By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Friday Night Smackdown (Episode 1,302)
Tulsa, Oklahoma at BOK Center
Aired live August 9, 2024 on Fox
[Hour One] Smackdown opened with a SummerSlam recap video… Corey Graves and Wade Barrett were on commentary, and Alicia Taylor was the ring announcer…
WWE Champion Cody Rhodes made his entrance. Graves listed the attendance as 11,098. Cody said all eyes are on what happens next coming out of SummerSlam. Cody said the WWE Championship is “the North Star of our industry.” Cody said he’s been thinking about who he wants to defend his title against at WWE Bash at Berlin. “This guy…” Cody said before he was interrupted.
Solo Sikoa’s entrance theme played and he walked onto the stage with Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa. Sikoa spoke as they walked toward the ring and something was censored as he spoke (I won’t miss Fox). Sikoa spoke about how he would have beaten Cody at SummerSlam.
Cody said Sikoa couldn’t get the job done and caused Jacob Fatu to get hurt. Cody said he beat Sikoa in the middle of the ring and said Sikoa is delusional if he thinks he is entitled to a rematch.
Sikoa, Tonga, and Loa climbed on the apron. Kevin Owens entered the ring behind Rhodes with two chairs. Owens handed a chair to Cody and then Sikoa and his crew dropped off the apron. Sikoa said he would deal with Cody later after he finds Roman Reigns. Cody said he would be right there waiting for him.
Cody called for his music to stop playing and then said he wanted to talk to Owens about something. Owens returned to the ring. Cody said he was sure it would be uncomfortable and Owens would likely say no. He recalled talking about who he would like to face for the WWE Championship.
“Kevin, I’d like to face you,” Cody said. Owens got a mic and said as much as he appreciates it, he doesn’t deserve a title match. Owens said title matches need to be earned and he’s done nothing to earn it. Owens pointed to his won/loss record over the last year and said he’s not the guy.
Cody pointed out the crowd was chanting, “You deserve it.” Cody said he and the people haven’t forgotten the sacrifices that Owens has made. Cody said Owens is still The Prize Fighter. Cody said he was going backstage to talk with Nick Aldis to make his case. Cody said after that conversation, the only thing he’ll need to say to Owens is that he will see him at Bash in Berlin…
Powell’s POV: It’s a great babyface move for Cody to offer his friend a title shot. I could also see this not sitting well with the Randy Orton character at some point. Obviously, Orton has a World Heavyweight Championship match on the same show, but if Orton turns it could certainly be his heel logic. I hope they are fibbing about Jacob Fatu’s injury and he makes a surprise appearance later. By the way, I’m filling in for Jake Barnett again tonight. He was suspended for violating Dot Net’s alcohol policy (he didn’t drink enough), but he will return next week.
Graves and Barrett ran through the previously advertised matches. Austin Theory and Grayson Waller made their entrance for the opening tag team match…
An ad for Raw added Randy Orton to the lineup and noted that Rhea Ripley will open the show… [C]
Byron Saxton interviewed B-Fab and “The Street Profits” Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins. They spoke about how it’s been three years since they’ve held championship gold and said A-Town Down is in their way. The trio made their entrance…
1. “The Street Profits” Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins (w/B-Fab) vs. “A-Town Down Under” Austin Theory and Grayson Waller in a first-round tournament match for a shot at the WWE Tag Team Titles. A graphic listed Raw returning to USA Network on Monday. Waller clotheslined Dawkins at ringside. Theory and Waller jawed with B-Fab. Ford hit both opponents with a flip dive on the floor heading into a break. [C]
Dawkins hit Waller with a shoulder block at ringside that sent him into the timekeepers area. In the ring, Ford escaped Theory’s A-Town attempt. Dawkins hoisted up Theory on his shoulders and then Ford hit what Graves called a Super Blockbuster, which led to the three count…
“The Street Profits” Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins defeated “A-Town Down Under” Austin Theory and Grayson Waller in 8:05 to advance in the tournament for a shot at the WWE Tag Team Titles.
Powell’s POV: An enjoyable tag team title match with the usual high energy from the Profits. Hopefully this is the start of a meaningful push for Ford and Dawkins. The Profits have been spinning their wheels for far too long.
