Friday Night SmackDown aired this week from inside the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island.
After a recap was shown of Jade Cargill and Michin’s win over Women’s United States Champion Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte Flair last week, Cathy Kelley interviewed Cargill, B-Fab, and Michin. Asking her if there was any pressure to repeat her performance like she did when winning last year’s Queen of the Ring tournament, Cargill questioned the usage of the word “pressure”, stating she built her career off of pressure and that they have nothing to worry about because best believe that if she won it once, she can win it twice.
Michin adds that last week they proved to Charlotte who the real queen is, and per B-Fab, “Tiffy” got to see exactly what time it is when you try to cut the line. She got a taste of what happens when you mess with the future two-time Queen of the Ring. Cargill then promises Rhea Ripley that she’s going to get her lick back, so she better rest up, because she’s going to see her at SummerSlam.
The final Queen of the Ring first round match pitted Cargill, Flair, and Raw superstars Lyra Valkyria and Women’s Intercontinental Champion Sol Ruca. The match began with everyone trying to take down Cargill, who soon took care of Valkyria and Ruca by sending them out of the ring. Flair and Cargill soon fought with The Queen taking control before Michin and B-Fab attacked Flair; the two did not get in trouble as there was no disqualification in the match, with their attempts being thwarted by Alexa Bliss and Tiffany Stratton.
All four women jockeyed for position throughout the match. In the end, it was Charlotte Flair who came out on top when Lyra tapped out to the Figure Eight.
Tiffany Stratton was walking backstage when Cathy Kelley asked her why she helped Charlotte Flair. Stratton said she’s not going to pretend like she’s besties with her, but they can both agree on one thing: they don’t want Jade as their champion. Michin and B-Fab confronted her, only to be threatened by Chelsea Green’s usage of a kendo stick.
Stratton wasn’t the only one who had Flair on her mind, as another vignette for Blake Monroe aired with The Queen as the latest target of her Burn Book vitriol:
“Dear Diary,
Let’s talk about Charlotte Flair.
Charlotte, I remember watching you as part of the historic Women’s Evolution. You are truly one of the greats, and with Alexa Bliss by your side, well, you’re a match made in codependent heaven.
I mean, what a farce, you’ve deluded yourselves into thinking you’re stronger together, and you’ve only turned soft… weak. Friends aren’t something i’ve ever burdened myself with.
True stars shine brighter alone, and my beauty is blinding. Hold on tighter to each other, girls, because The Glamour is coming to SmackDown.
Yours Truly,
Blake Monroe”
Several minutes later, the Women’s Tag Team Champions Scream Mode (Brie Bella and Paige) took on Fatal Influence (Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid). Both teams had their eyes on the ball in the early goings, with Fallon and Lainey eventually taking control and taking shots at Brie. Brie struggled to fight back, but soon took advantage of distance to give the much-needed tag to Paige.
With Paige and Fallon as the legal participants, Brie sent Lainey out of the ring and distracted Fallon into being set up for a PTO from Paige, but Jacy Jayne pulled on her arm, which the referee noticed, kicking her out of the match. Fallon tried a small package pin on Paige but Brie would push her and fight off Lainey, allowing Paige to have Fallon pinned. This resulted in Paige and Brie winning the match and retaining the Women’s Tag Team Championships.
Candice LeRae was texting on her phone, clearly not caring for Sami Zayn’s monologue. As has been the case for months at this point, Johnny Gargano remains lying down, and as Sami Zayn talked about asking himself a serious question, The Poison Pixie had a serious question of her own for her husband: “When are you going to get up and do something about it?”.
Booked following their backstage segment, Tiffany Stratton and Chelsea Green took on B-Fab and Michin. Stratton was noticeably passive-aggressive with Green throughout the match, in which the heel team dominated.
Green’s attempt at reaching out to Stratton for a hot tag was stopped by Cargill, who pulled at Stratton’s leg and caused her to fall. This distracted Green, who hit the Un-Pretty-Her on B-Fab but fell victim to a Styles Clash by Michin to win the match for her and B-Fab.
Stratton would attack the three, but the trio ganged up on her with Cargill hitting Jaded on her in the ring. Cargill then grabbed the Women’s United States Championship as no one came to the Buff Barbie’s rescue.
Following the match, the commentators switched gears to a recap of Kiana James and Giulia brawling in the ring after dissolving their alliance during last week’s episode. Cathy Kelley then interviewed James, who said her friend betrayed her, and she knows it’s just juicy gossip for Kelley, but for James, it is her life. She did everything for Giulia, mentioning that she secured her matches and made her champion. The Beautiful Madness needed her, and the one time she asks her for help, she’s useless.
Giulia then walks up to her and tells James that she needed the representative’s help with English and a contract, not for being a fighter, as that’s who she is. James says she didn’t need Giulia for anything. Giulia accused James of using her momentum, with James saying she eclipsed her. Giulia’s English is better, so she finally has the right words to say. Fortunately for James, it was in a way she could easily understand, not by word, but simply by action, as Giulia slapped her and walked off.
Friday Night SmackDown airs next week from inside the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Here’s what is set to take place:
- Queen of the Ring Semi-Finals: Charlotte Flair vs. Liv Morgan
As always, make sure to share your thoughts on this week’s edition of SmackDown in the comments below.