Hot on the heels of bad blood, Wow Smackdown Opened from the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina with the latest installment of the Bloodline Saga. Jimmy Uso arrived after his return to the PLE last weekend and was quickly joined by Roman Reigns to continue their reunion. The night did not go well for the pair, as Solo Sikoa would beat the returning Uso in the night’s main event, and Reigns would end the show with a wild, Jacob Fatu-led beatdown from the Bloodline.
LA Knight successfully defended his US it. Championship against Carmelo Hayes, and Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill would also leave Greensville with their tag team gold. Nia Jax was on the receiving end of a Raw invasion, suffering blows from both Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley and Kevin Owens would rush the show to confront Cody Rhodes and attack Randy OrtonThe two long friendships ended.
Friday Night Smackdown
Prove it won’t be the B show
What a show! On fire from the opening segment to the final seconds, this is a night that confirms SmackDown will not play Little Brother to Monday Night Raw before the latest move to Netflix In January. The return of Roman Reigns, Kevin Owens’ reign of terror, two title matches, surprise run-ins from Raw, a Bloodline Civil War main event, and a successful NXT debut. It was one hell of a Smackdown.
Speaking of Monday night, it was positive to see some of the rest of the crew who didn’t have much involvement make an appearance before the crown jewel. If Liv Morgan was a partial surprise, Rhea Ripley’s arrival at Clean House and taking out Nia Jax was a shock. Everything about the Kevin Owens situation is fascinating. As next week’s show already confirmed Andrade vs Carmelo’s Game 7, SmackDown feels basic viewing at this point. No doubt about it, WWE’s blue brand is red hot right now.
The Bloodline Story
Roman’s full-time return sets a new story in motion
It may not have been pleasant to some corners of the Internet’s taste, however WWE spent the summer getting everyone familiar with this new version of the Bloodline. Solo Sikoa main evented SummerSlam, arguably the second-biggest show of the year. If Jacob Fatou was not on the wider public’s radar, he certainly is now. Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa currently hold more WWE gold than Roman Reigns. It really felt like most episodes of SmackDown ended with the bloodline standing tall.
All this was to set Roman back as the victorious hero. Roman’s return has already sent Kevin Owens over the edge and started chaos with Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton. Tonight, after Roman gave a no vote to the idea of ​​a reunion with Jey, Jimmy Uso had to remind Reigns that he is currently a Tribal Chief without a tribe. Jacob Fatu, who landed his thunderous punch in the corner on Reigns, felt huge because of the summer of the bloodline. Solo’s bloodline, which makes Roman look human at the end of the show felt relevant. These guys are serious. Believe that.
The Women’s Tag Team Championship
There was plenty of TV time for the champs
If LA Knight feels like a fighting champion, let’s give it to the Women’s Tag Team Champions, Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill. This was their fourth defense of their titles in 41 days. On Monday, that number will rise to Five championship defenses in 44 days When they have damage ctrl on raw. Say what you will about the champs, they give everyone a chance to come and get some.
It results in Great exposure for the talent in the women’s division on a regular basis. NXT call-ups Jakara Jackson and Lash Legend made an impression here, despite a short match and being interrupted by a crazed Kevin Owens. Unholy Union and Damage CTRL had their chances, and Pure Fusion Collective couldn’t be far behind them. It’s an exciting time to be a tag team in the women’s division.
LA Night
Another successful title defense. Yes!
Since he became American Champion, LA Knight has spent his summer promoting SmackDown’s mid-card. The novelty of having the belt defended so regularly is that everyone benefits. Just a few weeks ago, it was Santos Escobar and a surprise Ludwig Kaiser challenge in Germany. Recently, the incredible feud between Andrade and Carmelo Hayes benefited from Knight’s presence. Both men earned title shots through the excellence of their feud.
Although he was a fighting champion, it feels like though LA Knight is still searching for the definitive feud to his title reign. His popularity shows no signs of slowing down with live audiences. His matches were great. What he needs is a rivalry to bring out the best in him.
Kevin Owens
The most interesting character on WWE TV right now
After Bad Blood went off the air, with the Rock making his presence known to the triumphant Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes, a man from Quebec taking center stage. Kevin Owens vs. WWE Champion Cody Rhodes outside his tour bus was captured only by cell phone cameras, and His actions were treated with an unnatural amount of seriousness. No fines for KO. Just ambiguous on-air messages about consequences. Well, the consequences be damned.
Coming through the crowd, Owens picked up a live mic and hit the ring during the entrance for the Women’s Tag Team Championship match. His frenzied behavior and the WWE cutting KO’s microphone when he went to speak felt authentic guerilla. His friendship with Randy Orton is now over, since he already showed his disdain for Cody. This man has suffered at the hands of Roman Reigns more than any other, and he will not accept what is happening. The next time Kevin Owens is given a microphone it will be electric.
New Jax
The queen is attacked from all sides
Things have been pretty peachy for Nia Jax, but things can also change quickly in the WWE. She was riding high from her successful Women’s Championship defense over Bayley at Bad Blood, Tiffany Stratton still has the MITB file, and The Queen has evolved to face Lib Morgan in the crown jewel. That was until the Raw Women’s Champion, Dirty Dom, and Raquel Rodriguez arrived unannounced and Naomi challenged her to an impromptu non-title match.
In just a few short minutes, Nia Jax would find herself flat on her back after being attacked by Liv Morgan with Tiffany Stratton’s briefcase, then losing to Naomi, before She became collateral damage to Rhea Ripley wipe out Judgment Day. Her promo this week was full of spite for Ms. Stratton. There could be a lot more where this came from after she was made to look weak on this week’s Smackdown.
Randy Orton
Noble actions land the Viper in the mud
It’s impossible not to feel sympathy for Randy Orton. With his longtime friendship with Cody Rhodes and his incredibly endearing association with Kevin Owens, It seemed like the Viper was finally at peace with his friends And the support of a true band of brothers. Depending on your opinion, the return of Roman Reigns or the recent actions of Kevin Owens put an end to that for good.
When Kevin Owens tried to accuse Cody Rhodes of turning on him and the champion made his way to the ring for revenge, Orton would break up the violence and turn on the peacemaker before retaliating to KO, landing a punch on his friend. He went to the back to assure Rhodes that he would handle Kevin Owens’ temper. He ended his night lying on the concrete As Owens left the arena for good. Whatever they are, Orton’s next moves will be fascinating.
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This was L.A. Knight’s fourth US tour. it. Championship defense in 70 days.
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It was also his seventh straight singles victory, tying his record run between August 25, 2023 and his loss to Roman Reigns for the WWE Championship at Crown Jewel last year.
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It was Carmelo Hayes’ first title shot since being called up to the main roster.
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A shoutout to the incredible sales of Carmelo Hayes of the BFT. This man is a superstar in waiting.
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“Look at you. Randy Orton, the voice of reason”. An excellent line from Nick Aldis.
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Jimmy Uso’s last victory in singles competition came against Karl Anderson on SmackDown on September 8, 2023.
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Solo Sikoa’s victory was his first since his June 14 SmackDown victory over Kevin Owens.
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Nia’s last defeat in singles competition came to Liv Morgan on April 29 of this year.