Before facing off to become the first-ever men’s Crown Jewel Champion on Saturday, Cody Rhodes and Gunther will stand on opposites sides of the ring on tonight’s Crown Jewel go-home edition of WWE SmackDown.
Rhodes will team with Randy Orton to face Imperium (Gunther & Ludwig Kaiser) while Orton is preparing to wrestle Kevin Owens on Saturday.
Jey & Jimmy Uso, along with Roman Reigns, are also set to appear on tonight’s show which was taped last Friday at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax and WWE Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan will go face-to-face before they compete for the first-ever women’s Crown Jewel Championship Saturday.
Bianca Belair, Piper Niven, IYO SKY and Lash Legend will compete in a fatal four-way as each woman will also be part of a fatal four-way for the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles on Saturday.
Our live coverage begins at 8 PM Eastern.
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The show opened with a shot of the Crown Jewel title in the ring as Michael Cole hyped up the women’s champions match for Crown Jewel. Nia Jax then made her entrance.
The Nia Jax/Liv Morgan segment
I like the hook of Stratton saying she’s going to cash in either way at Crown Jewel. Yes, it takes away from the surprise of the always-fun surprise cash-in, but it does add a wrinkle to the Jax/Morgan match and it was a wrinkle the program needed. Does Stratton cash in on Morgan and head over to Raw to work the same nights as her real life boyfriend, Ludwig Kaiser? Or does Stratton cash in on Jax and we head towards the inevitable Jax/Stratton program we’ve been expecting for months? Pro wrestling is a lot more fun when it’s not as predictable. These women did a good job setting the table for Saturday.
Jax began by saying the only thing on her mind is the women’s Crown Jewel Championship. Jax said she wants it and she gets everything she wants. Jax listed off becoming Queen Of The Ring and becoming WWE Women’s Champion. Jax called Morgan insufferable and smirked. Jax said she will walk out the first-ever Crown Jewel champion … and Morgan’s music hit. Morgan walked out with Dirty Dom and Raquel.
Morgan noted how she retired Becky Lynch and became the “greatest women’s world champion of all time.” Morgan then called Dirty Dom the most gorgeous man in the world. Morgan reminded Jax that the last time they wrestled, Morgan beat Jax. Morgan said if anyone is going to become the first-ever Women’s Crown Jewel Champion, it will be her. Tiffany Stratton’s music then hit and Stratton walked out with a microphone.
Stratton said at Crown Jewel, it will be Tiffy Tiime because she’s going to take her MITB briefcase and cash in to become new WWE Women’s Champion. Stratton cut off Jax, who started to talk, and told Jax not to get too comfortable. Morgan laughed at them and said she has people around her that she can trust. Stratton said she hasn’t made her decision yet and both Jax and Morgan were starting “to piss her off.” Stratton reiterated that she will cash in at Crown Jewel. Stratton then asked Morgan that if she beats Morgan, does that mean Dom goes with Stratton. The crowd popped for that.
Stratton said she could use some dirty in her life and Morgan said it looks like Stratton already has some dirty in her life. Stratton responded by elbowing Morgan out of the ring. Morgan then yelled for a referee as the show went to its first commercial break.
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Liv Morgan defeated Tiffany Stratton [2:29 of TV time]
Wow. We only got two-and-a-half minutes of that? The perils of running a taped show, I suppose. Two of the company’s biggest women stars and this felt like a throwaway, complete with a dumb finish. That post-match strike from Jax to Morgan with the briefcase looked stiff as hell, though, which was fun.
The match was joined in progress and Morgan was beating Stratton down. Action spilled to the outside and Morgan ran Stratton into the Prime cart. Morgan hopped into Dom’s arms and they rubbed noses. Back in the ring, Stratton cut Morgan off with a boot to the stomach. Stratton went for her gymnastics splash, but Live moved and took back control until Stratton caught Morgan and hit a powerbomb for a two-count. Stratton yelled at Morgan that she’s nothing without Dom.
Stratton lifted Morgan, but it resulted in a Codebreaker from Morgan for a two-count. Morgan went for Oblivion, but Stratton countered with a boot. Jax hopped up to distract the referee and threw Stratton her briefcase. Stratton tried to hit Morgan, but Morgan moved and rolled Stratton up for the win. After the match, Morgan hit Stratton with the briefcase, but Jax grabbed it and hit everyone in sight with the briefcase. Jax then hit her finisher on Morgan to close the segment.
