The John Report: WWE SmackDown 08/02/24 Review
This is WWE Smackdown featuring two Tag Team Title matches and Cody Rhodes going face to face with his SummerSlam opponent Solo Sikoa.
It’s the night before SummerSlam and I have a preview up for that event right here. I’m ready for it on Saturday, but first, we have to see what WWE has in store for us on Smackdown this week.
From the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio, this is Smackdown for episode #1302. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.
Logan Paul was shown arriving with his buddies while Paul was driving a Prime truck. Smackdown GM Nick Aldis was there to shake Logan’s hand when he arrived.
It was Corey Graves and Wade Barrett on commentary as usual. They spoke about the two Tag Team Title matches.
Cody Rhodes and Solo Sikoa Go Face To Face
The Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes made his entrance wearing a suit as usual. The fans were loud for Cody as he made his way down to the ring for this promo segment. There were loud “Cody” chants.
Cody: “So…Cleveland, what do you want to talk about?” Cody then asked who do we want to talk to? Cody said “Solo Sikoa” so that led to Solo’s entrance.
Solo Sikoa made his entrance without The Bloodline by his side. Solo was in all black dress clothes. The fans chanted “We Want Roman” as Solo entered the ring. Solo told Cleveland to acknowledge him, so the fans booed loudly. There were “Solo sucks” chants from the crowd.
Cody said that he sees Solo with a chip on his shoulder since he’s a little brother because Cody is a little brother too. Cody said that from a distance, he almost admires what Solo has become. Cody said that once all the cinema is over, the bell’s going to ring tomorrow night at SummerSlam and Solo will have nothing to lose while Cody has everything on the line. Solo said that Cody was wasting his time. Cody told Solo a self-appointed Tribal Chief while Cody is the actual Undisputed WWE Champion and he stands there atop WWE. Cody said that he sits on top of the throne. Cody spoke about men who broke their bodies to sit on the throne like Randy Orton and Kevin Owens. Cody said that if he loses then he can’t repay that debt and he said that he will repay them with Solo’s blood. Cody mentioned beating Roman Reigns in a Bloodline Rules Match at WrestleMania.
Solo said when Cody beat Roman Reigns at WrestleMania, he was a Tribal Chief who was weak. Solo said he is not weak. Solo said he’s dangerous. Solo told Cody at SummerSlam, he will show him how dangerous he is. Solo wanted Cody to make tomorrow night a Bloodline Rules Match. As Solo was saying that, the trio of Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa (with eye patch) made their way down to the ringside area.
Cody said that he isn’t scared of Tonga Loa. Cody told Tama Tonga they have a lot of history together, more than people know and Cody isn’t scared of him. Cody told Jacob Fatu he isn’t scared of him either, you dumb son of a bitch. Cody said if Solo wants a Bloodline Rules Match then Cody accepts even though he admitted it wasn’t the smartest decision, but it’s the only decision he can make. The fans cheered.
Solo said that if he snaps his fingers right now, they can tear Cody’s ass apart. Solo said he’s not going to do that because tonight, the Tag Team Titles come back to The Bloodline and then tomorrow night, that title comes back to The Bloodline too. Cody responded he gets that they hate Cody. Cody said that all he has to do is defeat The Tribal Chief and since The Tribal Chief is not here, he’ll settle for the wannabe. Cody and Solo had a staredown. Solo left the ring while The Bloodline followed him out of there. Cody held up the WWE Title in the ring while The Bloodline was on the floor.
Analysis: Good segment with a lot of intensity. Cody had some good lines there about not being scared of The Bloodline while calling Jacob a “son of a bitch” and calling Solo a wannabe Tribal Chief was a good line. Solo’s promo was fine, but it’s not necessarily a strength for him at this point in his career. It’s a Bloodline Rules Match at SummerSlam meaning anything goes, which also should mean there’s a lot of interference in the match. In my preview, I mentioned Jimmy Uso coming back and also Roman Reigns as they end up helping Cody Rhodes pick up the win, so we’ll see if that happens. They could also bring back Randy Orton and Kevin Owens to help Cody as well. Anyway, the point is that I think Cody is going to retain the WWE Title even though right now it looks like it’s going to be tough for him.
Carmelo Hayes was shown in the barbershop talking about facing Andrade. Melo admitted he lost to Andrade in the past, but claimed people were talking about Melo after the match. Melo said that the next time they get on the court, it’s going to be a whole different game. Melo said when he shoots, he don’t miss.
