clc
Don Corleone
Posts: 1,636
|
Post by clc on May 15, 2024 10:17:07 GMT -5
{Spoiler}{SPOILER: CLICK TO SHOW} I know there was the graphics mistake, but I had a hard time believing Tiffy would make it to the finals. She'd have to beat both Bianca and Jade. While I can see a shenanigans win over Bianca, I doubt they will give Jade any type of loss until they decide she's not working out. If I had to guess the finals, it was always going to be be Jade beating IYO. I could totally see Lyra beating IYO, but I am assuming Damage CTRL will interfere so IYO can win and go the the finals. Then Damage CTRL become punching bags for Lyra/Becky going forward.
As for the graphics, I am guessing they have them prepared because Lyra and Tiffy are planned to go to Saudi Arabia, but maybe as back up plans, or they have different matches.
|
|
|
Post by EoE: Well There's Your Problem on May 15, 2024 10:32:19 GMT -5
Remember, the go-home SmackDown is IN Saudi, so thereβd be an extra SmackDown woman going over there from that side of the bracket to do the semi-final match. Doesnβt really explain the RAW part of that graphic oversight, though.
|
|
|
Post by centeroftheuniverse on May 15, 2024 10:54:52 GMT -5
If Lyra got to the final then it would have made most sense to face Tiffany, showcasing the new talent, face vs heel, and significantly, pretty much a year to the day since their first and only meeting thus far, at NXT Battleground on May 28th 2023 for the vacant title.
If Tiffany was meant to be a finalist, or winner, then their decisions thus far would have been baffling as her R1 match was obviously not telivised and more surprisingly, she was pretty much the only remaining tournanent participant not to be included in the commercial which went out on RAW, so it hasn't exactly screamed it's her tournament in the early stages, and you'd have been forgiven to think she wasn't involved, so no miss from that perspective if she was pulled, but obviously could be a big missed opportunity for her.
|
|
gl83
Hank Scorpio
Posts: 5,029
|
Post by gl83 on May 15, 2024 11:32:13 GMT -5
If Lyra got to the final then it would have made most sense to face Tiffany, showcasing the new talent, face vs heel, and significantly, pretty much a year to the day since their first and only meeting thus far, at NXT Battleground on May 28th 2023 for the vacant title. If Tiffany was meant to be a finalist, or winner, then their decisions thus far would have been baffling as her R1 match was obviously not telivised and more surprisingly, she was pretty much the only remaining tournanent participant not to be included in the commercial which went out on RAW, so it hasn't exactly screamed it's her tournament in the early stages, and you'd have been forgiven to think she wasn't involved, so no miss from that perspective if she was pulled, but obviously could be a big missed opportunity for her. I guess it sorta makes sense why Tiffany got the short end since her match was the only one that would not have any story ramifications. Nia Jax did attack Naomi a few weeks ago and Nia & Naomi are title contenders, so it makes sense for them to be featured on TV. The Jade/Piper match makes sense with the confrontation between Bayley/Piper backstage and the post-match interview where Chelsea blamed the loss on Bayley, setting up their title match for Clash at the Castle. Bianca/Candice could've been the house show match considering how little time it got, but with them playing up Bianca's injury, it sorta makes sense why it was televised to explain Bianca's injury and gives her an out for losing in the 2nd round.
|
|
clc
Don Corleone
Posts: 1,636
|
Post by clc on May 15, 2024 11:54:32 GMT -5
Is this Bianca injury thing going to be a real part of the story? I mean Bianca who has been utterly indestructible for the past few years, is going to sell a really weak chop block from Indi for a full week? That's going to be what finally does her in? It's going to be even more lame when she does her full entrance where she skips to the ring and bounces up and down on the injured knee without any consequence.
I get wanting to do a protected loss, but hopefully it's more than "Indi slightly hit my knee" last week.
