Tag: tiffany stratton - Page 6

Tiffany Stratton’s second title defense set for next WWE SmackDown

Posted on February 7, 2025February 7, 2025 by Ethan Renner

Tiffany Stratton makes her second defense of the WWE Women’s Championship, plus more Elimination Chamber qualifying matches are set for the February 14 SmackDown.

Stratton will defend her title against Nia Jax on the Valentine’s Day SmackDown as announced during this week’s show. Jax interrupted a promo segment involving Stratton and Royal Rumble winner Charlotte Flair after Flair told Stratton to get on her knees and beg Flair to face her at WrestleMania. Jax said that Nick Aldis had made Stratton vs. Jax for the title for next week, and that Flair would eventually have to go through Jax to get the Women’s title.

A pair of Elimination Chamber qualifiers are also set for next week’s SmackDown.

On the men’s side, Damian Priest vs. Jacob Fatu vs. Braun Strowman is set for a spot in the men’s chamber match. Naomi will face Chelsea Green in a women’s EC qualifier on next week’s show.

Also announced, Los Garza (Angel & Berto) will take on Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) in a tag team bout on the February 14 show.

The announced lineup for next week’s WWE SmackDown:

WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton defends against Nia Jax
Men’s Elimination Chamber qualifying match: Damian Priest vs. Jacob Fatu vs. Braun Strowman
Women’s Elimination Chamber qualifying match: Naomi vs. Chelsea Green
Los Garza vs. Motor City Machine Guns

Tiffany Stratton: I got into wrestling because of Charlotte Flair

Posted on February 1, 2025February 1, 2025 by Ian Carey

Tiffany Stratton says she wouldn’t be a wrestler if it wasn’t for Charlotte Flair and believes the two of them could have “a banger” at WrestleMania.

Flair has officially declared for the women’s Royal Rumble tonight in Indianapolis. It will be her first match since December 2023 after undergoing knee surgery. Flair has been out of action for Stratton’s entire main roster run, which began at last year’s Royal Rumble. However, Stratton told SI.com that she hopes their paths will cross soon, possibly at WrestleMania.

“Honestly, I think we could have a banger match. I feel like that’s a given,” Stratton said. “If it were me and Charlotte, I feel like we would probably have one of the best matches on the entire WrestleMania card. So, hopefully that happens. And if it does, I’m ready.”

“It would be a generational match,” Stratton continued. “I got into wrestling because of her. I saw her on an episode of SmackDown one day, and she kind of inspired me to get into wrestling. It would just mean so much to my younger self if she would be my WrestleMania opponent.”

According to a recent report by the social media account WrestleVotes, Stratton could get her dream match against Flair at WrestleMania this year. Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp also wrote that he’s heard Stratton vs. Flair is the plan for WrestleMania.

Tiffany Stratton WAS a step ahead but Nia Jax had the last laugh! #WWE #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/Z5cQHJzVGB
— USA Network (@USANetwork) February 1, 2025

However, Stratton may still have to finish her ongoing program with former champion Nia Jax before getting to Flair. On WWE SmackDown last night, Stratton was confronted by Jax’s run-in buddy Candice LeRae, leading to an attack by Jax, who stood tall over the champion as the segment ended.

WWE SmackDown live results: Women’s title match, Solo Sikoa returns

Posted on January 17, 2025January 17, 2025 by Colin McGuire

After winning a fatal four-way last Friday against Naomi, Nia Jax & Bianca Belair, Bayley gets her WWE Women’s Championship shot versus Tiffany Stratton on tonight’s SmackDown.

Stratton won the title two weeks ago after betraying Nia Jax and cashing in her Money in the Bank briefcase. This will be Stratton’s first title defense since winning the belt.

Bloodline member Solo Sikoa will return to television after he lost a Tribal Combat match to Roman Reigns on Raw two weeks ago. Not only did Sikoa lose the match, but he lost the Ula Fala to Reigns as a stipulation of the bout.

Los Garza (Humberto & Angel) will be in action against Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin). The former defeated Pretty Deadly while the latter beat A-Town Down Under last week to set up tonight’s match.

Also on tap, Jax will team with Candice LeRae to take on WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Belair & Naomi. Plus, Carmelo Hayes goes one-on-one with Jimmy Uso.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

– Joe Tessitore welcomed everyone into the show. Tessitore was shown walking through the crowd with Wade Barrett as he spoke about the history of the building. Barrett then yelled that it is Tiffy Time because she will make her first title defense tonight. Stratton was then shown walking in the parking lot earlier in the day. Bayley was shown walking backstage. Jimmy Uso and Carmelo Hayes were featured in similar spots. Tessitore then said there was only one person deserving of opening the show. Barrett called him the Hometown Hall Of Famer himself. Rey Mysterio’s music hit.

The Rey Mysterio/Kevin Owens segment

The Big Royal Rumble Declaration Announcement was cute the first few times WWE did it on SmackDown and Raw, but can we please agree it has run its course by now? Rey Mysterio is a legend by every metric fathomable, but this didn’t do much for me – not even the delusional Kevin Owens could make it compelling. Nobody actually thinks Mysterio can win the Rumble (and, for that matter, nobody actually thinks Owens is WWE’s current Undisputed Champion, either). The hometown pop was nice, and it’s always welcome to see Mysterio not have to spin his wheels in the midcard, like he’s been doing for months on WWE TV, but this fell a bit flat.

Rey stood in the middle of the ring while the crowd cheer. He soaked in “619!” chants. Rey formally welcomed everyone to Friday Night SmackDown and said it was the home of the 6-1-9. Rey said it was good to be home in front of his people. Rey said he requested to be out there because he wanted to declare his entry into the 2025 Royal Rumble. Rey noted how in 2006, he entered at No. 2 and became the winner of the Rumble match that year. He followed that up by reminding everyone how he became a world champion at WrestleMania 22.

Rey said the competition is heavy for this year’s Rumble match. He cited Drew McIntyre, CM Punk, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns and John Cena. Rey reflected on the fact that when he won in 2006, he did it for a friend and the crowd went bonkers with “Eddie!” chants. Out of nowhere, Kevin Owens’s music hit and Owens walked out with the Winged Eagle belt. Owens stood in the entryway with a microphone.

Owens said he was sorry for interrupting Rey, but he had to go out there because he heard Rey talk about how he was going to win the Rumble. Owens said he doesn’t respect many people more than he respects Mysterio. Owens touted how he main evented ‘Mania with Stone Cold Steve Austin and won the tag titles with his then-best friend at a WrestleMania. Owens said he stood there as the true, rightful WWE champion.

Owens said there was one thing left for him to accomplish and that was step into the ring with Rey Mysterio. Owens said he will root for Rey to win the Rumble match, but he wants Rey to promise to pick Owens as his champion to face at ‘Mania after Owens beats Cody and Rey wins the Rumble match. Rey told Owens he wasn’t the champion – with all due respect. Rey said if he goes on to win the Royal Rumble and Owens beats Cody, Rey would be more than happy to face Owens. Owens yelled at Rey, saying he is the champion and he earned it and he deserved it.

Mysterio tried to calm Owens down. Mysterio told Owens he was acting delusional – like Owens was his son Dominik. Owens tried to attack Rey with the Winged Eagle, but Rey thwarted the attempt and ran Owens out of the ring. Rey’s music hit to end the segment.

**********

– Naomi and Bianca were talking backstage and they talked about how they still didn’t have any leads on who attacked Jade Cargill forever-and-a-day ago. Naomi said they need to focus on tonight and getting their get-back against Jax and LeRae. Naomi told Belair to wrap her braid so they don’t repeat what happened last week when there was some miscommunication in the fatal four-way.

– Nick Aldis was shown talking to Mysterio backstage and Aldis told Rey that he will face Owens later on in the episode. Cody Rhodes walked into the shot and Rhodes told Aldis he had been cleared with a clean bill of health. Aldis said he had an addendum for the ladder match at the Rumble contract and he’d need Cody to sign it. Cody said he’d sign it once Owens signed it.

Bianca Belair & Naomi defeated Nia Jax & Candice LeRae [10:35]

A fine television match. Nothing special, but not necessarily because of the women’s work, but because these four have been stuck in a SmackDown vortex for what feels like years. Either singles or tags. Throw in Cargill, whenever she was around. Add Bayley and Tiffy every now and then. Nothing about this felt fresh. It was even kind of surprising that Jax and LeRae took the clean loss because Jax went from being Women’s Champion to losing in non-title tag matches in a matter of weeks. SmackDown’s women’s division needs a shot of life. Here’s hoping slotting Tiffy as its champion will provide that, but only time can tell.

Jax attacked Naomi to start the match. LeRae took out Belair. Jax and Belair ended up being the legal women and the heels had control. LeRae tagged in and Belair gained the advantage over LeRae. Jax interfered, but it didn’t sway Belair, who pressed LeRae out of the ring and onto Jax. Belair posed for the crowd and the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and the heels had control. LeRae went to the second rope and went for a cross-body, but Belair rolled through and lifted LeRae for a slam, but LeRae grabbed Belair’s braid to take Belair down. It looked like Belair would tag Naomi, but Jax pulled Naomi off the apron and Belair was stuck with LeRae in the ring. LeRae kicked Belair and tagged in Jax, who Samoan Dropped Belair.

Jax ran at Belair, but Belair moved. LeRae intervened and it was enough for Jax to get to the second rope and lift Belair. Belair fought off Jax and landed a cross-body on Jax from the top rope. Naomi then received the hot tag and kicked Jax in the head before she planted Jax for a two-count. Naomi hit a split-legged moonsault on Jax, but LeRae broke up the pin. Belair tagged in, but Jax fired up against the two and dropped them both.

LeRae tagged herself in as Belair landed a spear on Jax. Belair went for a springboard move, but LeRae cut her off with a basement dropkick. Jax hit a Senton on Belair and LeRae covered Belair for a good near fall. LeRae ran at Belair, but Belair threw LeRae into a corner. Belair covered LeRae, but Jax tried to break it up with a leg drop. Belair moved and the leg came down on LeRae. Naomi then tagged in and hit her finisher on LeRae to get the win for her team.

