It’s a new era indeed!

The Night of Champions went Sami Zayn’s way, and he is finally Undisputed WWE Champion! But how will he choose to celebrate?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Woman Tag: Tiffany Stratton, Chelsea Green & Charlotte Flair VS Jade Cargill, Mia Yim & B-Fab; Jade, Mia & Fab win.
• AAA Cruiserweight Championship: Rey Fenix VS El Hijo del Vikingo; Fenix wins and retains the title.
• Brie Bella w/ Paige VS Lainey Reid w/ The Fatal Influence; Lainey wins.
• Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Cody Rhodes VS Jey Uso; Cody wins and will challenge Sami Zayn for the title on Monday Night Raw.

PLAY BY PLAY

Sami Zayn is here!

Atlantic City is a bit conflicted over seeing The Last Real Good Guy finally become Undisputed WWE Champion, but Sami high-fives the front row as he goes down the ramp. He even gets pyro as he raises the belt! Sami then grabs a mic, and he says, “It seems to me like a lot of folks out here tonight came to RID OR DIE with the Last Real Good Guy!” The fans are still conflicted, but Sami says before he gets started, the overwhelming love over the last few days has touched him, he thanks us and he means that. But… The whole thing is really kinda funny considering the last six months, he comes out here and gets booed outta the building every single time!

And it’s funny because the people booing, just three years ago were dying to see Sami become WWE Champion. But then they decided Sami was never gonna do it, jumped off the bandwagon, turned their backs on Sami. But now Sami has this! So he could be petty if he wanted! He could be petty and tell every single one of those people who turned on him to KISS HIS ASS…! But he won’t. And you wanna know why? Because Sami is a good guy! That is the same reason why Sami is holding this. Because he never changed! Everyone told him that if he wanted to win he would need to be selfish, cutthroat, and do things he doesn’t wanna do, and he did it!

Sami won this the way he always said he would! He won it his way, he won it the RIGHT way! And Sami could be petty, and he could tell every single doubter who said he wasn’t championship material, he could tell each and every single one of them to KISS HIS ASS…! But he won’t. Because this is a celebration! Yeah? Is he right or is he right? And y’know what it is they’re celebrating? The fans do chant for “SAMI! SAMI!” And he says damn right! They’re celebrating HIM, the NEW WWE Champion! The end of the debate that once and for all, Sami will go down as one of the all time greats! He will forever be known now as a WrestleMania main eventer, and a GRAND SLAM CHAMPION!

Until the day Sami dies and beyond, he will be known as a WWE Champion! No one amount of booing, no amount of hate, no amount of noise will ever take that away from him. But then Cody Rhodes appears! The American Nightmare steps out on stage, the fans sing along, “WHOA~ OH~!” and Cody gets the pyro. Cody also high-fives fans, then goes to the ring. Cody gets his second “WHOA~ OH~!” and pyro, then grabs himself a mic. Cody says hey to Sami, Sami says hey to Cody, and then Sami asks Cody, “Whaddya wanna talk about?” Cody says it is very simple. Sami said something that Cody had forgotten but was reminded of.

When Cody first won that title, Sami was the very first person to come out and congratulate him. So Cody wanted to be the first here to congratulate Sami. The fans cheer as Cody offers a handshake, and Sami accepts. The fans cheer again, and Cody goes to leave. But then Sami says whoa, whoa! That’s it? Hey, hey! Come back here. C’mon, let’s not do this. Let’s not play this game. For once, drop the act. Drop the American Nightmare, drop the Golden Boy, and just be Cody with Sami. They know this isn’t the only reason Cody’s here. Sami has what Cody once had, and now it’s Sami’s. Sami knows this is what Cody wants, this is what he’s addicted to.

So be true, forget the games. Tell us why you’re really out here. But then JEY USO appears! Main Event Jey did mention on Monday that he was coming back to SmackDown, and it’s obvious why. Jey gets a mic, he hugs it out with Sami, and says sup, Cody! Sami, mah dawg! They do the secret handshake! The fans want to run it back, but Jey says no, he’s not gonna do that, because this is about his dawg, Sami Uso! So proud of you, Uce! Sami earned that, he deserves that, but… You know why Jey’s here. This is Bloodline business. This is Sami’s warning shot. Jey needs to bring that gold back to the family.

