Posted on 5/31/125 by Bob Magee
– A video recap of Saturday Night’s Main Event aired to open
the show.
– Joe Tessitore welcomed everyone into the show. Cody and
Bianca Belair were shown walking backstage. The camera
followed Belair from the back, through the entranceway and
into the ring.
The Bianca Belair/Naomi segment
The crowd chanted “EST!” as Belair stood in the middle of
the ring. Belair said she had to sing “Rocky Top” and called
for the music to be hit. The music was, indeed, hit. The
crowd sang along and … wait … is this a pro wrestling show
or College Gameday? I was convinced someone would interrupt
it, but as it turned out, the crowd got through the whole
thing. Anyway, Belair shouted out her mom and dad in the
crowd and those in Knoxville who show up and show out for
her. She called this her “safe space” and said she had to
come back to Knoxville to heal. Belair said she is the EST
of WWE and the crowd showered her with another chant. Belair
shouted “Welcome to Friday Night SmackDown,” and Naomi’s
music hit. Naomi walked to the ring.
Naomi said she was glad Belair was back on SmackDown and
Belair told Naomi it wasn’t the time for this. The crowd
booed the hell out of Naomi. Naomi said she thinks about
what happened between them every day. Belair asked Naomi
what she wanted from Belair. “You suck!” chants began. Naomi
looked emotional and begged for Belair’s forgiveness. Naomi
said she’s been trying to communicate with Belair for months
and she wants them to move forward. Naomi said she went by
Belair’s parents’ house to try and get a hold of her earlier
in the day, but no one was there, so Naomi broke into the
house. Naomi talked about seeing some photos of Belair being
happy and it reminded Naomi of how happy they were as tag
champs.
Belair said Naomi betrayed her trust and recalled what Naomi
did with Jade Cargill. Belair said if Naomi ever goes to her
family again, she will do more to Naomi than what Naomi did
to Cargill. Naomi started the cry real tears. “EST!” chants
began. Naomi gathered herself and said it wouldn’t be good
for both Belair and her mom to be in a wheelchair. Naomi
said she would hate for something bad to happen to Belair
“right here and right now.” Cargill’s music then hit and
Cargill walked to the ring with purpose.
Cargill kicked Naomi to the mat and stared at Belair.
Cargill tossed Naomi out of the ring and Belair and Cargill
stared at each other. Cargill went to leave the ring, but
Nia Jax’s music hit and out came Jax to set up the first
match of the night.
It was nice to see Belair back and even nicer to see that
this story really is picking up where it left off. Things
don’t seem to be great between Cargill and Belair, but
nobody is saying anything, which only adds to the tension.
Naomi, meanwhile, is a professional cryer, which has added
an entirely new dimension to her character that comes in
super handy these days, considering the story they are
telling. I still can’t get over them actually carving out a
minute for everyone to sing along to “Rocky Top,” but
perhaps I’m just grumpy. OK. Yeah. I’m just grumpy. Anyway,
this was a strong opening segment with good emotion from
everyone involved.
**********
Jade Cargill vs. Naomi vs. Nia Jax in a Money In The Bank
Qualifier Match
The match was joined in progress and Naomi was pounding on
Cargill in the middle of the ring. Naomi appeared to bite
Cargill’s hands/fingers and stomped on her. Naomi hit a
dropkick on Cargill, who was down in a corner. Naomi slapped
Cargill and landed a split splash from the second rope.
Cargill broke a pin attempt up by grabbing onto the bottom
rope. Jax reinserted herself into the match and hit a hip
attack on Cargill. Naomi took Jax out after that by slamming
Jax on the apron.
Naomi came off the second rope but Cargill caught her and
hit a fallaway slam on Naomi. Cargill followed up with
clotheslines, but Jax broke up a pin attempt. Jax Samoan
Dropped Cargill and headbutted Naomi before posing. Jax hit
a leg drop on both of her opponents and then threw Cargill
to the outside. Jax went to the second rope and hit a leg
drop on Naomi from said second rope, but Naomi kicked out at
2.9. Jax went for a Samoan Drop, but Naomi rolled through
and pinned Jax for a two-count. The show then went to a
commercial break.
