Smackdown
Date: April 10, 2026
Location: SAP Center, San Jose, California
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re just over a week away from Wrestlemania and that means it’s time to start talking a lot more. That’s likely going to be the focal point of the show, though unfortunately a lot of that is probably going to be done by Pat McAfee. Last week’s big reveal was certainly a choice and I’m almost scared to see what we’re getting with the followup. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of Pat McAfee being revealed as Randy Orton’s associate last week and the ensuing beatdown on Cody Rhodes. Later in the night, Rhodes gave a rather angry response to McAfee.

Rhodes runs into Nick Aldis, who says McAfee is on his way. Aldis is under strict orders for Rhodes to not touch McAfee, but he won’t say who gave the orders. Jelly Roll comes in to say this is about Rhodes’ relationship with Orton and wants him to deal with this.

Here is Rhea Ripley for a chat. She congratulates Jade Cargill for finding her one weakness when she attacked Iyo Sky. Ripley wants Cargill out here but gets Sky instead. She’s angry at Cargill too and knows Ripley will get her at Wrestlemania…but Sky wants Cargill tonight. Nick Aldis comes in to make the match for tonight’s main event.

Bayley vs. Alexa Bliss

Lyra Valkyria and Charlotte are here too while Bayley is the hometown girl. Bayley shoulders her down to start but they go to a quick standoff. Bliss gets in a knockdown of her own and stands on Bayley’s back, only to be sent outside. A dropkick through the ropes rocks Bliss as we take a break.

We come back with Bliss striking away and hitting a running Blockbuster for two. Back up and Bayley sunset bombs her into the corner but gets caught with a tornado DDT. The Sister Abigail DDT is countered into the Bayley To Belly and they’re both down again. Bayley gets up for the top rope elbow and a near fall before taking Bliss outside. Some chops have Bliss in more trouble and Bayley even mocks Charlotte’s strut. Charlotte isn’t having this and throws her jacket at Bayley, which is enough for Bliss to grab the rollup pin at 10:08.

Rating: C+. This was just a little taste to help boost up the four way tag at Wrestlemania and that’s a fine idea. The match is already set so there is no real point in messing with the whole thing. Go with what is set up and don’t mess with it too much, which seems to be what they’re doing here.

We look back at Sami Zayn retaining the US Title last week by taking advantage of Carmelo Hayes’ injury. Then Trick Williams called him Ginger Snap.

Matt Cardona gives the still injured Hayes a pep talk but Williams, with Lil Yachty, comes in to say Hayes can watch him win the US Title. Hayes says he’s coming for the title after Wrestlemania but Cardona sets up a match with Williams tonight.

Drew McIntyre talks about how Jacob Fatu’s family is probably in the arena tonight but reveals he’s sitting in a prison cell, which is what Fatu will always be about. This is where Fatu always belongs and after Wrestlemania, he’ll screw up and wind up right back here. At Wrestlemania, McIntyre is the judge, jury and executioner.

Fatu isn’t happy but Solo Sikoa and the MFT’s come in to mock him, including losing Fatu his teeth the last time he was here. That doesn’t work for Fatu, who seems likely to get a match with Tama Tonga tonight.

We meet Royce Keys, who grew up around here and saw all of the violence and drugs. He and his friends had Royal Rumbles, where you had to toss someone over the fence to eliminate them. Things have changed for him now and he refuses to be defined by where he is from. So yeah basically the same intro as Powerhouse Hobbs. That’s not a bad idea but it took them this long?

Royce Keys vs. Berto

Angel is here too. Berto grabs a headlock and is promptly sent flying. Keys pulls him from the mat into a powerslam (nice) but Angel gets in a cheap shot. That lets Berto get in a posting but Keys is back with a fall away slam. A running powerslam and spinebuster finish for Keys at 2:50. Not quite a squash but close enough. Now how did this take two and a half months after he started at the Royal Rumble?

Pat McAfee arrives and confirms with Nick Aldis that no one from WWE is allowed to touch him. McAfee gives him a thank you with a rather bad British accent but runs into Jelly Roll. He wants to know what McAfee was thinking with everything and teases a fight but Aldis cuts that off. McAfee wants Roll out of here and goes off to save WWE.

Royce Keys is glad to be here in front of his hometown. Solo Sikoa comes in to say long time no see. He runs things around here so if Keys needs anything, let him know. Keys doesn’t say anything.

Here is Pat McAfee for a chat and he doesn’t like San Jose. He mocks the fans and moves on to CM Punk, who had a WWE jacket over a WWE Punk shirt on Raw. Punk has 283 things to sell right now but where does that money go? To the fans who can’t afford Wrestlemania tickets or to the “I’m sorry Saudi Arabia” fund?

The difference is that McAfee gets things done, which brings him to the Wrestlemania ticket prices. He called Ram Trucks and got them to pick up 25% of the bill for a Saturday night Wrestlemania ticket from now until the end of Raw. Sunday? Who cares, as Randy Orton isn’t on that show. This city has never won a Stanley Cup but this city will see Orton win the title at Wrestlemania.

Cue Cody Rhodes, with McAfee mocking his theme song in a bit of a funny bit. Rhodes knows that he can’t touch him but McAfee can go to the back and get a nice replica title and pretend to face anyone he wants. Then he can go back to whomever sent him here and say “thank you daddy”. There’s a term in wrestling called “play wrestler” and he never got it until he saw McAfee talking about the Attitude Era.

That was THIRTY YEARS AGO and Orton watched it in high school! Rhodes brings up Paul Boesch, who didn’t like the term “marks”, which McAfee was using on his show this week. Boesch called them CUSTOMERS and when you have everything because of those people, whether it’s the collector at the airport with 70 Pops or that kid in the front row with the cool jacket, they become FAMILY.

McAfee has one talent though: he has made the fans actually agree that they want to see Orton at Wrestlemania, but not McAfee, so go home. Rhodes goes to leave but McAfee says he’s here because he was born for the business while Rhodes was born into the business. He sees a fake man in Rhodes and if Orton doesn’t win the title at Wrestlemania, he’s out of this business forever. Fans: “GO HOME PAT!”

Rhodes brings up McAfee saying he’s tired so let’s get Gunther out here to put him to sleep for good. Rhodes leaves and McAfee calls him the “Elite runaway artist, eh Stardust?”. He suggests that Rhodes is going to go suck up to HHH, which brings Rhodes back, sans jacket. Orton pops up on screen, having attacked Jelly Roll.

Orton drags him into the arena and a McAfee distraction lets Orton get in a cheap shot on Rhodes. Roll gets up and grabs McAfee by the throat, with Orton making the save. A hanging DDT drops Rhodes, as does a belt shot. McAfee even leaves with the title. This was certainly better than last week, but that’s a far cry from it being good. McAfee as a heel manager/mouthpiece (for someone who doesn’t need one) is fine, but DANG Roll feels wedged into this thing.

Post match McAfee and Orton leave with the title.

We look at CM Punk’s promo from Raw.

Miz and Kit Wilson tell Nick Aldis that he needs to do something about the referee last week. Aldis: “He was cursed.” Miz: “NOT YOU TOO!” Aldis says fixing the curse is beyond him but he can put Wilson in the ring with Danhausen. Aldis: “Unless you’re afraid of the….curse.” Miz: “THERE IS NO CURSE!” This is the goofy fun I love in wrestling.

