A Night of Huge Returns and High Stakes Is Anticipated
WWE SmackDown on August 9, 2024, was expected to be a blockbuster event including championship celebrations, the return of some of the biggest names in the business, and a slate of high-stakes matchups. Enthusiasts were giddy with anticipation, keen to see what revelations lay ahead of them over the evening.
First Scene: Cody Rhodes Takes on Solo Sikoa
A video summarizing the drama from WWE SummerSlam set the tone for the evening’s events, and the show got off to a great start. The Tulsa audience went wild as Undisputed WWE Champion “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes appeared on television as the screen faded. With his microphone in hand, Rhodes stood in the ring looking every bit the champion because he was wearing his trademark red, white, and blue outfit.
Ever the showman, Rhodes started by asking the audience what topics they would want to discuss. However, Solo Sikoa’s music began, cutting the champion off before he could discuss the future of his title reign. With his sights fixed on Rhodes, Sikoa approached the ring with Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa at his sides.
Sikoa did not take long to confront the most pressing issue in the room—his defeat at SummerSlam. He asserted that he would have defeated Rhodes and won the Undisputed WWE Championship if it weren’t for Roman Reigns’ meddling. There was an obvious sense of tension in the stadium as Sikoa insisted he should have another chance to win the title and called for a rematch.
A Tempting Conversation: Rhodes and Sikoa Trade Insults
Unflinching from Sikoa’s aggressiveness, Rhodes retaliated. He brought up the turmoil that transpired at SummerSlam, including the injuries sustained by Jacob Fatu and Roman Reigns’ abortive effort at retaliation. Rhodes confidently knocked down Sikoa’s demands for a rematch by declaring that he had no right to one.
Never one to back down, Sikoa wasn’t going to give Rhodes the last word. When Sikoa, Tonga, and Loa leaped onto the apron, looking prepared to attack the champion, the tension reached a fever pitch. But before they could move, Kevin Owens came charging into the ring carrying two steel chairs. After Owens threw a chair at Rhodes, the two of them held their position and drove The Bloodline to flee.
As the episode was coming to an end, Sikoa forewarned Rhodes that their fight was far from done and vowed to deal with him whenever Roman Reigns was located. Unfazed, Rhodes informed Sikoa he would be waiting. The interaction set the tone for an exciting evening full of situations that would explode.
Steps of Roman Reigns: The Original Tribal Chief Returns Returning to the Center of Attention
“The Original Tribal Chief” Roman Reigns’ return to WWE was much anticipated, and SmackDown did not let fans down. Reigns made his first appearance since his uncommon defeat at SummerSlam. Reigns addressed the WWE Universe with his trademark air of superiority, to a mix of cheers and jeers from the crowd.
It was evident from Reigns that he still had unresolved issues with Cody Rhodes. Although he accepted the uproar regarding his interference during SummerSlam, he brushed it off as unimportant. Regaining the Undisputed WWE Championship, which he felt was still legitimately his, was all that mattered to him.
Recurring is AJ Styles, the incredible One Eyes Championship Gold
Not only did Roman Reigns make a comeback to SmackDown, but “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles also made a return. After missing time due to an injury, Styles returned triumphantly to a raucous ovation from the Tulsa audience.
Styles did not take long to make his intentions clear. Styles declared that he was going after the current champion, “The Megastar” LA Knight, for the WWE United States Championship. The WWE Universe was giddy with enthusiasm at the idea of a Styles vs. Knight match, and there was a tangible sense of anticipation for their inevitable confrontation.
LA Knight and Nia Jax Celebrate Their Championship Win with Glory
There were two championship celebrations that evening as well. LA Knight, the WWE United States Champion, was first, and he was ecstatic about his triumph at SummerSlam. Ever the captivating entertainer, Knight entered the stage and gave a pitch that had the audience captivated by his every word. He talked about how he rose to the top and declared that not even AJ Styles would be able to take away his belt.
Nia Jax, dubbed “The Annihilator” and 2024 WWE Queen of the Ring, was the next to go. Jax, who is well-known for her dominance in the ring, had a grand celebration to honor her recent championship victory. Jax promised to extend her reign of terror over the women’s division while speaking to the WWE Universe while looking every inch the queen.
In-Ring Match: Alba Fyre vs. Jade Cargill
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Alba Fyre faced up against Jade Cargill in the opening event of the evening. Cargill was hoping to keep up her winning ways against the dangerous Fyre, who had been on a run since joining WWE.
Both women showed off their strength and athleticism in a hard-hitting match. Although the resilient Fyre gave Cargill serious competition, Cargill came out on top and cemented her place as a rising star in the women’s category.
#1 Contender’s Match: Santos Escobar vs. Andrade
As Legado Del Fantasma’s Santos Escobar squared up against WWE Speed Champion Andrade in a #1 Contender’s Match for the WWE United States Championship, the stakes were high. The contest lived up to the men’s determination to win a shot at the LA Knight crown.
Escobar and Andrade performed like a clinic, with both men going above and above to win. The crowd was on the edge of their seats throughout the bout due to several near falls and amazing acrobatics. Ultimately, Andrade prevailed, gaining the opportunity to battle LA Knight for the US Championship.
Tag Team Action: Pretty Deadly vs. #DIY and A-Town Down Under vs. The Street Profits
There were two highly anticipated tag team battles on the card as well. The first match pitted The Street Profits (Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins) against A-Town Down Under (Austin Theory and Grayson Waller). The game moved quickly, showcasing the amazing chemistry and agility of both sides. The Tulsa crowd was ecstatic when The Street Profits ultimately prevailed.
Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson and Elton Prince) versus #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) was the second tag team bout of the evening. Both teams were adamant about winning this match, and it was a close contest. Following several back-and-forth skirmishes, #DIY prevailed, announcing to the other tag team competitors that they were back and prepared to rule.
WWE’s future is shaped by SmackDown.
WWE SmackDown on August 9, 2024, was a memorable evening. The show succeeded on every level, including big comebacks, championship celebrations, and high-stakes competitions. One thing is certain as the WWE Universe looks to the future: there will be drama, excitement, and limitless opportunities on the path to WWE Bash in Berlin. The current feuds for supremacy and the comebacks of Roman Reigns and AJ Styles have created the conditions for what seems to be a historic chapter in WWE history.
