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Welcome to the English version of Solowrestling Read more
Today we will once again enjoy a new live coverage of WWE SmackDown, which this time will be broadcast live from the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. This will be the first show of the blue brand after Elimination Chamber, and it will feature a main event match for the WWE Undisputed Championship.
On the other hand, Carmelo Hayes will issue an open challenge for his United States Championship, while several teams will compete for an opportunity for the WWE Tag Team Championships. Additionally, Rhea Ripley will be present on the show to address Jade Cargill, her opponent at WrestleMania. As always, we invite you to comment on the note to give your opinion on what happens on this week's episode of the blue brand.
WWE SmackDown starts on Netflix!
The show begins with a video recap of WWE Elimination Chamber.
We see the arrival of some of tonight's protagonists: Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre, Rhea Ripley (with Damian Priest), and Jade Cargill.
Randy Orton is the one to open tonight's show. "The Viper" is welcomed with a great ovation. Randy heads to the ring while greeting the younger fans in the front rows. Orton poses in one of the corners to conclude his entrance. "Randy, Randy!" chant the fans. "The Viper" welcomes everyone to Friday Night SmackDown. "RKO, RKO!" respond the audience. Orton recounts that he arrived early at the venue today, only to realize that the big WrestleMania 42 sign was already hanging in the air. This led him to reminisce about all his participations in the grand event, where he has faced 20 opponents. However, he also realized something: only in 2 of them did he compete in the main event. That means that no matter who you are, what you have done, or the championships you have won. Nothing guarantees you the main event of WrestleMania. "But here we are, and officially I can say that Randy Orton is back in the main event of WrestleMania!", he exclaims. "RKO, RKO!" chant the fans.
"The Viper" tones down the intensity of his promo to make it clear that he is not here to say he is the best, because he was not raised that way. However, many colleagues do, including legends like Ric Flair or The Undertaker. And that makes him feel special. Orton is proud to still be considered one of the best, especially in an era where he can share the ring and the locker room with a whole new generation of talented wrestlers.
Orton wants to make it clear that he has not been given this opportunity. He has earned it. As for his opponent in the grand event, Randy doesn't care if it's Drew McIntyre or Cody Rhodes, because he has no plans to leave Las Vegas without the WWE Undisputed Championship around his waist. "Randy, Randy!" chant the fans. Orton promises that he will achieve his goal using the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment: R-K... The lights in the venue go out before "The Viper" finishes his sentence.
Trick Williams bursts onto the scene!
Trick addresses the fans from the entrance ramp. "Reporting live: The sexiest and most entertaining living superstar, Trick Williams, has arrived," he says. Randy applauds him from the ring. Williams addresses Orton, pointing out that he also hears voices in his head. These tell him that he has a problem with the fourteen-time world champion because it is Trick who should be in the main event of WrestleMania and not "The Viper." Williams heads towards the inside of the ring. "You came to my Chamber. You stood on my toes and said that Trick Williams is not 1.95 meters tall. And now I'm here, Randy, in your ring. Man to man. Face to face. Eye to eye. And it's not because I have these shoes..." says Trick before receiving an RKO out of nowhere. The fans applaud. "The Viper" poses in one of the corners to celebrate with the audience. And so we reach the end of the first segment of the night.
We see a pre-recorded video in Nick Aldis' office. He is visited by Carmelo Hayes. The General Manager congratulates him on his great work as United States Champion, as he is bringing a lot of value to SmackDown. That said, he informs him that he has a perfect challenger for him for tonight. Hayes doesn't want to know his name, as he prefers to discover it directly in the ring. Carmelo leaves to end the segment.
Carmelo Hayes makes his entrance into the ring, where he awaits his opponent for tonight.
The Latin American Champion of AAA, Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr., responds to the open challenge!
United States Championship Match
Carmelo Hayes (c) vs. Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr.
Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. surprises Carmelo with a Shotgun Dropkick before executing a corner cannonball. Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. kicks Hayes, who ends up on ringside. The Mexican launches with an apron cannonball. Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. brings Melo back into the ring to launch himself with a diving dropkick. 1..2..NO.
