The John Report: WWE SmackDown 08/23/24 Review
This is WWE Smackdown featuring The Bloodline defending Tag Team gold against The Street Profits, LA Knight puts the US Title on the line, Cody Rhodes on a talk show, and more.
Last week’s Smackdown episode had a big ending as The Bloodline decimated the “Original Tribal Chief” Roman Reigns thanks to Jacob Fatu making his presence felt. Solo Sikoa’s version of The Bloodline gave Roman a Powerbomb through the commentary table and then they stood tall over Roman in the ring. We also have the WWE Bash in Berlin PLE to look forward to in eight days on August 31st.
From the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., this is Smackdown for episode #1305. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.
The opening video package was a recap of Solo Sikoa’s edition of The Bloodline beating up Roman Reigns in the main event of Smackdown last week. Reigns put the Ula Fala necklace around his head, but that’s when Jacob Fatu showed up and The Bloodline destroyed Reigns at that point.
Solo Sikoa and The Bloodline were shown arriving earlier in the day.
It was Corey Graves and Wade Barrett on commentary,
Grayson Waller Effect with Cody Rhodes
It was talk show time featuring Grayson Waller and Austin Theory in the ring hosting the Grayson Waller Effect talk show. Cody Rhodes made his entrance as the Undisputed WWE Champion and he got a huge pop as usual. Graves mentioned over 14,754 fans in attendance.
Waller cut off Cody before he could do the pyro pose on the turnbuckle. That drew boos for Waller as Cody put the WWE Title on the desk. Waller cut off Cody from doing his “what do you want to talk about?” line. Waller said even on Waller’s own show, everything has to be about Cody. The fans chanted “Cody” for that. Waller said that these idiots don’t know the real Cody. Waller said he knows how selfish Cody is and all he cares about is the WWE Championship. Waller mentioned Cody’s friends getting beaten up because of him.
Cody said let’s talk about his friends. Cody said that giving Kevin Owens a title shot at Bash in Berlin is not a charity case. Cody said that Owens has beaten everybody and he has not stopped fighting The Bloodline. Cody claimed he would not be WWE Champion without Owens. Cody said he didn’t use Owens. Cody asked if Waller could say the same thing and Cody asked Waller if this was friendship or was he just using Austin Theory? Cody called Theory “Magic Mike” which drew laughs. Cody told Theory that Waller is using him and the rest of them are waiting for Theory to do something about it. Waller said that this is his best mate and his tag team partner that he won the Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania. Waller cued up a video about Kevin Owens.
A video package aired about Kevin Owens’ WWE career featuring him turning on his friends and doing cheap attacks on people. The video featured Sami Zayn, John Cena, Chris Jericho, Kofi Kingston, and Sami Zayn (yup, again). Waller said that didn’t look like a good friend to him.
Kevin Owens showed up for the interruption wearing an RKO shirt to support Randy Orton. Owens said that every one of those guys kind of had it coming except for Kofi Kingston because he’s great and Owens apologizes for that. Owens said that he’s always been good with Cody, so it’s not going to happen. Owens said that we all know what’s going to happen because it’s going to turn into a fight, so then Smackdown GM Nick Aldis can come out here to set up the match. That led to Aldis showing up and he made the tag team match. Owens asked if he could get into the ring to start the fight. Aldis said to make it quick. The A-Town Down Under guys were able to fend them off and even shoved Owens into Cody as the heel retreated. Cody got back up to his feet to stand beside Owens.
Analysis: I thought it was a solid promo segment. They had some fun with it by having Kevin Owens say we all knew what was coming, so then they did it in reverse by making the tag team match and then getting into the fight after. I liked how Cody tried to push the idea that Waller was just using Theory, which is something that Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa have also pushed in the past, so it teases the idea of Theory realizing that everybody is right and that Waller is just using Theory.
LA Knight was shown walking backstage with the US Title for a title match up next.
This Monday on Raw: Braun Strowman vs. Bronson Reed, Uncle Howdy vs. Chad Gable and the kickoff of the Intercontinental Title #1 Contender’s tournament.
(Commercial)
LA Knight got a massive ovation as the United States Champion. Knight grew up in Maryland, which isn’t that far from where they were in DC. LA Knight entered with his Legado del Fantasma group of Angel, Berto & Elektra Lopez. During the introductions, Angel & Berto pulled Knight out of the ring. Angel sent Knight into the barricade and the cousins stomped on Knight repeatedly. Angel & Berto sent Knight into the steel steps. Angel & Berto sent Knight into the ring and then referee Jessika Carr tossed Angel & Berto from ringside. Angel & Berto were somehow shocked by that. Elektra Lopez complained about it, so she was ejected from ringside too. The fans liked the ejections, of course.
