‘Friday Night Smackdown’ Review (Aug 9th 2024)
Welcome to this review of this past Friday’s episode of Friday Night Smackdown, right here on Nerdly. Let’s see what went down on this week’s show!
Match #1: The Street Profits def. A-Town Down Under
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
In the first match of the WWE Tag Team Title No. 1 Contender’s Tournament, Angelo Dawkins launched Grayson Waller into the time keeper’s area, effectively taking him out of the match. Montez Ford and Dawkins then isolated Austin Theory to hit a Super Blockbuster to win the match and advance in the tournament.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #2: Jade Cargill def. Alba Fyre
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Alba Fyre did her best against the awesome Jade Cargill, but Cargill hit Jaded to win the match. After the bell, Blair Davenport hit the scene to attack Cargill and Bianca Belair with The Unholy Union. Their attempt at a beatdown backfired, however, as Naomi arrived to help Belair and Cargill brawl with their rivals and eject them from the ring.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #3: Santos Escobar def. Andrade
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
As Andrade battled Santos Escobar for the right to become the first challenger to LA Knight’s U.S. Title, Baron Corbin and Apollo Crews took care of Angel and Berto, who were looking to help Escobar defeat Andrade by nefarious means. Escobar hit a splendid poison rana that left Andrade reeling, but Andrade struck back by hitting a moonsault where he changed his momentum mid-move as Escobar moved out of the way. Just when Andrade looked set to defeat Escobar, Carmelo Hayes hit the scene to antagonize Andrade. The distraction allowed Escobar to roll up Andrade with a fistful of tights and become the No. 1 Contender to the United States Title.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #4: #DIY def. Pretty Deadly
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
#DIY took their first steps to regaining the WWE Tag Team Title they lost last week to The Bloodline as they defeated Pretty Deadly in the WWE Tag Team Title No. 1 Contender’s Tournament. Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa connected with the Shatter Machine before hitting Meeting in the Middle to earn a match against The Street Profits in the WWE Tag Team Title No. 1 Contender’s Tournament Final.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
An OK episode of Smackdown this week, one that spent time, as usual post-PPV, recapping storylines etc., which killed a lot of the show’s momentum. Momentum which, unfortunately, couldn’t be saved by most of the show’s matches. Only the Escobar/Andrade match provided anything more than average entertainment – which was surprising given how mid Andrade has been in recent years! A bit of a downer this week for the blue brand – saved only by the non-match actions of Roman Reigns as this week’s episode ended. I think Reigns versus the Bloodline might just be the thing that keeps Smackdown going in the next few months!
