SmackDown Showdown: Winners and Losers from October 18th, 2024!
The Bloodline's Reign Continues (But with Family Drama!)
Friday Night SmackDown was all about The Bloodline as WWE builds towards the Crown Jewel PLE. The surprise arrival of Jey Uso had everyone buzzing; especially concerning how much those fans reacted – a huge moment showing his desire to reconnect with Solo Sikoa and bring The Bloodline back together. However, this family reconciliation attempt fell flat. Solo Sikoa demanded that Roman Reigns acknowledge him as the Tribal Chief. Reigns refused and took a massive beating at the hands of The Bloodline; this creates quite the tense and emotionally-charged conclusion that adds suspenseful tension to the overarching plot elements surrounding The Bloodline's upcoming challenges. This event totally sets the stage for their ongoing story arc that fans everywhere will surely want to tune into, anticipating the climax of this event at the upcoming Crown Jewel match.
Jey Uso tried to appeal to Solo Sikoa to focus on repairing The Bloodline instead of destroying it – but it didn’t go anywhere. The intensity from the events portrayed was enough to show the importance of this very complicated conflict. This demonstrates the overall impact of how familial connections add a significant component that elevates storylines within this broader narrative that helps bring additional attention; not just focusing on athletic prowess and competition, but also making an already well-known rivalry into something uniquely interesting through emphasizing these unexpected personal conflicts that could resolve in surprising and emotionally profound ways.
Motor City Machine Guns Make a Splash (or Do They?)
The Motor City Machine Guns (MCMG) made their WWE debut! The insanely talented tag team from TNA, brought that same amazing energy to WWE! Their first match is an amazing one; totally beating the previous tag team champions A-Town Down Under. A phenomenal debut which promises much more from them in the future!
While the crowd in Columbia, South Carolina didn't exactly lose it—the impact felt underwhelming – demonstrating the differences between anticipation based purely upon reputation and a physical experience of the crowd during the actual match. The lukewarm reception made fans expect a different kind of reception based solely upon prior hype. Even that early excitement online and various merch sales, despite these additional activities outside the wrestling ring, still failed to completely bridge that disconnect during this actual event; further showing that those in-ring performances need an actual appeal during a match; showcasing that some talents need far more specific environments.
DIY Triumphs: A Chaotic Victory in a Triple-Threat Tag Team Match
This event focused on DIY. This awesome tag team (Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano) brought tons of energy! Their high-octane, wild triple-threat match against The Street Profits and Pretty Deadly was incredible! And that crazy finish – showing just how unpredictable the events truly are, with Ciampa scoring that critical pinfall after a truly impressive coordinated attack between both DIY members showed the intense prowess on the athletic level needed! Despite not earning a title fight, it is going to be highly memorable, and it shows great potential.
Candice LeRae’s Unexpected Victory: Stepping Up for the Title
There's always drama in WWE! Tiffany Stratton’s illness sidelined her partner, Nia Jax; yet Candice LeRae stepped in! This unexpected partnership showed another great thing: cooperation. LeRae, already showing success, managed to score that pin over Bayley and Naomi—a big moment. Even after those existing successes shown already and demonstrating an amazing skill and incredible capability. Her position as a highly rated athlete is very evident already, with Jax focusing elsewhere and having this additional focus during a high-stakes match; and especially her potential position for being in the ring with such amazing and celebrated opponents, shows just how high her rating continues to remain. Her actions highlight that those kinds of opportunities are still entirely possible through collaboration and teamwork.
Roman Reigns' Difficult Night: A Beating and Family Discord
A rough night for Roman Reigns. Jey Uso’s arrival rekindled hopes for family unity. It doesn’t happen; another reiteration which stresses just how difficult that relationship already has become and demonstrates just why a resolution is entirely needed but will remain uncertain and unobtainable; perhaps indefinitely, creating a situation ripe with opportunities. His refusal results in him taking an epic beating–making that loss meaningful.
Despite many hating Roman’s title reign and continuously chanting how he sucks. That reaction continues unabated during this very event and shows immense popularity and intense dislike. It just goes to show – the entire concept has huge potential which continues to be greatly emphasized by those fans!
Piper Niven's Setback: A Loss that Needs to be Avenged!
NXT’s continuing influence grows; thanks to that key storyline: Lash Legend’s victory against Piper Niven. This loss came after the many quiet victories for Niven; emphasizing her success yet showing this critical set-back is something which will likely fuel additional storyline opportunities, showcasing that a significant portion of those athletes will have ups and downs which help further their ongoing storyline which always remains highly valued by WWE for those key characters which helped establish its current fame.
Conclusion: SmackDown Delivers Intrigue for those who care!
SmackDown was intense; a dramatic showcase for The Bloodline’s drama-filled turmoil and a showcase of new talent like MCMG and continued storylines regarding some much beloved tag teams. Those wins and losses (especially Niven's unexpected defeat) set the stage for amazing things ahead, setting up many possible situations for all to look forward to and enjoy!
