A recap of Friday Night Smackdown's matches and mic promos are in order after an eventful broadcast. Here's how we saw the quality of the promotion on August 16, 2024.
Tiffany Stratton introduces Nia Jax as WWE Women's Champ | Grade: B
Accompanied by Pretty Deadly, Money in the Bank
A new look for Jax with hair down to her waist, Jax entered on a throne carried by four men in all white, into a pink and white, unicorn-adorned ring where Stratton presented her with a sash and her title belt. Jax seemed to take offense to all of the pink, saying it's not really her style. "My style is more destruction, and I proved that at SummerSlam when I destroyed Bayley." Jax informed that everyone in the locker room must bow down, starting with Stratton. Stratton then asked for Pretty Deadly to sing, and it was as ridiculous as anyone could expect.
Thankfully Michin broke up the corniness with the a kendo stick and cleared the ring. The seeds were planted for the champ's next rival and more importantly to lay the tracks for the division between her and Stratton. Jax would get hallway payback on Michin later in the episode.
Carmelo Hayes vs Andrade | Grade: B+
Andrade hadn't been defeated in seven months until Hayes interfered last week, giving Escobar the victory. For the third time in recent weeks the two squared off, and Hayes was finally able to get the win. The action was, as usual, high flying and high impact, with Hayes doing a bad job of selling some things as usual. After the win, Hayes kept taunting Andrade until another squabble broke out.
Naomi vs Blair Davenport | Grade: C-
This match was pretty bad. The action was choppy and premeditated. Filler as SmackDown is trying to build up Davenport and Naomi was used to get her some in-ring experience.
Afa Anoa'i Tribute | Grade: A+
Rest in Peace, legend.
Kevin Owens vs Grayson Waller | Grade: B+
Everything feels like a setup for Owens to turn heel from being disrespected too often that he's been a perennial loser. The pre-match promo and him going after Waller following the pin point in that direction. As for the in-ring action, Owens won after fending off a Superplex, landing a Swanton Bomb, Stunner and a Powerbomb. Cody Rhodes raced in to save Owens from a double steel chair attack and the two exchanged testy eye stares.
LA Knight Promo | Grade: A-
Lemme talk to ya! He calls out Escobar (who just had a promo) for jockin' his style.
"Knock your lil' churro in the dirt!" "Cross-eyed halfwit calling me trash." Always a good time.
Street Profits vs #DIY | Grade: A+
These are just two great in-ring team technicians and the match didn't disappoint. Back and forth high-flying actions that had multiple moments when it seemed one or the other was going to get the win. Somehow Angelo Dawkins survived a Superkick and a Fairytale Ending, and caught a spear midair to setup a Super Blockbuster for the win.
Solo Sikoa vs Roman Reigns | Grade: A
Trading big blows, Reigns gets Sikoa out the ring beore Tonga steps in. His advantage was temporary before Reigns recovered and cleared him out the ring too. Back in the ring a Superman Punch, Oooahh and a spear led to Reigns finally after months donning the Ula Fala once again. But it was short-lived as a booted Jacob Fatu attacked in the middle of Reigns' obvious relief. And Fatu absolutely worked Reigns before tossing him out of the ring for the patented three-man Bloodline Powerbomb onto the announcer's table. Fatu rolled Reigns' lifeless body back into the ring for the show-ending pose, with Sikoa in the middle with the Ula Fala around his neck.
Tune in next week, kids.