**********

– Byron Saxton interviewed Bayley earlier in the day. Saxton asked Bayley what the match against Tiffy means to her. Bayley said the night will be huge for her and reflected on last year around this time when she won the Royal Rumble and beat IYO SKY at ‘Mania. Bayley said she felt like she could have done better as WWE Women’s Champion and her reign was cut short because of Tiffany Stratton. Bayley noted how Tiffy turned on her best friend and that makes her want to beat Tiffy that much more.

– Michin was shown talking with B-Fab in the locker room. B-Fab told Michin to keep her head up because Michin will eventually take Chelsea Green down. Piper Niven and Green entered the shot and Green correctly pointed out that she is the only women to successfully defend the Women’s U.S. title in history. B-Fab stood up and Niven got in her way. B-Fab said she was going to talk to Aldis about getting a match with Niven later tonight.

– Jimmy Uso was walking backstage and towards the ring. Jimmy said his brother is getting a title match, so it’s time for Big Jim to step up and try to get his. Jimmy’s music hit and the camera followed Jimmy through the entranceway and into the ring.

– Carmelo Hayes made his entrance with a microphone. Hayes walked out and said Roman is going to the Rumble while Jey has a world title shot, but Jimmy has nothing going. Melo asked Jimmy how he could take shots at him while he’s sitting on the bench. Melo told Jimmy he’d show him why Melo don’t miss.

Jimmy Uso defeated Carmelo Hayes via DQ [11:53]

This was better than I thought it would be and it’s a shame the finish was nonsense. Then again, you had to think it would be, what with Sikoa’s return advertised and Jimmy not having enough of a story with Melo to warrant a match just yet. Some of those near-falls towards the end of the match had me and they did a great job of grabbing the live crowd, too. Or, at least, the “This is awesome!” chants suggested as much. Fatu looked almost stand-offish as Sikoa made his entrance, so this next segment should be interesting to digest.

Jimmy jumpstarted the match when Melo stood on the apron and Jimmy threw Melo into the ring. Jimmy unloaded on Melo briefly, but Melo came back and stomped on Jimmy. Melo chopped Jimmy before running into an arm-drag neck-breaker combo that Jimmy hit. Jimmy went for a hip attack, but Melo moved. It didn’t matter much because Jimmy punched Melo and then suplexed Melo on the apron. Jimmy followed that up with a dive on Melo on the outside. The show then went to a commercial break.

The show returned and it was just about 9 p.m. EST. Hayes had control, as is typically what happens when babyfaces have the upper hand and the show goes to break – the heels turn it around by the time the program comes back. Anyway, Jimmy attempted to fired up and went a splash, but Melo moved and hit Jimmy with a springboard reverse DDT for a two-count. Melo ran the ropes and both guys hit clotheslines on each other at the same time. Both wrestlers were down to reset the match.

Jey took control when the two re-engaged, but Melo came back and planted Jimmy for a two-count. Melo ran the ropes and that brought into a tall pop-up Samoan Drop from Jimmy, which led to a good near-fall. Jimmy fired up the crowd and went to the top rope, but he jumped into a First 48 from Melo and that resulted in a great near-fall. “This is awesome!” chants from the crowd broke out. Melo went to the top rope, but Jimmy moved out of a Nothing But Net attempt. Jimmy followed it up with a super-kick and that led to an even better near-fall.

Jimmy landed a hip attack and lifted Melo, but Melo rolled Jimmy up for a two-count. Jimmy then speared Melo and went to the top, but Jacob Fatu appeared and stood on the ring apron. Tama Tonga then pushed Jimmy off the top rope to earn Jimmy the DQ win. After the match, Fatu hit a hip attack on Jimmy while Tonga DDT’d Jimmy. Fatu and Tonga stomped on Jimmy and Melo got to his feet to congratulate Fatu, but Fatu clotheslined Melo. Fatu then hip attacked Jimmy. Solo Sikoa’s music then hit and Sikoa walked to the ring.

**********

The Solo Sikoa/Jacob Fatu segment

Oh, boy, I loved the Fatu portion of this. He showed excellent fire and even though the crowd tried to hit him with the dumb “What?” treatment, he pushed through to prove his point. This was a much more grounded Fatu, too, and not just a blind follower who yells about his love for his Tribal Chief. The more serious he is, the better, and this was the most serious we’ve seen him on the mic in WWE. Anyone who has seen his work in MLW knows he has a lot more to offer than “I love you Solo!” and this was the first time WWE fans got to see that – even if it was a tiny example. As for Sikoa dropping the mic and saying nothing … I love that, too. The more open-ended things are with that side of the Bloodline 2.0, the better.

Sikoa stood in the ring and Fatu handed Sikoa a microphone. The crowd booed the hell out of everything. Before Sikoa said anything, he dropped the mic, took off his red jacket and left through the crowd. Fatu stared at Sikoa as he walked away. Fatu didn’t look happy (but when does he?). Fatu picked up the microphone Sikoa dropped. Fatu screamed, “So, this is what it comes to, huh?” Fatu said he was tired of the disrespect and the hate and the envy. Fatu said even on a bad day, nobody could touch him. Fatu said he could give a damn if anyone cheers or boos him, but one thing he won’t do is let people think he never got his.

Fatu asked if people thought he was losing it and was crazy. Fatu said the craziest thing about the situation is that he’s just getting started. LA Knight’s music then hit and Fatu squared up, but Knight ran in from the crowd and took out Fatu and Tonga. Or, well, he tried to, at least, until Fatu got the upper hand. Braun Strowman’s music then hit and Braun walked out. Tonga tried to hit Strowman with a splash, but Braun caught Tonga and disposed of him. Fatu and Braun engaged in a stare down, but Tonga pulled Fatu out of the ring to end the segment.

**********

– Los Garza were shown backstage and Santos Escobar walked up to them. Escobar was happy they exposed Pretty Deadly as liars last week. Escobar said Los Garza will take a tag title opportunity away from Motor City Machine Guns tonight. Escobar said if they want respect, they must take it. The LDF members came together as the scene ended.

Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) defeated Los Garza (Angel & Berto) [11:57]

This was another better-than-expected special. It’s easy to forget that Angel and Berto can work, and you had to know that MCMG would bring out the best of them, anyway, and that’s what happened here. All told, it was probably one of the better MCMG matches in WWE (save for the Pretty Deadly silliness at the end here). This presumably sets up a rematch between MCMG and #DIY, but we’ll see (Saturday Night’s Main Event, perhaps?). It’s happening slowly, but it’s also happening surely: The crowds are responding more and more to MCMG each week. It’s encouraging, even if it feels like baby steps.

Shelley and Angel started the match. They traded a series of quick moves until Angel choped Shelley and tagged Berto in and he landed a rolling moonsault on Shelley. The move was good enough for a two-count. Shelley came back with a series of chops and things broke down between the four wrestlers for a brief minute. Ultimately, Sabin and Berto were the legal men and Sabin worked a head-lock. Berto caught Sabin eventually and spin him around until Angel kicked Sabin and pulled off his rip-away pants. Berto and Angel landed kicks to the front and back of Sabin and the show went to a commercial break.

Back from break, Berto landed a wild double-team roll-over face-buster on Sabin. Angel tried to keep Sabin from gettin the hot tag to Shelley, but it didn’t work and Shelley took the heels out after becoming the legal man. Sabin tagged in and and the two hit dragon-screw leg whips on Berto multiple times for a two-count. Shelley tagged back in and worked a figure-four on Berto. Angel tried to run in, but Sabin caught him and put him in a figure-four, too. Berto got to the ropes for a break and things calmed down.

Shelley was pushed into the second rope turnbuckle via Berto and Berto followed it up with a fallaway slam for a two-count. With all four wrestlers in the ring, Los Garza hit some type of odd double-team move on Shelley (and Sabin, I guess?) to get a near-fall. “This is awesome!” chants broke out. Los Garza lifted Shelley, but Sabin saved the day and cleared the ring. Sabin hit a suicide dive on Angel and Berto on the outside. Back insdie the ring, MCMG set up their finisher, but Pretty Deadly intervened. The interference didn’t work and MCMG hit Skull and Bones on Berto for the win.

**********

– Aldis was walking backstage and ran into Kevin Owens. Aldis needed Owens to sign the addendum to the world title match at the Royal Rumble, but Owens said he wouldn’t sign it until Cody signed it. Owens told Aldis to stop trying to distract him as he prepares for his match against Rey Mysterio.

Piper Niven defeated B-Fab [2:18]

A glorified squash to keep the story between Michin and Green going, so it’s hard to be too mad at it. As a bonus, B-Fab got some TV time out of it, too, which is always good because as I said earlier, the SmackDown women’s division needs a freshening up and putting faces on TV that we don’t see each week is a way to do that. Let me guess: A tag involving these four wrestlers that leads to a rematch between Michin and Green for the U.S. title? You heard it here first.

Niven ran at B-Fab, but B-Fab moved and Niven ran into a corner. B-Fab planted Niven for a one-count. B-Fab ran at Niven, but Niven caught her and slammed her. With the two back on their feet, B-Fab DDT’d Niven for a two-count. B-Fab kicked Niven to the outside. B-Fab rolled Niven back into the ring and clotheslined Chelsea Green on the outside. B-Fab rolled back into the ring and Niven hit a Senton and Piper Driver for the win. After the match, Green and Niven attacked B-Fab until Michin’s music hit and Michin ran out with a kendo stick. Michin worked over Niven. Green and Niven retreated to end the segment.

**********

– Tessitore led a tribute to Bob Uecker, who died this week.

