After an amazing WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event this past Saturday, WWE SmackDown went to XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut. The show kicked off with highlights from Saturday Night’s alongside the arrival of various other WWE Superstars into the arena.
Announced in advance of Friday’s show:
- The fallout from Saturday Night’s Main Event
- Alex Shelley vs. Johnny Gargano
- Bianca Belair and Naomi (c) vs. Nia Jax and Candice LeRae – Women’s Tag Team Championship
- LA Knight, Andrade, and Apollo Crews vs. Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, and Tama Tonga “The New Bloodline”
The New Bloodline kicks off WWE SmackDown
After laying waste to LA Knight, Andrade, and Apollo Crews ahead of his match against Roman Reigns at the WWE Raw debut on Netflix, Solo Sikoa along with The New Bloodline kicked off this week’s edition of WWE SmackDown. The OTC chants were echoing all over the arena as soon as Solo Sikoa’s entrance music stopped.
Sikoa tried to address his upcoming “Tribal Combat ” match against Reigns, as the fans present in the arena chanted What! I hate to say this but Solo has that X factor that can make people hate him and his character. For the next few moments, Solo talked about Reigns and the fact that he thinks that he is now the Tribal Chief, cause he now holds the position of the Ula Fala.
Drew McIntyre who has had his own issues with The Bloodline over the last few years decided to come out and interrupt Sikoa. McIntyre and Sikoa have had their own issues for the last few years, ever since Sikoa cost McIntyre his match Undisputed WWE Championship against Roman Reigns at WWE Clash at the Castle 2022.
McIntyre who is on his own mission of taking down The OG Bloodline, attacked Sami Zayn on the Dec. 9th edition of WWE Raw and then laid waste to Jimmy Uso on last week’s Dec 13th edition of WWE SmackDown.
McIntyre offered Sikoa to work with him, stating that we both have a common enemy. He also stated to Sikoa that in his upcoming Tribal Combat match against Reigns, he will take care of the remaining members of The OG Bloodline, so that he can defeat Roman Reigns. McIntyre also said to Solo that once this is done, then they both can end what started in 2022 on WWE Clash at the Castle PLE.
Just as this was going on, Big Jim attacked McIntyre from behind with a crutch. Knight, Andrade, and Crews then came out taking the fight to the Solo and company.
Ratings: 9 /10
LA Knight, Apollo Crews, and Andrade vs. The New Bloodline – 6-Man Tag Team Match
WWE SmackDown then returned from a commercial break, as the 6-Man tag team match rolled on. This match took place after when The Bloodline attacked LA Knight and Andrade on the Dec 6th edition of WWE SmackDown, after suffering a loss at the WarGames against The OG Bloodline of Roman Reigns.
The fans in the arena looked to be excited as this 6-Man Tag Team Match rolled on with some really exciting action to watch. Solo and company controlled nearly all of the first half of the match as cornered Crews, leaving no way for him to tag as they cut the ring in half. After getting tagged, Andrade tried to rally his team as he took the fight to the “Samoan Werewolf” Jacob Fatu.
Using the tag team match rules to his advantage, Solo attacked Andrade during the match when he sent him straight into the ring post after making him fall out of the ring. Solo then took the Ula Fala in his hands as he began the mock Reigns telling the fans that he is now the leader of the Bloodline.
Knight and company finally had the match in control when he took out Fatu outside near the announce table. As the match was going on, Shinsuke Nakamura appeared near the ring as he took out Knight. This distraction allowed Sikoa to take advantage and pin Crews after delivering a Spinning Solo & a Samoan Spike.
The match was really, to my surprise there was not a single moment that I can count when I felt like the is getting dragged. Awesome performance by everyone in the match.
Result: The New Bloodline of Solo Sikoa defeated Knight, Crews, and Andrade
Ratings: 7 /10
Backstage interview featuring Motor City Machine Guns at WWE SmackDown
The show then went backstage where Byron Saxton asked the MCMG about what happened on the Dec 6th edition of WWE SmackDown when Gargano delivered a low blow to Chris Sabin during their match to win the WWE Tag Team Championship. Alex Shelley made his statement saying, that tonight Johnny Gargano will realize that he has made the biggest mistake of his life.
WWE SmackDown then featured a highlight from the finals of the WWE Women’s United States Champion tournament where Chelsea Green defeated Michin to make history as she became the Inaugural WWE Women’s United States Champion. After that segment ended, WWE SmackDown then featured a highlight clip from the Cody Rhodes vs Kevin Owens match from the WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event where Owens attacked Rhodes after the show ended and delivered a Package piledriver to him. The move is banned in the WWE due the safety reasons.
Kevin Owens speaks about his actions from the WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event
Kevin Owens appeared in a backstage promo where talked about his action from the WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, more specifically when he delivered a Package piledriver on Cody Rhodes. Owens blamed management and the referee for whatever he did. He also highlighted one specific moment in the match when he pushed Rhodes who went into the referee Charles Robinson. Owens stated that he had the match won at that very moment, but he got screwed as there was no official in the ring to count the pinfall.
Owens ended the promo by saying:
Cody, Nick Aldis, WWE Officials, What happens next is on all of you.
Ratings: 8 /10
Locker room segment featuring Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa
Gargano asked Ciampa to stay back here for the night as he was going to take out Alex Shelley all by himself and tell him what Johnny Wrestling is all about.
The Grayson Waller Effect ft. Braun Strowman
Braun Strowman appeared on the show wearing a Santa Claus costume along with a bag in hand, as he began to throw WWE merch into the audience. WWE SmackDown also featured a recap from last week when Strowman defeated Hayes in a singles match when he came out as his Mystery Opponent for the night.