Carmelo recovers to respond with a dropkick. Hayes immobilizes the Mexican in the ropes to execute a springboard legdrop. Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. takes refuge on ringside, only to receive the impact of a diving crossbody. Hayes brings the masked man back into the ring to cover him. 1..2..NO. Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. stops a charge from Carmelo to knock him down with a big boot. 1...2...NO. Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. corners Melo with chops. Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. finishes him off with a senton. 1..2..NO.
Hayes kicks one of his opponent's legs to force him to kneel. After that, he executes a springboard DDT. 1..2..NO. "HIM" throws several chops on the Mexican, who pays him back. Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. continues to attack Hayes. The action moves to the top of one of the corners, with Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. executing a superplex on Melo. 1..2..NO.
Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. and Carmelo exchange attacks in the center of the ring. Melo executes an enzuigiri on Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr., who responds with a lariat. 1...2...NO. Carmelo surprises his rival with a springboard clothesline. Melo continues with a rain of chops before applying a tilt-a-whirl facebuster. 1..2..NO. Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. blocks a facebreaker to respond with a powerbomb. 1..2..NO.
Melo and Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. continue exchanging attacks. The Mexican throws himself at Hayes, who receives him with a facebreaker. 1...2...NO. Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. executes a knee strike on "HIM" in one of the corners before finishing him off with a sit-out powerbomb. 1..2..NO. Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. launches with a moonsault. Carmelo dodges it, causing the masked man to land face-first on the canvas. Now it's Hayes who seeks height to launch himself with a Nothing But Net. 1..2..3.
Winner and STILL United States Champion: Carmelo Hayes
Carmelo helps Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. to his feet before handing him his Latin American Championship. Hayes raises his opponent's arm in a sign of respect. The Mexican bows to thank him. And so we reach the end of this segment.
Cathy Kelly interviews Ilja Dragunov backstage. Kelly asks him why he didn't accept Melo's challenge last week. The Russian responds that he doesn't want to be like the others. His mother is the best warrior he has ever known, and she taught him that you must work hard and bear the weight on your shoulders. Only then do you become a true warrior. So, until he becomes the warrior he once was, he will have to wait. The Miz interrupts the interview to mock Ilja and his mother's advice. Kit Wilson joins the conversation to point out that the masculinity Dragunov has in his head has obsessed him with violence and, therefore, has made him a toxic person. "You say I should take advantage of opportunities and you say I should confront violence. It seems that the only answer we will find is in the ring," he says to both before patting them on the back. "It seems that fighting is always the answer, right?", he adds with a smile on his face before leaving. As the self-proclaimed leader of the locker room, The Miz indicates to Wilson that this is his chance. However, the Brit believes that Ilja was referring to The Miz. "You can do it," says Mizanin as he pats Kit on the back. The Miz leaves to end the segment.
Damian Priest approaches Nick Aldis backstage. The Puerto Rican has received the news that he will compete tonight, but not who his opponent will be. Puzzled, Aldis asks him if "he" hasn't told him. R-Truth appears on the scene, ready for tonight. Nick informs Damian that they will join forces as a team in the Tag Team Turmoil Match that will determine the next challengers for the WWE Tag Team Championships. Priest doesn't think it's a bad idea, so he accepts the idea. R-Truth and Damian leave the place. Drew McIntyre appears on the scene with the aim of reaching an agreement with Aldis. Drew reminds him that Cody Rhodes shouldn't have a rematch. Not after "The American Nightmare" signed that document before his match in Berlin. That's why he asks him to do the right thing and cancel tonight's match. Aldis refuses, claiming that the Scotsman has not kept his word, preventing Rhodes from winning his opportunity time and time again. So now he will have to defend the title against his enemy. If he doesn't want to, he will have to vacate the championship. Drew regrets the General Manager's decision, but he is used to this: it's Drew McIntyre against the world. And no, he doesn't plan to vacate the title. "I've beaten Cody before and I'll do it again tonight, because the only way he'll take the title from me is by ripping it off my corpse," says the Scotsman. "Well. Tie your laces tight," says Aldis before leaving.