Backstage, Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens spoke in front of Nick Aldis. Cody wanted Owens to take the match, but Owens said he didn’t deserve it. Aldis said he was going to talk with Roman Reigns about a championship match.
Owens got fired up and questioned why Reigns deserved it. Owens complained about all of the interference during Roman’s title matches. Owens said the rematch clause hasn’t been enforced in years and said he never got one when he lost the World Heavyweight Championship.
Owens told Aldis that if he wants to see someone who deserves a title shot more than Reigns, he should go to the locker room and open the door. Aldis said he didn’t need to. He said Cody sees it, the fans see it, and now he sees it. Owens told Cody that he guessed he would see him in Berlin… [C]
Powell’s POV: I like that Owens took offense to Aldis considering Reigns for the title shot. The logic behind his complaints were sound and it’s good to see that the babyfaces are not just welcoming Reigns back with open arms after everything his character did.
Mainstream headlines regarding Roman Reigns’ return at SummerSlam were shown. A video package recapped Nia Jax beating Bayley to win the WWE Women’s Championship…
Tiffany Stratton was barking orders to a crew member about next week’s championship celebration for Jax when she got frustrated and told the man to leave. “Pretty Deadly” Elton Prince and Kit Wilson showed up and wanted Stratton to host their party when they win the tag titles. Stratton made her exit once Prince and James started talking about their musical.
Stratton encountered Chelsea Green and Piper Niven. After mocking Stratton’s outfit, Green said everyone knows that Stratton just wants to cash in her Money in the Bank contract on Jax. Niven agreed with Green. Stratton called Green delusional and then flung her hair in Green’s face before walking away…
A sponsored video recapped Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn beating Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair to retain the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles last week with help from Blair Davenport…
Jade Cargill made her entrance with Bianca Belair… [C] A graphic listed the Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens match for the WWE Championship for the Bash in Berlin event. The event is listed as starting at noon CT/1ET… Alba Fyre made her entrance with Isla Dawn…
2. Jade Cargill (w/Bianca Belair) vs. Alba Fyre (w/Isla Dawn). Fyre applied an octopus style submission hold. Belair confronted Dawn at ringside. Cargill broke the hold and then hit an elbow and a kick in the corner. Cargill hit Jaded and scored the clean pin.
Jade Cargill defeated Alba Fyre in 2:05.
After the match, Blair Davenport showed up and attacked Cargill. Dawn went after Belair and the heels used their numbers advantage. Naomi ran out and helped Cargill and Belair clear the heels from the ring…
Graves hyped LA Knight appearing after the break… [C] Graves hyped NXT running in Chicago with CM Punk on October 1 and St. Louis with Randy Orton on October 8 for the first two weeks on The CW…
A graphic listed that the return of Roman Reigns resulted in over 104 million social media views… A video package recapped LA Knight beating Logan Paul at SummerSlam, while also showing that MGK appeared with Paul…
New U.S. Champion LA Knight made his entrance.
[Hour Two] Graves gave a shout-out to the musical artist who performed Knight’s new entrance theme, which sounds a lot like the old version. Actor Lou Ferrigno (The Hulk!) was shown applauding Knight in the front row and looking great for being 72 years-old.
Knight said people have assumed it was extra sweet to beat Paul in his hometown. A “you deserve it” chant broke out. Knight said Paul deserved to be stomped out and that’s what he got.
Knight said he didn’t care about beating Knight in his hometown. Rather, he recalled saying that he would be called champ and he said he has arrived. Knight said he understands that his title belt makes him a marked man, but he’s been a marked man since he arrived on Smackdown.
Knight said the game is still the same. He said he walks in, hits it, and quits it, and then moves on to the next. Knight tried to deliver his closing line, but he was interrupted by entrance music.
“Legado Del Fantasma” Santos Escobar, Elektra Lopez, Angel, and Berto made their entrance. Escobar congratulated Knight and said he meant it while they all entered the ring.
A “you suck” chant broke out. Escobar said the fans and Knight suck. Escobar said it’s not every day that a guy like Knight finally gets a taste of gold. Escobar said he doesn’t buy Knight as champion, adding that it’s not a good fit.
