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Today we will once again enjoy a new live coverage of WWE SmackDown, which this time will be broadcast live from the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. This will be the last show of the blue brand before Backlash and will feature highlighted matches and segments, including Tiffany Stratton's first title defense as the new United States Champion.
On the other hand, Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, and Alexa Bliss will join forces against Fatal Influence in a tag team match. Additionally, Gunther will make an appearance to explain his attack on Cody Rhodes from last week. As always, we invite you to comment on the article to give your opinion on what happens on this week's SmackDown show.
WWE SmackDown starts on Netflix!
The show begins with an In Memoriam in honor of Ted Turner.
We see the arrival of some of tonight's protagonists: Rhea Ripley, Alexa Bliss, and Charlotte Flair, Fatal Influence in full, Solo Sikoa (with Talla Tonga), and Damian Priest. Meanwhile, Nick Aldis shakes hands with attendees at the funeral of The Gingerbread Man.
A video summary of the current rivalry between Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu is shown.
Jacob Fatu is the one to open tonight's show. "The Samoan Werewolf" heads to the ring. "Fatu, Fatu!" chant the fans. "Tomorrow night, at Backlash, I won't fight Roman Reigns for that title. Tomorrow, at Backlash, I'll snatch that title from him!", he exclaims. Fatu points out that everyone has seen Roman as the future since they were very young. Meanwhile, those same people saw absolutely nothing in him. And now everyone is reaching out to him, trying to convince him not to go ahead. But he won't listen. Jacob has seen this before. Those who approach Fatu are not trying to protect him, but Reigns. "Let's be honest. When Roman was born, he was born with opportunities. When I was born, I was born with doubts", says "The Samoan Werewolf" before being interrupted.
UUUUSSSSSOOOOOOO!
Jey and Jimmy Uso head to the ring to face their cousin. Jimmy makes it clear that they are not here to convince Fatu of anything, as they are aware they wouldn't succeed. Jimmy respects what Jacob has achieved: fighting for the World Heavyweight Championship in the main event of Backlash. However, he doesn't seem to understand what will happen if he loses. Jey doesn't believe Fatu has even thought about it. However, he wants to explain it to him, as he has been through this before. "The Tribal Chief will kick your ass", he says. And not only that. Reigns will physically and mentally destroy him in front of his own family. And when that happens, The Usos hope he finally recognizes his "Tribal Chief". "¡OTC, OTC!", chant the fans as Jey and Jimmy raise their index fingers to the sky.
"The Samoan Werewolf" makes it clear to his cousins that he won't lose. Fatu goes directly to Jey to remind him that he never defeated Roman. After that, he turns to Jimmy. Jacob agrees with him on one thing. He does this for his family, promising that they will see him become the new World Heavyweight Champion. Fatu is more than ready to fight for his own and die for them if necessary. Is Roman willing to die tomorrow night? Of course not, because he knows that Jacob Fatu is all gas and no brakes. Before leaving, "The Samoan Werewolf" issues a warning to The Usos. "Tomorrow night, at Backlash. If you two even think about interfering in my match, I swear to God I will burn down this entire Family Tree", he says before leaving the ring. Jacob heads backstage to end the first segment of the night.
Cathy Kelley interviews Nick Aldis backstage. The General Manager states that Gunther's attack on Cody Rhodes last week was unacceptable by the Austrian, and he will let him know tonight. Nick also confirms that Gunther is still part of Raw... for now. Ricky Saints interrupts the interview. "The Absolute" doesn't understand why he is not the topic of conversation after his great debut last week. And even less why he went from facing the WWE Champion to facing the fourth substitute of the Quarterback. Matt Cardona appears on the scene to confront Saints. "I'm not here to pass the torch to guys like you. I'm here to light my own. I see you out there tonight", says Matt before leaving. "This is how you run this place, huh?", says "The Absolute" to Aldis as the segment comes to an end.
Nick Aldis talks with Jacob Fatu backstage. "Make tomorrow night your night", says the General Manager to bid farewell to "The Samoan Werewolf". He continues his way until he meets Royce Keys. The new talent of SmackDown has heard what The Usos were saying, and Fatu shouldn't listen to them. Failure has never been an option for guys like them. In addition, the Jacob Fatu he knows has never been afraid of anyone. Royce asks his friend to do what he does best: kick ass. That's how he will leave Backlash with the World Heavyweight Championship. "Because people like us take everything we want", says Keys as he shakes Jacob's hand. He thanks him before leaving. Royce continues his way until he meets Solo Sikoa. Keys points out that he should kick his ass right now, so Solo should be very careful with the words that come out of his mouth. Sikoa regrets what happened last week. Royce was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Nothing more. That said, he reminds him that his offer still stands. "I need an answer soon. Time is running out", says Sikoa before leaving.
