The John Report: WWE SmackDown 11/29/24 Review
This is WWE Smackdown featuring a Roman Reigns-CM Punk discussion, plus Jey Uso in action against Jacob Fatu, WWE Champion Cody Rhodes facing Carmelo Hayes, and more.
It’s the final WWE Smackdown episode before Survivor Series on Saturday night in Vancouver. This show was taped last week in Salt Lake City after last week’s episode because WWE wanted to give the talent and staff some time off for American Thanksgiving on Thursday.
Check out my WWE Survivor Series preview here for my predictions on the five matches set to take place on Saturday’s show from Vancouver.
From the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, this is Smackdown for episode #1319. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport, friend me on Facebook, or chat with me on the Bluesky App as well. Let’s get to it.
The show began with a video package showing highlights of last week’s Smackdown when Paul Heyman returned to name CM Punk as the fifth member of the OG Bloodline team at Survivor Series: WarGames. CM Punk joined Roman Reigns, The Usos and Sami Zayn in clearing the ring of Solo Sikoa’s team.
Let’s Hear from Women’s WarGames Wrestlers
The babyface Women’s WarGames team made their entrance: Women’s Tag Team Champion Bianca Belair, Bayley, Iyo Sky, Bayley and Rhea Ripley with a protective facemask. They are former Women’s Champions in WWE, so it’s a talented group.
A clip was shown of Jade Cargill taken out last week on Smackdown. There have been a lot of rumors about why it was done to Jade and I don’t think there’s a clear answer. They also showed Bayley helping Bianca Belair beat Nia Jax in a WarGames Advantage match on Raw. That took place after this show was taped.
Rhea Ripley admitted that they might not all be the best of friends, but it doesn’t matter because they will step into WarGames and they all want to get their hands on somebody in the match. Ripley said nothing was going to stop them. Ripley mentioned the five women they are against. Naomi called Rhea “Big Mama” and said that Nia Jax will get everything they deserve and then some because they’ve been a pain in her side along with Bayley. Naomi said that the glow would be felt and dealt. Bianca Belair said she knows one of them took out Jade Cargill and we don’t know who it was, but all five of them can get it. Ripley said that Liv Morgan will wish she never met her. Iyo Sky said we will destroy you and here’s the interruption.
The heel team of Liv Morgan, Nia Jax, Raquel Rodriguez, Tiffany Stratton and Candice LeRae appeared by the entrance. Liv said it’s funny about how they think they were going to beat them. Jax mentioned Belair fought with Bayley and Iyo for years. Jax said Bayley was turned on by her friends like Sky and said they had problems.
Bayley said that Jax has been manipulating Stratton while telling Jax that LeRae won’t let Jax manipulate her. Jax said that Bayley had no friends. Morgan said that Bayley lost her touch and she’s not good at it anymore. Liv said it’s interesting how Jade gets attacked and all of a sudden Bayley is on the WarGames too.
Rhea Ripley told Liv to shut up and stop wasting everybody’s time. Ripley said that Liv won’t be able to hide behind anybody because when you step into the cages, there is nowhere to run and she will have to face Liv. Morgan told Ripley she is right while saying that she’s going fish what she started when she breaks Liv’s face on the steel cage. Ripley said she’d cave Liv’s face in so badly that Dominik Mysterio wouldn’t want to look at her. Liv and her team approached the ring, but then Liv said they were leaving. Ripley said they hate waiting.
The five babyface women went after the five heel women in the aisle, so there was a brawl by the entrance area and then it spilled out to the ring. The WWE Producers, referees and security went out there to try to break it up. The heels left while the faces posed together in the ring.
Analysis: It was a solid promo exchange to try to get us more excited about the Women’s WarGames Match. I think it will be a good match and there has been decent storytelling, but the Men’s WarGames Match is clearly a bigger deal compared to the women’s match. Rhea Ripley did most of the talking for her team, so I guess that makes her the captain even though WWE isn’t pushing the idea of a captain that much. I thought Liv and Nia had some good lines about how their opponents don’t really like eachother, so that teases the idea of problems.
It’s Andrade against Shinsuke Nakamura after the break.
(Commercial)
The commentary team was Michael Cole and Corey Graves as usual.
Andrade vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Shinsuke Nakamura’s theme song was given a bit of a remix, but it still has some of the parts that made it great. It is Nakamura’s first televised match since April. He wrestled in over 20 live event matches since then.
