Tensions are high in Steel City!

After brutalizing Cody Rhodes and Matt Cardona in back to back weeks, will Randy Orton make tonight’s SmackDown the third in his hattrick?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss VS The Bella Twins; The Bella Twins win.
• Rhea Ripley VS B-Fab w/ Jade Cargill & Mia Yim; Rhea wins, by disqualification.
• Jelly Roll VS Kit Wilson; Jelly wins.
• WWE United States Championship Open Challenge: Carmelo Hayes VS Sami Zayn; Sami wins and becomes the new WWE United States Champion.
• Tiffany Stratton VS Giulia w/ Kiana James; Giulia wins.
• Randy Orton VS Matt Cardona; Orton wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Randy Orton is here!

Pittsburgh is torn, but there are fans that still sing along with Voices. The Viper himself isn’t sure what to think of that, but he doesn’t reach out to high-five or shake hands this time. Orton goes to the ring, grabs the mic, and says, “Two weeks ago, I stood in this ring right next to Cody Rhodes, and he looked me directly in the eye, and he told me that he needed me to be the best version of Randy Orton I could be. He then proceeded to tell me that each and every one of you want me to be the best version of Randy Orton that i can be.” The fans cheer that. Then Cody told Orton to be The Viper, to listen to the voices in his head.

The thing is, Orton shut them out a long, long time ago. The fans boo that, and Orton says the past few years, he’s been thinking a lot about number 15, a lot about his legacy, and how he’s going to leave things when he’s gone. Orton has been thinking about his 15th world championship! And then Cody, outta nowhere, gives Orton his blessing. And now that Orton has let the voices back in, he cannot be held responsible for what happens next. The voices in his head aren’t the problem, it’s all these other voices, your voices, the voices outside of his head that are the problem! But there is one voice, one person, that has Orton’s ear.

There is one person outside of Orton’s head that he is listening to. But wait! Matt Cardona is here! Orton has them cut the music and asks Cardona if he’s serious. Does he want Orton to break his other arm?! Cardona is lucky he still has a job here! He has a mic, he’s got something to say? Say it, you son of- BOP! Cardona hits Orton with the mic! The fans are torn but Cardona is #AlwayZReady, especially when he’s pissed! Cardona dares Orton to get up and fight now! Pittsburgh wants to see it, but will the Legend Killer strike down The Complete?

Nick Aldis talks with a ref.

The SmackDown General Manager has him go handle something, and then Trick Williams steps in. Trick says if Aldis has something to say, he should go ahead and say it. Aldis says he doesn’t want this going to Trick’s head, though that might be too late, but… Trick has been very impressive. And that’s not just Aldis saying that, the people say it. Trick is becoming a major player here and Aldis does what’s best for business. Let’s talk business. Trick is being awarded the ultimate opportunity in this business. Trick is getting a WrestleMania match! Trick is stunned, then fired up! He’s gonna call his mom, Lash Legend, Lil’ Yachty, and…

Well, Sami Zayn steps in now, and Trick asks if “Gingerbread” heard the news! Trick’s going to WrestleMania! Let’s talk about it! Sami asks if Aldis is serious. Well, then congratulations. But Sami has to know, what is Sami doing? Aldis says he didn’t want to have this conversation out in the hall, but fine. Sami is a major asset to WWE, but things haven’t been going his way as of late. And we’re talking WrestleMania, championships need to be defended, superstars with momentum, this is valuable real estate. Sorry, but unless something changes, Aldis doesn’t have a spot for Sami. He’s sorry.

Trick almost mockingly says, “Better luck next year? See you soon?” Trick asks what he gets for comped tickets. Maybe a suite? The Nick ‘n’ Trick Connection, how’s that? Trick is feeling it, but Sami gets an ideas. Sami walks back over, Trick says catering is that way, dawg. Sami DECKS Trick! Aldis has Sami back off but Sami says he’s gonna have a match at Mania, just you watch! After all the pressure he’s put himself under, Sami heads out, is he about to snap?

Randy Orton returns backstage.

And he throws a fit! He complains to Aldis that he was looking all over for him! And he doesn’t know if Aldis saw it- Aldis says he DID see! Oh, did he? He’s got a monitor back here? Cardona just storms out to the ring and hits Orton with a mic! Who does he think he is?! Orton wants a match with Cardona TONIGHT! Aldis says no, Cardona’s arm is broken. Orton knows, he is the one that broke it! If Aldis can’t make a match for Orton and Cardona, Orton can’t tell you what’ll happen to Cardona by the end of the night! The voices will take over, it’ll be real bad! You want this in the ring, trust him! Aldis says FINE, they’ve got the match.

But do Aldis a favor: Go cool off somewhere, preferably somewhere alone. Orton heads off, happy to have what he wants. But will he get what he deserves against Cardona?

Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss VS The Bella Twins!

One week, The Queen & Lil’ Miss Bliss lose a tag title match because of Nikki & Brie going after Nia Jax & Lash Legend. The next, Nikki & Brie lose because #Charlexa tried to help them against Nia & Lash, only for it to backfire. Will the winner here get a second chance against the Irresistible Forces? Or will they just cancel out this close to WrestleMania?

SmackDown returns as Charlotte makes her entrance, followed by Alexa’s. But then speaking of the tag team champions, Nia & Lash make their entrance. The fans boo but the Irresistible Forces have mics to speak. Nia tells Pittsburgh, there is still time to buy tickets to Monday Night Raw, where you will see them, a team you actually wanna watch, compete against the team of Bayley & Lyra Valkyria for the Women’s Tag Team Championships. Unfortunately for tonight, you’re stuck watching wannabe contenders try their best, but Nia is all about putting a spotlight on the Women’s Tag Division. But there would be no spotlight without Nia & Lash.

So it does NOT make sense for them to NOT be out here. Lash agrees, just like it doesn’t make sense that the Bella Twins are hot when you’ve got Nia & Lash in comparison. Or everyone cheering for Charlotte & Alexa with their fake friendship! But don’t worry, this won’t bring down the show too much. Not with Nia & Lash here watching these two teams fighting for what Nia & Lash have. So let the match commence. The bell rings, the teams sort out, and Charlotte starts against Nikki. The fans rally up as Charlotte & Nikki circle, feel things out, and the fans “WOO~” as the two tie up. Charlotte headlocks, Nikki powers out, but Charlotte RUNS her over!

