SmackDown has arrived in Barcelona!

While we’re 48 hours away from a Clash In Italy, SmackDown is in Spain, and Axiom has a homecoming match against The Miz!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Jade Cargill w/ The Baddies VS Alexa Bliss w/ Charlotte Flair & Rhea Ripley; Jade wins.
• The Miz VS Axiom w/ Nathan Frazer; Axiom wins.
• Damian Priest & Royce Keys VS Tama Tonga & Talla Tonga w/ Solo Sikoa; Tama & Talla win.
• Sami Zayn VS Matt Cardona; Sami wins.
• Carmelo Hayes VS Ricky Saints; Double Count-Out Draw.
• Chelsea Green VS Nia Jax w/ Lash Legend; Chelsea wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Jade Cargill is here!

The Storm has arrived in Barcelona, and the fans boo as she and her Baddies, Mia Yim & B-Fab, make their way to the ring. They all get a mic, and Jade has them cut her music. The fans boo more but Jade says that’s right, Barcelona! Soak it all in! The fans chant “WERA! WERA!” B-Fab says callete! Tu madre! Jade says she is so confused. They act like she’s got something to prove. She doesn’t ask for permission, she is Jade Cargill, one of one! They’re just mad she does what she wants. The fans chant STFU but Fab says that’s what Jade does, cuz that’s what’ll happen on Sunday! Jade will beat Rhea Ripley, because Jade is the most dominant!

Mia says the future isn’t coming, the future is now! But then RHEA RIPLEY is here! Barcelona fires up for Mami as she and the WWE Women’s Championship head to the ring. The fans cheer Rhea on while she gets a mic of her own, then steps into the ring. The fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” for Rhea, but Jade pretends to yawn. Rhea tells Jade, “Every single week, you come out here and try to throw around your dominance, acting like 90% of your success isn’t from you using people to make yourself look better. And the detail that you continue to forget is that when it’s just and me in this ring, I beat you.”

The fans cheer, and Rhea says she beat Jade at WrestleMania, and this Sunday, she’ll beat Jade again! So Jade can continue to throw around her self-proclaimed dominance, because when the match is done, Jade will be looking up at the TRUE champion! The fans cheer as Rhea holds up the belt, but Jade asks if Rhea can hear how stupid she sounds. Rhea really thinks this division revolves around her? No, no, no, these women Rhea talk about are with Jade because they want part of the power. And Rhea is so damn weak that she’s willing to work with women who don’t even like her! The fans still tell Jade off, but wait! Here comes Charlotte Flair!

The fans cheer as The Queen steps out in mint green, gets her pyro, and then is joined by Alexa Bliss! The fans cheer even more now that #Charlexa walks down to the ring to reinforce Rhea. Charlotte says “WOO~” and the fans respond in kind. Charlotte says okay, Jade, talking like you’re a Hall of Famer or something. You’ve been here, what? Five minutes? Charlotte respects how far Jade’s come, but don’t confuse her hype for actual accomplishments. Fab says they have some nerve speaking to the future champion like that. Charlotte says, “Listen, princess. If I wanted input from one of Jade’s accessories, I’d just ask.”

Alexa adds that Jade keeps talking about being the future, but make sure the future accomplishes something before lecturing them. Now, Jade has the ego of a legend, but against them, she has the resume of a rookie. Excuse me, little girl! Jade will not talk down to Charlotte’s ragdoll. Alexa says word of advice, she gives the people that go against her a warning, so this is her one warning. Alexa has been in the ring and on the mic against women way better than Jade, do not make her embarrass you before your career’s even started. Fab & Mia calm Jade down, and Nick Aldis says ladies, pardon the interruption.

The fans cheer the SmackDown GM as he says if they’re all as confident as they claim to be and looking for a fight as badly as they claim to want, then Barcelona, let’s stop talking about it and let’s be about it! Let’s get a ref, and let’s get Jade VS Alexa AHORA! RIGHT NOW! The fans cheer for that! But will Alexa find a way to humble Jade before Clash In Italy? Or will #ThatB1tch pop a “Blisster” tonight?

Jade Cargill w/ The Baddies VS Alexa Bliss w/ Charlotte Flair & Rhea Ripley!

SmackDown returns, the bell rings, and the fans cheer “ALE~XA!” Jade runs up, Alexa dodges to kick and fire forearms! Jade shoves, but Alexa dodges a boot to jump on! SLEEPER! Jade THROWS Alexa off, Alexa bails out, but the ref has the Baddies back off. The fans rally up, Alexa storms up to the apron, but then drops back as Jade runs up. Jade is annoyed, she gives chase, but Alexa slides back into the ring. The fans cheer Alexa on as Jade storms in, and Alexa fires hands! Alexa ROCKS and runs, but Jade catches her to TOSS her to the corner! Jade runs up, Alexa dodges to then HOTSHOT Jade down!

Alexa goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES, but Jade catches her with ease! SWINGING BACKBREAKER! The fans boo as Alexa writhes but Jade soaks up heat. Jade stomps Alexa, stands her up and whips her to the corner. Jade runs up but into an ELBOW! Alexa BOOTS Jade, goes up the corner, but Jade ROCKS her first! Jade military presses Alexa, carries Alex around, then DROPS Alexa! Jade flexes, then she drags Alexa around to ELBOW FLOP as Alexa moves! Alexa goes to ropes, Jade runs up, and Alexa DUMPS Jade out! Then kicks her from the apron! The fans rally as Alexa leaps, but Jade stops the rana! BARRIER BOMB!

The fans boo as Alexa flops down, and Jade tells Charlotte & Rhea to “SUCK IT!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Jade stalks Alexa while Charlotte rallies for her, but Jade drags Alexa up. Jade whips Alexa hard into barriers, then soaks up heat while she just vibes. Jade drags Alexa up again, SMACKS her off the apron, then tells the ref to calm down. Jade puts Alexa in the ring, stomps her, then soaks up more heat. Jade CHOKES Alexa on the ropes, stops to argue with the ref, then stalks Alexa to a corner. Jade fires forearms, then digs her boot in! She CHOKES Alexa, but stops at 4 as the ref counts. Mia talks some trash but Alexa fires body shots on Jade! The fans rally up, Alexa goes to roll up, but Jade stomps Alexa! Jade then whips Alexa to a corner.

Jade soaks up more heat, runs in at Alexa, and ELBOWS! Jade runs corner to corner again, another ELBOW! Jade then reels Alexa in and snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Alexa survives but Jade clamps on with a chinlock. Charlotte rallies the fans and Alexa fights up. Jade leans her weight on the hold, Alexa fires body shots, but Jade CLUBS Alexa down! Jade whips Alexa back to the corner and Alexa hits hard! Jade does push-ups just to taunt Alexa! Jade tells Charlotte to shut up, then she drags Alexa up. Alexa fires more body shots, and SmackDown returns to single picture as she runs, but into another ELBOW!

