Randy Orton returns home!

SmackDown is in St. Louis, but will Cody Rhodes make sure to ruin Randy Orton’s homecoming? And will we learn who The Viper’s been talking to?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Rhea Ripley VS Mia Yim w/ Jade Cargill & B-Fab; Rhea wins.
• Uncle Howdy VS Tama Tonga; Howdy wins.
• Matt Cardona VS Aleister Black w/ Zelina Vega; Aleister wins.
• Charlexa VS BayLyra; Charlexa wins.
• WWE Tag Team Championships: Damian Priest & R-Truth VS The Miz & Kit Wilson; Priest & Truth win and retain the titles.
• WWE United States Championship: Sami Zayn VS Carmelo Hayes; Sami wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Randy Orton is here!

St. Louis fires up and sings along with Voices while their hometown… anti-hero…? Well, The Viper makes his way to the ring. Orton hits the signature pose, then takes his time to soak it all in before he grabs the mic. Orton even takes time to make sure there’s no dust or fuzz on it. The fans cheer again as the music ends, and Orton can’t help but smile. “So, St. Louis, Missouri… Whaddya wanna talk about?” The fans are torn over Orton using Cody Rhodes’ signature line, but they still cheer for “R K O! R K O!” Orton says it is no secret that this is his hometown. The fans cheer that! Orton was raised here from a very young age, St. Louis is still home.

And the next time you see him in this arena, Orton will have number 15 firmly planted around his waist! The fans like the sound of that! “But make no mistake about it, ladies and gentlemen, I am not doing this for each and every one of you, no no no. I am doing this for me. I am doing this for my family! And I am doing this for my REAL home, which isn’t St. Louis, Missouri. It’s the one, two, three, four, five, six people in this front row, that’s who I am doing it for.” The fans do cheer that as Orton references his wife and kids.

Orton vows that at WrestleMania 42, Orton will walk out of Las Vegas with THE WWE Undisputed Championship around his waist! Hell, Orton might be in the mood to have it slung over his shoulder! But the fact of the matter is, Cody Rhodes, whether he walks, crawls, is carried, gurneyed, stretchered out of Vegas, it does not matter! Because Cody Rhodes is going home after Mania 42 EMPTY-FREAKING-HANDED! The fans cheer that! Orton says Cody gave him his blessing! He gave Orton the green light! This isn’t personal here, Cody said Orton could be The Viper, to do what he needed to do and be who he needed to be!

To be the best version of himself, Cody told Orton he could listen to the voices. But Cody, we saw that the voices are starting to talk to Cody, too. Cody was on Monday Night Raw, in Madison Square Garden, with Stephanie McMahon. Steph wasn’t lying that Cody could NOT beat Orton! And the voices in Cody’s head are saying the exact same thing: Cody can NOT beat Orton! Because Cody is NOT a killer! What you woke up inside of Orton, there is no putting back to bed. But then here comes Cody! The fans are torn again but they still sing along with Kingdom as the American Nightmare storms down the ramp.

Cody puts the belt down, takes off his jacket and tie, and Orton applauds as Cody stares him down. We get the “WHOA~ OH~” and no need for pyro as the fists start flying! The fans cheer, but then Cody gets the edge! Cody throws hands, then stomps away in a corner! Cody rains down more fists, then goes back to stomps! But here comes Pat McAfee?! And he LOW BLOW KICKS Cody!? Orton CLUBS Cody down, too! The fans are going nuts because Pat is Team Orton! Pat stomps away on Cody while Orton gets a chair! Orton lets Pat talk now while Orton JAMS Cody up with the chair! Pat says, “The Rams left town, the Blues aren’t gonna make the playoffs, the Cardinals are ASS!”

The fans boo while Nick Aldis, producers, and refs rush out here, and Pat says that Orton even said St. Louis isn’t his home anymore. A tough night for this town, huh? Pat then tells “Foreign Adam Pearce” to shut up before he even starts. Orton SMACKS Cody with the chair! Pat tells the “doofuses” in charge that they must be wondering why Pat is here, why he kicked Cody directly in the balls. About a month ago, Pat was doing a Q&A and was asked when he would return to the WWE. Pat says he felt the business passed him by. This business that he’s loved since he was a kid, he could no longer watch because he felt it was absolute SH*T!

Orton SMACKS Cody again! Pat says Randy called him up, said that the business didn’t pass him by, it just went in a different direction that none of “us” liked. So Pat thought to himself and asked, “Who’s ‘us,’ Randy Orton?” Orton talked about the forgotten WWE fans, the Attitude Era fans, the ones that woke up thinking to themselves, “What? What?” a la Stone Cold. The ones who walked around and said, “IF YA SMELLLL~!” Orton CHOKES Cody while Pat says those fans that put this company on their backs to launch it into multi-BILLION universe it is now! Those fans have been forgotten!

Why, when Pat turns on WWE TV, he has to watch two 5’5″ guys do a 45 minute ironman match ten weeks straight for no rhyme or reason when RANDY ORTON is here!? The fans do agree there… Pat asks why he turns on Netflix and sees all of gorilla circle-jerking themselves episode after episode after episode when RANDY ORTON is here!? Tickets to WrestleMania are still somehow available when RANDY ORTON is here?! And SmackDown, fresh off the WORST rated episode of all time, has a puppet for a champion! A man that represents everything “we” hate! Orton CHOKES Cody against the ropes! Pat says get him! Kill him!

Orton KICKS Cody down, and Pat says that Cody, PAT is the one on the phone telling Orton to KILL everything! Not just for the 15th world title! It’s because the business that Cody is leading… IS TERRIBLE! Orton is gonna save the WHOLE EFFIN’ BUSINESS! St. Louis sure likes the sound of that! Pat gets one last stomp in before Orton rests the belt on top of Cody. Orton whispers to Cody that this is just an appetizer. Orton and Pat head out, will what they do to the business be undisputed?

SmackDown returns and…

Orton and Pat are backstage, and Pat says mission accomplished. Orton agrees there, and Orton thanks Pat for the call. Pat says yeah, sometimes you gotta remind someone that they are in the GOAT conversation, and primed to take the GOAT spot, all to save this business. Pat & Orton hop in the truck and head out into the night. Will there be no consequences for what just happened? Or will they be untouchable on top of undisputed?

Rhea Ripley VS Mia Yim w/ B-Fab!

Mami was ready for The Storm, but she perhaps underestimated the desperation of everyone else on this roster. Michin and B-Fab sold out, but will they be on the wrong end of a receipt? Or will the Baddies make the homestretch to WrestleMania real bad for Rhea?

The bell rings and Mia runs up! Rhea dodges, fires hands, but Mia fires back! Rhea dodges again, BOOTS Mia down, and the fans fire up! Rhea runs up to fire hands on Mia in the corner, but stops as the ref counts. Rhea RAMS into Mia again and again, then digs her shoulder in. Rhea whips corner to corner hard and Mia falls to her knees. Rhea runs up and RAMS Mia again! The fans cheer as Rhea scoops, and she FALL AWAY SLAMS! Mia flounders but the fans fire up with Rhea again! Rhea stalks Mia, drags her up, but NOW Jade Cargill makes her way out. The fans boo the queen bee, but Rhea talks trash on her before she FALL AWAY SLAMS Mia again!

