Welcome to the latest edition of our weekly WWE SmackDown hits and misses series.
WWE traveled to Omaha, Nebraska, for the 7/19 episode of Friday Night SmackDown. The company taped the 7/26 episode of the blue brand following the conclusion of last night’s show.
Here’s what went down at the CHI Health Center this past Friday.
Miss – Opening segment on WWE SmackDown
Cody Rhodes kicked off SmackDown. The American Nightmare talked about the assault on Randy Orton at the hands of The Bloodline. Grayson Waller and Austin Theory showed up to interrupt the champion. Cody tried to take them down but found the odds too overwhelming. Terence Crawford handed him a steel chair to take care of business.
Cody’s solo promos just don’t do it for me. He’s best on the mic when it’s a verbal confrontation. The segment was used to set up a tag team match against A-Town Down Under. Waller and Theory are clearly approaching the end of their tag team run. It was fun while it lasted. Now, both men need to get a solid singles push.
Hit – Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes
Andrade and Carmelo Hayes squared off in the first match of the night. Andrade worked Melo’s leg to slow him down. Melo used his athleticism to ramp up his offense. El Idolo picked up the win after 10 minutes of action.
It was a solid match between the two former NXT champions. They made the best out of the 10 minutes they got on WWE SmackDown. Melo delivers some of the smoothest-looking aerial offenses. The closing stretch was fun to watch.
Miss – Bianca Belair vs. Chelsea Green on WWE SmackDown
Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill had a disagreement with Chelsea Green and Piper Niven backstage on WWE SmackDown. Bianca challenged Chelsea to a match. The EST picked up the win in under five minutes. Women’s Tag Team Champions Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn called out the former champions via satellite to tease a future tag tag showdown.
Bianca with the picture-perfect German Suplex was arguably the best part about the match. WWE needs to give Chelsea more time inside the green because she is good between the ropes. Her performance thus far has been nothing short of brilliant. As far as the title match goes, I’m guessing it takes place in the lead-up to SummerSlam 2024.
Hit – Logan Paul & LA Knight make it official
SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis came to the ring to officiate the contract signing. LA Knight showed up first. Logan Paul came next. Both men engaged in a war of words. Knight got Logan into signing the contract. The Maverick tried to hit a cheap shot but Knight countered and almost got him for the BFT.
Logan is really starting to show off his mic skills. The feud with LA Knight will only make him better on the mic. Both men sounded off on each other. Fans on the internet are saying LA would’ve won the exchange had he dropped the infamous Japan and crypto incidents. I say who cares who won? It was entertaining as hell.
Miss – Bayley destroys Tiffany Stratton’s briefcase
Tiffany Stratton took on Michin in singles action on WWE SmackDown. Nia Jax tried to cause a distraction but Bayley showed up to even the odds. Bayley destroyed Tiffany’s Money in the Bank briefcase allowing Michin to pick up the win.
Tiffany will, most likely, debut a new briefcase after the current one was given a makeover by Bayley. Lazy writing, in my opinion. Tiffany could’ve debuted a customized briefcase on the very first WWE SmackDown after Money in the Bank.
Hit – The Bloodline runs rampant on WWE SmackDown
Cody Rhodes got Kevin Owens as his tag team partner against A-Town Down Under in the main event. Cody hit Theory with a Cross Rhodes for the win. Solo Sikoa and the Tongans showed up to attack the pair. Cody and KO had the upper hand until Jacob Fatu arrived. The Samoan Werewolf delivered multiple running hip attacks on KO as Cody watched helplessly. Tama Tonga destroyed KO with a steel chair. The Bloodline put Cody through the broadcast table to cap off the night.
There’s no stopping Jacob Fatu. The man is continuing to prove he can take on anyone and everyone all by himself. Fatu wrecked tag team champions DIY last week on WWE SmackDown before The Bloodline destroyed Randy Orton. With KO now seemingly put on the shelf, the Undisputed WWE Champion is all by himself just days from his major title defense against Solo Sikoa.
READ MORE: Tag Team Gauntlet Match, LA Knight vs. Santos Escobar, More Set For 7/26 WWE SmackDown
