The John Report: WWE SmackDown 11/01/24 Review
This is WWE Smackdown featuring Roman Reigns and The Usos having a chat while Cody Rhodes & Randy Orton team up to face Gunther & Ludwig Kaiser.
Happy November to us all. We survived Halloween and it’s my birthday on Monday, which makes me happy, but also grumpy a bit. It’s the final WWE Smackdown before the Crown Jewel PLE on Saturday. I did a lengthy Crown Jewel preview so check that out if you haven’t done so already. This Smackdown episode was taped last week so many of you might know the results going into it. Last week’s Smackdown ended with The Usos hugging in the ring while Roman Reigns looked on from a distance.
From the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, this is Smackdown for episode #1315. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.
There was a shot of the Women’s Crown Jewel Championship to open the show. It was Michael Cole and Corey Graves on commentary.
Nia Jax Goes Face To Face With Liv Morgan
The WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax went to the ring for a promo. The Women’s Crown Jewel Championship was in the ring. Jax bragged about becoming Queen of the Ring and becoming WWE Women’s Champion. Jax claimed that everything that gets in her way gets annihilated, which is what will happen to Liv Morgan at Crown Jewel. Jax said that she’d be the champion while Liv would be crying on the floor.
The Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan made her entrance joined by “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio and Raquel Rodriguez. Morgan claimed that Jax wasn’t special. Morgan bragged about retiring Becky Lynch and she’s the greatest Women’s World Champion of all time. Morgan also bragged about being with Dominik. Morgan mentioned she’s held her title longer than Jax has. Morgan got in the ring to tell Jax that the last time they fought, Morgan won. Morgan said she would be the Women’s Crown Jewel Champion.
Tiffany Stratton showed up with the Money in the Bank briefcase saying that at Crown Jewel, she said it was going to be Tiffy Time. The fans liked that. Stratton said she’ll cash in on Liv to become the Women’s World Champion. Stratton teased that she could cash in on Jax too. Jax: “Excuse me?” Morgan said that she has people around her that she can trust. Stratton said that they are both starting to piss her off. Stratton claimed that at Crown Jewel, she is taking home one of those titles. Stratton wondered if she takes that title, does he come with her? Stratton said she could use a little “Dirty” in her life. Morgan said it seems like Tiffany has enough dirty in her life. Stratton nailed Morgan with a forearm to knock Liv out of the ring. That will lead to a match after the break.
Analysis: It was an okay promo exchange by everybody involved. Jax and Morgan sounded the same by being cocky heel champions who like to brag about their success. That’s why the match isn’t that interesting to me because they are similar characters even though Jax is a more dominant champion. Jax and Morgan both have won matches because of their allies at ringside, so they are similar in that way. Anyway, the presence of Stratton makes it interesting to see if she does a cash in and if it’s successful. I think it’s possible, but that sort of thing is hard to predict. Anyway, it was a fine way to set up a match for after the break.
(Commercial)
Liv Morgan (w/Raquel Rodriguez & Dominik Mysterio) vs. Tiffany Stratton (w/Nia Jax)
The match was going on with Liv in control on the floor. They went back into the ring where Stratton kicked Liv into the corner. Stratton went for a charging attack, Morgan avoided it and Morgan hit a dropkick. Morgan went for a running knee, but Stratton hit a Powerbomb for two. Stratton tried a move off her shoulders, Morgan countered it and Morgan hit a double knee attack. Morgan went for Oblivion, but Stratton blocked it and Stratton hit double knees. Jax sent Stratton the briefcase into the ring, Jax distracted the referee and Stratton missed her briefcase shot because Morgan avoided it. Morgan did a ROLLUP OF DEATH~! while holding onto the shorts for the pinfall win. The referee never saw the shorts being grabbed. It lasted about four minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Liv Morgan
Analysis: *3/4 A short match with a cheap finish. It’s not good for Stratton, but she could still get the Money in the Bank cash in at Crown Jewel. Morgan winning gives her a bit of momentum at Crown Jewel thanks to the ROLLUP OF DEATH~! striking again.
After the match, Morgan dropkicked Jax and Morgan hit Stratton with the briefcase. Jax went into the ring with a headbutt for Morgan. Jax hit Raquel, Dom and Liv with the briefcase. Jax hit the Annihilator splash on Morgan. Jax left triumphantly.
Analysis: Nia Jax looked dominant there, which is not a new thing for her because it happens a lot.
A recap aired of Randy Orton talking to Triple H last week.
