By Jake Barnett, ProWrestling.net Co-Senior Staffer (@barnettjake)
WWE Smackdown (Episode 1,314)
Taped October 25, 2024 in Brooklyn, New York at Barclays Center
Aired November 1, 2024 on USA Network
The show opened with the women’s Crown Jewel Championship displayed in the ring. Nia Jax then made her ring entrance and entered solo without Tiffany Stratton. Nia said there was only one thing on her mind, and that was the Women’s Crown Jewel Championship. She said she wanted it, and in case people haven’t noticed, she usually gets what she wants. Nia mentioned wanting to be Queen of the Ring, and she did it. The same for the Women’s WWE Championship. She said everything and everyone who get in her way gets annihilated, and she would be walking out the first ever Women’s Crown Jewel Champion, leaving Liv Morgan crying on the floor with her disgusting…..
Liv Morgan appeared with Dom and Raquel. She said Nia thinks she’s special but she’s not. Liv recalled retiring Becky Lynch and becoming the greatest Women’s World Champion of all time. She said she’s held her title longer than Nia, and recalled winning the last match that they had. Liv then told Nia if anyone is going to be the first Women’s Crown Jewel Championship if would be her.
Tiffany Stratton then appeared and said Crown Jewel would be Tiffy Time. She claimed she would be cashing in her briefcase to become the Women’s World Championship. Nia laughed, but Tiffany told her not to get too comfortable because she could cash in on her too. Nia got offended, and Liv laughed and told Nia that she has friends in her life that she can actually trust. Tiffany then asked Liv if she cashed in her title, if Dominik came with it, since she could use a little dirty in her life.
Liv told her that she already looked like she had enough dirty in her life, but then Tiffany rushed in and popped her with a forearm strike and she tumbled to the floor…[c]
My Take: Dominik is doing something right, you have to admit. Tiffany cashing in at Crown Jewel would be an interesting way to shore up the Raw Brand in the wake of Rhea Ripley’s absence, though it would leave Liv in a bit of an odd position from a story perspective.
1. Liv Morgan vs Tiffany Stratton: The match was made during the break and was in progress. Liv dumped Stratton to the floor and tossed her into the Prime Energy Drink stand near the announce table. She then jumped on Dom and taunted Stratton. In the ring, Stratton recovered and went for a springboard back elbow, but Liv avoided it and landed a dropkick. Liv then climbed onto the second rope and landed punches in the corner, but Tiffany picked her up and delivered a powerbomb.
Morgan landed a reversal codebreaker and covered for a two count. She went for Oblivion, but Stratton avoided it. Nia provided a distraction and Stratton grabbed her briefcase. Stratton whiffed with the briefcase and Liv rolled her up and grabbed the tights for the win.
Liv Morgan defeated Tiffany Stratton via pinfall.
After the match, Liv blasted Stratton with the briefcase. Nia then got a hold of hit and hit Raquel, Liv, and Dom before climbing the ropes and landing an annihilator on Liv. She stood tall to close the segment. Cole and Graves then threw to a recap video of the conversation between Orton and Triple H last week. Kevin Owens was then shown sitting in a car. He said he had tried to call Orton all week but he wouldn’t pick up. Owens said he looked up to Orton, and still does, and he’s forcing him to hurt him. He said he would hurt Randy like he hurt him, and it was his fault because he forced his hand. Owens then told him he would see him on Saturday.
In the arena, The Street Profits made their entrance with B-Fab. They will face Pretty Deadly up next…[c]
My Take: Stratton got made to look like a doofus a couple of times in that situation, and I’m not sure if that makes it more or less likely that she cashes in at Crown Jewel. Owens didn’t come across unhinged in his promo, but he did promise to hurt Orton, so we’ll see how far he goes.
Pretty Deadly made their entrance holding playbills for Pretty Deadly The Musical. They handed them to Lin-Manuel Miranda, who was at ringside. He nodded and shook their hands.
2. Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince and Kit Wilson) vs. The Street Profits (Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins): Pretty Deadly jumped Montez Ford while their music was still playing, and were awarded by the referee ringing the bell. Wilson landed a nice DDT and covered for a two count. He then landed a series of forearms in the corner. Prince tagged in, and Wilson whiffed on the splash in the corner. Ford managed to jump over both of them to escape and tag Dawkins. He entered the match and landed a corkscrew elbow on Prince. He then splashed both members of Pretty Deadly in opposite corners.
Prince recovered and hung Dawkins on the top rope. Wilson then tagged in and landed a lariat and covered for a two count. The action broke down a bit and Prince ended up on the floor. B-Fab gave him a body slam on the floor. Dawkins and Ford then delivered a top rope Doomsday Blockbuster on Wilson for the win.
