Randy Orton Starts the Show, Bayley VS Naomi: WWE Women’s Championship Number 1 Contender’s Match
Randy Orton kicked off this week’s Friday Night SmackDown to talk about his love of the WWE Universe and how Cody Rhodes is one of the few guys he can trust. However, Randy didn’t understand why Cody had agreed to team up with Roman Reigns which is when The Viper asked The American Nightmare to make his way down to the ring. Rhodes arrived and basically said he had no other choice, and that it’s time to take down The Bloodline for good. This is when Kevin Owens arrived, but before KO could say anything, The Bloodline appeared as Solo Sikoa basically said that Cody Rhodes needs Roman Reigns' help to have any chance of taking out his Family! Kevin Owens then challenged The Bloodline to a Tag Team Match, but made it clear to the Undisputed WWE Champion that he meant him and Randy Orton against Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu! This was a decent segment, and it set up the show’s Main Event so it was effective overall!
Grade: C+
Nia Jax basically strangled Tiffany Stratton as Nia warned Miss Money in the Bank of what would happen if she was to lose her WWE Women’s Championship before the opening match of the night saw Bayley and Naomi collide for the opportunity to fight for the WWE Women’s Title at Bad Blood! This was actually a decent little match, the action was smooth enough for the most part, and this is the best Naomi has looked in a long time! Also, what I liked about this match is it didn’t end with someone hitting a finisher to win. Instead, Bayley dropped Naomi with the Bayley-to-Belly followed by an Elbow Drop to pick up the W and book her ticket to Atlanta! That was cool!
Grade: B-
Andrade VS Carmelo Hayes – Part 6, Michin VS Piper Niven
Andrade told LA Knight that he’d lost his respect last week after refusing to shake his hands before the United States Champion got completely wiped out by Carmelo Hayes. This then led perfectly into the next match as we got Andrade-Hayes 6! This was a really good match, it was fast-paced as per usual with these two, but some of the moves used here were new to the series which is important when you’ve got two guys facing each other so often. The mid-air DDT that Carmelo Hayes hits is absolutely sublime, but his mid-air reversal into a cutter might have been even better! Andrade also nailed his amazing spinning elbow which is when LA Knight arrived to try and get some comeuppance on the former A-Champion! Unfortunately for Andrade, Knight ended up distracting him which opened the door for Melo to sneak away with a roll-up victory to tie the series at 3-3! El Idolo made it crystal clear to Knight after the match that he wasn’t impressed!
Grade: B
Cody Rhodes wanted to talk to Kevin Owens, but KO made it crystal clear that he needed to focus on preparing for his Tag Team Match with Randy Orton, and that he doesn’t want to see Rhodes out there in the Main Event. Owens then left as Randy Orton asked Cody to be there if and when The Tongans arrive! We then got a video package telling us that AJ Styles is coming back next week before it was time for Michin to go one-on-one with Piper Niven. This was another decent match, both women are underrated, and I particually enjoy Piper Niven’s work. Chelsea Green was also on the outside with a trash can, but her antics only ended up costing Piper as Michin hit Eat Defeat to score the W! The other thing I’ll praise this match for is it got an ad break!
Grade: C+
The Bloodline VS Kevin Owens and Randy Orton
After Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill announced that they’d be hosting Bad Blood and Naomi got herself a match with Tiffany Stratton, it was Main Event time as The Bloodline clashed with Kevin Owens and Randy Orton! This was a fun Main Event, I enjoy the pairing of Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu, and Kevin Owens is just brilliant! Most of this match saw The Bloodline control proceedings, but both Orton and Owens were able to take advantage of the hot tag! Of course, shenanigans ensued as after Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa appeared, Cody Rhodes came out to make the save, but Cody accidentally took out the referee after Jacob Fatu threw him into the ring. This ultimately cost KO a pinfall victory, and allowed Solo to steal the win after Fatu delivered a pair of Superkicks! After the match, The Bloodline seemed very happy with their evening’s work, but Kevin Owens was furious with Cody Rhodes! KO won’t last as a good guy much longer!
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