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WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
SEPTEMBER 20, 2024
SACRAMENTO, CALIF. AT GOLDEN 1 CENTER
AIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves
Ring Announcer: Alicia Taylor
Attendance: WrestleTix reports yesterday that 13,329 tickets had distributed so far; arena set up for 13,723. The arena has a capacity of 19,000 spectators when configured for concerts. Check out WrestleTix for the final attendance figures.
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PWTorch editor Wade Keller will be joined by Jake Barnett from ProWrestling.net to review Smackdown LIVE. We’ll be incorporating live viewer comments into the show so join us LIVE!
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[HOUR ONE]
(NOTE: With the move to USA Network, Alex McDonald has lost access to watching Smackdown so he will be taking a new writing role here at PWTorch soon. If you are interested in becoming our alt-perspective Smackdown TV Reporter, let me know if you’d like to apply for that now-open volunteer position. Email: kellerwade@gmail.com.)
-A three minute video package aired on last week’s Cody Rhodes-Roman Reigns-Bloodline developments last week. Then Michael Cole narrated a clip of Reigns and Cody meeting mid-field at Georgia Tech’s football stadium.
-They showed the Bloodline arriving at the arena. Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa went through the metal detector. When they got to Jacob Fatu, he headbutted and superkicked security guys. (Is he going to be arrested for assaulting non-wrestlers just doing their jobs?)
-They went to Cole and Corey Graves at ringside. Cole said they’ve been creating chaos all evening after an emotional last week for The Bloodline. “They were embarrassed,” he said. Graves said they want to prove something to Roman Reigns.
(1) L.A. NIGHT vs. ANDRADE – United States Title match
Big pop for Knight as he came out first. As Andrade came out, Cole noted that he earned the title shot by beating Carmelo 3-2 in a five match series. The bell rang 8 minute into the hour. Andrade offered a handshake. Knight hesitated, then slapped his hand in acknowledgment. They cut to a break 45 seconds into the match. [c]
Cole and Graves reset the match and even named the referee assigned to the match. They struck each other as the camera roamed at ringside and shot it through the ropes, which felt different and kinda cool. A graphic plugged the Dec. 14 Saturday Night’s Main Event on NBC. Andrade landed a top rope crossbody for a two count at 5:00. They fought at ringside. Knight lifted Andrade on the ring apron, but Andrade slipped free and then knocked Knight to the floor. Andrade climbed to the top rope and landed a leaping moonsault onto Knight. With both down, they cut to a double-box break at 8:00. [c/db]
Back from the break, a sequence was botched with a very odd Irish whip and then a weird collision mid-ring. Andrade lifted his arms up like he was stunned or concussed, but actually used his arms to help kip up. Knight leaned in the corner catching his breath. Andrade stomped away at Knight. When he charged, Knight avoided him and then landed a DDT for a two count at 12:00.
Knight lifted Andrade onto the top rope as they received a “This is awesome!” chant. Cole acknowledged “the respect” the crowd was showing the wrestlers. Andrade knocked Knight down and then went for a top rope moonsault, but Knight moved. Andrade landed a quick second standing moonsault and then scored a two count. Andrade landed double knees on a charge into the corner for another two count.
Knight caught Andrade and struggled but eventually hoisted him onto his shoulder and slammed him. Knight then played to the crowd from the second rope and landed a flying elbowdrop. When he set up a BFT, Andrade slipped out and schoolboyed Knight for a two count. Andrade followed with a spinning back elbow for a dramatic near fall. Graves called it one of the fastest spinning back elbows he’s seen. The crowd chanted “Ref, you suck!” (Knight lifted his shoulder in time, but it was very very close, and it’s interesting they wanted Andrade to get the three count there at Knight’s expense.) Cole called it “an electric crowd, over 14,000 strong.”
Andrade climbed to the top rope. Knight ran and leaped up to the middle rope but came up short and then he tried again and came up short again. On the third try, Andrade elbowed him. Andrade leaped at Knight, but Knight moved and then landed a BFT for the win. Cole said it’s hot in the arena and the ropes are slippery. Knight was bleeding from his forehead. Knight offered a fist bump. Andrade offered a handshake. Andrade insisted on the handshake, which was awkward. He then raised his arm.
WINNER: Knight in 17:00 to retain the U.S. Title.
