Welcome to the latest edition of our weekly WWE SmackDown hits and misses series.
The final episode of SmackDown before Bad Blood went down at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Featured acts included The Bloodline, Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton, Bayley, LA Knight, and AJ Styles.
Here’s what went down on the October 4 episode of Friday Night SmackDown.
Miss – Injury to AJ Styles?
AJ Styles received a babyface ovation for his return to WWE SmackDown. Styles reminded everyone that SmackDown will always be the house that he built. Carmelo Hayes interrupted to set up a match with The Phenomenal One. Styles tweaked his knee during the match, and the referee called off the match. As Styles limped to the back, Knight planted Melo with a BFT.
Styles is once again a babyface after working as a heel for several months. Hayes cut a solid promo as he called Styles an old-timer. LA Knight received a thunderous ovation as usual. Styles and Melo were having a great match until the controversial ending. Let’s hope Styles isn’t injured and it’s a work. WWE could have let Melo pick up a decisive win after a great match against an established star instead of going the injury angle route for a returning Styles.
However, WWE announced that Styles indeed suffered an injury, so the circumstances may have forced their hand.
Hit – Dumpster match on WWE SmackDown
Michin and Chelsea Green clashed in a Dumpster Match after feuding with each other for weeks. Chelsea pulled off a Canadian Destroyer. Michin hit a splash on Chelsea while her face was covered with a garbage can. Piper Niven tried to interfere, but Michin prevailed with a powerbomb on a table through the dumpster.
Dumpster matches can be hit or miss, but both women put on their working boots. Michin is a solid undercard competitor, and she could make a great Women’s Intercontinental Champion if WWE ever moves forward with the idea. Green provided plenty of pure entertainment throughout the match. The powerbomb spot was a brilliant way to end the match as well.
Miss – Naomi vs. Tiffany Stratton
Naomi picked up the win with a crucifix in an underwhelming match. These two stars have had better matches. It seemed they weren’t doing half of what they had done before their latest outing on WWE SmackDown. Even with the loss, Bad Blood might be Tiffy Time.
Hit – Ladder match on WWE SmackDown
The Bloodlone put their WWE Tag Team Championship on the line against #DIY and The Street Profits in a triple threat ladder match. Michael Cole referenced the previous ladder match that took place on WWE SmackDown five years ago. All three teams took some brutal bumps. In the end, Tanga Loa grabbed the ladder for Tonga Loa to unhook the titles.
It’s refreshing to see WWE bring back these iconic matches on weekly television. Tag team ladder matches were a major part of the Ruthless Aggression era. Take TLC IV for example. The announce table and ladder bumps were definitely the highlights of the match-up. The Bloodline retaining the titles was a major surprise, as the odds were stacked against them.
