I’m not sure how to act like I’m interested in this show as there just very much here that I want to see. The show’s main matches are designed around titles that are going to be kept on display at the WWE Experience in Saudi Arabia while the Bloodline match seems to be more about getting us ready or Survivor Series. That doesn’t leave much to get excited about but maybe I can talk my way there. Let’s get to it.

Seth Rollins vs. Bronson Reed

This is all about Rollins getting revenge on Reed for attacking him a few months ago, resulting in Rollins being left out of action. They’ve been fighting since Rollins got back and this week saw Reed damage Rollins’ ribs. That should make for a big fight, as Rollins is often good at coming back from big odds to win in the end. That is of course assuming it’s the way they go.

I think I’ll take Reed to win here, as he can go a long way with beating Rollins and getting the biggest victory of his career. On the other hand, a Rollins win really diminishes Reed, who is getting over as a monster. There is some potential to this one though and it’s probably the match I’m looking forward to the most. They could do something good here and hopefully it sees Reed getting a heck of an upgrade.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Bianca Belair/Jade Cargill(c) vs. Piper Niven/Chelsea Green vs. Meta Four vs. Damage CTRL

I’m not sure how they managed to make it work but WWE has put together something resembling a women’s tag division. It doesn’t have a bunch of depth, but this feels like something better than what they’ve been doing in recent years. For now, I’ll certainly take that, as we could be getting something going with these belts after trying to make it work forever.

As for a winner….I almost want to say Meta Four but I’ll go with a pick I expect to be wrong and says Green/Niven. Damage CTRL feels like it’s been done and Belair/Cargill can lose the titles without taking much damage as a result. Meta Four winning could give them quite the elevation, but Green has more than earned some kind of a reward after everything she’s done so I’ll take a wild shot with them.

US Title: LA Knight(c) vs. Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes

This hasn’t been the smoothest build as Knight has felt like a villain throughout most of it, but he’s just kind of a jerk in general so it’s not the biggest switch. Andrade and Hayes have been fighting for months so giving both of them a title shot works as well. That means the title could go in a number of ways, but as you might have guessed, I can’t picture it going in more than one.

I’ll go with Knight to retain here, as there is little reason to think he’s only going to be the champion for about three months. Hayes and Andrade are both capable challengers, but this feels like a way for Knight to beat both of them at once and get to brag about it. That’s the best way to go, as Knight should be holding the title for a lot longer. Just find something else for the other two do from here though, as it’s time to move on.

Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens

This is a grudge match as Owens is mad about Orton and Cody Rhodes being willing to work with Roman Reigns after all the years of battling against him. It’s kind of an interesting long form look at how some people aren’t going to be forgiving after everything that has taken place. You don’t get that kind of an idea very often but it’s working well here, as it rather suits Owens.

This one shouldn’t be that complicated as Owens is going to have to go after Rhodes at some point, so he’ll nee to beat Orton on the way there. I’m not seeing any reason for Orton to win here, as Owens has a bigger story going on. You can easily reheat for his major match with Orton down the line. For now though, this needs to be Owens wrecking Orton, which he is certainly capable of doing.

Bloodline vs. Roman Reigns/Usos

At least Reigns and the Usos don’t have some kind of special name yet. This is another match where it feels like we’re just having to get through this on the way to the bigger story later on. The Usos and Reigns are back together and trying to fight off the new Bloodline, which is probably not going to go that well for them just yet. The big issue they’re facing is probably the main point of the story coming up.

In case it’s somehow unclear, this is going to be the Bloodline, who will likely win thanks to their numbers advantage. Reigns and the Usos are going to need a fourth and there shouldn’t be much of a secret about who that’s going to be. Until Sami Zayn can join them though, Reigns and the Usos are going to be in trouble and that will result in a loss here, likely thanks to Jacob Fatu (or whoever doesn’t wrestle).

Women’s Crown Jewel Title: Nia Jax vs. Liv Morgan

I can’t believe they’re actually going through this this, as it doesn’t see that even Rhea Ripley being healthy wouldn’t have shaken this up. The only good thing here is the tease of Tiffany Stratton cashing in the Money In The Bank briefcase as it opens up some actual stakes which could matter after this show is over. That isn’t enough to make me want to see the match, but it does help things out a bit.

I’ll take Jax to win here, as Morgan beating her (even as she has before) is more than a stretch. At the same time, I don’t think Stratton will successfully cash in, as WWE likes to tease something like that so much. Ultimately though, Jax continues her path of destruction as we continue to wait for someone to challenger her. Like Jade Cargill in a few months maybe.

Men’s Crown Jewel Title: Gunther vs. Cody Rhodes

Odds are this headlines (it’s this or the six man) and I’m still not able to get into it. This is the kind of match that should be headlining a big pay per view with some real stakes but, instead, it’s the old Battle For Brand Supremacy style match and that’s not something that has worked most o the time. It really isn’t here, as both of them feel like they’re just getting through this to move on to something else.

Give me Gunther to win here I guess, as Rhodes could have some kind of interference to cut him off (Owens springs to mind). The wrestling itself should be good, but it still feels rather dumb to have one of them lose for the sake of a ring (because they don’t even take the belt with them). I really could go with a better reason for them to be fighting, but I’ll go with Gunther collecting another piece of hardware with the win.

Overall Thoughts

The more I think about this show, the more I’m thinking it’s just a show that we have to get through before we get on to Survivor Series. I get that it’s all about making the Saudis happy and all that jazz, but dang could they come up with something a bit more interesting to make us sit through instead? For now, I’m sure the wrestling will be adequate at worst, but I’m looking forward to moving on to anything else.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Smackdown
Date: November 1, 2024
Location: Barclays Center, New York City, New York
Commentators: Corey Graves, Michael Cole

We’re taped from last week as tomorrow is Crown Jewel in all of its glory. That means it is time to give us the final hammering home before the pay per view, including the big push towards the Bloodline vs. whatever the other team is called, which was announced earlier this week. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Here is Nia Jax to get things going. She wants the Crown Jewel Title and she tends to get what she wants. The last time she was in Saudi Arabia, she wanted to become Queen Of The Ring and that’s what happened. She’s going to win the Crown Jewel Title and Morgan will be crying on the floor.

Cue Morgan, with Raquel Rodriguez and Dominik Mysterio, to talk about how she won in Saudi Arabia too. Morgan beat her the last time they fought but here is Tiffany Stratton to interrupt. She promises to cash in, but she’s not sure which one it will be. Maybe something could change her mind though: if she takes Morgan’s title, does Dominik come with it? She could use a little dirty in her life (Dominik shakes his head no). Morgan thinks Stratton has enough dirty in her life and the fight is on, with a call for a referee. Adding some stakes, even if they’re not guaranteed, to the Crown Jewel match helps so much.

Liv Morgan vs. Tiffany Stratton

Non-title and joined in progress with Morgan taking her to the floor for some rams into various things. Back in and a dropkick sends Stratton into the corner so she grabs the briefcase. Nia Jax pops up on the apron but Morgan uses the distraction to grab a rollup (with trunks) for the pin at 2:27 shown.

Post match Nia gives Morgan the Annihilator.

We look back at Kevin Owens vs. Randy Orton being made for Crown Jewel.

Owens has sent in a video saying he doesn’t want to fight Orton because he never wanted to hurt him. Now he’s going to hurt Orton like Orton hurt him.

Street Profits vs. Pretty Deadly

B-Fab is here with the Profits. Pretty Deadly has Playbills for their upcoming musical and talk to Lin Manuel Miranda (of Hamilton fame) in a likely smart move. The villains jump the Profits before the bell and it’s Ford getting knocked into the corner, with Prince getting to dance a bit. Wilson comes in for some stomping of his own but Ford slips away and brings in Dawkins to clean house without much trouble. A middle rope Codebreaker cuts Dawkins down but B-Fab cuts off the choking and slams Prince. The Doomsday Blockbuster finishes Wilson at 4:01.

Rating: C. Pretty Deadly has fallen pretty far in the last few months as they have very little to do save for talking about their musical, which doesn’t exactly seem likely for some big payoff. The Profits are stuck in this weird place where they’re good enough to challenge for the titles but have lost so many big matches that it doesn’t seem likely. They need to figure something out though, because this is only going to hold out for so long.

Nia Jax isn’t happy with Tiffany Stratton, who says it’s all part of the plan. Bayley and Naomi aren’t convinced.

Naomi/Bayley vs. Indi Hartwell/Candice LeRae

Hartwell pounds Bayley down to start and then punches her in the face for a bonus. LeRae adds a dive off the apron to drop Bayley again and we take a break. Back with Bayley fighting out of a chinlock and hitting some knees to Hartwell in the corner. Naomi comes in to slug away on LeRae, including a middle rope splits splash for two with Hartwell making the save. Everything breaks down and the Bayley To Belly hits Hartwell, but LeRae is back up with the Lionsault to Bayley. That’s not worth a count though as Naomi is legal, meaning she hits the Rear View for the pin at 8:50.

Rating: C. As usual, there is only so much you can get out of a match with so much missing, but they were trying well enough. I’m not sure how much drama there was in the match as Bayley and Naomi are much bigger stars, plus the whole Hartwell is released thing. If nothing else, I’m surprised LeRae took the fall, but it only makes so much of a difference.

We look at the recent Bloodline situations, resulting in the Usos joining forces with Roman Reigns to fight the villains.

Here are Jimmy Uso and Roman Reigns to officially clear the air with Jey Uso. Jimmy says he and his brother made up and it’s time for Roman to make everything ok of they’ll lose at Crown Jewel. Cue Jey Uso, who wastes no time in taking off the sunglasses. He gets right to the point in saying that this is about him getting back at Solo Sikoa. This isn’t ok with all three of them yet because he remembers how Reigns treated him.

There was physical, mental and emotional damage, but now they have to show the next generations that it’s family above all. Reigns isn’t going to be the boss though and they’re all equals right now. Reigns can keep going that way or he can act like Jey’s cousin and they’ll be together at Crown Jewel. Jey looks at him as Reigns thinks about it….and says YEET to quite the reaction. Jimmy and Jey hold up the fingers and Reigns joins the pose to blow the roof off the place.

The Motor City Machine Guns are in the back when A-Town Down Under interrupts them. The villains invite them to be on the Grayson Waller Effect next week and the champs are in.

