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Hey everyone, it’s Friday so it’s time for WWE Smackdown. This isn’t live and was recorded earlier, if you want the spoilers they can be found HERE. This is the go home show for Night of Champions, so expect everyone involved in that to have limited action. We’ve got a triple threat between WWE champion Cody Rhodes, Gunther, and the living Garbodor that is Sami Zayn so expect them all to talk. Probably more than once but at least one promo segment with them. Also likely to have promo time will be King of the Ring finalists Jey Uso and Oba Femi. I’m a little surprised we’re going with Jey, because Femi is unlikely to be involved in a title match at SummerSlam as he’ll presumably be retiring Brock Lesnar there. Still no real update on women’s champion Rhea Ripley, but hey Jade Cargill and her flunkies are feuding with women’s US champion Tiffany Stratton. Speaking of US titles, Trick Williams will defend at Night of Champions against Ricky Saints. Trick feels like he’s lost a lot of momentum lately, we’ll have to see if this can get some back for him. Giulia and Kiana James will likely blow off their angle here as well. Last week Solo Sikoa cost the remaining members of Mildly Flatulent Tongans and it feels like Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga are probably about done with him. That means Solo will be back in the Bloodline in the near future because progress and completion are the enemies of modern entertainment. Jacy Jayne will take on Paige tonight, which should be fun for Paige back in London. Matt Cardona got shocked by Danhausen last week and might be returning to Zach Ryder, Miz and Kit Wilson are still stuck repeating catchphrases after being shocked as well. Still nothing for Shinsuke Nakamura, no sign of Ilja Dragunov, and Blake Monroe will allegedly show up at some point in the future. On a guaranteed happy note, this is the last 3 hour Smackdown for a while as next week we’re back to 2 hours. But until then let’s get to the action.

Michael Cole and Corey Graves welcome us to the show.

We get a recap of all the WWE title drama, mostly about the title match last week and the resulting chaos.

After that we get the usual shots of wrestlers walking around.

First to the ring is US champion Trick Williams, the “whoop that trick” chants have a little more life this week than the last couple of times at least. Trick has his diminutive boat in tow. OK they’re also sweetening a few of those chants now that I can see the crowd more clearly. Trick and Yachty have mics and Trick mentions missing Smackdown last week and says it was because he was in Jamaica getting married to Lash Legend. Congrats to them. Yachty and Trick talk about the party, Trick then sends love to Lash who isn’t here tonight. There’s a few odd editing choices here as Trick says he’ll beat Ricky Saints at Night of Champions. That brings out Ricky Saints, he wishes Trick well on his nuptials but feels that means Trick makes poor decisions. He also doesn’t give the marriage much time. Trick warns he’ll smack Ricky again if he keeps running his mouth. Ricky appreciates that the morons in the crowd can mostly follow a chant, then warns Trick not to overlook Ricky at Night of Champions. Reality is here and tomorrow Ricky will take the US title. Trick warns Ricky to find a good dentist because Trick will knock his teeth out. Ricky asks if Yachty comes with the title, then Ricky cheap shots Yachty and skedaddles. Trick turns his back on Ricky, so Ricky runs back down and cracks him with the mic to end the segment. Some odd editing choices there and it felt disjointed because of it. There were a few instances when the audio almost felt doubled and it was quite annoying.

Next a recap of Jade and company attacking Charlotte Flair last week and costing her the match with Liv Morgan.

In the back Jackie talks with Alexa Bliss, Bliss gives us the generic update on Charlotte then promises revenge on Jade. Tiffany Stratton is her partner tonight and the two don’t get along so they bicker but Tiffany is focused on Jade tomorrow not tonight.

Tiffany heads to the ring and we head to break as that tag match will be up next.

We come back to Bliss walking down the aisle. After her come B-Fab and Michin.

Match #1 – Tag Team Match: Tiffany Stratton and Alexa Bliss vs. Michin and B-Fab

Man the audio mixing is killing me, they’ve brought a ton of the music and “crowd” sound so far forward in the mix that it’s flattening the sound into something headache inducing. Tiffany and Michin start, Tiffany handily out wrestling her early and hitting the running low dropkick. Michin rakes the eyes then Bliss tags in. Bliss handles Michin with a striking flurry then a walk over Blockbuster. Jawbreaker from Michin then she avoids a finisher and B-Fab blind tags in to attack Bliss after Bliss hits a diving DDT on the floor. Good Lord B-Fab missed that wheel kick badly and even editing couldn’t save it. It does send us picture in picture though.