Charlotte copies the Bella swivel and the fans cheer. Charlotte whips Nikki to a corner, Nikki reverses, but Charlotte goes up and out. She BOOTS Nikki, BOOTS Brie, then slingshots to roll Nikki up. Nikki rolls through, spins Charlotte, and cravat KNEE SMASHES! Nikki shows Charlotte how the swivel is done, then she tags Brie. Brie goes up to AX HANDLE Charlotte’s arm! Brie wrenches, wrenches, and CHOPS! Brie whips, Charlotte reverses, and Brie hits buckles hard! Charlotte CHOPS and the fans “WOO~!” Tag to Alexa and the fans fire up! Charlotte sends Brie out, then helps Alexa up, DROPKICK!

The fans cheer, but Brie hurries to waistlock. Alexa switches, Brie switches back, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Body scissor and roll to the cover, TWO! Brie runs up, Alexa sidesteps, but Nikki tags in. Brie sunset flips, Alexa rolls through, and Alexa basement DROPKICKS Brie! Brie bails out, runs up, but Brie traps Alexa in the apron skirt! Alexa ROCKS Brie first, but Nikki DECKS Alexa! Charlotte hurries over, the ref has everyone hold on, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.

The Bellas back off, Alexa goes up to the apron, but then Nikki YANKS her back down! And then THROWS Alexa into Lash & Nia! Charlotte storms back over, but the ref has her stay back while Nikki puts Alexa in the ring. Nikki drags Alexa around, clamps onto an arm, and she grinds the armlock. Alexa fires body shots but Nikki KNEES low. Nikki tags Brie and the Bellas DOUBLE SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Brie snapmares Alexa, then clamps onto the arm to bend it. Alexa endures, Nia writes notes about all this, but Alexa fires body shots. Brie BULLDOGS Alexa down! Tag to Nikki and she KICKS the bad arm. Nikki snapmares Alexa hard, then clamps onto the arm.

Alexa endures all over again as Nikki grinds the hold. Charlotte and the fans rally but Nikki wrenches and WRINGS Alexa out! Nikki taunts Charlotte, then brings Alexa up to bump her off buckles. Tag to Brie and The Bellas double whip Alexa for a DOUBLE FLAPJACK! Cover, TWO! Brie keeps on Alexa with a bump off buckles, then KICK after KICK in the corner! The ref counts, SmackDown returns to single picture, and fans are torn as Brie winds up. Alexa blocks the kick to DECK Brie! The fans rally, but Brie CLOBBERS Alexa! Brie drags Alexa up, bumps her off buckles, then tags Nikki back in. Nikki runs up but into BOOTS!

Alexa BLASTS Brie, dodges Nikki, but Nikki hurries to hold Alexa back! SPINEBUSTER! The fans are torn but Nikki soaks up the cheers and jeers. Then she sucker punches Charlotte! Nikki bumps Alexa off buckles, stomps away, and Brie joins in. Brie tags in, climbs up, and AX HANDLES the arm! Then she brings Alexa up, tags Nikki back in, and they DOUBLE- DDT COUNTER from Alexa! The fans fire up, hot tag to Charlotte! The Queen climbs, the fans cheer, and she DOUBLE CROSSBODIES! Down go both twins and the fans fire up again! Charlotte CHOPS Nikki, CHOPS Brie, and repeat! CHOP after CHOP, “WOO~” after “WOO~!”

Charlotte kicks Brie out, then she runs up on Nikki. Nikki dodges, but Charlotte HANDSPRING LARIATS! The fans fire up again as Charlotte scoops Brie for the EXPLODER! Then she drags Nikki up, EXPLODER! Charlotte kips up, the fans fire up, and Charlotte tells the champs, “SUCK IT!” Tag to Alexa, she runs up to BLOCKBUSTER Nikki! Cover, Brie breaks it! The fans are torn but Nikki tags Brie. They double whip Alexa, then Nikki lifts while Brie runs, HART ATTACK! Cover, Charlotte YANKS Brie back! Nikki BLASTS Charlotte, then goes out after her. Alexa is on the ropes, #BrieMode is activated! Only to run into a FOREARM!

The fans fire up for Alexa, but Brie hurries to O’Conner Roll! TWO and Alexa has it now! TWO and Alexa stumbles, INTO A SHOT FROM LASH!!! Brie rolls Alexa up, BELLAS WIN!

Winners: The Bella Twins, by pinfall

Charlotte is furious! For one, Nikki threw Alexa into Lash & Nia! Why did the champs screw Charlexa? Well now the champs CLOBBER everyone! The fans boo but Nia TOSSES The Bellas while Lash CLUBS Alexa and POSTS Charlotte! Nia & Lash stand tall, then they get Alexa up! Lash BEARHUGS and THRASHES Alexa, then Nia climbs up, but BAYLYRA IS HERE! The fans fire up as Bayley & Lyra fire off on Lash & Nia! The Role Model & Morrigan take the fight to the champs, and they DOUBLE DROPKICK Nia out! Then they get Lash! Charlotte helps and they DUMP Lash out to join Nia!

The fans fire up as Charlexa & BayLyra stand tall, the Bellas standing off to the side. Charlotte SHOVES Brie, still mad at how things went down. But controversy aside, will Brie & Nikki still be next in line after Bayley & Lyra battle Nia & Lash on Monday?

Damian Priest finds R-Truth backstage.

And Truth is consulting ring staff while wearing a construction hat and vest. Truth is double checking if six inches on the measuring tape is really six inches, and he says they’ll talk blueprints later. Charge it to Aldis’ credit card. Priest asks what Truth is up to, and Truth says he’s rebuilding the clubhouse. Judgement Day is back! N-No… Oh, is this cuz they kicked Priest out? Jelly Roll steps in and says what’s up! They all shake hands and Truth asks, “Dawg?” No, man, it’s Jelly Roll! Remember? They do this every week! They’ve seen each other. Well he looks different. Oh, thanks, he has been losing weight. No, that ain’t it. Oh, Truth sees it now. He shaved!

