By Jake Barnett, ProWrestling.net Co-Senior Staffer (@barnettjake)
WWE Friday Night Smackdown (Episode 1,300)
Taped July 19, 2024 in Omaha, Nebraska at CHI Health Center
Aired July 26, 2024 on Fox
Footage of the main event of last week’s Main Event opened the show, along with the beat down on Kevin Owens and Cody by the Bloodline. Backstage Nick Aldis informed The Bloodline that Tonga Loa was ineligible to compete because of his eye injury, and they’d have to forfeit their spot in the tag team gauntlet match. Solo said they wouldn’t forfeit anything, and Jacob Fatu would substitute for Tonga Loa in the match. Aldis said he would allow it, and Solo told Jacob to bring the Tag Titles home. The gauntlet match will take place later tonight.
LA Knight was shown walking to the ring from backstage. He said tonight he would drop Santos Escobar on his head one more time, and at SummerSlam he would take Logan Paul to school, and no matter what classroom you’re in, the curriculum is all the same. He then made his ring entrance for the opening match. He was followed by Santos Escobar accompanied by Elektra Lopez.
1. Santos Escobar (w/Elektra Lopez) vs. LA Knight: Escobar landed a shoulder block early on, but Knight was able to quickly take control with an arm drag and a leg drop. He remained in control in the corner until Santos turned the tables and landed some kicks and chops. He followed up with a suplex and a sharpshooter, but Knight was quickly in reach of the ropes. Knight landed a big lariat, but Escobar quickly threw him into the second rope. Lopez then slapped him across the face, and Esocbar hit a 619…[c]
Escobar landed double knees in the corner for a two count. Knight struggled to his feet and landed a neckbreaker, but Escobar quickly replied with a tilt a whirl backbreaker and covered again for a two count. Knight fired back with some punches and stomped away at Escobar in the corner. He then landed a DDT and covered for a near fall of his own. Knight set up for a Torture Rack, but Elektra Lopez jumped up on the apron. Escobar broke free and landed a back elbow.
Lopez jumped on the apron again, and Logan Paul appeared on the opposite side of the ring. Knight knocked him off the apron and reversed a Phantom Driver into a BFT for the win.
LA Knight defeated Santos Escobar at 9:43
After the match, Logan Paul attacked Knight in the ring. He turned the tables, but Escobar offered an assist with a running knee. Logan Paul then landed a frog splash to end the segment. After the match, footage was shown of Blair Davenport attacking Naomi backstage after their match a few weeks ago. Naomi was then interviewed by Byron Saxton. She said she would teach Blair to respect the Glow. Bianca and Jade walked up and called Blair a lame, and said they were heading to the ring to challenge Isla and Alba…[c]
My Take: A decent opening match, but nothing you’ll remember in a few hours. The story of the match was that Knight was taking a risk by accepting this match so close to Summerslam, so we’ll see if they have him selling this post match attack next week heading into the show.
Backstage, Logan Paul said he was looking forward to going home to Cleveland, and had just heard from Mr. Cleveland that he would have a special ceremony for him next week. He told LA Knight that he wasn’t ready, because he was facing the Pride of Cleveland. In the arena, Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair made their ring entrance. Bianca told the crowd she loved them but wanted to get right down to business. She said Alba and Isla said they would be on Smackdown with their titles, and asked where they were. Jade did the same, and Isla and Alba’s music hit.
Bianca and Jade looked towards the entrance, and got jumped from behind. After getting the better of them for a moment, Bianca dumped Isla to ringside with a KOD, and then Jade press slammed Alba onto her. The announce team then introduced some footage of the WWE tour of Japan. They then plugged a pre-taped interview with Cody Rhodes later tonight.
Terence Crawford walked up to The Street Profits and B-Fab backstage. They exchange compliments and Crawford said he would be watching them later in the gauntlet match. Wade Barrett said that match is up next…[c]
My Take: I assume Bianca and Jade get a title shot at Summerslam. I’m confused why Alba and Isla haven’t at least won a few matches on TV since capturing the titles. They appear like lambs being led to slaughter.
Footage was shown of Bayley ruining the part of Nia Jax and Tiffany Stratton on last week’s Smackdown. Backstage, Tiffany Stratton stood with her taped up briefcase. Nia said she would replace her briefcase with one that’s perfect for her. Nia told her not to cash it in on Bayley, since she had her title shot at Summerslam, and she wouldn’t want her to lose it so quickly. Stratton said she just wanted to get her revenge on Bayley later tonight.
Alicia Taylor then gave an introduction to the Tag Team Gauntlet Match. Out first to start the match was Apollo Crews and Barton Corbin. They were followed by Legado Del Fantasma (Angel and Berto). The winners of the gauntlet match receive a title shot against DIY for the WWE Tag Team Championships.