Andrade made his entrance for a match with Carmelo Hayes. Andrade beat Hayes two weeks ago on Smackdown.
(Commercial)
Carmelo Hayes vs. Andrade
Andrade is the WWE Speed Champion, but he wasn’t carrying that title. They got into a chop fest early on. Melo hit a dropkick, so Andrade hit a running dropkick that sent Melo to the apron. Melo countered a suplex into an inside cradle. Andrade got a rollup. Andrade went for a move, Melo bailed to the floor and the show went to break.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Melo in control with some stomps while they were on the floor. Back in the ring, Melo hit a springboard clothesline for two. Andrade came back with punches and a dragon screw leg whip. Andrade ran the ropes leading to a jumping forearm to the head. Andrade charged with double knees and Melo avoided it. Melo went for a move off the ropes, but Andrade was there too and Melo missed a move off the ropes. Melo got a hold of Andrade leading to a suplex while using the ropes for an assist. Melo was on the turnbuckle, Andrade met him there and Andrade hit a superplex off the top rope. They went to another break.
(Commercial)
It was an even matchup as they exchanged chops. Melo went to the ropes, Andrade pushed him down to the floor. Andrade hit a moonsault off the turnbuckle onto a standing Melo on the floor. Andrade charged, but Melo spun around his body leading to a facebuster into the mat. Melo had visible bruising on his chest due to the chops. Melo charged, Andrade went for the spinning elbow, Melo avoided it and then Melo ran the ropes leading to Andrade hitting the spinning back elbow for two. Andrade went up top and jumped off with the double jump standing moonsault for two. The fans were chanting “this is awesome” for them. Andrade applied the Figure Four Leglock that his father-in-law Ric Flair loved to use, so the fans were shouting “Woo” for it, but Melo got to the bottom rope to break the hold. Melo was back up with two superkicks to the head. Melo slowly went up top, jumped off, Andrade moved and Melo avoided The Message move. Melo covered while grabbing the tights, but Andrade got out of that and Andrade used his legs to hook the arms of Melo and sat on top for the pinfall win. It went 16 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Andrade
Analysis: ***1/2 It was a great match just like two weeks ago. Early on I thought it wasn’t going to reach the level of their match two weeks ago, but then the pace really picked up, there were a lot of nearfalls and I liked the finish a lot. These two have developed great chemistry together. They’re both so athletic as well, so they match up very well together. I thought Melo might get the win here since Andrade won last time, but I don’t think Melo is going to be hurt by it too much. Andrade picking up two wins gives him some momentum and could lead to some bigger matches for him.
Santos Escobar and Legado Del Fantasma were backstage. Elektra Lopez said some words of encouragement. Escobar said that Legado needs to get back on track. Escobar said that Angel & Berto’s failure was not an indication of the true potential of this family. Escobar said that their fortunes will turn and he’s going to take care of Apollo Crews right now. Escobar entered for his match.
(Commercial)
Santos Escobar (w/Elektra Lopez, Angel & Berto) vs. Apollo Crews (w/Baron Corbin)
Escobar was in control with some strikes to the back and a kick to the head. Escobar hit a senton splash for two. Escobar tripped up Crews leading to an elbow to the back. Escobar hit a backbreaker. Crews came back with a headbutt and a belly-to-belly suplex across the ring. Crews hit a couple of clotheslines, a kick to the head and a leaping clothesline. Angel jumped on the apron, so Corbin punched Angel to knock him down. Crews did a press slam on Escobar, a punch on Berto and Crews hit a standing moonsault for two. Crews went up top, but somebody grabbed Corbin under the ring. It was Angel, so Angel and Berto beat up Corbin on the floor. Crews was distracted by that, so Escobar grabbed him and Escobar hit a Phantom Driver for the win. It went about four minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Santos Escobar
Analysis: **1/4 The numbers game strike again with Escobar beating Crews thanks to the chaos on the floor distracting Crews and Escobar took advantage to get the win. It was just a midcard match to give Escobar a win.
Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill were interviewed by Byron Saxton in the backstage area. Jade said they are very confident. Belair said that they weren’t pinned when they lost the titles. Blair Davenport was in the background looking at her phone. Jade said anybody who steps up will be stepped on. Belair said they are walking out with the Women’s Tag Team Titles.