What is…? But then Rhea Ripley steps in! She says hola, wepa! Truth says he knew it! Dom y Mami are back together! Judgment Day IS back! Now, don’t let Liv see this. Priest asks what is wrong with Truth, and Truth says they’re getting a hot tub in the clubhouse this time. Oh, well, that’s cool. Jelly tells Priest to take this seriously, Jelly’s getting confused. As for Rhea, Jelly has been meaning to say that while it isn’t his job to give advice, he isn’t a pro-wrestler, but she has the biggest match of her life coming up. And Jade Cargill is mean, violent, big, and strong. But this is Rhea Ripley! And if there was ever someone to get humbled, it is Jade!

Jelly knows Rhea will be the one to do it at Mania! Anyway, Jelly’s gonna go kick Kit Wilson’s ass now. See y’all later. Jelly hurries off and Truth wants to help Dom. Jelly’s not Dom, Truth! Rhea asks if Truth is okay. Who knows. But Rhea says she was going to say this to Priest and Truth, but uh… Anyway, congratulations on winning the tag titles. Priest thanks her, and this was very unexpected. But he fully expects Rhea to get hers at Mania. Now, go handle this business. Yeah, that’s what she was gonna go do, so wepa! Mami heads to gorilla, will she get back on top after getting punked out last week?

Charlexa regroups backstage.

Charlotte pats Alexa on the head a few times, then apologizes for the loss. But then The Bellas storm in and Nikki rudely says, “Excuse us. What the HELL were you thinking?” Alexa asks what THEY were thinking, capitalizing on someone got sucker punched in the face! Charlotte says The Bellas didn’t stand a chance without Nia & Lash, so get to the back of the line! Nikki says that’s what Charlotte think! Brie says it’s not like they asked Nia & Lash to be out there, so you can’t blame them. The Bellas came back to become tag team champions, and they will do whatever it takes. Oh, we’ll see about that. This isn’t over. And then Alexa snatches Brie’s flannel just to throw it back at her.

Tensions are rising as WrestleMania draws closer. Will everything explode at the drop of a hat?

Rhea Ripley heads to the ring!

Pittsburgh cheers as Mami makes her entrance. Rhea walks down the ramp, into the ring, and grabs a mic. The fans cheer Rhea on, and she says, “I didn’t expect integrity from Jade Cargill. I was fully under the impression that she would do whatever she needed to do to not get her hands dirty. But the one thing I didn’t expect was for B-Fab and Michin to be so desperate that they had to stoop down to her level. If that’s the game you guys wanna play, then that’s fine. Because it is WrestleMania season! And I don’t care what I gotta do, or who I gotta go through, before I get there! So, I’m out here in my ring, I’m dressed for any kind of occasion, so why don’t you guys join me, huh?”

Rhea dares someone to fight, and Jade makes her entrance. The Storm has come to the Steel City, and she is flanked by Fab & Mia Yim. Jade has the mic to say, “You sound real slick for somebody that got dropped last week.” The fans boo, but Jade says they don’t care. Fab says close your mouths! Jade says Fab & Michin didn’t join Jade, they just positioned themselves with power. And if Rhea thinks Jade’s gonna drag them down, you already know what it is. Rhea laughs, but Fab says she’s glad Rhea said it. Rhea said she’d take down anyone and anything to get what she wants. Oh, sorry, the fans are pretty loud.

Fab says she knew Rhea was a selfish backstabber. She doesn’t care who has done the work, who has given the sacrifice, so long as Rhea gets the rewards! Mia agrees there, but then Rhea says yeah, okay. Mia says shut up! SmackDown is NOT your show, Rhea! Jade says Rhea sure thinks it is. Mia says she’s been grinding for decades, just like Rhea! They’ve put in the work, just like Rhea! And while Mia & Fab get forgotten, Rhea gets all the love and attention?! No, they’re tired of that! They’re taking what is theirs! And then Jade had the plan, and they jumped at the opportunity. And why wouldn’t they? Jade’s got the gold, she’s got the power!

And at least with Jade, what you see is what you get. Rhea rolls her eyes but Jade says if Rhea wants to get her ass beat again, be their guest. Rhea has all the fans fooled, but she’s not even someone ON SmackDown! She’s still just a guest. But that’s fine, Jade spoke with Aldis. And Fab wants to step up tonight. Rhea gonna learn today. Rhea says oh, okay, she’s learning. Well, she’ll be teaching Fab what she teaches Jade at Mania: Actions have consequences! Jade can’t be protected from everything, and she’ll realize that Rhea isn’t something you can protect her from! Get a ref, let’s get this party started! The fans cheer that!

A ref appears, Fab and Rhea throw the jackets off, and they’re gonna throw down, after the break!

Rhea Ripley VS B-Fab w/ Jade Cargill & Mia Yim!

SmackDown returns and the match is already going as Rhea THROWS Fab around. Then she ducks a lariat, ripcords and HOOK KICKS! Then ATOMIC SLAM! Fab flounders, Rhea runs, and Rhea basement DROPKICKS! The fans fire up but Jade talks trash on Rhea at the apron. This distracts the ref so Mia can trip Rhea up! Rhea kicks free, then DECKS Fab! Rhea goes outside to SUPERKICK Mia down! The fans fire up as Rhea takes down Jade’s baddies, but Jade eggs her on. Fab runs up to spin Rhea around, only for Rhea to HEADBUTT her down! Jade SHOVES Rhea into the POST!

Winner: Rhea Ripley, by disqualification

Jade DRIBBLES Rhea off the desk! Then she puts Rhea in the ring, talks trash, but Rhea EDDY GORDO KICKS! Then HEADBUTT! Rhea reels Jade in, pump handles, but Fab & Mia attack! The fans boo as the baddies save their alpha. Then Mia PELES Rhea into Fab’s BOOT! Then they get Rhea up so Jade can chicken wing her, for a JADED! The fans boo and cuss out Jade, but she says she’s #ThatB1tch! Will Rhea even make it to Las Vegas now that she’s facing a stacked deck?

The Miz and Kit Wilson talk backstage.

The Hollywood A-Lister has a headache, but “Mr. Tonic” keeps reviewing the MIZ Method: Master, Inspire, Zone-In. Last week, it worked for Kit! And with Miz in Kit’s corner, Kit will be unstoppable! No! No? NO! Miz’s shoes are ruined cuz he stepped in gum! But yes, Kit is right, last week worked. Miz doesn’t need to be in Kit’s corner, Kit can win this on his own. Miz will go in a room with no sharp objects, stay away from things that can fall on him, and he’ll stay safe. Kit says this can’t be because of the Danhausen curse. Miz shouts there is NO curse!

