Author: Eric Lynch

The May 9th edition of WWE SmackDwn was taped live at the O2 Arena in London, England and will air later on the USA Network.

– Randy Orton comes out to the ring first to kick off SmackDown with his first promo since the House of Horrors. Orton gets interrupted by Sami Zayn, AJ Styles, Baron Corbin, Jinder Mahal and Kevin Owens, and an all-our brawl breaks out to close the segment.

– Natalya def. Becky Lynch: Charlotte, Naomi, Carmella (with Ellsworth) and Tamina were all at ringside for this one. After Natalya rolls up Becky for the win, Becky, Charlotte and Naomi issue a challenge the heels to a six-woman match at Backlash.

– WWE airs another video package promoting Lana’s upcoming SmackDown debut.

– The latest edition of Fashion Files with Breezango is shown.

– Eric Rowan def. Luke Harper: Live reports say Rowan used a new finisher to win this one.

– Dolph Ziggler comes out and cuts a promo on Shinsuke Nakamura, only to be interrupted by Nakamura. Nakamura got a good pop from the London crowd. The SmackDown newcomer issues a challenge to Ziggler for tonight, but Ziggler turns it down. Ziggler cheap-shots Nakamura and leaves him laying in the ring to close the segment.

– A video package airs promoting The New Day “coming soon” to SmackDown.

– Tyler Breeze & Fandango def. The Ascension

– Jinder Mahal, Kevin Owens & Baron Corbin def. Randy Orton, Sami Zayn & AJ Styles Jinder got the pinfall on Orton to win the main event for his team.

The May 2nd edition of WWE SmackDown was the first episode after Payback 2017 and aired live on the USA Network from the Save Mart Center in Fresno, CA.

– Shane McMahon comes out to kick off SmackDown and introduce recent SmackDown signee and new U.S. Champion Chris Jericho. Shane books Jericho in a match against Owens tonight, but then AJ Styles comes out to interrupt. AJ has doubts that Jericho will retain his U.S. Title tonight, so Jericho informs Styles of what happens when you don’t think he’ll retain his Title. Jericho goes to add Styles to The List, but then Kevin Owens interrupts. Owens says Shane, AJ and Jericho arguing about things that don’t matter is the most pathetic thing he’s seen in his career. Owens says the only thing that matters tonight is he takes back what’s rightfully his tonight: The U.S. Title. AJ has had enough and charges Owens on the ramp and starts pummeling on him. Referees start to pull AJ off of him but AJ keeps stomping on him. Shane runs down and gets in the middle of them, then we cut to a graphic promoting the Women’s match later tonight.

Well, @AJStylesOrg heard all he wanted to from @FightOwensFight as a MELEE ensues on #SDLive! pic.twitter.com/QApP8vAGi2

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) May 3, 2017

– Jinder Mahal def. Sami Zayn: The Bollywood Boys come out with Jinder to be in his corner for this one. Zayn gets in lots of offense early on and sends Mahal out to ringside. Zayn follows outside and the Singh Brothers drop him when the ref’s not looking. Back in the ring, Jinder takes control with some elbows to the head and knee drops. Jinder takes Sami up to the top turnbuckle but Sami fights him off. Zayn misses a splash and Mahal drops him with a flying knee to the face for a two count. Jinder slaps Sami across the had a few times, and Sami comes back with some clotheslines. Zayn follows up with some kicks to the head and a cross body off the top for a two count. One of the Singh Brothers gets on the apron and distracts Sami, allowing Jinder to roll him up from behind for two. Sami goes for a Blue Thunder Bomb but Jinder elbows his way out of it. Zayn hits a (botched) tornado DDT on Jinder and Jinder rolls outside. The other Singh Brother trips Zayn when he goes for a suicide dive, and Jinder capitalizes with a Million Dollar Dream slam for the win. Jinder’s mouth is bleeding after the match.

– We go backstage where Becky Lynch confronts the group of Natalya, Carmella, Tamina and James Ellsworth. Natalya says they have Becky’s back against Charlotte and SmackDown management, and that Becky should be the Women’s Champion. Natalya says Becky should join them, and together they can save the Women’s Division.

– Tye Dillinger is shown backstage getting ready to head out for his match up next.

– Dolph Ziggler is backstage complaining to some people about Shinsuke Nakamura and Shane McMahon. Shane walks up behind Ziggler and confronts him about what he said. Ziggler says he’s not impressed by Nakamura’s entrance and is going to teach him a lesson.

– Tye Dillinger def. Aiden English: Aiden does his singing gimmick before the match and starts off with right hands on Tye as soon as the bell sounds. Tye comes back with a flying forearm and a knee to the face. Dillinger stomps a mudhole on English in the corner then finishes with a fireman’s carry into a knee to the face for the win. English appears very upset and crying after the match.

– Chris Jericho is doing an interview backstage when a very upset Aiden English walks by. Jericho tells English to stop crying because he’s on SmackDown, is talented and can sing — besides, do you know what happens when you cry on Chris Jericho’s SmackDown? You make The List! The interviewer makes the list too, and Jericho leaves.

– The group of Natalya, Carmella and Tamina all attack Charlotte backstage and leave her laying on the floor.

– Natalya & Carmella def. Naomi & Charlotte: Charlotte’s music hits but she doesn’t come out, so it looks like Naomi will be alone in this one and the match doesn’t get cancelled. Naomi gets in some offense on Carmella to start off, including her jumping alternating kicks. Natalya comes in and hits a suplex, but Naomi comes back with a flying headscissors takedown that sends Natalya outside. Natalya takes control of the match after slamming Naomi’s head into the ring steps. Charlotte finally comes out to the ring but she’s selling her ribs and walking slowly. Charlotte gets the hot tag from Naomi and she cleans house. Charlotte knocks Carmella off the apron then tees off on Natalya with chops and punches. Charlotte turns her attention to Carmella again with a kick, then Charlotte turns around and walks into a clothesline from Natalya. Naomi gets the tag and takes control of the match, but a distraction from Ellsworth on the apron allows Carmella to roll up Naomi from behind fr the win. After the match, Natalya, Tamina and Carmella beat down Naomi and Charlotte until Becky comes out to make the save. Becky shakes the heels’ hands, but then turns on them and beats them all down including Ellsworth. Tamina comes back and lays out Becky and the heels beat down all the babyfaces.

– Dolph Ziggler def. Sin Cara: Zigglers controls things early on but Sin Cara fires up with a couple springboard elbows then a springboard cross body. Sin Cara throws Dolph to the apron then kicks him the face down to the ringside floor. Sin Cara follows up with a suicide dive onto Ziggler on the floor before taking him back in the squared circle. In the ring, Ziggler grabs Sin Cara across the ropes and hits a neckbreaker into the ring. Ziggler controls the next couple moments, but Sin Cara comes back with a big one-armed powerbomb that pops the crowd. Sin Cara goes for a springboard moonsault but Ziggler blocks it with his knees. Ziggler follows u with a superkick for the win.

Speaking of the athleticism, @SinCaraWWE is NOT hesitant to display his sheer STRENGTH as well! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/8yVGhMWy3Q

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) May 3, 2017

– We see a video promoting Lana’s debut on SmackDown.

– There’s a Law & Order-style intro and voice over introducing a segment with The Fashion Police, investigating “fashion-related offenses.” We cut to Fandango and Breeze in a police station “investigating” The Usos’ style violations. They count up all of their violations, and plan a “big bust” to go down on May 21st at Backlash.

A case is BUILDING on The #FashionFiles as @MmmGorgeous and @WWEFandango look ahead to battling The @WWEUsos at #WWEBacklash! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/1XwbtROYbQ

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) May 3, 2017

– Kevin Owens def. Chris Jericho: Jericho’s United States Championship is on the line in this one, and AJ Styles is banned from ringside. Jericho controls the match early on and goes back to working on Owens’ hand that he injured at Payback on Sunday. Jericho comes off the top rope but Owens catches him with a punch. Jericho drops Owens with an elbow but Owens blocks it with his knees. Jericho falls into the corner and Owens goes for a cannonball splash, but Jericho rolls out of the way and Owens hits the turnbuckle by himself. Jericho successfully hits a Lionsault this time for a two count. Jericho puts Owens in the Walls of Jericho but Owens reaches the ropes to break the hold. Owens reverses a superboard dropkick attempt by Jericho and drops Y2J with a superkick. Owens goes for a Pop Up Powerbomb but Jericho reverses with a Frankensteiner. Jericho locks in the Walls again but Owens once again reaches the ropes. Owens rolls outside and Jericho misses a baseball slide attempt. Owens follows up with a superkick, then DDTs Jericho onto the entrance ramp. Owens rolls Jericho back in the ring for another superkick, but Jericho kicks out at 2. Owens stomps on Jericho then hits the Pop Up Powerbomb for the three count to win the U.S. Title. Owens heads back up the ramp with the U.S. Title belt, while medics check on Jericho in the ring. The referee calls for more help and the announcers say the DDT on the ramp is what hurt Jericho. Owens comes back in the ring and pushes off the medics to hit another Pop Up Powerbomb on Jericho after the match. Owens goes for another one but Jericho goes limp and Owens leaves with the U.S. Title again. The medics back off and some referees including “Little Naitch” Charles Robinson help walk Jericho to the back. Owens comes running back down the ramp and drops Jericho again. Owens unfolds a chair and puts Jericho’s head inside of it, then slams Jericho head-first into the ring post. Jericho sells the beat-down at ringside as Owens heads backstage and SmackDown goes off the air.

Sickening. #SDLive pic.twitter.com/A6e5pbYDb0

— WWE (@WWE) May 3, 2017

The May 1st edition of WWE RAW was the first episode after Payback 2017 and aired live on the USA Network from the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, CA.

