Join 411’s Live WWE Smackdown Coverage

Keep Refreshing For The Latest Results

Well everyone it’s time for WWE Smackdown. This is the go home show for Backlash, a fairly poorly built event with a whopping 5 matches scheduled. Gotta make sure there’s plenty of time for commercials now that we’re in the Aditude Era right? Of those 5 matches only 2 are exclusively Smackdown, and one of those is a joke match. Danhausen still needs a partner to take on Miz and Kit Wilson, and at this point it’s probably Jelly Roll because we can’t have nice things. Smackdown’s other match is US champion Trick Williams taking on Sami Zayn. To that end we’re getting a funeral for the gingerbread man after he was dismembered last week on live TV. If recent history is any indicator we’ll get another Bloodline 2.0 segment ending the night, which is already tedious after just a couple of weeks. But Jacob Fatu is set to take on Roman Reigns and if rumors about Roman’s contract structure/dispute are real then they might just hotshot the belt. Tonight we’ve also got Rhea Ripley, Alexa Bliss, and Charlotte Flair teaming up to take on Fatal Influence of Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley and what’s her face, Lainey Reid. I’m gonna be honest guys, I can barely tell Fallon and Reid apart right now. Women’s US champion Tiffany Stratton defends against Kiana James, because James needs to break from Giulia so they can then cut Giulia because that’s just what we’re doing these days. Gunther showed up last week to attack WWE champion Cody Rhodes because there was no plan for Cody post Mania I guess. Solo Sikoa’s terrible group got a few people lighter when the WWE cut Botcha Loa and JC Mateo last week, Loa is no great loss but man they never had a single clue what to do with Mateo and that’s a shame. But it means Talla Tonga gets a ton of verbal fellatio, despite not being very good. Talla’s taking on Damian Priest tonight so there’s that I guess. Ricky Saints/Starks debuted on Smackdown last week but lost to Cody, he’ll be due a win tonight in all likelihood. Will WWE remember that Shinsuke Nakamura is supposed to be helping Tama Tonga stand on his own? Will Jade Cargill be here and have direction? Is there any direction at all for Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov now that the US title picture seems to be moving away from them? All this and more answered on this episode of WWE Smackdown.

This episode opens with an “In Memory of Ted Turner” who passed away this week. Wrestling, cartoons, TV structure, Ted Turner touched a lot of formative mediums and frequently for the better.

Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett welcome us to Jacksonville, Florida. Per usual we see wrestlers arriving and whatnot, man I miss real wrestling intros.

Then we get a hype video for Roman Reigns reforming the Bloodline 2000 and Jacob Fatu showing up to challenge him. Because desperately trying to recapture magic from 4 years ago is clearly a winning formula.

First to the ring here’s the Samoan Werewolf Jacob Fatu. Very positive reaction for Fatu. Fatu gets a mic and reminds us tomorrow at Backlash he’s not fighting Roman Reigns for the heavyweight title, he’s taking that title. Roman’s been seen as the future since they were all young together, and all they see in Fatu is nothing. Now everyone wants to tell him to fall in line, well hell no. He’s seen this before, history repeats itself. No one is trying to protect Fatu, they’re just trying to protect Roman. Roman was born with opportunity, Fatu was born with doubt. The Usos interrupt things, because of course they do. I feel like I’ve seen this every week for 3 weeks. Jimmy and Jey have mics, they’re not here to change Fatu’s mind. Jimmy’s proud of Fatu and what he’s accomplished, and part of him is rooting for Fatu. But the other part of him is looking out for Fatu, they know he needs to win tomorrow but has he thought about what happens if he loses tomorrow. Jey chimes in, he warns Fatu that tomorrow wont be good because Jey walked this path and Roman will beat him tomorrow. That’s not even the worst part, the worst part is Roman breaking you down emotionally, physically, and do it all in front of Fatu’s family. Jimmy reminds him that his family will be front row, and when Fatu loses his wife and kids, whole family, will have to acknowledge Roman. Loud “OTC” chant for that. Fatu again hits them with a hell no, and says he’s not losing. He can’t lose. If Jey wants to talk about losses to Roman then remember that Jey never beat Roman. Fatu wont acknowledge anything, this is for his family tomorrow. If there’s one thing his family will see him do it’s become world heavyweight champion. Fatu will put it all on the line tomorrow, and is Roman ready to die? No, he isn’t. Tomorrow Fatu is ready, and he’s all gas no brakes with this yadda mean? Oh, one more thing. Tomorrow if Jimmy and Jey think about getting involved he swears he will burn the whole family tree down. Fatu’s fire is always good but we’ve just done this same thing too frequently for it to really hit beyond simply existing.