Curses are when lightning strikes on a clear day! Not when you step in gum or your deliveries get rerouted through Romania. Or, when your phone falls in the toilet… Wait, his phone fell in the toilet? Yes… And there is no disinfectant in this entire disgusting city of Pittsburgh! Kit asks what he did about it. Miz says just focus on the MIZ Method! Miz almost walks right into a lighting truss, then storms off. And then Danhausen appears beside Kit! Hey, Kit, how’re you doing? Quick question: what does Kit have that Danhausen doesn’t that makes Miz want to mentor him over Danhausen? Danhausen surely has the machismo, the great hair, and the great outfit.

WAKE UP, DANHAUSEN! Kit is good looking, he looks the part, and look at yourself. YOU. ARE! SILENCE! Because YOU! ARE! CURSED! Kit’s turn! Danhausen disappears as suddenly as he appeared, will this curse ruin Kit’s chances against Jelly Roll?

Drew McIntyre walks in backstage!

Cathy Kelley catches him as he does, and asks that given the wild fall off the side of the building alongside Jacob Fatu, how is he even walking? Is it smart to even be here tonight? Drew says he doesn’t care, he’s a walking pile of stubbornness and anger. He can still feel the glass that was in his hands from ripping out the windshield of Fatu’s car. His head is still pounding from when Fatu smashed him through commentary. And while Fatu tried to kill Drew, Drew took Fatu with him. Drew didn’t come here to fight, he’s in no condition to fight. But if Fatu wants to start something, Drew will sure as hell finish it.

Fatu took everything from Drew. Fatu took WrestleMania, he took the title, and when a man’s got nothing to lose, that’s when he’s most dangerous. The Scottish Terminator heads out, but will he be the one to slay the Samoan Werewolf? Or will Fatu be the one to finish this once and for all?

Jelly Roll VS Kit Wilson!

All the Grammy award winner wanted to do was have some fun on MizTV, but the supposed “cure to toxic masculinity” is the one picking on him over losing weight and turning his life around. Things have gotten physical the last couple of weeks, but will Jelly humble Kit himself? Or will the “True Real Man” make sure he’s the topic going into WrestleMania?

But first, Kit grabs a mic and tells Jelly that he crossed a line last week! Before they fight tonight, Kit has to defend the honor of his mother! Jelly chuckles as Kit brings out the journal. “You tell lies, Mr. Jelly! About your willy and about your belly. You falsely claim you met my mother, but she’d never choose you as her lover! To see you naked, that’s far from erotic. My mum says hi, you are-” Jelly says stop talking, let’s go! Kit ROCKS Jelly with another cheap shot! The fans boo but the bell rings, and Kit runs up to UPPERCUT! Jelly staggers around, Kit ROCKS him again, then whips him to ropes. Jelly grabs ropes to avoid the dropkick!

Jelly gets Kit’s legs, holds him open, and the fans cheer as Jelly hits a LEG SPLITTING LEG DROP! Very Jeff Hardy of Jelly there, then he hits an atomic drop! Then another! Kit staggers around while Jelly winds up, and he JABS! JABS! JABS! Then a flip, flop, but Kit KICKS first! Kit whips, Jelly reverses, and Kit tumbles up and out. Kit skins the cat, but Jelly is back to LARIAT Kit up and out! The fans fire up for Jelly and Kit is shocked! Jelly eggs Kit on while Pitt cheers Jelly on. Kit is furious, he grabs his journal, and he rushes in the ring! But Jelly snatches it from him! The ref takes the book from Jelly, and Kit sucker punches Jelly again!

Kit stomps a mudhole into Jelly, then runs corner to corner for another UPPERCUT! Jelly flops down and Kit takes a bow. The fans are torn but Kit grins as he looms over Jelly. Kit sits Jelly up, shouts, “YOU! ARE! TOXIC!” Kit rains down fists on Jelly’s head! The fans rally for Jelly but Kit does his hip swivels! Kit ELBOWS Jelly down, then talks trash. Jelly rises but Kit KICKS him in the side! Kit drags Jelly up, bumps him off buckles, then mockingly applauds. The fans rally for Jelly but Kit runs corner to corner, only for Jelly to dodge! Then he clinches, JELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up while both men are down, and a standing count starts!

Jelly and Kit rise up at 4 of 10, and Kit ROCKS Jelly! Jelly ROCKS Kit! Kit ROCKS Jelly, Jelly ROCKS Kit! Then Jelly blocks to JAB, JAB, JAB! Then flip, flop, fly, and BIONIC ELBOW! The fans fire up for Jelly as he then guzels Kit, for the CHOKE- NO, Kit pops free! Jelly hurries after Kit but Kit BOOTS him away! Kit goes up, leaps, but into a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Kit survives but Jelly still has something to try! Jelly stands Kit up, but Kit throat chops! The ref reprimands, but Jelly flounders away. Jelly sees the book, and he picks it up! The fans cheer Jelly, and he takes a swing! But Kit dodges, kicks low, and TWIST OF FATE! Cover, TWO?!?

The fans fire up as Jelly survives the “Turn-A-Kit!” Kit is foaming at the mouth, that’s a bit toxic! Kit drags Jelly up, tells him he is TOXIC, then tries again! TURN-A- NO, Jelly hooks the arms! Then he spins Kit to whip him. Kit tumbles up the corner, comes right back, and into the guzel! CHOKE SLAM! Cover, JELLY WINS!

Winner: Jelly Roll, by pinfall

Even Jelly is stunned, but he just won his first 1v1 match! Pittsburgh is rocking, and Jelly celebrates with his son! Will the #SonofaSinner soon prove he can be a superstar?

MFT meets backstage.

Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Talla Tonga & JC Mateo all stand nearby as Solo Sikoa looks at the Wyatt lamp. Solo tells them, “Everything that I do for this family, I do it out of love. I’m so hard on everybody because I know how great we can actually be. My job is to lead this family, but I cannot lead this family if everyone’s not on the same page. And I admit, last week, it was a little bit too much. So for that, I’d like to apologize. But you know who never would’ve apologized? Roman Reigns.” Solo makes sure to look at Tama as he says that. Solo then leaves, but Carmelo Hayes walks by. Melo asks Tama if he’s gonna take his shot at the US Championship, or wait for Solo’s permission.