Bliss beats the count back into the ring but B-Fab keeps control. The Michin tags in and Bliss takes some tandem offense for a bit. Scoop slam from Michin then she tosses Bliss around for a bit. Real sloppy Gordbuster from Michin, then another scoop slam. We come back to Bliss avoiding an elbow drop. Enziguri from Bliss and both women tag out so Tiffany can run wild on B-Fab for a bit. Cartwheel Alabama Slam from Tiffany gets a 2 count. B-Fab fights back with a jawbreaker but Tiffany hits a handspring Stunner for another 2 count. Tiffany goes up top and hits a Swanton Bomb but Michin saves the match. Bliss yanks Michin out of the ring and brawls with her for a bit. Michin tosses Bliss, Tiffany fights Michin off but Jade Cargill shows up to attack Tiffany behind the refs back so B-Fab can hit her finish and win.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Michin and B-Fab won in 7:39

Rating: 1.5 stars
Thoughts: I still can’t get a handle on the audio choices here as it makes watching this a real pain. The work was a little weak, B-Fab still has no real crispness to her stuff and misses a lot of spots that others still have to sell. Michin’s heel work is coming along but she still does a lot of walking around instead of actually working her control segments.

Post match Chelsea Green runs down with a kendo stick, which she loses in the ropes getting in the ring, but she still avoids Michin then low bridges Jade. Tiffany and Green hug, Bliss shows up as well and they stand somewhat tall.

We get a recap of the temu Bloodline stuff from last week. In the back Solo talks with Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga, he puts himself over for attacking Jimmy Uso on RAW. Tama says they’re sick of being dragged around by Solo’s beef with Roman and his group. Last week they told Solo to stay out of it, now they’ve got no gold and Solo’s helping LA Knight? Talla says they got word from the elders, they’re leaving Solo. Solo says they can’t leave, Tama says they just did and they dub in a bigger crowd reaction that Tama ever got legitimately. Solo throws a fit as we head to break. So that’s it? They’ve spent how many months, and how much air time, all for this to just end like a fart in the wind in a backstage segment? That’s. . . well I guess it’s a choice.

As we come back we get a recap of what just happened with the women’s tag match. In the back Jade runs around and finds Nick Aldis, she wants a match with Green, Aldis gives it to her.

To the ring here’s Nathan Frazer, he’ll be challenging Rey Fenix for the AAA cruiserweight title.

Match #2 – AAA Cruiserweight Title Match: (c) Rey Fenix vs. Nathan Frazer

Immediate attack from Fenix, Frazer back flips out of the corner then we get some rope running from both men before they trade trips and covers then we get a stand off. The editing here is killing me, it’s giving me PTSD flashbacks to Dunn’s style. Frazer sends Fenix into the corner face first then runs into a thrust kick. Fenix with a double springboard crossbody for a 2 count. Dropkick from Fenix sends Frazer out of the ring, then Fenix bounces up top and hits a crossbody to the floor. Back in the ring Frazer kicks Fenix to the apron, Fenix drops to the floor and Frazer with a lovely dive to send us picture in picture.

Back in the ring Fenix cuts off Frazer with a rolling uppercut as Frazer was climbing up top. Some chops from Fenix then a head scissors into a Black Tornado slam for a 2 count. Frazer then flips out of a back suplex and hits one of his own for a 2 count. Frazer grabs a rest hold, which Fenix fights out of as we come back to broadcast. Elbows and chops from Fenix then a rolling chop and a handspring Cutter. High angle Death Valley Driver from Fenix gets a 2 count. Fenix goes up top but Frazer jumps up and kicks him then climbs up top along with him. Both men fight, Fenix shoves Frazer but Frazer lands on his feet then hits a superplex but when trying to follow up with a Falcon Arrow Fenix counters with a Small Package for 2, then we get a double head kick and both men are down. Both men trade strikes for a bit, Frazer hits a knee but Fenix with the Tiger Feint wheel kick, only for Frazer to try a second rope Spanish Fly that’s botched but they keep going. Frazer with a Final Cut for a 2 count. Frazer goes up top, misses the Phoenix Splash and Fenix then hits a wheel kick. Fenix gets Frazer up top, wants the Mexican Muscle Buster but Frazer avoids it then kicks Fenix to the floor. Frazer tries a suicide dive but Fenix moves and Frazer wipes out into the announce table Gnarly bump from Frazer. Back in the ring Fenix goes up top and hits a Frog Splash but only a near fall. Frazer fights with a boot but gets caught in the corner and Fenix hits the Mexican Muscle Buster to win.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Rey Fenix retained the title in 10:40

Rating: 3 stars
Thoughts: Well that was a fun sprint, it was largely hampered by production choices rater than anything the wrestlers did. Some really fun athleticism, a fast pace as well. With a few smoother production choices, and maybe that second rope Spanish Fly being hit cleanly, this could have hit 3.5.

Post match Fenix gives respect to Frazer.

In the back Byron talks with R-Truth and Damian Priest. Priest wants to move forward from the Island Boys, but up walk the War Raiders. Eric and Ivar want a unification match. Truth does a Razor Ramon impression, to threaten war. Priest finally has to talk sense into Truth who almost lost it at references to Judgement Day, but Priest says they’ll talk about that match.

We see LA Knight arrive and Jackie talks with him. Knight and Jackie joke about both being on RAW normally then Knight heads towards the ring as we head to break.

Post break we get a hype video for the King of the Ring tournament.

