Recapping American wrestling since 2013. Not only following the current stuff in WWE, Impact and ROH but also going back in time and doing stuff from back then as well.
Paul Heyman heads to the ring to start tonight's show. He says that it is among the greatest honors of his career to announce that there is one undisputed Tribal Chief and that this Tribal Chief is Roman Reigns. Heyman announces that Roman Reigns has authorized him to reveal what Roman is going to do next not just with the fans, but with one man in particular: "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes. Cody shows up and heads to the ring and shakes hands with Heyman, who says that Cody has earned Roman's respect. Heyman himself admits that he has respect Cody for a long time and that Cody has proven himself to be the champion that he is supposed to be, and for that, Roman has asked him to tell Cody that he wants his title back. Heyman also reveals that Roman has declared that he is entering the 2025 men's Royal Rumble with full intention of winning and heading to WrestleMania to face Cody for the Undisputed WWE Championship once again. Before Cody can respond, Kevin Owens suddenly shows up in the crowd, saying that the only thing worse than Cody teaming up with Roman was Cody shaking hands with The Rock and Paul Heyman. He says that Cody should have let Roman Reigns' Bloodline be ripped to shreds, but he ended up hurting the whole company. Cody jumps the barricade and fights Owens in the crowd. Meanwhile, Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu sneak up on Paul Heyman in the ring, and as Heyman is cornered, Jimmy Uso shows up and takes the fight to Tama and Jacob. Tama ends up receiving a shot to the back with a metal folding chair, as does Jacob, who absorbs the blow and hits Jimmy with a running forearm tackle before the numbers game takes over. A referee (who has never been seen before) runs into the ring only to get superkicked by Jacob, then Cody Rhodes returns as Jacob keeps officials at bay. Cody throws Tama out of the ring, then confronts Jacob. Cody ends up clotheslining Jacob out of the ring, and Tama and Jacob are held back.
Backstage, Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu are escorted out of the building, and as Jacob threatens security, he is forced out by LA Knight.
Chelsea Green retains the WWE Women's United States Championship against "Michin" Mia Yim after Michin takes out Piper Niven and goes for a top rope cross body only for Chelsea to roll through and grab the tights on the pinfall attempt. After the match, Michin gets her hands on Chelsea, but she gets attacked by Piper Niven.
In backstage footage from earlier today, General Manager Nick Aldis deals with Los Garza (Angel and Berto), Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson and Elton Prince), The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley) and A-Town Down Under (Grayson Waller and Austin Theory) by putting Los Garza and Pretty Deadly in one match and the Machine Guns and A-Town Down Under in another.
Los Garza (Angel and Berto) beat Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson and Elton Prince) following shenanigans behind the referee's back from both teams.
LA Knight vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the WWE United States Championship ends with Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu coming out of the crowd to attack Knight. Shinsuke Nakamura retains the WWE United States Championship. Cody Rhodes and Jimmy Uso soon run to the ring to brawl with Tama and Jacob, and force them to retreat. As officials shows up, Cody demands a tag team match from General Manager Nick Aldis tonight with him and Jimmy taking on Tama and Jacob. Aldis makes it official.
The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley) beat A-Town Down Under (Grayson Waller and Austin Theory).
Backstage, #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) are irritated with The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley) winning when Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson and Elton Prince) show up wondering where #DIY were during their match. Ciampa is not happy, and Gargano says that Pretty Deadly has a lot of heat right now before ensuring that Pretty Deadly will get their title shot. #DIY leaves, then Apollo Crews shows up and tells them that they are not getting their title shot like they think they are.
Backstage, Candice LeRae tells Nia Jax that Tiffany Stratton is heading to the ring. Nia Jax wonders what Tiffany will have to say before deciding to thank Tiffany herself.
Byron Saxton interviews Tiffany Stratton in the ring. Tiffany proclaims that it is Tiffy Time before talking about her last year on SmackDown and declares herself better than everyone's favorites at just 25 years old after having won the WWE Women's Championship. She says that Nia did not bully her, and that she befriended Nia and got Nia to trust her, and that Nia thought she was a dumb blonde because she let her, which caused Nia to let her guard down so she could take the WWE Women's Championship. Tiffany then states that she is at the top and demands that respect be put on her name before Nia Jax shows up and calls Tiffany an "ungrateful little shit." She says she could kill Tiffany, then says Tiffany is only at the top because she made her. Nia congratulates Tiffany for rubbing two brain cells together to get her moment, then tells her that time is up and demands that Tiffany give the championship back before she takes it. Suddenly, Bayley shows up and tells Nia to shut the hell up before admitting Tiffany had her fooled, then says Nia is pretty stupid for having Tiffany outsmart her. Bayley then says that if it were not for her, Tiffany would not be WWE Women's Champion, and demands a title shot. Suddenly, Naomi and Bianca Belair show up, and Naomi says that she would have had Nia Jax beat if it were not for Tiffany. Naomi then demands a shot at Tiffany. Nia tells Naomi that nobody cares about her, and when Naomi confronts Nia for that, Nia takes out both Naomi and Bianca, starting a brawl that ends with Tiffany taking everyone out with the Prettiest Moonsault Ever. Suddenly, General Manager Nick Aldis shows up and makes a Fatal 4-Way Match between Nia, Naomi, Bianca and Bayley to decide a #1 contender for the WWE Women's Championship that starts right now.
Bayley beats Naomi, Bianca Belair and Nia Jax in a Fatal 4-Way Match to become #1 contender for the WWE Women's Championship after Candice LeRae grabs at Bianca's hair, causing Bianca to inadvertently take out Naomi and knock Nia Jax over the announce table before Bayley hits Naomi with the Rose Plant for the win.
Backstage, Jimmy Uso meets with "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes. Cody says he saw Roman Reigns coming for the WWE Championship, then says he will see Jimmy in the ring. Cody leaves, then Carmelo Hayes shows up and tells Jimmy that he is cool with Solo Sikoa and that he will put him down if he takes him on again, but Jimmy tells Carmelo that with all the bricks he has been shooting, he can build a house.
Backstage, Byron Saxton interviews Bayley. Bayley says her career has been nothing but taking chances, then says that she has wrestled Tiffany Stratton all year long and that Tiffany has yet to beat her.
Before the next match, Jacob Fatu tells Jimmy Uso the difference between their Bloodlines before telling "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes that his nightmare is here.
Solo Sikoa's Bloodline (Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu) beat "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes and Jimmy Uso after Kevin Owens shows up and distracts Cody, causing the two of them to brawl their way to the back. After the match, Cody and Owens brawl their way to the technical area, and Cody pushes Owens off some road crates and through two tables.
Solo Sikoa's Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Jacob Fatu) heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Solo addresses Roman Reigns' challenge to tribal combat for the ula fala, then accepts the challenge and tells Roman that he is walking both in and out as the Tribal Chief and will stay head of the table. He then says that afterwards, Roman Reigns can sail back to "the Island of Irrelevancy" and acknowledge him. Suddenly, Drew McIntyre shows up. Solo admits that he was happy when McIntyre kicked his brother in the face, then demands to know why McIntyre is interrupting him. McIntyre says it will make this quick as it physically pains him not to be able to beat him within an inch of life, and wants to know if Solo thinks about whether or not he is coming for him, as he cost him the WWE Championship and caused his family pain and misery. He also admits that Solo is the only one to stand up to Roman while the rest of his family just acted tough, and while he wants to jump Solo, they both have the same goals. McIntyre entertains completing his hit list of taking out all of the original Bloodline members while Solo finishes Roman for good, and that after they both take care of business, they will settle things. All of a sudden, McIntyre is dragged out of the ring by Jimmy Uso, who hits him with a crutch and chases him through the crowd before LA Knight, Andrade and Apollo Crews brawl with Solo Sikoa's Bloodline, starting the next match.
