Who scores on Playoff Palooza?

The Don Callis Family is looking to take more and more titles, and tonight, they challenge for the AEW World Trios AND National Championships! Will Andrade, Archer, Hechicero & CLØN make Don Callis proud?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AEW World Trios Championships: Orange Cassidy, Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly VS Andrade El Idolo, Lance Archer & Hechicero; win and
• AEW National Championship: “Jungle” Jack Perry VS CLØN; wins and
• Kris Statlander VS ???
• Rush VS Adam Priest; wins.
• Six Man Tag: Chris Jericho & The Hurt Syndicate w/ MVP VS The Demand; win(s) and
• Alex Windsor & Persephone VS Thekla & Skye Blue w/ Julia Hart; win.
• 10 Man Tag: The Young Bucks & The Rascalz VS Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Daniel Garcia, David Finlay & Clark Connors; win.

PLAY BY PLAY

The Conglomeration speaks.

Roderick Strong shouts, “ORANGE!” Cassidy says, “What?” Roddy says thanks for the new shirt with himself on it, it’s great. Kyle O’Reilly says he loves this teamwork, this camaraderie, and hey, they’re in Portland for Playoff Palooza! Conglomeration, Collision, this is a good night to defend the trios titles for the first time ever! But then FTR steps in, and #BigStoke says Cash & Dax have something that’s actually important to say to Cope & Cage. Second, everyone backstage knows The Conglomeration is about to lose to the Don Callis Family, FTR’s close personal friends. See you later, losers.

FTR make their entrance, and the Veterans Memorial Coliseum isn’t exactly happy about it. Stokely leads the way into the ring and they get the mics. Cash starts off by saying, “Big Cope, we saw the challenge you laid out, very interesting. Very interseting indeed. So I know you probably think you’re gonna pull one over on us, that you’re gonna trick us into accepting this, but all you really had to do was bring something, anything to the table to entice us. And I gotta say, you saying that if you lose again to FTR, that you will no longer team? That sounds pretty enticing to me. So I’m not gonna drag this out. Challenge accepted!”

The fans cheer that, and Dax says of course Cope would say he deserves the rematch. But why? Because of some success they had 25 YEARS ago? Dax will lay a litlte cold, hard truth on Cope & Christian. Nobody wants them here! The fans boo that, but Dax says FTR doesn’t want them here! The locker room doesn’t want them here! As dumb as these fans are, they’re smart enough to know that they don’t want C&C here! No one associated with AEW wants C&C here! And now, give Dax a moment. Cope didn’t have to play his little mind games like challenging their man hoods. All they had to do was put their careers on the line.

The fans boo more, but Dax says the New York Street Fight sounds great to them, but let’s do it one better! If they’re gonna have this match with all this riding on the line… Dax wants there to be no more questions! No more debate! New York Street Fight, I QUIT STYLE! Dax wants C&C’s wives, daughters, dogs, and God Almighty to hear the one thing that is embarrassing to every man: Five letters, two words, “I QUIT!” And then after that, C&C, you can go on about your way, this here is done. Continue on with your nostalgia run while FTR goes on as the greatest tag team to EVER do this! Now the ball is in your court, Cope. #TopGuysOut.

The fans boo, but FTR saw the tag careers and raised them their dignity! Will Cope & Cage call that bet as we all go Double or Nothing? But as FTR takes their exit, The Conglomeration makes their entrance! FTR gets in their face, so The Conglomeration SHOVES them down! Will Cassidy, Roddy & Kyle show FTR what a real team looks like? Or will the Don Callis Family add more gold to the treasury?

AEW World Trios Championships: Orange Cassidy, Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly VS Andrade El Idolo, Lance Archer & Hechicero!

How will SmackDown look moving forward?

Cody Rhodes is still Undisputed WWE Champion, but SmackDown has a NEW WWE Women’s Champion in Rhea Ripley! What will be next for every champion now that we’re past WrestleMania?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• WWE Women’s United States Championship: Giulia w/ Kiana James VS Tiffany Stratton; Tiffany wins and becomes the new WWE Women’s United States Champion.
• WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Brie Bella & Paige VS Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss; Brie & Paige win, by disqualification, and retain the titles.
• WWE Tag Team Championships: R-Truth & Damian Priest VS Tama Tonga & JC Mateo w/ MFT; Truth & Priest win and retain the titles.
• Danhausen VS The Miz w/ Kit Wilson; Danhausen wins.
• Rhea Ripley VS Jacy Jayne w/ The Fatal Influence; Rhea wins, by disqualification.
• Jacob Fatu VS Solo Sikoa w/ MFT; Fatu wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Trick Williams arrives.

Accompanied by Lil Yachty, and the Gingerbread Man, the NEW WWE United States Champion says they can keep the celebration simple tonight. Whoa, in comes Danhausen and his Jeephausen! He says honk honk, watch the paint job. Trick says Danhausen better watch where he’s going! Danhausen has a Stephen A. Smith big head. “How ’bout them Knicks?” HAHA! Will Trick’s celebration already be cursed?

Jacob Fatu is here!

Fort Worth fires up for the Samoan Werewolf as he heads to the ring. Fatu grabs a mic while the fans cheer him on, and Fatu says, “Monday, I told Roman Reigns I wanted him.” The fans cheer that! “Monday, I told Roman I don’t want that title, but I need that title!” The fans cheer that, too! When Roman looked Fatu in his eye, he said, “Jacob, you’re not ready.” The fans boo that, but Fatu says okay, the truth is, Roman’s right. Because Fatu’s never been ready, something he’s been hearing his whole life, from his friends, his family, everybody! “Jacob, you’re not ready. Jacob, it’s not the right time. Jacob, you’re just not good enough.”

The fans boo, but Fatu says to break it all down and keep it 100, get a close shot on this! “Roman, you say I’m not ready. Well, step into this ring and prove it!” The fans cheer that, too! But instead of Roman, the USOS are here! Jimmy & Jey enter from the stage and go right to the ring. They get mics while the fans cheer, and they stare Jacob down. The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” but Jimmy says, “Aight. Listen, we heard what you said on Monday. How you wanna level up your household, put your kids in a better school, get that big money, I agree with you. You said you want the OTC got. You can have all that and more.