Melo heads out, will the Good Bad Guy do the same? Wait, now Shinsuke Nakamura steps in. He also asks if Tama’s gonna fight Melo, or just follow Solo. Talla steps back in and asks Tama if he’s good. Tama says yeah, he’s good. Tama heads out, Talla stares Nakamura down, then follows after. Family or not, will Tama ever choose to stand on his own? And just who will challenge H1M for the title tonight?

WWE United States Championship Open Challenge: Carmelo Hayes VS ???

SmackDown returns and Melo waits in the ring. And answering the challenge is… SAMI ZAYN! Even Melo likes that! But will Sami take back the title the way he lost it? Or will his last chance at WrestleMania slip through his fingers?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who has gold in the Steel City!

But wait, now TRICK WILLIAMS makes his way out here! The fans chant, “WHOOP DAT TRICK! WHOOP DAT TRICK!” Trick and his lemon pepper steppers go to commentary while the bell rings. Sami is annoyed but he and Melo focus on their match. They tie up, Sami wrenches and wristlocks, but Melo rolls, wrenches, and wristlocks again. Melo headlocks, Sami powers up and out, then he drops down to hurdle and arm-drag! Ghost pin, TWO! Melo is up fast but Sami kicks low. Sami CHOPS Melo, Melo shoves Sami, but Sami ROCKS Melo. Sami fires hands on Melo, CHOPS him, then whips him to ropes.

Sami LARIATS Melo down, then covers, TWO! Another cover, ONE! Another cover, ONE!! Sami is annoyed again but he paces. Sami ROCKS Melo, bumps him off buckles, then CHOPS! Melo pushes Sami but Sami CHOPS again! Melo CHOPS again, then ROCKS Sami, and CHOPS Sami! Sami DECKS Melo! Sami then whips Melo to ropes, but Melo springboards for the FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up with Melo and he runs in at the corner for a forearm SMASH! Melo whips corner to corner, runs in, but he blocks Sami’s boots to then put him in the ropes and ENZIGIRI! Melo then hits the FADE AWAY JUMPER!

The fans cheer, Melo flexes and signals he’ll still be champ, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns as Melo sits Sami up, just to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! The fans rally and duel while Trick watches closely. Melo CLUBS Sami down again, then stands him up, only for Sami to counter punch! And counter punch again! Sami fires haymakers, then whips, but Melo reverses. Sami goes up and over, then he LARIATS Melo up and out! Sami builds speed while the fans fire up, and Sami FLIES! Down goes Melo right in front of commentary! The fans fire up with Sami, but Trick acts unimpressed. Sami stares Trick down for just a moment before he puts Melo in the ring. Fans chant for Trick, but Sami goes up the corner.

Sami aims from the top, and he AX- DROPKICK! Melo’s anti-air hits and he hurries to cover, TWO! Sami survives that blocked shot but Melo brings him up. Melo whips, Sami reverses, but Melo ducks ‘n’ dodges to hit DIRTY DIANA! Cover, TWO! Sami survives again but Melo aims from the corner. Sami rises up, into the FIRST- NO! No 48, just a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Melo survives but Sami stays focused. Melo goes to a corner, Sami does the same, and the fans fire up for the HELLUV- NO, Melo dodges to GAMANGIRI! Melo then goes up, up, and he aims, only for Sami to ROCK him first! Melo hits back, then HEADBUTTS!

Sami fires back, ROCKS Melo again, then he climbs up. Sami brings Melo up to the very top, for a SUPER DUPER PLEX! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Trick still acts unimpressed while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Both Melo and Sami sputter and stir, but the standing count is climbing. Sami sits up first, Melo follows, and Sami ELBOWS Melo in the head! Sami ROCKS Melo, Melo staggers to ropes, but Sami ROCKS him again! Melo ROCKS Sami! Sami wobbles, Melo CHOPS, then Melo ROCKS him again! Sami staggers, Melo runs, but Sami scoops! MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Sami pleads with the ref as Melo survives, but the count is fair. Sami is frustrated now, but he stalks Melo and stands him up. Sami CHOPS Melo, Melo falls back, but Melo does reach out. Sami stands Melo back up to reel him in, and suplexes, only for Melo to fight it!

Melo suplexes, but Sami fights it! They go back and forth, and Melo hits the LAY-UP! Both men are down again, but Melo crawls to the cover, TWO!! Sami barely gets that arm up, but that was enough. Sami and Melo grab at each other on the mat, but then Sami goes to ropes. Sami hobbles to a corner, but Melo storms up to CHOP! Melo puts Sami on the top rope, then climbs up after him. SmackDown returns to single picture as the two fire off shots! The fans duel as the two brawl, and then Sami HAMMERS away on Melo’s back! The fans fire up as Sami SUPER SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMBS! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up again but Sami is beside himself. Sami stares down Trick again, but he looks up to the WrestleMania sign. Sami rises, stalks Melo, and he ROCKS Melo with a forearm! And another! Melo fires in return, then SUPERKICKS! Sami drops down, rolls to the corner, and Melo runs up! But into the clinch! BUCKLE EXPLODER! The fans fire up as Sami goes to the far end, and he takes aim again! HELLUVA- FIRST 48!! Cover, TWO!!! Sami survives and now Melo is shocked! “This is Awesome!” as Melo hobbles his way to the corner. Melo climbs up, up, but Sami ROCKS him again! Sami climbs up to get Melo, but Melo SHOVES Sami down!

Melo aims, for NOTHING BUT- BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! Melo survives and now Trick is worried. Trick says he can’t take this, and he SNATCHES the US Championship?! That’s not his, what’s he doing with it? Trick paces around the outside, then he slides the belt to the center of the ring! Sami is confused, but he grabs the belt and hands it to the ref. But then Trick gets on the apron! Trick shouts at Sami, but Melo waistlocks! Melo runs Sami to the ropes, but Sami ducks! Trick’s sucker punch HITS MELO!! Whoops! Sami KICKS Trick away, then aims at Melo! HELLUVA KICK!!! Cover, SAMI WINS!!!