Kevin Owens Delivers A Message
Kevin Owens was featured in a video in a darkened room or perhaps a car. Owens said he tried to reach Randy Orton, but he didn’t reply. Owens spoke into a phone saying he didn’t want to fight Orton. Owens claimed he didn’t want to hurt Orton and now he’s going to hurt him. Owens said he’d do it because it was Orton’s fault since Orton did this to them. Owens: “I’ll see ya Saturday, buddy.”
Analysis: It was a simple message to try to show us that Owens is depressed about the situation, but is he really sad about it or is he just being a heel? Never forget that heels lie, my friends.
The Street Profits entered for tag team action.
(Commercial)
Pretty Deadly made their entrance with a graphic of their Pretty Deadly musical and CD. They handed it to actor Lin Manuel Miranda in the front row.
Pretty Deadly – Elton Prince & Kit Wilson vs. The Street Profits – Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins (w/B-Fab)
Wilson and Prince attacked the Profits before they were ready. Pretty Deadly hit a double team attack on Ford to isolate them in their corner. Prince did a leapfrog while legal man Wilson hit a DDT on Ford for a two count. Wilson went for a jumping elbow on Ford, who moved and Ford tried to tag out, but Prince stopped that. Ford jumped over both opponents leading to Dawkins getting the tag. Dawkins hit a shoulder tackle along with a leaping back elbow. Dawkins hit a corkscrew elbow on Wilson. Dawkins hit a running splash on both guys against the turnbuckle. Prince gave Dawkins a stun gun into the top rope. Wilson hit double knees on Dawkins for two. Dawkins kicked Wilson to keep him back while Prince tried to rake the eyes, so B-Fab tripped up Prince on the floor. B-Fab gave Prince a body slam on the floor. Ford tagged in, Dawkins had Wilson on his shoulders and Ford hit a top rope Blockbuster on Wilson for the pinfall win after about five minutes.
Winners by pinfall: The Street Profits – Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins
Analysis: **1/2 It was a solid tag team match to give The Street Profits some momentum. They haven’t been used that well, so I’m happy to see a win. I like Pretty Deadly too, but they are not being used that much either. The spot with B-Fab was good because Prince tried to cheat, so B-Fab stopped that and the body slam on the floor drew a pop.
Nia Jax was walking backstage with Tiffany Stratton. Jax mentioned she thought she heard Stratton say she would ash in on her and Stratton said it was just part of her plan to make Liv Morgan think that. Bayley & Naomi walked up to them while Bayley mocked Stratton for her plan. Naomi told Jax to keep that title warm for her. Jax was not impressed.
(Commercial)
NEWS: Indi Hartwell was released by WWE on Friday along with Tegan Nox. Baron Corbin is also departing WWE since the company told him his contract won’t be renewed. It sucks when people get let go, but they are all talented people who should do well in other places. Good luck to all of them.
Bayley & Naomi vs. Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell
Indi started against Bayley with punches to knock Bayley down. Cole mentioned Indi was inspired to be a wrestler after watching the great Bayley/Sasha Banks match in NXT in Brooklyn in 2015. Bayley was sent out of the ring, LeRae tagged in and LeRae hit a springboard cross body block off the ropes onto Bayley on the floor.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Indi slamming legal woman LeRae onto Bayley for a two count. Bayley tackled LeRae into the ring post. Indi was legal, so Bayley hit double knees on her. LeRae was back in, Bayley broke free and Naomi kicked LeRae in the head. Naomi got the tag and sent LeRae into the turnbuckle. Naomi used her knees to drive LeRae into the apron. Naomi hit a split-legged leg drop for two because Indi made the save. LeRae tried a rollup on Naomi for a two count. LeRae hit a jumping kick to the head. Naomi dove onto Indi with a clothesline. Bayley gave LeRae a neckbreaker across the middle rope. Naomi made a tag while Bayley gave Indi a Bayley to Belly. LeRae hit a senton onto the back followed by a springboard moonsault. Naomi was the legal woman so she hit the Rear View attack on LeRae for the pinfall. Graves complained about the refereeing of Jessika Carr. The match went about eight minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Bayley & Naomi
Analysis: **1/4 It was just a regular tag team match like the first match on the show. Candice beating Bayley recently was an upset, but it wasn’t going to happen here. The crowd barely reacted to the match. It was just a tag team match with an obvious finish. Graves was right to question the refereeing by Jessika Carr because she didn’t make it clear that Naomi tagged in, but the announcers did say it on commentary.
A video aired about the recent happenings for The Bloodline group along with the reunion of The Usos and Roman Reigns.
The Usos and Roman Reigns were up next.