Logan Paul’s Cleveland homecoming was up next.
(Commercial)
Logan Paul’s Cleveland Homecoming
The Smackdown GM Nick Aldis was in the ring with three people in dress clothes who he called “Cleveland dignitaries” without saying who they really are because they are just actors/extras used for this segment. Aldis introduced the US Champion Logan Paul, who was mostly booed by the fans. Paul defends the US Title against LA Knight at SummerSlam.
Logan Paul gave a shoutout to Cleveland, so the fans booed. Paul said that LA Knight is delusional if he thinks Knight can take the US Title from Paul in his hometown. The fans chanted “LA Knight” for the US Title challenger. Paul claimed that he inspired this great city and he represents this great city. Paul: “I am Cleveland.” The fans booed that.
Paul asked the fans what kind of welcome is this. Paul said that the fans are like LA Knight because they are “try hards” who never made it. Paul mentioned he’s only had two title defenses in 273 days, but that’s two more title defenses than LA Knight will ever have. Paul said that he can’t relate to the fans since he’s great and he made it. Paul said tonight we are here to recognize his greatness. Paul spoke about the Cleveland dignitaries.
Aldis spoke up saying that he couldn’t find much about the Cleveland dignitaries. Paul said that they are legit. Paul said it was time to reveal his championship banner to reveal that he is Cleveland’s finest. There was a banner that was lowered above the ring and it said “YEAH” on it on top of a picture of Paul. The dignitaries were clapping while Paul was freaking out about it.
LA Knight arrived by the entrance for a promo as the fans chanted his name. Knight asked Cleveland to tell him what the banner says: “Yeah!” Logan congratulated the fans for being able to read. Knight said that it’s time to get serious while telling Paul we are 24 hours out from Paul losing the US Title. Knight said that Paul is from Westlake while Paul said that it’s a suburb of Cleveland. Knight said since tomorrow is going to be the worst day of your life, Knight said he’s going to get him another banner. Knight was shown walking to the backstage area.
Knight spoke to Pretty Deadly leading to Knight asking if they knew how to get a banner. Pretty Deadly pitched their musical idea, so Knight left. Knight found the Logan Paul Prime truck that Paul arrived in. Paul ran to the back as Knight drove off in the Prime truck. Paul: “That’s a crime.” Yeah.
Analysis: Any time there’s a celebration like that for a heel character you know it’s not going to work out well. The fans hated Logan Paul as usual while LA Knight was beloved by the fans as usual. When I saw Logan Paul drive up in the Prime truck earlier in the show, I thought that maybe Knight would steal it. The trash talk was more of the same from them with Paul getting heat by mentioning he barely defends the title while Knight knows how to get cheers. The banner “edit” was funny, so I’ll give them credit for being creative. I’m picking Knight to beat Paul at SummerSlam, but it’s certainly not a lock.
A video aired about Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn as the Women’s Tag Team Champions bragging about how they are still the champions.
The Women’s Tag Team Champions Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn made their entrance for a title defense up next.
(Commercial)
Logan Paul was backstage complaining to Nick Aldis about having Logan’s car stolen. Paul asked Nick what he’ll do about it and Nick said he’ll take it up with Logan’s “dignitaries.” Aldis left.
The challengers Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair made their entrance. Ring announcer Alicia Taylor did the championship introductions when all four women were in the ring.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn vs. Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill
Fyre and Dawn tried a cheap attack, but the challengers were ready. Jade knocked down Dawn with a shoulder tackle and a corner splash. Jade hit a backbreaker. Belair tagged in going for a suplex, but Fyre stopped that. Jade went into the ring, so the challengers delivered strikes to their opponents. Belair and Jade both did press slams while doing a double flex pose as the show went to break.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Fyre holding Jade by the leg to prevent a tag. Jade broke free, but Dawn pulled Belair off the apron to stop a tag from happening. Fyre took over with a kick to Jade’s ribs. Dawn tagged in with double knees to the back and Fyre hit a Swanton Bomb off the top on Jade. Dawn covered for two. Jade blocked a double team suplex and Jade suplexed both opponents. Belair tagged in with a double cross body block off the top. Belair connected with a vertical suplex on Fyre, a shoulder tackle on Dawn and Belair hit a shoulder tackle on Fyre too. Belair punched both women against the turnbuckle, but then Fyre pulled on Belair’s ponytail. Belair hit a spinebuster on Fyre and a standing moonsault for two because Dawn made the save. Jade pulled Dawn out of the ring leading to Jade hitting Dawn with a superkick on the floor. Fyre rolled up Belair for two. Blair Davenport showed up at ringside and shoved Jade into the steel steps. The referee called for the bell because he saw it even though Jade wasn’t legal. It’s a DQ finish after about eight minutes.