Back to the show, Naomi and Jax were teaming up on Cargill
until Naomi tried to pin Cargill and Jax had to pull Naomi
off Cargill. Naomi rolled up Jax to no avail and Jax hit a
running Senton on Naomi. Cargill returned to the match and
fired up, landing a series of splashes on her opponents.
Cargill managed a spinebuster on Jax, but Naomi followed
that up quickly with a Meteora on Cargill. Cargill came back
with Jaded on Naomi, but Jax broke up the pin attempt. All
three women were down to reset the match.
Jax went to the second rope, but Cargill cut Jax off. Jax
eventually came off the second rope to hit a double cross-
body on Naomi and Cargill. Still, Jax couldn’t get a pin on
either wrestler. Cargill hit a Samoan Drop on Naomi from the
middle rope, but Cargill flew in from the top to hit a frog
splash on Jax for a nice near-fall. The three traded blows
and Naomi went to the top rope, but Cargill cut Naomi off.
Jax stumbled over and powerbombed Cargill while Cargill
super-plexed Naomi. Jax went for her finisher on a stacked
Cargill and Naomi, but Naomi moved and Jax hit it on only
Cargill. Naomi then rolled up Jax for the win.
Match result: Naomi defeated Nia Jax & Jade Cargill to earn
a spot in the Women’s Money In The Bank Ladder Match (12:19
of TV time)
Jade Cargill looked pretty good here. She’s clearly putting
in work to be better in the ring and it’s paying off. I also
think I find myself saying some version of this about her
each week she wrestles, so I apologize for being redundant,
but she really does deserve some credit. Plus, she took a
tough-looking finisher from Jax. Umpf. Naomi going over is a
fun development. It also suggests that she will be somewhat
of a non-factor in the MITB ladder match because someone is
probably going to play a role in taking her out (cough,
Cargill, cough). Even so, Naomi’s character work is so good
these days that it’s nice to see her rewarded with a spot in
one of WWE’s marquee matches of the year.
**********
– Solo Sikoa was walking backstage and ran into R-Truth.
Sikoa made fun of Truth for “talking to ghosts.” Truth
looked at JC Mateo and said he had never seen him before.
Truth asked Sikoa if Mateo was Solo’s son, which was funny.
Truth said he was going to ask Nick Aldis for a match with
Mateo later. Jacob Fatu chimed in and said he needed to go
take care of business for himself tonight and left the group
backstage.
– Nick Aldis ran into Chelsea Green backstage and Green wore
a mask because of what happened to her nose last week. Green
said it was a deliberate action via Zelina Vega. Green said
Aldis needed to strip Vega of the Women’s U.S. Championship.
Aldis denied that request. Green advocated for Alba Fyre vs.
Vega for later in the show. Aldis made it official.
– Byron Saxton interviewed Tiffany Stratton backstage.
Saxton asked Tiffy how she was handling the pressure of
being the champion. Tiffy said she’s prepared because she’s
always been a girl everyone has been obsessed with. Tiffy
said whoever cashes in on her will make a big mistake. Naomi
walked into the frame and told Tiffy that she would win the
ladder match and cash in whenever and wherever she wants.
Tiffy rolled her eyes as Naomi walked away. Alexa Bliss
showed up and told Tiffy she shouldn’t worry about Naomi and
instead, Tiffy should worry about Bliss. Bliss walked away
to end the quick segment.
– A vignette looking at the NXT North American Championship
match for Worlds Collide aired.