The Irresistible Forces (Nia Jax and Lash Legend) head to the ring already prepared for their party. The fans boo them. Nia and Lash raise the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships for the audience to see. Nia assures that they have the women's tag team division under control. So much so that they have no problem facing any team that wants to take their titles. Legend warns that they will end anyone who tries, so they know what to expect. That said, Nia and Lash toast with champagne as fireworks resonate in the venue.
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss interrupt the segment!
Alexa addresses Nia, pointing out that she has finally found someone to latch onto to climb back to the top. Bliss recalls that it was Lash and Nia who cost them the titles in the first place, so now they are first in line.
Giulia and Kiana James make their entrance!
Kiana recalls that she defeated Charlotte and Nia in a triple threat a few weeks ago, as well as being the woman who eliminated Alexa in Elimination Chamber. Now, she plans to go straight to WrestleMania with Giulia. The latter addresses the other women in Japanese before revealing her plan: to reach the grand event with the Tag Team Championships in their possession. Giulia and Kiana start a discussion with Flair and Bliss. Meanwhile, Lash and Jax watch in the background. Nick Aldis appears on the scene to restore order. The General Manager reminds the women in the ring that this is SmackDown, and here title opportunities are not obtained through debates, but by proving it in the ring. That said, he announces that Giulia and Kiana will face Charlotte and Alexa here and now. To do this, he orders the presence of a referee.
Tag Team Match
Kiana James and Giulia vs. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss
We return from commercial to see Alexa and Charlotte teaming up against Giulia. She gives the relay to Kiana, who is quickly knocked down by Flair. "The Queen" kicks both her opponents, who end up on ringside. Charlotte throws herself over both with an apron cannonball. James throws Flair against one of the posts to regain control.
James punishes Charlotte back in the ring. Kiana executes an elbowdrop. 1..2..NO. Giulia receives the relay to execute a dropkick to the back of "The Queen." Kiana receives the relay to continue the fight. James applies several corner spears on Charlotte before executing a standing moonsault, but "The Queen" stops her with her knees. Both women lie on the canvas. Flair and James crawl to their respective corners to give the relay to their partners.
Alexa enters with everything, unleashing a rapid offensive on Giulia. Bliss blocks a sunset flip to respond with a direct dropkick to the face of the Italo-Japanese. Alexa throws Giulia out of the ring. Bliss throws herself with a diving crossbody on James, but she stops her in mid-air to then drop her on the apron. Thus, Kiana and Giulia regain control of the fight.
Kiana punishes Bliss with the help of the ropes. James attacks Flair, who tries to intervene. The referee prevents her, a moment that Kiana takes advantage of to take Alexa to her corner. Giulia receives the relay to continue punishing Bliss, whose head she crushes with a stomp. Alexa escapes her rivals to give the relay to Charlotte, who throws herself over her opponents with a diving crossbody.
Flair unleashes a rain of chops on Giulia and Kiana before knocking down the latter with a handspring clothesline. Flair applies a Fallaway Slam on Giulia, who ends up lying on the canvas next to her partner. "The Queen" throws herself over both with a moonsault. Charlotte covers Kiana. 1..2..NO. James and Giulia combine against Flair. Kiana applies a facebreaker to let the Italo-Japanese finish her off with a side suplex. 1..2..NO.
Giulia prepares to execute her finisher, but Flair blocks it and responds with a german suplex. Kiana tries to intervene, but Charlotte greets her with a kick. Alexa approaches James to knock her out with a beautifully executed DDT. Meanwhile, Flair surprises Giulia with a Natural Selection. 1..2..3.
Winners: Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss
Charlotte and Alexa share a hug in the center of the ring before celebrating with the fans. And so we reach the end of this segment.
Jelly Roll sends a video message to Randy Orton to congratulate him on his victory at Elimination Chamber. The singer announces that he will be on SmackDown next week to see him in person.
