Summary

SmackDown's first episode after WrestleMania 42 pushed several major stories forward in Fort Worth, Texas, including Jacob Fatu's pursuit of Roman Reigns, a championship change in the women's division, and the arrival of Fatal Influence on the blue brand.

Fatu opened the show in a tense Bloodline-related segment. The Usos tried to talk him out of going after Roman Reigns for the WWE World Heavyweight Title, but the interruption from MFT led to Fatu calling for a match with Solo Sikoa later in the night.

The show also continued the post-WrestleMania direction around Cody Rhodes after Rhodes and CM Punk shared an emotional moment on SmackDown. Rhodes appeared for a promo following his WrestleMania 42 victory and addressed the people he believes have interfered in his business over the last three years.

Elsewhere on the card, Tiffany Stratton defeated Giulia to win the WWE Women's United States Championship, Damian Priest and R-Truth retained the WWE Tag Team Championship, Danhausen beat The Miz, and Fatu closed the night with a win over Sikoa before laying out the rest of MFT.

Results

Tiffany Stratton defeated Giulia to win the WWE Women's United States Championship.

Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss vs. Paige and Brie Bella ended in a no contest after Fatal Influence attacked and caused the match to be thrown out.

Damian Priest and R-Truth defeated Tama Tonga and JC Mateo to retain the WWE Tag Team Championship.

Danhausen defeated The Miz.

Jacy Jayne vs. Rhea Ripley ended in a no contest after Fatal Influence attacked Ripley.

Jacob Fatu defeated Solo Sikoa.

Quote from Cody Rhodes

Rhodes addressed the lingering fallout from WrestleMania and said:

"You are 0-3 against, so stay out of my damn business"

Jacob Fatu, Tiffany Stratton and Fatal Influence drive the next SmackDown stories

Jacob Fatu leaving the show standing over Solo Sikoa and the rest of MFT gave WWE a clear bridge toward the Roman Reigns issue raised earlier in the night. With The Usos also involved in the opening and backstage follow-up, SmackDown tied Fatu's win directly to the bigger family conflict around the world title picture.

Tiffany Stratton's championship win gave the women's division one immediate change, while Fatal Influence attacking two separate segments made their call-up feel important right away. Between the title switch and that group targeting Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Paige and Brie Bella, SmackDown stacked multiple new directions into one episode without leaving much doubt about who the fresh focal points are.

Sources

As reported by Fightful