Jade soaks up more heat before she goes outside. Charlotte & Rhea have to back off while Jade brings Alexa up. APRON FLAPJACK! Jade flexes, the fans boo, but Jade fireman’s carries Alexa. Alexa slips free, shoves and DROPKICKS! Jade hits barriers and the fans fire up again! Jade sputters, Alexa crawls away, but Jade runs up! Alexa dodges, Jade runs into the steel steps! The fans fire up for Alexa as she rolls into the ring. Jade hobbles in, and Alexa KICKS, SLAPS, ROCKS, KNEES, and SHOTGUNS! The fans fire up as Jade ends up on ropes, and Alexa DOUBLE KNEES her in the back! Alexa then YANKS Jade from the ropes, and SENTONS!

Alexa keeps moving, BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Or rather, DOS! The fans rally for Alexa, she brings Jade up, and she clinches! But Jade powers out to shove Alexa away! Alexa ELBOWS Jade, Jade distracts the ref, and Mia trips Alexa up! Well now Charlotte & Rhea go after The Baddies! They all brawl away from ringside and the fans cheer! Jade says that’s fine, her girls have this. But then Alexa KICKS the leg and DDTS Jade down! Alexa drags Jade into the drop zone, then goes up the corner! The fans fire up for Alexa, TWISTED BLISS, but onto knees! Jade takes aim, and BOOTS Alexa down! Then the chicken wings, for JADED!! Cover, Jade wins!

Winner: Jade Cargill, by pinfall

Alexa was close, but not close enough! But The Storm isn’t done, she brings out a chair! The ref reprimands and the fans boo but Jade doesn’t care! She wants to make an example of the five-time Women’s Champion! Jade places the chair down, brings Alexa up, FULL METAL JADED!! The fans boo but Jade pretends she can’t hear them. But then Charlotte & Rhea rush back out here! They run Jade off but the damage is done! Will Rhea get revenge when she and Jade Clash In Italy?

Backstage interview with Cody Rhodes.

Cathy Kelley is with the Undisputed WWE Champion and brings up tonight’s final face-to-face with Gunther. How is Cody feeling after last week? Before Cody can answer, Sami Zayn steps in. Sami asks if Cody has something he wants to say to him. Cody says he has nothing to say to Sami. Oh? Maybe he should! Maybe Cody should start by saying he’s sorry. Sorry? Yeah, Sami didn’t ask to fight his friend, Cody did! And despite all that, after everything that’s happened, what did Sami do when Gunther attacked? Sami had Cody’s back and took care of him! Sami did the right thing by trying to help Cody!

But how’d Cody repay him? A Cross Rhodes like a knife in his back! Cody says seriously, a knife in his back?! Enough, Sami, enough! Cody did something in the confines of a match, and that’s wrong? Sami knows Cody, they’ve been through this before. But then Sami WATCHED Cody get choked out by Gunther! Sami had a choice, didn’t he? Sami walked away! Sami says he wanted to help! Every instinct said help Cody. Sami wanted to, because that is how he’s wired! He’s a good guy! The last REAL good guy around here, apparently! But you wanna know why Sami didn’t help Cody? He realized the right thing then was to leave Cody so that Cody could learn a lesson!

Oh, a lesson? Yes, a lesson Cody needed to learn. Wow, the Last Real Good Guy teaching Cody a lesson. After Cody is done with Gunther, maybe he’ll teach Sami a lesson. Cody storms off, Sami seethes, but he stops from hitting the water bottles. Will the American Nightmare survive Der Ring General to finally get to the bottom of things with Sami?

Nick Aldis talks with Danhausen.

The SmackDown GM needs to check on Alexa, she might be hurt. Sorry that Danhausen’s lab equipment got held up by customs, but he shouldn’t be doing such dangerous experiments anyway. But what is Danhausen to do? To appear in front of the fans, which he is paid for with human moneys. Oh, okay! And what was that about his experiments? To improvise. Yes! Great idea! No, wait, where’s he going? The Miz steps in and says Kit Wilson also got held up by customs. Too much moisturizer. What’s Aldis gonna do about it? Aldis doesn’t know why everyone assumes he has anything to do with European Customs, he just runs this show.

Then manage this show so that they can postpone Miz’s match! Miz isn’t taking Axiom on in his home country without Kit! Well, Kit isn’t in the match, Miz can still wrestle. Wait, is Danhausen lifting an old PC into that boiler room? And a microwave oven? Miz insists that Kit has to be here to watch up close and learn from Miz so that Kit can become a main event player. Yes, well, it sounds like Miz is concerned about needing Kit’s help. Help?! Miz doesn’t need help, he’s the one TWO-TIME Grand Slam Champion, in his prime! Then show us, because… that match is up next.

Miz storms off in a huff, and Aldis says he has to find Danhausen. But he goes in the wrong direction! Will Aldis be able to stop whatever Very Nice, Very Evil experiments are about to happen? Will the Hollywood A-Lister feel like a box office flop here in Barcelona?

The Miz VS Axiom w/ Nathan Frazer!

SmackDown returns as Miz makes his entrance, still taping up as he goes. Then Fraxiom makes their entrance, and the fans fire up for their hometown hero! The bell rings and the fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” again. The two tie up, Miz wrenches and wristlocks, but Axiom rolls, handsprings, and WRINGS Miz out! The fans cheer, but Miz fights up to pull the mask! The ref reprimands, but Miz headlocks and grinds Axiom down. Axiom rolls, pops free, and says “OLE~!” Miz runs up, Axiom dodges to wrench but Miz rolls and kips up to wrench back. Axiom cartwheels free, then things speed up! Axiom catches Miz for a FLAPJACK!

Axiom gets the arms, CATTLE MUTILATION, but Miz turns over. Miz stomps Axiom’s foot, ELBOWS him away, then mocks the cartwheel. The fans boo, but Miz runs up, only for axiom to ELBOW him away! Axiom goes up, FLYING ARM-DRAG, then kip up, but Miz avoids the enzigiri! The fans fire up with Axiom but Miz runs up. Axiom DROPKICKS Miz down! Axiom KICKS Miz again and again, then ENZIGIRIS! Miz tumbles out, Axiom watches him, but Miz says forget this! Miz wants to leave, but Frazer stands in the way! Axiom WRECKS Miz with a dropkick! Axiom puts Miz in, but Miz KICKS the ropes to jam Axiom up!