Jacob Fatu vs. Tama Tonga

Fatu backs him into the corner to start but misses a charge, allowing Tonga to strike away. A headbutt works a bit better for Fatu as Tonga is sent outside, where a suicide dive sends him over the announcers’ table. We take a break and come back with Fatu winning a slugout and hitting a splash in the corner. The running Umaga Attack connects but Tonga is back up with a kick to the face. A reverse rolling cutter gives Tonga two but he charges into a pop up Samoan drop. The triple jump moonsault finishes for Fatu at 8:07.

Rating: C+. Fatu hasn’t been in the ring much lately so it’s a good idea to have him out there getting a win. At the same time, I’m not sure what is going on with Tonga at the moment. He was teasing going after the US Title for the better part of ever and had the thing with Shinsuke Nakamura but nothing really came of either. That could change, but for now it’s not working out so well.

Post match Fatu grabs the mic but Drew McIntyre runs in for the brawl. A chair to the back and Futureshock on the floor knock Fatu silly so McIntyre handcuffs him around the post. McIntyre asks him how it feels to be back in chains where he belongs. Fatu tries to fight back but gets knocked cold, with McIntyre throwing him back inside for another Claymore and a belt whipping.

R-Truth explains how to get the ESPN App and Danhausen seems to understand. Damian Priest comes up to say that R-Truth thought that was Asuka last week…but R-Truth says Priest thinks Danhausen is Asuka. Priest is flummoxed but we cut to Rhea Ripley attacking B-Fab. Ripley: “One down, one to go.” R-Truth: “I don’t think Rhea wants her in Judgment Day.” Priest: “I’m the crazy one?” R-Truth could make the phone book amusing.

Here is Sami Zayn to a mixed reaction, which he acknowledges. People have been telling him that he needs to change and maybe that is what the fans want. He has always tried to be something more than a catchphrase and he does this for the fans. There is no way he will ever change on the fans who love him. Now as for the fans booing him, what did he do? As soon as he knew he had fans who were with him no matter what, the pressure was off.

Cue Trick Williams and Lil Yachty to interrupt, with Williams thinking that the fans are sick of hearing Zayn talk. The reality is Zayn hates Williams and his sauce, because Williams is the anointed one. Everyone loves him, but Zayn thinks it’s just a crush. Zayn tells Williams to understand what he’s up against at Wrestlemania, but Yachty thinks Zayn should be worried. Cue Matt Cardona for his scheduled match with Williams.

Trick Williams vs. Matt Cardona

Yachty and Zayn are still here too. We’re joined in progress with Williams grabbing a headlock but getting driven into the corner. The running knee out of said corner cuts Cardona off and Williams chops him down. A running clothesline connects for Cardona and he dropkicks Williams through the ropes. Back in and Cardona’s right hands in the corner are cut off and we take a break.

We come back with Williams hammering away but getting caught in a belly to back suplex. The Reboot connects and an Unprettier gives Cardona two. Williams is right back with a pop up neckbreaker for two his own and Cardona is sent outside for a clothesline. Zayn gets shoved down so he gets on the apron, where Yachty pulls him down. That earns Yachty a Helluva Kick but the Trick Shot finishes Cardona at 11:05.

Rating: C+. This was a good way to keep Williams’ momentum up, as it feels like we’re coming up on a double turn. Williams is only going to be able to be a heel for so long and WWE seems to know that. Zayn is someone who can work both ways at any time and he seems ready to switch, though I’m not sure how necessary that’s going to be. The story here is Williams though, and he seems ready for the task.

Video on Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar.

Class Wrestlemania Moment: John Cena vs. HHH vs. Randy Orton at Wrestlemania XXIV.

Danhausen vs. Kit Wilson

Danhausen is billed from 1311 Mockingbird Lane, which works well for an old school TV fan. Miz is here with Wilson. Danhausen actually dropkicks him and grabs a northern lights suplex for two before going outside to pose with a clueless Miz (ala Shawn Michaels and Sunny back in the day). Back in and Wilson hits a running elbow in the corner before insisting that the curse is NOT REAL. Wilson goes up but Danhausen curses him again (the fans are into it this time) and some pyro goes off in the corner, crotching Wilson on top. Miz gets poked in the eye and a pump kick finishes Wilson at 3:01.

Rating: C. That was exactly what it should have been as this was all about a goofy heel getting beaten by something that doesn’t make a ton of sense but has everyone in on the joke. Danhausen is doing exactly what he should be doing and it’s working out. It’s a good, silly story and they’re not pretending it’s anything else.

Post match the lights go out and Danhausen runs off before Miz can get him.

Michin has been attacked as well. Jade Cargill is ready for revenge.

Here’s what’s coming next week, including the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal.

Wrestlemania rundown.

Rhea Ripley tells Iyo Sky about her previous work tonight. Sky is appreciative but asks Ripley to stay back here for the match. That’s fine with Ripley, but she wants Sky to save some for her at Wrestlemania.

Iyo Sky vs. Jade Cargill

Non-title and Sky is taped up from last week’s attack. Cargill powers her into the corner to start and knocks Sky down without much trouble. Sky is back up with a pop up dropkick to send Cargill outside, only to have the suicide dive cut off. We take a break and come back with Sky striking away, including snapping the arm across the top rope. The running knees in the corner rock Cargill, who is right back with a gorilla press.

Sky slips out of that and grabs a choke, which is broken up as well. Cargill’s pump kick is countered into a rollup for two, followed by Cargill grabbing a Blue Thunder Bomb for the same. Sky kicks her outside for an Asai moonsault but Cargill gets in a wheelbarrow drop onto the steps. Back in and Cargill nails a pump kick, followed by Jaded for the pin at 9:09.

Rating: B-. This was far from some kind of epic showdown, but Cargill getting a win over a star like Sky makes her feel all the more dangerous on the way to facing Ripley. Sky even has the injuries to give her an out in the loss. This is what it should have been given the circumstances and they got the ending right, which is what matters.

Post match Cargill grabs a chair but Rhea Ripley comes in for the save. Cargill sits down to stare at Ripley (for about a second) to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This show’s biggest benefit was coming off of last week’s mess. While McAfee still played a big role here, he didn’t come off as completely out of nowhere as he did last week. It’s still not a good story, but they do seem to have tweaked it a bit (thank goodness). The rest of the show feels like it’s all about getting ready for Wrestlemania, which is all but locked into place. This week and next week are bout pushing what is already set and this show did a nice enough job.

Results
Alexa Bliss b. Bayley – Rollup
Royce Keys b. Berto – Spinebuster
Jacob Fatu b. Tama Tonga – Triple Jump Moonsault
Danhausen b. Kit Wilson – Pump kick
Jade Cargill b. Iyo Sky – Jaded

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Smackdown
Date: March 27, 2026
Location: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re rapidly closing in on Wrestlemania and the big draw this week is Jelly Roll vs. Kit Wilson, which feels like it’s part of the setup towards Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes. Other than that, Jacob Fatu and Drew McIntyre seem ready to face off next month and we should get more on it here. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

The opening recap looks at Randy Orton’s explanation of going full evil again. This included taking out Matt Cardona and ignoring the sage wisdom of Jelly Roll.

Here is Orton to get things going and the fans seem rather pleased to see him. Orton talks about how Cody Rhodes wanted him to be the best Orton he could be and to listen to the voices. He shut those down a long time ago, but Rhodes gave him his blessing. Now Orton is listening to those voices again and he can’t be responsible for what happens next. The voices outside of his head are the real problem and the one voice he is listening to is…and we don’t find out who that is as Matt Cardona (with his arm in a cast) interrupts to go after Orton. The fans are rather pro-Orton, even as he is knocked to the floor.

