SmackDown holds all the cards!

Money in the Bank is tomorrow, so tonight on SmackDown, ALL the entrants in this year’s ladder matches will be in Lafayette!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Woman Tag: Tiffany Stratton, Lash Legend & Jacy Jayne VS Sol Ruca, Lola Vice & Roxanne Perez; Tiff, Lash & Jacy win.
• MFT w/ Haku VS The War Raiders; MFT wins.
• Danhausen VS GUNTHER; No Contest.
• WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: The Fatal Influence VS Charlotte Flair Alexa Bliss & Tatum Paxley; Alexa & Tatum win and become the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
• Trick Williams w/ Lil Yachty VS Bron Breakker; Trick wins, by disqualification.

PLAY BY PLAY

Adam Pearce meets Nick Aldis in his office.

The Raw General Manager surprises the SmackDown General Manager and Aldis asks what brings Pearce to Lafayette. Pearce says he was driving along to New Orleans, then he sees Aldis’ video on social media about the Six Woman Tag. Booking Pearce’s talent in a match, huh? Aldis says he’s not doing anything Pearce wouldn’t. Plus, they couldn’t miss this opportunity! All this talent under one roof? You gotta give the people what they want. Pearce says maybe a conversation between them first would’ve been nice. Aldis says it’s just competition. Unless Pearce is worried his side can’t handle it. Well, it is that time of year…

Trick Williams & Lil Yachty step in, and Trick says he’d apologize for interrupting but he’s not. MITB is tomorrow, but tonight, there’s unfinished business with the Gingerbread Man! Yachty says ain’t nothing with a warmup before becoming Tricky in the Bank. Okay, wait, what’re we talking about? Bron Breakker then steps in, shakes hands with Pearce but not Aldis, because he “appreciates” Aldis bringing him down here to Lafayette to waste time before MITB. Bron is on a strict schedule for when he wins tomorrow, so- Trick says no, he’s on a Trick schedule now. Don’t come in here interrupting Aldis! Mind your business while grown folk talking.

Yachty says yeah, this brand is blue, not red, so that means this ain’t got nothing to do with him! And if Bron thinks Mr. Lemon Pepper Stepper ain’t gonna climb the ladder and win the briefcase, he’s got another thing coming. Bron stays calm as he steps closer. Bron says he didn’t quite hear that. Sounds like Trick wants a fight tonight. Aldis & Pearce step in, and Pearce has an idea. Tonight, in the main event, Trick VS Bron! Aldis says who’s main event? Pearce throws back that maybe Aldis is worried his guy can’t cut it. Trick tells Aldis, let’s do this. Aldis says it’s official. Pearce says he couldn’t have said it better himself.

Bron and Pearce head out, Yachty says he doesn’t like Bron. But with MITB less than 24 hours away, is it wise to be taking such a risk? Or is someone gonna #WhoopDatTrick tonight?

CM Punk is here!

Lafayette cheers as The Best in the World makes his entrance, and they sing along with Cult of Personality. Punk revels in it, and the fans join in on, “IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME!” Punk continues down the ramp and to the ring, where the briefcases and ladders are already waiting. The fans cheer as Punk grabs a mic, and he says, “I can’t remember the last time I was here, so I gotta start off this way. Is it great to be alive on a Friday night in Lafayette, Louisiana or what?!” The fans cheer, and Punk says there’s clearly furniture in the ring. Tomorrow night, just a couple miles up the road in New Orleans, we have Money in the Bank.

We’ve got briefcases hanging high above, and everyone is asking Punk, “What’re you doing? At this stage in your career, why’re you subjecting yourself to getting thrown into ladders, thrown off ladders, thrown through ladders?” Punk reminds us that he’s been here before. Back in 2008 and 2009, he won the MITB ladder match, earned a contract for a title shot anywhere, anytime he wanted, and we know the results: he cashed in not just once but twice! The fans cheer that while Punk in fact climbs a ladder. Punk figures in 2026 at 47, middle-aged and crazy, why not? Why’s he doing this? Because he has the chance to make history, and that is what he does.

Tomorrow night, Punk has a shot to become the first-and-only THREE TIME MR. MITB! And they tell him he’s crazy and it can’t be done! He says watch him! The fans cheer that! Punk knows it won’t be a cake walk. The challengers in this match are tougher than the current Undisputed Champion. There are four supremely talented and elite challengers, and a couple he’s never even locked up with. First, Je’Von Evans. The fans cheer and Punk says yeah, he likes him, too. Evans is young, fast, talented, and BOUNCY~! He does things in this ring Punk has never seen anyone else do.

Then there’s Penta. The fans cheer and Punk says he also likes him. The Man Without Fear. There’s Trick Williams, super athletic, super talented, super full of himself, but he has the action to back him up. There’s Bron Breakker, who Punk has fought and  survived. Yeah, bark for him! Have at it. And Punk is also told Kevin Owens is in the match. The one guy in this match Punk doesn’t sweat! In fact- Well, Kevin Owens makes his entrance to interrupt! Punk says we can keep talking about why he doesn’t sweat Kevin. Punk does continue, saying he’s already beat Kevin once in front of his mom, so that was cool.

Kevin has a mic, but he takes his time, which Punk says he can do. Kevin says oh, Punk wants him to hurry? So he goes even slower. Kevin still makes it to ringside, and he tells “Phil” thanks for that incredible introduction. Try to downplay Kevin all you want, you can’t do that tomorrow. Tomorrow night, Kevin has a chance to make it a very successful night for him. Obviously, the contract is a priority for him. That gives Kevin the chance to do the most important thing in this business and that’s win THE WWE Championship. But just as important to Kevin, it’s that he wants to make sure Punk doesn’t get the contract.