The fans boo Miz and cheer Axiom, “Si Se Puedes!” but SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Miz KICKS Axiom down, then he soaks up the heat. Axiom gets up to RAM Miz, CHOP him, and CHOP again! Axiom whips, Miz reverses, and Miz kitchen sink KNEES! Then a basement BOOT! Miz smirks as he soaks up more heat, then he goes to Axiom. Miz hears the fans cheering Axiom on, and Axiom fires fast hands! Axiom ROCKS Miz, but Miz catches Axiom to a BACKBREAKER and NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Miz thinks that was a win but no, he can’t count. The fans chant “DOS! DOS! DOS!” Miz HIP DROPS Axiom down, then HIP DROPS again! Miz soaks up heat, then clamps onto Axiom with a chinlock.

Axiom endures, fights up, and he fires body shots. Miz ROCKS Axiom, Axiom staggers away, but Axiom ROCKS Miz! Miz ROCKS Axiom back! Axiom CHOPS Miz! Miz KNEES low! Miz scowls, but Axiom wrenches to CHOP, and he fires off forearms! Axiom whips, SmackDown returns to single picture, and Miz reverses, DOUBLE LARIATS knock both men down! The fans fire up, and Axiom kips up! Axiom fires off on Miz, then kips up to get around, SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! High stack, TWO! Miz survives but the fans fire up for Axiom! Axiom goes to a corner, climbs up top, but has to leap over as Miz runs up!

Axiom wheelbarrows, but he fights the Finale! Miz spins to DDTS! Cover, TWO! Axiom survives and Miz pleads with the ref! The ref defends the count, and the fans cheer, “Si Se Puedes!” Miz hushes the fans so he can fire off IT KICKS! But Axiom blocks one to DRAGON SCREW! The fans fire up again, but Miz wants Axiom to wait. The fans boo that, and Axiom puts Miz’s hands down to STOMP! Axiom KICKS his own kicks, then BUZZSAWS! The fans fire up while Miz is down, and Axiom goes up again! Miz stands into a CROSSBODY! Cover, DOS! But Axiom fires up and the fans are with him! Axiom aims from a corner, GOLDEN- NO, Miz dodges!

Miz hurries to a corner while the fans boo. Miz conducts the choir, then runs up, A-LIST LARIAT! Miz shoves Axiom down, then springboards! But into a TRIANGLE HOLD! And then Axiom shifts around, RINGS OF SATURN! The fans fire up as Miz endures, fights, so Axiom tries a crossface. Miz rolls to a cover, ONE! Axiom RAN- NO, Miz stops the rana to slingshot POWERBOMB! The fans boo but Miz looks to the corner. Miz goes outside to climb up top! The fans boo, but the lights start blinking! This is Danhausen’s doing! Axiom gets Miz, SPANISH FLY here in Spain!! Then GOLDEN RATIO! Cover, Axiom wins!

Winner: Axiom, by pinfall

The fans go wild for Axiom and his homecoming victory! Will Axiom take some of this momentum and prove himself worthy of golden opportunities?

Damian Priest & R-Truth are backstage.

The Archer asks how Truth is doing, and Truth says the doctors did not clear him tonight, either. And if Truth gets physically involved in anything tonight, his deductible is gonna go way up! They ain’t lettin’ nothing slide! Priest says that’s fair, because if MFT gets their hands on Truth, that’ll cost him way more. Truth says that is why he has made the executive decision to get Priest a substitute tag team partner. Priest sighs and he can already guess who. In steps Royce Keys! Truth says hey, D-Bo! Er, Royce! But anyway, Truth talked to Nicky Nick, and the GM agrees, Priest & Royce will team up against MFT to handle business!

Priest says he and TRUTH are the tag champs! If he’s teaming up with anyone against MFT, it’s Truth. He is NOT teaming with anybody. Royce says this is what he told Truth. Priest wants to be the hero! Priest VS The World. Fine, have fun getting jumped tonight. Well, how can Priest trust Royce? Every time Solo Sikoa talks about him, it’s like they go way back! This sounds like a set up! Truth says got him! HE set this up! Okay? Tag tonight and handle MFT! Uh oh, is Priest scared? What? No one said that. Is Priest afraid of MFT? No! Is Royce afraid of MFT? Hell no! Are they afraid to tag together? NO! Are they scared of handling MFT together? NO!

Then go tag together tonight! That’s what’s up! Truth hurries away before the others can respond. Priest and Royce can’t believe they just got mind gamed by Truth! Priest hurries after Truth, Royce just finishes gearing up. Can The Punisher and The Powerhouse put this issue aside to put MFT down?

Sami Zayn complains to Candice LeRae & Johnny Gargano.

He can’t believe what Cody said! Teaching him a lesson. He feels like they’re some of the few people who understand him. Candice says you’re welcome. Oh, sorry, he was really talking to Johnny. Of course… Candice storms off, but Sami knows Johnny knows. You give everything you have and you still get disrespected! the only people who get Sami are Johnny and his Ride or Dies. But then Matt Cardona steps in and asks if Sami is okay. Sami says yeah, he’s fine. Well, it seems like he’s talking to a wall. That’s Johnny Wrestling, okay? Show some respect! Yeah, but between this and the Cody stuff…

Sami stops Cardona there. The Cody stuff? Oh, did Cody send Cardona? No, this isn’t about Cody! This is about Sami! Yeah, things aren’t going Sami’s way! Oh no~! Well, Cardona’s been back five months, things aren’t going his way, either. But he’s not complaining, crying, talking to a corpse, and he’s certainly not being a… Cardona stops himself now, and Sami asks what. Being a what? What was he gonna say? Sami asks how long they’ve known each other and Cardona says a long time. Yeah, so Cardona knows what Sami’s done! How dare Cardona show such disrespect! This is what Sami’s talking about, Johnny! Disrespect from EVERYONE!

Sami cannot let this stand. Let’s do something about this. In the ring, tonight. Oh, well, keep talking to Johnny, Cardona will talk to Aldis. Cardona heads out, he’s #AlwayZReady. But will he make sure Sami understands just how he’s acting soon enough?

Charlotte checks on Alexa.

Alexa gets ice for her head, and medical continues their evaluation. Charlotte steps out into the hall and Rhea is waiting. How is she? Well, how do you think? A lot of pain and pissed off. Quite frankly, so is Charlotte. Next time Charlotte sees Jade… Rhea says don’t worry, she’ll handle Jade. Charlotte says if Rhea doesn’t, she will. Jade has a receipt coming. Rhea nods and heads out. Can Mami beat down #ThatB1tch so Charlotte doesn’t have to?

Damian Priest & Royce Keys VS Tama Tonga & Talla Tonga w/ Solo Sikoa!

A powerful pairing on paper, but only Truth thinks this will work in practice. But can Punisher and Powerhouse focus on their common enemies? Or will the Guerrillas tear them down and be that much closer to the tag titles?