The match began with Nakamura getting some strikes, but Andrade came back with a kick followed by a cross body block. Nakamura kicked Andrade against the turnbuckle. Andrade came back with a rollup for two followed by a hurricanrana to the floor. Nakamura came back with a jumping kick to the face. Andrade dropkicked Nakamura off the apron to the floor. Andrade hit a moonsault off the top onto a standing Nakamura on the floor. They went to break there.
(Commercial)
Andrade was in control with a dragon screw leg whip followed by a running forearm. Nakamura sent a charging Andrade to the apron. Andrade went up top, Nakamura met him there until Andrade knocked him down with an elbow. Andrade hit his double jump moonsault spot for a two count. Good nearfall and it was executed perfectly. Nakamura avoided an Andrade elbow and Nakamura hit his own elbow to the head. Andrade kicked Nakamura followed by a spinning back elbow to the head for two. Andrade delivered two suplexes and Andrade competed Three Amigos by suplexing Nakamura into the turnbuckle. Andrade went for the running knees against the turnbuckle, but Nakamura moved and Nakamura pulled the top turnbuckle off, so Andrade hit the exposed steel buckle hard. Nakamura hit a Kinshasa knee to the back of the neck for the pinfall win after 11 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Shinsuke Nakamura
Analysis: ***1/4 It started out a bit slow, but I thought picked up in the second half of the match after the break. Nakamura getting the win was the right call since he’s getting a US Title match at Survivor Series. Andrade is a talented guy who wins some matches although he also loses a bit too much for my liking. I’m just saying in general, it would be nice if they used him better. Anyway, I enjoyed the match.
After the match, US Champion LA Knight went for an attack on Nakamura, but Nakamura avoided it and Nakamura sprayed black mist into Knight’s eyes. Knight was down on the mat selling the idea that he can’t see.
Analysis: That puts over Nakamura as a dangerous heel that could beat Knight by using that dreaded black mist. It’s all about the sell and having Knight sell it like he can’t see makes it feel like a big deal. Great job by Knight selling it.
Solo Sikoa was talking to The Bloodline and specially spoke to Jacob Fatu saying he’s got this. Smackdown GM Nick Aldis walked in saying that he didn’t want the numbers game factoring into this match. Aldis said that everybody is banned from ringside for the WarGames Advantage Match. Solo said they understood.
Still to come: Roman Reigns will talk to CM Punk with Paul Heyman seated between them.
(Commercial)
Tommaso Ciampa was backstage talking to Johnny Gargano about how things have gone since they lost the WWE Tag Team Titles. Ciampa talked about how he didn’t want their kids to think they were losers. Ciampa said Alex Shelley has come into the picture and Johnny has been sucking up to Shelley since they are friends. Ciampa talked about how Gargano’s friendship with Shelley seems to be more important than getting the titles. Gargano said let him try to talk to the champions (Motor City Machine Guns). Ciampa said that they were going to do this his way. Ciampa told Gargano he has one more week to try to figure this out or it is Ciampa’s way. Ciampa left.
Analysis: It might be the end of the team with Tommaso Ciampa going heelish while Johnny Gargano doesn’t like to act that way. Maybe both guys will turn heel, though. It could happen.
Kevin Owens Shares His Thoughts
Kevin Owens was shown backstage talking about how there are people out there who are on Cody Rhodes’ side. Owens mentioned that on January 1, 2021, Roman Reigns and his cousin assaulted Owens and threw him through scaffolding and through a table, but Owens got back up. Owens said he was run over by Reigns in a golf cart, but Owens got back up. Owens mentioned at Royal Rumble 2023, Reigns ordered the Bloodline to superkick Owens repeatedly. Owens mentioned that Cody was there that night and he did nothing. Owens talked about how Cody chose to team with Roman Reigns at Bad Blood. Owens spoke about how those were three of the reasons why he did what he did. Owens said at Saturday Night’s Main Event, he’ll turn the American Nightmare into the Canadian Dream.
The graphic aired about Cody Rhodes defending the Undisputed WWE Title against Kevin Owens at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 14th on NBC.
Analysis: That was great by Owens. We want our heels to be guys who explain themselves and give us their perspective on why they act the way they do. Owens is one of the best heels in all of WWE even though he was a babyface for most of the last four years. I like Owens more in a heel role and he reminded us why with that awesome promo.
Cody Rhodes made his entrance as the Undisputed WWE Champion. He gets the night off at Survivor Series since he’s not in a match on the show. Cody is in action up next.
(Commercial)
Carmelo Hayes did a promo on his way to the ring. Melo said that Kevin Owens was right because Cody Rhodes turned his back on him. Melo said that Cody is the kind of guy to stab somebody in the heart, not in the back. Melo told Cody that he’s going to find out that Melo is “him.”
