Friday Night Smackdown Review 14.4.2024

Intro

I'm going to have to start with an apology, due to an urgent family issue. I'm not going to be able to review Aew Collision. This weekend has thrown me, and, mine through a loop, and then some. So I'm going to give Collision a miss for one week, and in its place will be my thoughts on were Aew should go, in the aftermath of. Tony Khans brain fart from Dynamite this week.

Smackdown

Cody Rhodes segment

This. Man, at the minute, has the world in his hands, and it is a sight to behold. His interaction with the fans is the stuff of Magic, he spoke about what it was that. The Rock gave him, and even though he didn't say what it was. I think it's clear to say, that. Dwayne gave him the keys to the kingdom. But on nights like tonight, it's all about looking forward, and not backwards. because he is looking forward, to tonights triple threat Matches. He put over all the participants, whilst telling them, if you come at the king, you best not miss. Because, he is undesirable, and undeniable, but most importantly, he is the champ. I loved this opening segment.

The Bloodline segment

The Bloodline, are starting to realise, they're not the big I ams anymore, when they notice that Cody has their dressing room. Why am I being reminded of Woody and Buzz from Toy Story. ( In a weird way ) Kevin Owens loved gloating about this.

LA Knight vs Bobby Lashley vs Santos Escobar

I had a lot of fun watching this. LA Knight is arguably the most over wrestler with the fans, next to. Cody Rhodes. From a triple suplex. ( that looked awesome ) The Street Profits, and. Legado Delfantasma getting involved, to. LA Knight getting the win, with his blunt force trauma finisher. This. Was. A decent little opener. Knight will face the winner of tonights main event, next week.

Lwo segment

Rey Mysterio, was seen backstage with his Lwo bandmates, he spoke of the pride he has for this group, and that he would love to have one more shot at the gold. Look. I love Rey Mysterio, but do I think that he should have another title run, yes. Because. I feel that his United States Championship reign, didn't live up to its promise.

The Bloodline segment

This. Was perfect, nothing more, nothing less, just perfect. The Bloodline, minus. Roman, came out to Solo's music, which through me. Paul Heyman took to the mic. And by orders of the Roman Blinders, he said that. The Bloodline needs to be held accountable, for everything that happened last weekend at WrestleMania. From Romans lust for revenge, and him holding onto anger being his downfall. But just before Paul could give his rally cry of positivity, for his tribal Chief. Solo stopped him, he takes the microphone from Paul, and turned his attention to his older brother Jimmy, and what came next, in my opinion, had some talented gents from Newcastle Upon Tyne, here in the UK,  feeling a sense of relief. Solo hugged his brother, and then Jimmy was jumped by hooded figure, that turned out to be Tama Tonga. Paul tried to stop this, but. Solo chucked his phone to the floor. And both men went to work on Jimmy. Later on Tama would have a face to face, with. Paul Heyman. By orders of the Roman Blinders.

Cameron Grimes vs Bron Breakker

Cameron Grimes. Then got wrecked by Bron Breakker. I like Bron Breakker. But I don't get why Cameron Grimes had to be used this way. It's such a waste of potential.

Bayley segment

I love Bayley, she was greated by a chorus of fans chanting. Bayley. Bayley. Bayley. I'm sorry America, you're chants are good, but it's not a patch on. Heeeeeeeey hey Bayley ooh agh I wanna know, would you be my girl. You Americans could learn something from us Brits. Her promo was great, she spoke from the heart, and thanked the fans, and just when you thought that she was going to announce an open challenge, for her womens Championship. Tiffany Stratton thought the same thought as me, ( which is worrying ) she came to accept, whilst putting over her distain, for not having a Match at. WrestleMania, so she decided to take up the challenge. Bayley said that she was mistaken, and the shot was not for her. It was for Naomi. Tiffany insulted Naomi. The artist of glow, then came out. Naomi then put over all of her achievements, and then said to Bayley, she would face her another time, because she wanted to face Tiffany. The Match was decent, not great, but decent. Naomi got the win, in a Match that was filled with great fluidity.

A Town Down Under segment

Theory, and. Waller then presented their own cheesefest video. The New Tag Champs are here, and my god their going to be annoying, but I think that's the point.

Logan Paul Segment

Logan Paul then had a segment, in which he focussed on the most important things in life. Boasting, bragging, and calling out Randy Orton. I liked this.

Chelsea Green and Piper Niven vs Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair

Chelsea Green, and. Piper Niven lost to. Jade Cargill, and. Bianca Belair, the segment beforehand was funny to a degree, but the Match, however was, too short for me to care.

Kevin Owens vs AJ Styles vs Rey Mysterio

This Match didn't get a lot of TV time, but then again. I don't think it needed it, because this felt like all three men, were working to a go go go go pace. From Kevins walk through entrance, trashing. Reys son. The Human Oven, to the physicality, and skill being performed at a high level. From an awesome looking German stack suplex, to AJ getting the win with a styles clash, slamming Rey on top of Kevin, for the win. He will face LA Knight next week. Yeeeeeaaaaah.

Overview Of Friday Night Smackdown

This weeks Smackdown was a lot of fun. The Matches were solid in places, and the segments were good, with one imparticular, going down an exciting route.

This Weeks Friday Night Smackdown is a high 7/10.

Where can Aew go from here

On Thursday mornings I have a routine. I wake up at 7am, I load up my triller TV app on my chromecast, and I watch Aew Dynamite, with my breakfast. But, this week felt a bit differant. Last week. Cm Punk gave an Interview on Ariel Helwani's MMA Podcast. And he proceeded to explain what happened at All In, between him, and. Jack Perry. He critisized Tony Khan, calling him a nice guy, but a terrible boss, he went over what he said to Khan in moments of anger. Now, don't get me wrong. I know that Cm Punk, isn't everyone's favourite person, due to the fact that he divides up a lot of opinion, but in my opinion, everyone has the right to have their say, and everyone has the right to stand up for themselves. and defend the ones around them, however all of Tony Khans attempts, have been met with wide spread confusion, and condemnation of pure hatetred. On the 3rd of April edition of Dynamite. Adam Copeland came out, and cut a rally cry promo, defending Tony Khan. The Elite, and, everyone who works for the company. This was met, with many fans feeling confused, whilst others, like myself, just thought. Let it go. Tony Khan in my opinion can't take critisism. Yes. I get that you have to defend you're terroritory, however shooting down your nose, to the point that fans feel embarrassed by you, and your company, means you've taken one step forward, by bringing world class talent, and having great Matches, but in the same breath, you've gone backwards, by resorting to petty nonsensicle jibes. I still love Aew. But stupid decisions, like what we saw this past Wednesday, will hurt the cpmpany in the long run, if this continues. The decision to air the footage from All In London, when I first heard about it, I had me saying to myself. No one is going to come out looking good in this situation. And in my opinion. I was right. No one has gained anything from this. Dave Meltzer said this on Wrestling Observer Radio. If you're Punk, then you're laughing. And he's right. All of this was a lose lose situation. As a Wrestling fan of over thirty years. I think it's great that we as fans, have more than one choice in town to go to, in order to find something that we like. Aew over the past few months, has given us great shows, with sensational action, but I'm starting to get the feeling, that the cloud that hung over the company's head since last September, is slowly reapearing, and that. Tony Khan is starting to look like the master of his own downfall. How Can Aew bring itself back to life, just have great matches, and let them do the talking. From what I can understand, their future is being negotiated, when it comes to their TV rights, which is why this is a pivotal moment in this young company's history, to act like their here to stay, so that the future wrestling fans can have a choice, on were they want to spend their time, and money.