Because no one, nobody, needs to see Punk as champion ever again. The fans are torn about that, but Kevin says as long as Punk does not walk out with the contract, that’s a win. Punk says there it is! If Kevin knows it or not, that is the Kevin Owens Failsafe, the excuse that he throws down when he doesn’t win. Kevin will admit he didn’t win, and let’s face it, he won’t… But he also says Punk not winning is his consolation prize. Kevin did it in Toronto, he’s doing it now, he’s always doing it. Punk is The Best in the World because he always believes in himself. Kevin doesn’t even believe in Kevin, so that’s why he’s… whatever he is.

That’s why Punk is on top of the world while Kevin is always down in the dirt, looking up at him. The fans are torn again, but Kevin laughs it off. “You delusional prick, I’ve never looked up to you, and I’m not about to start now, so here you go.” The fans cheer as Kevin climbs the other ladder! Punk goes up one more rung just to make a point, so Kevin goes up one more. Kevin tells Punk that eye to eye, he’ll tell Punk what he sees: A man who is not taking that contract, and that’s not all. Kevin will also make sure Punk doesn’t walk out on his own two feet. Then Kevin takes the contract, cashes in, and beats “that b*tch,” Sami Zayn!

But speaking of, Sami Zayn is here! The fans definitely all boo, and Punk says that disappointment on Kevin’s face is how he felt a minute ago. Kevin claims he can’t hear Punk. Either way, Sami goes to the ring with a big smile on his face. Sami climbs the third ladder in the ring so he can be closer to the other two, and Kevin jokes, “Hi, shorty.” Sami’s ladder is indeed the shortest of the three. Sami smirks, but then the fans chant, “SAMI SUCKS! SAMI SUCKS!” Sami says, “I have to say… All of this is very disappointing. First of all, it is very symbolic that even though I am the WWE Champion, that I am the one on the short ladder here.

“And two guys who are struggling to contend for MY championship are somehow placed above me.” Punk says he can’t be shocked, he must know that it isn’t the size of the ladder, it’s what you do with it. Tomorrow, Punk wraps one around Kevin’s fat head, then he’s coming back for HIS title. Sami says it is so funny and so crazy to hear the same disrespectful crap from Punk and Kevin as he did from the others last week! That it’s just a foregone conclusion! All they need is the briefcase, and it is a guarantee that they become champion. Sami expects it from those guys, they’re young and dumb, they don’t get it.

But Sami expects better from Punk and Kevin, they should know better. If anybody knows who Sami is, it is these two! Sami is a survivor! Fans are a bit torn here, but Sami says he finds a way! He found a way to beat Punk for the WWE Championship. Oh, yeah, it was with Kevin’s help! Sami says he found a way to keep the title against Kevin. Kevin says yeah, dumbass Punk. Sami asks if they really think those were all accidents. NO, it’s because Sami is exceptionally intelligent! He sees the forest for the trees! These two amazingly enough, as great as they are, are so dumb that they can’t see how they’re exactly alike.

And yeah, Sami knows how insulting that is for Punk, and especially for Kevin. But at least Kevin has the honesty to admit how much he wants to see Punk fail. Punk stands there and acts like none of this bothers him. Like it doesn’t drive him crazy that Sami is two feet in front of him with the WWE Championship! Punk is standing there across from the man who he thinks cost him the title, and Sami knows that drives him crazy. But the reality check is neither one of them grabs the briefcase tomorrow night! Because they’re just not in the headspace for it! Both of them walk away emptyhanded! And SAMI will still be YOUR UNDISPUTED WWE CHAMPION!

Mic drop from Sami even as the fans boo, and he takes his leave. Is Sami right that Punk and Kevin are two halves of the same coin? Will they both cost each other the prize they are after? Who will be Mr. MITB?

Six Woman Tag: Tiffany Stratton, Lash Legend & Jacy Jayne VS Sol Ruca, Lola Vice & Roxanne Perez!

As the GMs argued earlier, the six women in this year’s MITB match are teaming up, so it is Team Raw VS Team SmackDown! But will either of these teams hold it together long enough to win? Or will it be more about which side implodes first?

The trios talk trash on each other so brand loyalty is a thing. The teams sort out, and Jacy starts against Sol. A familiar showdown from their NXT days, and the two circle. Jacy dodges Sol, headlocks, but Sol powers up and out. Jacy RUNS Sol over, does her strut, then runs. Sol stays low, then gets up to duck ‘n’ dodge. Roxie tags in before Sol handsprings through a hip toss to FACEBUSTER! Roxie rushes in for the cover, TWO! Roxie SMACKS Jacy off the mat, SMACKS her off it again, then talks some trash. The fans cheer Roxie, and she brings Jacy to a corner, but Jacy blocks the bump to bump Roxie off buckles!

Jacy hurries away to tag Lash and the fans cheer the Bougie Bully. Roxie dodges Lash, SLAPS her, then takes a bow. Lash smiles, but Roxie dodges the boot! Sol AND Lola leave Roxie alone! The fans cheer as Lash chases Roxie out and around! Roxie scurries back into the ring, but the LEGENDARY RIGHT knocks her down! Cover, TWO! Roxie survives, but Lash gets her up again. Lash scoops, Roxie slips free, and she tags Lola. The fans cheer as Lola BODY BLOWS Lash, then stares down Tiff and Jacy. But Lash whips Lola to a corner. Lola dodges, and she fires off fast hands! The fans fire up with Lola, and she spins to SOBAT!