– All of the RAW divas are in the ring with red carpeting and a podium — except for Alexa Bliss. Alexa comes out last with her RAW Women’s Title to gloat about her victory last night. Alexa proceeds to talk trash to the ladies in the ring except for Nia Jax. Alexa focuses on Bayley and talks about beating her in front of her family in Payback last night. Bayley eventually flips the podium with Alexa on it and all of the women in the ring start brawling, which leads to an eight-woman tag match.

– Nia Jax, Emma, Alicia Fox & Alexa Bliss def. Bayley, Mickie James, Sasha Banks, Dana Brooke: Bayley starts working on Emma’s arm to start things off, then tags in James who continues. James hits a flying cross body then a dropkick for a two count. Banks and Fox come in and Banks hits a hip toss then a double knee drop for a two count. Alexa tags in and works over Sasha until Bayley gets the hot tag. Bayley drops Alexa and repeatedly slams her head into the turnbuckle. Bayley drops Alexa’s neck over the ring ropes then spears her in the corner. Bayley follows up with a splash in the corner and the aprons clear and all hell breaks loose. The brawling culminates with Bliss hitting a DDT on Bayley in the ring for the win.

#WWEPayback may have been last night… but @itsBayleyWWE is seeking payback of her OWN right now on #RAW! @AlexaBliss_WWE pic.twitter.com/vXfFNkoAVg

— WWE (@WWE) May 2, 2017

– Enzo and Cass are seen backstage getting ready to come out for Enzo’s match against Luke Gallows. They come out to the ring to cut their usual promo, but before Cass can spell it out for them, Gallows and Anderson attack them from behind. Cass finally fights them off so Enzo can recover.

– Luke Gallows def. Enzo Amore: Gallows hits a big boot early on that levels Enzo, and he follows up with a series of strikes on Enzo in the corner. Gallows slams down Enzo and absolutely dominates the next few moments of the match. Gallows appears to be working on Enzo’s left arm, then drops him with another big boot up against the turnbuckles. Enzo fires up and starts fighting back with elbows, but Gallows grabs him and plants him with a single-arm DDT. Enzo starts fighting back again and this time takes out Gallows’ knee. Enzo boots Gallows in the head while he’s down, but Gallows gets up shortly after and drops Enzo with an uppercut. Gallows goes for a vertical suplex but Enzo reverses into a small package pin for a two count. Enzo goes up top, but Anderson distracts him and Gallows snatches Enzo off the turnbuckle and hits a variation of a Death Valley Driver for the win. Cass checks on Enzo in the ring as Gallows and Anderson celebrate on the ramp.

– TJ Perkins approaches Neville backstage and pokes fun at Neville for cheating to win last night. Neville says he doesn’t allow anyone to slander the king, and says it was the referee’s fault for being out of position.

– Seth Rollins is out next to announce that he wants a shot at the Universal Title. Finn Balor interrupts and says he’s the rightful #1 contender, and the line starts behind him. Dean Ambrose interrupts next, and then The Miz interrupts shortly after. The Miz says he should get the Title shot, but Dean Ambrose says he knows how to settle it: He’ll call RAW GM Kurt Angle. He calls Angle and reveals that Angle told him he’s booking a match tonight to settle this. There will be a triple threat match tonight featuring Seth Rollins vs. The Miz vs. Finn Balor, where the winner will become the #1 contender to Dean Ambrose’s Intercontinental Title.

Per @RealKurtAngle (per @TheDeanAmbrose's phone), @mikethemiz @WWERollins & @FinnBalor will be in a #TripleThreat match TONIGHT ON #Raw! pic.twitter.com/CJRxmwgndK

— WWE (@WWE) May 2, 2017

– Jack Gallagher, Rich Swann & Tozawa def. Brian Kendrick, Tony Nese & Noam Dar: Tozawa starts off with offense against Kendrick until Nese gets the blind tag and takes over. Nese continues working on Tozawa and puts him in a Torture Rack. Tozawa gets out and tag in Swann, and Nese tags in Dar. Gallagher tags in shortly after who throws Dar outside. Kendrick runs in, so Tozawa boots him in the face and causes Kenrick to fall outside. The babyfaces then throw Nese outside and onto Kendrick and Dar. Back in the ring, Kendrick takes control of things against Tozawa. Nese and Dar trade tags next to continue working on Tozawa. Nese puts Tozawa back in the Torture Rack. Nese takes a minute to taunt Swann and Gallagher, which gives Tozawa a chance to grab Nese and hit a back suplex. Swan and Kendrick get the tags and Swan tees off on Kendrick. Swann hits a Fame-asser and a Rolling Thunder on Kendrick for a two count. Dar runs in so Swann kicks him in the head. Kendrick goes for the Sliced Bread on Swann, but Gallagher headbutts him from the apron. Gallagher tags in next, but Kendrick quickly gets him in the Captain’s Hook. Tozawa breaks it up with a Shining Wizard, then he and Swann hit suicide dives on Nese and Dar at ringside. Back in the ring, Gallagher hits a running dropkick on Kendrick in the corner for the win.

– Sheamus and Cesaro are out to the ring and Sheamus says he never liked any of the fans. Sheamus says he’s glad to be himself again, and that Cesaro kept telling him the fans would like him until WrestleMania when the Hardy Boyz came back and stole their moment. Cesaro says the fans the would look in the past than to the future. Cesaro says they proved last night that the Hardy Brothers don’t belong in the ring with them, and that they’re novelty acts. The Hardys are out next and they do the “delete” motion and hit the ring. Cesaro and Sheamus run off and retreat to the back as Matt and Jeff Hardy stand tall in the ring.

– The Miz is doing an interview backstage when Dean Ambrose takes over things and asks Miz if his hair gel gets in his eyes when he wrestles. The Miz storms off in disgust, and Ambrose signs off as “Mean” Dean Ambrose.

– Apollo Crews def. Heath Slater: Rhyno is in Slater’s corner and Titus O’Neal is in Crews’ corner. Crews starts things off with a suplex and a front face lock on Slater. Slater fights back but Crews levels him with a dropkick. Crews misses a splash in the corner and Slater rolls him up for a two count. Slater throws Crews outside, where Rhyno and Titus are hovering around keeping an eye on things. Crews misses a dropkick, then Slater misses a superkick, and Crews drops Slater. Crews follows up with the spin-out powerbomb for the win. Titus celebrates with Crews after the match and takes a selfie with him, which Rhyno gets in the background.

– WWE RAW GM and Hall of Famer Kurt Angle is out to the ring next to a huge ovation. Angle addresses the injuries sustained by Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman last night at Payback. The lights cut out and Bray Wyatt interrupts. Wyatt introduces himself to Angle and says he’s come to RAW tonight as a savior. Wyatt says he can fix RAW, and that he has big plans for the show, but Angle reminds him that RAW is his show. Wyatt laughs and says RAW may be his show, but it’s Wyatt’s world.

– Seth Rollins is in the locker room when Dean Ambrose approaches him to interview him. Rollins asks what’s going on, and Ambrose reminds him that there were cameras in his locker room and it’d be weird if there wasn’t an interview. Ambrose asks Rollins about his match tonight, and Rollins reminds Ambrose that he’s beaten him before and says he can beat him again.

– Austin Aries def. TJ Perkins: Aries dominates the opening moments of this one and hits a missile dropkick off the top on Perkins for a two count. Perkins starts to fire up but Aries drops him with an elbow to the head. Perkins hangs Aries up in the tree of woe in the corner and starts stomping on Aries’ left knee. Aries is selling the knee and Perkins focuses in on it. Perkins hits a springboard forearm strike off the middle rope, then stomps a mud hole in Aries in the corner. Perkins gets Aries in a half Boston crab on the top turnbuckle with Aries hanging between the ropes. Aries knocks Perkins outside and follows up with a suicide dive. Back in the ring, Aries hits an STO and an elbow drop, followed up by a flying elbow drop. Perkins starts fighting back with a series of kicks, but Aries hits a shinbreaker then a back suplex. Perkins comes back and attempts a Detonation Kick, but Aries fights out and locks Perkins in the Last Chancery for the win via submission. After the bell, Perkins attacks Aries from behind and stomps on his bad knee before locking in the knee bar.

– Ambrose walks up to Finn Balor and asks him if he’s nervous tonight. Balor says he eats nerves. Ambrose and Balor then share a donut, and the drifter walks by with his guitar.

– Goldust and R-Truth approach Kurt Angle backstage and say they want to challenge the Hardys for the Tag Titles. Angle tells them their win-loss record just isn’t good enough for a Title shot. Goldust says Angle and the Hardys coming back have inspired them and lit a fire under them, and they want a chance to prove they’re not a joke. Kurt books them in a Tag Team Tornado match for next week where the winner will become the #1 contender for the RAW Tag Titles.

– Seth Rollins vs. The Miz vs. Finn Balor: This one is under triple threat rules with no DQs. Miz rolls outside after the bell and encourages Rollins and Balor to go at it. Balor and Rollins trade holds in the ring but they frequently get distracted by The Miz. They finally decide to go deal with Miz at ringside and chase him down. Miz runs into the ring and they surround him. The Miz tries to reason with them, but Rollins and Balor both hit him with kicks and throw him out of the ring. Rollins turns his attention towards Balor and they trade offense until Miz pulls Balor outside and slams his head on the apron corner. Rollins bumps Miz outside and goes for a suicide dive but Miz pulls Maryse in front of him. Rollins waits until Maryse moves away then hits a suicide plancha on Miz. Back in the ring, Balor works on Rollins until Miz comes in and hits a big boot to the face of Balor. Rollins climbs up top but Miz pushes him off and Rollins falls down into the fan barricade at ringside. Miz works on Rollins’ bad knee, then back in the ring he puts Rollins in the Figure Four until Balor breaks it up with a knee to the face. Miz and Balor trade strikes until Rollins assists with a spinning heel kick on Miz. Balor hits a kick on Rollins, but Rollins comes back with one of his own for a two count. Rollins comes off the turnbuckle with a double Blockbuster on both Miz and Balor. Rollins follows up with a frogsplash off the top on Balor for a two count. Rollins throws Balor outside, then superplexes Miz off the top. Rollins immediately follows up with the Falcon Arrow for a near-fall. Samoa Joe then comes out of nowhere, snatches Rollins and Rock Bottoms him on the ringside floor. This leaves The Miz staring as Joe leaves, having saved him from Rollins. The Miz turns around into Balor who hits the Sling Blade then goes up top. The lights go out, and when they come back on Wyatt is on the apron and he pushes Balor into the ring. Wyatt hits the Sister Abigail on Balor, then disappears again. Miz crawls ontop of Balor and pins him to steal the win, and The Miz is now the #1 contender for the Intercontinental Title. Miz and Maryse celebrate and make their escape up the ramp as RAW goes off the air.

