Will there be a receipt waiting for Randy Orton & Pat McAfee tonight?

As WrestleMania is fast approaching, Pat McAfee & Randy Orton are in San Jose, but so is Cody Rhodes! Will it all explode before the title match?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Bayley w/ Lyra Valkyria VS Alexa Bliss w/ Charlotte Flair; Alexa wins.
• Royce Keys VS Berto w/ Angel; Royce wins.
• Jacob Fatu VS Tama Tonga; Fatu wins.
• Trick Williams w/ Lil Yachty VS Matt Cardona; Trick wins.
• Kit Wilson w/ The Miz VS Danhausen; Danhausen wins.
• Iyo Sky VS Jade Cargill; Jade wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Cody Rhodes arrives backstage.

And he asks Nick Aldis where to find Pat McAfee and Randy Orton. Aldis says they’re not here, but he wants Cody to listen. He knows what’s going through Cody’s mind, what he wants, but Aldis is under strict orders. Cody is not to touch Pat McAfee under any circumstances. Wow, Aldis is under strict orders? From who? Above Aldis, and Cody knows what that means. In steps Jelly Roll and HE asks where Pat and Orton are! Aldis tells Jelly they’re not here, but on the way. But again, he knows what happened to Jelly, and Jelly cannot engage. There is so much at stake for WrestleMania. So please, just stay out of it.

Jelly says it’s always something. But he tells Cody that this isn’t even about Pat or Jelly or Aldis. This is about 20 years of friendship and the betrayal Orton committed. This is Randy Orton VS Cody Rhodes, don’t let nobody tell you otherwise. This is bigger than just Cody’s story now. Chew on that, champ. Jelly heads out and Cody certainly has a lot to think about. Will the American Nightmare be able to keep a cool head once Orton and McAfee arrive?

Rhea Ripley is here!

The fans cheer as Mami makes her way to the ring, and between the anger on her face and the shirt on her body, she’s ready to avenge the Genius of the Sky. Rhea paces as she grabs a mic, and she says, “Congratulations, Jade! You finally used your brain for something! And you managed to find my one and only weakness. So now, now, now, now, now it’s not about physiques, it’s not about titles, because you made this real personal. You’ve done it! You attacked my Iyo! So now, I’m gonna need you to come out here so I can whoop your ass!” The fans cheer that! Wait, Iyo’s music hits? Iyo Sky is back already, sore as she’s feeling, and she joins Rhea in the ring.

Rhea asks Iyo what she’s doing here, but Iyo says she knows Rhea is angry. And so is Iyo! Jade attacked her, and Iyo knows Rhea gets Jade at Mania. But Iyo wants to face Jade tonight! Rhea is worried, Iyo isn’t 100%. Is she sure this is what she wants? Rhea can deal with it. The fans cheer Iyo, and Iyo says she is sure! She will talk to Nick Aldis if she has to! Iyo WANTS to fight Jade tonight! The fans fire up for that! But then Aldis hurries out here and says he’ll save us the conversation. While he has something else in mind, he never lets a good idea go to waste. Tonight, Iyo VS Jade in the main event of SmackDown!

The fans cheer, and Iyo is fired up! Rhea is still worried, but can the Genius find a way to weather The Storm?

Bayley w/ Lyra Valkyria VS Alexa Bliss w/ Charlotte Flair!

San Jose welcomes their Role Model home, and she is ready to lead by example! But will she be ready for Las Vegas next week? Or will Lil’ Miss Bliss sour things for the entire Golden State?

The bell rings and the fans cheer Bayley as she and Alexa circle. They feel things out, tie up, and Bayley headlocks. Alexa powers up and out, but Bayley RUNS her over! Cover, ONE, but Bayley gets moving. Bayley RUNS Alexa over again, then runs to basement UPPERCUT! Then SLIDING- NO, Alexa catches Bayley to a ghost pin, ONE! Bayley blocks the clinch to roll Alexa. Alexa rolls through, but Bayley kicks low, only for Alexa to fight off the Rose Plant! The fans cheer the standoff, and the two reset. They tie up, Bayley ROCKS Alexa, bumps her off buckles, then fires off forearms! Alexa shoves Bayley away, then dodges as Bayley comes back.

Bayley hobbles, Alexa drop toeholds her onto ropes, and Bayley falls back. Alexa steps on Bayley for the skateboard stomps! The fans boo but Alexa stops as the ref counts. Alexa does a jig to taunt Lyra cuz she’s Irish, then Alexa steps on Bayley again. The fans boo but Alexa steps off to run, only for Bayley to CLOBBER her! Alexa bails out, Bayley WRECKS her with a dropkick, and the fans cheer again! Bayley smiles while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Bayley checks her neck and shoulders before going over to Alexa. Bayley CLUBS Alexa, puts her in the ring, then covers, TWO! Alexa is tougher than that, but Bayley stands her up to ROCK her! The fans cheer Bayley on as she snap suplexes Alexa! Cover, TWO! Bayley drags Alexa up, TOSSES her out, then follows her so be in front of the front row. The fans cheer as Bayley swings, but Alexa ROCKS Bayley first! Alexa SMACKS Bayley off the apron, then shoves her inside. Bayley LARIATS Alexa in return! Alexa is dazed from that hit but Bayley KNEES her in the back! And KNEES her again! Cover, TWO! Alexa toughs it out but Bayley is on her at the ropes.

Bayley bumps Alexa off buckles, stomps a mudhole in, but stops as the ref counts. Bayley TOSSES Alexa through ropes, then brings her back in. Alexa stops the hotshot and runs up to roll Bayley up! TWO! Bayley DECKS Alexa! Bayley sits Alexa up to KNEE her in the back again, and clamps on a chinlock. Alexa endures, pries at the hold, and fights around. Alexa rises up, fires body shots, then arm-drags free. Alexa then wrenches Bayley for a reverse arm wringer! Then a SENTON! Both women are down but Charlotte and Lyra rally the fans. Bayley and Alexa stand, Alexa CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again!

Alexa runs, LARIATS, then LARIATS again! Alexa tops it off with a SHOTGUN! Bayley comes back but Alexa SMACKS, ROCKS, KNEES, and SHOTGUNS Bayley down! The fans still rally for Bayley but Alexa hits the BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Bayley survives, but Alexa brings Bayley up. Bayley SHOVES Alexa to a corner, but runs into a guzel! STO! INSULT2INJURY misses at the end! Bayley sunset flip BUCKLE BOMBS Alexa! Bayley then drags Alexa to the cover, TWO! Bayley grows frustrated but Charlotte coaches “Blisster” on. Bayley shouts at Charlotte before she climbs up. But Alexa trips Bayley up!