– Saxton interviewed Tiffany Stratton backstage. Saxton said Bayley was extremely driven to win the WWE Women’s Championship. Tiffy said Bayley has had a career of big moments, but Tiffy has had big moments, too. In fact, Tiffy said, she is a Big Moment and now it’s Tiffy Time. Tiffy said toodles and left Saxton standing in the hallway.

Kevin Owens defeated Rey Mysterio [15:33]

So … what’s this addendum Nick Aldis is adding to the contract for Cody v. Owens at the Royal Rumble? I thought this match was going to set up that reveal, but all we got was yet another brawl between Cody and Kevin. In the meantime, the match was pretty good, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t feel like Rey going 15 minutes doesn’t seem like the best idea these days. He held his own for the most part – and Owens made sure to take care of him – but this lost some steam as it wore down and I’m a little surprised we got a kick-out of the Stunner. So much for that move being protected to the millionth degree on WWE TV anymore. Still, it was nice to see Rey out there and even better to see a (semi) clean finish. The post-match stuff was fairly boilerplate.

Both wrestlers tuned into the crowd after the bell rang and let things simmer. Rey got the best of Owens once the two engaged. Owens threw a fit. Owens eventually knocked Mysterio to the outside. Mysterio returned to the ring and took down Owens before he tried again and Owens caught Mysterio for a slam. Owens followed it up with a Senton. Owens ran Mysterio chest-first into a corner. Owens hit a knee on Mysterio and the action spilled outside. Mysterio did the 619 spot on Owens and sent Owens into the barrier on the outside. From there, Mysterio landed a sliding splash under the bottom rope. Both guys sold pain outside the ring as the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Owens had the upper hand inside the ring, throwing Mysterio into a corner chest-first. Owens ran at Mysterio, but Rey moved and Owens ran into the ring post. Mysterio went to the top and hit a splash on Owens before landing a bulldog for a two-count. Rey set up for a 619, but Owens got back to his feet and super-kicked Mysterio. Owens went for a pop-up powerbomb, but Mysterio turned it into a tilt-a-whirl DDT for a two-count.

Owens was perched on the top rope, but Owens headbutted his way out of it. Owens then hit a frog splash for a near-fall. The crowd launched into “Eddie!” chants. Owens set up for a super-plex, but Rey turned it into a sunset flip from the top and he followed that up with a modified Destroyer for a near-fall. Mysterio went for a springboard splash, but Mysterio missed. Owens followed up with a Stunner and Mysterio actually kicked out of it at two.

Owens went to the top rope and went for Swanton, but Rey got his knees up and hit the 619. Mysterio went to the top, but Owens stumbled into the referee, which knocked Mysterio off the top rope. From there, Owens landed the pop-up powerbomb to get the win. After the match, Owens threw his belt aside and pulled Mysterio up to shake his hand. Owens bowed at Mysterio and set up for a package piledriver, but Cody’s music hit and Cody ran out to attack Owens. Tons of officials ran out to break the brawl up to varying degrees of success. Owens stood in the crowd and posed with his belt. Cody looked angry in the ring and the show went to a commercial break.

**********

– Aldis was shown talking to Cody backstage. Aldis said Cody and Owens are out of control. Aldis said next week at Saturday Night’s Main Event, Owens and Cody will relinquish their belts and sign the contract with the addendum (whatever that is), with the special enforcer for the signing being Shawn Michales. Also at SNME, Braun Strowman will take on Jacob Fatu.

– Next week on SmackDown, LA Knight will take on Tama Tonga. Also worth noting, Pretty Deadly will go head-to-head with MCMG.

– Pretty Deadly were walking and ran into #DIY. Ciampa was angry that Pretty Deadly “handed” the victory to MCMG earlier in the night. Ciampa said Pretty Deadly were a joke and everyone was laughing at them. Ciampa left and Gargano told Pretty Deadly it was tough love and they truly believe in Pretty Deadly. Gargano said they want to make life better for Pretty Deadly and walked away. Apollo Crews then walked in and told Pretty Deadly working with #DIY has gotten them nowhere. Gargano ran in and attacked Crews by throwing him into a road case.

– Bayley made her entrance for the main event and the camera showed Roxanne Perez sitting in the crowd. So. Well. Angle alert.

– A Charlotte Flair vignette aired. It almost looked like a set-up package for a “Love Is Blind” story. To be fair, it was a mildly different vibe for the former champ.

Tiffany Stratton defeated Bayley to retain the WWE Women’s Championship [20:03]

Eh. Underwhelming. The women worked hard, but this crowd decided early it wasn’t going to do its part and that hurt the match. There were a few clunky spots and the Bayley/Perez story didn’t really advance outside of a quick exchange of glares towards the end of the thing. It’s kind of tough throwing Stratton – who is still very young and very much a rookie(ish) – into a 20 minute match, even if Bayley is the sort of gatekeeper these days in the women’s division, what with Charlotte out, and Sasha and Becky gone. I was hoping for more, but it just never kicked into another gear. Even so, it’s a credibility-building win for Stratton and that can’t hurt.

The match started with about 20 minutes until the top of the hour. The two locked up repeatedly, but no one got the better of it. They traded pin attempts to no avail and locked up again. Tiffy posed a few times and Bayley set up for a Bayley-To-Belly, but Stratton blocked it. Bayley clotheslined Stratton over the top and with Stratton on the outside of the ring, the show went to a commercial break.

Back from the break, Bayley hit a draping neck-breaker and the action spilled outside. Bayley went for some dropkicks, but Stratton telegraphed it and ran Bayley into a ring post. Back inside the ring, Stratton went to work on Bayley’s arm. With Bayley on the apron, Stratton took out Bayley’s legs two times to plant Bayley on said apron. Stratton ran around the ring – but it only led to Stratton running into a forearm from Bayley.

Bayley rolled Stratton back into the ring and the two traded forearms. Stratton clotheslined Bayley and went for a running hip in the ropes, but Bayley moved. As a result, Bayley went for a suicide dive, but Stratton caught Bayley and trapped her between the ring and the ring curtain. Stratton then hit a hip attack of her own. Bayley tried to get back into the ring, but Stratton hit a knee to keep Bayley on the outside. Stratton went for a splash on the outside, but Bayley caught her and landed a Bayley-To-Belly. Both wrestlers were down on the outside of the ring and the show went to its final commercial break of the night.

Back to the action, Bayley hit a suplex from the second rope (sorry, but a super-plex comes only from the top rope, damn it) for a two-count. Bayley went back to the top, but Stratton cut her off and went to the top herself. Stratton landed a Senton and a powerbomb for a good near-fall. Stratton worked a version of an arm-bar, but Bayley rolled out of it and threw Stratton to the outside. Bayley slammed Stratton onto the announce desk and then suplexed her before she jawed at Roxanne Perez in the crowd.

Bayley went to the top rope and connected with the flying elbow for a nice near-fall. Bayley worked a cross-face until Stratton got out of it and hit a spine-buster for a two-count. Bayley hit a Bayley-To-Belly on Stratton after a few seconds of nothing for a near-fall. The crowd was nearly silent for all of this. Stratton set up for Prettiest Moonsault Ever, but Bayley cut her off and sunset-flipped her into a corner for a two-count. Bayley slammed Stratton for a near-fall, but Stratton came back and got a two-count from a backslide. Stratton finally hit her Alabama Slam and followed it up with the PME for the win. Stratton quickly walked up the aisle as the credits rolled to end the show.

Wrestling Observer Live: WWE SmackDown, NJPW Battle in the Valley preview, Raw is SYNERGY

Posted on January 11, 2025 by Jim Valley

It’s time for a Saturday edition of Wrestling Observer Live.

We’ll talk Friday’s WWE SmackDown and ask if WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton is a heel that fans cheer or a “mean girl” babyface? Also, the talented Los Garzas finally won a match.

I will also preview tonight’s NJPW Battle in the Valley show.

The biggest star on WWE Raw Monday was Netflix. We’ll talk about “RAW Is SYNERGY!,” Vince McMahon being vague, and a title change in NOAH.

It’s another packed show so check it out.

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

Women’s title match, Solo Sikoa return announced for next WWE SmackDown

Posted on January 10, 2025January 10, 2025 by Ethan Renner

Tiffany Stratton will make her first Women’s Championship defense, plus Solo Sikoa returns on next week’s WWE SmackDown.

Bayley won a number one contender’s match on this week’s SmackDown to earn the right to challenge Stratton. In a backstage segment later in the program, Byron Saxton announced that the match will take place on the January 17 SmackDown. The bout will be Stratton’s first defense since defeating Nia Jax for the title on last week’s SmackDown.

Friday’s number one contender’s four-way also featured the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Naomi and Bianca Belair, a bit of creative quite similar to that proposed to Naomi and Sasha Banks/Mercedes Mone when they walked out of the company in 2022.

Solo Sikoa’s return to SmackDown is also set for next Friday’s episode. Sikoa lost to Roman Reigns in Tribal Combat on this week’s Raw, and was absent from SmackDown.

Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) vs. Los Garza (Angel & Berto) will also take place next week, as the SmackDown tag team division jockeys to position themselves for a title shot at current WWE Tag Team Champions DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa).

The announced card for the Friday, January 17 WWE SmackDown:

WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton defends against Bayley
Solo Sikoa returns
Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) vs. Los Garza (Angel & Berto)

WWE SmackDown live results: Two title matches, Tiffany Stratton appears

Posted on January 10, 2025January 10, 2025 by Colin McGuire

WWE is at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, tonight for the second SmackDown of 2025.

Both the men’s and women’s United States Championships will be on the line on the three-hour show. After dropping the men’s U.S. title to Shinsuke Nakamura at last November’s Survivor Series, LA Knight gets his rematch.

In another rematch, Chelsea Green defends the women’s U.S. title against Michin. Green defeated Michin in a tournament final at last month’s Saturday Night’s Main Event to become the inaugural champion. This is her first title defense.

Also set for tonight, new WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton will appear. Stratton will address her betrayal of Nia Jax from last week when she finally cashed in the Money in the Bank briefcase to become champion. The cash-in happened after Stratton helped Jax defeat Naomi in last week’s main event.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 PM Eastern time.

