The John Report: WWE SmackDown 07/05/24 Review
It’s WWE SmackDown featuring Austin Theory & Grayson Waller defending the WWE Tag Team Titles against #DIY’s Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano.
I was out of town when this July 5th episode of Smackdown took place. Since Money in the Bank took place on July 6th, I reviewed that and didn’t review Smackdown. However, now I have some time so here I am with the Smackdown review just because I don’t like skipping shows. Since I’m doing this nearly a week after this Smackdown took place, I’ll do a condensed format review for most of it and then play-by-play for the Tag Team Title match.
From Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, this is Smackdown for episode #1298. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.
It was Corey Graves and Wade Barrett on commentary as usual.
Let’s Hear from Jey Uso And Others
Jey Uso started the show with an in-ring promo even though he’s a Raw guy. To promote Money in the Bank, they ignored the brand-exclusive rosters. Jey encouraged the fans to “Yeet” if they wanted to be Mr. Money in the Bank so of course the fans did the “Yeet” chant.
LA Knight was the first man to interrupt and he was cheered as well. Knight said that maybe Jey was the odds-on favorite in this match while Knight was the favorite a year ago. Knight said that he had respect for Jey breaking free from The Bloodline. Knight told Jey you’d be hearing all of Toronto saying “Yeah” so Jey said “Yeet” in reply and they had a Yeet-Yeah battle. The fans loved it.
Carmelo Hayes interrupted the catchphrase fest. Melo tried to insult both guys, but before he could get in the ring, here was another interruption.
Chad Gable from Raw said he’s been living in his own personal hell for the last three weeks. Chad complained about the Wyatt Sicks coming after him.
Andrade was up next for the promo party. Andrade told them that dreams don’t win matches, especially a dangerous match like Money in the Bank.
Drew McIntyre from Raw was the last of the six men to join the promo party. Drew was the only former WWE Champion of the six men involved in this match. There were a lot of “CM Punk” chants from the crowd. Drew said he expected better from Canada since we are part of the Commonwealth. Drew spoke about the violence he inflicted on CM Punk would happen to them if they got in his way at Money in the Bank. There were more “CM Punk” chants when Drew got in the ring.
Drew called Andrade “El Idiot.” Drew told Chad he felt bad for him. Drew said that Melo has a bright future, but he’s not him because he is looking up at him. Drew told LA Knight it’s going to be “No” at Money in the Bank. Drew asked Jey how he got across the border anyway. That led to a brawl with Andrade knocking down Drew and then the others got involved. Drew hit a running elbow smash on Jey. Knight and Jey took turns punching Drew along with a double clothesline that knocked Drew out of the ring. Jey and Knight stood tall in the ring to end it.
Analysis: It was the classic Money in the Bank promo medley with everybody talking about why they were going to win. It was fine, but nothing we haven’t seen many times in the past. The Knight-Jey “Yes/Yeet” face off was funny while it lasted. Drew had some good lines too.
Bayley, the WWE Women’s Champion, was interviewed by Jackie Redmond backstage. Bayley said Money in the Bank is brutal but also rewarding. Chelsea Green walked in trashing Bayley for her irrelevant advice. Green said when she’s Miss Money in the Bank, Bayley will know when she’s coming for her. Piper Niven attacked Bayley and threw her into equipment cases. Green said that next time Piper drops Bayley, Green will be cashing in Money in the Bank and becoming the WWE Women’s Champion.
Analysis: There wasn’t much for Bayley to do in the last month. At least she’ll be part of SummerSlam defending the WWE Women’s Championship against Queen of the Ring Nia Jax.
The Street Profits entered for tag team action.
(Commercial)
They showed Bayley leaving the office of Smackdown GM Nick Aldis when Naomi showed up. Bayley said she’s got a match with Piper Niven tonight while Naomi said she had Bayley’s back.