R-Truth vs. JC Mateo
Mateo ran Truth into a corner. Mateo then threw Truth in a
corner. Mateo did it again. Mateo went for a splash, but
Truth moved and followed up with a series of shoulder-
blocks, the final one of which took Mateo down. Truth lifted
Mateo, but Mateo landed on Truth and followed up with a
standing moonsault. Mateo went for a Senton, but Truth moved
and called for a Five Knuckle Shuffle. Truth actually hit
it. Truth lifted Mateo, but collapsed and as a result, Mateo
landed Tour Of The Islands for the win.
Match result: JC Mateo defeated R-Truth (2:20)
After the match, Mateo roughed up Truth until Jimmy Uso ran
out with a chair for the save. With Jimmy’s attention turned
to Sikoa, Mateo attacked Jimmy until Sikoa stopped Mateo
from going in on Jimmy presumably because Sikoa is trying to
get Jimmy back.
As close to a squash as you get on WWE TV these days. Mateo
is off to a strong start with these wins; I just wonder if
it’s translating into actually getting over to the WWE
audience. I understand Truth’s appeal, but man. Can we at
least try another bit at some point? It was mildly
surprising to see him do the Cena stuff here after Cena just
disposed of him on SNME. I kind of/sort of thought/hoped
that would mean the bit was officially over. I was wrong.
**********
The tag division segment
Ford spoke first and said the SmackDown tag division is the
greatest tag division of any brand in any company and the
Profits are leading the charge. Dawkins chimed in and listed
the teams coming after them. Dawkins brought up the Wyatts
and Ford said they’d happily defend their tag titles against
anybody. On cue, Fraxiom’s music hit and out, they came.
Nathan Frazer spoke first and talked about how they didn’t
get a fair shake last week. Ford congratulated Fraxiom and
noted how they had Fraxiom beat until the Sicks got involved
last week. Axiom said they’ll never know for sure. Frazer
interjected and said they should run things back. Motor City
Machine Guns’ music hit and out, they came. Alex Shelley
noted how the Profits never beat MCMG just like they’ve
never beat Fraxiom. #DIY’s music hit and out, they came.
Candice LeRae did the talking and called MCMG nerds. Chris
Sabin told LeRae to shut up and Gargano responded with anger
and said they brought LeRae in to even the odds because
there is a conspiracy going on against #DIY. Gargano brought
up the Sicks and Ciampa told Gargano they don’t talk about
them. Ciampa said they killed the tag division they built
and Ciampa called for a moment of silence for the tag
division. The lights went out, of course, and wouldn’t you
know it, the Wyatt Sicks showed up.
The Sicks took out everyone in front of them. Howdy gave
Frazer a Sister Abigail to end things and the Sicks posed in
the ring as their music played.
I was kind of hoping for more in terms of a follow up to the
Sicks’ return last week, but this was a sort of nothing-
happening segment. Does this lead to a five-way for the tag
titles? More so, does this lead to the Sicks winning the
aforementioned tag titles? I’m not so sure that’d be the
best booking move – that tag division is finally rolling
with teams that have identities and matches that
continuously deliver. Would a move like putting the tag
titles on some version of the Sicks stagnate the progress?
Perhaps time will tell. For now, this segment wasn’t much of
much.
**********
Los Garza (Berto & Angel) vs. Je’Von Evans & Rey Fenix
Ethan Page sat in on commentary. Fenix and Angel started the
match. Fenix leapt at Angel, but Angel caught him and it
ultimately ended up dual headbutts. Berto and Evans tagged
in and Berto landed a springboard moonsault from the second
rope for a two-count. Evans came back with a wild dropkick
and a cutter on Angel. With the heels on the outside, Fenix
tagged in and they hit a stereo super-kick on Berto, who
came off the top and into the middle of the ring. Fenix went
for a pin, but Berto kicked out and the show went to a
commercial break.
The show returned and Angel draped Evans in between the
ropes in a corner before running a knee into Evans. Berto
tagged in and planted Evans with a Gaza Special, but Evans
kicked out of a pin attempt. Berto worked a headlock. Evans
leapt across the ring for a hot tag, but came up just short.