**********

– Joe Tessitore welcomed everyone into the show as outdoor scenes of Portland, Oregon aired. Wade Barrett was Tessitore’s broadcast partner and the two stood at ringside. Footage of Nakamura and Tiffany Stratton from earlier today aired. Paul Heyman was shown making his way to the ring for the opening segment. A video recap of Raw then aired.

The Paul Heyman/Cody Rhodes segment

This was good. And for the second week in a row, I don’t know why they don’t advertise these types of things beforehand. A Paul Heyman/Cody Rhodes segment would have been noteworthy and maybe even drew some more eyeballs to the show; is there a reason we can’t know this is going to happen ahead of time? Anyway, Roman entering the Royal Rumble is mildly intriguing because that notion isn’t one that’s been talked about much when it comes to all the fantasy booking scenarios involving Cody, Roman, about a dozen other people and WrestleMania. Heyman put Cody over pretty well here – to the extent that it looked like Cody was genuinely choking up for a second. The Owens touch was nice because everybody has been whining about The Rock and Cody’s interaction on Monday and someone needed to say it out loud. Also, and finally, did that final sequence mean Cody vs. Fatu is on the horizon? Lots of stuff here to open the show. I like it.

Paul Heyman walked into the ring and did the “My name …” bit. Heyman said he was excited to be there and announced that there is only one reigning, defending undisputed Tribal Chief of the WWE Universe and the entire Island of Relevancy and that Tribal Chief is Roman Reigns. The crowd cheered and “OTC!” chants broke out. Heyman said Reigns authorized Heyman to tell everyone what Roman intends to accomplish next. Heyman said he wanted to share the news with one man in particular – and that man is Cody Rhodes. Cody’s music hit and Cody’s entrance began.

Cody and Heyman shook hands once Cody entered the ring. Heyman said Cody deserved the response he received from the crowd and Cody has done something few have ever done, which is earn the respect of Roman Reigns. Heyman talk about how great of a champion Cody has been. Because Cody has been a great champion, Reigns told Heyman to go out there and tell Cody that Roman wants his title back. Heyman said Reigns wanted Cody to know how he intends to get his title back. Heyman declared that Roman Reigns will be in the Royal Rumble this year to earn his way into a match against Cody for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Heyman then asked Cody what he wanted to talk about, which was funny.

The crowd chanted Cody’s name as Cody fetched a microphone for himself. Before Cody could speak, Kevin Owens’s voice was heard and it turned out that Owens was in the crowd with a microphone. Owens said just when he thought it couldn’t get worse, it did get worse because Cody went and shook hands with The Rock on Monday. Owens brought up how Heyman just mentioned how Roman Reigns wants his title back. Owens said he should have let the Bloodline rip Roman to shreds. Owens kept rambling and Cody ran out of the ring and brawled with Owens in the crowd.

With Heyman alone in the ring, Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu showed up. It looked like they were going to attack Heyman, but Jimmy Uso’s music hit and Jimmy ran out for the save. Jimmy grabbed a chair and hit Fatu and Tonga with it, but all it did was wake Fatu up. Fatu hit Jimmy with a flying elbow and the two worked Jimmy over. Fatu kicked a referee in the face, which made the rest of the referees scared to enter the ring. Cody made his way back through the crowd and towards the ring. Cody threw Tonga out of the ring and Fatu and Cody faced off. Cody clotheslined Fatu over the top and to the outside. Cody’s music hit to end the segment.

**********

– Fatu and Tonga were shown being thrown out of the building by officials. Fatu fought back and started yelling at them. LA Knight showed up and threw Fatu out of the building himself, saying he has a title to win later. So … um … oh no, LA Knight?

Chelsea Green defeated Michin to retain the Women’s United States Championship [8:42]

I was surprised they went back to this match so quickly, but I’m also happy that it doesn’t appear as though Green and Michin’s story is over, considering the holding of the tights and the post-match developments. In some ways, I feel like these two could work together through the Royal Rumble and it would still be entertaining each week. Green is impossible not to like and she has great, worn-in ring chemistry with Michin, so their matches rarely disappoint. As such, this match didn’t disappoint. Are we in for Dumpster Match Part Two? Or is there another stip out there with which these two could have fun?

Green went for a kick and Michin moved. Michin then held control of the match early, complete with a dropkick and a pin attempt. Michin stretched Green over the top rope, but it wasn’t long before Green fought back and threw Michin to the outside. Green threw Michin into the crowd barrier, but Michin made it back into the ring to beat a count out. Green kept her offense up as the show went to a commercial break.

Back from break, Green had the upper hand and worked a chin-lock. Michin got out of it via a back suplex. Michin landed a shotgun dropkick and danced before hitting a Cannonball on Green in a corner for a two-count. Michin went to threw Green, but Green countered by planting Michin face-first. Green went to the top, but missed a dropkick and Michin took control with a running knee. Michin went on the apron and kicked Piper Niven in the face. Michin then went to the top and hit a cross-body, but Green rolled through and held Michin’s tights to get the win.

After the match, Michin tried to attack Green, but Niven interfered and hit a Senton on Michin, allowing Green to get away.

**********

– Footage from last week’s tag title match aired. Motor City Machine Guns were shown complaining to Nick Aldis earlier today. Pretty Deadly, A-Town Down Under and Los Garza were in the shot, too. Aldis told everyone to shut up. Pretty Deadly and Los Garza will face each other while MCMG and A-Town Down Under will square off with the winners potentially wrestling each other for a shot at the tag titles.

Los Garza (Angel & Humberto) defeated Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince & Kit Wilson) [8:56]

So this is why SmackDown went to three hours, eh? Give some folks some TV time and grant the viewing audience that Los Garza vs Pretty Deadly bout they’ve been craving for months now? Cool. This match was just kind of there despite everyone’s efforts to heat up this mini feud last week. My biggest problem? Since when did Los Garza or anyone in Legado Del Fantasma start working as babyfaces? The crowd cheered them here (or at least crowd sounds, wherever they did or did not come from, cheered them here), but I can’t really figure out why they’d do that other than they played the role of Not Pretty Deadly. But even then – even then! – wouldn’t Pretty Deadly be better babyfaces in this scenario because of their silly, comedic musical skits that have popped up through the weeks? My head is spinning. Either way, the match was harmless.

Los Garza jumpstarted the match and Humberto hit a suicide dive on Wilson on the outside. Back inside the ring, Humberto hit a standing moonsault for a two-count. Angel tagged in and the two hit Wilson with a double super-kick for a two-count. Humberto tagged in and landed a dropkick for a two-count. Prince got a blind tag and dragged Humberto over the top and to the outside via a gnarly neck-breaker. The show went to a commercial break.

Back from break, Humberto was doing his best to turn things around against Prince, but couldn’t do so. Wilson then tagged in and missed a splash immediately, which allowed Humerto to get the hot tag to Angel, who fired up and landed a cross-body from the top rope for a two-count. Angel did the take-his-pants-off spot, which hasn’t been shown on WWE TV in ages. He threw the pants at Wilson and kicked him for a two-count. Prince reasserted himself and planted Angel while the referee was distracted. With the ref still distracted, Santos Escobar crotched Prince. From there, Los Garza hit their finisher on Prince for the win.

**********

LA Knight defeated Shinsuske Nakamura via DQ [14:06]

This was much better than their Survivor Series match and it would have been even better if we got a clean finish out of it, but after Knight went and gave an f-word when it wasn’t his turn to give an f-word (to, in a censored way, quote “The Wire”) with Fatu earlier in the show, you could see this finish coming from a million miles away. I hope Nakamura and Knight get to run it back at some point (I still think Knight gets that belt back sooner than later) because this proved that they could go deep and it could work. I’m as entertained by Knight as anybody, but he isn’t typically considered as one of the best in-ring fellas in the game. Here, though, he went into deep waters and it worked. Good job from both guys.

The match started slow with neither wrestler getting the upper hand for long. Nakamura eventually got control and hit a running knee on Knight, who was draped over the ring apron. Knight tried to fight back, but Nakamura cut him off and went to work on Knight’s knee. Knight found himself on the outside of the ring and ultimately clotheslined Nakamura and sent him to the floor. Knight followed that up with a baseball slide and proceeded to repeatedly pound Nakamura’s head on the commentary table. Back inside the ring, Knight clotheslined Nakamura over the top to the outside again. Nakamura ran Knight into the ring post twice and the show went to a picture-in-picture break.

The show returned and the two traded blows until Knight took over and slammed Nakamura before hitting an elbow for a two-count. Knight lifted Nakamura, but Nakamura worked his way out of it. Nakamura pulled the turnbuckle pad off the second rope and followed it up with a sliding German Suplex. With Nakamura on the top, Knight ran up the ropes and super-plexed Nakamura for a good near-fall. Knight sunk in a weird version of a reverse Boston Crab (surely, Excalibur knows the name of the move), but Nakamura made it to the ropes for a break.

Nakamura went for an arm-bar, but Knight rolled Nakamura up for a two-count. Nakamura popped up and kicked Knight. Knight went for a BFT, but Nakamura countered with a back elbow. Nakamura followed that up with the Kinshasha, but Knight got his leg on the bottom rope to break up the pin attempt. Nakamura put Knight’s head on the exposed turnbuckle, but Knight moved and Nakamura ran into the exposed turnbuckle. Knight then hit the BFT but Tonga and Fatu showed up and attacked Knight to end the match.

Fatu hit all his greatest hits on Knight until Cody and Jimmy ran back out. This time, Cody was dressed in wrestling attire. They double super-kicked Fatu and Fatu and Tonga retreated through the crowd. Cody grabbed a mic and yelled for Nick Aldis to make a match between Cody and Jimmy and Fatu and Tonga. Aldis made the match.

