming for these titles.

Well, time to put all of them in check. Nikki & Brie will be lucky to survive tonight. Lash & Nia will demolish them! And there are only two things they can do about it: Nothing, and like it. And that’s not just a threat, that’s pressure.

Jade Cargill is here!

The Storm has come to Raleigh, and the fans cheer as she gets the mic. She has them wrap the music, and she says she isn’t here to play games. Jade knows Rhea is back there, so she should just come out here already. And indeed, Rhea Ripley is in Raleigh, too! The fans cheer again as Mami makes her way to the ring. Rhea grabs a mic to ask what Jade wants. Are they gonna talk or actually do something? Because Rhea feels they’ve already said all there is to say. To be honest, she doesn’t wanna talk to Jade anymore! Jade says it isn’t about Jade, but what Rhea needs. And what Rhea needs is this title. Jade? She doesn’t need this title, doesn’t need the ring, and damn sure doesn’t need the fans!

The fans boo, but Jade says Rhea has been grinding so hard to be somebody. As for Jade, with or without wrestling, she’s been That B1tch and she still That B1tch. And like she said, she’s not here to make friends, she’s here to make money. Wow if that’s Jade’s goal, then she’s been very successful. But Jade is also right about one thing: Rhea does need this. Rhea lives for this! See, Rhea’s been busting her ass since she was 16 years old, so she won’t let anyone come up in here and walk all over her to get what they want! Aw, another sob story~! Rhea, Jade doesn’t care about your sacrifice, what you put in, and she damn sure doesn’t care about the other women in the locker room.

Jade says wrestling didn’t make her matter, she made wrestling matter! And without this, Rhea disappears. Rhea is nothing but Iyo’s- NO NO NO. Rhea stops Jade there. She won’t let Jade disrespect her, this business, or anyone else in it. It’s obvious that Jade knows nothing about this business if she thinks Rhea needs the title. Ever since that title has been around Jade’s waist, that title needs Rhea! So Rhea will put this in a way even Jade can understand: Now Rhea wants the title, so she will take the title. That is why Rhea has given Jade a big WrestleMania match. Welcome to the big leagues, B1tch! Now, we gonna keep talking? Or are we gonna do something about it?!

Rhea dares Jade to take the shot! Jade smirks, and tells Rhea no, she does this on her time. Jade leaves, holds up the belt, but then she gets found by B-Fab & Mia Yim! The fans cheer as Fab & Michin back Jade down. Rhea smiles as she’s in the ring, but then Jade smiles again? Because Fab & Michin are on Jade’s side?! They surround Rhea in the ring! The fans don’t like where this is going, but Rhea isn’t backing down! Rhea SUPERKICKS Fab, but Mia SMACKS Rhea with the kendo stick! Jade then DECKS Rhea! Fab & Mia beat Rhea down for Jade! The fans boo but Jade enjoys what she sees. Mia & Fab sit Rhea up, and Jade SUPERKICKS her down!

Then Jade chicken wings Rhea, for JADED!! Jade stands tall over Rhea, belt in hand. Will nothing stop Jade from keeping the gold now that she has a couple Baddies backing her?

The Miz talks with Kit Wilson backstage.

Master, Inspire, Zone-in. Kit has got the MIZ Method down, and he’ll handle Jelly Roll like a piece of cake! Right, Miz? Miz snaps out of it and says it has been a weird week since last week. The family vacation got delayed because of bad weather in Hawaii. Then he ended up in a middle seat! And he now has a sunburn on his back that is killing him! Danhausen appears and SMACKS Miz on his back! Hey, gang! So, Danhausen was thinking he could go to ringside with Kit Wilson to protect him from “Jimmy Jam” as their muscle! What do they think? Kit says wake up, Danhausen! They don’t want his toxic machismo!

Why can’t Danhausen get it through his Dracula brain that Miz is NOT going to mentor you?! Who’s Dracula? But fine, stay cursed, Danhausen doesn’t care. There’s no such thing as curses! But then a ladder almost falls on Miz! And then Danhausen disappears! Miz say she had an epiphany. How can Kit master, inspire, and zone-in if Miz is holding his hand the entire time? Kit has to go out there and do the method, BE the method! Right! Be MIZ! Kit leaves, Miz brushes off the curse, only for a ladder to actually hit him! Will Miz see that Danhausen is right? Will Kit be just as awful as The Miz when he confronts Jelly Roll tonight?

