SmackDown 12.01.2024

Finally, the Radiant Team is come back in Lincoln, Nebraska! Tonight's lineup is packed with anticipation and excitement: Legado del Fantasma squaring off against NWO, Bobby Lashley ready to deliver a message to Karrion Kross, and, of course, our main event featuring Randy Orton, AJ Styles, or LA Knight after last week's unfortunate interference from Bloodline. It's shaping up to be quite the show, so let's not waste any time and get things started!

Bloodline digging their own grave

Tonight's anticipated opener between Cameron Grimes and Grayson Waller took an unexpected turn as the Bloodline launched a vicious assault on Grimes the moment he stepped onto the ramp. The attack left Waller and Austin Theory scrambling to retreat from the ring, their evening derailed before it even began. In the aftermath, Paul Heyman grabbed the microphone to demand that Nick Aldis reverse his decision regarding the Royal Rumble main event, a move met with fury from the General Manager. Despite the chaos caused by the Bloodline's actions, Aldis stood firm in his decision, refusing to capitulate to their demands.

SmackDown 12.01.2024: Brutal assault by the Bloodline on poor Grimes.

In a defiant stance, he declared that he would not allow the Bloodline to sow chaos unchecked on SmackDown any longer. To further assert his authority, Aldis announced that tonight's main event would see Randy Orton, AJ Styles, and LA Knight take on Solo and Jimmy Uso. With Roman Reigns absent, Heyman was left scrambling to find a partner for the Bloodline, signaling a shift in power dynamics compared to previous years. It appears that the Bloodline's grip on the roster may be waning, marking a departure from their dominance in 2020 and 2021.

SmackDown 12.01.2024: Nick Aldis holds his ground. 

Legado vs NWO

Mexican drama unfolded on our screens tonight as Escobar found himself a new family, setting the stage for a showdown with his former allies. While both teams have had their moments in NXT, their main roster success has been lackluster at best. Angel and Berto have struggled to make an impact, much like Cruz and Wilde, who have yet to secure a single victory since their debut. Tonight's match seemed evenly matched, with victory likely hinging on outside interference. However, the NWO members showcased superior teamwork and appeared poised for victory until Carlito's interference disrupted the bout. His attack on Santos led to chaos outside the ring, allowing Garza to capitalize on the distraction and secure the win with a crafty roll-up. This rivalry is far from over, and it wouldn't be surprising to see a special match with Mexican rules at the Royal Rumble. Who knows? Perhaps Rey Mysterio will make a surprise comeback to spice things up even further.

SmackDown 12.01.2024: The moment before a disaster.

Another problems for Greyson and Austin

Backstage, Carmelo Hayes engages in a conversation with Nick Aldis regarding his spot in the Royal Rumble. Aldis seems accommodating, but before they can discuss further, Austin and Greyson enter the scene, escalating tensions. Sensing the brewing conflict, Aldis swiftly intervenes and decides to settle the matter in the ring. Without hesitation, he assigns Theory to face Hayes, resolving the issue through competition rather than confrontation backstage.

Paul Heyman is in a search

Paul's quest to find a new member for Bloodline tonight is met with uncertainty. While Carlito might seem like a potential candidate due to his recent clashes with Legado, his alignment as a face could complicate matters. It appears that Paul needs to explore other options and continue his search for a suitable ally.

Bayley let her team down?

The match designed to punish Bianca played out differently than expected. With Bayley and Bianca in the ring, I anticipated interference from Damage CTRL to tip the scales against Belair. However, to my surprise, the match remained a one-on-one affair, with no outside help for either competitor. This lack of interference ultimately led to Bayley's defeat after a devastating CoD from Bianca. It seems this match served as a form of punishment for Bayley and highlighted a shift in dynamics within Damage CTRL. It wouldn't be surprising if Bayley finds herself ousted from the group soon.

SmackDown 12.01.2024: Flying Bayley is beautiful view.

Kevin Owens invites Logan Paul to KO show next Friday

Kevin doesn't mince words. After enduring enough of Paul's rhetoric, his message was simple yet potent: "Come to the KO show next week, and I'll make your miserable life valuable again."

All Mighty is looking for revange

Last week, AoP and Karrion Kross made an unexpected move, decimating Bobby and the Street Profits. Tonight, Bobby Lashley isn't here for appearances or words; he's here for action. It's quite obvious that Karrion isn't showing up tonight, opting instead to send another mysterious video, signaling that Doomsday is coming for Bobby Lashley. Will we witness their collision at Royal Rumble? I certainly hope so.

SmackDown 12.01.2024: Super motivated All Mighty and Street Profits.

Pretty Deadly get cancelled 

Paul is still in search for a partner for his clients. Pretty Deadly would like to join, but they forget that they are two parts of an indivisible whole. Heyman was livid and threw them away from his eyes. Bobby Lashley also refused to join tonight's fight, stating that he will only face Roman Reigns in the ring. Not the best scenario for Paul Heyman.

Austin and poor Spanish fly

At least a great match could have been expected because both athletes are young and talented. Unfortunately, we witnessed a very botched Spanish Fly from Austin and a nasty landing on his neck. I hope nothing bad happened, and we will soon see both wrestlers back in the ring..

SmackDown 12.01.2024: I just could not comment this graceful move.

Paul Heyman lost his temper

Unfortunately, the Wise Man couldn't find a suitable tag team partner for his allies. He began shouting, rallying the Bloodline, declaring that no one was worthy of joining them tonight. Jimmy hesitated briefly about the handicap match, but with Sikoa by his side, he regained confidence and they made their way to the ring

Randy Orton, LA Knight and AJ Styles get rid of Bloodline

Solo and Jimmy quickly realized that facing a 3-on-2 disadvantage left them with slim chances of success. As Randy began his entrance, the Bloodline launched a vicious attack. Medical personnel swiftly attended to Randy, prompting Solo and Jimmy to restore the match to its regular state. However, time was running out for the Bloodline before Randy's inevitable return, and their last chance at survival slipped away.

SmackDown 12.01.2024: Another assault by Solo and Jimmy on Randy Orton. 

LA and AJ struggled to cooperate, bickering over every move and tag. Meanwhile, Jimmy and Sikoa held their own for a time, but their resilience reached its limit. With Randy back in action, the Viper wasted no time unleashing his signature moves. He dispatched Uso with ease and sealed the Bloodline's fate with an RKO to Sikoa. Solo bore the brunt of the punishment, enduring each finishing move before suffering a devastating triple powerbomb through the commentary table. It's doubtful he and Jimmy will be making an appearance next week after such a brutal assault.

SmackDown 12.01.2024: Sweet revenge in Shield style.

Ranking and Opinion

That episode really delivered some excitement! I was filled with good vibes and saw some fantastic matches. The only downside was Austin's injury, so I'm hoping for a speedy recovery for him. I'm curious to see how Roman will react to the brutal assault on his Bloodline, but I guess we'll have to wait until next week for that. Overall, I'd rate this show a solid 6 out of 10. Take care and see you next time!