Next a recap of Gunther showing up and attacking Cody Rhodes last week after Cody beat Ricky Saints. To that end in the back Cathy talks with Nick Aldis, Aldis says Gunther’s actions were unacceptable. Ricky shows up to interrupt and put himself over and then Matt Cardona shows up because Ricky and Cardona will wrestler later. Negative reaction for Cardona, which is to be expected.

After this break we’ll get Tiffany Stratton defending the women’s US title against Kiana James.

We come back to Fatu leaving through the back, he finds Royce Keys. Royce and he bond again over their shared history and Royce hypes up Fatu. Those two teaming up a bit could be a ton of fun. Royce walks over and finds Solo Sikoa, Solo knows Royce is upset after last week but that was just collateral damage. Solo again tells Royce to join his family, bad idea given how badly everyone associated with Solo has done.

Back to the ring and here comes Tiffany Stratton for our first match.

Match #1 – Women’s US Title Match: (c) Tiffany Stratton vs. Kiana James w/ Giulia

Almost 30 minutes before our first match, that’s pushing it a bit. They tie up then break without incident. Shove from Tiffany then James grabs a side headlock. Tiffany counters into a headlock takeover. Some gymnastics from Tiffany then a clothesline. James gets sent to the apron but kicks Tiffany then trips her down and wraps her leg around the ring post. Now James gets to target the left leg of Tiffany as we head to break.

They head back into the ring and James with a suplex. Some more leg work from James as she retains control. Tiffany fights out of the corner but James clubs her back down. James with the leg DDT. Tiffany tries to fight back but James cuts her off with more leg work. James avoids a dropkick then goes to a single leg Boston Crab as we rejoin the broadcast. That’s a pretty ugly single leg crab from James and Tiffany pulls herself across the ring to the ropes to break the hold. Tiffany spills down to the floor, Giulia doesn’t get involved physically though. James and Giulia talk a bit then Tiffany and James hit the ring and Tiffany fires up including hitting the handspring back elbow, then handspring Stunner because who cares about selling, psychology, or the ability get invested in the action when you’ve got your spots to go through. Tiffany takes a boot then a handspring gamen giri from James, that seems unnecessarily complicated. James with a Death Valley Driver for a 2 count. Some corner work now from James but she accidentally posts herself. Tiffany gets distracted by Giulia, James rolls up Tiffany for a visual win, Tiffany then attacks Giulia, hits James with the Finlay Roll and Prettiest Moonsault Ever to win.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Tiffany Stratton retained the title in 8:02

Rating: 1.5 stars
Thoughts: The James and Giulia friction is a little annoying, and Tiffany deciding to ignore a lot of leg work just to get her stuff in annoys me profoundly.

In the back Sami Zayn shows up at the viewing for the gingerbread man. Aldis is here and Sami still doesn’t get this. Aldis tells him people need closure and asks Sami to just respect the proceedings regardless of his feelings. R-Truth is here and offers Sami a rose, then Truth can see the resemblance between Sami and gingerbread. Comedy follows before Truth leaves and Sami almost has a meltdown before we head to break.

We come back to Cathy talking with Rhea Ripley, Alexa Bliss, and Charlotte Flair. Ripley says Fatal Influence made an impression, but on the wrong people and she’s excited to remind them who they’re messing with. Charlotte says they’ll all get their hands on them, then she and Ripley bicker a bit. Bliss gets between them and soothes their egos and says if they’re not on the same page they’ll lose. Mild progress is made, Bliss looks like she’s about to lose it with those two.

Elsewhere Damian Priest gets ready, Truth shows up to talk about Sami. Priest is focused on Talla tonight, and Truth wants to help but Priest says Truth isn’t fully healed up and knows their gameplan then asks Truth to stay back here and safe. Truth still wants to help, but Priest is glad their champs together and if something happened to Truth he’d be really upset. Truth agrees to stay back.

Back to the ring, oh hey Talla Tonga has his own music. It’s not good but at least he’s not still using Solo’s. Talla and Solo head to the ring and we head to break.