Escobar said Knight would eventually become an opening act to his own reign. Escobar said it’s a fact of life that he should be the U.S. Champion with everyone saying his name.
Knight said he didn’t hear Escobar because Tulsa was telling Escobar that he sucks. Knight said Escobar had to qualify and his opponent would be out in a minute. Knight said Escobar wouldn’t take his title and it’s not because he’s not good enough, it’s because he wouldn’t let him.
Andrade made his black mask entrance (which continues to mean way more to him than the fans) heading into a break… [C]
Powell’s POV: Knight celebration was quick, painless, and fairly forgettable. On the bright side, the crowd was really hot for him.
A vignette aired with Giovanni Vinci in a Vegas hotel. He spoke in Italian and indicated that he is coming to Smackdown…
Powell’s POV: Take two on the Vinci singles act. I’m happy they are taking another shot at this. I was worried that Vinci might not be long for WWE after he was kicked out of Imperium.
3. Andrade vs. Santos Escobar (Elektra Lopez, Angel, Berto) for a shot at the U.S. Championship. The match was joined in progress. Angel and Berto pulled Andrade to the floor and roughed him up while the referee was tied up with Escobar.
Baron Corbin and Apollo Crews came out and brawled with Angel and Berto, eventually leaving only Elektra at ringside. A short time later, Escobar went for a superplex that was blocked. Andrade performed a sunset bomb. [C]
Andrade hit the Three Amigos for a two count. Andrade went to the ropes, but Escobar went to the apron. Andrade went for a deadlift suplex, but Escobar blocked it and executed a Poison Rana from the ropes for a near fall.
Andrade avoided double knees in the corner, but Escobar hit him with a superkick. Andrade came right back with a dropkick. Andrade went for a moonsault and landed on his feet when Escobar rolled away, and then hit a standing moonsault for a near fall.
Carmelo Hayes appeared on the apron. Andrade took out Hayes with a punch. Andrade hit a back elbow for near fall. Elektra climbed on the apron and distracted the referee. Hayes pulled Escobar out of the corner when Andrade went for double knees. Escobar rolled up Andrade and held his tights while getting the three count…
Santos Escobar defeated Andrade in 11:50 of television time to earn a shot at the U.S. Championship.
Powell’s POV: A nice match that set up Escobar for the title match while also creating a reason for the Andrade and Hayes feud to continue.
Highlights aired of Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga beating Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa to win the WWE Tag Team Titles on last week’s show…
Gargano and Ciampa delivered a promo while walking backstage. Ciampa accused The Bloodline of stealing their titles. Gargano spoke about losing in his hometown in front of his two-year-old son. Ciampa called it day one of DIY’s redemption. Gargano played to the Tulsa crowd and then they made their entrance…
Graves spoke at ringside about how in the world of WWE and in every great story, every great hero needs a great villain. Graves said they were mourning the loss of one of the greatest bad guys the industry has ever known, as well as one of the greatest minds that’s ever existed behind the scenes. A memorial video package aired for the late Kevin Sullivan… [C]
The following matches and segments were announced for next week’s Smackdown in Orlando: Nia Jax’s WWE Women’s Championship celebration hosted by Tiffany Stratton, and Blair Davenport vs. Naomi…
Backstage, Grayson Waller and Austin Theory complained to Nick Aldis. Waller mentioned being sent to Raw on their day off. Theory hypothetically mentioned Waller facing Kevin Owens. Aldis said it was a great idea and booked the match for next week. Waller wasn’t happy, but Theory said Waller should trust him…
The Pretty Deadly duo made their entrance…
4. “DIY” Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa vs. “Pretty Deadly” Elton Prince and Kit Wilson in a first-round tournament match for a shot at the WWE Tag Team Titles. Barrett noted that DIY did not get an automatic rematch. He said he wouldn’t have given them an automatic rematch because their tag team title reign was so brief. DIY got the better of Pretty Deadly and did the corny bit where they pat themselves on the back while sitting on the apron. [C]
Prince held up Ciampa in a double chicken wing and then Wilson leapt from the ropes and bulldogged Ciampa, which led to a near fall. Moments later, Gargano tagged in and joined Ciampa in hitting the Shatter Machine on Prince. Gargano and Ciampa hit Meet in the Middle and then Gargano pinned Prince…
“DIY” Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa defeated “Pretty Deadly” Elton Prince and Kit Wilson in 7:10 to advance in the tournament for a shot at the WWE Tag Team Titles.
