SmackDown: March 5, 2015

Fireworks ensued over Intercontinental Title possession

WASHINGTON — From an explosive multi-Superstar altercation at the top of the show to a fierce main event tag team showdown, find out who left SmackDown with the Intercontinental Title in their possession. Plus, AJ Lee returned to action and Bray Wyatt made a shocking promise about what he intends to do on Monday’s Raw. 

R-Truth steals the Intercontinental Title away from the brawling Bad News Barrett, Dolph Ziggler, Dean Ambrose and Luke Harper.

Just 24 days before the highly anticipated Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match at WrestleMania 31, Bad News Barrett’s coveted title continues to be passed around the locker room like a hot potato. Case in point, SmackDown opened with Dolph Ziggler wearing it around his waist.

The Showoff wasted no time officially announcing his participation in the ladder free-for-all on The Grandest Stage of Them All. But just when it looked like he was going to call Daniel Bryan out to join him in the ring, Bad News Barrett interrupted and demanded his title back. Soon, Luke Harper and Dean Ambrose joined the fray and things quickly turned volatile. As the four competitors battled with each other, though, R-Truth snuck in and stole the Intercontinental Title once again.

But would he choose to hang onto it this time?

Cesaro & Tyson Kidd def. Los Matadores

The WWE Tag Team Champions achieve victory with a little help from The Queen of Harts.

In the height of high-octane tag team action, Natalya took out El Torito on the apron, setting up the reigning WWE Tag Team Champions Cesaro & Tyson Kidd to overcome Los Matadores with an earth-shattering Cesaro Spin/Leg Drop combination. 

Ryback def. Kane

The Big Guy goes head-to-head with two of his fellow Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal combatants.

Set to compete in the second annual Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania, Ryback emerged to take on newly named Battle Royal adversary Kane — as another newly named participant, Big Show, lurked at ringside. When The World’s Largest Athlete climbed up on the apron, however, his disruption allowed The Big Guy to triumph over his corporate adversary.

Watch as things got intense between Kane & Big Show

Whether the giant’s move was intentional was unclear. Regardless, as the dust was still settling, an aggravated Kane opted to put Big Show in an impromptu contest against The Human Wrecking Ball.

Big Show def. Ryback
In a spontaneous match made by Director of Operations Kane, Big Show took advantage of some interference from the Corporate Demon to overcome Ryback with the KO Punch. 

Bray Wyatt made a frightening Raw promise

The Eater of World taunts The Phenom as he appears ready to release the spirit of the sacred urn on Raw.

Showcasing what looked to be The Undertaker’s urn on SmackDown, Bray Wyatt alluded to his intention to unleash the spirit within it Monday on Raw.

AJ Lee def. Brie Bella

Paige emerges in AJ Lee's corner as WWE's most unpredictable Diva takes on Twin Magic.

Prior to her match against a recently returning AJ Lee, Brie Bella and her sister, Divas Champion Nikki Bella, spoke out about #givedivasachance, AJ’s reemergence from her “vacation” and how the only Diva voice that will be heard is the one at the top. 

In the final moments of the hard-fought match that followed, however, Paige was heard loud and clear, as she dropped an interfering Nikki off the apron and paved the way for AJ to make Brie tap-out to the Black Widow. 

Kofi Kingston & Big E def. The Miz & Damien Mizdow

It's a New Day for the A-lister and his personal assistant.

Three days after Miz’s humiliating “Niagara” commercial left him completely embarrassed on Raw, a dispute between The Awesome One and his personal assistant Damien Mizdow gave a war-torn Kofi Kingston time to tag in Big E into the contest. Seconds later, The New Day’s combined attack allowed Big E to pick up the tag team victory.

Roman Reigns responded to Paul Heyman’s Raw comments

The Big Dog is poised to take home the WWE World Heavyweight Title at WrestleMania 31.

The powerhouse No. 1 contender to WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar acknowledged that he will definitely be in a world of hurt at the hands of The Beast Incarnate at WrestleMania 31. But Roman Reigns insisted he would still walk out of The Show of Shows with the World Title in his grasp when all was said and done.

Rusev def. Jack Swagger

The Real American battles The Hero of The Russian Federation in a true international incident.

On the heels of a patriotic clash last week on SmackDown, Rusev used a massive kick to send Jack Swagger to the canvas, before his crushing  Accolade made The Real American tap-out.

Will John Cena be at WrestleMania 31? 

As the smoke cleared, Curtis Axel appeared on the TitanTron and promised that “AxelMania” will run wild on The Hero of the Russian Federation this Monday on Raw.

Dolph Ziggler & Dean Ambrose def. Bad News Barrett & Luke Harper

Possession of the Intercontinental Title continues to change hands, amid a furious SmackDown tag team main event.

Prior to the SmackDown tag team main event, R-Truth emerged with the Intercontinental Championship still in his pocession and joined the announce team. He watched as Dolph Ziggler ultimately triumphed in the heated confrontation, thanks to a fierce Superkick/Zig Zag combination.

WrestleMania 31 Intercontinental Title Ladder Match preview

When the bell sounded, though, the action was far from over. Looking to finally take back his stolen title, Bad News Barrett attacked Dean Ambrose and Ziggler, before turning his attention to Truth at ringside. Before Barrett could reclaim his property, however, Ambrose leaped through the ropes and took him down. Luke Harper then tried to take the title from Truth, but the Rapping Superstar tricked his adversary with a hit and run.

At that point, Daniel Bryan emerged and Truth handed the title over to WWE’s “Yes!” Man. But just when Bryan began to lead the WWE Universe in a “Yes!” chant, Stardust attacked him from out of nowhere and took possession of the prize.

Could this mean the painted Superstar will also compete in the Intercontinental Ladder Match at WrestleMania 31? The answer is in the cosmos.

Refresh for the latest SmackDown match outcomes, videos and photos:

Rusev def. Jack Swagger ( WATCH | PHOTOS)

Roman Reigns responded to Paul Heyman's Raw comments ( WATCH)

The New Day def. The Miz & Damien Mizdow ( WATCH | PHOTOS)

AJ Lee def. Brie Bella ( WATCH | PHOTOS)

The Bella Twins comment on AJ Lee's return ( WATCH)

Bray Wyatt turns to drastic measures to get The Undertaker to WrestleMania 31 ( WATCH)

Big Show def. Ryback ( WATCH |  PHOTOS)

Ryback def. Kane ( WATCH | PHOTOS)

Big Show and Kane add their names to the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal ( WATCH)

Cesaro & Tyson Kidd def. Los Matadores ( WATCH |  PHOTOS)

Dolph Ziggler added his name to the Intercontinental Title Ladder Match at WrestleMania 31 ( WATCH | PHOTOS)