Lola goes to the apron, leaps, SEATED- NO, Lash stops the senton, but Lola RANAS! Lash hits POST! Sol adds on< ASAI MOONSAULT! Lash goes down, but Jacy CANNONBALLS! Lola takes the hit, but then Roxie DIVES onto Jacy! And Tiff handsprings on the apron! Roxie dodges, but Tiff comes back to DISCUS LARIAT! But then Sol goes up, up, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS! The fans fire up as Team Raw stands tall, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Lola steps in, she AX KICKS Lash down, then covers, TWO! Lola brings Lash up, tags Sol, and they work together to trip, KICK, BULLDOG, and DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Lash staggers around, distracts the ref, and Sol runs, but Jacy trips her up! Jacy drags Sol out and PENALTY KICKS her! Jacy puts Sol back in, Lash LARIATS her down! Lash scowls, drags Sol around, and DRIBBLES her off the mat! Lash then drags Sol over, tags Jacy, and they mug Sol. Jacy digs her boot in, but stops as the ref counts. Jacy steps off, CLUBS Sol down, then pushes her down for a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Jacy argues with the ref but the count was fair.

Jacy bumps Sol off buckles, tags Tiff, but there’s dysfunction over how they’re each stepping through the ropes. They sort it out, Tiff hurries to stomp Sol down, and she puts Sol on ropes. Tiff CHOKES Sol, the ref counts, but Tiff runs the ropes for a HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Sol is tougher than that, but Tiff drags her up. Tiff tags Lash in, they mug Sol, and Lash stays between Sol and her team. Lash SMACKS Sol off the apron, then runs to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Sol is tougher than that but Lash argues with the count. Lash RAMS Sol, RAMS her again, then- NO, Sol rolls Lash up! TWO, and Lash RAMS Sol again!

Lash brings Sol over, tags Jacy, and they mug Sol. Jacy brings Sol up to snapmare, then she clamps on with a chinlock as SmackDown returns to single picture. The fans rally for Sol as she endures but Jacy grinds the hold. Sol fights up, RAMS Jacy into the corner, then RAMS her in again! Sol tries again but Jacy THROWS her into buckles! Jacy then SUPERKICKS Lola! Roxie says whoa, she has no problems. Jacy leaves Roxie be, then runs at Sol, but Sol avoids the cannonball! Sol crawls, Jacy crawls, but now Roxie drops down! Turnabout is fair play, and Jacy hits a NECKBREAKER DROP! Cover, TWO!

Jacy is annoyed, but she drags Sol up. Jacy whips Sol to the corner, runs up, but into a BOOT! Sol BLASTS Tiff and ROUNDHOUSES Lash! Jacy waistlocks. back suplexes, but Sol lands out! Tag to Lola! Lola KICKS Jacy! And DECKS Tiff! Then SPIN KICK on Jacy! SPIN KICK! LIGHTNING KICKS! The fans fire up for Lola as she then aims. But Lash runs up! Lola dodges, she fires LIGHTNING KICKS on Lash! The fans cheer again, and Lola HEEL KICKS Lash down! Then Lola shakes the hips! HIP ATTACK on Lash! HIP ATTACK on Jacy! And back again! Roxie sneaks the tag! Lola is upset but she and Roxie start shoving!

Tiff tags in and DOUBLE ELBOWS both down! Then a TIFFY STUNNER on Roxie! The fans fire up as Tiff fireman’s carries, ROLLING SENTON, and she- Lash tags in! Tiff is upset but Lash says get out! But Roxie- NO! Lash stops the cradle trap, and she deadlifts Roxie up! SWINGING SIDE- NO, Roxie tilt-o-whirls through! But Lash stops the rest! Lash throws Roxie away, Roxie DROPKICKS Lash! Roxie runs to hop on, but Lash pops free! Sol tags in! Sol springboards and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Then she kips up! The fans fire up with Sol, she goes to the ropes to springboard, but Lash catches her! Lash swings Sol, Sol hits a DDT! Cover, Jacy KNEES Sol down!

The fans are torn, but Roxie hops on, POP ROX! Tiff DROPKICKS Roxie! URAKEN from Lola! Lash BOOTS Lola! Lash has Lola in the stretch, but Sol runs up! Sol goes up the corner, Lash swings Lola around, SOUL SNATCHER on Lola!! Lash then reels Sol in for the rack, and LASH EXTENSION!! Cover, Team SmackDown wins!

Winners: Tiffany Stratton, Jacy Jayne & Lash Legend, by pinfall

Jacy and Tiff celebrate with Lash, they’re all bringing that momentum to Money in the Bank! But then Lash THROWS Tiff into Jacy! And LASH EXTENSION for Tiff! MITB is every superstar for themselves, will the briefcase belong to the Bougie Bully?

Backstage interview with Chelsea Green.

Cathy Kelley is with the WWE Women’s Champion, and brings up that we are less than 24 hours away from one woman climbing the ladder, securing the briefcase, and she must ask, how is Chelsea feeling about how that woman could be targeting her? Chelsea says today, we stay positive. We are manifesting a Tiffy win, and then they’ll go to Bourbon Street and drink some daiquiris! Cathy can join, if she wants. But Nikki Bella steps in and says Chelsea must be drunk already if she is worried about the cash-in. What she should be worried about is after Nikki beats Paige’s ugly face next week, and she’ll do the exact same thing to Nikki to take the title.