MFT regroups backstage.

Solo Sikoa is furious that they lost the tag titles! This is how they repay him? They lost the titles? Say goodbye to WrestleMania! There goes their opportunity, guys! JC brings up that was on the Wyatts, but Solo says it IS on them! It is on JC and it is on Tama! Tama looks to Solo and says they should just give the lantern back. Solo hasn’t been himself because of it. Tama says Solo is starting… to sound like Roman Reigns. Solo stares Tama in his eyes and asks for him to repeat that. But then Fatu runs in and THROWS Drew into the garage door! Fatu throws hands while talking trash, but security hurries to get in there!

Fatu shoves the guards, but Drew CLAWS Fatu’s face! Now security and producers drag Drew away! These two wild animals aren’t done fighting, but what will get them to stop?

WWE United States Championship Open Challenge: Carmelo Hayes VS Ilja Dragunov!

These two have gone back and forth for this title in the past, but it was bothering H1M that the Mad Russian Dragon was doubting himself. Melo’s words got through to Ilja, and now they go another round! Will Melo regret lighting that fire? Or will he hit another game winner?

SmackDown returns as Melo makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see whose pain will entertain!

The bell rings and both men run up to tie up! They go around, Melo puts Ilja in a corner, but the ref counts. Melo backs off, Ilja storms up, and they tie up again. Ilja puts Melo on the ropes, Melo turns things around in the corner, and Melo backs off. Ilja shoves Melo, so Melo SLAPS Ilja! Ilja fires up and RAMS Melo tot he far corner! Ilja CHOPS and HEADBUTTS again and again! The ref counts, Ilja stops, and the fans fire up! Ijla CHOPS Melo again, and again, but Melo pushes past him. Ilja stomps Melo in the corner, then slips around to waistlock. Melo fights the lift, arm-drags free, and dodges the boot! Ilja ducks the enzigiri!

Ilja CHOPS, Melo SUPERKICKS, then Melo dodges to springboard! Ilja dodges, Melo lands out, but the CONSTANTINE SPECIAL hits! The fans fire up with Ilja, “This is MY ring!” Ilja is back to himself while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again as Melo endures the COBRA TWIST! Ilja ELBOWS away on Melo again and again, but the fans are torn as Melo flops down. Ilja roars and drags Melo  back up, and throws down more elbows! But Melo fires elbows in return! Ilja HEADBUTTS Melo, then clinches for an EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Melo survives and the fans rally up as he crawls around. Ilja stomps Melo around, then paces. Ilja waits on Melo, kicks him around again, but Melo CHOPS! And ROCKS! And CHOPS again! Ilja wrangles Melo for more elbows! Melo fireman’s carries, Ilja slips free, but Melo switches! Melo shoves, Ilja CONSTANTINE- NO, Melo dodges!

Melo returns to hit DIRTY DIANA! Cover, TWO! Both men are down but the fans rally up. Melo kips up and the fans fire up! Melo runs in, LARIATS in the corner, then ROCKS and CHOPS! Melo LARIATS Ilja up and outta the ring! T he fans fire up as Melo builds speed, and Melo FLIES! Down goes Ilja, but Melo hits the desk! Melo gets Ilja in the ring, huffs ‘n’ puffs as he climbs up, and Melo takes aim! FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Ilja survives partially because Melo couldn’t put his whole weight on that pin. The fans rally up as both men rise up, and Melo takes aim. Melo springboards, but into a waistlock! GERMAN SUPLEX!

Ilja goes up, SUPER SENTON! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives but Ilja doesn’t stop! Ilja goes up the corner, and even as Melo crawls away, Ilja aims! Ilja blows a kiss to go COAST2- FIRST 48!! But then Ilja H-BOMBS!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!!! Melo survives by a literal foot! The fans are thunderous and Ilja is stunned, but SmackDown goes picture in picture!

