Never mind whatever the Bloodline initially came out here to do because they didn’t expect Randy Orton, Kevin Owens and Cody Rhodes to arrive moments after they did to inflict some damage prior to their 6-man Tag Team match at Money in the Bank.
I laughed when security showed up as if they would be able to apply some resemblance control. After the eruption between these men started once Solo Sikoa officially took the throne to become the new head of the table, things continue to explode in manners we’ve yet to see more of.
Nick Aldis wanted Rhodes, Orton and Owens to leave the stage after they made a mess of things, but they didn’t want to. So, Randy delivers an RKO to one of the guards, then the rest of the security team swooped inside the ring to brawl. Cody said that this is the best part of the show. He simply spat facts. Ha!
Aldis’ firmness was displayed when he brought the NYPD cops to escort these men to the back of the stage, so we can get back on schedule.
Candice LeRae vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill – Money in the Bank Qualifying match
Out of the blocks, Jade is in hot pursuit of her opponents. The upper hand she gained didn’t last long once Stratton manages to kick her in the knee, then slammed her face against the mat. LeRae provides some assistance.
Despite the attempt at making this a 2-on-1 situation to take out Cargill, she manages to come back stronger with a double clothesline, a back breaker to Candice and a Super Kick to Tiffany. It was LOUD. Ha!
Nia Jax watches the Money in the Bank Qualifying match between Candice LeRae vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill at Madison Square Garden, in New York City, NY, on Friday, June 28, 2024, as WWE presented Smackdown. Photo by George Tahinos, georgetahinos.smugmug.com MORE PHOTOS IN OUR GALLERY
She made it look so easy. Jade had the most leverage in this match by tossing LeRae onto Stratton on the main floor. With all that in mind, none of us thought to see Nia Jax stomping her way to the ring to do God knows what. Luckily, Bianca Belair was right behind her to thwart anything from happening.
Given the distraction of Jax, Tiffany and Candice took control of Jade once again. LeRae surprises Tiffany with a clothesline, so she returns fire with an Alabama Slam against the turnbuckles.
Stratton misses Candice in the corner, yet she throws LeRae into an incoming Jade as she delivers a spine buster to Candice. Stratton comes out of nowhere to stomp Jade’s chest into the mat for a near fall if it weren’t for the Poison Pixie.
Later on, Jade spills onto the outside after Stratton ducked out of the way. Much to Nia’s delight, Bianca stops her from doing anything other than loom over Cargill. It’s unfortunate regardless of Belair’s efforts, Jade is shoved into the post by Indi Hartwell. Once Belair noticed this, she gave chase.
With Cargill out cold, this was meant to be Candice’s moment, but she became victim to Stratton’s Prettiest Moonsault. Not only is she heading to Money in the Bank with Iyo Sky, Lyra Valkyria, and Chelsea Green, she apparently won Nia over.
Winner: Tiffany Stratton
While Blair Davenport is still trying to get under Naomi’s skin, Michin is talking to Nick Aldis about the beating she endured at the hands of Nia Jax. She demands a match with the queen of the ring.
Another set of people who want some payback tonight are the Street Profits against the Bloodline. Everyone is having some issues with those people, so Nick disagrees. This whole conversation is interrupted by the return of Pretty Deadly. They gave the most unnecessary pitch I’ve heard in a long time, Pretty Deadly: The Musical…?? Naturally, Montez Ford suggests a better pitch, the Street Profits versus Pretty Deadly: The Beatdown. Love that.
Wade Barrett was too invested in Pretty Deadly: The Musical because Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator of Hamilton, is in the crowd. Please don’t make this happen, you’ll severely regret it.
LA Knight vs. Santos Escobar vs. Logan Paul – Money in the Bank Qualifying match
Almost immediately, LA Knight goes after both his challengers, the first one being Logan Paul by squashing him in the corner. Later on, Paul and Escobar were seemingly working in unison to take down LA Knight. I don’t know why they started trying to one-up each other like the children they are. Dear God…
Logan breaks whatever alliance he and Santos had by sending him crashing on the floor, so he could deliver a gut-wrench takedown to LA Knight for a near fall. The Megastar makes a comeback by taking care of Escobar on the outside, then delivers a shoulder tackle to Logan.
I’m glad to witness Santos propelling himself on Logan at ringside. Thank you! I can’t stand that buffoon on the screen. He’s too annoying. Anyway, Santos goes high ricks with a Huricarana to LA Knight take could have ended this match if Logan hadn’t interfered.
Seeing Logan angry makes me happy because he hasn’t succussed. Knight plants Logan with a side Russian leg sweep, then a DDT to Santos. The Megastar was about to finish Logan, yet he collided with Santos’ flying knee strike to the jaw.
As long as Logan Paul doesn’t come out victoriously, I’m fine either way. A brawl ensues between Paul and Escobar in the corner of the ring, it later breaks up when LA Knight comes in with a belly-to-back superplex. Paul thought he could capitalize with a Swanton.