Alexa has Bayley in the Tree of Woe, and she runs to DROPKICK Bayley down! Now Alexa climbs up, but Bayley rises to ROCK Alexa! Bayley and Alexa trade shots and Bayley falls back. Bayley hobbles, but Alex hits a TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Bayley survives and the fans fire up again! Alexa drags Bayley up, clinches, but Bayley turns it into BAYLEY2BELLY! Both women are down and the fans are thunderous! Bayley rises, Alexa follows, and the fans rally as hard as they can! The fists fly fast ‘n’ furious and the fans are loving it! Alexa ROCKS Bayley, then reels Bayley inot a cradle, TWO! Bayley jackknife bridges, TWO!

Both women stand, Alexa has the Oklahoma Roll, but Bayley has the ROPEBREAK! Bayley CLUBS Alexa, then schoolgirl rolls her into the buckles! Bayley puts Alexa in the drop zone, hurries up top, and MACHO ELBOWS!! Cover, TWO!!! Alexa survives and Bayley is in furious disbelief! Alexa bails out, but Bayley slides out, and she shoves Charlotte aside to CHOP Alexa! “WOO~!” Charlotte says how dare you! Bayley CHOPS, and CHOPS, and Alexa flops against the desk! Bayley puts Alexa back in, then Fargo struts her way to the steps. Charlotte throws her jacket off, Lyra gets in Charlotte’s face, and Bayley HOTSHOTS Alexa!

The ref argues with Lyra, and The Queen throws her jacket at Bayley! Bayley throws it back! Alexa rolls Bayley up, with a high stack! ALEXA WINS!!

Winner: Alexa Bliss, by pinfall

The Daughter of the Dirtiest Player in the Game just used distraction tactics to ruin things for Bayley! But it’ll still be a Fatal 4 Way at WrestleMania, will tricks be enough to take the titles? Or can #BayLyra finally have their WrestleMania Moment?

Matt Cardona talks with Carmelo Hayes.

They’re in the Medical Trainer room, and The Complete tells H1M that he knows what it’s like, he’s been where he’s been. Sometimes, it takes a long time to get a Mania Moment. Melo has to wait patiently. But Trick Williams & Lil Yachty check in. Yachty is limping to mock Melo’s leg, and he’s wearing a Gingerbread Man shirt to mock Sami Zayn. Trick says sorry about the leg. He thought Melo was gonna win last week. Oh, he did, huh? Melo ain’t about to hear that, because Trick is part of the reason he lost! And suddenly, Sami wants to be an opportunist, taking that title and going to WrestleMania for it.

Melo tells Trick to get out of here, he has to rehab the knee. Yachty says the good news is, Melo gets to watch Trick Williams become the NEW WWE United States Champion from the comfort of his couch. Oh, couch, huh? That’s where Yachty should stay. But Melo does hope Trick wins, because on the other side of Mania, Melo will be waiting to beat him and take that title back. Yachty says Karens go over there. Trick keeps the peace between the two, and then asks what the hell Cardona is looking at. Cardona says he’s sick and tired of these “guests” running their mouths like they own the place. And yeah, he means Yachty.

Trick says usually, he doesn’t have time for this. But Trick just has to brush off the lemon pepper steppers and take off the mink coat. He’s going to WrestleMania. Yachty says Trick can handle Cardona tonight! He ain’t scared of you! Oh, great idea! Cardona will talk to Aldis! Cardona heads out, Trick says fine, but then he tells Yachty he really does have to watch what he says. Will Trick have a smooth ride into WrestleMania? Or is Cardona about to Whoop Dat Trick?

Drew McIntyre speaks.

“You’re not a victim, Jacob. No, you’re a failure. You’re a failure as a man, and you are a failure as a father. And tonight, we’re in San Jose, your hometown, and I know so many of your family are there tonight. I bet it’s been nice having Jacob with you these past few years, but you’re probably more familiar seeing him right here.” Drew reveals he’s sitting in a prison cell. Drew says Fatu is not an inspiration. This cell represents who Fatu is, and he’ll always be. A convict! Talk about taking food off your family’s table, look in the mirror! Fatu did that when he chose a life of crime over his own blood! Over feeding his starving children!

They needed a provider, a father, but instead he gave them a mugshot! Fatu never changes. All he does is steal. He doesn’t belong in the WWE, Drew’s home. He belongs in a cage because he’s an animal! Unsanctioned at WrestleMania, Drew will beat Fatu within an inch of his life! And then, Fatu will just screw up again, and end up right back here! The system didn’t fail Fatu, it failed Drew by letting Fatu out and letting him steal from Drew! Fatu stole Drew’s title, he stole Drew’s WrestleMania main event, he stole everything from him! Fatu is a liability, but Drew makes it right. At Mania, Drew will be judge, jury, and executioner!

Jacob Fatu finishes watching.

Fatu snarls, but Cathy Kelley walks in to bring up the “cutting words” from Drew. Drew criticized Fatu’s character as a man, a father, and as a competitor. What are his feelings? Fatu says just to tap in real quick, we are live and direct from San Jose in the Bay Area! But Drew, you’ll find out- MFT walks over and Solo Sikoa mockingly asks what Drew’s gonna find out from Fatu. Fatu ain’t the only one with family in the Bay Area. But that ain’t the problem, the real problem is when Drew or anyone else brings up Fatu’s past, it just makes the family look bad. And it’s just a big embarrassment. Fatu says hey, Solo, they not doing this tonight.

And to double back, they could run this back, Fatu VS Solo. Solo laughs and says hold on now. Isn’t this where Fatu got teeth knocked out of his mouth? Or was it over there? Who even did it? It’d be a shame if it happened again. Ain’t that right, Tama? Tama looks to Solo, and Fatu asks what’s up then. Tama says Fatu knows what it is. Solo will talk with Aldis and tell him Tama will handle business. MFT heads out, will the Good Bad Guy get stuck fighting the Samoan Werewolf on Solo’s behalf?

Royce Keys speaks.

From East Palo Alto, California, the Powerhouse grew up in “a place where choice is a luxury.” Gang violence, drugs, anything you can think of, it was here. Royce was lucky to have two grandparents who weren’t having it. His grandma made sure none of that from the outside world was brought into the house. There was nothing but love in the house. Royce talks about the backyard Royal Rumbles they had growing up, throwing each other up and over the fence. They didn’t have a lot, but they had each other. Grandma showed them they were allowed to dream big, that there was a world beyond where they were from.

Royce got into pro-wrestling, it brought him so much happiness. He knew he wanted to do this. Not a lot of people make it out of here, but this is all he knows, this is what brings him peace. This is it. He refuses to be defined by where he is from, but instead by where he is going. Does Royce have all the keys to success here in the WWE?