Chelsea says okay, this is giving “could use a drink.” But Chelsea gets it! Nikki Bella is jealous of Chelsea Green because Chelsea is champion but Nikki is not. Nikki says she’ll be champ soon, but Chelsea says maybe if this was 10 years ago. Nikki says let’s face it, Chelsea’s reign will be like her reality TV campaign: a failure! Chelsea is just a bootleg Bella! And that WWE Women’s Championship deserves an upgrade to the real thing. Just ask your husband, Matt Cardona! He probably wants an upgrade, too. Chelsea would respond but a loud sound gets everyone’s attention! The Baddies are attacking Charlotte Flair!!

Jade Cargill, B-Fab & Michin beat up The Queen, all because they don’t want her competing in tonight’s tag title match! Refs rush in, The Baddies leave, but have they already ruined everything for Charlotte? Will there be any consequences for what they’ve done?

SmackDown returns as everyone checks on Charlotte.

Charlotte tells the medic that she’s fine, Alexa Bliss & Tatum Paxley ask what’s going on. Aldis explains about the attack from The Baddies, and he understands they’re all upset. Jade, Fab, Michin, they’re kicked out of the building. But the bigger problem is that according to medical, Charlotte cannot compete. Charlotte again insists she’s fine, but Aldis won’t let her. Alexa agrees, Charlotte can’t go out there. They cannot do this again. They’ll postpone the match. Charlotte says no, they are not! Alexa will just take her spot. Jade is not ruining anything for them, Alexa is taking the spot. Tatum asks if Alexa would, Charlotte insists, and Alexa gives in.

Aldis says fine, they can do that. But one more thing: Everyone else is banned from ringside. Tatum asks if Charlotte is okay, Charlotte says she’ll be fine as long as they win the titles. Alexa says they’ll do it for Charlotte. Will nothing stop Blisster & Tater from dethroning Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid? Or will SmackDown still be under the Influence?

MFT w/ Haku VS The War Raiders!

Tama Tonga & Talla Tonga are still WWE Tag Team Champions while Erik & Ivar are former AAA World Tag Team Champions. However, the Raiders owe MFT some payback from when they all battled over said WWE Tag titles. Will the raid strike gold again? Or will Tama & Talla prove why they’re the champions?

The teams sort out, and Erik starts against Talla. They step up, Erik dodges Talla to fire body shots, but Talla shoves him away. Talla LARIATS Erik, stomps him around, then tags Tama. MFT mugs Erik, Tama CLUBS away at the ropes, then he tags Talla back in. MFT double whips, Erik grabs ropes, and Ivar tags in! The Raiders and MFT RAM each other, then they start throwing hands! Tama TOSSES Erik out, Talla CLUBS Ivar and shoves him out of the ring. Erik ROCKS Tama, but Talla goes out to attack Erik! MFT mugs Erik, but Ivar is up on the apron! Ivar CANNONBALLS and down goes MFT! The fans fire up with Ivar while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns as Erik DECKS Tama! Erik and Tama are both down, crawling, and they find each other at center. They throw more shots, Erik stumbles, Ivar tags in! The fans fire up as Ivar RUNS Tama over, BLASTS Talla, then scoops Tama for a SIDEWALK SLAM! Then the SPLASH! The fans fire up for Ivar as he then scoops Tama, but Tama slips free. Tama shoves Erik, but Erik cartwheels! And LEG LARIATS! The fans fire up for Ivar again as he goes up the corner! But Talla grabs at Ivar! Ivar fires elbows and Talla falls, but Tama trips Ivar up! Ivar lands on the Viking rowboat, and Tama drags him out, DRAPING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally as Ivar survives but Tama stays focused. Wait, BAKUSAI is here! Shinsuke Namakura & Kyoki taunt Tama, Tama says yeah, real tough. Tama runs up on Ivar, but Ivar SEATED SENTONS Tama! Hot tag to Erik! Talla runs in but Erik dodges to then KNEE him down! The fans fire up as Erik fires off on Tama, but Tama FLATLINERS! Ivar LEG- NO, Tama ducks this time, and he DROPKICKS Ivar down! Tama fires up, talks some trash, then dares Bakusai to try something! Kyoki gets on the apron, eggs Tama on, but Tama DECKS him! The fans boo, but then Tama turns around into THOR’S HAMMER! But Tama scrambles away!

The ref is busy with Bakusai, and Haku JAMS Erik with the Tongan staff! The fans boo but Ivar hurries to check Erik. Talla LARIATS Ivar down! The fans boo but MFT lines it up, THE BROTHER’S KEEPER! Cover, MFT wins!

Winners: MFT, by pinfall

But Bakusai DOUBLE DROPKICK Tama! Talla grabs Bakusai, but Kyoki dropkicks a leg! Nakamura ROUNDHOUSES Talla! Bakusai DOUBLE LARIATS Talla up and out! Bakusai wants more, but MFT stands down. Ivar CLOBBERS Kyoki! Ivar says BAKA! They cost The Raiders! Now a brawl is on! Ivar ROCKS Nakamura, but Kyoki hits the JAWBREAKER! KINSHASA! The Raiders are down, is Bakusai about to blow up the whole SmackDown Tag Division?

Danhausen finds Adam Pearce backstage.