Cody says, “The family? What year is this? The family? Do we not know who each other are?” This is Sami, and since those days, Jey’s been World Heavyweight Champion. So at what point did Cody’s friend, Jey, revert to just running errands for The Tribal Chief? Besides, Cody and Sami were just talking about Cody’s rematch. Sami says were we? They’re not doing this, okay? No one was happier for Jey than Sami when he won the WHC. And despite what Cody thinks, Sami never actually went after Cody, stabbed him in the back, any of that. Jey had his chance, Cody had his, now it is SAMI’S TIME! The fans do cheer that.

Sami asks what that was Cody said? “As long as I have this, you never will?” Well, now it’s Sami’s. And for Jey, he said the WWW Championship is coming back to the family? Well, as far as Sami’s concerned, it’s still in the family. The fans cheer Sami Uso, and Sami says it stays on his shoulders. No one is touching this. No one is! So as a friend, and as family, both of you, stay away from Sami. Sami leaves the ring, but Adam Pearce hurries out here. He knows we all heard Nick Aldis was sent home after that little “dust up” with Gunther, so that means for the first time in a long time, and it actually feels pretty good, Adam Pearce will be acting as SmackDown General Manager.

Which is big for Sami! That means Pearce’s first order of business is to find Sami his challenger. Sami says with respect, Adam, doesn’t Sami as a champion have a little bit of say as to who he faces at SummerSlam? Pearce says with respect, who said anything about SummerSlam? Yes, if Aldis could do his job, he’d give Sami what he wants. But Aldis isn’t here, Pearce is, so we do it Pearce’s way. That means that title will be defended this Monday on Raw! But it gets better, Sami! We’re gonna have a #1 contender after Jey Uso battles Cody Rhodes here in Atlantic City! The fans like the sound of that! But then, will it be friend, family, or foe for Sami Zayn in just three days?

Backstage interview with Charlotte Flair.

Cathy Kelley is with The Queen and says coming out of Night of Champions, could Charlotte set the record straight? Why did she interfere in the Women’s United States Championship match? Charlotte says Jade Cargill got what she deserved. Jade ruined Charlotte’s opportunity, so Charlotte ruined hers. And she’ll keep teaching that lesson until Jade gets the damn picture! But then in steps Alexa Bliss. Alexa says she didn’t know Charlotte was gonna do that. Oh, Blisster, you know Charlotte is impulsive. And Jade hurt Bliss, hurt Charlotte, so enough is enough! Alexa gets that, but she still wishes Charlotte told her!

Alexa had to see Charlotte pop up on screen last Saturday. She looked great, obviously, but still. A head’s up would’ve been nice. Charlotte says that wasn’t personal. And last week, when she was icing her knee, sitting at home with her mom and her mom’s dogs, Charlotte saw Alexa with Tiff. Alexa says they both know that Alexa is- interrupted by Tiffany Stratton. And Tiff tells Charlotte that she never needed Charlotte’s help, but thanks. Maybe. Then Chelsea Green steps in! The Hot Mess says Jade and her team should be very worried about the three of them! Right? Right? Chalrotte flatly tells Tiff, “You’re welcome. Ladies, see you out there.”

Chelsea says not before they see you out there! R-Right? Because, uh, they’ll be out there. Charlotte heads to gorilla first, can she, Tiff and Chelsea hold it together long enough to handle The Baddies? Or will they all be blown away when The Storm hits Atlantic City?

Six Woman Tag: Tiffany Stratton, Chelsea Green & Charlotte Flair VS Jade Cargill, Mia Yim & B-Fab!

SmackDown returns as the WWE Women’s US Champion makes her entrance to join Chelsea and Charlotte in the ring. Then The Baddies make their entrance, the trios sort out, and Tiff starts against Jade. They circle, tie up, and Jade SHOVES Tiff down! Tiff ducks ‘n’ dodges to FLAPJACK DROPKICK! Jade stumbles, Michin tags in, but Tiff drop toeholds her onto ropes! Tiff runs and HIP ATTACKS! Mia flounders, Tiff cartwheels and lifts, but Mia sunset flips! TWO, and Mia kicks low! Mia THROWS Tiff down by her hair! Mia swaggers around, drags Tiff up, and bumps her off buckles. Tag to Fab and the Baddies DOUBLE SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!

