Will the Last Real Good Guy call it down the middle?

Gunther claims that to keep his Undisputed WWE Championship rematch with Cody Rhodes fair, Sami Zayn will be the special guest referee!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Undisputed WWE Championship, Special Guest Referee Sami Zayn: Cody Rhodes VS GUNTHER; Cody wins and retains the title.
• (Restarted) Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes VS GUNTHER; Gunther wins by disqualification, Cody retains the title.
• WWE Tag Team Championships: Damian Priest & R-Truth VS Tama Tonga & Talla Tonga; Priest & Truth win and retain the titles.
• WWE United States Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Carmelo Hayes VS Ricky Saints; Saints wins and will challenge for the title.
• 2026 King of the Ring Semifinal: Jey Uso VS Je’Von Evans; Jey wins and advances.
• 2026 Queen of the Ring Semifinal: Liv Morgan VS Charlotte Flair; Liv wins and advances.

PLAY BY PLAY

Undisputed WWE Championship, Special Guest Referee Sami Zayn: Cody Rhodes VS GUNTHER!

The American Nightmare admitted himself, he survived the Clash In Italy because Der Ring General’s ropebreak went unnoticed. Cody was willing to give Gunther his rematch, no strings attached, but then between tensions with his good friend and Gunther knowing how to take advantage of opportunities, The Last Real Good Guy has found himself in the middle of it all! Will Sami make sure feelings don’t affect the outcome? Or is this all playing into Gunther’s hands?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and without any commercial interruptions, we’re going to see who is the rightful champion!

The bell rings and the fans fire up as the two circle. Cody and Gunther feel things out, tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and Gunther powers Cody to a corner. The fans rally and sing for Cody while Sami counts the break. Gunther backs off, but then CHOPS Cody down! Sami reprimands that cheap shot, but Gunther shrugs. Gunther wrenches Cody, wristlocks, then wrenches again. Cody powers up to wrench through on Gunther, and he puts Gunther in the corner. Sami counts, Cody goes to wind up but Sami stops him! The fans boo, but Gunther grins as he’s safe from that. Then he kicks Cody low! Gunther CLUBS Cody, then stalks him to ropes.

Gunther whips Cody to ropes, but Cody slides under, kicks low, and UPPERCUTS! The fans cheer but Gunther CHOPS Cody back down! Gunther drags Cody up, CHOPS again, and he has Cody in the ropes. Gunther CLUBS Cody but Sami has him back off. Gunther brings Cody around to CHOP, KNEE, and CHOP! Sami reprimands, Cody ROCKS Gunther in return! Cody fires off on Gunther, fires shots in the corner, and Sami back shim off! Gunther BOOTS Sami down! The fans boo, Sami is frustrated with Gunther and himself, but Gunther pretends he did nothing wrong. Gunther stomps Cody to the ropes, then brings him up.

Gunther UPPERCUTS Cody, whips him to ropes, then KNEES low! Gunther whips and KNEES Cody again, then turns Cody for a CHOP to the chest! Cover, TWO! Cody survives but Gunther stays focused. Gunther drags Cody up to ELBOW him in the head! Cody goes to ropes, Gunther fishhooks him, but Sami counts. Gunther CLUBS Cody at 4! Cody sputters while Sami argues with Gunther. Gunther just smirks as he brings Cody up again, back suplexes, but Cody lands out! Cody springboards, CODY CUTTER! The fans fire up as Gunther is down! Cody rises up, fires up, and he ROCKS Gunther with haymakers!

Cody runs, CLOBBERS Gunther, then goes up and over in the corner! Gunther runs into the SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans cheer as Cody whips Gunther corner to corner. Gunther reverses, then blocks Cody’s boot to put the leg in the ropes! Sami counts but Gunther KICKS the leg! Then KICKS the leg out! Gunther steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Cody endures, claws at Gunther’s legs, but Gunther puts on the pressure! Sami talks with Cody but Cody powers up! Cody turns, turns, but Gunther pulls up with the ropes! Sami isn’t seeing it, he’s too busy looking at Cody! Cody points and Sami sees now! Sami reprimands so Gunther lets go.

Gunther frees Cody to argue with Sami about where’s the line in fairness. Cody rolls Gunther, Sami counts, TWO! Gunther BOOTS Cody, then he glares at Sami. Sami says he’s calling it fair and square like Gunther wanted. Gunther runs to LARIAT Cody down! Cover, TWO! Gunther is annoyed with Sami but Sami says two is two. Gunther tells Sami to do his job, but that sounds more like he wants Sami to stick it to Cody for everything that’s happened. Gunther reels Cody in, Cody slips free of the bomb, and he dragon sleepers for CROSS RHODES! Cover, but it’s just like Clash In Italy! Sami sees the ROPEBREAK!

The fans boo but Sami is just doing what a ref should do! Cody argues with Sami about it but perhaps Cody is the one who didn’t see the ropebreak this time. Sami gets stern with Cody, then SHOVES him! But into a SLEEPER!! Gunther drags Cody down, and Sami isn’t sure what to do! Gunther asks Sami, is Cody out or not? But Cody gets new life! Cody fights his way over, ROPEBREAK! Gunther is furious but Sami tells him to let go! Sami counts, Gunther holds, so Sami pries at Gunther! Sami fishhooks Gunther! The fans cheer that, but Gunther pushes Sami! Sami tells Gunther to respect his authority! Gunther pie faces Sami instead!

Sami sighs, and SLAPS Gunther! The fans cheer that! But then Gunther kicks Sami and GUNTHER BOMBS him!! The fans boo but Gunther runs, only for Cody to dodge! Cody JABS, JABS, JABS! Flip, flop, fly, and BIONIC ELBOW! Then Cody goes up, up, and SUPER CODY CUTTERS!! Cody has Gunther back up, CROSS RHODES!! But where’s a ref? Cody calls for one, the ref appears, TWO!!! Gunther survives from that delay and no one can believe it! “This is Awesome!” as Cody rises up and climbs. Gunther BLASTS Cody first! Gunther ROCKS Cody, then goes up top. But Cody fires body shots! Cody stands on the very top to ROCK Gunther!

Gunther falls back, but he avoids Cody’s leap! SHOTGUN! Then the GUNTHER BOMB!! High stack, but Sami YANKS the other ref outta the ring! The fans cheer as Sami sticks it to Gunther! Gunther is furious, but Cody RAMS into Gunther! Cody sunset flips, Gunther stays up, and then Gunther grabs ropes! Sami KICKS the ropes, Cody sunset flips! Sami counts fast, CODY WINS!!

Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall (still Undisputed WWE Champion)

Gunther is beside himself, but Sami made sure he got what he deserved! Cody isn’t really happy about it, either, and then Nick Aldis storms out here! Sami says he was pushed and wasn’t gonna be pushed further! Sami storms off, not wanting to hear it. Aldis follows after Sami, Gunther follows after them both. What will it take to clear all this controversy up?

SmackDown returns and…

Aldis, Cody, and Gunther are all yelling about what happened. Gunther blames Aldis, Aldis says this is what Gunther wanted, Cody says he didn’t want that kind of finish, either! Cody gets fed up and storms back out on stage. Cody goes back to the ring while Sami storms back in and asks what the problem is when Gunther wanted Sami as ref! He did what was asked, Gunther is the one who pushed him! Aldis says Sami was not asked to count fast at the end like that! Cody grabs a mic and he tells Kansas City, surely they want more than that. Let’s get a real ref and restart the match! C’mon, let’s go! Restart the match!

Sami can’t believe this! Why would they restart? Sami was the official Gunther chose, he started and ended the match! But then Gunther THROWS Sami into the wall! Sami flops down, and Cody is completely unaware as he says they’ll make this right. Aldis says fine, Gunther gets a continuation! Gunther storms out and Cody is fired up! Gunther slides into the ring, the ref is there, and the hands start throwing as the bell rings!

(Restarted) Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes VS GUNTHER!

The fans fire up as the brawl is fast ‘n’ furious! Gunther shoves Cody, Cody ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Gunther catches him! Cody slips free to SLEEPER Gunther! Gunther slips through to power out, and he has Cody in the SLEEPER! Cody flails, fights around, but he’s fading! The fans rally for Cody, Cody fires shots from below, and Gunther lets go! Cody has the SLEEPER on Gunther! Gunther pops free to SLEEPER again! The fans boo as Gunther squeezes tighter! Cody fights up, RAMS Gunther into a buckle, and SAMI RUNS IN! HELLUVA KICK ON GUNTHER!!

Winner: Gunther, by disqualification (Cody retains the title)

The fans boo as Sami now affects this match’s outcome! Sami takes the title from the ref, then DECKS the ref! Sami tells Gunther this is what he asked for! Cody spins Sami around, and Sami CLOBBERS Cody! Sami realizes what he’s done and is furious with himself again! Sami throws the belt down, cusses up a storm, and the fans chant “SAMI SUCKS!” Sami storms out of the ring, snatches a fan’s “Sami Sux” sign, and rips it up! Sami seems completely unsure what to even do with himself as he returns backstage. What will any of this mean for the friendship?

Backstage interview with The Baddies.

Cathy Kelley is with Jade Cargill, Michin & B-Fab, bringing up Charlotte Flair winning last week’s Fatal 4 Way, meaning Charlotte advances in Queen of the Ring while Jade is out. Where is her focus now? Jade asks if they have a problem. Then you know Jade does what she wants. They run this division! They’ll make a pitstop at Tiffany’s since she don’t know how to mind her own business. Fab says Tiff wasn’t even in QOTR, yet she decides to go out and screw Jade over? Mia says thanks to Tiff, Charlotte took Jade’s spot. You think they’re just gonna forget about that? Nope! But Jade did hurt Rhea Ripley so you’re welcome.

And seeing as how Night of Champions needs some star power, like herself, Jade tells Tiff to put the US title on the line, cuz Jade will take that one like she did the last: easily! Jade leads the way out, is The Storm going to reign in Saudi Arabia? Or will SmackDown still be on #TiffyTime?

Gunther returns backstage, again.

And again, he complains to Aldis about Sami! Twice in one night, he gets screwed! The only reason he is not champion is because of Aldis! What?! Gunther is the one who wanted a special guest referee! Gunther says Aldis is not fit to be GM! He wants another championship match at Night of Champions! Get it done! Gunther storms off, is Aldis really going to be forced into this situation? Or will Gunther’s legal team give him no choice?

Jacob Fatu finds Solo Sikoa backstage.

The Samoan Werewolf is back again, and Solo asks what the hell he wants. Is Fatu gonna tell Solo that Roman wants him to come back to the family? The answer is still no. Fatu says he ain’t here for none of that. On orders of The Tribal Chief, Fatu is to make sure no one gets involved with Jey Uso’s match tonight. So keep it 100, Solo is making the wrong decision. Solo knows what Roman wants, and Roman ain’t gonna wait too long. Solo’s running outta time to make the right choice. What does that even mean? Fatu says take it how you wanna take it, it ain’t up to Fatu, it’s up to Solo. Fatu leaves, Solo mocks that talk, and then Talla & Tama step in.

The Good Bad Guy asks Solo what that was about, and Solo says don’t worry about it. That was Roman’s messenger. Roman thinks he can call the shots and get them to come back to The Bloodline. But don’t worry about that, focus on getting the tag titles back. All three of them, they do this together as a family. How does that sound? Tama says nah, Solo should stay back here. Solo’s family business is starting to mess with their family business. Solo goes out there, there’s no telling who will follow him. Solo asks what that means, and Talla says The Bloodline ain’t their problem, the tag team titles are. Tama & Talla leave, and Solo stays. How will Solo handle being stuck in the middle?

Blake Monroe speaks.

“Dear diary, I’ve seen this girl before. Giulia, we met once before in the Land of the Rising Sun, and I knew when I saw you then that the aura and the presence were your ticket to the dance. Congrats, you made it. But you seem to have forgotten the steps. And don’t get me wrong, the rage, it’s very intimidating, but I think it’s clouding your judgment. Whereas me, well, I can see quite clearly and it looks like a starring role just waiting to be filled. And who better to grace your screens than The Glamour? I mean, I am a vision to look at, after all. Don’t cry when I pass you by, because The Glamour is coming soon to SmackDown. Yours Truly, Blake Monroe.”

WWE Tag Team Championships: Damian Priest & R-Truth VS Tama Tonga & Talla Tonga!

Well speaking of these titles, it’s time to #WepaUp! But will they keep the titles now that Truth is back to 100%? Or will The Good Bad Guy & Tongan Titan bring the gold back to MFT?

SmackDown returns as MFT makes their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who handles business!

The teams sort out and Talla starts against Priest. The fans rally as the two big men circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and the fans rally up. Talla shoves Priest to a corner, and he eggs Priest on. Priest climbs up the corner just so he can say “SUCK IT!” Talla is annoyed, runs up, but Priest dodges to fire off haymakers and body shots! Talla shoves Priest, Priest ROCKS Talla! And ROCKS him again! Priest whips, Talla reverses, but Priest ducks ‘n’ dodges to then ROKC Talla! Talla staggers, Priest runs to ROCK him again! Priest tries a third time, but Talla RUNS Priest over! The fans boo but we also see The War Raiders watching backstage.