Rhea dares Jade to do something in that yellow fur jacket, but Mia GERMAN SUPLEXES Rhea! The fans boo as Mia rains down fists, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Mia stops raining down fists so she can cover, TWO! Mia stomps Rhea, then CLUBS Rhea on the neck. Rhea hits back but Mia stomps her down! Mia talks trash, soaks up heat, and drags Rhea up. Rhea fires body shots and forearms, but Mia runs up to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Mia drags Rhea up, TOSSES her out, and then argues with the ref so Fab can SMACK Rhea! Jade SLAPS Rhea for good measure, then they back off so Mia can fetch Rhea into the ring. Mia pushes Rhea over, TWO! Mia pushes Rhea down and digs her knees into Rhea’s back. Mia reels Rhea into the BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Rhea endures being bent back, but Mia THROWS her away!

Mia stomps Rhea around, drags her up, and bumps her off buckles. Mia CHOKES Rhea with her boot, but stops at 4. Mia CHOPS Rhea, whips her corner to corner, then runs in, only for Rhea to dodge! Rhea rolls Mia up< TWO! Mia runs up and CLOBBERS Rhea! Cover, TWO! Mia is frustrated but she keeps after Rhea by putting her on ropes. Mia CHOKES Rhea, backs off at 4, and CHOPS Rhea on the back! Mia scuffs Rhea, talks trash on her and the fans, but Rhea fires body shots. Mia storms up but Rhea CHOPS again! Mia CLUBS Rhea down, but Rhea ROCKS Mia in return! SmackDown returns to single picture as Mia DROPKICKS Rhea down! Cover, TWO!

Mia is frustrated, as are Jade & Fab, but Mia KICKS Rhea! And KICKS her! And KICKS again! Mia drags Rhea up, hops on, and has the GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! The fans rally up as Rhea endures, and Rhea powers up to suplex Mia! Both women are down while the fans fire back up! Rhea rises, as does Mia, and they throw hands back and forth! The shots go faster and faster, Rhea fires a flurry, then wrenches to short arm LARIAT! And short arm LARIAT! And ripcord to HOOK KICK and ATOMIC SLAM! The fans fire up for Rhea as she runs, to basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up more as Rhea runs up and scoops again!

Rhea goes for a third, but Mia slips free of the Fall Away Slam! Mia HEADBUTTS, but Rhea HEADBUTTS right back! Rhea reels Mia in, Canadian Racks, RAZOR’S EDGE! SLIDING KNEE! Cover, TWO! Mia survives but the fans still rally for Rhea! Rhea pump handles Mia for the RIP- NO, Mia slips free and THROWS Rhea down by her hair! BUZZSAW! Rhea flounders, Mia goes corner to corner, CANNONBALL gets buckles! Rhea hurries back up to EDDY GORDO KICK! Mia sputters, Rhea Electric Chair Lifts, but Mia POISON-RANAS! Mia keeps going, and makes Rhea EAT DA FEET! Cover, TWO!! Rhea survives and Jade is furious!

Jade tells Mia to finish this already! Mia block a kick, gets under Rhea, and POWERBOMSB! Then a flip-over for the PILE- NO, Rhea BACKDROPS free! Rhea then has Mia’s legs for the PRISM TRAP!! Mia TAPS, Rhea wins!

Winner: Rhea Ripley, by submission

Jade is pissed, but it’s Fab that attacks Rhea! But Rhea HEADBUTTS in return! Rhea glares at Jade, but Mia CHOP BLOCKS! Fab & Mia beat up on Rhea and Jade loves it! The fans boo but Rhea is again set up for Jade to SLAP! And chicken wing! BUT IYO SKY IS HERE!? The Genius runs out here and SHOTEIS Mia! She blocks Fab’s kick to send it into Mia! Then Iyo ducks ‘n’ dodges, handsprings through, and #RheYo DOUBLE DROPKICK! The fans fire up as the besties are reunited! Will Iyo help Rhea weather The Storm on the Road to WrestleMania?

Matt Cardona gets checked by medical.

The Complete swears he’s fine, he just wants to get in the ring. Aleister Black & Zelina Vega walk by, and Aleister says it’s almost like he should’ve just listened to them. Randy didn’t change, he just went back to being the real Randy Orton. Almost as if the universe is right again. And the only person that hasn’t accepted that is… Well, Cardona! Cardona says he’s not going back and forth with them on this. If they want to take credit for what Randy did, fine. But how about this? Cardona can talk to Aldis so he and Aleister can fight tonight. Aleister says if he didn’t know any better, he’d say Cardona is a big fan of making bad decisions.

Aleister & Zelina leave, but will they make Cardona #FadeToBlack? Or will they learn that he is truly #AlwayZReady?

MFT meets backstage.

Solo Sikoa clings tot he Wyatt lantern as he tells his family, “Howdy challenged me to fight for this lantern tonight. But after what happened to those tag team titles, I’m not letting this thing outta my sight. So with that being said, I need somebody out of the family to step up and take care of this Howdy problem.” Everyone is dressed and ready, but Tama Tonga asks why they’re even fighting for the lantern. Sorry, did he just say something? Tama repeats himself: Why are we fighting for the lantern when that damn thing has only been a problem for all of them? Especially Solo. Solo says fine, then Tama can go out there and fight for the lantern.

Tama says good, he’ll handle Howdy. But… He’ll go out there alone. Solo says okay, but before he does… Don’t mess this up. Tama nods, then heads to gorilla. Will The Good Bad Guy do what is right for his family? Or will Uncle Howdy finally take back what belongs to him?

Rhea & Iyo regroup backstage.

Rhea says she owes Iyo for that safe out there, and then Cathy Kelley steps in. She notes Rhea has been outnumbered the last few weeks with Jade having B-Fab & Michin, was Iyo showing up a way of evening odds before WrestleMania? Rhea says c’mon, Cathy, week after week, Jade’s proved she can’t do this on her own. But she didn’t think Rhea had a backup plan. The difference here is, Jade has followers while Rhea has friends. Iyo says they’re best friends! No matter what, she will always have Rhea’s back! Rhea says she’ll always have Iyo’s back, too. And together, they’re bloody unstoppable.

That’s why when it comes to WrestleMania, Rhea will walk out the NEW WWE Women’s Champion! Catch ya later. RheYo heads out, but will they make it through this together? Or will 3v2 still not be enough?

Uncle Howdy VS Tama Tonga!