Evans had to kick Berto in the head in order to ultimately
get the hot tag to Fenix. Angel tagged in as well. Fenix
took the heels out, complete with a double springboard
moonsault on Angel. Evans tagged in and hit a springboard
clothesline on Angel. Berto then kicked Evans and all four
men were down to reset the match.
“This is awesome!” chants broke out. Evans and Angel traded
chops while on their knees. The two got to their feet and
traded punches until Angel landed a springboard powerbomb on
Evans for a near-fall. Loz Garza lined up their finisher on
Evans, but Fenix broke it up. Fenix walked the ropes and
stomped on Angel. Evans then came off the top to take out
Los Garza on the outside of the ring. Page stood up and got
in Evans and Fenix’s faces. With the referee turned around,
Page threw Fenix into the commentary desk. Evans took Page
out and then inside the ring, Evans went to the top, but
Escobar distracted the referee and Page pushed Evans off the
top. Los Garza hit their finisher on Evans for the win.
Match result: Los Garza (Berto & Angel) defeated Je’Von
Evans & Rey Fenix (12:16)
A good showing for Evans on the Big Stage and even Fenix
took another step forward in his WWE development, as he’s
been doing the last week or two. Garza was in desperate –
and I mean desperate – need of a win, so I’m fine with them
getting one here with the help of Ethan Page (also, by the
way, it was nice seeing Ethan Page on the Big Stage as
well). All four guys came to work and while the spots were
many (by WWE standards), they didn’t over-do them and the
result was an entertaining match with the highlight being
the flashiness of the Evans/Fenix team. It only makes me
wonder: Exactly how far away are we from a Lucha Bros
reunion?
**********
– An Uncle Howdy quick vignette aired.
Zelina Vega vs. Alba Fyre
Vega’s entrance was not televised, but Fyre’s was. So much
for being a champion these days. Fyre attacked Vega to start
things out. Vega came back briefly, but Fyre took Vega down
with a shoulder-block. Before long, Fyre ran Vega into a
corner, but Vega came back and Fyre rolled to the outside.
Fyre pulled Vega down and hit a pendulum bullhammer (Wade
Barrett’s words), which was an elbow to the face. Vega put
Fyre in position for a 619, but Green distracted the
referee. Fyre took advantage of that and kicked Vega. Fyre
saluted … the hard cam? … and the show went to a commercial
break.
Back from break, Fyre continued to have control until Vega
hit a knee to Fyre’s head and both women were down. Vega
inevitably fired up and landed a Meteora in a corner. Vega
came off the middle rope with a double-knees and got a two-
count out of it. Fyre lifted Vega, but Vega countered with a
neck-breaker, but then missed a moonsault from the top. Fyre
went to the top and hit a Swanton Bomb for a nice near-fall
to which nobody in the crowd reacted.
Vega found herself on the outside of the ring and Green
tried to hit Vega with her mask, but Green instead hit
Niven. Back inside the ring, Vega landed a Code Red on Fyre
and got the victory because of it.
Match result: Zelina Vega defeated Alba Fyre (11:04)
Here’s the thing I can’t wrap my head around. Lyra Valkyria
is involved with Becky Lynch – a first-ballot WWE hall-of-
famer who is as popular as anyone in the company – for the
women’s IC belt. The other secondary title? That’s on
SmackDown where, each week, the crowds somehow get quieter
and quieter for these women’s U.S. title matches. I can try
to get a kick out of the idea that Green and her crew just
can’t beat Vega. That’s fine. But these live crowds are
killing any momentum this program might ever have – and this
program needs it far more than the women’s IC title program
because, as I stated … well … Becky Lynch. Green and Vega
are good performers – and this match was all right, I guess?
– but the women’s U.S. title picture needs a kick in the
face to get off the ground. Sadly, it doesn’t seem like it’s
going to get it anytime soon.