Cody Rhodes vs. Carmelo Hayes
This was not for Cody’s WWE Title. These guys wrestled on the WWE Draft show back in May with Cody getting the win.
They did some quick moves to get nearfalls for each guy. Cody did a rolling punch to the jaw. Melo came back with a slap to the side of the face. Cody avoided a Melo move leading to a clothesline over the top to the floor. Cody hit a suicide dive. Cody sent Melo into the hood of the commentary table. Back in the ring, Melo dropkicked Cody on his way back into the ring. Melo went for a springboard attack, Cody avoided it and Cody hit a Disaster Kick, which Melo sold great by doing a flip bump. Cody was in control as the show went to break.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Cody hitting a delayed vertical suplex from the middle turnbuckle. Cody delivered some punches along with a running forearm. Melo avoided a move that Cody was doing and Melo hit a spinning facebuster for two. Cody caught Melo on his shoulders and Cody applied a running powerslam. Cody applied a Figure Four Leglock for a two count. Cody delivered a punch followed by a Melo kick. Cody went for a springboard kick, but Melo hit the ropes and Cody was trapped on the ropes. Melo hit a jumping kick to the head followed by a front suplex for two. Melo went up top, took way too long and Cody avoided Melo’s leaping attack. Cody went for a suplex, Melo landed on his feet and Cody jumped off the middle turnbuckle with a Cody Cutter. That was great. Cody hit Cross Rhodes for the pinfall win. Melo sold that Cross Rhodes great. It went about 11 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Cody Rhodes
Analysis: ***1/4 It was a very good match. Cody winning was the obvious result that we all expected in this match. Melo put up a fight, did a lot of cool moves and I liked some of the nearfalls. Melo is a great athlete with a bright future. As for Cody, he looked sharp and I loved the Cody Cutter spot.
Roman Reigns Talks To CM Punk
Paul Heyman was seated at a table while Roman Reigns was seated at the head of the table. Reigns asked where he was and Paul said he didn’t know. Reigns wasn’t happy about CM Punk keeping him waiting and Punk arrived. Punk said he didn’t have a whole lot of time. Punk said that he showed up for the “Wise Man” Heyman at WarGames. Reigns said he didn’t want Punk’s help. Punk said he didn’t want to give him help at all because he wasn’t there for Reigns, he was there for Paul. Reigns said he’s happy for you guys. Reigns said he didn’t like Punk’s tone, his attitude and he didn’t like him. Reigns said he didn’t want to team with Punk at WarGames.
Heyman said that Solo has had them in checkmate since the Friday after WrestleMania. Heyman said if they don’t accept Punk’s help it’s over. Heyman told Punk that if he didn’t help Reigns and put an end to The Bloodline, then Solo and all five of them would come after Punk. Heyman said that they know that Punk is a threat. Heyman said that divided, they will fall to Solo, but united then at best, they will survive.
Punk told Reigns if he didn’t like his attitude, Punk doesn’t care. Punk said that he was there for Paul. Punk said he wants his revenge for what Solo and his crew did to Paul. Punk said that if Reigns wants to revisit this conversation after WarGames then Punk is all ears. Reigns said “one time” and Punk said “one time.” Punk said one favor. Reigns wondered if that meant Punk owed him a favor. Punk said that their Wise Man (Heyman) will owe Punk a favor. Punk left. Reigns asked Heyman what’s the favor? Heyman said let’s get through WarGames and then they’ll have all the time in the world to talk about it. That was it.
.@HeymanHustle is going to owe @CMPunk BIG time after this…👀 #SmackDownpic.twitter.com/tE714zlZU0
— WWE (@WWE) November 30, 2024
Analysis: That was cool. I like how it was shot in a darkened room and all three guys at a table. Punk made it clear he wasn’t there because of Reigns – he was only there to get revenge for Heyman since Solo and his group took out Paul earlier this year. Reigns and Punk don’t like eachother, so it should lead to a big match between them at some point next year. The ending was great because it makes fans wonder what favor Punk wants from Heyman for being in this WarGames match. Since Heyman didn’t tell Reigns what it is, that will keep the audience guessing. I could guess here, but your guess is as good as mine. I have no idea, but I’m intrigued by it all.
(Commercial)
Women’s US Championship Tournament: Piper Niven (w/Chelsea Green) vs. Michin vs. Lash Legend
Lash Legend from NXT is in the spot that belonged to Jade Cargill, who is injured. The winner will join Chelsea Green and Bayley in the US Title tournament semifinals.