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

Trick tried to screw Sami for that cheap shot earlier, but he just goes and costs his old friend instead! How will Trick make it up to H1M? And will this win help Sami get his spot on the WrestleMania card?

Jacob Fatu arrives backstage!

And now Cathy Kelley is there to catch him. She apologizes for stopping him, but she talked with Drew earlier, and he’s in rough shape. How is Fatu feeling? Good question. To keep it 100, Fatu didn’t come all the way to Pittsburgh just to stay backstage. He’ll say this with respect to Cathy. Instead of speaking to her now, he’d rather speak to the people live in the PPG Arena. Fatu heads to gorilla, what will happen now that Samoan Werewolf and Scottish Terminator are both in the same building?

Sami returns backstage.

And his smile is ear to ear! People congratulate Sami on the win, and then Sami sees Aldis. Sami asks Aldis what he was saying earlier, real estate is real tight on WrestleMania? A lot of guys with a lot of momentum, a lot of champions, so tell him now… Did Sami earn a match on Mania? Or is he sitting this one out? Aldis says firstly, congratulations on the win. Secondly, yes, Sami has his spot at Mania. Sami, you will defend the US Championship at Mania… against Trick Williams! Sami is still smiling, because now it is two birds, one stone. Will Sami have another Mania Moment under his belt? Or will he fail to #WhoopDatTrick in Las Vegas?

Jacob Fatu heads to the ring!

The fans cheer as the Samoan Werewolf does as he promised, and he’s ready to address everything that happened last week. Fatu gets a mic to say, “YADADADADADA MEAN?!” The fans cheer, and Fatu says he is limpin’, he is busted open, cracked ribs, and it’s all got to do with one person. It got to do with you, Drew! What the hell is wrong with you, Drew?! You tried to take Fatu out, tried to end his career, tried to take food off his family’s table! What, you thought kicking his teeth down his throat was gonna keep him down? You thought hitting him in the head with the title belt was gonna keep him down?

You thought hitting him with a car, pulling him out threw the windshield, and banging his head against the car until they saw blood was gonna hold Fatu down?! You thought throwing Fatu off the side of a building was gonna hold him down?! HELL NAH!! The fans cheer that! Fatu seethes, but he tells Drew that he did all that, but Fatu is still standing! He is still here! And as long as Fatu has air in his lungs, then that means every week, every week, Fatu gonna dog walk ya punk ass! Fatu geeks up and the fans cheer that, but here comes Drew! Drew moves slowly as he steps out on stage, mic in hand.

Drew says, “Look at you out here, playing the victim. You’re not the victim, Jacob, I AM! You started this whole thing when you accused me of a crime I didn’t commit, because I’m Drew McIntyre, I’m always guilty until proven innocent, right? Well, you’re Jacob Fatu! You’re straight guilty cuz you’re a damn criminal!” The fans boo, but Drew says Fatu committed the crime, he did the time, and ever since he got out, he stole, stole, and stole! He stole Drew’s title, he stole Mania from Drew, he stole EVERYTHING from Drew! Talking about taking food off of Fatu’s table, from his kids, THAT’S DREW’S FOOD!!

Drew wants Jacob to look him right in the eyes because he means this from the bottom of his heart: SCREW YOUR DAMN KIDS! Fatu is furious, and he hobbles forward, but Aldis hurries out here! Aldis says that is enough from both of them. It is obvious to Aldis, especially after talking to WWE Medical, that neither man is in any condition to beat the hell out of each other again tonight. But Aldis has a feeling that they’ll be okay by… April 18th? That’s right! Drew gets his wish, he gets a match at Mania! Drew VS Fatu, 1v1, but here’s the deal. These two are such liabilities to themselves and the company, so WWE can’t be held responsible!

There will be No Disqualifications, No Count Outs, the ref is only there to count the three or call a submission! There must be a winner, because this will be UNSANCTIONED!! Drew and Fatu both have sinister smiles on their faces, but will there be nothing left of either of them after WrestleMania?

Jelly Roll checks with Matt Cardona.

Jelly feels bad about last week. He saw what Orton did, but Jelly just wanted Orton to apologize. Cardona says Jelly isn’t to blame for that, and Jelly says yeah, but they both know that the Randy they’ve known is not the one doing this stuff. Cardona and Randy have been friends a long time, a real long time, just like Cody and Randy. But Cody’s on the way, so- Wait, Cody’s on the way? Jelly talked with Cody? Well, tell Cody to stay out of this fight. If they wanna sit and talk it out later, fine. But Cardona doesn’t wanna talk, he wants to fight, he wants to kick Randy’s ass! Jelly says alright then. Jelly will be praying for them both.

Jelly heads out, but Zelina Vega & Aleister Black step in. And Zelina tells Aleister that Randy calling Cardona a “Mark Stooge” really got to him. Imagine picking a fight you know you can’t win just to fix your damaged ego. Aleister says imagine if he’d left Randy alone. No voices, no nothing. Maybe there would’ve been a chance Cardona wins, but now… Zelina & Aleister leave, will they enjoy watching Cardona #FadeToBlack?

Tiffany Stratton heads to gorilla.

And there’s Chelsea Green waiting. The Hot Mess wheels up and says she’s glad she caught her. Chelsea feels they got off on the wrong foot. Get it? Her bad foot? Tiff winds up to push Chelsea again but Alba hurries to stop the chair before it starts. Chelsea pleads with Tiff that she just wants to talk. Then what does she want? Chelsea wanted to tell Tiff that Tiff has a very big match tonight with Giulia, and as a former Women’s US Champion, she’d be a great resource. They should be a pair, Tacky T- Er, Tiffy Time. Tiff says yeah, that’s true, Chelsea was Women’s US Champion, twice. Which also means she lost the title, twice. So thanks but no thanks.

Tiff heads out, Chelsea says that is so rude. The Hot Mess is wheeled away, but will she be right about Tiff needing help against Giulia and Miss Management? Or will even the Wrestling Barbie succumb to the Beautiful Madness?

Tiffany Stratton VS Giulia w/ Kiana James!