Solo Sikoa's Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Jacob Fatu) beat LA Knight, Andrade and Apollo Crews in a six-man tag team match after LA Knight is attacked on the outside by Shinsuke Nakamura.
Backstage, Byron Saxton interviews The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley). Shelley says he is focused only on payback, and Sabin says it amazes him that Johnny Gargano has dropped the mask after twenty years. Shelley says that Johnny Gargano has made the biggest mistake of his life, then wants to know if Gargano is man enough to fight his own battles.
In backstage footage from after Saturday Night's Main Event, Byron Saxton interviews Chelsea Green and Piper Niven. Chelsea says he is not surprised that she is the first ever Women's United States Champion and that she has worked ten years to make Saturday night her night, and that she is in the history books where she belongs. She then says she is going to Disneyland, and she and Piper leave.
In footage from after Saturday Night's Main Event, we see footage of Kevin Owens hitting "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes with a package piledriver followed by Cody being taken into an avalanche on a stretcher. We then hear from Kevin Owens, who still has the Winged Eagle belt. Owens says what happened after Saturday Night's Main Event was not his fault and that there a lot of people to blame for it from the referee to WWE management to blame for it. He calls what happened to him "a tragedy" and that he should be standing as WWE Undisputed Champion, then says he has the Winged Eagle belt because he deserves it and will not give it back until he has what he wants. He says it takes a lot to make a man snap, but he has not snapped and that things will get worse, with whatever happens next being on everyone.
Backstage, #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) converse with each other. Ciampa says that Alex Shelley is "dumb" for wanting a grudge match, but Gargano says that if Shelley wants to do this on his own and test his manhood, then Ciampa should stay behind while he takes care of business.
It's time for The Grayson Waller Effect. Tonight's guest is Braun Strowman. Strowman shows up dressed in Santa garb complete with a sack of WWE merchandise that he tosses into the crowd. Grayson almost ticks Strowman for congratulating him for "helping all the poor people in Hartford," and admits that he finds him intimidating. He then proposes an alliance between Strowman and A-Town Down Under. Strowman responds by throwing the palm trees from the set at Carmelo Hayes before a referee yells at him.
Carmelo Hayes beats Braun Strowman by count-out after Strowman tosses Carmelo back into the ring from the outside first before getting back into the ring himself. After the match, Braun Strowman chases Carmelo Hayes through the crowd.
Backstage, Tiffany Stratton wishes Nia Jax and Candice LeRae luck in tonight's Women's Tag Team title match. Candice says she and Nia want Tiffany to stay backstage during the match, and tells her to get some champagne and streamers for after they win.
Backstage, Carmelo Hayes runs away from Braun Strowman. As Braun Strowman runs into Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Elektra Lopez, ) and Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson and Elton Prince), Carmelo hits Strowman from behind with a metal folding chair. This only makes Strowman even more furious.
Johnny Gargano beats Alex Shelley after rolling through and grabbing the tights on a top rope cross body from Shelley after Tommaso Ciampa shows up only for Chris Sabin to chase him around the ring.
We see footage from the Raw on Netflix Kickoff.
Backstage, Byron Saxton interviews Bianca Belair and Naomi. Bianca says the last few weeks have been rough, but she will find out who attacked Jade Cargill and that she will not lose the women's tag team titles, especially with Naomi having her back. Naomi says she knows how important the women's tag titles are and that she will do what it takes to retain them. Bianca hands Naomi one of the title belts, but Naomi says "Not until I've earned it."
Bianca Belair and Naomi retain the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships against Nia Jax and Candice LeRae after Tiffany Stratton shows up and hands the Money in the Bank Briefcase to Nia only for Nia to get caught by the referee. After the match, Naomi takes one of the tag team titles.
This week on The SmackDown LowDown: #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa)! Braun Strowman! Bianca Belair and Naomi!
Randy Orton heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Orton says he can count the amount of people in the business that he can trust on one hand and that "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes is one of them, as they both know each other very well, and that it concerned him when Cody teamed up with Roman Reigns for Bad Blood. He says that something does not add up, and invited Cody Rhodes to the ring to explain what is going on. Cody shows up and heads to the ring. Cody says that he knows about what Orton has been through with The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Jacob Fatu) and seems to be a fool for teaming with Roman Reigns, but asks him if he would be a fool or a coward. He says that Roman gave him his word and has continued to give him his word and that he will take him at his word, as will the fans, and hopes that Orton would understand and that it is not a problem for him. Both men shake hands, with Orton saying it is not a problem at all unless it becomes one, then Kevin Owens shows up and heads to the ring. Before Owens can even speak, however, The Bloodline arrives. Solo says he is happy that Owens, Orton and Cody are all in the ring as this makes things easier for him, then tells Cody to trust Roman as he is going to need him, as Orton and Owens will not be good for him at all. He says that Owens and Orton have let Cody down every time he has tried to stop The Bloodline, and that Cody is only teaming up to Roman because of this. Owens laughs and says nobody cares what Solo has to say, then challenges them to a tag match tonight. Cody says it does not have to be a tag team match, but Owens tells Cody that he has his tag team match at Bad Blood and makes it himself and Orton against The Bloodline.
Backstage, Nia Jax talks about the aftermath of last week's tag team match, then grabs Tiffany Stratton by the neck and demands an explanation. Tiffany says she was hurt, and says she is sorry. Nia says that if this ends badly for her, then it will end really, really badly for her. She lets go, then says they can be friends again before leaving the room.
Bayley beats Naomi to become #1 contender for the WWE Women's Championship.
Backstage, Andrade notices LA Knight and says that where he comes from, real men shake hands to show respect, and LA Knight lost his respect. Suddenly, LA Knight is jumped from the side by Carmelo Hayes, who then eggs Andrade on before their sixth match.
Carmelo Hayes beats Andrade, tying up their series matches at three wins apiece, after LA Knight shows up. Carmelo runs into the ring and into a boot to the face, and when Andrade confronts Knight at the ring apron, Carmelo shoves Andrade into Knight before winning with a schoolkid pin and running out of the ring. After the match, Andrade confronts LA Knight, and LA Knight tries to shake Andrade's hand. Andrade refuses and leaves the ring.
Backstage, "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes meets with Kevin Owens and Randy Orton, wanting to talk with Owens about what has been happening as of late. Owens says they will talk later, then asks him not to get involved in their match tonight. After Owens leaves, Orton tells Cody that if things get out of hand, he will welcome Cody's help, then says he will talk to Owens.
We see a vignette for "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles, who returns next week.
"Michin" Mia Yim beats Piper Niven after Chelsea distracts referee Jessica Carr so that Piper can put Michin through a trash can with a cannonball senton only for it to backfire.
We see a vignette for #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) vs. The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) vs. The Bloodline (Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa) for the WWE Tag Team Championships in a ladder match next week.
We hear from Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill, who announce that they are the hosts for Bad Blood.
Backstage, Bayley meets with Naomi. Naomi - who seems angry with Bayley at first but is actually pulling her leg - is confident that Bayley will win the WWE Women's Championship so that they can both compete for the title one more time. After Bayley leaves, Naomi runs into Tiffany Stratton, who mocks her for losing before Naomi comes up with the idea of setting up a match with Tiffany next week.
The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu) beat Kevin Owens and Randy Orton. During the match, Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa show up, but soon "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes shows up and fights them. As the match rolls on, Jacob Fatu throws Cody Rhodes into the referee's legs, knocking the referee down, and that allows both Jacob and Solo to take advantage and get the win. After the match, Cody meets with Owens, who shoves Cody and chews him out. Orton has to stand between them and play peacemaker. Meanwhile, Solo Sikoa makes fun of the fact that Owens, Orton and Cody are not on the same page.
This week on The Smackdown LowDown: Bayley! Andrade! Chelsea Green and Piper Niven!