**********
– Miz and Melo were talking in a locker room and Miz
reminded Melo that he gave up his chance to be in the match
for Melo. Miz said if Melo wins, he will make sure “they”
are Mr. Money In The Bank. Melo stopped Miz and Miz asked
Melo who he thinks got him in his position and Melo said it
was Melo who got himself there. Melo said he goes out there
and does it better than anyone else. Melo told Miz he needed
to let Melo be Him. Melo tried to set up the catchphrase,
but Miz didn’t complete it, so maybe that thing is on the
road to the end?
– A Giulia vignette aired.
– Vega was walking backstage and ran into Giulia, who told
Vega that she sees Vega’s title. Vega just walked away.
The Damian Priest segment
Priest said he’s breathing fresh air since beating Drew
McIntyre at SNME. Priest talked about how their beef lasted
for over a year, but they took it into a cage. Priest said
they went to war and he put Drew’s “ass in the past.” Priest
said he had one thing he wanted to say to Drew – he still
can’t stand Drew’s ass, but he can appreciate the fact that
Drew was a warrior in the cage. Priest talked about how he
has his eyes on a championship and that championship is held
by Jacob Fatu.
Priest said he respects the hell out of Fatu. Priest said,
“real talk, I’m proud of you, congratulations, that’s real,”
to Fatu. Priest said he doesn’t respect Fatu’s crew and at
some point Fatu and Priest will handle business inside the
ring. Priest said if Fatu’s family wants to get involved,
they’ll get some, too. Priest landed his catchphrase, threw
the microphone down and left the ring. On his way to the
back. Jacob Fatu made his entrance for the next match.
Priest and Fatu slowly walked past each other and engaged in
a mini stare down.
Yeah, I’m all right with a Priest/Fatu program for the U.S.
title. I still don’t quite think Priest should come out on
top, but that’s just because I’m hopelessly in love with
Jacob Fatu. Even Priest said he likes the guy; he just
doesn’t like the people with whom Fatu surrounds himself.
That’s curious because it sure does feel like Fatu is about
to not be associated with those people, but we’ll see. In
the meantime, Fatu and Priest should have some really good
matches.
**********
Jacob Fatu vs. Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes in a Money In The
Bank Qualifier Match
Fatu and Andrade went to work on Melo to start the match.
Melo rolled to the outside and Andrade and Fatu went at it.
Andrade went to the top and landed a cross-body from the
top, but Melo threw Andrade to the outside and attacked
Fatu. Melo tried to throw Fatu into the ropes, but Fatu
blocked it and punched Melo in the face. Fatu ran the ropes
but Miz grabbed Fatu’s foot. As a result, Melo went for a
roll-up, but Fatu blocked it, only to be kicked to the
outside. Melo went for a dive, but Andrade cut off Melo and
Fatu was left alone with Miz. Fatu super-kicked Miz and sent
Miz into the barricade. Fatu followed up with a hip attack
on Miz against the barricade. Fatu stood there and the show
went to a commercial break.
The show returned and Fatu went for a hip attack on Andrade,
but Andrade moved. Melo and Andrade were left and Andrade
got the best of it. With both opponents in respective
corners, Andrade hit a double-knees on Fatu, but then ran
into being planted by Melo. Fatu woke up and took a super-
kick from Andrade. Melo went to the second rope, but that
resulted in a Spanish Fly from Andrade. Fatu reinserted
himself and hit some Swantons on Melo and Andrade. Fatu
teased a moonsault, but Andrade pulled Fatu’s leg. Andrade
went to the top and hit the double-moonsault attempt on
Fatu, but Melo broke up a pin attempt.
“This is awesome!” chants broke out. The three men traded
blows on their knees. Melo hit a DDT on both guys after a
springboard from the second rope. Andrade hit a Poison-Rana
on Fatu and that left Melo and Andrade in the ring. Andrade
pulled Melo to the outside, where the exchanged blows. Fatu
super-kicked Melo and went for a hip attack on Melo and
Andrade into the barricade, but both Melo and Andrade moved,
so Fatu went flying. An expletive chant broke out in the
crowd, which was muted, and the show went to another
commercial break.