SmackDown returns as Tiff makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally up for Tiff but Giulia & Kiana tell them to shut up. Giulia and Tiff tie up, Giulia headlocks, but Tiff powers up and out. Giulia rolls over the dropdown, then wrenches an arm, but Tiff rolls and kips up. Tiff wrenches to WRING Giulia, and the fans rally up. Giulia shakes out her arm as she resets with Tiff. They circle, feel things out, and they knuckle lock. Giulia KNEES low, then bumps her off buckles. Giulia runs Tiff corner to corner for another bump off buckles! Giulia THROWS Tiff by her hair, then is right on her again! Giulia wrenches the hair for another THROW!

Giulia stomps Tiff in the corner, then wrenches her hair again, for another THROW, but Tiff cartwheels through! The fans cheer, then Tiff dodges, goes up and over in the corner, then just does it again! And she DROPKICKS Giulia down! Not as strong as she’d like, but Tiff keeps after Giulia with buckle bumps. Tiff has three corners, then gets the fourth! The fans cheer the complete lap, then Tiff whips. Giulia reverses but Tiff handsprings and STUNNER! Giulia tumbles out, Tiff fires up, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again as Tiff whips but Giulia reverses, only for Tiff to CLOBBER Giulia! Tiff hurries to whip Giulia again, but Giulia snatches Tiff into the SLEEPER! Tiff powers up and out, to then POP-UP SPINEBUSTER! Both women are down and the fans rally back up. Tiff fires hands on Giulia, then runs up to LARIAT! And LARIAT! Tiff sees Giulia go to the corner, she runs and handsprings to BACK ELBOW! Then Tiff runs to cartwheel and Alabama Lift, ALABAMA SLAM! Cover, TWO! Giulia survives and Tiff grows frustrated. Pittsburgh still cheers for Tiffy Time as she fireman’s carries, but Giulia slips free.

Giulia ROCKS Tiff at the ropes, then runs, but Tiff ROCKS Giulia at the ropes! Tiff runs and HIP ATTACKS against the ropes! Then TIFFY- NO, Giulia avoids the stomps to sunset flip! TWO, and Giulia BOOTS Tiff! Then SAIDO! The fans are torn but Giulia winds up, ARRIVEDERCI KNEE!! Cover, TWO!! Tiff survives but Giulia snarls. Giulia stomps Tiff around, kicks her to the corner, then hoists her up top. Giulia climbs up after her, then underhooks. The fans boo but Tiff fires body shots! Tiff changes things on Giulia for a SUPER GOURD BUSTER! Then Tiff aims for a SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Giulia survives and Tiff is shocked!

Tiff rises up, the fans rally behind her, and Tiff handsprings, but into a KICK! Giulia drags Tiff up, wrenches, and then half nelsons, NORTHERN- NO, Tiff slips free to fireman’s carry! ROLLING SENTON! Tiff goes to the corner, but Kiana ins there to distract her. Tiff still goes up, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER onto knees! Cover, Giulia wins!

Winner: Giulia, by pinfall

Miss Management pays dividends as an insurance policy! Will no one ever even get close to taking the title from Giulia with Kiana in her corner?

Bayley & Lyra Valkyria head for the exit.

Cathy Kelley catches them first and asks what even brought them here tonight. Bayley says if you saw earlier, then you know Nia & Lash think they run the Women’s Tag Division, but they mostly stay here on SmackDown. Bayley & Lyra had to show up to tell them who really has their eyes on the tag division. Lyra says they wanted to beat it into their heads, but now, Nia & Lash and everyone else needs to know that #BayLyra is the biggest threat to the tag team titles. Bayley says especially on Monday, Madison Square Garden, when they get it done. The whole division is on notice. Bayley & Lyra go to the parking lot, will they get that gold in the Garden?

Randy Orton has another phone call…

The Viper says yeah, he appreciates them. Yes, see you soon. Orton finishes the call, but is this a sign that he’s going to do the exact same thing he’s been doing to his old friends?

Randy Orton VS Matt Cardona!

SmackDown returns as The Viper waits in the ring while The Complete makes his entrance. Cardona rushes into the ring with a slide, and the bell rings right as Orton stomps him down! Orton stomps and stomps and stomps, then stands Cardona up. But Cardona SMACKS Orton, using the cast arm as a weapon! Cardona then fires forearms with the good arm and he puts Orton in the corner. Cardona digs his bad arm’s elbow into Orton, but the ref backs Cardona off at 4. Orton slithers outside but Caronda pursues, only for Orton to kick low! And SMACK the bad arm off the desk! And SMACK it off the desk again! Then Orton hits the DESK BACK SUPLEX!

The fans are torn while Orton refreshes the count, and then he cools off to go around the desk. But then he CHUCKS the armchairs away! Orton drags Cardona up to SLAM the arm off the desk, then BARRIER BACK SUPLEX! Cardona stumbles and falls, but Orton drags him up to SLAM the bad arm off the desk again! The ring count is climbing, but Orton wedges Cardona’s arm between desk hood and the desk itself! Orton refreshes the ring count quickly before he goes up onto the desk! Orton STOMPS the arm!! Cardona scrambles away into the ring, clutching that arm, but Orton just stalks behind him.

The fans are torn as Orton storms up on Cardona, but Cardona ELBOWS him away. Orton wobbles, comes back, but Cardona BOOTS him away! Cardona snarls, runs up, and ROUGH RYDER! Cover, TWO!! Orton survives, but Cardona is in too much pain to be frustrated. Orton bails out again, hobbles up the ramp, and now he just wants to leave? Cardona pursues, but Orton pokes him in the eyes! The fans rally as Orton then YANKS the bad arm! Orton chinbars Cardona, traps the bad arm, and he RAMS Cardona into the POST! Cardona slumps down, clutching the arm again, but Orton grabs that arm again!

The ref reprimands but Orton SLAMS the bad arm off the steps! Orton puts Cardona in the ring, then brings Cardona up to POST him! Cardona sputters, but Orton climbs up the corner. Orton bends the arm against the crossbar, and he manages to remove the soft cast! Orton bends the fingers, wrist, and elbow, but Cardona can only suffer as he’s in the ropes! Orton lets go as the ref counts, and Orton goes out the side to SLAM the arm into the post! Orton steps back inside, and he’s toying with Cardona as he suplexes him down! Orton STOMPS the arm, then snarls as he digs his heel in. Orton stomps the arm again, and again!