The family feud of Wyatts and MFT has been going on for months now, and it is starting to wear down both sides. But Howdy and Tama are out here without all the rest, will this 1v1 finally put this to rest?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. Tama and Howdy stare down, then Tama rushes up! Howdy dodges, but Tama blocks the Mandible Claw! They end up in the corner, the ref reprimands and counts, but Tama hits Howdy low. Howdy KNEES low in return, then bumps Tama off buckles. Howdy stomps a mudhole in, but stops as the ref counts. The fans join in with the “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Howdy goes back to Tama, but Tama ELBOWS Howdy! Tama fires UPPERCUTS on Howdy against the ropes, then CLUBS away! The ref counts but Tama HEADBUTTS Howdy again and again! Tama ROCKS Howdy, then stomps him down.

Tama puts Howdy in the ropes to CHOKE, then he YANKS Howdy into ropes for the under-hotshot! Howdy sputters and the fans boo but SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns as Tama digs claws into Howdy’s shoulders! The fans rally for Howdy as he endures, and Howdy rises up to his feet! Howdy reaches up to JAWBREAKER free! Tama goes to a corner, Howdy runs in and ELBOWS Tama! And ELBOWS again and again and again! The fans rally while Howdy lets off, but Tama runs up! Howdy ROCKS Tama, but that’s the bad hand! Tama LARIATS Howdy in return! Tama huffs ‘n’ puffs as he CLUBS Howdy down. Tama CLUBS Howdy, puts him in a corner, and stomps away! The fans are torn but the ref reprimands. Tama backs off at 4, then talks trash on Howdy.

Tama slithers around, then runs corner to corner, but Howdy catches the splash into the MANDIBLE CLAW! Tama flails, reaches out, but Howdy drags him back! But Solo Sikoa storms out here, swinging the lantern! The fans boo but Howdy THROWS Tama away. Howdy stares Solo down, but Tama CLOBBERS Howdy! Tama distracts the ref, but not for long! The ref sees Solo winding up! The ref tells Solo to back off, and now Tama tells Solo that he doesn’t need Solo out here! Solo says he has Tama’s back! Howdy catches Tama to SISTER ABIGAIL! Cover, Howdy wins!

Winner: Uncle Howdy, by pinfall

Solo runs in, but Howdy slips out! Solo is furious, but so is Tama! Tama says Solo isn’t helping anyone, and neither is this lantern! Tama grabs at the lantern! Tama says they don’t need it! Solo relinquishes the lantern, and Tama places it on the apron. Solo asks Tama what he’s thinking, but Howdy finally takes the lantern back! Tama says they don’t need it. Will Solo see things Tama’s way?

The Miz and Kit Wilson walk ‘n’ talk backstage.

Given the disheveled sight of the Hollywood A-Lister, Mr. Tonic says he is worried about “the curse.” Just this past week, things have been… toxic. Kit helps this lady put her bags in the overhead on the plane, without even being asked! And Kit is in the gym… grunting! Miz says there is NO curse! But then they cross paths with R-Truth as he talks with ring crew. Truth says they have got to get the hot water running in the hot tub. And hey, if Kit & Miz wanna be in New Judgment Day, sorry, they’re full up, not taking any more. Miz laughs that off and says Truth’s problem is that he doesn’t take anything seriously, yet everything just goes his way!

Truth doesn’t earn anything around here! Just for once, Truth should master something, inspire someone, and zone-in. Just once! Say less! Challenge accepted! And Truth doesn’t even know who Kit is. Miz asks what Truth is getting at, and Truth says they open challenged Truth & Priest for the tag titles. He’ll talk with Aldis before Miz changes his mind. There will be a tag team championship match tonight on SmackDown in St. Louis! HAH! Truth hurries off, and Kit says they just got a tag title match. Miz says yeah, MIZ Method works. Maybe the curse is over? Or will it just get ten times worse?

Jacob Fatu speaks.

“Hey, Drew. So this what it is, huh? Me and you, one on one, at WrestleMania? You talkin’ ’bout ‘unsanctioned,’ huh? Man, my life has been a roller coaster nonstop. I went from the streets to county jail to the independents to WWE. Hell, I made it out! Y’see, when you come from the gutter, you’re forced to be a product of the environment. It ain’t about who’s wrong, it ain’t about who’s right, it comes down to survival. Let’s keep it 100, every decision I made, every day I was locked up, it brought me right here to this very moment.

“Because in this match, there are no rules, there is no one there to stop me, no one to break it up. And for damn sure ain’t no one to tell me what I can or cannot do to your punk ass! Hey, Drew. At WrestleMania, you’re in my world. Let’s see if you make it out, yadada mean?” The Samoan Werewolf is salivating for this fight, will he destroy the Scottish Terminator once and for all?

Sami Zayn arrives backstage.

And he calls to Nick Aldis. Sami thanks Aldis for the opportunity to go and talk to the people and celebrate his US Championship victory. Can Aldis confirm or deny that he’s got pyro now? Yes, Aldis can confirm. Sami thanks Aldis for that, and he also apologizes for last week. Things got testy, but Aldis says no need to apologize. Aldis didn’t give Sami anything, didn’t have a spot for him, but Sami did what Sami does and made a spot for himself. Now, go out there, talk to the people. Sami says he’s about to. But Trick Williams is making his entrance first?! Aldis is just as surprised as Sami, but St. Louis cheers “Whoop Dat Trick!”

Trick isn’t alone, either! Lil’ Yachty is here, both men dressed in clean white suits. Trick and Yachty go to the ring, raining on Sami’s parade before it even begins. Trick gets the mic to tell St. Louis, “Check it out! The truth is, I came out here tonight to celebrate my first match at WrestleMania. But I couldn’t help but notice since it is WrestleMania season and we  bringing out all the stars… I mean, we bringing out Jelly Roll, Pat McAfee, then it’s only right I bring out mah boi, I’m talkin’ bout Lil’ Yachty.” The fans cheer, and Yachty says he appreciates Trick and congratulates him on WrestleMania, that ain’t for lil’ boys ‘n’ girls. WrestleMania is for legends in the making, and that is what Trick is!

Trick says he appreciates that. But Yachty needs to understand, he isn’t here just to celebrate. Trick wants to ask him something. And y’all gotta understand, these two go way back like white walls on a Cadillac! So maybe, if it’s cool with Yachty, they pack up, get the all whites, bring the mink coats, and take ’em to WrestleMania! Yachty says he thought Trick would never ask. They secret handshake, and Trick says there is nothing he will not do to get the US Championship. What’s Trick saying? Trick’s saying he ain’t taking no lip off no gingerbread man! Say what? Trick said he ain’t taking no lip off no gingerbread man!

