Oct 25 SmackDown: New WWE Tag Team Champs And Other Takeaways

On Friday night, there were plenty of takeaways as SmackDown opened with an emotional promo from Randy Orton and ended in chaos with a huge reunion between the Usos. New WWE Tag Team Champions were crowned and Jey is back with Jimmy.

Crown Jewel is coming together with a huge card.

Here are some key takeaways from SmackDown on October 25, 2024:

Orton And Triple H Were Incredible

Randy Orton was great on the mic tonight
Triple H did a good job selling Owens being dangerous
The Orton vs. Owens match has been added to Crown Jewel

Randy Orton delivered a stellar promo that set the stage for his Crown Jewel match against Kevin Owens. Right from the start, Orton was emotional and passionately demanded answers from his friend Triple H. The tension skyrocketed when Triple H tried to spare Orton's feelings, but finally revealed he wasnt protecting Owens but rather safeguarding his former Evolution factionmate. Triple H did a good job of selling the idea that Owens had become unhinged. Orton's reaction showed he was devastated that his friend didn't have faith he could handle his own problem.

Orton sold every moment, showcasing raw emotion and conviction. This match is being added to the Crown Jewel card at the last minute, but it's immediately become one of the big draws of the show based on this promo. This was a masterclass in how to sell a match, and these two did so without Owens even being in the building.

Finally Some Tension Between Cody Rhodes and Gunther

These Two Finally Fought Ahead of Crown Jewel

Up until tonight, WWEs buildup for the Crown Jewel showdown between Cody Rhodes and Gunther has fallen flat, especially in selling the animosity between the two. Even on Friday, the first half of this segment lacked intensity as Gunthers mockingly casual "What do you want to talk about" fell short of creating real tension. Codys response felt equally lackluster, lacking the fire one WWE needs to make this match a must-see.

When each was asked why they thought the other could win, both recited their credentials but their answers didn't really make sense. Gunther did a better job, but the segment suffered from poor direction, with two top-tier performers struggling to turn a forced script into a heated rivalry. It was a huge relief when these two started fighting.

Things picked up only when chaos finally erupted between the two, leading to Ludwig Kaiser and Randy Ortons involvement. That turned into a tag match for next week. It feels like WWE should have amped up the hatred earlier, setting the stage with far more fire and intensity.

Motor City Machine Guns Capture WWE Tag Titles

Jey Uso Returns to Reunite The Original Bloodline

The Motor City Machine Guns won the WWE Tag Team Titles
Jey Uso returned and embraced his brother Jimmy
Roman Reigns watched on as the show closed.

The Motor City Machine Guns unexpected victory on SmackDown was a huge way to set the ending of the show in motion. In a night full of twists, Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin not only shocked fans by capturing the Tag Team Championships but also became the unlikely center of WWEs escalating Bloodline saga.

Initially earning the No. 1 Contender spot with a win over DIY, the Guns were immediately challenged by The Bloodline for an impromptu title match, despite objections from GM Nick Aldis. Chaos quickly ensued as Jimmy Uso and Roman Reigns got tangled in a backstage brawl with Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu.

When Tonga Loa and Tama Tonga went for chairs to take out The Machine Guns, Jey Uso showed up in a thrilling reveal. He was the hooded figure who helped neutralize The New Bloodline's interference. He got the Bloodline back for costing him the Intercontinental Title on Raw. It was Jey who ensured the tag team titles went elsewhere.

The night ended on an emotional note with the Uso brothers reuniting in the ring. This tag team title change marks a seismic shift in WWEs tag team division and shows WWE really believes in this new team. And, with Roman Reigns watching the Uso reunion, which way is he going to lean next week?