Pretty Deadly – Kit Wilson & Elton Prince vs. The Street Profits – Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins (w/B-Fab)
The PD boys got a bit of offense until Ford hit a hiptoss and then Dawkins tagged in for a double team hiptoss. Dawkins was in control with a corner splash on Price along with a jumping kick to the head. Wilson did a cheap shot necksnap by the ropes followed by a kick from Prince to take control.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Prince working over Dawkins with strikes. After Wilson tagged in, he did a collision spot with Dawkins. Ford got the hot tag against Prince with a clothesline on Prince, flatliner on Wilson and then Ford did an enziguri kick. Ford hit a standing moonsault for two. Dawkins made a blind tag while Wilson rolled into position after a superplex and Dawkins hit a Swanton Bomb on Wilson for two. Dawkins did a Pounce to Wilson to send him crashing into Prince on the apron. Ford hit a somersault dive on the two guys on the floor. Dawkins with a spinebuster. Ford tagged in and hit a Frog Splash off the top onto Wilson for the pinfall win after ten minutes.
Winners by pinfall: The Street Profits – Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins
Analysis: *** A solid tag team match with The Street Profits getting the decisive win. It’s good to see Pretty Deadly back in action and I hope they are able to get some wins soon. Ford’s Frog Splash looks incredible because of how much height he gets when he does the move.
The WWE Tag Team Champions Austin Theory & Grayson Waller aka A-Town Down Under spoke in the locker room. Waller reminded Theory that he won zero titles with Johnny Gargano while Theory is a two-time US Champion and he won the Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania. Waller said let’s show them who they are. Theory was ready.
(Commercial)
The team of Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell entered for tag team action.
A video recap was shown from the June 28th edition of Smackdown when The Bloodline group led by Solo Sikoa destroyed Paul Heyman. When Solo told Heyman to acknowledge him, Heyman acknowledged that Solo is not his Tribal Chief, which the fans loved. Solo hit Heyman with a Samoan Spike. The “Wise Man” Heyman was also given a Powerbomb through the commentary table.
Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill made their entrance for tag team action.
(Commercial)
Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill vs. Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell
Cargill was in control of Indi early on with a kick. LeRae managed to get some offense after making the tag and she hit a senton splash on Jade’s back. Indi and Jade did a double boot spot to knock eachother down. Belair was on fire after the hot tag with a dropkick and suplex on LeRae. Belair caught leaping LeRae and tossed her onto Indi. Jade got the tag, Indi prevented a double-team move and then Jade came back with a pump kick on LeRae. Belair hit KOD on Indi and Jade hit Jaded on LeRae for the pinfall win after five minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill
Analysis: **1/4 The formula for Bianca & Jade matches is for Jade to get the hot tag usually, so they switched it up in this match with Belair waiting on the apron for the tag and then cleaning house when she got in there. There was no story going into it and Candice/Indi had no shot. Easy win for the dominant team.
Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill were interviewed in the ring by Cathy Kelley. Belair said that they were going to finish what they started and that’s getting back those Women’s Tag Team Titles. Jade thanked Isla & Alba for keeping the titles warm for them. Jade said they are coming for the Tag Team Titles, so they will see them soon.
Analysis: The team of Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn won the Women’s Tag Team Titles by not pinning Bianca & Jade so there should be a title match between them soon.
A video aired about #DIY getting under the skin of the WWE Tag Team Championship team of Austin Theory-Grayson Waller by trying to tell Theory that Waller was using Theory in this team.
The trio of WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton & Kevin Owens were shown walking backstage for a promo up next.
(Commercial)
Let’s Hear from Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton & Kevin Owens
Kevin Owens was up first for the babyface team with the fans giving a big pop for their fellow Canadian. Randy Orton got a massive ovation from the crowd. The fans were also singing Orton’s classic “Voices” song, which has become a thing in the last few months. The Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes was up last for this babyface trio and he got a huge ovation as usual. Cody was dressed nicer than his partners, which wasn’t much of a surprise.
Cody Rhodes talked about all the Toronto shows saying it seems like WWE and Toronto are a good fit. Cody said they have heard enough of Solo Sikoa and this modern Bloodline. Cody said they are ready for a fight.
Randy Orton said that fight is going to end with the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment: RKO. Orton kept it simple.
