4 ways Triple H shocked us on WWE SmackDown
WWE Friday Night SmackDown aired on the USA Network last night. The blue brand moved to the popular cable station after having previously spent five years on the FOX Network, which is broadcast television.
Since moving back to the USA Network, SmackDown has been on fire. The blue brand's shows have been as good as perhaps they've ever been and last night was another fantastic episode.
The in-ring action was high quality, the promos were fantastic, the crowd was hot for most of the matches, and perhaps most importantly, various surprises and major moments kept fans at the edge of their seats. Triple H has been leading a show that has the audience truly engaged and last night was a shining example as to why.
This article will take a look at several big moments from Friday Night SmackDown that left the fans shocked. Triple H pulled off some major upsets, a heartbreaking rejection, and a huge debut that went above and beyond the wildest of expectations. How did The Game leave fans shocked?
Below are four ways Triple H shocked us on WWE SmackDown.
#4. Candice LeRae shockingly defeated a former world champion
A big-time tag team match was scheduled for WWE SmackDown. Tiffany Stratton was meant to team up with Nia Jax to take on Bayley and Naomi. In an unfortunate turn of events, Tiffany was ill and couldn't make it to the show. Nick Aldis refused to call off the match, however.
Instead, Nia needed a new partner and to the surprise of everyone, Candice LeRae stepped up. The Women's WWE Speed Champion joined Nia's side despite Jax not being happy about it and took on the former world champions in tag team action.
In what was an uber-competitive match, things went awry for the babyfaces when Bayley and Candice were fighting on the floor. Indi Hartwell slammed Bayley into the ring post, allowing The Poison Pixie to then hit a Lionsault back in the ring. Then to the shock of everybody, Candice pinned Bayley in the center of the ring. Fans were stunned and this was by far the biggest win in Candice's career.
#3. The Motor City Machine Guns' debut was massive
WWE held a handful of tag team matches last night, including two Triple Threat Tag Team Matches with major stakes. The winners of each bout would go on to fight on next week's show. The winners of that bout would have won the mini-tournament and would get to face The Bloodline for tag team gold.
One of the bouts saw Los Garza, A-Town Down Under, and the debuting Motor City Machine Guns go at it. While some fans had a feeling Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin were coming to WWE, it was confirmed yesterday and fans loved it. They had a brilliant presentation with pyro and a big entrance and it is clear they're being treated as a big deal.
Still, the most shocking part was the outcome. Not only did Shelley and Sabin win their match, but DIY won the other bout. This means a major dream match years in the making is being given away on next week's SmackDown. Triple H left many shocked with that move.
#2. NXT's Lash Legend defeated a former WWE Women's Tag Team Champion in dominant fashion
An NXT star made her singles in-ring debut on WWE Friday Night SmackDown last night. The powerful Lash Legend, who is a member of the Meta-Four faction, took on former Women's Tag Team Champion Piper Niven.
Lash and her tag team partner Jakara Jackson actually made their debuts last week where they lost to Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill in tag team action. Following that loss, many assumed Lash would lose in her singles debut too.
Instead, Legend showed off her incredible power and ultimately slammed Piper twice. The first was a standard body slam, while the second shocked the crowd when she held Piper across her back and slammed her down face-first. From there, Legend dominantly pinned the former champion, shocking the wrestling world.
#1. Jey Uso rejected Roman Reigns
The final way Triple H left fans shocked on WWE Friday Night SmackDown was via Bloodline drama. Monday Night RAW's Jey Uso made a surprise appearance on the blue brand, first confronting Solo Sikoa and The Bloodline.
As if that wasn't enough, Jey later went face-to-face with Roman Reigns. In a moment that was surprising too, Roman actually said he was proud of Jey for all he has accomplished, clearly trying to mend fences.
Unfortunately, Jey wasn't interested. The WWE Intercontinental Champion stared down his formerly abusive cousin and simply said, "No yeet" before walking off. He rejected Reigns' attempt to reconcile and this not only shocked fans, but it left them heartbroken. What do Roman Reigns and Jimmy Uso do now?