Goin Over SmackDown 9/27/24: Tensions Rise Between Owens and Rhodes, Plus Number One Contender Match

Randy Orton Kicks Off Smackdown

SmackDown came live tonight from the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The show kicked off at 8 PM with Randy Orton seeking answers from someone he calls a friend and who he claims is on a very short list of people he trusts in the wrestling industry: Cody Rhodes. Cody came out to the ring, expressing to Randy that while he may look like a fool, he would rather be a fool than a coward. Randy shook Cody’s hand but warned him that it’s not a problem unless he makes it one.

Just as Randy finished speaking, Kevin Owens’ music hit, and as soon as Kevin made it to the ring, Solo Sikoa’s music hit. The New Bloodline, led by the new Tribal Chief, made their way down the ramp, cutting a promo telling Cody he better trust Roman because the people with him in the ring—Owens and Orton—never helped him defeat the Bloodline in the past. Owens interrupted Solo, proposing a tag team match and suggesting that Rhodes attempt to make it a six-man match. However, Owens cut him off, telling him no offense but to focus on his own tag match. The tag team match was set: Owens and Orton vs. Solo and Jacob.

Backstage Confrontation: Nia Jax and Tiffany Stratton

Next, a backstage segment aired featuring Nia Jax questioning Tiffany Stratton about the fact that Bayley and Naomi are still on SmackDown. Jax expressed her fury, saying they had the chance to send them packing last week. Stratton attempted to apologize, but Jax was having none of it. She grabbed Tiffany by the neck, warning her that if things went badly for Jax, they would end really, really bad for Stratton. After letting her go, Jax told her they could be friends again.

Bayley vs. Naomi: Number One Contender Match

Back in the ring, Bayley made her way to the ring for her number one contender match against Naomi. The two were fighting one-on-one after having teamed up last week, where the stipulation was that if they won against Nia Jax and Tiffany Stratton, the wrestler who scored the pin would become the number one contender. However, if one of them got pinned, they would have to leave SmackDown.

Bayley and Naomi delivered a fantastic match, marking their first time going head-to-head since earlier this year when they faced off in a triple threat match with Tiffany Stratton as the third opponent. Bayley had come out on top both times. Tonight’s match ended when Bayley connected with the Bayley-to-Belly and immediately climbed to the top rope, dropping an elbow onto Naomi to secure the victory.

Backstage Drama: Andrade and LA Knight

Next, we saw Andrade and LA Knight backstage, where Andrade let LA Knight know that he should have shaken his hand after their match. Because he didn’t, Andrade stated he lost respect for him. He warned that Carmelo Hayes had come from out of nowhere to blindsight Knight and that he had something for him too.

Carmelo Hayes vs. Andrade: Match Six

After the commercial break, Carmelo Hayes made his way to the ring for match six of their series against Andrade. As the match got underway, Michael Cole attempted to remind viewers at home that LA Knight had tried to initiate a fist bump, but partner Corey Graves quickly swatted it down, explaining the importance of shaking hands man-to-man. Shortly after, Cole reminded him that he doesn’t care about anyone, and less than two minutes into the match, it was already time for another commercial break.

Hayes controlled the match during the commercial break, which was broadcasted in Picture-in-Picture. Andrade and Hayes continued to wrestle through this and one more Picture-in-Picture commercial. Eventually, United States Champion LA Knight came to the ring to get revenge for being blindsided earlier in the night. However, Knight’s appearance distracted Andrade just long enough for Hayes to roll him up for the pin. Hayes quickly exited the ring, wanting no part of the United States Champion. As Andrade and Knight crossed paths again, Knight extended his hand for a handshake, but Andrade left him hanging.

Cody Rhodes’ Locker Room Drama

Back in the locker room, Cody was still trying to reach out to his friends about how they felt regarding him teaming up with Roman Reigns. Kevin Owens was not having any of it, telling Cody they had a match in half an hour and didn’t have time to be distracted. He insisted Cody not come out tonight. After Owens left, Orton promised to talk to Kevin.

Michin vs. Piper Niven

In the ring, fans got a sneak peek of next week’s dumpster match as Michin went one-on-one with Chelsea Green. Green made her entrance with a garbage can, prompting Michael Cole to comment multiple times on its stench. Michin ultimately defeated Chelsea’s best friend, Piper Niven, with the Eat Defeat in a solid match.

Naomi Confronted by Tiffany Stratton

Backstage, Naomi caught up with Bayley, and for a moment, it looked like Naomi didn’t want any part of Bayley. However, she quickly broke into a smile, expressing that she would have been just as happy to be the number one contender and that no love had been lost. After a hug, Naomi was stopped by Tiffany Stratton, who rubbed in Naomi’s loss to Bayley earlier in the night, taunting her about being stuck hosting with her friends. In response, Naomi informed Stratton that she would seek a match against her next week with SmackDown GM Nick Aldis.

Main Event: The New Bloodline vs. Kevin Owens & Randy Orton

As we approached the main event of the night featuring The New Bloodline against Kevin Owens and Randy Orton, entrances were made, and the tension surrounding Kevin’s true feelings about Cody teaming with Roman Reigns loomed over the match. The contest started with the highly anticipated clash between Kevin Owens and Jacob Fatu, but their encounter was short-lived as Jacob quickly gained the upper hand and tagged Solo into the match.

The match was a back-and-forth contest until Cody Rhodes’ music hit, and he made his way to the ring, attempting to help his friends but ultimately costing Kevin Owens the chance to pin a member of the Bloodline for the first time in his career. This caused frustration for Owens, who found himself nose-to-nose with Rhodes after the match, yelling at each other. Randy Orton stepped in to calm the situation, further intensifying speculation about an impending heel turn for Kevin Owens, as fans were left wondering for the second week in a row about his feelings toward Cody teaming up with Roman Reigns.