WWE Payback 2017 airs live on April 30th from the SAP Center in San Jose, CA.

Payback Kickoff Show Results

– The Kickoff Show starts off with Renee Young, Jerry Lawler and Sam Roberts welcoming us to Payback 2017. Sasha Banks joins them and defends her friendship with Bayley briefly before leaving.

– Enzo & Cass def. Gallows & Anderson: Enzo dominates Anderson in the opening moments until Anderson stops his momentum with a knee to the face. Anderson and Gallows use frequent tags to keep control of the match over Enzo. Enzo finally gets the hot tag to Cass and he lays out Anderson and Gallows with elbows and clotheslines. Cass clotheslines Anderson outside then slams Gallows down. Cass follows up with the Empire Elbow, then some splashes in the corner. Cass misses the last splash, then Gallows kicks him in the head. Enzo tags in but Anderson kicks him in the head and he falls to the floor at ringside. Back in the ring, they go for the Magic Killer on Enzo, but Cass makes the save and big boots Anderson. Enzo rolls up Gallows in a small package for the win.

– Matt and Jeff Hardy are backstage going over their game plan for tonight. R-Truth and Goldust approach them to personally welcome them back to WWE. R-Truth and Goldust say they’re going to talk to Kurt Angle about getting a tag shot, and Matt says he’d absolutely love a match, “tremendous.”

– Sheamus and Cesaro take part in a “social media lounge” interview backstage with Charlie Caruso.

– The Miz and Maryse are out to the ring for tonight’s edition of Miz TV. He welcomes out Finn Balor, and makes fun of Balor’s “five minute entrance.” Miz runs down Balor’s accomplishments, but says Balor is too small and fights with his heart instead of his brain. Miz asks Balor what’s next for him, and Balor says he wants his Universal Title back. Miz reminds Balor that Lesnar holds it now, but that’s fine with Balor. Balor gets in Miz’s face and Miz says he would re-injure Balor. Balor hits a Sling Blade on Miz then a running dropkick. Balor’s music hits and he celebrates in the ring before leaving.

WWE Payback 2017

– Chris Jericho (c) def. Kevin Owens: This one is for the WWE United States Championship. Owens rolls outside early on but Jericho follows him out and beats him down. Back in the ring, Jericho hits a flying elbow on Owens off the top. Owens fights back and hits a swinging neckbreaker onto his knee for a near-fall. Owens drops Jericho with a clothesline for two. Jericho fights back with kicks and chops, but Owens stops him with a superkick for another near-fall. Jericho drops Owens with an elbow and attempts a Lionsault, but Owens blocks it with his knees. Owens follows up with a cannonball splash in the corner for a two count. Owens goes for a Pop Up Powerbomb but Jericho reverses with a Frankensteiner then puts Owens in the Walls of Jericho until Owens reaches the ropes. Things go out to ringside where Jericho beats down Owens and repeatedly works on Owen’s left arm and hand. The referee holds the referee back to apparently allow Owens to recover, then Owens pokes Jericho in the eye behind the ref’s back. Owens goes for a Pop Up Powerbomb but his injured hand prevents him from pulling it off. Jericho drops Owens and puts him in the Walls of Jericho for the win via submission. Jericho grabs the United States Title Belt and celebrates with fans at ringside. He grabs a kid’s homemade “list” and signs it and tells the kid he made the list.

– Austin Aries def. Neville (c) via DQ: Neville and Aries open up with some very evenly-matched back-and-forth action. Neville takes control of things and heads up top for a perfectly executed missile dropkick on the challenger. Neville gets carried away taunting the fans and Aries dropkicks him to the outside. Back in the ring Aries hits an STO and a pendulum elbow on Neville. Aries follows up with an elbow to the face and a flying elbow drop off the middle rope. Aries hits a back suplex and a big running elbow to the face of the champion. Aries and Neville go up top and Aries hits a sunset flip powerbomb on Neville. Aries locks in the Last Chancery. Neville looks like he’s going to tap, but he grabs the referee by the shirt and pulls him down ontop of them to break the hold. The referee DQ’s Neville and Aries is furious because that means he doesn’t get the strap.

– Matt & Jeff Hardy (c) def. Cesaro & Sheamus: Matt and Jeff trade frequent tags early to control the mach against Cesaro and hit the Poetry In Motion on Cesaro. Sheamus tags in and hits a rolling senton on Matt then starts working on Jeff. Cesaro tags in and hits a big jumping leg drop on Jeff, then Sheamus comes back in and hits an Irish Curse backbreaker on Jeff. Cesaro tags back in but Jeff hits the Whisper In The Wind on both Cesaro and Sheamus. Jeff kicks Cesaro away from him then tags in Matt Hardy. Matt unloads on Cesaro with offense and repeatedly slams his head into the turnbuckle as the crowd chants “Delete” with each slam. Matt hits a bulldog then an elbow drop to the back of the head. Matt hits the Side Effect and pins, but Sheamus breaks up the pin. Jeff kicks Sheamus outside then hits a splash on him on the floor. Back in the ring, Matt slams Cesaro then goes for a moonsault but Cesaro rolls out of the way. Cesaro comes back with a spinning elbow to the face and both men are down. Cesaro swings Matt then puts him in the Sharpshooter until Matt reaches the rope. Matt boots Cesaro in the face then goes up top, but Cesaro uppercuts him then tags in Sheamus. Sheamus goes up top and hits the White Noise on Matt off the middle rope. Jeff breaks up the pin then brawls with Cesaro at ringside. Sheamus goes for a Brogue Kick but Matt ducks and attempts the Twist of Fate. Sheamus fights out and hits a DDT on Matt. Jeff gets the blind tag and Sheamus mistakenly tries to pin Matt. By the time Sheamus learns Matt is not the legal man, Jeff nails Sheamus with a Swanton Bomb off the top for the win. Jeff and Matt shake the hands of Sheamus and Cesaro then celebrate in the ring with their Tag Team Titles. Sheamus and Cesaro come back out of nowhere and attack the Hardys from behind while they’re celebrating. Sheamus Brogue Kicks Jeff into a ring post, then Cesaro holds Matt back while Sheamus hits a Brogue Kick on him too.

– Braun Strowman cuts a promo backstage saying that Roman Reigns is a wounded animal and he’s going to put him out of his misery tonight.

– Alexa Bliss (c) def. Bayley: Bayley takes it to Alexa early on and repeatedly slams her head into the corner. Alexa comes back and uses a series of holds to try and keep Bayley grounded. Bayley fires up and hits the Snake Eyes on Alexa in the corner, then a vertical suplex. Bayley follows up with running elbows and clotheslines. Bayley follows up with a side suplex for a near-fall. Bayley goes for the belly to belly suplex but Alexa fights out. Things go up to the top turnbuckle where Bayley attempts another belly to belly suplex, but Alexa reverses with a sunset flip powerbomb. Alexa goes for a standing moonsault but Bayley blocks it then comes back with a flying elbow off the top for a near-fall. Alexa slaps Bayley which gets Bayley fired up and she hits a series of punches and kicks on the challenger. Bliss trips Alexa into the ring post and the referee tries to stop Alexa to check on Bayley. Bayley goes for a last-ditch small package pin, but Alexa gets out and hits a DDT on Bayley for the win. Alexa grabs her new Women’s Title and heads to the back with.

– Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt – Part 1: This one will apparently start in the “House of Horrors,” then will return to the arena and finish in the ring. Randy Orton pulls up in a limo to a house lit up in blue lighting with black lights. We see a tractor rolling by with no one driving it, and Orton looks concerned. This is directed very similarly to a TV horror movie. Orton cautiously walks into the house and the camera quickly cuts to several weapons in the house. Wyatt comes form behind and starts beating down Orton and talking trash to him. Wyatt leaves the room and allows Orton to recover. Orton starts walking down a hall and an arm comes out from a wall and grabs him by the throat, but Orton fights the arm off. Orton walks into a room with dolls hanging from the ceiling by strings, with more quick camera cuts and crying baby sound effects. Wyatt comes back in the picture and jumps Orton from behind, but Orton fights him off and Wyatt disappears again. Orton goes into the kitchen where he and Bray start brawling again, but this time Orton gets the better of him and pummels him on the floor. Orton grabs a frying pan as a weapon but Wyatt low-blows Orton before he can use the pan. Wyatt pushes the fridge ontop of Orton then starts walking outside. Wyatt falls to his knees and the lights on the house turn from blue to red. Wyatt gets in Orton’s limo and leaves, then we cut back to Cole, Graves and Booker T who are speechless. The announcers inform us that we’re now going to Joe vs. Rollins, and they’ll update us on the status of Wyatt and Orton.