Fab stays between Tiff and her corner, then lifts her up for a back suplex. Tiff lands out, stumbles, Charlotte tags in! Tiff BOOTS Fab, Charlotte goes up, CROSSBODY! Charlotte then BOOTS Jade, DECKS Mia, and dodges Fab! Fab ELBOWS back, but Charlotte GAMANGIRIS! Charlotte reels Fab in, scoops her, and hits the FALL AWAY SLAM! Charlotte kips up, the fans “WOO~,” and Charlotte CHOPS Fab! The fans “WOO~” again and again with every CHOP! Fab sputters in the corner, Charlotte whips her corner to corner, but Fab reverses! Charlotte goes up, out, and BOOTS Fab down! Then CANNONBALL onto Mia!

The fans fire up but Jade LARIATS Charlotte down! Jade says she is that money~! The fans boo, but SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns as B-Fab & Michin stand Charlotte up, double whip, then SOBAT, BOOT, and tag to Jade for the UPPERCUT! Jade drags Charlotte away from her corner, then scoops for the FALL AWAY SLAM! Jade kips up and mocks the “WOO~!” Jade mocks the strut, too, then runs in at the corner. Charlotte dodges Jade, Jade hits buckles, and Jade stumbles around! Fab tags in, she grabs a leg, but Charlotte hops up. Charlotte fires forearms but Fab holds onto the wrist! Charlotte still fights, still reaches out, but Fab wrenches to KNEE her down! Fab BLASTS Tiff, but then DOUBLE LARIATS with Charlotte!

The fans fire up as Charlotte and Fab crawl, hot tags to Mia and Chelsea! The fans fire up as Chelsea dodges Mia, BLASTS Jade, then arm-drags Mia! And arm-drags again! Then dodges to ripcord and SLAP! Then ENZIGIRI! Mia stumbles, Chelsea runs, and BASEMENT FLATLINER! The fans fire up as Chelsea salutes, and she runs up to ROUGH RYDER! Cover, but Fab breaks it! Tiff storms in to TIFFY STOMP Fab! Jade SUPERKICKS Tiff! Charlotte SUPERKICKS Jade, but Jade rebounds to BOOT Charlotte! Chelsea TOSESS Jade, but Mia rolls her up! TWO, and Chelsea SLAPS Mia again! Chelsea then goes up, up, and FLYING RANAS!

Chelsea stumbles, it’s been a minute since she’s done that. Jade tags in, but Chelsea dodges the boot! Chelsea has the arms, but then Jade turns it around! Only for Chelsea to turn it back around with the victory roll! TWO, Chelsea BLASTS Fab! But Jade gets Chelsea for the JADED!! Cover, Baddies win!

Winners: Jade Cargill, B-Fab & Mia Yim, by pinfall

As hard as Chelsea’s team fought, The Baddies fought as a team! Will nothing stop Jade from taking whatever she wants from whoever she wants?

Adam Pearce is on the phone.

He tells Nick Aldis that the last thing he needs is to argue with him. He isn’t arguing, either, he is just doing the job Aldis couldn’t get done. Pearce hangs up, and Sami hurries over to ask Pearce to explain. Sami is the WWE Champion! And he’s a SmackDown superstar, he shouldn’t be on Raw! Pearce says Sami is missing how this is a great opportunity. Sami can prove he’s a great Undisputed Champion in a great city like Chicago, on a great show! Pearce can even invite some SmackDown superstars to make it a supershow. But either way, congratulations, see you on Monday, it’ll be great. Pearce leaves, Sami wants to talk more, but that’s not happening.

Sami looks, he finds a water bottle and is ready to hit it, when he notices Johnny Gargano! Sami says hey, there he is! Oh, Johnny~! There it is! Sami did it! Didn’t he tell you? And to be honest, Sami isn’t sure he would’ve won this without Johnny. When Sami was at his lowest, he feels like Johnny was an ear for him. Johnny listened to him, understood him, he’s Sami’s rock. This is the proof right here! If you wanna get ahead, just stay true to yourself! And y’know what? Candice, Sami is glad you’re here, too! Could you take a photo of them? Sami poses with Gargano, Candice takes the picture, and Sami is reinvigorated. But will that feeling last all the way through tonight’s main event?