And for whatever reason, The Very Nice, Very Evil Overlord scans him. But Danhausen says Pearce is all good. Pearce asks what he’s doing, and Danhausen says he is detecting evil with his Evil Detector that detects evil. And why is he doing that? So he can harness the power of evil, obviously! Aldis steps in, Danhausen scans, and nope, all good here too. Pearce asks Aldis what is wrong with Danhausen, but before Aldis can answer, Finn Balor steps in! And Finn feels he’s been very professional about this, but enough is enough. Finn wants a match with Gunther, and he wants it tonight! Aldis says he understands the anger, but-

Danhausen scans Finn and he finds EVIL~! A lot of it! Pearce says he needs a drink. Aldis says it just so happens, Gunther already requested a match tonight. Just not with Finn… He wants Danhausen! WHAT?! Aldis says Danhausen shouldn’t be surprised given how he’s behaved. Finn says no, this is his fight. Aldis understands that, too, but Gunther put in the request, and honestly, he can’t blame Gunther. Danhausen brings up Finn’s abs, and Finn asks if Danhausen is up for this. Gunther retired Goldberg, AJ Styles, and John Cena! When!? Oh, right. And he beat Aldis, too. Aldis says thanks for the reminder…

Danhausen says it’s fine. He can decimate, eviscerate, and annihilate. Danhausen hands Finn the detector, it goes off again, and Finn drops it. But is Danhausen about to suffer his own deadly curse going up against Der Ring General?

The Miz & Kit Wilson complain to Nick Aldis.

The Hollywood A-Lister is already in a bad mood because instead of celebrating his birthday, and instead of celebrating his 20 YEARS in WWE- Aldis stops Miz there and brings up his birthday was yesterday. So? He celebrates the whole weekend! Y’know who the first person to text him was? JOHN CENA! The second? SAMI ZAYN! Kit Wilson says he thought he was first, but Miz says nope, and they’ll talk about that. Aldis excuses himself as he spots Randy Orton heading in. Aldis stops Orton and says last week was completely unacceptable. Orton crossed the line. MITB is in 24 hours and-

Orton stops Aldis there and says he’ll make Aldis’ night easy. Here’s what he’ll do. There’s enough fuel in the jet to take him right back where he came from so he can sit his ass on the couch before the main event tonight. That’s what he’ll do. Have a nice night. But just so you know, Orton’s not the problem, Cody is. Cody’s the one going around saying he’ll kick Orton’s head clean off his shoulders. Orton just did what he said he’d do, which is make sure he does everything in his power to make sure Cody never gets his hands on the WWE Championship again before Orton gets his 15th. And if Orton was Aldis, he’d find Cody and tell him that he sent Orton home.

But also tell Cody that the next chance he gets to kick Orton’s head off his shoulders, Cody will still hesitate. See you in Sac Town! Orton leaves, but will The Viper truly behave himself? Will the American Nightmare never get the chance to follow through?

The Miz hijacks the show!

“NO, NO, NO, NO, NO! Nick Aldis thinks he can push ME aside? Me? Me?! I’ll take over this entire show! KIT! Write this down! Lesson #31 of the Miz Method: When someone puts 20 years of blood, sweat, and tears into a place, you throw them a birthday party!” The fans do like that. Kit says, “WAKE UP, LAFAYETTE! Each and every one of you… are… TOXIC!” The fans boo, but Kit insists they sing Happy Birthday to the locker room leader! So on the count of three… CODY RHODES is here! The fans cheer and sing along as The American Nightmare makes his way out, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro before continuing down the ramp.

Miz shouts that they cut Cody’s music, the fans boo, but the music stops. Miz says they’ll sing Cody’s song, but they won’t sing to Miz? And how DARE Cody interrupt! He’s not champion anymore! So unless he’s here to Sonic Boom him a birthday wish, stay out of Miz’s ring! Cody rushes in, kicks Kit and TOSSES him! Then he snatches Miz into a CROSS RHODES! The fans fire up with Cody, and he throws his lettermen’s jacket to the fans! Cody grabs the mic, “So, Lafayette! Whaddya wanna talk about?” The fans cheer, and Aldis hurries out here. Aldis says this is what he was trying to avoid! This is why he had Orton go home.

Aldis can’t keep having his show go off the rails. Aldis knows Orton and Cody want to tear into each other the moment they see each other, and if it happens in the parking lot or the loading docks, or the dressing rooms or catering, it does nothing for him, for Cody, for Orton, or for the fans. What it does is risk two of the top stars in jeopardy 24 hours before MITB, where more of his top guys are at risk of being put on the shelf. This is about business, Cody. And Aldis’s business, his job, is to get the matches in the ring. Cody knows that. So Aldis knows this is a long way from being over, but how about they take this to the office and discuss how they make it happen?

The fans boo, Cody paces, but Cody says yes, okay, they’ll go to Aldis’ office. NOT! They don’t need to do that, let’s stay in CODY’S office! The fans cheer, and Cody says he beat Orton at Mania. Then Orton kicked Cody. Then Cody hobbled up the ramp, blood on his face, eye swollen shut. And Aldis knows as a wrestler and a man what you do in the moment: you try to hide it from your loved ones. But Cody’s wife is born ‘n’ raised in Detroit, she doesn’t get squeamish. But his daughter is three foot tall and didn’t need to see it. When she did, she cried! And what’s on the other side of tears like that? Fear!

