Tonight on SmackDown, Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton are scheduled to appear, Giulia battles Tiffany Stratton, Kit Wilson takes on Jelly Roll, The Bella Twins (Nikki & Brie) collide with Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss, Nick Aldis gives an update on Jacob Fatu and Drew McIntyre, and more.
Check back for live results when the show airs at 8/7 C.
The Bella Twins (Nikki & Brie), Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair, Giulia & Kiana James, Tiffany Stratton, Kit Wilson, and Jelly Roll with his son are all shown backstage before the show. We then cut to clips from last week's SmackDown.
At ringside, Randy Orton makes his way out to the ring. Orton talks about the contract signing with Cody Rhodes and how Rhodes told him that he needs to be the best version of Randy Orton that he can be. Rhodes told Orton to listen to the voices and to be the viper but Orton says he shut the voices out a long time ago. He says the last few years he's only thought about his legacy and winning his 15th world championship. Orton says Rhodes gave him his blessing and now Orton is listening to the voices and he can't be held responsible for what happens next. Orton says it's the voices outside his head that are the problem and one person has his ear and he's been listening to that voice. Matt Cardona interrupts Orton and Cardona marches to the ring and smacks Orton in the head with a microphone. Orton rolls out of the ring and we cut to backstage.
Nick Aldis is backstage and he tells Trick Williams he is impressed with him and wants to talk business. Aldis says he's giving Williams a match on WrestleMania. Williams gets all excited, Sami Zayn shows up and Williams tells Zayn he's going to WrestleMania. Zayn congratulates Williams and asks Aldis if he's on the WrestleMania card. Aldis says things haven't been going well for Zayn and unless something changes, Zayn won't be on the WrestleMania card. Zayn walks away all defeated and then turns back around and punches Williams in the face and tells Aldis that he'll have a match at WrestleMania.
Randy Orton yells at Nick Aldis backstage. Orton wants a match with Matt Cardona tonight. Orton if he doesn't make this match happen something bad will happen. Aldis agrees to the match for tonight.
Before our first match, The Irresistible Forces (Nia Jax & Lash Legend) appear at the entryway. Jax trash talks the teams in the ring and says on Monday they'll take out Bayley and Lyra Valkyria. Legend says they're hotter than The Bellas and better than Flair and Bliss.
Match 1: The Bella Twins (Nikki & Brie) -vs- Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss
The bell rings and the match starts. Flair and Nikki lock up and Flair gets Nikki in a headlock and then takes her down with a shoulder check. Flair taunts Nikki and then kicks Nikki and Brie and tries for a roll up but Nikki counters it and knocks Flair to the mat. Brie is tagged in and she comes off the top rope with a double axe handle on Flair. Brie chops Flair but is then driven into the turnbuckles. Flair strikes Brie and tags in Bliss. Brie is double teamed and Brie attacks Bliss right after and knocks Bliss down and covers her for a near fall. Nikki's tagged in and Bliss doesn't see. Bliss gets tangled in the ring apron and is double teamed by Nikki and Brie. Flair comes to make the save and we cut to a break.
Back to SmackDown, Nikki has Bliss in an arm bar in the center of the ring. Bliss punches out of the hold but Nikki flips Bliss onto her back and Brie is tagged in. Bliss is double teamed and covered by Brie and Bliss kicks out at two. Brie kicks Bliss in the corner and Bliss punches Brie back and tries to tag Flair but can't. Nikki is tagged in and Bliss rolls away from Nikki but Nikki tackles her down. Nikki hits a spinebuster on Bliss and The Bellas double team Bliss as Flair has the ref distracted. Brie is tagged in and she comes off the top rope with another double axe handle. The Bellas try for a double suplex but Bliss counters to a double DDT and tags in Flair. Flair hits a double cross body on The Bellas and then chops them like mad. Flair connects with her walk over clothesline on Nikki and then slams down Brie. Flair suplexes Nikki and taunts Jax and Legend. Bliss is tagged in and she slams down Nikki and covers her, Brie breaks the pin. Brie is tagged in and Bliss is double teamed and Flair breaks the pin. Nikki takes out Flair and Brie goes for Brie Mode but runs into a punch by Bliss. Brie rolls up Bliss but Bliss reverses and Brie kicks out. Legend punches Bliss and Brie rolls her up for the win.