Backstage, Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa stop themselves from being searched at a metal detector. Jacob Fatu, however, lets the man searching him do his job before hitting him, beating up a few other security guards, and asking if anyone else wants a patdown.
LA Knight retains the WWE United States Championship against Andrade. After the match, LA Knight offers a fist bump, but Andrade shakes hands with him.
Backstage, Tiffany Stratton tells Nia Jax how her day went before saying it will feel so good to send either Bayley or Naomi packing tonight. Nia Jax smacks her on the shoulder and says "You go, girl," but says that if Tiffany loses tonight, it may be a good idea for her to leave SmackDown.
Backstage, Andrade is met by Carmelo Hayes, who says he has not seen a choke since the Kings beat the Lakers and that it could not be him. Carmelo then tells Andrade to sit back and watch, and Andrade hits him, starting a brawl. Referees move in to restore order.
In footage from last night in Bobby Dodd Stadium at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia, Roman Reigns and "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes meet in the same stadium where Roman played college football. Roman says that everything Cody puts his eyes on in the stadium is his, as years ago, he shed blood, sweat and tears on this field many times, which makes the field, the stadium and the city his own. Roman asks Cody what he has done for his city, and Cody mentions Techwood Studios down the street, once known as "The Omni," where his family has bled for the city and in the city. He says this may be Roman's field, but this is his home. Roman agrees, then cuts to the chase, saying Cody has put himself in a lose-lose situation and has everything to lose in a situation where everyone else has nothing to lose. Roman says The Bloodline took Jimmy Uso, Paul Heyman, his bloodline and his ula fala from him, and he does not have anything to lose for the first time in a long time. He says that he has no weight for the first time in a long time, unlike Cody, who has everything on his shoulders, and says he is a man without a country. Cody says he told Roman that he would be a chief without a tribe, but says Roman still has something to lose. Cody then asks Roman to look around WWE, as Roman is no longer the tribal chief or the champion anymore, and says that Roman must go back to who he once was before becoming the Tribal Chief. Cody then asks Roman to give him his word to have his back so that he can have Roman's. Roman gives him his word, then says that when it is all done, he is taking back what is his. As Roman leaves, Cody stops him, telling him that the Undisputed WWE Championship is not his to take. Roman says Cody is in his way, and when Cody moves out of his way, Roman says Cody is in his way in life.
Backstage, Byron Saxton interviews Kevin Owens. When asked about his history with both "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns, Owens is silent, then turns around and leaves.
Backstage after the commercial break, Kevin Owens is deep in thought.
Apollo Crews beats Giovanni Vinci with a schoolkid pin from out of nowhere. After the match, Vinci attacks Apollo and hits him with a brainbuster in the middle of the ring.
Backstage, Byron Saxton interviews Kevin Owens again, but Owens says he will talk about what is going on with "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns in the ring.
Kevin Owens heads to the ring. Before Owens can address his thoughts on what is going on regarding "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns, The Bloodline (Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Jacob Fatu) shows up. Tama Tonga says that last week, Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns embarrassed Solo Sikoa, and says that this was a big mistake. He says they will get what is coming to them at Backlash, but Owens will get what is coming to him tonight by orders of the Tribal Chief. Owens says they all know how this will end, then tells The Bloodline to get in the ring so he can punch them all in the face. Owens takes out Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa, then goes at it with Jacob Fatu only for the numbers game to take over. #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) suddenly shows up to even the odds, and Tama Tonga falls victim to the Shatter Machine. General Manager Nick Aldis shows up with security before things can get more physical, and Aldis makes a six-man tag match between both sides tonight's main event.
Backstage, Bayley and Naomi talk about their match tonight. Bayley says they have to get the win to get the title opportunity and stay on SmackDown, and that they are in the goal of taking the WWE Women's Championship off of Nia, which both of them promising to make the other the first challenger.
Undefeated professional boxer "King" Callum Walsh is seen in the crowd.
Bayley and Naomi beat Tiffany Stratton and Nia Jax in a tornado tag match with a double pin on Nia Jax after Nia Jax hits Bayley with a Samoan Drop only for Naomi to go for a jackknife pin and Bayley to help Naomi pin Nia down further. This leads to a pin by Bayley and Naomi on Nia at the same time, leading to confusion as to who will get a shot at the WWE Women's Championship.
We see a vignette of Chelsea Green as a garbagewoman as she prepares to face "Michin" Mia Yim in a Dumpster Match.
Backstage, Bayley and Naomi meet with General Manager Nick Aldis. Aldis says there can only be number one contender, and that they will face each other next week, with the winner facing Nia Jax for the WWE Women's Championship.
Before the next match, The Bloodline (Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Jacob Fatu) attack #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) backstage. Kevin Owens advances towards The Bloodline and takes them on three-on-one. Owens get ganged up on, but The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) show up to make the save. Owens then goes up top for a Swanton Bomb and takes out everyone.
Kevin Owens and The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) vs. The Bloodline (Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Jacob Fatu) ends in a no-contest afer referee Dan Angel is unable to restor order. After the match, both teams continue to brawl, and Owens tries to fight out of being powerbombed through the commentary table. All of a sudden, #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) show up, but they are quickly wiped out by The Bloodline. "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes soon shows up as The Bloodline refocuses on Owens and cleans house, then turns around as Owens carries a metal folding chair. Owens drops the chair, then shakes hands with Cody.
Here are the highlights from tonight's show!
This week on The SmackDown LowDown: Carmelo Hayes! "Michin" Mia Yim (and Piper Niven)! Giovanni Vinci!
"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Cody calls out Solo Sikoa, who shows up, and as the crowd chants "We want Roman!", Solo demands that the fans acknowledge him. This leads to a "Solo sucks" chant, and Cody says that Solo has done was not easy and that he almost admires it, but soon, the bell will ring, and Solo will have nothing to lose and he will have everything on the line. Solo asks Cody if he is done, as Cody is wasting his time and he is running out of patience. Cody calls Solo a self-appointed Tribal Chief while he is WWE Champion sitting on a throne that he once broke. Cody says he plans to pay Kevin Owens and Randy Orton back with Solo's and his cousins' blood, just like when he beat Roman Reigns in a Bloodline Rules Match. Solo calls Roman "a weak Tribal Chief" and proclaims that he is not weak and that he is dangerous. Solo says Cody talks a big game and proposes that they make tomorrow night a Bloodline Rules match as Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa show up and surround the ring. Cody says he has looked in Solo's eyes, then tells the rest of The Bloodline that he is not scared of them, even calling Jacob Fatu "a dumb son of a bitch." The fans soon chant for Cody as Cody accepts Solo's sudden challenge, admitting it is a dumb decision he can make yet the only decision he can make. Solo says he could snap his fingers right now and have the rest of The Bloodline tear him apart, but he will not, because tonight, the WWE Tag Team Championships come back to The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Jacob Fatu) before the WWE Championship comes back at SummerSlam. Cody says The Bloodline may all hate him, but all he has to do is beat the Tribal Chief, and since he is not here, he will settle for the wanna-be.
We hear from Carmelo Hayes, who says that Andrade has no idea how to be a player, and when he and Andrade get in the ring, it will be a whole new ballgame, but he will win every time.
Andrade beats Carmelo Hayes following a series of roll-ups.
Backstage, Elektra Lopez tells Santos Escobar that it is time to take care of business. Escobar says that Legado del Fantasma needs to get back on track and that Angel and Berto's failure is not representative of them, and that he will take care of business with Apollo Crews tonight.
Santos Escobar beats Apollo Crews after Angel and Berto gang up on Baron Corbin on the outside.
Backstage, Byron Saxton interviews Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair. Jade says that they are confident tonight and that they stand on business, and that they will take back the women's tag titles. Bianca says The Unholy Union (Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn) can bring their best, but it will not be good enough.