**********

Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) defeated A-Town Down Under (Austin Theory & Grayson Waller) [12:06]

A solid match, and a much better tag match than the other tag bout on this show earlier. MCMG seem to be kind of/sort of finally clicking in WWE Land, and I hope whatever that is continues to grow. Meanwhile, Theory and Waller looked pretty good holding their own against the veteran former tag champs. In fact, Waller and Theory were given a lot of offense here and they made the most of it, which doesn’t always happen in these scenarios. Does this mean we get Los Garza vs. MCMG soon? Or does MCMG skip the line and head right back to #DIY?

Shelley and Waller began the match. Waller had the upper hand and Theory tagged in. Theory threw Shelley chest-first into a corner and followed it up with a clothesline. Sabin tagged in and gave MCMG control briefly until Waller tagged in and hit a series of knees to Sabin’s head. Waller then landed a spinning right hand for a two-count. Waller then went to work on Sabin’s arm. Sabin ran the ropes and Shelley bling-tagged himself in. MCMG kicked and clotheslined Waller over the top rope. Sabin went for a splash, but Theory tripped Sabin. From there, Waller hit a rolling Flatliner on Shelley inside the ring for a two-count. The show then went to a commercial break.

Back from the break, Waller and Theory stayed on top of Shelley. Theory worked a chin-lock on Shelley. Waller tagged in, but Shelley ran Theory into Waller and super-kicked Theory. Shelley rolled and tagged Sabin, who landed a series of punches on Waller. Sabin went to the second rope and hit a missile dropkick on Waller. Shelley tagged in and the two landed stereo baseball slides on Theory and Waller. MCMG followed that up with Sabin’s suicide dive through the top and second ropes.

Inside the ring, Shelley tagged in Sabin and while Waller ran the ropes, Theory tagged himself in. The action spilled outside and Sabin ran at Waller, but Theory cut Sabin off with an elbow. Waller tagged in and the heels hit a double punch to Sabin’s head for a two-count. Shelley eventually tagged in as things broke down and all four wrestlers were down. Sabin tagged in and took Waller out. Shelley and Sabin singled Theory out and hit Skull & Bones on Theory for the win.

**********

– Ciampa and Gargano were shown upset backstage. They ran into Pretty Deadly, who asked #DIY why they didn’t help them out earlier. Gargano said Pretty Deadly will get their title match eventually and Pretty Deadly need to trust them. Apollo Crews walked into the scene and if they were dumb enough to believe #DIY, they’ll deserve everything coming their way.

– Nia Jax and Candice LeRae were talking in the locker room. Jax wondered what Tiffany Stratton would say later. Jax then walked to the ring and said she was going to congratulate Stratton herself.

The Tiffy Time segment

Wow. And speaking of not advertising things that should have been advertised … . My goodness. A Fatal Four-Way for a shot at Stratton seems like a thing they could have announced ahead of time, but again, what do I know? Nothing. That’s the answer. Nothing. Anyway, everyone here showed good fire, most of whom was Jax, who really seemed really pissed and sold it really well. Bayley and Naomi, meanwhile, had good logic. And Tiffy is settling in nice into her spot as a sort of pesky tweener champion (make her an official babyface already!). This upcoming four-way should be fun.

Stratton came out to a big positive reception from the crowd. Byron Saxton was in the ring and reminded Stratton that she became the new WWE Women’s Champion last week. Saxton congratulated Stratton and Stratton yelled “It’s Tiffy Time!” She also called it a “tiffy-turn-of-events.” Stratton then recapped her run so far on the main roster and said she is better than “your favorites.” The crowd cheered her. Saxton started talking about Jax bullying Stratton, but Stratton cut off Saxton. Stratton said she got JAx to trust her and Jax thought Stratton was just a dumb blonde and Jax let her guard down. As a result, Stratton said, she stole Jax’s most prized possession. Stratton yelled to put respect on her name and to tell her what time it is.

On cue, Jax’s music hit and Jax walked out with a microphone. Jax looked angry. Jax called Stratton and “ungrateful little s-@#.” Jax said she could kill Stratton. Jax said Stratton would be nothing without Jax because Jax made Stratton. Jax said it took Stratton long enough to take advantage of her. Jax walked onto the ring apron and then into the ring. The crowd chanted “Tiffy Time” and Jax said “Time’s up,” before telling Stratton to give Jax her title back or Jax said she’d take it back. Out of nowhere, Bayley’s music hit and Bayley walked out with a microphone.

Bayley told Jax to shut the hell up and told Stratton she always thought Stratton was stupid. Bayley recalled how Jax took Stratton under her wing and Stratton still outsmarted Jax. Bayley stepped into the ring and said the only reason Jax had her title was because Jax had Stratton’s help. Bayley said it was only fitting that Bayley takes Stratton’s title from her. Naomi’s music then hit and Naomi walked out with a microphone and Bianca Belair.

Naomi said everyone knew Naomi had Jax beat last week. Naomi said if it wasn’t for Stratton, Naomi would be holding two titles. Naomi said Jax has to see her first before going after Stratton. Jax said nobody cares about Naomi. Jax attacked Belair and Naomi. As Naomi, Bayley, Belair and Jax were fighting, Stratton hit the Prettiest Moonsault on everyone and left them lying as she walked away with her title.

Aldis showed up with a microphone and said he had an idea. Aldis announced that there will be a Fatal Four-Way right now to determine who will be the No. 1 contender for Stratton’s title.

**********

Bayley defeated Nia Jax, Naomi & Bianca Belair to become the No. 1 Contender for the WWE Women’s Championship [17:16]

An unexpected outcome, but a welcome outcome nonetheless. Bayley and Stratton should have a quietly very good-to-great match and I’m looking forward to that. I was convinced Jax would win to get her rematch, but that next beat in the Jax/Stratton program will clearly come at a later date. I’m a fan of this being the longest match on the show and even more a fan of how much space these women were seemingly given when it comes to putting this match together. It was almost like an AEW match – move after move after move after move with bouts of little-to-no-selling until the match reset itself a couple times. Lots of fun stuff in here and maybe – just maybe – this will win Match Of The Night honors after it’s all said and done.

Naomi and Belair teamed up on Jax early until Jax tried to suplex both at the same time and barely got them over. Bayley returned to the action and pounded on Jax until Jax threw Bayley away. The babyfaces went after Jax, but Jax pushed them all away. Naomi, Bayley and Belair stared each other down and Jax pulled Belair to the outside. Bayley and Naomi then locked up inside the ring and Naomi got the best of it early until Bayley came back and the two traded pin attempts. Bayley was pulled to the outside by Jax and Jax threw Bayley into the crowd barrier.

Inside the ring, Naomi landed a chin-breaker on Jax. Naomi leapt at Jax, but Jax caught her and slammed her for a two-count. Belair tried to lift Jax, but Jax stopped her. In all, it turned into a dropkick from Belair into Jax. Belair pounded on Jax in a corner. Jax powerbombed Belair, but Bayley broke up a pin attempt. Bayley suplexed Jax and went to the top, but Jax cut Bayley off. Jax lifted Bayley for a Samoan Drop, but Naomi and Belair ran in and slammed Jax, who slammed Bayley, and all four wrestlers were down. The show then went to a commercial break.

Back from break, Jax slammed Naomi, but Belair and Bayley broke up a pin attempt. Bayley and Belair took turns punching Jax. Bayley and Belair sent Jax to the outside and then went after each other. Bayley rolled up Belair for a two-count. Bayley rolled Belair up again, but Jax broke that up. Naomi returned to the action and kicked Jax before landing a Russian Leg Sweep. Naomi hit a Split-Legged Moonsault on Jax for a near-fall.

Bayley came form the top rope and hit an elbow drop on Jax for a two-count. Belair then came off the top and hit a 450 splash on Jax, but Bayley broke that pin attempt up. The babyfaces tried to pin Jax at the same time and it didn’t work. LeRae then walked down to the ring and Naomi and Belair worked some double-team moves on Bayley. That left Naomi and Belair alone to fight each other. Instead of going at it, they went at Bayley and Jax on the outside. Jax caught Naomi and ran her into the ring apron.

Jax returned to the ring and was the recipient of a shoulder-block from Belair. Bayley then hit Bayley-To-Belly on Belair, btu Naomi broke it up. Naomi hit a Rear Vew on Bayley, but Jax broke that up. Jax dropped Naomi and Belair broke up that pin attempt. The match reset again with all four wrestlers down in the middle of the ring. Belair planted Bayley and hit a moonsault on her for a two-count. Belair lifted Bayley for a KOD, but LeRae broke it up by pulling on Belair’s braid. Belair then accidentally hit Naomi with the braid.

Jax and Belair took each other over the commentary table. Inside the ring, Bayley hit the Rose Plant on Naomi and that was good enough for the win.

**********

– Cody and Jimmy were shown talking backstage and Cody said he knew Roman would want his title back so all was good. Cody walked away and Carmelo Hayes walked up to Jimmy and half-threatened Jimmy. Jimmy talked about how Melo shoots nothing but bricks and then half-yeeted.

– Bayley was walking backstage and ran into Byron Saxton, who said Bayley’s match against Stratton will take place next week. Bayley said she’s grown up in this business and she pointed out that Stratton has never beaten Bayley. Also set for next week, MCMG will take on Los Garza. Solo Sikoa is set to return to SmackDown next week as well.

– Jacob Fatu was yelling while walking backstage and towards the ring with Tonga. Fatu’s tone has shifted from crazed Solo Sikoa follower to a more serious approach and it’s great.

Tama Tonga & Jacob Fatu defeated Cody Rhodes & Jimmy Uso [13:18]

I love it. I love Fatu getting the win, even if that means it was because Cody was taken out of the match. Keep that version of The Bloodline strong, even after Solo’s loss and let’s get some heat for the eventual Solo vs. Jacob showdown. If Jimmy and Cody would have won, this would have felt like a regular dark match that was designed to send the live crowd home happy; instead, we further the strength of Fatu – and even Tonga, to a degree. Really good booking here, at least in terms of WWE (yes, I know you hate WWE, but be reasonable). On the other hand, that weird final spot with the makeshift spear that Cody just kind of leaned into felt a little odd. But we got to where we needed to go. A very good way to end an unusually better-than-solid SmackDown these days. Let’s see how next week goes.