Logan Paul and Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers face off with LA Knight and Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, in New York City, NY, on Friday, June 28, 2024, as WWE presented Smackdown. Photo by George Tahinos, georgetahinos.smugmug.com MORE PHOTOS IN OUR GALLERY
Since that didn’t work, Logan called one of his friends, Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers, to collect some brass knuckles for him. New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson takes note of that and tries to stop him. Regrettably, some referees showed up. Regardless of all this nonsense, Logan wasn’t able to get his hands on the brace knuckles once Santos bulldozed through him.
Escobar misses Knight with the same double knees he gave Paul and succumbs to a BFT. Logan looks to play spoiler with a sudden roll up, luckily, LA Knight reverses the pressure and wins. He joins Jey Uso, Andrade, Carmelo Hayes, and Chad Gable. One spot remains.
Winner: LA Knight
Sika is remembered outside Madison Square Garden, in New York City, NY, on Friday, June 28, 2024, as WWE presented Smackdown. Facebook photo MORE PHOTOS IN OUR GALLERY
Let’s take a moment to pay our respects to Leati Sika Anoa’i, who dominated in arena after arena as one half of the most feared Tag Team of all time, the Wild Samoans, best known as the father of Roman Reigns. He will be remembered as an encouraging dad, a phenomenal athlete, and a proud grandfather. Rest in peace and thank you, Sika, 1945 – 2024. Here’s our obituary.
Indi Hartwell vs. Naomi vs. Blair Davenport – Money in the Bank Qualifying match
I think Davenport and Hartwell were planning to team up, so they could take Naomi down. Fortunately, she drop kicks them brazing hot at the start of this match.
I never understand why people start begging for forgiveness when they display evidence of betrayal during a match that requires a definitive winner. Blair attempted to roll Indi after they slammed Naomi on the mat. Alliances don’t exist during these types of fights, and the sooner they put that in their heads, the better.
As we move on from that… thing, Indi uses Naomi as a weapon against Blair, then follows that up with a powerbomb that doesn’t conclude the fight. Hartwell gets angry with Davenport when she interfered by stomping on Naomi when that could be a good directional development.
She ends up getting whipped into the stairs for her troubles. Naomi turns the momentum of this match with a crossbody from the sky. She squashes them both with a leg spilt, but that wasn’t enough.
Money in the Bank Qualifying match: Indi Hartwell vs. Naomi vs. Blair Davenport at Madison Square Garden, in New York City, NY, on Friday, June 28, 2024, as WWE presented Smackdown. Photo by George Tahinos, georgetahinos.smugmug.com MORE PHOTOS IN OUR GALLERY
Hartwell makes a comeback with double spine busters that could have awarded her the win, but that one second delay due to Blair’s shoulders not being on the mat cost her. An “arrogant” attempt was the word to describe Indi’s movements.
She may have taken Blair and Naomi down, but her attention always seems divided. And speaking of divided attention, Indi catches sight of Jade Cargill making her way to the stage after that attack she suffered earlier in the night. Cargill issues some comeuppance by shoving Indi into the post, then tossing her back inside the ring.
Naomi plants Indi with one of her unique pinning combinations and gains the victory she deserves. She joins Tiffany Stratton, Chelsea Green, Lyra Valkyria, and Iyo Sky. There’s only one spot left that will be filled this upcoming Monday.
Winner: Naomi
Next week, we rekindle the flame between Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill versus Indi Hartwell and Candide LeRae. The Street Profits get their match against Pretty Deadly. DIY finally get their Tag Team Championship match against the current holders, A-Town Down Under.
As we arrive at the conclusion of the night, it is time for the acknowledgement ceremony promised by the Bloodline. But before that, Solo Sikoa wants to welcome the newest member of their faction, Jacob Fatu. What’s weird but also not surprising is that Sikoa told Heyman that Fatu wasn’t here knowing the events that transpired last week. Well… he lied.
The look of disbelief on Heyman’s face speaks heavily on the astonishment he must be feeling that the walls are closing in on him. I do like Fatu’s new theme music, but I miss the old one. I noticed that Matt Riddle went to MLW, while Fatu comes here to WWE. Quite the swap.
Sikoa wanted everyone in the Bloodline to acknowledge him. Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Jacob Fatu accomplished that very well, but when it was Heyman’s turn… he couldn’t do it, especially when the Tribal ceremonial neckless was given to him to put around Sikoa’s neck. Normally, he only does that with Roman. He does not acknowledge Solo as his Tribal Chief.
The Bloodline, Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Jacob Fatu, turn on Paul Heyman at Madison Square Garden, in New York City, NY, on Friday, June 28, 2024, as WWE presented Smackdown. Photo by George Tahinos, georgetahinos.smugmug.com MORE PHOTOS IN OUR GALLERY
That ended up in a Samoan Spike to the throat of Heyman. Corey Graves thinks this was the dumbest thing Heyman could do, but I beg to differ. This is the best decision he’s made since I met him. It will hurt, but it’ll pass. Hopefully…
We were left shocked when Solo told Jacob to splash Heyman with a headbutt. I never thought this could happen despite the amount of teasing we’ve been getting for years. They even went as far as to slam Heyman through the commentary desk… Right next to the disaster, Fatu awards Solo the ceremonial Tribal necklace.
TOP PHOTO: The Bloodline destroy Paul Heyman. Courtesy of WWE
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