Powell’s POV: A solid tag match. It was tough to envision Pretty Deadly challenging Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga for the tag titles, so DIY going over was the expected move. Update: DIY will actually face The Street Profits for the right to earn a WWE Tag Team Title match. The advertising for the show listed DIY vs. Pretty Deadly as a No. 1 contenders match while the Profits vs. A-Town Down Under was listed as a standard match, but it was clarified during the broadcast.
Solo Sikoa was shown standing backstage. Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa showed up and said Roman Reigns wasn’t in the building. “Don’t worry, he’ll be here,” Sikoa said. Sikoa, Tonga, and Loa made their entrance… [C]
Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, and Tonga Loa stood in the ring. Sikoa told the Tulsa crowd to acknowledge him. The screen went black, presumably for censoring reasons. Sikoa said he is the Tribal Chief now. He grabbed the Ula Fala and said if Reigns wants it back, he should come and get it from him.
Roman Reigns’ new entrance theme played and the “OTC” logo appeared on the screen. The crowd popped huge when Reigns walked out and then pyro shot off behind him on the stage. Reigns walked to the ring.
Sikoa sent Tonga to meet Reigns on the floor. Reigns blasted Tonga with a clothesline. Loa went after Reigns, who ran Loa into the ring steps. Reigns grabbed half of the ring steps and battered Tonga and Loa with them.
Sikoa stood in the ring and stared at Reigns, who then made eye contact with him. An “OTC” chant broke out. Sikoa removed his jacket and then Reigns climbed onto the ring apron and entered the ring. A loud “Roman” chant broke out.
Reigns blocked a Sikoa punch, but ate a kick. Sikoa charged Reigns, who dropped him with a Superman Punch. Reigns went to the corner and let out the war cry. Tonga pulled Sikoa to ringside, but the Ula Fala was still lying in the ring.
Reigns approached the Ula Fala and picked it up to cheers, but then he was struck from behind by Tonga. Loa worked over Reigns while Tonga passed the necklace back to Sikoa, who barked orders from the floor.
Reigns hit Loa and then Tonga with Superman Punches. Reigns let out another war cry and then speared Loa. Reigns looked around and then went to ringside, let out another war cry, and then speared Tonga through the barricade and into the timekeepers area.
Reigns grabbed a chair and brought it back to the ring and destroyed Loa with it. Sikoa stood on the stage and put the necklace on and yelled for Reigns to come and get it. The crowd chanted “OTC” while Graves said there can be only one and “Roman be thy name” to close the show…
Powell’s POV: A great return for Reigns. The crowd was red hot for everything he did. I liked the angle, but I was really hoping to see a Jacob Fatu sneak attack, as that would have meant that the injury he suffered at SummerSlam wasn’t serious. Nevertheless, I like the way that Sikoa slipped away and ended up keeping the Ula Fala.
Overall, this was a good show that was bumped up a notch by the great Reigns return at the end. It’s worth nothing that Fatu wasn’t the only person missing, as Paul Heyman did not appear with Reigns at SummerSlam or tonight. I will have a lot more to say about Smackdown in my same night audio review for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of the show by grading it below.
You could have told me Ferrigno was 52 and I would have believed it. Dude looks absolutely fantastic.
A select few of those old school bodybuilders did very well to keep in top shape well after their prime and into their elderly years. Both Lou and Albert Beckles being great examples of that. It’s a life long journey for some of us.
Wow. Roman punked out Temu Bloodline really really fast. Not sure how long they can keep this going without Fatu
Owens gets a title shot as challenger of the month. No story. No build. Laaaaaaaaaaazy booking. As its the fed, it gets a pass. Owens was right, title matches should be earned, but like everything else in the fed, forgot about it 5 minutes later. 2 flat predictable ‘main events’ for trash in berlin.
They literally told the story throughout the show and they’ve been building it for months.