Cathy Kelley interviews Cody Rhodes backstage before his title match tonight. Cody simply wants to point at the WrestleMania 42 logo, and the only thing standing in his way is Drew McIntyre. Rhodes promises Cathy that the next time she speaks with him he will be the new Undisputed WWE Champion. Sami Zayn approaches Cody. Sami tries to understand why Rhodes has another title opportunity after losing at Elimination Chamber. It seems opportunities fall at his feet, while guys like Sami don’t get second chances. "What is this about?! Second chance! First chance! It sounds like you're campaigning for a title opportunity against me when I haven’t even won it yet!", exclaims an annoyed Rhodes. Zayn feels offended that Cody thinks he’s being selfish. Rhodes, however, doesn’t know what to believe. Sami points out that he only wanted to come over and wish him luck in his match tonight, because believe it or not, he’s on his side. However, it has ended like this. Zayn apologizes for it and wishes him luck. "Go out there and do what Cody Rhodes does. Go and become WWE Champion", says the Canadian. "Alright," Rhodes replies before walking away. Furious, Zayn knocks two water bottles, sending them flying. Once again, Zayn regrets what just happened.
Tag Team Turmoil Match for a WWE Tag Team Championship Opportunity
Motor City Machine Guns vs. Fraxiom vs. Los Garza vs. The Wyatt Sicks vs. Damian Priest and R-Truth
First Match: Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) vs. Fraxiom (Axiom and Nathan Frazer)
Shelley and Nathan start the fight. Both men shake hands as a sign of respect before the match begins. Shelley knocks Frazer down with a chop. His rival responds with a dropkick. Sabin and Axiom get the tag. Both men look for a quick victory. Axiom takes his opponent down mid-air before executing a german suplex. Axiom and Frazer combine perfectly against Sabin, who ends up at ringside with his partner. The Europeans launch several consecutive suicide dives onto their opponents just before another commercial break.
Back from the break, we see Axiom escaping from Motor City Machine Guns to tag in Frazer, who launches himself with a double diving dropkick onto his opponents. They end up at ringside, where they receive the impact of Nathan’s tope. The action returns to the ring, but now the veterans combine against Frazer. Axiom gets the tag to kick Chris. Fraxiom execute a "Infernal Catapult" on Sabin. Axiom covers him. Alex tries to place his partner’s leg on the bottom rope, but Nathan prevents him from doing so. 1..2..3.
Motor City Machine Guns are eliminated
Second Match: Fraxiom (Axiom and Nathan Frazer) vs. Los Garza (Angel and Berto)
The Mexicans storm into the ring, surprising the Europeans, to unleash a fast and powerful offense. Angel and Berto apply a combined spinning powerbomb on Nathan. 1..2..NO. Axiom breaks up the count. Now it’s the Europeans who take control. Fraxiom combine against Angel. Frazer goes for height, but Berto pushes him, causing him to crash into the crowd barricade. After that, the Mexicans execute their combined finisher on Axiom. 1..2..3.
Fraxiom are eliminated
Third Match: Los Garza (Angel and Berto) vs. The Wyatt Sicks (Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis)
Dexter and Joe exchange attacks with the Mexicans. The Wyatts combine perfectly against Berto, who receives a senton from Lumis. 1..2..NO. Dexter applies a Monkey Flip to Berto, whom Gacy follows up with an elbowdrop. Lumis and Gacy once again combine against Berto, who receives a neckbreaker from the former. 1..2..NO. Angel breaks up the count.
Dexter hits a legdrop on Berto. 1..2..NO. Joe gets the tag and unleashes a rain of kicks on the Mexican. Dexter receives the tag to continue the fight. Angel surprises Lumis by lifting the ropes so his opponent crashes to ringside. Los Garza combine to punish Dexter. Berto applies a Single Crab. Lumis rolls over to kick Berto, freeing himself from the hold.
Berto kicks Joe to prevent him from receiving the tag from Dexter. Los Garza combine against Lumis. Gacy gets the tag. Joe enters with everything he has, taking care of both rivals at the same time. Gacy executes a side suplex on Berto. 1..2..NO. Dexter and Joe dispose of Angel before preparing to finish off Berto. Suddenly, Tonga Loa storms onto the scene to pull Gacy out of the ring! Tama Tonga appears on the opposite side to distract Lumis, allowing Berto to surprise him with a roll-up. 1..2..3.
The Wyatt Sicks are eliminated
Furious, Joe launches himself onto Loa and Tama with a suicide dive. Lumis joins his partner to start a brawl with MFT, which spills into backstage. Meanwhile, Damian Priest and R-Truth make their entrance.