Post break here comes Damian Priest while commentary relentlessly puts over Talla and I resist the urge to mute them.

Match #2: Damian Priest vs. Talla Tonga w/ Solo Sikoa

Priest attacks just before the bell, he runs Talla out of the ring then finally takes his coat off before diving at Talla on the floor. Talla, the goofy uncoordinated lug, almost forgets to sell a dive. They brawl on the floor a bit, Priest thrust kicks Talla then Talla catches a tornado kick and rams Priest into the ring post to no pop. This is dire if Talla’s already got no reactions for stuff like that. A little more ringside brawling then Talla with a sort of World’s Strongest Slam on the announce table, they sweeten the audio to get some kind of reaction as we head to break.

Solo with a cheap shot, then he gesticulates to the crowd. I’m begging management to let that man be silly, he’d actually get over. Back in the ring Talla and Priest trade punches then Talla with a corner avalanche, no pop again, and a stalling suplex. Neck crank from Talla, Priest punches free then they screw up a boot spot, Solo distracts Priest and Talla regains control. Talla begs for heat, not really successfully. Priest tries to punch his way back into things but Talla drops him with an uppercut as we rejoin the broadcast. Talla then misses an elbow drop. The crowd wake up a bit as Priest starts his comeback. Priest avoids a boot then hits a tornado kick, and another one, then a third but Talla wont fall over. It take a fourth tornado kick to drop Talla to a knee then a fifth to finally drop him. Talla slowly powders, Priest follows him and leaps off the ring steps to land an ax handle. A boot to Solo for good measure then Priest and Talla head back into the ring. Priest up top and hits a flying clothesline for a 2 count. The straps come down for Priest, but Tama Tonga runs down to distract the ref, Talla then hits a discus clothesline for a 2 count. Tama and Solo look to pincer Priest but Truth comes down and attacks Solo and Tama. The numbers get to him but Priest shoves Solo into Tama. Talla attacks Priest on the floor then they head into the ring so Talla can hit a chokeslam and win.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Talla Tonga won in 9:16

Rating: 1.5 stars
Thoughts: Talla’s control work is absolutely unwatchable. The usual Solo crap of course showed up to make everything worse as well, this formula is beyond tired at this point and there’s no sense that we’re actually going anywhere with any of it.

Post match Truth checks on Priest, but he’s menaced. Royce Keys shows up though to even the odds, Solo and his midcard goons head out. Royce stands guard as Truth helps Priest out of the ring.

Next a recap of Danhausen getting attacked by Miz and Kit Wilson last week. In the back Danhausen is looking for a partner, Miz and Wilson show up to make fun of his lack of partner. They threaten Danhausen and Wilson says the only person who might team with Danhausen is Danhausen. Danhausen thinks that’s a great idea and heads out.

Elsewhere Paul Heyman walks and goes into the office of Aldis as we head to break.

We come back to some Gingerbread Man stuff, they’ve AI’d him into iconic WWE pictures and whatnot.

In the back Aldis has a contract for Paul Heyman. Heyman looks over it then in comes Gunther, Heyman hands him the contract. Aldis warns him that last week was unacceptable but he does want Gunther on Smackdown. Gunther asks if that’s how he wants to talk to him, but then WWE champion Cody Rhodes heads to the ring and Gunther gets annoyed because this should be his time. Gunther then hands back the contract and says he doesn’t do business like this then walks off. Heyman says he’ll handle this.