“You said you need that championship, you want that title. Hell, Cody Rhodes went through Hell at WrestleMania. The QB1 is on the field and he’s slipping. He sticks, fumble, Jacob’s ball.” Jimmy just wants Fatu to leave the OTC be. They can fix this. Fatu will eat, will learn, and will level up. That’s the play they’re running. Run the play with them. Don’t listen to the fans, join the family. The fans boo, but Jimmy asks Jey what he thinks. The fans cheer Fatu on, but Jimmy says none of these fools are gonna give him the lifestyle he’s asking for! None of these fools can give him the big money or put his kids in the better school.

Jey says the problem is, it’s too late, lil’ cousin. Fatu stepped up. Fatu opened his mouth. Fatu in the deep end now, and we’re gonna see if he can swim. If Fatu wants respect from Roman, then Jey will tell you how to get it from him: walk right up to him, look him in the eye, Uce, and get ready for war. YEET! Cuz Roman will bring it to you. Wait, Solo Sikoa & MFT make their way out here! Solo has a mic already to tell Fatu, “Are you hearing this? Don’t listen to those two! They’re lying to you! Trust me, I know. Where was these two at two years ago when nobody wanted you here, Jacob? They didn’t bring you here to WWE, I did!”

Solo then asks the Usos what they’re gonna teach Fatu. How to YEET? Whatever they’re saying, Fatu shouldn’t listen. MFT steps into the ring and Solo says if you wanna beat Roman, if you wanna be champion, Solo can do that for him. Fatu won’t beat Roman alone, he’s gonna need an army. And Jacob, Solo has that army. But then Tama takes the mic from Solo!? Tama takes off his sunglasses to look at Solo and asks, “Why are we here wasting our time with this? He’s a lost cause. You think he’s gonna beat Roman? He can’t even beat you!” The fans boo, but Fatu SUPERKICKS Tama! Solo has Tonga Loa & JC Mateo stay back while the fans fire up.

Fatu tells everybody that the only one he SHOULD be talking to right now is Roman Reigns! But to keep it 100, Solo thinks Fatu can’t beat him? Well, line ’em up! Fatu VS Solo, TONIGHT! And Fatu will remind you! If you don’t know, Fatu is all gas, no brakes with it! YADADADA MEAN?! FATUUU~! The fans love the sound of that, but even Solo seems ready for that fight. Will the Samoan Werewolf prove he’s got what it takes to take it all?

Backstage interview with Giulia & Kiana James.

Cathy Kelley is with the Women’s US Champion and Miss Management, and brings up tonight being one of the most significant SmackDowns of the year, since it is the SmackDown After Mania. Does Giulia feel any extra pressure going into her title match with Tiffany Stratton tonight? Giulia says yes, it IS the SmackDown AFTER Mania, NOT part of Mania. Kiana senses the passive aggressive nature and says what they BOTH are upset about is the lack of respect. Even her expert negotiation skills, which she did use, could not rectify this oversight. But it has only lit a fire within them to take Tiff out tonight.

Giulia says she beat Tiff once, she can do it again. So she feels NO pressure. Only anger. Giulia storms off, Kiana frowns, and Kiana says they never bicker like this unless pressured. Cathy makes them tense. Kiana storms off now, but will their business partnership (not) survive another round of #TiffyTime?

WWE Women’s United States Championship: Giulia w/ Kiana James VS Tiffany Stratton!

SmackDown returns as the Beautiful Madness makes her entrance, Kiana by her side. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who earns that respect!

The bell rings, the two circle, and the fans rally up. The two tie up, Tif headlocks, but Giulia powers up and out. Tiff goes up and over, rolls then runs to go up and over again. Tiff keeps moving, and she handsprings over the dropdown to DISCUS LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Tiff reels Giulia in, but Giulia cradle counters, TWO! Both women stand, Giulia headlocks for a takeover. Giulia then steps over, ghost pin, TWO! Tiff cradles, TWO! Giulia sunset flips, TWO! Tiff sits on it, TWO! Giulia sunsets again, TWO! Tiff runs, cartwheels, but Giulia stops the lift to NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally while Giulia says Tiffy Time is canceled!

Giulia HEADBUTTS away on Tiff, pushes her to a corner, then stomps her. Giulia brings Tiff up, but Tiff wrenches and fireman’s carries! ROLLING SENTON! Tiff goes up, up, and- NO, Giulia trips Tiff up! Then puts her in a Tree of Woe, for a DROPKICK! Giulia goes outside to then drag Tiff out, DRAPING NECKBREAKER to the floor! Giulia roars but Fort Worth boos, only for Giulia to soak it all up while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Giulia taunts the fans, brings Tiff up, and she fires knees into her! Giulia throws Tiff into the ring, storms in after her, and stomps her to the ropes. Giulia CHOKES Tiff, but stops as the ref counts 4. Giulia stalks Tiff to a corner, CHOPS her, then THROWS her by her hair! The ref reprimands but Giulia gets a leg to turn Tiff over. Giulia ties up the legs, then grabs at the arms. Tiff resists, but Giulia still SURFBOARD STOMPS her down! Cover, TWO! Giulia is annoyed, but she taunts the fans. Giulia puts Tiff in the ropes, bends her back while fish-hooking the nose, then runs to DROPKICK Tiff down! Cover, TWO!

Tiff stays int his but Giulia keeps on Tiff. Tiff fires body shots, then ROCKS Giulia. Tiff whips Giulia to a corner, but Giulia dodges! Giulia then KICKS Tiff in the back! Tiff falls, Giulia covers, TWO! Giulia clamps on with a chinlock and grinds Tiff down. Tiff endures, fights up, and reaches out. Tiff stands up, arm-drags free, then runs the ropes. Tiff ducks ‘n’ dodges, but so does Giulia. DOUBLE FACEBUSTERS bring both women down! Giulia and Tiff slowly rise, then they start throwing forearms! Tiff throws counter punches, then LARIATS as SmackDown returns to single picture! And LARIATS again!

Tiff runs, handsprings, and BACK ELBOWS in the corner! Tiff keeps moving, handspring and STUNNER! Cover, TWO! Giulia survives that shot but Tiff stays focused. The fans rally behind Tiff as she goes up a corner. Giulia rises to SHORYUKEN! Giulia climbs up after Tiff, but Tiff fights the superplex! Giulia brings Tiff to the very top, SUPER DUPER BUTTERFLY PLEX!! Giulia writhes but manages the cover, TWO!! Tiff survives again and Giulia is furious! Kiana glares at the ref but “This is Awesome!” Giulia drags Tiff up to HEADBUTT, then scoops, Tiff slips free, mule kicks, then runs, but Kiana trips her up!

