Cody Rhodes to Potentially Headline WWE’s WrestleMania Three Years in a Row
First Challenger for Undisputed WWE Championship Revealed
After weeks of anticipation, Cody Rhodes, known for his impressive performances at WrestleMania, is gearing up for a one-on-one showdown with The Rock. Rhodes, who has headlined WWE’s biggest show of the year in the past, is expected to make history by potentially headlining WrestleMania for the third consecutive year.
However, Rhodes’ fate hinges on the title reign he establishes over the next year. On the recent episode of SmackDown, the first official challenger for the Undisputed WWE Championship was announced.
A mini-tournament took place to determine the challenger, with the winners of two triple threat matches, LA Knight and AJ Styles, facing off in a singles match at Backlash in France.
The finale of the tournament lived up to expectations, as Styles emerged victorious over Knight, resorting to classic tactics like cheating with an old eye poke to secure the pinfall with a Phenomenal Forearm. This sets up a compelling rivalry and offers Rhodes a strong heel opponent to deliver a memorable match.
While the quality of the feud remains to be seen, fans are eagerly awaiting the contract signing next week.
The Bloodline Continues to Reign Supremely as Solo Sikoa Targets Kevin Owens
A surprising turn of events took place on SmackDown as Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga, donned elegantly, made their presence known on the blue brand. Arriving in the same SUV previously utilized by The Tribal Chief, it was evident that Sikoa was determined to confront Kevin Owens.
Paul Heyman, taken aback by Sikoa’s appearance and attitude, attempted to dissuade him from making decisions that should only be the prerogative of The Tribal Chief.
Disregarding Heyman’s pleas, Sikoa demanded to see Owens and headed to the ring to address the situation. Heyman began to highlight the politics surrounding The Bloodline when the crowd surprised everyone by chanting, “We want Roman!”
Responding to the clamor, Sikoa retorted, “Oh, NOW you do.” Wrestling fans immediately sensed the intensity rising as Sikoa snatched the microphone and struggled to deliver his promo amidst the overwhelming jeers. The segment took a dramatic turn when Tonga assaulted Owens, leaving him bloodied and defenseless on the stage. Only the timely intervention of GM Nick Aldis halted the onslaught, leaving fans in awe of the immense heat generated.
This incident foreshadows an exciting new chapter in The Bloodline’s narrative.
Bayley Retains Women’s Championship After Interference from Tiffany Stratton
In the highly anticipated main event, Bayley successfully defended her women’s championship against Naomi. The matchup not only showcased Bayley’s skills but also tested her friendship with Naomi, as the two set aside their camaraderie to compete for the title. Observing the clash from the press box were Damage CTRL, with Dakota Kai asserting that Iyo Sky would soon vie for the lost championship.
Adding to the intrigue, Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair occupied the neighboring press box, intensifying the atmosphere.
However, despite the potential for outside interference, both Cargill and Belair remained uninvolved throughout the match, leading to a straightforward bout. It culminated in Tiffany Stratton interfering, resulting in a no contest declaration. The outcome preserved Bayley’s championship reign, affirmed her bond with Naomi, and propelled Stratton into the title picture as a disruptive force.
Given the response Stratton has received from the audience, her inclusion in the title scene appears to be a prudent decision. As the Women’s Division seeks a formidable adversary, Stratton’s unexpected interference serves as a plausible solution, eliminating the need to prematurely turn Belair or rush her back into contention.
Additional Highlights
- Paul Levesque made an appearance, introducing a redesigned tag team title, marking yet another title update in WWE’s prolific history. The revamped A-Town Down Under’s tag team titles embrace a classic aesthetic and will henceforth be recognized as the WWE tag team championships.
- A thrilling Fatal 4-Way tag team match between The Street Profits, New Catch Republic, Legado del Fantasma, and AOP showcased the impressive depth of the men’s tag team division. The Street Profits emerged victorious and earned the opportunity to face Theory & Waller in the future.
- Santos Escobar continues to deflect accusations regarding Dragon Lee, maintaining his innocence. Escobar’s victory over Carlito, aided by Elektra Lopez, further fueled speculation regarding Escobar’s potential culpability. Carlito’s defeat only hammers home the likelihood of an approaching confrontation between the two as the storyline unfolds.
Review and Grade
All in all, this week’s episode of SmackDown delivered a solid show, presenting captivating storylines and thrilling matches. With the introduction of the redesigned tag team titles and the captivating Fatal 4-Way tag team match, the show displayed WWE’s commitment to innovation and high-quality performances.
To conclude, the episode receives a solid grade of B-. It engaged the audience and left fans eager for the next installment.