Winners: The Bella Twins
After the match, Flair is upset and gets in The Bellas' faces. Jax and Legend come into the ring and start beating everyone up. The Bellas are disposed of first, and then Flair is taken out. Legend grabs Bliss and shakes her like a ragdoll. Lyra Valkyria and Bayley show up out of nowhere and start beating up Legend and Jax. Legend and Jax are kicked out of the ring by Valkyria, Bayley, Flair, Bliss and The Twins. Flair pushes Brie to the mat as she leaves the ring.
Damian Priest approaches R-Truth backstage. Truth says he's building a ClubHouse and Priest says they're not. Jelly Roll comes up to them and Truth mistakes him for Dominik Mysterio. Rhea Ripley shows up and Truth is excited that Mami and Dom are together again. Everyone is confused. Jelly Roll gives Ripley advice for her match against Jade Cargill at WrestleMania. Jelly Roll leaves to get ready for his match and Truth follows him. Ripley congratulates Priest for the tag team gold and Priest tells Ripley to handle Cargill.
Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair talk backstage. Nikki and Brie come by and ask them why they attacked them after the match. Bliss tells them it isn't over and she and Flair leave. Brie and Nikki are pissed.
Back at ringside, Rhea Ripley comes out and gets on the mic. Ripley says she didn't expect integrity from Cargill but what she didn't expect Michin and B-Fab to join forces with Cargill. Ripley says she doesn't care what she has to do or who she has to take out to become the champ come WrestleMania. She calls out Michin, B-Fab and Cargill. Cargill obliges and she comes out with B-Fab and Michin. Cargill tells Ripley she sounds real slick for someone who was dropped last week. Cargill says Michin and B-Fab positioned themselves in power and that they'll all drag Ripley down. B-Fab starts to talk and she gets boo'd out of the building. B-Fab tells Ripley she sabotages the other women and she only cares about being at the top. Michin mimics B-Fab and says she's tired of being on the sidelines and Ripley always being front and center. B-Fab says they aligned for Cargill because she's the top dog. Cargill tells Ripley she's a guest on SmackDown. Cargill tells Ripley that B-Fab will step up to Ripley tonight and Cargill says B-Fab will whoop Ripley's ass and Ripley says actions have consequences and Ripley wants the match to happen now.
Match 2: Rhea Ripley -vs- B-Fab w/Jade Cargill & Michin
The match is underway as we come back from a commercial break. Ripley slams down B-Fab and kicks her on the mat. Cargill gets on the apron and distracts Ripley and Michin grabs Ripley's leg. Ripley takes out Michin outside the ring and goes for Cargill but B-Fab runs out and Ripley headbutts her. Cargill attacks Ripley and the ref calls for the bell.
Winner by Disqualification: Rhea Ripley
After the match, Cargill attacks Ripley. Ripley fights back and then Michin and B-Fab come in and attack Ripley. Michin and B-Fab hold Ripley and Cargill grabs her and hits Jaded on Ripley again like last week. B-Fab, Michin and Cargill stand above Ripley.
Kit Wilson talks to The Miz. The Miz is pissed he stepped in gum and tells Wilson to get this done on his own. The Miz says Wilson can take Jelly Roll on his own and The Miz needs to be isolated. Wilson says this isn't because of Danhausen's curse. The Miz leaves and Danhausen is behind Wilson. Danhausen wonders why he isn't being mentored and Wilson is. Wilson says it's because he's not ugly and Danhausen curses Wilson.
Drew McIntyre walks backstage. Cathy Kelley comes up to him and asks him how he's walking and why he's here. McIntyre says he's hurting but he took Jacob Fatu with him. McIntyre says he isn't here to fight but if Fatu wants to - he'll square up because he has nothing to lose.