Trick Williams comes up to Nick Aldis in the back, with Aldis giving him a match at Wrestlemania. He has to tell someone so here is Sami Zayn, who hears about the match. Zayn wants to know what he’s going at Wrestlemania but Aldis says that unless something changes, there is no spot for him right now. Zayn goes to leave but has an idea. He punches Williams in the face and promises to have a match at Wrestlemania.

Post break, Randy Orton yells at Nick Aldis about Matt Cardona. Orton wants a match with Cardona tonight and threatens bad things if it doesn’t matter, so Aldis makes the match.

Bella Twins vs. Charlotte/Alexa Bliss

Hold on though as here are the Irresistible Forces, who are ready for their title defense on Raw. There’s no reason for them to be away from this match though so they’ll be watching. Charlotte knocks Nikki down to start but Nikki is back up with a punch into the corner. Brie comes in to twist away at the arm and so Charlotte chops her away without much trouble. It’s off to Bliss, who gets taken down with a Russian legsweep. Bliss gets tied up in the ring skirt and forearmed in the face as we take a break.

We come back with Bliss not being able to fight out of the corner, with Nikki sending her back over for more double teaming. A double DDT is enough for Bliss to get over to Charlotte though and it’s time to forearm away. It’s already back to Bliss, who gets caught in a Hart Attack but is able to trade some rollups for two each. Legend forearms Bliss though and Brie gets a rollup for the pin at 9:34.

Rating: C. This is pretty much what you should expect from the Bellas these days, as you need to have the other teams slow down for them as they just do not have the in-ring abilities to back it up. The fans still respond to them because….I have absolutely no idea why. Anyway, the ending felt like a way to keep us on the road towards some big multi team match at Wrestlemania, which might make sense but it could be quite the mess.

Post match the Forces come in to clean house until Bayley and Lyra Valkyria run in for the save.

We look back at R-Truth and Damian Priest winning the Tag Team Titles in a big surprise last week.

R-Truth is trying to rebuild the Judgment Day Clubhouse (he has a tape measure) but Priest says that’s not happening. Jelly Roll comes in (R-Truth doesn’t recognize him) but here is Rhea Ripley next to him. R-Truth: “DOM AND MAMI BACK TOGETHER!” Priest has to correct him, but R-Truth says they’re getting a hot tub in the clubhouse. Priest: “….that’s cool.” Ripley hits him and Roll gives Ripley a pep talk. Roll goes to get ready for Kit Wilson, with R-Truth following him. Ripley tries to make sense of it but Priest cuts her off for the sake of everyone’s sanity. Anyway Ripley congratulates him on his win.

Tiffany Stratton NXT Origins video.

Charlotte and Alexa Bliss argue with the Bella Twins about the end of their match. More violence seems suggested.

Here is Rhea Ripley for a chat (and the fans seem to like her). She’s not happy with B-Fab and Michin being so desperate to stoop down to Jade Cargill’s level. No one is stopping her from getting to Wrestlemania so get out here right now and let’s do this. Cue Cargill with B-Fab and Michin, with the trio being booed out of the building. They don’t like Ripley getting all of the praise and attention when Michin and B-Fab have put in the work too. Now Cargill is giving them a chance, which has Ripley laughing. Tonight, it’s B-Fab vs. Ripley, with Ripley saying it’s time for B-Fab to learn that actions have consequences.

Rhea Ripley vs. B-Fab

We’re joined in progress with Ripley kicking her in the face. Michin offers a distraction though so Ripley goes outside, where Cargill sends her into the steps for the DQ at 52 seconds shown.

Post match the trio lays Ripley out without much trouble.

Kit Wilson wants Miz in his corner tonight but Miz is freaking out, as he has stepped in gum, his packages have been sent to Romania by mistake, and his phone fell into the toilet. BUT THERE IS NO CURSE! Miz leaves and Danhausen comes in to say he has machismo but Wilson cuts him off. Wilson says he is handsome, so Danhausen says Wilson is CURSED!

We look at Drew McIntyre vs. Jacob Fatu, which goes even bigger next week in a big brawl and a rather big crash.

McIntyre is here and while he doesn’t want to fight, if Fatu starts something, McIntyre will finish it.

Jelly Roll vs. Kit Wilson

Before the match, Wilson has a poem to defend the honor of his mother. Wilson insists that his mother would NEVER choose Roll and then hits him with the book to start fast. A charge in the corner has Roll in trouble early in but he comes back with a string of atomic drops. Some dancing jabs and a clothesline send Wilson outside but he comes back in to kick away. Back in and Wilson gets in a cheap shot before slowly hammering Roll down.

Wilson misses a charge in the corner though and a belly to belly suplex leaves them both down. Roll fights up and slugs away before powerslamming a diving Wilson out of the air for a rather near fall. Roll grabs the book but walks into a Twisting Stunner for two. Another one is loaded up but Wilson is sent crashing into the corner, setting up a chokeslam to give Roll the upset pin at 5:42.

Rating: C. This is kind of a weird one as they basically did a regular match with Roll winning clean. That’s a really weird way to go though as it’s not a big deal to have Wilson lose, but it’s kind of weird to have him lose this way. Just a weird way to go, though you can all but guarantee that something else is going to happen with Roll this week. I’m sure Wilson will be fine with his rather goofy stuff, which can pick up with someone else rather quickly.

Post match Roll celebrates with his son.

We get a long recap of the CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns/Usos segment from Raw, with Jey Uso acting a lot more like the Tribal Chief, or at least the devil on Reigns’ shoulder.

Solo Sikoa wants the rest of the MFTs to be on the same page, but he apologizes for going a bit too far last week. Roman Reigns would never do that, with Sikoa focusing on Tama Tonga. With everyone else gone, Shinsuke Nakamura comes in to check on Tonga, who insists that he’s fine.

US Title: Carmelo Hayes vs. ???

Hayes is defending against…Sami Zayn. Yeah that makes sense. Hayes certainly seems to approve of Zayn getting the shot, despite being surprised. Hold on as here is Trick Williams (with quite the entrance) to join commentary. Hayes’ headlock doesn’t last very long to start as Zayn is back with an armdrag into a quickly broken armbar. They trade shots to the face with Hayes getting the better of things and tying him in the ropes for the Fadeaway.

We take a break and come back with Zayn clotheslining him out to the floor. Zayn follows with the dive and a glare at Williams, only to get dropkicked out of the air back inside (nice timing). The First 48 is countered into a sitout powerbomb to give Zayn two, followed by a top rope superplex to leave both of them down as we take another break.

We come back with Zayn sunset bombing him out of the corner for two more. Hayes knocks him away, only to get explodered into the corner. The Helluva Kick is countered into the First 48 for a rather near fall, leaving Hayes stunned. Nothing But Net is countered into the Blue Thunder Bomb for two…and Williams grabs the US Title. Williams throws it in for a distraction and swings at Zayn, only to hit Hayes by mistake. The Helluva Kick gives Zayn the pin and the title at 16:15.

Rating: B+. These two beat the living daylights out of each other with one big spot after another until Williams cost Hayes in the end. Zayn has been obsessed with getting to Wrestlemania and this is about as good of a way as he has right now. Williams vs. Zayn could be good, though hopefully Hayes isn’t either added in to make it a triple threat or left out altogether.

Jacob Fatu limps in and says he isn’t here to stay backstage. He wants to talk to the people in the arena.

Sami Zayn talks to Nick Aldis and asks if he’s going to Wrestlemania. He is indeed, where he’ll defend against Trick Williams. Works for Zayn.