United States Women's Championship Match
Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Kiana James (with Giulia)
The champion and challenger exchange headlocks. Stratton uses her agility to surprise Kiana with a clothesline. The action moves to the ropes. James knocks down Tiffany before hitting her right leg against one of the ring posts. Kiana takes Stratton to the center of the ring to apply a suplex. James focuses her punishment on Stratton's injured leg.
Tiffany tries to recover, but Kiana kicks her injured leg to stop her. James continues kicking the champion. James holds onto the ropes to avoid a dropkick from Stratton and responds with a Single Boston Crab. The champion crawls to the ropes to force her release. James throws Stratton out of the ring and distracts the referee, hoping Giulia will attack her opponent. However, "The Beautiful Madness" crouches next to the champion, but decides not to lay a finger on her.
Kiana gets out of the ring to catch Tiffany and bring her back. James asks Giulia why she hasn't acted. The former United States Champion simply tells her to return to the ring to continue the fight. Kiana returns, only to fall into Stratton's clutches. She carries out an offensive that ends with a Tiffy Stomp. 1..2..NO. The action continues.
James kicks Stratton in one of the corners before executing a Death Valley Driver. 1..2..NO. Kiana keeps hitting Tiffany, to whom she applies several corner spears. Stratton dodges one of them, causing the challenger to hit the corner post. Tiffany carries James on her shoulders, at which point Giulia climbs onto the apron to distract the referee.
James escapes Stratton's clutches to surprise her with a roll-up. However, the official is still distracted by Giulia and cannot make the three count. Furious, Kiana approaches the place to get the referee's attention. Tiffany charges at James. She dodges it, causing the champion to hit Giulia, who falls to ringside. Stratton stops a kick from Kiana to respond with a back elbow. After that, she performs a Rolling Senton, followed by a definitive Prettiest Moonsault Ever. 1..2..3.
Winner and STILL United States Women's Champion: Tiffany Stratton
Tiffany leaves triumphantly down the entrance ramp. Meanwhile, in the ring, Giulia and James look at each other in silence.
We return to the "Gingerbread Man" funeral. Sami Zayn approaches the coffin where the "lifeless body" of the particular character rests. Nick Aldis appears on the scene. Sami still doesn't understand how Aldis agreed to this. The General Manager understands how he feels about this, but asks him to respect the grief of those present. At that moment, R-Truth appears behind Zayn. "I sympathize with you, Sami", he says as he hands him a rose. "I see the family resemblance", he continues. "He would be very proud of you. He couldn't stop talking about you. 'Sami, Sami, Sami'", says R-Truth. Zayn "thanks" him for his words. R-Truth doesn't want him to cry. "Gingerbread Man" wouldn't have wanted that. "Be strong, buddy", he says before leaving. The Canadian tries to contain himself from exploding in anger. This leads to the end of this segment.
Cathy Kelley interviews Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, and Alexa Bliss backstage. Rhea acknowledges that Fatal Influence managed to make a great impression. The problem is that they did it with the wrong women. And now she is eager for her match tonight to show exactly who she is. "OR WE CAN all get our hands on them TOGETHER. Come on, I'm being a team player", says Charlotte condescendingly. Ripley wonders if Flair has to compete with her in everything. "Do you trust me?", she asks. "You're not the only one seeking revenge", says Charlotte. Ripley asks if there will be any issues between them tonight. "Well, I don't know. Will we?", Flair responds. Alexa steps between them. Bliss asks them to put their personal grudges aside because tonight they must join forces. They did it in the past, and they can do it once again. "I'll be fine if she is", says Rhea as she looks at Charlotte. She assures that everything will be fine. For something she is there with them. Bliss takes her partner away from the place, thanking for this small progress. "She started it", says "The Queen" as she walks away. "She's lying", says Rhea as she watches them walk away.
R-Truth approaches Damian Priest in the locker room. R-Truth tells his partner that he comes from the funeral of "Gingerbread Man", where he saw Sami Zayn crying. Damian apologizes to R-Truth, as his mind is elsewhere, specifically in seeking revenge on Talla Tonga and MFT for what happened last week. R-Truth agrees with the Puerto Rican and is ready to deal with it. Priest knew R-Truth would say that, but he needs him to stay backstage. Damian reminds him that MFT play dirty, and they won't hesitate to attack R-Truth to gain an advantage. R-Truth understands, but they are teammates and WWE Tag Team Champions. That's why they should do this together. The Puerto Rican assures him that he is very proud to be his partner, but tonight he needs him to listen and stay backstage. He knows how to deal with people like MFT and he will do it alone. R-Truth fully trusts him. Both fist bump. Priest takes his championship and heads to the ring.
Talla Tonga (with Solo Sikoa) vs. Damian Priest
Damian crushes Talla into one of the turnbuckles as soon as they enter the ring. Priest continues attacking Talla, who falls to ringside. The Puerto Rican launches himself onto Talla to keep up the assault. Talla stops Priest and throws him into one of the ring posts. Talla catches Priest and drops him onto the announce table. Solo poses in front of Damian while Talla returns to the ring.
Talla distracts the referee, allowing Sikoa to slam Priest’s head against the announce table. “Solo sucks!” the crowd chants. Talla goes after Damian and drives him into the crowd barricade. Talla continues dominating the match back inside the ring. Talla hits his opponent with a Stalling Suplex. 1..2..NO.
Talla traps Priest in a painful submission hold. Damian breaks free and fires back with several right hands. Solo approaches the ropes to distract Priest, giving Talla the chance to strike his rival. Talla lands an elbowdrop on his opponent. Damian avoids a second elbowdrop, causing his rival to crash into the mat. Priest now dodges a corner splash. Talla collides with the ring post.
Damian avoids a big boot near the ropes and responds with five nearly consecutive spinning kicks. Talla rolls out to ringside. Priest exits the ring and launches himself onto Talla. Damian strikes Solo before bringing Talla back into the ring. Priest climbs up high and connects with a diving clothesline. 1..2..NO. Suddenly, Tama Tonga appears to distract the referee. Solo climbs onto the apron and catches Damian with a Rope Guillotine. Talla follows up with a clothesline on the WWE Tag Team Champion. 1...2...NO.
R-Truth storms onto the scene!
R-Truth takes out Tama and unleashes a flurry of punches on Solo. Tama returns and grabs R-Truth. Tama restrains the champion while Sikoa prepares to hit a Samoan Spike, but Damian rushes in to make the save. Priest helps R-Truth back to his feet and tells him to head backstage. At that moment, Talla surprises him with a big boot. Talla brings his rival back into the ring and finishes him off with a chokeslam. 1..2..3.
Winner: Talla Tonga
R-Truth approaches Damian, who remains laid out in one of the corners. Meanwhile, the three members of MFT stalk R-Truth. Suddenly, Royce Keys appears on the scene, prompting Solo to order his men to leave the ring. Keys helps Priest back to his feet while Sikoa keeps his team in check. And that brings this segment to an end.
We head backstage, where we see Danhausen sitting at a table with a Backlash document laid out in front of him. Danhausen hopes that someone from the roster will sign it to become his tag team partner for the PLE. Kit Wilson and The Miz approach the table to mock him. Kit points out that Danhausen will never find anyone willing to team up with someone as toxic as him. The Miz, meanwhile, believes his enemy doesn’t need to wait until Backlash to get what’s coming to him. Wilson stops his partner, reminding him that two mature men like them can wait until tomorrow. The Miz assures him there won’t be a tomorrow because Danhausen has no friends. Danhausen insists that he does. Friends like Bob, the catering guy. The Miz points out that he can’t have a staff member as his tag team partner. Kit places a mirror in front of Danhausen. “The only partner toxic enough to team with Danhausen is Danhausen,” says the Brit. “Wow. Great idea,” says Danhausen before walking away. “What’s he going to do?” asks Kit. “Doesn’t matter. We beat the curse out of him. He can’t even disappear anymore,” replies The Miz.
We see Paul Heyman entering Nick Aldis’ office just before a commercial break.
Back from the break, we see Aldis handing a document to Paul. “Everything is in order, just like we agreed,” says the General Manager. At that moment, Gunther appears on the scene. The Austrian shakes hands with Nick and Paul before the latter hands him the document. Gunther begins reading it. “What happened last week was unacceptable, and I hope this is the last time we have a conversation like this. That said, I’m very happy to have you on the blue brand. Welcome aboard,” says Aldis. “Is that really how you want to speak to your future WWE Champion?” asks “The Ring General.” Suddenly, the office screen shows Cody Rhodes making his entrance. Gunther asks what’s going on, because this was supposed to be his moment. Nick assures him he knew nothing about this. “Hey, I came here to sign the contract, and he comes out now? ... Some people have priorities,” says an annoyed Gunther. “What a shame. I don’t do business this way,” says the Austrian as he hands the document back to Heyman. Gunther leaves the office. “I’ll handle this,” says “The Wiseman” to Aldis before heading off after the Austrian.
We head to the ring, where Cody greets the fans. “Well, Jacksonville, what do you want to talk about?” asks the champion while part of the crowd boos him. Rhodes wonders if Gunther’s attack last week means the Austrian wants to become the next challenger for his championship. If so, he hopes he comes out so they can talk about it.
Paul Heyman makes his entrance!
Heyman says there’s a major problem he’s here to solve. In his hands is the contract for an Undisputed Championship match... “Let me stop you right there,” says Cody. “I have to ask. Have you now become Gunther’s Advocate?”. Besides, if what the Austrian wants is a match, there’s no need to wait. He’s ready to fight right here and now. The fans erupt. Heyman steps into the ring to explain the situation to Rhodes. “Cody, Cody Rhodes,” the fans chant, interrupting Paul. He asks the champion if he may enter the ring. Rhodes nods.
Heyman informs Cody that the title match written in the contract will not take place in Jacksonville. In fact, it won’t even happen on American soil. The match, if Cody accepts it, will take place in Turin, Italy. “USA, USA!” the crowd chants. Paul hands the document to Cody, revealing that this was the favor he owed Gunther. “If you want Gunther’s name on the contract, you’ll have to get his signature yourself,” says Paul as he shakes the champion’s hand. Heyman prepares to leave the ring, but Cody still has something he wants to say to him.
Rhodes admits that he’s had a difficult month. So he’ll get straight to the point. Paul has lost Brock Lesnar, while Roman Reigns and CM Punk have turned their backs on him. “So here we are in the ring. You and me. I have to ask: is it because you’re running out of options?” asks Cody. “The way I see it, Cody Rhodes, I’m not the one who’s running out of options. Sooner or later, everyone needs The Wiseman,” says Paul as he leaves the ring.
Suddenly, Gunther storms into the ring with the intention of blindsiding Rhodes from behind. However, the champion sees him coming. Cody attacks the Austrian. Gunther manages to turn things around and trap Rhodes in a Gojira Clutch, but the champion prevents him from fully locking it in. “The Ring General” refuses to let up, but Cody eventually sends him out of the ring. “Is that what you want to do?! You want everyone to roll out the red carpet and kiss your ass?!” shouts Cody while preventing Gunther from getting back into the ring. “Keep coming! Keep coming! You think I’m worried about you, G?! Because you beat Goldberg and AJ Styles?! Because you retired The Greatest of All Time?! I’m not afraid of you! You want to come to higher ground?! Then come get some, on SmackDown! I’m easy to find, hard to beat!” exclaims Cody before throwing the microphone onto the mat. Gunther heads backstage as the segment comes to an end.
Solo Sikoa is talking with Tama Tonga backstage. Tama doesn’t understand why Solo wants Royce Keys in the group, as he considers him a problem they need to deal with. “I see him more as a solution. He’s perfect. He’s ideal for our family,” says Sikoa. Tama reminds him that Keys humiliated them in front of everyone. “I’m not convinced. I’m going to handle business. Show him what I’m about,” says Tama before walking away. Talla Tonga tries to go after him, but Sikoa stops him. “He wants to do this alone? Let him figure it out for himself,” says Solo.
Ricky Saints vs. Matt Cardona
Matt corners Ricky in one of the turnbuckles. Saints responds with a shove before trapping his opponent in a headlock. Cardona breaks free, only to be knocked down with a shoulder tackle. Matt returns the favor before launching an assault. Ricky trips Matt into one of the corners to take control. Cardona recovers and strikes Saints, who retreats to ringside. Matt nails him with a Rope Dropkick. Furious, “The Absolute” takes out his frustration on the crowd barricade.
Ricky returns, only to fall back into his opponent’s grasp. Saints kicks Cardona to regain control. Ricky punishes Matt with the help of the ropes. Saints delivers a knee drop directly to the back of his rival’s neck. 1..2..NO. Ricky once again drags his opponent toward the ropes to continue the punishment. Saints avoids a dropkick and responds with an elbowdrop. Ricky traps Matt in another headlock. Cardona breaks free, only to be taken down once again. Saints lands another knee drop, this time to his rival’s face.
Ricky hits his opponent with an Old School. Cardona recovers and launches an assault on “The Absolute.” Matt connects with a Broski Boot on Saints. 1..2..NO. Ricky blocks an Unprettier and counters with a spinning facebuster. 1..2..NO. Cardona attempts a Rough Ryder, but Saints escapes to ringside to avoid it. Matt tries to catch him from the ropes, but his rival grabs one of his legs and makes him fall backward. Ricky gets back into the ring, but is finally caught with a Rough Ryder. 1..2..NO. Saints strikes Matt in the neck before planting him with a tornado DDT, followed by a decisive Rochambeau. 1..2..3.
Winner: Ricky Saints
We return to the wake for “Gingerbread Man,” where Sami Zayn vents his frustrations to a defeated and motionless Johnny Gargano. The Canadian approaches Johnny and asks if he can hear him. More importantly, is Gargano still somewhere in there? Suddenly, Johnny raises his head and nods. Surprised, Candice calls for Candice LeRae. She quickly arrives, but Gargano is already lying face down again. Sami promises that he moved, but Candice assures him that’s impossible. Suddenly, something catches Zayn’s attention. He approaches Rey Fenix, who has shown up at the wake. Sami doesn’t understand why he’s taking part in this charade. The masked man says he came to pay his respects to “Gingerbread Man.” Zayn assures him that all of this is nothing more than a strategy by Trick Williams to mock him and get under his skin. Fenix tells him this is not the right place for this. “You’re right. This isn’t the place,” says the Canadian before walking away.
We see Brie Bella and Paige walking backstage. Suddenly, a ladder falls behind them, startling both women. They turn around, and we see the figure of Danhausen rushing past the camera. At that moment, Danhausen pulls Brie’s hair. She asks Paige if it was her. The Brit has no idea what she’s talking about. The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions continue on their way as the segment comes to an end.
Blake Monroe stars in another promotional video ahead of her upcoming debut. In it, she is seen applying makeup in front of a mirror. “It’s my mirror. It reflects the envy, the scandal, the obsession that follows me wherever I go. Let this be a warning: I can take everything you love and make it mine,” she says.
Brie Bella and Paige make their entrance to the ring. Brie points out that there are many teams in WWE claiming they can take the championships away from them. However, last week they proved against The Irresistible Forces that it won’t be easy to take those titles from them. Paige recalls the words of the women from The Judgment Day, who claimed that she and Brie are on a “nostalgia tour.” A statement she disagrees with. “Brie and I are better than ever. We’ve never felt this good,” she says. “And if Raquel and Roxanne want to step up, go ahead, girls. Whether it’s Raw or SmackDown, we are the champions and this is our house.”
Fatal Influence interrupt the promo!
Jacy Jayne advises the champions to worry less about The Judgment Day and more about the women who beat them two weeks ago. Jayne, Lainey Reid, and Fallon Henley enter the ring. Fallon says that Fatal Influence has already started taking over SmackDown, and part of that plan is capturing all the gold, including the tag team titles. Reid points out that they won’t stop there, because Jacy will become the next WWE Women’s Champion. Jayne tells Brie and Paige to leave the ring because Fatal Influence has business to take care of. However, it will be the perfect opportunity for the champions to see how a real team operates.
The Irresistible Forces storm onto the scene!
Nia Jax wonders why Fatal Influence think they can cut the line for a title opportunity. Lash Legend, meanwhile, reminds them that they’re no longer in NXT. The former champions enter the ring. Legend advises the girls from Fatal Influence to get to the back of the line. Then, without warning, Lash and Nia launch a surprise attack on the champions! Jax crushes Paige with a legdrop. Meanwhile, Legend takes care of Bella with a Lash Extension. Satisfied, The Irresistible Forces leave the ring.
THIS IS MY BRUTALITY!
Rhea Ripley comes face-to-face with Legend on the entrance ramp before heading to the ring. And with that, we head to another commercial break. Back from the break, we see the arrival of Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair, who join the Australian inside the ring.