Royce Keys VS Berto w/ Angel!

SmackDown returns as Los Garza wait in the ring. And now, the Powerhouse from Palo Alto makes his entrance, getting a hero’s welcome from San Jose. The bell rings and the fans cheer Royce on. Berto gets around him, slaps him around, but the fans boo. Royce smirks, storms up, but Berto headlocks. Royce powers up and out and RUNS Berto over! The fans fire up as Royce then RIPCORDS Berto for the POWERSLAM! Berto flounders to a corner, Royce JABS, JABS, JABS, and he sits Berto down. Royce goes corner to corner but Berto bails out! The fans boo but Angel is there to protect his cousin. The ref reprimands, but Berto POSTS Royce!

The fans boo again but Berto pushes Royce in. Berto goes up top, MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, ONE!! Royce is tougher than that, but Berto rains down fists! The fans boo but Berto soaks up the heat. Berto pushes Royce to the corner, stomps him, then climbs up to rain down fists! But Royce just carries Berto! Berto slips free, goes up, and CROSSBODIES, but into Royce’s arms! FALL AWAY SLAM! The fans fire up as Royce then scoops Berto to RUNNING POWERSLAM! And then a SPLASH in the corner! Royce puts Berto across the ropes, CLUBS away, but Angel rushes up! Royce DECKS Angel!

The straps come down, TOWN BIDNESS SPINEBUSTER! Cover, Royce wins!

Winner: Royce Keys, by pinfall

From Royal Rumble to right before WrestleMania, Royce Keys continues to impress. Will nothing stop this Powerhouse from taking over the WWE?

Pat McAfee arrives.

He parks his truck, enjoys the sunny day in San Jose, and then says ‘ello to Aldis. Did Aldis tell ’em? Yes, no one from WWE is allowed to touch Pat tonight. Pat thanks Aldis for that, then pats Aldis on the shoulder. Chin up, mate! It’s Mania season! Pat hands Aldis his keys and tells him to handle the Rav. Pat continues inside, but JELLY is there! Jelly Roll asks if Pat told Randy to RKO him that night. Pat says no, he’d never do that. He just told Randy to kill everything in his way. Jelly shouldn’t have even been out there to begin with, getting between Cody and Randy. Jelly says yeah, he shouldn’t have, but neither should Pat!

Why is Pat doing this? Pat tells Jelly this is a lot bigger than even he could imagine. Jelly is an outsider, he’s not supposed to be part of “our” business. Jelly would never get it. Jelly says someone needs to put Pat in check. Pat says that’d be a bad decision, especially considering Randy Orton is around. What if Jelly checks Pat now? Randy ain’t here! Well, that’d still be a bad idea, “Belly Roll.” Jelly pushes Pat against the wall! Aldis storms in, Jelly tells him that he doesn’t work here, so that edict don’t apply to him! Pat says yeah, Jelly doesn’t work here, so he should just roll on out of here. Get this ex-convict outta here!

Pat heads off, and he says he’s gotta go save the business alongside Randy Orton! Pat sure has a lot of swagger when he’s been made untouchable. But what will he and The Viper do and say as they “save” WrestleMania?

Backstage interview with Royce Keys.

Cathy Kelley is with the Powerhouse and congratulates him on his big SmackDown debut win. This is an impressive debut, and they’ve actually known each other a long time, so she knows WWE has been his goal for a long time. How does it feel that he got to debut in a town just 20 minutes away from where he got his start? Royce says, “Aight. This is a long time coming, Cathy. I get to do this in front of these people, MY people, the Bay Area! Frisco, San Jose, Oakland, EPA, Vallejo! I’ve been around the Bay, now I’m taking it all round the world.” But then in steps Solo Sikoa. Long time, no see. They’ve got a lot of great memories from here in the Shark Tank.

Solo says good job out there tonight. Solo runs things around here on SmackDown, so if there is anything Royce needs, and he means anything, Solo’s door is always open. Solo heads back out, is he trying to bring Royce into the family tree?

Pat McAfee goes to the ring.

The fans boo as Pat swaggers down the ramp, but he gives them a middle finger to show the feeling is mutual. Pat grabs a mic and has them cut his music. The fans boo more, but Pat continues by saying, “San Jose, what a s*it hole!” As if the fans weren’t booing before, now they’re telling Pat off! Pat just gets on the corner to flip them off, and he says, “It’s crazy that you boo me. I’m the hero in this entire thing! You cheer for these spineless bums like C M Punk!” The fans cheer for Punk, but Pat asks if they liked how Punk called him Pat “Maga-fee.” For Pat, an adult with a brain, it is hard to take serious.

Because as Punk was talking about a lot of people that are a lot more important, a lot more famous, and a lot more in shape than Punk… It was hard for Pat to get past the fact that Punk was wearing an officially licensed CM Punk jacket, and underneath that was an officially licensed Punk shirt, all available on WWE Shop! Punk has 283 things for sale to all of the fans, and Pat wonders… When that TKO merch check comes through, which account does it go to? The needy families who can’t afford WrestleMania tickets? Or, and Pat’s got a sneaky suspicion, does it go right into the bank account entitled, “I’m Sorry, Saudi Arabia.”

The fans boo, but Pat says Punk’s a fraud! Like a politician: All talk, no action! A man who has the opportunity to change things, but walks into a room, gets on his stomach, and rolls over like the little b*tch that he is. Pat gives another middle finger as the fans continue to tell him off. Pat says HE is a man of action, an agent of change. Everything Punk says he is, Pat actually is. And when Punk mentioned the high ticket prices, especially when that floppy bag of bones is a main-eventer, Pat actually agrees! If not for Randy Orton, why would anyone wanna spend their money to watch WrestleMania?

The fans boo more, but Pat says he decided to be the hero, “you scumbags!” Pat tells the fatties to shut up or he’ll smack the left side of their face through the right side of his face! Even though none of these disgusting bums deserve it, Pat decided to help you out! Pat called Ram Trucks, the official sponsor of Mania, and asked if they wanted to help the fans get to Mania. They said absolutely! Then why not pick up 25% of the bill that buys a Saturday night ticket from this very moment to the end of Monday Night Raw! Ram said no problem! 25% off all tickets to WrestleMania Saturday, from now until Monday, April 13th! You’re welcome, San Jose!