– Seth Rollins def. Samoa Joe: Competitive action in the ring early on that quickly goes out to ringside. Rollins hits a knee to the face on Joe at ringside, then gets back in the ring and hits a suicide dive onto Joe on the floor. Rollins gets back in the ring and hits a second suicide dive on Joe. Back in the ring, Rollins and Joe start trading strikes until Joe kicks out Rollins’ knee. Rollins rolls outside and Joe hits a suicide dive on him. Back in the ring, Joe focuses in on Rollins’ bad knee and hits a senton splash onto his knee. Joe and Rollins trade chops to the chest before Joe levels him with a splash and Pele kick. Rollins tries to fire up but Joe goes right back to the knee and puts Rollins in a knee bar. Rollins starts coming back again and goes up to the top rope with Joe. Rollins slides out from under Joe and appears to be going for a powerbomb, but Joe gets out. Rollins is able to pull off a Falcon Arrow on Joe, then Rollins goes back up to the top turnbuckle. Rollins hits a frogsplash off the top but he isn’t able to immediately pin and Joe kicks out at two. Joe puts Rollins back down with a stiff lariat and puts him in a sleeper. Joe looks to be going to transition into the Coquina Clutch, but Rollins flips Joe over and lays on him to pin for the win. On the replay Joe’s shoulder appears to be noticeably off the mat, but there’s no call.

– Bray Wyatt def. Randy Orton – Part 2: Wyatt pulls up to the arena in the limo and starts walking towards the entrance ramp. Cole informs us that the match must finish in the ring. Wyatt finishes his entrance and the lights go out. When the lights come back on, Orton is in the ring and he’s got a steel chair. Orton lays out Wyatt with the chair and Wyatt falls out to ringside. Orton slams Wyatt onto the announce table then DDTs him off of it onto the floor. Orton hits Bray with the chair again then puts him back in the ring. Orton appears to be setting up for an RKO, but the Bollywood Boys run in and start attacking Orton. Orton fights them off, then fights off Bray and hits an RKO. Before Orton can pin, Jinder Mahal runs in and smashes Orton in the back of the head with the Title belt. Orton gets to his feet and Jinder nails him with it again. Bray Wyatt hits the Sister Abigail and pins Orton for the win, as Jinder escapes with the WWE Title belt once again. Bray briefly celebrates his win the ring and then we cut to a commercial for The Resurrection Of Gavin Stone.

– Braun Strowman def. Roman Reigns: Roman starts off strong against Braun, but Braun comes back when he blocks a Drive By and tosses Roman into the fan barricade. Braun continues beating Roman down at ringside, then takes Reigns back in the ring for more punishment. Reigns starts to fight back with clotheslines and uppercuts and takes things outside. Reigns hits the Drive By on Strowman, then pushes Strowman into the ring post. Reigns rolls back in the ring, and Strowman rolls back in at the referee’s 9 count. Reigns hits a spear but Strowman kicks out at two. Strowman comes back with a running powerslam on Reigns but Reigns gets his shoulder up at 2, and Strowman is in disbelief. Strowman hits a second running powerslam, and this time it scores him the three count for the win. After the match, Cole puts over that Reigns is working injured, and then Strowman grabs the steel ring steps from ringside. Braun sets up the steps in the ring as the crowd chants “Thank you Strowman.” Braun drops Reigns face-first onto the steps, then he picks up the steps above his head and slams the steps down onto Reigns’ motionless body. Fit Finlay comes out to chase off Strowman and Roman appears to be bleeding from the mouth. Finlay and some referees help to walk Reigns backstage. We see Reigns walk backstage still selling his injury. Reigns sits in an ambulance, but then Braun Stroman comes out of nowhere charging at Reigns. Reigns dodges the attack and Braun crashes through the ambulance door. Strowman falls into some boxes and Reigns hits him a few times for good measure.

The April 25th edition of WWE SmackDown aired live from the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa and was the go-home show for Payback on Sunday.

– SmackDown opens up with Renee Young in the ring, who introduces Shinsuke Nakamura. Nakamura comes out for his in-ring interview to kick off the show, but before he can answer the first question Dolph Ziggler comes out to interrupt. Ziggler sends away Renee and says he’ll interview Nakamura instead. Ziggler cracks some jokes at Nakamura’s expense and goes on a rant comparing Nakamura to the late Michael Jackson. Nakamura snatches the mic away from Ziggler and says something in Japanese before calling Ziggler a jackass. Ziggler gets fed up and kicks Nakamura when he’s not looking. Ziggler goes for a superkick but Nakamura catches him and hits a back suplex. Nakamura goes for a knee to the face but Ziggler scurries away and retreats back up the ramp.

– AJ Styles def. Baron Corbin: Kevin Owens is on commentary for this one. Baron pie-faces AJ away after the opening bell, but AJ quickly gets him in a side headlock and won’t let go. Corbin finally fights out, but AJ throws a leg kick and puts the headlock back on. Corbin fights out again and this time he throws AJ out to the floor at ringside. Corbin takes control from here and works on AJ on the mat. Corbin takes AJ up top for a superplex, but AJ slides out between Corbin’s legs. AJ kicks Corbin’s legs out from under him, then hits a Pele kick to the head. AJ follows up with a flying clothesline and some more strikes for a two count. Corbin blocks a Calf Crusher attempt, but AJ stuns him with an elbow to the face. AJ sets up for a Phenomenal Forearm, but Kevin Owens runs over to him and AJ has to kick him away. Corbin dodges the Phenomenal Forearm, but AJ is still able to roll him up in a sunset flip for the win. Owens and Corbin beat down AJ after the match until Sami Zayn comes out for the save. Owens runs away and Zayn starts going at with Corbin. Zayn punches Owens off the apron, then hits the Heluva Kick on Corbin. Owens takes the opportunity to hit Zayn from behind and beat him down. Owens grabs AJ next and hits the Pop Up Powerbomb on him. Owens holds up the US Title over AJ then heads to the back.

– Charlotte does an interview backstage where she says gold runs through her veins, and that she needs to win the Women’s Championship tonight. Charlotte says she’ll prove tonight that she’s the greatest superstar in WWE history.

– Beat The Clock challenge – American Alpha def. The Colons: This one is to determine the #1 contender for the Tag Team Titles. American Alpha and The Colons start things off. Epico and Primo get several pin attempts on Gable early on. Primo hits a springboard senton bomb on Gable and a leg drop for a two count. Primo follows up with a leg drop and a couple unsuccessful submission holds. Primo knocks Jordan off the apron but when Jordan gets back up he hits the Grand Amplitude with Gable on Primo for the first pinfall at 5:17. Later tonight, Breezango will take on The Ascension, and one of them will have to get a pinfall before the 5:17 mark in order to get a title shot.

– Becky Lynch does an interview where she discusses Charlotte getting a Women’s Title shot tonight. She quickly gets interrupted by the group of Natalya, Tamina, Carmella and Ellsworth. They tell Becky that they’re either with her or against her.

– Randy Orton def. Eric Rowan: This one is a no DQ match. Rowan starts off in control but Orton quickly clotheslines him to the outside. They brawl around ringside early on where Orton back suplexes Rowan onto the fan barricade. Orton slams Rowan’s head off the announce table, then back suplexes him onto that too. Rowan comes back and whips Orton into the ring steps before rolling him back onto the mat. Rowan takes a kendo stick in the ring with him and starts teeing off on Orton. Rowan sets up a table at ringside and tries to suplex Orton off the ring apron through it, but Orton breaks free and nails Rowan in the head with the kendo stick. Orton bumps Rowan off the apron and Rowan crashes through the table. Back in the ring, Rowan starts fighting back but Orton plants him with a draping DDT over the middle rope. Orton goes for an RKO, but Rowan pushes Orton away and hits him with the kendo stick again. Rowan grabs a chair from ringside and sticks it between the turnbuckles in one corner. Rowan whips Orton into the corner with the chair in it, but Orton stops short of hitting the chair. Rowan charges towards Orton but Orton moves and Rowan crashes into the chair. Orton follows up with an RKO for the win.

– After the match, Orton cuts a promo saying he doesn’t know what a House of Horrors match is, but he’s going to make it hell for Bray Wyatt. Before Orton can get out of the ring, Jinder Mahal interrupts and tells Orton it’s Jinder who he should be worried about. Jinder says he has more wealth, talent, class and culture than anyone in the arena. Jinder says Orton, like all of these people, disrespect him because he looks different. Jinder says at Backlash he’ll take the WWE Championship and the glory back to his people. Jinder informs us that he’ll now address his people in his language. Jinder starts speaking another language, and then tries to sneak a right hand on Orton. Orton blocks it and throws one back at Jinder before attempting a draping DDT over the middle rope. The Bollywood Boys run in and make the save before Orton can hit his DDT. They hold down Orton while Jinder stomps on him. Jinder picks up Orton and hits a Cross-face Chicken Wing Slam, then takes Orton’s WWE Title belt. Jinder holds the belt up, and walks back up the ramp with Orton’s Title belt in hand.

– We see a clip from during the commercial break of Jinder riding off in a limo with Orton’s WWE Title belt.

– Beat The Clock challenge – Breezango def. The Ascension: The Ascension double teams Breeze early on but Fandango breaks up the early pin attempt. The Ascension hits another double team combo, this time on Fandango, for another two count. This leads to Breeze superkicking Konnor and Fandango following up with Michinouku Driver for the win just after the 2-minute mark. This earns Breezango a shot at the Tag Titles on Sunday.

– WWE Women’s Champion Naomi does an interview backstage where she talks about her upcoming match against Charlotte. She says Charlotte is a good competitor, but Naomi is the champion and she’s going to show everyone why tonight. She says Charlotte is about to feel the glow, then heads to the entrance position for her defense.