Here is Jacob Fatu for a chat. He’s injured and all of his problems are due to Drew McIntyre. Last week McIntyre hit him with a car and threw him off the side of a building but that wasn’t going to keep him down. Fatu is still standing and that means every week, he’s going after McIntyre, who comes out to interrupt. McIntyre says Fatu committed a crime and did time and since he got out, he’s stolen from McIntyre over and over. Fatu has stolen food from McIntyre’s table for his kids. McIntyre: “Screw your d*** kids.” Cue Nick Aldis to make the Wrestlemania match, but it’s unsanctioned.

Jelly Roll comes up to Matt Cardona and says he isn’t sure what is going on with Randy Orton. Cardona wants to beat Orton up, which Roll understands. Aleister Black and Zelina come in to talk about how Orton has changed but Cardona doesn’t seem to get it.

Tiffany Stratton runs into Chelsea Green, who thinks they got off on the wrong foot. Green thinks they should be a team but Stratton says Green may be a two time Women’s US Champion, but that means she’s lost it twice. So that’s a no.

Giulia vs. Tiffany Stratton

Non-title and Kiana James is here with Giulia. Stratton flips her down by the arm to start so Giulia is back up with some rams into the buckle. That’s shrugged off and Stratton sends her outside as we take a break. We come back with Stratton hitting some clotheslines, only to get rolled up for two.

Giulia’s running knee gets two but Stratton shoves her off the top. A rather not great looking Swanton (she barely rotated over and it was mainly her legs making contact) gives Stratton two but James’ distraction makes the Prettiest Moonsault Ever hit raised knees to give Giulia the pin at 9:44.

Rating: C+. That was a weird ending as it seemed like we were getting this match for the title at Wrestlemania. At the same time, there is a good chance that we’ll see the match again, possibly after Stratton beats up James on the way there. If nothing else, it would be nice to see Giulia actually defend the title for a change.

Bayley and Lyra Valkyria say they’re here to keep their eyes on the Tag Team Titles, which they’ll win on Raw.

Randy Orton is on the phone again and says he’ll see whomever is on there soon.

Video on Oba Femi clearing out Brock Lesnar again on Raw.

Wrestlemania rundown.

Randy Orton vs. Matt Cardona

Cardona has a bad arm coming in and slugs away in the corner to start fast. They go outside with Cardona’s bad arm being slammed into the announcers’ table. Orton goes inside to break up the count and then comes back outside to stomp on the arm again. Back in and a quick Rough Ryder gives Cardona two but Orton takes it back to the floor. The arm is sent into the post and Orton bends it around the turnbuckle in the corner. More stomping has the arm in more pain and Orton posts him again. There’s the RKO and Cardona is done at 5:26.

Rating: C. This was little more than a squash with Cardona only getting in that one Rough Ryder and pretty much nothing else. That’s all it should have been too, as Orton is getting more and more violent on the way to Wrestlemania. If nothing else, hopefully Orton can find a way for the fans to boo him, because it isn’t happening so far.

Post match Cody Rhodes arrives and post break he’s in the arena. So is Nick Aldis, along with security…who let Rhodes get in the ring for the brawl. Security can’t break it up to start, eventually hold them apart, and then the brawl is on again. Orton is sent outside and beats up some security, allowing Rhodes to get at him some more. They’re held apart again and Jelly Roll gets inside, only to get RKO’d to maybe the biggest pop of the night. Rhodes checks on Roll to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This was a show that was mostly about moving forward matches and feuds that have already been set up. That’s not a bad way to go, but at the same time, it feels like we’re a very long way away from Wrestlemania. That has felt like it has been the case for far too long now and hopefully they have something to bridge the gap a bit better, because some of these stories don’t seem to have the legs to get there. Nice enough show here, though it it still feels like we’re slowly crawling to Wrestlemania.

Results
Bella Twins b. Charlotte/Alexa Bliss – Rollup to Bliss
Rhea Ripley b. B-Fab via DQ when Jade Cargill interfered
Jelly Roll b. Kit Wilson – Chokeslam
Sami Zayn b. Carmelo Hayes – Helluva Kick
Giulia b. Tiffany Stratton – Small package
Randy Orton b. Matt Cardona – RKO

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Smackdown
Date: March 13, 2026
Location: PHX Arena, Phoenix, Arizona
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We have a Smackdown main event for Wrestlemania, as Randy Orton is now set to challenge Cody Rhodes for the World Title. Rhodes took the title from Drew McIntyre last week, which should set us on a clear course for Wrestlemania in about five weeks. That leaves some openings for other matches around here and we should see some of them coming together soon. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of Rhodes winning the title back last week, with Jacob Fatu helping to cost Drew McIntyre the belt.

Nick Aldis is looking over the contract for the Wrestlemania title match but Drew McIntyre storms into the arena and demands that Aldis come out here and make this right. Aldis says there is nothing to correct because McIntyre should be looking at the consequences of his actions. McIntyre calls Aldis a corporate stooge who had to get the title back on his corporate champion.

Aldis isn’t having that and says it’s clear why McIntyre didn’t want Rhodes to get a shot: the first time he did, he won the title. They go face to face but here is Jacob Fatu to interrupt. Fatu asks what McIntyre needed fixed and says he’s the reason McIntyre was champion in the first place. Last week Fatu fixed the situation so McIntyre is no longer champion. McIntyre can point all the fingers he wants but Fatu is the one who did it, so what is McIntyre going to do? McIntyre: “I quit.” And he walks out.

Solo Sikoa is happy with how things are going and leaves the lantern with Tama Tonga while he’s off for a tag match. The team leaves but Shinsuke Nakamura comes in to ask Tonga when he’ll be his own man. Sikoa comes back in with a threat to Nakamura.

Jacob Fatu is mad about Drew McIntyre leaving but Trick Williams comes in, saying he’s the only person who can whoop that. Nick Aldis makes Williams vs. Fatu and Williams panics, with threats of his firing.

MFT’s vs. Wyatt Sicks

Non-title. Rowan and Talla start things off for the big man fight with Talla getting in a shot to stagger him. Sikoa comes in to knock Wyatt around and they head outside with Howdy being sent into various things. We take a break and come back with Talla’s Samoan drop getting two on Howdy and Sikoa coming back in. Sikoa loads up his own Sister Abigail, which is broken up with a belly to back suplex.

Rowan is back in for a running DDT to Talla, followed by a dropkick into the corner. A middle rope elbow gives Rowan two but Sikoa comes back in off a blind tag. Sikoa’s splash hits raised knees though and Howdy comes in, where he is promptly Samoan Spiked. Rowan makes the save as the rest of the teams start brawling on the floor. Back in and Sikoa loads up another Spike but Nikki Cross grabs the lantern. Howdy uses the distraction to grab Sister Abigail for the pin at 10:40.

Rating: B-. It’s nice for the Wyatts to get a win here and odds are they’re set up for some kind of a big group title match at Wrestlemania. If nothing else, it’s a good thing for the titles to feel like they’re actually being used, as that hasn’t been the case for long enough. Granted the lantern is the more important thing right now, but the titles are a nice secondary prize.

Post match Howdy gets the lantern back but Tama Tonga runs in for the Cutthroat Driver to steal it again.

R-Truth thinks the MFT’s are the Judgment Day but Damian Priest says it’s about the titles. Los Garza come in to say they’re the reason R-Truth and Priest won. Priest is ready to fight tonight instead.