But now, WrestleMania Sunday night? ASS! Don’t spend money on that! But 25% off to see once-in-a-century night as Randy Orton saves this business while winning his FIFTEENTH world title! Has San Jose ever won a Stanley Cup? Holy crap! Never?! ASS! Like the rest of this city! Randy will be a FIFTEEN TIME World Champion, in Las Vegas, after he absolutely demoralizes and pummels the puppet who is the current champion- WAIT! Cody Rhodes makes his entrance now! The fans cheer The American Nightmare and sing along, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets the pyro, high-fives the front row, then steps into the ring.

Pat mocks the song, “NO~ OH~!” The second round of pyro goes off, Cody smirks at Pat and grabs himself a mic. The fans cheer Cody on, and he tells Pat, “I’m gonna go out on a limb here and just say, I don’t think you belong here. And listen, listen, I know I can’t touch you, but why don’t we get you a Fanatics replica title, they look just like the real thing. We’ll go back, you can go there, and you can pick any WWE Superstar you want. You can do their entrance, Vatam in the truck will give you pyro, you can live out your superstar experience, and then you can go back to whoever sent you here, whoever interjected you here, and you can tell ’em, ‘Thank you, Daddy.'”

Because there’s this crazy old term in pro-wrestling where someone would be called “a Play Wrestler.” Cody never understood what that meant until last week, when he was gasping for air under a 280 pound Randy Orton choking him with a chair, and Pat’s standing here doing catchphrases and the Attitude Era. Hey, bud, that was THIRTY YEARS AGO. Randy Orton debuted in 2002, he watched the Attitude Era in high school. So no, Cody doesn’t expect Pat to get what “Play Wrestler” means, either, or to know this: There was an old promotor who was very good at what he does. That was Paul Bosch.

Pat talked about the fans, the “IWC,” and the “marks,” all the buzzwords. Pat talked about makign this business great again. Y’know what Bosch used to say about those who called people marks? There are no marks, those are just customers. And when you grow up and everything you have is because of those customers, when it is your family’s life work, when you are a multigenerational wrestler, happy as can be to be in this spot, they’re no longer customers! Whether it is the collector at the airport with 70 Funko Pops and dirt under his fingernails, or that cool kid right there cosplaying as Cody Rhodes!

Whether it’s that person right there, that father, that family, these aren’t customers, they are FAMILY! And Pat, you have a gift. It’s not the kick he’s talking about. Pat has a gift. For the centuries that pro-wrestling has been around, no one has ever agreed on anything except this: For the first time ever, the entire fandom of what they do finally agrees that they wanna see Randy Orton, and they do NOT wanna see Pat McAfee! The fans here certainly cheer that! Cody tells Pat to go home. The fans cheer Cody on, but Pat says he IS home, you dumbasses! Pat was born to be in this business! Cody was born into the business! Silver spoon, gorilla’s golden boy!

All Pat sees is the fakest dude on Earth! Spray tan, dyed hair, fake teeth, lispy lips, and a $10,000 suit that Cody thinks makes him look good, cuz as Ric Flair says, “It’s the right thing to do.” But Cody is a cosplay champion! One that Pat will help rid the WWE Universe of, alongside Randy… Orton! And Cody, Pat has a message for Cody and his “inbred” family here. If Randy doesn’t walk out of WrestleMania as the FIFTEEN TIME World Champion, then Cody will never see or hear from Pat in this business ever again! The fans like that idea! Cody tells Pat that why not take the shades off.

Or oh no, is Pat too high to remember that he was standing on that table the last three years, YEETING his brains out? Wow, Pat must hate this place. And what was it he said? Pat was tired? He wants to take a nap? Good, let’s get Gunther out here to put Pat’s ass to sleep once and for all! Cody leaves the ring this time, but Pat asks where he’s going. Cody’s always been an elite runaway artist. Stardust, you gonna go to kiss HHH’s ass to get another opportunity? Get nice and deep between those cheeks! Cody throws off his jacket, and he storms back to the ring! But then Randy Orton is on the tron!

Randy tells Cody hold on, hold on! Maybe, just maybe, Cody is forgetting something. ORTON STANDS OVER JELLY ROLL! Orton says Cody needs to come get his boy! No, wait, no, on second thought, Orton will bring Jelly to Cody. Orton drags Jelly through gorilla and out on stage! Pat mocks Jelly, but Cody runs up on Orton at the ramp! Orton runs off, Cody calls for help, but then Pat sneaks up! Cody backs Pat off, but Pat reminds Cody that he can’t be touched. Then Orton CLOBBERS Cody! Orton UPPERCUTS away on Cody while the fans boo. Pat cheers Orton on as he puts Cody in the ring for stomps.

Orton fires hands on Cody in the corner, then he sets Cody up for Pat! Pat winds up and ROCKS Cody! But Jelly stands up! Orton CHOKES Cody, but then Jelly stares Pat down! The fans cheer Jelly on, and he guzels Pat! But Orton DECKS Jelly! The fans boo, but Orton tells Pat to wind up. Pat runs up on Cody, but Cody jukes to fire off on Orton! LARIAT for Orton! Cody ROCKS Orton, ROCKS him again, then fires off in the corner! Pat isn’t sure what to do, but then he CLOBBERS Cody from behind! Orton has Cody in the ropes, DRAPING DDT! The fans boo but Pat holds the belt out to Orton. Orton takes it and takes a longing look at it.

But then Orton CLOBBERS Cody with the belt! Pat tells Cody, your NEW WWE Champion! The fans boo, but will nothing stop Pat from making Orton a 15-time WWE Champion?

Pat & Orton head out.

They feel good about what they’ve done, and Pat says it feels like the last week has finally felt like WrestleMania Season. And do you know why? Because the focal point is the GOAT, Randy Orton! Randy is saving the business by becoming FIFTEEN TIME World Champion! Pat then brings up what Cody told him to do, and he might actually go do that. Pat tells the “marks,” they’re welcome. Pat & Orton take off in the truck, is Pat going to go thank this mysterious authority backing him?

Nick Aldis checks with the referees.

He wants an update as soon as they have one for Cody Rhodes & Jelly Roll. The refs head out, but The Miz & Kit Wilson step in. Miz wants answers! What is being done about referee Dan Anglar? That stunt he pulled last week cost Miz & Kit the tag titles! Aldis witnessed that “stunt,” too, and it was hard to believe. The ref counts one, two, then his arm cramps up. It was like something took over the man. Then something has to be done! Miz, there’s nothing to be done. The man was cursed. Miz says not you, too! Aldis says like many things tonight, this is just outside the scope of his control. Kit shouts, “WAKE UP, NICK!”

Kit says there need to be consequences for Dan Anglar! Um, Aldis is picking up what they’re putting down. How about an opportunity with Dan…hausen? Yes, Kit VS Danhausen, great idea, thanks for the help, Miz. That is, unless Miz thinks they’re cursed. THERE IS NO CURSE! Then they’re on the same page. Good luck, Kit! Kit & Miz are beside themselves, but will they be able to turn their luck around? Or will SmackDown soon be Very Nice, Very Evil?