So here’s what Cody is gonna do with that fear: He will take it to every SmackDown! Every arena, every PLE, every media stop, every red carpet appearance, until around pernicious flames, Randy Orton and the legend of The Legend Killer are no more! The only reason Orton stands today is because of a mere second of mercy Cody showed. Cody would be WWE Champion if not for Orton hiding in the shadows, a man who doesn’t need to hide. So do Cody a favor. Hell, do everyone a favor! Get Orton and Cody face to face! The fans cheer that! Cody says he is not above flying to St. Louis and getting Cody, but Aldis needs ot make it happen.

It is no longer about which road Cody goes down. It is no longer about who owns Cody’s moral compass. It is about what Cody is going to do to that sociopathic, one-speed Michael Myers walking liability human tramp stamp waste of space, fragile B*TCH! Cody throws down the mic along with the gauntlet, will he cut the head off The Viper once and for all?

Backstage interview with Damian Priest.

Cathy Kelley is with The Archer of Infamy, and as a former Mr. MITB- Priest stops her there to review: He was Senor Money in the Bank, he cashed in at WrestleMania, and he became El Campeon! And he could be that again, if not for wasting time with R-Truth! Speaking of, where do they- Where what?! Priest already explained why he did what he did, and why he needed to make that change. If the rest of the world is too stubborn to understand that, that’s their problem, not his! Cathy says she was just wondering- But then Priest spots Fraxiom, and it seems they’re arguing and bringing up Priest and Truth.

Priest says if they have a problem, say it to his face! Axiom isn’t sure but Priest says let ’em speak! Nathan Frazer says fine, he’ll say it. What Priest did to Truth is messed up! And deep down, Priest knows it. Axiom is very worried, and Priest asks him what he thinks. What should he do? Apologize? Yeah, actually! And be ashamed of himself. Priest says right, sure. They’re not gonna like what happens next. Priest steps away, Fraxiom argues again, but Priest DOUBLE LARIATS them both down! Then he DECKS Frazer for good measure! And he THROWS Axiom into road cases! Priest taunts them by saying fine, he apologizes!

Priest turns around, and TRUTH ATTACKS! The brawl is on, but refs and producers rush in! Priest and Truth are pulled apart, and Priest vows to rip Truth’s heart out! Will Priest end Truth once and for all? Or could Priest bring out the Ron Killings in Truth?

Danhausen VS GUNTHER!

It seems not everyone is entertained by the Very Nice, Very Evil antics, and least of all Der Ring General. But will Goon- er, Gunther put an end to all the fun? Or can Danhausen conjure up the biggest curse he’s ever conjured?

SmackDown returns as Gunther makes his entrance, joining a very worried Danhausen in the ring. Danhausen keeps the ref from ringing the bell! Can’t start a match if the bell never rings. And then Danhausen winds it up! “YOU! ARE!” BOOT from Gunther! The fans boo but Gunther throws Danhausen’s cape away! GENERAL BOMB! Gunther asks Danhausen what he thinks he’s doing. Then he stand Danhausen up, just to CHOP him down! Gunther mockingly asks the fans what’s wrong, then he CHOPS Danhausen again! And then GENERAL BOMB again! Danhausen is a ragdoll but the match hasn’t even started!

Gunther drags Danhausen up, CHOPS him in the corner, then puts him on the top rope! Gunther CHOPS again, and CHOPS again, and again! Then Gunther climbs up and STANDS on Danhausen to BEND him! The fans boo but Gunther flexes. But here comes FINN! The fans fire up as The Prince goes right after the General and tackles him! Finn rains down fists, Gunther gets up and kicks low! Gunther reels Finn in, but Finn slips free, trips Gunther, and DOUBLE STOMPS! The fans fire up as Finn CHOPS Gunther, KICKS him, then KICKS again! But Gunther blocks to scoop! Finn fights it, and hits an ELBOW DROP DDT!

Gunther bails out, but Finn goes out the side! Finn runs in and SLINGBLADES Gunther to the floor! Gunther staggers to his feet, and he runs away from Finn! The fans boo but Finn lets it be. Finn hurries to check on Danhausen, but GUNTHER SNEAKS BACK IN! Gunther YANKS Finn outta the ring, and THROWS him into barriers! The fans boo as The General is a chicken, but he still gives Finn an- NO, Finn fights free, goes to the apron, and he stomps away on Gunther! The fans cheer Finn on, then Finn aims for a- NO, Gunther blocks the kick to THROW Finn down! Gunther then POSTS Finn, and BARRIER BACK SUPLEXES!

Finn falls in a heap but Gunther is not done! Gunther hits an APRON BACK SUPLEX! Refs rush out here, but Gunther lifts Finn, GENERAL BOMB on the desk!! The fans boo but Gunther tells Finn this is what he gets! The Ring General leaves, having demolished The Prince and the jester. Will nothing stop Gunther from making himself king?

Johnny Gargano & Candice LeRae talk backstage.

Johnny Wrestling can’t believe how close they were to being the first-ever married couple, Mr. & Mrs. MITB! Candice knows, but Sami Zayn walks in. He asks if they saw what he’s dealing with! The disrespect that he’s dealing with! From all these guys, and now CM Punk has a chance! And Kevin Owens has a chance, all because he beat Gargano. Sami wishes Gargano had won instead, he really does. Gargano does, too. Gargano also wishes Sami could’ve helped. Sami agrees, he wishes he could’ve helped, too. Candice asks what exactly did Aldis say to Sami. That Sami couldn’t get involved or there’d be consequences.

