This episode of Smackdown felt like the calm before tomorrow's storm WWE Bad Blood. In the main event, The Bloodline successfully defended the Tag Team Championship against The Street Profits and DIY in a chaotic ladder match. Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu enjoyed celebrating with Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa at the end of the evening. neither Roman Reigns nor Cody Rhodes on SmackDown for the first night in over a year.
The night belonged to Michin and Chelsea Green's Dumpster Match. A perfect blend of Attitude Era ridiculousness and today's performance level, the match was a must-see riot. Also, Naomi defeated “Ms.” Money In The Bank Ahead of Tiffany Stratton, Bayley and Nia Jax's Women's Championship Match at Bad Blood, with the biggest hints that it could be Tiffany's time to cash in this weekend.
The Bloodline
Tonga Loa and Tama Tonga retain the tag team championship
Much is currently being made about how the Tag Team Championships of Raw and SmackDown are rarely defended. This was the Champions' first defense since defeating DIY on the eve of SummerSlam to win them on August 2nd. A triple threat with The Street Profits and DIY made both teams look strong, but it was The Bloodline who would walk away with the win.
They had their first Tag Team Championship defense this week after winning them back in June along with Doomsday. This feels like a moment where the entire Tag Team division could be rebuilt. Lucha Bros will come in a moment. The Motor City Machine Guns are headed to WWE sooner rather than later. Tag Team Championships should become more than props for factions.
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Michin, Chelsea Green and the bin
Fun and mayhem in the first ever women's trash match
Everything about the preparation for Chelsea Green vs Michin's Dumpster match now. The match itself was better than the setup. Chelsea Green's inspired comedy promo was hilarious, Michin and Piper Niven had a great match to build it up. It was much needed entertainment A weekend that was all about Bad Blood and one of WWE's comedic moments of the year.
Chelsea Green and Piper Niven embraced the Trash Can theme with Garbage Maid costumes. Michin eventually took the win in a thrilling final point by putting Chelsea in the Trash and through a table. After capping Michin's opponent, Chelsea Green would come out of the trash can through the dirty garbage and then return 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 turnaround that is nothing short of phenomenal
Opening SmackDown with a hero's welcome, AJ Styles' return was full of intrigue. His retirement has been discussed by himself and others for some time. Styles was last seen losing to Cody Rhodes as he came to terms with the fact that he could no longer cut the top. AJ's WWE contract is believed to expire at the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025. All of this gets people talking.
Working as a face before being interrupted by Carmelo Hayes, Styles was happy to talk up the lineage of US Champion LA Knight before Megastar joined them both in the ring. Styles vs Hayes was announced with the stipulation that if Melo won, he could challenge for the LA Knight title again. Like Hayes, he would win AJ Styles could not finish the match due to injuryhowever, GM Nick Aldis did not recognize Hayes' victory.
There is speculation that AJ's injury is real, as his leg can be seen bending dangerously while performing his signature backflip.
Nia Jax and Tiffany Stratton
A Bad Week for the Queen and Her Loyal Subject
Despite being one of WWE's top performers in 2024, Nia Jax has rarely felt comfortable since winning the Women's Championship at SummerSlam. Bayley's promo suggested that Nia doesn't trust Tiffany Strattonthis year's Money In The Bank winner. This is advice that will do very well to pre-empt the weekend of Bad Blood.
Tiffany losing to Naomi won't help put the rumors to rest Stratton may soon cash out his portfolio. No one will have an easy way out in a Championship match with Bayley. Nia is a bold play as she continues to humiliate Tiffany ahead of her war with the former champion at the upcoming PLE. It is unlikely to turn out in his favor.
- This was the first episode of SmackDown since September 22, 2023 that did not feature either Cody Rhodes or Roman Reigns.
- AJ Styles made his SmackDown debut on February 4, 2016 in a match against Curtis Axel.
- Michin vs Chelsea Green is the 4th Dumpster match in WWE history.
- Jacob Fatu screaming how much he loves Solo Sikoa is the best.
- This vignette is rumored to be for the Motor City Machine Guns (although they are rumored to be on NXT).
- The Rock was spotted at a Georgia school after the school shooting. WWE Bad Blood is 80 minutes away.
- The (relatively) new tag heads looked great suspended in mid-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.