– Naomi (c) vs. Charlotte – No Contest: Naomi drops Charlotte early on and causes the challenger to roll out to ringside. Charlotte grabs Naomi’s feet from under the ropes and swings her out to the ringside floor. Back in the ring, Charlotte controls the pace of the match with knee drops and submission holds. Naomi comes back with a series of kicks and a Stunner. Naomi follows up with a roundhouse kick to the head of Charlotte for a two count. More kicks from Naomi and a butt bump for another near-fall on the challenger. Naomi appears to attempt a Frankensteiner, but Charlotte reverses into a sit out powerbomb for a two count. Shortly after, the group of Tamina, Natalya and Carmella run in and ruin the match. They attack both Naomi and Charlotte, with Tamina hitting a superkick on Charlotte. Natalya orders Tamina to grab Charlotte again, and this time Tamina holds Charlotte up for a superkick from Carmella. Ellsworth climbs in the ring and celebrates with the group as Charlotte and Naomi are both down. They head up the ramp as Naomi and Charlotte recover at ringside as SmackDown goes off the air.

The April 24th edition of WWE RAW aired live from the Sprint Center Arena in Kansas City, MO on the USA Network and was the final episode before WWE Payback on Sunday.

– This week’s broadcast on the USA Network kicks off with a highlight video of Braun Strowman destroying Roman Reigns, Kalisto and others backstage. The video also covers Strowman’s match against The Big Show where a big superplex caused the ring to collapse.

– We are welcomed to RAW inside the Sprint Center by a big pyro display, and Michael Cole with Corey Graves promoting the “dumpster match” between Braun Strowman and Kalisto. Booker T is filling in for Dave Otunga again tonight.

– Chris Jericho is out to the ring with The List for a new edition of The Hightlight Reel. Jericho says he’s going to beat his former friend Kevin Owens on Sunday, and thanks the fans for being his friends. Jericho says Owens’ new “face of America” nickname doesn’t fit him, and calls him the hemorrhoid of America. The Miz and Maryse interrupt next, and Miz tells the fans to shut their mouths. They get in the ring and tell Chris that “RAW is no longer Jericho.” The Miz says he and Maryse are the “it couple” on RAW, and Jericho tells him to “watch…….. it.” The Miz says The Highlight Reel has been cancelled, and will be replaced with Miz TV. The Miz orders the Highlight Reel set to be taken down, and the Miz TV set to be put up. The Miz beings to welcome everyone to “Miz TV,” but he’s interrupted by Dean Ambrose. Ambrose tears down the Miz TV set and has his Ambrose Asylum set brought into the ring. Ambrose says he’s rooting for Jericho in his match against Owens on Sunday, despite Ambrose’s history with Jericho. Jericho reminds Ambrose that he still owes him $15,000 for ruining his jacket. Ambrose says he doesn’t have the cash because he lost it playing blackjack, but he has a gift for Jericho. Ambrose presents Jericho with a jacket with Christmas lights stapled to it. Jericho looks like he’s about to try it on, but The Miz interrupts and says the jacket looks horrible. Jericho tries it on anyways, and The Miz cuts a promo on him and Ambrose. The Miz says he’s the one who should be getting gifts, so Ambrose gives him one: The Dirty Deeds in the middle of the ring. Ambrose leaves, then puts Maryse on The List for being married to a stupid idiot.

– We see Matt and Jeff Hardy backstage getting ready to head to the ring. Matt is in action up next.

– Matt Hardy def. Sheamus: Matt attempts a rollup on Sheamus very early, but Sheamus gets out. Hardy hits a swinging neckbreaker on Sheamus and follows up with a series of three leg drops for a two count. They brawl out to the ring apron and Hardy hits the side-effect on Sheamus onto the corner of the apron. Back in the ring, Sheamus mounts a comeback and hits the Ten Beats of the Baron on Matt. Sheamus hits a flying forearm off the top for a near-fall. Matt fires up and hits a clothesline on Sheamus in the corner, followed up by a running bulldog. Matt comes off the middle rope with a flying elbow on Sheamus for a two count. Sheamus hits a knee to the face of Matt and the two men brawl out to ringside. Jeff checks on Matt and Sheamus pushes Jeff away. Jeff gets heated and confronts Sheamus from the apron, then gets in a verbal altercation with Cesaro. Meanwhile in the ring, Sheamus turns around into Matt who hits the Twist of Fate for the win. After the bell, Cesaro confronts Jeff again and blames him for the loss. Sheamus tells Cesaro to calm down, but Cesaro’s still heated. Sheamus extends his hand to Matt, then Cesaro extends his to Jeff. They reluctantly shake hands and leave.

Less than 1 week before their #RAW #TagTeamChampionship match at #WWEPayback, @MATTHARDYBRAND & @WWESheamus face off in singles action! pic.twitter.com/w5eF0ufyKJ

— WWE (@WWE) April 25, 2017

– We see Kurt Angle backstage telling someone on the phone that he’s going to make sure Kalisto wants to go through with his “dumpster match” against Strowman tonight. The Miz interrupts and complains about Ambrose and Jericho destroying Miz TV earlier. Angle says he doesn’t care, and if Miz has a problem he’ll have to solve it in the ring. Angle tells Miz to start looking for a partner, because he’s going to face both Jericho and Ambrose tonight. Maryse yells at Kurt in French, and Angle tells her “right back at ya.”

– Austin Aries & Jack Gallagher def. Neville & TJ Perkins: All four men brawl before the bell, with Aries and Gallagher eventually throwing Neville and Perkins to he outside. The match finally officially starts back in the ring and Neville takes control of things against Gallagher early on. Perkins tags in, and before Neville leaves Gallagher drops him into the turnbuckle then throws Perkins into him. Aries gets the hot tag and unloads on Neville and Perkins. Aries hits the pendulum elbow drop on Perkins, then a springboard senton bomb on Neville. Aries throws both Neville and Perkins to the outside and hits a suicide dive on both of them. Aries puts Perkins in the Last Chancery, but Neville breaks it up. Gallagher and Neville mix it up until Gallagher headbutts him down. Aries hits the discus forearm on Perkins for the win.

– The second hour of RAW kicks off with Braun Strowman coming out to the ring. The dumpster is next to the ring, and Strowman starts cutting a promo. He says all of the fans are trash to him, and when he throws Kalisto into the dumpster it’ll be just like he’s throwing all of the fans and Roman Reigns in there too.

– We cut backstage where Kurt Angle tries to talk Kalisto out of this match. Kalisto says if he doesn’t fight for his pride, he doesn’t stand for anything. Kalisto heads out to the ramp and Kurt looks impressed.

– Kalisto def. Braun Strowman: Kalisto hits some fast kicks on Braun early on. Kalisto hits a spinning jawbreaker on Strowman then heads to the top rope. Kalisto jumps, but Strowman catches him and tosses him across the ring. Strowman picks up Kalisto and heads towards the dumpster, but Kalisto latches on to Strowman and starts trying to pull Strowman over the ropes into the dumpster. Strowman throws Kalisto back into the ring and lays into him with kicks. Strowman hits a running splash on Kalisto in the corner, then hits some more strikes on him. Strowman throws Kalisto towards the dumpster but Kalisto latches onto the ropes. Strowman goes out to the apron with Kalisto and picks him up again. This time Kalisto falls into the ring and dropkicks Strowman’s knees out from under him, causing Strowman to fall into the dumpster. Strowman is not happy. Strowman climbs back into the ring and starts stomping on Kalisto. Strowman follows up with a series of chokeslams, then takes Kalisto out to the ringside for more punishment. Strowman throws Kalisto into the fan barricade, then throws him into the dumpster. Strowman closes the dumpster and starts hauling the dumpster up the ramp. Fit Finlay and Jamie Noble come out to try talking Strowman out of doing any more damage, but Strowman chases them off. Strowman ties the dumpster lid shut then shoves the dumpster off the side of the stage. Kalisto gets put in a neck brace and strapped to a stretcher as Michael Cole puts over the fall. We go backstage where Kurt Angle walks with Kalisto as they put him into the ambulance.

A #DumpsterMatch victory was the beginning of the end for @KalistoWWE as @BraunStrowman launches him OFF THE STAGE inside the dumpster! #RAW pic.twitter.com/wRevUngXo8

— WWE (@WWE) April 25, 2017

– WWE airs a promotional video for Roman Reigns featuring shots of fan signs in favor of Reigns.

– In the latest video from Bray Wyatt, we see more highlights from Orton burning down Wyatt’s house. Wyatt says he won’t forget what Orton did and some wounds never heal. Wyatt says that “ever room [Orton] enters” in their “House of Horrors” match will be worse than the one before. Wyatt shows illustrations of people being tortured, and continues to warn Orton about the House of Horrors match.

– Dana Brooke def. Alicia Fox: Alicia hits a Northern Lights suplex on Dana early on for a two count. Emma comes out to ringside early on during the match. Dana comes back with some clotheslines and a powerslam. Alicia goes for a scissor kick but Dana blocks it and hits a fireman’s carry into a piledriver for the win. Emma goes in the ring and hugs Dana after the match, and Dana looks confused.

– Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson are joined by Samoa Joe backstage for an interview. Joe says his strategy is always the same, strike first and annihilate completely. Gallows and Anderson say they’ve known Joe a long time and have exchanged ideas on how to torture people. Anderson says they have some ideas for how to punish that “butt-nugget” Enzo. Joe adds that he’s going to break Rollins for his crimes against Triple H and Stephanie McMahon.

– Seth Rollins, Enzo Amore & Big Cass vs. Samoa Joe, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson – No Contest: Joe, Gallows & Anderson attack Enzo & Cass from behind before the match. Rollins comes out to make the save, and fights off the heels with Cass. Enzo is still down at ringside and referees run out to check on him. Kurt Angle comes out and announces that Enzo is unable to compete tonight, so he’ll be replaced by Finn Balor.

