The biggest note coming out of this week's edition of the blue brand may be a universal championship match set for the upcoming Backlash pay-per-view where Braun Strowman will defend his title in a handicap match against The Miz and John Morrison.

The match was set after Strowman downed Miz in an impromptu singles match to kick off Smackdown.

Also on the show, Jeff Hardy and AJ Styles advanced to the semifinals of the intercontinental championship tournament with wins over Sheamus and Shinsuke Nakamura, respectively.

While Bayley's win came courtesy of some underhanded tactics, it also came without her best friend, Sasha Banks, at ringside.

As was the case last week, the former tag champs took shots at Otis.

They then turned their attention to the "enablers" of Otis, including universal champion Braun Strowman, citing the champ teaming with Otis to beat them in tag action last week.

Morrison then insulted Strowman in support of Miz, leading to a match between Strowman and Miz -- a match made despite The Miz's protests.

Following the match, John Morrison threw down a challenge for a handicap match opposite the universal champion at Backlash.

As Flair took over the match in the middle stretch, she grabbed the house mic and called Banks out to ringside, but Bayley's best friend did not make her way to the ring.

Mandy Rose & Otis via pinfall after Deville hit Rose with a knee to the back of the head!

Ziggler took Otis down early in the match, throwing him into the ring steps as the women were legal inside the ring.

Deville dominated the majority of the action when she and Rose were in the ring together.

That eventually led to Ziggler tying Otis up on the outside while Deville finished off her former best friend with a knee to the back of the head.

After the match was over and Otis was tending to Rose, Ziggler would sneak into the ring and deliver a cheap superkick from behind, making it very clear things are not settled between these four.

Sheamus dominated the majority of the match, brutalizing Hardy much the way he had promised to over the weeks leading to Hardy's in-ring return.

By late in the match, Sheamus was fully taunting Hardy, bouncing in the ring and yelling to Michael Cole at ringside, "Best shape of my life, Cole.

Best shape of my life." As Hardy attempted his big comeback, a Swanton Bomb attempt was countered when Sheamus got his knees up.

Intercontinental Championship Tournament -- Jeff Hardy def.

Sheamus dominated the majority of the match, brutalizing Hardy much the way he had promised to over the weeks leading to Hardy's in-ring return.

By late in the match, Sheamus was fully taunting Hardy, bouncing in the ring and yelling to Michael Cole at ringside, "Best shape of my life, Cole.

Best shape of my life." As Hardy attempted his big comeback, a Swanton Bomb attempt was countered when Sheamus got his knees up.

A big knee to the head only resulted in a two-count for Sheamus.

He followed up with a Brogue Kick attempt, and moments later found himself rolled up by Hardy for the pinfall!

It's OFFICIAL!@BraunStrowman defends the #UniversalTitle against @mikethemiz & @TheRealMorrison in a Handicap Match at #WWEBacklash.

Jeff Hardy cut a backstage promo, stating the best way for him to start his one last blaze of glory was to take out the bully who tried to take him out

Mandy Rose & Otis via pinfall after Deville hit Rose with a knee to the back of the head

Ziggler took Otis down early in the match, throwing him into the ring steps as the women were legal inside the ring

Deville dominated the majority of the action when she and Rose were in the ring together

That eventually led to Ziggler tying Otis up on the outside while Deville finished off her former best friend with a knee to the back of the head

After the match was over and Otis was tending to Rose, Ziggler would sneak into the ring and deliver a cheap superkick from behind, making it very clear things are not settled between these four

As Flair took over the match in the middle stretch, she grabbed the house mic and called Banks out to ringside, but Bayley's best friend did not make her way to the ring