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– A Kevin Owens promo from his car aired. Owens said he tried to call Orton all week, but Orton never answered. Owens said he didn’t want to fight Orton because he’s looked up to Orton and he can’t understand why Orton is making Owens do it. Owens said he never wanted to hurt Orton, but now he’s going to. Owens said he’s going to hurt Orton like Orton hurt Owens because Orton “did this to us.” Owens said he’d see Orton Saturday.
The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) defeated Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson & Montez Ford) [4:01]
Yeah, I don’t blame Montez Ford one bit for coming out today and publicly talking about how frustrated he is in WWE. The Profits are so underutilized, it’s shameful. Even this was a vehicle for two things not related to the Profits – one, to get Miranda on screen with Pretty Deadly and two, to provide B-Fab with a moment to shine as she bodyslammed Prince. Other than those two things, what was the point of this? Pretty Deadly is rarely around and the Profits have been so damaged, any win or loss hardly effects their presentation. Something needs to change.
Pretty Deadly came to the ring with Playbills of “Pretty Deadly: The Musical” in hand. They gave a copy to Lin-Manuel Miranda, who was in the front row. They also gave Miranda a CD, which was funny. Pretty Deadly jumpstarted the match and Wilson started the match with Ford. Prince tagged in and put the boots to Ford. Wilson tagged in and landed a DDT for a two-count. Wilson pounded on Ford and Wilson leapt at Ford, but Ford moved and ultimately got the hot tag to Dawkins to cleaned house.
Dawkins took out Prince with a corkscrew elbow and hit a series of spinning splashes on both members of Pretty Deadly. Prince caught Dawkins and tagged in Wilson. The heels briefly had control and Wilson distracted the ref as B-Fab bodyslammed Prince on the outside. Ford tagged in and the Profits hit their super Blockbuster for the win.
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– Jax and Stratton were talking backstage. Stratton said she didn’t mean it when she said she might cash in on Jax. Naomi and Bayley walked into the frame and Naomi told Jax to keep her title warm for Naomi. Stratton had a nasty bump on her head from the briefcase shot earlier.
Bayley & Naomi defeated Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell [8:53]
And I guess that’s it for Indi on WWE TV. In case you missed it, reports earlier Friday indicated that she, along with Baron Corbin and Tegan Nox are no longer with the company. It’s a shame because she’s improved so much since her debut in WWE, but, as it goes, corporations are corporations. As for this match, Indi especially looked the best she’s looked on main roster television. Then in terms of the winner, I like the story they are telling with Naomi racking up victories. My only hope is that it eventually leads to something meaningful for her. The screwy finish here didn’t do much for me, but it did give LeRae a bit of an out. Here’s hoping they still find time for LeRae on TV now that her running mate will be elsewhere.
Hartwell and LeRae jumpstarted the match and attacked the babyfaces. Hartwell worked over Bayley until Bayley fought back, which led to Hartwell planting Bayley. LeRae tagged in and hit a springboard twisting splash on Bayley on the outside of the ring. The show then went to a commercial break. It was about 35 minutes past the hour at this point, and it’s worth noting two whole matches and an entire talking segment had already taken place. Keep that in mind whenever The Rock returns to Friday nights.
Anyway, the show returned and the heels had the upper hand, Hartwell working a chin-lock on Bayley. LeRae tagged in and Hartwell slammed LeRae on Bayley for a two-count. LeRae focused on Bayley’s arm. Hartwell tagged in and went for a boot, but Bayley moved and Ran LeRae into the ring post before hitting a double-knees in Hartwell. LeRae tagged in, but Bayley still managed to get the hot tag to Naomi.
Naomi planted LeRae on the apron and the crowd was as silent as a “Quiet Place” sequel. Naomi followed that up with a split splash. Things broke down and Bayley was the legal woman. Bayley hit a neck-breaker on LeRae and Naomi got a blind tag, but LeRae and Hartwell worked over Bayley, LeRae tried to pin Bayley after a moonsault, but because Bayley wasn’t legal, the ref didn’t count. LeRae then ran into a hip attack from Naomi and Naomi got the pinfall win.
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The Bloodline segment
A very strong segment. Jey showed great fire in his delivery and boy, when you think about it, the best thing that could have ever happened to Jey and Jimmy was them hopping in the Bloodline, only for things to go sour, because both have made the best of their singles opportunities. Roman saying only “Yeet!” was a great decision and let’s be honest: It’s a ton of fun seeing those three back together again after all the stuff they’ve been through in this story. I don’t think they win on Saturday – how does the story continue if they do? – but this was an earned feel-good moment.