Waller tried to insult Strowman offering him to join his team, saying that he has all the power they needed. He also stated that together they will become “The Brains and The Braun”. Just this all was going on Carmelo Hayes made his way out to the ringside. Hayes challenged Strowman to a rematch calling him “You Big Ugly Dumb Santa Claus bitch.”
Ratings: 6 /10
Braun Strowman vs. Carmelo Hayes – Rematch from last week
Heading into the match Strowman clearly had the power advantage. Hayes looked to doge the big man as he used the ring ropes to his advantage in the early moments of the match. Hayes smacked a right hand into Strowman’s face. I don’t why he did that, but it made no impact on the monster besides pissing him off.
The big man then went out to deliver the Strowman Express as Hayes was talking with Cole and Graves. Hayes somehow scouted Strowman and ran into the ring, as he then brought the big man to his feet. Strowman went for a chokeslam on Hayes but he avoided with an absolutely amazing counter.
Melo then got carried away as looked into the camera and started flaunting. Strowman then tried to attack him from the back, but to my surprise, Hayes once again countered Strowman as he sent him out of the ring.
Just as both of them were fighting outside, referee Jessika Carr had reached a count of 8. When Carr counted to 9, Strowman sent Hayes back into the ring. Just before Strowman could get back in, Carr completed the 10-count. Hayes who had just entered the ring, won the match via count-out.
Result: Hayes def Strowman via count-out
Ratings: 5 /10
A backstage segment featuring Nia Jax, Candice LeRae, and Tiffany Stratton
WWE SmackDown then went backstage, where Tiffany Stratton wished Jax and LeRae the best of luck for their tag team match. Stratton then showed her desire to be at ringside with them for the match. But the insecure WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax asked LeRae to help her keep Stratton in the backstage area. LeRae asked Stratton to stay here and arrange Balloons and Champagne for the celebration.
Alex Shelley vs. Johnny Gargano
Over a decade’s worth of friendship went up in the smoke when Gargano hit a low blow to Chris Sabin, and now once upon a time, friends go face-to-face in a match. Backstage on WWE SmackDown, Strowman was seen hunting for Hayes after what happened during their match. Hayes appeared from the back and attacked Strowman with a steel chair before running away once again.
Both Shelley and Gargano took the fight to each other. The match was quite good in terms of wrestling. Michael Cole and Corey Graves in the commentary also mentioned the resemblance between The Motor City Stretch and The Gargano Escape. Cole also mentioned that Gargano has talked about his submission in the past also mentioned that he has taken The Gargano Escape from Alex Shelley.
During the ending moments of the match, Tommaso Ciampa made his way out to the ringside and Chris Sabin also came out following him. Gargano took advantage of the referee’s position during the pinfall attempt to hold the pants of Shelley and pick up the win.
Result: Gargano def Shelley
Ratings: 6.5 /10
Bianca Belair and Naomi (c) vs. Nia Jax and Candice LeRae – Women’s Tag Team Championship Match
After a backstage attack on Jade Cargill a few weeks ago, Naomi stepped up to help Bianca Belair defend the Women’s Tag Team Championship. Belair and LeRae started the match for their teams. The whole landscape of the match seemed to be turned upside down as soon as Jax entered the match.
Bianca Belair’s backflip during the early moments of the match, when Jax tagged in was pure beauty.
Both Jax and Belair possessed the gaming-changing power. It was interesting to see what they both can pull off. Midway through the match, WWE Women’s Money In The Bank winner Tiffany Stratton made her way down to the ringside along with her briefcase.
The match continued as WWE Universe present in the area started chanting: Cash it in! Cash it in! Cash it in!
Jax played a really intelligent game by distracting the official from him as Naomi tagged Belair to enter the match, but the referee didn’t see anything. Jax then asked Stratton to pass her the briefcase. Before Jax could do anything with it, Belair knocked her off the ring apron, following with an over-the-top-rope jump as the match continued.
Naomi took the advantage to deliver a knee to the face, following Split-Legged Moonsault to win the match for her team.
Belair then gave Naomi one of the two Women’s Tag Team Championships.
Results: Bianca Belair and Naomi (c) def Nia Jax and Candice LeRae
Ratings: 8 /10
WWE SmackDown, Dec. 20: Results Highlights
6-Man Tag Team Match:
The New Bloodline of Solo Sikoa defeated Knight, Crews, and Andrade
Singles Match:
Hayes def Strowman via count-out
Singles Match:
Gargano def Shelley
Women’s Tag Team Championship Match:
Bianca Belair and Naomi (c) def Nia Jax and Candice LeRae
My thoughts on this week’s edition of WWE SmackDown
This week’s edition of WWE SmackDown did not have any major advancement toward upcoming matches set to take on Raw’s debut on Netflix or the upcoming WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event set to take place on Jan 25th, 2025. WWE now has a ton of time to develop the storylines moving forward towards the Road to WrestleMania 41.
One thing that I really liked is how WWE is setting the foundations for a possible future rivalry between Motor City Machine Guns and DIY. WWE is also teasing a near future Money In The Bank cash-in by Tiffany Stratton on Nia Jax. I would really love it if WWE could push this storyline till the WrestleMania 41. As of now without a doubt, Stratton is a future superstar in the WWE. The woman has everything she needs to get to the top of the WWE Women’s Division, and a cash-in at WrestleMania 41 in Vegas will be everything she needs.
WWE is also playing around me the storyline angle of who attacked Jade Cargill, I think it might be Naiomi or it could be a plan of both Belair and Naomi to get rid of her star power.
WWE has also announced to move WWE Smackdown to a 3-hour show starting from Jan 3, 2024. Tap Here to learn more about that.
My Ratings for the show: 7 /10
