Cody Rhodes made his return to WWE television last weekend when he attacked John Cena on Saturday Night’s Main Event. It was the first time Rhodes had appeared since losing the Undisputed WWE Championship to Cena at WrestleMania 41.
Tonight, Cena and Rhodes will both be in the building for the first time on SmackDown since before WrestleMania. Cena is set to team with Logan Paul at Money in the Bank next weekend against Rhodes & Jey Uso.
After missing a handful of weeks due to injury, Bianca Belair is set to return to SmackDown this evening as well. It will be a homecoming for Belair as the show will take place in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Two Money in the Bank qualifiers are set for tonight. On the men’s side, it will be Jacob Fatu vs. Carmelo Hayes vs. Andrade. The winner will join Solo Sikoa, Penta, LA Knight, and Seth Rollins in the men’s ladder match.
As for the women, it will be Jade Cargill vs. Naomi vs. Nia Jax tonight. The winner joins Alexa Bliss, Roxanne Perez, Rhea Ripley, and Giulia in the women’s ladder match.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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– 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.
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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.
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– 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.
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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.
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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?
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– 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.
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– 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.
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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.
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– 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.