Roman Reigns made his entrance flanked by Jimmy Uso. The crowd chanted “OTC!” Jimmy started by calling Roman his Tribal Chief and reminding him that “stronger together” is what Roman would always say. Jimmy said he loved Roman and Roman needed to listen to Jimmy: He needed Roman to drop his beef with Jey. Jimmy said he made up with his brother as the crowd chanted “squash the beef.” Jimmy said it was time for Roman to make up with his cousin and “our brother.” Jimmy said if they don’t get right, they’ll lose to Solo and his Bloodline. JImmy kept talking, but Roman put out his hand and Jimmy stopped to put the microphone in Roman’s hand.
As Jimmy went to give Roman the microphone, Jey’s music hit. Jey made his entrance through the crowd and the crowd was awfully excited. After his music ended, the crowd completed the verse a capella, which was wild. A bunch of “Yeets” followed that. “Squash the beef” chants began again. Jey threw off his sunglasses and said, “Let’s get one thing clear: This match, this fight – he only took it to get back at Solo” because Solo cost Jey his title and he’s messing with the family. Jey said things aren’t all the way fixed in the family.
Jey said it took all he had to stand beside Roman in the ring and he won’t forget what Roman did to him. Physical damage. Emotional damage. Mental damage. Jey said he showed up because that’s what family does. Through all of this, the crowd gave “Yeets” in the middle of breaks in dialogue. Jey said they got show everyone it’s family above all. Jey said this go-around, Roman won’t tell Jey what to do and how to do it. Jey said he wasn’t a lackey anymore and he was Roman’s equal now. Jey said all three of them were equals, and they should run things like they used to back in the day.
Jey if Roman speaks to or treats Jey with the slightest disrespect, he’s out. Jey said Roman could act like his cousin and not his Tribal Chief and he’d see him at Crown Jewel for them to do it together. Jey asked Roman if they would do the damn thing and Roman asked for Jimmy’s microphone. “OTC!” chants began. Roman looked around and simply said “Yeet!” into the microphone. The crowd erupted and Jey threw his microphone down. “Hug it out” chants began. Jimmy put up his finger to acknowledge Roman. Jey stepped up and did the same. Roman followed suit and raised his finger, too. The crowd ate it up and Roman’s music hit to end the segment.
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– Byron Saxton interviewed the Motor City Machine Guns backstage and asked them what their goals were. Austin Theory and Grayson Waller entered the shot. Waller said they respect MCMG and they should be on the biggest talk show in WWE. Alex Shelley said “Miz TV?” and it was funny. Turns out MCMG will be on The Grayson Waller Effect next week.
– Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill did a walk-and-talk, cutting a promo as they walked to the ring for the next match.
IYO SKY defeated Bianca Belair, Lash Legend and Piper Niven in a fatal four-way [12:04]
The match of the night (on a match-heavy night, relatively speaking) to this point (who knows how this main event will turn out). The crowd loved SKY going over and I can’t figure out why WWE doesn’t want to get behind SKY and Sane more. But there are a lot of things I can’t figure out, so onward, we go. Legend and Niven got the most shine here, which was refreshing to see. The showdown between Legend and Cargill got a nice response, so you have to think a program between the two is in their future. That said, Cargill and Belair had a similar moment at the Royal Rumble and now they’re tag champs. So, we’ll see where everything goes. This was very good, though, and the women worked hard. In some ways, it made the tag title four-way at Crown Jewel even feel a little more appealing.
Things were a little clunky to start out as SKY tried to roll up Legend. Legend then elbowed the hell out of SKY. Those two went to the outside and Belair moved as Niven went for a corner splash. Niven hit a shoulder block on Belair and Legend dumped SKY on the apron. Inside the ring, Legend and Niven traded blows. Legend tried to lift Niven, but couldn’t. Ditto the other way around. The two women hit dual clotheslines and took each other down. Belair got back into the ring and hit a moonsault. SKY returned and threw Legend to the outside.
SKY went for a moonsault, but Niven cut SKY off. Belair then dumped Niven to the outside. Belair followed that up with an attempted splash, but Niven and Legend caught Belair and threw her into the guardrail. The show then went to a commercial break. When it returned, the heels were working over SKY in the ring, complete with a chokeslam from Legend and a Senton from Niven. They both went for the pin, but that just led to Niven and Legend trading blows.