Iyo Sky vs. Bianca Belair vs. Lash Legend vs. Piper Niven

Their respective partners are here too. They pair off to start with Belair hammering on Niven and avoiding a charge in the corner. Niven runs Belair over as Legend drops Sky onto the apron. Back in and Legend and Niven hit a double clothesline for a double knockdown. Niven breaks up Sky’s Asai moonsault but gets taken out by Belair. Legend and Niven drop Belair though and we take a break.

Back with Niven hitting a backsplash for two on Sky, with Legend stealing the cover. Belair comes back in with a high crossbody to both of the, followed by a spinebuster to Niven. Legend takes out Belair but Sky is back in to hit both villains in the corner. Niven and Sky go up but get Tower of Doomed back down by Belair.

Legend plants Belair but Chelsea Green makes the save as the brawl breaks out on the floor. Back in and Niven backsplashes Legend and piledrives Belair. Legend cuts off the basement crossbody as Cargill cleans house on the floor. The KOD hits Legend but Sky comes in with Over The Moonsault to hit Belair and steals the pin on Legend at 12:04.

Rating: B-. This is the kind of formula that tends to work best for these matches as it was a bunch of people going nuts and trying to get in as much stuff as they could. That made for an entertaining match and I had a good time with it, especially when you add in all of the others on the floor. Good stuff here, even if it means almost nothing for the title match.

Cody Rhodes asks Randy Orton to save him a piece of Kevin Owens.

Andrade, Carmelo Hayes and LA Knight are ready for the triple threat for the US Title.

Crown Jewel rundown.

Solo Sikoa isn’t happy with Roman Reigns and the Usos being together again and promises to take them out.

Randy Orton/Cody Rhodes vs. Imperium

Cody and Gunther get things going…and we’ll make that Kaiser instead before anything happens. A gordbuster sends Kaiser outside and Rhodes hits a big dive as we take an early break. Back with Gunther kicking Rhodes down so Kaiser can hammer away. The double kicks in the corner have Rhodes in more trouble and Kaiser grabs the chinlock.

That’s switched into an abdominal stretch until Rhodes hiptosses his way to freedom. A double clothesline leaves both of them own and Rhodes is able to hand it off to Orton. The hanging DDT hits Gunther but he blocks the RKO. Rhodes and Kaiser come back in to slug it out, with a Cody Cutter connecting. The RKO and Cross Rhodes finish Kaiser off at 10:14.

Rating: C+. They could only do so much here as the question was more about which one would pin Kaiser for the win. What matters here is giving us just a taste of Gunther vs. Rhodes, which is what they pulled off, but at the same time, their showdown doesn’t feel that important. This helped the match a bit, but it was facing quite the ceiling.

Post match Kevin Owens runs in with a chair to Orton as Gunther chokes Rhodes out to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. I am not feeling Crown Jewel in the slightest and this didn’t do much to help things out. The best thing here was the addition of teasing a cash in for the women’s match, as it at least gives the match some bigger stakes. The Bloodline match isn’t that much better, as it’s clearly just a warmup for WarGames. That’s the problem with Crown Jewel in general: it feels like a show that we have to get through to get to the important stuff and that’s not great. This show boosted it a bit, but it could only go so far.

Results
Liv Morgan b. Tiffany Stratton – Rollup with trunks
Street Profits b. Pretty Deadly – Doomsday Blockbuster to Wilson
Bayley/Naomi b. Indi Hartwell/Candice LeRae – Rear View to LeRae
Iyo Sky b. Lash Legend, Bianca Belair and Piper Niven – KOD to Legend
Cody Rhodes/Randy Orton b. Imperium – Cross Rhodes to Kaiser

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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AND

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Smackdown
Date: October 25, 2024
Location: Barclays Center, New York City, New York
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re just over a week away from Crown Jewel and the big story this week is that Raw World Champion Gunther will be here to confront Smackdown World Champion Coy Rhodes. The problem is they’re going to have to find a way around the low stakes that come with the Crown Jewel Title. Other than that, the Bloodline will likely get its usual focus. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Randy Orton gets this week’s walk through the back to the Gorilla Position…where he stops to talk to HHH in a conversation we can’t hear. With that done, Orton hits the ring and wants to know why he can’t face Kevin Owens. Since Nick Aldis has said it was above his pay grade, he wants HHH out here right now to make the match, because otherwise it feels like HHH is protecting Owens. Cue HHH, who guesses we have to do this. Orton thinks HHH is protecting Owens, but the match isn’t going to happen.

HHH says he’s trying to protect Orton, which gets a gasp from the crowd. Orton drops to a knee next to the ropes before HHH talks about how Owens will turn on anyone at any time. HHH: “You know what that’s like, you do.” But then Owens trusted Orton and Cody Rhodes and HHH is worried. Orton just came back from 18 months away and Orton could put him away permanently.

Orton didn’t want Paul Levesque out here, but rather the guy who broke into Orton’s home with a sledgehammer and threw him through a window. He wants to be allowed to handle this the same way they have for years, right in this ring. The fans are behind it and HHH hopes they know what they’re wanting. HHH makes the match at Crown Jewel. That’s a big time match and they needed to make it feel special.

Long recap of Carmelo Hayes vs. Andrade.

Carmelo Hayes vs. Andrade

It’s the rubber match with the series tied at 3-3 so LA Knight is guest referee. This is also billed as Game 7, which is fine for a sports metaphor but sounds really weird in wrestling. Knight is wearing the US Title as he counts two off Andrade’s early rollup. Back up and Hayes uses Knight as a shield to get in a cheap shot (Knight doesn’t approve) but Andrade sends him out to the floor. The big flip dive over the top takes Hayes out on the floor and we take a break.

Back with Andrade hitting the springboard flipping reverse Spanish Fly, only for Hayes to hit the spinning faceplant for the same. Andrade gets his own rollup but the kickout sends him onto Knight. That means Hayes’ rollup doesn’t get a count so Andrade hits Two Amigos, with the third being reversed into a suplex cutter. Knight doesn’t feel like counting and instead pulls Hayes outside and sends him over the announcers’ table. Both of them get BFT’s and Knight throws it out at 9:46.

Rating: B-. The action was good while it lasted but this was more about setting up the triple threat match which has been the pretty obvious goal for a good while now. That’s not a bad thing, though Knight has been acting rather heelish lately. He certainly isn’t going to turn or do anything insane like that, but there is very little heroic in what he has been doing.

Post match Knight declares himself the winner. Cole and Graves are split on the decision.

Nia Jax is annoyed that Tiffany Stratton was gone last week and has gotten Candice LeRae to take her place. Stratton isn’t pleased.

Nick Aldis yells at LA Knight and makes a triple threat match at Crown Jewel. Aldis didn’t say it was a title match but I’d guess that’s implied.

Naomi vs. Candice LeRae

Indi Hartwell is here with LeRae, who works on the arm to start but Naomi easily powers out. An ax kick gives Naomi two but LeRae is back with a Downward Spiral onto the apron. We take a break and come back with a frustrated LeRae hammering on Naomi and grabbing the neck crank. Naomi fights up and hits a quick hanging faceplant for two, followed by a springboard spinning kick to the face for the same. LeRae’s neckbreaker out of the corner sends Naomi outside, where Hartwell gets in a posting. Cue Bayley to take out Hartwell, leaving Naomi to hit a Bubba Bomb for the pin at 8:54.

Rating: C. They didn’t have much time to do anything here as, again, the match was cut off by the break. Otherwise, this was something of a makeup for last week, as LeRae got the big upset so Naomi needed to get a win back (even if she didn’t get pinned last week). I can go for more of LeRae, but she still doesn’t feel like she is ready to jump up to the next level.

Here is Cody Rhodes for a chat, but Gunther interrupts his entrance. Gunther asks Cody what he wants to talk about, but Cody says it should be obvious. Gunther apologizes for bringing Cody’s daughter into this because that wasn’t necessary. He finds it interesting that Cody keeps trying to do something for someone else. Wrestlemania was about making Dusty Rhodes happy and then he wanted the John Cena schedule to live up to Cena’s reputation.

If you take everything out of this, what does Cody want from this match? Cody says you can’t take the people out of this and he grants them their WHOA, which Gunther cut off. Where was Gunther yesterday and the day before that? Cody was in Las Vegas promoting Wrestlemania while Gunther couldn’t bother getting out of bed.

Gunther says he gets the same requests but has the guts to say no to everyone. On the other hand, Cody has to keep saying yes because if he stops saying yes, his story is over. That makes Cody a gutless champion and secondary to him. Cody says that his career is based on guts, which is what it takes to do this, and the fight is on. Ludwig Kaiser comes in for the brawl but Randy Orton makes the save. This was the best segment in the build to the match yet, but egads it still feels like something we have to get through rather than an interesting match.

We recap the Bloodline beating down Roman Reigns and Jimmy Uso to end last week’s show, then going to Raw to cost Jey Uso the Intercontinental Title.

The three GM’s are in the back to announce that Bianca Belair/Jade Cargill will be defending the Women’s Tag Team Titles in a four way against Chelsea Green/Piper Niven, Meta Four and Damage CTRL at Crown Jewel.

Motor City Machine Guns vs. DIY

For a future Tag Team Title shot and commentary goes over Shelley’s influence on the current generation. Sabin comes in off a blind tag and the Dream Sequence gets two on Ciampa. Gargano comes in for a jawbreaker into a basement dropkick for two and it’s already back to Ciampa. The Guns hit their own Meet In The Middle on the apron but Gargano hits the slingshot spear, meaning it’s the DIY double applause as we take a break.

Back with Sabin fighting out of trouble and a Downward Spiral/missile dropkick combination gets two. Gargano’s rolling kick to the head hits Sabin and there’s a running knee to give Ciampa two of his own. Meet In The Middle is broken up and Gargano superkicks Ciampa by mistake, meaning Skull & Bones can finish Gargano at 11:20.

Rating: B. This is how you build up a team, as the Guns get another win over some former champions in a good match. The Guns have hit the ground running here and it wouldn’t surprise me to see them getting a title shot at Crown Jewel. At the same time, commentary was putting the team over hard, as they were explaining the Guns’ history and telling stories about them. That’s a great bonus and has helped so much.

