Ha! I don’t know who actually believed that Roman Reigns understood literally anything Jey Uso said prior to Crown Jewel, but I didn’t buy it. As if saying “Yeet” makes any difference when most of the their Tag Team match against the Bloodline was devoid of wanting to communicate, teamwork and balance. Jey simply was making a point that he will not follow suit like an absent-minded dog that can’t think for himself and needs someone else to do so.
The word narcissist was finally dropped to describe Roman’s personality, and I for one, am satisfied that I wasn’t the only one who saw him as such. It came out of Michael Cole’s mouth. The moment Roman and Jimmy entered separately from Jey, I knew chaos will ensue, but not one I’m particularly angry about because Jey made himself clear… and so did Sami Zayn.
Zayn was only present to make sure Jey was all right, that kick to Reigns’ face was an accident, but he didn’t solely come to SmackDown for Jey. Sami truly felt like being in the ring with the twins and Roman was special… for a few seconds anyway. He saw that Roman wants the four of them back because he loves them, despite how he behaves.
That can become reality with one condition, an apology from Roman. After informing him of his terms, Reigns looked too reluctant to do it. He was swinging his head back and forth like crazy… almost disgustedly. The apology wasn’t for Sami, but for Jey. That’s sweet. Sami and Jey’s mistake was giving Roman too much benefit of the doubt that he would come to realize his wrongdoings. He still doesn’t get it… And for that, Zayn left the ring, but not before witnessing a message from Solo delivered by Jacob Fatu.
Sikoa won’t move when Roman tells him to move. He will do as he damn well pleases, and Reigns would have to accept that. Ha! Backstage, Reigns spoke to Jey in a disrespectful manner, the very way he told him not to. Strike one. I was surprised when Jimmy walked away, too, after Roman foolishly swatted him upon questioning his perspective.
Bayley vs. Candice LeRae
Candice quickly went into a cover after kicking Bayley in the leg and delivering a Step-Up Enziguri. Bayley got back on track by running Candice over from the rear. Despite all that effort, Bayley found herself at the mercy of LeRae’s neck breaker off the middle rope. The majority of this match has been all LeRae. The Role Model went face first against the post in ways I’m concerned about.
Bayley went down after that drop kick from the top, but she came right back up with a clothesline to Candice. That gave her time to regroup by driving LeRae into the corner of the ring. She forced Candice face first into the turnbuckles. LeRae even tried to counter, but she was unable to.
Candice was kind of witless in her attempt to pretend an injury while Bayley’s back was turned. Unfortunately for her, Bayley felt it coming and pinned her down with ease.
Winner: Bayley
Elsewhere, Johnny Gargano congratulates Motor City Machine Guns on their win in becoming the new WWE Tag Team Champions and encouraging them for their upcoming match against A-Town Down Under. Ciampa wasn’t too happy about that. He’s still bitter that DIY lost. Ciampa used Gargano’s words of having to do whatever it takes to get their titles back.
And if tensions weren’t high enough, after what Randy Orton went through at Crown Jewel during what was supposed to be a sanctioned match versus Kevin Owens, no one expected him to be here. Owens left him immobile on a stack of broken tables. Oof, Randy’s groggy voice was the result of that eruption. He ordered Kevin to come out, as the Prize Fighter was halted at the entranceway. A brawl was underway, even though, Kevin showed a sliver of restraint.
This confrontation was short-lived after that pile driver Kevin delivered to Randy, a move that I recently found out was banned here. Orton wasn’t moving, he seemed paralyzed as medical are assisting him out of the arena. Cody Rhodes joined him at the hospital. I could have sworn I heard Randy mutter “I can’t breathe” or “I can’t move” as he groans repeatedly.
Commentary thinks that Kevin has crossed the line into a completely unhinged territory that needs to be stopped. This was too much…
Pretty Deadly vs. DIY
As Michael Cole was helping promote a drink that shall not be mentioned by name, the action has already started in-ring as Ciampa was seen viciously stumping Elton Prince, then sending him outside. Tommaso shot his aggression to level 12 when he also attacked Kit Wilson prematurely. Ciampa was a one-man wrecking crew, a very angry one who nearly got disqualified. Gargano was a little distraught by his partner’s behavior.
Johnny wanted a tag, but Tommaso ignored it, so he could he deliver the Fairytale Ending to Elton Prince to complete this match… Everyone is so pissed today, a lot more than usual. This version of Ciampa resembled his old self, the Black Heart of NXT.
Winners: DIY
Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill vs. Nia Jax & Tiffany Stratton – Tag Team match
For some odd reason, Tiffany felt the need to bad-mouth Jade, so naturally, Cargill made her pay by shoving her into the corner and pounced. Idiotically, Stratton managed to slap Cargill in the face. Tiffy tried to make a tag, yet Jade got ahold of her and performed a successful fall away slam.
