WWE Smackdown results (11/29): Barnett’s review of Roman Reigns and CM Punk, Jey Uso vs. Jacob Fatu in a WarGames advantage match, the final push for WWE Survivor Series WarGames

By Jake Barnett, ProWrestling.net Co-Senior Staffer (@jakebarnett)

WWE Smackdown (Episode 1,318)
Taped November 22, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah at Delta Center
Aired November 29, 2024 on USA Network

A video recap aired of Paul Heyman and CM Punk returning to join the OG Bloodline to run off the New Bloodline at the conclusion of last week’s Smackdown. Jey Uso will take on Jacob Fatu in the main event, and a conversation between CM Punk and Roman Reigns will take place. In the arena, Bianca Belair made her ring entrance. She was joined by Naomi, Iyo Sky, Bayley, and Rhea Ripley. Jade Cargill’s injury angle was recapped in a video package, as well as Bayley giving Bianca the assist on Monday’s Raw. All five women were in the ring and Rhea had a microphone.

Rhea said she knew it was obvious, not everyone on this team is the best of friends. She then said none of that matters, because tomorrow they all step into one of the most dangerous matches in WWE with War Games. Rhea continued and claimed they all had someone they wanted to get their hands on, and asked them to think about everything that had been done to them by the women on the opposite team.

Naomi called Rhea “big mama” and said they would get all they deserved and then some. Bianca continued and said one of them took our Jade last week, and all five of them can get it tomorrow. Rhea then addressed Liv Morgan, and said she would wish she never met her. Iyo then piped up and said they would destroy them all. The other Wargames team made their entrance to Liv Morgan’s music. Liv cackled and said it was funny how confident they were.

Nia Jax asked if Bianca had a brain fart and that Bayley and Iyo and Bayley tortured her for years, or that Iyo stabbed Bayley in the back before WrestleMania. She then said their issues are much more serious than anything they’ve ever done to them. Bayley asked Tiffany and Candice how it felt to get manipulated by Nia. Liv piped up and said it was interesting how Jade got hurt and Bayley was suddenly on the WarGames team.

Rhea told Liv to shut up and told her she would have nowhere to run and she’d have to face her. Liv said she was right, but smiled and said she would break her face on the steel cage. Rhea called her naive and said she would cave her face in so bad that Dominik wouldn’t even want to look at her anymore. They started to charge the ring, but thought better of it before they said they were leaving. Rhea said she hated waiting, and they gave chase to brawl up and down the stage.

After a bunch of scrapping, WWE officials ran down to the ring to separate all the various women. A “let them fight” chant broke out, but eventually everyone gave up and the babyface team stood tall in the ring. Andrade vs. Shinsuke Nakamura is up next…[c]

My Take: A somewhat meandering promo that outlined exactly how thin the story for this Women’s Wargames match is. The effort was there, but the creative content was not. I apologize, I got started about an hour late tonight because of internet issues preventing me from watching Youtube TV.

Andrade made his ring entrance after the break, followed by Shinsuke Nakamura. Shin had a new theme remix.

1. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Andrade: Nakmaura wore face paint and some new Samurai inspired ring gear. Andrade avoided Nakamura’s charge into the corner and delivered a flying cross body. Nakamura quickly surged back and landed a series of strikes and boots in the corner. Andrade recovered and sent Shinsuke to the floor, but Shin intercepted the subsequent dive with a kick to the face.

Nakamura climbed to the top rope, but Andrade intercepted him with a dropkick that caused a gnarly bump to the floor. Andrade followed up with a Moonsault from the top rope to the floor…[c]

Andrade landed a dragon screw and a flying forearm in the ring. He then kipped up and taunted Nakamura to fire up the crowd. He set up for a double knee strike in the corner, but Nakamura avoided it and both men ended up on the turnbuckles. Andrade knocked Nakamura into the ring and landed his second chance moonsault for a close near fall. He then set up for his Message finish, but Nakamura avoided it and landed an overhead elbow. Andrade recovered and landed his signature back elbow for another near fall.

He continued and attempted the three amigos suplexes, and sent him into the turnbuckles on the third one. Andrade then set up for a meteora in the corner, but Nakamura ducked after pulling off the turnbuckle pad. He followed up with Kinshasa and got the win.

Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Andrade at 10:47

After the match, replay showed Nakamura pulling off the turnbuckle pad and landing the follow up knee strike. LA Knight attempted to sneak up on Nakamura after the match, but got outsmarted and got misted in the eyes. Knight rolled around in pain as Nakamura left the ring. Knight was attended to by the ringside doctor while Nakamura stood on the stage confidently.

Backstage, Nick Aldis approached the New Bloodline backstage, and informed them that everybody is banned from ringside when Jacob Fatu faces Jey Uso in the Main Event. CM Punk’s conversation with Roman Reigns will be up later…[c]

My Take: A good match that showcased Nakamura being willing to take whatever shortcuts are necessary to get the win. I wouldn’t be entirely against a title change at Survivor Series, as Knight has plateaued a bit with the US Title and could use an obstacle to overcome.

Backstage, Ciampa and Gargano argued about the future of their team. Ciampa argued he didn’t want to be a loser, and that Gargano’s friendship with Shelley was more important than getting their titles back. Gargano asked for a chance to talk to them again, and Ciampa said he was done talking. He gave Gargano a week to figure his crap out, or they would do it his way.

A video promo aired of Kevin Owens then airing a few examples of the abuse Kevin Owens had taken from Roman Reigns and the Bloodline, and how betrayed he had felt when Cody Rhodes sided with Roman Reigns. He said he could have aired dozens of other examples, and he would treat Cody Rhodes the exact same way when he defeats him at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

In the arena, Cody Rhodes made his entrance for the next match…[c]

My Take: I hope Gargano turns heel and joins Ciampa in his anger, otherwise this DIY return will feel like it had been largely wasted.