AAA Cruiserweight Championship: Rey Fenix VS El Hijo del Vikingo!

Speaking of, this match between two AAA champions could easily main event anywhere! But can the Immortal Firebird survive the heat? Or will Vikingo return to Mexico a double champion?

SmackDown returns as Vikingo makes his entrance, AAA Latin American Championship in hand. The introductions are made, the green belt is raised, and we see who is truly championship material!

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They then step up, and Fenix offers a handshake. Vikingo accepts, only to roll Fenix up! TWO, Fenix blocks a kick, but Vikingo dodges a lariat to run and FLIPPING RANA! The fans fire up and Fenix scrambles to ropes. Vikingo taunts Fenix, but Fenix runs up, slips around, and CLUBS Vikingo. Fenix shoves Vikingo to a corner but Vikingo ELBOWS back! Vikingo then BOOTS Fenix, goes up like a spider, then handsprings into a SOBAT! And PELE! Vikingo taunts Fenix with a Renaldo “SI~!” Vikingo runs up but Fenix SUPERKICKS! Fenix goes up, up, and FROG-CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally behind Fenix while Vikingo sputters. Fenix brings Vikingo up, whips, but Vikingo reverses. Fenix tiger feints, but Vkingo ducks the heel kick! Fenix dodges back, handspring and CUTTER! Cover, TWO! Vikingo survives, and even bails out of the ring, but the fans rally with Fenix. Fenix shouts “ANIMO!” and builds speed to slide, but into an apron skirt trap! Vikingo HAMMERS away on Fenix, then mocks “Animo!” before he runs, and he WRECKS Fenix with that blindside dropkick! Vikingo fires up again, then ARABIAN PRESS ATTACKS! Down goes Fenix and Vikingo is all smiles as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns as Vikingo ROCKS Fenix! Vikingo whips Fenix to a corner, runs in, but Fenix dodges! Vikingo hits buckles, Fenix ENZIGIRIS, then he pushes Vikingo out. Fenix goes to the ropes, ADIOS AMIGO KICK! Then Fenix goes back up, for the FROG SPALSH! Long distance at that! Cover, TWO! Vikingo survives and Fenix is shocked! The fans rally for “LUCHA LIBRE!” Fenix runs corner to corner but Vikingo dodges! GAMANGIRI! Vikingo sits Fenix down, runs corner to corner and back again, METEORA! Vikingo isn’t done, he climbs up the corner to then DRAGON RANA! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Fenix survives, but Vikingo hits the TWISTER KICK! The fans rally as Vikingo goes up the corner again, but Fenix SHORYUKENS! Fenix then climbs up after Vikingo but Vikingo fires forearms and body shots! Vikingo goes up to the post, and uses that to leap int the SUPER POISON-RANA! Cover, TWO!! The fans are thunderous as Vikingo goes back up! Vikingo is back on the post, then double jumps to 450 FLOP as Fenix dodges! METEORA from Fenix, and he puts Vikingo up top! Fenix CHOPS, then tucks, MEXICAN MUSCLE BUSTER! Cover, Fenix wins!

Winner: Rey Fenix, by pinfall (still AAA Cruiserweight Champion)

Vikingo was no joke, but it is Fenix who has the last laugh as he stands tall! The summer is only getting hotter, will Fenix continue to blaze a trail between AAA and WWE?

Backstage interview with Giulia.

Cathy Kelley is with the Beautiful Madness and brings up last week, she didn’t even get to celebrate the win over Kiana James before Blake Monroe appeared and attacked. Does Giulia have a message for Blake? Giulia says she doesn’t back down from any fight! She put Kiana behind her, and if Blake stops being a coward, then Giulia will fight her! Anytime, anywhere! Kiana then mockingly applauds as she walks in, and says that’s rich coming from Giulia. It would be just like her to bite the hand that feeds her! Listen, Giulia, you got lucky! But then Blake THROWS Giulia into a road case! Blake says in case you forgot, she IS Blake Monroe, and so good to see you again!