SmackDown returns and Royce makes his entrance. Then MFT makes theirs, the Would-Be Tribal Chief leading the way for his soldiers. The teams sort out and Priest insists. Royce lets Priest start, and Priest steps to Talla. The fans tell Solo off as Priest throws his shirt at Talla. The bell rings, Talla kicks low, and he fires hands! Talla eggs Priest on, HEADBUTTS, then whips. Priest reverses to wrench and CHOP! Talla shakes his head but Priest runs to RAM Talla! Talla rebounds to RUN Priest over! The fans boo but Talla ROCKS Priest! Talla stomps Priest in the corner, then tags Tama. Tama fires hands, then HEADBUTTS!

Priest ROCKS Tama, UPPERCUTS, him, then puts him in the corner for haymakers! Royce tags himself in, and Priest is annoyed but he backs off. Royce ROCKS Tama, but Tama BODY BLOWS and fires forearms! Tama whips but Royce blocks! Royce whips but Tama ducks ‘n’ dodges, only for Royce to scoop and GUT BUSTER! The fans fire up and Royce runs up, SPLASH in the corner! Then another SPLASH! Royce whips Tama back in, runs up, but into a BOOT! Tama runs up, but into a SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up and Royce waits on Tama. Tama stands, Royce POUNCES! Tama tumbles out but Talla storms in!

Priest intercepts, but Talla guzels first! Royce ROCKS Talla to bail Priest out. Priest & Royce fire hands on Talla, and they DUMP Talla out! Talla is furious, Royce eggs him on, and Priest nods some respect while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Solo has Talla calm down, and Tama CLOBBERS Royce from behind! Talla then drags Priest out of the ring to throw him into steel steps! Tama rains down fists on Royce, then storms around. The ref reprimands Talla & Solo but Talla tags in. Talla CHOKES Royce on the ropes, but the ref counts. Talla stops at 4, Solo says Royce can stop this if he joins up, but the ref has Solo back off. Talla stands Royce up to HEADBUTT, then he whips corner to corner. Talla runs up and SPLASHES, then he scoops for a fireman’s carry, and RUNNING SAMOAN DROP! Talla roars and soaks up the heat. Talla also taunts Priest while Solo sits at ringside.

Royce fires body shots, then runs, but Talla ELBOWS him down! Talla drags Royce by a leg, Royce kicks at him, but Tama tags in. Tama slingshots to SENTON! Tama then rains down fists on Royce, then runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Tama paces around, Royce fires body shots, but Tama CLUBS him again and again! Tama snarls, then he steps on Royce’s hand. Tag to Talla, and Talla steps in and stomps Royce! Royce sits up but Talla stomps him again. Talla clamps onto Royce, puts on the pressure, but Royce endures. Royce fights around as SmackDown returns to single picture. The fans rally harder and harder, and Royce fires body shots!

Talla UPPERCUTS Royce, puts him in the corner, but Royce dodges the splash! Tama tags in, he CLOBBERS Royce and stares Priest down. The fans boo but Tama soaks up more heat. The fans chant “O T C!” but he’s not even on SmackDown. Tama runs, but Royce SPINEBUSTERS! The fans fire up and Royce crawls, hot tag to Priest! The fans fire up as Priest DECKS Tama again and again! Priest ROCKS Tama, FLAPJACKS him, but Talla runs up! Priest fires hands first! The fans rally as Priest ROCKS and whips Talla, but Talla reverses. Priest KICKS Talla away, ROUNDHOUSES Tama, but Talla guzels!

Priest breaks free, BELL CLAPS, then ROLLING ELBOWS! Talla staggers away, Priest runs up to ELBOW in the corner! Then Priest runs to ELBOW Tama in the other corner! Another ELBOW for Talla! Priest RAMS Talla right outta the ring! But Tama CLUBS Priest from behind! Tama runs, but into a clinch! FLATLINER! The fans fire up as Priest goes up the corner! Priest powers up his arm, and he leaps at Tama for the FLYING LARIAT! Cover, but Talla breaks it! Royce CLOBBERS Talla, then LARIATS him up and out! But Solo SAMOAN SPIKES Priest in the distraction!! The fans boo, but here comes R-Truth!

Truth is defying doctor’s orders, but he dodges Solo to fire hands! The fans cheer as Truth winds up, but Solo throat chops! But then Royce stops Solo! But Tama CLOBBERS Royce! The fans boo but Priest sees what happened to Truth. But then Talla guzels! TALLA T-BOMB! Cover, MFT wins!

Winner: Tama & Talla Tonga, by pinfall

Well, on one hand, MFT continues to use numbers to their advantage. But on the other, can Priest at least trust Royce from now on?

The Miz confronts Nick Aldis backstage.

The Miz threatens to SUE Aldis! He tried to go out there and perform to the best of his ability, but every time he goes out there, his life is in danger! It is a hazardous workplace! A disaster! Miz almost got blown up by pyro once! Then he goes out tonight, barely prepared! And then the lights flicker on and off! How is Miz supposed to wrestle? Aldis says for once, he agrees. He will get to the bottom of the issue right now. Miz says we all know who’s responsible. Aldis says again, Miz might be right. They go around the corner, and yep, Danhausen says good news! He’s put out all the fires! Miz storms in, but the extinguisher goes off, spraying him down!

Danhausen says oops, and Miz flounders away blindly! Aldis wants to check the tarp but Danhausen says don’t touch that! He sees you, Aldis! Danhausen is gonna do what Danhausen is gonna do, but can it at least stop costing SmackDown in their electrical bills?

Chelsea Green finds Tiffany Stratton backstage.

The Hot Mess is so happy the Women’s US Champion got the message about wearing all white. Tiff says she was always planning on wearing this, and Chelsea says they’re so in synch. And speaking of, she was thinking for their entrance tonight- Tiff says she’s not going out there with Chelsea. B-But what about last week? Tiff says she appreciates what Chelsea did for her, but that doesn’t mean she’s automatically in Chelsea’s corner. It’s not that deep. Gasp! Well, okay… Tiff’s right, it’s not that deep. See you after? Yeah, sure. Good luck. Tiff heads out, will Chelsea be able to survive Nia Jax on her own?

Sami Zayn VS Matt Cardona!

Is it paranoia or pride that blinds Sami to how he’s behaving? It probably doesn’t matter now that he’s in a fight with The Complete Cardona. But while Spain seems to be #RideOrDie Sami Country, will Sami rebound with a big win tonight? Or will learn that lesson already?