Talla stomps Priest, drags him up, and HEADBUTTS him! Priest staggers to the MFT corner, Talla stomps awya, and Tama tags in. Tama rains down fists on Priest, then HEADBUTTS! Tama UPPERCUTS Priest, whips him to ropes, but Priest reverses to ELBOW him down! The fans fire up as Priest snarls. Priest TOSSES Tama to the corner, fires off haymakers, then ROCKS Tama! Truth reaches up, Priest tags Truth in! The fans cheer and Truth says, “WHAT’S UP?!” The fans cheer as Truth does the splits, then he hits a SPLASH! Truth kicks Tama, cravats, but Tama powers up and out. Truth ducks ‘n’ dodges, and he starts up the SHOULDER TACKLES!

The fans fire up as #RonCena hits the SPIN-OUT BOMB! And then “YOU CAN’T SEE ME!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Truth then fireman’s carries, but Talla steps in! Truth drops Tama to fire off Talla! UPPERCUT! Talla tumbles, Truth breaks it down, but Tama CLOBBERS Truth outta the ring! The ref has Tama stay inside, but that just lets Talla BOOT Truth down on the outside! The fans boo but Priest runs at Talla! Talla caches Priest, and APRON CHOKE SLAMS! Wepa Up is down, and MFT soaks up heat while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns as Tama BLASTS Priest off the apron! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Tama goes back to Truth. Truth does the splits to dodge, then he CALF KICKS Tama down! The fans cheer and even Erik & Ivar are impressed. Tama and Truth crawl, the fans fire up, hot tag to Priest! Priest DECKS Tama again and again, then dodges a shot to ROUNDHOUSE! Priest BLASTS Talla for good measure! Priest swings on Tama but Tama body shots! Tama whips, Priest reverses, and Priest ELBOWS Tama in the corner! Priest keeps moving, another ELBOW for Tama! The fans cheer as Priest goes again, but he has to catch Tama first! FLATLINER! Cover, TWO!

Tama survives but Priest winds up the arm. The fans fire up, but then Talla steps in! Talla guzels Priest, but Priest breaks free and BELL CLAPS! Priest fires haymakers, then winds up, and he LARIATS Talla up and out! Talla clutches his leg, Priest runs the ropes! But Tama slips through the Comebacker to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Both men are down and the fans rally up. Priest and Tama crawl, and Talla looks over to see Solo is here! Solo coaches Talla up but Talla says they agreed Solo would stay backstage! Priest tags Truth, then runs up the steps! Solo gets Talla outta the way to take the AX HANDLE! Talla guzels Priest, CHOKE- NO, Priest slips free!

Talla runs up on Priest, Priest dodges, and Talla POSTS himself! Tama grabs Priest, but Truth rolls Tama! TRUTH & PRIEST WIN!

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

Solo disobeyed Tama’s wishes, and he screwed things up for MFT! The fans boo Solo as he steps to the apron, and both Tama & Talla question what he was thinking. Tama leaves, and Talla follows. Solo is at a loss for words, is he losing everything around him?

Sami Zayn vents again.

“You really wanna know what the hardest thing to do in this world is? It’s to stay true to yourself. I swear to God, man, you try to do the right thing, and half of them don’t like you. Then you try to do the other thing, and the other half don’t like you. I swear to God, Johnny, I feel like I’m losing it, man. I know I’m a good guy. I’m the Last Real Good Guy around here.” But then Aldis storms in and says, “Last Real Good Guy? That was the fastest count in the history of wrestling, Sami! What the hell were you thinking out there?!”

Sami slaps a water bottle and shouts back, “What was I thinking!? Nick, guess what? I didn’t ask for any of this! YOU made me the referee! Remember that? I didn’t ask, you asked! So I called it down the middle! I called it down the middle! Gunther POWERBOMBED me, and you’re here yelling at me?!” Aldis says Sami put his hands on Gunther, but Sami says no, go back and watch the tape! Sami did his job but Aldis didn’t trust him, Aldis didn’t want him! Aldis thought Sami was gonna screw Cody over, but he didn’t, did he?! Cody is still champion, and Aldis is probably happy about that, huh? Golden Boy’s still on top! Aldis shouldn’t be here right now! Cody Rhodes, while Sami dropped him, should be here thanking Sami because he’s why Cody is still champion!

Actually, y’know what? Sami didn’t ask to be in the middle of any of this, but he is now, and he’s not going away that easy. Sami storms off, will he stop caring about right and wrong and only care about what works for him?

Jey Uso struts backstage.

Main Event Jey says, “It’s the Real OG VS The Young OG, same ol’ letters, King of the Ring semifinals, and I’m blazing right past ’em, man. And I’m going past Oba Femi, straight to SummerSlam against Cody Rhodes, Uce!” But then Je’Von Evans steps in. He says hey, he knows Jey is overlooking him, but Je’Von is a big fan. Been a big fan since Jey had paint on his dome. But hey, he wants to say, good luck tonight, Unc. Jey stops smiling and asks what he just said. Um, he called him, “Unc.” Yeah, well, keep that same energy out there tonight when Unc slaps the taste out your mouth and makes you his son, Uce!

Je’Von says c’mon, watch yourself. Jey says see you out there, Lil’ OG. YEET! Sure, aight. Jey heads off, will this be YEET City tonight? Or is Night of Champions about to get BOUNCY~?

WWE United States Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Carmelo Hayes VS Ricky Saints!

Trick Williams told both these guys to figure out who deserves a title shot, and after going 1-1 over the past month, this tiebreaker will send one of them to Night of Champions! Will Trick have to revisit his past with H1M? Or will Saudi Arabia see a revolution?

The bell rings, the two circle, and Saints stalls by taking his time with the vest. Then Saints rushes up, but Melo blocks! Melos fires hands, ROCKS Saints, then whips. Saints reverses, Melo springboards, NO LOOK LARIAT! Melo runs up on Saints in the corner now, blocks another kick, and he puts Saints in the ropes for the ENZIGIRI! Melo then adds the springboard, but Saints avoids the Fade Away to ROCK Melo! Saints knuckle locks, goes up the ropes, and he tightrope walks, only for Melo to yank Saints down for an atomic drop! Melo LARIATS, Saints goes to another corner, and Melo runs up for a forearm!