Kevin Owens said he could talk about the last four years facing The Bloodline. Owens said that he’d rather thank about the last four days. Owens said that on Monday morning, he got a call from his dad and the fans chanted “Ole” repeatedly. Owens said that his mom got rushed to the hospital and he’s been in a hospital with his dad and brother watching her fight like hell at a hospital in Quebec. Owens said it was the same hospital where his mom gave birth to him. Owens said that the shows in Toronto are super special because the family is there and everybody gets to enjoy wrestling together. Owens said that his mom is still in that hospital bed fighting like hell, so she won’t be at the show. Owens said that he knew he could have stayed home in Quebec. Owens said ever since he was 11 years old, his mom and dad did everything they could to make it to WWE. Owens said his mom told him to fight like hell and leave it all the ring, so if she knew or heard that he missed a show because of her, she would be pissed off. Owens said he’s more serious than he’s ever been. Owens said he’ll do what his mom has wanted him to do for the last four years is to beat The Bloodline’s asses worse than ever before.
Analysis: A strong message delivered by the babyface trio going into their Money in the Bank tag team match. Cody’s part was basic and Orton kept it simple. Owens delivered that message about his mom’s illness and wanting to fight like hell as his way of paying tribute to mom. Good for him. I wish KO’s mom good health moving forward. I hope she gets through whatever she is going through. All the best to the Owens/Steen family.
A video package aired about the legacy of the WWE Tag Team Titles.
(Commercial)
Bayley (w/Naomi) vs. Piper Niven (w/Chelsea Green)
The WWE Women’s Championship held by Bayley wasn’t on the line in this match. IYO SKY was watching from the front row.
Niven used her power game to hit a sidewalk slam. Niven hit a running senton splash. Bayley hit a bulldog leading to Niven leaving the ring. Niven swung Bayley’s legs around so Bayley’s head hit the ring post.
(Commercial)
Bayley dove onto Niven on the floor. It’s Tiffy Time as Tiffany Stratton made her way to ringside. Zoey Stark and Lyra Valkyria were also watching in the front row. Naomi and Green got into a fight on the floor. Naomi threw Green into the barricade. Sky tossed Naomi into the steel steps. Zoey Stark and Lyra Valkyria joined the fight at ringside. Stratton went up top and hit a moonsault onto three women on the floor. Back in the ring, Niven splashed Bayley against the turnbuckle. Niven went for the splash off the ropes, but Bayley moved. Bayley hit the Roseplant for the pinfall win.
Winner by pinfall: Bayley
Analysis: **1/2 It was okay for the time given. A match that gets about seven minutes doesn’t need a commercial in the middle of it, but it happened here meaning we only got to see about four minutes of it. Giving Bayley the win was the logical move here.
After the match, Queen Nia Jax attacked Bayley from behind and knocked her down. Jax hit a leg drop and headbutt. Jax gave Bayley a leg drop as well. Jax went to the middle turnbuckle and wanted the Annihilator splash, but Michin went into the ring and hit Jax with a kendo stick a few times. Bayley gave Michin a fist bump to thank her for the save. Jax left with her buddy Stratton.
Analysis: It’s going to be Bayley against Nia Jax at SummerSlam, so that cheap attack by Jax was done to build that up.
A video was shown of Sami Zayn’s comedy show last Thursday night in Toronto.
A-Town Down Under was shown walking backstage as the WWE Tag Team Champions since their title match was up next.
(Commercial)
Next Friday on the July 12th Smackdown has this lineup:
* Michin vs. Nia Jax
* Baron Corbin & Apollo Crews vs. Angel & Berto
The #DIY duo of Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano were shown walking backstage. Ciampa said eight years ago they became NXT Tag Team Champions. Gargano said two years ago he returned to WWE in this building because Toronto has become like another home to him. #DIY made their entrance.
A-Town Down Under’s Austin Theory & Grayson Waller made their entrance as the WWE Tag Team Champions. They won the titles three months ago at WrestleMania 40 and they didn’t defend the titles very often.
WWE Tag Team Championships: A-Town Down Under – Austin Theory & Grayson Waller vs. #DIY – Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano
It started out with all four guys brawling in the ring followed by #DIY doing a double clothesline to knock the champions out of the ring. The #DIY guys hit slingshot dives over the top onto their opponents on the floor. A little self-applause by #DIY led to a break.