The fans boo but Tiff grabs at Kiana! Giulia runs in, but is sent into Kiana! Roll up, TWO!! Giulia escapes, but Tiff fireman’s carries! ROLLING SENTON! And now the PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! But into a body scissor! RINGS OF SATURN!!! Tiff endures, flails, pushes her way to a cover, TWO!! Giulia lets Tiff go in time, then RAMS her! Giulia runs but Tiff BOOTS her! Giulia kicks, Tiff ducks! Giulia avoids a shot but Tiff ROCKS and KNEES after all! TIFFY- NO, Giulia turns stomps into roll-up, TWO! ARRIVEDERCI!!! But Giulia won’t end it there! Giulia drags Tiff up, scoops, but Tiff slips through!

Tiff Alabama Lifts, and ALABAMA SLAM! Tiff hurries up, up, and PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!!! Cover, TIFF WINS!

Winner: Tiffany Stratton, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s United States Champion)

These two may have missed out on WrestleMania, but Tiff still has her moment! Tiff now has the Women’s US Championship, will we all be back on #TiffyTime?

Danhausen went on a Hollywood Star Tour…?

Earlier this week, Danhausen used his map… of the United States… to find where The Miz lives! Danhausen knocked on the door, introduced himself, but then disappeared before The Miz opened the door. But then surprise, he’s inside! Miz asks what the hell Danhausen is doing here! Oh, did Miz forget already? He asked Danhausen to come curse his home, and so here he is. How does he know where Miz lives?! Danhausen shows off his map. GET OUT! Danhausen disappears again! Only to reappear poolside, already dressed and taking a dip! Miz storms out there and Danhausen says shh, there are people golfing out there.

Oh, they can see Allegiant Stadium from here! Miz says he KNOWS that! He knows about the golf course, and about his pool! GET OUT! Danhausen says okay, just calm down. Danhausen steps out of the middle pool, into the outer pool. Does Miz wanna get double cursed? Miz rushes Danhausen, but Danhausen ducks to pick up his hat! Miz belly flops in the deep end, what more shenanigans happened because of the Very Nice, Very Evil Overlord?

On-stage interview with Tiffany Stratton.

SmackDown returns as Cathy congratulates the NEW WWE Women’s US Champion! She put it all out there tonight, how does it feel to be back on top? Tiff says it feels amazing. For months, she’s had the runner-up story. Runner-up at the Royal Rumble, runner up in Elimination Chamber, but tonight she is no longer a runner-up! She is the NEW Women’s US Champion! The fans cheer, and Tiff says she’ll show everyone why the WWE runs on #TiffyTime! But then Brie Bella is here! #BrieMode activated, but here’s PAIGE! The fans cheer as the NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions are here!

Paige & Brie go to the ring, grab the mics, and Brie tells Fort Worth, Texas, “Wow, does it feel incredible to be standing in this ring as a champion! WrestleMania this past weekend was really special. And even though I couldn’t compete next to my sister, which shoutout, Nikki, get better soon… I’m really glad that I had a good idea of calling an old friend I could count on. And one that I actually call a sister. Paige, I know I’m speaking for everyone when I say, welcome back!” The fans do cheer that, and Paige says, “I’m back~! Did you miss me?” The fans cheer because they sure did! Paige says forgive her, she has lost her voice from a hectic week, but what a hell of a week!

When Brie gave Paige the call last week to have her back at WrestleMania, Paige thought, “What a wonderful way to come home.” Paige is so proud to be here with Brie. And last week, they walked out THE Women’s Tag Team Champions! The fans cheer, and Paige says it was a rough road to get here, but she’s so happy to be home. She missed them all. They were in the ring with some of the best competitors in the world, but let them be reminded that SmackDown is Paige’s house! Brie & Paige aren’t going anywhere. But then Charlotte Flair makes her entrance! And following The Queen, and her pyro, is Lil’ Miss Bliss!

The fans cheer as #Charlexa heads to the ring, mics already in hand. The fans “WOO~!” with Charlotte, and she tells “Champs… I think I can speak for the both of us when I say, I guess it’s good to have you back. Right?” Alexa says yeah, it’s good, even though they pinned her. Besides the point. But Brie & Paige have what Charlotte & Alexa want. They’ve been working hard to get those titles back, and Alexa is sure she can speak for the both of them when she says one WrestleMania Moment won’t get in the way. So, Paige, if you wanna prove this is your house… Charlotte can think of no better way than to face Charlexa. The fans sure like the sound of that!

The chant of “YES! YES! YES!” echoes out, and Paige says she’s down. Is Brie down? Brie is down, and they should do it tonight! Then “WOO~!” Let’s get a ref out here right now! The fans love it! Charles Robinson hurries down the ramp, but will Paige’s comeback be stopped right as it begins?

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Brie Bella & Paige VS Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss!

SmackDown returns, the match is already underway, and Alexa drags Brie from her corner. Brie still reaches out, but Alexa KNEES low. Alexa whips, Brie reverses, and Brie RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS! Brie crawls, reaches out, but Alexa stops her again. Alexa whips Brie to ropes, but Brie sunset flips! Alexa rolls through to basement DROPKICK! Alexa drags Brie up, tags Charlotte, but fans chant, “We Want Paige!” Alexa holds Brie up, Charlotte CHOPS Brie, then Charlotte taunts Paige. Charlotte stands Brie up, scoops, and EXPLODERS! Charlotte kips up, the fans fire up, and the “WOO~” echoes out. Charlotte storms up, but Brie BOOTS her from the corner

Charlotte GAMANGIRIS Brie in return! Charlotte then puts Brie’s leg in the ropes, and KNEE- NO, Brie avoids the knee drop to then DROPKICK! Brie hurries, reaches out, but Charlotte anchors a foot! Charlotte drags Brie back, but Brie hops up to ENZIGIRI! But wait, JACY JAYNE YANKS PAIGE DOWN?!?

Winners: Brie Bella & Paige, by disqualification (still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)

What in the world is the Toxic Rockstar doing on SmackDown?! And why did she go after Paige? Wait, she’s not alone! FATAL INFLUENCE is here! Lainey Reid serves some Southern Sweet KNEE to Charlotte, Fallon Henley CLOBBERS Brie, then they mug Alexa! Alexa fights back with elbows and kicks, but Jacy CLOBBERS her! The fans boo the 3v1 on Alexa! Jacy SUPERKICKS Charlotte back down, then has her team stand Alexa up. Jacy SUPERKICKS Paige, Fallon & Lainey hit a DOUBLE PUMP HANDLE SLAM! The fans boo even harder, but is SmackDown about to be under The Influence?

WWE continues to learn about Royce Keys.

Antonio Lopez, former mayor of East Palo Alto, California, says, “We didn’t have people like Royce Keys in the 90s and 2000s to look up to, but now we do.” Royce says he doesn’t wanna let anyone down, but his friends all know he is an inspiration, especially in the Black community. How could you not be motivated? A few people make it, but there’s many more who don’t. The reputation of EPA, bringing hope and change, that inspires everyone in the city. Royce says you get the feeling that no one is watching, but no, everyone’s watching. The internet went wild the night Royce debuted at the Royal Rumble, that’s for sure.

Royce says sometimes, the destination is just the beginning. Now it’s his time to give back. EPA is behind Royce Keys, he knows they’re depending on him. He didn’t get here by himself, but now that he is here, there’s no stopping him. What will be next for the Powerhouse?

Cody Rhodes is here!

Fort Worth cheers as the American Nightmare is here, and they’re singing along with Kingdom, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody is still Undisputed WWE Champion, but his one eye is still in rough shape. We get the second “WHOA~ OH~!” and pyro as Cody steps into the ring. Cody gets the mic, he hears the fans, and he asks, “Fort Worth, Dallas, Texas… Whaddya wanna talk about?” The fans cheer again, and Cody says he wants to talk about how he left WrestleMania 42, and he doesn’t mean how he’s still champion. He means the fact that battered, half conscious, bloodied, Cody still made the decision to walk up that long ramp in Allegiant Stadium.

Cody made that decision because he feels it is the job of the WWE Champion to show up, be available, and amongst all these new players, the only superpower Cody has is that he always gets back up. The moment you see Cody take the “loser lane,” that means this run is over. And this run started four years ago, right around the corner from here. Ever since then, on paper and in his heart, it’s been three reigns, each one better than the last. Cody wanted to send a message at Mania. He wanted to send a message, even though he knew that after he went through the curtain he wouldn’t be medically cleared, with stitches in his eyebrow and staples on the back of his head…

Cody wanted to send the message to his opponent, Randy Orton! Who is not here tonight… The fans boo that, but Cody says Randy started Cody in this sport, taught him everything, and everything he taught Cody is what it took to beat him. Cody wanted to send the message that after the bell rang, Randy gave Cody his best shot with that punt kick, and Cody is still standing! Cody wanted to send a message to a sarcastic and condescending Sami Zayn, who backstage called Cody “The Golden Boy.” Nothing ever goes wrong for Cody!

So Cody showed up at WM42, adorned head to toe in gold, to let Sami know that Cody will be gold, his family will be gold, his friends will be gold, and all his fans around the world will be gold! The fans cheer again, and Cody says the most important message was to those outside forces that keep interjecting into Cody’s WrestleMania plans, that wanna get involved in the Nightmare Family party. Cody wants to make it clear, “You guys are 0-3! Send your best or count your money and mind your damn business!” The fans cheer again, and Cody says this is the first SmackDown after WrestleMania! The fans fire up for that!

“And as the man holding the richest prize in our sport, I am no longer the hunter, but I know that sentiment, so I’ll go ahead and say it. It’s easy to find me. Whether you are from NXT, whether you are from Monday Night Raw, whether you are from Friday Night SmackDown, wherever it may be, again, I’m here, WWE Champion. Cody Rhodes, easy to find. Easy to find, hard to beat.” Mic drop from the champ and the fans are thunderous! Cody holds up the title, but can his body keep up with the adrenaline in his soul?

MFT talks backstage.

Solo tells his guys it is real simple. Solo wants JC & Tama to go out there and get those tag team titles back for the family. Don’t mess this up, don’t let the family down. JC nods as he leads the way, and Loa asks about Jacob. Solo says don’t worry, he’ll teach Jacob a lesson. Jacob will see that without MFT, he can’t beat Roman. Loa follows JC & Tama, but will MFT once again have gold? Or will it be #WepaUP even when the numbers aren’t in their favor?

WWE Tag Team Championships: R-Truth & Damian Priest VS Tama Tonga & JC Mateo w/ Tonga Loa!

SmackDown returns as MFT makes their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if friendship beats family!

The teams sort out and Truth insists. Priest obliges, and the fans cheer Truth on as he starts against the Good Bad Guy. Truth does his dance moves, the fans cheer, but Tama BODY BLOWS! Tama fires hands, Truth hits back, but Tama fires a flurry! Tama CLUBS Truth, puts him in a corner, but Truth kicks low and ROCKS Tama! Truth fires shots, but Tama KNEES low, then CLUBS Truth! Tama whips, Truth SHOULDER TACKLES! But then Tama DROPKICKS Truth down! No #RonCena just yet, and Tama mocks the “You Can’t See Me!” Tama runs, ELBOW DROP FLOPS as Truth moves! Hot tag to Priest!

Priest fires hands on Tama, whips him corner to corner, but Tama reverses. Priest rebounds to CLOBBER Tama! JC runs in but Priest SPIN KICKS! Priest then runs to ELBOW Tama in the corner! The fans cheer as Priest powers up the arm. Priest winds up, runs, but JC is in the way! Tama runs up, but Priest ELBOWS him away! But then JC HOTSHOTS Priest! Tama LARIATS Priest up and out, and while Truth protests, Loa CLOBBERS Priest! MFT is in charge while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns as Tama ELBOWS Priest down! Tag to JC and he RAMS Priest into a corner! Tama adds a STINGER SPLASH! JC DROPKICKS Priest, covers, TWO! The fans rally but JC drags Priest up. JC whips Priest to the MFT corner, but Priest BOOTS back! Priest ELBOWS Tama, ROCKS JC, then DECKS Tama! But JC ROCKS Priest! JC whips Priest, but Priest hits the COMEBACKER! The fans fire up while both men are down! JC and Priest crawl, and Priest rises up to hot tag Truth! The fans fire up as Truth runs to SHOULDER TACKLE! And SHOULDER TACKLE! Then the SPIN-OUT BOMB!

The fans fire up for #RonCena as he says it, “YOU CAN’T SEE ME!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! And then a fireman’s carry! Loa distracts, Truth drops JC to chase him off! Loa then slides in, but the ref stops him! That lets Tama snatch Truth! TONGAN TWIST! JC YANKS Truth right up, GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, Priest breaks it just in time! Tama CLUBS Priest, TOSSES him out, then UPPERCUTS Truth! The ref reprimands but Tama feeds Truth to JC! JC RAMS Truth into the corner, Tama SPLASHES into post! JC ROCKS Truth, but Priest tags in! Truth whips JC, Priest is there, to RISE UP!! Cover, Priest & Truth win!

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

MFT tried but failed to cheat the belts away! Will it always be #WepaUP in the WWE Tag Division? What will it take for MFT to get back on track?

WWE shares more of Danhausen visiting The Miz.

Miz got out of the pool, but then heard a sound. Danhausen is in the golf simulator! Danhausen swings back, right into Miz’s golf balls! Then he hits the actual ball, “Hole in… whoa! What is that?” Danhausen touches Miz’s Slammy, and it falls apart! Danhausen thanks Miz for the hospitality, then takes his leave. Miz snarls as he gets back to his feet. Danhausen exits, right as Maryse arrives! “YOU!” “Me?” Miz runs up, and he CHUCKS chocolate powder! But Danhausen ducks and Maryse gets a face full of cocoa! Oops. Miz apologizes, this was meant for Danhausen. Danhausen rides his bicycle, admires Miz’s “spaceship” (Cybertruck), and heads out.

Wait, that’s their DAUGHTER’s bike! Miz is fuming, hence the match set for later tonight. Will Miz get his revenge on Danhausen? Or will he continue to be cursed?

Trick Williams & Lil Yachty finish getting ready backstage.

They secret handshake and say it’s time for the celebration. Yachty knocks on a door and calls for “GBM.” Yes, the Gingerbread Man has his own locker room. Gingey follows them out, and Trick even has someone spray him down. A staffer desperately wants an autograph but he gets a Trick Slap instead. Just what kind of Texas sized celebration is “Hollywood Trick” about to have? We’ll see, after the break.

SmackDown returns as Trick makes his entrance.

Lil’ Yachty says, “What? What?” while the fans chant ‘WHOOP DAT TRICK!” and Gingey breaks it down! The ring is already decked out with red, white and blue for the NEW United States Champion. Trick grabs himself a mic, and he asks Yachty, “Y’know waht I think?” “What’s that?” “I think the people are excited to celebrate with the NEW United States Champion.” The fans cheer, and Trick says it was Mania last week. 50 thosuand fans! Yachty was there! Trick was there! The Gingerbread Man was there. The fans cheer, and Trick says they weren’t there to gamble, to drink, they were there for three words. Fort Worth, tell ’em what it is!

“Whoop Dat Trick! Whoop Dat Trick!” Yachty can’t help but acknowledge the elephant in the room. They’re past the celebrity Road to WrestleMania promo tour, and Yachty is still here. That means he is here to stiggity stay! Trick asks what that means. That means if Trick is the Anointed One, Yachty is the Prophet! Then that means if Trick is Michael Jackson, Yachty is Quincy Jones! If Trick is Mike Tyson, then Yachty is Don King! And if Trick is Michael Jordan, than Yachty is Phil Jackson! This is Trick Yachty Gang, and they run SmackDown! Oh, wait, as the first order of business, can they get rid of the Open Challenge? No more handouts!

Trick Willy is the ultimate opportunity! No jabronies are getting free shots, okay? This ain’t that type of party. Trick agrees. If you want a handout, find a clinic. If you want an invitation, find a wedding. And if you want the US Champion, good looking, 6’5″, 250 pounds, a tall glass of chocolate milk, rocking these lemon pepper steppers, then you find Trick Williams! The music hits, Yachty makes it rain, but mostly in the ring, and then there’s pyro! Gingey is getting down, but then he SMACKS Trick with the candy cane! Yachty checks Trick, but then Gingey SMACKS Yachty, too! Because SURPRISE~! This Gingerbread Man is Sami Zayn!

The fans boo as Sami rains down fists on Yachty, then on Trick! The fans are off gingerbread everything for life now! Sami doesn’t get why, but he watches Trick get up in the corner. Sami runs up and HELLUVA KICK! Sami smiles and does a dance, even as the fans continue to boo. Trick sits up, realizing what just happened. Will Trick and Sami have to run this back sooner rather than later?

Royce Keys admires the Andre the Giant trophy.

Cathy Kelley steps in and says that we’re a week removed from him winning the Memorial Battle Royal. How much did that win mean to him? Royce says say it again. We’re a week removed from his biggest win in the WWE, how is he feeling? Well, the last few weeks, he has been very emotional, here, there, everywhere, since his debut. He debuted at Royal Rumble, aight? He follows it up with winning the Andre the Giant battle royal, aight? But the thing is, he’s just getting started. And he takes everything that he wants. But in steps Solo with sarcastic applause while he echoes, “Aight. Aight. Congratulations last week on winning the battle royal.”

But uh, Talla Tonga ain’t happy about it. Don’t worry, Solo gave him the night off. But like Solo said, there is always room for Royce in the family. Aight? Solo heads out, but will Royce take him up on that invitation? Or will Royce prove he has the keys to success all on his own?

Danhausen VS The Miz w/ Kit Wilson!

After cursing Dominik Mysterio, Kit Wilson, The Miz, a referee, and even IShowSpeed, the Very Nice, Very Evil Overlord has come to Fort Worth! And he still has Miz’s Slammy! Will Miz get some semblance of revenge for all the shenanigans, antics, and just plain weirdness that’s been going on? Or will he just end up worse than before?

SmackDown returns and The Miz makes his entrance, Kit Wilson by his side. The bell rings and the fans rally behind Danhausen. Miz is annoyed as it is and this isn’t helping. But then Kit snatches the Slammy! Danhausen is distracted, but he still dodges Miz! Danhausen comes back to CROSSBODY! Miz gets up, runs up, but Danhausen BOOTS him away! Danhausen then goes up, FLYING RANA! Miz tumbles out, the fans cheer Danhausen, and even Miz is confused as to how that happened! Kit gets on the apron to argue with Danhausen, and Miz CLOBBERS Danhausen from behind! The fans boo but Miz stomps away!