Winners by disqualification: Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill…but Isla Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn remain WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions
Analysis: **1/2 A cheap finish to a solid match because WWE doesn’t like booking Belair or Cargill to lose a match. I mentioned Davenport earlier when Jade & Bianca did that interview backstage, so that was WWE’s way of teasing it. Fyre & Dawn are a good team and fun to watch, but match finishes like that aren’t going to help them long term. They will need some decisive wins too.
Blair went into the ring and Fyre/Dawn attacked Belair with Blair helping them. The trio of Fyre, Dawn & Blair attacked Cargill on the floor. They sent Cargill into the ring post. They also tossed Cargill over the commentary table. The trio of Fyre, Dawn & Davenport celebrated on the apron.
Analysis: A new heel alliance with Davenport joining her fellow European women. Davenport wasn’t doing much in singles, so I guess it’s a trio now.
(Commercial)
The announcers talked about how there’s a Countdown to SummerSlam show starting at 4 p.m. ET that takes place three hours before the main show at 7 p.m. ET. Also, Jelly Roll will be performing the song “Liar” at SummerSlam. It’s actually a good song. There was a rundown of the SummerSlam card.
* Bloodline Rules – Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Solo Sikoa
* CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre (Seth “Freakin” Rollins is the special guest referee)
* Women’s World Championship: Liv Morgan (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
* United States Championship: Logan Paul (c) vs. LA Knight
* Intercontinental Championship: Sami Zayn (c) vs. Bron Breakker
* World Heavyweight Championship: Damian Priest (c) vs. GUNTHER
* WWE Women’s Championship: Bayley (c) vs. Nia Jax
There was a video package about Bayley defending the WWE Women’s Championship against Nia Jax at SummerSlam.
Tiffany Stratton was shown in the dressing room. Nia Jax presented her friend Tiffany Stratton with a new custom pink Money in the Bank briefcase. Jax said that if Stratton decides to cash in then they will no longer be Princess and Queen, which means that Stratton would just have to answer to Jax. It was pink, so Stratton loved it. Jax left. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven walked in saying she would make it pale green. Green said she should have won Money in the Bank but Stratton pushed left. Stratton told Green that green was definitely not her color and Stratton left. Toodles.
Analysis: That’s cool that Stratton has a pink MITB briefcase. I predict Stratton will leave SummerSlam as WWE Women’s Champion. I could certainly be wrong on that, but I think Stratton is awesome and I’d love to see it.
The Bloodline foursome entered for the main event because Tama Tonga & Jacob Fatu earned a WWE Tag Team Title shot on last week’s show.
(Commercial)
Tommaso Ciampa was shown walking backstage as one half of the WWE Tag Team Champions introducing himself to The Bloodline guys. Johnny Gargano was shown with his wife Candice LeRae, their son Quill and their friend Indi Hartwell. Gargano talked about how he went to his first show in 1996 in Cleveland. Gargano said that they were in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio and this is his city while these are his people. Gargano said that The Bloodline will be surrounded by 10,000 people in Gargano’s family so Cleveland, Ohio, let’s freakin’ go.
The #DIY duo of Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano made their entrance to a big pop. Alicia Taylor did the championship introductions.