(Commercial)
The Usos Chat With Roman Reigns
The “Original Tribal Chief” (OTC) Roman Reigns made his entrance to a huge ovation from the crowd. Reigns was joined by Jimmy Uso to show that they are on the same page. They made their way into the ring for some promo time.
Jimmy told us that “Big Jim” told us that they are now in your city. The fans chanted “Yeet” at them. Jimmy called Roman “My Tribal Chief” and said that they were stronger together. Jimmy wanted Reigns to listen to what he had to tell him. Jimmy told Reigns to drop this beef he has with Jey Uso. Jimmy said he made up with his brother while the fans chanted “squash the beef.” Jimmy told Reigns to squash it. Jimmy told Reigns to make up with his cousin, who is their brother. Jimmy said if they don’t get it together then they will lose and fall to Solo and his Bloodline. Reigns held out his hand so Jimmy was about to hand him the microphone.
Jey Uso made his fan-friendly entrance from the back part of the arena while the fans were swinging their arms with him. Reigns was looking out at the crowd joining in with Jey. After a few minutes, Jey got into the ring while the arena was full of “Yeet” chants.
Jey Uso said that this match and this fight is something he only took because he wanted to get back at Solo. Jey said it’s because Solo cost him his championship and he wants to get the family back together. Jey said that this isn’t fixed yet. Jey said it takes a lot for him to be back in the ring together. Jey said he can’t forget what Reigns did to him and what he did to him. Jey spoke about the physical damage, emotional damage and mental damage. Jey said he still showed up because that’s what family does. Jey said that for the ones before them and the ones after them, they have to show them it’s family above all. Jey told Reigns that he was not going to tell Roman what to do and how to do it. Jey said he won’t be Roman’s lackey or right hand because he is Roman’s equal now. The fans cheered. Jey said all three of them are equals. Jey said that they can be side by side and run this thing like they used to do back in the day. Jey said if Roman even speaks or treats Jey with the slightest disrespect then Jey is gone. Jey told Roman he could walk if he didn’t like what Jey was saying. Jey said that Roman could act like cousins and not his Tribal Chief and he’ll see him at Crown Jewel. Jey said they can do this together, so Jey wondered if they are going to do the damn thing or not.
Roman Reigns was handed the microphone from Jimmy Uso. The fans were chanting “OTC” for Reigns. Roman spoke into the microphone and looked Jey in the eye: “Yeet.” The fans popped huge for that! They loved Roman saying that. The fans chanted “hug it out” for the trio. Jimmy held up his finger in the air and Jey did it too. Reigns stood in the middle of them to hold his finger in the air. The fans popped huge. The original Bloodline is back together.
Analysis: That was terrific and exactly what it needed to be. I liked how it was done with Jimmy Uso talking to Reigns about how they needed to get on the same page. Jey Uso’s promo was great because he spoke logically saying he didn’t want to take orders from Reigns again, but he wanted them to be equals and that’s the only way he’ll do this again. Reigns didn’t offer much of a response, but looking Jey in the eye and saying “YEET” was the perfect thing to say because the fans knew that it meant Reigns agreed with Jey. They are on the same page again. It’s cool to see.
The new WWE Tag Team Champions, the Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) were interviewed by Byron Saxton, but there was a quick interruption by Grayson Waller & Austin Theory. There was some trash talk from Waller & Theory, who invited them on the greatest talk show in WWE. Shelley wondered if that was Miz TV, which drew a laugh. Waller said he meant his Grayson Waller Effect talk show so he wanted them to be on next week. The MCMG guys said sure.
The team of Iyo Sky and Kairi Sane made their entrance for Sky’s match.
(Commercial)
Bianca Belair (w/Jade Cargill) vs. Piper Niven (w/Chelsea Green) vs. Iyo Sky (w/Kairi Sane) vs. Lash Legend (w/Jakara Jackson)
It was a four-way match meaning no disqualifications and no countouts in WWE. Lash knocked Sky out of the ring. Niven hit a shoulder block on Belair. Lash sent Sky face first into the apron. Lash and Niven each ran the ropes for a double clothesline. Belair hit a standing moonsault onto both women for two because Sky broke up the pin. Sky sent Lash out of the ring along with a kick to the face. Niven punched Sky off the middle ropes to the floor. Belair dumped Niven over the top to the floor as if it was a Royal Rumble. Belair did a slingshot dive over the top, but Lash and Niven caught her. Lash and Niven sent Belair into the barricade at ringside as the show went to break.