Melo drags himself back up, but Ilja is on him. Ilja CHOPS Melo on the back, Melo flops down, but Ilja sits him up to tell him he wanted this! Ilja waits on Melo, then waistlocks again, for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Ilja holds on but Melo fires elbows! Ilja KNEES Melo in the side, waistlocks again, then GERMAN SUPLEXES! Melo still manages to fire elbows, but he’s slowing down. Ilja keeps on the waistlock, drags Melo back up, but Melo pries the hold open and REAR HEADBUTTS! SUPESR- NO, Ilja blocks the kick, spins Melo around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Melo survives but both men are down!

Ilja rises up, vows to get that title back, but Melo kicks him from below! Ilja stomps away on Melo, then hauls him up! Ilja reels Melo in, but Melo fights the lift! Melo powers Ilja to the ropes, then whips. Ilja reverses, but Melo springboards to FLYING LARIAT! Both men are down again! Melo goes to the ropes while SmackDown returns to single picture. Raleigh rallies for Melo as he then puts Ilja on the apron. Melo slingshots, but Ilja catches him! Ilja fireman’s carries, Melo flails, but Ilja APRON DEATH VALLEY DRIVERS! Melo coughs and sputters but Ilja roars! Ilja tastes the blood in his mouth, and he drags Melo up the corner!

The fans rally as Ilja deadlifts Melo to the top rope, then hits a SUPER DUPER LAY UP CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!! Melo’s counter couldn’t close it and now he’s beside himself! “This is Awesome!” as both men slowly rise. Melo brings Ilja around, winds up, and CHOPS! Ilja drops to his knees, but he eggs Melo on! Melo KICKS, CHPOS, but Ilja ROCKS Melo! Melo rebounds to LARIAT! Ilja rebounds to ROCK Melo! Melo rebounds to ELBOW Ilja! Ilja rebounds to BOOT! Ilja CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS, then SPINNING CHOPS! SPIN CHOP to the leg! Ilja runs, but into the ENZIGIRI! Ilja rebounds, to JUMP STOMP Melo down!

Ilja hurries to get Melo up, reel him in ,and POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! Melo survives but Ilja won’t stop! Fireman’s carry and RIB BUSTER DROP! Cover, TWO!! The fans are thunderous as Melo survives, but Ilja goes to a corner! “UN! BE! SEIG! BAR!!” TORPEDO- FIRST 48!!! Cover, TWO!??! Ilja survives what has been the game winner for Melo, but now Melo goes back to the classic! Melo climbs, aims, and hits NOTHING- NO! Ilja dodges the three pointer, TORPEDO MOSCOW!! Ilja isn’t done with Melo, he lifts and- CODE RED FROM MELO! Cover, MELO WINS!!

Winner: Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)

Ilja thought he had it, but Melo slam dunks this one to put it away! Will anyone ever stop H1M when he’s on the run of his life?

R-Truth & Priest talk with Jelly Roll backstage.

Truth says he likes Kit. Does Jelly not like Kit? Jelly kinda likes Kit, but it’s weird, Kit calling him out on stuff. But hey, congratulations on the win! They’re not tag team champions! Priest appreciates that, and says Jelly can hit them up later. Truth says it’s Wepa Up time! What? Well, that aside, Truth & Priest head out, and Jelly heads to gorilla. Jelly then sees Randy, and Randy apologizes to Jelly for last week. Please forgive him. Jelly says don’t worry about him, but let’s be honest. He’s just worried about Randy. Jelly knows what it is to be the bad guy, so just listen to him. He knows what it is to be judged for the worst version of ourselves.

Randy knows what that feels like, right? So Jelly isn’t judging. Jelly just hopes Randy remembers how much he means to everyone here. Every single week, Randy lights the place up. These are the same hallways where they used to be afraid of him. Randy put in the work to change that and became a better man. Jelly just doesn’t understand why Randy wants to go back to a version of himself he already beat. Don’t let the monster in. Jelly doesn’t even know this version of Randy, he knows a very different person. He knows a version full of love, a great human being. A man who changed the business by himself! Jelly isn’t talking Randy the wrestler, he means Randy the husband and father.