Kiana James and Giulia laugh off the idea of Tiffany Stratton winning the Women’s US Title.

Jade Cargill vs. Michin

Non-title and Michin jumps her from behind to start the fight fast. Cargill is sent outside but comes back in with a pump kick to take over. Some choking in the corner has Michin in trouble but she avoids a charge to send Cargill outside again. Michin’s crossbody off the steps is easily countered into a fall away slam as we take a break.

We come back with Michin escaping Jaded and hitting a tornado DDT for two. Eat Defeat sends Cargill out to the floor but the running flip dive misses. That lets Cargill send Michin crashing into the barricade, followed by a chokeslam back inside. Jaded finishes Michin off at 8:23.

Rating: C. This was all it should have been, with Michin feeling like absolutely nothing and being beaten down pretty easily here. It wouldn’t stun me to see Michin and B-Fab wind up as Cargill’s future lackeys as it’s not like they have anything else to do. Cargill is already going to have her hands full at Wrestlemania so maybe she needs the help. Well as much help as Michin and B-Fab can be.

Post match Cargill says she isn’t scared of Rhea Ripley and that isn’t starting today. She’ll show why she’s always on top but here is Ripley to interrupt. Cargill runs off, with Ripley saying she’s going to make Cargill her b**** at Wrestlemania.

Cody Rhodes tells Nick Aldis that the contract is fine when Sami Zayn comes up for some congratulations. He hopes Rhodes wins at Wrestlemania. Rhodes doesn’t want this to be a thing but he knows Zayn said the same thing to Randy Orton. If Zayn just wants a title shot that’s not hard to get, but Zayn says he doesn’t look up to Rhodes like he does with Orton. Rhodes says that’s fine and points at the title before leaving. Aleister Black and Zelina come in to suggest that the title picture might not be the right place for him. Zayn says stay far, far away from him.

Rhea Ripley and B-Fab console Michin, who doesn’t want the pity.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Charlotte/Alexa Bliss vs. Irresistible Forces

The Forces are defending…but before they come out, here are the Bellas instead because this has to be a thing. They’re next in line for the titles and are going to watch from ringside. My goodness you could feel the energy go out of the air when they showed up. It’s a brawl to start with the Forces being knocked outside, where Legend knocks a diving Charlotte out of the air.

We take a break and come back with Bliss fighting out of trouble, allowing the tag off to Charlotte. The no rope Buckshot Lariat cuts Legend down but Jax is back in with a Samoan drop. The Annihilator misses though and Charlotte hits a moonsault for two, with Legend making the save. Bliss DDTs Legend and Charlotte posts Jax but accidentally kicks Nikki Bella. Back in and Charlotte kicks away at Jax, setting up Natural Selection. Twisted Bliss is loaded up but Brie Bella runs in to jump Jax for the DQ at 8:08.

Rating: C+. The match was getting going but you knew the Bellas were going to come in at some point. I’m sure they bring some kind of quote unquote star power to the title picture but it just seems incredibly forced to have them involved. Hopefully they don’t win the titles at Wrestlemania, though that definitely feels like the inevitable.

Post match the Forces lay out both teams.

Jelly Roll congratulates Randy Orton, who tells him to beat up Miz on MizTV.

Charlotte and Alexa Bliss run into the Bellas, who are apparently next for the titles. Yeah I know they have fans but good grief I do not want to see the Bellas, especially in a big match at Wrestlemania.

Damian Priest/R-Truth vs. Los Garza

Los Garza jump them to start fast but Priest rises up with a double clothesline. R-Truth comes in but gets choked on the ropes to put the villains in control. A running knee to the head has R-Truth in trouble and a quick comeback attempt is cut off. Stereo moonsaults to the floor take out R-Truth and Priest as we take a break.

We come back with Angel jumping over Berto to land on R-Truth in the corner. Angel makes the mistake of mocking You Can’t See Me though and gets a Stundog Millionaire for his efforts. It’s back to Priest to kick away and the Old School crossbody hits Berto. A cheap shot puts Priest down and Angel’s moonsault gets two, but Priest knocks Berto away. The Razor’s Edge drops Berto and the South Of Heaven and AA get the stereo pins at 11:01.

Rating: C+. It’s kind of sad that Priest, who was World Champion less than two years ago, and R-Truth, who was supposed to be more serious, can only do this. At the same time, it’s even worse when this is what the Tag Team Titles have come to with the other talented teams around here. At least it’s something for them, but it’s only so much.

Alex Shelley and Candice LeRae try to wake Johnny Gargano back up, with LeRae and Gargano wheeling away. Chris Sabin comes in to ask why Shelley is still doing this and has gotten them a match next week.

Danhausen has a shirt for Miz, who can’t believe that Danhausen already has one. He can even wear the show on MizTV with Jelly Jam! Then Danhausen can get his own show with celebrity guests! Miz isn’t doing that…so he is cursed.

It’s time for MizTV but the mic doesn’t work. With that fixed, he brings out Jelly Roll as this week’s guest. Roll is here because of the Road To Wrestlemania and Miz is happy to have him. Miz suggests he mentor Roll, but that isn’t going to happen. Miz brings up the time Roll did something at Summerslam, where he was so heavy that Miz had to help him up. Roll can’t believe Miz is taking credit for him losing 250lbs because he’s the one who was doing the work. Miz: “I liked you better when you were fat!”

The brawl is teased but here is Kit Wilson to interrupt. Wilson talks about Roll’s face tattoos and criminal history and accuses him of being FAT PHOBIC! Roll is toxic so he and Miz try to deck Wilson, only for Roll to hit Miz by mistake. Eh, Danhausen warned him. Weird segment here, as I’m not sure who I was supposed to like.

Apollo Crews and Ilja Dragunov appreciate that when Carmelo Hayes comes in. Hayes understands what Dragunov said last week about not wanting the open challenge but Dragunov says this is the only way he knows. Hayes thinks there might be another reason they aren’t fighting and Dragunov isn’t happy.

Tiffany Stratton, after shoving Chelsea Green’s wheelchair away, promises to take out Kiana James and come for the Women’s US Title.

Kit Wilson yells at Miz and is ready to get a match. Danhausen comes in to offer Miz some teeth if his lost one, but there is one thing he has to do to reverse the curse. Miz insists there is no curse but Danhausen is gone.

Tiffany Stratton vs. Kiana James

Stratton sends her into the corner to start and flips over her but has to avoid a Giulia trip. James gets in a Stunner over the ropes and Stratton is sent into the barricade as we take a break. We come back with Stratton hitting a handspring Stunner for two as Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre are here to watch. James can’t get her up for a powerbomb so Stratton gives her a Regal Roll. Giulia pulls James outside so Stratton hits her with a dive. Back in and James kicks Giulia by mistake, setting up the Prettiest Moonsault Ever to give Stratton the pin at 7:39.

Rating: C. There is only so much you can get out of a sub eight minute match with a break in the middle, but Stratton was always going to be beating Giulia’s (talented) lackey. That’s a classic way to set up the match, even with Green and Fyre being involved. Stratton vs. Giulia should be fine, as it’s nice for Giulia to remember that she’s actually a champion with a title to defend.

Next week: Kit Wilson calls out Jelly Roll.

Trick Williams isn’t happy about Jacob Fatu, but Sami Zayn comes in to complain about Williams jumping into the main event. A fight is teased and is likely coming later.

