Reviews

The John Report: WWE SmackDown 09/20/24 Review

By John Canton • Published 20th September 2024
WWE Smackdown September 20 Review

This is WWE Smackdown featuring LA Knight defending the US Title against Andrade, plus Nia Jax & Tiffany Stratton face Naomi & Bayley, and more.

It was reported earlier this week that Smackdown is likely going to be a three-hour show starting on January 3rd, 2025. It is based on a Wrestlevotes report and not confirmed by WWE. My initial thought is that I’m not surprised since WWE has been doing Raw on USA Network for three hours for the past 12 years and based on what NBC/USA paid for Smackdown, it makes sense that they would want it to be a three-hour show. On the one hand, writing three hours every week about Smackdown will be tiring for me, but I also think Raw has been WWE’s best show this year and that’s three hours in length. I have faith in Triple H booking a good show while I wouldn’t say the same when it was Vince McMahon calling the shots over two years ago.

I have enjoyed being done Smackdown at 10 p.m. on a Friday. Starting in January, it’s another hour of more work for me. I already write so much every week (at least 25,000 words every week all year long) so believe me when I say I’m not looking for more. However, the positive is that the shows are better, like I said. Anyway, we’ll certainly keep an eye on if WWE makes three-hour Smackdown official in the coming months.

From the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, this is Smackdown for episode #1309. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

A video package was shown from last week’s Smackdown when Cody Rhodes beat Solo Sikoa to retain the WWE Title in a great Steel Cage Match. The Bloodline attacked Cody after the match, so Roman Reigns made his return for the save. Later in the show, a tag team match was set up for Bad Blood with Cody & Roman facing The Bloodline’s Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu. It should be a great match.

Roman Reigns and WWE Champion Cody Rhodes met up at Georgia Tech’s football field, so we’ll see what they spoke about.

The Bloodline’s Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa were shown arriving earlier in the day. Jacob Fatu beat up some security guys (indy wrestlers) just for attempting to pat him down. Fatu asked if anybody else wanted to pat him down.

LA Knight was up first as the United States Champion for this opening match and the fans loved Knight as usual. Andrade was up next as the challenger. There was no mask on Andrade’s face on his way to the ring, so maybe he has stopped doing that.

United States Championship: LA Knight vs. Andrade

They are both babyfaces, but Knight is definitely more popular. Andrade tripped up Knight, who countered it into an inside cradle for two. Andrade went for The Message, Knight got out of that, Knight went for BFT, Andrade got out of that and left the ring. That led to a break just ten minutes into the show.

(Commercial)

The match continued with Knight connecting with some strikes. Andrade delivered a chop to the chest. Andrade punched Knight and went up top followed by Andrade going up top for a cross body block for two. Knight got some offense going with an elbow smash. They battled on the floor where Knight rammed Andrade’s head onto the hood of the commentary table, which is a spot where Andrade uses his hand to hit the table repeatedly to make noise. Back in the ring, Knight hit a slingshot shoulder tackle. They were using a ringside camera for several months of this action, which is cool. Andrade sent Knight to the apron and hit him with a forearm. Knight hit a punch to the body. Knight picked up Andrade, who broke free on the apron and Andrade shoved Knight into the ring post. Andrade went up top and hit a top rope moonsault onto a standing Knight on the floor. They went to a break there.

(Commercial)

Andrade connected with a forearm to the jaw. The fans booed Andrade after a kip up even though he’s a face. That’s because the fans like Knight more. Andrade went for double knees, but Knight moved and Knight hit a DDT for two. Knight stomped on Andrade repeatedly followed by a running knee smash by Knight. Andrade hit a jumping neckbreaker for two. The fans chanted “this is awesome” as Knight set up Andrade on the top rope. Andrade hit a back elbow. Andrade went up top, double jump moonsault and he landed on Knight for a two count. Andrade charged again leading to the double knees for a two count. Andrade hit a jawbreaker. Knight caught a charging Andrade and Knight hit a powerslam. Knight jumped from the middle turnbuckle to the top and hit a top rope elbow. Andrade came back wit ha rollup for two. Andrade went for a boot, but it was avoided and Andrade hit a spinning back elbow to the head for two. Andrade went to the turnbuckle, Knight slipped jumping to the top and Andrade shoved him down. Andrade with for a missile dropkick, Knight avoided it and Knight hit Blount Force Trauma (BFT) for the pinfall win after 17 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: LA Knight

Analysis: ***3/4 It was a great match that is going to elevate the US Title since it got a lot of time and they had a competitive match. Knight won the title last month, so I didn’t think he had any chance of losing it here. The spot near the end where Knight jumped up and went for a suplex was off, but they figured it out by having Andrade miss the missile dropkick. That led right into Knight hitting BFT for the win. This was a lot of fun with a hot crowd that was into the match the whole way.