United States Championship: LA Knight vs. Santos Escobar
Knight said he was okay to compete, so the bell rang. Knight got a rollup for two. Escobar came back with a jumping knee and sent Knight into the turnbuckle. Escobar hit a double underhook knee to the chest for two. They went to a break there.
(Commercial)
The match continued leading to Knight ramming Escobar’s head (more like his hands) onto the hood of the commentary table several times so the fans could chant “YEAH” repeatedly. Escobar tripped up Knight and sent him into the side of the table. Escobar hit a jumping kick on Knight. Escobar hit double knees off the barricade onto Knight on the commentary table. It wasn’t enough to break the table. Back in the ring, Escobar went up top and hit a Frog Splash for two. Knight came back with an atomic drop followed by a clothesline. Escobar charged, Knight hit another clothesline and Knight hit a neckbreaker. Knight hit some “Yeah” stomps. Knight hit a Side Effect slam for a two count. Escobar blocked a move with an elbow to the head. Escobar hit a superkick. Escobar set up Knight on the turnbuckle, but Knight shoved Escobar down. Knight jumped from the middle turnbuckle to the top rope and then Knight jumped off the top with an elbow. Knight hit the BFT (Blount Force Trauma) for the pinfall win after about nine minutes.
Winner by pinfall: LA Knight…yeah
Analysis: **3/4 A pretty good match. Knight got his ass kicked before the match, so he had to make the comeback from the beginning of the match and of course, Knight got the win. It’s not like Knight is going to lose the US Title in his first title defense against Escobar, who is solid, but not really a guy who had a shot in a match like this. I think they could have had Escobar have even more offense. I’m not sure who Knight will feud with next. I think he’s going to have a long title reign.
A clip was shown of last week when Carmelo Hayes beat Andrade. After the match, Hayes gloated about the win and they got into a fight. Hayes finally beat Andrade after Andrade won their first two matches.
Carmelo Hayes was shown in a barber shop telling Andrade that he wasn’t as good as Melo last week. Melo said that being up 2-0 on Melo was the only thing keeping Andrade’s lights on. Andrade walked into the barber shop to say that what Melo did to him last week was disrespectful. Other guys were there to stop a fight. Melo asked what he’s going to do about it. Andrade said next week they’ll have another match.
Analysis: That’s fine with me. I like their matches.
The trio of Women’s Tag Team Champions Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn along with Blair Davenport entered for tag team action.
(Commercial)
Santos Escobar went up to the Legado del Fantasma group. Escobar yelled at Angel saying he was no use to him since he wasn’t out there. Baron Corbin & Apollo Crews laughed at Escobar for losing. Escobar said he won’t tolerate this disrespect. Escobar said he’ll talk to Nick Aldis so they can sort this out next week.
It was announced earlier today that at Bash in Berlin next Saturday, Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn will defend the Women’s Tag Team Championships against Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill.
Analysis: A title change coming? I think it might be a title change.
Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill & Naomi vs. Alba Fyre, Isla Dawn & Blair Davenport
Dawn knocked down Belair followed by some trash talk, but that was dumb because Belair hit a spinebuster. Belair hit a standing moonsault for two. Belair did the backflip off the ropes followed by a dropkick to knock Dawn out of the ring. Belair did a slingshot cross body block over the top onto Dawn on the floor. They went to break there.
(Commercial)
The heel trio was in control as Belair was the face in peril. Fyre hit a superkick on Belair while Blair tagged in and hit a double foot stomp to Belair’s back to knock her down. Dawn hit a double knee splash on Belair’s back along with some choking across the middle turnbuckle. Fyre back in with double front suplex on Belair and Dawn hit double knees leading to Fyre covering for two. Fyre put a submission on Belair’s arms, but Belair broke free with a backbreaker. Dawn stopped a tag out so Belair hit a suplex on Dawn. Jade got the tag to a huge pop and Jade destroyed the heels with strikes. Jade hit a Powerbomb on Blair and gave Fyre a fallaway slam into Blair. Jade hit a Chokeslam on Dawn. Jade hit a corner splash on Fyre. Naomi tagged in with a cross body block on Dawn & Blair. Naomi dropkicked Fyre. Naomi hit a double DDT-style move off the ropes for two. Fyre broke up the pin attempt. Dawn hit a step up enziguri kick. There was fighting on the floor, so Belair hit a cross body block off the top onto three women on the floor. Blair rolled up Naomi for two. Naomi came back with a kick to the ear. Naomi hit a split-legged moonsault off the top on Blair for the pinfall win after about 10 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill & Naomi
Analysis: *** The match had a lot of excitement, especially in the last few minutes. Jade was only in there for two minutes after getting the hot tag and then it was Naomi getting the win for her team. I though they might have Belair or Cargill win since they are in the Tag Team Title match at Bash in Berlin, but I guess it was decided to keep the champions strong, so that meant Davenport taking the fall. I really liked how they involved all six women in the match and that’s why it was fun to watch the end of that match.