Randy is a beautiful soul, and that man is who had Jelly’s back at SummerSlam. That dude that did those things to Cody, Jelly doesn’t know that man. Jelly doesn’t know if it’s those voices in Randy’s head, or someone talking in Randy’s ear, but Jelly knows Randy knows that money and titles come and go. But family, friends, and those around him are forever. Life’s not about what you do, but who you do it with. Jelly loves you, bro. Then what is Randy to do? Like with Cardona earlier. Randy knows he was out of line, but how does he begin to fix it? With step one. You deal with Cody later. We’ve also known Cardona forever, and it’ll be hard, but Randy has to be the one to try.

Randy says okay, okay, he hears that. Jelly and Randy shake it out and Randy leaves to find Cardona. Will Jelly’s words reach the true Randy Orton?

Kit Wilson heads to the ring.

Too bad Kit didn’t just see what Jelly did for Randy or else he might let this issue go. Will “The Tonic” just have to see it for himself? Or will he still think of Jelly as TOXIC? We find out, after the break.

SmackDown returns as Kit has the mic to call out Jelly Roll! “You crossed the line last week! You started this fight! So tonight, I finish it! Because where I come from, if you cause a problem, we settle it like men! So get your ass out here!” Jelly Roll indeed makes his entrance, and he storms into the ring, only for Kit to bail out! Kit says he’s too smart, and he’s just in Jelly’s head! Jelly grabs a mic to tell Kit that if this is what he wants, then this is what he’s got! Jelly doesn’t know what Kit thought he was getting when he called Jelly out, but they’re gonna fight right here in Raleigh! Someone, get a ref and ring the bell!

The fans like the sound of that! But Kit says again, the bravado, the ego, it is all two steps ahead of the brain. Kit said they’d settle this like civilized men. Kit doesn’t need to fight with his fists when he can fight with his words! The fans boo but Kit says they’re just toxic. Jelly double checks, cuz this is getting word. Did Kit bring Jelly all the way out here for some kind of rap battle? Don’t get Jelly wrong, Kit’s a decent dancer, but he ain’t no rapper. Jelly, don’t you dare compare Kit to a RAPPER! Kit is so much better than them and Jelly! This is NOT a rap battle! Tonight, it is SLAM POETRY! The fans cheer as the notebook is brought out!

Jelly can’t believe Kit brought a book! Kit reads, “Jelly, you can talk all you want, but you’ve got no class. Just a couple ugly face tattoos and a criminal past. But well done losing that weight and looking some damn thin. All I see is a melted blob of skin! You’re fat-phobic, you’re toxic, I might even call you a jerk. But hey, at least they got work that Ozempic does work!” Kit says he’s got more! “Jelly, you try to inspire, but to me, it’s a little bit silly. Hey, congrats on losing 300 pounds, maybe now you can see your little willy!” Whoa… Jelly admits, that was good. Jelly didn’t bring a book or nothing, but uh, he might have something for Kit.

Jelly starts, “Oh, Mr. Kit Wilson came in, trying to destroy me. But I don’t have to see my willy, your mama sees it for me!” OH NO! Kit, calm down! That’s toxic! Kit talks about Ozempic, how original, y’all. Jelly’s really fat? Your mama could’ve told you that, cuz he put his belly on her back! Kit is seething but the fans cheer Jelly for the double mama burn. KIT SUCKER PUNCHES JELLY! The fans boo as Kit fires off and stomps away on Jelly! Kit then runs up to LEG LARIAT Jelly down! Jelly is at center, but Kit goes up top! PRETTY DEADLY ELBOW! Kit shouts that Jelly is TOXIC, but Jelly’s not the one that lost his temper! Will Kit ever understand the real problem here?

Kiana James & Giulia talk backstage.

Miss Management says it is alright, they don’t need to worry about Tiffany Stratton. She is aware of how things went. Giulia says Kiana didn’t get the job done! Now Tiff thinks she can disrespect Giulia! Next week, Giulia puts Tiff in her place. Kiana asks how many times she has to say she’s sorry. But then Chelsea Green & Alba Fyre roll up. Trouble in paradise? Well, you know how the old saying goes. Um… Alba whispers the start and Chelsea says, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” Tiff is all their enemy, so they can all work together! Giulia says she does NOT need help from Chelsea! Giulia storms off, and Kiana swats Alba’s sunglasses.

