The go-home episode of Smack down before Survivor Series: WarGames There was a lot at stake as WWE looked to make the final push for Saturday's highly anticipated premium live event. With a match that would determine the men's WarGames advantage and advance the story for other singles matches on the card, this was the company's final opportunity to sell the PLE and leave fans wanting more.
Friday's show featured an exciting lineup including Cody Rhodes vs. Carmelo Hayes, Andrade vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Jey Uso vs. Jacob Fatu, a triple threat bout with Piper Niven, Lash Legend and Michin, as well as a highly anticipated sit-down between Roman Reigns and CM Punk.
Here are your winners and losers for SmackDown, November 29, 2024:
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Loser: Opening of the Women's War Games
This was a typical but unforgettable team fight
Bianca Belair was the first to appear on Friday's show, followed by the rest of her War Games team. They all made their way to the ring as a video package played. Once they were in the ring, Rhea Ripley did most of the talking, engaging in the typical diatribe about how they were going to take out the other women, and there was nowhere to run. Their opponents pushed out from behind and the next few minutes were a back and forth affair that offered little or nothing of note.
When Liv Morgan finally pretended to want to argue and then turned her team around, Ripley and the rest of the team chased her and they started arguing in the entryway. Eventually, officers and security forces were able to disperse everyone.
That was fine, but easy to forget. There were some comments about some of the women suggesting that their own teams couldn't trust them. That was the best.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
Nakamura was ready for LA Knight
Shinsuke Nakamura had his first televised match since April when he faced Andrade in a singles match. This game was solid, even if it wasn't as technically brilliant as some would have hoped given the competitors involved. However, the end of the game was very well done. Andrade tried a running double knee in the corner and Nakamura moved, but also took off the top turnbuckle in the process. It almost knocked out Andrade, leaving him vulnerable to a Kinshasa.
Nakamura took the win. When LA Knight ran to the ring to get a piece of Nakamura, the Wayward Samurai was ready. He dodged a punch and immediately hit Knight, blinding him before their match at Survivor Series. Nakamura needed the win and the fact that he had a lead over Knight going into Saturday's PLE was a smart decision. The fog is great and should be an integral part of Nakamura's new trick.
Knight probably wins on Saturday, but if this match ends in a non-finish, it would be good if Nakamura gets a boost and can move on.
Backstage, Tommaso Ciampa gave JOhnny Gargano an ultimatum to either figure out how to abandon his friendship with Alex Shelley or it would be Ciampa's way to move forward.
Winner: Cody Rhodes vs. Carmelo Hayes
The champion with a clean individual victory
In a rare (or so it feels like) match for the WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes took on Carmelo Hayes on Friday night. This match arose from the backstage altercation between the two last week. Hayes pushed Rhodes to the limit, but Rhodes got the clean sweep with a nasty Crossrhodes.
It was nice to see Rhodes defend his title, but it felt a little strange to see him do it the night before Survivor Series, and without any interference or appearance from Kevin Owens.
Roman Reigns and CM Punk Sitdown
Heyman is with Reigns, but now he owes Punk
Paul Heyman brought Roman Reigns and CM Punk together to put both men on the same page for Saturday's WarGames match. Nobody wanted to work with the other. Punk was there for Heyman, Reigns didn't care. Both admitted that they don't like each other. Punk wanted revenge for what Solo and his crew had done to his friend. He then said if Roman wanted to talk about the fight afterward, they could.
Roman said, “One time.” Punk agreed. He then said that Heyman would owe him a favor when this was all said and done. Reigns asked what the favor was and Heyman asked that they go through WarGames first and then talk about it. The suspense was high and the cliffhanger at the end of the segment meant there was a lot more to this story. The fact that Punk said he wanted to help Heyman but would come back later is an interesting twist. It suggests that Punk's help comes with strings attached.
These Hollywood-esque packages are so well made. WWE needs to keep producing them.
Winner: Michin
Michin continues
In the first triple threat qualifier for the Women's United States Championship, Michin picked up a victory over Piper Niven and Lash Legend. Niven dominated early and demonstrated her strength. Legend impressed with a body slam on Niven, while Chelsea Green's interference backfired as B-Fab chased her away. Despite some disjointed moments that hindered the flow of the game, the game had some entertaining moments. Michin emerged victorious and reached the semifinals of the United States Championship tournament.
Winner: Jey Uso vs. Jacob Fatu
Jacob Fatu gains the advantage
The main event was all about WarGames' advantage. It was Faut's first singles match in the WWE. Fatu took advantage early. It was Fatu who methodically beat down Uso and sent him to the post and announce table heading into the first commercial break. After the break it was a different story.
Uso fared very well and brought it to Fatu. Fatu's strength surprised Uso a few times and his agility almost earned him a pin. The crowd gathered behind Uso. Faut chose a Swanton and was caught. Uso hit a spear and then a Uso splash, but Fatu kicked out at two. The crowd chanted, “This is great!”
Uso set up the announce table with the plan to force Faut through. Uso was caught with a superkick. Fatu for a Samoan drop, but the table didn't break. Faut then brought Uso back into the ring, hit an implant DDT, then a moonsault for the three count. Fatu secured the clear victory and the advantage for Solo Sikoa and the New Bloodline.
This was a big win for Fatu in his first singles match. He beat Jey Uso! If the plan was to portray Fatu as a serious threat on Saturday, then it was a job well done.