(Keller’s Analysis; Boy if that match didn’t show everything good and bad about Knight. His innate charisma and energy and connection with the crowd is high, but his execution of moves is so often clunky when the pace kicks up to the level that Andrade brought. They couldn’t even get the post-match fist-bump/hand-shake right without it going awkwardly haywire.)
-Cole threw to a video package on last week’s interaction between Nia Jax & Tiffany Stratton and Bayley & Naomi.
-Backstage, Tiffany told Jax that when she was getting her nails done earlier, she told everyone how great it’s going to feel to send either Bayley or Naomi away from Smackdown. Jax slapped Tiffany’s shoulder pretty hard and said, “You go girl!” Tiffany grabbed her shoulder in pain. Jax said they’re coming after her title, “so if you lose tonight, it might be a good idea if you leave Smackdown.” Tiffany frowned.
-C0le hyped the Cody-Reigns segment at Georgia Tech University’s football field where Reigns played football. [c]
-They showed a drone shot of Sacramento, Calif. during rush hour.
-Carmelo Hayes walked up to a dejected Andrade. He said he hadn’t see a choke like that since the Sacramento Kings against the L.A. Lakers. The crowd groaned. Andrade attacked Carmelo and got the better of him. Referees intervened.
-A video package aired showing a motorcade of seven black SUVs driving into the stadium and then Reigns stepping out of one of them. Cody then arrived in a white sports car and stepped out. They met mid-field as music played. Reigns told Cody that everything he puts his eyes on there is his. He said years ago he shed blood, sweat, and tears on that field. He said it’s his field and his stadium and therefore his city. “What have you done for my city?” he asked Cody. Cody brought up that Reigns arrived with seven cars. Cody brought up the Omni and said when Reigns was done, he left and went back to the beach. He said, “This is your field, but this is my home.” Reigns smiled and nodded. He said he has signed up for a lose-lose situation. He said he’s aligned with people with nothing to lose. He said they took Jimmy Uso from him, his Wiseman, his Bloodline, and his ula fala. He said he is a man without a country now. “There’s no weight on my neck,” he said. “It’s all on yours.”
Cody said he’s telling him this like he’s supposed to be surprised. He said he told him before the first WrestleMania go-around that he’d be standing there as a chief without a tribe. He said they took Jimmy, the Wiseman, and the ula fala. He told him to take a good look around WWE. He said they already have a Tribal Chief and a champion, and neither are him. He asked who is standing before him now. “I’ll tell you now,” he said. “It’s not the biggest box office attraction in the history of WWE. It’s not the guaranteed WrestleMania main eventer. It’s the guy they used to call Roman Reigns.”
Reigns hung his head and broke a bit and said, “What do you want? Just tell me what you want.” Cody said, “I want your word. I want your word that you will have my back so that I can have yours.” Reigns said, “I give you my word. I’ll have your back. Just understand, when it’s all done, I’m taking back what’s mine.” He eyed Cody’s title belt. Reigns turned to leave, but Cody cut him off. They looked at each other. Cody said, “It’s not yours to take.” Reigns said, “You’re in my way.” Cody stepped back. Reigns said, “You’re in my way in life.” Reigns walked off the field.
(Keller’s Analysis: I’m genuinely torn here. There was a lot to like about that video. It was dramatic and looked major league and portrayed Reigns and Cody as huge stars. It also just felt like too much, especially with the music and all the camera angles and heavy post-production. It was over-produced to a degree that offset some of the intent. It also ended up having a vibe in part due to the music of a cheesy made-for-TV movie about a big high school football game. I didn’t like the closing line from Reigns, either. Few people are going to care, but the fact that they were filmed from multiple angles, but on wide shots there were no cameras near them, made it so obvious this wasn’t filming something that was happening either way and someone was filming it but rather it was a scene created with multiple takes that existed wholly to be shown on TV, and that worked against the overall vibe. I think pro wrestling is at its best when something is produced in as organic a way as possible, and this just couldn’t help itself but to go over-the-top at almost every opportunity. It didn’t feel like we were privileged to be listening into an epic face-to-face, but rather witnessing a scripted and overly-produced non-organic video feature to promote a story. Also, I’m still waiting for Reigns to explain where he went after WrestleMania and whether he’s been in touch with Jimmy or Paul Heyman, and that is more important to me that all the bells and whistles here. But, having said all that, the lasting impression is that these are two really big stars who met in a cool setting where each have a lot of history, and they are working out how to coexist with common enemies yet a drive to hold onto or take that Undisputed WWE Title. So while I’d dial it down on the production side, the overall idea forwarded the sense that this is an epic alliance between two huge stars of their era.)