Jacob Fatu VS Tama Tonga w/ MFT!

The Samoan Werewolf is in a fighting mood, well, a lot of the time, but especially after Drew McIntyre had to throw his past at him like that’s all he’ll ever be. But will Fatu tear into Tama as an example to the Scottish Troll? Or will the Good Bad Guy end up doing Drew’s dirty work?

SmackDown returns as Tama makes his entrance, MFT accompanying him, but only as far as the stage. The bell rings and Tama circles with Fatu. The fans rally as the two tie up, go around, and Tama puts Fatu in the corner. Fatu turns things around, but he backs off slowly. Tama and Fatu stare down, then Tama kicks low! Tama headlocks, Fatu powers up and out, and they RAM shoulders! Neither man falls but the fans cheer Fatu on. Tama head-fakes but Fatu ducks the sucker punch to UPPERCUT! Tama goes to a corner, Fatu runs up, but Tama dodges. Fatu hits buckles, Tama runs back in, and Tama fire body shots from all side!

The ref counts, Fatu shoves Tama, but Tama SPLASHES! Tama whips, Fatu comes back, and Fatu CLOBBERS Tama! Fatu kicks low, then winds up to UPPERCUT! And Mongolian Chop! And HEADBUTT! “YADADA MEAN!?” The fans cheer, and Fatu runs to handspring and MOONSAULT! Tama sputters as he bails out but the fans fire up for Fatu. Fatu builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and Tama is sent up and over the desk! San Jose is thunderous as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns again as Fatu and Tama trade shots! The fans cheer Fatu, boo Tama, and repeat. Fatu UPPERCUTS but Tama UPPERCUTS back! Fatu BOOTS Tama, but Tama JUMP PUNCHES! And JUMP PUNCHES again! Tama whips, Fatu reverses, but Tama KICSK him! Fatu just fires up and LARIATS! And SENTONS! Tama goes to a corner, Fatu SPLASHSE! Fatu goes up to rain down HEADBUTTS! Fans count along and Fatu goes all the way to TEN! Fatu sits Tama down, runs corner to corner and back again, HIP ATTACK! Fatu gets into it and geeks out! The fans cheer as Fatu runs, but into a DROPKICK!

Tama gets Fatu up, underhooks, and hits PINCHE LOCO! Cover, TWO!! Fatu survives while Tama grows frustrated. Tama talks trash on Fatu, bringing up how Fatu is the one who abandoned MFT! Tama drags Fatu up, then dragon sleepers, but Fatu powers up and out! POP-UP SAMOAN- NO, Tama fights free and hits the TONGAN TWIST! Cover, TWO! Fatu survives again but Tama roars! The fans boo as the armbands come off, and Tama aims from the corner. CUT- SUPERKICK! Tama rebounds, but into the POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Then Fatu puts Tama in the drop zone for the MIGHTY MOONSAULT! Cover, Fatu wins!

Winner: Jacob Fatu, by pinfall

Fatu gets the mic to shout, “YADADADADADA MEAN?!” But Drew jumps in from the crowd! Drew CLOBBERS Fatu, stomps away on him, then glares as the ref tries to stop him. But then Fatu SUPERKICKS Drew! The fans fire up as Fatu runs up, but into a CLAYMORE! Drew snarls, he isn’t done with Fatu! Drew TOSSES Fatu out, then brings him around to THROW into the steel steps! The fans boo as Fatu goes down in a heap! But now Drew grabs a chair! Drew stalks Fatu, looms over him with the chair, and SMACKS Fatu on the back! Fatu writhes but Drew isn’t done! Drew underhooks, FUTURE SHOCK on the floor!

Drew snarls as he rises up again. The fans boo but Drew brings out… handcuffs?! Drew grins as he cuffs Fatu, then brings him to his feet. Drew uses the cuffs to swing Fatu into the POST! Fatu falls in a heap again but Drew adds on! He POSTS Fatu again, then throws chain-wrapped fists into Fatu’s head! Drew then cuffs Fatu’s hands together, and slings the extra long chain around the post. Drew BOOTS Fatu into the post! The chain keeps Fatu up for just a moment before the cuffs give way. Drew just strings Fatu up again, and he asks Fatu how it feels to be back in chains where he belongs. Fatu is just an animal!

Fatu HEADBUTTS Drew! Fatu IS an animal, and he still has fight inside! But then Drew BOOTS Fatu down! The cuffs break again, so Drew stomps away on the floor! Refs and producers try to stop Drew but Drew puts Fatu in the ring. Drew backs Jamie Noble off, then takes aim from a corner. CLAYMORE!! Drew takes off his belt, he shoves Noble and even Daivari out of the way so he can LASH away on Fatu! Drew lashes Fatu with the leather again and again, only stopping because he’s finally satisfied. But will things somehow be even more violent when it is anything goes at WrestleMania?

R-Truth again teaches how to use the ESPN Unlimited streaming service.

Go to stream.ESPN.com, and when you sign up, visit the app so you can start right away. But if you have a TV cable provider, you might already have access to ESPN Unlimited. That means go to activate.ESPN.com! Any WWE PLE, any time, anywhere, at your fingertips! But wait, who is he teaching? DANHAUSEN! And Danhausen says yes, he can’t wait for WrestleMania! And after tonight, when he defeats Kit Wilson to become Miz’s new apprentice, he’ll take over the world! Sounds good? Yeah, that sounds real good! Damian Priest walks in and sees the trouble he’s in for. Does he even wanna know? Maybe.

Truth was just showing Danhausen how to use ESPN Unlimited. Oh, so it’s not Asuka anymore? What? No, this is Danhausen. Priest knows that, but Truth thought this was Asuka. No, he didn’t, that was Priest. No, Truth though tit was Asuka. No, Truth remembers Priest saying some little girl was running around with face paint. NO, that was Truth, too! Truth’s never said that in his life! Priest sighs. In what world would Priest ever mistake Asuka for- Wait, where’s Danhausen? Truth asks who Priest is looking for. But wait, now something is going on around the corner! Rhea CHUCKS B-Fab into a road case!

Mami smiles as she takes away one of Jade’s pawns, and says one to go. Priest & Truth look at Fab on the floor, and Truth says Rhea must not want Fab in Judgment Day. Priest says he must be the crazy one… But will Rhea make sure it’s just her and Jade when WrestleMania comes around?

Sami Zayn is here!

San Jose is torn on seeing #BigMatchSami make his way to the ring, US Championship in hand. Sami grabs a mic before he sets the belt down, and he says, “Okay, interesting reaction. Maybe it’s about time we nip this in the bud and we talk about this once and for all, because I’m not deaf, I hear what’s going on. And I feel the winds of change blowing, and I feel like that’s all that’s been going on for the last few months. Everywhere I go, everyone’s talking about change, even my close friends. I talk with Cody Rhodes, and what does he tell me? ‘Maybe you need to change if you wanna get further ahead.’

“And I talked to Randy Orton, and he says, ‘Maybe you gotta change, maybe you gotta be a bit more cutthroat.’ And then I come out here, and by the sound of it… It sounds like some of you wanna see some change, as well.” The fans cheer that. Sami says here is what they need to understand about him. His entire career, he has strived to give us something more. More than a hot T-shirt or a catchphrase or a viral moment. Sami has tried to give us more! He has tried to give us himself! He has given us something REAL! His heart, his mind, his soul! And he knows, yes, he’s not dumb, there are people booing.

But he knows for a fact that there are a lot of people here where all that means something to them! And those are the fans he cares about! When he meets fans, he meets kids, they’re crying, telling him they look up to him, that’s who Sami cares about! Fans who saw Sami’s journey and that got them through theirs, those are the fans he cares about! The fans in California that have had his back since day one! Those are who he cares about! That’s who he does this for, and he will never betray himself, because that’d be betraying the fans, and he’d never do that because he loves the fans! He will never change until he’s dead in the ground!

Now, for the rest. The ones booing, Sami must be honest, he doesn’t know what he did. Does anyone know? What’d he actually do?! The thing is, it’s okay, because Sami doesn’t even care. He doesn’t. The moment he realized that HIS fans, his TRUE fans, his ride or die fans, the ones in here, he knows they’re here and watching at home! Those fans, the second Sami realized those fans will have his back no matter what, then all the pressure was off, all the anxiety was gone, all the moping was gone. So like it or not, one way or another, in just nine days, Sami walks in and walks OUT of WrestleMania as US Champion!

But then the lights go down, and Trick Williams makes his entrance! Yachty also sneaks out here, still wearing the Gingerbread Man shirt. Trick & Yachty go to the ring, mics in hand, and Trick tells Yachty, “Y’know what I think?” “What’s that?” “I think the people are tired of hearing Sami Zayn talk.” The fans here cheer that, and Trick says this is Mr. Always Crying, breath funky like a donkey, just can’t get the job done Sami Zayn. And the truth is, the idea of having Trick’s first WrestleMania match being against Sami makes Trick wanna wash his hands with mouth wash and beat the hell outta Sami.

Because we all know the truth, Sami! Sami hates Trick! Since the first time he saw Trick, Sami couldn’t stand him! Sami couldn’t stand the sauce, the flavor, and thinks Trick doesn’t deserve his opportunities. Trick didn’t spend 20 years to get to this spot like everybody else. That might be true, but it is also true that Trick is the Anointed One, favor ain’t fair. Whether you like it or hate it, it makes no never mind, because Trick will beat dat ass at WrestleMania, let’s talk about it! Because everybody loves Trick Williams! Sami says that’s where he disagrees. They don’t love Trick, that takes a long time to build.

Trick’s been here what? Six months? The fans might like Trick, or even have a crush on him. They’re infatuated with Trick, and why wouldn’t they be? Trick is charming, he walks the walk, he has Yachty, he dresses like a 1970s pimp. What’s not to like? But here’s the thing, and look him in the eyes with the sunglasses off. Understand: Make all the jokes you want about Gingerbread Ginger Ale, but at the end of the day, you are in the ring with a WrestleMania main-eventer! And Sami will drag Trick into the deep waters. Everyone says Trick is the future, but Trick hasn’t shown Sami anything! At Mania, we find out real quick if Trick can walk the walk, of if he’s just talk!

Yachty says Sami sounds like a hater! Truth be told, you could take away the coat, the entrance, the lemon pepper- No, no, you don’t take a brother’s lemon pepper steppers away. But it don’t matter, materialistic things don’t make Trick Williams, Trick Williams makes Trick Williams! And next weekend at Mania, there will be a NEW WWE United States Champion, and his name is TRIIICK WILLIAMS~! The fans cheer that! But here comes Matt Cardona, and he is #AlwayZReady! But will he prove what Sami’s talking about? Or will Trick be better than even The Complete Cardona?

Trick Williams w/ Lil Yachty VS Matt Cardona!

The entrance finishes under picture in picture, and the bell rings. Cardona and Trick circle, tie up, and Trick headlocks to hit the takeover. Cardona fights around, fights to his feet, then powers up and out. Trick RUNS Cardona over, then he brings Cardona up for another headlock and takeover. Cardona keeps his shoulders up, fights to his feet, and pries the hold open. Cardona headlock s in return, but Trick powers up and out. Cardona RUNS Trick over, then RUNS him over again! Cardona eggs Trick on while the fans rally. Trick frowns as he gets up, and he circles with Cardona. But then Trick bails out, taking time to talk with Yachty.

Cardona tells Trick to get in the ring, as does the ref, and Trick takes his time stepping inside. Trick and Cardona circle, tie up, and Trick powers Cardona to the ropes. Cardona turns things around as SmackDown returns to single picture, and they go along the ropes. Trick powers Cardona back, then they break. Trick flexes on Cardona but Cardona just smirks. The two tie up, Trick headlocks, but Cardona powers up again. Cardona pries the hold open, but Trick KNEES low! Trick pie faces Cardona, but Cardona RAMS Trick into the corner! Cardona throws hands but Trick bobs ‘n’ weaves! Trick taunts Cardona with a stank leg, but Cardona ROCKS him!

The fans rally as Cardona fires more shots, then follows Trick along they ropes. Cardona smothers Trick, dares him to keep talking trash, then backs off. Trick KNEES low, then tells Cardona to get up. Trick scoops and SLAMS Cardona, then taunts Sami as he sits at ringside. Trick puts Cardona in the corner, CHOPS him, then scrapes his face along the ropes! Trick CHOPS again, feels the power in his hand, but Cardona blocks the chop to fire forearms! The fans rally as Trick throat chops Cardona! Yachty gets a shot in behind the ref’s back! The fans are torn, but Yachty gets away with it. Trick UPPERCUTS Cardona!