Back from the break and Fatu was still out. Andrade and Melo
traded strikes in the middle of the ring. Melo went to the
top, but Andrade cut Melo off. Fatu reappeared and threw
both guys, which resulted in a weird assisted Spanish Fly
from Andrade to Melo. Fatu landed a Swanton on Melo from the
top, but Andrade broke up the pin attempt. Fatu ran at Melo,
but Melo got a boot up. In a fun spot, Andrade hit a back
elbow on Fatu, who had Melo on his shoulders, but Fatu
kicked out when both guys tried to pin Fatu.
Solo Sikoa and JC Mateo made their ways to ringside. Fatu
perched Melo on the top rope. Fatu had both Melo and Andrade
on his shoulders and hit a Samoan Drop on Andrade but not
Melo. Fatu missed a moonsault on Andrade, but Melo hit
Nothing But Net on Fatu. Andrade and Melo traded a bunch of
pin attempts. Before long, all three guys were down on the
mat at about the 19-minute mark.
Fatu hit a spike DDT on Andrade. Fatu ran Melo into a corner
and followed up with a hip attack. Fatu landed another spike
DDT on Andrade and followed that up with a double-jump
moonsault, but Sikoa hopped on the apron and told Fatu to do
it again. Mateo started yelling at Fatu to do it and Jimmy
Uso showed up to take care of Mateo and Sikoa. With all the
confusion, Andrade hit The Message on Melo and got the win.
Match result: Andrade defeated Carmelo Hayes & Jacob Fatu to
qualify for the Men’s Money In The Bank Ladder Match (20:28)
I love it. I loved all of it – the match, the booking
decision – all of it. Andrade going over was a mild surprise
(there was no way Fatu was winning, the way this was all set
up), but I’m happy he gets a spot in, as I said earlier in
this review, one of WWE’s most marquee matches of the year.
He’ll have a lot to add to it, too, as you know that guy can
impress when it comes to high spots and ladders. Back to
this match – it was one of the best SmackDown matches I’ve
seen in at least a year? Maybe longer? They gave them time
to cook and those three fellas delivered a fantastic meal.
**********
– Byron Saxton interviewed LA Knight backstage. Knight
talked about how he punched his ticket to MITB. Knight said
if it was a one-on-one match, he’d call his shot, but he
understands now because this will be his third MITB match.
Knight said it’s anybody’s game, but … Knight stopped
talking as Aleister Black walked into the frame. Black spoke
in a riddle and walked away. Cody was shown walking
backstage and the crowd erupted.
– Fatu was shown wrecking the backstage area, yelling at
Solo that he was tired of everything. Solo appeared and said
he was just trying to help. Fatu said for the last time,
he’s saying he does not need Sikoa’s help. Fatu stormed off.
– A Worlds Collide card rundown happened and the graphic for
Gable vs. Vikingo did not include the AAA Mega Title Match
descriptor, unlike what happened on Raw this week. WWE, get
your stuff together.
The Cody Rhodes/John Cena segment
Cody stood in the ring with a microphone and soaked in some
chants. He stalled for a bit to grandstand for the crowd.
The European “Cody Rhodes” song broke out in the crowd. Who
knew Knoxville, Tennessee, was this close to London? Cody
asked the crowd what they wanted to talk about and was
cheered in a loud way. Cody said they could talk about Mania
41. Cody said he went home and drowned his sorrows with the
“Tennessee Cough Syrup.”
Cody said he had a doubtful moment and he reached out to a
friend. Cody said he asked his friend if he was a good
champion. Cody said the friend’s answer was, “With
everything that you faced in the ring and with everything
that you faced behind the scenes, you were a good champion.”
Cody said that made him feel good. Cody said that made him
think about his whole year, including AJ Styles, Kevin
Owens, HHH and The Final Boss. Cody said the scary part
about The Rock asking for his soul was that Rock was serious
and that Rock’s offer still stands (hey-yo!).