While Nia had Jade distracted, Stratton made her way to Bianca and tripped her off the apron. Cargill wanted to help and failed since Jax roped her back into the match with a Samoan Drop. Cargill found herself in the firm grip of Nia on numerous occasions. Luckily, Jade was able to use Jax’s momentum against her with a German suplex in order to tag Belair as she bulldozed through Stratton.
Just as Bianca was looking to Moonsault Stratton, her opponent had her knees up in time. Tiffany tagged Nia back in. It’s a shame, Bianca nearly hoisted Nia up for the KOD, but she couldn’t quite to do it. Unfortunately, she was now on Nia’s shoulders. Both Stratton and Jax performed an amazing blockbuster that Jade broke up.
A small altercation between Cargill and Jax ensued while Stratton and Belair were momentarily out. Bianca speared Tiffany giving her the opportunity to finish this… if it weren’t for Nia’s need to distract the official while Candice LeRae shoved Bianca off the top. Although Stratton stomped Bianca, she didn’t capitalized on the opening. Instead, she was seen shouting at LeRae.
A spur of goodness came along in the form of Naomi as she took care of LeRae until Nia knocked her down. Jade came in to even the odds. Back inside the ring, Bianca finished the job by putting Stratton through the mat with the KOD. I laughed when I saw Nia swinging her head back in annoyance.
Winners: Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill
Motor City Machine Guns vs. A-Town Down Under – Tag Team match
A petty move from Grayson to grab hold of Alex Shelley’s hair to distract him from Theory assaulting him from behind seemed overdone. By the good gracious of some Holy person, the Motor City Machine Guns execute multiple double team maneuvers to Theory, who found no response. Grayson came into the fold and was taken by the arm by Chris Sabin.
The Motor City Machine Guns were doing an excellent job at confusing and beating their opponents with genuine teamwork that I haven’t seen on SmackDown in a bit. Grayson didn’t see that coming. Shelly may have injured his knee leaping after Theory. Due to his slight limp, A-Town Down Under took advantage of that.
Sabin was taken out, so Shelley wouldn’t have anyone to tag, which simply exerted his energy by two. A-Town Down Under were… practical in that regard. I’ve hit my one complement for them of the evening. Grayson dumped Shelley outside, but he missed his objective. Shelley was finally able to tag Sabin as Waller does the same with Theory.
Theory was able to block one attempt to knock him off, but not the second coming from Shelley. Austin kicked out, much to the disappointment of the Machine Guns. A-Town Down Under thought they had this match won when Grayson swooped in with a flatliner, yet Sabin remained in the game.
The Machine Guns regained some momentum with a victorious Skull and Bones.
Winners: Motor City Machine Guns
Following their win, the Motor City Machine Guns are ambushed by an enraged Ciampa warning them that DIY are coming for those Championships. Sadly for them, the Street Profits already called dibs when they talked to Nick Aldis for a title match next Friday. Tommaso wasn’t happy at all. Damn. Also, Nia Jax will defend her WWE Women’s Championship versus Naomi.
Oh, my God. I was waiting for someone to announce a new women’s belt. Aldis unveiled the Women’s US Championship for the first time! Yay! Finally. What kept you? This was brilliant. We worked hard to get this here. Much love to all of the women athletes out there.
To conclude the evening, the Tribal Chief acknowledgement ceremony will commence… sort of. Roman Reigns entered the fray. Solo still demands that Reigns acknowledges him as the Tribal Chief. Instead, Roman asked Buffalo if they acknowledge Sikoa, which they do not, and neither does Roman. He’s here to challenge Sikoa to determine the only Tribal Chief. Of course…
Solo threw him a curve ball by challenging him to find four people who will stand with him. We all know where this is going… War Games is coming up, people. Solo assumed that Sami will join his team rather than stand with Jey. Sami coming out diverted Roman’s attention as the Tongas and Fatu jump him.
Sikoa tried to provide clarity by informing Roman that Sami kicked him on purpose. Zayn stood at the entryway, leaving Reigns to get mulled. But the Usos rush out to help. Yep, Sami, take your time. Don’t traipse over there too quickly now. Later on, Solo encouraged Sami to kick Roman in the face and remember what he did to him.
Instead, Sami knocked Sikoa. Yes… and no. Reigns and Zayn were seemingly working together to clear house. Sami may be putting his one up, but I bet he’s still doing what he’s doing for Jey Jey.
TOP PHOTO: The original Bloodline stand together. Courtesy of WWE
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