(Commercial)
Theory missed an elbow drop on Ciampa, who moved out of the way. Gargano tagged in leading to a double team kick/knee attack. Gargano hit a slingshot splash onto Theory. Gargano knocked Waller off the apron, so that allowed Theory to come back with an elbow smash. Waller tagged in leading to an elbow drop off the middle ropes for two. Theory was back in to stomp on Gargano. Theory nailed Gargano with a punch. Waller dumped Gargano out of the ring. Theory was back in, he charged at Gargano on the floor and Gargano moved, so Theory hit the barricade. Gargano had an exchange with Waller on the floor leading to a move that looked like a Canadian Destroyer on the floor. Theory nailed Gargano with a clothesline on the floor. Back in the ring, Gargano countered Theory with a cradle pin for two. Gargano did a sunset flip for two. Gargano nailed Theory with an enziguri kick. Waller pulled Ciampa off the apron to stop a tag. Theory punched Gargano and Theory did a cradle suplex backbreaker for two.
(Commercial)
The match returned with Ciampa hitting Willow’s Bell while Gargano hit a superkick on Waller for a two count. Gargano went for a slingshot attack, but Waller got a knee up to block. Waller told Theory to hold Gargano, so Waller delivered a punch, Gargano avoided it and Waller punched Theory off the barricade. Ciampa tagged in and #DIY hit the Shatter Machine double team move that FTR does and it got a two count. Theory puled Gargano out of the ring and sent Gargano into the turnbuckle. Theory hit went into the ring for a rolling dropkick. Waller hit a flipping Unprettier for two because Gargano made the save. Gargano superkicked Theory, Waller with a knee to Gargano and Ciampa slapped Waller. Ciampa hit Project Ciampa leading to two knees to the body. Gargano tagged in leading to superkick/knee combo called Meet Me in the Middle for two for Gargano because Theory put Waller’s foot on the ropes. Theory decked Ciampa on the floor and Gargano dove onto Theory on the floor. Back in the ring, Waller got a two count. Gargano took down Waller leading to the Gargano Escape submission. Theory stopped a tap, so Ciampa hooked Theory into the Sicilian Stretch. Gargano held onto the Gargano Escape on Waller and Waller tapped out. #DIY are the new WWE Tag Team Champions! It went 14 minutes.
Winners by pinfall AND NEW WWE Tag Team Champions: #DIY – Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano
Analysis: ***1/2 It turned into a very good tag team match by the end of it. The first two segments before the final commercial break were basic tag team wrestling and then it really picked up. I liked the ending visual with #DIY applying submission moves and they managed to wear out the champions to get the win. I’m happy with the title change because #DIY will be fighting champions who can have great matches with anybody. The Waller/Theory pairing was fun, but they didn’t need a super long title reign either. Three months is enough in today’s era.
The #DIY boys Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano celebrated with the Tag Team Titles.
There was a video featuring The Bloodline as Solo Sikoa was seated at a table while his three allies were behind him. Solo had the red lei in his hands saying this makes him the Tribal Chief. Solo said that this is what his family needed. Solo said that Roman Reigns is no longer the Tribal Chief because Solo is the Tribal Chief now. Solo said that he’s going to take back the WWE Championship from Cody Rhodes and bring it back to the family. Solo said that if Roman Reigns doesn’t want that back, he can try to take it from Solo. Sikoa said that he was coming for Cody Rhodes and he would acknowledge Solo. Solo sat back in the chair while his group held up the one finger in the air. End show.
Analysis: I am writing this after Money in the Bank when Solo Sikoa beat Cody Rhodes in the six-man tag team match. They are obviously going with Cody defending the WWE Title against Solo at SummerSlam. I don’t expect a title change at SummerSlam, but it wouldn’t shock me if it happens.
===
Three Stars of the Show
- #DIY – Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano
- Kevin Owens
- Austin Theory & Grayson Waller
===
The Scoreboard
7.25 out of 10
Last week: 7.5
2024 Average: 7.37
===
Final Thoughts on WWE Smackdown
It was a good show overall. The Tag Team Title match getting a lot of time was nice to see and they delivered an exciting match. I’m genuinely happy for #DIY becoming main roster WWE Champions because I honestly didn’t believe it would happen.
Everything else was mostly centered around MITB which I already watched and reviewed.
===
Thanks for reading. Go Toronto Blue Jays. You can contact me using any of the methods below.
John Canton
Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter/X: @johnreport