To the ring and here’s LA Knight to a good pop. Knight gets a mic and wants to talk to us. He recaps beating Jimmy on Monday but does bring up Solo sticking his nose into things, so he’d like Solo to come down here. That does bring out Solo. Solo gets a mic of his own, he gets a bit of a song from the crowd. Knight asks why Solo helped him Monday, Solo isn’t here to fight Knight tonight. If Knight wants a fight he’s wasting time, and brings up that he’s been left again. Knight knows that has to hurt, but he doesn’t care much, and in fact Solo now has a clear path to go right back into the Bloodline. “OTC” chant for that one. Knight asks if Solo wants to go back to listening to Roman lord over him. Solo snaps and says he attacked Jimmy because he hates the Bloodline. He hates that he was a part of it. Hates Jacob Fatu, the Usos, and Roman Reigns. The only way for him to feel better is if he finishes them. He knows he and Knight have one thing in common, neither of them likes the Bloodline. Knight says Solo should hate Roman for everything he did to him, but then again Jey and Jimmy should hate Roman just as much. And honestly Roman did way more to those two than he ever did to Solo. Now baggage handler Jey Uso is out here, and Knight says he’s seen this movie and knows how it ends, so why would Solo be different. Solo claims he has nothing to lose, it’s just him now, but the enemy of his enemy could be friends. They could work together and take out the Bloodline, watch out for each other. Knight has heard that too, “It’s just me uce” and all that, so he’s skeptical. But he will think about this, he hates the Bloodline but is out numbered by them and knows it. He probably does need help, but does he need Solo watching his back, nah nah. Knight lives and dies his own way, he’ll always be himself with everyone saying LA Knight yeah. Thanks but no thanks. Solo without a group could be good for him, but I just can’t shake the feeling he is going to wind up in the Bloodline again.

In the back Byron talks with Sami Zayn. Sami justifies himself for last week, then talks about depressed Johnny Gargano who’s right here. Sami says good things are happening to him because he’s a good person. Byron brings up Sami’s failed attempts to win the title before, Sami admits the last few months haven’t been good for him. He had a shot at the title against Drew McIntyre and lost, and that’s when things went bad for him. But he stayed good and the universe is handing him a shot at redeeming himself. He turns to Johnny and realizes he’s going to become WWE champion.

To the ring, here’s Paige along with Brie Bella, Paige will be in action after this break.

Post break here comes Fatal Influence.

Match #3: Paige w/ Brie Bella vs. Jacy Jayne w/ Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid

Just under 30 minutes between matches, not good. Jayne consorts with Fallon and Reid, then superkicks Paige for a 2 count. Some corner work from Jayne, then Paige turns things around with a slap then tosses Jayne around. They screw up a rebound spot then Paige lands a headbutt. Some corner work from Paige now then she locks up a cross legged chin lock. Jayne gets to the ropes then powders. Paige follows Jayne and tries a cannonball senton off the apron but only hits Fallon and Reid, Jayne then lands a kick from the apron to take over and send us to break.

We come back to Jayne working a headlock. Paige fights free with a jawbreaker then we get a double clothesline spot. They trade strikes for a bit then Paige starts to fire up with a weak German suplex and a Fisherman suplex. Paige Turner connects but only a 2 count. Jayne fights off the Rampage with a Small Package for 2. Running kick from Jayne gets a 2 count. Paige avoids a Rolling Encore, but Jayne tries a dirty pin and Brie breaks up the illegal pin. Brie and Reid fight, Fallon gets whacked by Paige then Paige rolls up Jayne with a handful of tights to win.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Paige won in 8:35

Rating: 2 stars
Thoughts: Hard to get a feel for this one with so much of it being during the break. The crowd seemed invested at least but Fatal Influence are being booked to look like goobers. It’s not so much losing, it’s how and what it implies about them.

In the back Danhausen plays around with Miz and Kip Wilson. Matt Cardona comes in and wants to know why he might be returning to Zach Ryder. Miz and Kit have left and Danhausen goes to look for them, Angel and Berto show up looking for Danhausen. Cardona doesn’t know where he is, so they go to look for him. Cardona then looks at the covered body but Danhausen yells at him not to touch that as we head to break.

In the back the Island Boys walk and find Finn Balor. Balor says Tama now reminds him of the version he used to run with. Tama says they ran together a long time ago, just like Shinsuke Nakamura and we all saw how that went. We’re gonna tease this random Bullet Club stuff forever but we’ll get no actual reunion before everyone’s retired.

Back to the ring, here’s Danhausen along with Miz and Kit. Danhausen brings those two, still acting brain damaged, to the ring. Props to Miz and Wilson for committing to the bit like this. Danhausen gets a mic and plays with the crowd a bit. He welcomes us to Danhausen TV, and his guests are the Legion of Danhausen. Miz thinks Danhausen replacing him is awesome. Wilson can still only say toxic. Los Garza show up to interrupt the fun and attack Miz and Wilson. That seems unnecessary. Angel and Berto menace Danhausen but here’s Cardona to even things. Aldis shows up to make the predictable match as we head to break.

Match #4 – Tag Team Match: Danhausen and Matt Cardona vs. Los Garza (Angel and Berto)

OFFICIAL RESULT:

Rating:
Thoughts: