Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for September 25, 2020

In memory of Joe Laurinaitis "Road Warrior Animal", 1960 - 2020.

"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles, Sami Zayn and Jeff Hardy show up to start tonight's show. Corey Graves interviews all three men in the ring and announces that both Intercontinental Championships will be raised to the ceiling in an "ascension ceremony." Styles tells Hardy to savor this moment, as this is the last time he will hold the title. After Styles accuses Jeff of cheating once again, Styles then says that Zayn took six months off to grow a neckbeard before saying he beat him last week. Zayn says this is happening because Styles took part in a tournament to crown a "fradulent" champion. He also says that Jeff should have called him on the phone, denounced the championship and called him the true champion, but Jeff tells Sami to shut up and be grateful, as he has a chance to make the title legitimate. Jeff then asks for the hook to be brought down so that both Intercontinental Championship belts can be placed on it, then the belts are raised to the ceiling. Sami then pushes a ladder into both Jeff and Styles as they argue and goes on the attack. Styles forces Sami out of the ring as Sami punches Jeff, calling him a fraud in the process, then Adam Pearce shows up. He adds AJ Styles to Sami Zayn's match with Jeff Hardy tonight, and the match is next. Jeff then hits Styles with a Twist of Fate.

Sami Zayn beats Jeff Hardy and "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles in a Triple Threat Match after ducking the Phenomenal Forearm, tossing Styles out of the ring and pinning Jeff. After the match, Styles attacks Sami and Jeff with a ladder. He then puts a ladder in the center of the ring, climbs up and raises both belts.

Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews Heavy Machinery (Tucker and Otis). Otis says that he does not trust lawyers, then The Miz and John Morrison show up. The Miz says that his legal team will bury Otis and leave him with nothing. Morrison is recording Otis as he says that Miz will have to take the contract, then Tucker questions why only Miz's name is on the contract. This starts a brawl that referees have to break up.

Bayley shows up. She sits in a steel chair on the stage as she says she can watch her attack on Sasha Banks over and over, but her time is precious and she has no time to waste on her. Bayley says she has work to do and a championship match to prepare for, then says that while she admires Nikki Cross' heart, what she will do to Nikki on Sunday will be worse than what she did to Sasha.

Shinsuke Nakamura beats Gran Metalik. After the match, Cesaro attacks Lince Dorado when he checks on Gran Metalik, then Nakamura attacks Metalik again. After Cesaro and Nakamura leave, Dorado and Kalisto check on Gran Metalik, then Dorado shoves Kalisto to the mat.

WWE alumni celebrate the life and career of Road Warrior Animal on Twitter.

We see a video package regarding what Afa, Sika and Rikishi have to say about Jey Uso vs. Roman Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship.

Jey Uso shows up. Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman watch from backstage as Jey Uso asks about Roman's scowl towards him after last week's show. Paul Heyman appears on the TitanTron and says that the fans deserve to hear what Roman has to say. He says that Jey Uso will get answers on Roman's time, and he guarantees that the face-to-face meeting will happen tonight. He says that Jey Uso will get answers on Roman's time, and he guarantees that the face-to-face meeting will happen tonight.

Backstage, we hear from King Corbin, who says that he was disgusted by Matt Riddle's "bro" promo from last week and that he cannot wait to hear him "bro" out in pain and agony.

King Corbin beats Matt Riddle after getting the knees up to block the Floating Bro. After the match, Kayla Braxton interviews Matt Riddle, who says that tonight's loss will not stop him, as he is here to push himself and continue to grind until SmackDown is "the bro show."

We see another vignette of the mysterious woman, who puts on make-up as she writes the word "untouchable" on the mirror in lipstick. The woman's face is covered up completely throughout.

Lacey Evans beats Alexa Bliss by disqualification. During the match, Bray Wyatt's laughter can be heard at one point. Later on in the match, the arena lights go red and the high pitches noises synonymous with Bray Wyatt are heard as Alexa Bliss snaps and eventually refuses to listen to the referee. After the match, Alexa hits Lacey with Sister Abigail on the outside. The Fiend is then seen on the TitanTron saying "Let me in," and Alexa Bliss has a smile of malicious glee as she heads to the back while Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman head to the ring. Alexa looks back as Roman holds up the Universal Championship, then leaves.

After the break, Paul Heyman and Roman Reigns are in the ring. Jey Uso shows up immediately after Heyman starts speaking, and Roman tells Jey that while he would give the Universal Championship if he could, Jey would not know what to do with it. He says that Jey does not understand the accountability and responsibility of being a world champion and the weight and the pressure from being the face of WWE, as he has always depended on his brother. He says that while Jey is a tag team champion and has made the family proud, the family depends on him being "the tribal chief," which Jey will never be. Jey then asks Roman "What if you're wrong?" He says that Roman has always been on top, while Jey has always been confused for his brother Jimmy. He says that this Sunday, he will be the one that beat Roman for the WWE Universal Champion and he will be the one on top. After Roman and Heyman leave, Jey goes up the ramp and is suddenly attacked by Roman, who says that he has a whole family to feed and that Jey will never take his place at the table.

Talking Smack: Bayley questions if Alexa Bliss will be a factor on Sunday.

Here are the top ten moments from tonight's show!