Yachty says get ’em! “Gingerbread! Ginger ale! Ginger tea! Ginger beer! Ginger root! Ginger snap! Ginger, ginger, it don’t matter!” Yachty says he likes what Trick is doing. Trick is awful disrespectful! He can get real disrespectful! He’ll show them at Mania! He’ll give a preview: When he’s on the top rope, and he tells ’em, “Hit Sami Zayn’s pyro cuz Trick Williams runs SmackDown!” The pyro goes off now, Trick fires up, but here comes Sami! Sami is annoyed, but he says that was good, that was funny. But Trick’s getting ahead of himself, celebrating already. Trick’s got the celebration, the music, the pageantry, the rap artist, the presentation, and that’s all good…

But to be honest, pageantry’s never been Sami’s thing. Sami’s been a bit more dressed down, a bit more working class, a bit more what actually happens when he steps between the ropes and what he does in this ring! The fans are torn, but Sami says here’s the thing, Trick, at WrestleMania, there will be 50 THOUSAND seats, and every single one is pointed at the ring. Once the bell rings, Trick learns in a hurry that all the fur coats, the rap artists, and great music will NOT save you, because when you’re in the ring with Sami, you’re in the ring with one of the best to ever do it! And Trick, at WrestleMania, Sami will humble your ass!

The fans are torn but the chants of “WHOOP DAT TRICK!” start up again. Trick says hold on, everybody, hold on. Gingersnaps here is upset! But look here, Sami Zayn, there is something you fail to realize. The only reason Sami has that US Championship back is thanks to Trick Williams. Trick will help him out more: The only reason Sami is going to WrestleMania is because of Trick Williams. He says it for Sam, “Thank you, Trick Williams. You’re welcome, Sami Zayn.” But wait! CARMELO HAYES is here! The fans cheer H1M on as he makes his way out here, mic in hand and expression stone cold as he steps into the ring.

Melo wants everyone to hold on. He won’t stand back and watch this all go down. Trick, you and Melo have history a mile long, and don’t worry, Trick will get that receipt as Melo spins the block. And Melo knows the perfect place to do that! But first, Sami, the way you won, that don’t sit right with Melo, or with anyone here. For months, Melo carried SmackDown on his back, and that US Championship on his back! ALL for Sami to take that title when Melo had it at the one yard line, and Sami’s gonna run it into the endzone? No way! So, Sami, do Melo a favor and listen to the people. They’ll tell you right now, they don’t want Sami Zayn! #WeWantMelo!

The fans cheer that, and Sami certainly hears it. Melo tells Sami to listen to the people, and give the people what they want! Melo is not asking, he is telling Sami, give H1M a rematch! The fans cheer and Trick is loving this. Sami tells Melo that he’s already said this, it is not a secret, that Sami thinks the world of Melo. And Sami agrees, Melo carried SmackDown on his shoulders for about 10 weeks, he did phenomenal. Sami takes nothing away from Melo, and he 100% thinks Melo deserves this. But here’s the thing: Melo had an open challenge, Sami answered it, and Sami won. And in doing that, Sami punched his ticket to WrestleMania.

Sami is genuinely sorry this came at Melo’s expense, but this match is already official. If Melo wants the rematch, he’ll get it, but he has to wait until after Mania. The fans boo and Trick tells Ginger Ale that nobody wants to hear that! What happened to that integrity Sami had? Give that man a chance! Sami says as much as he wants to tell Trick to shut up and stay out of this, Trick has a point. The truth is, if Trick didn’t get involved with the match, would Sami have beat Melo? Sami thinks so, but we’ll never truly know. But here’s the thing, this has happened to Sami, too!

When Cody Rhodes took advantage of opportunity, and Sami called him out. When Randy Orton took advantage of opportunity, Sami called him out! So now, Sami will admit, the same thing happened and for once it went Sami’s way, and you think he’d be thrilled about it. Sami is, really, because he’s going to Mania. But Sami doesn’t feel good about this. He doesn’t. That is the truth. Then quit yapping and do the right thing, Sami! The fans cheer Melo, and Sami looks to the Mania sign. Trick points to his watch. Any time now, Sami. The fans cheer Melo, and Sami says, “Alright. Carmelo, you want your rematch?”

Sami still looks to the Mania sign while the fans fire up. Sami says FINE, Melo’s got it! Sami will give it to Melo tonight, in St. Louis! If Melo wins, then it is Melo VS Trick at Mania. But if Sami wins, then it is Sami VS Trick, and that’s the last he wants to hear about this. They good? Melo says they’re good. The match is made for tonight, and Trick says that took forever. They could’ve saved five minutes. But Sami LARIATS Trick up and out! The fans boo but Yachty bails out fast. Sami is about to snap, but will he take out his frustrations on Melo tonight? Or will that spot on Mania belong to H1M?

MFT regroups backstage.

Soo questions why Tama let Howdy just take the lantern! Why!? Is Tama got some kind of plan? Tama shouts that he HAD to! This business is done. That stupid lantern was tearing them all apart. Now, they get back to real business: taking over SmackDown, and taking all the titles! Solo agrees there. They’ll finish the Wyatts, and then they’ll get back to business. They good? Tama says yeah, they’re good. Solo still glances over his shoulder as he leads the way out, will MFT make it through one last fight with the Wyatts?

Matt Cardona VS Aleister Black w/ Zelina Vega!

The Complete is #AlwayZReady, but he’s not quite 100%. Will Cardona overcome what’s holding him back to rise up the ranks? Or will he simply #FadeToBlack?

SmackDown returns and Cardona makes his entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They feel things out, Aleister rolls to pick a leg, then he goes for the bad arm. Cardona slips free, the two reset, and they circle again. Cardona kicks low, headlocks, but Aleister powers up and rolls free. Cardona comes back to arm-drag Aleister! The bad arm keeps him from doing more, and Aleister smirks as as the two reset. Aleister wants that arm but Cardona knows it, and he KNEES low! Cardona bumps Aleister off buckles, then blocks a kick, but Aleister reels him in for another KNEE! Cardona staggers, but he puts Aleister in another corner.

Cardona ROCKS Aleister, whips him to ropes, but Aleister fights the backdrop to WRING the bad arm! Aleister stomps Cardona, drops KNEES on the arm, then stomps the hand! Aleister clamps onto the arm but Cardona fights with knees of his own. Aleister CLUBS the arm, then he wrangles Cardona to a top wristlock. Cardona endures, fights up, and he arm-drags free to DROPKICK Aleister down! Aleister goes to ropes, but Cardona LARIATS Aleister up and out! The fans rally as Cardona then WRECKS Aleister with a dropkick! The fans rally as Cardona stalks Aleister. Aleister kicks but Cardona ducks it, then KNEES low!

Cardona SMACKS Aleister off the apron, then puts him in the ring. Cardona ROCKS Aleister, bumps him off buckles, but Zelina distracts Cardona. Aleister sweeps the legs! Cardona hits apron then floor, and Aleister is back in control while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again as Cardona BOOTS Aleister from the ropes. Cardona reels Aleister in, but Aleister wrenches out. Cardona ducks a shot to SPINEBUSTER back! Both men are down and the fans rally up again. Cardona rises up first, even as Zelina tells the fans to shut up. Aleister stirs, stands, and storms over, but Cardona ELBOWS him away. Cardona fires shots, blocks one, but that just hurts the bad arm! Aleister whips but Cardona uses that to SMASH Aleister off the mat! Cardona runs up to LARIAT in the corner, then he goes up, up, but has to leap over as Aleister runs in! Cardona kicks low, underhooks, but Aleister fights free!