Post match here is the Bloodline and post break, Solo Sikoa demands acknowledgment. The OTC chants get on Sikoa’s nerves and the Guns introduces themselves. The Guns are ready anyplace anytime, so Sikoa says let’s do it right now. Nick Aldis says no but Shelley says if the Bloodline wants to do it, now, let’s do it.

Tag Team Titles: Bloodline vs. Motor City Machine Guns

The Guns are challenging and knock the champs outside, only for the dives to be cut off as we take a break. Back with the fans wanting Roman (Reigns) and Shelley fighting back. Sikoa gets on the apron but here is Jimmy Uso to cut him off. Jacob Fatu joins Fatu in the beatdown but here is Roman Reigns to help brawl the villains to the back. We’re down to two on two and Sabin dropkicks Tama down, only to walk into a spinebuster. The referee is bumped so the Tongas grab chairs but here is Jey Uso to take Loa out with a superkick and a spear. Skull & Bones gives us new champions at 7:25.

Rating: C+. Remember how I said the previous match is how you make stars? This was the upgraded version, as the Guns don’t just hit the ground running but score another major win in the process. The match was little more than a backdrop for the big fight with the Bloodlines and there is nothing wrong with that. Awesome moment here and the kind of insanity that worked, as the Bloodline was already playing with a big advantage.

Post match the Guns leave and Jimmy comes back. Jey isn’t sure about this but we get the big hug for the reunion to end the show (Guns vs. Usos at say the Rumble works fine for me). This was a huge moment as the road now turns to Survivor Series and WarGames, but the good guys are going to need one more name. Either that’s a random new member of the team, or they might need an Honorary Uce.

Overall Rating: B. This was a show where it felt like they turned on the jets, with a big angle to start, two matches set for Crown Jewel, a title change and the big reunion at the end. That’s a heck of an episode and I was caring about things like I haven’t in a little while. The Guns winning is a great thing to see, but the Usos being back together (for now) is the big step in the main story and that’s the really important part. Pretty strong show this week.

Results
Carmelo Hayes vs. Andrade went to a no contest
Naomi b. Candice LeRae – Bubba Bomb
Motor City Machine Guns b. DIY – Skull & Bones to Gargano
Motor City Machine Guns b. Bloodline – Skull & Bones to Tama

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

Smackdown
Date: October 18, 2024
Location: Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, South Carolina
Commentators: Corey Graves, Wade Barrett

We’re getting closer to Crown Jewel and the show is going to need something more than just the World Champions clashing. That might be remedied though as earlier today, WWE confirmed that they had signed the Motor City Machine Guns, with a debut likely for this show. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of Jimmy Uso and Roman Reigns agreeing that they need help, only for Jey Uso to turn Jimmy down on Raw.

Here is the Bloodline to get things going, with Solo Sikoa ignoring the OTC chants and telling the fans to acknowledge him. Sikoa says they are the present and the future and Roman Reigns can’t do anything about it. Jey Uso doesn’t want anything to do with it either, because No Yeet. The beatdowns to Reigns will continue unless he acknowledges Sikoa by the end of the night.

Cue Jey Uso through the crowd to interrupt, saying that he still cares about Sikoa. Jimmy and Reigns aren’t here yet so he’s here to talk about what Sikoa is doing to the family. Jey left to become his own man and now he’s the Intercontinental Champion. Sikoa says he’s trying to unite the family but Jey needs to stop calling him little brother, because he’s the Tribal Chief. So is Jey in or out? Jey asks why the Tongans and Jacob Fatu are here if Sikoa is trying to unite the family. With that, Jey says it’ll be different the next time they meet and he leaves in peace. Sikoa showing up on Raw during Jey’s title match wouldn’t shock me.

Street Profits vs. DIY vs. Pretty Deadly

This is the first of two triple threats with the winners facing off next week for a Tag Team Title match. Ford dropkicks Ciampa down for two to start but Prince suckers Ciampa into a shot from Wilson. That doesn’t work for Ford, who hits a big flip dive, only for Ciampa to knee him down for two. Pretty Deadly takes over on Ciampa though and we take a break.

Back with Ford splashing Ciampa for two with Gargano making the save. Dawkins launches Ciampa into a belly to back to give Ford two but Spilled Milk is broken up. Ford gets crotched on top but he pops back up with a Doomsday Blockbuster to Prince…but DIY is back in with Meet In The Middle to steal the pin (as Ford was pinning the illegal Prince) at 8:11.

Rating: B-. Pretty much a nonstop action match here and that’s what you want in something like this. Let them go out there and tear the house down in the first match of the show, with DIY being smart to steal the win in the end. Odds are they’ll be seeing the Motor City Machine Guns next week and they could be fine victims to set up a Crown Jewel title match.

Roman Reigns and Jimmy Uso arrive but run into Jey Uso. Jey goes to walk by the but Reigns says he’s proud of the title win. Jey: “No Yeet.” And he walks away, with Reigns saying he told us so. It’s so nice to have Jey actually remembering what happened to him and not forgiving his family, as that wouldn’t make sense for him.

Nia Jax is annoyed that Tiffany Stratton is sick, but Nick Aldis says find a new partner. Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell come in to say they’ll do it, with LeRae getting the spot.

Piper Niven vs. Lash Legend

Chelsea Green and Jakara Jackson are here too. Niven runs her over to start but misses a splash, allowing Legend to kick her in the face. Back up and Niven misses a Cannonball but Legend can’t manage a fireman’s carry. She can however manage a slam and, after avoiding a Vader Bomb, hit her kind of weird over the back faceplant for the pin at 2:58.

Jimmy Uso comes to see Roman Reigns and says he should talk to Jey Uso. Reigns says we tried Jimmy’s way so now we’ll try Reigns’ way. He’s going to acknowledge Solo Sikoa.

Here is Cody Rhodes to greet the fans and talk about the Crown Jewel Championships. It’s not about the last one or the next one but about the first one. What if we saw Harley Race vs. Bruno Sammartino or Ric Flair vs. Verne Gagne or Goldberg vs. Steve Austin? Now we’ll see one of those matches in Saudi Arabia but he’s not going to disparage Gunther.

Why does he think he’s leaving Crown Jewel as champion? Well look at this thing! Rhodes is here to fight for people like his daughter and he wants Gunther here next week to ask what he wants to talk about. Rhodes is one of the best going today but even he can’t make this stupid thing sound interesting.

We look back at Kevin Owens’ path of rage.

Owens has sent in a video talking about how things have never felt as bad as they do right now. It’s unfair that he’s been asked to stay away after what he did to Cody Rhodes, as how many worse things have happened around here? How appreciated is he by WWE? He can’t get around what Randy Orton did to him by picking Cody Rhodes over him. Owens isn’t sure when or if he can come back.

Orton tells Nick Aldis that he wants Kevin Owens at Crown Jewel but Aldis says he can’t do it. That’s coming from up above, so Orton says he knows who he needs to talk to.

A-Town Down Under vs. Legado del Fantasma vs. Motor City Machine Guns

This is the other qualifying match for next week and the Guns are Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley, a team who had tremendous success in TNA (where they were multiple time Tag Team Champions and both World Champion). Sabin gets sent into the corner to start but comes back with a high crossbody to Angel and Waller. Sabin’s big dive takes out a bunch of people on the floor but Waller hits him in the face as we take an early break.

Back with Legado hitting some stereo moonsaults to the floor but the Guns drop A-Town Down Under. Legado clears the other villains out, only for the Guns to hit the Dream Sequence (a rapid fire string of kicks, capped off with a running basement dropkick). Skull And Bones (neckbreaker​/top rope splash combination) finishes Berto at 8:23.

Rating: C+. The triple threat aspect gave me the slightest wonder if the Guns wouldn’t win here but thankfully sanity prevailed. The fans seemed to at least somewhat know them and that’s a good way to start them out. They very well might be in for a big upset at Crown Jewel for the titles, but they had to start somewhere and this is as good as anything else they could have done in their first week.

Carmelo Hayes and Andrade get in a fight in the back.

Naomi/Bayley vs. Nia Jax/Candice LeRae

Jax wastes no time in sending Bayley to the corner for the running hip attack. It’s already off to LeRae, who gets taken into the wrong corner so Naomi can come in to take over. Naomi walks on Jax’s back but gets sent flying onto her face for two. We take a break and come back with Bayley and LeRae both coming in so the former can take over. LeRae gets dropped face first onto the buckle and a sunset bomb into the corner gives Bayley two. Jax is sent to the floor for a dive from Naomi, leaving LeRae to drop Bayley. A top rope Lionsault gives LeRae the big upset pin at 7:35.

Rating: C. This “take a break in a short match” is happening more and more often lately and it’s starting to drive me crazy. I know the commercials are what matter more than anything else because it brings the company money, but dang it gets annoying to have nearly half of a match gone to a commercial. It takes all o the energy out of a match and makes it feel like it’s divided in two, which isn’t good when they only had so much time in the first place.

Next week is match #7 between Carmelo Hayes and Andrade so LA Knight is guest referee because he can’t stand either of them.

Here is Roman Reigns to acknowledge Solo Sikoa. Reigns has the fans acknowledge him and here is Sikoa to interrupt. Reigns says the family is divided and broken but he told his father that he could fix this. He wants titles, paydays and abundance from the heavens. Sikoa says Reigns can fix this by acknowledging him as his Tribal Chief, or else. Reigns: “OR ELSE WHAT?” Sikoa says that’s proof that Reigns has never changed, so Sikoa won’t change either. Cue the Bloodline, having attacked Jimmy Uso. Reigns tries to fight them off but gets dropped with a low blow. The Bloodline poses over Reigns to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. I had a bit more fun with this one, though that might be due to having the Guns show up and get a nice win. Other than that, the Bloodline is starting to heat back up and that should mean another big moment with WarGames about six weeks away. The Crown Jewel Title matches are still horrible, but that’s not on the wrestlers who have nothing to talk about. A good show this week, but there are still problems to be solved.