Jacob Fatu vs. Trick Williams

Fatu slugs away to start but misses a charge into the corner, allowing Williams to send him into the buckle. That goes as expected of course and a McGillicutter (yeah the McGillicutter) has the same effect and Fatu knocks him outside. We take a break and come back with Fatu fighting out of a chinlock and sending him hard into the corner.

Fatu’s Whisper In The Wind connects but the Trick Kick cuts off a running Umaga Attack. A flapjack drops Fatu again and the release Rock Bottom gets two. Fatu is back with a pop up Samoan drop into a Swanton for two more. Williams bails outside and gets taken out by a suicide dive…with Drew McIntyre running in to post Fatu. A pair of Trick Shots give Williams the pin at 11:24.

Rating: B-. Williams’ rise continues and it would be nice to see him getting something big at Wrestlemania. Like say, the US Title. Other than that, we’re all but guaranteed to see McIntyre vs. Fatu at Wrestlemania and that should be a heck of a fight, as they’ve certainly set up the feud to be quite the showdown. Williams getting a win here is a big deal, and in a way it’s nice that Fatu isn’t invincible, as it makes him more relatable.

Post match McIntyre gives Fatu the Claymore.

Jelly Roll is back at ringside.

Nick Aldis is in the ring for the Cody Rhodes/Randy Orton contract signing, but first: Drew McIntyre apparently didn’t quit so he can face Jacob Fatu next week. Anyway here are Orton (who has changed shirts from earlier) and Rhodes face to face. They shake hands and Rhodes talks about his history with Orton and how things have gone well.

Rhodes wanted to be like Orton and left, only to come back on his own. He’s not Orton’s brother, but he’s always been proud to be his boy. Rhodes signs and Orton goes to as well but doesn’t do it. Orton says he needs the title and this was supposed to be easy with Drew McIntyre in there. Rhodes is fine with that because he wants the Orton with the voices in his head and the Legend Killer.

After the match is over, Rhodes will always love him. Orton signs (with Rhodes applauding) and then kicks him low. The big beatdown is on with Orton hitting him in the head with the steps to bust him open. Rhodes is beaten onto the announcers’ table and Jelly Roll comes over the barricade, only for Orton to shove him down. Rhodes’ head is laid on the steps so Orton crushes it with a chair before sitting in the ring with the title to end the show. They needed to do this, as Orton vs. Rhodes was feeling like a great main event….for Summerslam. Now just have Orton win the title, as he needs to.

Overall Rating: B-. The show is still far too long, but the ending segment helped and Trick Williams continues to rise up the card in an impressive fashion. They’re starting to set up the card for Wrestlemania, though it only feels so good right now. Hopefully they have something extra to spice it up a bit in the near future, because they’re rapidly running out of time to make it work. It’s a good show here, but this is only going to be enough for so much longer.

Results
Wyatt Sicks b. MFT’s – Sister Abigail to Sikoa
Jade Cargill b. Michin – Jaded
Irresistible Forces b. Charlotte/Alexa Bliss via DQ when Brie Bella interfered
Damian Priest/R-Truth b. Los Garza – Double pin
Tiffany Stratton b. Kiana James – Prettiest Moonsault Ever
Trick Williams b. Jacob Fatu – Trick Shot

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Smackdown
Date: March 6, 2026
Location: Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re done with Elimination Chamber and Randy Orton is the new #1 contender and on his way to Wrestlemania. However, his opponent is up in the air as this week will see Cody Rhodes challenging Drew McIntyre for the Smackdown World Title. That’s not a main event you often get around here so let’s get to it.

Here is Elimination Chamber if you need a recap.

We open with an Elimination Chamber recap. As a bonus, we get what was almost a fight between Nick Aldis and Drew McIntyre, with Aldis making tonight’s title match.

Here is Randy Orton to get things going. Orton swears he was on time getting here today and the Wrestlemania sign was already up. He’s been at twenty Wrestlemanias but he’s only main evented twice. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve done but you’re never guaranteed a great spot.

There are people who have put him in the category of the all time best and looking at the locker room today, it makes him proud to still be this high up. He doesn’t know who he’s facing at Wrestlemania but either way, it ends with an RKO. Cue Trick Williams to interrupt, saying he’s not happy with Orton calling him less than 6’5. Williams gets in, keeps talking, and is RKO’d.

Earlier today, Carmelo Hayes came in to see Nick Aldis, who has a surprise challenger for the US Title. Hayes doesn’t want to know who it is.

US Title: Carmelo Hayes vs. ???

Hayes is defending against…AAA’s El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. (whose AAA Latin American Title isn’t on the line). After a quick look at Wagner (nice touch), he dropkicks Hayes into the corner for a cannonball. A missile dropkick gets two on Hayes but he’s back up with a dropkick of his own. Hayes knocks him into the ropes for the Fadeaway and we take a break.

We come back with Wagner hitting a hard clothesline to leave them both down. Hayes hits a springboard clothesline of his own, followed by La Mistica for two. Wagner comes back with a powerbomb for two of his own but dives into the First 48. A top rope version misses though and Wagner is back with a spin into a sitout powerbomb for two. Wagner goes up but misses the moonsault, allowing Hayes to hit Nothing But Net to retain at 10:11.

Rating: B-. Remember all those other times where Hayes has beaten a random challenger for the title? This was the most recent instance. I’m not sure what to think of this as these two have no history together and Wagner isn’t likely to be around. As usual, it was good but that’s about it, which only gets you so far.

Ilja Dragunov says he isn’t going to be accepting a US Open Challenge because he isn’t being enough of a warrior at the moment. Miz comes in to mock him but Kit Wilson pops in to say Miz is being toxic. Dragunov says he’ll have to see them in the ring, but it isn’t clear which he means.

Damian Priest has been told he’s in a match tonight but doesn’t know who he’s facing. Nick Aldis is about to answer but R-Truth comes in to reveal that they’re a team in Tag Team Turmoil. Works for Priest.

Drew McIntyre comes in to see Aldis and asks if Aldis has come to his senses. Aldis says defend the title or forfeit, so McIntyre is ready to fight.

Here are the Irresistible Forces to celebrate winning the Women’s Tag Team Titles last week. They brag about their win and promise to face anyone. We get a toast, but here are Charlotte and Alexa Bliss to interrupt. Bliss says Jax finally found a coattail to ride all the way to the top and a fight is teased. Cue Kiana James and Giulia, with James bragging about her recent successes. Aldis, tag match, next.

Giulia/Kiana James vs. Charlotte/Alexa Bliss

We’re joined in progress with Bliss armdragging Giulia and bringing in Charlotte. House is quickly cleaned, including a flipping dive off the apron. James posts Charlotte to take over though and Giulia drops an elbow for two. Charlotte kicks James down and it’s back to Bliss, who basement dropkicks Giulia. James catches a dive off the apron though and Giulia adds a kick to the head as we take a break.

We come back with Charlotte putting both of them down, setting up the moonsault for the double two. Giulia’s belly to back suplex puts Charlotte down for the same but she’s back up with a boot to the face. Bliss’ running DDT hits James and Natural Selection finishes Giulia at 10:12.

Rating: B-. Another nice match here, with Bliss and Charlotte getting that much closer to the titles. That very well could be a Wrestlemania showdown, though I would expect them to have some kind of a multi team match (ladders wouldn’t stun me either). At the same time, Giulia and James have turned into a perfectly nice team, though I’m not sure how much Giulia needs to be US Champion.

Jelly Roll will be here next week.