SmackDown returns and Cardona makes his entrance. The bell rings, the two circle, and they feel things out. They tie up, Sami goes for an arm, and he wrenches through to wristlock. Cardona slips through to wrench Sami, but Sami spins and wrenches to WRING Cardona out! The fans applaud as the two reset. They tie up, Cardona waistlocks but Sami wrenches to hammerlock. Cardona slips around to hammerlock then headlock, but Sami powers up and out. Sami drops down, hurdles over, then arm-drags Cardona! Cardona tumbles to ropes and the fans cheer. The fans duel, and Cardona smirks because not all the fans are #RideOrDie.

Sami and Cardona tie up, Sami slips around to CLUB away! Sami headlocks, Cardona powers up and out, then drops down. Sami ducks ‘n’ dodges but Cardona TOSSES him out! The fans cheer, and Cardona WRECKS Sami with a dropkick! The fans cheer again, and Cardona brings Sami up. Cardona puts Sami in the ring, drags Sami up, but Sami RAMS into Cardona! Sami reels Cardona in and suplexes high and hard! Cover, DOS! Another cover, DOS! Sami rains down fists on Cardona, Cardona goes to the corner, but Sami CHOPS! Cardona sputters, but he turns things around to fire forearms on Sami!

The fans rally as Cardona whips Sami, then runs up to LARIAT! Cardona goes up, up, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up as Sami bails out again, and Cardona grins while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Cardona waits on Sami as he stands up, and Sami takes a moment to catch his breath. The ring count climbs, Sami waits until 7 of 10 to go to the apron. Cardona storms up but Sami stays back. Cardona pushes past the ref, grabs at Sami, but Sami trips Cardona up! Sami drags Cardona to the apron, then steps inside so he can bring Cardona up. Sami suplexes high and hard again! Sami gets the fans chanting for him, then he brings Cardona up. Sami ROCKS Cardona, Cardona goes to ropes, and Sami pulls on Cardona’s ear! The ref counts, Sami stops at 4, and Sami CHOPS Cardona in a corner! Sami ROCKS Cardona, then CHOPS!

Cardona flounders but Sami ELBOW DROPS! Cover, DOS! Cardona toughs it out but Sami stomps him and brings him up. Sami whips, SmackDown returns to single picture, and Sami CLOBBERS Cardona! Cover, DOS! Cardona survives but Sami clamps onto him with a chinlock. The fans duel again as Cardona endures. Cardona fights up and JAWBREAKERS! Cardona ELBOWS Sami away, then LARIATS again and again! Cardona whips, Sami reverses, but Cardona SMASHES Sami off the mat! The fans fire up as Sami goes to a corner, and Cardona runs up to ROCK him! Sami sits down, the fans fire up, and Cardona says “WOO WOO WOO!”

Cardona runs up, BROSKI BOOT! The fans fire up as Sami sputters, and Cardona runs up again, ROUGH- NO, Sami pops free and BLUE THUNDER- NO, Cardona pops free, wrenches, and underhooks! TIGER DRIVER! High stack, DOS!! Sami survives and the fans fire up again! Both men rise up, Cardona brings Sami up but Sami fires forearms! Sami CLUBS away on Cardona, then reels him in. Sami suplexes, but Cardona lands out! NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Cardona tries gain, ROUGH- POWERBOMB! Cover, DOS!! Cardona survives but Sami stays focused. Cardona crawls to a corner and Sami rallies the fans.

Sami runs corner to corner, into a ROUGH RYDER!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Sami survives by a literal foot and Cardona can’t believe it! Cardona drags Sami up, puts him on the top rope, and fires forearms! Cardona climbs up, but Sami fires forearms! Sami ROCKS Cardona, Cardona ROCKS Sami, repeat! The fans duel, but Cardona is the one to drop back! Sami adjusts position up top, and he leaps, but Cardona dodges! Cardona runs up, but into a clinch! CORNER EXPLODER! The fans fire up again and Sami runs in, HELLUVA KICK!! Cover, Sami wins!

Winner: Sami Zayn, by pinfall

Sami says he’s not a little you-know-what, he’s the Last Real Good Guy! But if he’s really so good, will he be the one to realize what’s really going on with his behavior?

Nick Aldis talks with…?

He needs them to listen. Against his better judgment, he has granted them this time to say what they need to say. All he asks in return is that they keep it civil. Gunther asks what Aldis thinks he is, an animal? Gunther knows this is important. First PLE in Italy, high stakes. Gunther promises he will be civilized, and he will attack Cody verbally. Gunther will tell Cody how he feels about him. And also, if they ever come back to Spain, Gunther thinks they should visit Madrid instead. Der Ring General heads out, but will he keep his word about only using his words tonight?

Trick Williams is here!

Even Barcelona loves to “Whoop Dat Trick!” as the WWE United States Champion, and Lil Yachty, go to the ring. Yachty shows off the fat stack of cash already, and it seems the “Trick Stick” is now a diamond encrusted kendo stick! Trick grabs the mic, “WHOOOO OOOH~!” Yachty says, “Boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen, all in the arena and everyone at home even though I can’t see ya, I’d like to introduce myself to y’all. I am the man with the money. I am the man with the connections. I am the man that makes it happen. And what’s happening tonight in Barcelona, Spain? Well, for the first time ever, we are all witnessing the Trick Williams Campaign!”

The fans chant “Whoop Dat Trick!” and Trick says let’s talk about it! Reporting to you live, the sexiest and most entertaining superstar alive, Trick Williams has arrived to Barcelona.” The fans cheer that! Trick says he is the man who has been holding down the brand. The fans sing, “OLE~, OLE OLE OLE~!” and Trick let’s ’em hear ’em! Trick says the past couple weeks, he did what was best for the biz and took out The Miz. He made the most of his days and took down Carmelo Hayes! Yachty says if they keep writing checks, then they don’t care who’s next! Trick likes that. And speaking of what’s next, the past six months, there hasn’t been a better star proving themselves as the future of the business like Trick Williams.

And with King of the Ring around the corner, and with Spain familiar with royalty, he figured it is only right for Trick Williams to declare for KOTR here! The fans cheer that! But then speaking of H1M, Melo makes his entrance! The fans cheer as Melo has a mic of his own as he makes his way down to the ring. The fans chant “MEL~O! MEL~O!” Melo smiles, and he says okay, hold on, Trick. He needs to digest all that. Trick said King of the Ring, right? Right. King of the Mic, yes. King of the Entrance, yes. King of the Ring? That’s grown folk business, dog, and Trick still too little! So look, Trick, here’s what we gonna do.

Tonight, Melo taekes care of Saints for getting in their business. Then Melo and Trick will shoot a fair one for the US Championship, and that’s all it is, and that’s all it’s gonna be! Trick says hold on, Melo, that sounds like excuses. Melo is being too melodramatic. As he comes out here, it’s “If this, if that.” If only Saints didn’t come out. If only Trick didn’t have Yachty. If only they’d chant for Melo. Oh, Melo will whoop that Trick. But then the fans chant for Melo! Trick says only if Melo could grow an inch for every excuse, Melo could see Trick eye to eye and realize Trick is just better! Come with it then! But speaking of Ricky, he makes his entrance now!

