Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for October 4, 2024

Multi-platinum country music singer and songwriter Hardy is in the ring. He welcomes everyone to tonight's show, then welcomes back "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles, who heads to the ring. Styles says he has missed the fans so much and that it is fitting that he is here in Nashville, Tennessee tonight, as this is where it all started for him, and over the last couple of months, he has not made the best decisions. He then says he is here to talk about tonight, not the past, and repairing his image as "The Phenomenal One," as there are people who need to be reminded that SmackDown is the house that he built. Carmelo Hayes shows up and says that after everything Styles has done, he is not surprised there is not a long line of people welcoming him back, and that he has decided to be the guy to do just that. Carmelo then brags about beating Andrade three times and holding it down on the blue brand since Styles has been gone, then says that he is a fan of Styles and "old-timers like [him]" before tooting his own horn again. Carmelo then says that a guy like him, not Andrade or LA Knight, deserves to be United States Champion, then Styles cuts him off, saying he has been in the ring with Knight before and that Knight is relentless. He talks about how LA Knight showed up at this house and how they had a match at WrestleMania, but Carmelo tells Styles that he does not take or need advice from "quitters." Styles says he deserves that one, then says that if Carmelo Hayes really were "Him," he would already be United States Champion right now. Carmelo says that if Styles was so phenomenal, then he would be Undisputed WWE Champion right now. Styles then proposes that they have a match, since they are already in a wrestling ring in their gear. Carmelo says "Nah, I'm good," but LA Knight shows up as he leaves. Knight makes light of Carmelo wanting to walk away from a right, then makes fun of Styles for lying about his retirement after mentioning their history. He then says that Carmelo is the one getting stomped out tonight, either through him or through Styles. Knight then tells Carmelo that if he can beat Styles, he can make a case for a United States title shot for him with General Manager Nick Aldis, then says that Styles will still stomp Carmelo out. He then calls for a referee to make this match official.

We see a vignette with police cars and speeding cars followed by the words "Coming Soon."

Carmelo Hayes vs. "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles ends with Styles injuring his ankle. The injury comes after a bad landing on a backflip from the middle rope as well as his ankle being unable to support his own weight on a Falcon Arrow. After the match, Carmelo Hayes is hit by a BFT from out of nowhere by LA Knight.

We see a video package for "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns vs. The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu) at Bad Blood.

"Michin" Mia Yim beats Chelsea Green in a Dumpster Match after powerbomb Chelsea through a table laid over the dumpster before closing the lid.

We see footage of AJ Styles being evaluated in the trainer's room. He is now in the hospital for a left ankle injury.

Backstage, Naomi is met by Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill. Bianca says Naomi will get the win tonight, then Jade says that after the match, the three of them will be partying, as Naomi is now co-hosting Bad Blood along with them. Bayley shows up and tells Naomi that she will tell Nia Jax to her face that she will beat her, and when she does, Naomi will be the first in line.

Bayley heads to the ring. She says that in just 24 hours, she has the opportunity to win the WWE Women's Championship. She then minces no words in calling Nia Jax and Tiffany Stratton out. Nia and Tiffany show up and head to the ring, then Nia tells Bayley to say what she has to say to her face. Bayley says that as long as she has known Nia, Nia has never known or understood the significance of the WWE Women's Championship to people like her who grew up as fans. Bayley talks about how she watched past female Superstars win the title and become larger than life and more than human, which is not what Nia Jax comes across to her, even though none of them have had a dominant run as Nia herself. She then says there are two people who can take the title off of her: her and Tiffany. Bayley predicts that Tiffany will cash in on Nia the minute that Tiffany gets tired of her. Tiffany says she does not need the Money In The Bank Briefcase to beat Nia Jax, then gets flustered when Nia confronts her for saying that before telling Bayley to 'bow down to [her] queen." Bayley says she respects Nia more than she does Tiffany and would rather bow down to her than patronize a stupid bitch. Tiffany attacks Bayley only to get knocked down, and Bayley then takes out Nia Jax with the briefcase. Tiffany attacks Bayley only to get knocked down, and Bayley then takes out Nia Jax with the briefcase. Afterwards, Tiffany seemingly entertains the idea of chasing in on Nia Jax, and Nia Jax leaves the ring before Naomi shows up for the next match.

Backstage, Piper Niven and Chelsea Green gross out everyone they pass by due to the smell of Chelsea Green, including General Manager Nick Aldis, who makes a few puns. Chelsea and Piper leave, then Carmelo Hayes shows up wanting his United States title shot. Aldis says he will check on Styles, then they will talk.

Naomi beats Tiffany Stratton.

We hear from The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Jacob Fatu) backstage. Jacob Fatu says that he and his brothers love their Tribal Chief, as do the fans, and that The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) and #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tomamso Ciampa) will learn to respect, worship and acknowledge the Tribal Chief.

Backstage, Tiffany Stratton is met by Nia Jax. Nia says that if she did not know any better, she was teasing trying to cash in on her. She says that she can either focus on the Women's World Championship, as she could actually survive it, or promise she will never defeat her again. Tiffany tells Nia that she would never turn on her.

The Bloodline (Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa) retain the WWE Tag Team Championships against The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) and #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tomamso Ciampa) in a Triple Threat Tag Team Ladder Match. Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu celebrate with Tama and Loa after the match.

This week on The SmackDown LowDown: Carmelo Hayes! "Michin" Mia Yim! Naomi (and Bianca Belair)!

Here are the highlights from tonight's show!

Here are the top ten moments from tonight's show!