The John Report: WWE SmackDown 12/27/24 Review
This is WWE Smackdown featuring Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens exchanging words while a big six-woman tag team match kicked off the show.
This is the final two-hour edition of Smackdown. Starting next week on January 3rd, Smackdown will become a three-hour show. I have mixed feelings about it because it’s more writing for me, which I don’t really love, but I do have faith in Triple H booking the show because Raw was very good when it was three hours in this era. It should lead to longer matches on Smackdown and also more opportunities for talent who deserve it.
I posted my massive WWE Johnny Awards column on Christmas Day, so check that out if you haven’t seen it yet. I was at a family party on Friday night when this show aired, so I did this on Saturday morning. Happy New Year next week, my friends.
From the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, this is Smackdown for episode #1323. 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.
A video package aired recapping the Cody Rhodes-Kevin Owens saga from earlier this month. Cody beat Owens at Saturday Night’s Main Event after a referee bump. Cody hit a Cross Rhodes on a steel chair for the win. The referee never saw the chair usage. After the match, Owens gave Cody a Package Piledriver and Cody has spent the last two weeks selling the devastation of that move. Owens stole the Winged Eagle WWE Title after the attack.
There was a video message from Smackdown GM Nick Aldis telling Kevin Owens he must relinquish the Winged Eagle WWE Title during this week’s show.
The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair & Naomi were interviewed by Cathy Kelley. Naomi said it meant so much to her to be a champion with the EST Bianca Belair. Belair said that they’ll move forward, but they can’t forget about who attacked Jade Cargill. Bayley joined in the interview with Belair letting her know that they are good.
The commentary team was Michael Cole and Corey Graves. Cole is going back to Raw on January 6th with Pat McAfee as his partner. I assume Smackdown will be Joe Tessitore with Wade Barrett and Corey Graves.
Nia Jax, the WWE Women’s Champion, did a pre-match promo ahead of her six-woman tag team match. Jax said that she didn’t touch Jade and claimed that none of them did. Jax said that Belair seems to be doing just fine without Jade Cargill while Belair took no time to replace her. Jax said that Belair was trying to avoid the suspicion on herself. Jax said that Cargill was bigger, stronger and better than Belair, so Belair snapped. Jax told Belair to own up to it or Jax will make her own up to it.
Analysis: It was a good heel promo from Nia Jax suggesting that Belair was the one who attacked Jade because of how it benefitted Belair. I don’t think it was Belair, who was in a match during the attack, but it teases the idea of Belair being involved.
Bianca Belair, Naomi & Bayley vs. Tiffany Stratton, Nia Jax & Candice LeRae
Belair started with Stratton. After they exchanged some holds, Stratton bailed to the floor. The trio of Belair, Bayley and Naomi hit some dives onto their three opponents on the floor. That led to a break.
(Commercial)
The match returned with Belair working over Jax with punches. Naomi tagged in with a dropkick and some stinkface action on Jax. Nia came back with a popup headbutt for two. LeRae tagged in, Naomi did a jawbreaker and then a bulldog into the turnbuckle. Belair was back in for a double suplex on LeRae. Naomi hit a split-legged leg drop and Belair bounced off the ropes leading to a moonsault for two. Belair worked over LeRae with punches, Stratton with a distraction and LeRae tripped up Belair. Jax tagged in with a leg drop on Belair for two. LeRae tagged in with a missile dropkick and Stratton tagged in leading to a top rope splash. LeRae asked what Stratton was doing and Stratton said she was trying to help. Stratton pulled on Belair’s hair, Belair broke free with a forearm and Bayley tagged in against LeRae. Bayley hit a knee lift followed by a belly-to-back suplex. LeRae caught Bayley on the apron and swung Bayley so Bayley’s head hit the ring post. Jax worked over Bayley with punches and then LeRae hit a facebuster onto the apron. They went to break there.
