Hold on tight, wrestling fans, because this week's SmackDown was a rollercoaster of drama, alliances, and simmering rivalries! From backstage confrontations to in-ring showdowns, there's a lot to unpack. But the biggest question on everyone's mind: are Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair truly reunited, or is this just a temporary truce built on shaky ground? Let's dive in!
This week's SmackDown, pre-taped from the electric Wembley Arena in London, England, kicked off with some serious backstage intrigue. We find Alexa Bliss preparing for the night when Charlotte Flair, seemingly in high spirits, approaches her. Flair playfully bumps into Bliss, asking if she's been missed. Bliss admits that last week was rough, a direct result of losing her Women’s United States Championship match to Giulia. She was also ganged up on by Nia Jax and Lash Legend. Feeling completely abandoned, Bliss wants to know if Flair's absence was genuinely due to illness.
Charlotte claims she was indeed sick and even boasts about turning down title opportunities to prioritize their team. But here's where it gets controversial... when Bliss challenges her to name just two instances of her putting the team first, Flair awkwardly dodges the question. The two women seemingly agree to have each other's backs for the night, and Bliss leaves Flair to warm up. Does Flair’s inability to name two examples show she’s not as committed as she claims? What do you think?
Nia Jax and Lash Legend then enter the scene, adding fuel to the fire. Nia, with Lash backing her up, tells Flair that Bliss is a master manipulator, always playing the victim to make others feel guilty. Flair, understandably skeptical, warns them that she won't tolerate any more unsolicited advice. It's a tense exchange that leaves you wondering: are Nia and Lash genuinely trying to help Flair, or are they simply trying to sow discord? It's a classic case of 'keeping your enemies closer,' but who are the real enemies here?
Later in the show, we got to see Bliss and Flair team up against Women’s United States Champion Giulia and Kiana James. Bliss and James began the match, but Bliss quickly tagged in “The Queen” Charlotte Flair. After some initial back-and-forth action, Giulia and James took control, isolating Bliss and preventing her from tagging in Flair. This showcased a clear sense of teamwork between them. James even went so far as to punch Flair off the apron when she tried to interfere, a move that drew the referee's attention. James continued to deny Bliss the opportunity to tag in Flair.
But then, the tide turned! Bliss finally managed to tag in Flair, and the crowd erupted as she unleashed a flurry of chops on their opponents. Giulia and James tried to regain control, but Bliss sealed the deal with a Sister Abigail DDT on James, securing the victory for her team. And this is the part most people miss... the victory might have been tainted by the unresolved tension and mistrust within the team. Can they truly work together effectively moving forward?
However, the celebration was short-lived. Nia Jax and Lash Legend stormed the ring again, attacking both teams! Giulia confronted Jax, but James restrained her, preventing the situation from escalating further. It’s clear that the Women's Tag Team Championship #1 Contender’s Match next week will be absolute chaos!
Switching gears, we saw Candice LeRae and Johnny Gargano, still gloating about their prank on Nathan Frazer from the previous week, with Gargano clutching Axiom's blue mask. LeRae even mocks turtlenecks, adding insult to injury. Axiom confronts them, demanding his mask back, but LeRae runs off with it. Frazer then disguises himself with another Axiom mask and attacks Gargano, leading to a match announcement for the following week. This storyline is a fun mix of comedy and competition, but will Axiom and Frazer ever get their revenge?
Finally, Chelsea Green faced off against Jordynne Grace. WWE Women’s Champion, Jade Cargill, was observing the match from ringside. Just as she did with Alba Fyre last week, Grace quickly overpowered Green. Fyre attempted to interfere by kicking Grace in the face, but even that didn't give Green much of an advantage. Grace ultimately won the match with a move called The Direct Effect, described as a cartwheel driver. It's a unique and impactful finisher that definitely caught Cargill's attention.
Cargill responded with slow, deliberate clapping, a clear sign of disrespect. Grace grabbed a microphone and called her out, stating she was glad Cargill was there to watch, emphasizing the importance of Cargill knowing what's coming for her. Grace then challenged Cargill to a match, right then and there. Chelsea, still in the ring, tried to rush Grace but accidentally pushed Cargill off the apron. Cargill, seemingly accepting the challenge, was heard saying, "Bet." Is this the start of a new and exciting rivalry for the WWE Women’s Championship? It certainly looks that way!
Next week's SmackDown, airing from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, is already shaping up to be explosive. We have the Women’s Tag Team Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Kiana James and Giulia vs. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax and Lash Legend.
What are your thoughts on this week's SmackDown? Do you think Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair can truly trust each other? Is Jade Cargill making a mistake by underestimating Jordynne Grace? And who will emerge victorious in the chaotic Women's Tag Team Championship #1 Contender’s Match? Let your voice be heard in the comments below!
