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This episode of Smackdown felt like the calm before tomorrow’s storm at WWE Bad Blood. In the main event, The Bloodline successfully defended their Tag Team Championship against The Street Profits and DIY in a chaotic ladder match. Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu would join Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa at the end of the evening to celebrate, enjoying the first night in over a year that neither Roman Reigns nor Cody Rhodes was on SmackDown.
The night belonged to Michin and Chelsea Green’s Dumpster Match. The perfect mix of Attitude Era ridiculousness and today’s level of performance, the match was a must-see riot. Also, Naomi defeated ‘Ms. Money In The Bank’ Tiffany Stratton ahead of Bayley and Nia Jax’s Women’s Championship match at Bad Blood, with the greatest hints yet that it might be time for Tiffy to cash-in this weekend.
The Bloodline
Tonga Loa and Tama Tonga Retain their Tag Team Championship
Much is currently being made of how Raw and SmackDown’s Tag Team Championships are rarely defended. This was the first defense from the Champions since they won them on August 2nd, beating DIY on the eve of SummerSlam. The triple threat with The Street Profits and DIY made both teams look strong but it was The Bloodline who would leave with the win.
With The Judgment Day also having their first Tag Team Championship defense this week since winning them back in June, this feels like the moment the whole Tag Team division can be rebuilt. The Lucha Bros are coming at some point. Motor City Machine Guns looks headed to the WWE even sooner. The Tag Team Championships have to become more than just props for factions.
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Michin, Chelsea Green, and a Dumpster
Fun and Chaos in the First-Ever Women’s Dumpster Match
Everything about the run-up to Chelsea Green vs Michin’s Dumpster Match has landed. The match itself was even better than its build. Chelsea Green’s inspired comedy promo was hilarious, Michin and Piper Niven had a great match to set this up. This was a much-needed bit of fun on a weekend that is all about Bad Blood and is one of WWE’s comedy moments of the year.
Chelsea Green and Piper Niven embraced the Dumpster theme with their Garbage Attendant outfits. Michin eventually scored the win by putting Chelsea into the Dumpster, and through a table, in a thrilling final spot. After Michin closed the lid on her opponent, Chelsea Green would emerge from the Dumpster dripping in foul garbage and return later in a fantastic backstage skit. On paper, it’s a loss for Ms. Green but her time will surely come in 2025.
AJ Styles
A return That Was Anything but Phenomenal
Opening SmackDown to a hero’s welcome, the return of AJ Styles was full of intrigue. His retirement has been speculated about by himself and others for some time. Styles was last seen in defeat to Cody Rhodes as he was coming to terms with the fact that he may not be able to cut it at the top anymore. AJ’s WWE contract is believed to be up at the end of 2024 or the start of 2025. It’s all getting people talking.
Working as a face before being interrupted by Carmelo Hayes, Styles was happy to talk up the pedigree of US Champion LA Knight before The Megastar joined them both in the ring. Styles vs Hayes was announced with the stipulation that if Melo wins, he could challenge next for LA Knight’s title. Hayes would emerge victorious as AJ Styles was unable to finish the match through injury, but GM Nick Aldis wouldn’t recognize Hayes’s win.
There are speculations that AJ’s injury is real, as it can be seen that his leg bended dangerously when performing his signature backbreaker.
Nia Jax and Tiffany Stratton
A Bad Week For The Queen and Her Loyal Subject
Despite being one of WWE’s best performers in 2024, Nia Jax has rarely felt comfortable since winning the Women’s Championship at SummerSlam. Bayley’s goading promo suggested Nia should not trust Tiffany Stratton, winner of this year’s Money In The Bank. It’s advice she’d do very well to take ahead of Bad Blood weekend.
Tiffany’s loss to Naomi will do nothing to calm rumors that Stratton may cash-in her briefcase soon. Nobody gets an easy ride in a Championship match with Bayley. Nia continuing to demean Tiffany ahead of a war with the former Champ at the upcoming PLE is a bold play. It is unlikely to work out in her favor.
- This was the first episode of SmackDown to not feature either Cody Rhodes or Roman Reigns since September 22, 2023.
- AJ Styles’s first appearance on SmackDown was in a match with Curtis Axel on February 4th, 2016.
- Michin vs Chelsea Green is the 4th Dumpster Match in WWE history.
- Jacob Fatu shouting about how much he loves Solo Sikoa is the best.
- This vignette is rumored to be for Motor City Machine Guns (though they have been rumored to land in NXT).
- The Rock made an appearance at a Georgia school following a school shooting. It is 80 minutes away from where WWE is hosting Bad Blood.
- The (relatively) new tag titles looked great suspended in the air.
- This was country-rock musician Hardy’s third appearance on WWE television.
- Tiffany Stratton vs Naomi has happened four times on SmackDown in 2024.
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