Blake SMACKS Giulia off the floor, and Kiana says as fun as that was to watch, let’s not forget who’s in control here. But then Blake grabs Kiana to SMACK her off a road case. Nice to see you, too! Blake leaves and Kiana might have to admit, she’s not in control. Will The Glamour steal the spotlight from everyone now that she’s ready to SmackDown?

Jimmy Uso talks with Jacob Fatu backstage.

#BigJim wants the Samoan Werewolf to understand that they’re gonna run the play. But then Royce Keys walks in. he says sup to Jimmy, and to Fatu. He asks Fatu what’s up, he can’t tap into nobody? Oh, let him guess. Roman tells Fatu who his partners is now, huh? Jimmy says speaking of Roman, they’re here cuz OTC sent them on a mission to find Solo. Now can Royce tell them where he at or not? Cuz if not, they’ll just handle family business. Oh, family? Blood don’t make you family, loyalty does. Royce has been Fatu’s day one for the last 14 YEARS, right? Royce has been loyal. So guess what? As far as Royce is concerned, he’s Fatu’s family.

Jimmy takes off the sunglasses to say, “Not no more. Right, Jacob?” Jimmy leaves, Fatu follows, and Royce doesn’t like it. But what can even the Powerhouse do against The Bloodline?

Trick Williams is here!

Atlantic City cheers on the WWE United States Champion as he and Lil’ Yachty make their way to the ring. Yachty gets the mic, but before he can say anything, Carmelo Hayes makes his entrance! The fans cheer for H1M as he heads right to the ring! Melo grabs a mic and tells Trick let’s get serious, let’s get to business. Saturday, Ricky Saints couldn’t get the job done. So now, Atlantic City, it looks we have no other choice but to run it back! Melo VS Trick for the US title, if Trick be ’bout it ’bout it. No answer? Okay, Melo expected that. But before he goes where he’s gotta go, he’ll give Trick his flowers.

Trick does everything larger than life. The title looks great on him, the crowd loves him, and he is unstoppable. But that’s because Melo hasn’t decided to stop him yet. Melo made that championship into a championship. Trick turned that title into an accessory. So if he and Yachty wanna run around with a belt, Melo can get Trick a discount code on WWE Shop, it’s that easy. But Trick, that title is the workhorse championship! That’s the match-of-the-night championship! That championship is for guys who are hungry, and it looks like Trick had too much to eat. Melo is just getting started! So Melo says that just to say this: Prove him wrong!

Put the title up against someone who knows Trick better than anybody. Because all this talk about Trick being on track as one of the greatest of all time, Melo ain’t buying it. Melo knows Trick can walk the walk and talk the talk with all of them, but the reality is, Trick has two left feet and a mouth full of marbles once he’s in here with H1M. Yachty says gaddang Who’re you talking to? This ain’t no willy nilly Carlo from NXT, this is Trick Willy, the one and only! And THE United States Champion. And since being called up to the big leagues, Trick has been nothing short of pure greatness. Melo brushes off that height insult.

Now Yachty understands Melo would like a match. Atlantic City, should they give the young, small man a match? The fans cheer yes! Yachty says yeah, alright, okay, slow down. They got them. Next week, Melo has a match. The fans boo that, but Yachty says it’ll be non-title. Yachty says Melo had his chance, he blew it, they can’t just be giving handouts. Titles are earned, not given. But Melo is lucky, because Trick needs to get his reps in. So Melo has his match. But please understand, when things get tricky, no more excuses as to why Melo cannot get the job done. Trick then adds that it’s funny. With all the history they have, Trick really does Melo know him like the back of his hand.

Trick then BACKHANDS Melo! The fans are torn, and Trick says mind your business when grown folks talking! Trick Yachty Gang head out, but then Melo FLIES out onto them! The fans fire up as Melo then stands tall in the ring! Yachty gets up, ready to throw, but Trick has him back down. Will Melo earn his title shot when he whoops dat Trick next week? Or will Trick finally get the better of H1M?

Danhausen is back in the lab.