General Manager Nick Aldis is in the ring with dignitaries of Cleveland, Ohio to introduce Logan Paul for his homecoming. Logan Paul says he has never met a man so eager to take his belt off of him like LA Knight, then says he is not his type and that he is delusional if he thinks he can beat him for the United States Championship in his hometown. Logan says that he has inspired the city of Cleveland and that he represents it, even going so far as to say that he is Cleveland. He then says that while he has only defended the United States title twice in more than 273 days, that is more than LA Knight will ever have and declares that he is great and that he has "made it." After Logan Paul addresses the dignitaries, Aldis cuts in and says that he could not find anything about the dignitaries only, but Logan dismisses it as Aldis not being from around her before unleashing his championship banner to show that he is "Cleveland's finest." A banner drops, but the word "Yeah" is painted on it in red and white. LA Knight shows up and acknowledges the vandalism, then says that losing the United States title tomorrow is not the worst thing happening to him right now. LA Knight also mentions that Logan Paul is really from Westlake, and since he ruined the banner, he will give LA Knight another one. LA Knight heads to the back, then finds Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson and Elton Prince) and asks them for a banner only to be propositioned about their musical. LA Knight then finds Logan's light blue Prime Energy truck, and Logan Paul runs to the back. LA Knight sees Logan coming, gets in the truck, and drives off in it.
Backstage, Logan Paul accuses General Manager Nick Aldis of allowing his Prime Energy truck to be stolen. Aldis tells Logan that he will take it up with his "dignitaries."
Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair beat The Unholy Union (Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn) by disqualification after Jade is attacked on the outside by Blair Davenport. The Unholy Union (Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn) retain the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships. After the match, Blair, Isla and Alba attack Bianca Belair, and while Jade fights back, the numbers game proves too much. Jade Cargill gets thrown into the announce table before Blair Davenport and the Women's Tag champs celebrate their handiwork on the ring apron.
We see a video package chronicling the feud between Nia Jax and Bayley.
Backstage, Nia Jax surprises Tiffany Stratton with her own custom Money In The Bank briefcase, and tells her to promise not to cash in tomorrow or else she will have to answer to her. Tiffany promises. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven show up after Nia Jax leaves, and Chelsea shows her irritation towards Tiffany for costing her the women's Money In The Bank contract. Tiffany says green is definitely not Chelsea's color, then flips her hair at her and leaves.
Before the next match, #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) introduce themselves to The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Jacob Fatu) on the way to the ring. Gargano tells The Bloodline that they will be surrounded by ten thousand members of his family in Cleveland, Ohio during their match.
The Bloodline (Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu) beat #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) to become the WWE Tag Team Champions!
Here is the recap for tonight's show!
Here are the top ten moments from tonight's show!
This week on The SmackDown LowDown: Andrade! Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill! The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) and B-Fab!
Backstage, General Manager Nick Aldis tells The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Jacob Fatu) that they will have to forfeit their spot in tonight's tag team gauntlet match, but Solo Sikoa tells Aldis that they will be Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu, with Jacob replacing Tonga Loa due to an eye injury.
Backstage, LA Knight says Santos Escobar has forgotten how many times he has dropped him on his head and that he will teach him some history tonight before heading on to SummerSlam to become United States Champion.
LA Knight beats Santos Escobar after beating up Logan Paul and reversing the Phantom Driver with the BFT. After the match, Logan Paul attacks LA Knight, but Knight backs him into the corner and stomps a mudhole in him. He is soon struck by a jumping knee by Escobar, who then helps Logan up so they can attack Knight. Knight then hits LA Knight with a splash from the top rope.
Backstage, Byron Saxton interviews Naomi. Naomi says she has no idea what issue Blair Davenport has with her, but she will not only make her feel the glow, but respect it. Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair show up and agree before heading to the ring.
Backstage, Byron Saxton interviews Logan Paul, who says that his attack on LA Knight is just a taste of what he will do to him at SummerSlam, and that he will also have his homecoming that night. He also says that LA Knight is not ready for him.
Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair head to the ring. Bianca says The Unholy Union (Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre) have been ducking them since Clash at the Castle, and since she knows that they will be here tonight, she wants to know where they are. All of a sudden, Bianca and Jade are attacked by Isla and Alba, but Bianca and Jade soon get the upper hand and Isla and Alba are forced to retreat after Isla avoids the K.O.D. and Jade tosses Alba into Isla.
Backstage, The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) and B-Fab are met by boxer Terence Crawford before their match.
Backstage, Tiffany Stratton is met by Nia Jax, who plans on getting her a new briefcase for her contract and reminds her of her guaranteed match at SummerSlam. Tiffany says that she is focused on getting her revenge on Bayley.
The Bloodline (Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu) beats Legado del Fantasma (Angel and Berto), the team of Baron Corbin and Apollo Crews, Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson and Elton Prince), The O.C. (Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson) and The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) in a WWE Tag Team Championship #1 Contender's Gauntlet Match to become number one contenders to the WWE Tag Team Championships.
Grayson Waller and Austin Theory suddenly show up and blame boxer Terence Crawford for their losing the WWE Tag Team Championship, and demand that that he apologize to "the best tag team in the world." Terence Crawford shows up and Grayson demands Crawford apologize for not only the aforementioned actions, but thinking he belongs in their ring, and threatens to have Theory knock him out if he takes one more step. Crawford knocks Theory out, and Grayson steps out of the ring.
We hear from "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes as he is on tour in Japan. Cody reflects back on WrestleMania as well as The Bloodline's (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Jacob Fatu) renewed attack on him, and how his friends Kevin Owens and Randy Orton were destroyed as he was forced to watch. Cody says that while he heads into SummerSlam fighting with every ounce of pride and energy that he has, he also heads into it the champion, and he cannot let the title be taken back by The Bloodline. Cody now questions if Solo Sikoa is truly ready, and challenges Solo to meet him in the ring one-on-one next week so he can look into his eyes and see if he is ready, because he knows that he is.
Backstage, Byron Saxton interviews Andrade when Carmelo Hayes shows up and says it is not over between them until he wins. He also compares himself to LeBron James, but Andrade says he is more like Bronny James. Carmelo says he is like Bronny because it is his time now, and after Andrade proposes one more match, Carmelo says that it it all it is going to take to beat him.
Tiffany Stratton and Nia Jax beat Bayley and "Michin" Mia Yim after taking Michin out for most of the match before the bell and after Tiffany hits Bayley with the Money In The Bank Briefcase so that Nia can hit the A-Nia-Lator for the win.
We hear from The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Jacob Fatu). Solo Sikoa says that he will meet "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes face to face as The Bloodline brings back the WWE Tag Team Championships just like he will take back the Undisputed WWE Championship. He says The Bloodline will handle family business, and if Roman Reigns has a problem, he knows where to find him.
Here are the highlights from tonight's show!
Here are the top ten moments from tonight's show!
This week on The SmackDown LowDown: The Unholy Union (Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre)! Carmelo Hayes! Nia Jax!
General Manager Nick Aldis is in the ring to start tonight's show. He says there is no better feeling than when one of your top draft picks comes through in the clutch, then introduces Nia Jax, the 2024 Queen of the Ring. Nia enters the ring and puts the crown on, then brags about being Queen of the Ring and having a title shot at SummerSlam before commanding Bayley's presence in the ring right now. Bayley shows up, but she is attacked from behind by Piper Niven while Chelsea Green directs traffic. Piper tosses Bayley in the ring, where she continues to attack Bayley until she is laid out. Chelsea tells Nia not to worry about facing Bayley, because Piper Niven will be the new WWE Women's Champion by the time SummerSlam rolls around. Nia says she does not care who is champion, as she will A-Nia-Late her regardless.
