WWE SmackDown delivered an explosive post-Crown Jewel episode from Buffalo’s KeyBank Center, featuring emotional Bloodline confrontations, shocking violence, and a historic championship announcement. The November 8, 2024 show set the stage for War Games while crowning new champions and creating unforgettable moments that will resonate through WWE’s winter storylines.
Table of Contents
WWE Match Results & Highlights
| Match/Segment | Winner/Outcome |
|---|---|
| Bayley vs. Candice LeRae | Bayley (rollup pin after injury fake) |
| DIY vs. Pretty Deadly | DIY (dominance in 1:36) |
| Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill vs. Nia Jax & Tiffany Stratton | Belair & Cargill (K.O.D. finish) |
| Motor City Machine Guns vs. A-Town Down Under | MCMG retained titles (10:33) |
| Kevin Owens Attacks Randy Orton | Banned piledriver, stretcher job |
| Championship Announcement | WWE Women’s US Championship unveiled |
The Bloodline Reunion That Almost Was
The evening opened with emotional intensity as Roman Reigns and Jimmy Uso made their entrance, followed by Jey Uso and Sami Zayn attempting to reconcile past tensions. The crowd erupted with “Sami Uso” chants, acknowledging the fan-favorite’s complicated history with The Bloodline.
Zayn addressed the accidental Helluva Kick at Crown Jewel, explaining he appeared solely for Jey and admitting the brief reunion felt special. The raw emotion captured why WWE storytelling resonates—these aren’t just wrestlers, they’re family navigating betrayal, loyalty, and redemption.
However, when Zayn asked Roman to apologize to Jey, Reigns responded that he’s sorry he wasted time with Sami, redirecting focus to Solo Sikoa rather than past wounds. This rejection set the stage for later confrontations and the inevitable War Games match building at Survivor Series.
For fans tracking Roman Reigns’ legendary WWE career, this storyline represents one of his most complex character arcs since returning with his “Tribal Chief” persona.
Violence Erupts: Owens Crosses the Line
The night’s most shocking moment came when Randy Orton demanded Kevin Owens come to the ring to settle their Crown Jewel issues, leading to an all-out brawl where Owens delivered a banned piledriver. The move, prohibited in WWE for safety reasons, left Orton on a stretcher with Cody Rhodes and medical personnel attending to him.
Michael Cole screamed about why piledrivers are banned while Corey Graves called for medics, selling the severity despite the carefully executed maneuver. This calculated assault positions Owens as a dangerous heel willing to end careers, adding urgency to his feud with The Viper.
The stretcher job creates uncertainty heading into future shows—will Orton return quickly for revenge, or will this write him off television temporarily? Either scenario builds anticipation for their eventual showdown.
Championship Glory and History Made
SmackDown GM Nick Aldis unveiled the WWE Women’s United States Championship in a video package, emphasizing it will be earned by whoever goes above and beyond. This announcement adds another prestigious title for WWE’s stacked women’s division to compete for, joining the Women’s World Championship, Women’s Tag Team Championships, and NXT Women’s titles.
The creation of this championship reflects WWE’s continued investment in women’s wrestling, providing more opportunities for performers to showcase their talents and build legacy-defining careers. Speculation immediately began about who would capture the inaugural championship.
Motor City Machine Guns successfully defended their WWE Tag Team Championships against A-Town Down Under (Austin Theory and Grayson Waller) in their first televised title defense. The veterans proved why they earned championship gold, though backstage segments revealed The Street Profits earned a title shot for next week’s SmackDown.
Women’s Division Delivers Quality Action
Bayley defeated Candice LeRae after The Poison Pixie feigned injury, but The Role Model recognized the deception and secured a rollup victory. While not a technical masterpiece, the match showcased Bayley’s veteran ring awareness and LeRae’s willingness to bend rules.
The tag team clash between WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill against Women’s Champion Nia Jax and Money in the Bank holder Tiffany Stratton ended with Belair’s K.O.D. on Stratton. Naomi’s interference neutralizing LeRae’s attempted shenanigans added layers to ongoing women’s storylines.
Next week’s SmackDown will feature Nia Jax defending her WWE Women’s Championship against Naomi, continuing the championship picture development ahead of premium live events.
War Games Implications Build
The evening’s closing segment featured Solo Sikoa demanding Roman Reigns acknowledge him as Tribal Chief, with Reigns countering by challenging him to prove it in a match. When Sikoa suggested War Games format, counting four members on his team and suggesting Zayn join, the implication was clear—Survivor Series will host an epic Bloodline civil war.
This traditional Survivor Series match type perfectly suits the faction warfare storyline, with Roman needing to find teammates willing to stand with him against Solo’s version of The Bloodline. Will former allies return? Can Roman swallow his pride and accept help from those he’s wronged?
Similar to how WWE continuously evolves its storytelling, the Bloodline saga demonstrates why professional wrestling remains compelling—multi-layered narratives paying off months or years of character development.
What’s Next for SmackDown
Next week’s episode promises Motor City Machine Guns defending against The Street Profits, Nia Jax versus Naomi for the Women’s Championship, and continued fallout from Kevin Owens’ brutal assault. The road to Survivor Series accelerates with War Games teams forming and championship pictures clarifying.
For complete SmackDown coverage and official match highlights, visit WWE’s official results page. The November 8 episode successfully advanced multiple storylines while delivering quality in-ring action and shocking moments that will resonate for weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly happened between Kevin Owens and Randy Orton on SmackDown?
Kevin Owens delivered a banned piledriver to Randy Orton during their confrontation, leaving The Viper requiring medical attention and a stretcher exit. The piledriver has been prohibited in WWE for decades due to injury risks, making Owens’ use of the move a serious escalation in their feud. This attack stems from tensions that built during Crown Jewel and positions Owens as a villain willing to cross any line to prove his point. The carefully executed move was safe in reality, but WWE sold it as career-threatening to emphasize the storyline severity. Cody Rhodes joined medical personnel attending to Orton, suggesting potential future involvement in this rivalry.
Will Sami Zayn rejoin Roman Reigns’ Bloodline for War Games?
The November 8 episode left Sami Zayn’s allegiance uncertain after Roman Reigns refused to apologize to Jey Uso as Zayn requested. Solo Sikoa provocatively counted Zayn among his potential War Games team members, creating dramatic tension about which Bloodline faction he’ll support. Zayn’s history with both sides creates compelling storytelling—he helped Roman dominate WWE but was ultimately betrayed, while Solo represents the new generation attempting to claim leadership. Jey Uso advocated for Zayn’s inclusion, suggesting the original Bloodline wants him back, but Roman’s pride may prevent full reconciliation. WWE will likely stretch this decision across multiple episodes, maximizing suspense before Survivor Series where War Games traditionally occurs.