Fourth Match: Los Garza (Angel and Berto) vs. Damian Priest and R-Truth
R-Truth avoids a charge from Angel, who falls to ringside. R-Truth borrows a Mexican flag from a fan to use it like a cape and bullfight Angel back into the ring. Angel surprises R-Truth with a superkick to take the advantage. Los Garza combine to punish R-Truth. Berto traps R-Truth in the corner so Angel can follow up with a back senton. 1..2..NO.
R-Truth surprises Angel with a Corkscrew Calfkick. Both men are left laid out on the mat. Damian gets the tag. The Puerto Rican takes care of both opponents at the same time. Berto and Angel retreat to ringside. Priest goes after Berto. Angel gets in the way, only for Damian to run him over with a Pounce. Angel lands on the commentary table. At that moment, Berto surprises Priest with a suicide dive. Berto brings Damian back into the ring, where he follows up with a moonsault. 1..2..NO.
Priest recovers to execute a Broken Arrow on Berto before tagging R-Truth. He applies John Cena’s classic combo: several shoulder tackles, followed by a Proto Bomb. R-Truth crouches in front of his opponent with his hand waving in front of his face. "You Can't See Me!", the fans chant. R-Truth executes a Five Knuckle Shuffle before preparing for the Attitude Adjustment. Berto blocks it, but there’s nothing he can do to avoid being trapped in an STFU. Angel attacks R-Truth to free his cousin.
Damian comes to R-Truth’s aid. Together they regain control. R-Truth and Priest execute a parallel attack on Los Garza. R-Truth applies an Attitude Adjustment on Angel while Damian executes a chokeslam on Berto. R-Truth and Priest pin the Mexicans at the same time. 1..2..3.
Los Garza are eliminated
Winners: Damian Priest and R-Truth
Damian and R-Truth pose on the turnbuckles to celebrate with the fans. And so we reach the end of this segment.
Sami Zayn approaches Randy Orton to congratulate him on his victory at Elimination Chamber. Sami asks how he can say that Cody is one of his best friends in the locker room and then attack him out of nowhere. "Sometimes, just sometimes, you have to be selfish", replies "The Viper". "Don’t you think that makes you a bad person?", Zayn asks. Randy can’t answer that, but this way of being is what has led him to win fourteen world championships. "I can’t argue with that," says Sami. He wishes him good luck ahead of his match at WrestleMania 42. Before leaving, Orton wants to give him a small piece of advice: sometimes he should listen to the voices in his head. Randy continues on his way, leaving a thoughtful Zayn behind. At that moment, Aleister Black and Zelina approach Sami. "Don’t worry about him, Sami," says the Dutchman. "He can’t help it," adds a smiling Zelina. "It’s just the nature of the beast," says Aleister before leaving with his wife.
THIS IS MY BRUTALITY!
Rhea Ripley makes her entrance. The fans welcome her with a huge ovation. Rhea heads to the ring, where she asks for a microphone. "SmackDown, I said I’d come, and here I am. And Jade, since it seems you have a lot to say to me, why don’t you come out here and say it to my face?", asks "Mami".
Jade Cargill appears on the entrance ramp. "The Storm" heads to the ring. Once there, she circles Rhea before standing in front of her. Jade extends her hand toward "Mami". She shakes it. "I shook your hand because I respect you, Rhea. I respect all your accomplishments. I respect the way these people love you. I respect the way you earned your path to face me in a title match in the main event of WrestleMania. And as someone who works hard in the gym, I respect how hard you’ve worked to sculpt the body you have. I do. I respect it. But I’m not impressed", says Cargill. "I mean, your arms are big, but mine are bigger. Your legs are muscular, they’re powerful, but mine are more powerful, because I’m stronger. And I’m more deserving of being WWE Women’s Champion. When WrestleMania comes, I’m going to break you and there’s nothing you can do about it, because I’m that bitch", she says before dropping the microphone on the mat.