A QR code and a weird "Hello Goodbye" message is shown as General Manager Nick Aldis meets with "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles, who is in a suit. Styles says he has thought about what Aldis has told him, and if there is time, he wants to address his future tonight. Aldis says he can find the time, but wants to know if there is something Styles wants to tell him. Styles says it will be hard to do just once, and just asks for some time in the ring. Aldis tells him that he has his time, then they shake hands.
Backstage, Naomi checks on Bayley in the trainer's room and says Chelsea Green and Piper Niven will not get away with what they did. Bayley says she is good to fight tonight, and Naomi tells Bayley that she has her back.
Tommaso Ciampa beats Austin Theory after Grayson Waller mouths off about Austin Theory and takes credit for his success. This distracts Theory, and Ciampa wins with a schoolkid pin.
Backstage, General Manager Nick Aldis is meeting with Blair Davenport when Naomi shows up wanting a tag team with Bayley against Chelsea Green and Piper Niven. Blair takes offense to this and says Naomi will find out who she is messing with, then leaves. Aldis tells Naomi that she and Bayley have their match tonight. LA Knight shows up as Naomi leaves, then asks Aldis about AJ Styles before wanting to know where Logan Paul is.
Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews LA Knight, who says that Logan Paul is not here this week, then pretends to leave before challenging Logan Paul for the United States Championship. Carmelo Hayes shows up and says LA Knight does a lot of talking without saying anything and that Logan Paul would rather face him than LA Knight, and says that LA Knight talks the talk while he walks the walk.
Andrade beats Apollo Crews. Before the match, it is revealed that Andrade has turned down an invitation to join Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Elektra Lopez, Garza, Berto) when the invitation is extended to him by Garza. Garza shows up at ringside during the match, and he distracts Apollo in order for Andrade to get the win. After the match, the rest of Legado del Fantasma shows up to look at Andrade, who just walks past the rest of the group. Santos Escobar looks at Garza disappointedly.
Backstage, Solo Sikoa tells Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa to do everything in their power tonight, then Paul Heyman shows up and tells Sikoa that he has been doing a lot of thinking about how he can better serve Solo while he is in charge. He says that any violence under Roman Reigns was to preserve the family and that there was a lot of counsel from himself before any of it occurred, then says that Solo is recruiting some very violent men and that while he sees random acts of violence, he sees no strategy, and the strategy is that Cody Rhodes must be kept in check when Roman Reigns comes back. Solo says that "we have Cody currently in check" and does not even know it. Heyman then asks who "we" is.
Backstage, Garza confronts Andrade when Apollo Crews suddenly attacks Garza.
Kevin Owens heads to the ring. Owens talks about his return last week and how he made sure he had Randy Orton's back at Saudi Arabia, as Randy has had his over the last few years and he wanted to make sure The Bloodline did not ruin Randy's chances at becoming King of the Ring. While he admits that Orton did not become King of the Ring and that Orton did not win, he does know that The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Paul Heyman, Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa) is here, and he figured he would be here, too. Paul Heyman shows up, wanting to talk to Owens man-to-man, and when the crowd chants "We Want Roman!", Heyman says nobody wants Roman here more than him, and says that while Roman has respect for Owens, Solo has no respect for him and is recruiting criminals. Heyman says he rejected everyone that Solo wanted to join because of their violent backgrounds and that the people he says Owens is trying to antagonize in The Bloodline are looking for an excuse to take him out. He says that if Owens keeps calling out Solo Sikoa, something really bad will happen to him, and asks Owens to back off from The Bloodline. Owens says he has no reason to believe anything that comes out of Heyman's mouth and calls what Heyman is doing "an act" following everything The Bloodline has done to him, then says he will keep fighting The Bloodline and kick them out of his world. He then tells Heyman he does not need his help, but Heyman says he is not trying to help him, but to save him, and calls Owens' answer hypocritical for not allowing him to redeem himself, especially after what Owens is up against, and goes on a tirade as he does. As Owens is about to confront Heyman, The Bloodline shows up, but so does The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford). This leads to a brawl in and around the ring in which The Street Profits get the upper hand as Owens and Solo brawl to the back.
The Bloodline (Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa) beat The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford).
Backstage, Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair are met by Indi Hartwell, who says they are heading to Raw to hurt more people like they did Candice LeRae, who is now at home. Bianca says Candice started it and she finished it, and Jade threatens to put Indi on the shelf, which causes Indi to back off.
Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews "Michin" Mia Yim when Nia Jax shows up and interrupts to talk about herself. Michin takes offense to this, and steps up Nia Yim when Nia tells her not to step up to her. Nia says she will regret that, then leaves.
Chelsea Green and Piper Niven beat Bayley and Naomi after Naomi hits Chelsea with Rear View only for Piper to hit both Naomi with a splash and place Chelsea on top of Naomi.
Backstage, LA Knight confronts "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles, then says "If the rumors are true...respect." AJ then shakes hands with "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes and whispers something into Cody's ear, then meets The O.C. (Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson) and asks them to be in the ring with him tonight.
"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles and The O.C. (Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson) head to the ring. Styles says he has had dwelled on what General Manager Nick Aldis has had to say recently, then says he cannot go back to the back of the line at this point in his career and his life, for he has been doing this for over two decades. He says he has busted his body all over the world for all this time so that he can become phenomenal, but this past week, his son graduated high school and he realized just how many things in his family he has missed. He says he should stay at home and be a phenomenal father, then says he could not have done this without Gallows and Anderson, whom he calls brothers, then the three of them do the "Too Sweet" hand signal and embrace. Styles then mentions whispering something in "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes' ear, then asks him to head to the ring. Cody shows up and meets Styles in the ring. Styles tells Cody he had one of the best matches of his life against him at Backlash, and if he were to have one last match, that would be it. He then says SmackDown is still "the house that AJ Styles built." He then says he is here to hand Cody the keys to that house, then Cody admits they only exchanged one text message after their match and that Styles answered "I'm all good, lil' bro," and Cody thanks Styles for all he has done. Cody and Styles hug, and the crowd cheers. Cody raises Styles' hand for all sides of the arena to see, then Styles hits Cody with a right hand and beats him up. Referees show up only to be blocked by The O.C. before Styles hits Cody with a Styles Clash off the ring steps.
Here are the highlights for tonight's show!
This week on The SmackDown LowDown: #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa)! Indi Hartwell! Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Elektra Lopez, Garza, Berto)!
Grayson Waller and Austin Theory head to the ring, but they are scared off by Paul Heyman, Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso. Paul Heyman says "that James Bond wanna-be" General Manager Nick Aldis is the bad guy for putting Roman Reigns in a Fatal 4-Way for the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, not him, Solo, Jimmy or Roman. Nick Aldis takes the microphone from Heyman and tells him that the Fatal 4-Way match is a done deal and that after having ruined more than enough, The Bloodline cannot ruin the main event tonight because they are in it. Aldis then declares that tonight, "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles, LA Knight and Randy Orton will face all three members of The Bloodline, much to Heyman's chagrin. Heyman tries to take the microphone from Aldis, but Aldis refuses, and Heyman tells Aldis that he knows as well as he does that Roman is here tonight. Aldis says Roman has started something he refuses to finish, and if Jimmy and Solo cannot find a third man, the match will be three-on-two.
We hear from Santos Escobar, who says that the weak will be consumed by the strong. Angel says they will tell the LWO to step back, not out of fear, but out of pity. Humberto says they will go far to uphold honor and tradition. Escobar says that whatever their prey does, their code will prevail.
Backstage, Jimmy Uso tells Solo Sikoa that nobody will team with them. Paul Heyman says there is a locker room full of people trying to "kiss [his] tuckus" trying to get in The Bloodline and that he should not worry. Jimmy says he is worried, but Solo says he is never worried.
Santos Escobar guests on commentary for the next match.
Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo (now known as just Angel and Humberto) beat The Latino World Order (Joaquin Wilde and Cruz del Toro) after Angel grabs the bottom rope for leverage on a pinfall attempt after Carlito shows up and attacks Escobar from behind and brawls with him through the crowd to the back.
Backstage, General Manager Nick Aldis tells Carmelo Hayes that he impressed a lot of people, including him, when Grayson Waller and Austin Theory interrupts. Carmelo challenges Grayson to a match, but Grayson has Theory wrestle in his place, and Aldis makes the match official.
Backstage, Paul Heyman meets with Carlito as he is with The Latino World Order (Joaquin Wilde, Cruz del Toro, Zelina Vega) and tries to sell him on teaming with The Bloodline later tonight as he shines an apple. Carlito says he is more interested in fighting Santos Escobar, then takes the apple.
We hear from Logan Paul, who calls the cast on Kevin Owens' hand a liability for their match at Royal Rumble, and that he will beat him in the court of law if he shows up with it. He wants Owens to face him in a fair fight, and that their match will be cancelled if he shows up with his cast.
In footage from earlier today, Tyler Bate meets with Butch in a coffee house. Butch says he can handle himself, but Tyler says he knows Butch enjoyed being part of a tag team with him. Butch says they were one and done, but Tyler says this is their chance to show the world they are made of, and that Butch needs to look inside himself and realize who he is.
Bianca Belair beats Bayley. At one point near the end of the match, Damage CTRL (Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai, Asuka, Kairi Sane) have the opportunity to attack Bianca on the outside as Bayley fakes a knee injury, but ultimately choose not to (and still get yelled at by the referee).
We hear from Kevin Owens, who says he knows what Logan Paul is doing and that they both know that he has a broken hand and that it is not going to stop him from having their match. He proposes they have a face-to-face meeting on The Kevin Owens Show next week.
Backstage, Dakota Kai tells Bayley that they could not do anything with the referee staring at them, and that they counted on Bayley to win on her own. She also tells Bayley that she still has a chance to win the women's Royal Rumble.
Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) head to the ring. Lashley tells Karrion Kross that his recent actions got him in a fight that he cannot win, and that he and The Street Profits handle their business in the ring and get ready to fight. He then calls out Karrion Kross and The Authors of Pain (Akam and Rezar) out to the ring. Paul Ellering then shows up and points to the TitanTron. Kross shows up and tells Lashley that he and The Street Profits are the next to be deconstructed by The Authors. Kross also calls the faction of himself, Scarlett, Ellering and The Authors of Pain "The Final Testament."
Backstage, Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson and Elton Prince) meet with Paul Heyman on the subject of teaming with The Bloodline tonight. Heyman reminds them that only one of them will be on the team, however, and Pretty Deadly soon hurriedly leave.
We see a video package for Carmelo Hayes.
Backstage, Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) are met by Paul Heyman, asking Lashley to take out his aggression on AJ Styles, LA Knight and Randy Orton. Lashley says he would rather stand across from The Bloodline - and Roman Reigns - than team with them.
Carmelo Hayes vs. Austin Theory ends when both men land on their heads as Theory hits Carmelo with a Spanish Fly out of the corner.
Backstage, Jimmy Uso asks Paul Heyman who his and Solo's tag team partner. Heyman says he has interviewed people, yet nobody wants to team with them. He then says he has full faith in the two of them. Jimmy says he is worried, but Solo says he is not. Solo leaves, then Jimmy says if Solo is not worried, then neither is he.
Before the next match, The Bloodline (Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa) attacks Randy Orton as Orton heads to the ring.
"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles and LA Knight beat The Bloodline (Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa). During the match, Randy Orton shows up after LA Knight is taken down by Jimmy Uso, and he helps AJ Styles - who initially thinks that Knight screwed him over when he saw Solo try to keep him from tagging him in and sent him into the ring steps - get the win. After the match, Solo Sikoa attacks Randy Orton, but Styles hits Solo with a Phenomenal Forearm. LA Knight gets in the ring and hits Solo with a BFT, then Randy Orton gets up and hits Solo with an RKO before he, Styles and Knight look at Jimmy Uso. The three of them then lay out Jimmy Uso and throw him into the timekeeper's area before putting Solo Sikoa through the announce table with a three-man powerbomb. Paul Heyman then calls Roman Reigns as the show ends.
Here are the top ten moments from tonight's show!
This week on The SmackDown LowDown: Santos Escobar, Angel and Humberto! Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre! Grayson Waller!
The War and Treaty sing "The Star Spangled Banner" to start tonight's show.
Santos Escobar beats Dragon Lee to advance in the United States Championship Tournament after Dragon Lee is distracted by Dominik Mysterio, who shows up before the match begins to watch from ringside. After the match, Dominik Mysterio taunts a downed Dragon Lee in the middle of the ring.
Backstage, General Manager Nick Aldis is met by Randy Orton, who pays him a $50,000 fine for hitting him with an RKO last week and mentions his tag team match with LA Knight against The Bloodline (Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa), saying he needed no saving and that he does not know or trust Knight. Aldis tells him that all he needs to know is that he and Knight both want The Bloodline and he wants to see that match. Aldis then notices that Randy paid double his fine, and Orton tells him, "Oh...that's for next time."
"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes heads to the ring. Cody says tonight is a special night and that he is proud to be part of this event in its 21st year, and thanks the United States military on behalf of the WWE before showing a video package of Tribute To The Troops throughout the years. After the video package, Cody welcomes the United States Army Drill Team, who perform an on-stage routine.
Brad Nessler of CBS Sports, who will be doing commentary on tomorrow's Army-Navy college football game, guests on commentary for the next match. Bobby Lashley's athletic accomplishments in the military are also announced during his entrance before the next match.
Montez Ford thanks the United States military for their service and wishes them a happy holidays.
Bobby Lashley beats Karrion Kross to advance in the United States Championship Tournament.
Backstage, Bayley apologizes to the rest of Damage CTRL (Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai, Asuka, Kairi Sane) for last week and volunteers to stay backstage tonight, then says that everyone else should do the same as Asuka has Charlotte tonight. Dakota says they will be still be at ringside while Bayley hangs back.
We see photos from past Tribute to the Troops events.
Craig Morgan and Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) and Chancellor, Army University (ArmyU), Army General Gary M. Brito are seen in the crowd.
CM Punk heads to the ring. Punk addresses the signing war for him between SmackDown and Raw, then asks the fans where they want to see him and if they want to see him in the Royal Rumble. He also admits that there are people who are not happy to see him back, then says he is home and is glad to be home before asking the fans who they want him to talk about. He then addresses Roman Reigns, saying that he acknowledges him and his success, then tells him not to forget who "the OG Paul Heyman guy" and that Heyman was his wiseman first. He then mentions The Bloodline and "Main Event" Jey Uso before entertaining the idea of wrestling on both brands, especially with some of the people on tonight's show. Punk then briefly mentions Seth "Freakin'" Rollins without saying his name, saying he is not the man in his own household and that all he has is his song. Punk then says that we will all find out where he will sign Monday night after hearing what Nick Aldis, Adam Pearce, and Shawn Michaels have to say, and that he is the monkey wrench in everyone's plans as he is back to finish what he started and main event WrestleMania.
Backstage, CM Punk walks by The Bloodline's (Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa) dressing room. He is about to knock on the door when he sees Kevin Owens, with whom he jokingly asks if he has seen General Manager Nick Aldis' office.
Before the next match, Zelina Vega, "Michin" Mia Yim, Shotzi and Bianca Belair show up out of nowhere and attack Dakota Kai, Iyo Sky and Kairi Sane at the ramp and on the stage.