-They cut to Kevin Owens watching that on a monitor. Byron Saxton walked up and said he has a history with those two, so does he have any thoughts. KO began to speak, but then just exhaled, smiled, and walked away. [c]
-They showed KO sitting on a crate backstage. Cole said he was still “deep in thought.”
(2) APOLLO CREWS vs. GIOVANI VINCI
A clip aired of Vinci losing to Crews two weeks ago. Graves complained that the ref called for the bell before he took off his jacket, giving Crews an opening. Cole said Vinci took forever to get to the ring. Graves said so do Reigns and Cody. He said Vinci was disrespected. The bell rang 49 minutes into the hour. Graves said he just got a text from Nick Aldis fining him for insulting the official. (Will the Bloodline pay a price for attacking the security guys at the arena entrance?) Crews scored another quick win after escaping a powerbomb attempt and turning it into a roll-up. “Are you kidding me?!” exclaimed Graves. Vinci took some shots at Crews afterward in frustration.
WINNER: Crews in under 2:00.
-Saxton again approached KO for a comment. KO said he was going to address it in the ring. Cole called Saxton “a pest.” [c]
[HOUR TWO]
-Owens made his entrance. He said people want to know what he thinks about the Cody agreeing to team with Reigns after everything that has happened over the last several years. “You know, I’ve got to be honest.” At that point, Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, and Jacob Fatu walked out. Tonga had the mic in hand and said, “You better let the right-hand man speak.” Fans booed. He said last week Reigns and Cody embarrassed their Tribal Chief. He said they’ll get what’s coming to them at Bad Blood. He told KO that he’ll get what he’s got coming by orders of “the real Tribal Chief, Solo Sikoa.”
KO said before he speaks again, since no one has ever wanted to hear what he has to say, get in the ring and let him punch him in the face. KO ended up having to fend off Tama and Loa as they entered. He turned to Fatu. As they began swinging wildly at each other, Tama and Loa jumped him. Johnny Gargano & Tomasso Ciampa made the save and cleared the ring.
Nick Aldis walked out and sent security to the ring. Aldis entered the ring and said he’s getting sick and tired of them fighting each other when there isn’t a bell ringing. He said he noticed there are three of each, so he booked them in a six-man tag match in the man event tonight.
(Keller’s Analysis: Aldis, who certainly takes his job as Smackdown G.M. seriously, didn’t enter tonight without a planned main event, did he?)
-They showed Bayley and Naomi chatting backstage discussing strategy. Bayley said she has been waiting for a title shot since Summerslam. Naomi said she wants a title shot too. Bayley assured her they are in it together. Naomi said when she wins, she’ll give Bayley the first shot. She asked for a hug. Bayley chucked and hugged her.
-Jax and Tiffany made their ring entrance. [c]
(3) NIA JAX & TIFFANY STRATTON vs. BAYLEY & NAOMI – Tornado Tag match
The bell rang 13 minutes into the hour. All four battled in the ring at the start. Bayley and Naomi double-teamed Jax as they rammed her head-first into the middle turnbuckle. Bayley and Naomi each covered Jax at the same time, playing up that they each had something to gain. Graves asked who was executing the cover there. Jax lifted and dropped Naomi. Tiffany slammed Bayley to the mat. Jax lifted Bayley and then Tiffany landed a Blockbuster off the top rope onto Bayley for a dramatic near fall at 2:00. They cut to a double-box break. [c/db]
Back from the break, Jax shoved Bayley into the ringside barricade. Jax threw Naomi into the time keeper’s area. Bayley shoved Jax into a high roundkick by Naomi. Bayley clotheslined Tiffany at ringside. Tiffany began to head up the aisle, but Bayley went after her and threw her into the edge of the ring. She then entered the ring and dove through the ropes onto Jax. She followed with a leaping crossbody to take her down.