– Seth Rollins, Finn Balor & Big Cass def. Samoa Joe, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson: Balor hits the ring and everyone starts brawling before he bell. The ring clears except for Cass and Gallows, so the referee calls for the opening bell. Cass works on Gallows in the corner and hits a running splash. Cass follows up with a fallaway slam on Gallows. Joe and Balor come in and they exchange strikes until Joe drops Balor with a Pele kick. Joe follows up with elbows and headbutts, then tags in Anderson who starts working on Balor’s left arm. Anderson hits a backbreaker and tags in Gallows who continues the offense. Gallows superkicks Cass off the apron, then misses a splash on Balor. Balors tags in Rollins who cleans house. Anderson tags in and Rollins hits the Sling Blade. Cass hits a big boot on Gallows that sends both men to ringside. Rollins tosses Anderson outside with Joe and hits a suicide dive on both of them. Balor takes out Joe at ringside, and Rollins hits a flying clothesline on Anderson back in the ring. Rollins looks like he’s going for a Pedigree, but he decides against it and hits a knee to the face of Anderson for the win. Joe stares down Rollins after the match.

– Alexa Bliss comes out to the ring and cuts a promo on Bayley. Alexa says she’ll take the Women’s Title from Bayley on Sunday at Payback, which brings out Bayley to interrupt. Bayley says she knows everyone is trying to take her Women’s Championship, but she’ll do anything to keep it. Bayley mentions that Payback is in her hometown, and Alexa says she’s going to beat her in front of Bayley’s family. Alexa says Bayley is a sheltered child and her story is done on Sunday. Sasha Banks interrupts next and calls Alexa a troll doll, and says Bayley will shut her up on Sunday. Sasha says she’s going to shut her up tonight, but Alexa says Sasha is out of control and will get their match tonight cancelled. Alexa starts to leave but Sasha stops her with a right hand, and we have a match.

– Sasha Banks def. Alexa Bliss via countout: Bayley is on commentary for this one. Alexa gets in lots of offense early on and controls the majority of the opening minutes. Sasha starts to fire up and goes for the Banks Statement, but Alexa quickly reaches the ropes. Alexa rolls outside and appears to be allowing the referee to count her out. Alexa backs up the ramp and the referee counts her out. Alexa starts to head backstage, but Bayley runs up and grabs her. Alexa breaks free and runs off, but then comes back and attacks Bayley from behind. Sasha starts running up the ramp and Alexa runs away again.

– We go backstage where Dean Ambrose is requesting to be taken off of Chris Jericho’s list. Jericho says no one gets removed from the list, and that Ambrose not only still owes him $15,000, but Ambrose also slammed him into thumbtacks. Ambrose promises he won’t do it again, and Jericho admits that he does like the homemade jacket Ambrose gave him. Jericho says that due to Ambrose’s peace offering, he just un-made The List. Ambrose walks off and Jericho appears to add him back to The List.

– Enzo & Cass vs. Gallows & Anderson, and Miz TV with Finn Balor are added to the Payback Kickoff Show on Sunday.

– Heath Slater, Curtis Axel and The Miz are backstage doing a promotional interview for The Marine 5. Miz asks one of them to be his tag partner tonight, but they both decline. Rhyno walks in and offers Maryse some crackers from his plate, but Maryse slaps the plate into Rhyno. Someone hands The Miz a note, and he says he now has an awesome partner for tonight.

– Apollo Crews def. Curt Hawkins: Hawkins takes control of things early on after a back suplex. Crews comes back with a running boot to the face and a kick to the midsection. Crews kicks Hawkins in the head again then hits a flying clothesline. Another kick to the head from Crews, then a spin-out powerbomb for the win after a very short match. After the match, Titus O’Neal comes out to congratulate Crews on his win and celebrate with him. Titus takes a selfie with Crews in the ring.

– We see Kurt Angle talking to Austin Aries backstage when they run into The Miz. Aries leaves and Angle asks The Miz if he found a tag partner for tonight. The Miz says one found him instead. The Drifter walks by, but Miz says it’s not him. Angle wishes Miz luck tonight and leaves.

– Dean Ambrose & Chris Jericho vs. The Miz & Bray Wyatt – No Contest: Before the match, Miz attempts to introduce his partner but no one comes out. Miz says the match is postponed until he figures this out, and he gets out of the ring. Kurt Angle’s music hits and the RAW GM comes out and reminds Miz that he told him he better find a partner, because whether his partner shows up or not he’s got a match right now. The Miz turns around and Jericho starts laying into him with chops to the chest. Ambrose hits a running bulldog on Miz, and then they throw Miz out to ringside. Miz gets back in the ring and the referee makes Jericho stay out on the apron. The Miz mounts some offense against Ambrose now that it’s one-on-one and takes control of the match. Ambrose tags in Jericho who’s still fresh. Jericho hits a flying axe handle off the top rope and a running bulldog. Jericho follows up with a Lionsault. Jericho goes for the Codebreaker, but Miz blocks it and rolls out of the ring. The Miz starts retreating up the ramp, but Ambrose follows him and beats him down around the announce table. Ambrose is about to put Miz through the table when the lights go out. When the lights come back on, Bray Wyatt is on the table with Ambrose and he punches Ambrose off. Wyatt hits the Sister Abigail on Ambrose face-first into the screen on the stage. Jericho runs in and starts punching Wyatt, but Wyatt and Miz double team Jericho. They carry Jericho down to the ring, and Miz tells Wyatt to let him handle it. Back in the ring, Jericho hits the Codebreaker on Miz. Wyatt runs in and hits the Sister Abigail on Jericho, then poses and stares into the camera. The Miz comes up behind Wyatt and pats him on the back, which earns him a Sister Abigail from Bray too. Bray drops to his knees and yells “Follow the buzzards” as RAW goes off the air.

The April 18th edition of WWE SmackDown aired live from the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, KY. This was the first episode of SmackDown since last week’s Superstar Shake-up.

– Charlotte comes out to the ring to kick off SmackDown to comaplain about how Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan are treating her. She makes a joke about the new Fast & Furious movie, and says she’s the best star in WWE today. This brings out Naomi who says she’ll give Charlotte what she wants: A Women’s Title shot. Naomi says they’re going to do it right here and right now, then lays out Charlotte with a right hand. A referee tries to separate them and Naomi dropkicks Charlotte out to the floor at ringside. Shane McMahon comes out and makes a match between them. Shane says Charlotte has to earn her spot here on SmackDown, and if she beats Naomi tonight she’ll get a Title match next week. This will happen later tonight. We go to the announcers at ringside, but then Charlotte tackles Naomi in the ring and pummels on her. Naomi fights back and throws Charlotte out of the ring again.

– Backstage we see Natalya complaining to Shane that Charlotte is getting better treatment than her. Shane tells Natalya she’ll have to make her own opportunities. Carmella and Ellsworth interrupt next, and they also complain about Charlotte. Tamina interrupts next, and the women all get into a war of words. Natalya tells them to shut up and that this is all Charlotte’s fault. Natalya tells the ladies that management already has their minds made up, and invites them to go talk in private away from Shane.

– Jinder Mahal def. Luke Harper, Dolph Ziggler, Eric Rowan, Mojo Rawley, Sami Zayn: This one is the Six-Pack Challenge to determine the #1 contender for the WWE Championship after Payback. All six men start brawling off the opening bell with several of them spilling out to ringside, leaving Harper and Rowan alone in the ring. The former & current Wyatt disciples go at it in the ring until Harper hits a senton bomb on Rowan. Sami Zayn and Jinder Mahal make their way back in the ring and Zayn hits a Blue Thunder Bomb on Mahal for a near-fall. Ziggler hits a superkick on both Zayn and Harper, but Harper comes right back with a lariat on Ziggler. Harper follows up with a powerbomb on Zayn. Mojo and Jinder start going at it until things spill outside, then Harper hits a suicide dive on Jinder on the floor. Harper then climbs back in the ring and hits another suicide dive on both Zayn and Rawley. Eric Rowan gets his second wind and starts laying out his opponents left and right. Mojo gets back in the ring and drops Rowan, then hits a splash on Ziggler in the corner. Ziggler fights back with an elbow and attempts a cross-body ff the middle rope, but Mojo reverses into a gorilla press slam. Mojo hits a running forearm on Ziggler, but Jinder throws Mojo outside and steals the pin on Ziggler. Zayn breaks up the pin and starts working on Mahal. Mahal sends Zayn rolling outside with a flying knee to the face. Rowan drops Jinder with a variation of the Rock Bottom, then turns his attention to Harper. Ziggler hits the Zig Zag on Harper from behind but only gets a two count. Harper drops Ziggler, but then Jinder pulls Harper outside and throws him into the ring steps. Zayn hits a suicide dive on Harper, then a springboard moonsault on Rowan. Sami gears up for the Heluva Kick on Jinder, but some unknown men in white shirts grab Zayn by the legs. Zayn breaks free, but Jinder capitalizes on the distraction with a half-nelson suplex for the win. This one was an all-out brawl and got “this is awesome” chants from the crowd.

– Jinder cuts a promo after the match saying the fans hate him because he doesn’t fit the image of an “all-American,” he’s better educated than them, wealthier than them, and says that Americans can’t handle diversity. Jinder says he will be the next WWE Champion. Randy Orton’s music hits and the current Champion makes his way down the ramp. Orton gets on the mic and congratulates Jinder, but says the only prize he will get is an RKO. Orton turns his attention from Jinder to address Bray Wyatt, and is quickly interrupted by a video of Wyatt on the big screen. Bray shows highlights of Orton burning down his property, and says he’s going to make Orton feels his pain in their House of Horrors match.

"You people boo ME? You want to boo the MAHARAJA?…Is it because of my higher education?" – @JinderMahal #1Contender #SDLive pic.twitter.com/7CD7S1gG9X

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 19, 2017

– We see a video promoting The New Day “coming soon” to SmackDown.

– They air a video highlighting Shinsuke Nakamura’s career in NXT, including matches against Samoa Joe and Sami Zayn.

– AJ Styles does an interview backstage about Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho, but he’s quickly interrupted by Baron Corbin. AJ brings up that he won in a match against Corbin last week. Corbin reminds him that it wasn’t him that he pinned. AJ says he’ll win again tonight, this time against Corbin. Corbin accepts, and tells AJ “just remember, you asked for this.”