Niven hit a running cross body block on Michin, but Lash hit a splash to break it up. Lash caught Niven in her arms and Michin dropkicked them down. Michin kicked Lash to knock her back a bit as Michin jumped off the top with a hurricanrana. While on the apron, Michin hit a running kick on Niven, who was on the floor. Michin hit a springboard moonsault onto Piper and Lash on the floor. Green tripped up Michin on the apron and hit a superkick. There are no disqualifications and no countouts in a triple threat match. B-Fab attacked Green, so Green ran away and B-Fab fought with Green to the back. Niven was sad about what happened to Green, so Niven turned around and Lash hit her with a pump kick. They went to break there.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Niven hitting a Piper Driver on Michin for two because Lash broke it up. Niven ran the ropes leading to a running cross body block to knock Lash down. Niven hit a Vader Bomb splash off the middle turnbuckle on Lash and Michin broke it up for two. Lash got a hold of Michin leading to a spinning backbreaker onto the knee. Lash got a hold of Niven and gave her a Chokeslam for a two count because Niven got her left shoulder up. Michin went for a running headscissors on Lash, but Lash caught her and Lash hit a powerbomb. Niven hit a running senton splash onto both women for a two count. Michin hit a running Niven with a boot to the face. Niven met Michin on the middle turnbuckle and teased a move, but Lash was back in to nail Niven with a forearm to the face. Niven headbutted Lash down. Niven went for a senton splash off the middle turnbuckle, but Lash moved. Lash hit Niven with the Lash Extension slam off the back for two because Michin jumped off the top with a senton splash onto Lash making the cover. Michin covered Niven for the pinfall win after about 10 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Michin
Analysis: *** They had an entertaining, competitive match even though none of them are really among the top women on Smackdown. Michin won because of the classic “steal the pin” finish since she capitalized after Lash did the power move on Niven. I was very impressed by Lash Legend showing off her power and showing that she belongs.
That win by Michin puts her in the US Women’s Title tournament semifinals. Next week’s triple threat match in the US Women’s Title tournament is Naomi vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Elektra Lopez.
The Jey Uso-Jacob Fatu match was coming up in the main event.
(Commercial)
LA Knight was being assisted by some backstage guys regarding the black mist that was sprayed on Knight by Shinsuke Nakamura. Knight was interviewed backstage by Byron Saxton. Knight had the black mist all around his face and his upper body. Knight said he’s going to thrive at Survivor Series. Knight said he’ll continue to be the US Champion. Knight said he’s going to be looking Nakamura dead in his eyes saying he’ll drop him on his head three the hard way with everybody saying LA Knight…yeah.
Analysis: I agree with LA Knight’s prediction. He should win at Survivor Series.
The announcers went over the Survivor Series card.
* United States Championship: LA Knight (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
* World Heavyweight Championship: Gunther (c) vs. Damian Priest
* Women’s WarGames Match: Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Bayley, Naomi & Iyo Sky vs. Liv Morgan, Nia Jax, Raquel Rodriguez, Candice LeRae & Tiffany Stratton
* Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker (c) vs. Sheamus vs. Ludwig Kaiser
* Men’s WarGames Match: The Original Bloodline – Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn & CM Punk vs. The Bloodline – Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa & Bronson Reed
Jey Uso was shown getting ready with Sami Zayn and Jimmy Uso there to say they’ve got his back. Smackdown GM Nick Aldis told Jey the guys that everybody is banned from ringside. Jey was confident while Sami and Jimmy told Jey that he’s got this.
“Main Event” Jey Uso made his entrance for the main event. The fans were on fire for Jey as usual with the arm swinging motions as usual. That main event match was next.
(Commercial)
Jacob Fatu made his entrance for the main event. Cole mentioned that this was Fatu’s first singles match in WWE.
WarGames Advantage Match: Jey Uso vs. Jacob Fatu
The winner gets the advantage for their team in the WarGames match at Survivor Series. It’s a battle of cousins with the same last name since Jey’s real last name is Fatu also.
Jey tried to weaken Fatu with punches, but Fatu came back with a shoulder tackle. Fatu choked Jey over the middle rope leading to Fatu saying “I love you Solo.” Fatu jumped Jey with an uppercut followed by stomps to the body. Jey hit a running splash on Fatu along with a jumping kick. Jey clotheslined Fatu out of the ring. Jey tried a suicide dive, Jacob caught him and Fatu sent Jey into the ring post. Fatu sent Jey over the commentary table.