Match 3: Kit Wilson -vs- Jelly Roll
Wilson gets on the mic before the match. Wilson says Jelly Roll crossed the line last week. Wilson wants to defend the honour of his mother. Wilson starts reading poetry and calls Jelly Roll toxic. Wilson attacks Jelly Roll before the bell and the bell rings and Wilson hits Jelly Roll with an uppercut. Jelly Roll gets Wilson on the mat and then kicks Wilson in the nuts and then hits an atomic drop a couple times. Jelly Roll punches Wilson and Wilson kicks Jelly Roll back. Wilson skins the cat on the ropes and Jelly Roll clotheslines Wilson over the ropes. Wilson grabs his poetry book and the ref is distracted and Wilson attacks Jelly Roll. Wilson hits Jelly Roll with an uppercut and then punches Jelly Roll in the head several times. Wilson connects with some elbows on Jelly Roll and then kicks him down. Jelly Roll is sent into the corner and has his head slammed into the turnbuckles. Jelly Roll moves out of the way and Wilson collides with the turnbuckles. Jelly Roll hits a Jelly to Belly suplex and both men are now laid out. Wilson and Jelly Roll trade punches in the middle of the ring and Jelly Roll starts unloading some punches with some dance moves. Jelly Roll goes to chokeslam Wilson but Wilson reverses and comes off the top rope and Jelly Roll catches him and hits a powerslam and covers Wilson for a near fall. Wilson strikes Jelly Roll and Jelly Roll crawls to the corner and gets Wilson's poetry book. Jelly Roll tries to get Wilson with the book and Wilson counters and hits the Turn-E-Kit and covers Jelly Roll and Jelly Roll kicks out at two. Wilson tries for Turn-E-Kit again, but Jelly Roll reverses and sends Wilson into the corner. Jelly Roll chokeslams Wilson and gets the win.
Winner: Jelly Roll
Matt Cardona warms up backstage and we cut to a commercial break.
Solo Sikoa talks to MFTs backstage. Sikoa says he's hard on everyone because he knows how good they can be. He talks about them all being on the same page and he apologizes for being too much last week and says Roman Reigns never apologizes. They all leave, and Tama Tonga stands alone. Carmelo Hayes comes up to him and tells him to take his shot and leaves. Shinsuke Nakamura comes to talk to Tonga and Talla Tonga comes by and asks Tama Tonga if he's good. He says he is and leaves. Talla and Nakamura lock eyes before we cut to ringside.
Before our next match, Trick Williams comes out to watch the Open Challenge.
Match 4 - WWE United States Championship Open Challenge Match: Carmelo Hayes(c) -vs- Sami Zayn
The bell rings and both men watch Williams get settled and they lock up. Zayn gets Hayes in an armlock and Hayes flips around and reverses it. Zayn takes down Hayes with an armdrag and covers Hayes for a one count. Zayn punches Hayes and chops him against the ropes. Hayes is clotheslined down and covered and Hayes kicks out. Zayn punches Hayes some more and then drives him into the corner. More chops to Hayes and Hayes chops back and starts punching Zayn. Hayes hits a springboard clothesline and runs into Zayn in the corner. Hayes kicks Zayn in the head and hits a springboard leg drop and we cut to a break.
Back to the match, Hayes beats on Zayn and clobbers him a few times on the back of his neck. Zayn punches Hayes back and clotheslines him over the ropes sending him out of the ring. Zayn flips over the ropes and takes out Hayes outside the ring. Zayn stares daggers into Williams and then sends Hayes back in the ring. Zayn comes off the top rope and Hayes dropkicks him midair and covers Zayn and Zayn kicks out at two. Hayes hits Dirty Diana and covers Zayn for a near fall. Hayes goes for 1st 48 and Zayn counters and powerbombs Hayes and covers him - Hayes kicks out at two. Zayn misses a Helluva Kick and Hayes climbs the ropes and Zayn starts punching Hayes as he's sitting on the top rope. Zayn climbs up with Hayes and hits a superplex and both men are now flattened on the mat and we cut to a break.