Aleister JUMP KNEES Cardona, suplexes, but Cardona lands out to make it a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up while Cardona goes to the corner. “WOO WOO WOO!” BROSKI BOOT! The fans fire up as Cardona pushes Aleister to a cover, TWO! Cardona grows frustrated, but he waits on Aleister. Cardona runs in, but Aleister counters Rough Ryder with a FLAPJACK onto buckles! Aleister puts Cardona up but Cardona throws down forearms! Aleister GAMANGIRIS, then he goes up after Cardona! Cardona fires body shots and he GOURD BUSTERS Aleister! Then the MISSILE DROPKICK! Underhooks and TIGER DRIVER! Cover, TWO!!

The fans rally hard as Cardona watches Aleister go to the corner again. “WOO WOO WOO!” BROSKI- NO, Aleister dodges and JUMP KNEES! Then a suplex for the BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! But Aleister clamps onto the bad arm! But Cardona rolls through! Aleister KICKS the arm, Cardona fires back, and they trade forearms! Aleister fires a strike fest, then goes for the arm. Cardona fires a flurry of forearms, ROCKS Aleister, but Aleister blocks a kick! The ROLLING ELBOW still hits! BUT SO DOES BLACK MASS!! Cover, Aleister wins!

Winner: Aleister Black, by pinfall

It was a hard fought match from a wounded Broski, but The Dark Father still stands tall. Will all of SmackDown have no choice but to #FadeToBlack?

Backstage interview with #BayLyra.

Cathy Kelley is with Bayley & Lyra Valkyria and says tonight, they face just one of the teams they face at WrestleMania in the Women’s Tag Team Championship Fatal 4 Way. Cathy asks Bayley how meaningful WrestleMania is this year with how she was robbed of that moment last year. Bayley says obviously, losing out on last year sucked, but she built a career off fighting with her back against the wall. Tonight, Charlotte & Alexa pay for taking that opportunity of Bayley & Lyra winning the tag titles on Monday, and for keeping them from walking into Mania with the tag titles! Tonight, Charlexa get a little taste of what happens in Vegas.

Lyra says she just wants to add, Charlotte & Alexa, their friendship is surface level. If they’d been through any of what Lyra & Bayley have been through, they wouldn’t be teaming today. And this Mania is more than just friendship or even the gold. This is about making up for what happened last year, and making everything they’ve been through worth it. Cathy wishes them luck and BayLyra heads out. Will the Role Model & Morrigan make The Queen & Lil’ Miss Bliss an example to the Bella Twins and the Irresistible Forces?

R-Truth talks with Candice LeRae & Johnny Gargano.

Truth says we don’t even know if Johnny was asleep or praying, but Aldis doesn’t like people just laying around on the job. Honestly, Truth thought Johnny was dead. Candice says no, Johnny is alive. And tomorrow night, NXT Stand & Deliver, you are looking at the NEW NXT North American Champion! Candice wants Johnny to tell ’em, and Johnny says tomorrow night, “Johnny Wrestling” is back! The best is yet to come. Truth says okay, go do it! Priest then walks in and says there are a lot of great teams on SmackDown. Truth chose their first defense to be Miz & Kit? Why? That’s easy, dawg: those two are cursed! Cursed? Yeah, Asuka did it last week!

Asuka? Yeah, she cursed them both last week! Um, Asuka’s on Raw… Then who’s that little girl running around with the face paint? Wait, Danhausen? No, that’s Asuka! Priest sorts this out: Truth gave an undeserving team, that challenged them, a tag title match because Danhausen- Asuka… cursed them? Yes! Now Priest’s got it! No, he didn’t. It’ll be easy, man! Like taking candy from a baby. Plus, St. Louis needs to see it is Wepa Time! Okay, curse or not, something bad is about to happen to them boys. Priest is gonna get ready. Okay, just watch out for Asuka! Truth’s confusion aside, will he and Priest really have an easy time with #MizKit?

Drew McIntyre speaks.

“I had my moment right in front of me. Shakespeare couldn’t have written it any better. It was perfect. Family was gonna see me walk out of WrestleMania as the Undisputed WWE Champion. A moment that was once stolen from me. But this time it was stolen again, by Jacob Fatu. I heard what you had to say earlier, Jacob. What’d I hear? Excuses, justifications, lies! You’re still nothing more than a criminal, a thief. People can change. I’ve seen people change. But you have not change, you will never change, you will never be nothing more than a pathetic, dirty convict!

“You’re only here because of your family, the same family that made my life an absolute living hell! The nepo-criminal of the family, you might just be the worst one of all. You can’t outrun your past, man. Next week, I’m gonna prove beyond all reasonable doubt that you’re guilty as charged. Next week, I’m gonna show the whole world who Jacob Fatu really is.” The Scottish Terminator has his target, will he execute his mission at WrestleMania?

Charlexa VS BayLyra!

The Queen & Lil’ Miss Bliss know everyone questions their friendship, but the proof is in the proverbial pudding from their previous reign as tag team champions. Will they be primed and ready for that tag team Fatal 4 Way in Las Vegas? Or will the Role Model & Morrigan lead by example?

The teams sort out, but then the teams just brawl! The bell rings as Charlotte RAMS Lyra into a corner and CHOPS while Alexa and Bayley scrap! Those two tumble out of the ring while Charlotte ROCKS and whips Lyra. Lyra CROSSBODIES, then rains down forearms! Charlotte pushes free, kicks low, and whips Lyra to a corner. Lyra goes up, over, and keeps moving to WHEEL KICK! The fans cheer while Lyra covers, TWO! Lyra brings Charlotte up, but Charlotte breaks free! Lyra dodges, cartwheels through the hip toss, then ENZIGIRIS! Alexa tags in, Charlotte clinches Lyra for a BACKBREAKER and BUCKLE SHOT!

Alexa pushes Lyra out to then go up and FLYING DDT! The fans fire up for that, and Charlexa poses, while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Alexa drags Lyra up, brings her around, and bumps her off buckles. Alexa tags Charlotte back in, mocks the old wacky waving inflatable arm-flailing tube men before she stomps away on Lyra. The ref counts, Charlotte stops to flex, then she drags Lyra up to tag Alexa. Charlotte holds Lyra for Alexa to CHOP, and Alexa CHOPS again! Cover, TWO! Alexa keeps Lyra down, then brings her around into a chinlock. Lyra endures the grind, even as Alexa leans on her, and Bayley rallies the fans. Lyra rises up, fires body shots, but Alexa THROWS her by her hair! Alexa keeps Lyra from Bayley, then puts her on ropes to stand on her!

The ref counts, Alexa steps off, and she drags Lyra over to tag Charlotte. Charlotte CHOPS Lyra now, then whips her to the corner. Charlotte CHOPS Lyra off her feet, then starts up the strut. Charlotte BLASTS Bayley for good measure before she puts Lyra in the corner. Tag to Alexa, she stomps away on Lyra, then tags Charlotte back in. Charlotte snapmares and headscissors to turn Lyra over. Charlotte THROWS Lyra, then THROWS her again, and again! SmackDown returns to single picture as Charlotte tags Alexa back in. Alexa adds a KNEE DROP, then she keeps Lyra from the corner. Lyra fires forearms but Alexa holds on!

The fans rally as Lyra ROCKS Alexa, but Alexa guzels for the STO! Then Alexa adds INSULT2INJURY, but misses on the senton! Hot tag to Charlotte and she keeps Lyra back! The fans rally as Lyra hops, hops, and ROCKS Charlotte! Charlotte still anchors a leg! Lyra fights up, ROCKS Charlotte again, but still can’t get away! Lyra fires more forearms, but Charlotte CHOPS her down! Charlotte whips Lyra to the corner, but Lyra goes up to BLAST Alexa! Then a CROSSBODY for Charlotte! Lyra crawls, hot tag to Bayley! Bayley LARIATS Charlotte, slips around, and SAIDOS! Then she chases Charlotte to a corner to fire off haymakers and stomps!

The fans cheer as Bayley runs, blocks a kick, and KNEES Charlotte! Bayley puts Charlotte in the ropes, goes up, and STOCK DROP! Shoutout to The Boss and the fans cheer Bayley’s SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMB! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Bayley is frustrated but she drags Charlotte to center. Bayley then goes to the corner and climbs up top! The fans cheer, but Charlotte is up! Charlotte ROCKS Bayley, CHOPS her, then climbs up to join her! Bayley hits back, Charlotte CHOPS again, and Charlotte lifts Bayley! Bayley fights the suplex, they both fire body shots, but Lyra anchors Bayley! Charlotte falls from the corner! Lyra then trips Alexa up!

The fans rally as Bayley climbs, aims, and MACHO ELBOWS! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte survives and Lyra protests! Bayley is frustrated but she drags Charlotte up. Bayley tags Lyra, then fireman’s carries. Lyra goes up, ROLLING NECKBREAKER SAMOAN DROP COMBO! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte survives and Lyra is beside herself! The fans rally up as Lyra brings Charlotte around. Charlotte shoves free, but Lyra BOOTS back! Lyra goes up, up, and PERE-  NO, Charlotte stops the Turn of Fortune to have the FIGURE FOUR! Then FIGURE EIGHT!! But Bayley CLOBBERS Charlotte! Bayley drags Lyra to safety, but Alexa SHOTGUNS her down!

Cahrlotte drags Lyra to the other corner, Alexa tags in, and Alexa goes up! Lyra hobbles but Alexa leaps, only for Lyra to catch her! The fans fire up for the feat of strength! Fireman’s carry and- NO, Alexa slips free, clinches, but she ducks as Bayley runs up! Charlotte BOOTS Bayley down! But Lyra rolls Alexa up! Alexa rolls through to DECK Lyra! The fans fire up as Charlexa coordinates! They run, BLOCKBUSTER NATURAL SELECTION IN STEREO! Cover, Charlexa wins!

Winners: Charlexa, by pinfall

But then Lash Legend is here and she DECKS Alexa! And SPLASHES down on Lyra! Nia CLOBBERS Charlotte and Bayley! The fans boo but Lash sends Alexa into a corner. Nia puts Bayley in for Lash to PUMP THE BRAKES! The champs celebrate, then DOUBLE SPLASH Alexa and Lyra! Then they focus on Bayley! Lash reels Bayley in, thrashes her around in the bearhug, and Nia goes up! IRRESISTIBLE LEG DROP!! Nia & Lash demolish the competition, will nothing stop them when the gold is on the line?

The Miz & Kit Wilson gear up backstage.

The Miz says he told you so! This whole curse was a myth. Think about it: If they were cursed, how’d they get the tag title match? The universe corrects itself every single time. Curse? What curse? DANHAUSEN appears! And he asks if they mentioned a curse. Miz says no. And what is in that jar? Human teeth, obviously! Anyway, Danhausen wants to come down to the ring with them so that he can learn live and person, how to MIZ. Kit says WAKE UP, Danhausen, “you spooky lil’ goblin.” Danhausen is TOXIC! Oh, well, uh, if he did go to the ring with them, he could uncurse them, and then they could win the tag team gold!

Wait, he can undo the curse? Of course! A curse on a curse is like a double negative. Miz says stay away or they will make Danhausen’s life miserable! Because when Miz & Kit win the tag titles, you can take that curse and- Wait, where’d he go? Is there such a thing as a Danhausen curse? Or will Priest & Truth win because they’re just that much better?

WWE Tag Team Championships: Damian Priest & R-Truth VS The Miz & Kit Wilson!

SmackDown returns as The Miz makes his entrance, followed by Kit Wilson. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see which team is truly awesome!

The teams sort out, and while Miz talks trash on his former Awesome Truth teammate, Kit sucker punches Truth! The fans boo but Kit UPPERCUTS Truth, UPPERCUTS again, then whips. Truth grabs ropes to stop himself, then he breaks it down with the hot moves! Truth then UPPERCUTS in return, and again, and wrenches. Kit kicks low, whips Truth to the corner, then he UPPERCUTS! Tag to Miz and Miz stomps a mudhole in. The ref counts, Miz ROCKS Truth, then CLUBS him! Miz soaks up heat, taunts Priest, then goes back to Truth. Miz whips, Truth ducks ‘n’ dodges, and start sup the CENA SHOULDER TACKLES!

The fans cheer as #RonCena hits the SPIN-OUT BOMB! And then Truth says “You Can’t See Me!” But Miz UP KICKS Truth away! Kit then HOTSHOTS Truth, and Miz BOOTS Truth down! The fans boo but the ref keeps Miz back. This lets Kit UPPERCUT Truth down! Kit roars, Priest protests, but SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again as Truth whips Miz, but Miz reverses. Miz runs up but Truth BOOTS him away! Truth runs up, but into a full nelson! Truth arm-drags free, then does the splits to dodge! Hot tag to Priest! The Archer of Infamy rallies on Miz, then dodges Kit for a FLAPJACK! Clinch and FLATLINER for Miz! The fans fire up as Priest ELBOWS Kit in one corner, ELBOWS Miz in the other, then CLOBBERS Kit! Priest wrenches Miz, goes up the corner, and he goes Old School for the CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Priest powers up the arm. Priest runs and hits the COMEBACKER! Cover, Kit flies in and breaks it!

Kit CLUBS away on Priest, then TURN- NO, Priest powers up and out to then SPINNING ROUNDHOUSE! The fans fire up as Priest tags Truth! Priest then LEAPING LARIATS Kit down! Truth says, “What’s Up?!” He fireman’s carries Miz, but Miz slips free to shove Truth to ropes! Truth ducks ‘n’ dodges, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! The fans fire up while everyone is down, and here comes Danhausen~! The fans cheer as the Very Nice, Very Evil Overlord makes his way to the ring! Danhausen goes onto the apron, fires the fans up more, and he wants to tag in?! Miz sees it’s Danhausen and not Kit, and he gets mad!

The fans cheer for Miz to do it anyway, but Miz says GO AWAY! Danhausen says that’s rude. The fans boo, but Danhausen holds the tag rope. That’s not the problem! Truth rises up, and he tags in Danhausen! The fans fire up as Danhausen runs around the ring! But Miz just spins Danhausen around and tells him to get outta here! Danhausen says instead, “YOU! ARE! CURSED!!” The ref?!? Miz used the ref as a shield?! The fans boo and Danhausen apologizes, but Miz full nelsons Danhausen! But then the lights go out! And when they come back up, Danhausen is on the ramp! The fans cheer as now Truth has Kit in a fireman’s carry! ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!

But then Miz has Truth! SKULL CRUSHING FINALE!! Cover, but the ref’s arm cramps! The curse hits! Truth hot tags Priest! The fans are thunderous as Priest guzels Miz, to go SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, and the ref uses his other arm to count! Priest & Truth win!

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

Priest & Truth make it through their first defense of these titles, with maybe some help from a certain curse or two. But as if losing like this isn’t bad enough, CODY RHODES SNATCHES KIT! CROSS RHODES!! The American Nightmare is pissed, and he grabs a mic to shout, “We got all dressed up in St. Louis tonight to find out who Randy Orton was talking to on the phone! And color me surprised, it was PAT MCAFEE! That’s like if Scott Hall and Kevin Nash talked about the third man in the NWO, and instead of Hulk Hogan, it was DISCO INFERNO!” Disco catching strays…

But Cody tells Pat, “You stoner, drifter, Logan Paul without muscles, human hat-rack, fly-by-night!” Cody promises there’s a receipt, and boy he felt it! He should have, Pat is a former NFL punter! But Pat, you and everyone who represents you, and Cody knows who he’s talking to, can KISS HIS ASS!! The fans cheer that! Cody mockingly asks if that’s too far. They gonna fire him?! Sure worked out for WWE last time! Oh…! That’s what Randy wants for his legacy? For number 15?! St. Louis’s own?! Cody’s mentor, his hero! When John Cena was the angel on Cody’s shoulder, Orton was the devil on the other!

It is simple: Orton keeps saying this isn’t personal! Even Stephanie McMahon, someone Cody loves and respects, comes out and tells Cody he needs to be able to go to that dark place, he has to become a bad guy to win! Cody hears it! Dark hair, the dark suit, the whole thing! But the truth is, better than his excuse, Cody doesn’t know if he knows how to do it anymore! He’s got two kids, working a dream job in front of the fans here tonight, and that’s what Orton wants? Pat tagging all these sites that only exist because WWE IS hot right now! And you talk about Cody coming back to Dallas, to LA, records after records! Philly, that’s a record! Vegas, that’s a record!

And Cody was wrestling Roman Reigns, John Cena, and even The Rock! But make no mistake about it, they were also wrestling CODY! The fans cheer that! Cody looks to the Mania sign as he says, “It’s as simple as this: It’s a wrestling match with 20 years of history, with the two very best wrestlers to do it! And I am hearing it. I am. I am hearing those voices inside my head finally! But you don’t wanna hear what they have to say.” Cody drops the mic after turning up the heat, will he and Orton burn it down in Sin City?

WWE United States Championship: Sami Zayn VS Carmelo Hayes!

#BigMatchSami wanted his championship win celebrated, but he just ended up aggravated after being moment-sniped by Trick Williams and then confronted for a rematch by H1M. Sami gave in, and the winner here will go on to defend this title at WrestleMania! Will Sami hold onto the spot he managed to fill? Or will Melo and Trick continue their storied rivalry on the Grandest Stage of Them All?

SmackDown returns, and Trick makes his entrance again to again snipe Sami’s spotlight. Trick does a dance on the commentary desk with his lemon pepper steppers before Melo makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who heads for Las Vegas!

The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally for Melo as the two tie up, but Sami puts Melo in the corner. Sami backs off slowly as the ref counts, and the two reset. They tie up, Sami goes for an arm, and he wrenches to a wristlock. Melo rolls, wrenches, and he wristlocks back. Melo hammerlocks then headlocks, but Sami powers up and out. Sami drops down, hurdles over, but Melo comes back to waistlock. Sami elbows free, then runs, but Melo drops down to hurdle over. Melo DROPKICKS Sami down and the fans fire up! Melo stalks Sami to a corner, CHOPS him, and the fans “WOO~!” Melo bumps Sami off buckles, then CHOPS again!

The fans rally for Melo but also chant for “Whoop Dat Trick!” But Sami turns things around to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP! The fans boo but Sami climbs up to rain down fists! Melo slips under at 6 and YANKS Sami down! Melo then climbs up, and he rains down fists while fans cheer! Melo goes way past TEN to about FIFTEEN! The fans fire up, Melo hops down, and he whips Sami to ropes. Sami reverses but Melo ducks ‘n’ dodges, only for Sami to LARIAT! Cover, ONE!! Melo toughs it out but Sami covers again, ONE! And again, ONE! Melo facelocks to stop the covers, but Sami ROCKS him! Sami huffs ‘n’ puffs as he looms over Melo.

Sami stands Melo up, wrenches and YANKS the arm, then he wrenches again. Sami whips Melo to ropes, but Melo springboards for the FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up and Melo runs at the corner to forearm smash! Melo whips corner to corner, but he blocks boots and puts Sami in the ropes! ENZIGIRI, and then the FADE AWAY JUMPER! Cover, ONE!! Sami toughs it out but Melo tells Trick he’ll see him at Mania. The fans rally as Melo builds speed, and Melo FLIES to take down Sami! Melo clutches his leg and hobbles up, did Melo mess himself up? Melo checks the leg while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Melo clutches the knee, massages it, but that lets Sami crawl to the apron. Melo pursues, but that leg still bothers him. Trick isn’t sure what to make of it, but Melo rolls in. Melo hobbles but he storms up to CHOP Sami! Sami goes to another corner, Melo follows, and he CHOPS again! Sami goes to another corner, Melo storms up, but Sami kicks low! Sami CLUBS and stomps away on Melo, but stops as the ref counts. Melo clutches his leg while Sami huffs ‘n’ puffs. Sami brings Melo back around to CHOP him down! Sami paces, then he ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Melo toughs it out but Sami covers again, TWO! Melo has a cover now, TWO!

Sami uses a chinlock to bring Melo around, and he fires off crossface forearms! Melo flounders to a corner but Sami pursues. Sami stands Melo up, but Melo CHOPS! Sami goes to a corner, Melo runs up, but into an ELBOW! Sami goes up, aims, and he has to BOOT Melo away again! Sami then reels Melo in, for a TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Sami grows frustrated as Melo survives. Melo goes to another corner, Sami storms his way over, and Sami CHOPS! Melo pie faces Sami, but Sami CHOPS! Melo eggs Sami on, so Sami fires a flurry of forearms! Melo fires back! The shots keep going, and Sami CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS!

SmackDown returns to single picture as Sami stomps Melo down. The ref counts, Sami stops at 4, and he CHOPS again. Melo hobbles and falls as he heads for the fourth corner, but Sami looks to the Mania sign. Sami stands Melo up, but Melo ROCKS him! And CHOPS him! And repeat! The fans rally as Melo whips, but Sami reverses. Melo ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl, DIRTY DIANA! Cover, TWO! The bad leg held Melo back but the fans still rally behind H1M. Melo looks to the Mania sign now, and he rises up again. Melo waits on Sami, then runs up, FIRST- NO, Sami denies the 48! Then he clinches to EXP- NO, Melo victory rolls it! TWO!!

Melo and Sami both stagger to their feet, and Melo clinches, But Sami uses that to CORNER EXPLODER! The fans boo but Sami goes to the far corner. Sami aims, runs up, but into a SUPERKICK! Melo leaves Sami to flop over so he can climb up a corner! Melo aims for a FROG SPLASH! But the bad leg holds him back on the cover! TWO, and Sami ghost pins! TWO!! Both men are down after a close call! The fans rally up as Sami lifts Melo. Melo fights Blue Thunder with elbows, then goes to run, Sami reels him in for BLUE- NO! Melo snapmares free, then FIRST 48! Melo hurries up the corner, aims again, NOTHING- NO, Sami dodges!

Melo flounders from the pain in his leg! The ref checks with Melo, but Melo insists he can continue. Sami wants after Melo but the ref has him hold on. Sami is conflicted, he just gave us the speech about taking advantage of vulnerabilities… Melo manages to stand, and Sami takes aim! Sami runs in, HELLUVA KICK!! Cover, SAMI WINS!

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

Sami celebrates his victory, but could this be hypocrisy? Sami didn’t like how he won last week, but he doesn’t seem bothered by this one! Yachty has the music cut so that he and Trick can step into the ring. Congrats, Sami, you’re going to WrestleMania. In two weeks, we get a United States Championship match with the coolest, Trick Williams~! VS Gingerbread Man, Sami Zayn. And then Trick SUCKER PUNCHES Sami! The fans are torn, but Trick stomps away on Sami! Yachty helps stand Sami up for the TRICK SHOT!! Yachty picks up the belt for his guy, but will Trick take ownership of it soon enough? Or will Sami find another way to win when it matters most?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown here, though it seems WWE is gonna keep the Go-Home Syndrome going with all the different Raw recaps they fit here and there. That aside, great builds in tonight’s stories, especially this Undisputed Championship story. Pat McAfee being Orton’s guy is certainly a surprise, and Pat himself pulled off everything expertly tonight. Pat framing this as “WWE is bad because it forgot where it came from” is certainly an interesting move, but there were fans in St. Louis that agreed with the sentiment. I just wonder if certain other choices (Kevin Owens? Ric Flair? Triple H?) just weren’t going to work out. Kevin Owens is perhaps not 100% ring ready, Ric is old, and HHH is the boss man, he can’t show even kayfabe favoritism right now.

Cody’s response later was great, especially with the reference to AEW and Dark Cody, but at the same time, did Cody not get violent and wild with AJ Styles in their feud? So Cody CAN go to that dark place, he just needs to be pushed there, and he’s getting there. Speaking of being pushed there, Fatu and Drew both had very good promos, and it makes sense if now, finally, after all the chaos, they’ve been kayfabe isolated from each other so that the match can even still happen, despite it being “unsanctioned.”

Kit Wilson & The Miz might really be cursed with how Kit caught that stray from Cody. Hilarious stuff with Danhausen in the tag title match, though, such as the ref being “cursed.” This is a great first defense for Truth & Priest, but it doesn’t seem like they’re going to be on the Mania card at this point. Maybe they put something on the go-home SmackDown instead. For that matter, are we still getting Jellyhausen VS MizKit? Maybe not after Jelly Roll took that RKO… Maybe it’ll be more like Jelly being in Cody’s corner now that Pat is in Randy’s, so that each top tier wrestler has a celebrity friend…?

Good promo from Bayley & Lyra but it is perhaps beneath them to question the Charlexa friendship. Still a great tag match, and someone actually getting a clean win was surprising. But of course Nia & Lash attack after because duh, that’s what they do. The Bella Twins weren’t here because Nikki tweaked an ankle during a roll-up spot last week. Commentary noted it, Nikki’s rehabbing to make sure she’s okay by Mania, and I certainly hope she’s okay. Rhea VS Michin was a very good match, and this was another surprise because it was a clean win for Rhea. Iyo making the save was also a surprise, because I was thinking it was Iyo, Kairi and Asuka for Mania now. At the same time, Rhea needed allies, and no one else on SmackDown was gonna work.

Good stuff from Cardona and Aleister, mostly their match, and good win for Aleister given Cardona was selling bad arm. If Chelsea was healthy, they could have her team with Cardona against Aleister & Zelina, and the fans would love it. But then Cardona & Chelsea would automatically have to win because the fans love them (or at least Chelsea) too much for anything else, and that doesn’t help Aleister & Zelina as they replace Karrion Kross & Scarlett. For that matter, what’s going on with the Women’s US Championship? Tiff VS Giulia gonna happen for the go-home? Or is WWE gonna wait for Chelsea to be healthy and do a Triple Threat at Backlash?

Good stuff in the MFT-Wyatts story, and thankfully, that lantern is finally home with the Wyatts. Howdy VS Tama was a great match, even with Solo “ruining” it. Solo insisting they have one final match with the Wyatts is a bit annoying, but I suppose something has to act as a blowoff. I’m just thinking Solo kicks Tama out of MFT during that match, letting him take the loss for them. Though, it’d be pretty wild if the others chose Tama over Solo since Tama, Talla & Loa are family and Solo is just the guy they’re following. JC Mateo could probably stick with the others, too, and finally bring out more of the “Jeff Cobb” that got him to WWE in the first place.

And great stuff with the US Championship, and the ongoing story of Sami’s internal conflict between Face and Heel. It might just be me, but I’m surprised the fans have turned on Sami so quickly. Maybe it’s because Sami was so conflicted and he couldn’t just stand up for himself against Cody, and now he’s just getting in the way of Trick and Melo. Trick had a great promo with Yachty to “ruin” things for Sami, and then Melo wanting his match was great. I personally thought there was going to be grounds for a Triple Threat, but Sami giving Melo his match here was perhaps the right choice.

Sami then chooses the win over his morals, which is good for the story. Trick standing tall also works in story, he’s solidly Heel and he was doing what a Heel would do. Makes me think Sami turns Heel at Mania as he cheats to keep the title. This take on Heel Sami would be great, like he could pull off Fake Face better than Cody did in AEW.

My Score: 8.7/10