Alba is upset by this disrespect, and Chelsea says it is treason! But then Nia pushes Chelsea along, sending her and Alba rolling away. The Irresistible Forces are ready to run over The Bella Twins, will nothing stop them on their Road to WrestleMania?

Jelly Roll talks with Aldis.

Jelly doesn’t know what kind of sideshow Aldis is running, but he has had it! He wants the smoke with Kit! Jelly wants Kit? Yeah! Then next week, in Pittsburgh, Jelly VS Kit 1v1! Jelly will be there! Jelly Roll is heated, will Kit get burned?

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Nia Jax & Lash Legend VS The Bella Twins!

The Irresistible Forces are powerful and they know it, but no team’s been a team longer than Nikki & Brie. Will this finally be the moment the Bellas reign together? Or will they fail to derail Nia & Lash on the Road to WrestleMania?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if the Bellas can look but can’t touch!

The teams sort out, but Nia & Lash just rush The Bellas! The Bellas dodge, then they dropkick the legs out! Brie CLOBBERS Lash and they scrap out of the ring while Nikki KNEES Nia! Nikki brings Nia up but Nia SHOVES her to the  corner. Nikki BOOTS Nia, headlocks, but Nia powers up and out to RUN Nikki over! The fans rally for The Bellas but Nia runs the ropes, only for Nikki to avoid the leg drop! Nikki drop toeholds Nia onto the ropes, then tags Brie. Nikki holds Nia in place for Brie’s DROPKICK! Brie wrenches Nia, dodges a lariat, and wrenches again! Brie brings Nia over, tags Nikki, and Nikki goes up to AX HANDLE the arm!

Nikki wrenches, Brie joins in, and they double wrench again and again, only for Nia to send them into each other! The Bellas dodge Nia to BLAST Lash, then they double kick Nia for a DOUBLE BULLDOG! And now Charlexa makes their entrance out here! The fans are torn but Lash BOOTS Nikki down! And DECKS Brie! The fans “WOO~” because North Carolina is Flair Country! Charlexa continues towards ringside while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Lash bumps Nikki off buckles, sits her down, and digs her boot in. The ref counts, Lash stops at 4, and Lash drags Nikki up to whip to the other corner. Lash runs in and LARIATS! Nia tags in, then Lash brings Nikki around to TOSS out of the ring. Nia goes over to bring Nikki up, and SMACK her off the desk! Then send her into Charlexa! Nia soaks up the heat, Lash talks trash, but Charlotte stands up. Lash backs up, Nia puts Nikki in the ring, and Nia stomps Nikki. Brie wants in but the ref keeps her back. Nia bumps Nikki off buckles, then tags Lash. Nia scoops Nikki so Lash can CLUB away on Nikki in the ropes!

Nia then SIDEWALK SLAMS! Lash covers, TWO! Lash is annoyed, but she clamps onto Nikki with a chinlock. Nikki endures the grind, fights to her feet, and fires body shots! JAWBREAKER! Nikki runs but Lash still catches her! Lash THRWOS Nikki down, then storms up on her. Lash drags Nikki up and around, RAMS shoulders with her, then RAMS again! Lash RUNS Nikki over, then has a cocky cover, TWO! Nikki is tougher than that, but Lash tags Nia in. Lash sends Nikki to the corner, then runs up, but into BOOTS! Nia runs up but into an ELBOW! Nikki goes up, and hits the FLYING CHUCK! Nia flops while SmackDown returns to single picture!

Nikki crawls while the fans rally up, but Nia has a leg! Nikki ENZIGIRIS free! Hot tag to Brie! The fans fire up as Brie MISSILE DROPKICKS Nia! Brie then BLASTS Lash off the apron, and it’s time for #BrieMode! Brie runs up on Nia to KNEE her against the ropes! Then Brie runs, only for Nia to scoop! Brie sunset flips, but Nia stays up! Nia HIP DROPS, but misses as Brie moves! The fans fire up as Brie runs to KICK! And KICK! KICK! “YES! YES! YES!” The fans fire up as Brie then PENATLY KICKS! Lash is in but Brie dodges a boot! Brie DROPKICKS Lash out, but Nia POP-UP HEADBUTTS! Nia runs up, but Brie TOSSES her out!