Melo snapmares, lines up the shot, but Saints avoids the superkick! The fans boo but Melo keeps moving, and he FLIES! Down goes Saints and the fans fire up! Melo puts Saints back in, the fans cheer as Melo goes up, and FROG- NO, Melo has to roll through as Saints moves. Saints runs up to UPPERCUT, then BULLDOG! Saints rains down fists, then stops to stalk Melo. Saints wrenches Melo, KICKS him in the side, then uses the ropes to JUMP STOMP! Saints CHOPS Melo, then whips him to ropes. Saints ELBOWS Melo down, shouts this is HIS house, but the fans boo. Saints stands Melo up, whips him again, but Melo grabs ropes!

Melo DUMPS Saints out, ROCKS him, then slingshots to APRON DDT! Saints sputters, Melo says he’s coming for the belt, let’s talk about it! Saints is still dazed while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Melo pushes Saints back into the ring, pushes him to a cover, TWO! Melo stays cool, stalks Saints to ropes, and CHOPS him to the corner. Melo brings Saints around, ROCKS him, then climbs up the corner. Melo rains down fists, and really hammers them in there as gets to seven. Saints slumps down, so Melo stomps away on Saints! The ref counts, Melo backs off, and the fans cheer. Melo brings Saints up, snap suplexes, then covers, TWO! Saints sputters but Melo CHOPS him! Melo whips Saints but Saints reverses, and Melo is sent right into the ropes! Melo sputters, but Saints goes up to FLYING STOMP! Melo sputters and coughs, Saints covers, TWO!

Saints stays on Melo with a facelock, then stands Melo up to CHOP! Melo SLAPS Saints! Saints SLAPS Melo! Saints suplexes Melo, holds him up, then SLAMS him down! Cover, TWO! Saints snarls but he drags Melo up, around, and goes up the corner. Saints wrenches the wristlock and BITES the fingers before he goes back to the tightrope. Saints struts his way to the OLD SCHOOL AX HANDLE! Then a scop and a SLAM! KNEE DROP! Saints strikes his pose, taunts Melo, but Melo fires hands. Saints ROCKS Melo, Melo ROCKS Saints, repeat! SmackDown returns to single picture as Saints whips corner to corner, then runs up to ELBOW!

Saints snapmares Melo, clamps on a chinlock, and he thrashes Melo around! The fans rally for Melo as he endures and fights his way up. Melo fires body shots, but Saints reels him in for a BIG back suplex! Saints crawls back, covers, TWO! Melo stays in this but Saints elbows him. Melo hits back, they scrap on the mat, and Saints HAMMERS away on Melo. Saints grabs an arm so he can stomp away on Melo’s chest. The fans rally for Melo but that just annoys Saints. Saints slaps Melo around, but Melo SLAPS and CHOPS in return! Melo fires a flurry of forearms, then whips. Saints reverses, runs up, and ELBOWS Melo!

Saints headlocks, but Melo fights the bulldog to a BIG back suplex! The fans fire up while both men go to ropes. Saints rises, Melo follows, and Saints runs up. Melo BOOTS Saints, goes up, but leaps into a waistlock! Melo ELBOWS Saints, facelocks, but Saints powers out! Only for Melo to rebound and NO LOOK DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Saints survives that DDT and Melo is stunned! But the fans rally up as Melo fires off on Saints, both forearms and body shots, and he puts Saints in a corner. Saints shoves Melo away, then kicks low! Saints whips, Melo tilt-o-whirls, but no Diana! NORTHERN- NO, Melo sunset flips, only for Saints to sit on it! TWO!

Melo sunset flips, Saints rolls through, and Saints has the legs to then drag Melo around. Melo turns to reel Saints in, TWO! Saints catches Melo to a fireman’s carry and FLAPJACK! Cover, TWO! Melo survives and Saints is frustrated again. Both men rise up, the fans rally harder, and Saints reels Melo in. Saints lifts, Melo slips free, but Saints blocks a kick to ROCK Melo! Melo SUPERKICKS on return! Melo runs, but Saints turns around, DOUBLE LARIATS take them both down! The fans fire up again! Melo rises up, he brings Saints around, but Saints kicks the leg! Then back suplexes! Melo lands out, reels Saints in, but Saints ELBOWS back!

Melo rebounds, DIRTY DIANA! And then another suplex, LAY UP CUTTER! Cover, TWO! Saints survives and Melo is frustrated, but “This is Awesome!” for Kansas City! Melo drags Saints to a drop zone, then he goes up the corner. Melo aims, NOTHING BUT- NO! Saints dodges the game winner, kicks low, and then reels Melo in! REVOL- NO, Melo stops the DDT, waistlocks, but Saints switches it! They go to the corner, O’Conner, but the buckle pad comes loose! TWO and Melo has the roll, TWO and Saints has it back! TWO, they both get up, and Saints argues with the ref! The ref says that was a fair count!

Saints turns around, Melo runs up, but Saints stops First 48! Saints puts Melo up top, fires hands, but Melo fires back! Saints still climbs, but Melo fires more shots! Melo SUPER GOURD BUSTERS Saints! But then Saints hits the ropes! Melo lands on the bare buckle, right in the basketballs! Saints gut wrenches, but Melo fights out of Roshambeaux to FIRST 48!! Melo drags Saints to a drop zone, but Saints BOOTS Melo into the buckle!! Saints reels Melo into a cover, Saints wins!

Winner: Ricky Saints, by pinfall (NEW #1 contender to the WWE United States Championship)

Saint shouts HE is H1M now! He is Absolute! But will he be the United States Champion after facing Trick Williams?

Nick Aldis is on the phone.

He knows the whole thing has been a mess. But then Aldis has to end the call as Cody steps into the office. Cody apologizes but Aldis says it’s not Cody’s fault. Aldis also assures Cody he’s working on a solution. Cody says yes, good. He knows the tough situation Gunther’s put Aldis in, and he knows that Sami can be a lot, but Cody is tired of catering to them both. Aldis has been at this for two years, and surely Aldis knows there is one clear solution to all of this. Cody wants to do it, too. Night of Champions, Triple Threat. Aldis is the only one who can make it official. Then it is official! They shake hands, and now the stakes have really been raised!

But can Cody clear the air with both Sami and Gunther while retaining the title fair and square? Or is there going to be a new Undisputed Champion at Night of Champions no matter what?

Backstage interview with Charlotte Flair.

Cathy Kelley is with The Queen and brings up anyone can look at the 14 world title reigns, among all Charlotte’s other accomplishments, and think that she’s done everything there is to accomplish. But what would it mean to be this year’s Queen of the Ring and get a title match at SummerSlam? Charlotte says yes, she’s done it all as a 14-time Women’s Champion, but the hunger has never faded. She hasn’t won a world championship in a few years now, but throughout her career, she has proven time and time again why she IS The Queen, with or without a crown.