After the match, Knight spoke to Andrade. Knight wanted a fist bump, Andrade wanted a handshake instead and they had an awkward handshake.

Nia Jax, the WWE Women’s Champion, and Tiffany Stratton were chatting backstage. Stratton spoke about how they were going to win their tag team match. Jax said that Bayley & Naomi are coming after her title, so maybe if Stratton loses she should leave Smackdown…toodles. Stratton didn’t say anything.

The Roman Reigns-Cody Rhodes segment was up next.

A commercial aired about Saturday Night’s Main Event taking place on December 14th on NBC in Long Island, New York. Tickets are on sale now. That should be fun.

(Commercial)

Andrade was shown walking backstage when Carmelo Hayes asked what was that? Melo said he hadn’t seen a joke like that since the Kings lost to the Lakers, which drew boos. Andrade and Melo started fighting after that. It was quickly broken up by officials.

Analysis: I wonder if that means there will be another Andrade/Hayes match. That rivalry may still not be done.

Face To Face: Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns at Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech University in Atlanta is where Reigns played college football and Cody is from Atlanta. That’s also where Bad Blood is on October 5th when Cody & Roman will team up against Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu. They showed some cars driving up to the stadium earlier this week. The cars even drove onto the field. Roman Reigns exited one of the cars and walked onto the field that he starred on as a top defensive player on Georgia Tech’s football team.

Cody Rhodes drove into the stadium in a white sports car. Cody had the WWE Title and was in dress clothes as usual. They stood at midfield to have a chat.

Roman said that everything you put your eyes on in here, that is Roman’s. Reigns said years ago he shed blood, sweat, and tears on this field many times. They showed some quick highlights of Reigns. Roman said that this is his stadium and this is his city. Reigns wondered what Cody has done for his city.

Cody mentioned Reigns needed seven cars to arrive. Cody spoke about some other buildings in the city while saying his family spilled their blood in this city. Cody said Reigns played football here, then he went to the beach and Cody said this is his home.

Roman told Cody it’s time to get down to the facts. Roman said that Cody is in a lose-lose situation while dealing with people who have nothing to lose. Reigns said that they took Jimmy from him, they took his Wise Man, they took Roman’s Bloodline and they took his Ula Fala. Roman said he had nothing to lose because there was no weight on his neck. Roman said it’s on Cody’s neck because he’s a man with no country.

Cody said he told Roman before WrestleMania the first time that he would be a chief without a tribe. Cody said they took Jimmy, they took your Wise Man, they took the Ula Fala and do you really think you have nothing to lose? Cody told Roman to look around WWE. Cody said that we already have a Tribal Chief and it’s not Reigns. Cody said we have a WWE Champion and it’s not Reigns. Cody said if you can’t even beat your own Bloodline, who is standing here right now? Cody said it’s not the biggest box office attraction in the WWE, it’s the guy they used to call Roman Reigns.

Roman asked Cody what did he want? Cody wants his word that Roman will have his back so that Cody can have Roman’s back. Roman said he’ll give him his word. Roman said he’ll have his back. Roman said when it’s all done, he’s taking back what’s mine as he stared at the WWE Championship. Roman tried to walk away, but Cody cut him off. Cody said it’s not yours to take. Roman said Cody was in his way, so Cody stepped aside and Roman said: “You’re in my way in life.” Roman left.

Analysis: This was really cool. It was shot like a movie with the way it was filmed. They mixed in some music, they used some cool camera angles and since it was shot in a private place, they were able to deliver their lines easily without interruption. If you try to do something like that in front of a crowd, the fans are going to interrupt with chants and noise, so sometimes it’s smart to do something in a setting like that where it’s a closed-off production. Reigns thinks that he’s still the top guy that will win the WWE Title back, but Cody made the point that WWE has moved on while Reigns has been away and it’s not Roman’s title because Cody has it now. The key thing is that Roman assured Cody that he has his back for their tag team match at Bad Blood, so we’ll see if that’s actually true when they have the tag team match. I liked this a lot.

Kevin Owens was shown watching on a television backstage. Byron Saxton asked Owens for his thoughts on the faceoff we just witnessed. Owens didn’t say anything and left.

Analysis: The deal here is that Owens is close friends with Cody, but he’s not just going to forget all of his battles with Reigns in the past, so Owens has a tough time accepting Reigns as this changed man.