Hot tag to Nikki, and Nikki goes up! SUPER CROSSBODY! #FearlessNikki wipes out both champs and the fans fire up! Nikki & Brie get Lash in the ring, but Lash storms up! The ref backs Lash down, but Nia trips Nikki up top! Nia fireman’s carries, then goes to tag Lash. Nia goes up the corner, SUPER SAMOAN DROP!! Lash then goes up, and she DIVING SPLASHES! Cover, Brie breaks it! Then FACEBUSTER! Brie BOOTS Nia, but Nia RAMS Brie! Nia HEADBUTTS Brie, but Nikki gets Lash in the Fearless STF!! Nia grabs a belt, aims for Brie, but CHARLOTTE steps up!? She BLASTS Nia, but the ref spots it!! DISQUALIFICATION!!

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

The irony! Charlotte saves Brie, only to cost her and Nikki this match! Charlotte BOOTS Nia, but Nikki storms out to get in Charlotte’s face! Alexa gets in Nikki’s face, but Nikki DECKS her! Charlotte RAMS Nikki! Brie goes after Charlotte! The Bellas push Charlotte into the ring, but Alexa follows! Charlexa and Bellas brawl, but here come Nia & Lash! Lash sends Charlotte into Nikki and Nia sends Brie into Alexa! Then they DOUBLE DOUBLE SPLASH! The fans boo as the champs stand tall, but Charlotte is back up. Lash DECKS her with that legendary right! Then Lash scoops Charlotte, holds her out, and Nia adds the GUILLOTINE LEG DROP!!

The Irresistible Forces say they run this, and right now, it’s hard to argue with them! But with many teams from multiple brands wanting after them, will Nia & Lash be able to dominate every team everywhere all at once?

Randy Orton is on the phone.

Orton tells this person he’s glad he picked up their call. Because they’re right. Orton is going to go to the ring right now and fix this. Yeah. Bye. Orton is headed back to gorilla, but is this the same person he was talking to on Monday? And what will he do to “fix this?”

Randy Orton makes his entrance, again!

Raleigh cheers again as The Viper is back, chair again in hand. Randy tentatively high-fives and shakes hands with fans, given how he said his heart isn’t 100% in it. But he still makes his way down the ramp and into the ring. But this time, he tosses the chair aside and has the mic to say, “Okay, so… I’ve got an apology I need to make to each and every one of you, but more importantly, I’ve got an apology I need to give to Matt Cardona. So Matt, please, if you would be so kind, come out to the ring, I wanna do this in front of everybody.” Cardona makes his entrance, and fans cheer as The Complete walks to the ring.

Cardona is a bit curious about this, but he keeps his eyes on Orton. Orton says he has been out of his head the last few weeks. He is legitimately sorry. Action figures are cool! Orton plays video games. He is so sorry for how he treated Cardona, they go back 20 years! Orton says he is sorry, and he also has an apology to give to Cody next week, since Cody is not here tonight. But seriously, he is sorry. Will Cardona forgive him? Orton drops the mic and holds his hand out to Cardona. The fans are just as wary as Cardona, but Orton says c’mon, man. Cardona says okay. They shake hands, and even hug it out. Orton says he’s sorry, then steps back.

THEN HE LOW BLOWS CARDONA!! And then RKO!! The fans are torn because The Viper is still The Viper! Orton RIPS Cardona’s shirt away, then drags Cardona up to TOSS Him out! Orton clears the desk, then he puts Cardona on it to HAMMER away! This is just like with Cody last week, because Orton gets the steel steps! The fans are torn as Orton brings those steps over, but then producers and security hurry out here! They tell Orton to stop, they can’t have this happen again! Orton backs off, realizing what they mean. The fans cheer Randy, but he is clearly torn between his two sides. Aldis tells him to think about his future, and about WrestleMania.