Results
DIY b. Street Profits and Pretty Deadly – Meet In The Middle to Wilson
Lash Legend b. Piper Niven – Over the back faceplant
Motor City Machine Guns b. A-Town Down Under and Legado del Fantasma – Skull and Bones to Berto
Candice LeRae/Nia Jax b. Bayley/Naomi – Springboard moonsault to Bayley

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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AND

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Smackdown
Date: October 11, 2024
Location: Bon Secours Wellness Center, Greenville, South Carolina
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

Other than the birthday for the twins in the Parent Trap, it’s the show after Bad Blood and the big story took place after the show went off the air. Kevin Owens attacked Cody Rhodes in the parking lot, finally turning full on villain again. Other than that, the Rock showed up again and that could go in a few directions. Let’s get to it.

Here is Bad Blood if you need a recap.

We get a quick preview of the card.

We look at the main event of Bad Blood, with Jimmy Uso returning to help Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns defeat the Bloodline. The Rock returned after the match to glare at the winners.

Here is Jimmy Uso to get things going. He’s been on the shelf for six months so we pause for the WELCOME BACK chant. Six months ago, Solo Sikoa jumped him from behind and put him on the shelf, so tonight it’s big brother vs. little brother. Cue Roman Reigns to interrupt, but we’re going to do things a bit different this time.

Instead of acknowledging him, Reigns wants the crowd to join him in welcoming back Big Jim. Reigns isn’t an older brother so he doesn’t get the older vs. younger and he’s not a wise man so he doesn’t make big plans. Instead, he’s the Tribal Chief so he takes whatever he wants. They had money, power and titles. He doesn’t like where things are right now though because things are out of control.

Jimmy says he sees a chief with no tribe right now. He came back at Bad Blood because Reigns needed help and now they need more help. Roman: “No yeet.” Jimmy says Reigns will always be his Tribal Chief, but he is the only one in the family that acknowledges him. Jimmy leaves and Reigns has to think about that.

US Title: LA Knight vs. Carmelo Hayes

Knight is defending and drops him a few times to start. Hayes gets knocked outside and yells at some fans, allowing Knight to dropkick him through the ropes as we take a break. Back with Knight fighting out of a chinlock as Andrade is at ringside. Knight’s pop up powerslam into the jumping elbow gets two and Knight stomps away in the corner.

Back up and Hayes scores with a superkick and the trade rollups for two each. Knight knocks him down again and hits the top rope elbow for two more. The BFT is countered into an ax kick and a suplex cutter gives Hayes two. Nothing But Net misses so Hayes backflips out of a belly to back suplex, right into the BFT to give Knight the pin at 9:01.

Rating: B-. Nice enough here as Knight racks up another win. This feels like it is setting up a triple threat with Andrade and Hayes getting title shots, which doesn’t make for the most appealing match when Knight has already beaten both of them. Odds are we get yet another Hayes vs. Andrade match though, which almost has to have some kind of prize for whomever finally wins the whole thing.

Jimmy Uso runs into Cody Rhodes, saying that was a favor on Saturday but don’t get used to it.

Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson are here from NXT to win the Women’s Tag Team Titles.

We’re ready for the Women’s Tag Team Title match but here is Kevin Owens (in a Dusty Rhodes shirt), who isn’t supposed to be here, to say that Rhodes caused all of their issues. Cue Rhodes but agents hold him back, only for Randy Orton to come in accidentally get hit in the face. Orton drops Owens with one shot.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Lash Legend/Jakara Jackson vs. Bianca Belair/Jade Cargill

Belair and Cargill are defending, NXT Champion Trick Williams is in the crowd, and Piper Niven/Chelsea Green are at ringside. The challengers jump them to start and it’s Legend (the bigger and stronger) coming in to hammer Belair down for two. A wheelbarrow faceplant/cutter combination gets two with Cargill making the save. Everything breaks down and the assisted wheelbarrow suplex finishes Jackson at 2:10.

Randy Orton and Nick Aldis get Cody Rhodes to leave because Orton will deal with Kevin Owens. Aldis: “Randy Orton, voice of reason?”

Here are Nia Jax and Tiffany Stratton for a chat. Jax praises Bayley for a tough fight but no one can beat her. This includes her Raw counterpart Liv Morgan, who will be annihilated at Crown Jewel. After that’s done, Stratton can cash in on Morgan! Cue Naomi to interrupt to say Stratton saved Jax’s title. Naomi and Jax are ready to fight so Jax says get a referee out here. We get a referee but we also get Morgan, Dominik Mysterio an Raquel Rodriguez. Morgan says they’re here to see Jax lose, just like she will at Crown Jewel.

Naomi vs. Nia Jax

Non-title. We’re joined in progress with Naomi slipping out of a fireman’s carry but not getting anywhere with a sunset flip. Instead Naomi kicks her in the head for a stagger but Jax takes it to the mat for a double arm crank. Back up and Naomi is sent hard into the corner (that sounded awful) and we’re back to the chinlock. That’s broken up and Naomi kicks her out to the floor, setting up another kick to the head. Jax isn’t having that and hits a Samoan drop, setting up a glare at Morgan and company as we take a break.

Back with Naomi hitting a high crossbody for two, with the kickout leaving her confused. Jax is sent outside again for another dive but Rodriguez steals the Money In The Bank briefcase. The distraction lets Jax load up the Annihilator, but Stratton goes for the briefcase again. Naomi pops up and hits a powerbomb out of the corner for the pin at 9:53.

Rating: C+. I like that they’re setting something up with Naomi as a threat to Jax along with Morgan vs. Jax, but it is a bit difficult to get fired up for a champion vs. champion match with neither title on the line. I’m curious to see who is coming after the title next, though hopefully they find a way to spice up the Crown Jewel title match, because there isn’t much to what they have.

Post match here is Rhea Ripley to go after Rodriguez, drop Jax, and take Morgan out. Well that worked.

Carmelo Hayes complains about Andrade costing him the US Title. Nick Aldis makes one more Hayes vs. Andrade match, with the winner likely getting a US Title shot. With Hayes gone, Legado del Fantasma comes in to ask about their title shots. That works for Aldis, who says Angel and Berto will face a special team next week.

Solo Sikoa is ready to make Jimmy Uso acknowledge him.

We get another Detroit themed car vignette, with whomever it is showing up next week.

We look at last week’s Tag Team Title ladder match with the Bloodline retaining.

Nick Aldis says the Street Profits and DIY had their shots and now there’s a new team coming in next week. A lot of arguing ensues but Aldis calls security over because Kevin Owens has attacked Randy Orton.

We look at the Florida Panthers receiving their NHL rings.

Video on Drew McInyre vs. CM Punk inside the Cell at Bad Blood.

Solo Sikoa vs. Jimmy Uso

The Bloodline is here with Sikoa. They stare at each other a bit to start and Sikoa offers him the chance for some acknowledging. Jimmy fights out of the corner but gets elbowed own, only to low bridge Sikoa outside. That means the required dive but Sikoa drops him again inside. Sikoa knocks him to the apron for a clothesline as this is already taking its time. Jimmy gets knocked outside for a cheap shot from Jacob Fatu and we take a break

Back with Sikoa hitting the running Umaga Attack, setting up the running spinwheel kick. Back up and Jimmy manages a quick superkick but walks into Spinning Solo for another near fall. Another running Umaga Attack connects but Jimmy manages a kick out of the corner for a needed breather. A high crossbody into a Samoan drop gets two on Sikoa but Fatu gets in a quick crotching. The Samoan Spike finishes Uso off at 14:00.

Rating: C. There was no reason for Sikoa to lose here but Uso coming back and losing his first match after a six month hiatus is kind of a weak way to go. Granted he’s little more than a foot soldier for Reigns, but you couldn’t build this up for a few weeks and give Jimmy some wins? Anyway, the match was long and fairly sluggish until the Bloodline cost Jimmy, which was the point of the whole thing.

Post match the beatdown is on but Roman Reigns comes in…and gets taken out too. The Bloodline leaves and Reigns looks at Jimmy, as if to say “ok, we need help.”

Overall Rating: C+. This was kind of a rough sit as it was more the show that you have to get through before you get to the bigger stuff. Reigns and Uso are going to need help and this week was more to establish that fact rather than seeing them get any kind of help. At the same time, Owens is a full on villain, as he should be, and we have some things being set up for the next few weeks. This show wasn’t exactly great, but it did what it needed to do for the future.

Results
LA Knight b. Carmelo Hayes – BFT
Bianca Belair/Jade Cargill b. Lash Legend/Jakara Jackson – Assisted German suplex to Legend
Naomi b. Nia Jax – Powerbomb
Solo Sikoa b. Jimmy Uso – Samoan Spike

Remember to check out my website at kbwrestlingreviews.com and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Bad Blood 2024
Date: October 5, 2024
Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

For reasons I’m still not clear on, Bad Blood is back after a twenty year hiatus. In this case it’s once again about the Cell, with Drew McIntyre and CM Punk being locked inside to presumably wrap up their feud for good. Other than that, Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns are teaming up to face the Bloodline. Let’s get to it.

The opening video is a mini movie with HHH and Cody Rhodes in a parking lot talking about their plans for the evening, with HHH saying text Roman Reigns if you get in trouble. Then Rhodes and someone named Metro are sitting in a car watching the arena, apparently for the last several weeks. After a look at the bigger matches, Rhodes and Metro agree that it’s time and go inside. This was….certainly a thing.

Rhodes and Metro (last name Boomin) arrive in a banged up Ford.

Here are your hosts for the evening: Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill and Naomi. Their offering at the moment: announcing that the Cell is lowering.

Drew McIntyre vs. CM Punk

Inside the Cell. They take their time staring at each other until McIntyre knocks him into the corner and hammers away. McIntyre sends him outside but gets whipped into the Cell to give Punk a breather. A table is pulled out but McIntyre knocks him down and grabs a wrench from a toolbox. The big shot only hits post though so McIntyre rips the legs off a table. Punk takes them away and chokes before sending McIntyre back first onto the bottom of the table.

They head back outside where McIntyre hits a quick Claymore for a needed breather. Punk is busted open and McIntyre certainly seems to like that. The steps to the head have Punk in more trouble and McIntyre says Punk’s wife is going to leave him. Back in and the wrench is dug into the cut on Punk’s head before another table is pulled in. Punk manages a running knee in the corner though and goes up top for an ax handle to the head.