(Commercial)
Naomi tagged in against Stratton with a clothesline and a springboard kick. Naomi hit a bulldog for a two count. Stratton hit Naomi with a forearm, Jax got the tag, Stratton hit a spinebuster, Bayley with Bayley to Belly, LeRae with a knee smash, Belair with a gutbuster and Jax hit a powerslam on Belair. Naomi gave Jax a headscissors off the ropes. Naomi hit a split-legged moonsault on Jax for two because Stratton broke up the pin. Stratton did a slingshot cross body block over the top onto Naomi. Stratton realized Jax was out in the ring, so Stratton had the Money in the Bank briefcase. LeRae grabbed the briefcase and took the briefcase from Stratton. Tiffany said she wanted to be champion. LeRae tagged in, Naomi hit a sitout full nelson slam and pinned LeRae for the win. Bayley took out Stratton the apron to prevent a save.
Winners by pinfall: Bianca Belair, Naomi & Bayley
Analysis: ***1/4 It was a pretty good match. That was a long match since it went three segments. For the heel side, the story was about pushing the idea that Jax likes LeRae more than Stratton now, which should lead to Stratton cashing in Money in the Bank on Jax soon. I can see Stratton doing the cash in very soon either on the first Raw of the year or maybe the first Smackdown episode. Anyway, the babyfaces worked very well together throughout the match and it led to the victory.
The team of Grayson Waller and Austin Theory were talking to Smackdown GM Nick Aldis. They were complaining about Braun Strowman, so Nick said that Theory has a match with Strowman, so he should get ready. Sami Zayn walked in and told Aldis that they should talk.
(Commercial)
Sami Zayn was talking to Smackdown GM Nick Aldis. Zayn said he was supposed to be on Raw, The Bloodline was supposed to be on Smackdown and they showed up on Raw. Zayn wanted some revenge. Carmelo Hayes walked in and gave Aldis a Christmas card that had photos of Hayes on it. Zayn said when people are talking, usually you are supposed to wait your turn. Zayn threw a card at Hayes. Melo told Zayn to stay out of his business and stay off his show. Zayn said his issues with The Bloodline can wait, so he wants a match against Melo. Aldis approved it. Melo was fine with it.
Analysis: A fresh matchup for the show featuring two talented workers.
Braun Strowman vs. Austin Theory (w/Grayson Waller)
It started with a punch and clothesline from Braun. Theory avoided a charging attack. Waller was wearing overalls probably to get heat. Braun tossed Theory across the ring, so Theory bailed to the floor leading to a break.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Theory in control of Braun with a DDT. Braun hit a hard chop to the chest. Theory came back with a lefty forearm to the jaw, but Braun did a power kickout. Theory did a roll through dropkick and Braun bounced off the ropes with a dropkick of his own to send Theory out of the ring. Braun tried to run the ropes, Waller tried a trip and Bruan stomped on his hand. Braun gave Theory a back body drop over the top onto Waller on the floor. Braun ran over Theory with a clothesline on the floor while Waller bailed by running away. Back in the ring, Braun went onto the turnbuckle, Waller was there, Braun shoved him down. Theory tried a slam on Braun, but Braun was too heavy and Braun hit a powerslam for the pinfall win after about 7 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Braun Strowman
Analysis: *3/4 It was an easy win for Braun as you would expect in a match like this. We only got to see about four minutes of action because of the commercial in the middle. It has been disappointing to see how Theory and Waller haven’t been booked very well in the second half of the year. I hope things get better for them.
A clip aired from Saturday Night’s Main Event when Chelsea Green became the first Women’s US Champion. A Green celebration was up next.
(Commercial)
Next Friday on January 3rd in Phoenix, Smackdown goes to three hours.
Kevin Owens did a promo from the driver’s seat of his car. Owens claimed he was the true, rightful WWE Champion while holding the Winged Eagle version of the WWE Title. Owens said he heard that Aldis wants Owens to bring the title back. Owens said he’ll come into the arena on his term. Owens said that he wanted to be alone with Aldis in the ring and nobody else. Owens said that they can talk.
Chelsea Green Women’s United States Championship Celebration
Piper Niven was in the ring to welcome us to a celebration of the new Women’s US Champion. Green even had a Lady Liberty crown. The ring was full of American flags, balloons and a podium.