Randy ignores Aldis!! Orton gets Cardona up and into the ring to then rain down more fists and even a stomp! Orton puts the chair around Cardona’s arm, but the security swarms him! They stop Orton from doing it, but then Orton looks up. Is he listening to his better angels? Or to those voices in his head? Orton turns to go, but then JUMPS AND STMOPS THE CHAIR!!! Cardona clutches his arm! Orton has snapped, and perhaps so has Cardona’s arm! Raleigh is going nuts, and some want that “One More Time!” The security guards stand in the way of the ring, Aldis tells Orton to stop this, this isn’t Orton!

Wait, what’s going on now?! OH NO, FATU AND DREW ARE FIGHTING ON A BALCONY!! Aldis has to let Orton figure himself out while he hurries backstage! Fatu and Drew throw hands, and then Fatu HEADBUTTS away! Aldis shows up but there’s a fence in the way! Fatu and Drew are now on the edge! They HEADBUTT back and forth, and both men teeter! Fatu HEADBUTTS again and again and again, but Drew brings Fatu down with him!! What did they fall on?! We can’t see because of the wood fence!! Forget WrestleMania, are Drew and Fatu even going to make it to next Friday now?!

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown as we’re basically a month out from WrestleMania, and we got a LOT of Drew and Fatu as well as a lot of Orton going further and further into Heel territory. Drew loves using vehicular assault as an opening move, but he and Fatu had great brawls all over the show, and that was a wild way to close the night. I would think either A) there was a huge landing pad obscured by the fence or B) they got stunt doubles up there. Either way, this has to mean we get Drew VS Fatu in a Street Fight, maybe for WrestleMania. As for Orton, I appreciate Orton doing his best to hold onto his good side, but the fans even cheered him beating up Cardona.

Orton did have a great promo with Jelly where Jelly was trying to get through to him, very good character work. But then the person on the phone with Orton, how do we know there even IS a person on the other side of the phone? What if Orton is just talking to one of the voices in his head? Or like, the “2009 Orton” everyone uses as the example of his peak Heel work? That’d be such a wild twist that could bring some real intrigue to this story, like he’s going crazy just to become a 15-time champion. Jelly himself had some great stuff tonight with Kit Wilson, who also had good stuff with The Miz and Danhausen. The “Slam Poetry” stuff was fun, almost felt like Thug Life John Cena. Jelly VS Kit next week will be fun, but I wonder if Miz and Danhausen get involved.

Danhausen also had a fun little gag with Candice & Gargano where he really just scams her out of $20. MCMG VS Fraxiom was a great match, but Candice interfering was interesting. I kinda hope this means Gargano joins MCMG to make a new trio so that Gargano has something more to do. Great match from Sami VS Aleister to also build the Sami-Trick feud, but also to build Sami’s internal conflict. Sami VS Trick is coming, and it is going to be great, and I kinda hope it is Sami’s breaking point where he goes nuts and just lets loose. But even then, Sami might lose that, only sending him further off the deep end.

We got an awesome US Championship match from Melo VS Ilja, but I do wish they’d let Ilja build himself up on the side per his self-doubt and internal conflict. But I suppose that’d mean someone else gets a win off Ilja in the process and that would be odd, too. Melo getting this win here was fine, maybe this sends Ilja on his journey of self-discovery. Very good promo segment from Jade VS Rhea, though I do question Jade’s thesis that she doesn’t need wrestling to be a celebrity. But the main thing was, B-Fab AND Michin joined up, very surprising considering Mia still had beef with Jade. But I suppose Rhea needs to face people to build momentum, so beating B-Fab & Michin back to back will help that.

Very good tag team match from MFT VS Priest & Truth, but just as I said last week, the Wyatts cost MFT the tag titles. This is great for Priest & Truth, though no idea who they’ll face for a first defense. Tama had a good promo with Solo telling him to just give the lantern back, and that definitely brings us a step closer to Tama leaving Solo & MFT to be his own man. And great stuff with the women’s tag titles, with the Bella Twins and Charlexa interacting backstage, then all the shenanigans in the main event. Again, this definitely feels like we get Irresistible Forces VS Bellas VS Charlexa VS a Raw tag team for Mania, but we’ll just have to wait and see.

My Score: 8.8/10