WWE Tag Team Championships: #DIY – Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano vs. The Bloodline – Tama Tonga & Jacob Fatu (w/Solo Sikoa & Tonga Loa)
Tama started with punches and Ciampa punched back. Tama hit Ciampa with a knee to the ribs followed by a suplex into a slam. Tama sent Ciampa left-shoulder first into the ring post. They went to break there.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Fatu charging against the turnbuckle, Ciampa moved and Fatu hit the turnbuckle. Gargano tagged in to a good pop leading to a jumping forearm. Gargano hit enziguri kicks on both opponents. Gargano hit a slingshot Spear on Tama for two. Gargano dove onto Fatu on the floor. Ciampa was legal as he hit an Air Raid Crash (like White Noise) slam off the middle turnbuckles for two. Tama came back with punches and Ciampa hit a kick that barely connected. Fatu tagged in with a running elbow smash on Ciampa along with a running hip attack against the turnbuckle. Tama went up top and hit a Superfly Splash on Ciampa for two because Gargano made the save. Fatu hit Gargano with a thrust to the throat. Fatu charged at ringside, Gargano avoided it and Fatu hit the steel steps. Ciampa got a rollup on Tama for two. Gargano got the tag and the champions hit Shatter Machine. Gargano set up in one corner while Ciampa was in the other corner and Tonga Loa distracted the referee. Solo hit Ciampa with a Samoan Spike. Tama hit a reverse DDT on Gargano for two. Good nearfall there. Fatu went into the ring as The Bloodline took control again. Gargano hit three superkicks in a row on Tama, Fatu and Loa. Gargano hit a suicide dive on Tama on the floor. Gargano gave Fatu a Poison Rana in the ring. Fatu no sold that. Fatu hit a superkick and a popup Samoan Drop on Gargano. Fatu hit a double jump moonsault off the top. Fatu hit an Implant DDT on Gargano for the one…two…and three! New Tag Team Champions. It went about 10 minutes.
Winners by pinfall AND NEW WWE Tag Team Champions: The Bloodline – Tama Tonga & Jacob Fatu
Analysis: ***1/4 What an incredible sequence by Jacob Fatu after he no sold that Poison Rana where he was spiked on his head. After that, Fatu hit an incredible series of moves so quickly and the fans were in awe as it was happening. Fatu continues to look like a dominant force every time he’s out there and this was no different because he is the reason why they won. It was also because of the numbers game because Solo Sikoa did the Samoan Spike to Ciampa, who sold it so well that he was never able to come back into the match. I didn’t predict a title change, but I thought it was certainly a possibility. The Bloodline winning the WWE Tag Team Titles was obviously going to happen sooner rather than later. I just feel bad for #DIY since they only held the titles for 28 days and now they are gone.
The Bloodline celebrated while Tama & Jacob put their WWE Tag Team Titles on Solo Sikoa’s shoulders. The Bloodline posed over a fallen Gargano. Solo held up both Tag Team Titles. The Bloodline stood tall. Graves: “American Nightmare, you’re next.’ End show.
Analysis: The Bloodline standing tall to end the show has been a constant over the last month or two. It’s happened many times and here it is again.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Cody Rhodes
- Andrade/Carmelo Hayes
- Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga
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The Scoreboard
7.75 out of 10
Last week: 6.75
2024 Average: 7.34
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Final Thoughts on WWE Smackdown
I thought it was a very good show this week and the best Smackdown episode since mid-June based on my ratings for the show. The match quality was better this week compared to the last few weeks while the talking segments were enjoyable for the most part. I thought Cody Rhodes did a great job with his promo against Solo Sikoa. The LA Knight-Logan Paul exchange had some fun moments too.
When it comes to matches, Andrade and Carmelo Hayes had another terrific match. There’s not much of a story there other than two midcarders having a rematch from two weeks ago. The fans got into and they got nearly 20 minutes for the match, so that’s great to see.
The Bloodline capturing the WWE Tag Team Titles over #DIY isn’t much of a surprise. I feel bad for Johnny Gargano losing the titles in Cleveland and they only had the titles for four weeks, so that sucks too. I just think WWE is so focused on building up this new version of The Bloodline. Jacob Fatu was amazing in the match, especially the finishing sequence to pick up the win. Bring on SummerSlam.
The next WWE PLE is SummerSlam on Saturday, August 3rd in Cleveland. The lineup looks like this.
* Bloodline Rules – Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Solo Sikoa
* CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre (Seth “Freakin” Rollins is the special guest referee)
* World Heavyweight Championship: Damian Priest (c) vs. GUNTHER
* Women’s World Championship: Liv Morgan (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
* WWE Women’s Championship: Bayley (c) vs. Nia Jax
* United States Championship: Logan Paul (c) vs. LA Knight
* Intercontinental Championship: Sami Zayn (c) vs. Bron Breakker
You can watch WWE SummerSlam, streaming live on Saturday, August 3, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on Peacock in the United States and on WWE Network everywhere else.
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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