To the ring and here’s Cody, he’s still got some discoloration around his left eye. Cody asks what we want to talk about, kind of a mixed reaction for Cody this week. Mostly positive but there’s some boos. Cody wants to talk about Gunther attacking him last week. Well Cody would love for Gunther to come out here right now and say he’s next in line. Instead here’s Heyman waddling his way down. He introduces himself to us as he talks to the ring. In his hand is a contract for the WWE title, Cody interrupts him and has to ask if Heyman is an advocate for Gunther. They don’t need paper for this, Cody’s cleared to fight, they’re both here and can do this thing right here and now. Heyman is not an advocate for Gunther a favor and this is it. He’s also an enormous fan of Cody, which is why he wants Cody to know he does need a contract for a WWE title match. Heyman has finally made it to the ring as the crowd sing for Cody, and he calls that his favorite WWE song. Back on point, the contract for the WWE title match is not for tonight or for anywhere in the USA, it’s for Clash in Italy. If Cody wants a fight with Gunther that’s where it will happen. Heyman’s favor is to set this up, but if Cody wants Gunther’s name on that contract then Cody will have to do it on his own. Cody takes the contract but halts Heyman’s retreat, he directly asks Heyman about Brock retiring, Roman and Punk tossing Heyman aside, and right now Heyman might be out of options. Heyman says he’s not the one of the two running out of options, sooner or later they all need the wise man. Heyman heads out and OK, potentially Cody and Heyman teaming up is a heck of a thing. Gunther shows up through the crowd, Cody is hip to it and they fight but Gunther gets the Sleeper in, Cody brains him with a mic then slings him out of the ring. Cody grabs the mic and insults Gunther a couple of times, Gunther keeps trying to get in the ring but Cody knocks him away. Cody doesn’t sweat Gunther, if Gunther wants the high ground he can come take it because on Smackdown Cody is still easy to find but hard to beat. Gunther does retreat, so we’ll get weeks of Cody and Gunther going for a signature.

In the back Tama talks with Solo and Talla, Tama thinks Royce is a problem but Solo thinks he’d be a fit for the family. Tama says Royce embarrassed them, and that doesn’t sit right with him so he’s going to handle business. Tama leaves, and Solo stops Talla from following him. We can’t get Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov on a 3 hour broadcast but the dregs of the Island Boys spinoff get multiple segments. Disgraceful allocation of resources.

Matt Cardona heads to the ring, he’ll take on Ricky Saints after this break.

Post break we recap what just happened with Cody and Gunther. You know, in case you missed it.

Back to the ring here comes Ricky Saints.

Match #3: Matt Cardona vs. Ricky Saints

30 minutes between matches, way on the wrong side of acceptable. They tie up, Cardona corners Ricky then Ricky pie faces him and avoids the counter attack. Headlock from Ricky then a shoulder block and pose. Ricky into the ropes but Cardona hits the shoulder block this time. Clothesline from Cardona then some corner work but Ricky counters and yanks him into the corner. Corner work from Ricky now including a chop. Cardona counters with a Flapjack then his own corner work including the running boot but Ricky avoids it and powders. Diving kick from Cardona and Ricky throws a tantrum as we head to break.

Ricky takes his time getting back in the ring then trades strikes with Cardona but Ricky lands a kick then gets on top for mounted punches. Some control from Ricky now including a knee drop. Cardona avoids an elbow drop but then misses a dropkick and Ricky hits the elbow drop then grabs a chin lock. Cardona tries a jackknife pin as we come back but only gets 2. Cardona looks to fire up and hits a facebuster then a corner kick for a 2 count. Ricky avoids an Unprettier and hits the modified Sister Abigail. Ricky avoids a Rough Rider, then yanks Cardona off balance only to turn into a Rough Rider for a 2 count. Revolution DDT from Ricky, then a Roshambo to get the win.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Ricky Saints won in 8:36

Rating: 2.5 stars
Thoughts: Acceptably average match, Ricky is still getting the crowd to really invest in him but they’re getting there. I’d rather he be more dominant in general in this kind of match, especially since Cardona is pretty comfortably back in the lower midcard spot.

We get confirmation of Royce Keys vs. Tama Tonga for later tonight. We’re really having the gingerbread funeral as the main event aren’t we?

In the back we’re at the viewing again, and Sami is complaining to depressed Johnny Gargano. Johnny is catatonic, but Sami asks if Johnny wrestling is in there, Johnny moves but when Candice comes over he’s already back to being immobile. Sami then objects to Rey Fenix showing up for the GBM, Rey calms Sami and Sami heads out.

In the back Paige and Brie Bella walk, a ladder falls behind them. They’ll get mic time after this break.

Blake Monroe will arriving soon.