And he’s got Miz and Kit Wilson hooked up again. Danhausen is on his old timey phone as he talks with how to fix this. Matt Cardona steps in but Danhausen still calls him Zack Ryder, and that triggers Miz & Kit to say “Woo woo woo, you know it!” Cardona asks Danhausen about what happened with The Judgment Day on Raw. Danhausen says it’s fine, he has it covered. Danhausen has a match with the guy with the big head that always follows Dom around. He means JD McDonagh? Yeah, that might be it. But Danhausen will wrestle JD at Madison Square Garden! Well, if he needs back-up, count Cardona in.

What does he mean? Danhausen just called in back-up on the phone! It’s not connected… Is this even real? Yes, it’s real! Danhausen will take a train to meet him, explain the whole plan, it’ll be great! But while Cardona is here, he can help with the experiment! Just twist that dial. Wait, why Cardona? Danhausen says it’ll be fine. Well, okay… Cardona turns the dial, the machine powers up, and it does something to Miz & Kit! Oh no, Danhausen realizes Judgment Day sabotaged it somehow! Uh, Danhausen’s gonna go! Just watch those two! Miz and Kit flail around, Cardona says take care, spike your hair! Kit lets out an “AWESOME~!” but will either of them be alright?

Brie Bella w/ Paige VS Lainey Reid w/ The Fatal Influence!

While #ScreamMode has been managing to slip away with the tag titles, it did take some trickery each time. Paige managed that against Jacy Jayne last week in London, but can Brie do the same in Atlantic City? Or will the Southern Belle get herself and the team a shot at the belts?

SmackDown returns as The Fatal Influence makes their entrance. The bell rings and Lainey runs up, but Brie dodges! Brie hits a THESZ PRESS, rains down fists, but Lainey kicks free. Lainey wants Brie to hold on, then she BODY BLOWS and UPPERCUTS! Lainey whips Brie to a corner, but Brie goes up and comes back to LARIAT! Brie snarls as she grabs an arm, and runs to the corner for a TORNADO ARMBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Lainey scrambles to the ropes, Jacy fans her off, but Brie storms up. Lainey YANKS Brie into ropes, then hits a BIG back suplex! Lainey mocks the fans cheering Brie on, then winds up, to ELBOW FLOP as Brie moves!

Brie grabs that arm, traps it and TWEAKS it, then hammerlocks Lainey to RAM her into buckles! Paige cheers Brie on as she hammerlocks and RAMS Lainey again! Lainey shakes out the bad arm but Brie whips, only for Lainey to reverse! Lainey RAMS Brie in the corner, ROCKS her, then puts her up. Jacy mocks the Yes chant, Lainey ROCKS Brie, and Lainey goes up. But Brie fires body shots! Brie SHOVES Lainey down, then adjusts, to MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up for Brie as she rises, and she fires YES KICKS! “YES! YES! YES!” Brie winds up but Fallon gets on the apron! Brie runs her off, but Lainey grabs hair!

Lainey back suplexes, Brie lands out, and Brie THROWS Lainey down! Brie then steps over the arm, rolls, and yes, the YES LOCK is on! Lainey reaches out, Fallon pushes the rope closer, but that’s not enough! Brie grabs the free arm, bends it back, and Paige YANKS Fallon back to THROW her down! But Jacy runs up now! Paige dodges to POST Jacy! But Fallon DECKS Paige! Brie lets Lainey go to THROW Fallon down! Brie hurries back in, but into a SWEET TEA KNEE! Cover, Lainey wins!

Winner: Lainey Reid, by pinfall

For once, the tricks work out in Fatal Influence’s favor! That makes the teams 1-1 in singles competition, will it take the tag titles to settle the score?

R-Truth holds a hot dog eating contest backstage!

Wait, really? And Nathan Frazer is doing what he can, but time is up! Truth wins! The USA beats England again! Happy birthday, America! U S A! U S A! Frazer says he’s gonna be sick. Axiom says he thought Frazer was fast. Not at this! Priest says Truth is a little too good at this. Truth says he love eating hot dogs! But then the War Raiders step in. They ask Truth & Priest if they thought about their offer, or were just shoving hot dogs in their faces. Ivar takes one right outta Truth’s hands and EATS IT! How DARE you! Truth just bit Priest’s wiener! Ivar spits it out, and Truth says you’re supposed to swallow.