The ref counts, Miz jump stomps, then shouts, “There is NO curse!” The fans boo Miz, but Miz and Kit fist bump. Miz & Kit soak up heat, but Danhausen sits up like the Deadman! “You! Are! CURSED!” PYRO MISHAP! Miz is stunned, Danhausen rolls him up, DANHAUSEN WINS!

Winner: Danhausen, by pinfall

The fans cheer as the #Pinhausen wins again! Miz and Kit are furious, especially since Kit almost got blinded! But Danhausen uses the power of disappearing! POOF! Uh… Oh, Danhausen forgot to run. Miz chases him now, they go around and around, then under the ring! Then up and over Kit! Miz and Kit run into each other! Danhausen gets away in the Jeephausen! Another Very Nice, Very Evil victory, will we soon see the rise of a Champhausen?

SmackDown, meet Blake Monroe.

“The Glamour is the girl you’ve been waiting for. She’s beauty, she’s grace, and she will probably punch you in the face. The Glamour doesn’t just walk into the spotlight, she’s the reason it exists. Because nothing burns brighter, and darker, than Blake Monroe.”

Rhea Ripley is here!

Fort Worth fires up, because Mami is now on SmackDown as the NEW WWE Women’s Champion! The fans cheer Rhea as she steps in the ring, and she grabs a mic to say, “Texas! Your Mami is finally champion again!” The fans cheer that, too! “You Deserve It! You Deserve It!” “Mami! Mami!” Rhea nods and says, “At WrestleMania, on the Grandest Stage of Them All, Jade, she actually proved to me that she can go. But now it’s my time to prove that the WWE Women’s Champion is a fighting champion!” The fans like the sound of that. Rhea knows there are plenty of women that wanna take their chance, and Rhea’s down for any sort of challenge.

So if anyone wants to step to Mami, now’s your shot. Well, Fatal Influence makes their way back out here! Jacy waves hi to Rhea before saying, “Rhea, Rhea, Rhea. Look, we get it. You’re a star.” The fans boo but Jacy says shut up and let her talk! She worked hard to get here, respect her! As she was saying, Rhea is the star, the champion. Yes, the fans are all excited to see Jacy, she gets it. The booing continues, and Jacy says it’s cute, but this is HER time, so shut up and listen! Fatal Influence steps into the ring as Jacy says she’ll be the first one to give Rhea credit on the big win at Mania, congratulations. The booing gets louder but Jacy says she can wait all night.

Well, the booing continues, but then there’s also chanting for Rhea. Jacy says enough of that, fun time is over. And Jacy thinks all these fans should thank Fatal Influence for taking out all their precious little legends earlier tonight. Rhea says she did actually see what they did earlier, and she has to say, taking out that many legends is quite impressive. Jacy takes a bow, but Rhea tells her that here’s a little lesson: Stop while you’re ahead. The fans cheer that! Fallon says thanks but no thanks. The boos erupt again but Fallon says what The Influence did to the others is nothing compared to what they’ll do to Rhea.

Lainey says the fans can put all that blame on them, too! Fatal Influence, baby! Rhea laughs, and says, “Wow~! I thought that Jade was cocky. Look, lately, I’ve been pretty used to the numbers game being against me. And if you guys actually opened up your eyes, you’d see that that really doesn’t matter. So, if you guys wanna fight, then I’m ready for a fight. Take your shot!” Jacy tells Rhea that what Rhea will learn is that The Influence is always ready to throw hands. But then Nick Aldis shows up and says he likes the sound of that! Also, welcome to SmackDown, Fatal Influence.

The SmackDown GM says he was trying to think of a suitable punishment for earlier tonight, and then he realized… She’s standing right there. So, Jacy, you’ll show us what you got, because you’re 1v1 with Rhea Bloody Ripley right here, and right now! The fans really love that! Will Mami make sure to ground the unruly Toxic Rockstar? Or will the bad behavior continue after the break?

Rhea Ripley VS Jacy Jayne w/ The Fatal Influence!

SmackDown returns, the bell rings, and Rhea circles with Jacy. The fans are of course cheering Rhea on, which annoys Jacy. Rhea revels in it and the fans cheer louder. Rhea and Jacy tie up, Rhea THROWS Jacy down, and Rhea smiles. Jacy smiles as she brushes that off and resets with Rhea. Rhea and Jacy circle again, feel out a knuckle lock, but Jacy keeps changing up hands. Jacy then kicks, but Rhea blocks! Rhea plays keep away, then scoops Jacy. Jacy slips free, headlocks, but the fans boo. Rhea powers up but can’t power out as Jacy holds tight. Rhea powers up again, but Jacy hits a headlock takeover.

Jacy cheers herself on but Rhea fights up. Rhea lifts and THROWS Jacy away, then dodges as Jacy returns. Rhea RUNS Jacy over and the fans cheer. Fatal Influence coach Jacy up, tell the fans to shut up, and Jacy goes back to Rhea. They tie up, Jacy waistlocks, and Jacy CLUBS Rhea. Rhea bucks the O’Conner to run up, but Jacy dodges the boot! Jacy ROCKS Rhea, wrenches and whips, but Rhea blocks! Rhea grins, Jacy is scared, and Rhea whips. Jacy ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! Rhea goes to a corner, Jacy runs up, but Rhea blocks into a half nelson! But Jacy arm-drags free! Jacy runs up again, but Rhea puts her on the apron!

Rhea ROCKS Jacy and Jacy flops to the floor! Rhea runs, but Jacy avoids the dropkick! Jacy goes up, but Rhea blocks the kick! Electric Chair SLAM off the apron! Fatal Influence is worried but they coach Jacy up. Rhea drags Jacy up, puts her in the ring, but she has to tell Fatal Influence to back off. Jacy PENALTY KICKS from the apron after all! The fans boo but Fatal Influence cheers themselves on while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Jacy talks trash before hobbling her way over to Rhea. Jacy may have hurt her own foot hitting Rhea that hard. But Jacy still runs to CLOBBER Rhea! Cover, TWO! Rhea crawls to ropes but Jacy CHOKES her against them! The ref reprimands but Jacy stops at 4. Jacy bumps Rhea off buckles, stomps away on her in the corner, but stops as the ref counts. Jacy then digs her boot in, but again stops at 4. Jacy stomps Rhea again, then soaks up heat from the fans. Jacy does her shimmy, runs and CANNONBALLS! Cover, TWO! Fatal Influence coaches Jacy to keep going, and she brings Rhea up for a BACKHAND!