Up next is Solo Sikoa addressing the future.
(Commercial)
A video aired featuring WWE superstar Natalya narrating a video that showed her uncle Bret Hart taking part in WWE shows in Germany. Natalya said that Bret told her that Germany had the best fans. On March 3rd, 1997, Raw was in Berlin as Natalya’s uncles Owen Hart and “British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith competed to be the first European Champion. Bulldog got the win. It ended with Natalya saying that the German fans are making history again with the Bash in Berlin PLE next week.
.@NatbyNature takes us back to look at WWE’s incredible history in Berlin, Germany! 🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/Ee5G3eAnst
— WWE (@WWE) August 24, 2024
Analysis: That was cool to use Natalya for the video since her family has a lot of history with WWE shows in Germany. It should be a great crowd next week in Berlin for Smackdown and Bash in Berlin.
Let’s Hear from The Bloodline
The Bloodline made their entrance for the WWE Tag Team Title match. Solo Sikoa led Tama Tonga & Jacob Fatu out there along with Tonga Loa. Fatu still had a walking boot on his right foot to sell his injury.
Solo Sikoa was in the ring wearing the Ula Fala around his neck. Solo told Washington to acknowledge him, so the fans booed loudly. Solo claimed he had a lot to talk about tonight. Solo said that the OTC (Roman Reigns) is done, so that led to “OTC” chants. Solo said whether it’s Kevin Owens or Cody Rhodes, it doesn’t matter who wins because he has got next. Solo said he’ll bring back the Undisputed Title back to his family and bring it back to himself. There were “We Want Roman” chants, so Solo told them that he ain’t here. Solo said he’ll be Undisputed WWE Champion, there’s something wrong with the Tag Team Titles. Solo told Jacob to step up. More “We Want Roman” chants. Solo told Jacob to give him his Tag Team Title, so Jacob did it. Solo tod Jacob to give it to Tonga Loa, who was also in wrestling gear. The fans chanted “you can’t wrestle” at Loa. Solo told Jacob he can’t be Tag Team Champion if Fatu is going to be Solo’s personal enforcer. Jacob hugged Solo and said he loved him.
The Street Profits arrived with B-Fab, who said they didn’t care about their family matters. Montez Ford mocked The Bloodline for being happy that they got a promotion. Angelo Dawkins said it’s demotion season since they will be former champions. The Profits did their “we want the smoke” line to end it.
Analysis: I think Jacob Fatu is the best wrestler in this version of The Bloodline, so I’d rather see him as a Tag Team Champion, but maybe there’s some other plan for him. The fans chanting “you can’t wrestle” at Tonga Loa shows they are aware of his errors in the ring. The fans also miss Roman Reigns a lot, so when Roman does come back it should lead to a big pop again and he likely won’t be coming back alone.
(Commercial)
It’s Sheamus on ESPN College GameDay with Pat McAfee and others on Saturday. They are in Ireland for it and were in Ireland for Pat’s ESPN/YouTube sports show earlier in the day.
LA Knight was interviewed by Byron Saxton backstage. Knight said that he spent the first 20 years of his life in this bicoastal area and the last 12 years in Los Angeles. Knight said that he defended the US Title tonight and he’s going to defend it again in Berlin as well. It’s an Open Challenge for next week.
WWE Tag Team Championships: The Bloodline – Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa (w/Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu) vs. The Street Profits – Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins (w/B-Fab)
Tama hit a neckbreaker on Dawkins. That led to Dawkins breaking free and Ford tagged in with a belly to back suplex. Ford hit a standing moonsault for two. Ford hit Tama with a clothesline for two. Ford took a swing at Loa, so Tama punched Ford to take over. Loa tagged in for a double team neckbreaker for two. Ford hit a jumping kick to the head of Loa. Dawkins tagged in for a double shoulder tackle and a moonsault by Ford. Dawkins hit a spinebuster on Loa. Ford tagged in and hit a Frog Splash off the top for two because Tama made the save. Loa sent a charging Ford over the top to the floor. Tama tagged in and hit a neckbeaker on the floor.
