WWE has really been pushing to elevate its non-major PLEs this year and up until now have done a tremendous job showcasing these PLEs in international cities. For Bad Blood, the WWE came back to the States to hold it in Atlanta, GA. WWE CCO Triple H has also been intentional on running 5-6 matches for the PLEs choosing to focus on time and story rather than trying to pack it with as many matches as possible. The result of this PLE was a mixed bag that didn’t match the intensity of other PLEs.
Match of the Night: CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre – Hell In A Cell
This match culminated what easily has been the best feud of the year in WWE… and maybe the industry. Hell In A Cell matches in recent memory have lacked the brutality and violence that HIAC matches were known for but CM Punk and Drew McIntyre put on a match for the ages. Their hatred for one another boiled over and led to one of the most violent HIAC matches ever. Both men used weapons, both men bled profusely and both men looked to end each other’s career. They left it all in the cage and both men will never be the same moving ahead. Drew McIntyre needed 16 staples in his head after being hit in the head by a toolbox. CM Punk nearly collapsed as he walked out of the cage and at one point needed oxygen. This match was a 5-star classic, a Match of the Year candidate and one of the best grudge matches ever.
Highs & Lows:
- High: Reigns/Rhodes vs. Solo/Fatu. The main event match between The Bloodline 2.0 vs Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes was a good match. Was it good enough to main event this PLE? Not even close given the absolute classic Punk & Drew put on but it was still a high quality match with some fun spots. Cody Rhodes jumping off the ring post to drive Jacob Fatu through the announce table was certainly a highlight that will be played for some time to come. The return of Jimmy Uso to aid his cousin Roman Reigns & the hug after the match drew a big pop.
Bro Cody Rhodes is wildin #WWEBadBlood https://t.co/y9w5Fkjc7n pic.twitter.com/feG5soxNIi
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) October 6, 2024
- High: The Return of The Great One. The Final Boss showed up to close out the show. He didn’t come to the ring but his presence was felt by all parties involved. Is The Rock behind Bloodline 2.0? Are The Rock & Roman Reigns at odds because Roman chose to side with the enemy?
IF YA SMELL…
— WWE (@WWE) October 6, 2024
The Rock is BACK at #WWEBadBlood! pic.twitter.com/GxBK9nSokn
- Low: Both women’s title matches. Nia Jax vs. Bayley was a match that could’ve been featured on SmackDown. Their match was ok but the moment the fans were waiting on didn’t happen which was the eventual cash-in by Tiffany Stratton. Stratton tried to cash in but Nia caught her and Tiffany had to play it off once again. Bayley looked like the real loser as she looks to be out of the title picture with no clear direction in sight. Rhea Ripley vs. Liv Morgan was a mess because the crowd cared more about chanting “**** you Dom” than being invested in the match. What was once a white hot feud fell flat with the match itself and the finish. Having Rhea look to take revenge on Dominik when she had Liv Morgan dead to rights was foolish and the return of Raquel Rodriguez created zero reaction. The finish was incredibly sloppy and none of the women benefited from it.
Raquel Rodriguez has returned and takes out Rhea Ripley.#WWEBadBlood pic.twitter.com/rNl5hhQlQ9
— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) October 6, 2024
- Low: Damian Priest vs. Finn Balor. While Balor & Damian Priest had a decent match, the fact there was no stipulation for this match doomed it. Also, having Balor lose clean even after interference from the other Judgment Day members rendered the faction toothless. While Priest got the win it seems he is directionless meanwhile Sami Zayn & CM Punk have clear lines to challenge Gunther for the World Heavyweight title.
- High: Kevin Owens snaps. Kevin Owens turning on the Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes was expected. What was not expected was the fashion in which it happened – in the parking lot after the show. The way in which WWE set this up was masterful. They understood the power of social media and using that to make this heel turn go viral and feel more authentic. Cody Rhodes was scheduled to be at the post-show press conference. Triple H was supposed to go last but went after Damian Priest and casually said that “Cody was unable to attend”. We now know why:
WWE has the opportunity to pull a George Costanza and have Kevin Owens pull up to SmackDown like nothing happened and never reference it again. 😂 pic.twitter.com/SQdO5ylmfJ
— Simon Miller (@SimonMiller316) October 6, 2024
Final Thoughts
Overall this was a decent PLE that tried to match the big match feel of other non-major PLEs but fell short. Not having either of the men’s world titles on the line took away from the event. Triple H making the announcement about Crown Jewel champions for both the men & women felt awkward and generated zero buzz. The segment with Gunther & Bill Goldberg was equally awkward and felt forced. It was good to see so many legends at the event like Diamond Dallas Page, Mickie James, Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard.
Grade: C+/B-
Let me know your thoughts.
About Author
