The road to WWE Backlash: Tampa winds down tonight.
WWE SmackDown emanates from “The Sunshine State” 24-hours before the highly-anticipated premium live event, as the blue brand go-home show takes place this evening at 8/7c on USA Network from Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, FL.
In Memory Of Ted Turner
The show surprisingly kicks off with an “In Memory Of” graphic in tribute to the late business mogul and former WCW owner Ted Turner. We then shoot into the usual ‘WWE Then. Now. Forever. Together.’ opening signature narrated by Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque. We then see Superstar arrival shots, and a gathering for the Funeral of Gingerbread Man.
Jacob Fatu & The Usos Kick Things Off
We see a recap of the Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu saga. We then cut to ringside and Fatu makes his way out to the ring. Fatu gets on the mic and says he’s not fighting Reigns for the title, tomorrow he is taking the title. Fatu says since he was young, Reigns was the future and he was nothing.
He says now everyone is being nice to him and telling him to fall in line and he refuses. Fatu says Reigns was born with opportunities and he was born with doubt. Fatu gets interrupted by The Usos. Jimmy & Jey get in the ring and stand across from Fatu.
Jimmy starts first and says they’re not out here to change Fatu’s mind and they know nothing they’ll say will change Fatu’s mind. Jimmy says they’re proud of Fatu for main eventing Backlash and a part of him is rooting for him and another part of him is worried for Fatu.
Jimmy asks what happens if Fatu loses tomorrow night? Jey says Fatu hasn’t thought that far ahead but Jey knows. Jey says he’s lived it and tomorrow night The Tribal Chief will beat Fatu’s ass. Jey says Reigns will break Fatu down, emotionally and physically, right in front of Fatu’s family.
Jimmy talks about how Fatu is risking Fatu’s wife and children having to acknowledge Reigns. The Usos raise their hands acknowledging Reigns. Fatu says no and breaks it down for The Usos. Fatu says he isn’t losing, he can’t lose and reminds Jey that Jey has never beaten Reigns.
Fatu says this is for his family and he doesn’t care if he’s main eventing Backlash and his family will watch him become the top champ tomorrow. Fatu tells The Usos that if they even think of interfering in the match tomorrow night he’ll burn the whole family tree down. Fatu drops the mic and the segment wraps up there.
Backstage With Nick Aldis, Ricky Saints & Matt Cardona
We see coverage of Ricky Saints’ debut last week. Backstage, Cathy Kelley is with SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis. He is asked about Gunther, from Raw, being here tonight on SmackDown. Aldis says that’s the case for now, and that he plans to make it clear to Gunther that what he did last week is unacceptable.
As the talk continues, Ricky Saints walks up and talks to Aldis about how after the debut he had last week against QB1, he should be in for big things. Instead, however, he mentions being scheduled for a match tonight against QB4. In walks Matt Cardona calling Saints a rookie.
WWE Women’s United States Championship
Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Kiana James
Up first with in-ring action on tonight’s three-hour Backlash go-home show is a championship contest, as newly crowned Tiffany Stratton defends her WWE Women’s United States Championship against Kiana James. But first, we shift gears and head into a quick pre-match commercial break.
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