(Commercial)

Kevin Owens was shown backstage again to think about what we just saw before the break.

Giovanni Vinci vs. Apollo Crews

Vinci wasn’t wearing a jacket this time for his match, so no delays like when they wrestled two weeks ago. Vinci chopped Crews a few times. Crews went for a kick, but Vinci blocked it and hit a clothesline. Vinci gave Crews a body slam into the ropes three times in a row so Apollo’s legs hit the ropes repeatedly. Vinci went for a slam of some kind, but Crews countered it with the ROLLUP OF DEATH~! for the pinfall win. It went about two minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Apollo Crews

Analysis: * I thought Vinci would win just like two weeks ago, but instead it’s another win for the veteran Crews. I don’t think this is helping Vinci because it will make him look like a loser, so they should book him to get some wins soon.

After the match, Vinci attacked Crews on the floor and threw Crews into the barricade. Back in the ring, Vinci gave Crews a brainbuster. Vinci smacked Crews a few times as the fans booed Vinci for his actions.

Analysis: It’s an easy way to get heat on Vinci since he was a sore loser after his loss.

Kevin Owens was approached by Byron Saxton again. Owens said if he was going to talk about then he’s going to go do it out in the ring. Cole: “What a pest Byron is!” Poor Byron.

A commercial aired for Survivor Series WarGames on November 30th in Vancouver.

(Commercial)

Let’s Hear from Kevin Owens

Kevin Owens made his entrance as the fans gave him a big ovation as usual at the top of hour two. There were “KO” chants, so the fans thanked him for that.

Owens said that he’s already aware that a lot of people want to know what he thinks about Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes. Owens said people are wondering what he thinks about it after everything that has happened for several years. Before Owens could get very far, here comes The Bloodline.

The WWE Tag Team Champions Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa with Jacob Fatu interrupted. No sign of Solo Sikoa this week. Tama told the fans to let the Right Hand Man (that’s him) speak. Tama said that last week, Roman Reigns & Cody Rhodes embarrassed their Tribal Chief, which was a big mistake. Tama said they’ll get what’s coming to them at Bad Blood. Tama said that Owens will get what he has coming to him by orders of the real Tribal Chief Solo Sikoa.

Owens said that we all know how this is going to end, so get up here and Owens can punch them in their stupid faces. Owens knocked Tama and Loa off the apron. Jacob Fatu fought with Owens, so the other guys joined in. The #DIY team of Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano made the save for Owens. Owens sent Fatu out of the ring. Gargano & Ciampa sent Loa out of the ring. Gargano & Ciampa hit Shatter Machine on Tama as well.

Nick Aldis, the Smackdown, General Manager, went into the ring while security and referees were around ringside. Aldis said he noticed there were three of them on the floor along with three guys in the ring, so Aldis said you can probably see where he’s going with this. Aldis announced Owens and #DIY against The Bloodline in the main event.

Analysis: We never got to hear Kevin Owens’ true feelings about the Roman/Cody tag team, so that’s something they can get back to in the future. The attack by The Bloodline and save by #DIY is an easy way to set up a tag team match for later.

Naomi & Bayley were shown talking in the locker room. Bayley spoke about how they don’t want to leave Smackdown. Bayley said that they are in this together to get that title shot against Nia Jax. They had a friendly argument about who was going to get the win for their team.

The team of WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax made her entrance joined by Miss Money in the Bank Tiffany Stratton. Their tag team match is up next.

This Monday on Raw: Bron Breakker defends the Intercontinental Title vs. Jey Uso and Drew McIntyre returns.

(Commercial)

They showed highlights of boxer “King” Callum Walsh picking up a boxing win earlier in the day. The fight was on UFC Fight Pass, so that’s part of the TKO family. Callum was at a WWE event earlier this year.

Tornado Tag Team Match: Nia Jax & Tiffany Stratton vs. Naomi & Bayley

If Bayley or Naomi win then the winner gets a Women’s Title match against Jax. If Jax or Stratton win then whoever loses will leave Smackdown. It’s a Tornado Tag Team Match meaning there are no tags and no rules. First fall wins. Bayley is from San Jose, so it’s close to her hometown.

The babyface team of Bayley & Naomi worked together to attack their opponents against the turnbuckles. Naomi and Bayley took turns attacking Stratton. Namoi and Bayley gave Jax a double bulldog into the middle turnbuckle. Naomi and Bayley each used their knees to send their opponents onto the apron. Naomi and Bayley hit double clotheslines while not being sure about who would go for the pin. Jax tossed Naomi into the air to send her crashing into the mat. Stratton did a hair pull on Bayley. Stratton jumped off the middle turnbuckle with a blockbuster/Samoan Drop combo and Jax covered Bayley for a two count.