Trick whips, Cardona reverses, but Trick turns arm-drag into a whip! Trick hurdles, but Cardona LEAPING LARIATS! The fans duel, but Trick YANKS Cardona into the ropes! Trick runs up, Cardona KNEES him away, and Cardona goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! Trick tumbles out, Cardona builds speed, and Cardona WRECKS Trick with the dropkick! San Jose cheers, then Cardona drags Trick up. Cardona puts Trick in the ring, dodges a shoulder and KNEES Trick down! Cardona then climbs up in the corner to rain down fists on Trick! Fans count, but Trick trips Cardona up at 3! Cardona lands hard, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns as Cardona CHOPS and ROCKS Trick, then runs, but into a LEG LARIAT! Trick rains down forearms on Cardona, then stops to catch his breath. Trick drags Cardona up, but Cardona JAWBREAKERS! And he blocks a leg lariat into a BIG back suplex! Both men are down and the fans rally up. Cardona rises, Trick follows, but Cardona ELBOWS Trick away! Trick comes back but into a BOOT! Cardona runs up to ROCK Trick, but Trick DECKS Cardona in return! Trick tells Cardona to get up, then brings him around to whip. Cardona hits a FACEBUSTER in return! The fans fire up as Trick goes to a corner and Cardona fires forearms!

Cardona digs his boot in, then stops to go side to side. BROSKI BOOT! Trick sputters, Cardona chicken wings him, UNPRETTIER! Cover, TWO! Trick survives the shoutout to The Hot Mess, but Cardona stays focused. Cardona runs up, but Trick turns Rough Ryder into a FLAPJACK! TRICK SLAP! JUMP NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Cardona survives and the fans rally up! Trick and Cardona go to corners, then Trick runs up! Cardona dodges, Trick only gets buckles! Cardona runs back in, but Trick TOSSES him up and out! Trick hurries after Cardona, and he LARIATS Cardona down in front of commentary!

Trick stares Sami down, Sami says just focus on Cardona. Trick SHOVES Sami into his chair! Trick then refreshes the ring count to put Cardona in the ring. Trick talks trash on Sami, Sami gives it back, then he gets on the apron! The fans are torn but Yachty YANKS Sami down! Yachty grins, but Sami gets up to HELLUVA KICK! Yachty just got knocked the hecc out! And Cardona has Trick in a roll up! TWO!! Trick is up, he dodges Cardona, TRICK SHOT! Cover, Trick wins!

Winner: Trick Williams, by pinfall

Yachty took the bullet for Trick, but Trick managed to win against Cardona after all. Trick helps Yachty to his feet, and Sami smirks. Will #BigMatchSami prove that Trick has no idea what’s coming for him at WrestleMania?

Kit Wilson w/ The Miz VS Danhausen!

Cursed or not, Mr. Tonic and the Hollywood A-Lister want to settle things with the “seven foot tall, 300 pound” mischief maker that is Danhausen. Will their luck start to turn around just days before WrestleMania? Or will things be Very Nice, Very Evil instead?

SmackDown returns as Kit makes his entrance, Miz by his side. The bell rings and Danhausen gets in Kit’s face. Kit pie faces Danhausen, but Danhausen ducks ‘n’ dodges to DROPKICK Kit down! The fans fire up as Danhausen wrenches and NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Danhausen can actually wrestle! Miz coaches Kit, and Kit kicks low! Kit fires forearms, then repeats the MIZ principles: Master! Inspire! Zone-In! Kit wrenches, whips, but Danhausen ducks ‘n’ dodges to then slide out and side hug with Miz. Miz freaks out when he realizes it’s not Kit, but then Kit runs out to UPPERCUT Danhausen!

The fans boo as Kit shouts, “TOXIC! TOXIC! TOXIC!” Kit puts Danhausen in, then runs at the corner for another UPPERCUT! Kit keeps moving, UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Danhausen is very nice, very tough, but Kit brings him up to shout, “You are not real! The curse is not real!” But Danhausen JAWBREAKERS! Kit yoyos to hit the LARIAT! Miz says yes, good! Now go up! Kit hurries up the corner, and he flexes as he shouts, “Kit! Wil-son!” But then Danhausen sits up! “You! Are! CURSED!” And pyro goes off! It spooks Kit into falling onto his Wilson! Miz is stunned, but he gets on the apron to protest!

Danhausen hits Miz with a ROLLING ELBOW! Then he runs up on Kit, BOOT! Cover, Danhausen wins!

Winner: Danhausen, by pinfall

Miz is furious, and he slithers into the ring to… Wait, the lights go out! And when they come back, Danhausen is on the ramp! Danhausen celebrates his victory, but will he see for himself that he doesn’t need Miz to be the best?

Jade Cargill storms around backstage.

She asks if anyone’s seen B-Fab or Michin, but then she finds Mia down and out around the corner! And a broken kendo stick is next to her. Jade asks what happened, and Mia just says, “Rhea…” Jade says she’ll handle this. Will The Storm wipe out Iyo Sky so that it’ll just be here and Rhea? Or will the Genius of the Sky humble #ThatB1tch?

Rhea talks with Iyo backstage.

Rhea checks with Iyo if she’s good. Iyo says yes. Rhea admits she couldn’t stand by and let this be, she might’ve taken out the other two. But she still left Jade for Iyo. Iyo thanks Rhea, and asks she stay back here so there’s no distractions. Rhea agrees to that. But just do her a favor: Leave something for Rhea at WrestleMania. Iyo says no worries. Iyo heads out, ready for the main event! Will Iyo have her revenge? Or will the WWE Women’s Champion be primed and ready for Rhea at WrestleMania?

Iyo Sky VS Jade Cargill!

SmackDown returns as The Storm makes her entrance. The bell rings and Iyo runs up! Jade takes a swing, Iyo dodges, and Iyo rebounds to SHOTGUN Jade! Iyo fires off forearms, then headlocks tight. Jade blocks the takeover, powers up and THROWS Iyo to a corner! Jade runs up, bit Iyo dodges to ROCK Jade! Iyo runs, but Jade RUNS her over! Jade demands Iyo get up, then drags her around to scoop and SLAM! Cocky cover, ONE! Jade is annoyed already, but she whips Iyo to ropes. Iyo ducks ‘n’ dodges, redirects, then handsprings, Jade dodges but Iyo kicks low. Iyo runs, POP-UP DROPKICK!

The fans fire up while Jade tumbles out! Iyo builds speed and DIVES but into a forearm! Jade drags Iyo out to then pop her up, fireman’s carry becomes a SLAM onto the apron! Jade is fired up but the fans boo while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Jade brings Iyo around, whips her hard into barriers, and Iyo flops to the floor. Jade stalks Iyo, looms over her, then drags her back up. Jade throws Iyo into the ring, flexes and poses, then rolls in after Iyo. Iyo fires body shots, then forearms! Iyo runs, but into an ELBOW! Jade covers, TWO! Jade is annoyed again but she sits Iyo up to bring her over. Jade bumps Iyo off buckles, stomps a mudhole in, then digs her boot in. The ref counts, Jade steps off at 4, and Iyo sputters while Jade soaks up the heat. Jade drags Iyo up to snap suplex, then floats to the cover, TWO! Iyo is tougher than that, and Jade almost laughs as she shakes her head.