The Absolute strikes his pose, but he also has a mic. Saints chuckles and says these guy shave gotta be kidding! No one wants to see the telenovela! They want to see a champion in Absolute Ricky Saints. He loves ’em, too, Barcelona. Not really, but here’s the thing! Last week, Melo sucker punched Saints, thought he had a leg up. Saints is always three steps ahead. And after Saints is done with Melo, he’ll go after Trick and that title, because that is what a real champion does! Ya dig? Trick says hold on there, Ricky. Ricky is telling lies, striking poses, looking like a damn bobblehead, coming after his title. He absolutely makes Trick sick!

But Trick will tell ’em what. Since they’re in the ring with a real champ, here’s real champ advice: Shut up when Trick tells you to shut up! And when these two twins figure out who is better, short kings, then maybe they’ll get a shot against Trick. Because when it comes to the ring, Trick has no problems proving he is the king. Saints says yeah, Trick is the King of Delusions. A one trick pony! How ’bout this? Take your lemon pepper steppers and step on outta- TRICK SLAP for Saints! The fans cheer that, and Melo is ready to throw with Trick. Yachty has Trick stand down, this is not his fight. But will Melo prove Trick’s only gotta worry about H1M for that title?

Carmelo Hayes VS Ricky Saints!

SmackDown returns, the bell rings, and both men run up, only for Saints to kick low! Saints CLUBS Melo but the fans rally for Melo. Saints ROCKS and CHOPS, then CHOPS again. Saints whips, Melo reverses, but Melo drops down to hurdle over. Melo keeps moving, he rolls off Saints’s back and DROPKICKS him down! The fans cheer while Saints goes to a corner. Melo runs up, blocks boots, and he puts Saints in ropes for the ENZIGIRI! Then the FADE AWAY JUMPER! Direct hit with the imploding leg drop, and the fans fire up again. Saints bails out, Melo builds speed, but Saints slips in and LARIATS! The fans boo as Saints rains down fists!

Saints puts Melo in a corner, UPPERCUTS him, then mocks the chanting. Saints CHOPS Melo, ROCKS him in the corner again and again, but the fans still cheer Melo. Melo shoves Saints but Saints stomps away! Saints digs his boot in, but stops as the ref counts. Saints whips Melo to ropes, but Melo KICKS Saints back! Then ENZIGIRIS! Saints goes to a corner, Melo CHOPS, and CHOPS, and whips corner to corner. Melo runs up, SPLASHES, then snapmares for a PENALTY KICK! The fans cheer the “GOAL~!” Melo then drags Saints up, ROCKS him, then puts him in a corner. Melo climbs up and rains down fists!

The fans cheer and count along all the way to DIEZ and past it! The fans fire up and Melo brings Saints around to whip to ropes. Saints reverses, Melo goes up, but Saints SHOVES Melo out! Melo tumbles and Saints hurries after him! Saints whips Melo hard into barriers! And then into more barriers! Saints leaves Melo behind for the ring count to handle, and he strikes his pose. The fans boo, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Saints soaks up heat with a little strut and dance, then he stomps Melo as he rolls into the ring. The ref counts as they’re in the ropes, so Saints brings Melo up. Saints hits a BIG back suplex, then pushes Melo down for a KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO! The fans rally but Saints stomps Melo. Saints stands Melo up, knuckle locks, and goes up the corner. Saints gives some Old School before the AX HANDLE! Melo staggers, Saints reels him back in, and scoops to SLAM! Saints then runs to KNEE DROP again! Cover, DOS! Melo toughs it out, but Saints clamps on with a chinlock. Saints grinds Melo down but Melo endures.

Melo fights up and fires body shots, then he BACK SUPLEXES Saints! Both men are down, but Melo shakes out the bad arm. Saints stomps Melo, talks some trash, but Melo CHOPS! Melo kicks, CHOPS, and he puts Saints against ropes to CHOP! Melo whips, Saints dodges, and Saints UPPERCUTS Melo down! Cover, DOS! Saints SLAPS Melo! Melo smirks before he SLAPS Saints! The two stand, they throw fast hands, but then Saints KNEES low and snap suplexes! Melo flounders while Saints scowls, and SmackDown returns to single picture. The fans sing for Melo but Saints puts him up top. Saints climbs to the very top, but Melo fights the lift.

Melo CHOPS Saints and Saints sputters! Melo SHOVES Saints down! The fans fire up as Melo adjusts, and Melo FROG SPLASHES, but onto knees! Saints hurries to PANCAKE PLEX! Bridging cover, DOS! The fans fire up as Melo survives! Saints huffs ‘n’ puffs and brings Melo up. Saints calls his shit, but Melo rolls the DDT into a cover, TWO! Melo BOOTS from the corner, goes up, and DEEP IMPACT! Both men are down from that flying DDT but the fans fire up! The fans cheer Melo on as he rises up. Saints also stands, but Melo ROCKS him first! Saints ROCKS Melo, Melo ROCKS Saints! The shots go back and forth, and the fans cheer Melo while they boo Saints!

Saints wobbles, comes back, but Melo ducks to then ROCK Saints again! Melo whips, Saints reverses, but the NO LOOK LARIAT hits! Melo hurries to whip but Saints reverses. Melo slips free of the scoop, then ducks ‘n’ doges to hit DIRTY DIANA! Cover, TWO! Saints survives and the fans fire up! “This is Awesome!” Melo drags Saints up, suplexes, but Saints stops the cutter to SIDEWINDER! Cover, TWO! Melo survives and the fans fire up again! Saints runs, but Melo DUMPS him out! Saints clutches a hand, but Melo builds speed to FLY! Down goes Saints and the fans fire up again! Melo hurries to get Saints up, but Saints throat chops!

Saints TOSSES Melo over barriers! The fans are torn, but then Melo goes up onto the barrier! FLYING LARIAT! But the ring count is climbing! EIGHT! NINE! TEN!! DOUBLE COUNT-OUT!!

Double Count-Out Draw

Melo can’t believe it! Time ran out on the clock, and he didn’t score the game winner! But then Saints CLOBBERS Melo! Saints didn’t lose, but he’s still a sore loser! He fireman’s carries Melo, but Melo slips free to SUPERKICK! And the FIRST 48! Saints tumbles out of the ring and the fans cheer on Melo! Will Saints learn not to mess with H1M and his business?

The Irresistible Forces find Tiffany Stratton backstage.