Jacy BACKHANDS Rhea again, and again! But Rhea ducks the next to ROCK and CHOP Jacy in return! Rhea fires off in the corner, stops as the ref counts, and she whips, only for Jacy to reverse and ROCK Rhea! Jacy sits Rhea up to SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Jacy snarls but she and Fatal Influence stay focused. Jacy KICKS Rhea in the back, ELBOWS her in the shoulder, then clamps on a chinlock. Jacy grinds Rhea down but Rhea endures. Rhea fights around, even as Jacy leans on the hold, and Rhea rises to her feet. Jacy jumps on as a backpack while SmackDown returns to single picture, and Rhea RAMS her into buckles!

Rhea is free and the fans fire up. But then Jacy runs up, NECKBREAKER DROP! Cover, TWO! Jacy is frustrated, Fatal Influence argue the count, but two is two. Jacy says it’s her time now, but Rhea springs up with the EDDY GORDO KICK! Jacy wobbles, Rhea wrenches and short arm LARIATS! And short arm LARIATS! And then ripcord for the HOOK KICK! Then the ATOMIC SLAM! Basement DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Rhea and she has Jacy up again! Canadian Rack, but Jacy kicks her way to the ropes! Jacy is free, and she SUPERKICKS Rhea! Rhea goes t a corner, Jacy runs up, but Rhea goes up and over!

Rhea comes back, kicks low, and KNEE SMASH! DISCUS- NO, Jacy dodges to ROCKSTAR KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Jacy is furious but Rhea isn’t champion for nothing! Jacy goes to ropes, stands up, and she lines up another shot. ROLLING- NO, Rhea dodges to SUPERKICK! Rhea hurries up the corner, but Jacy hits the ropes! Rhea is tripped up, and Jacy GAMANGIRIS! Jacy climbs up after Rhea, but Rhea fires body shots! Rhea slips under, tucks Jacy in, CHEEKY NANDOS! Jacy sputters, Rhea Electric Chair Lifts, but Jacy victory rolls! TWO, and both women stand! Rhea SUPERKICKS Jacy, then reels her in! RAZOR’S EDGE!

Jacy flounders, Rhea SLIDING KICKS! Cover, TWO! Jacy survives and Fatal Influence is relieved! Rhea storms up on Jacy, gets the legs, “This is Awesome!” as Jacy kicks free. Rhea HEADBUTTS back, then pump handles! But FALLON CHOP BLOCKS!

Winner: Rhea Ripely, by disqualification

The fans boo as the Fatal Influence refuses to let Jacy lose fair ‘n’ square! They mug Rhea 3v1! FOREARM! SUPERKICK! And then ROLLING ENCORE!! Fatal Influence doesn’t care about the win, the rules, or the boos, but will they regret the consequences of their actions?

The Usos find Jacob Fatu backstage.

Jimmy & Jey stare Jacob down. #BigJim says MFT is gonna get involved one way or another. He and Jey will be watching, they’ve got his back. Jacob says he doesn’t need their help, yadada mean? Jacob leaves, and Jey tells Jimmy that he told him so. The Samoan Werewolf wants to be a lone wolf, but will he see the benefits of running with a pack?

Charlexa is in the trainer’s room.

The Queen says who do these girls think they are. They come up into SmackDown and just… Rhea walks in, she sees them, and stares down with Charlotte. Rhea asks if they have a problem, and Charlotte says, “Seriously?” Alexa says yes, they have a problem, with Fatal Influence. What’s the deal here? They can all just go after Fatal Influence. Charlotte will get her hands on Jacy Jayne, unlike some people. Charlotte leaves, Alexa tells Rhea it isn’t Rhea, Charlotte is just like that. But whatever the reason, will someone be able to save SmackDown before we’re all under the Influence?

Jacob Fatu VS Solo Sikoa w/ MFT!

While the Samoan Werewolf wants what the Tribal Chief has, namely the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, he has to prove he deserves it. Will Jacob prove to all branches of the family tree that he can be his own man? Or will the Would-be Tribal Chief make him reevaluate?

SmackDown returns as Fatu makes his entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally behind Fatu. Solo and Fatu circle, feel things out, and tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Fatu finds a point of leverage to put Solo in a corner. Fatu lets off, but Solo kicks low! The fans boo but Solo mocks “Yadada mean?!” Fatu powers up, powers out, and he RAMS Solo! Neither man falls, Fatu shakes out his arm, and Solo runs. Fatu RAMS him again! The fans cheer as they go again, but then Fatu UPPERCUTS to intercept Solo’s cheap shot! The fans cheer and Fatu ROCKS Solo. Fatu climbs up in the corner, and he rains down HEADBUTTS!

The fans count along, and Fatu gets seven before Solo trips him up! Fatu hits off buckles, then Solo climbs up! Solo rains down fists, the fans still count along, and Solo gets TEN! Solo soaks up heat while he stalks Fatu along the ropes. Solo tells Fatu he’s too stupid to know better! Solo UPPERCUTS, then runs, but into a FOREARM! Fatu runs and ELBOWS Solo down! The fans fire up with Fatu, he runs the ropes, but JC trips him up! The ref is busy checking Solo for an exaggerated injury, and then Solo CLOBBERS Fatu! Fatu falls out of the ring, Solo distracts the ref, and Tama LEAPING LARIATS Fatu down!

The fans boo but MFT gets away with it as Loa puts Fatu in. Solo smirks, but here come The Usos! Fatu said he didn’t need the help, but seems that’s not quite true as Solo LARIATS Fatu down! Cover, TWO! Fatu survives but Solo smiles, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.

The Usos still wait at the ramp while Solo mocks the Yeet. Solo then goes out after Fatu, brings him up, and SMACKS him off the steel steps! Fatu flounders away while Solo rolls into the ring. The ref is wary of MFT, though! Loa almost gets caught red handed, but then Solo storms out after Fatu. Solo goes for the steps but Fatu blocks! Fatu SMACKS Solo off the steps instead! The fans cheer as Fatu stalks Solo into the ring. Fatu runs up, but Solo dodges the hip attack! Fatu writhes, crawls, and ends up on the ropes literally. Solo CHOKES Fatu while mocking the YEET bounce! Solo stops and argues with the ref, letting Loa UPPERCUT in the distraction!