Rhea extends her hand. Now Jade shakes it. "Jade, I respect honesty. I do. I mean, now I know what you really think of me. And I guess I don’t impress you physically, but I have to say you do impress me... physically. Your shoulders might be a little bigger than mine. I’ll admit that. Maybe your arms too, and your legs. And you know what? I’ve got a feeling your hands might be as well. But if you throw your best shot at me, do you really think I’ll go down and stay down? No. But if I throw my best shot at you, there’s no way you’re getting back up. Because the difference between us is that your body was built to be shown off, while mine was built to fight. You train your body to be aesthetically pleasing. I train mine to survive and outlast anyone in this business. So when that bell rings, you can flex all you want. It doesn’t matter. Because I’m going to fight. I’ll take that title from you, and I’ll do it by force, and there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it because I AM THAT BITCH", says Rhea before dropping the microphone on the mat. Ripley walks up the entrance ramp while Cargill poses with the championship. And so we reach the end of this segment.
We head backstage, where we see Alex Shelley talking with Candice LeRae, who is still taking care of a dejected Johnny Gargano. Chris Sabin appears on the scene. Sabin is upset to see his partner trying to help Gargano right after losing their match tonight. The two men have a brief argument before leaving. LeRae tries to cheer up her husband, reminding him that he is the great "Johnny Wrestling." Gargano stands up. "Yeah. You're right. Let's go," says Johnny. "Go where?" a surprised Candice asks. "To the ring," Gargano replies before walking away.
Bo Dallas delivers a video promo. Dallas warns Solo Sikoa, making it clear that he will not rest until he gets back what belongs to him. "Your family will constantly be looking over their shoulders, and soon they’ll understand that there’s nothing they can do except RUN."
Johnny Gargano cuts a promo in the ring. Gargano says it’s time to remind everyone—including himself—that he is Johnny Wrestling. And he will start tonight. With that said, he issues an open challenge to any man in backstage to come out and face him right here and right now.
Oba Femi answers the open challenge!
Johnny Gargano (w/ Candice LeRae) vs. Oba Femi
Johnny removes his jacket and charges at Oba. Femi quickly stops him and responds with a thunderous chop. Gargano retreats to one of the corners. Femi destroys him with an unrelenting barrage of corner uppercuts. After that, the Nigerian launches his opponent into the air. A Fall From Grace ends the match. 1..2..3.
Winner: Oba Femi
Oba poses over his fallen opponent to end the segment.
Michin and B-Fab approach Jade Cargill backstage. Michin wonders if "The Storm" has forgotten about her. Cargill points out that she’s been busy with Rhea Ripley, who, by the way, “cut in line” ahead of the line Michin claimed to be leading. Michin reminds her that Ripley earned her opportunity, just like she will earn hers. And when she does, she will take the championship Jade is carrying. Jade tells her to try next week. "The Storm" walks off, bringing the segment to a close.
Nick Aldis runs into Danhausen backstage, getting quite a scare when the new WWE talent suddenly appears out of nowhere. Just like on Raw, Danhausen introduces himself to the General Manager with a list of demands, starting with a mentor who will take him straight to the top. Aldis points out that it’s not his job... although he might have a solution. Nick continues walking with Danhausen following closely behind. Nick stops in front of The Miz. Miz informs Aldis that he’s still trying to help new talents. Nick knows and believes it’s a very commendable gesture by Mizanin. That’s why he assigns Danhausen to him. The Miz says he’s looking for talents he can instill his values into, not some gothic kid who wasn’t invited to the party. However, the General Manager walks away without looking back. Danhausen, meanwhile, informs The Miz that he must help him win a championship. The Miz assures him he won’t. "Yes you will, because otherwise you’ll be cursed," says Danhausen. The Miz laughs. "Remember what happened to Dom on Monday," Danhausen whispers in Miz’s ear, instantly wiping the smile off his face. Mizanin turns toward Danhausen, but he has already disappeared.
We see a promotional video for tonight’s main event.
Cody Rhodes makes his entrance to a huge ovation. "The American Nightmare" greets the fans from the center of the ring while waiting for the arrival of Drew McIntyre, who soon appears. The Scotsman confronts Cody before posing with his title on one of the turnbuckles. Mark Nash introduces the competitors before the referee displays the championship in the center of the ring.