Nia Jax & Lash Legend tell Tiff it’s so smart not to be out there with Chelsea. Guess there’s sense in that big head of hers after all. Tiff has a big head? Has Lash seen hers? Nia says tonight, they’ll handle Chelsea. And then Chelsea will learn not to mess with them. When they’re done with that desperate Chelsea, it’ll only be a matter of time before one of them takes that US Championship from Tiff. Tick-tock, Tiff. The Irresistible Forces head out, will they wipe the floor with The Hot Mess? Or is Tiff about to have a change of heart?

Blake Monroe speaks.

“Dear diary, there are so many… fascinating women in the SmackDown locker room. Take for example Rhea Ripley. Such presence, such brutality, such delicious misery wrapped in all that black leather. You are as captivating as can be. But while you spend all your time trying to strike fear into the hearts of others, I know you’re only hiding from your own. All that heartbreak and betrayal. But I don’t need a fake bravado to make a splash. I turn heads just by showing up. You can run from your fears all you want, but you can’t run from me. I’m the stuff of nightmares, and I’m dressed as beautiful as a dream.

“Don’t get too comfortable, because The Glamour is coming to SmackDown. Yours truly, Blake Monroe. Mwah~!”

Chelsea Green VS Nia Jax w/ Lash Legend!

Chelsea is no longer in politics without her Secret Hervice, but she’s still in the business of success. And she understands that there is both strength, and safety, in numbers. Chelsea helped Tiff last week, but it seems Tiff isn’t returning the favor. Will The Hot Mess survive SmackDown in Barcelona? Or will she be A-Nia-Lated?

The bell rings and while fans sing for “Chelsea, Chelsea Green~,” Chelsea is thinking Tiff will still show up. But then Nia grabs Chelsea and THROWS her! Chelsea tumbles to the corner, Lash has a good laugh, but the fans boo. Nia SPLASHES Chelsea, THROWS her back the other way, then mockingly salutes. Nia runs up, Chelsea dodges, and Chelsea SLAPS! Chelsea regrets it almost instantly, but then she DUMPS Nia out! Chelsea DIVES and down goes Nia! The fans fire up and Chelsea salutes while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Chelsea manages to get Nia up and into the ring, but Lash talks trash on her. Chelsea hurries to the apron, but Nia grabs her to TOSS her back in! Nia soaks up heat, then storms over to Chelsea. Nia SMACKS Chelsea off the mat, talks more trash, then CHOKES Chelsea on the ropes! Nia straddles Chelsea, then stops as the ref counts 4. Nia CHOKES Chelsea in the corner, stops again, and HIP ATTACKS! Nia twerks, then drags Chelsea to a cover, TWO! Chelsea flounders to ropes but Nia soaks up more heat. Nia mockingly salutes, then stands Chelsea up. Chelsea fires body shots and forearms, then she runs, but into an ELBOW! Cover, TWO!

Nia clamps onto Chelsea with a chinlock but Chelsea endures. Chelsea fights up to her feet, but Nia wrangles her back down. Chelsea still fights, fires body shots, but Nia pie faces her. Nia talks trash while SmackDown returns to single picture. Chelsea fights back, but Nia POP-UP HEADBUTTS! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Chelsea survives, but Nia clamps on with a COBRA CLUTCH! Chelsea endures, fights up again, and JAWBREAKERS free! Chelsea CHOP BLOCKS, then she runs, RAN- NO, Nia stops that to POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up for Chelsea, but Nia drags her to center. Nia runs, but Chelsea avoids the leg drop!

Chelsea runs, SLIDING- NO, Nia blocks the flatliner to fireman’s carry, but Chelsea slips free! ZIGZAG! Cover, TWO! Chelsea frowns but the fans rally up for Chelsea. Nia shoves Chelsea to a corner, runs up, but is sent into the POST! Chelsea goes up, up, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up as Nia falls! Chelsea fires up, takes aim, and runs to ROUGH RYDER! Cover, DOS! Nia survives and Chelsea is shocked! The fans rally for Chelsea and she brings Nia up to chicken wing! But Nia powers out! Lash is there, but Chelsea DROPKICKS her first! But then Nia fireman’s carries, SAMOAN DROP! The fans boo as Nia drags Chelsea to the drop zone!

But “It’s Tiffy Time!” Lash is on guard while Nia climbs, but Tiff jumps in from the crowd! BELT SHOT! Tiff hurries away and Chelsea hurries to cover! CHELSEA WINS!

Winner: Chelsea Green, by pinfall

It seems Tiff decided she should return that favor! Now she and Chelsea are even, and Tiff heads out again. As for Nia, will she ever live down losing on her birthday?

Backstage interview with Brie Bella & Paige.

Cathy Kelley is with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, and she says they got a big win on Saturday Night’s Main Event. Now, ever since winning those titles, the targets have only gotten bigger and bigger. Brie says yes, but they don’t mind, because they have been defending these titles time and again, more than any other champion here in WWE! Paige says exactly, and they are on a roll! But then The Fatal Influence steps in, and Jacy Jayne asks Cathy why she’s wasting time on interviewing anyone other than Fatal Influence. In fact, breaking news! Jacy is declaring for Queen of the Ring!

Now get out. Bye~! Fallon says as for the champs, hold onto the titles tight. Lainey says soon enough, y’all will never hold those belts again. In fact, whether it is Jacy as THE Women’s Champion or Fallon & Lainey as tag team champions, soon everyone will be under The Influence. Jacy, Fallon & Lainey head out, both Brie & Paige grimace. Will the new kids on the block that this is not their house? Or will they find a way to deactivate #ScreamMode for the Summer?

Cody Rhodes heads to the ring!

Barcelona cheers The American Nightmare and sings along with Kingdom, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, he high-fives fans, and he continues down the ramp. Cody steps into the ring, grabs the mic, and we get the second “WHOA~ OH~!” and pyro. The fans finish singing the song for Cody, then they shift to just singing, “Cody, Cody Rhodes~!” Cody says, “So, Barcelona…! De que queres hablar?” The fans cheer the use of Espanol, but then Gunther makes his entrance, interrupting Cody’s plans. Der Ring General goes to the ring, grabs himself a mic, but the fans still sing for “Cody, Cody Rhodes!” Gunther says fine, get it out of the way.

Just so they know, Gunther is not here to engage with any of the fans. He is here to say what he really thinks about Cody. Gunther is new to SmackDown but he figured out pretty quickly that this show has to be all about Cody! Because if it’s not, Cody finds a way to make it about himself. And it might not even be Cody’s fault, he is just the product of the culture he grew up in. A world where egotism, narcissism, and nepotism are rewarded by giving you a step ahead of everybody else. And it is very fitting that Cody’s name is “The American Nightmare.” Because right now, he is the perfect symbol of the crumbling American dream!