A top rope wrench to the head is countered into a suplex to send Punk flying as the fans approve. The threat of a Claymore sends Punk outside, where he finds a toolbox to bash McIntyre in the head (the blood is gushing, with Graves making a Muta Scale reference). Two more toolbox shots to the head have McIntyre rocked and the GTS…sends him rolling out to the floor. Back in and Punk grabs a not exactly great Sharpshooter but McIntyre gets in a wrench shot.

We actually pause for the referee to wipe the blood off of McIntyre’s face and they slug it out again. McIntyre gets the better of things and suplexes Punk off the apron and through a table. It’s McIntyre up first but he has a lot of trouble getting the steps inside the ring. The delay lets Punk hit a quick GTS for two and they’re both down again. McIntyre is able to come back with White Noise onto the steps for two and another double down.

Punk manages a quick Anaconda Vice but McIntyre grabs the wrench…which Punk takes away and smashes onto McIntyre’s head. McIntyre begs off and catches Punk with a low blow to put them down again. Back up and McIntyre pours a bag of beads, like in the bracelet, onto Punk’s head. The Claymore is loaded up but McIntyre misses and lands BACK FIRST ONTO THE EDGE OF THE STEPS for the terrifying crash (I’m hoping he accidentally left it short because if that was the plan that man needs help.). Punk pours the beads into McIntyre’s mouth and hits the GTS (with a chain around his knee) for the win at 31:15.

Rating: A. Sweet goodness that was a war and Punk survived rather than won. After that, you almost have to imagine Punk gets into the World Title scene sooner than later, as there isn’t much else for him to do at the moment. As for the match, they did some good stuff with the wrenches to make it feel all the more violent and bloodthirsty. What matters here though is they wrapped up the feud with a fight befitting the Cell, which hasn’t always been the case for a long time.

Post match Punk slams the door and walks out but collapses in the aisle, with the medics coming out to give him oxygen. Punk pulls that off and walks out again.

We recap Bayley challenging Nia Jax for the Smackdown Women’s Title. Jax beat her for the title at Summerslam and Bayley wants the title back. Tiffany Stratton is lurking around with the Money In The Bank briefcase.

We go to the VIP suite where the hosts talk about various legends who are in the background and awkwardly talk about the rest of the show.

Smackdown Women’s Title: Bayley vs. Nia Jax

Jax is defending and they run around a bit first, only for Jax to hit a hard clothesline. The running hip attack in the corner sets up a leglock of all things and even commentary isn’t sure what to make of that. Bayley gets up and slides between legs before sending Jax outside. A slingshot legdrop hits Jax but it’s to early for a suicide dive. Instead Bayley hits a baseball slide dropkick and hammers away on the floor but the suicide dive only kind of bounces off of Jax.

Back in and Jax runs her over, only for Bayley to break up the Annihilator. Bayley’s powerbomb out of the corner is countered into something like a hurricanrana (ok more like Jax pulled her forward but that could have been worse). A Bayley To Belly plants Bayley for two but Bayley is back with a sunset bomb, with Jax landing on Bayley’s leg in the process. The top rope elbow his Jax, who bails out to the floor for a breather.

Back in and Jax runs her over again, only to charge into a Samoan drop of all things to give Bayley two. Jax crushes the referee though….and it’s Tiffy Time. Stratton drops Bayley with the briefcase and wakes up the referee, but Jax does an Undertaker situp. That’s enough for Stratton to bail, only for her to throw the briefcase at Bayley for a distraction. Jax plants Bayley and hits the Annihilator for the pin at 14:12.

Rating: C-. This really didn’t work as Jax was trying some different things but couldn’t make them go well. It didn’t help that Bayley felt like a lame duck challenger throughout and the cash-in tease was treated as a bigger deal. They both need to move on, though I’m not sure who is supposed to be next to come after Jax’s title.

Xavier Woods gets to play a Dragon Ball game early.

We recap Finn Balor vs. Damian Priest. Balor turned on Priest at Summerslam and kicked him out of Judgment Day so Priest has been on a path of revenge, leading up to tonight.

Finn Balor vs. Damian Priest

Priest chops him hard into the corner and then punches him in another as the beating is on in a hurry. Balor gets in a shot of his own though and fires off the Kawada kicks, followed by some jumping stomps. Priest pops right back up for the big staredown, only for Balor to elbow him back down. Back up and a right hand rocks Balor so hard that commentary is nearly cringing, but Balor is able to grab a spinning Russian legsweep for a near fall.

Priest hits some more loud right hands, setting up a spinning kick to the head and a clothesline for two. The Pele kick gives Balor a breather but Priest is right back with a Razor’s Edge to send Balor outside. Something close to a Pounce sends Balor onto the announcers’ table and Priest drops him onto the apron.

Cue Carlito for a distraction though, allowing JD McDonagh to come in for a cheap shot. The Coup de Grace gets two and Priest takes out the rest of the team. South Of Heaven is countered into a rollup for two and Balor hits a top rope double stomp to the back. That doesn’t work either though and Priest hits South Of Heaven for the pin at 12:50.

Rating: C+. This was ok enough but not exactly great, with Priest just shrugging off the interference and winning. That’s the way the ending should have gone, but it was never exactly a dramatic match on the way there. I’m not sure what is next for Priest, though it’s hard to imagine Judgment Day being big time players that much longer from this point.

Here is HHH for a big announcement, complete with a pedestal labeled Crown Jewel and something covered up. HHH talks about his time in WCW when he was “terra ryzing” WCW and here are are with 16,092 in attendance. In four weeks, WWE will be returning to Saudi Arabia for Crown Jewel in the beginning of a new era.

There will be an annual event at Crown Jewel, where the two World Champions (both men and women) will face off in non-title matches. However, there will be a definitive winner for both, with the winner being named the Crown Jewel Champion, which is the title underneath the sheet (and is gigantic).

Cue Gunther to interrupt, saying he’s looking forward to winning the title in four weeks. Gunther laughs off the idea of Sami Zayn taking the title from him on Monday before moving on to the legends who are already here. This would mean Goldberg, who really isn’t one of Gunther’s childhood heroes. How could anyone be impressed with a one trick pony like Goldberg? Gunther looks over at Goldberg’s son and says he hopes Goldberg is a better father than he is a wrestler. Goldberg comes over the barricade and security breaks it up, only for Sami Zayn to run in and brawl with Gunther to the back. HHH and Goldberg pose.

There was a lot here and neither of it is overly positive. This is the same thing they did with the Battle For Brand Supremacy for years and all that does is make one champion look weak. I’m sure the Saudis requested something like this so WWE is stuck but that doesn’t make it much better. Other than that…sweet goodness can we just move on from Goldberg against these big stars? Have him beat up some midcard goof (Finn Balor or someone) and get his nostalgia pop so we can not have to sit through another wasted World Title match.

Various legends are here.

Back to the VIP suite where Chelsea Green shows up and smells bad. Piper Niven is willing to stay though.

Raw Women’s Title: Rhea Ripley vs. Liv Morgan

Ripley is challenging and Dominik Mysterio is locked in a shark cage. Hold on though as Ripley says Dominik is scared of heights too so raise that cage! Ripley knocks her to the floor to start but gets sent into the steps after looking up at Dominik for a bit too long. A dragon screw legwhip over the ropes keeps Ripley in trouble and it’s a half crab to make it worse.

That’s broken up and Ripley slugs away, only to have her leg taken out again. The leg is rammed into the apron and a spinning kick to the head staggers Ripley. Morgan hits a sunset bomb into the barricade and a middle rope Codebreaker connects back inside. Oblivion is broken up with a roll through (would have been better without the bad leg), only for Morgan to snap off a crucifix bomb for two more.

Ripley is back up with a toss powerbomb but Dominik has managed to open the shark cage door. The frog splash sets up the Prism Trap but Morgan rolls out to the floor. Morgan gets sent into the barricade, followed by the Riptide on the outside. Dominik teases climbing down…but winds up hanging upside down by his foot. Rather than finishing Morgan, Ripley grabs a kendo stick and, after wishing herself a happy birthday, beats on him with the stick. Cue Raquel Rodriguez of all people to jump Ripley for the DQ at 14:30.

Rating: C-. That ending was all kinds of messy and it hurt things badly, though they weren’t doing well in the first place. At the end of the day, it’s just not that easy to buy Morgan as a threat against Ripley, even if Ripley is hurt. Rodriguez should be a lot better as she can match up physically with Morgan, but they need to let Ripley get the win, crush Dominik, and move WAY on because this feud is running out of steam in a hurry.

Post match Rodriguez puts Morgan on top of Ripley, presumably for a pin, which makes me wonder if the DQ wasn’t the planned finish.

We recap Roman Reigns/Cody Rhodes vs. the Bloodline. Reigns and Rhodes are sick of them and are teaming up to get rid of them, with Reigns saying he’s coming for the title after it’s over.

Bloodline vs. Cody Rhodes/Roman Reigns

Rhodes is played to the ring by the Arkansas Pine Bluff marching band, who played his song during a college football game a few weeks back. Not to be outdone, Reigns has his own band playing him out. Cody and Fatu start things off with the early Disaster Kick being shrugged off. It’s (slowly) off to Reigns vs. Sikoa, with Reigns hammering away in the corner.

Sikoa headbutts him down but gets clotheslined outside, meaning Fatu comes in to glare at Reigns. That’s enough of a distraction for Sikoa to deck Reigns and start the headbutting. Sikoa hits the running Umaga Attack, followed by Fatu hitting his own. Fatu misses a charge and goes head first into the post though and it’s back to Rhodes for the Flip Flop and Fly. The Cody Cutter puts Fatu down but a Sikoa distraction lets him come back with a pop up Samoan drop.

Things slow back down with Fatu getting to hammer away, including a double wishbone with Sikoa. Fatu grabs a nerve hold to keep Rhodes in trouble and then does it again for a bonus. Rhodes fights up and manages to drop Fatu, which is enough for the tag back to Reigns for the house cleaning. The Samoan Spike is countered into a crucifix of all things to give Reigns two, followed by a Superman Punch of the same.

Rhodes whips Fatu into the steps before avoiding a charge, sending Fatu through the barricade. Some superkicks put Fatu onto the announcers’ table and a splash off the post puts him through it. Now it’s Reigns getting to clean house but cue the Tonga’s, allowing Sikoa to hit a spear for two. Cue a guy in a hoodie to superkick the Tongas because Jimmy Uso is back. That’s enough for Reigns to spear Sikoa down for the pin at 25:43.