– Charlotte is walking backstage when she runs into Tamina, Natalya, Carmella and Ellsworth. They sarcastically welcome her to SmackDown, and Natalya bumps into her when she walks by.

– Charlotte def. Naomi: Charlotte takes control early on. They exchange submission holds until Naomi drops Charlotte with a double leg take down and they exchange rollup pin attempts. Charlotte gets Naomi in a headscissors choke and tries to keep the Champion grounded. Naomi comes back with a headscissor take down and follows up with a leg drop. Charlotte hits some chops on Naomi and Naomi strikes back with a series of kicks for a two count. Charlotte misses a knee drop and shortly after Naomi hits a dropkick and a facebuster. The Champion hits a cross-body off the top for a near-fall on Charlotte. Naomi sets up for the Rear View, but Charlotte sees it coming and stops short, then follows up with the Natural Selection for the win after a competitive match. Charlotte will now have a shot at Naomi’s Women’s Championship next Tuesday night.

#SDLive #WomensChampion @NaomiWWE is on a ROLL right about now against @MsCharlotteWWE! pic.twitter.com/ochJo2hXSh

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 19, 2017

– American Alpha is shown backstage getting ready to come out to the ring.

– Charlotte is shown walking backstage and she runs into the group of Tamina, Natalya, Carmella and Ellsworth again. This time Charlotte just gives a “Woo” and walks away.

– The Shining Stars def. American Alpha: The Shining Stars use an illegal double team behind the ref’s back early on to get an advantage over Gable. The Stars take turns working on Gable and wearing him down. Epico hits a double-underhook gut buster on Gable, then goes into a chin lock. Gable fires up and gets the tag to Jordan who cleans house. Jordan hits a belly to belly overhead suplex on Epico then a big splash in the corner. Jordan follows up with a Northern Lights suplex, but Primo breaks up the pin. Gable comes in but the referee tells him to get out, and The Shining Stars use the distraction for another cheap shot for the win. The Stars quickly escape up the ramp, and Jordan and Gable look angry about the loss.

– We see a video promoting Lana coming to SmackDown soon.

– Tye Dillinger does an interview backstage where he is asked why the fans have welcomed him with such open arms. He says he has a couple ideas why, but has a video package for us that will explain it better. We go to a video showing his WWE debut and some clips from his matches in NXT. We go back to the interview where Dillinger says that’s why he’s the perfect ten, and walks off.

– Kevin Owens’ open challenge: Owens takes the microphone from the announcer during the introduction and does it himself. He reminds the fans that he’s their U.S. Champion from Quebec, Canada. Owens tells the jobber in the ring with him to introduce himself, and he says he’s Gary Candy from Louisville, which gets a hometown pop. The bell rings and Owens immediately beats down the jobber in the corner and stomps a mud hole in him. Owens whips him off the ropes and hits the pop-up powerbomb for the quick win. JBL calls Owens an American hero and “the face of America.” Owens cuts another anti-American promo at ringside, and says that neither Chris Jericho or AJ Styles will take his U.S. Title away from him.

"As long as I am YOUR #USChampion, I will remain the FACE OF AMERICA!" – @FightOwensFight has a message for America… #SDLive pic.twitter.com/q0IyLShtLp

— WWE (@WWE) April 19, 2017

– AJ Styles def. Baron Corbin via count out: Kevin Owens is on commentary for this one. AJ works on Corbin with leg kicks early on. Corbin comes back with an elbow to the face that sends AJ down to the mat. Corbin throws AJ outside and follows him out. Corbin picks up AJ on his shoulders and drops him face-first onto the corner of the ring apron. Corbin beats down AJ at ringside some more, briefly getting distracted by Kevin Owens. Back in the ring, Corbin stomps on Styles in the corner until the referee backs him off. AJ and Corbin trade chops and elbows until Corbin misses a spear in the corner and crashes into the ring post. AJ works on Corbin with some kicks then hits a Pele Kick that drops Corbin. Styles hits a flying forearm smash in the corner, then a flying elbow onto Corbin on the mat for a two count. AJ goes for the Styles Clash, but Corbin gets out and hits a chokeslam onto his knee for a near-fall. AJ gets Corbin in the Calf Crusher but Corbin reaches the ropes to break the hold. AJ charges at Corbin and Corbin catches him with a Deep Six for another two count. AJ hits a forearm shot on Corbin that sends him down to the floor at ringside, then he follows up with a knee to the face at ringside. AJ sets up for a Styles Clash at ringside, but Corbin reverses into a back body drop that sends AJ flying into Kevin Owens. Corbin goes for the End of Days on the floor at ringside, but AJ gets out and kicks Corbin in the face. AJ hops up on the ring apron and jumps off with a flying forearm that sends Corbin falling over the fan barricade. AJ rolls back in the ring and the referee counts out Corbin, who is still in the crowd. Owens regains consciousness at ringside and he doesn’t look happy. AJ celebrates his victory in the ring as SmackDown goes off the air.

The April 17th episode of WWE RAW was the first episode after the Superstar Shake-up, and aired live on the USA Network from the Schottenstein Center Columbus, Ohio.

– RAW opens up with a video highlighting Braun Strowman’s attack on Roman Reigns last week, and then Braun Strowman comes out to the ring with a mic. Strowman cuts a promo about how proud he is that he injured Reigns last week and put him out of action, which gets a big pop from the crowd. Strowman says now that Roman is out of his way, he’s going to tear through the entire locker room and prove himself to the world. Kurt Angle’s music hits and the Olympic gold medalist comes out to the ring. Kurt asks Strowman what else he has to prove after flipping over a “freakin’ ambulance” with Roman Reigns inside. Kurt tells Braun that he’ll have a match against Roman at the Payback pay-per-view. Kurt says Strowman has done enough damage, and he can take tonight off. Strowman says he wants more competition tonight, or else. Angle asks “or else what?” and Strowman gets in Angle’s face briefly before walking off.

– Samoa Joe def. Chris Jericho: Seth Rollins is on commentary for this one as he faces Joe at Payback. Jericho makes his entrance in his light-up scarf. Joe starts off with a flurry of right hands and knees to the face of Y2J. Jericho comes back with a springboard dropkick that drops Joe. Joe hits a series of kicks on Jericho, and Jericho lays into Joe with chops to the chest. Jericho hits an axe handle off the top, but Joe comes right back with a spinning powerslam. Jericho dodges a senton splash and follows up with a Lionsault for a two count. Jericho charges at Joe in the corner, but Joe catches him and plants him with a Rock Bottom. Joe misses a senton splash off the middle rope, and Jericho puts Joe in the Walls of Jericho. Joe reverses and gets Jericho in a sleeper. Jericho kicks off of the turnbuckle to reverse the sleeper into a pin, but Joe rolls through and locks Jericho in the Coquina Clutch for the win.

It's the ENTRANCE of JERICHO! @IAmJericho faces off against @SamoaJoe RIGHT NOW on #RAW! pic.twitter.com/i71iUi2Xly

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 18, 2017

– After the match, Samoa Joe grabs the mic and cuts a promo on Seth Rollins. Joe remembers Rollins’ screams of pain when he made his debut, and that was just business with his boss Triple H. Joe says now it’s personal because of what Rollins did to Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. Rollins agrees that their issue is personal, and tells Joe that Payback is a bitch.

– Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson are seen walking backstage, right past The Drifter from NXT. We also see Goldust and R Truth walking, but Braun Strowman suddenly attacks them out of nowhere. Strowman throws Goldust through a fenced area, then kicks R-Truth into a laundry bin. Fit Finlay, Jamie Knoble and others run in to chase off Strowman and check on Goldust and Truth.

– Back from commercial, a referee approaches Strowman in the locker room and asks him to leave. Strowman says he’ll leave when he wants to, and backs the referee down.

– Gallows and Anderson are in the ring with mics. Anderson says that since Strowman gave Golden Truth the United Airlines treatment backstage, they need new opponents tonight. They demand that Kurt Angle sends them some more nerds to beat up right now.

– Gallows & Anderson def. Enzo & Cass: The action goes out to ringside early on, where Cass uses Enzo like a human bowling ball and throws him into Gallows and Anderson. Back in the ring, Gallows grabs Enzo by the foot and then Anderson hits a running kick to the head of Enzo. Anderson and Gallows continue to work on Enzo, keeping him grounded and away from Big Cass. Gallows works on Enzo’s arm and hits a DDT for a two count before tagging Anderson back in. Anderson hits a knee drop on Enzo before going back to working on Enzo’s left arm. Anderson hits a spinebuster on Enzo for another near-fall. Gallows tags back in, but Enzo comes back with a flying DDT off the middle rope. Enzo almost gets the tag to Cass, but Anderson intercepts it just in time. Anderson misses a kick in the corner and this time Enzo is able to get the tag. Big Cass comes in and hits a running clothesline and side slam on Anderson. Cass follows up with an elbow drop and a big boot. Cass tags in Enzo and throws him off the top rpe onto Gallows. Cass boots Gallows to the outside and falls out with him. Enzo comes off the middle rope but Anderson catches him and slams him into the turnbuckle awkwardly. Anderson rolls up Enzo with a fist full of tights for the win.

INCOMING!!! @WWEAaLLday21 gets some air, courtesy of @BigCassWWE… and at the EXPENSE of @LukeGallowsWWE! #RAW pic.twitter.com/9IgitwawOu

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 18, 2017

– The Miz and Maryse are out to the ring for a Miz TV segment. The Miz starts introducing his segment, but he’s very quickly interrupted by Dean Ambrose. Ambrose makes fun of The Miz’s suit and shoes, and The Miz fires back saying he dresses the part because he respects what a WWE Superstar is. Miz says Ambrose is a disgrace to WWE Superstars and he makes them look like “just wrasslers.” The Miz tells Ambrose he may as well put on a fanny pack and Zumbas and “set us back 30 years.” Miz calls Ambrose lazy and complacent. Ambrose says he doesn’t care about image and what people think about him. Ambrose says he does it because he loves to fight and bleed, and that’s why he beat The Miz for the Intercontinental Title. Maryse and The Miz have some more words for Ambrose and call him a joke. Ambrose takes his jacket off and tackles The Miz then starts pummeling on him. Maryse throws a microphone at Ambrose to distract him, and the Miz attacks from behind. Ambrose tries to get Miz in the Dirty Deeds, but The Miz escapes and retreats up the ramp.