Back in the ring, Bayley battled Tiffany. Naomi kicked Tiffany as Bayley back suplexed her. When Bayley made the cover, Naomi yanked her off. Bayley stood and took issue with that. As Jax charged, Naomi shoved Bayley out of the path of Jax to save her, but Jax then clotheslined Naomi. Naomi popped up and kicked Jax in the head. She and Bayley then whipped a groggy Jax into the ropes and then backdropped her. They replayed Jax’s landing in slo-mo. Bayley charged at Jax, but Jax blocked her and then she knocked Naomi down in the corner. Jax set up an Annihilator. She climbed to the second rope, but Bayley knocked her off balance. Naomi got up. They set up a double back suplex. Tiffany made the save. Bayley legdropped Tiff as Jax covered Naomi and they each made covers. They counted both pins at once, but both were only two count. Graves said he isn’t sure what the result would have been.
Fans chanted, “Bayley!” Naomi mounted Jax in the corner, but Jax powered her out. Naomi landed an X-Factor, though. Tiffany then leaped off the top rope and landed on Jax with a Swanton (she mostly overshot her, though). Tiffany apologized, then fought off Bayley and Naomi. Bayley and Naomi gave Tiffany a 1D. Jax then gave Bayley a Samoan Drop. Naomi rolled up Jax just as Bayley leveraged Jax’s shoulders down. The ref counted and the co-winners were Bayley and Naomi apparently.
WINNERS: Naomi and Bayley in 11:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: What’re the odds of a co-pin situation to create ambiguity over who earned a future title match. Having two wrestlers pin Jax at once is a way to put as asterisk next to Jax’s loss.) [c]
-They showed another aerial shot of Sacramento, this time the downtown area where the arena was. Cole then touted the 39th TV sellout of the year and the 58th sellout overall in 2024. They showed fan signs. Cole said they always encourage that. They showed a fan holding up a sign that said, “I’m a Cole miner.” Graves asked how much Cole paid that fan.
-A video aired on Chelsea Green gagging as she had to clean up garbage. She said it’s not fair she has to fight Michin in her home turf. She swatted away bugs and then was attacked by an unseen racoon in the dumpster when she reached in. She said Michin is going to pay for that.
(Keller’s Analysis: Worth a chuckle, but WWE’s going pretty far with the cutesy tone here.)
-Cole got very excited and said the dumpster match will take place in two weeks in Nashville. Cole said his watch thinks he had a bad fall.
(Keller’s Analysis: The tone from Cole is so slapstick, I’m getting a bit worried that WWE is shifting tone in the USA Network era of this show.)
-Aldis said he had a solution. He said Bayley and Naomi will wrestle each other next week, winner getting a shot against Jax.
(Keller’s Analysis: I would have bet this was going to be a triple threat, but I’m still not ruling out that’s where this lands.)
-Owens made his entrance. The Bloodline attacked DIY backstage. Owens rolled to the aisle and awaited the Bloodline as their music played. He fought all three of them in the entry area. The Bloodline, of course, beat them down. The Street Profits then ran out to their music. (What’re they doing at Smackdown dressed to wrestle?) Owens leaped off the top rope and landed a cannonball on the whole crowd.) KO and the Profits stood in the ring as Cole wondered if that would be the team in the scheduled six-man tag. [c]
(4) KEVIN OWENS & THE STREET PROFITS (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) vs. THE BLOODLINE (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa & Jacob Fatu)
The bell rang 40 minutes into the hour. Cole said KO has never pinned a member of The Bloodline in his WWE career, but has battled them a lot, and now he’s seeing Cody standing besides Reigns, a long-time bitter rival or KO. Graves said Fatu has immense physical talent without any morality. They cut to a break at 4:00. [c]
Dawkins was taking a beating after the break. Ford hot-tagged in and went after Tama with a flurry of offense. KO eventually hit a stunner on Tama, but Loa yanked KO out of the ring. Loa threw KO into the ringside steps. The ref DQ’d him.
WINNERS: KO & Profits via DQ in 16:00.
-Afterward, Ford landed a running flip dive onto Loa at ringside. A brawl broke out with everyone. As the Bloodline beat on KO and the Profits for a while, Cody ran out for the save. He had a chair, but Fatu kicked it out of his hands. Cody landed a Cody Cutter. KO stood and picked up the chair. Cody yelled at the Bloodline as KO stood behind Cody, seeming to wind up to hit Cody. Cody turned and saw KO and offered a handshake. KO dropped the chair. Then they hugged. Cody’s music played to end the show.
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PWTorch editor Wade Keller will be joined by Jake Barnett from ProWrestling.net to review Smackdown LIVE. We’ll be incorporating live viewer comments into the show so join us LIVE!
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