Oh, take it easy, Cody! You know that is low hanging fruit, but we’re talking the concept of the American dream. What they told Gunther as a boy is that if you wanna max out your life, you gotta leave home behind, move to America, and through hard work, discipline and sacrifice, you can achieve it all. But y’know what? Gunther’s done that. He earned the position he is in! As for Cody, it was just one phone call away, wasn’t it? Cody wanted to get some training, that was a phone call. He wanted a contract with WWE, a phone call. He left, and when he wanted to come back, Gunther bets it was just a phone call away.

And all of that, Cody, makes you a little, entitled brat. Cody smirks, but Gunther says they might have the same job, but they’re nothing alike. Cody can’t help himself. He has an itch to scratch, he has to fuel his ego. He needs the fans’ approval, he needs the locker room’s approval, but Gunther needs none of that! It is unnecessary! All that matters is to be the best pro-wrestler in this company, and to protect this sacred sport from people like Cody. Fans actually cheer that! Gunther says the only thing Cody cares about is Cody Rhodes. Cody’s biggest fan is Cody. But Gunther thinks Cody is not a champion, he is just a mark for himself!

Cody says wow, a mark for himself. Okay, okay. Better put, Cody is a fan for himself. But what Gunther is is a LIAR! Yeah! Because every kid that dreams of becoming a pro-wrestler dreams of getting this title yet NOT of getting that attention? Gunther doesn’t want it? Doesn’t want the attention that comes with the title. Gunther doesn’t want to be on the posters for Clash In Italy, doesn’t wanna be in the first hour on ESPN, doesn’t wanna be featured, third party appearances, talk shows, media, the weight that comes with this title! He doesn’t want a crowd that knows and sings every single word of his song. He doesn’t want that?!

The fans cheer and sing “Cody, Cody Rhodes~!” Cody says he’s gonna tell Gunther something. Cody knows Gunther wants this, or else Cody would be speaking to a 330 pound version of Gunther, in front of only a couple hundred people at some indie show. Instead, Cody is looking at the refined, most dangerous, peak form of an athlete that Gunther has made himself. Mr. Heyman, the man who got Gunther this match, used to tell Cody all of what would happen if Cody got this! The bandwidth he’d need, the directions he’d be pulled in. Heyman tried to intimidate Cody, but none of that intimidated him. It’s what Heyman didn’t say.

And to tell you right now, it is that this title is addictive. The fans cheer that! And Gunther, you are just as sick as Cody! At Clash In Italy, Gunther is gonna get THIS close to finding out that all the attention he desperately seeks and knows it! Don’t dare stand there and lie to us! But then Gunther finds out the worst thing that a pure wrestler could ever find out and it is simple: He is just not that good. Cody tells Gunther that Cody is easy to find, hard to beat. Mic drop from the champ, but Gunther spins him around! Is Gunther already going back on his word?

Gunther tells Cody, “You think I’m a liar? I promised Bill Goldberg that I would choke him out, and I did. I promised AJ Styles that I would choke him out, and I DID! And I promised your big role model and hero, John Cena, that I would make him tap out, and I DID! And now, I’m promising you that on Sunday, I’m gonna choke you out, I’m gonna drop you like a wet towel, and I’m gonna take this precious prize with me!” Gunther has the last word, but will he have the last laugh when these two Clash In Italy?

My Thoughts:

A very good SmackDown as the go-home to Clash In Italy, but it feels like they took it easy. Good stuff to build the WWE Women’s Championship match, and it feels like this also writes Alexa off for Sunday so that it’ll be 3v2 at best when Jade has both Baddies but Rhea only has Charlotte. Not sure if that’ll be why Rhea loses, and personally hoping not. Charlotte VS Jade will certainly follow Clash, but it seems motivated enough off of what happened to Alexa, and how there has been something building from the moment Jade arrived in WWE. We can have Rhea face others with the title while Jade and Charlotte feud on the side, maybe even in Queen of the Ring.

Fun stuff from Danhausen as always, and great match from Miz VS Axiom. Not sure why Kit Wilson couldn’t be here but I did like their excuse of customs detaining him and taking his luggage. The flickering lights is a fun way to have Danhausen cost Miz without having to curse him. Is it just me, or could Danhausen’s “clone” end up being Cenahausen? Danhausen said he can see Aldis, he was doing Cena’s moves for the first house shows for the Euro tour, and we’re talking about a bigger, stronger version of the clone. Well, maybe not, with Cena insisting he’s retired and he doesn’t want to take spotlight from anyone.

Very good stuff with MFT and #WepaUp. I figured Truth would bring Royce Keys in as a substitute, and he and Priest did well with turning the tide from dysfunction to teamwork. But in the end, Tama & Talla are brothers, they’ve teamed longer (NJPW namely), and Solo was there to cheat, MFT of course won. Maybe Royce still has to step in and help Wepa Up defend the titles, but I guess we’ll see. I still just don’t want to see this have Royce join MFT, the fans really like Royce. If only they hadn’t released half the faction… Good promo from Paige & Brie with Fatal Influence, that can be a pretty decent tag title feud.

Very good stuff with Trick, Yachty, Melo, and Saints, though they could’ve just made the Melo VS Saints match officially a #1 contender’s match. Trick in King of the Ring is good stuff, he’ll go far. Maybe Melo gets his US Championship shot between KOTR matches while Trick is “distracted,” and on some level, that is why Melo wins. Very good stuff with Sami, from another confrontational exchange with Cody to another therapy session venting to Gargano. Cardona stepping in it was a good way to give us that match, and that was a very good match. They didn’t quite give us another spot of Sami bending rules, but he was more aggressive. Good win for Sami, maybe he and Cody can feud for the title after Clash In Italy.

Very good stuff in the Chelsea & Tiff story, and of course Tiff helped Chelsea get one over on Nia. They’ll definitely be “forced” into the tag match, and they might even find a way to win over Nia & Lash, but it feels like there might a way to give us a Women’s US Championship Triple Threat or bigger, so that Chelsea can be conflicted: does she choose friendship or championship? Good promo from Blake Monroe, she might even be the very next challenger for Rhea as they play up this dynamic of the goth metal Face who is honest and modest going up against the glam Barbie who is arrogant and selfish. Basically, a main roster version of what Blake just did with Tatum.

And very good promos from Gunther and Cody in place of a brawl. Spain appreciates pro-wrestling that is about the wrestling so they naturally appreciate Gunther wanting to be that for WWE. But Cody might have a point that Gunther still wants the spotlight, though the character may not want to admit it. Their match will be great, and I feel like Cody retains because again, he can feud with Sami on the other side. Night of Champions is on the horizon, and it’s in Riyadh, so… Maybe Sami gets his first world title by cheating Cody that night?

My Score: 8.8/10