Priest tells Truth stop, and Truth says hey, if they want it, fine! AAA tag titles VS WWE tag titles, in a hot dog eating contest! Get that throat ready! Priest says something in Spanish akin to “good grief,” and Truth says agreed. Priest says sorry, but Aldis isn’t here this week, so who knows when, but… Titles for titles? Challenge accepted, here on SmackDown! Truth says they gonna lose their masks AND their luchador status! Lil’ Jimmy, vaminos! Truth being Truth aside, at least Erik & Ivar will get the battle they want. When and where will we see these teams fight to be double champions?

Cody Rhodes heads to gorilla.

And on the way, Finn Balor is there to say hey. Cody shakes Finn’s hand, and Cody says he meant to do this before, welcome to SmackDown. Finn says to be honest, one of the reasons he moved to SmackDown was because he’d hoped to face Cody for the WWE Championship. So go get it back, the comeback starts tonight. Cody thanks Finn for that, then heads out. And then in steps Tama Tonga. Finn says sup, and Tama says he was thinking on what Finn was saying last week. Tama went to the elders for guidance last week, and… Oh no, is that Talla Tonga creeping up behind Finn?! Talla THROWS Finn into road cases! And then SLAMS him down!

Talla holds Finn down and Tama says he’s closing the book on everything from his past, so Finn is next! MFT leaves Finn conscious, for now. Will The Prince have to “lock ‘n’ load” and get rrrreeeeeal with his former friends?

Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Cody Rhodes VS Jey Uso!

The American Nightmare wanted to leave things at congratulations, but when Main Event Jey Uso pushed the issue, it came out that yes, he wants his rematch as soon as possible. That rematch could be this Monday in Chicago, if Cody wins tonight. Will Cody run it back with Sami 1v1? Or will Jey YEET Cody outta the way so that it’s him and Sami in the Windy City?

SmackDown returns as Cody once again makes his entrance, with the singing, “WHOA~ OH~,” and pyro. The bell rings and the fans fire up already. Cody and Jey circle, Cody fires the fans up more, and they tie up. They go around, break, and circle again. Jey throws off the armbands, the two feel things out, but then Cody dodge a superkick to dragon sleeper! Jey snapmares free, the two stare down, and the fans cheer the standoff. Jey runs the ropes, Cody drops down then kitchen sink knees him down! Jey sputters, Cody brings him up to CLUB him, then ELBOWS him in the head! The fans rally as Jey goes to a corner.

Cody wrenches Jey, whips him to a corner, then runs up. Jey puts Cody on the apron, then Cody tumbles to the floor! Jey DIVES and knocks Cody down! The fans are torn while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns as Cody JABS, JABS, JABS! Then flip, flop, fly, but Jey UPPERCUTS! And ROCKS Cody again and again! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey pops, locks, but Cody kicks to drop and RHODES UPPERCUT! Cody bocks a kick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! But then Cody dodges the next shot to springboard and CODY CUTTER! Cover, TWO! Cody drags Jey up, dragon sleepers, but Jey snapmares free to then SAMOAN DROP! The fans rally while Cody bails out. Jey goes out to give chase, and he runs up on Cody at commentary! But Cody KICKS Jey first, then THROWS him over the desk! Then Cody clears the desk! Cody climbs up, only for Jey to trip him up!

Jey rains down fists on Cody, then hurries back to the ring. Jey rolls in, but Cody pursues! Jey DIVES into a FOREARM! Cody drags Jey back up, THROWS him over the barriers, then he goes up to AX HANDLE Jey back down! The fans rally as Cody then drags Jey up, brings him over, and puts Jey back in the ring. Cody runs up but DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down! The fans fire up again, and SmackDown goes back to break.

SmackDown returns once more as Cody has Jey on the top rope! Cody goes to the very top, but Jey fires body shots! Jey HEADBUTTS Cody down and he falls into the drop zone! Jey aims to USO SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Cody survives and the fans fire up! Cody and Jey stir, and Jey goes to a corner. Jey runs up but Cody KICKS the spear away! Cody goes up the corner to SUPER CODY CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!! Jey survives and the fans fire up again! Cody fires himself up, rallies the fans, and he springboards again, but into a SUPERKICK! Cody wobbles, Jey runs, SPEAR! Cover, TWO!! Cody survives once again and Jey is beside himself!