Six-Woman Tag Team Match
Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid) vs. Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley
Bliss and Henley start the match. Fallon grabs Alexa by the hair and throws her to the mat. Henley mocks her rival in true “cowgirl” fashion. Bliss responds with a slap before taking Fallon down. Now it’s Alexa mocking her rival in “cowgirl” style. Bliss continues her offense on her opponent, crushing her with a spinning senton. 1..2..NO. A distraction from Lainey allows Fallon to kick Alexa and regain control.
Jayne and Reid take turns punishing Bliss. Alexa finally escapes and tags in Rhea, who takes on all of Fatal Influence by herself. Ripley hits a Fallaway Slam on Jacy before launching a Missile Dropkick at Reid. All three of her opponents end up at ringside. Rhea launches herself onto Jayne and Fallon with an apron cannonball before bringing Lainey back into the ring. Jacy distracts the Australian long enough for Reid to recover.
Rhea gets back into the ring, where Lainey is waiting to surprise her with a double stomp. Fatal Influence regain control. Jayne crashes into Ripley with a corner cannonball. Lainey gets the tag. Reid crushes Rhea in one of the corners before stomping on her face. 1..2..NO. “We want Charlotte!” the fans chant. Reid throws a right hand at “The Queen,” enraging the crowd. Jayne receives the tag to continue the punishment on Rhea.
Lainey grabs Rhea’s arm, preventing her from reaching Charlotte. Lainey takes Ripley down before striking Alexa. Reid goes back after Ripley, but Rhea surprises her with a kick. Flair gets the tag and launches an assault on all three opponents at the same time. Charlotte takes down Jacy with a handspring clothesline before delivering a Fallaway Slam to Reid.
Charlotte kicks Fallon, sending her out to ringside. After that, she dives onto Jayne and Reid with a diving crossbody, then plants both women with a double Natural Selection. “The Queen” covers Jayne. 1..2..NO. Alexa gets the tag. The two prepare to hit simultaneous Natural Selections, but Fallon pulls Charlotte out of the ring and throws her into the announce table. Rhea waits for the tag from Bliss, but Jade Cargill suddenly appears out of nowhere to knock the Australian down! Alexa is distracted by what just happened at ringside, allowing Jacy to knock her out with a Rolling Encore. 1..2..3.
Winners: Fatal Influence
Fatal Influence celebrate in the ring as Cargill makes her entrance. Jacy, Lainey, and Fallon decide to leave to avoid problems with “The Storm.” Jade approaches Bliss. “Poor thing. Get up. Come on, get up!” shouts Cargill. Charlotte returns to the ring to protect her partner, but B-Fab and Michin stop her!
Rhea returns and surprises Cargill with a dropkick. The Australian launches an assault on Michin and B-Fab, but a pump kick from Jade wipes out all opposition. B-Fab takes out Alexa with a poorly executed Full Nelson Slam. Meanwhile, Michin knocks Flair out with a superkick. The attackers pose over their victims to bring the segment to a close.
The Usos approach Royce Keys backstage. Jimmy and Jey know that their families have known each other for a long time. That’s why they need to warn him not to get involved in matters that don’t concern him. Otherwise, he could end up having a problem with Roman Reigns.
Tama Tonga (with Solo Sikoa and Talla Tonga) vs. Royce Keys
Tama surprises Royce with a dropkick as soon as the bell rings. Keys stops his rival’s offense to execute a running powerslam. After that, he takes him down with a combo of clotheslines. 1..2..NO. Keys kicks his rival in one of the corners. Royce sets up for a Vertical Suplex. Tama escapes from his grasp and surprises him with a chop block. Keys drops to one knee, allowing his rival to take him down with a sliding clothesline.
Tama catches Royce with a Flatliner. After that, he throws him out of the ring. Tama distracts the referee, hoping his partners will attack Keys. Talla tries to approach, but Solo stops him. Tama heads out after Royce, but ends up falling into his grasp. Keys drops him onto the apron. Tama retreats toward the steel steps. Royce charges at Tama. Tama moves out of the way just in time, causing his rival to crash into the steps. Keys injures his right leg.
Tama brings Royce back into the ring. Once there, he focuses his offense on the injured leg of his opponent. Tama continues dominating the match. Tama traps his opponent in a painful submission hold. Keys hoists his rival onto his back and charges into one of the corners. In doing so, he manages to escape the hold. Tama surprises Royce with a spinning neckbreaker. 1...2...NO.