Cody brought up John Cena and rabid “Let’s go Cena/Cena
sucks!” chants began. Cody said Cena did exactly what he
said he’d do. Cody said he hesitated when Cena gave him a
choice and that if Cena ruins pro wrestling, Cody is partly
to blame. Cody spoke to the camera and said he will never
hesitate with Cena again. Cody said he needs Cena to knows
that Cody will “burn his ass up” in reference to Cena. Cody
said it was his first night back on SmackDown and he was
getting a little worked up. Cody wondered what he could do
for the WWE Universe and as such, Cody said he had a
surprise. The crowd Yeet’d accordingly. Cody’s surprise, it
turned out, was the arrival of Jey Uso, who came in through
the crowd and holy hell, that crowd went nuts.
After Jey finally made it to the ring, Jey called for a
repeat of the entrance and the Yeet-ing and all of that. His
second celebration was cut off by John Cena’s music. Cena
walked out to his black-and-white gimmick. “John Cena
sucks!” chants were shouted in step with Cena’s music. Cena
walked to ringside and grabbed a microphone. Cena found the
ring steps and used them to get into the ring. Cena said he
was upset because Cody and Jey were “professional
wrestling’s biggest wannabes.” Cena told Cody and Jey to
their faces they were Cena wannabes. The crowd kind of/sort
of cheered Cena.
Cena called Cody too desperate and Uso too lazy. Cena said
there is only one other person in WWE who embodies hustle,
loyalty and respect and that’s his partner for MITB. Logan
Paul’s music hit and Paul made his entrance. Paul garnered a
lot of boos, so at least that worked out. Cena said the
crowd was mad because Logan Paul “does WWE better than
professional wrestler.” Cena said Paul is paying everyone’s
mortgage. Cena said everyone in the building came to see
Cena and Paul. Cena got a lot of cheers; Paul did not.
Paul said he could walk on water and everyone would find a
way to tell him it’s because he can’t swim. Paul said he
speaks the truth and Cena does as well. Paul called the
Tennessee people “stupid” and “stupid.” Paul said everyone
wil live long, pathetic, miserable lives, but at least they
will be able to say they saw Paul and Cena stand together. A
“Shut the f— up” chant started and you can imagine what that
did to the censors. Paul said he should be standing next to
Cena as a champion because he should have been the one to
leave SNME as the World Heavyweight Champion. Paul called
Uso lucky.
Paul said Uso or Cody can’t do anything in the business
without having things handed to them. Paul called Cody and
Uso nepo-babies. Paul said Cena and Paul were self-made men.
Paul said five years ago, nobody would have believed that
Logan Paul would be a WWE superstar. Paul noted how nobody
would believe that he would be tagging with the GOAT. Paul
said his time is now while Cena is the last real champion.
Paul said at MITB, they can come get some. Uso said they
didn’t have to wait, Cody talked about “polishing his
Peacemaker” in reference to Cena, and the four brawled. Cody
and Jey stood tall as Cody’s music played and Cody held up
Cena’s title and the show ended.
This is smart. They anticipated Cena getting the babyface
reactions and threw Paul into the mix as a means to mitigate
the impact of the Cena not-so-heel-turn. It was on display
here as Paul took the bulk of the promo, which wasn’t all
that great (but also not that bad, to be fair), and Cena
just stood in the background. Each time Cena’s name was
brought up, the crowd cheered heavily. But hearing that name
come out of Paul’s mouth made the crowd boo just a little
harder. It’s clever. The last thing they wanted to do with
this program was kill Cody’s momentum as a babyface and if
nothing else, it’s clear that they are at least trying to
compromise that potential damage. Even so, Cody had the off-
handed comment about The Rock’s offer still being on the
table and I’m sure the IWC sleuths will have a field day
with that. In the meantime, this was a strong return (to
SmackDown) for Cody and a heat-generating segment for their
tag match at Money In The Bank.