Cardona clutches the arm, but Orton sits Cardona up to talk trash on him. Orton says he IS the best version of himself, and he POSTS Cardona again! Orton again bends Cardona’s arm against the crossbars! Cardona again suffers until Orton stops at the ref’s count. Then R K O!! Orton mercifully… Or no, he’s not going for the cover. Pittsburgh wants to see it again, but no, Orton does cover, and Orton does win.

Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall

The Apex Predator quite literally stands tall over Cody, but wait! The American Nightmare Express has arrived! And with it, so has Cody Rhodes! Jelly Roll said Cody would be here, and here he is! Cody storms his way from parking lot to arena while SmackDown goes picture in picture!

Orton waits on Cody as we watch Cody enter the building. Security wants Cody to take it easy, but he pushes past them. Well, they tried. Cody goes to gorilla now, and Orton is getting more and more fired up with every step Cody takes. Cody passes by the wardrobe-and-make-up ready station, and Jelly Roll is there. Jelly tries to reason with Cody real quick, but he also knows Cody is gonna do what he must as a man fighting for his honor. Cody continues on, and security is already waiting at ringside. Orton fires off on them! He ROCKS one, ROCKS the other, then TOSSES them both out in turn!

The Viper is ready to strike already as SmackDown returns to single picture. Cody finally makes his entrance and the fans fire up with the music. The fans sing along with Kingdom, but Aldis and more security hurry out here. They try to reason with Cody, but Cody says no more talking! Aldis wants Cody to think about Mania, but Cody says that’s what he’s doing. Cody pushes past Aldis, goes to the ring, and we don’t need pyro tonight because the fireworks are in the ring! The fans fire up as the hands fly, and Cody gets the edge! Cody fires off with punches and stomps, but Orton hits back! Orton then just bails, but Cody pursues!

The fans fire up as the brawling is at commentary, and the security is thrown around as part of it! Cody DECKS Orton, THROWS him over barriers and into the timekeeper’s area, then just shoves more guards aside. ORton gets up, but Cody SMACKS the chair down! Cody DECKS Orton, then throws off his jacket! Orton staggers around but Cody fires more hands! The security does what they can but these two just keep beating each other up! Cody CLAWS Orton’s eyes, HAMMERS him onto the desk, and Aldis shouts that they need to think about WrestleMania! Cody is dragged back, but not for long! Orton scurries away while he can!

Cody pursues, even as producers step into this now. The fans want to “Let Them Fight!” Orton THRWOS guards aside, but Cody gets his hands on Orton! Cody POSTS Orton, pushes him into the ring, then hurries after Orton in a corner! Cody fires hand after hand, but now it’s taking about ten men to drag him back! The fans boo, but Aldis stands at the center of the ring. Aldis tells Cody to just cool off already, but then Cody busts free! Cody CLOBBERS Orton, fires more hands, and is again dragged back by about ten men. But now Orton pushes his way through to go after Cody! The guards get in between them while the fans cheer this on!

Orton goes back outside, around the way, and he THROWS the guards around! Cody TOSSES and DECKS guards, too! Then Cody ROCKS Orton! They’re on the desk now as Cody rains down fists! The fans cheer as Cody CLAWS Orton’s face! The producers have to get Cody away from Orton now. Cody goes to the ring, but Orton slithers in from the side! Cody ROCKS Orton first! Orton fires back! They just won’t stop! It takes everyone, security and producers alike, to keep these two back, but the fans want more. And so does Cody! He LEAPS onto Orton, but is again dragged away. Jelly Roll hurries out here now, he is trying to help his friends see a better way.

Cody says there’s no more talking, Jelly, Orton’s gone crazy! And speaking of, RKO ON JELLY ROLL!! And only now does Orton leave! The fans are torn, but Cody is in disbelief! Of all the people to hurt, it was the man who just wanted peace! Orton says he won’t be held responsible, but does he truly feel no guilt or shame over who he’s become?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown here, but it oddly had some symptoms of Go-Home Syndrome, because they did like three different recaps of what happened on Raw. But that aside, good developments in all the stories here tonight. Well, maybe not with Jade VS Rhea. Rhea’s group promo with Priest, Truth, and Jelly Roll was better than what we got from Rhea, Jade, B-Fab and Michin. It was a lot of sloppy trash talk because the Heels were trying to interact with the crowd at the same time, and then we at home only got to see the tiniest bit of Rhea VS B-Fab. Granted, the DQ finish was a very fitting move, but it would’ve been better if we didn’t get only half a match, if even that.

Very good tag match of Charlexa VS Bellas, but as we all could’ve guessed, things got messed up because of Nia & Lash. Though, there might’ve even been a botch beforehand where The Bellas and Bliss weren’t synchronized in how that outside spot was supposed to happen. Bayley & Lyra showing up was fitting to hype up the tag title match at MSG, but I still bet something messes up that finish, giving us the Fatal 4 Wat for Mania. Great promo from Aldis, Trick, and Sami, and good promo from MFT with Melo and Nakamura. Melo VS Sami was an awesome match, and given Trick’s involvement, it works that Sami won and will now face Trick at Mania. That’s gonna be a great match, but who knows who wins out.

Great promos from Drew and Fatu, and setting up an Unsanctioned Match is some good stuff. That could be a show stealer just on how wild and violent those two can get, and makes me wonder where it places on the card. It might be a lot to open with, but they can’t let it get lost in the middle where everyone is tired from other awesome matches. Anyway, good promo from Tiffany and Chelsea ahead of Tiff VS Giulia. Kiana being why Giulia won is fitting, this might compel Tiff into reluctantly accepting Chelsea’s help, and I would think this leads to the Women’s US Championship match. Maybe Chelsea helps Tiff win the title so Tiff owes her, or Chelsea screws Tiff over.

Then awesome stuff with pretty much everything Jelly Roll was attached to tonight. Very good promo from Kit, Miz, and Danhausen, and a very good match from Jelly VS Kit. Jelly wanting Randy, Cardona and Cody to make amends might be a little hypocritical when he and Kit couldn’t bury the hatchet, but Jelly did understand that they’re gonna do what they’re gonna do as grown men. Great match from Orton and Cardona, and a really good brawl between Orton and Cody. Well, it could’ve been wilder, but it went for a long time. Jelly taking the RKO was a great punctuating point, really adds heat to things.

My Score: 8.9/10