After a table-setting episode of Smackdown on Friday, the WWE has locked in at least one new match for the Bash in Berlin PLE while doing what it has done well over the past year, and that’s developing multiple intertwined stories simultaneously.
After Jade Cargill, Bianca Belair, and Naomi defeated the Unholy Union (Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn) and Blair Davenport in a six-woman tag team match on Smackdown, a tag-team title match between champions Fyre and Dawn and former Champs Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair.
Should Belair and Cargill retain their titles at this point? It makes sense for them to start another run as champions. There will be the inevitable feud between Belair and Cargill, and I’m here for it. However, ideally, that doesn’t happen until Cargill ascended more and added more tools to her in-ring kit.
As of now, Cargill and Belair look the part of a dynamite tag-team champion. While Fyre and Dawn have been solid champions, Cargill and Belair can elevate the titles while laying the foundation for a potential Cargill-Belair feud, which could easily have singles titles and other implications.
Another new match that has been made is LA Knight’s United States Champion’s open challenge match next week on Smackdown. Knight defeated Santos Escobar on Friday while seemingly moving past his feud with the leader of Legado del Fantasma.
The open challenge could be the platform for a new star from NXT or a returning Superstar to the WWE after an absence. Keep your eyes peeled for a potential Carmelo Hayes vs. Andrade match with a special stipulation. The two men had a confrontation on Smackdown and have already wrestled three times on WWE television.
Hayes-Andrade, on a PLE, could steal the show.
Elsewhere on the Blue brand:
WWE has done a great job using objects as important pieces in storylines, and they have almost taken on the same level of vitality as titles.
We’re seeing this with the Bloodline storyline, as the position of Tribal Chief and the Ula Fala have taken on their own identities. It’s playing a significant role in this current chapter of the Bloodline saga.
Jacob Fatu suffered an ankle injury at Summerslam, which seemed to derail a few plans. However, Fatu’s walking boot has been incorporated, and now it is a critical item in the story as he was made to give his tag-team title to Tonga Loa on Friday.
Tiffany Stratton’s Money in the Bank briefcase, decked out in pink sparkles and designed like a purse, is still the centerpiece for a looming shift between her and Nia Jax.
It’s been fun to care about a variety of concepts across Raw and Smackdown. Here is a look at the card confirmed for Bash in Berlin, with a week remaining before the event.
- Strap Match: CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre
- Mixed Tag Team Match: The Terror Twins (Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley) vs. The Judgment Day (“Dirty” Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan)
- Singles Match For The World Heavyweight Championship: Gunther (c) vs. Randy Orton
- Singles Match For The Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Kevin Owens
- Tag Team Match For The WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: The Unholy Union (c) (Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn) vs. Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill
Expect to see one or two more matches added, so the total show will end up with six or seven matches.