Jey clutches his ankle as he goes to the apron, but he won’t let that stop him. Jey goes to the corner, climbs up, and USO- NO, Jey has to roll through, and CODY SPEARS?! Cody then drags Jey up, dragon sleeper, CROSS RHODES! Cover, TWO?!? Jey survives and Cody is speechless. Cody shakes off the doubt while the fans cheer, “This is Awesome!” Cody puts Jey in a drop zone, and then climbs up the corner! Cody steals the USO SPLASH! But onto knees! Jey cradles Cody, TWO!! Cody survives his own idea backfiring and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as both men rise. Cody dares Jey to hit him, so Jey fires a haymaker! “YEET!”

Cody fires a haymaker in return! Jey fires another! The shots go back and forth, then Cody gets the edge! Jey ducks a shot, and has the SLEEPER!! Cody flails, reaches out, but Jey holds on tight! Cody moves around, slips around, and back suplexes, but Jey lands out! Jey waistlocks and goes to ropes to O’Conner Roll! ONE, but Jey drags Cody up into the SLEEPER! They end up in a corner, the ref counts, and the two separate. Jey runs up, but Cody slips around to dragon sleeper! CROSS RHODES!! Cover, Cody wins!

Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the WWE Championship)

Main Event Jey Uso has failed his mission, and now it is The American Nightmare facing The Last Real Good Guy in Chicago! Will Cody take the title back for a FOURTH time? Or will this still be Sami’s time?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown, especially for its return to two hours for the rest of the year. At least, that’s what I remember hearing when news of two-hour SmackDowns was going around. Very good promo from Sami with Cody and Jey to open the night and set up the main event, because that’s just WWE’s default. But good stuff in Pearce taking over for Aldis on SmackDown during this storyline suspension of Aldis and Gunther. Pearce making Sami defend the title on Monday in Chicago and now Saturday Night’s Main Event is interesting. Seems Sami continues to get the short end of the stick, whether he deserves it or not. But I liked his promo with Gargano and Candice, and I really hope there’s a major development with Gargano finally getting up and doing things.

Very good main event from Cody VS Jey, though, and I had a feeling Cody would win. Maybe Cody wins the title again, maybe he doesn’t, but if we’re in Chicago… Is CM Punk going to come back to challenge whoever is champion for SummerSlam? Punk VS Cody would be a great match, but I’d also love seeing Punk VS Sami. Very good promo from Charlotte and team, and very good Six Woman Tag. But I had a feeling the Baddies would win, they need some wins after their various losses. Then a good promo from Giulia, Kiana, and Blake, and great stuff for Blake to also toss Kiana as karma for her arrogance. I kinda hope we get something big for the Women’s US Championship, like a ladder match that can have Tiff, Jade, Charlotte, Chelsea, Giulia, and Blake to get all the stories at once.

Good match from Lainey VS Brie, and it was very fitting that the Fatal Influence would help Lainey win. The tag title match will be good, and I feel like that might be where Fatal Influence wins to start their takeover. Good promo from Truth & Priest with the War Raiders to set up their eventual Winners Take All tag title match. No idea who wins that, but it would be pretty awesome for Priest & Truth to be double champions together. Very good promo from Jimmy and Fatu with Royce Keys, and it feels like we’re getting closer and closer to Royce actually joining Solo Sikoa’s side because they need to fight off The Bloodline.

Pretty good stuff from MFT attacking Finn, and now it feels like Finn is gonna need backup against them. I still wish for the MFT Judgment Day Bullet Club hybrid faction, but perhaps that isn’t gonna happen. Great AAA Cruiserweight Championship match from Fenix VS Vikingo, as outta nowhere as it was. Especially after Vikingo didn’t defend his own title on NXT this past Tuesday. But great win for Fenix, he can definitely continue to bring more great action to SmackDown like this. And great promo from Trick, Yachty and Melo, the match next week will be great, and I would think Melo wins so that he earns his US Championship match with Trick for like SNME.

My Score: 8.8/10