In this WWE SmackDown 11/1/24 review, Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton team up to face Gunther and Ludwig Kaiser, Nia Jax and Liv Morgan exchange words, and much more.
Let’s dive in.
IN THE RING: Nia Jax is focused on the Women’s Crown Jewel title and says she’s gonna annihilate Liv Morgan. Liv interrupts and says Jax isn’t special. Liv claims that she retired Becky Lynch and has become the best champ ever. Liv reminds Jax that she beat her the last time they fought. Tiffany Stratton interrupts and says it’s gonna be Tiffy Time at Crown Jewel. Stratton says she’s gonna cash in on Liv and tells Jax she can also cash in on her. Stratton says both are pissing her off and she’s gonna take one of the titles. Stratton wants to know if she gets Dominik Mysterio if she wins the Women’s World title. Liv claps back at her, so Stratton punches Liv to knock her out of the ring and set up an impromptu match.
Liv Morgan vs. Tiffany Stratton
This could be a big women’s title program in 2025. Lots of shenanigans as you would expect given the currently storylines for both. Raquel Rodriguez distracts the referee, and Stratton tries to hit Liv with the MITB briefcase. However, Liv counters and rolls Stratton up with a handful of tights for the win.
IN THE RING: After the match, Liv hits Stratton with the briefcase. Jax grabs it from her and hauls off on Liv, Dominik, and Raquel.
VIDEO: Kevin Owens says he’s been trying to call Randy Orton all week. He doesn’t want to fight him at Crown Jewel and doesn’t understand why he’s making him do this. Owens never wanted to hurt Orton, but now he’s going to. Owens says it’s Orton’s fault he did this. I like the different presentation for this feud to add the realism between the former best friends.
Street Profits vs. Pretty Deadly
I’m curious if these two teams get a significant program at some point with the Motor City Machine Guns. With the titles off The Bloodline, they need to create new storylines for the champions. Pretty straightforward match. B-Fab bodyslams Elton Prince on the outside, and that allows the Street Profits to take advantage with the double-team finisher for the victory.
BACKSTAGE: Stratton tells Jax that it was all part of her plan to make Liv think she was gonna cash in on Jax. Bayley and Naomi walk up, and Naomi tells Jax to keep the title warm for her.
Bayley and Naomi vs. Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell
Of course, this is an odd match since Hartwell was released by WWE earlier in the day. Since it’s a taped edition of SmackDown, they still decided to air this one. Not much of a surprise as to how it unfolded, as Naomi hits LeRae with her finisher for the win.
VIDEO: Highlights of Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso reuniting and the ongoing saga with The Bloodline.
IN THE RING: Jimmy wants Roman Reigns to drop his issues with Jey. Jimmy says they have to do it to beat Solo Sikoa and The Bloodline. Jey interrupts and says he only took the match to get back at Solo. Jey says they haven’t fixed their issues yet because he hasn’t forgotten what Reigns did to him. Jey still showed up because that’s what family does. Jey says Reigns isn’t gonna tell him what to do because they are equal now, which gets a great reaction from the crowd and is an important story point. Jey says he’s out if Reigns disrespects him. Reigns responds with a yeet. Fans chant for them to hug it out, and they all hold up the ones. Another strong segment.
BACKSTAGE: Austin Theory and Grayson Waller taunt the Motor City Machine Guns. Waller invites them to his show next week. So, there are your first opponents for the new champions.
IYO Sky vs. Lash Legend vs. Piper Niven vs. Bianca Belair
This is a preview of the four-team match for the Women’s Tag Team titles at Crown Jewel. Again, I’ve been impressed by Legend in her recent appearances on the WWE main roster. So have the fans, because Legend and Cargill have a staredown during the match, and it gets a good reaction from the crowd. Belair hits the KOD, but Sky hits her finisher and pins Legend for the victory.
BACKSTAGE: Cody Rhodes wants Orton to save a piece of Owens for him. Orton isn’t sure there will be anything left. Cody isn’t sure what he’ll do if not. Orton stares at the title again and says he’s sure he’ll think of something. Once again, a subtle hint at Orton wanting the gold.
VIDEO: Solo wants to know why he’s the bad guy in The Bloodline saga. He was always there to help Reigns, but Reigns never helped him. Solo says he’s The Tribal Chief and they’ll acknowledge him at Crown Jewel.
Gunther and Ludwig Kaiser vs. Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton
I like them using the pairing of Gunther and Kaiser in tag settings so they can eventually build some tension between them. Orton keeps wanting the hot tag but Cody can’t get to him. However, Cody finally makes the tag and Orton runs wild. Gunther blocks an RKO attempt, but Orton tags in Cody. Orton hits the RKO on Gunther, and Cody hits Cross Rhodes on Kaiser for the win.
IN THE RING: Owens hits Orton from behind with a chair. Meanwhile, Gunther puts the sleeper on Cody as Owens stands over Orton. Great way to push Owens moving further and further away from being best friends with Cody.
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