Welcome to our weekly WWE SmackDown review series, where we look at the blue brand’s biggest hits and misses.
The June 7, 2024, episode of SmackDown went down at Louisville’s KFC Yum! Center in Kentucky. The show featured Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, AJ Styles, Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, Nia Jax, and LA Knight, among others.
Here’s what went down on WWE SmackDown this week.
Hit – Opening segment on WWE SmackDown
The Bloodline kicked off SmackDown this week. Paul Heyman cut a promo wherein he confirmed Solo Sikoa as the acting Tribal Chief in Roman Reigns’ absence. Solo then officially made Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa part of the group. Kevin Owens arrived and attacked The Bloodline, but he found himself overwhelmed by the numbers. The Street Profits ran to make the save, setting up a six-man tag team match for the main event.
Paul Heyman was the highlight of the segment. Heyman has the ability to sell a storyline with his facial expressions alone. He looked helpless while “We want Roman” chants echoed throughout the arena. The brawl between Bloodline, Kevin Owens, and the Profits really set the tone for the rest of the night.
Miss – “I Quit” match announcement
Cody Rhodes went down to the ring and called out AJ Styles for attacking him last week on WWE SmackDown. Styles came out with The Good Brothers. The Phenomenal One said he wanted a rematch for the undisputed title at Clash at the Castle. Rhodes accepted only to attach the infamous “I Quit” stipulation to the match.
Rhodes vs. Styles in an “I Quit” match looks great on paper. That said, I think WWE is trying to rush the feud at this point. The duo have only had one singles match against each other. “I Quit” matches are usually feud-enders. It appears WWE wants to end the feud between Rhodes and Styles at Clash at the Castle. In my opinion, these two need to have a trilogy.
Hit – Chaos after women’s tag team match on WWE SmackDown
Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair defeated Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell in a quick match. Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn attacked the champions after the match. Zoey Stark and Shayna Baszler also jumped at the opportunity only to enter into a brawl with Alba and Isla. Bianca and Cargill ended the angle by flattening all four competitors.
The women’s tag team match was solid. The post-match brawl was chaotic in a good way. The angle was done to set up a WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match at Clash at the Castle. Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair will defend their titles in a triple threat that also involves Baszler, Stark, Alba, and Isla.
Miss – Bayley and Piper Niven’s promo
Bayley came out to cut a promo on Piper Niven. The Role Model hyped up her scheduled title defense against Piper at Clash at the Castle. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven interrupted the champion, resulting in a back-and-forth verbal exchange between the trio.
Is it just me, or do heels lose their edgy personality as soon as they turn babyface? Bayley cut a routine babyface promo. She said Piper should’ve just asked her for a shot at the WWE Women’s Championship. Somebody needs to remind Bayley that title shots aren’t supposed to be handed around. Competitors need to earn it.
Hit – Six-man tag team main event
Kevin Owens and The Street Profits took on The Bloodline in the main event. KO and the Profits wanted payback. All six men went back and forth for nearly nine minutes before Solo caused a DQ ending. The Bloodline then hit KO with a triple powerbomb through the announce table to cap off the night.
A quality tag team match between six of the most-talked-about stars on the SmackDown roster. Tama Tonga and Montez Ford have a special chemistry. The two had some brilliant exchanges throughout the match. Ford ducking a clothesline from Tama while laying flat on his back made for a visual treat.
Also, they’ve most certainly planted the seeds for Roman Reigns versus Solo Sikoa with the spear and triple powerbomb spots on WWE SmackDown.
Honorable Mention
Logan Paul responded to LA Knight on SmackDown. The Maverick didn’t appear live. Paul cut a really good promo. His mic skills have really improved over the last couple of months. Paul versus Knight seems to be the direction for Clash at the Castle.
READ MORE: Nia Jax vs. Michin, Grayson Waller Effect, More Set For 6/14 WWE SmackDown