(Commercial)
The heels Lash and Niven were working together by sending Sky into Belair, who bumped to the floor. Lash nailed Sky with a chokeslam and Niven hit a senton splash on Sky, so Lash covered for two because Niven broke up the pin. Lash and Niven exchanged strikes. Belair went up top followed by a cross body block onto Lash and Niven. Belair dropkicked Lash followed by a spinebuster to Niven. Belair hit a running shoulder tackle on Lash followed by punches. Niven pulled Belair by the hair leading to Lash and Niven putting Belair on their shoulders, so that set up Sky for a missile dropkick off the top. Sky hit running knee attacks on Lash and Niven. While Sky was on the top rope, Niven tried a move, but Belair hit a Powerbomb on Niven for two because Lash made the save. Lash gave Belair her spinning slam off her back for two because Green broke up the pin in this match with no disqualifications. Jackson hit a facebuster on Green on the floor. Jackson clotheslined Sky as well. Jade hit a pump kick on Jackson on the floor. Lash nailed Jade with a forearm. Back in the ring, Niven hit a uranage on Lash followed by a senton splash. Niven with a body slam on Sky and a senton splash. Niven hit Belair with a Michinoku Driver. Lash was back up with a pump kick on Niven. Graves called Lash the MVP of this match. Jade went into the ring, but Green and Jackson pulled Jade out of the ring. Belair picked up Lash from behind and Belair hit the KOD on Lash. Sky jumped off the top and hit Over the Moonsault on Belair. Sky covered Lash for the pinfall win while Cole pointed out that it could happen at Crown Jewel leading to a new title change. It went about 13 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Iyo Sky
Analysis: ***1/4 That was a really good match that was full of nonstop action the whole way. They did a nice job of involving the wrestlers on the floor as well. Sky beating Lash like that is a preview of what could happen at Crown Jewel as an example of how Belair & Cargill could lose the titles. It’s a smart finish to do in a chaotic match like that.
Randy Orton was in the locker room talking to Cody Rhodes, who told Orton to save Cody a piece of Kevin Owens. Orton said that there might not be anything left, so he’s sorry ahead of time. Cody said if that’s the case then he’s not sure what he’s going to do. While Cody was fixing his boots, Orton stared at the WWE Title and said he was sure Cody would think of something. Orton said he’d see him out there, Cody said he’d see him and that was it.
Analysis: The part with Randy Orton staring at the WWE Title is a possible tease of a future match. A lot of us want to see it.
(Commercial)
There was a video featuring Andrade talking about how he could beat LA Knight and Carmelo Hayes at the same time to be the US Champion. Carmelo Hayes spoke about how he could pin either of them or both of them. Melo said he’ll make Knight pay for costing his Game 7 match. The US Champion LA Knight said that Carmelo and Andrade had what was coming to them. Knight said he dropped them on their heads just like he would do at Crown Jewel.
Analysis: That match could go either way. I predicted Knight to retain in my Crown Jewel preview, but I can see Andrade or Hayes winning by pinning the other guy. I like it when it’s tough to predict.
They showed graphics of the WWE Crown Jewel card with seven matches.
* Men’s Crown Jewel Championship: Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes vs. World Heavyweight Champion Gunther
* Women’s Crown Jewel Championship: WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax vs. Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan
* Roman Reigns & The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso) vs. 3 Members of The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa)
* Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens
* Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs. Bronson Reed
* United States Championship: LA Knight vs. Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes
* WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill vs. Damage CTRL’s Iyo Sky & Kairi Sane vs. Chelsea Green & Piper Niven vs. Meta-Four’s Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson
Solo Sikoa Speaks
Solo Sikoa was in a room with his version of The Bloodline. Solo was sitting at a table while Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa surrounded him. Solo said he can’t believe he has to face Roman and his brothers (The Usos). Solo said they think he’s a bad guy for finding family that loved him. Solo said his brothers were jealous that he made Tribal Chief and he didn’t. Solo said that he was there for Roman and Roman wasn’t there to help him. Solo said he’s not the bad guy because he’s the Tribal Chief. Solo said that the three of you will respect them and you will acknowledge him.
Analysis: Solo Sikoa was telling the truth saying that he was there for Roman Reigns because Solo was very loyal. A heel denying that they are a bad guy is classic pro wrestling and it also fits this story as well.
The Imperium team of Gunther and Ludwig Kaiser entered for the main event.
(Commercial)
Randy Orton made his entrance for the main event with the fans cheering and singing part of his song. The Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes got a big ovation as usual. Cody hugged his buddy Randy in the ring.