#ICChampion @TheDeanAmbrose is ready to show @mikethemiz EXACTLY what kind of fighting champion he is! #Raw #MizTV pic.twitter.com/rF0Qx6iNNH

— WWE (@WWE) April 18, 2017

– Backstage we see Braun Strowman dragging Kalisto along the floor by his arm. Strowman says that Roman Reigns is garbage, and now he is too, and he throws Kalisto in a dumpster. Strowman starts to walk off, but The Big Show comes out of nowhere and tackles him into the wall. Big Show tells Strowman to pick on someone his own size and walks off. Back from commercial, it’s announced that Kurt Angle has booked Strowman in a match against Big Show later tonight.

After dumping @KalistoWWE like "garbage", has @BraunStrowman finally met his match in the form of @WWETheBigShow?! #Raw pic.twitter.com/XKyFSb76Er

— WWE (@WWE) April 18, 2017

– TJ Perkins def. Jack Gallagher: Before the match, it’s announced that Neville will be making a “special appearance” and the Cruiserweight Champion comes out to the ring before the mach. Neville looks at both TJ and Jack in the ring, then takes a seat at ringside with his Cruiserweight Title. Before the match, Austin Aries’ music hits too and he comes out next. Aries says he didn’t know there was going to be a special viewing party for this match, but he’s inviting himself. Aries sits right next to Neville at ringside and eats a banana. Neville moves his chair away from Aries on the other side of the ring. Gallagher gets some offense in early on, but Perkins dodges a spear and Gallagher falls hard out to ringside. Back in the ring, Perkins takes control with some kicks and a suplex. Gallagher stops Perkins’ offense with a headbutt that sends Perkins rolling outside, then Gallagher grabs his umbrella. Gallagher goes up top and comes flying off with a splash with his unfolded umbrella on Perkins at ringside. Perkins shoves Gallagher into Aries and Aries is hurt. Aries gets fired up, but Neville drops Aries from behind. Meanwhile in the ring, Perkins soccer kicks Gallagher in the face when he’s getting in the ring, then hits the Detonation Kick for the win.

– Titus O’Neal approaches Apollo Crews in the locker room to welcome him to RAW. Titus tries to tempt Apollo to work with “The Titus Brand,” but Crews doesn’t seem interested and walsk away.

– Matt and Jeff Hardy do a brief interview backstage about how excited they are to be back with WWE, but they’re quickly interrupted by Sheamus and Cesaro. They wish Jeff good luck in his match against Cesaro later tonight.

– Alexa Bliss def. Mickie James, Nia Jax, Sasha Banks: Nia Jax starts off in control and dominates until Mickie and Sasha knock Nia outside. Mickie and Sasha go at it in the ring until Nia pulls Mickie outside, then Sasha hit a suicide dive onto both of them at ringside. Back in the ring, Nia slams Alexa Bliss, then slams Sasha and Mickie ontop of her. We get a look at Bayley backstage watching on a monitor. Nia dominates the next few moments of the match. Alexa goes up top, but when she sees that Nia saw her and is heading her way, Alexa retreats down to ringside. Nia turns her attention to Mickie and Sasha, but she misses a splash inthe corner and Mickie sends her outside. Mickie goes for a DDT on Alexa, but Sasha breaks it up with a kick. Sasha tees off on Mickie and Sasha with kicks and knees until Nia pulls Sasha outside. Mickie mounts a comeback until Nia knocks her off the top rope down to ringside. Nia hits the Samoan Drop on Sasha, but Alexa Bliss comes out of nowhere and knocks Nia outside then steals the pin on Sasha for the win.

– The Big Show is backstage to answer some questions about why he tackled Braun Strowman earlier. Big Show says Strowman needs to know what it feels like to be bullied, and that’s what’s going to happen in their match tonight.

– Finn Balor def. Curt Hawkins: This one is the result of an open challenge to the back by Hawkins. Balor hits the Sling Blade early on and follows up with a running dropkick. Balor follows up with the Coup De Grace for the win after a very short squash match.

– Chris Jericho does an interview backstage about his loss to Samoa Joe earlier tonight. Jericho says Joe is one of the best competitors he’s faced, but he admits he was distracted with his rematch against Kevin Owens at Payback. Jericho says the “friends of Jericho” have followed him to every show he’s been on, from Velocity to Nitro. Jericho gives the interviewer a hard time about his name, then goes to put him on the list for not knowing his own name. The Drifter interrupts by walking by with his guitar, so Jericho puts him on the list instead of the announcer.

– Bray Wyatt cuts a promo about his upcoming House of Horrors match against Randy Orton. Wyatt finishes up by saying “it always burns down here” before telling Orton to run.

– Emma approaches Dana Brooke and Alicia Fox in the locker room and stirs up some drama between them. Alicia gets in Dana’s face then walks off.

– Jeff Hardy def. Cesaro: Matt Hardy and Sheamus are at ringside for this one. Cole points out that this is Jeff’s first singles match on RAW in over 8 years. Hardy takes things out to ringside early on and hits a splash on Cesaro off the apron. Back in the ring, Jeff goes up top but Cesaro gets out of the way. Cesaro throws Jeff out to ringside and Jeff starts selling his shoulder. Back in the ring, Jeff hits a short-arm clothesline but Cesaro comes right back with a running European uppercut for a two count. Jeff hits an inverted atomic drop and goes for the Twist of Fate, but Cesaro escapes and hits two European uppercuts. Cesaro goes for the swing but Hardy kicks his way out. Hardy goes to the top rope and Cesaro stops him with another European uppercut. Cesaro climbs up and attempts a superplex, but Hardy reverses and crotches him on the top rope. Hardy hits a missile dropkick off the top onto Cesaro that sends Cesaro out to ringside. Back in the ring, Hardy hits the Whisper In The Wind on Cesaro for a two count. Cesaro dodges a dropkick and attempts a Neutralizer, but Jeff escapes and hits the Twist of Fate. Jeff goes up to the top rope and hits the Swanton Bomb for the win. The Hardy brothers shake hands with Cesaro and Sheamus before they go backstage.

– Heath Slater and Rhyno are doing an interview backstage when Braun Strowman walks by and they get spooked. We see Big Show walking elsewhere in the arena, and his match with Strowman is up next.

– Braun Strowman vs. The Big Show – No Contest: Strowman charges at Big Show during his entrance and they brawl around ringside. They finally get in the ring and the opening bell rings. Big Show knocks Strowman outside and follows up with a baseball slide, then throws Strowman into the ring steps. Back in the ring. Strowman hits a running dropkick on Big Show for a two count. Big Show gets Strowman in an arm lock, but Strowman kicks up from the ground to his feet and hits an arm drag on Big Show. Strowman hits another arm drag, then they struggle to power slam each other. Big Show ends up getting the upper hand in the power struggle and he successfully powerslams Strowman. Big Show goes for a chokeslam but Strowman blocks it and hits a vertical suplex. Strowman continues to work on Big Show with punches and headbutts. Big Show reverses a running powerslam and hits a splash on Strowman in the corner. Big Show sits Strowman on the top turnbuckle, but Strowman punches him away. Strowman comes flying off the middle rope and Big Show catches him with a chokeslam for a two count. Strowman dodges a knockout punch and hits a running powerslam on Big Show for a two count. Strowman goes up to the top turnbuckle again, but this time Big Show stops him and headbutts him. Big Show climbs all the way up to the very top rope, but Strowman knocks him off and crotches him on the top rope. Big Show falls down into the ring, and Strowman is recovering on the turnbuckle. Strowman stands up on the middle rope and comes flying off, but Strowman hits him with the Knockout Punch in mid-air for a two count. Big Show climbs to the top rope, but Strowman runs up and stops him. Strowman is on the middle rope and Big Show is on the top rope, and Strowman superplexes Big Show off. The ring breaks and collapses on the impact of the superplex. The referee took a pretty nasty bump out to the floor when the ring broke. Additional referees and trainers check on Big Show and Strowman in the ring. Strowman gets to his feet and raises his hands in the air as his music plays. There was no bell and this one appears to be ruled a no contest.

The impact of two colossal Superstars leads to one INSANE ring collapse in our main event! @BraunStrowman @WWETheBigShow #RAW pic.twitter.com/bb1WvDRXGZ

— WWE (@WWE) April 18, 2017

As a result of Linda McMahon being appointed the head of the U.S. Small Business Administration, she and Vince had to make a public filing about their finances recently. In the joint filing, The McMahons reported a net worth between $938 million and $1.1 billion. Most of the net worth is composed of stock and real estate.

They listed several residences, one in Greenwich, CT worth $8 million, one in Stamford worth $3 million, and others in New York, Las Vegas, and Boca Raton. The McMahons have about $12 million is cash spread across ten different bank accounts in Vince’s name. They listed between $25 and $50 million in a Morgan Stanley money market account, and $782 million in WWE stock.

The filing states they are owed between $5 million and $25 million in loans by an unnamed family member.

Forbes first tabbed WWE chairman Vince McMahon as a billionaire in 2000, but WWE’s stock fell the following year and McMahon didn’t return to the billionaire ranks until early 2014. His net worth would fall below one billion again when he lost $350 million in one day in May of 2014, before rising back up in April of 2016 with the success of the WWE Network and company stock.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzwAmkty9qE