Jade drags Iyo up, whips her hard into the corner, then Iyo slumps down. Jade does pushups to show off, then she drags Iyo up again. Iyo fires forearms, but Jade ROCKS Iyo back! Jade storms up but Iyo BOOTS her away! Iyo goes up the corner, then leaps, but into Jade’s arms! Jade swings Iyo for the- DDT! Iyo turns things around but both women are down as the fans rally up. SmackDown returns to single picture as Iyo and Jade slowly rise up. Iyo runs, dodges, then ELBOWS! SHOTEIS! And DROPKICK to the legs! Iyo whips but Jade reverses, only for Iyo to slip outside, around, and ducks a shot! HOTSHOT on the arm!

Jade staggers but Iyo goes up! The fans cheer as Iyo MISSILE DROPKICKS! Jade flounders, Iyo handsprings, and the fans cheer the crazy taunt! Iyo fires up, the fans are with her, and she runs in, SHINKANSEN! Iyo drags Jade into the drop zone, then steps on her before going up the corner! Iyo rises, but Jade trips her up! Jade then military presses Iyo, only for Iyo to slip free into a SLEEPER! Jade fades fast as Iyo squeezes tight! But then Jade roars and rises up to RAM Iyo into buckles! Iyo holds on but Jade THROWS her away! Then BOOT misses as Iyo dodge! Roll-up, TWO! Iyo winds up, but Jade ducks the buzzsaw! BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Iyo survives! Jade is stunned but Iyo is dazed. The fans rally as hard as they can for Iyo, but Jade sits her up and tells her send this message to Rhea. Jade guzels and CHOKE- NO, Iyo victory rolls to STOMP 182! The fans fire up while Jade sputters! Iyo fires up while Jade bails out. Iyo goes to the apron, and Iyo ASAI MOONSAULTS! Direct hit at the ramp! Iyo roars and San Jose cheers! Iyo puts Jade back in the ring, but Jade hurries to the apron. Iyo frowns, blocks a shot, and she SHOTEIS! Jade wobbles, Iyo victory rolls, but Jade blocks it! Wheelbarrow FACEBUSTER off the steps!

Jade shoves Iyo into the ring, then snarls as she storms in. BOOT!! Jade shrieks and howls before she chicken wings for the JADED! Cover, Jade wins!

Winner: Jade Cargill, by pinfall

Iyo was at less than 100%, but she still pushed Jade here tonight! Even so, Jade wants to make Iyo pay for it! Jade grabs a chair, but here comes Rhea! The match is over, Rhea is here to defend Iyo. Jade grins as she and Rhea stare down, and Jade puts the chair aside. The Storm leaves San Jose behind, but will she continue to reign in Las Vegas? Or will Rhea unleash her full brutality at WrestleMania?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown, though a bit talky, and maybe even tacky with Pat McAfee being the personification of TKO and WWE doing promo deals for tickets. Pat still delivers everything he says without fault, but he’s basically in that “Go Away Heat” territory. Plus, some still-to-be-named WWE or even TKO official (all in kayfabe) is literally protecting Pat. Cody had a good response to Pat, Jelly Roll had a good response to Pat, but of course Pat & Orton get the better of them. WWE isn’t failing to use wrestling tropes correctly, they’re just using the wrong pieces, or at least, the wrong cornerstone with Pat as “the man on the phone” when it could’ve been so many other choices.

Another example of right strategy, unfortunate pieces is the Jade VS Rhea build. Iyo shouldn’t be getting beat up and taking losses for someone else’s story, but that’s what we’re seeing. Rhea picking off Jade’s sidekicks was fine, but maybe that could’ve happened without dragging Iyo into this. And again I say, why no Asuka & Kairi showing up? They didn’t show up on Raw to cost #RheYo the tag match, and they didn’t try it tonight. Jade VS Iyo was still a great match, and that makes for a great win for Jade. Jade VS Rhea could still go either way, and yet I’m not sure how the story goes for either route.

Moving on from that, great stuff for the San Jose crowd to see their people in action. Well, Bayley didn’t win, but she and Bliss had a very good match. Great stuff there with Charlotte helping Bliss win like how Lyra helped Bayley win, and I bet it comes down to a “cheat” to win the Fatal 4 Way because for one, Nia Jax & Lash Legend really are strong and dominant champions and they’ll be protecting in a loss where one of the teams has to pull off some sort of trickery. Here’s hoping Nikki & Brie Bella are still okay to compete for Mania, too, it’d be a shame if we don’t get the Asuka-Kairi-Iyo story because Asuka & Kairi have to substitute for The Bellas.

Great vignette for Royce Keys, very good debut singles match for him, and a very good promo afterward. Solo Sikoa trying to recruit Royce because of their California connection, feels like he has instead set up the next feud for after MFT VS Wyatts finally finishes. Very good vignette from Drew to call out Fatu, very good response from Fatu, and a great match from Fatu VS Tama. Great win for Fatu, but then great attack from Drew. The cuffs could’ve been a bit better, but maybe they were gimmicked so as not to actually harm Fatu while he was trapped in them. But with this, Fatu has to win, right? Unless the twist is the one whodunnit all those months ago reveals themselves…

Good promo from R-Truth and Damian Priest with Danhausen, though, with Truth taking his crazy to a new level. Very good stuff with Danhausen and #MizKit, and a very good match from Danhausen VS Kit. The pyro “curse” was good stuff, and we got another great lights-out-retreat for Danhausen. Jelly Roll moving over to the Cody-Randy story, there’s no partner for Danhausen, but maybe just Danhausen VS Miz 1v1 will work for the story. Very good promo from Carmelo, Cardona, Trick & Yachty to set up Trick VS Cardona, but also good promo from Sami Zayn.

As I said last time, it is great that Sami’s giving us the passive aggressive Face that’s really a Heel before Cody does. For one, he found a way around blaming “the people” because he knows there are still Sami fans, and he is only caring about fans that like him. Trick VS Cardona was a very good match, and a very good win for Trick, but Sami getting one on Yachty was great, too. Sami VS Trick will be great, it could even steal the show, but the result could go either way. I personally would love another case where Sami takes advantage of something as a Heel would, but continues to insist he is the Face, and he brings all that heat to Backlash.

My Score: 8.8/10