But whatever, this is what they do! They get dealt bad hands and they… They… Gargano says they overcome! Yes, Sami agrees! They are survivors. So now, just be a bit smarter. Take a step back, assess, figure out what they’re dealing with. Candice nods to someone behind Sami. It’s Bron Breakker. Bron asks Sami if he knows why he’s here. Sami says yes… Bron says see you soon. Bron leaves, Sami stresses out, are the walls closing in too fast for Sami to find his way out?

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: The Fatal Influence VS Alexa Bliss & Tatum Paxley!

Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid either owe The Baddies a thank you or should be very upset. Jade, Michin & B-Fab taking out Charlotte Flair means Alexa jumps into a match with little time to prepare, but it also means Fatal Influence faces someone they weren’t ready for. Who shows they can adapt and overcome when the card is subject to change?

SmackDown returns as both teams are in the ring. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who leaves Lafayette with the gold!

Alexa starts against Lainey, they circle, but Fallon swipes at Alexa! Alexa swings on Fallon, misses, and Lainey CLOBBERS Alexa from behind! The fans boo but Fallon laughs at Alexa. Tatum protests, but Lainey CLUBS Alexa. Lainey mocks Alexa’s cutesy face, then tags Fallon. Alexa kicks Lainey, but Fallon waistlocks Alexa. Alexa THROWS Fallon, then DUMPS Lainey out! But Fallon goes up to BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fallon argues the count but she brings Alexa up. Fallon pump handles but Alexa arm-drags free! Tag to Tatum! The fans cheer as Tatum CLOBBERS Fallon! And CLOBBERS her again!

Lainey slips in but Tatum DROPKICKS Lainey back out! Fallon runs up but Tatum wrenches and ROUNDHOUSES! Fallon staggers, Tatum slips around and GERMAN SUPLEXES! The fans cheer as Tatum runs, but Fallon ELBOWS her away! Lainey tags in, Tatum returns, but Fallon puts her on the apron. Tatum ELBOWS Lainey away, then avoids Fallon’s shoulder! But Fallon stops the enzigiri, and Lainey SUPERKICKS her down! The fans boo but Fatal Influence soaks up the heat while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again as Fallon has Tatum down. Fallon pie faces Tatum around, scuffs her, then tags Lainey. Fatal Influence drags Tatum up, then double whip her toa  corner. Tatum dodges, Fallon goes up, but Tatum BLASTS her! Lainey catches Tatum, keeps her from Alexa, but Tatum sunset flips! Lainey stays up, but Tatum avoids the elbow drop! Lainey runs up again, Tatum dodges, hot tag to Alexa! The fans fire up as Alexa rallies on Lainey with LARIAT after LARIAT, then KICKS SLAPS, ROCKS, KNEES, and DDTS! The fans fire up with the Five Feet of Fury as she runs to BLOCKBUSTER! High stack, TWO!

The fans rally for Alexa as she brings Lainey up, but Lainey wrenches and KNEES low! Lainey runs, Fallon tags in, but Alexa clinches Lainey! Fallon CLOBBERS Alexa! Fallon then drags Alexa up, whips her, and FLAPJACKS! Lainey adds a SWEET TEA KNEE! Cover, Tatum breaks it in time! The fans cheer, but Lainey DECKS Tatum! Lainey drags Alexa up, scoops her, but Alexa slips free! Alexa drop toeholds Lainey into Tatum’s STEP-UP ENZIGIRI! Alexa then BOOTS Fallon down! Tatum tags in, she goes up, 450- NO, Fallon dodges! Tatum rolls through, Fallon runs up, but Tatum dodges, sending Fallon into buckles!

Tatum comes back, but Fallon KNEES her down! Fallon then O’Conner Rolls, and holds ropes! Lainey helps! But the ref sees it all! The fans cheer as Fatal Influence is caught red handed! Alexa clinches Lainey, SISTER ABIGAIL to the floor! Fallon is shocked, but Tatum waistlocks! Fallon bucks free, but runs into CEMETERY DRIVE!! Cover, TATUM & ALEXA WIN!!

Winners: Alexa Bliss & Tatum Paxley, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)

Fatal Influence could not adapt and that is why they fall! Tatum & Alexa stand tall together, will they and Charlotte paint the town red celebrating?

Trick Williams w/ Lil Yachty VS Bron Breakker!

Tricky Two-Times wanted to throw down with Sami, but the Unpredictable Badass wanted a reason to come to work tonight. Now the WWE United States Champion and one-half of the WWE World Tag Team Champions battle it out, both wanting to build momentum for Money in the Bank. Will Bron #WhoopDatTrick before the ladder match? Or will Trick’s lemon pepper steppers dog walk Bron into New Orleans?

The bell rings and the two tie up. They go around, Trick puts Bron in the corner, but the ref counts. Trick UPPERCUTS Bron, then whips him to ropes. Bron ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Trick DROPKICKS first! The fans fire up with Trick, he kicks Bron out, then he brings Bron around, only for Bron to SMACK Trick off the desk! Bron DRIBBLES Trick off the desk, then jumps up to the apron! Bron lines it up, FLYING BULLDOG onto and OVER the desk! Lafayette loses their minds while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Bron rises up first, he clears out the chairs, and he brings Trick around. Bron shoves Trick to the ring, shakes out a leg, then RAMS Trick into a corner again and again! The ref counts, Bron stops at 4, and he puts Trick up top. Bron climbs up, reels Trick in, but Trick fires body shots! Trick shoves Bron back, then runs up to LARIAT! Trick staggers but he keeps after Bron with a haymaker! Yachty cheers Trick on, but Bron slips around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bron hurries to cover, TWO! Trick is tougher than that, but Bron drags Trick around. Bron talks trash on Trick, throws crossface forearms, and he talks even more trash.