We return to SmackDown, Zayn slams down Hayes and covers him for a near fall. Zayn chops Hayes and Hayes falls to the mat. Zayn gets him on his feet and tries for a suplex and Hayes counters and tries and they go back and forth. Hayes hits a twisting cutter and covers Zayn who kicks out. Hayes chops Zayn in the corner and they both climb to the top. Zayn punches Hayes on the top rope and hits a sunset flip from the top rope and covers Hayes for a near fall. Zayn punches Hayes and Hayes punches Zayn back. Hayes kicks Zayn and runs at Zayn who catches Hayes and hits an Exploder in the corner. Zayn runs to hit a Helluva Kick but Hayes catches him and hits 1st48 and covers Zayn who kicks out at two. Hayes climbs the ropes and Zayn gets on his feet and punches Hayes while he's on the top rope. Hayes goes for Nothing but Net but Zayn catches him and hits The Blue Thunder Bomb and covers Hayes for a near fall. Williams grabs the championship while Zayn and Hayes are laid out. Williams puts the belt in the ring and Williams punches Hayes accidentally and Zayn hits the Helluva Kick and gets the win.
Winner and NEW WWE United States Champion: Sami Zayn
After the match, Williams leaves all pissed as Zayn celebrates in the ring and Hayes lies there all confused.
Jacob Fatu is walking backstage and Cathy Kelley finds him and asks him how he's feeling. Fatu says he'd rather speak to the crowd than Kelley who is harassing everyone the second they enter the building.
Sami Zayn walks backstage all happy. He approaches Nick Aldis and asks Aldis if he has a match on WrestleMania now. Aldis says he does and he'll battle Trick Williams.
At ringside, Jacob Fatu comes out to the ring. Fatu says he's hurt, busted open and has cracked ribs and it's all because of Drew McIntyre. Fatu asks McIntyre what's wrong with him and with McIntyre trying to take him out he's making it personal. Fatu says after everything McIntyre has done, Fatu is still standing and every week he'll come here to dog walk McIntyre's ass. McIntyre's music hits and he makes his way out and stops at the entryway. McIntyre says Fatu is playing the victim but McIntyre is the victim. McIntyre says Fatu accused him of a crime he didn't commit and Fatu is a criminal and since Fatu has been out he's been stealing everything from McIntyre. McIntyre says this isn't personal to Fatu because it's personal to McIntyre because Fatu is costing him his spot. Nick Aldis comes out and says it's obvious neither McIntyre or Fatu are medically ok to compete but at WrestleMania they should be medically cleared. He issues a McIntyre -vs- Fatu match with a stipulation - it's an unsanctioned match meaning there are no rules. McIntyre is elated and Fatu glares at McIntyre from the ring and then poses on the apron to taunt McIntyre.
Jelly Roll talks to Matt Cardona backstage. Jelly Roll tells Cardona that Randy Orton has changed and says Cody Rhodes is on the way. Cardona says he'll kick Orton's ass tonight and if Rhodes shows up and asks Jelly Roll to tell Rhodes to stay out of his match. Jelly Roll leaves and Aleister Black and Zelina show up and try to get in Cardona's head.
Tiffany Stratton walks backstage and she's approached by Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre. Green tells Stratton she's beneficial to her since she's a two time champ. Stratton declines the partnership.
Match 5: Tiffany Stratton -vs- Giulia w/Kiana James
We get the bell and Giulia and Stratton circle each other and lock up. Giulia gets Stratton in an arm lock and Stratton flips out of the hold. Giulia knees Stratton and then drives her into the turnbuckles. Stratton is slammed to the mat and then kicked in the corner. Stratton flies around the ring and kicks Giulia into the corner. Giulia is taken to each turnbuckles and her head is slammed into the corners. Stratton takes Giulia down and she rolls out of the ring and we cut to a commercial.