Rating: B-. This match felt like a car that kept stalling before finally turning on just enough to get you where you needed to go. It desperately needed about eight minutes cut off as the heat segments on Rhodes weren’t working. Fatu feels like a beast but Sikoa just isn’t quite living up to the same hype. The Uso reveal was good and it was a nice moment, but this was a long main event at the end of a not so great show and it felt like that the whole way.

Post match Reigns and Jimmy hug and reigns has a brief staredown with Cody before leaving. The Bloodline is back up and jumps Cody though, with Jimmy saying they should go back for the save. Reigns thinks about it before going back in and cleaning house. With the Bloodline gone, Reigns picks up the title and hands it back to Rhodes for some applause. Rhodes holds up the title….and the Rock is here (with the People’s Champion belt and someone from his team reaching their arm around the edge of the screen to film it from behind). The Rock glares at Reigns, seems to count to three (I’m guessing because he pinned Cody at Wrestlemania) and walks out to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. The opener is an instant classic (partially because it was the ONLY Cell match on the card rather than one of two or three) and the main event is enough to get by, but this was a two match show and the rest of the card falls off a cliff outside of those two. Balor vs. Priest was acceptable enough, but sweet goodness those Women’s Title matches did not work, with the Crown Jewel announcement being about on the same level. It’s not a terrible show, but the Cell match is the only thing worth seeing in the slightest.

Results
CM Punk b. Drew McIntyre – GTS with a chain
Nia Jax b. Bayley – Annihilator
Damian Priest b. Finn Balor – South Of Heaven
Rhea Ripley b. Liv Morgan via DQ when Raquel Rodriguez interfered
Roman Reigns/Cody Rhodes b. Bloodline – Spear to Sikoa

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

For some reason, WWE has decided to bring this one back and I’m really not sure why. Bad Blood was never anything more than one of those shows that you mostly forgot ever existed and it hasn’t been around in over twenty years. Now we’re getting a fresh version with a pretty big card and that could make for a rather nice show. It almost has to be better than the last time they brought this thing back. Let’s get to it.

Raw Women’s Title: Liv Morgan(c) vs. Rhea Ripley

The catch here is that Dominik Mysterio will be suspended above the ring in a shark cage. That could open up a few options, as the question isn’t so much will he cheat but rather how, along with will he have someone helping him. That has to be done though, as otherwise Ripley would destroy Morgan in all of eight seconds. This is still one of the biggest feuds on Raw at the moment, but I’m not sure where it goes next.

As much as I want to say Ripley gets the title back here, I’m not sure if it’s a big enough stage. Therefore, we’ll say Morgan escapes again, even if it feels completely wrong to say that. At some point, Ripley is going to absolutely crush Morgan and get the title back, though it almost has to take place soon. I’m thinking they squeeze one more match out of it though, with Morgan retaining here through some kind of screwiness.

Smackdown Women’s Title: Nia Jax(c) vs. Bayley

This is the only other title match on the show and it’s a rematch from about two months ago at Summerslam when Jax took the title from Bayley. Just like last time, Tiffany Stratton and the Money In The Bank briefcase are hanging around but that is still a get out of title reign free card. Bayley isn’t feeling like a big challenger, but there aren’t many other options at the moment.

I can’t imagine Jax losing the title so soon and Bayley isn’t feeling like a strong challenger in the first place, so yeah Jax retains here. Maybe they do something ridiculous like having Naomi turn on Bayley, but there is no reason to change the title here. Stratton can cash-in later, with or without success, but that isn’t something I can imagine happening here. Teases of course, though not an actual title change.

Finn Balor vs. Damian Priest

Here we have a grudge match as Judgment Day and the Terror Twins explode. Priest has been wanting to get his hands on Balor for a good while now and there are going to be more than a few lackeys there to help save Balor. While Balor isn’t quite as vulnerable as Morgan, he loses is Priest can even the odds enough, which very well could end this feud once and for all.

I’m thinking that’s exactly what happens, as Priest beats Balor and finally gets to move on. Priest is already a former World Champion and could easily be moved back into the main event picture with a nice win here. Judgment Day is already losing steam and I’m not sure how much longer it needs to stay around. Priest should win here and hopefully be done with the whole thing.

CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre

This is the Cell match and somehow reportedly not the main event. That would seem to be the kind of match that would headline the show, but in this case there is a good chance that it opens the show for the sake of saving some time. Punk vs. McIntyre has been the runaway Feud Of The Year so far and if they can stick the landing here, the whole thing goes even higher up the all time list. But who wins?

I keep going back and forth on this one, but I think I’ll go with Punk winning. It’s the good guy (ok the better of the two rather than the good) winning in the end and McIntyre can come back later to do something else. Punk can take a bit of a hiatus and move on to something else as he only has a limited time in the ring to go. I could be wrong here, but I’ll take Punk going over here.

Cody Rhodes/Roman Reigns vs. Bloodline

This is the main event and that makes me think something big is going to happen here. Reigns vs. Rhodes III almost has to be in the cards sooner than later but I don’t think that’s a WrestleMania match again. We can get there later though, as this is about the forces combining to face their shared enemy. That makes me wonder how we get through the match, though one result seems more likely than anything else.

Barring some big interference, I can’t imagine Reigns or Rhodes taking a fall here. That leaves either some kind of a double DQ finish or some kind of major return, perhaps the Rock, who has to be back sooner or later. That being said, I’ll go with Rhodes pinning Sikoa and then…whatever happening next. Rhodes vs. Reigns III certainly seems possible though and we might be seeing that as a result, but for now, the new Mega Powers win.

Overall Thoughts

This is the definition of a one two punch on top, as there is a heck of a drop between the top two matches and the three underneath. If those two matches deliver then we are going to be in for a huge show, though it’s likely to take its sweet time as well. I’m interested enough in the show, but it’s going to depend on what happens during/after that tag match, because it almost has to be the big moment on the show, which is looking pretty nice.

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Smackdown
Date: October 4, 2024
Location: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

It’s the night before Bad Blood and we have a pretty stacked show. In this case it means we have a triple threat ladder match for the Tag Team Titles as the Bloodline is defending against the Street Profits and DIY. Other than that, we have a dumpster match between Michin and Chelsea Green, plus the return of AJ Styles. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Here is country music artist Hardy, who introduces the returning AJ Styles. After a rather positive reception, Styles talks about how this is the place where he started. He’s done some things the people might not forgive him for over the last few months, but this is still the house that he built. Cue Carmelo Hayes to interrupt, saying he isn’t surprised there aren’t a lot of people wanting to welcome him back. Hayes says there is no need to introduce himself but does so anyway before saying he loves old timers like Styles.

Hayes says he should be the US Champion instead of LA Knight, which has Styles saying Knight is a bit different. That doesn’t work for Hayes, who doesn’t take advice from quitters (which even Styles has to own up to), but Styles is ready to fight right now. Hayes: “Nah, I’m good.” Cue Knight to mock Hayes before saying Hayes should face Styles. If Hayes can win, Knight will put in a good word about a US Title shot. Either way, Knight is hitting the streets for some drinks. I have no idea what Hardy added to this.

We get a vignette of a car driving rather fast and a shot of….Detroit. As in the Motor City. Coming soon.

Carmelo Hayes vs. AJ Styles

LA Knight is at ringside as Styles chops away in the corner to start. The drop down into the dropkick has Hayes in trouble as we hear about Styles’ time in TNA in this city (which will never feel right on a WWE show). Styles misses a moonsault and gets caught with the First 48 for two before being sent outside as we hear about Styles’ time in Japan.

Hayes sends him into the announcers’ table and we come back with Hayes working on a half crab. Apparently Styles suffered a possible sprained ankle during the break but he’s fine enough to break out and hit a running forearm. The fireman’s carry onto the knee connects but Styles’ leg is so banged up that the referee calls the match at 8:33.

Rating: C+. It was good while it lasted but about half of it was in the break before the referee stoppage. This definitely feels like a storyline situation as Styles’ body is giving out on him and might make him question how much more he has. Other than that, he could be put into the title picture because Hayes didn’t pin him/make him give up, which even ties back into his feud with Knight.

Commentary talks about how Styles’ body is giving out on him as he limps away. Knight comes in and gives Hayes a BFT.

We get a long video on Roman Reigns/Cody Rhodes vs. the Bloodline tomorrow at Bad Blood.

Michin vs. Chelsea Green

Dumpster match and Green has sanitation worker themed gear. Michin strikes away with a kendo stick to start and it’s already time for the table. A missile dropkick sends Green outside, where she sends Michin face first into the side of the dumpster as we take a break. Back with Michin fighting her way back inside, where Green drops her with a Canadian Destroyer.

It’s too early to close the lid though and Michin hits a quick Eat Defeat. Green is put into a trashcan for a middle rope backsplash, allowing Michin to put a table over the dumpster. Cue Piper Niven to jump Michin from behind, only for Michin to fight her off as well. A powerbomb puts Green through the table and into the dumpster to give Michin the win at 10:23.

Rating: B-. This was about getting Michin a win and that’s all it needed to be. I’m still not sure why it needed to be a dumpster match, but the idea of Green trying to get the smell of the trash off of her has comedic potential. Now if WWE actually does something with Michin, we could actually be getting somewhere, but I’ll believe that when I see it.

AJ Styles was checked out by the trainer but went to the hospital.

Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair come up to Naomi. They’re going to be hosting Bad Blood together but here is Bayley to interrupt. With Cargill and Belair gone, Bayley says she’s going to call out Nia Jax and Naomi gets the first title shot after Bayley wins at Bad Blood.

Here is Bayley for a chat and she wastes no time in calling out Nia Jax. Cue Jax, with Tiffany Stratton, who tells Bayley to get to it. Bayley talks about how important the title is to the company’s history and brings up names like Molly Holly, Victoria and Beth Phoenix, who are nothing like Jax. The difference is they never had a dominant reign like Jax, but two people can take the title from her.

One is Bayley and the other is Stratton, who very well could cash in the briefcase on Jax at any time. Stratton doesn’t like the idea that she could only beat Jax with the briefcase, which doesn’t sit well with Jax. Bayley doesn’t respect either of them and calls Stratton a stupid b****, meaning the fight is on. Bayley beats Jax down with the briefcase and leaves, with Stratton teasing the cash-in. Jax bails, but here is Naomi for her scheduled match with Stratton.