Cody and Tonga started the match and Cody dropped Tonga. Cody went to Tonga’s arm and tagged in Jimmy, who went to the top and came down on Tonga’s left arm. Tonga fired up and beat Jimmy into a corner. Fatu tagged in and Fatu went to work on Jimmy. Fatu landed his pop-up Samoan Drop on Jimmy and the show went to a PIP commercial break.

The show returned and Tonga tagged in to dropkick Cody and work Jimmy’s leg and yell odd things. Fatu tagged in and landed a Senton on Jimmy after hitting Cody off the apron. Fatu landed a hip attack on Jimmy. He did that two times over. After the second time, Fatu got a two-count out of it. Fatu placed Jimmy on the top rope and screamed “I love you Solo!” Jimmy then fought back and knocked Fatu off the ropes. Jimmy eventually hit a spinning splash on Fatu and Cody received the hot tag.

Cody snap-powerslammed Tonga, who also tagged in. Tonga received a Disaster Kick. Cody lifted Tonga, but Tonga got out of it. Fatu and Tonga were on the outside and Cody landed a suicide dive on both heels. Back in the ring, Cody did the Dusty punches/elbow on Tonga for a two-count. Cody set up for a CrossRhodes on Tonga, but Tonga countered into a DDT for a two-count. Cody lifted Tonga and perched on on the top while Jimmy tagged in. Cody and Jimmy did a variation of the Power And Glory finisher, but Fatu broke things up. As a response, Cody hit a Cody Cutter on Fatu and Jimmy sent Fatu over the commentary desk.

Kevin Owens walked down the aisle. Cody saw him and Cody and KO brawled to the back. Inside the ring, Jimmy hit a spear on Tonga and went to the top and hit the Uso Splash, but Fatu pulled Jimmy to the outside. Fatu then tagged in and slammed Jimmy’s head on the commentary table before rolling himi back into the ring. Fatu hit an Impaler and his moonsault and that got him the win.

Meanwhile, Owens and Cody brawled back into the arena and onto traveling equipment. Owens set up for a powerbomb, but instead the two traded punches. From there, Cody speared Owens and the two went through two tables in the crowd. Both guys sold pain and that’s how the show went off the air.

Chelsea Green title defense, Tiffany Stratton segment added to WWE SmackDown

Posted on January 10, 2025January 10, 2025 by Joseph Currier

Update —

WWE has also announced that Chelsea Green will defend her Women’s United States Championship against Michin on SmackDown tonight. It’s a rematch from Saturday Night’s Main Event, where Green defeated Michin to become the inaugural champion. This is her first title defense.

Issues between Green and B-Fab were set up as well in WWE’s video announcing the match.

Not only does @ImChelseaGreen have to worry about defending her title against @MiaYim TONIGHT on #SmackDown, the champ just got on the bad side of @TheVibeBri… 😬

📺 8/7c on @USANetwork pic.twitter.com/TSSeWdktU6
— WWE (@WWE) January 10, 2025

**********

An appearance by the new WWE Women’s Champion is slated for SmackDown tonight.

One week after successfully cashing in her Money in the Briefcase, Tiffany Stratton will appear on tonight’s episode of SmackDown. Stratton will address her betrayal of Nia Jax after dethroning her to win the WWE Women’s Championship. She cashed in on Jax following last Friday’s main event, where she had helped Jax retain against Naomi.

WWE wrote:

After cashing in her Money in the Bank contract and defeating Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton is set to address the WWE Universe for the first time as WWE Women’s Champion.
Do not be late for Tiffy Time, tonight at 8/7 C on SmackDown on USA.

Stratton took out Jax, Candice LeRae, and Bianca Belair before cashing in last week. She hit the Prettiest Moonsault Ever and pinned Jax, who had been laid out by a KOD from Belair.

Tonight’s SmackDown is being held at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.

WWE SmackDown (Friday, January 10) —

United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura defends against LA Knight
Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green defends against Michin
New WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton addresses the WWE Universe

WOR: Two Tokyo Domes, RAW on Netflix, MITB cash-in, more

Posted on January 6, 2025January 6, 2025 by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including two nights of the Tokyo Dome, fallout from the shows, the AEW/New Japan relationship, Takeshita signing with New Japan, Collision, Smackdown, the first RAW on Netflix Monday night, a preview of the show, and tons more. A packed show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:
Start: Thoughts on Kenny Omega’s return, both Tokyo Dome events, Chris Charlton reaction
23:26: Konosuke Takeshita signs with NJPW along with AEW and DDT, more from Takaaki Kidani interview
28:32: Latest on WWE Raw’s Netflix premiere, Hulk Hogan promoting Saturday Night’s Main Event, Royal Rumble 2026 taking place in Saudi Arabia
42:06: Ratings
51:20: Cain Velazquez/GFL
55:18: WWE SmackDown recap
1:05:00: AEW Collision recap

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Wrestling Observer Live: Fumi Saito talks Wrestle Kingdom 19

Posted on January 4, 2025January 4, 2025 by Jim Valley

In the middle of two big Tokyo Dome shows, that means a special edition of Wrestling Observer Live.

Journalist and Pacific Rim podcast co-host Fumi Saito joins me from Tokyo to give his first person perspective of last night’s Wrestle Kingdom 19. We talk all the results and give our thoughts on the matches.

Stateside, it’s a new year with a new hour added to WWE SmackDown with the first three-hour show of 2025 featuring a WWE Women’s title change

Plus, the 2026 Royal Rumble is going international and I explain why the location shouldn’t surprise you.

All that and more awaits you below.

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

Tiffany Stratton cashes in, wins WWE Women’s Championship

Posted on January 3, 2025January 3, 2025 by Ethan Renner

Tiffy Time is upon us.

Tiffany Stratton cashed in her Money in the Bank contract on Friday’s SmackDown to win the WWE Women’s Championship in Phoenix.

In a sequence of events, Nia Jax defended the Women’s Championship on Friday’s SmackDown with a victory over Naomi in part thanks to a ruse involving Stratton. Jax and Candice LeRae spoke earlier in the show in a backstage segment and teased that Stratton was not there and that they had lost contact with her.

In the Jax vs. Naomi title match, Stratton ran in and teased a cash-in as LeRae distracted the referee, hitting Naomi with the MITB briefcase to allow Jax to retain.

In a double swerve, Stratton then attacked LeRae and threw her out of the ring. Bianca Belair ran in and hit a KOD on Jax, then Stratton tossed Belair over the announce desk. Stratton then officially cashed in, hit the Prettiest Moonsault Ever, and became the WWE Women’s Champion.

SHE CASHED IN!!! 🤯@tiffstrattonwwe is your NEW WWE Women's Champion!!! 👏#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/LHIPSJqHuf
— WWE (@WWE) January 4, 2025

Stratton, a Minnesota native and former NXT Women’s Champion, signed with WWE in 2021 after being trained by Greg Gagne. She joined WWE’s main roster in February 2024.

Stratton’s hometown Vikings of the NFL congratulated the new champ in a social media post:

The Champ @tiffstrattonwwe 💜 https://t.co/G3EkG4aGKE pic.twitter.com/JmNlTIcQDH
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) January 4, 2025

WWE SmackDown live results: Saturday Night’s Main Event go-home show

Posted on December 13, 2024December 13, 2024 by Colin McGuire

One night before their showdown for the undisputed WWE Championship on Saturday Night’s Main Event, titleholder Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens will speak on tonight’s SmackDown in Hartford, Connecticut.

The last time the two met in a match was at August’s Bash In Berlin when Rhodes defeated Owens to retain his championship. A lot has changed since then.

The semifinals of the inaugural Women’s United States Championship tournament will take place tonight as on one side of the bracket, Chelsea Green will face Bayley. On the other side, Tiffany Stratton takes on Michin. The finals will take place Saturday to crown the new champion.

Bayley advanced by defeating Candice LeRae and B-Fab while Stratton beat Bianca Belair and Blair Davenport.

Carmelo Hayes, who lobbied with SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis for a match last week, will step into the ring against a mystery opponent.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 PM Eastern.

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– Footage of Tiffany Stratton and Michin entering the building opened the show. Bayley was shown signing something and Chelsea Green was shown throwing her bag at someone. The Bloodline and LA were also shown walking backstage. Cody Rhodes exited his bus as well. Jimmy Uso’s music hit and Jimmy walked out with the aid of a crutch.

The Jimmy Uso segment

Weird. This sure did feel like a retirement speech … but then Jimmy pulled the nose up at the end and said next year is going to be great for him … only to have Drew McIntyre hit him with a kick. I understand furthering the McIntyre story and his issues with the original Bloodline, but this felt so much like everyone – Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, CM Punk, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn, etc. – called in sick at the last minute and they had to fill eight minutes somehow. Even weirder was that it opened the show. Anyway, whatever it was meant to be, here’s hoping Big Jim has a speedy recovery from his Big Broken Toe.

Jimmy started by saying War Games was lit. He added that it didn’t “get Big Jim, but it got my big toe.” Jimmy said War Games meant everything because it was all about family. He noted how the OG Bloodline came out on top and War Games is behind them. Jimmy said for years, he’s watched his family dominate the WWE universe and the fact that they get to do that is a dream. Jimmy said he was proud to watch Roman Reigns be the most dominant champion. The crowd launched into an “OTC!” chant.

Jimmy said he watched his twin brother become one of the hottest superstars today and he’s proud of that. Jimmy said he was even proud of Solo Sikoa – he added that he might not like him, but he’s proud of him. Jimmy said he finds himself reading what everyone is saying when they wonder about what’s next for Big Jim. He said 2025 will be a big year for Big Jim. He might win the Royal Rumble, he might go after the U.S. title and he might even go after the Universal title. Jimmy said nothing will stop him from what he wants to do and while none of his friends were there, he showed up with a bum toe. Jimmy said next year will be huge for him.

Out of nowhere, Drew McIntyre showed up and hit Jimmy with a Claymore Kick. Drew kept attacking Big Jim until officials came out. McIntyre grinned and walked to the back while Nick Aldis followed and berated Jimmy.

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– Stratton was shown warming up backstage and Nia Jax and Candice LeRae walked in. Jax said when Stratton wins the U.S. title, she won’t need her MITB briefcase. She followed that up by saying she and LeRae will be watching her match tonight.

– Aldis was shown following McIntyre and chewing him out backstage. Bianca Belair and Naomi walked into the frame and Aldis told Drew to go into his office. Drew obliged. Aldis told Belair and Naomi that the investigation into what happened to Jade Cargill was ongoing. Aldis said because of that, Belair had to relinquish the women’s tag titles. Naomi said Belair has never relinquished anything in her life and if Belair needs a partner, it could be Naomi. Belair asked Aldis if that could be an option. Aldis said he’d run it up the flagpole, but if they really want to do it, they’d have to defend the titles next week.

Michin defeated Tiffany Stratton to advance to the finals of the Women’s United States Championship Tournament [8:25]

A surprising finish, but I’m not mad at it. The crowds continue to get louder in support of Stratton, so that babyface turn is going to hit like hot chocolate on a snowy morning. The finish clearly didn’t go as planned, and the match lost a couple minutes to picture-in-picture, but I like the twist of Michin getting to the finals in what I’m now convinced will be a hell of a TNA Knockouts title bout when Chelsea Green finds a way to beat Bayley later (but we’ll see). Quick question: Are we to believe if Jade Cargill wasn’t out for whatever reason (legit injury, work, etc.) would this be her in the finals?

The two locked up to start things out and Stratton backed Michin into a corner. Stratton threw Michin to the ground and Michin popped back up and attacked Stratton. Michin landed a dropkick and followed that up with some chops. Michin hit a shoulder block on Stratton and Michin threw Stratton to the outside, where Michin hit a dropkick through the ropes. Michin went for a kick, but Stratton caught Michin and hit a double stomp on Michin on the apron as the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Stratton went for another double stomp, but this time Michin moved and hit followed that up with a kick to Stratton. Back in the ring, Michin landed a Tornado DDT. Michin did it again and got a two-count out of it. Michin went for Eat Defeat, but that turned into an Alabama Slam attempt from Stratton – but that turned into a Tarantula via Michin. Michin then tried for a shotgun dropkick, but Stratton moved and hit her Alabama Slam for a two-count. “Let’s go Tiffy” chants broke out.

Michin tried a sleeper, but Stratton broke it up and the two battled on the second rope. Michin went to the top, but Stratton cut her off and hit a rolling Senton. Stratton then went to the top and tried a Prettiest Moonsault Ever. Michin moved, but Stratton still hit Michin. Even so, Michin didn’t sell it and hit Eat Defeat for the win.

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– #DIY offered up a vignette and Johnny Gargano reflected on how they were screwed out of the tag titles in Cleveland earlier this year. Gargano said he bottled that deep inside and soldiered on. Gargano noted how he told everyone he’d do whatever it takes to get those tag titles back. Ciampa weighed in and complained about Motor City Machine Guns getting a title shot right away. Ciampa said they are on to better days because they are now two time WWE Tag Team Champions. Ciampa closed it out by telling everyone they are #DIY.

The Roman Reigns Video

Paul Heyman stood behind Roman. Roman began by saying it’s been a rough year and not that long ago, they ran everything until through the spring and summer, it fell apart. He lost his title, he lost his Wise Man, he lost The Bloodline – the entire Bloodline. He said most importantly, he lost his Ula Fala. Roman said four years ago, Solo Sikoa wasn’t there and he didn’t take the Ula Fala; he earned it. Roman said his uncles crowned him with the responsibility. Roman said January 6 on Netflix, it will be Tribal Combat with him vs. Solo Sikoa and he will take back his Bloodline and his Ula Fala and his respect. Roman said once he has that respect, the whole world will have no choice but to acknowledge him.

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– Legado Del Fantasma was shown talking to Nick Aldis backstage. Santos Escobar asked Aldis what kind of show he was running. Escobar said maybe they’d be better off with Adam Pearce. Carmelo Hayes walked into the frame and said he’d make light work of his mystery opponent and started his walk to the ring. The show then went to a break.

Braun Strowman defeated Carmelo Hayes [1:30]

A simple squash. Poor Carmelo Hayes. He went from being involved in one of SmackDown’s gems each week with the story between him and Andrade and their seven game series. But then that thing ended with a dumb conclusion and … I guess we’re never going to get a proper finale? Did neither guy really want to do the job that bad? Or did the bookers not want either guy to do the job that bad? Either way, now the fella is losing in 90 seconds to mystery opponents. Not great.

Melo made his entrance and stood in the ring … only for Braun Strowman’s music to hit. Strowman walked out and looked bigger than he did before. Melo tried to push Strowman, but Strowman grabbed Melo by the throat. Eventually, Melo jumped at Strowman, but just bounced off the big man. Strowman ran at Melo, but Melo moved and Strowman ran into the ring post. Melo followed up with a dropkick to Strowman’s leg and a DDT for a one-count. Melo jumped off the top rope and Strowman caught Melo, hit the powerslam, and that was it.

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– LA Knight was interviewed backstage by Byron Saxton. Knight did all his catchphrases and said the one thing he’s always done throughout his career is handle his business. He referenced how he initially didn’t want to be involved with Bloodline business. Knight said he doesn’t have love for anyone in the family – except he likes Jey Uso, and Knight then offered a “Yeet!” Knight said Solo Sikoa will, in fact, remember Knight when it’s all said and done.

– Solo Sikoa made his entrance and stood in the ring with a microphone. The crowd chanted “OTC!” Sikoa did the “acknowledge me” bit. Everyone booed. Sikoa then said, “Roman Reigns …” but before he could finish his thought, LA Knight’s music hit and Knight walked to the ring for their match.

LA Knight defeated Solo Sikoa via DQ [11:20]

This was a better-than-expected match. Sikoa and Knight aren’t burning down houses with their in-ring work, no matter how popular they are, but this turned out all right. Knight getting the win, even if it was via DQ, was a tiny bit surprising, but it’s not like Sikoa lost anything coming away as the official loser of the match. Fatu is so great. The way he popped up to attack Knight and end the match was like a live action horror film, but pro wrestling. Kind of. Anyway, good work from everyone involved. Oh, and speaking of that Andrade/Melo feud and what has happened to both guys since and the post-match scene here …

The two jawed at each other after the bell rang before they traded blows. Sikoa got the best of it and repeatedly headbutted Knight. Knight fought back and clotheslined Sikoa over the top to the outside. Sikoa pulled Knight outside and rammed Knight’s back into the ring apron. Sikoa slammed Knight on the commentary table and posed. Sikoa then threw Knight into the crowd barrier. Knight rolled back into the ring, but the action went right back outside. Knight threw Sikoa into the ring steps and slammed Sikoa onto the commentary table.

Knight pounded on Sikoa and rolled Sikoa back into the ring. Before long, Sikoa hit a Samoan Drop on Knight. Sikoa ran at Knight, but Knight got the boot up and hit a bulldog on Sikoa. For the third time, the action spilled outside at about the four-minute mark and Knight dropkicked Tama Tonga. From there, Sikoa landed a Spinning Solo on Knight on the commentary table. The show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Sikoa had the upper hand. Sikoa set up and tried a Superman Punch to mock Roman Reigns, but Knight countered it into a back suplex. The two got to their feet and exchanged punches, but Knight took Sikoa down with a flying clothesline. Knight stomped on Sikoa. Knight hit a running knee on Sikoa and set up for a BFT, but Sikoa rolled to the outside. Knight clotheslined both Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga outside the ring. Knight then back body-dropped Fatu over the commentary table.

Back in the ring, Sikoa hit a super-kick and went for a Samoan Spike, but Knight countered with a Side Effect. Knight went to the second turnbuckle and jumped to the top to hit an elbow for a good near-fall that had the crowd heated. Fatu woke up, went nuts and grabbed Knight, ending the match in a DQ. Fatu then hit a hip attack on Knight, who was against the crowd barrier. Sikoa hit a Samoan Spike on Knight and the Bloodline beat him down until Andrade and Apollo Crews ran out for the save. It didn’t quite work because the Bloodline quickly took them out, too. Sikoa, Fatu and Tonga stood tall to end the segment.

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– Strowman was shown walking backstage and he ran into Pretty Deadly. They offered Strowman a spot in “Pretty Deadly The Musical.” Strowman shook his head and walked to Byron Saxton. Austin Theory and Grayson Waller showed up. Waller offered Strowman a chance to be a guest on the Grayson Waller Effect next week. Strowman said he’d do it.

Chelsea Green defeated Bayley to advance to the finals of the Women’s United States Championship Tournament [12:11]

Clunky at times, and the crowd didn’t do them any favors, but they got where they needed to go. Green vs. Michin the finals of this thing really is surprising, but in a good way. Making things more surprising is that there really wasn’t a lot of shenanigans here designed to protect Bayley. Green’s win wasn’t entirely clean, but it wasn’t like Niven had a huge role in the match. If Green wins that title Saturday night, you have to think it’s going to be one of the loudest pops of the night, right? Like Stratton, crowds just refuse to boo her and that momentum builds larger each week.