Back to the match, Giulia chokes out Stratton on the ropes and tries for a cover but Stratton kicks out. Giulia gets Stratton in a chinlock and Stratton powers out of it but is taken back to the mat in a headlock. Stratton powers out and she takes down Giulia with a shoulder check. Giulia gets Stratton in another chin lock. Stratton breaks the hold and hits a spinebuster on Giulia. Stratton and Giulia punch each other and Stratton clotheslines Giulia a couple times and then hits her backhandspring elbow. Stratton takes down Giulia with an Alabama Slam and covers Giulia for a near fall. Giulia collides with Stratton with a forearm and Stratton returns the favour. Giulia counters a double stop and covers Stratton for a near fall. Giulia kicks Stratton with Arrivederci and covers Stratton again and she kicks out at two. Giulia kicks Stratton and sits her on the top rope. Giulia joins Stratton on the top rope and tries for a superplex. Stratton throws Giulia off the top rope and hits a Swanton on Giulia and covers her for a two count. Giulia kicks Stratton and Stratton counters a driver and hits a rolling senton. James distracts Stratton and she goes for the Prettiest Moonsault Ever and Giulia gets her knees up and Giulia pins Stratton.
Winner: Giulia
Bayley and Lyra Valkyria are leaving and Cathy Kelley asks them why they're here. They say they're here to tell the Women's Tag Division that they're a threat in the division and they're putting the tag division on notice.
Randy Orton is on the phone backstage and tells whoever he's speaking to that he'll see them soon.
Match 6: Randy Orton -vs- Matt Cardona
Orton attacks Cardona as he enters the ring and we get the bell. Cardona slams into Orton in the corner and starts punching Orton. Orton rolls out of the ring and Cardona goes out to get him. Orton slams Cardona's wrist into the announce desk and then slams Cardona onto the announce desk. Orton slams Cardona's wrist into the table again and then slams Cardona into the barricades. Orton traps Cardona's arm in the announce desk and then stomps on it. Cardona rolls back in the ring and Orton follows him. Cardona elbows Orton and then kicks him. Cardona hits RoughRider and covers Orton for a near fall. Orton rolls out of the ring and starts to head to the back. Cardona runs out to him but Orton gauges Cardona's eye and Cardona goes down. Orton sends Cardona into the ring post and into the steel steps. Cardona is sent back in the ring and Orton sends Cardona shoulder first into the corner. Orton takes off the support bandages Cardona has on his wrist and Orton hyperextends Cardona's arm and then slams it into the ring post. Cardona is suplexed and then Orton stomps on Cardona's left wrist a few times. Cardona is sent back into the ring post and then Orton hyperextends Cardona's arm again. Orton connects with an RKO and instead of pinning Cardona he just stares t thim and then covers him and gets the win.
Winner: Randy Orton
After the match, Cody Rhodes' tour bus arrives and he comes out and heads to the ring and we cut to a commercial.
We come back from our last commercial break and Cody Rhodes comes out to the ring. Randy Orton stands in the ring and Nick Aldis and officials come out and hold Rhodes back. Rhodes wants none of this and argues with Aldis and tells Aldis he's here to talk to Orton and not fight and goes to the ring. Rhodes gets in the ring and he and Orton go at it. Orton leaves the ring and Rhodes follows him. Security tries to break them up but all hell breaks loose. Orton tries for a chairshot but Rhodes dodges it and punches Orton. The two keep fighting and Rhodes gets Orton on the announce desk and they're broken up. Rhodes goes back to Orton and Orton retreats to regroup. Orton beats up some security and the both get back in the ring and Rhodes and Orton go at it again and they're broken up again. Rhodes breaks free and attacks Orton some more and they're broken up again. Orton breaks free and attacks Rhodes and they're broken up. Orton gets out of the ring and is stumbling everywhere. Orton drops every referee and official near him. Rhodes comes out for the ring and starts beating up Orton. Rhodes pokes out Orton's eyes and they're broken up again. Back in the ring, they start fighting again and security breaks them up. The two are separated and the Rhodes charges again and they'll get broken up again... and they do. Both men are trying to break free but keep being held back. Jelly Roll comes to the ring and talks to Orton and then goes to Rhodes. Orton breaks free and then RKOs Jelly Roll and leaves the ring. Orton is laughing maniacally and Rhodes tends to Jelly Roll. Orton stares down everyone in the ring as we get the end credits.