Chelsea Green is messy and distraught. She runs into Pretty Deadly, who can’t stand the smell. Neither can A-Town Down Under or Legado del Fantasma. She keeps walking and runs into Nick Aldis, who makes puns about the bad smell and Green storms off. Carmelo Hayes comes in and says he wants his US Title shot. Aldis can’t believe Hayes is calling that a win and is off to check on AJ Styles.

Tiffany Stratton vs. Naomi

Naomi takes her down to start and hits a sliding…chinlock of all things. Back up and a suplex gives Naomi two but Stratton snaps her throat first across the top rope. A springboard flipping splash gives Stratton two of her own but Naomi hits the splits splash on the apron.

We take a break and come back with Naomi hitting a backpack Stunner and kicking Stratton in the face. A sliding slap into the headscissors driver gives Naomi two more but Stratton handstands her way out of an X-Factor (that was cool). Naomi gets dropped with a basement dropkick but she kicks Stratton in the head out of the corner. Stratton’s handspring though and Naomi gets a rollup for the pin at 10:05.

Rating: C+. This felt like one of the matches that the briefcase holder loses to put her down a bit before she wins the title via cash-in. That doesn’t make for the most original storytelling, but at least it could mean getting rid of the briefcase. Stratton still feels like she has lost a lot of momentum in the last few months though and this didn’t help.

We look back at Kevin Owens’ recent issues with Cody Rhodes over Rhodes teaming with Roman Reigns at Bad Blood.

The Bloodline is on the way to the ring for the main event and Jacob Fatu goes on a heck of a rant about how people need to respect Solo Sikoa.

Tiffany Stratton runs into Nia Jax, who isn’t happy with the tease of the cash-in. Jax demands Stratton vow she will never betray her, which Jax does…but looks at the briefcase.

Bad Blood rundown.

Tag Team Titles: Bloodline vs. DIY vs. Street Profits

The Bloodline is defending in a ladder match. The challengers double team the champions to start and knock them to the floor before dropping them out there as well. We take an early break and come back with the challengers all going up but having to knock the champions off. Ford climbs a ladder but gets pulled down and hit in the face with it instead. A snap suplex puts Dawkins on the ladder and a slingshot hilo onto him onto the ladder makes it even worse.

The champs to the floor with the ladder but Dawkins takes them out with a big flip dive. Gargano hits his own dive, only for Ford to hit a big running flip dive (with a superhero pose) for the wipe out crash. Ford grabs a table and we take a break, coming back with DIY pulling Tama off the ladder and into a Shatter Machine. Meet In The Middle lets Gargano go up but Dawkins makes the save this time. A Doomsday Blockbuster off the ladder takes Ciampa down but Dawkins’ ladder gets shoved down.

Tama grabs a chair, which is taken away by B-Fab, allowing DIY to take the champs out again. Ford frog splashes Loa through a table at ringside and Tama is powerbombed through the announcers’ table for the big crash. Back in and Ciampa goes up but Ford springboards onto the same ladder, only for Loa to come back in and shove them down. Loa retrieves the titles to retain at 20:00.

Rating: B. For an almost random ladder match which is pretty much the Bad Blood pre-pre-show match, I had a good time. It was a bunch of wild spots and people getting taken out one at a time, which is how these matches tend to go. It wasn’t a classic and it wasn’t something I’ll remember for very long, but it was a good way to close out a show on a Friday night.

Overall Rating: B-. The main event helped a good bit, but this show was in a tough spot. The point of the last show before a pay per view is often to build up the bigger show, but there was very little building left to do. Everything, at least from the Smackdown side, was pretty much done before we got here, with only Bayley vs. Jax getting a bit of attention. What we got was good, but other than the main event, there wasn’t much that you would need to see.

Results
Carmelo Hayes b. AJ Styles via referee stoppage
Michin b. Chelsea Green when Green was shut in a dumpster
Naomi b. Tiffany Stratton – Rollup
Bloodline b. DIY and Street Profits – Loa pulled down the titles

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Smackdown
Date: September 27, 2024
Location: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re closing in on Bad Blood with the big Smackdown match being the tag match between Cody Rhodes/Roman Reigns vs. the Bloodline. Other than that, we could be in for another match being added this week, though there might not be many options. There is also a good chance that another big match is added for next week’s SmackDown, as tends to be WWE’s custom. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Here is Randy Orton to get things going and the fans sing his song for a nice moment. He hasn’t been around much lately but he loves being back in a Smackdown ring. There are very few people he trusts in this industry but he trusts Cody Rhodes. That’s why he doesn’t get why Rhodes is teaming with Roman Reigns at Bad Blood, so could Rhodes please come out here for an explanation?

Cue Rhodes, who says he looks like a fool but he would rather look like a fool than a coward. Reigns has kept his word to Rhodes so far so he’s going to do it again here. Rhodes thinks it is time to kill the Bloodline and hopes Orton doesn’t have a problem with that. Orton doesn’t seem to but here is Kevin Owens to interrupt. Before he can say anything though, here is the Bloodline to interrupt.

After shrugging off an OTC chant, Solo Sikoa says that Rhodes better hope that he can trust Reigns, because he’s better than the two men in the ring with Rhodes right now. They have failed to take out the Bloodline, so acknowledge that Rhodes. Owens shrugs that off and asks for a tag match. Rhodes is ready to make it a six man but Owens says Rhodes already has his tag match, so tonight it can be Owens/Orton vs. Sikoa/Jacob Fatu (Rhodes didn’t seem to mind). They have all the makings here for either a heck of a WarGames team or a big turn (or both).

Nia Jax rants to Tiffany Stratton about what happened last week with Naomi and Bayley. She grabs Stratton by the throat and says if this ends badly for Jax, it ends VERY badly for Stratton. With Jax gone, Stratton doesn’t seem pleased.

Bayley vs. Naomi

For the Women’s Title shot against Nia Jax at Bad Blood. Bayley rolls her up for two to start and Naomi isn’t pleased so some shoving ensues. A middle rope armdrag sets up a missed running kick at Naomi’s head and she sends Bayley outside. That means a big dive and we take an early break.

Back with Bayley taking Naomi down for a change but the Rear View gives Naomi two. The headscissors driver plants Bayley for two more and a top rope Blockbuster gets the same. Bayley is back up with a gordbuster into a sunset flip into the turnbuckle (didn’t quite work but it looked ok) for two of her own. Bayley To Belly is countered and Naomi hits a bulldog onto the middle buckle. Naomi goes up but dives into the Bayley To Belly, setting up the top rope elbow to send Bayley to Bad Blood at 10:00.

Rating: B-. Right off the bat, major points for this not being a draw of some kind to set up a triple threat. They went with one of them going over and that is what it needed to be. Bayley vs. Jax II is only so appealing, but it’s a lot better than the multi challenger option. Bayley isn’t likely to win, but at least they set up something for the title match.

Post match Naomi shows respect but looks frustrated.

We look at LA Knight retaining the US Title over Andrade last week but teasing another match.

Andrade runs into Knight and isn’t pleased with the lack of a handshake. Knight lost Andrade’s respect, which doesn’t sit well with Knight, who gets jumped by Carmelo Hayes.

Carmelo Hayes vs. Andrade

Andrade starts fast by stomping away in the corner. They go to the apron where Andrade hits a powerslam and we take an early break. Back with Andrade fighting out of a chinlock and firing off some elbows to the ribs. A double clothesline puts them both down again though before Andrade goes after the leg.

Hayes grabs the First 48 to pull him out of the air for two but the running knees in the corner. Andrade’s running knees connect for two but Hayes’ springboard DDT gets the same as we take another break. Back again with Hayes crotching him on top but Andrade manages to reverse into a superplex.

Hayes manages the suplex cutter for two but Andrade catches him on top. Another superplex attempt is countered into a cutter (that was sweet) for two more. Andrade knocks him down and Hayes rolls outside, only for LA Knight to interrupt. Andrade tells him to get out but Hayes rams them into each other, setting up a rollup to give Hayes the pin at 16:48, tying the series at 3-3.

Rating: B. I’m not sure about that ending, which was more about making Knight look like he was getting revenge rather than anything involving the two of them. Hayes will likely get a title shot somewhere in there but there is a good chance this winds up being a triple threat. For now though, I’ll setting for another engaging match between these two.

Post match Knight wants Andrade’s handshake but Andrade walks away, looking rather annoyed.

Cody Rhodes comes in to see Kevin Owens and Randy Orton, saying they need to talk. Owens says they have a match to worry about and tells Rhodes to stay back here before leaving. Orton says if it gets bad out there, they would love for Rhodes to have their back.

AJ Styles is back next week.

Michin vs. Piper Niven

Chelsea Green, with a trashcan, is here with Niven. Michin hammers away to start as Green yells about Cole smelling bad. A hurricanrana out of the corner staggers Niven but she’s right back with a toss out of the corner. The backsplash misses though and Green offers a distraction, allowing Niven to hit a cannonball off the apron.

We take a break and come back with Niven hitting a cannonball but Michin manages a crucifix bomb. Niven knocks her off the top and out to the floor, which has Green up off the floor. Michin avoids the cannonball into the trashcan and, after kicking Green off the apron, hits Eat Defeat to pin Niven at 9:56.

Rating: C. I’m still not 100% sure why we’re seeing a dumpster match between Green and Michin but having Michin beat green’s muscle on the way there is perfectly logical booking. This match wasn’t much to see but Michin has been on a heck of a run in recent weeks. She’s being pushed more than she has in a long time and she’s making something of it.

Next week, the Bloodline defends the Tag Team Titles against DIY and the Street Profits in a ladder match. All three teams are ready.

We look at fan signs.

Bayley apologizes to Naomi for the loss but Naomi says Bayley isn’t sorry…just like Naomi wouldn’t be if she had won. Everything seems ok and Bayley leaves. Tiffany Stratton comes in and Naomi is so sick of her that she wants a match next week.

We look at Jey Uso winning the Intercontinental Title on Raw.

We look at the Georgia Tech showdown between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes last week.