But if she wins this crown, if she beats Liv Morgan tonight, and then Iyo Sky at Night of Champions, that puts Charlotte at the top of the mountain at SummerSlam. That is what she is striving for: A FIFTEENTH world championship. Now, Liv may claim she’s trouble, but tonight, Charlotte shows us why she is the Queen then, now, and forever. WOO~! Charlotte winks and heads out, will she win her way to the Night of Champions? Or will the Women’s World Champion be one step away from having it all?

Danhausen is back in the lab.

And he has both The Miz and Kit Wilson hooked up to his computer. Danhausen is apparently reprogramming the brain-fried #MizKit. He taps the enter key and Miz responds, “AWESOME~!” And now Kit. “TOXIC! TOXIC!” Good enough. Los Garza storms in and they bring up the deal they made with Danhausen. W-What deal? He was supposed to curse the Knicks so the Spurs would win! But because he didn’t, they lost thousands of dollars! Pay them back! No, he can’t, he spent the money on fixing these two. HOORAH! Not now, Miz. Angel says does he think they’re joking? No, he thinks they are cu- NO! Berto stops Danhausen!

But then Matt Cardona storms in! He says he lost his watch because of you two! But you don’t see him complaining. Though, that’s because his team won the NBA Finals. Angel says this is not Cardona’s business. No, you have problem with Danhausen, you have a problem with Cardona, so let him go. Berto lets Danhausen go and Angel says real tough guys. Berto says watch your backs. Los Garza leaves, Danhausen thanks Zack Ryder for the help. Cardona corrects Danhausen on the name, but then asks if these two are alright. Yeah, Miz has never been better. Cardona taps Miz, and the brain caps SPARK!

Cardona shouts, “WOO WOO!” Danhausen asks if he’s okay, and Cardona says, “You know it.” Uh… Cardona leaves, and Danhausen likes where this is going. What Very Nice, Very Evil ideas are now formulating in his head?

R-Truth shines up the title belt.

Finn Balor steps in and asks what’s up. Truth says sup, dawg? He daps it up, and Finn congratulates them on the title defense. But uh, the things Truth was talking about last week, Finn thinks- Truth says yeah, he was getting ahead of himself. But so was Finn. Finn kept talking about castles and moats and dragons, stuff like that. What? No, that was Truth. No, that was Finn! Truth was confused. Yeah, he gets confused, but so was Finn. It’s okay. But anyway, they just beat the Wild Samoans, Rikishi and all his family. Finn has to get a title, and Truth has a hook-up. Finn says he doesn’t need Truth’s help on that.

Truth says dawg, when you in The Judgment Day, you Judgment Day 4 Life! C’mere! They hug it out, but then Priest steps in. Truth stops hugging Finn and Priest asks what’s going on. Truth says just talking about Finn being all in. They gonna go do water polo. What? Or, never mind, Priest probably likes Marco Polo better. They’ll also do some cricket. Finn doesn’t play cricket. Oh, right, crickets are too fast, almost like roaches. Priest stops Truth, and says whatever he has planned, don’t count him in. Priest doesn’t go places with people he doesn’t trust. Truth asks if Priest means him or Finn. Can’t be Finn, Finn just got here.

Finn shakes his head and leaves, Truth says he’s the most loyalest, trustingest person! Will Truth ever sort out that their Judgment Day has passed? Or will he get the others to come around to the idea like he did back in the day?

2026 King of the Ring Semifinal: Jey Uso VS Je’Von Evans!

Kansas City is ready to YEET as Main Event Jey makes his entrance from the concourse. But there was a bit of discourse between him and the Young OG earlier tonight, all stemming from the battle of generations we’re about to have. Will Jey make sure nothing stops him from making it to the Night of Champions? Or is Kansas City about to get BOUNCY~?

SmackDown returns as the fans still YEET with Jey. Then Evans makes his entrance and the fans cheer on the Young OG. The bell rings, the fans rally, and Jey already throws off his armbands to show he’s serious. The two circle, talk some trash, then they tie up. Jey headlocks, Evans powers up and out, then Evans drops down to hurdle over. Evans keeps moving, springboard for the schoolboy, TWO! Evans applauds “Unc” Jey, and Jey shoves Evans! Evans DROPKICKS Jey! The fans fire up while Jey bails out! Evans waits on Jey to get up, Jey rushes in around the way, but Evans DROPKICKS again!

Jey bails out again, Evans says where we at? #WEOUTSIDE! Evans FLIES to take Jey down and the fans fire up while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again as Jey ROCKS Evans! Evans falls back, but Jey also needs a moment to catch his breath. Jey storms up on Evans, brings him around, and whips him to ropes. Evans stops, backflips out of the way, then BOOTS Jey! Evans talks trash, even as he wrenches, and he suplexes Jey up and over! Evans kips up, the fans wave their arms with him, and Evans goes back to Jey. Evans brings Jey around, CHOPS him, and the fans “WOO~!” Evans eggs Jey on, but Evans is wincing from pain in his ribs after what Bron Breakker did to him on Monday. Evans whips, Jey reverses, but Evans goes up and over!

Evans runs, but into a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! The height of that alone was wild, and Evans writhes from that landing. The fans rally as Jey notices that, and Jey YANKS Evans’ shirt away! Yep, Evans is all taped up! Jey stomps the ribs, then stalks Evans. Evans coughs and sputters as he goes to ropes, but Jey drags him back to STOMP his guts! Evans coughs and sputters again while Jey watches him writhe. Jey stalks Evans to a corner, pushes him around, then eggs him on. Jey stands Evans up, but Evans fires hands! Evans ROCKS Jey, ROCKS him again, but Jey UPPERCUTS back! Jey scoops to BACKBREAKER!

The fans are torn as Jey snarls and looms over a writhing Evans. Jey says he does this! Evans crawls to the ropes, Jey brings him up, and Jey CHOKES Evans! The ref counts, Jey CLUBS Evans, then eggs him on. Evans coughs and sputters as he goes to a corner. Jey runs up, but Evans ELBOWS him away! Evans goes up, up, but Jey SHOVES Evans down! Evans hits barriers, then the floor! Evans writhes, clutching his jaw, and Jey says just get him outta here. Jey waits on the ring count while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Evans slowly sits up, his ribs still bothering him. Jey goes out after Evans, not patient enough for the count. Jey RAMS Evans into the barriers, then lets him slump to the floor. Jey refreshes the count, then says “YEET!” Jey builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit and Evans is sent into the barriers again! Jey rolls back into the ring, leaving Evans to the count this time. Evans slowly rises, manages to stand at 7, hobbles over at 9, and rolls in just in time! Jey nods some respect to that, then eggs Evans on. Evans SLAPS Jey! Jey SMACKS Evans right back outta the ring! Jey then pursues, and he has Evans at commentary. Evans SUPERKICKS!

