WWE SmackDown results, grades: Aleister Black returns and destroys Big E

Aleister Black made a real impression as he returned to WWE television on SmackDown and laid out Big E.

The enigmatic superstar made his presence felt in the main event as he stopped the New Day man from regaining the Intercontinental Title.

There was plenty of hype for the Fatal Four Way throughout the show, with Big E promising victory and Kevin Owens reminding everyone he is the Prizefighter.

Sami Zayn got in a word during the show too as he and Kayla Braxton worked their chemistry brilliantly backstage, while he also promised to unveil his documentary soon.

Earlier in the night, we also got another vignette for Black as he talked about the Beautiful Plan.

This was typically great stuff, and the SmackDown team deserve a lot of credit for the way they’ve rebuild his character – in terms of quality, this is a world away from the brooding man in a room waiting for people to knock on his door.

Eventually, it was time for the IC Title to take centre stage in the main event as Apollo Crews – with Commander Azeez – defended his gold against E, Zayn and Owens.

This was a fantastic pay-per-view level match that had plenty of time allowing everyone a chance to shine.

In the end, Big E sustained and overcame an attack from Azeez, but the lights changed and Black made his return literally from light itself.

The visuals were great, and he walked through the fog to hit the former champ with a Black Mass, which helped Crews to victory.

Seth Rollins brutalises Cesaro, Jimmy and Jey Uso will team up again, Rick Boogs debuts

Sonya Deville opened the show, repeating the news that WWE will be back on the road this summer and introducing the brands champions.

She got to Roman Reigns, but instead Paul Heyman came out (to The Shield’s old music, no less) to insist everyone on the stage is title holders, but the Tribal Chief is a true champion.

Bayley came out to have her say, sparking a brawl as Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler came out, which led to a predictable six-woman tag match.

In a very fun effort, Baszler, Jax and Bayley got a win over Natalya, Tamina and Bianca Belair which sets up two rematches – one being more welcome than the other.

King Corbin came out without his crown as he ranted about Shinsuke Nakamura’s disrespect, but the Artist had some backup in the form of NXT call-up Rick Boogs and his guitarist skills.

Nak and Corbin had a decent match with the former picking up then win when Boogs played his theme song, opening the door for an End of Days counter into a roll-up.

Back to Roman and his family, Jimmy Uso went backstage and asked Sonya to set up a match between the Usos and Street Profits next week, insisting he knows Jey is good for it.

Later, the Tribal Chief came to the ring flanked by Jey and Heyman, saying he’s a humble man and so his counsel needs to brag for him.

He does as only Paul can, before demanding Jimmy come to the ring – only for Cesaro to come out and issue a challenge for a Universal Title rematch at Hell In A Cell.

Before Roman could respond, Seth Rollins attacked, targeting the injured arm and delivered two stomps, with the Swiss Superman stretchered out and attacked again after the break.

Finally, the last piece of attack before the main event saw Dominik Mysterio make short work of Robert Roode in a solid match but something we’ve seen far too many times for it to matter now.

The feud has run its course and it’s time to move on – and for WWE to freshen up a SmackDown tag team seen in desperate need of something new.

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