Chelsea Green said that they have officially turned the blue brand into the Green House. Green bragged about how she was the youngest, oldest and longest-reigning, first-ever WWE Women’s US Champion. Green said if not her, she would never be there. Poor Piper. Green said it was her honor to bring pride and sexiness to this reign because if not her you’d be stuck with one of the she-trolls in the back. Green said “good riddance” to her opponent Michin. Green said she would say Michin could be a future champion one day, but Green is Canadian and Canadians don’t lie. Nice line. Green said she was shocked Michin even made it that far in the tournament. Green said 2025 is the year of red, white and green.
Michin interrupted the celebration with a kendo stick in her hand. Michin said if it wasn’t for your goofy friend Piper then Michin would have been champion. Michin wanted to introduce Green to her friend the kendo stick to give her the ass whooping she deserves. Niven went after Michin, but Michin beat down Piper with kendo stick shots to the back. Michin went into the ring, Green avoided the kendo stick and Niven pulled Green out of the ring. The crowd barely reacted to this.
Analysis: It was the usual over-the-top performance from Chelsea Green since that’s the character she portrays every week. Michin coming out was not a shock since you knew somebody was going to interrupt. I assume that means they’ll have a title match soon with Green holding onto the title. Green had some good lines in her promo.
The WWE Tag Team Champions #DIY – Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano walked down a hallway where SD GM Nick Aldis was waiting with The Street Profits and B-Fab. Aldis wondered if they wanted to tell him something about who attacked The Street Profits three weeks ago. Ciampa just said it’s awful what happened. Pretty Deadly walked in as eyewitnesses. Elton Prince and Kit Wilson wanted funding for their musical, so Aldis threatened to fire them. Pretty Deadly claimed it was Los Garza. The Street Profits left and they were calling for Los Garza. That led to the Profits getting into a fight with Los Garza. Aldis and officials broke it up, so he told the Street Profits and Los Garza to take it to the ring.
Analysis: It was likely #DIY who did the mystery attack on The Street Profits, but it may be a while until it’s revealed. There are a lot of mystery attacks in this era of WWE. It happens on the main roster often and in NXT too. Those DX booker boys love the mystery attacks.
This Monday on the final Raw on USA Network will have CM Punk and Seth Rollins under the same roof. That’s all they said in the commercial.
(Commercial)
The Street Profits – Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins (w/B-Fab) vs. Los Garza – Angel & Humberto (w/Elektra Lopez)
The match started during the break with the Profits looking intense. Ford and Humberto each knocked opponents off the apron to the floor. Ford and Humberto hit slingshot dives onto the floor. Ford was in control with a clothesline on Humberto. Dawkins tagged in for a double team flapjack on Humberto for two. Humberto sent Dawkins into the turnbuckle to take control. Angel tagged in for a double team splash on Dawkins against the turnbuckle. Dawkins broke free with punches, Ford got the tag and hit a shoulder tackle. Ford hit a standing moonsault for two because Garza broke up the pin. Humberto hit a jumping kick to Ford’s head. Humberto sent Ford to the apron, so Angel dropkicked Ford into the ring post. The show went to break there.
(Commercial)
Angel was in control of Ford with a spinebuster. Humberto tagged in for a double team kick/knee strike. Berto hit a dropkick to the back of Ford’s neck. Angel hit a running kick to Ford’s face. Ford came back with an impressive jumping DDT on Angel. Dawkins tagged in with two clotheslines and a slam on Angel. Dawkins did an impressive leapfrog followed by a jumping back elbow on Garza. Dawkin hit a double underhook neckbreaker for two. Ford got the tag, Angel saved his partner and Angel superkicked Dawkins out of the ring. Los Garza went on the turnbuckle for a double powerslam off the top rope. Angel hit a moonsault onto Dawkins on the floor. Berto hit a moonsault off the top on Ford for two. Good nearfall. Dawkins was back in with a Pounc on Angel while Ford hit an enziguri kick on Garza. Dawkins tagged back in and Lopez pulled Angel out of the ring, so B-Fab nailed Lopez with a kick on the floor. Ford hit a somersault dive over the top onto both Los Garza guys on the floor. Back in the ring, Dawkins had Angel on his shoulders and Ford hit a top rope Blockbuster on Angel for the pinfall win after 11 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: The Street Profits – Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins
Analysis: *** This was a typical WWE tag team match that lasted over ten minutes, and it followed the usual story of a tag team match where there was a face in peril before getting to the finish. The fans got into it in the final two minutes. I liked that double team press slam by Los Garza. The Profits were able to overcome that to win. It was a much-needed win for The Street Profits, who aren’t being booked that well. With that said, Los Garza rarely wins any matches even though they are talented.