Jey staggers around, Evans LARIATS Jey into the timekeeper’s area! Evans says here we go, and he builds speed going around the ring! Evans makes a full alp to FLY! Direct hit! Jey is made to sit in an armchair while Evans falls into the front row! The fans cheer as Evans drags himself back up and back over the barriers. Evans puts Jey in the ring, then springboards, but Jey dodges! SUPERKICK! Evans is down and Jey covers, TWO! Jey stays cool and the fans “YEET!” as SmackDown returns to single picture. Jey climbs up, but Evans ROCKS him first! Evans has to catch his breath, but he climbs up the corner.

Jey pulls hair, HEADBUTTS Evans down, then adjusts up top! But Evans is right back up to get him! SUPER DUPER SPANISH FLY!!  But Evans’ ribs take damage, too! Evans still manages the cover, TWO!! Jey survives from the delay and Evans can feel it. “This is Awesome!” as both men rise up. Evans talks trash on Jey and the Bloodline, but Jey ROCKS Evans! Jey eggs Evans on, Evans ROCKS Jey! The haymakers go back and forth, the fireflies are out, and Jey pops, locks ‘n’ puts some stank on the HAYMAKER! Evans rebounds to BOOT! Jey kicks, Evans blocks, but the DRAGON WHIP finds Evans! Only for Evans to BUSAIKU KNEE!

The fans fire up as both men are down! Evans crawls, the fans rally up, and “This is Awesome!” as Evans fires up! The fans are with Evans, but Jey avoids the OG Cutter! SUPERKICK! Then a SPEAR!! Cover, TWO?!? Evans survives and no one can believe it, but Kansas City loves it! Jey goes to a corner and waits on Evans to rise up. Evans shakes his head, refusing to give up now. Evans forces himself to stand, Jey runs up, but into a SUPERKICK! Evans hits first and that fires him up again! Jey stands, Evans runs up, RED DOT GAMANGIRI! Then Evans waves his arms, the fans join in, and Evans goes up, up, and- NO, Jey trips him up!

Evans staggers up, into a SPEAR!! Jey goes up top fast, USO SPLASH!! Cover, Jey wins!!

Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

The Young OG showed heart and savvy far beyond his years, but those bad ribs might’ve been the deciding factor. Main Event Jey is now in the King of the Ring Finals, but he shows respect to Evans by helping him stand up. The fans cheer that, will Evans still find his way to the mountaintop? As for Jey, is he about to YEET The Ruler out of his way?

Jacob Fatu finishes watching this backstage, when Solo confronts him. Solo says he has it all figured out. Fatu was sent here just to get in Solo’s head so that Roman can stick his nose in Solo’s business. Solo has a message for your Tribal Chief. If Roman keeps messing with Solo’s family, then maybe Solo is gonna start messing with Roman. Solo storms off, what will the OTC think about this?

Giulia speaks.

“Many places made me the fighter I am today. I started my career in Japan, the nation of my mother. I got real with Kiana in Italy, the nation of my father. I won the Woman’s United States Championship here in the US. And next week, SmackDown is coming to the city I was born, London. Kiana, it’s time we go our separate ways. And what better place to end this than where it all started for me? Next week in London, we will see once and for all which one of us is better without the other.” The Beautiful Madness has thrown out the challenge, but will Miss Management be up to the task?

Backstage interview with Tiffany Stratton.

Cathy Kelley is with the WWE Women’s US Champion and brings up Jade challenging her to a match. What is her response? Tiff says she gets it, Jade is desperate for another title. So if Jade wants a match at Night of Champions, Tiff will be there. The difference between Tiff and Jade is that Tiff doesn’t need lousy sidekicks to do her dirty work. Chelsea Green then steps in and apologizes for not being on time. But also, just as she was saying, Tiff & Chelsea are equals, unlike “Mimi and B-Flop.” Tiff asks what Chelsea is doing, and Chelsea asks Cathy to give them a moment. Cathy exits, and Chelsea explains she’s working on their road to stardom!

Um, Tiff is serious. For the past year, all Chelsea’s ever done is call her names and- No, she has never done that. Not once. Uh, Tacky Time? Oh, well, that was funny, and meant more like a term of endearment. Tiff tells Chelsea that the past year, she watched people beat Tiff up, even joined in and kicked her while she’s down, and now she suddenly thinks she can be Tiff’s friend? Tiff doesn’t need Chelsea’s help, she’s gonna do this on her own. Tiff heads out, but will she be able to weather The Storm in Saudi Arabia? Or will The Baddies make sure Tiffy has a bad time at Night of Champions?

Liv Morgan speaks.

“Oh, Charlotte. I know how badly you wanna be Queen of the Ring. It’s just a shame that your runs tops here. I don’t care about how many championships you’ve won or what you’ve done in the past, because I know exactly what you are: The past. This tournament is about proving who is the best of the best, and unfortunately, Charlotte, that’s just not you anymore. So tonight, I’m coming to SmackDown to show what happens when you are in the presence of the Greatest Women’s World Champion of ALLLL~ Time! And the first champion to become your Queen of the Ring. Sincerely, the Liv Morgan.”

#ScreamMode speaks.

Brie Bella says since WrestleMania, it has been nonstop. Match after match, team after team, challenge after challenge. And to be honest, it hasn’t been easy. But Paige says they overcame the odds when they became champions, and that was their first time teaming together. And they’ll do it again to beat Bayley & Lyra Valkyria this Monday. Bayley has become a cornerstone of this division for over a decade while Lyra has become one of the fastest rising stars on the roster. They’re both former tag team champions, just never together. They’re two of the best to ever grace the ring.

But don’t get them wrong, Scream Mode is ready, baby. From any team, any time! It’s just Bayley & Lyra who stepped up this time. That’s honorable, but ultimately misguided, because they’re still going home emptyhanded. Paige & Brie still respect the hell outta them, and technically they’re the perfect match-up, But that’s nothing they haven’t outshined and outsmarted before, and they intend on doing it again this Monday Night Raw. The champs are ready, but are they overestimating themselves?

Fatal Influence speaks.

Jacy Jayne says last week, things didn’t go as planned. Jacy blames the boneheaded ref who threw her out from ringside! And then, Paige & Brie got away with whatever the hell they wanted?! Guess the rules don’t apply to these so-called legends. Fallon Henley says what makes it worse is that the nostalgia act actually thinks they’re better. Lainey Reid says they’re just pathetic. Fatal Influence had those two exactly where they wanted and everyone knew it. In fact, the tag team champs knew it. So if they walk out of Raw still champions, then Fallon & Lainey will be right there to take the gold off their shoulders.

