Smackdown was live from the Key Bank Center in Buffalo, New York as members of the Bill’s roster were in attendance along with current UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. The post-Crown Jewel show was booked to follow up on the biggest storyline of the PLE as an ‘Undisputed Tribal Chief Acknowledgment Ceremony’ was a segment promoted for the show.
Undisputed Tribal Chief Ceremony Goes Unacknowledged
After a Crown Jewel video recap, things kicked off rather quickly. Cole made a point of acknowledging the fact that Roman Reigns had only been pinned twice in five years following the Solo Sikoa-led Bloodline victory over the OG Bloodline. While Roman took the pin, it is important to acknowledge it was a team match and not a singles victory over Roman.
Jey Uso teed up Sami Zayn’s entrance after asking Roman to ‘hear him out,’ a sentiment that was similarly made to Sami this past Monday. Sami came out to fans’ chants and hit the nostalgia nerve by admitting that for a moment on Saturday, their reunion ‘felt special.’ He said that he believes Roman also recognized that, claiming that the opposite of ‘love’ is indifference before accusing Roman of “loving him.” The line almost made Roman crack, and Sami put that quarter smile under the microscope in front of the live crowd, to much of their delight. Sami managed to gain that glimmer of a smile from Roman and showcased that lovable, zany attitude that was a refreshing change of pace for the original BL.
Roman’s response was worse than a simple “no,” instead, he gave a sarcastic apology before ridiculing the decision to meet with Sami in the first place, claiming he was ‘sorry that he took the in-ring meeting’ while acknowledging that it was Jey’s idea. After denying the fans the reunion they were rooting for as “hug it out,” chants could be heard in a mixture of chants before Roman ruined the party.
Roman immediately shifted his focus to Solo before Jacob Fatu appeared on the big screen for a rare heel promo from the last member to join this edition of The Bloodline. After returning from break, Jey immediately confronted Roman with Jimmy at his side. Jey questioned why Roman refused the only request he made asked him for while the “OTC” demanded to know why Sami meant anything at all to Jey.
Roman told Jey that if a non-family member could mean that much to him then he could get to stepping before Jey reminded Roman of their new equal roles and how he would not tolerate being spoken to ever again in that manner. It was a powerful moment immediately undermined by Jey delivering the line: “I told you though, you talk to me like that, Uce, [then] I’m out,” Jey said in response before rushing out the line, “That’s your one pass, Uce.” It was the processing of complex emotions happening in a vacuum that felt silly, but Roman directed his frustrations at Jimmy next, and then you started to realize that Roman spiraling is not an experience either USO has had to deal with prior to now.
Solo No-Go
In the final segment, Solo and co. made their way to the ring, expecting Roman to acknowledge him as the ‘undisputed’ tribal chief—whatever that is supposed to be. Roman refused to acknowledge as planned but then demanded a singles match with Solo, the winner being ‘the only’ tribal chief. Solo laughed the challenge off before issuing a new challenge to Roman to find four others that would ‘go to war’ with him against them. That is how the idea of WAR GAMES came up, and Roman said, “I only see four of you.”
Solo counted out everyone before acknowledging that Sami Zayn would be their 5th member. Sami came out to the stage, which (intentionally or not) provided The Bloodline the opportunity to attack Roman. Solo was left with Roman in the ring as he set up the “Samoan Spike” before calling Sami to the ring in a display of loyalty. Sami did not oblige, and Roman managed to hit Solo with a spear, thanks to Zayn’s help along with both USOs.
The final shot of the night would be all four men throwing up the ‘1’s’ with the crowd chanting “Sami USO.” Roman was the last of them to acknowledge, and it was an acknowledgment of needing help. The show’s storyline was as concise as it gets and well executed.
Randy Orton Goes Viper On Kevin Owens
Randy Orton did not waste time calling out Kevin Owens following their non-match match at Crown Jewel. KO did not waste time coming out without music, and as soon as he entered the ring, “business picked up,” and Randy was pulled off K.O. That gave K.O. the opening to cheap shot Randy before hitting him with a pile driver—a move that Cole made on commentary, reminding us the move is ‘banned’ in WWE.
Randy, returning from a spine injury not long ago, was conscious, though clearly grabbing at his injured neck. The WWE staff came out and put Randy on a stretcher as commentary lambasted the production truck for reshowing the pile driver. It was a powerful segment that once again showcased the ability of both Orton and Owens to deliver powerful spots sold on the subtly of the booking. You could hear Randy groaning audibly in discomfort, and his facial expressions sold a serious injury.
Tag-Team Turmoil
One of the best things on SmackDown is the tag team division currently represented by Motor City Machineguns as the blue brand’s tag team champs. DIY’s Johnny Gargano came up to MCM to congratulate them for their immediate success, but DIY’s other half, Ciampa, had issues with Gargano buddying up to the team that ‘took their spot.’ Gargano and Alex Shelly are very close and have been since Gargano’s wrestling career began, “friends with [MCM] since I was 19,” is how he put it to his partner.
DIY Beats Pretty Deadly
Ciampa would later hit the fairytale ending on Prince of Pretty Deadly for the win in a match in which he did not tag Gargano even once. The commentary mentioned Ciampa’s “Black Heart” ego, which suggests a heel turn and split combo is coming.
MCM Beat A-Town Down
MCM later took on A-Town Down, a team trending towards a break up themselves months ago before ultimately staying together. MCM was able to get the clean victory as Shelly and
Tiffy Thinks It’s Time For More Gold With Nia
Stratton requested a tag match with tag champs Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill, thinking they’d receive a tag match for the titles should they win. The tag champs were successful, however, with a little help from Candice LeRae (sort of). LeRae, who lost to Bayley earlier in the night, caused a sequence of events that led to the faces winning despite attempting to help the heels. After what appeared to be the beginning of a potential narrative to split the tag champs, things appear fine for now.
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