Asuka beats Charlotte Flair after Bayley shows up and breaks up the Figure Eight from ringside before getting on the ring apron. Asuka nearly knocks Bayley off, and after Charlotte punches Bayley off the ring apron, Asuka pins Charlotte with a schoolkid pin to win the match. (The match ends rather quickly after Charlotte hurts her knee. It is later revealed that Charlotte has torn her ACL, MCL and meniscus. Charlotte will soon be gone for just over a year to recover from injuries.)
Backstage, General Manager Nick Aldis hands CM Punk a SmackDown contract to look at and think over. After Aldis leaves, "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes shows up and says Punk will have to win the Royal Rumble to complete his story before welcoming him back.
We hear from Cpt. Florent Goldberg (Ret.), a Medal of Honor recipient.
We see more photos from past Tribute to the Troops events.
The War and Treaty are seen in the crowd.
Backstage, Randy Orton is met by both LA Knight and CM Punk. Pun wishes them both luck in their match tonight and leaves, then Randy asks Knight if he ready for tonight. Knight says "Yeah," and leaves.
Randy Orton and LA Knight beat The Bloodline (Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa).
This week on The SmackDown LowDown: Santos Escobar! "Michin" Mia Yim and Zelina Vega! Grayson Waller and Austin Theory!
Triple H shows up for the Night 2 first round picks of the WWE Draft that start tonight's show. He says that Night 1 shook the WWE down to its core and that tonight is no except, and that all remaining undrafted Superstars are subjected to being drafted tonight. He also mentions that a new WWE World Heavyweight Champion will be crowned, and that the title and its holder will be exclusive to Raw due to Roman Reigns' move to SmackDown. Triple H also announces that Brock Lesnar is ineligible for the draft, as he has renegotiated his deal as a free agent, allowing him to appear anywhere at any time. He also announces that NXT Superstars are open to be drafted to the main roster, and that the new rosters will take effect after Backlash on May 9th. #1 is Rhea Ripley - the current SmackDown Women's Champion - for Raw. #2 is current United States Champion Austin Theory for SmackDown, bringing the United States title to the blue brand. #3 is Seth "Freakin'" Rollins for Raw. #4 is Charlotte Flair for SmackDown. After the picks are made, Triple H introduces Paul Heyman, then shows him the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Heyman then heads to the ring while Triple H heads to the back. Heyman introduces himself to the fans, then brags about being drafted with Solo Sikoa and Roman Reigns at #1 on SmackDown on Night 1, then mentions that they will be overseeing the fate of The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso), who could not win back the tag team titles. He says that he will address The Usos in private tonight, and that The Usos will address their problems at Backlash when they team with "a problem solver" in Solo Sikoa against Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens and Matt Riddle. He also assures that Roman Reigns will take care of business, and that some of it will involve the new WWE World Heavyweight Championship, which he says would look good around Roman's waist. Heyman says that if a title is created, Roman Reigns will dominate it to WrestleMania, and yet Roman cannot compete for it because he will not be on Raw. As Heyman talks about "the children" of the locker room who should know better and should act like men, he mentions the word "freakin'," and Rollins shows up. Rollins this should be Christmas for Heyman, as Roman does not have to run away from him any more and that he can focus more on keeping The Bloodline from going "poof" in his face and less on keeping him away from his title rematch. Rollins then takes into account that Heyman is "a spoiler guy" and proclaims that he will become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion and show what a real champion looks like. Heyman then gets a call from Roman Reigns, and Rollins tries to ruin by getting people to chant his entrance theme, much to Heyman's aggravation. Heyman is able to complete the call, then tells Rollins that he is "pissing off [his] tribal chief." Rollins says that if Roman is upset now, he will not like this, then asks the fans how fast he can get Heyman flat on the canvas so he can stomp Heyman's head into it. This leads to Solo Sikoa showing up. Solo Sikoa heads to the ring, and Heyman holds Solo back as he says that strings are being pulled at this moment before proclaiming that Rollins and Solo will have a one-on-one match tonight. Rollins says they do not have to wait and that Solo is on.
In backstage footage from earlier tonight, WWE official Adam Pearce asks "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes not to let tonight spiral into chaos during his meeting with Brock Lesnar tonight.
We see a video package of the events leading up to "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes and Brock Lesnar's face-to-face meeting later tonight.
Damage CTRL (Bayley and Dakota Kai) beat Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez with a blind tag and a schoolkid pin from Bayley to Liv Morgan.
Booker T and Sharmell are the Round 2 drafters for Raw and SmackDown, respectively.
In backstage footage from earlier today, WWE official Adam Pearce asks Brock Lesnar to keep the peace tonight, as tonight is a big night. Lesnar chuckles and says "Good luck with that," then leaves.
Booker T and Sharmell show up to announce the Round 2 picks for Night 2 of the WWE Draft for Raw and SmackDown, respectively. #5 is Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn for Raw. #6 is The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) for SmackDown. #7 is The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio) for Raw. #8 is The Latino World Order (Rey Mysterio, Santos Escobar, Joaquin Wilde, Cruz del Toro, Zelina Vega) for SmackDown.
Ricochet and Braun Strowman beat Alpha Academy (Chad Gable and Otis).
"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels and WWE official Adam Pearce are the announcers for the Round 3 draft picks for Raw and SmackDown, respectively.
We see a video package chronicling the events between Damian Priest and Bad Bunny leading to their San Juan Street Fight at Backlash.
"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels and WWE official Adam Pearce arrive to announce the Round 3 draft picks for Raw and SmackDown, respectively. Before they can make any announcements, Brock Lesnar suddenly shows up. Pearce pleads with him to keep the peace, but Lesnar stares at Pearce and Pearce backs off as Lesnar heads to the ring. Lesnar asks the fans in Fort Worth, Texas how it feels to see "the only real cowboy in the state" before Pearce shows up with security, and asks him to leave before security makes him leave. Lesnar tells Pearce it will take more men than that, and Pearce calls in more security, which shows up. Suddenly, "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes shows up from behind Lesnar and attacks him. Security floods the ring to keep Cody away from Lesnar, who makes it to the ramp.
"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels announces the Round 3 draft picks. #9 is Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez for Raw. #10 is Asuka for SmackDown. #11 is The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) for Raw. #12 is The Brawling Brutes (Sheamus, Ridge Holland, Butch) for SmackDown.
Backstage, Matt Riddle meets with Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn and says this week is the best, as they are all on Raw, Sami and Kevin are still tag team champs, they are facing The Bloodline (Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Solo Sikoa) at Backlash and he will be putting the hurting on Jey Uso tonight.
Matt Riddle beats Jimmy Uso with help from Kevin Owens on the ring apron. At the start of the match, Kevin Owens agitates Jey Uso into fighting him at ringside, then falls down. Sami Zayn then smacks a chair, throws it to Jey, then gets the referee's attention. This works, and Jey Uso is ejected from ringside.
We see a vignette for Iyo Sky.
Eric Bischoff and Rob Van Dam are the announcers for the Round 4 picks for Raw and SmackDown, respectively. Rob Van Dam runs into Elias and Rick Boogs on the way to the ring.
Backstage, Paul Heyman tells Solo Sikoa that Roman Reigns wants him to take Seth "Freakin'" Rollins out. Jimmy Uso shows wanting to know why Solo Sikoa was not at ringside tonight, and Heyman tells him that Roman has Solo on assignment to exterminate "a clown" on Raw. Heyman and Solo then leave the room to Jimmy.
Eric Bischoff and Rob Van Dam show up to announce the Round 4 draft picks. #13 is Trish Stratus for Raw, #14 is Karrion Kross for SmackDown, #15 is "The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler and "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey for Raw, and #16 is LA Knight for SmackDown.