Belair reappeared and hit a splash from the top rope on Niven and Legend. Belair hit a spinebuster on Niven and followed it up with a shoulder-block to Niven and Legend. Belair worked the 10-punches in a corner spot on both heels until the heels lifted Belair. The match reset when SKY came off the top and dropkicked the women. SKY hit a series of double-knees on the heels and went to the top, but Niven cut her off. Niven lifted SKY and Belair interfered by powerbombing Niven. Legend got back into the fold and hit her finish on Belair. Legend went for a pin, but Chelsea Green broke up the pin. The respective teammates of the match participants brawled on the outside. Cargill stood tall after kicking Jakara Jackson – but Legend took Cargill out.
Back inside the ring, Niven landed a series of power moves and Sentons on everyone in sight. Niven hit a Michinoku Driver on Belair. Legend then kicked Niven and Cargill and Legend engaged in a stare down inside the ring. Cargill was pulled outside and as Legend was looking at Cargill, Belair hit KOD on Legend. Instantly, SKY came off the top for a moonsault on Belair and pinned Legend to get the win.
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– Cody and Randy Orton were talking backstage. Cody asked Orton to save a piece of KO for Cody, but Orton said there won’t be anything left of KO. Orton stared at Cody’s title as Cody looked away. They said they’d see each other out there.
– An Andrade vignette aired. He said he will become the new champion of the United States. A Carmelo Hayes vignette followed that and said he can’t think of a better place to win the U.S. title than in Saudi Arabia, and that was a very dumb thing to say because … I don’t know … maybe win it in the place the belt is named after? Anyway, LA Knight was the final vignette and said he didn’t regret doing what he did to Andrade and Hayes during Game 7. Knight also said he would retain at Crown Jewel.
– A Solo Sikoa Bloodline vignette aired. Sikoa said his new family would never hurt him or let him down. Solo brought up how Jimmy, Jey and Roman couldn’t get along. Solo kept questioning why he’s the bad guy and said he’s not the bad guy, he’s the Tribal Chief. At Crown Jewel, he said, Roman’s Bloodline will respect Solo’s Bloodline and acknowledge Solo.
Cody Rhodes & Randy Orton defeated Ludwig Kaiser & Gunther [10:15]
A paint-by-numbers SmackDown main event, but entertaining nonetheless. God bless Randy Orton, who was asked to work about 75 seconds in this match and still get the win. The post-match stuff was a nice touch. I kept away from spoilers and was not expecting Owens to run in and hit Orton – and only Orton – with a chair. The heels losing here makes me even more convinced that Gunther goes over at Crown Jewel, but time will tell. Hey, it sounds boring, but this was a hot angle to end a go-home show and you can’t ask for much more than that.
Cody and Gunther started the match, but Gunther immediately went to the outside. Kaiser then attacked Cody and worked Cody over inside the ring until Cody came back with a long-standing vertical suplex on Kaiser. Cody clotheslined Kaiser over the top and followed that up with a suicide dive on Kaiser. Cody rolled Kaiser back into the ring and the show went to its final commercial break.
The show returned and Kaiser had the advantage inside the ring. Cody went for a Cody Cutter, but Kaiser cut Cody off. Gunther then kicked Cody in the head. Kaiser punched Cody repeatedly. Kaiser tagged in Gunther and the two Imperium members his stereo kicks on Cody. Cody and Gunther exchanged blows until Gunther chopped the hell out of Cody and tagged in Kaiser. Kaiser landed a knee for a two-count and worked a chin-lock. Eventually, Kaiser and Cody clotheslined each other to set up the hot tag. Said hot tag then took place and Orton hit Kaiser with his signature snap powerslam.
Gunther tagged in, but Orton went for the Draping DDT on Kaiser. Gunther broke it up with a chop, so Gunther was the recipient of the Draping DDT. Orton set up for an RKO, but Gunther blocked it. Cody tagged in, Kaiser did the same and Cody hit a bionic elbow on Kaiser before landing a Cody Cutter from the top rope. Cody set up for CrossRhodes, but Gunther broke it up. Orton then hit an RKO on Gunther and that enable Cody to get in the CrossRhodes on Kaiser for the win.
The babyfaces posed after their win, but Owens ran in and hit Orton with a chair. Owens stared at Orton’s lifeless body. Gunther then choked out Cody as the show ended.