Kevin Owens/Randy Orton vs. Bloodline

Owens and Fatu slug it out until Sikoa comes in for more brawling. With that not going anywhere, Fatu and Orton come in, leaving the fans to yell at Sikoa. Fatu wastes no time in knocking Orton outside, where Orton drops Fatu onto the announcers’ table. Fatu pops up so Orton does it three more times…and throws in one for Sikoa as well. The fans are WAY into this as we take a break.

Back with Sikoa hammering away on Owens in the corner and hitting the running Umaga Attack. Fatu hits one of his own and Sikoa cuts off a comeback attempt to stomp away even more. Owens gets in an atomic drop into a clothesline and it’s Orton coming back in to clean house. The hanging DDT connects but Fatu beaks up an RKO attempt. Sikoa gets in a Samoan drop for a breather as they’re both down. Owens comes back in and plants Sikoa, setting up the Swanton for two.

Cue the Tongas for a distraction, allowing Sikoa to hit Spinning Solo for two more. That brings out Cody Rhodes to brawl with the Tongas and the RKO drops Loa. Fatu dives onto Rhodes though and throws him inside, where the referee is knocked down. That means no count on Sikoa, leaving Fatu to hit some superkicks to pin Owens at 15:06.

Rating: B. This was a match where you could pretty easily figure out what was going to happen and that didn’t hurt a thing. At the end of the day, Owens is going to have problems with anyone who works with the Bloodline and that makes perfect sense. I’m not sure if it is going to lead to a turn from him, but that is the story they are setting up and it is working well.

Orton has to hold Rhodes and Owens apart to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This was another show that wasn’t the most important but it did a good job of building things up for later. Next week has a dumpster match, a ladder match for some gold, and the return of AJ Styles. That is not a bad way to go for one night and this show helped get it ready. Throw in a pair of pretty good matches and this was a rather nice way to go.

Results
Bayley b. Naomi – Top rope elbow
Carmelo Hayes b. Andrade – Rollup
Michin b. Piper Niven – Eat Defeat
Bloodline b. Kevin Owens/Randy Orton – Superkick to Owens

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Smackdown
Date: September 20, 2024
Location: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We are getting closer to Bad Blood and that means it is time to get ready for a big tag match. Bad Blood will see Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns teaming up against the Bloodline, which should make for an important Smackdown main event. As for tonight, LA Knight is defending the US Title against Andrade. Let’s get to it.

We open with a recap of Cody Rhodes defeating Solo Sikoa last week to retain the Smackdown World Title. Roman Reigns then made the save from the post-match beatdown, eventually setting up the Bad Blood tag match.

Earlier today, the Bloodline arrived and didn’t like being checked in the metal detector. Jacob Fatu beat up security because that’s just what he does.

US Title: LA Knight vs. Andrade

Knight is defending and starts fast with a BFT attempt to send Andrade outside. We take an early break and come back with Andrade hitting a high crossbody for two, setting up the chinlock. Knight fights up and elbows him in the face before they go outside with Knight sending him face first into the announcers’ table over and over.

The slingshot shoulder gets two on Andrade back inside but he manages a quick posting for a breather. Andrade hits a top rope moonsault to the floor and we take another break. Back again with a double knockdown giving them a double breather. Andrade is up first but misses the running knees in the corner, allowing Knight to grab a DDT for two.

A neckbreaker gives Knight two but Andrade scores with the running knees in the corner for the same. Knight comes back with a powerbomb and the top rope spelling elbow but the BFT is blocked. The spinning elbow gives Andrade two more but he misses a missile dropkick. The BFT retains the title at 17:28.

Rating: B. Rather strong match here, which is what you want to see from Knight as he continues to build up his title reign. Beating one star after another is a good way to go and Knight looked strong in his third title defense. Andrade was hot coming off of his series with Carmelo Hayes but for now, Knight getting boosted up is the right way to go.

Respect is shown post match.

We recap the setup of tonight’s women’s tag match, with Bayley and Naomi fighting for a Women’s Title shot while Nia Jax and Tiffany Stratton are trying to get rid of them both.

Stratton isn’t overly focused on the match so Jax says Stratton should lose if she doesn’t win tonight.

Carmelo Hayes mocks Andrade over the loss and the fight is on again.

Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns met on the field at Georgia Tech’s football stadium (Cody’s hometown and Reigns’ alma mater). Reigns talks about what he has given on this field, which is his stadium and his city. Rhodes talks about what his family has done in this city because while it is Reigns’ field, it is Rhodes’ home. Reigns says the Bloodline has taken everything away from him and now there is nothing for him to lose.

Rhodes warned him that this would happen before Wrestlemania and now we have both a Tribal Chief and a WWE Champion, but it isn’t Reigns. If Reigns can’t beat the Bloodline, who is he? Rhodes wants Reigns’ word that he’ll have his back at Bad Blood. Reigns agrees, but he’s coming back for what is his, meaning the title, after the match. Rhodes says it isn’t Reigns’ to take, but Reigns says he’s in his way. That was a heck of a setting for a staredown, which worked well, though it felt a bit too big for a match at Bad Blood rather than…well any of the big shows.

Kevin Owens isn’t sure what he just saw.

Apollo Crews vs. Giovanni Vinci

Vinci isn’t happy with his previous loss and hammers away to start, setting up a clothesline out of the corner. Vinci’s fireman’s carry is loaded up but Crews reverses into a rollup for the pin at 1:36. I’m kind of chuckling at this.

Post match Vinci beats him down.

Kevin Owens will talk about Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes in the arena.

Here is Owens for a chat. Owens is about to talk about what he just saw with Reigns and Rhodes but here is the Bloodline (minus Solo Sikoa) to interrupt. Tama Tonga threatens violence but Owens wants to fight. The beatdown is on so here is DIY to clear things out, with Nick Aldis coming to the ring to make the six man tag main event.

Bayley and Naomi are cool with each other before their title match and they both want to win.

Bayley/Naomi vs. Nia Jax/Tiffany Stratton

Texas Tornado. If Bayley or Naomi win, they get a title shot, but if one of them is pinned, they leave Smackdown. It’s a brawl to start (as it should be) with Bayley and Naomi getting in some double teaming to stagger both villains. A double sliding lariat gets two on Jax, who is back up with a toss to Naomi. Something like a middle rope version of Cryme Tyme’s old G9 getting two on Bayley as we take a break.

Back with Jax on the floor and being sent into Naomi’s kick to the head. Bayley and Naomi hit some dives on Jax and a springboard kick to the face/German suplex combination hits Stratton. Naomi won’t let Bayley get the pin but she does take a shot from Stratton for her. Jax is back in to clean house but Bayley saves Naomi from the Annihilator.

Bayley and Jax get stereo covers for near falls (commentary isn’t sure how that would have worked either) but Naomi X Factors Jax out of the corner. Stratton’s Swanton hits Jax by mistake and a 1D puts Stratton down again. Jax Samoan drops Bayley but Naomi grabs a rollup, with Bayley helping, for the double pin at 11:06.

Rating: B-. The tornado rules were a way to set up the ending, which is either setting up Bayley vs. Naomi or the triple threat title match at Bad Blood (or both). For now though, it was a good way to make Jax look vulnerable and it’s a lot more acceptable to have her take a fall in a tag match. Good enough match here, with the result being what it needed to be.

It’s not clear who gets the title shot.

We look at some fan signs.

Chelsea Green goes to take out some trash but gets sick of the smell. She’s training to face Michin in a dumpster match, which would be on Michin’s home turf. As usual, Green is hilarious in stuff like this.

Michael Cole is VERY enthusiastic about the dumpster match and even gets up to demonstrate throwing someone into a dumpster.

Nick Aldis makes Naomi vs. Bayley next week for the title shot.

Kevin Owens/DIY vs. Bloodline

Hold on though as we cut to the back where the Bloodline has taken out DIY. Owens goes to the stage and fights all three of the Bloodline on his own, which goes as well as you would expect. Cue the Street Profits for the save though and Owens hits a flip dive as we have some replacement partners.

Kevin Owens/Street Profits vs. Bloodline

Owens hammers on Tama to start and it’s off to Dawkins to do the same. Ford gets to stomp Loa in the corner but a clothesline gets him out of trouble. Fatu comes in and the fans approve as he kicks Ford down in the corner. A suplex into Tama’s slingshot hilo has Ford in more trouble and a sliding lariat makes it worse. Ford finally fights out of trouble and hands it back to Dawkins to fight off Fatu.

Back up and Fatu hits a superkick out of the corner into a gorgeous moonsault as we take a break. We come back with Dawkins getting double teamed down but managing to kick Tama away. Fatu cuts off the tag attempt though, only to miss a charge into the post. That’s enough for the tag off to Ford to fight back, including a standing moonsault for two on Tama.

Owens comes back in and picks the pace up even more, with a splash off the apron to Loa and a cannonball to Tama. The Swanton connects but Fatu makes the save, leaving Tama and Owens to go to the top. After some very obvious spot calling, Owens reverses into the swinging superplex for two. The Stunner connects and Loa sends Owens into the steps, which is actually a DQ at 14:48.

Rating: B-. This got some time and the ending was a big of a surprise, though I’ll take the doing something a bit different than the same old stuff. The Profits didn’t need to take another loss here so the result was a nice thing to see. Owens was fighting as hard as he could again, which has been his thing for a long time now now.

Post match the brawl stays on with the Bloodline getting the better of things but here is DIY for the failed save attempt. Cody Rhodes makes the real save with a chair and hits Fatu with a Cody Cutter. Owens picks up the chair and stares at Rhodes, with Cody offering him a handshake. Owens drops the chair and we get a hug to end the show. They were teasing something there and we never heard what Owens actually thought of the video with Roman Reigns.

Overall Rating: B. Pretty nice show this week with the Reigns/Rhodes video being quite well done and seemingly setting up some issues with Kevin Owens down the line. The Smackdown side of Bad Blood is coming together nicely, but again it’s feeling kind of small compared to a Cell match and likely World Title match on Raw. This did a nice job of getting things ready for the show though and that’s what matters with about two weeks to go before Bad Blood.

Results
LA Knight b. Andrade – BFT
Apollo Crews b. Giovanni Vinci – Rollup
Bayley/Naomi b. Nia Jax/Tiffany Stratton – Double pin to Jax
Kevin Owens/Street Profits b. Bloodline via DQ when Loa sent Owens into the steps

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