Tensions boiled over between Bad News Barrett, Dean Ambrose and Daniel Bryan

ATLANTA —The Road to WrestleMania headed into overdrive on Thursday’s hottest show, with three Superstars playing capture the Intercontinental Title, another poking a stick at The Demon of Death Valley and six more battling in an explosive WWE Fastlane Six-Man Tag Team rematch!

Things turn volatile between WWE's "Yes!" Man, The Lunatic Fringe and the reigning Intercontinental Champion.

Daniel Bryan kicked off SmackDown, reflecting on the fact that, after losing to Roman Reigns at WWE Fastlane, he will not be fighting for the WWE World Heavyweight Title at WrestleMania. But before he could continue, Bad News Barrett interrupted, addressing Bryan with much disdain, taking issue with Dean Ambrose stealing his Intercontinental Title and ordering WWE’s “Yes!” Man out of “his” ring.

Who will be in the WrestleMania Ladder Match with Bad News Barrett 

It wasn’t long before The Lunatic Fringe joined the fray, though, lighting the fuse on a brawl between him and his English adversary. In the end, it was a combined attack from Ambrose and Bryan that created some very bad — and painful — news for Mr. Barrett.

Dean Ambrose def. The Miz

The Lunatic Fringe goes head-to-head with the A-Lister, while Bad News Barrett lurks in the shadows.

Amid speculation that the reason Damien Mizdow wasn’t at ringside was that he was working on a “top secret” commercial, The Miz emerged alone to take on Dean Ambrose.

During the action, Bad News Barrett crept in and — after suffering the wrath of The Lunatic Fringe — managed to steal back his title. Though Miz attempted to capitalize on this distraction, Ambrose quickly struck back and finished off the A-Lister with Dirty Deeds. 

Natalya def. Naomi

Both WWE Tag Team Champions Tyson Kidd & Cesaro and The Usos journey to ringside as Naomi battles the Queen of Harts.

With the new WWE Tag Team Champions Tyson Kidd & Cesaro in one corner and The Usos in the other, Naomi went head-to-head with Natalya. And moments after The Usos took over the disruptive Kidd and his dangerous partner outside the ring, The Queen of Harts seemed as if she were injured. This turned out to be a ploy to catch her opponent off guard, however, opening the door for Natalya to execute a Discus Clothesline on her former “Total Divas” co-star for the win.   

Jack Swagger brawled with Rusev

The Real American takes serious exception to comments made by The Hero of The Russian Federation.

Taking great pains to ridicule both America and John Cena for losing at WWE Fastlane, United States Champion Rusev and “The Ravishing Russian” Lana reiterated that they would not give the Cenation leader the rematch he sought at WrestleMania.

Their remarks soon drew the ire of The Real American Jack Swagger, who proceeded to unleash an absolutely patriotic onslaught. But The Hero of the Russian Federation struck back and punished Swagger by locking him in two excruciating Accolades.  

Daniel Bryan def. Bad News Barrett

As The Beard takes on Bad News Barrett, R-Truths sets his sights on the Intercontinental Title.

Following an altercation earlier in the night with Daniel Bryan and Dean Ambrose, Bad News Barrett took on The Beard — with R-Truth joining the SmackDown announce team and eyeing the titleholder’s reclaimed Intercontinental Championship. In fact, it wasn’t long before Truth tip-toed his way over to the ring and stole the title once again.

In the contest’s final moments, Barrett looked ready to hit the Bull Hammer elbow, but at the last second, Bryan countered with a Running Knee out of nowhere and picked up the three-count. With that defeat, Barrett had lost three matches in a row: Truth on last week’s SmackDown, Dolph Ziggler on Raw and now Bryan!

Later, R-Truth returned the stolen title to Dean Ambrose. 

Roman Reigns sat down for an interview with Byron Saxton

The Big Dog discusses his epic match at WWE Fastlane, Brock Lesnar, Paul Heyman and WrestleMania.

In an exclusive SmackDown interview, Roman Reigns talked about his incredibly hard-fought WWE Fastlane Match against Daniel Bryan, Paul Heyman’s comments on Raw, the way he would prepare for Brock Lesnar and the “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity at WrestleMania.

Fandango def. Curtis Axel

Curtis Axel looks to cut in on Fandango's momentum on The Road to WrestleMania.

After going out of his way to poke fun at the hit TV show “Dancing with the Stars,” Fandango declared his entrance in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania. In celebration of his announcement, he went on to defeat Curtis Axel with the Last Dance.

The Miz looked to influence Damien Mizdow’s commercial shoot
The A-Lister put his  personal touch on his personal assistant’s big break.

Goldust def. Adam Rose

Goldust's victory over Adam Rose is cut short by a Rosebud.

Moments after Goldust overcame the latest entry in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania, Adam Rose, with the Final Cut, Stardust — disguised as one of the Rosebuds — attacked his brother out of nowhere! 

Bray Wyatt continued to taunt The Undertaker

The Eater of Worlds demands that The Phenom find him as WrestleMania draws near.

The Eater of Worlds demanded that The Phenom find him as WrestleMania draws near.

Dolph Ziggler, Erick Rowan & Ryback def. Kane, Big Show & Seth Rollins

A huge WWE Fastlane rematch lights up SmackDown's main event.

When order completely broke down in the electrifying final moments of the huge WWE Fastlane rematch, Erick Rowan hurled J&J Security’s Jamie Noble into the ring. This distracted the referee long enough for Dolph Ziggler to connect with an earth-shattering Superkick on Seth Rollins. The impact sent the “Future of WWE” flying into Ryback’s awaiting Shell Shocked, paving the way for The Big Guy’s SmackDown’s Six-Man Tag Team pinfall.