Solo drags Fatu back inside, pushes him to another corner, then taunts The Usos. Solo mocks the “run it back,” then runs up to HIP ATTACK! Fatu sputters but Solo grins as he sees Fatu dangling out of the ring. Solo drags Fatu back in, CHOKES him on the ropes, then stops, so that JC can sucker punch! Fatu flounders to a corner, Solo lines up another shot, and he runs in for a HIP ATTACK! Solo swaggers while Fatu sputters. Solo kneels down by Fatu, tells him he should’ve made the right choice, but here we are. SmackDown returns to single picture, Solo drags Fatu up, but Fatu fires counter punches!

Fatu fires off, runs the ropes, and handsprings, but into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Fatu flounders, Solo covers, TWO! Fatu survives and the fans rally up, but Solo just shakes his head. Solo eggs Fatu on, talks more trash, then winds up to HEADBUTT! Fatu HEADBUTTS back! Solo ROCKS Fatu, Fatu ROCKS Solo! Solo UPPERCUTS, Fatu UPPERCUTS! Solo BOOTS, but Fatu BOOTS back! Fatu then ROCKS Solo with counter punches! Fatu backs Solo down as he windmills, kicks low, then whips! Solo reverses, but Fatu KICKS back! Then LARIATS! Then SENTON! The fans fire up for Fatu and he runs up, SPLASH in the corner!

Fatu climbs up, and he rains down more HEADBUTTS! Fatu goes all the way to TEN, then he runs corner to corner! Solo slumps down, into the HIP ATTACK! Fatu geeks out, but Tama gets on the apron! Fatu swings, Tama gets back, but Solo is up! Fatu turns around, SAMOAN- NO, Fatu avoids the Spike to SUPERKICK Solo down! Fatu goes out to the apron, climbs up the corner, and the fans fire up, only for Loa to distract! JC SHOVES Fatu down! Solo rolls Fatu up, TWO!! Fatu survives and the fans fire up again! MFT is frustrated but The Usos are locked in. Solo demands Fatu get up, then he storms up to stand Fatu up. Fatu UPPERCUTS!

Fatu runs to DIVE onto MFT! The fans fire up again and Fatu goes back to Solo! But Solo SUPERKICKS! Solo clinches, URENAGE! Solo then goes up the corner, FLYING SOLO!! Cover, TWO?!? Fatu survives and Solo is shocked! The fans fire up as Solo snarls. Solo stands Fatu up, SAMOAN- NO, Fatu dodges the Spike again! SUPERKICK! POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Fatu puts Solo in the drop zone, then goes up for the MIGHTY MOONSAULT!! Cover, Fatu wins!

Winner: Jacob Fatu, by pinfall

The Samoan Werewolf said he could do it alone, and he did! But now MFT CLOBBERS him! They mug Fatu as a group of sore losers! And Loa has a chair! But now The Usos hurry down the ramp! Tama takes the chair, winds up, but Fatu BOOTS it into Tama! Then he ELBOWS and SUPERKICKS JC! Loa tries, but Fatu SUPERKICKS him, too! Fatu has a chair, he JAMS Tama, then SMACKS him down! Then JAM and SMACK for JC! And another SMACK for Tama! The Usos cheer Fatu on as he just SMACKS away on MFT! Fatu puts the chair around JC’s neck, then puts one around Tama’s neck! The fans fire up as Fatu has targets locked!

FULL METAL HIP ATTACK on JC!! FULL METAL HIP ATTACK on Tama!! Then a DIVE onto Loa! The fans fire up as Fatu clears off the desk! Fatu HEADBUTTS Loa into reclining back on the desk, but then Loa flounders around. Fatu HEADBUTTS him back onto the desk, then Fatu goes to the barrier! “SUCK IT!” FROG SPLASH down through the table!! The fans are thunderous and Fatu is all geeked up! The Usos watched the whole thing, Fatu really didn’t need them for this! Even Solo is like dayumn! Will this be more than enough for Roman Reigns to accept the challenge for Backlash?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown After Mania, and SmackDown sure is getting a lot of the call-ups this round. There was a Ricky Saints teaser, and we saw The Fatal Influence do quite a lot tonight. They of course want to establish themselves in both the tag division and singles division, so them “ruining” the tag title match was a great way to debut. They also had great stuff with Rhea, but of course they disqualify that finish, too. Charlotte VS Jacy next week will likely go the same way, even with Alexa in Charlotte’s corner, and we gotta get a Six Woman Tag through this, giving us Rhea VS Jacy for the title at Backlash while Charlexa VS Lainey & Fallon sends someone to face Paige & Brie.

Very good promo from Giulia & Kiana to plug their dysfunction, and with that, of course Tiffany wins the US title tonight. Giulia might beat Kiana up and go after Tiffany all on her own, and maybe Kiana can go after Giulia to get herself into the title picture. Hilarious stuff with Danhausen again, both the “Mizadventure” and the match they had tonight. Great promo from Trick, Yachty, and Sami Zayn being Gingerbread Man tonight. Sami definitely kayfabe beat up the guy originally in the costume, some time between when Trick arrived and the moment they came out of the locker room. This clearly indicates a rematch for Backlash, but who knows who wins out.

Very good vignette for Royce Keys and the people of East Palo Alto, and a very good promo from him and Solo. Great promo from Cody Rhodes to not just call out Orton for selling out, even for that moment, and for calling out “corporate” for meddling with pro-wrestling, especially as it relates to Cody himself. Not to list all the names that WWE let go today, but they again goofed up letting go names in major stories! Here’s hoping fans can at least social media campaign and petition Kairi Sane staying for the sake of the Asuka-Iyo story, but also for her own because Kairi has a lot more to do on her own.

And great stuff with Jacob Fatu’s story. Very good promo from Fatu to bring out The Usos and MFT. Great character stuff with The Usos wanting Fatu to join the OG Bloodline and change course to go after the Undisputed Championship. Fatu VS Solo was a great match, and it was very surprising and impressive that Fatu really did solo MFT. Monday’s follow-up to this will be really good, can’t wait to see what we get as we continue towards Backlash.

My Score: 8.8/10