The Street Profits defeated Pretty Deadly at 4:28
After the match, Naomi and Bayley approached Nia Jax and Tiffany Stratton. Stratton had been explaining to Jax that she just told Liv she would cash in on Nia to throw her off her plan. Naomi then got in Nia’s face and told her to keep the title warm for her. Bayley and Naomi will take on Candice and Indi up next…[c]
My Take: Pretty Deadly would be a lot more fun if they weren’t always the Tag Division punching bags on Smackdown.
Naomi made her ring entrance with Bayley. They were followed by Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae. Footage was shown of Naomi vs. Candice last week where Naomi came out the winner.
3. Naomi and Bayley vs. Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell: Bayley and Indi started the match. Indi got an early advantage and stomped Bayley near the ropes. She then delivered a European uppercut and made a tag to Candice. Hartwell sent Bayley to the floor, where LeRae used a springboard splash to the floor…[c]
Indi slammed LeRae onto Bayley and covered for a two count. Bayley fought to her feet, but LeRae knocked Naomi off the apron before she could make a tag. Indi tagged in, and Bayley shoved Candice into the ring post. She then landed some strikes in the corner and made a crawl to Naomi to make a tag. Candice tagged back in and Naomi sent her face fist into the turnbuckle, and then planted her in the corner. She then followed up with a split splash, and Indi had to break up the pinfall.
Things broke down and all four women were involved. There was a collision on the apron and Naomi was the legal competitor despite being knocked to the floor. LeRae landed a combination of strikes and a springboard splash and tried to cover Bayley, but the ref refused to count. Naomi then blindsided LeRae with a Rear View and covered for the win.
Naomi and Bayley defeated Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell at 8:41
After the match, Cole and Graves tossed to a video package that recapped the Bloodline storyline over the past few weeks. Roman Reigns and The Usos are up next…[c]
My Take: Bittersweet to see Indi Hartwell on this show after she was let go from WWE earlier today. She has a promising career ahead and I hope she lands on her feet. Bayley and Naomi get a win, are they joining the tag division or is Naomi going to be pursuing Nia Jax at Survivor Series?
Roman Reigns made his entrance as the show returned. He was accompanied by Jimmy Uso. They got in the ring and Jimmy grabbed the microphone. He fired up the crowd before turning to Roman and asking him to end his beef with Jey. He said he had already made up with him and it was time to Roman to squash the beef too. Jimmy said if they don’t get on the same page and fight together they would lose tomorrow to Solo and his Bloodline.
Roman asked for the microphone and Jimmy gave it to him. Before he could speak, Jey Uso’s music hit and he entered through the crowd and got them fired up. Jey got on the ropes and pumped up the crowd a second time before he got in the ring. Roman looked around as the crowd continued to be loud for Jey. He took off his glasses and addressed Roman and Jimmy. Jey said he took the match to get back at Solo because he cost him his championship and the family. He said the three of them aren’t fixed yet, and it’s taking all he has to stand in the ring with them right now.
Jey said he remembers what Roman did to him, both physically and mentally. He said he still showed up because that’s what families do. Jey said for the ones before them and the ones after, they have to show him that family is above all. He then made it clear Roman wouldn’t boss him around anymore, he’s not his lackey anymore, they were all equals. Jey then told Roman that if he speaks or treats him with the slightest disrespect he’s gone, and if he doesn’t like what he’s saying he can walk too.
He said they can do it together if he acts like his cousin and not his Tribal Chief. Jey then asked if they were going to do the damn thing or not. Roman asked for the microphone again. An OTC chant broke out. He shook his head before saying “Yeet”. The crowd erupted in a yeet chant, and then asked them to hug it out. Instead, they lined up together and threw up the ones.
Backstage, Byron Saxton asked the Motor City Machine Guns what their goals were now that they were the Tag Team Champions. Before Chris Sabin could answer, they were approached by Waller and Theory. Shelley mocked Waller by saying he had always wanted to be on MizTV. Waller said the biggest talk show is the Grayson Waller Effect, and invited them to be on next week.
Iyo Sky made her entrance for the next match. She will face Bianca Belair, Piper Niven, and Lash Legend next…[c]
My Take: A very good segment to solidify the OG Bloodline. Roman might be the only guy in the company that can get a crowd to go crazy by saying a single word.
Piper Niven made her entrance as the show returned. Lash Legend was already in the ring. Bianca Belair then made her entrance. Everybody had their partner’s at ringside. Bianca and Jade Cargill cut a brief promo on the way to the ring discussing how they were going to live up to their word that anyone on any brand can come and get it.
4. Bianca Belair vs. Iyo Sky vs. Lash Legend vs. Piper Niven: It was chaos at the outset with all four women brawling about the ring. Lash Legend decked Iyo with a forearm and sent her to the floor. She tried to follow, but Iyo grabbed her leg and tripped her on the apron. Piper took down Bianca with a shoulder block, and Lash got her revenge on Iyo by slamming her into the side of the ring. Lash then got in the ring and tried to lift Piper, but couldn’t do it. Lash and Piper collided with a double clothesline.