Cody Rhodes & Randy Orton vs. Gunther & Ludwig Kaiser
I think even if spoilers didn’t exist, it’s pretty obvious who was taking the pin in a match like this. There were only about ten minutes left in the show when the match began.
Cody started with Kaiser leading to a delayed vertical front suplex. Cody clotheslined Kaiser out of the ring followed by Cody hitting a suicide dive. Cody stared at his Crown Jewel opponent Gunther as the show went to break.
(Commercial)
Kaiser sent Cody into the ropes and Gunther hit Cody with a knee to the back. Cody went after Gunther, and Kaiser trapped Cody against the ropes. Gunther hit a cheap shot boot to the head of Cody that the referee didn’t see. Gunther tagged in while Cody was against the ropes, so Kaiser hit a running dropkick/kick combo with Gunther. Gunther worked over Cody with chops. Kaiser was back with a running kick on Cody for two. Kaiser gave Cody an abdominal stretch, so Cody got out of it with a hiptoss. Cody sent a charging Kaiser out of the ring. They did a double clothesline spot so Cody and Kaiser were both down in the ring. Orton tagged in with clotheslines on Kaiser followed by a powerslam. Kaiser hit a knee lift to the ribs. Gunther made the tag and chopped Orton hard in the chest. Orton kicked Gunther and Orton hit a draping DDT on Gunther. Orton set up for an RKO, but Gunther shoved Orton off to block it. Cody tagged in against Kaiser with punches and an elbow smash to the head. Cody jumped off the top turnbuckle. with a Cody Cutter. Cody wanted Cross Rhodes, Gunther went into the ring and Orton dropped him with an RKO. Cody hit Cross Rhodes on Kaiser for the pinfall win after about 10 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Cody Rhodes & Randy Orton
Analysis: *** It was a good main event tag team match with a very obvious result since Cody pinned Kaiser. As I mentioned in the write-up of the match, it was obvious who was going to lose this match and I was referring to Kaiser. Orton was barely in the match since he was the guy who got the hot tag, hit some of his big moves and then Cody got the glory with the Cross Rhodes for the win.
After the match, Kevin Owens went into the ring with a steel chair and hit Orton in the knee. Owens hit Orton in the back with a steel chair. Rhodes looked at Owens, so Gunther gave Cody a dreaded sleeper hold to try to make Cody pass out. The WWE Officials and referees went out to ringside to try to stop it. That was the end of the show.
Analysis: That was a smart way to end the show with Owens doing the cheap attack on Orton to get some massive heat. Owens hasn’t been in the arena for a few weeks, so it’s exactly the kind of cheap attack a new heel like him should do. Gunther trying to make Cody pass out was also cheap, but it teases the idea that it might happen during their match as well. I liked that ending more than if it was just Cody & Randy celebrating their win.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Jey Uso
- Iyo Sky
- Cody Rhodes & Randy Orton
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The Scoreboard
6.5 out of 10
Last week: 7.5
2024 Average: 7.35
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Final Thoughts on WWE Smackdown
This felt like a weaker episode of Smackdown. There were still some nice things about it, but overall it was below the usual Smackdown. The first hour was especially slow with the two tag team matches not being that interesting.
Hour two was a lot better thanks to the women’s four-way match, which was the best match of the night. The main event tag was like watching a very basic house show main event where it was obvious what was going to happen. I did enjoy the cheap attack by Kevin Owens on Randy Orton while Gunther tried to choke out Cody Rhodes to end it. Those angles at the end did promote Crown Jewel well.
Roman Reigns only said one word after standing in the ring for about ten minutes, but that one word “YEET” popped the crowd in a big way. The phrase “less is more” comes to mind. Jey Uso did a nice job of explaining how this time will be different and Reigns agreed by saying just one word. Simple enough. Bring on the Crown Jewel show.
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The next WWE PLE is Crown Jewel on November 2nd in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Here’s the lineup so far.
* Men’s Crown Jewel Championship: Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes vs. World Heavyweight Champion Gunther
* Women’s Crown Jewel Championship: WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax vs. Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan
* Roman Reigns & The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso) vs. 3 Members of The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa)
* Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens
* Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs. Bronson Reed
* United States Championship: LA Knight vs. Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes
* WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill vs. Damage CTRL’s Iyo Sky & Kairi Sane vs. Chelsea Green & Piper Niven vs. Meta-Four’s Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson
You can watch WWE Crown Jewel, streaming live on Saturday, November 2, at 1 p.m. ET/ 10 a.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, Toronto Raptors & Toronto Maple Leafs. You can contact me using any of the methods below.
John Canton
Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter/X: @johnreport