Undisputed WWE Championship Match
Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Cody Rhodes
McIntyre escapes to ringside as soon as the bell rings and heads toward backstage. Cody quickly chases after him to attack. Rhodes drags the champion back toward the ring while striking him. Cody throws Drew over the crowd barricade. Rhodes grabs a fan’s soda cup and smashes it into McIntyre’s face. The action returns to the ring, where Cody executes a Disaster Kick.
Rhodes unleashes a barrage of punches on Drew in one of the corners. McIntyre kicks his opponent in the stomach to turn things around. Drew applies a belly-to-belly suplex to Cody, who receives encouragement from the crowd. McIntyre executes another belly-to-belly suplex. Cody ends up at ringside. Drew goes after him, ready to slam him into the steel steps, but his rival does it instead.
Rhodes returns to the ring, only to launch himself with a suicide dive, but McIntyre stops him with a right hand. Drew throws Cody into the steel steps before executing a side slam on the apron. Rhodes tries to recover, but the champion stops him with a back elbow. 1..2..NO. McIntyre executes a suplex, but it’s not enough to finish his opponent.
Drew traps Rhodes in a submission hold. Cody escapes the Scotsman to start exchanging strikes. Rhodes surprises McIntyre with a scoop powerslam before executing a Cody Cutter. Drew blocks a Cross Rhodes to escape to ringside. Cody goes after him. McIntyre surprises him by smashing his left arm against one of the ring posts.
Drew focuses his offense on Rhodes’ injured arm, applying a DDT. 1..2..NO. McIntyre grabs Cody’s injured arm to apply more pressure. Rhodes tries to break free, but the Scotsman strikes the damaged limb again and stomps on it. The action moves to the top of one of the turnbuckles. Both men exchange strikes. Rhodes executes a superplex on McIntyre. Both men lie on the mat.
Cody and Drew exchange strikes. Rhodes knocks McIntyre down and traps him in a Figure Four Lock. The Scotsman reaches the ropes to force the break. Drew heads to ringside, barely able to stand. Rhodes launches himself onto him with a suicide dive. Cody looks at the commentary table, which he soon clears.
Rhodes brings McIntyre onto the top of the table, where he prepares to execute a Cross Rhodes. Drew escapes his opponent’s grasp, and the table collapses beneath them. Cody goes looking for a table under the ring. McIntyre attacks his opponent and sets up the table beside the ring himself. McIntyre executes a powerbomb on Rhodes through the table, shattering it. Drew brings Cody back into the ring, where he applies a Cross Rhodes! 1..2..NO.
McIntyre prepares for a Claymore, but Rhodes stops him with a superkick. Cody follows up with his own version of the Claymore! 1..2..NO. Cody climbs up high to launch himself onto Drew. Both men struggle with the referee caught between them. McIntyre grabs him, causing him to take the impact of a Cody Cutter. The official falls to ringside. Drew and Cody continue fighting.
Cody surprises Drew with a Cross Rhodes, but there is no referee to count the three. Rhodes approaches the ropes to call for another referee. He runs down to the ring. Cody turns around, only to be struck by a Claymore. 1..2..NO. The Scotsman stares down the referee furiously. Drew approaches him in a threatening manner. The official explains that Cody kicked out in time.
McIntyre grabs Cody and repeatedly slams him into one of the corners. The referee asks him to stop. Annoyed, McIntyre disposes of the official with a Glasgow Kiss. Drew exits the ring to grab a steel chair. The Scotsman returns, ready to use the chair as a weapon, but Jacob Fatu appears out of nowhere to snatch it away. Drew glares at a smiling Fatu.
Cody surprises McIntyre with a roll-up. The original referee is back. 1..2..NO. Drew responds with a Future Shock DDT. 1..2..NO. McIntyre prepares for a Claymore. Cody dodges it, causing the Scotsman to land flat on his back. Rhodes runs toward the ropes to execute a Cody Cutter. "The American Nightmare" finishes Drew with a Cross Rhodes. 1..2..3.
Winner and NEW Undisputed WWE Champion: CODY RHODES
Cody celebrates on one of the turnbuckles while pointing at the giant WrestleMania 42 sign. Fireworks explode throughout the arena. A smiling Rhodes spreads his arms as the show comes to an end.