1. Legado Del Fantasma (Angel and Berto) vs. Baron Corbin and Apollo Crews to start the Tag Team Gauntlet Match: Angel and Berto jumped out to a hot start. Angel and Corbin fought in the ring, and Berto sent Crews into the ring steps on the floor. Corbin broke out some power offense and landed a side slam for a two count. Berto tagged in and Angel superkicked Corbin to the floor. Berto then followed up with a high speed suicide dive on the floor…[c]
Berto attempted to pick up Corbin, but couldn’t get it done. He then charged at Corbin in the corner, but he ate nothing but turnbuckle. Crews tagged in along with Garza. He cleaned house and landed a nice series of German Suplexes on Angel. He then landed a splash in the corner and climbed the top turnbuckle. Crews jumped off into a running knee from Garza. Corbin took out Berto on the floor and made a blind tag. Apollo escaped a Wing Clipper and landed a kick. Corbin followed up with End of Day for the win.
Apollo Crews and Baron Corbin defeated Angel and Berto at 6:04 of the Guantlet
3. Apollo Crews and Baron Corbin vs. The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) to continue the Gauntlet: Ford landed a nasty back suplex on Crews and tagged in Dawkins. He attempted a cover, but only got two. Crews escaped Dawkins and made a tag, and Ford also tagged back in. He brawled with Ford and sent both Profits to the floor. Crews offered and assist and launched Corbin over the top rope onto the Profits on the floor…[c]
My Take: The Gauntlet is enjoyable thus far. They are keeping the pace pretty brisk.
Corbin attempted a Superplex on Montez Ford, but couldn’t get it done. Corbin landed a flying clothesline off the second rope a moment later, followed by a Powerbomb. Ford then popped up and landed an enziguri. Both men then crawled and made tags. Dawkins got the better of a brawl with Crews and then landed a spinebuster and covered. Corbin had to break up the pin. Things started to break down and The Profits took advantage. Ford splashed Corbin on the floor and the Profits landed the Revelation and got the win.
The Street Profits defeated Baron Corbin and Apollo Crews at 14:41 of Total Gauntlet Time
4. Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince and Kit Wilson) vs. The Street Profits (Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins) to continue the Gauntlet Match: There were some roll ups attempted by Pretty Deadly early on that went nowhere. The fresher Pretty Deadly team was quickly able to isolate Montez Ford in the corner. They took a break to taunt the crowd, and then went back to focus on Ford’s left knee. Kit Wilson landed a low dropkick to the knee and then applied a half crab. Elton Prince tagged in, but Ford was able to reach Dawkins for the hot tag. He splashed Prince in the corner followed by an Enziguri for a near fall.
Kit made a blind tag and surprised Dawkins with a DDT. Pretty Deadly then assaulted Dawkins two on one due to Ford being exhausted from his long stretch in the match. Ford finally got back into the match to break up a tag. Prince tagged in and Ford sent Wilson to the floor. They quickly landed a Doomsday Blockbuster on Prince and covered for the win.
The Street Profits defeated Pretty Deadly at 20:48 of Total Gauntlet Time
The OC made their entrance for the next portion of the match…[c]
My Take: Good Tag Team action here. The Bloodline coming out makes the finish somewhat inevitable. They’ll be mopping up.
5. The OC (Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows) vs. The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) to continue the Gauntlet Match: The OC dominated as the match was joined in progress. Gallows landed a huge lariat on Dawkins and covered for a near fall. Ford attempted to rally back, but Gallows made a tag to Anderson. Ford managed to dump both Anderson and Gallows to the floor and make a hot tag to Dawkins. Ford rolled to the apron and Dawkins splashed both OC members on the floor. Anderson landed a spinebuster on Dawkins in the ring and made a tag to Gallows.
Dawkins rolled up Gallows a moment later and Ford prevented Anderson from breaking up the pin. The rollup was successful and the Profits got the win.
The Street Profits defeated The OC at 28:09 of Total Gauntlet Time
The Bloodline made their entrance for the last match in the Gauntlet…[c]
My Take: A fun tag match so far. It’s gotten slower as The Street Profits have been out there a while now, but the flow of things has good logic thus far.
6. The Bloodline (Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu) vs. The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) to conclude the Gauntlet Match: Fatu and Tonga isolated Angelo Dawkins in their corner. Solo choked Dawkins on the bottom rope as the referee was distracted. Fatu tagged in and landed a headbutt. He then attempted a dive in the corner, but Dawkins moved and Fatu overshot and hit the ring post. Tonga tagged in along with Montez Ford. They brawled and Ford got the better of it. He landed a spinebuster and a cross body from the top for a near fall.
Fatu and Tonga attempted to assault Dawkins on the floor, but Ford dove over the corner turnbuckle and splashed everybody. He then attempted a big top rope splash onto Tama Tonga, but he avoided it and Ford jammed up his knee. Fatu tagged in and dove onto Dawkins on the floor. Ford attempted a DDT a few seconds later, and Fatu no sold it. He then landed a big Samoan drop and a triple jump moonsault for the win.