(Commercial)
The match returned with Jey trying a running attack, but Fatu nailed him with a running elbow smash. Cole put over Fatu as one of the most frightening men he’s ever seen in WWE. Fatu worked over Jey with a headbutt to the shoulder. Fatu picked up Jey, who slipped behind his cousin and shoved Fatu into the turnbuckle. Fatu ran at Jey, who did a leapfrog and Fatu went crashing into the ring post. Jey worked over Fatu with punches while the fans chanted “YEET” For every punch and Jey followed up with an enziguri kick to the head. Jey hit a running hip attack against the turnbuckle for a two count. Fatu charged at Jey, who got the feet up and Fatu hit a spinning sidewalk slam. Fatu bounced off the ropes followed by a handspring moonsault for two. That’s impressive for a big man that can do a lot in the ring. Fatu hit a running hip attack on Jey against the turnbuckle. Fatu: “I love you Solo!” He does. Jey came back with a superkick, Solo caught Jey and hit a popup Samoan Drop for two. Fatu went up top, he took a long time and jumped off with a Senton Bomb, but Jey got the knees up to block. Jey hit a Spear. Jey went up top and hit a Uso Splash for two. That’s a move that Jey has used a lot to win matches, so it got a reaction from the crowd when Fatu kicked out. The fans correctly chanted “this is awesome” for the match. Fatu left the ring, so Jey hit a suicide dive that sent Fatu over the commentary table at ringside. Jey charged at Fatu, who hit a superkick. Fatu gave Jey a Samoan Drop onto the commentary table. It didn’t break the table, but it sounded brutal. They went back into the ring where Fatu hit a lifting Implant DDT. Fatu jumped to the top rope and hit a moonsault off the top for the pinfall win after about 13 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Jacob Fatu
Analysis: ***1/2 That was a great main event match with Jacob Fatu looking like an absolute badass by picking up that clean win. Jey got plenty of offense, hit his finishing move the Uso Splash in the match and still wasn’t able to win. I think it’s obvious that WWE thinks highly of Fatu since he’s booked so strongly all the time. Fatu was in his first WWE singles match here and he looked like an absolute star with the announcers putting him over a lot. It’s a smart move because Fatu looks like a huge star in the making.
The win by Jacob Fatu means that Solo Sikoa’s version of The Bloodline will have the advantage in the WarGames match.
Jacob Fatu walked up to Solo Sikoa and The Bloodline by the entrance area. Jey Uso watched from the ring. Solo hugged Jacob. Solo and The Bloodline held their fingers in the air as the show ended there.
Analysis: It was a strong ending for Solo’s group. As I wrote in the Survivor Series preview, I think Roman’s team will win the Men’s WarGames match.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Jacob Fatu
- CM Punk/Roman Reigns
- Jey Uso
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The Scoreboard
7.25 out of 10
Last week: 8
2024 Average: 7.36
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Final Thoughts on WWE Smackdown
It was the usual good episode of Smackdown, but I think last week was better with more story progression. This one had better in-ring action. I enjoyed the Jacob Fatu-Jey Uso match the most with Jacob continuing to impress. This was Jacob’s first singles match and he kicked out Jey’s finisher while going on to winning the match in a dominating manner. It’s very easy to get excited about the future of Jacob Fatu. Other matches were okay.
The Roman Reigns-CM Punk interview segment with Paul Heyman didn’t run for that long, but I loved the way it was shot and I enjoyed what they said. Punk made it clear that he wasn’t teaming with Roman at WarGames because Roman needs a partner, it’s because Punk wanted to get revenge for Solo’s Bloodline beating up Paul Heyman many months ago. They also teased us by Punk saying that Paul owes him a favor while Heyman wouldn’t tell Reigns what that is. It’s a good cliffhanger.
I thought the Women’s WarGames Match build was just okay, but not great. They did get the promo along with the fight after, but it really wasn’t that compelling. Bring on Survivor Series: WarGames.
The next WWE PLE is Survivor Series on Saturday, November 30th in Vancouver. Here’s the lineup.
* Men’s WarGames Match: The Original Bloodline – Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn & CM Punk vs. The Bloodline – Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa & Bronson Reed
* Women’s WarGames Match: Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Bayley, Naomi & Iyo Sky vs. Liv Morgan, Nia Jax, Raquel Rodriguez, Candice LeRae & Tiffany Stratton
* World Heavyweight Championship: Gunther (c) vs. Damian Priest
* Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker (c) vs. Sheamus vs. Ludwig Kaiser
* United States Championship: LA Knight (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
You can watch Survivor Series: WarGames on Saturday, November 30, streaming live 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, Toronto Raptors & Toronto Maple Leafs. You can contact me using any of the methods below.
John Canton
Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter/X: @johnreport