Cody Rhodes says he wants to point at the sign and that means winning the title back tonight. Sami Zayn comes up and says it’s crazy that Rhodes has this title match. Rhodes: “What’s crazy about it Sami?” Well, Rhodes didn’t win the Elimination Chamber and he’s getting a title shot while Zayn isn’t getting one. Rhodes thinks Zayn is trying to get a title shot at a title Rhodes hasn’t even won yet but Zayn isn’t sure what he’s doing. He wants Rhodes to become champion. “Again.”

Trick Williams was on The Breakfast Club and talked about how awesome the fans have been since he made the main roster.

Tag Team Turmoil

For a future title shot and there are five teams with the Motor City Machine Guns in at #1 and Fraxiom in at #2. Shelley and Frazer start things off and, after a handshake, trade wristlocks. Frazer sends him outside but moonsaults back in rather than firing off the dive. Axiom comes in to take Sabin out of the air off a leapfrog and the rapid fire tags are on. Fraxiom hits some dives to the floor and we take a break.

We come back with Frazer getting the tag and hitting a running flip dive to the floor. Sabin rolls him into the corner, where Axiom comes back in with a dropkick. Shelley puts the boot on the rope…but it’s a three count anyway for the elimination at 8:04. Los Garza are in at #3, with Axiom having to make a quick save. Garza gets superkicked into a brainbuster for two with Berto making the save. Axiom goes up and gets caught with a super faceplant. MTY gets rid of Fraxiom at 10:23 total and the Wyatt Sicks are in at #4.

We take a break and come back with the Wyatts in trouble with Lumis getting powerbombed out of the corner. Gacy makes the save and everything breaks down. Cue the MFTs for a distraction, allowing Berto to get a rollup for the pin at 18:18. Damian Priest and R-Truth are in at #5 and, after a break, Priest comes in to clean house.

The Pounce sends Garza over the announcers’ table but Berto is back up with a springboard spinning kick to the head. A nice moonsault gives Berto two but it’s off to Truth (in Cena gear) for the Cena finishing sequence. Garza breaks up the STF so Priest tags himself back in and it’s an AA/South Of Heaven for the double pin on Los Garza at 25:40.

Rating: C. This is where WWE causes its own problems. The issue here is that a lot of these teams (save for the one who was assembled an hour ago) were doing nothing but standing around backstage for weeks. WWE has made it clear that these teams do not matter around here, so why should I want to see them for the better part of half an hour? It isn’t that the wrestling was bad, but the interest wasn’t there and that’s not on the wrestlers.

Sami Zayn comes up to Randy Orton and asks how Cody Rhodes is ok with Orton dropping him with an RKO. Orton says you have to be selfish occasionally, but Zayn asks him if that makes him a bad person. Orton doesn’t know about all that, but it does make him a fourteen time World Champion. He believes in Zayn, who might need to listen to the voices. With Orton gone, Aleister Black and Zelina come in to say that’s just the nature of the beast.

Here is Rhea Ripley for a chat. Ripley has heard that Jade Cargill has something to say to her so come say it to her face. Cargill comes out and offers a handshake out of respect. She respects the work that Ripley has put in but she isn’t impressed. Yeah Ripley has big arms and legs, but Cargill’s are better. She’s more worthy to be champion and Ripley can do nothing about the beating that is coming for her at Wrestlemania.

Ripley appreciates the honesty and yeah Cargill might be stronger. The thing is, Ripley isn’t staying down from Cargill’s best shot. But if Cargill takes Ripley’s best shot, she isn’t getting up. Cargill’s body is built for show, while Ripley’s is built for fighting. There’s nothing Cargill can do about what Ripley has in mind at Wrestlemania because Ripley is that b****. This wasn’t exactly Punk vs. Reigns, but it’ll do.

Alex Shelley and Candice LeRae are worried about Johnny Gargano but Chris Sabin comes up to ask why Shelley is doing this. Sabin says Shelley didn’t save him during the match. Shelley says he did and they’re off to talk. LeRae tells Gargano to get up and he does so, saying they’re off to the ring.

Uncle Howdy calls out Solo Sikoa, saying he’s going to get back what Sikoa stole. Soon there will be nothing to do but run.

Here are Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae for a chat. Gargano says it’s time for everyone, including him, to remember that he is Johnny Wrestling. The open challenge is on and I think you know who’s coming.

Oba Femi vs. Johnny Gargano

A string of running uppercuts in the corner and the Fall From Grace finish Gargano at 1:02.

Michin and B-Fab want Jade Cargill, who will face Michin next week.

Nick Aldis runs into Danhausen, who wants to be in the Hall Of Fame and a mentor. Aldis says that isn’t his responsibility, and then assigns Miz to do it. Danhausen wants to be WWE Champion and his own TV show, threatening a curse if he doesn’t get it. Danhausen: “Remember what happened to Dom.” Miz goes to yell but Danhausen vanishes.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

We look back at Drew McIntyre beating Cody Rhodes to win the World Title in January. Then McIntyre eliminated Rhodes from the Royal Rumble and cost him the Elimination Chamber, so now Rhodes gets his show anyway.

Smackdown World Title: Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre

McIntyre is defending and rolls outside while the bell is still echoing. The brawl starts in the aisle with Rhodes knocking him over the barricade. A drink to the face has McIntyre in more trouble and they head inside for Rhodes’ drop down uppercut. McIntyre manages a kick to the face and there’s the release belly to belly suplex. They go outside again where Rhodes sends him into the steps, only for McIntyre to cut off the dive.

A side slam drops Rhodes onto the apron and a suplex gives McIntyre two back inside. Rhodes fights back but can’t hit Cross Rhodes, with McIntyre rolling outside again. McIntyre rams the arm into the post a few times and starts working on the arm back inside. A Codebreaker to the arm sets up a big stomp but Rhodes is able to catch him on top with a superplex. Rhodes starts in on the leg but McIntyre grabs the rope to get out of the Figure Four.

McIntyre is already back on the floor, where the suicide dive takes him down again. The announcers’ table is loaded up but McIntyre fights out of Cross Rhodes. The table collapses anyway so of course the fans want tables. They get one set up on the floor, with McIntyre powerbombing Rhodes through it almost immediately. Back in and McIntyre hits a Cross Rhodes for two, so naturally Rhodes hits a Claymore for the same. The referee almost gets bumped a few times so McIntyre pulls him in the way of the Disaster Kick to make sure the bumping ensues.

Rhodes manages Cross Rhodes so another referee comes out, only for McIntyre to score with a Claymore for a very near fall. McIntyre is livid at another referee coming out so he drops said referee with a Glasgow Kiss. The chair is loaded up but here is Jacob Fatu to take it from McIntyre. The Claymore misses though and it’s a Cody Cutter into the Cross Rhodes to make Rhodes a three time champion at 20:40.

Rating: B+. This took its time to get going but wound up being rather good. I do like that they let McIntyre’s reign end off a pay per view quality match, but there wasn’t much for him in the title picture at Wrestlemania. Rhodes vs. Orton is automatically bigger, though making it a four way wouldn’t stun me either. Either way, solid match here and the right move for the title picture.

Rhodes celebrates to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This show really does not need to be three hours a week. That’s about all I think by the end of these things, as the shows feel drawn out and a lot longer than they should be. Again, it’s part of the problem of having so many people just standing around in backstage segments: at some point they have to get in the ring and carry the fans’ interest but that wasn’t on display in the 25+ minute match.

Now, there were certainly good parts for this, with Charlotte/Bliss and Rhodes getting closer to what are likely Wrestlemania title matches. Ripley/Cargill’s segment was good enough too and I like the main event situation far more now than I did coming in. It’s certainly not an awful show, but it feels every bit of those one hundred and eighty minutes.