(Commercial)
The champions were in control of Ford as the face in peril. Loa sent Ford into the air and Ford hit an impressive DDT. Dawkins tagged in with clotheslines on Tama and a jumping elbow smash. Dawkins hit a corner splash along with a jumping spin kick to the head of Tama for a two count. Dawkins hit The Silencer neckbreaker on Tama. Ford was back in as the legal man for the spinebuster/neckbreaker combo for two because Loa made the save. Dawkins tagged in leading to a pounce on Tama on the floor to knock Loa down on the floor. Ford jumped over the top with a somersault dive over the top onto both Tonga boys. Solo distracted the referee, so Fatu superkicked Dawkins and Ford on the floor. Back in the ring, Tama hit a flatliner on Dawkins and the referee counted the pin. It went about 10 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: The Bloodline – Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa
Analysis: *** The Street Profits always have entertaining matches, so this one followed that trend. I know Tonga Loa gets mocked by some fans, but he was fine in his role in this match. The Profits do an awesome job after the hot tag because there are so many moves they do that are believable as nearfalls. The numbers game cost the Profits since Jacob Fatu getting involved led to the win for the champions. It makes Tama & Loa look like cheap champions, but it also tells the audience that if it’s a fair match then The Bloodline are going to lose those titles.
After the match, The Bloodline beat up Dawkins and Ford some more. The #DIY duo of Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano showed up for the save. Ciampa and Gargano took out Tama & Loa on the floor. DIY got some offense in the ring, but that didn’t last long. Fatu stopped Gargano from making an attack. Fatu hit a popup Samoan Drop on Ciampa and a running hip attack on Gargano. Barrett was in awe of how good Fatu was even with a walking boot on his foot. Solo hit a Samoan Spike on Gargano and a Samoan Spike on Ciampa as well. Solo celebrated with The Bloodline while Solo wore the Ula Fala around his neck.
Analysis: A successful beating from The Bloodline yet again. Jacob Fatu was once again the difference maker since he stopped Gargano from attacking Solo for a double team attack and then that led to Jacob & Solo dominating the #DIY guys. They always book Fatu strong, which again makes him the standout performer in this group.
Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens were talking backstage. Cody said they’ve got him. Owens said tonight is about shutting up Waller & Theory. Owens said that all those guys except for Kofi in the video deserved it. Owens said he’s not that guy anymore and asked Cody if he believed it? Cody said yes. Owens said Cody didn’t think Owens was doing this to set him up. Cody said all he can do is take him at his word and be ready for what happens next. Cody left. That match is later.
(Commercial)
A replay aired of The Bloodline’s successful attack before the break.
Byron Saxton was outside the WWE Trainer’s room where he said The Street Profits and #DIY were inside. B-Fab walked out of the room saying it was precautionary measures and they were fine. Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell went into the room since Candice is married to Gargano. B-Fab said it was fine. Saxton said he’ll keep standing by for updates.
There was a quick video about Michin ruining Nia Jax’s celebration last week.
Nia Jax, the WWE Women’s Champion, was backstage with Tiffany Stratton and Pretty Deadly’s Kit Wilson & Elton Prince. PD was trying to fix Jax’s fake crown. Jax said that Michin ruined the celebration while adding that she would get her back. Jax said that Michin would get the beating of a lifetime next week. Stratton asked if there was anything they could do, so Jax told them to fix her crown. Stratton and Pretty Deadly left. Chelsea Green & Piper Niven were shown around a corner talking about the situation while Jax was standing there in a spot that was behind them so they couldn’t see Jax. Green and Niven suggested that Stratton was only hanging around Jax so that she could stab Jax in the back. Jax walked up to them saying she was in no mood tonight, So Green & Niven left.
Analysis: The Jax-Stratton alliance isn’t going to last that long most likely and I think it will end with Jax attacking Stratton, so it will turn Stratton into a babyface. I think that’s more likely than Stratton staying heel while Jax goes face. Anyway, there will be a slow build to it.
Next Friday on Smackdown: Nia Jax defends the WWE Women’s Championship against Michin in a Street Fight.
Cody Rhodes, the Undisputed WWE Champion, made his entrance for the tag team main event.
(Commercial)
The entrances took place by Cody’s tag team partner Kevin Owens, who got a nice ovation. The A-Town Down Under duo of Grayson Waller & Austin Theory made their entrance. Waller ripped up a fan’s sign.