It's time for Miz TV. After proclaiming himself the biggest pick in the WWE Draft, he then brings out his guest for tonight, Shinsuke Nakamura. When asked if he has a chance at winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, Nakamura says "Hai." Miz then says that he is the "workhorse champion" Triple H had in mind, not Nakamura, and says Nakamura would be "a great number two." He says they could help each other out and combine their brands into a merger called "Miz-uke Nakamura," then tells Nakamura that things are different on Raw compared to SmackDown and that he could have no better person to watch his back. Nakamura admits that Miz has more experience than him, but tells him that he is the guy with "chinsai kintama," which means "tiny balls."Miz goes for a cheap shot, but Nakamura gets the upper hand and hits him with the Kinshasa.
Omos quickly beats Anthony Alanis (known on the indies as Adrian Alanis).
Molly Holly and "Road Dogg" Jesse James head out to announce the Round 5 draft picks for Raw and SmackDown, respectively.
Molly Holly and "Road Dogg" Jesse James show up to announce the Round 5 draft picks for Raw and SmackDown, respectively. #17 is Braun Strowman and Ricochet for Raw. #18 is Shotzi for SmackDown, #19 is Bronson Reed for Raw, and #20 is Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson and Elton Prince) for SmackDown.
The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, Dominik Mysterio) head to the ring. Damian Priest announces Rhea Ripley as the first draft pick of the night, and Rhea Ripley says that this is no surprise as The Judgment Day runs Monday Night Raw. Ripley then says that Zelina Vega will regret everything she has done to her on SmackDown when she pretzels her and proves herself as the most dominant champion in WWE. Finn Balor says Rhea Ripley will roll Zelina up and that Damian Priest will tear Bad Bunny apart and leave fluffy pieces of him all over Puerto Rico. Damian Priest tells Bad Bunny to hear his word carefully, as he picks his words very carefully, then gets worked up at first before delivering a promo in Spanish and telling him that at Backlash, he will receive his punishment. Dominik Mysterio says that Priest and Ripley will dominate at backlash as the Fort Worth, Texas crowd boos him and tries to drown him out, and that The Judgment Day will dominate Bad Bunny, Zelina Vega and Rey Mysterio at Backlash in what will be the last night he gets to embarrass "his deadbeat dad" and "his loser friends in the Latino World Order (Santos Escobar, Joaquin Wilde, Cruz del Toro, Zelina Vega)." Rey Mysterio, Santos Escobar and Zelina Vega show up, and Rey says he is glad that he and Dominik are no longer on the same brand, because the only thing worse than hitting him with a belt is with a sandal. He also says that he looks forward to Zelina beating Rhea Ripley for the SmackDown Women's title and Bad Bunny beating Damian Priest and anyone who gets in his way. He then says that before all that, The Judgment Day will get smacked by the LWO.
We see a video package for Imperium (Gunther, Ludwig Kaiser, Giovanni Vinci).
The Judgment Day (Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio, Rhea Ripley) beat The Latino World Order (Rey Mysterio, Santos Escobar, Zelina Vega) in a six-person tag match after Finn Balor takes the 619 for Priest, who hits Rey with the South of Heaven from the apron to the ring. During the match, Rhea Ripley lifts Rey Mysterio over her head and nearly press slams him out of the ring before Zelina Vega stops her.
Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes. Cody says Brock Lesnar is in his head and has been in his head since the night after WrestleMania, and now that Lesnar has free agent status, he gets what he wants, but he will not get what he wants on Saturday, as Doomsday bleeds, Lesnar is human, and he is the one who has to win or else the whole idea of finishing the story ceases to exist and he moves to the back of line, which he refuses to do not now and not ever.
JBL and Teddy Long head out to announce the Round 6 draft picks for Raw and SmackDown, respectively.
Backstage, Byron Saxton interviews Bianca Belair. Belair says that regardless of what brand she is on, she is focused on retaining the Raw Women's Championship on Saturday. Damage CTRL (Bayley, Dakota Kai, Iyo Sky) shows up, and Bayley says Byron should be interviewing them as they are future champions and Rhea will give Bianca "a real reason to be blue." Bianca says she has always been impressed with Iyo Sky and knew that she would be the unique, talented, competitive talent the women's division needed, but since she joined Damage CTRL, she has been held back. She also says that she hopes Iyo will get a taste of what it means to step out and finally shine at Backlash, and Iyo tells Bianca that she will become champion. Dakota tries to translate, but Bianca says it is not needed, as she and Iyo understand each other.
JBL and Teddy Long show up to announce the Round 6 draft picks for Raw and SmackDown, respectively. #21 is Alpha Academy for Raw, #22 is Rick Boogs for SmackDown, #23 is Katana Chance and Kayden Carter for Raw, and #24 is Cameron Grimes for SmackDown.
We hear from Xavier Woods, who says that The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) is coming back to the red brand to inject some new energy to Raw.
Seth "Freakin'" Rollins beats Solo Sikoa by disqualification after The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) run into the ring and attack Rollins. The show ends with Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens and Matt Riddle running into the ring to brawl with Solo Sikoa and The Usos.
This week on Raw Talk: Austin Theory! The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, Dominik Mysterio)! Elias and Rick Boogs!
Here are the top ten moments from tonight's show!
Round 1:
#1 - Rhea Ripley - Raw
#2 - Austin Theory - SmackDown
#3 - Seth "Freakin'" Rollins - Raw
#4 - Charlotte Flair - SmackDown
Round 2:
#5 - Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn - Raw
#6 - The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) - SmackDown
#7 - The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio) - Raw
#8 - The Latino World Order - SmackDown
Round 3:
#9 - Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez - Raw
#10 - Asuka - SmackDown
#11 - The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) - Raw
#15 - "The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler and "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey - Raw
#16 - LA Knight - SmackDown
Round 5:
#17 - Braun Strowman and Ricochet - Raw
#18 - Shotzi - SmackDown
#19 - Bronson Reed - Raw
#20 - Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson and Elton Prince) - SmackDown
Round 6:
#21 - Alpha Academy (Chad Gable and Otis) - Raw
#22 - Rick Boogs - SmackDown
#23 - Katana Chance and Kayden Carter - Raw
#24 - Cameron Grimes - SmackDown
Supplemental Picks (Night 1):
Apollo Crews - Raw
Candice LeRae - Raw
Chelsea Green and Sonya Deville - Raw
Dexter Lumis - Raw Hit Row (Ashante "Thee" Adonis, Top Dolla, B-Fab) - SmackDown
JD McDonagh - Raw
Lacey Evans - SmackDown
Maximum Male Models (Mace, Mansoor, Maxxine Dupri) - Raw
Natalya - Raw
The Viking Raiders (Ivar, Erik, Valhalla) - Raw
Zoey Stark - Raw
Supplemental Picks (Night 2):
Akira Tozawa - Raw
Dana Brooke - Raw
Emma - Raw
Grayson Waller - SmackDown
Indus Sher (Jinder Mahal, Sanga, Veer Mahan) - Raw
Johnny Gargano - Raw
Los Lotharios (Angel Garza and Humberto Carillo) - Raw
Nikki Cross - Raw
Odyssey Jones - Raw
Piper Niven - Raw
Riddick Moss (formerly Madcap Moss) - Raw
Tamina - Raw
Tegan Nox - Raw
Xia Li - Raw
Free Agents (and when they were declared as such):
Baron Corbin (Night 2; supplemental draft)
Brock Lesnar (Night 2; announced by Triple H at the beginning of the night)
Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin (Night 2; supplemental draft)
Dolph Ziggler (Night 1; supplemental draft)
Elias (Night 2; supplemental draft)
Mustafa Ali (Night 1; supplemental draft)
Omos and MVP (Night 1; status negotiated by MVP to give Omos more exposure on both brands)
Von Wagner (Night 1; initially not part of the draft pool, revealed as draftable on SmackDown LowDown and declared a free agent in the supplemental draft)
Xyon Quinn (Night 2; initially not part of the draft pool, revealed as draftable on Raw Talk and declared a free agent in the supplemental draft)