(Commercial)

The four women were fighting on the floor as Jax tossed Naomi over the barricade. Bayley was able to avoid a Jax slam and Naomi kicked Jax on the floor. Bayley nailed Stratton with a clothesline at ringside. Bayley sent Stratton into the barricade. Bayley hit a suicide dive on Jax and Naomi dove onto Jax on the floor. They were bac kin the ring where Stratton clotheslined Naomi. Bayley suplexed Stratton after a Naomi kick (that didn’t touch Stratton) and Bayley covered Stratton, but Naomi pulled Bayley off to stop the count. Jax ran over Naomi and then slammed Bayley down. Naomi kicked Jax. Naomi & Bayley hit a double back body drop on Jax. Bayley charged at Jax, who knocked Bayley down with an elbow. Jax knocked down Naomi by the turnbuckle. Jax went to the turnbuckle, Bayley & Naomi went after Jax and Stratton pulled Bayley down. Bayley hit a boot to the face on Stratton. Jax hit a leg drop on Naomi while Bayley hit an elbow drop on Stratton and both wrestlers went for pinfalls, but they only got two counts. Jax knocked down Bayley by the turnbuckle. Jax picked up Naomi and went for a Powerbomb, but Naomi countered it into an X-Factor. Stratton jumped off the top with a Swanton Bomb that hit Jax because Naomi avoided it. Bayley and Naomi hit the 1D on Stratton. Jax hit Naomi in the back and Jax gave Bayley a Samoan Drop. Naomi flipped over Jax into a jackknife pin. It looked like Noami & Bayley each pinned Jax at the same time as the referee counted the pin. There were no replays shown. It went about 11 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Naomi & Bayley

Analysis: *** It was a result I expected with the babyface team of Naomi & Bayley picking up the win although I thought Stratton would be the one who took the loss. A pinfall win over Jax does put over Naomi & Bayley as threats to win, so I get why it was done that way too. It was a solid match. This is the kind of match where you could fight outside the ring more and use weapons, but they didn’t do that at all. I think they could have got the crowd more into it if they involved tables or weapons in the match.

The six-man tag team match was coming up.

(Commercial)

There were some fan signs shown in the crowd. There was even a sign saying somebody was a Cole Miner. That’s rare.

Chelsea Green was shown by a dumpster. Green said it was time to take out the trash. Green said it was unfair that she had to fight Michin on her own turf. Green tossed things into the dumpster and acted like she was attacking Michin. When Green reached into the dumpster, Green sold it like a raccoon attacked her.

The announcers talked about it with Cole saying Green will face Michin in a Dumpster Match in two weeks in Nashville. Cole was very excited about it.

Analysis: Chelsea Green is such a great performer who is an entertaining character due to how silly she is. I’m all for her getting more TV time on a regular basis.

Next week on Smackdown: Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes for the sixth time.

Nick Aldis was in his Smackdown GM office with Bayley and Naomi. Aldis informed Bayley and Naomi that they’ll have a singles match to determine

Kevin Owens made his entrance for tag team action. They showed #DIY backstage where The Bloodline were shown attacking Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano. Fatu ran over Ciampa with a running hip attack against an equipment case.

The Bloodline made their entrance, so Owens got into a fight with them. When the fight went into the ring, The Street Profits ran out for the save. Owens hit a Swanton Bomb off the top onto The Bloodline guys. Owens and The Street Profits were in the ring so that match is next.

(Commercial)

Kevin Owens, Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins vs. The Bloodline – Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa & Jacob Fatu

It started with Owens punching and kicking Tama. Ford and Dawkins made quick tags. Ford hit a senton splash on Loa followed by a kick for two. Dawkins ran over Loa with a shoulder tackle. Owens was back in for his team with a jumping back splash. Ford stomped on Loa repeatedly. Loa came back with a clothesline. Fatu tagged in with an uppercut and headbutt along with stomps in the corner. Fatu sent Ford hard into the turnbuckle. Tama tagged in with a senton splash on Ford. Tama hit a sliding clothesline while Ford was seated in the ring. Fatu tagged in for a headbutt. Fatu hut a running back elbow on Ford. Fatu hit a running back splash, but Ford moved and brought in Dawkins. Dawkins hit a huge back elbow and a slam. Dawkins charged at Fatu, who got his feet up to block. Fatu jumped off the top for a double jump moonsault. That’s an impressive move.