Cody Rhodes & Kevin Owens vs. A-Town Down Under – Grayson Waller & Austin Theory
The team of Cody & KO were in control early with a double back elbow on Waller. Owens worked over Waller with strikes. Theory went after Cody, so Cody punched Theory and Waller broke free with a punch to the jaw. Owens sent Waller to the apron, Owens punched Theory and Waller hit a necksnap on the top rope. Theory tagged in with an impressive dropkick. Theory worked over Owens with punches as the show went to break.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Theory making the mistake of trying to superplex Owens, who hit a few headbutts. Owens jumped off the top with a Frog Splash on Waller. Cody got the hot tag against Waller, which led to Cody connecting with punches along with a forearm and a powerslam. Cody hit the springboard Disaster Kick on Waller. Theory tripped up Cody, so Cody sent him into the commentary table. Waller was back in the ring with a jumping flatliner for two. Theory tagged in and ran over Cody with a clothesline. Theory sent Cody back first into the turnbuckle. Theory was in control of Cody with a headlock. Cody broke free from Theory and hit a springboard Cody Cutter. Owens was ready for Waller’s cheap attack to stop a tag. Theory hit a belly-to-back suplex on Cody for two. Cody sent both opponents out of the ring. Owens got the tag, so he ran over both opponents with clotheslines and senton splashes for both guys. Owens hit a cannonball off the apron onto Theory on the floor. Owens connected with a cannonball on Theory in the ring. Owens went up top and hit a Swanton Bomb for two because Theory made the save. Cody hit Cross Rhodes on Theory to take care of him. Waller got a rollup on Owens for two. Owens hit a superkick on Waller followed by a Popup Powerbomb for the pinfall win after 12 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Cody Rhodes & Kevin Owens
Analysis: ***1/4 This was what you would expect from a tag team match like this where it’s obvious the babyfaces were winning, yet they still had a competitive match. The team of Waller & Theory are out there to get their beat and we know that, but I still think they are an entertaining team. The finish was booked well with Owens getting the win to give him some momentum since he needs it more than Cody does.
The announcers did a rundown of the WWE Bash in Berlin lineup on Saturday, August 31.
* Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Kevin Owens
* Women’s Tag Team Championships: Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn (c) vs. Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill
* Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley vs. Dominik Mysterio & Liv Morgan
* Strap Match: Drew McIntyre vs. CM Punk
* World Heavyweight Championship: GUNTHER (c) vs. Randy Orton
The team Cody and Owens were in the ring. Owens had the WWE Title, he charged at Cody and handed Cody the title. Owens charged at Cody as if he was going to hit him with the title, but instead, Owens handed Cody the title. Cody and Owens hugged in the ring while also posing for the crowd. End show.
Analysis: That was a nice tease of a KO attack on Cody, but instead it was Owens handing Cody the title.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Cody Rhodes & Kevin Owens
- LA Knight…yeah
- Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill & Naomi
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The Scoreboard
7.25 out of 10
Last week: 7.5
2024 Average: 7.35
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Final Thoughts on WWE Smackdown
It was a mostly good Smackdown that I would say felt average for what we usually see on this show in 2024. There were four matches, but none of them really stood out that much. Three of them got about the same amount of time around ten minutes and then the main event was a bit longer. They are doing a nice job with the women’s division. The babyface trio of Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill & Naomi are a lot of fun to watch.
Cody Rhodes & Kevin Owens beating A-Town Down Under was an obvious result. It looked like Owens might hit Cody with a cheap shot, but he didn’t do it and it leaves the audience wondering if Owens would do it in the future, or if he’s really a changed man. LA Knight had a strong showing in his match with Santos Escobar.
The Bloodline continues to dominate just like they do most weeks. There was a change because Solo Sikoa told Tonga Loa to defend with Tama Tonga, which led to Jacob Fatu being the difference maker again in helping The Bloodline beat The Street Profits. While I would like to see the Profits win gold again because it’s been a few years, I didn’t expect it to happen here. They are obviously building to another Roman Reigns return, perhaps with some allies by his side. That’s something to look forward to in the weeks ahead.
The next WWE PLE is Bash in Berlin on Saturday, August 31st in Berlin, Germany. The lineup looks like this so far.
* World Heavyweight Championship: GUNTHER (c) vs. Randy Orton
* Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Kevin Owens
* Strap Match: Drew McIntyre vs. CM Punk
* Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley vs. Dominik Mysterio & Liv Morgan
* Women’s Tag Team Championships: Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn (c) vs. Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill
You can watch WWE Bash in Berlin, streaming live on Saturday, August 31, at 1 PM ET/9 AM PT on Peacock in the United States and on WWE Network everywhere else.
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Thanks for reading. Go Los Angeles Rams. You can contact me using any of the methods below.
John Canton
Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter/X: @johnreport