As for tonight, Jacy is gonna march into Aldis’ office right now, and demand a 1v1 match with Paige for next week. So Paige, baby girl, hopefully you’re ready to be embarrassed in front of your family, your friends, and the people that love you most, because that is what happens when you mess with their Influence! The Toxic Rockstar has a plan, but is she getting ahead of herself?

Jey Uso returns backstage.

Cody is there to congratulate Jey, and says just one more to go. Jey says yeah, one to go. And then it’s SummerSlam, Uce. Here comes the blitz, QB1. Cody says don’t forget about Oba. And besides, Cody is easy to find. Cody heads off, and then Sami steps in! Sami asks how Jey’s been. Jey says he’s been good, but how is Sami? Jey saw Sami crash out lately. What’s up with it? Sami admits, he’s not doing great, but that’s not important. Jey is doing great, though, Sami sees that and feels Jey will win King of the Ring and go on to wrestle the WWE Champion. But uh, Sami just doesn’t think it’ll be Cody. Sami thinks it’ll be Sami. So what do they do when that happens?

Jey says Sami knows him. He’ll have to do what he has to do, Uce. Sami nods and tells Jey to say hi to the family for him. It seems Sami can’t escape the conflict between his friendships and his ambitions. But will Jey manage to YEET The Ruler to even have his shot at SummerSlam? Will Sami overcome the odds to finally have the title he’s always wanted?

2026 Queen of the Ring Semifinal: Liv Morgan VS Charlotte Flair!

With Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez being eliminated from this tournament, Judgment Day’s hopes lie all on the WWE Women’s World Champion, and that’s exactly how she likes it. But will Liv be nothing but trouble from now until SummerSlam? Or will The Queen truly have her crowning achievement?

But as Charlotte goes to gorilla, The Baddies are there. Jade tells Charlotte that they both know that the only reason Charlotte has this match is because of her whack little friends. Charlotte says Tiff is NOT her friend. Jade says the point is, Charlotte shouldn’t be here. Charlotte says if she was Jade, she’d worry more about finding friends who are more… effective. Jade has Mia & Fab stand down, and Charlotte says Jade can always be Queen of the Ring next year. Now get moving. Jade says Charlotte’s funny. The Baddies step aside, but then they CHOP BLOCK Charlotte!! They set the leg up against the wall, and Jade BOOTS it! Then STOMPS it!

The fans boo, producers and refs reprimand, but Charlotte clutches her leg! Did The Baddies just serve Charlotte up to Liv on a silver platter? We’ll have to wait and see after the break.

SmackDown returns and the medic is checking Charlotte while Alexa is here to check on he friend. Charlotte insists she can still compete, but Aldis asks if she is sure. Liv walks in and laughs, saying that’s just too bad. See you out there. Liv makes her entrance, will she have no trouble winning her spot in the finals now? Despite everyone saying not to, Charlotte hobbles into gorilla and demands they play her music. The music plays, and Charlotte now hobbles her way out on stage. The fans cheer Charlotte on, she gets her pyro, and she still goes to the ring. But then Liv CHOP BLOCKS Charlotte! Charlotte falls to the floor while the fans boo again.

Liv mockingly asks if they should call this off. Charlotte already tells the medics to leave her alone! Aldis asks Charlotte to think about this, but Charlotte tells him, “Do you know how much this means to me?!” Aldis does, but she has to think about her future! Charlotte storms up to the apron, steps in, and the bell rings. Liv runs up, Charlotte dodges, and Charlotte ELBOWS Liv! Charlotte hobbles but she still LARIATS! But then Liv CHOP BLOCKS the leg again! Liv pushes Charlotte back out of the ring, then SLAMS the bad leg against the LED apron! And SLAMS it again! The fans rally for Charlotte but Liv sends her into the steel steps!

Charlotte grimaces, clutches her knee, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns as Liv lets off the bad leg in the corner. Charlotte ELBOWS Liv away, then pops her up and out! Charlotte ROCKS Liv and Liv drops off the apron. Liv hurries to grab the bad leg, and she trips Charlotte up! Liv drags Charlotte to the corner, and she SLAMS the leg off the POST! Liv then pushes Charlotte, SLAMS the leg again, then HAMMERS away on Charlotte! Charlotte clutches the leg, but Liv DROPKICKS it against the POST! Liv drags Charlotte in for a cover, TWO!! Charlotte refuses to give up, but Liv paces around her. Liv drags Charlotte up, reels her in, and snap suplexes her into the ropes!

Liv grins a sinister grin as she kicks Charlotte around. Charlotte eggs Liv on, so Liv reels her back in. But Charlotte fights the suplex! Charlotte snap suplexes in return! The fans fire up with Charlotte as she rises up! Liv runs in, but into a BOOT from the good leg! Charlotte goes up a corner, and manages a CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Liv is tougher than that but Charlotte stands. Liv ROCKS Charlotte, Charlotte ROCKS Liv, and repeat! The fans rally but Liv ROCKS Charlotte gain! And again! Charlotte makes it a scrap, but Liv KICKS the bad leg! Liv runs but Charlotte UPPERCUTS her down! Charlotte CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS!

The fans “WOO~” as the CHOPS keep going in the corner! Charlotte then whips corner to corner, but Liv reverses! Charlotte falls, she can’t even go more than a step! Liv runs up and BACK BODY BLOCKS! Liv runs up again, but into a BOOT! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up for Charlotte as she drags Liv back up. Charlotte scoops, but the leg won’t let her hold it! Liv KICKS the leg out! Liv then goes to the corner, goes up, up, and leaps into another BOOT! Cover, TWO! Charlotte grits her teeth as she stands up, and she steps on Liv. Charlotte goes up, up, but the bad leg buckles! Liv hurries to jump up and SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO!!

The fans fire up for Charlotte while Liv can’t believe it! Liv huffs ‘n’ puffs her way over as SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Liv kicks Charlotte around, drags her up, and POSTS her! Liv then climbs up the corner, and she grabs the bad leg for a HANGING HALF CRAB! The ref counts, Liv lets go at 4, but Charlotte still dangles out of the ring. Liv shoves her down, then stalks Charlotte to the desk. Charlotte blocks the desk bump, blocks it again, and she ELBOWS Liv! Charlotte SMACKS Liv off the desk! And again! And again! Charlotte fires up, she brings Liv around, but Liv RAMS Charlotte into the post! Charlotte falls over, Liv rolls into the ring, and the count is past 5 of 10! It’s now 7! And 8! Charlotte hobbles in at 9! But into OB- NO! Charlotte catches Liv!