A video aired featuring Andrade talking about Shinsuke Nakamura wanting to be an honorable United States Champion. Andrade said there is nobody better than Andrade when it comes to wrestling technique. Andrade said he was coming for Nakamura. Andrade said everybody will know Andrade is inevitable.
Next Friday on Smackdown:
* Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Andrade. It is not for Nakamura’s US Title.
* WWE Women’s Championship: Nia Jax vs. Naomi
The Sami Zayn-Carmelo Hayes match was next.
(Commercial)
Pretty Deadly were approached by #DIY backstage with Gargano & Ciampa wondering what they were up to. They agreed to watch each other’s back. #DIY left. The Street Profits and B-Fab walked up to Pretty Deadly saying thanks for the info about Los Garza. The Profits said respect. Pretty Deadly walked away. The Profits and B-Fab were approached by Motor City Machine Guns, who told the Profits to go to the back of the line. Apollo Crews walked in saying it wasn’t Los Garza, it was #DIY. Crews said that he saw it and they were getting played. Graves wondered why Crews waited so long to tell them.
Analysis: The mystery attackers being #DIY made more sense than Los Garza because #DIY were given the title shot instead of Street Profits and they won the titles in that match when Gargano turned heel with Ciampa. There could be another wrinkle in the story since Crews took so long to reveal the truth, so we’ll see how they follow up on it.
Carmelo Hayes vs. Sami Zayn
Zayn worked over Melo with some chops to the chest. Melo came back by jumping over Zayn’s back leading to a dropkick. Zayn tossed a charging Melo over the top to the floor. Zayn teased a dive to the floor, but Melo was ready for it, so Zayn bounced back into the ring. Zayn left the ring, Melo sent him into the barricade and Zayn came back with a moonsault off the barricade onto a standing Melo on the floor.
(Commercial)
Melo was in control sending Zayn face-first into the top turnbuckle. Melo hit a neckbreaker against the top rope followed by a springboard clothesline for two. Melo worked over Zayn with punches. Zayn did a springboard leap over Melo leading to a clothesline. Zayn did a double axhandle smash. Melo went for a springboard move, but Zayn caught him and Zayn hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for two. That’s always one of the best two count moves in WWE. Zayn went up top, he jumped off the top, Melo moved and Melo hit The First 48 double knee attack for two. Melo hit a springboard DDT. Melo went up top, jumped off and Zayn was ready for it with a clothesline. Zayn worked over Melo with many punches against the turnbuckle. Zayn nailed an Exploder Suplex into the turnbuckle. Zayn set up for the Helluva Kick, but Melo left the ring. Braun Strowman made his entrance, he grabbed Melo and Melo ran to the back. The Bloodline’s Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga attacked Zayn for the DQ. It went 11 minutes.
Winner by disqualification: Sami Zayn
Analysis: **3/4 They were on their way to a pretty good match when The Bloodline showed up for the DQ. That kind of finish isn’t a surprise due to Zayn’s history against that group. I’d like to see a longer Zayn-Melo match in the future because I like their chemistry together.
Solo Sikoa joined Jacob and Tama in the ring. Zayn tried to fight back with a boot to Tama and he avoided a charging Fatu, but Solo knocked Sami down. Strowman had Melo on his shoulders then Braun made his way down to the ring and Braun sent Tama into the barricade. Braun went into the ring and ran over Solo with a shoulder tackle. Fatu confronted Braun, so the fans were going crazy for that showdown. Tama hit a chop block to Braun’s left leg. Fatu hit a superkick to Braun. Solo hit a Samoan Spike on Braun two times in a row. Zayn went after Solo with punches, but took down Zayn with punches. Fatu jumped off the top with a moonsault on Zayn. Solo said: “Roman, I’m coming for you.” Solo did a Samoan Spike to Zayn. The WWE Officials were in the ring at this point to get The Bloodline guys out of there.
