FRESNO, Calif. — SmackDown LIVE Commissioner Shane McMahon kicked off the show by welcoming the new United States Champion and newest member of Team Blue, Chris Jericho. The self-proclaimed G.O.A.T declared the blue brand to be the new Show of Jericho and was then met by AJ Styles, who was gearing up for his U.S. Title opportunity at the upcoming Team Blue event, WWE Backlash on May 21.

Before the two could jaw-jack too much in anticipation of their potential clash, Kevin Owens arrived to remind Jericho that he would have to get through The Prizefighter in their title rematch tonight before The Ayatollah of Rock 'n' Rolla could even think about WWE Backlash. However, after insulting Styles and telling him to get out of the ring, Owens got more than he bargained for when The Phenomenal One obliged and rushed up the ramp to brawl with KO. The melee got so raucous that Shane-O-Mac had to call for officials to help break it up.