I'm so fickle. I complain when people don't sell, now I complain at a potential selling too much. But this is like when the bad guy shoots Superman, he tanks all the bullets, then they throw their gun at him...only this time it works lol.
|
|
|
Post by centeroftheuniverse on May 15, 2024 12:07:47 GMT -5
If Lyra got to the final then it would have made most sense to face Tiffany, showcasing the new talent, face vs heel, and significantly, pretty much a year to the day since their first and only meeting thus far, at NXT Battleground on May 28th 2023 for the vacant title. If Tiffany was meant to be a finalist, or winner, then their decisions thus far would have been baffling as her R1 match was obviously not telivised and more surprisingly, she was pretty much the only remaining tournanent participant not to be included in the commercial which went out on RAW, so it hasn't exactly screamed it's her tournament in the early stages, and you'd have been forgiven to think she wasn't involved, so no miss from that perspective if she was pulled, but obviously could be a big missed opportunity for her. I guess it sorta makes sense why Tiffany got the short end since her match was the only one that would not have any story ramifications. Nia Jax did attack Naomi a few weeks ago and Nia & Naomi are title contenders, so it makes sense for them to be featured on TV. The Jade/Piper match makes sense with the confrontation between Bayley/Piper backstage and the post-match interview where Chelsea blamed the loss on Bayley, setting up their title match for Clash at the Castle. Bianca/Candice could've been the house show match considering how little time it got, but with them playing up Bianca's injury, it sorta makes sense why it was televised to explain Bianca's injury and gives her an out for losing in the 2nd round. But none of the Smackdown women's matches were revealed until Thursday and they can obviously put whoever in with who they want. Tiffany vs Mia in a no jeopardy, 100% obvious outcome, 5th time match certainly didn't need be on TV, and as a match, should have been the one omitted, but they could have easily had Nia vs Mia on a house show, or knocked 2 mins off 2 of the matches and had that a 2 min squash and then had Tiffany vs Naomi, admittedly again, but it would have been hard to call, it's 1-1-1 in their mini series so could have been a decider, and then Tiffany could have had the chance to beat 'the big 3' all in succession and that would have been a massive statement, but Tiffany vs Mia off TV, a win over a one legged Bianca and then a probable/possible bye to the final after Nia and Jade got a double count out would have been one of the weakest routes through a tournament, if that's what they are or were planning. But it was mainly the RAW advert that was the most baffling - they had IYO on twice, Nia, Jade, Bianca, Lyra, Randy twice, LA Knight, Melo, Jey, Gunther, even Ilya (as he wasn't eliminated by the time it aired), but no sign at all of Tiffany, and it was as if they were downplaying her participation on purpose for whatever reason, but it certainly didn't scream this is your future QOTR. There's obviously not much time between the semi and final, one day, and it's rushed with PLEs being every 3 weeks, but if they were going to be doing a promotion package about their route through to the final, then it would look weird having her match against Mia look like it's been filmed on an iPhone.
|
|
|
Post by polarbearpete on May 15, 2024 12:23:07 GMT -5
Iβm thinking the finals has always been meant to be Jade vs. Iyo
|
|
|
Post by The Rick Jericho on May 15, 2024 17:35:48 GMT -5
Iβm thinking the finals has always been meant to be Jade vs. Iyo I'd really look forward to this. Iyo puts her working boots on and sells all over the place for Jade. Jade has to keep up with the speed of Iyo and use psychology. This would be a real great test to see how far Jade has come facing Iyo in the finals.
|
|
|
Post by centeroftheuniverse on May 16, 2024 15:12:26 GMT -5
Looks like they have probably taken Tiffany out of the tournament. No sign of her match with Bianca on the show tomorrow, and while it wouldn't be too unusual for Tiffany not to be a featured superstar on the website, Bianca always would be so a notable omission. If true, I wonder if Bianca gets a bye or if they find a replacement. www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2024-05-17
|
|
|
Post by centeroftheuniverse on May 16, 2024 15:40:03 GMT -5
It is now being advertised, which is a relief. I can see it going 2 ways - either a quick win for Bianca, or Bianca isn't medically cleared (they have referenced the injury in the below passage) and Tiffany gets a bye to the semi where another week would have passed, the match would be in Saudi, so nobody would care, and Bianca wouldn't need take a loss.
