Liv Morgan should fire WWE star after SmackDown incident, ex-writer says (Exclusive)
The November 1 episode of WWE SmackDown began with Liv Morgan defeating Tiffany Stratton after an in-ring confrontation. Vince Russo, WWE's former head writer, believes Raquel Rodriguez should have done more to protect Morgan during the pre-match segment.
SmackDown started with Stratton teasing a Money in the Bank cash-in on Morgan or Nia Jax at Crown Jewel. The war of words ended with the former NXT Women's Champion striking Morgan with a forearm to the face, forcing her to crawl under the bottom rope to recover at ringside.
Speaking on BroDown on Backstage Pass, Russo asked host Mac Davis why Rodriguez did not stand up for Morgan. He also said the Women's World Champion has every right to fire her bodyguard for failing to help her:
"If Raquel Rodriguez is the enforcer and she does nothing to help Liv Morgan, if you're Liv Morgan are you not firing her the next day?" Russo questioned. "Now, Mac, am I stretching? Am I being unreasonable? She gets dumped by Tiffany Stratton, the enforcer stands there and does nothing, so what good is the enforcer, Mac?"
Rodriguez stepped off the ring apron alongside Dirty Dominik Mysterio after Stratton hit Morgan. She then consoled her ally at ringside while Stratton gloated in the middle of the ring.
Vince Russo elaborates on why Raquel Rodriguez should have helped Liv Morgan
SmackDown's opening segment also saw Tiffany Stratton ask whether she will get Dominik Mysterio if she successfully cashes in on Liv Morgan. In response, Morgan mocked Stratton by accusing her of already having enough "dirty" in her life.
Vince Russo thought the segment resembled "high-school acting" and reiterated that Raquel Rodriguez should have had a bigger role:
"You're looking at Rodriguez and you're saying, 'Aren't you the enforcer? Aren't you supposed to get in there?' Again, there was action, I'll give them that, but the acting and the non-use of muscle or a hired gun is inexcusable to me."
Rodriguez has worked alongside Morgan since returning at Bad Blood on October 5. The imposing superstar is a three-time Women's Tag Team Champion, having won the titles once with Aliyah in 2022 and twice with Morgan in 2023.
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Please credit BroDown on Backstage Pass and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription if you use quotes from this article.