WWE SmackDown Review, Dec 13, 2024: Braun Strowman SQUASHED Carmelo Hayes

WWE SmackDown was on the go-home week to Saturday Night Main Event, where Cody Rhodes will defend his WWE Championship against Kevin Owens and the finals of the Women's U.S. Title Tournament will take place. Since SNME is a throwback nostalgic show, there's always a chance that legends like Bob Orton shows up to support the return of his son, Randy Orton, when he inevitably returns to vengefully screw Kevin Owens. Last week on SmackDown, DIY became the new Tag Team Champions after allegedly attacking Street Profits backstage and replacing them to battle MCMG.

This week on SmackDown, three matches have been officially scheduled: Carmelo Hayes vs. Mystery Opponent, Ms. MITB Tiffany Stratton vs. Michin in a U.S. Title Tournament Match, and Bayley vs. Chelsea Green in an U.S. Title Tournament Match. In other news regarding WWE SmackDown, there is a rumored WWE "Transfer Window" Shakeup set to occur. This shakeup will apparently trade Raw superstars to SmackDown and SmackDown Superstars to Raw in what seems to be the halfway point in the WWE calendar as the WWE approaches the road to WrestleMania 41 in April.

Jimmy Uso Promo [Opening Segment]

Result: Drew McIntyre Claymored Jimmy Uso, continuing his revenge tour on The Bloodline.

Jimmy Uso was limping on a crutch after his epic Uso Splash at Survivor Series. Nonetheless, he celebrated his War Games Victory with the OG Bloodline and called his shot for the WWE Title, U.S. Title, and Royal Rumble. Basically, he carved out his pathway for his singles career, similar to what Jey Uso did when he broke away from The Bloodline. After Jimmy Uso said his piece, he turned around into a Claymore by Drew McIntyre. Backstage, Bianca Belair was informed that she will stripped of the tag titles since Jade Cargill was injured but Naomi stepped in to help Belair defend the titles.

Final Analysis/Takeaway: 3.0 Stars (C+), This was a pretty average segment to set up Jimmy Uso's singles career and telegraph Drew McIntyre's revenge tour on The Bloodline. It looks like Drew McIntyre is going to have matches with not only Sami Zayn at SNME but also the Usos at future events. As for Bianca Belair, the mystery with Jade Cargill continued and it was interesting to see Naomi step in to help Belair. The speculation about Naomi being the one who attacked Jade Cargill will likely continue now that she is directly involved with Belair, but she seems to be a red herring.

Ms. MITB Tiffany Stratton vs. Michin [U.S. Title Tournament]

Result: Michin (via pinfall)

Tiffany Stratton charged for the stomp to Michin on the apron. Michin moved out of the way and Stratton fell hard on the apron. Michin got on the apron to deliver a Tornado DDT to Stratton outside the ring. Michin tossed Stratton back into the ring and went to the top rope. However, Stratton caught Michin mid flight and delivered an Alabama Slam for the nearfall. Stratton lifted Michin for the Rollover Slam and scaled the top to rope to deliver the Tiffy Top Moonsault. Michin moved out of the way and countered with the Eat Defeat for the 3-count and the victory. Michin advanced to the finals.

Final Analysis/Takeaway: 3.5 Stars (B-), This was a really solid match between these two superstars and the right superstar won. Michin would be more suitable for the finals in this tournament since she is a solidified mid carder who has been putting in some good work this year, especially against Chelsea Green in that Dumpster Match as well as her show stealing match against Iyo Sky last year. Tiffany Statton already has the MITB Briefcase, so she did not need to win this match. In fact, she can still cash in her MITB Contract on the U.S. Title Finals Match at SNME to win that title regardless.

Roman Reigns Promo [Backstage Promo]

Result: Roman Reigns Challenged Solo Sikoa for Raw Netflix Debut

Although Roman and the OG Bloodline defeated the New Bloodline at Survivor Series, Roman Reigns realized that he still has unfinished business with Sikoa. Although they scored pinfall victories over each other in multi-man match situations, they never settled their beef one-on-one, and The New Bloodline is still running roughshod on SmackDown, looking for Reigns. Reigns wanted to reestablish his spot as the only tribal chief by challenging Sikoa to Tribal Combat on the Raw Netflix Debut. This match has a high chance of being the main event since The Rock could return in the finale.

Final Analysis/Takeaway: 3.5 Stars (B-), It was a good booking decision to assure that Reigns and Sikoa settle their beef one-on-one. After losing the WWE Title to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40 in April, Reigns returned in August to screw Sikoa in his World Title Match with Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam as revenge for Sikoa mocking him as a cosplay Tribal Chief during his absence. This was the sign of a babyface turn for Reigns as Sikoa build up to become a top heel. Before the road to WrestleMania begins, this would be the best time to put this feud to rest with a Reigns victory before The Rock returns on the road to WrestleMania 41 and steals all the thunder from the New Bloodline.

Carmelo Hayes vs. Mystery Opponent [Personal Rivalry]

Result: Braun Strowman (via pinfall)

Camelo Hayes was caught off guard at Braun Strowman being his opponent, as he thought this would have been a piece of cake. However, he did not let that unexpected reveal stop him. Hayes used fast-paced offense to exhaust the Monster. Strowman charged at Hayes like a battering ram, but Hayes swiftly moved out of the way as Strowman landed shoulder first into the steel post. Hayes delivered a Slingshot DDT to Strowman. Hayes then scaled the top rope to deliver Nothing But Net, but Strowman caught him and delivered a Running PowerSlam for the 3-count and the victory.

Final Analysis/Takeaway: 2.0 Stars (D+), It was totally fine for Braun Strowman to win in his return for injury and it was understandable that the element of surprise threw Hayes off guard, but it's unfortunate that Hayes, out of all people, was put in this spot to get squashed. Hayes is a former successful NXT World Champ, and he has not been treated like it since joining the main roster. At some point, his plethora of losses will merely poise him as a talented hand like Dolph Ziggler, which is unfortunately a waste of potential for someone who has the skills to be a future world champion.

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