This week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown began with a recap of Bad Blood, an epic video package worthy of the story they tell on The Bloodline. You can’t help but be amazed by the quality of these videos.
We didn’t have to wait long to hear from the recently returned Jimmy Uso. He made his presence felt right away. Naturally, he finished like a rover, belting out his entrance theme and chanting as soon as he got in the ring.
He reminded us that he was out for 6 months thanks to a solo chicoa where he was jumped from behind by his crew, his bloodline, and his brothers. So they decided to settle it in a singles match on this show, where Jimmy said, “I’m going to kick your ass…”
Before he could finish his sentence, Roman Reigns’ music rang out.
Another huge pop.
The hottest heel has become the biggest babyface on the planet. They used a camera angle looking out from the audience, and Reigns could be seen walking down the aisle through a sea of weapons and throwing one. When he gets in the ring, they watch his ridiculous profile as he stands on the apron and everyone in the arena faces him with all their souls and then immediately gives it back. showed us.
fun. This shit is too funny. Heck, I went to Walmart the other day and threw up one in the deli for absolutely no reason. I couldn’t buy anything from the deli either. That’s how powerful this is, you know?
Anyway, Reigns switched and told Greenville to join him and recognize him.
Jimmy was shocked, but also very happy to suddenly feel like they were on some level of equal footing.
But Reigns didn’t let go of the microphone. Hey, he’s still OTC.
He said he’s not happy with his position right now and wants everyone to know who they are: GOATS. And they are 1.
“Yeah, but we’re not like that.”
Jimmy had to agree as he sees a chieftain on Roman’s neck with no tribe or ula-fala. He came back to Bad Blood because “you needed me. You didn’t ask for it, you needed help. I need help.”
And he said he knew one person who could help.
Fans took it from there.
you know.
“Not yet,” Reigns replied.
It took the heart out of the arena.
Jimmy made it clear to Roman, “You’ll forever be my tribe leader, but I’m still the only one who recognizes you.”
And he left him standing there to think about it.
This was a strong segment that planted the seeds for what was to come. And I’m really happy that they’re doing this. Sure, we love Reigns right now, but that’s no reason for him to act out of character. So is Jimmy. This was exactly the right way to go.
Jimmy then ran into Cody Rhodes backstage. Jimmy said last Saturday could be considered a favor, but don’t expect much more. They saluted each other before Big Jim left.
Finally, it was time for the main event, and Jimmy was hardly a match for Chicoa and the three men who fought alongside him at ringside. Jacob Fatu hit a cheap shot and of course the numbers game was too difficult to overcome. Naturally, they left the boot with Jimmy and it was Reigns who showed up late to single-handedly eliminate everyone until Solo was the only one left.
Fans treated this like another big showdown, even though they saw how it would play out.
Of course, Fatu recovered and attacked from behind, giving the rest of the team time to return and overwhelm Roman and Jimmy. The fans booed this loud and long, but it had to happen. That helped me think back to Jimmy’s earlier point.
they need help.
We can’t do this alone.
To further emphasize that point, Jimmy was shown saying it bluntly to Reigns again in the ring.
It’s time for Roman to right one of his biggest wrongs. When he finally corrects his mistakes, his legend will grow even bigger.
Yay.
WWE continues the steamy relationship between Kevin Owens and Cody Rhodes by having them come out while Rush Legend and Jakara Jackson compete in a tag title match. Ta. He grabbed the microphone and said he was told not to be here tonight, but he wanted to address those who he claims betrayed Cody Rhodes.
No, he said, it was Cody who turned on him.
Before he could get into the subject, they cut off his microphone. So he went to ringside, picked up Corey Graves’ headset and started to get into the headset, only to see the WWE Champion walking down the aisle. So he threw away his headset and headed straight for it, with WWE officials rushing in from all directions to make sure the pair stayed away.
Randy Orton then appeared on the scene to try to keep the peace, eventually finding himself in the ring trying to hold Owens back and catching an errant elbow in trouble. He responded by pinning Owens’ butt with a big right hand.
KO was shocked. In fact, he was so shocked that he simply walked away through the crowd, stroking his chin. Orton seemed upset with both himself and the situation.
Orton then told Rose to calm down and come out of dodge so he could talk to Owens and get everything together. SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis was also present and gave his full support as Cody needs to stay healthy as he has a match against Gunther at Crown Jewel in a few weeks.
Orton promised to fix this. Who would have imagined that he would become the voice of reason?
Later, Aldis, who was dealing with a disgruntled tag team, noticed a commotion on the side and ran over to see Owens placing a boot on Orton and saying, “Which side do you want to pick? Well, you picked the wrong side.” Owens was eventually ejected, leaving Randy lying on the concrete in need of assistance.
Parking is under attack again!
This was a great way to play this and only added interest to the story. The R-KO team is done and Cody is getting it from every angle. I’m looking forward to seeing how this plays out in the coming weeks and months.
The remaining L.A. Knight and Carmelo Hayes engaged in a back-and-forth match that ended in a very creative finish with Hayes flipping out and Knight going back for a BFT to get the three count. This was as clean a victory as Knight could get, as Andrade was watching from ringside and didn’t get involved in any way, even as a temporary distraction. Although he remains the United States Champion, it seemed clear that these two were not the end. Sure enough, later in the show, Aldis booked a seventh match between Hayes and Andrade, with the winner set to face Knight. NXT duo Rush Legend and Jakara Jackson made their first real appearance on the main roster in a tag title match against Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill. They made some shots early but couldn’t really be competitive. Sure enough, Cargill went about his business as soon as he entered the match, and the commentators spent most of the match talking about the stink of Chelsea Green, who was at ringside for this match. Michael Cole really went overboard with this song. Isn’t it amazing! Women’s champion Nia Jax cut a promo praising Bayley for sweating it out at Bad Blood before turning her attention to her opponent Liv Morgan at Crown Jewel. If you win that match, it’s tiffy time! she said. That’s because she expects Stratton to make money from Liv Morgan that night. Well, that makes sense! Naomi interrupts their conversation and says that Jax can’t win without his sidekick and that he doesn’t need anyone to help him win the match against Nia. They had an impromptu title match, with Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, and Dominik Mysterio showing up to watch. Rodriguez actually got involved by eliminating Stratton, who tried to interfere on Jax’s behalf. Morgan is then involved and Naomi powerbombs Jax off the ropes for the pin! Except that even though they fought 100 percent like it was a title match, it turned out the title wasn’t on the line in the end. Shortly after, Rhea Ripley shows up, makes everyone forget everything, and destroys the store. Legado del Fantasma was complaining that he wasn’t getting opportunities like Hayes and Andrade, so Aldis booked a tag team match against Angel & Berto next week, which would be a brutal, tough matchup, and hopefully He suggested that he deserved a title match. achieve victory. It was not revealed who said they would be the mystery team. Speaking of tag team issues, The Street Profits and DIY got so enraged during last week’s ladder match that they almost got into a fist fight. Ardis interrupts by saying that’s what they’re after and that a new team will be coming next week. This was shortly after another Motor City Machine Guns promo aired. Hey, maybe they are a mysterious team!
This was a very good show, just because it successfully progressed multiple storylines.
Grade: B+
It’s your turn.