Brie and Paige head to the ring. Both women get mics and Brie plays with the crowd, there’s a lot of teams who think they can beat them but no one’s done it yet. Paige heard what Judgement Day had to say, and says they’re not a nostalgia tour because they’re the best they’ve ever been right now. I saw Paige moving in the ring last week, that’s just not true. Anyway they’re the champions, and interrupting them is Fatal Influence. Jacy Jayne talks to the ring, no where near the heat from two weeks ago. They pipe in boos. Fallon calls Lainey Reid the wrong name, the woman is flubbing every other line as she says they want the tag team titles. Reid thinks there’s plenty of gold and Jayne will be women’s champion. They’ve got business tonight though, so Brie and Paige should leave. The Irresistible Forces show up because who doesn’t love revolving door segments that have no heat. Nia Jax and Lash Legend walk and talk insulting everyone in the ring, there’s a “whoop that trick” chant and Jax calls Fatal Influence knockoff mean girls, then they drop Paige and Brie. Finishers for Brie and Paige while Fatal Influence just watch. As the Forces are leaving here comes Rhea Ripley. Ripley stares down Jax and Lash but nothing comes of it, just like all the stares Charlotte and Jade shared for weeks on end. We’ll get that tag match after this break.

We come back to more of Gingerbread man being AI’d into old wrestling moments.

Back to the ring, here come Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss.

Match #4 – Trios Match: Rhea Ripley, Alexa Bliss, and Charlotte Flair vs. Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, and Lainey Reid)

Fallon and Bliss start things off, Fallon slams Bliss down by the hair then celebrates. Bliss responds with a combination of strikes and her own taunt. Bit of a Dragon Screw from Bliss then a double knee drop and flipping senton for 2. Reid distracts Bliss and Fallon takes her down. That leads to Bliss being cornered and worked over by quick tags from the heels. Reid mocks Charlotte, but Bliss then tags in Ripley. Ripley unloads on Reid, takes out Fallon and Jayce for good measure then hits a top rope dropkick on Reid. The heels powder, Ripley follows and jumps onto them from the apron as we head to break.

Ripley gets attacked by Reid back in the ring. Leg drop from Reid. Fallon tags in and the heels look to isolate Ripley. Jayne tags in and hits a cannonball senton. Reid tags back in for some control. Ripley fights back with strikes but takes a high knee in the corner and Reid retains control. Reid with a cheap shot to Charlotte that sets up cheap shots on Ripley then Jayne tags in. Snapmare and kicks from Jayne. Reid back in as we return to broadcast. Reid with a neckbreaker to block a tag out then she cheap shots Bliss. Capoeira kick from Ripley and Reid is stunned. Jayne tags in as does Charlotte. Charlotte gets to run wild on everyone, because of course she does. Walk over clothesline to Jayne then an Exploder suplex to Reid. Charlotte does her contrived apron spots then a double crossbody to Reid and Jayne. Double Natural Selection but Jayne kicks at 2. Boot for Reid then Bliss tags in, the Blockbuster and Natural Selection spot is cut off with superkicks then Fallon yanks Charlotte out of the ring and throws her into the desk. Bliss avoids Rolling Encore then lands an elbow but Jayne responds with a neckbreaker. Jade Cargill shows up to attack Ripley on the apron, Jayne with a Rolling encore to Bliss and that gets the win.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Fatal Influence won in 9:57

Rating: 2 stars
Thoughts: Decent match, God forbid Charlotte play face in peril though. Jade showing up makes sense as well but Jade’s group and Fatal Influence, along with the Irresistible Forces are all way too much of the same thing being booked the same way.

Post match Jade gets in the ring and stares down Fatal Influence who just leave. Jade meanders around, did we mis time something here? Michin and B-Fab show up to attack Charlotte, because another three person female heel faction is just what Smackdown needs clearly. Ripley shows up to deal with Michin and B-Fab, because they’re jobbers, but Jade floors her with a pump kick. B-Fab with a terrible full nelson slam to Bliss. Michin superkicks Charlotte and once again the three heel women stand tall. This is just way too samey with everything else going on to actually have impact.

In the back Royce walks and the Usos find him. Jimmy and Jey warn him to stay out of family business. Royce doesn’t seem to care too much, and at this point neither would I.

Back to the ring Tama Tonga heads out, he’s got Solo and Talla with him. Ripley’s title is still on the ring steps as Tama gets in the ring and we head to break.

Post break more AI gingerbread man in famous moments. If you’re in a better mood than I am these are pretty funny.

Back to the ring, here comes Royce Keys.