(Commercial)

The match continued with the heels still in control. Dawkins was against Tampa, but Tama was there to stop a tag. Fatu hit a clothesline on Dawkins and a corner splash. Fatu charged, Dawkins avoided that and Owens hit a jumping kick to the head. Dawkins finally tagged out to bring Ford into the match again. Ford hit a top rope clothesline body block on Tama. Ford got some more offense including a Samoan Drop and a standing moonsault for a two count. Ford landed on his feet after avoiding a move and Ford hit a jumping kick. Owens tagged in leading to running clotheslines on the Tama boys on the floor. Owens took out Loa & Fatu on the floor. Owens hit a cannonball on Tama against the turnbuckle. Owens went up top and hit a Swanton Bomb for two on Tama because Fatu made the save. Dawkins clotheslined Fatu out of the ring. Owens took a long time going up top, but Tama was back to his feet and he punched Owens on the top rope. Tama tried to superplex Owens, which never works, so Owens hit a cradle twisting suplex off the middle ropes for a two count because Loa pulled Owens off the cover. Owens hit a Stunner on Tama for two because Loa was there to break it up since Owens’ feet were by the ropes. Loa threw Owens into the steel steps. The referee called for the bell due to the chaos. I guess it’s a DQ or maybe a No Contest. It went about 14 minutes.

Match Result: No Contest

Analysis: *** They were on their way to a pretty good match when it ended suddenly due to all the fighting on the floor. I liked the way Jacob Fatu came across as a big star because he is booked so strongly even when he’s in a tag team match. A singles match between Owens and Fatu would be fun to watch. Anyway, no winners here due to the chaos outside the ring.

After the match, Dawkins pounced on Tama, Fatu dove onto Dawkins on the floor and Ford hit a somersault dive onto Fatu on the floor. The fight continued on the floor. The Bloodline cleared off the commentary table. Owens fought back against The Bloodline, but they sent Owens into the table. Loa gave Ford a body slam in the ring. Fatu jumped off the top with a Superfly Splash on Ford. The Bloodline set up Kevin Owens for another attack, but #DIY’s Ciampa & Gargano made the save. They were selling injuries. Fatu hit Ciampa & Gargano with superkicks.

The Bloodline battled Owens on the floor. Fatu slammed Owens’ back into the ring apron a few times. Fatu wanted to go up top, but here comes Cody Rhodes with the save. The fans were loud for it.

Cody Rhodes had a steel chair that he used to take care of Loa & Tama Tonga. Cody went into the ring and hit a springboard Cody Cutter on Fatu. Cody was shouting at The Bloodline guys while Cody was in the ring. Owens was behind Cody with a steel chair and Owens teased an attack, but then Cody stared at Owens, who put the chair down. Cody wanted a handshake from his pal Owens, so Owens shook the hand and they hugged. Cody lifted KO’s hand and the show ended there.

Analysis: There was yet another tease for Kevin Owens to attack Cody Rhodes from behind, but Owens refused to do it. I think it’s going to happen soon and maybe event at Bad Blood when Owens will be jealous of Cody picking Reigns as a partner instead of Owens himself.

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Three Stars of the Show

  1. Cody Rhodes & Roman Reigns
  2. Kevin Owens, LA Knight/Andrade
  3. Bayley & Naomi

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The Scoreboard

7.5 out of 10

Last week: 8

2024 Average: 7.37

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Final Thoughts on WWE Smackdown

I thought it was a good Smackdown once again just like last week although I think last week was better. I really liked the LA Knight-Andrade match. It was one of Knight’s better TV matches while Andrade is always fun to watch. The fans got into it as the match kept going on for nearly 20 minutes until Knight found a way to get the win.

That Face-to-Face segment with Roman Reigns & WWE Champion Cody Rhodes was outstanding. I love how it was shot with the close up cameras and some cool effects added to it. They agreed to watch each other’s back at Bad Blood while Reigns made it clear he was coming after the WWE Title held by Rhodes.

There was yet another tease of Kevin Owens nearly attacking Cody Rhodes from behind to end the show. It’s probably going to happen sooner rather than later, so I like that they are building up to it as a bid deal when it happens.

The next WWE PLE is Bad Blood on October 5th in Atlanta with this lineup announced so far.

* Hell in a Cell Match: CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre

* Roman Reigns & Cody Rhodes vs. The Bloodline – Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu

* WWE Women’s World Championship: Liv Morgan vs. Rhea Ripley

* Damian Priest vs. Finn Balor

You can watch WWE Bad Blood, streaming live on Saturday, October 5, at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. 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