Welcome to the latest edition of our weekly WWE SmackDown hits and misses series.
The 8/9 episode of SmackDown featured the fallout from WWE SummerSlam 2024. Featured acts included Cody Rhodes, Bianca Belair, LA Knight, Jade Cargill, and Roman Reigns.
Here’s what went down on the latest Friday Night SmackDown.
Miss – WWE confirms injury to Jacob Fatu
Jacob Fatu put Cody Rhodes through a table but seemingly hurt himself during the landing at SummerSlam. Triple H said Fatu was hurt during the press conference. Cody Rhodes confirmed Fatu’s medical status during WWE SmackDown. Corey Graves also noted Fatu was out hurt.
I really, really hope WWE is kayfabing Fatu’s injury to hold off on the eventual collision with Roman Reigns. The Samoan Werefolf has been the most exciting addition to The Bloodline in recent memory. I can’t wait for his return.
Hit – The Street Profits get one step closer to tag team titles
The Street Profits took on A-Town Down Under in a tag team title qualifier. Ford and Dawkins worked like a well-oiled machine. Theory and Waller brought some offense as well. The Profits picked up the win to advance to the next round.
A solid tag team contest between two exciting tag teams on the blue brand. I explained why The Street Profits needed to challenge The Bloodline for the WWE Tag Team Championship. Let’s see if they earn the title shot next week on SmackDown.
Miss – Jade Cargill vs. Alba Fyre on WWE SmackDown
Jade Cargill collided with one-half of the Women’s Tag Team Champions, Alba Fyre, on SmackDown. This match didn’t last long and ended with a win for Jade. Blair Davenport and the tag team champions ganged up on Jade and Bianca post-match. Naomi made the save.
Triple H’s booking of the women’s tag team division definitely needs improvement. It’s crystal clear that the champions cannot hold their own against the former tag team champions. The match itself was a typical Jade Cargill squash match.
Hit – Andrade vs. Santos Escobar on WWE SmackDown
Andrade and Santos Escobar squared off to determine a new challenger for LA Knight’s United States Championship. Both men went back and forth for nearly 12 minutes before Escobar pulled off a sneaky win on El Idolo. He’ll take on Knight for the U.S. Championship.
A good TV match between Andrade and Escobar. Andrade continues to show why he’s a great in-ring worker. The Carmelo Hayes distraction spot helped continue his feud with Andrade. Both men had a great match last week on WWE SmackDown.
Miss – DIY vs. Pretty Deadly
DIY took on Pretty Deadly in another tag team title tournament match on SmackDown. Gargano and Ciampa picked up the one after nearly eight minutes of action. DIY takes on The Street Profits in the number one contendership final next Friday.
The match was okay. That said, why didn’t DIY just invoke their rematch clause when WWE ran a rematch clause angle during the backstage segment involving Aldis, Rhodes, and Owens? I thought that was lazy booking.
Hit – Roman Reigns destroys The Bloodline on WWE SmackDown
Solo Sikoa and the Tongans came to the ring. Solo cut a promo calling out Roman Reigns. The Only Tribal Chief arrived on WWE SmackDown to a huge pop. Reigns took out the Tongans with ringside steel steps before attacking Solo with a Superman Punch. Solo went out of the ring to escape a spear. Tama Tonga took one to the barricade. The show ended with Reigns standing tall inside the ring.
It’s great that fans have finally embraced Roman Reigns as a babyface after years of rejecting him. The Bloodline’s 2020-2024 run has really done wonders for Joe. I chuckled when Reigns took out Tama Tonga. It seems he hasn’t forgotten about their Twitter beef from years ago. Jokes aside, Roman versus Solo seems to be the direction for Bash in Berlin. It remains to be seen how the feud will progress on the road to Germany.
Honorable Mentions
- Cody Rhodes told Kevin Owens he’d give him a title shot at Bash in Berlin after Owens helped the champion fend off The Bloodline. Owens said he didn’t do anything to earn a title shot. Backstage, Owens went off on Aldis for teasing Reigns versus Rhodes III. Aldis then proceeded to make Rhodes versus Owens official for Bash in Berlin. Owens versus Rhodes was bound to happen. With Randy occupied with Gunther, Rhodes needed a credible opponent.
- They finally aired a Giovanni Vinci vignette after months of absence. I think they are continuing with his NXT gimmick. Vinci is one great talent between the ropes. I’m glad that they are allowing him to cut promos in his native Italian because he’s more about action than talk. I’m looking forward to Vinci’s solo run.
- LA Knight made his first live TV entrance as United States Champion. The hard work did pay off. Knight and Paul had a damn good match at SummerSlam 2024. Props to Logan for giving some brilliant title defenses during his reign. As far as Knight’s first challenger is concerned, he’ll take on the person he destroyed in his promo, Santos Escobar.
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