WWE SMACKDOWN 12/27/24 REVIEW: THE BLUE BRAND BECOMES THE GREEN HOUSE

- Rob Crowther, Editor In Chief

Before Friday Night SmackDown makes its official move to 3 hours, the blue brand featured a heavy dose of story driven matches and hard hitting action. Rivalries weren't necessarily renewed, but things only heated up between Owens and Rhodes, while we also saw the official celebration of your new Women's United States Champion.

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The opening contest featured a stellar six woman tag match between the team of WWE Women's Tag Team Champions, Bianca Belair and Naomi, teaming with Bayley and the team of WWE Women's Champion  Nia Jax, Candace LeRae, and Women's Money in the Bank Briefcase holder, Tiffany Stratton. Great match here that was given plenty of time. Naomi stole the show with her ever evolving moveset, featuring a stellar Bubba Bomb and pinning combination. The story here was Candace slowly becoming Nia's number 2, while miscommunication from Stratton as well as a potential cash-in, cost their team the match. This begs the question will it be Tiffy Time at The Royal Rumble? 

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Backstage, Nick Aldis (who earlier in the night gave Kevin Owens an ultimatum) confronted DIY about who attacked The Street Profits weeks ago. Aldis came to find out that Pretty Deadly were eyewitnesses but when questioned the team pointed fingers at Garza and his crew. However true this may have been, the Street Profits met Los Garzas in the ring for a solid tag team match. Montez Ford again showed up and showed out to get the win for the Profits. 

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Post-match we come to find out Pretty Deadly is trying to strike a deal with DIY, while Apollo Crews reveals to the Profits and Motor City Machine Guns that he in fact saw Ciampa and Gargano attack the Street Profits. This begs the question, why is Crews telling them this now?

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The long awaited Championship Celebration for your prettiest, sparkly-est, first ever, and longest reigning Women's United States Champion, Chelsea Green was absolute gold. Well, Red, White, and Green to be exact. Green in full Lady Liberty attire, made her way to the ring, to a an oval office type setup. This was absolutely brilliant. Piper's contributions and facials were equally as amazing. "We have officially turned the Blue Brand into the Green House", Chelsea stated with an inauguration day feel. "I challenge you to ask yourself not what Chelsea Green can do for you, but what you can do for Chelsea Green." Unfortunately, the celebration was cut short as Michin made it clear that the feud between her and Green is far from over. Everything stemming from this feud and title reign has been nothing short of amazing. 

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Up next, Carmelo Hayes takes on Sami Zayn who is here at SmackDown on Bloodline business. Melo shows out, but Zayn takes control and almost hits a Helluva Kick for the win. Melo retreats but is met by Strowman on the ramp after last week's count-out victory by Melo. While Sami is left alone in the ring he is attacked by the New Bloodline. Interesting wrinkle here, as Braun Strowman decides to interject himself into Bloodline affairs, attempting to make the save for Sami. Great showdown between the Werewolf, Jacob Fatu and The Monster, Strowman. I like this A LOT. The New Bloodline ultimately gets the upper hand as WWE Officials run to the ring and break things up.

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During the chaos, Kevin Owens makes his way to the ring. 

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General Manager Nick Aldis tries to strip Owens of the Winged Eagle Championship, but they are interrupted by the WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. Rhodes who is rocking a lovely peacoat, says that he wants a match where the referee can't stop what he is going to do to Owens, and that match is a ladder match. Nick Aldis makes the match official for the 2025 Royal Rumble PLE. Owens goes for the handshake, and Rhodes refuses. Instead Owens pushes Aldis into Rhodes and gets a few cheap shots in on Rhodes' neck. I'm loving the involvement of Aldis here, as I'd love to see him lace up the boots soon, and this is a really solid match for what look to be an epic Royal Rumble PLE.

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