Even a 2 min burial would be far better than Tiffany being pulled from the tournament, her future in doubt, and a lot more unanswered questions.
|
|
|
Post by floundertime on May 17, 2024 20:02:32 GMT -5
I know at the Saudi shows they go all out for the fireworks. I can't phantom to guess how much pyro Cody is going to get as champ
|
|
J is Justice
Wade Wilson
Will now be grateful.
Hi.
Posts: 28,940
|
Post by J is Justice on May 18, 2024 11:54:10 GMT -5
I think Lyra's gonna win it.
|
|
|
Post by polarbearpete on May 18, 2024 12:05:25 GMT -5
I think theyβre setting up Iyo to beat Bianca in the finals. Especially with Bianca still selling the leg and her semifinal match taking place the day before the PPV, while Iyo will be fresh.
|
|
|
Post by Bang Bang Bart on May 18, 2024 12:50:03 GMT -5
The Cody/Logan contract signing yesterday seemed to suggest that only the World Title is on the line.
|
|
clc
Don Corleone
Posts: 1,636
|
Post by clc on May 18, 2024 13:28:05 GMT -5
I think theyβre setting up Iyo to beat Bianca in the finals. Especially with Bianca still selling the leg and her semifinal match taking place the day before the PPV, while Iyo will be fresh. I think Bianca's leg injury is made out of the same stuff as Seth's back injury.
|
|
4real
Wade Wilson
Posts: 27,930
|
Post by 4real on May 18, 2024 13:55:28 GMT -5
Possible finals then:
Gunther v Orton Gunther v Tama Tonga Jey Uso v Tama Tonga Jey Uso v Randy Orton
Iyo Sky v Bianca Belair Iyo Sky v Nia Jax Lyra Valkyria v Nia Jax Lyra Valkyria v Bianca Belair
All the menβs ones look good other than Gunther v Tama which isnβt happening. No way the final is Iyo v Nia either.
My picks right now are Gunther & Iyo but I wouldnβt be shocked if Nia beats Bianca and then beats Lyra in the final.
|
|
asuka007
Fry's dog Seymour
Posts: 21,151
|
Post by asuka007 on May 18, 2024 17:36:37 GMT -5
The fact that theyβve eliminated all of the newer people already (except Lyra but she might also be gone on Monday perhaps) has made this just a bit less interesting imo.
|
|
|
Post by The Rick Jericho on May 19, 2024 11:47:39 GMT -5
I hope it's Tama Tonga vs. Jey Uso so we finally get our first tease of a feud between the two Bloodlines.
|
|
Nosnorb
El Dandy
Nachos and Fraggle Rock are TIMELESS.
Posts: 7,801
|
Post by Nosnorb on May 19, 2024 18:57:10 GMT -5
I hope it's Tama Tonga vs. Jey Uso so we finally get our first tease of a feud between the two Bloodlines. It feels like it has taken forever for Jey to finally get a solo run, dude should be kept away from other members of his family for a good while yet. Anyway, that lineup seems unlikely, I can't see Orton not having a match at this PPV.
|
|
4real
Wade Wilson
Posts: 27,930
|
Post by 4real on May 20, 2024 13:23:24 GMT -5
Just a reminder for football fans that the FA cup final is on at 3pm Saturday, this show is 5pm U.K. time.
With stoppage time I doubt the FA Cup final finishes at 5 but unless youβre a Man City or Man U fan I doubt thereβs much intrigue in a final we saw last year. If Man City are comfortably 3 up which they probably will be itβs not going to be a problem either.
|
|