This episode of SmackDown felt like the calm before tomorrow’s storm Wow Bad blood. In the main event, The Bloodline successfully defended their Tag Team Championship against The Street Profits and DIY in a chaotic ladder match. Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu would join Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa at the end of the evening to celebrate, enjoy The first night in over a year that neither Roman Reigns nor Cody Rhodes was on SmackDown.
The night belongs to Mitchin and Chelsea Green’s Dumpster Match. The perfect mix of ridiculous Attitude Era and today’s performance, the match was a must-see riot. Naomi also defeated ‘Ms. Money in the Bank’ Tiffany Stratton ahead of Bayley and Nia Jax’s Women’s Championship match at Bad Blood, with the biggest hints yet that it might be time for Tiffy to cash-in this weekend.
The bloodline
Tonga Loa and Tama Tonga retain their Tag Team Championship
Meanwhile, much is made of how Raw and SmackDown’s Tag Team Championships are rarely defended. This was the first defense of the champions since they won them on August 2, beating Day on the eve of Summerslam. The triple threat with The Street Profits and DIY made both teams look strong but it was Bloodline that would leave with the win.
With Judgment Day also having their first Tag Team Championship defense this week since winning them back in June, This feels like the moment the entire tag team division can be rebuilt. The Lucha Bros arrive at some point. Motor City Machine Guns looks even sooner to the WWE. The tag team championships have to become more than just props for factions.
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Michin, Chelsea Green and a dumpster
Fun and mayhem in the first-ever Women’s Dumpster Match
Everything about the start of the Chelsea Green vs. Mitchin’s Dumpster Match has landed. The game itself was even better than its build. Chelsea Green’s inspired comedy promo was hilarious, Michin and Piper Niven had a great match to set this up. This was a very low-key bit of fun On a weekend that’s all about bad blood and is one of WWE’s comedic moments of the year.
Chelsea Green and Piper Niven embraced the dumpster theme with their garbage attendant outfits. Meechin eventually scored the win by putting Chelsea in the dumpster, and through a table, in a thrilling final. After Michin closed the lid on her opponent, Chelsea Green would emerge from the dumpster dripping in foul garbage and return later in a fantastic backstage skit. On paper, it’s a loss for Ms Green but her time will surely come in 2025.
AJ Styles
A return that was anything but phenomenal
Opening SmackDown to a hero’s welcome, the return of AJ Styles was full of intrigue. His retirement has been speculated by himself and others for some time. Styles was last seen in defeat to Cody Rhodes as he was satisfied with the fact that he may not be able to cut it at the top anymore. AJ’s WWE contract is supposed to be up at the end of 2024 Or the beginning of 2025. It’s all getting people talking.
Working as a face before being interrupted by Carmelo Hayes, Styles was happy to talk up the pedigree of US. it. Champion La Knight before the megastar joined them both in the ring. Styles vs. Hayes was announced with the stipulation that if Melo wins, he can challenge next for the LA Knight title. Hayes would emerge victorious as AJ Styles was unable to finish the match due to injuryBut GM Nick Aldis wouldn’t recognize Hayes’ win.
Nia Jax and Tiffany Stratton
A bad week for the queen and her loyal subject
Despite being one of WWE’s best performers in 2024, Nia Jax has rarely felt comfortable since winning the Women’s Championship at SummerSlam. Bayley’s goddamn promo suggested Nia shouldn’t trust Tiffany StrattonWinner of this year’s Money in the Bank. It’s advice she would do very well to take ahead of bad blood weekend.
Tiffany’s loss to Naomi will do nothing to calm rumors that Stratton may soon cash-in her suitcase. No one gets an easy ride into a championship match with Bayley. Nia continues to diminish Tiffany before a war with the former champ at the upcoming PLE is a bold game. It is unlikely to work in your favor.
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This was the first episode of SmackDown not to feature Cody Rhodes or Roman Reigns since September 22, 2023.
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AJ Styles’ first appearance on SmackDown was in a match with Curtis Axel on February 4, 2016.
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Michin vs. Chelsea Green is the 4th dumpster match in WWE history.
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Jacob Fatu shouting about how much he loves Solo Sikoa is the best.
- This vignette is rumored to be for Motor City Machine Guns (although they have been rumored to land in NXT).
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The cancer appeared in a Georgia school after a school shooting. It’s 80 minutes away from where WWE is hosting Bad Blood.
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The (relatively) new tag titles looked great suspended in the air.
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This was country rock musician Hardy’s third appearance on WWE television.
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Tiffany Stratton vs. Naomi happened four times on SmackDown in 2024.