The Bloodline defeated The Street Profits to win the Gauntlet and and earn a Tag Team Title shot at 38:35 of Total Gauntlet Time
The Bloodline celebrated to close the segment. The sit down interview with Cody Rhodes is up next…[c]
My Take: A fun gauntlet match, but the finish was obvious pretty early on so that took away from the suspense a bit. A really strong effort from the Street Profits who were in the ring for a considerable amount of time.
Austin Theory and Grayson Waller jumped into the ring and demanded Terence Crawford come to the ring and apologize for costing them their match with Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens last week. Crawford then made his entrance to a big reaction from his hometown crowd. Alicia Taylor made an announcement with a list of his impressive boxing accomplishments.
Waller told Crawford he disrespected them a week ago by handing Cody a chair, and demanded an apology. Not just for that, but believing that he belongs in the ring with A-Town Down Under. Waller said if Crawford takes another step to him, then his buddy Austin Theory would knock him out. Theory stepped forward and Crawford put him down with a single right hand. Crawford celebrated with the crowd.
Cody then provided an interview from the live event tour in Japan. He recalled his promise to bring the WWE Title all over the world, and recalled his accomplishment at WrestleMania in defeating Roman and The Bloodline. Cody called the new Bloodline a pack of wild dogs and said he now stands alone because his friends Randy Orton and Kevin Owens were injured fighting at his side. He said he’s on an Island heading into Summerslam, but he’s also the Champion, and he has to do whatever it takes to keep it at Summerslam.
Rhodes recalled saying that Solo Sikoa wasn’t ready, and now he’s not so sure. He said he needs to stand face to face with him, and challenged him to meet him in the ring next week. Cody asked Solo if he’s really ready, because he knows that he is. Up next, Bayley and Michin will face Nia Jax and Tiffany Stratton in the main event…[c]
My Take: A crowd pleasing segment with Crawford. The Cody promo really didn’t have any new information, but it was a solid recap of where things currently are for a taped show.
Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair will face Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre next week for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles, as well as DIY vs. The Bloodline. Logan Paul’s homecoming will also take place. Backstage, Andrade was interviewed about what he wants to do next, and he said the United States Championship. Carmelo Hayes walked up and said they weren’t done yet. He said everybody has an off night, even Lebron James, and they aren’t done until he wins. Andrade said he was more line Bronny Jr, and said they could have one more match. Hayes replied that he is like Bronny because it’s his time and Andrade needed to get out of the way.
In the arena, Michin made her entrance, but got jumped from behind by Tiffany Stratton and Nia Jax. Bayley ran down with a kendo stick and chased them away temporarily. Bayley asked the referee to start the match anyway.
7. Bayley and Michin vs. Tiffany Stratton and Nia Jax: Tiffany Stratton started the match for her team. Bayley controlled the action early and knocked Nia Jax to the floor. Michin managed to climb back onto the apron and ask for a tag, but Jax snuck up on her and delivered a Samoan Drop. Stratton then took down Bayley and landed a running double stomp for a near fall…[c]
My Take: I’m happy to see the Tag Title Matches given the Big TV match treatment rather than getting stuck on the Summerslam Pre-Show or causing match times to be cut down on the PLE.
Jax and Stratton continued the abuse of Bayley two on one with Michin still recovering on the floor. Bayley attempted to grab a guillotine choke on Jax, but was stuffed into the turnbuckles in the corner. Stratton tagged in and splashed Bayley in the corner. Another quick tag was made to Jax, who landed a running elbow drop and covered for a two count. Michin was shown nursing her back and elbow out on the floor. Stratton tagged in and attempted a handstand springboard elbow, but Bayley caught her and delivered a suplex.
Michin reached the apron and Bayley crawled over, but Nia Jax was able to cut her off before she reached. Nia changed Bayley in the corner and went shoulder first into the ring post. Stratton attempted to prevent the tag to Michin, but failed. Michin entered the match and delivered a suplex and tornado DDT to Stratton. Jax tagged back and charged the corner, but Michin met her with a kick. Bayley tagged in and landed a running knee and a top rope elbow, but Stratton broke up the pinfall.
The ref ended up distracted by Michin, and Stratton waffled Bayley with the briefcase. Nia then dragged her to the corner and landed the Annihilator for the win.
Nia Jax and Tiffany Stratton defeated Bayley and Michin at 13:10
After the match, we got another backstage promo with Solo and The Bloodline. Solo said he would meet Cody Rhodes in the ring next week. He then said they would take care of family business next week by capturing the WWE Tag Team Titles and WWE Championship in the same weekend, and if Roman Reigns had a problem with that he knew where to find him. Solo said Roman would suffer the same fate as Randy Orton, Kevin Owens, and Cody Rhodes unless he acknowledges him as the new Tribal Chief.
My Take: A good win for Nia Jax heading into Summerslam, and she gets her heat back from last week. The Solo promo after the match was better this week, and he called out Roman Reigns directly for the firs time. I guess we’ll see what that means for Summerslam.
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