After an episode of Smackdown on Friday, WWE locked in at least one new match for the Bash at the Berlin PLE while doing what they’ve done well for the past year, and that’s develop multiple intertwining storylines at once.
After Jade Cargill, Bianca Belair and Naomi defeated the Unholy Union (Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn) and Blair Davenport in a six-woman match on Smackdown, a title match between champions Fyre and Dawn and former Champs Jade Cargill. and Bianca Belair.
Should Belair and Cargill retain their titles at this point? It makes sense for them to start another run as champions. There will be the inevitable showdown between Belair and Cargill, and I’m here for it. Ideally, though, that doesn’t happen until Cargill steps up further and adds more tools to the in-ring kit.
For now, Cargill and Belair look like part of a dynamite tag team champion. While Fyre and Dawn have been solid champions, Cargill and Belair can hold the titles, setting the stage for a potential Cargill-Belair feud that could easily have singles titles and other implications.
Another new match made is LA Knight’s United States Champion open challenge match next week on Smackdown. Knight defeated Santos Escobar on Friday while seemingly moving on from his feud with Legado del Fantasma leader.
The open challenge could be the platform for a new star from NXT or a Superstar returning to WWE after an absence. Keep your eyes peeled for a potential Carmelo Hayes vs. Andrade matchup with a special stipulation. The two men had a feud on Smackdown and have already fought three times on WWE television.
Hayes-Andrade, in a PLE, could steal the show.
Elsewhere on the Blue brand:
WWE has done a great job of using items as important pieces in storylines, and they have almost the same level of vitality as the titles.
We see this with the Bloodline storyline, as the position of Chieftain and Ula Fala have taken on their own identities. He plays an important role in this current chapter of the Bloodline saga.
Jacob Fatu suffered an ankle injury at Summerslam, which seemed to derail some plans. However, Fatu’s walking boot has been incorporated and is now a crucial element in the story as he was forced to drop his tag team title to Tonga Loa on Friday.
Tiffany Stratton’s Money in the Bank briefcase, decorated with pink glitter and designed like a wallet, continues to be the focus of a looming exchange between her and Nia Jax.
It was fun to care about a variety of concepts on Raw and Smackdown. Here’s a look at the confirmed card for Bash in Berlin with a week to go before the event.
- Strap Match: CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre
- Mixed Tag Team Match: The Terror Twins (Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley) vs. The Judgment Day (Dirty’ Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan)
- World Heavyweight Championship Singles Match: Gunther (c) vs. Randy Orton
- Singles Match For The Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Kevin Owens
- Tag Team Match for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: The Unholy Union (c) (Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn) vs. Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill
Expect one or two more matches to be added, bringing the total show to six or seven matches.