WWE SmackDown Review: Solo Sikoa DESTROYED Roman Reigns

WWE SmackDown came off an epic WWE Bad Blood 2024 PLE Event, where Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns defeated The Bloodline in the main event after which Jimmy Uso and The Rock returned, and Nia Jax retained the WWE Women's Title against Bayley, thanks to some accidental distractions from Ms. MITB Tiffany Stratton at ringside. Now, WWE is continuing its road to WWE Survivor Series 2024, where they will have War Games Matches for both the men's and women's divisions. Those teams should become clearer, starting with this week's episode of SmackDown.

This week, two matches were officially scheduled: LA Knight (c) vs. Carmelo Hayes for the U.S. Title and Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill (c) vs. Fatal Influence for the Undisputed Tag Titles. In other news regarding WWE SmackDown, Roman Reigns kicked off the show to speak about the aftermath of Bad Blood, specifically the return of Jimmy Uso and The Rock. Of course, the recent event on everyone's mind was the explanation for Kevin Owens' heinous attack on Cody Rhodes in the parking lot after Bad Blood culminated. Without further, here is your WWE SmackDown Review for October 11, 2024.

Roman Reigns & Jimmy Uso Promo [Opening Segment]

Result: Roman Reigns and Jimmy Uso need help against The New Bloodline

Storyline Grade: B-

Jimmy Uso kicked off SmackDown to celebrate his return and let the WWE Universe that he is still upset that Solo Sikoa and his goons took him out of commission months ago. Roman Reigns then interrupts the promo to acknowledge Jimmy Uso as "Big Jim." Roman reminisced about the times The Bloodline was in its honeymoon phase, and he is saddened by how shattered the family is right now. Jimmy teased the idea of help from Jey Uso, but Roman shut that idea down. Jimmy lets Roman know that the only Bloodline member who acknowledges Roman nowadays is "Big Jim" himself.

In-Ring Match Star Rating: N/A

Final Analysis/Takeaway: This opening segment properly established that The Bloodline is nothing like it used to be in the past three years and needs help in battling the new Bloodline. The WWE could have booked Roman and Jimmy to dig a little deeper with their promos, as they did leave the WWE Universe with a needless cliffhanger. The cliffhanger is needless because the Bloodline story has been going on since the medieval times. However, this is one of those moments in which the casual. fan can let this play out.

LA Knight (c) vs. Carmelo Hayes [U.S. Championship]

Result: LA Knight (via pinfall)

Storyline Grade: N/A

LA Knight delivered a Powrslam and Elbow Drop to Carmelo Hayes. LA Knight covered Carmelo Hayes for the 2-count. Carmelo Hayes tried to recover at the corner turnbuckle. LA Knight charged at Carmelo Hayes. Carmelo Hayes countered with a Superkick and covered LA Knight for the 2-count. Andrade was at ringside for this match to scout his competition. Hayes went to the top rope for the Nothing But Net Leg Drop. LA Knight dodged it and delivered the picture-perfect NeckBreaker.

LA Knight then grabbed Hayes for the BFT, but Hayes countered with a handstand, scissors axe kick, and cutter. Carmelo Hayes covered LA Knight for a very close 2-count near fall. LA Knight kicked out and quickly grabbed Carmelo Hayes for the BFT, but Carmelo Hayes countered with a Small Package. LA Knight kicked out. Carmelo Hayes rebounded off the ropes and LA Knight countered by grabbing Hayes' neck for the BFT. LA Knight covered Hayes for the 3-count to retain the U.S. Championship.

In-Ring Match Star Rating: 2.75 Stars

Final Analysis/Takeaway: This title match was average, at best, as LA Knight really needs to expand his arsenal if he is going to be a compelling champion in the ring. There is also a svere lack of storytelling in thge mid card scene, which does not help matters. As for Carmelo Hayes, even though he has unfinished business with Andrade in their best-of-7 match series, he earned this title match by defeating an injured AJ Styles last week on SmackDown. This was a decent showcase for a promising NXT star like himself in a major title match. Nonetheless, the right individual came out on top, as it is too early to end LA Knight's title reign just yet.

Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill (c) vs. Fatal Influence [Women's Tag Titles]

Result: Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill (via pinfall)

Storyline Grade: N/A

Before the match began, Kevin Owens, who was fined and suspended by Nick Aldis, jumped the barricade and entered the ring to make it clear that he didn't betray Cody Rhodes because Cody betrayed him. Since KO is not allowed to be on SmackDown, his microphone fizzed out and security ran in to stop him and Cody from fighting. Randy Orton also ran out to stop the fight and KO accidentally elbowed Randy, which angered Orton enough to punch Owens in the mouth.

Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill made quick work of Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson after the rising NXT Stars showcased their major double-team maneuvers. Fatal Influence delivered a double team cutter to Belair and Cargill. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven were gasping at ringside, as Michael Cole was disgusted by Chelsea Green's stench from her Dumpster Match with Michin. Belair and Cargill bounced back with a Double Team Wheelbarrow Suplex for the 3-count to retain the Tag Titles.

In-Ring Match Star Rating: 2.0 Stars

Final Analysis/Takeaway: This match did not last long. In fact, it lasted less than 5 minutes, which is a shame because women's matches in the WWE today should be much longer now that we have escaped the Divas Era from over a decade ago. Not to mention, this was completely overshadowed by the impromptu segment that occurred amongst Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, and Kevin Owens before the match began. Since Randy Orton always hears voices in his head, it was ironic to see him be the voice of reason here. It will be interesting to see what side Orton chooses when it comes to his closest allies.