Keys avoids a charge from Tama in one of the corners and starts a comeback. Keys crushes Tama into opposite corners before finishing the sequence with a powerslam. 1..2..NO. Royce lifts his opponent once again. However, Tama manages to escape from his grasp and take him down. Keys recovers and sends Tama out of the ring with a clothesline.
Royce goes after him to bring him back into the ring. Talla prepares to attack Keys, but Solo stops him once again. Sikoa reminds him that he must let his partner deal with his opponent on his own. Keys gets back into the ring. Tama tries to surprise him, but instead gets planted with a spinebuster. 1..2..3.
Winner: Royce Keys
Solo and Talla climb onto the apron. “It’s time,” says Sikoa. Royce decides to leave the ring, once again ignoring MFT’s offer. Keys heads backstage to bring the segment to an end.
We head back backstage, where Danhausen is preparing a very special mixture (using Brie Bella’s hair and one of Danhausen’s own teeth) to feed into a cloning machine. Danhausen says that in 24 hours he’ll have a clone ready. That way he can defeat The Miz and Kit Wilson and take over the world at Backlash. However, something goes wrong and the machine ends up breaking down. “It’s broken. Damn it,” says Danhausen as he types on his computer.
Shinsuke Nakamura approaches an exhausted Tama Tonga backstage. “So you’re still in MFT. I’m disappointed,” says the Japanese star. “And now, your brother, your own brother, doesn’t help you,” he adds. Talla Tonga appears on the scene. “Hey, stay away from my brother. Otherwise, face the consequences,” says Talla. A smiling and defiant Nakamura replies in Japanese before walking away.
Trick Williams arrives at the arena. Nick Aldis approaches him to ask how he’s doing. “I’ve been better, Nick,” replies a dejected United States Champion. The General Manager informs him that everything has been arranged just as he requested. Trick thanks him before heading into the building.
We head to the ring, where the casket containing the body of “Gingerbread Man” is positioned. Beside it stands a gospel choir. Trick Williams makes his entrance. “Whoop that Trick!” the fans chant. Williams pours milk into a glass and drinks from it. Afterward, he heads to the ring. The fans cheer him on with their chants, but Trick tries to maintain his composure. Williams pours the remaining milk at ringside in honor of “Gingerbread Man” before entering the ring. Trick grabs a microphone to deliver a eulogy for “Gingerbread Man.” The choir accompanies the moment. Once the eulogy is over, we see a tribute video celebrating the life of “Gingerbread Man.” “Gingerbread Man! Gingerbread Man!” the fans chant. Williams asks for a moment of silence in memory of his fallen friend.
Sami Zayn interrupts the funeral!
The Canadian expresses his frustration with this segment. Sami doesn’t understand how this funeral can be the main event segment of SmackDown. Something like this only hurts the prestige of the brand. Furthermore, having the United States Champion involved in it also damages the title’s prestige. Sami wonders how much money was spent on the casket, the flowers, and the gospel choir. Too much money wasted on a tasteless joke. All so Trick could mock him. Something Zayn would never do, out of respect for SmackDown and its loyal fans.
Sami enters the ring to make it clear to Trick that he won’t be able to finish him off. Many have tried before, and none of them succeeded. Even so, he admits that Williams accomplished his goal. He wanted to provoke him, and he succeeded. And for that reason, this is now personal. Sami won’t just beat him tomorrow to take away his championship. He’ll also humiliate him. “Enjoy your big night, and I’m sorry for your loss. But I’ll see you tomorrow at Backlash,” says Sami before tossing the microphone aside. Zayn teases leaving, but quickly turns around and blasts Williams with a right hand!
The Canadian continues attacking Trick, driving him into one of the corners. Sami picks up the championship and approaches his enemy. “You think this is a game?! You think this is a game?! This is my life!” shouts Zayn. He poses with the title while the fans boo him. Suddenly, “Gingerbread Man” rises up! The Gingerbread Man removes the top half of the costume, revealing his true identity. It’s Lil Yachty. He climbs out of the casket wielding a candy cane, which he smashes across the Canadian’s back. The rapper continues attacking Zayn while a smiling Trick recovers. Williams charges at Sami and knocks him out with a Trick Shot. Williams fist-bumps Yachty before posing with the title over Zayn. Trick continues celebrating with the fans as the show comes to an end.