Green ran right into a Bayley-To-Belly suplex that felt flat and Bayley only got a two-count out of it. The two then traded pin attempts until Green slapped Bayley to slow things down. Green punched Bayley and threw Bayley into a corner, but Bayley moved and took back control with a running clothesline and a two-count. Bayley landed a pair of arm-drags and a clothesline. Green rolled to the outside and Bayley chased Green. When they returned to the ring, Niven tripped Bayley and Green took advantage of that. Green had the upper hand as the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Green still had the advantage. Green rolled Bayley up for a two-count. The show cut to a PIP with the trailer for “Mufasa The Lion King” taking the bigger box. Back to it, Green was working over Bayley on the apron and Bayley ran Green into the ring post. Bayley followed that up with a neck-breaker and a sliding clothesline. Bayley then suplexed Green on the outside. Bayley rolled Green back into the ring and executed a back suplex for a two-count.

Bayley went to the top, but Green cut her off and landed a running knee. Green went to the second rope, but missed a Vader Bomb. Bayley sunset flipped Green into the turnbuckles, but Green kicked out at two. Bayley went for a Bayley-To-Belly, but Greej countered with a rollup. Green hit a Rough Rider for a good near-fall. Bayley then planted Green and went to the top, but Niven dragged Green to the outside. It was outside where Bayley hit Niven with an elbow. Green then threw Bayley into the timekeeper’s area. Green returned to the ring and the referee counted, but Bayley beat the count. Green kicked Bayley in the head and hit an Un-Pretty-Her for the win.

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– A Motor City Machine Guns vignette aired. Turns out, Alex Shelley will face Johnny Gargano next week.

– A Nakamura vignette aired. It had subtitles and he said one by one everyone will fall to him. He said LA Knight was just the beginning and Knight is pining for something that he no longer has. Nakamura closed by saying he is inevitable.

– Stratton was walking backstage and ran into Jax, who said it was a tough night, but not everyone is meant to be a champion. LeRae walked in and said next week, LeRae and Jax will team to face Naomi and Belair for the women’s tag titles. Jax was excited and said they need to go brainstorm. LeRae stuck back and told Stratton that maybe Stratton isn’t cut out for singles wrestling.

– Cole and Graves ran down the card for Saturday Night’s Main event.

The Cody Rhodes/Kevin Owens segment

A very underwhelming go-home segment. It was also not what they advertised, in terms of the two talking to each other, but that’s pretty much how these things typically go anyways. The brawl itself even kind of/sort of came up tame and lacked a spark, which was surprising considering how good both guys are at brawling. Just not a lot here. I hope they deliver on Saturday night. If I hadn’t seen any of the build to the match prior to this go-home segment, I’m not sure I would think they will.

Michael Cole stood in the ring and introduced Cody Rhodes. Cody walked to the ring in a suit, sans tie. Cole then introduced Kevin Owens, and nothing happened. Cody said Kevin Owens wasn’t there, but the crowd was there, so he would do the interview with Cole alone. Cole referenced the video from this week with Paul Levesque and Cody and the possibility of the return of the winged eagle belt.

Owens appeared on a video screen, cutting a promo from his car again. Owens said Cody used all his friends to help him finish his story and Owens asked Cole to ask Cody about that. Owens said Cody is as bad a friend as he is a son and a brother. Owens said there was something he meant to tell him: It didn’t matter how long Cody is champion, the truth will always be that Cody was way more interesting as Stardust.

Cody said he was sure Owens had a lot more zingers up his sleeve. Cody threw his belt to the canvas and said he would go find Kevin Owens now. The camera followed Cody through Gorilla and Cody shouted “Kevin!” backstage. Owens appeared out of nowhere and the two brawled in Gorilla and back out into the arena. Owens was getting the best of Cody while wearing a Stardust t-shirt. Officials came out to try and break it up, but Owens fought them off. Cody then got the upper hand and he started beating up the officials, too.

The wrestlers got into the ring and brawled and more security and officials appeared. Cody broke away from them and hit a splash on Owens. Cody kicked Owens and Owens went down. While officials held Cody back, Owens hit Cody in the head with his title. Owens threw the title on top of Cody and the crowd booed. Owens left the ring and the show ended with the visual of Cody being down on the mat.

Tiffany Stratton advances in US title tournament, semifinals set for next WWE SmackDown

Posted on December 6, 2024December 6, 2024 by Ethan Renner

The semifinals are set for the WWE Women’s United States title tournament to crown the inaugural champion.

Tiffany Stratton won a quarterfinals three-way on Friday’s SmackDown, pinning Elektra Lopez in a bout also featuring Naomi to advance to the semifinals set for next week’s episode.

Stratton will take on Michin on the Friday, December 13 WWE SmackDown with a spot in the finals at stake, while Bayley will face Chelsea Green in the other semifinal matchup next week.

The finals of the tournament to crown the first-ever WWE Women’s United States Champion will be held on Saturday Night’s Main Event on NBC on Saturday, December 14. Cody Rhodes defending the WWE Championship against Kevin Owens, Gunther defending the World Heavyweight title against Finn Balor, plus Liv Morgan defending the Women’s World title against IYO SKY are also set for SNME.

The lineup for the December 13 WWE SmackDown:

Women’s United States Championship tournament semifinals: Tiffany Stratton vs. Michin
Women’s United States Championship tournament semifinals: Bayley vs. Chelsea Green

Tiffany Stratton: WWE adding Netflix Championship would be ‘amazing’

Posted on November 8, 2024November 8, 2024 by Joseph Currier

Tiffany Stratton thinks it would be “amazing” if WWE created a Netflix-branded championship.

Echoing similar comments she’s made in the past, Stratton recently told Gorilla Position that WWE adding a mid-card women’s title would be a great idea. She agreed with Gorilla Position that the “Netflix Championship” would be a good name for the belt.

“I think it would be a great idea, because I know NXT has one [the NXT Women’s North American Championship], actually. And they have so many women down in NXT and we have so many women on the main roster right now. So I think it would be a great idea to introduce a mid-card title,” Stratton said. “And a Netflix Championship? I think that would be amazing. What a great idea.”

WWE Raw will move to Netflix starting with the January 6, 2025 episode of the show. Currently, Stratton is a member of the SmackDown roster.

Stratton is a former champion in NXT but has not held her first main roster title yet. That could change at any moment with Stratton holding the Money in the Bank briefcase. She could cash in on either Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan or WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax. On SmackDown, Stratton and Jax have been partnered together with WWE teasing that Stratton will eventually turn against Jax and take her title.

WWE has been considering adding mid-card titles to the Raw and SmackDown women’s divisions but that idea has not come to fruition yet.

Tiffany Stratton addresses potential WWE babyface turn

Posted on October 31, 2024October 31, 2024 by Joseph Currier

When she inevitably turns babyface, Tiffany Stratton doesn’t think there will be too much change to her character.

Stratton told the New York Post that, when she becomes a babyface, she thinks it will be an organic thing with the crowd cheering for her. She plans on still being the same Tiffany Stratton, except for being a little bit nicer to people.

“I think naturally, my character will just kind of turn babyface, because the crowd has been slowly kind of turning me babyface,” she said. “But I don’t think I’m going to change anything, just because why would you change something that’s working? I don’t think there’s going to be too much to change. I think I’m just going to be the same Tiffany Stratton, just maybe a little bit nicer to my coworkers.”

Stratton has held the women’s Money in the Bank briefcase since July. She is aligned with WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax on SmackDown — with WWE teasing that Stratton will eventually turn against Jax and take the title from her.

Jax is facing Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan at Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia this Saturday (November 2). Neither of their titles are on the line, but the winner will become the first-ever women’s Crown Jewel Champion.

In her New York Post interview, Stratton listed Jax, Bayley, and Naomi as three people that she looks up to and goes for advice.

“Most of the time it’s Bayley, and it’s Naomi, so I leaned on them two as well,” Stratton said. “They’ve been very sweet to me, very nice to me. But yeah, Nia, Bayley and Naomi are, like, my three major people that I look up to and go to for advice.”

Stratton believes that her current role as a sidekick has been a positive thing for her.

“It’s my rookie year and having someone like Nia kind of guide me, I mean, she is the champion. And having her by my side and having her guide me throughout the first year of my career is actually really good for me,” she said. “And I think I feel like doing everything all at once in my first year, I feel like that’s not good for anybody. So I think being in this, I guess, sidekick role and being paired with Nia is actually very good for me.

WWE adds tornado stipulation to SmackDown tag match

Posted on September 20, 2024September 20, 2024 by Joseph Currier

WWE has added another stipulation to Bayley & Naomi vs. Nia Jax & Tiffany Stratton on tonight’s SmackDown.

The stakes of the match are — if the babyface team wins — whoever scores the pinfall or submission will challenge Jax for the WWE Women’s Championship at Bad Blood. If the heels win, the member of the babyface team that loses the fall will have to leave SmackDown forever.

In addition to those stipulations, WWE has now announced that Bayley & Naomi vs. Jax & Stratton will be a tornado tag match. SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis explained that, with this stipulation, the match is more fair because neither Bayley nor Naomi can refuse to tag out or refuse to tag in.

🚨 🚨 🚨 #SmackDown General Manager @RealNickAldis just made tonight's Women's Tag Team Match a little more interesting! 👀

📺 8/7c on @USANetwork pic.twitter.com/RciG3vXCQh
— WWE (@WWE) September 20, 2024

With Stratton’s help, Jax won the WWE Women’s Championship from Bayley at SummerSlam. Stratton currently holds the women’s Money in the Bank briefcase.

Bad Blood is taking place from Atlanta on Saturday, October 5.

Here’s the updated SmackDown lineup for tonight:

WWE SmackDown (Friday, September 20) —

United States Champion LA Knight defends against Andrade
Tornado tag match: Bayley & Naomi vs. Nia Jax & Tiffany Stratton (If Bayley & Naomi win, whoever scores the fall will challenge Jax for the WWE Women’s Championship at Bad Blood. If Bayley & Naomi lose, whoever loses the fall must leave SmackDown forever)
Footage of Cody Rhodes-Roman Reigns Georgia Tech angle will air
Apollo Crews vs. Giovanni Vinci