Bianca performed a handstand moonsault onto Piper and Lash, but Iyo broke up the fall. The action moved to the outside, where Bianca attempted to land a springboard splash onto Lash and Piper. They caught her and slammed her into the barricade near the ring…[c]
Lash Legend delivered a huge chokeslam to Iyo. Piper then landed a running senton. Lash tried to steal a pin, but Piper prevented it. Both women then traded slaps and chops. Bianca then entered the match again with a flying cross body to both of the power houses. She delivered a spinebuster to Piper and then landed punches in the corner on Lash. Piper and Lash remembered they were very strong and picked up Bianca on their shoulders. Iyo then landed a big dropkick that tipped over this rather convoluted tower of doom.
Piper and Iyo ended up on the ropes, and Bianca powerbombed them off the turnbuckle. Lash then delivered a wrap around slam on Bianca, but Chelsea Green pulled Lash from the ring. There was chaos on the outside as Jakara Jackson, Kairi Sane, and Jade Cargill got involved. Legend managed to land a big shot on Cargill on the floor.
Legend then cleaned house in the ring, and Cargill entered to confront her. Cargill was pulled back to the floor, and Bianca picked up Lash for a KOD. Iyo Sky then delivered a Moonsault to Bianca and then pinned Legend to steal the win.
Iyo Sky defeated Bianca Belair, Piper Niven, and Lash Legend at 13:43
Randy Orton spike to Cody Rhodes backstage. Cody asked him to save a piece of Kevin Owens for him. Randy said there might not be anything left when he’s done. Cody said if that’s the case he’s not sure what he’s going to do. Orton looked at the WWE Championship briefly before saying he would think of something. The Main Event is up next…[c]
My Take: The women had a really fun fatal four way. Lash Legend stood out in a positive way, and I was already a fan of the other three women. Randy angling towards the WWE Championship is interesting. I have to wonder if he’s up next after Kevin Owens, particularly if he’s bitter coming off a loss to Owens at Crown Jewel.
A video aired from Andrade, Carmelo Hayes, and LA Knight. All three men were highly confident about their ability to leave Riyadh with the United States Championship. Solo was shown with his Bloodline backstage. He asked how he was the bad guy four finding a family that loved him and would never let him down. Solo said he was always there to help Roman, but he was never there to help him. He then said that he was not the bad guy, he was the Tribal Chief, and they will acknowledge him at Crown Jewel.
In the arena, Gunther made his entrance with Ludwig Kaiser…[c]
Randy Orton made his ring entrance, followed by Cody Rhodes.
5. Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther and Ludwig Kaiser: Rhodes and Gunther started the match, but it was just a ruse so Kaiser could jump him. Rhodes fired back with a gourdbuster. Kaiser rolled to the outside, but Cody performed a dive to the outside and sent him into the barricade…[c]
Gunther kicked Rhodes in the back as he hit the ropes, and Kaiser ambushed him when Cody turned his back. Gunther then landed a cheap shot from the apron, and Kaiser sent him to the apron with a dropkick. Gunther then delivered a european uppercut on the floor. Gunther and Kaiser then cut off Cody in the ring and made frequent tags to keep him away from Orton. Cody hip tossed out of an abdominal stretch, and tried to crawl for his corner. Kaiser and Rhodes both ended up on the ground after a double clothesline, and had to crawl to their respective corners.
Orton tagged in and landed a big powerslam to Kaiser. He then fired up the crowd, but Kaiser kicked him in the gut and made a tag. Orton didn’t notice right away and Gunther tried to ambush him, but Orton stuffed it and delivered a draping DDT. He attempted an RKO, but Gunther avoided it and Orton landed flat on his back. Kaiser and Rhodes tagged back into the match and Rhodes delivered punches and a bionic elbow.
He then landed a Cody cutter and signaled for CrossRhodes. Gunther tried to get involved but Orton delivered an RKO. Rhodes then delivered a CrossRhodes to Kaiser and covered for the win.
Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes defeated Gunther and Ludwig Kaiser at 10:20
After the match, Cody celebrated on the ropes. Kevin Owens appeared and attacked Orton with a chair. Cody tried to intervene, but Gunther reappeared and put Cody in a sleeper. Cody struggled to avoid passing out as officials tried to get them separated to close the show.
My Take: A fairly obvious finish with Kaiser involved. One of those “one of these things is not like the others” kind of matches where it seems obvious who is there to take the pin. I like the post match attack from Owens, and it’ll be interesting to see which direction they go with the Crown Jewel Championship. I think it makes sense for Gunther to get the win, but it’s hard to say which direction they go. KO will loom heavily over the match, given his recent behavior.
A surefire sign the Vince McMahon era is officially over, is the lack of an idiotic Halloween gimmick match on either show.
And there was a Sasha Banks mention as well.