The rumor mill is churning, alliances are shaky, and tensions are at an all-time high on SmackDown! This week's episode, emanating from London's Wembley Arena, was packed with drama, leaving fans wondering who they can truly trust. But here's where it gets controversial... are these alliances genuine, or are we witnessing elaborate games of deception? Let's break it down.
The episode kicked off with a backstage encounter that set the stage for the night's turmoil. Alexa Bliss was preparing for action when a seemingly cheerful Charlotte Flair surprised her with a playful 'booty bump,' inquiring if Bliss had missed her. Bliss, still reeling from last week's Women’s United States Championship loss to Giulia (a loss exacerbated by pre-match mind games and a post-match beatdown from Nia Jax and Lash Legend), expressed her frustration. Feeling abandoned and outnumbered, she directly questioned Flair's supposed illness, seeking reassurance of her teammate's loyalty. Flair, in response, claimed she was genuinely sick and even highlighted instances where she supposedly prioritized their team over personal title opportunities. But this is the part most people miss... when pressed to name just two such instances, Flair remained conspicuously silent. This left Bliss visibly unconvinced, creating a palpable sense of unease before she departed, allowing Flair to prepare.
Then, adding fuel to the fire, Nia Jax and Lash Legend appeared, offering their unsolicited opinions on Bliss. Nia claimed that Flair shouldn’t trust Bliss, painting her as someone who manipulates others into feeling guilty and portrays herself as the victim. Lash seconded this assessment, emphasizing Bliss's supposed knack for victimhood. Flair, however, wasn't buying it. She firmly stated that she doesn't trust either of them and warned them of the consequences should they offer unwanted advice again. Was Flair right to dismiss their concerns, or were Nia and Lash planting seeds of doubt that will ultimately fracture the Charlexa alliance?
The first women's match of the night saw Alexa and Charlotte team up against Women's United States Champion Giulia and Kiana James. Bliss and James locked up to start, however the Ohio native quickly tagged in The Queen. After trading blows, Giulia and James gained control, isolating Bliss and showcasing their teamwork. James even went so far as to prevent Bliss from tagging in Flair, driving Bliss headfirst into their corner before Giulia delivered a missile dropkick. Finally, Bliss managed to tag in Flair, who unleashed a flurry of chops on the heels, much to the delight of the London crowd. Despite Giulia and James's attempts to disrupt her momentum, Flair held her own until Bliss secured the victory with a Sister Abigail DDT on James. A fairly standard tag team match, right? Wrong!
Immediately following the match, Nia Jax and Lash Legend stormed the ring, launching an attack on both teams. Giulia confronted Jax, while James attempted to restrain her client. This post-match brawl seemed to solidify the animosity between all six women, setting the stage for the upcoming Women’s Tag Team Championship #1 Contender’s match.
In a lighter segment backstage, Candice LeRae and Johnny Gargano were shown gloating about their prank on Nathan Frazer from the previous week, with Gargano still in possession of Axiom's blue mask. LeRae even questioned the fashion sense of turtleneck wearers. Axiom then confronted them, demanding the return of his mask. LeRae ran off with it, leading to Frazer, disguised with another Axiom mask, ambushing Gargano. Frazer then announced that he had secured a match against Gargano for the following week after speaking with Nick Aldis, promising retribution for the prank. While this segment provided some comic relief, it also highlighted the ongoing rivalry between these four Superstars.
Later in the show, Chelsea Green faced off against Jordynne Grace. WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill watched the match from ringside, seemingly scouting her potential competition. Grace quickly overpowered Green, despite Fyre's interference (a kick to Grace's face). Grace ultimately secured the win with a move called "The Direct Effect," described as a cartwheel driver. This move, while impressive, is relatively new to WWE audiences. Will it become a signature move for Grace, or will it be just another addition to her arsenal?
Cargill's slow clap following the match definitely showed disrespect, prompting Grace to grab a microphone and call her out. Grace stated she was glad Cargill was there to watch, emphasizing the importance of Cargill understanding what was coming to her. She then challenged Cargill to a match, daring her to step into the ring right then and there. Chelsea Green, still in the ring, inadvertently pushed Cargill off the apron while running at Grace. Cargill, seemingly accepting the challenge, was heard saying, "Bet." This confrontation suggests that a Cargill versus Grace match is imminent, and it is likely to be a clash of styles and personalities. How will Cargill's established dominance clash against Grace's fresh energy?
Looking ahead, next week's SmackDown, broadcasting from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, will feature a Women’s Tag Team Championship #1 Contender’s match pitting Kiana James and Giulia against Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, and Nia Jax and Lash Legend. With so much animosity between these teams, the match is sure to be chaotic and unpredictable.
So, what are your thoughts on this week’s SmackDown? Do you think Charlotte Flair is truly loyal to Alexa Bliss, or is she playing her own game? Can Jordynne Grace dethrone Jade Cargill? And who will emerge victorious in the #1 Contender's match? Share your opinions in the comments below!