Analysis: It was an effective way to make Solo Sikoa and The Bloodline look strong leading into Solo’s match against Roman Reigns on the Raw debut on Netflix on January 6th.
Kevin Owens made his entrance with the Winged Eagle WWE Title in his hands for the main event segment.
(Commercial)
Cody Rhodes And Kevin Owens Have A Discussion With Nick Aldis
Nick Aldis was in the ring with the Winged Eagle WWE Title that Kevin Owens had with him. Aldis wanted Owens to give him that title. Owens said that this is a bargaining chip to get him a rematch without a referee robbing him of the WWE Title. Owens said he had Cody beat, so Owens wants a rematch. Aldis said that this was not a negotiation while adding that there would be immediate and severe consequences. Aldis said to hand the belt over or Owens will never step foot in a WWE ring again.
Cody Rhodes made his entrance with the WWE Championship on his shoulder. Aldis told Cody for the sake of his health, for Nick’s sake and the company’s sake, he wanted Cody to turn around so Nick could handle it.
Cody said he’s not going to walk away. The fans cheered that. Cody said that he didn’t want Kevin to hand Nick the title. Cody didn’t want Nick to make Kevin a martyr. Cody said that Owens claimed that the problems between them started when Owens was angry about Cody teaming with a guy who tried to end Kevin’s career. Cody pointed out that Kevin tried to do the same thing to Cody at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Cody spoke about how when he was young and they first met he was doing this for him. Cody said he doesn’t do this for himself. Cody said he does this for his girls, these fans, the announcer sitting over there who believed in him before everybody, his cousin the timekeeper, his little buddy in the front row and Randy Orton, who Owens put on the shelf. Cody said that he does this for the man who let him use the Winged Eagle WWE Title for one night only to give the fans something special. Cody said it’s not Nick’s responsibility because it is up to Cody to take it back from Kevin.
When Owens tried to speak, Cody told him to shut up saying he had had enough. Cody said that they were friends before he was WWE Champion and now they are not. Cody said that he wants a match where the ref can’t stop what he’s going to do to Owens. Cody told Aldis he wanted a Ladder Match and Aldis didn’t seem sure of it, but Cody wanted it.
Cody got into the ring saying it’s about climbing. Cody said they should put both WWE Titles, hang them high up, and have a Ladder Match. Nick Aldis made it official saying that at the Royal Rumble, Kevin Owens will face Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship in a Ladder Match. The fans cheered.
Owens said it sounded great to him and he extended his hand for a shake. Cody refused to shake his hand. Owens shoved Aldis into Cody to knock Cody down. Owens stomped on Cody’s neck. Nick got in between them, but then Owens stomped on Cody a few times. Cole was screaming about how Owens is a “no good piece of” and stopped himself. Owens claimed he was the true champion while Cody was checked on by WWE Officials. The fans booed as Owens held up the lovely Winged Eagle WWE Title. Cody was down on the mat selling the neck injury while Owens was celebrating in the aisle. That was the end of the show.
Analysis: I thought it was a great segment with Cody Rhodes showing a lot of fire as the babyface WWE Champion while Kevin Owens got some heat with the cheap attack to end the show. A Ladder Match at the Royal Rumble with both versions of the WWE Title above the ring sounds great. I think it’s a big match and we don’t see that many ladder matches outside of Money in the Bank, but I think it makes sense for this storyline. I think Cody will beat Owens at the Royal Rumble although I certainly wouldn’t mind an Owens title run next year at some point. I just don’t think Cody is going to lose that title before WrestleMania. I like it as a big match at the Rumble PLE.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens
- Bianca Belair, Naomi & Bayley
- The Street Profits
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The Scoreboard
7 out of 10
Last week: 6.5
2024 Average: 7.35
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Final Thoughts on WWE Smackdown
There were some good things on the show this week including the main event promo segment. I thought that was the best part of the episode. Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens did an excellent job of furthering their story.
They gave some attention to the tag team division with The Street Profits story throughout the show, so I liked seeing that. There are a lot of talented teams on Smackdown that deserve more screen time so hopefully they get that when it becomes a three-hour show next week.
It wasn’t a great episode or anything like that, but at least it was an improvement over last week.
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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