Bron stands Trick up just to THROW him down by his hair! Bron soaks up the heat, then looms over Trick. Bron drags Trick into a chinlock, squeezes tight, and even adds body scissors. SmackDown returns to single picture as Trick endures and the fans rally up. Trick fights up to his feet, fires body shots, then fights free! Trick ROCKS Bron, both men wobble. Trick ROCKS Bron again, but Bron slips around to GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans bark and boo as Bron aims from a corner. Bron vows to end this, and he runs up to- KICK! Trick gets Bron again, but Bron fights the clinch! Both men stagger back, then both run up, DOUBLE LARIATS take them both down!

The fans fire up as Trick and Bron slowly sit up. Bron throws a punch, Trick hits back. The fans rally as the hands go back and forth. Trick ROCKS Bron, Bron ROCKS Trick, repeat! They go back and forth, then Trick LEG LARIATS! And LEG LARIATS! Then he dodges to FLAPJACK Bron! Trick kips up, the fans fire up, “Whoop Dat Trick!” Trick powers up the hand, he sees Bron stand up, and he TRICK SLAPS Bron! Then he stomps away, “Whoop Dat Trick! Whoop Dat Trick!” Trick fireman’s carries, but Bron fights free! Bron shoves Trick, runs up, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but into a TRICK KICK! The fans fire up with Trick as he takes aim again!

Trick brings the kneepad down, and TRICK- NO, Bron fireman’s carries, for a GUT BUSTER DROP! Cover, TWO! Trick survives and Bron is frustrated, but Lafayette fires up again! Bron shouts he has earned this! This is HIS time! The fans bark and boo as the straps come down. Bron builds speed, but Trick ducks the lariat to then TRICK SHOT!! But THE VISION ATTACKS!

Winner: Trick Williams, by disqualification

The fans boo but Austin Theory HAMMERS away on Trick! Yachty shouts at Theory, but Logan Paul YANKS Yachty down, and ONE LUCKY RIGHT! But “Ya boi is BOUNCY~!” JE’VON EVANS rushes out! He fires hands on Theory, then RED DOT GAMANGIRI! Evans kips up, the fans fire up, and Evans goes to the corner. But Maxxine gets in the way! This lets Bron & Theory get after Evans! So PENTA rushes out here! He has no fear, so he dodges Theory, SUPERKICKS him, then he SUPERKICKS Bron! And SUPERKICKS again! The Vision bails out, but Penta builds speed! And Penta FLIES onto The Vision!

The fans fire up but BRONSON REED CLOBBERS PENTA! Auszilla stomps away on Evans just because! Then he stomps away on Trick just because! The Vision regroups, they drag Trick around, and Bron builds speed! SPEAR!! Then they set Trick up for Bronson, TSUNAMI!! The fans boo but Theory now drags Evans over! The carnage continues, but SmackDown is wrapping!! Will Trick, Evans, and Penta even make it to MITB now? Or will Bron’s odds drastic go up thanks to The Vision?

My Thoughts:

A great go-home SmackDown, though USA Network needs to lighten up about the time limit. We didn’t get to see the fate of Evans, and social media isn’t showing it yet either. Netflix seems to be getting cut off, too, because they have to honor (most) of what USA Network airs. But at the same time, of course The Vision makes sure Bron doesn’t really lose to Trick, and that match had very little time left to it anyway. That ending definitely muddies the go-home math, but I feel like Bron is now on the lower end. As for who is a favorite, I’m thinking it’s Punk or Kevin.

Kevin, Punk, and Sami had a very good promo together, and Sami finding a way to spin ladders into part of the disrespect conspiracy was clever. Sami has another good promo with Candice & Johnny to keep them on his side. I wonder if Sami and his “Ride Or Die” trio try to mess with the ladder match so that neither Punk nor Kevin win, only for it to backfire. Cody and Randy had good promos tonight, and I really hope we get something big from their blowoff as we keep building to it. Also, poor Miz & Kit being the fodder since they kayfabed Orton outta Lafayette.

MFT VS War Raiders was a bit outta nowhere, but it worked to bring out Bakusai. I wonder if we get a Triple Threat Tag for the titles now that War Raiders have beef with Bakusai over this. I’d especially love if these teams, all with NJPW experience, give us a proper Strong Style level tag match just once. Very good promo from Danhausen with Pearce, Aldis, and Finn to set up Danhausen VS Gunther. Danhausen VS Gunther not actually happening as a match oddly helped keep Danhausen strong, and of course Finn makes the save. Finn VS Gunther is going to be good with this heat, I just can’t be sure who wins.

The Women’s MITB entries having a Six Woman Tag was a great move, that was a very good match. Team SmackDown winning made some sense, and now the math favors someone from Raw. Roxie is perhaps best choice because then she can use the briefcase to turn on Liv. Meanwhile, we got… a promo from Chelsea and Nikki to hype up Nikki VS Paige. I don’t know what it was, but after all this time, Nikki still can’t act. Pretty sure Nikki cheats to beat Paige and earn her title match. Thankfully that segment segued into The Baddies jumping Charlotte and taking her out of the tag title match.

Great tag match, and I did not think Bliss & Tatum were winning tonight. But at the same time, if Charlotte’s gonna win a title, it’s gonna be a singles title. Though, feels like we’re going to have one more Charlotte VS Jade before that happens.

My Score: 8.8/10