Nia Jax & Ms. MITB Tiffany Stratton Promo [Intermission Segment]

Result: Nia Jax wants Tiffany Stratton to Cash in on Liv Morgan

Storyline Grade: B-

Nia Jax gave Bayley major props for taking her to her limit at Bad Blood. However, she knew it was inevitable that Bayley would get annihilated by her. Nia then told Tiffany Stratton that she wants her to cash in on Liv Morgan after she destroys Liv at the upcoming PPV in Saudi Arabia, Crown Jewel. Naomi interrupted to tell Nia that she couldn't retain the title without assistance from Tiffany. After pinning Nia weeks ago and beating Tiffany last week, Naomi challenged Nia Jax for the title tonight.

Nia rebutted that Naomi needed help from Bayley to pin her weeks ago, but she would be happy to battle her in a non-title match tonight. If Naomi wins, she will earn a future WWE Women's Title Shot. As soon as Naomi accepted the challenge, Liv Morgan interrupted this segment with her muscle, Raquel Rodriguez, and her boyfriend, Dirty Dom, to let Nia know that she will be at ringside to see Nia fail miserably against Naomi, just like she will do when she battles Liv at Crown Jewel in November.

In-Ring Match Star Rating: N/A

Final Analysis/Takeaway: This intermission segment properly teased the tension between Nia Jax and Ms. MITB Tiffany Stratton. The idea of Tiffany cashing in on Liv Morgan is not a bad idea honestly. It would be pretty cool to see Tiffany be a breath of fresh air on Raw as champion since the only major program in the main event scene has been Liv and Rhea Ripley ever since the Raw after WrestleMania 40. However, anyone would be remiss to neglect the potential of a sympathetic babyface turn for Tiffany Stratton if she cashed in on Nia after being bullied, manipulated, and patronized by Nia on a weekly basis.

Nia Jax (c) vs. Naomi [Non-Title Match]

Result: Naomi (via pinfall)

Storyline Grade: N/A

Nia Jax delivered a Samoan Drop to Naomi outside the ring before the commercial break, As soon as the show returned, Naomi delivered a Headscissors Takedown to Nia and climbed to the top rope to deliver a Flying Crossbody to Nia. As soon as Nia rolled outside the ring, Naomi delivered a Corkscrew Plancha Dive to Nia and sent her back into the ring. As soon as Naomi was about reenter the ring to finish Nia with the Split-Legged Moonsault, Tiffany grabbed her briefcase to attack Naomi.

However, Raquel Rodriguez stopped Tiffany in her tracks by snatching away the briefcase. Tiffany demanded that Raquel hand back the briefcase, but Raquel refused. Naomi then capitalized on the distraction with a Roundhouse Kick to Tiffany. Naomi reentered the ring. Nia Jax capitalized on the time wasted and went to the top rope to deliver the Annihilator. However, Liv Morgan attacked Nia with the briefcase, and Naomi capitalized with an Avalanche Powerbomb to Nia for the 3-count.

In-Ring Match Star Rating: 3.25 Stars

Final Analysis/Takeaway: Naomi carried this match with her plethora of athletically sound maneuvers. When it comes to booking 101, it is not advisable that the champion loses via pinfall on live television. However, Naomi's excellence and the multiple distractions by Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, and Dirty Dom were enough to protect Nia Jax and make the champion still look good in defeat. Despite the violation of the brand rules, booking Rhea Ripley to show up on SmackDown to execute a post-match attack on Liv Morgan and the company was a nice touch, to say the least.

Jimmy Uso vs. Solo Sikoa [Personal Rivalry]

Result: Solo Sikoa (via pinfall)

Storyline Grade: N/A

Solo Sikoa delivered a Spinning Solo to Jimmy Uso for the 2-count nearfall. After Big Jim kicked out, Sikoa continued the offense by charging at Big Jim for the Hip Attack. However,, Big Jim countered witth a Superkick and Enziguiri to the back of SIkoa's head. Big Jim climbed the top rope for a Flying Crossbody to Sikoa for the 2-count near-fall. Sikoa grabbed Jimmy for the Samoan Spike again, but Jimmy countered with the Samoan Drop. However, Bloodline got on the apron to distract Big Jim, allowing Sikoa to capitalize with the Samoan Spike for the 3-count and the victory in the main event.

In-Ring Match Star Rating: 2.75 Stars

Final Analysis/Takeaway: This match was not anything special, as both superstars' arsenals are underwhelming. However, their in-ring psychology paiud dividends due to the personsal beef from when Solo took Jimmy out of commision after WrestleMania 40. Booking Roman Reigns to save Jimmy Uso was good and having him still get destroyed by the new Bloodline shows that the numbers game is too much and that they really do need help, as established at the start of the show. This ending was excellently telegraphed from the cliffhanger the fans received at the start of the show and furthermore rewarded the fans for watching the show from beginning to end.

October 11, 2024, SmackDown Results

• Roman Reigns and Jimmy Uso need help against The New Bloodline.
• LA Knight defeated Carmelo Hayes to retain the United States Title.
• Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill defeated Jakara Jackson & Lash Legend to retain the Tag Titles.
• Queen Nia Jax wants Ms. MITB Tiffany Stratton to cash in on Liv Morgan.
• Naomi defeated Nia Jax in a Non-Title Match, earning a future WWE Title Shot.
• Solo Sikoa defeated Jimmy Uso in the Main Event.

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