Charlotte manages to then slip around and GERMAN SUPLEX! Charlotte has to settle for a one leg bridge, TWO!! Liv survives but Charlotte’s leg hurts too much for her to be upset about anything else. Charlotte slaps her leg into moving, and she goes after Liv. Liv breaks free to kick the leg! Charlotte drops back down, but Liv kicks and stomps her around! Liv drags Charlotte up, reels her in, and snap suplexes! That’s just Una Amiga! Liv hits another snap suplex for Dos Amigas! And now, THREE AMIGAS! Liv gives some Latina Heat, then runs to ENZIGIRI! SmackDown returns as Liv covers, TWO!

Liv drags Charlotte around, KICKS the bad leg, then she goes up the corner. Liv gives more Latina Heat, then FROG SPLASHES onto knees! Charlotte uses a double-edged save and she reels Liv into a cradle, TWO! Liv runs up but Charlotte trips her! Charlotte steps through but Liv BOOTS Charlotte away! Liv hits a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Charlotte survives! Charlotte crawls to a corner, but she tells Liv will never beat her! Liv runs up, but into a BACKBREAKER and BUCKLE SHOT! But then she ducks the gamangiri! And she CHOP BLOCKS the leg again! Liv CLUBS away on Charlotte, then puts her up in the Tree of Woe!

The fans boo as Liv makes Charlotte suffer, and then she climbs up to stomp away on the leg! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Liv stops long enough to climb up top. Liv HAMMERS the leg, but Charlotte sits up to SPIDER SUPLEX! The fans fire up as Charlotte frees herself, then BOOTS Liv! Charlotte goes up, up, and FLYING NATURAL SELECTION!! Cover, TWO?!? Liv survives and Charlotte is hitting that level of anger where she’s almost laughing! But the fans rally up for Charlotte, only for Liv to snatch her into a ghost pin! TWO, and Charlotte has Liv’s legs! FIGURE FOUR! But Liv SLAPS away on Charlotte! Charlotte SLAPS away on Liv!

Charlotte pushes up, but it’s not quite the Figure Eight yet! Liv fights, reaches out, and she turns against the bad leg! Liv turns it over, REVERSE FIGURE FOUR on Charlotte! Charlotte fights to turn it over, but Liv has the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Charlotte lets go, and both women clutch a knee after that. Charlotte crawls, goes to ropes, but Liv CHOP BLOCKS again! Liv hurries to grab the leg, HALF CRAB!! And it’s in deep! Charlotte endures, even as Liv SLAPS the knee! Charlotte fights forward, reaches out, but Liv is almost getting that foot to touch the back of Charlotte’s head! Charlotte still fights, but Liv drags her back again!

The fans rally as hard as they can but Charlotte fights, turns slightly, and manages the ROPEBREAK! Liv lets go in frustration, and Charlotte flops to the outside. The ref has Liv hold on, the medics hurry back in, and Aldis again insists Charlotte stop now. Bliss is here, too, she wants Charlotte to think about this. Charlotte says no, Bliss knows this is worth it. Charlotte stands, but Liv grabs at her! Charlotte and Liv scrap, and Charlotte HOTSHOTS Liv! Charlotte rolls back in, but Liv runs up at the ropes! OBLIVION!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Charlotte survives and shocks everyone! Liv furiously pulls on the leg, DEEP HALF CRAB!! CHARLOTTE TAPS, Liv wins!!

Winner: Liv Morgan, by submission (advances to the finals)

Charlotte fought as hard as she could, but The Baddies made sure the fix was in. Liv grins as she holds up the world title because she is moving on to the Night of Champions! But will Liv soon take over the world? Or will Iyo Sky have just the plan to win the crown?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown here, but maybe a little talky right before the main event. I’m not sure why we needed multiple promos right before the end, unless they just didn’t have enough to fill the three hours. I’m going to be very grateful when this return to two hours happens. But at the same time, they hyped up Scream Mode VS #BayLyra and even Paige VS Jacy Jayne for SmackDown London. I just wish they’d go ahead and air SmackDown on Tuesday instead of a tape delay when we all know jerks will do their best to spoil things that day.

Anyway, great move opening with the Undisputed Championship, and it all played out pretty close to what I was picturing. Sami does his best to be fair, though maybe he wasn’t quite seeing how he was stopping Cody more than he was Gunther. But then Gunther costs himself but not allowing Sami to just call it like he was, because really, Gunther was still winning on points that way. And then Sami “ruining” the restart was also pretty standard, and the Triple Threat for Night of Champions will be great. I feel like Gunther is the odd man out, because there’s more to mine out of Cody and Sami having their friendship fall apart while Sami continues his descent into being a Heel.

Very good match from Melo VS Saints, but I’m actually surprised Saints won. But I suppose a story as big as Trick and Melo feuding again should be for SummerSlam, so I suppose Saints can lose to Trick to help built Trick’s reign. Hilarious stuff with Danhausen, Miz, Kit, and the rest. I almost thought we were getting Cardonahausen VS Los Garza, but maybe there’s more to Miz and Kit short-circuiting and also Cardona being shocked back into Zack Ryder for a moment before they give us any kind of tag match.

Very good linking things with the Bloodline story here, too. Fatu reminding Solo that Roman wants him home, Tama & Talla wanting Solo to let them do things on their own, then Solo messing that up, some interesting moves going on. That and a very good, hilarious promo from R-Truth with Priest and Finn, there could be some big changes in time for WarGames. Solo returning to Bloodline would make for five, and then it can be MFT with OG Judgment Day, which is basically like saying Bullet Club with Priest & Truth, on the other side. Though I suppose that makes for more Brand VS Brand than a story motivated WarGames… Which isn’t bad, really, if they made it the tradition.

Jey VS Je’Von was an awesome match for KOTR, like it could’ve been the Finals if they wanted. Jey winning out works within all the stories going on, too, because Jey VS Sami would be a fun build, too. And then equally great stuff in the QOTR and Women’s Division. Good promo from The Baddies to call out Tiffy, and good promo from Tiffy to try and set the record with Chelsea straight. Tiffy being the one to use continuity against a Heel-to-Face turn is both surprising and perhaps ironic since she was pretty mean as a Heel herself. And good promo from Giulia to call out Kiana before their match in London, that’ll be a good one.

The Baddies brutalizing Charlotte’s leg was a good way to put more drama on her match with Liv while also protecting her in the loss. Liv VS Iyo is going to be great, and either outcome works. Liv VS Rhea could be for both titles, but Iyo VS Rhea would be about their friendship and rivalry, where Rhea has never beaten Iyo 1v1. SummerSlam is definitely the stage for both those stories, so it’ll be a lot of fun getting there.

My Score: 8.8/10