Match #5: Royce Keys vs. Tama Tonga w/ Solo Sikoa and Talla Tonga

Tama attacks right away with strikes but Keys spikes him with a running powerslam. Some clotheslines from Keys, of note Solo and Tama are in the face corner instead of the heel one. Tama avoids a clothesline and hits a chop block then sliding clothesline. Keys catches a running Tama with an overhead throw. Headbutts from Tama then a Flatliner. Keys powders, but Solo stops Talla from getting involved and Tama gets annoyed with that. Tama tries a baseball slide but Keys catches him and slams him onto the ring apron. Tama avoids a charging Keys and Keys wipes himself out into the ring steps as we head to break.

Back in the ring Tama gets to keep control. Leg DDT from Tama to retain control. Some headbutts from Tama then a neck crank. Keys fights back with a jawbreaker but Tama cuts him off with a dropkick. Tama grabs a chin lock as we rejoin the broadcast. Keys fights his way free then trades punches with Tama. Not much reaction from the crowd, they slowly get back into it though but Tama with a corner splash then twisting neckbreaker for a 2 count. Keys with a back body drop then avoids a corner attack and he starts firing up with clotheslines. Pounce from Keys then the straps come down, then hits corner avalanches then another running powerslam for a 2 count. Tama hits a reverse DDT to avoid what I think was going to be a Fire Thunder Driver. Keys fires up and calls on Tama to keep hitting him before clothesline Tama out of the ring. On the floor Keys sends Tama back in the ring then Solo again gets between Keys and Talla. Back in the ring Keys avoids a charge, but catches a jumping Tama with the Ultimate Spinebuster to win.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Royce Keys won in 9:52

Rating: 2 stars
Thoughts: This didn’t need almost 10 minutes, Keys really should have run through Tama a little easier and quicker. But I also still don’t see the upside in Tama overall.

Post match Keys again declines to join with Solo in any way.

In the back Danhausen is going to clone himself. OK that tracks. He gets evil light and organ music as he pours liquid into a microwave hooked up to the box he debuted in. Things of course go a little sideways but something’s cooking, and in 24 hours he’ll have his partner for Backlash. The machine breaks and Danhausen swears, but he gets back to work.

After this break, the funeral for the Gingerbread man.

Post break we find Tama in the back and Shinsuke Nakamura comes over to talk to him. Nakamura is disappointed in Tama, and even Tama’s brother wont help him. Talla shows up to tell Nakamura to back off, Nakamura responds in Japanese. Well I guess Nakamura gets to try and get Talla over next week.

Commentary then talk through the fairly small card for Backlash.

In the back Trick Williams walks and finds Aldis. Aldis says everything is in place and he’s got the last 15 minutes of the broadcast for this stuff. We see the casket and flowers being set up in the ring as we head to break.

Post break here comes Trick with his very over chant. Trick, dressed in black because he’s in mourning, still does his entrance pretty normally. He does pour out some, I think it’s milk, for his fallen friend. We’re in for a full 10 minutes of this. Trick gets a mic and says we’ll have to bear with him. Sad music plays and Trick, along with a choir, deliver a spoken rap style eulogy. Trick wants to know why the gingerbread had to die, and I’m betting because of a call from someone in creative. We get a boatload of AI photos of the gingerbread man’s life. Someone got their money’s worth out of an AI image generator subscription this week. There’s a “gingerbread” chant as the music ends, Trick then calls for a moment of silence. Predictably Sami interrupts this. Sami is sick of people putting up with this nonsense. He thinks he’s losing his mind that this has gone on all night, and he says TV time on Smackdown used to mean something. Closing an episode meant something, the US title used to mean something, and now it’s all just a joke. A couple weeks ago Trick said no one messes with Trick’s money, and Sami asks how much money spent on this stupid thing. Between flowers, and a casket, and an off key choir, this had to cost a lot of money. Sami gets on the apron and asks what Trick spent this money on, Sami would never do this because Sami respects himself, this show, and the fans who paid hard earned money to sit through this crap. Now Sami gets in the ring and says Trick wont be the one who finally gets rid of Sami, he’s done everything in this industry from bottom to top and everywhere in between. Guys better than Trick, for 20 years, have tried but couldn’t do it. That said Sami admits Trick got in his head with this, but Trick played himself and now this is personal for Sami. At Backlash Sami will take the US title then make Trick an even bigger joke and expose him for the world. Sorry for your loss but I’ll see you at Backlash. Sami then attacks Trick and backs up to the casket posing with the title. The framing is obvious here, Gingy sits up, it’s Yachty who blasts Sami with a cane. That all lines up Trick for a Trick Shot to stand tall as the episode ends.