'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
SmackDown before Fastlane kicked off with the Women's Championship match between Sasha Banks and Nia Jax. Backstage before the show, Sasha and Bianca Belair were arguing about whether The Boss should have accepted the title match or not.
Sasha Banks (c) vs. Nia Jax - SmackDown Women's Championship match
Sasha started strong and sent Jax into the corner for the double knees and tried for an early Banks Statement. The Irresistible force sent her to the mat for an elbow drop and got a cover with a near fall. Bianca Belair's music hit and Sasha used the opportunity to roll out of the ring.
After a break on SmackDown, Jax was still dominating but Banks hit a DDT off a counter and got the Banks Statement in.
Shayna Baszler got in the ring to help her partner but Bianca Belair rushed in to stop the interference. Amidst the confusion, Shayna accidentally kicked Jax in the face while the ref was distracted and Banks got a jackknife cover right after to retain her title.
Result: Sasha Banks def. Nia Jax to retain the SmackDown Women's Championship
Match rating: B
Backstage on SmackDown, Edge talked about how Daniel Bryan would not get a fair shot on Sunday if there wasn't a special enforcer. He said Jey Uso could be the future of WWE, but not if he continues to live in Roman’s shadow.
Backstage, Jax and Baszler were arguing and Shayna said she would get a match with Bianca and give her a beating.
Seth Rollins mocks Cesaro
Seth Rollins was out next and started talking about Cesaro disrespecting him again. He said Cesaro was jealous of him and showed us footage of him attacking the Swiss Superman last week.
Rollins called Cesaro a failure before Shinsuke Nakamura came out to defend him. Rollins tried to talk him down but was taken down with a Kinshasa.
The Street Profits vs. Rey & Dominik Mysterio on SmackDown
Dominik and Ford kicked off the match on SmackDown and the tag team champs Ziggler and Roode were on commentary. Rey was tagged in early and managed to take down Ford before Dawkins came in.
Rey went for a 619 but Dawkins countered. Ford hit Dominik with a clothesline, following up with a Mark of Excellence for a near fall. Dominik picked up the win for his team with a rollup out of nowhere.
Result: Rey & Dominik Mysterio def. The Street Profits
The Alpha Academy came out after the match and they were taken out by Dominik with a springboard dive.
Match rating: C
Alpha Academy vs. Rey & Dominik Mysterio on SmackDown
The match began during the commercials and when were returned, Rey and Chad Gable were in the ring. Gable was hit with a 619 before Otis dropped Rey on the ropes. Gable hit a suplex and Otis hit a diving headbutt on Rey before slamming him down to the mat a few times.
Alpha Academy vs. Rey & Dominik Mysterio on SmackDown (contd...)
Outside the SmackDown ring, Otis sent Rey into the barricades while Gable reversed the 619 in the ring from Dominik. Gable followed it up with the Suplex and Otis got the Splash for the win.
Result: Alpha Academy def. Rey & Dominik Mysterio
Match rating: C
Backstage on SmackDown, Sami Zayn was still trying to rope Kevin Owens into being in his documentary. KO ended up agreeing to stay ringside for his match tonight.
Daniel Bryan makes a bold prediction for Fastlane
Daniel Bryan was out next and talked about beating Roman Reigns on Sunday. Roman and Heyman walked out before Bryan vowed to make Roman Reigns tap out.
The Tribal Chief said that nobody can tap him out. In his entire career, he has never submitted, and that won’t change at Fastlane.
Bryan had the last laugh though, as he promised the WWE Universe he will win the Universal Title at Fastlane by making Roman Reigns submit.
Sami Zayn vs. King Corbin on SmackDown
Zayn blinded Corbin with a thumb to the eye and went for a rollup using the ropes for a near fall. The ref stopped him from taking the turnbuckle pad off before Corbin hit the End of Days off the distraction and picked up the win.
Result: King Corbin def. Sami Zayn
Match rating: B
Sami Zayn attacks Kevin Owens
After his match on SmackDown, Zayn tried to convince KO about the conspiracy against him. However, the former Universal Champion did not agree with it.
Zayn wiped out Owens with the Helluva kick after the match at the announce tables for not agreeing with his point of view.
Big E and Apollo Crews engage in huge brawl on SmackDown
Big E and Apollo Crews were in a split-screen interview and the IC Champion said that Apollo should use what time is left before Sunday at Fastlane to get ready for their match. Apollo said he will 'crack Big E's face' and win the IC Title.
The two walked out of their interviews and Big E rode a golf caddy across the arena before they got into a brawl. Apollo took a beating before the officials stepped in and broke it up.
Bianca Belair vs. Shayna Baszler on SmackDown
Banks came out before the bell was rung and said that Belair can beat Baszler on her own. The SmackDown Women's Champion then made her exit and the match started.
Jax was at ringside and Belair was tossed out of the ring. Nia walked out as well for no reason and Belair tried to get back in the match.
Natalya and Tamina come out attacked Shayna and sent her over the announce table. They then proceeded to destroy Belair inside the ring.
Result: DNF
Match rating: C
Edge vs. Jey Uso on SmackDown
Daniel Bryan was on commentary and Edge went for an early pin, getting a near fall on SmackDown. Uso sent Edge into the steel steps outside before hitting a dive through the ropes.
Jey Uso was in control after a break and used the ring post to damage The Rated-R Superstar's arm. Edge took a kick but countered Uso's following offense before hitting a knee from the top rope.
Uso got a near fall off the Samoan Drop. Edge hit an incredible hurricanrana off the top.
However, his momentum was quickly halted by Jey who hit a Superkick and followed it up with a Frog Splash. But Edge kicked out to stay in the match.
The Rated-R Superstar then slammed Jey's injured shoulder to the mat picked up the win off a sudden spear.
Result: Edge def. Jey Uso and will be the special enforcer at Fastlane for the Universal title match
Roman Reigns came out and hit a spear on Edge before Uso attacked Daniel Bryan. Roman hit a spear on Bryan too before the show was over.
Match rating: A
Episode rating: B
The SmackDown before Fastlane saw Sasha Banks retain her title while Shinsuke attacked Seth Rollins. The Alpha Academy picked up a win and Zayn wiped out his former best friend Owens. Edge had his first match on SmackDown in 10 years tonight on SmackDown.
Do you love to play crosswords, Wordle or other exciting games? We'd like to connect with you. Fill the form here!