Results
Carmelo Hayes b. El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. – Nothing But Net
Charlotte/Alexa Bliss b. Giulia/Kiana James – Natural Selection to Giulia
Damian Priest/R-Truth won Tag Team Turmoil last eliminating Los Garza
Oba Femi b. Johnny Gargano – Fall From Grace
Cody Rhodes b. Drew McIntyre – Cross Rhodes

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Elimination Chamber 2026
Date: February 28, 2026
Location: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett

It’s the last big stop on the Road To Wrestlemania and that should make for a good evening. As usual we have four matches, with two of them being the Elimination Chamber matches themselves. In addition it’s quite the Chicago flavor, with CM Punk and his wife AJ Lee both defending their titles. Let’s get to it.

The opening video, as aired last night on Smackdown, features CM Punk talking about growing up in Chicago and being used to pressure. That’s why he’s not scared by being inside the Chamber…though he’s not actually in the match.

IMG Credit: WWE

Women’s Elimination Chamber: Asuka vs. Raquel Rodriguez vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Kiana James vs. Tiffany Stratton

Cole tells us that if you Google “superstar”, you’ll see Rhea Ripley. I see Molly Shannon and Will Ferrell but maybe I’m just doing it wrong. Kiana James is in at #1 and Tiffany Stratton is in at #2 and we have five minute intervals. Feeling out process to start with James offering a test of strength, which commentary thinks is a bad idea for Stratton.

That is indeed the case as James takes over and they go out to the floor, where James is sent against a pod. The handspring elbow misses for Stratton though and Rodriguez cracks up in laughter. Asuka is in at #3 but James spears her in the pod. That’s shrugged off and Asuka comes out of the pod to ram the other two into the walls. Asuka hits a high crossbody and the clothesline/bulldog sequence, ala Raven.

The clock speeds WAY up with the second entrance in about seven minutes as Bliss is in at #4. That means the pace can pick up a bit with Bliss cleaning house as James catapults Stratton into the pod. The fast clocks (I must have missed some announcement on the intervals because there is no way they could trim them down this much and expect people to buy five minutes) continue as Ripley is in at #5. Ripley and Bliss fight over some standing switches as Bliss can’t quite pick up the much bigger Ripley, which isn’t surprising.

The other three get back up so Bliss climbs the pod and flip dives onto all of them. James avoids most of it and fights back, only to get caught in Sister Abigail. Asuka breaks that up with the mist though and James pins Bliss at 13:13. Rodriguez is in at #6 to complete the field and swings Stratton into the Chamber wall. Rodriguez keeps beating people up on the floor, including swinging Ripley into the pod and tossing Stratton in as well. A running powerslam sends James through the pod, followed a Tejana Bomb to Asuka to give Rodriguez the double pin at 16:39.

We’re down to Ripley vs. Rodriguez vs. Stratton, with Stratton getting tossed down again. Rodriguez and Ripley fight on the Chamber floor, with Ripley getting her legs tied in the wall. That leaves Stratton to get beaten up again, with Rodriguez taking her up onto the top but Ripley gets on a pod for a flip dive. That bangs up Ripley’s already bad back but Stratton hits the Prettiest Moonsault Ever to eliminate Rodriguez at 20:13.

Stratton goes right after Ripley with an Alabama Slam getting two. The Swanton misses though and Ripley kicks her in the head, setting up an electric chair faceplant for two. Stratton is right back with a shot of her own and goes up top, only to get shoved face first into the pod in a great looking crash. That’s enough for Riptide to finish for Ripley at 23:15.

Rating: B-. Good enough stuff here, though they had the advantage of a pretty wide open field. There was a legitimate case to have Stratton, Ripley or Rodriguez win, with Bliss as a wildcard option. That’s a good place to be and Rodriguez got in quite the run of her own. Nice match here, with Ripley vs. Cargill sounding rather interesting indeed.

We recap Becky Lynch defending the Women’s Intercontinental Title against AJ Lee. Last year, Lee returned and beat Lynch at Wrestlepalooza, which has Lee wanting a singles match. Lynch is going insane as a result because she doesn’t think Lee deserves this but thinks Lee could beat her. This has led to Lee getting way under Lynch’s skin, including getting the match.

IMG Credit: WWE

Women’s Intercontinental Title: Becky Lynch vs. AJ Lee

Lynch is defending and we get the Big Match Intros. An early shoulder puts Lee down and she has to forearm her way out of a headlock. Lee fights up and knocks her to the floor, meaning it’s time for some skipping. Back in and a ticked off Lynch knocks her down and hammers away as commentary keeps bringing up how Lee hasn’t wrestled a singles match in over ten years.

Lynch slows things down and starts shoving Lee’s head into the mat and screaming at her, with a forearm cutting off Lee’s comeback. Lee kicks her out of the corner and a Shining Wizard gets two. Lynch counters the Black Widow though and takes her up top for a superplex. The cross armbreaker is countered with a kick to the head to give Lee two but a turnbuckle pad comes off. Lynch rams Lee into the referee in the corner but gets two anyway, only to accidentally kick the referee in the head.

The Black Widow makes Lynch tap but there’s no referee. With the hold broken, Lynch fights back and takes her to the floor, where she grabs a chair. Lee takes it away but gets DDTed onto the chair, setting up the Manhandle Slam for two. Lynch yells at the referee but she isn’t having it this time and yells back before counting Lee’s rollup for two more. Back up and Lee sends her into the exposed buckle, setting up the Black Widow for the tap and the title at 15:23.

Rating: B-. Another good match here, with Lynch getting in quite the performance as she was doing a lot of the hard work here. That isn’t surprising as Lee was rusty in the ring in general and especially in singles matches. Lee winning the title almost had to happen at some point and now there are several options for her opponents, including a rematch with Lynch. It’s no great match, but it was good enough.

R-Truth and the General Managers are at the crate and we find out what’s in the box. Well, meaning the pizza box that R-Truth is carrying as this turns into a Papa John’s commercial. More on this later.

IMG Credit: WWE

Raw World Title: CM Punk vs. Finn Balor

Punk is defending after beating Balor in Balor’s hometown a few weeks ago on Raw. Just to Chicago it up that much more, Punk comes to the ring to the same entrance the Chicago Bulls use to take the court (Sirius by the Alan Parsons Project. Make your own Ricky Steamboat jokes.), complete with the Bulls’ PA announcer doing his entrance.

They start slowly with Balor hitting a running shoulder, only to be knocked back down. A kick to the back and knee drop give Punk one and he rains down some right hands in the corner. Balor fights out and chops away before starting to go after the ribs. That means an abdominal stretch with an elbow in the ribs to keep Punk in trouble. That’s broken up and they head outside, with Punk sending him into the announcers’ table.

Back in and Balor goes back to the ribs but has to counter a GTS into a small package for two. The swinging neckbreaker gives Punk two and he needs a breather. Punk fights up and fires off some more kicks, even as his mouth seems to be busted open. A top rope elbow gives Punk two and Balor’s crucifix counter gets the same. There’s the Sling Blade to drop Punk again but the running dropkick is cut off.

Balor puts Punk back down though and the Coup de Grace to the bad ribs gets two. Balor fights back and tries I believe another Sling Blade, only to get GTS’d out to the floor. Punk goes after him and gets knocked hard through the barricade. Back in and another Sling Blade hits Punk so Balor loads up the Coup de Grace. This time Punk gets a leg up and reverses into a Sharpshooter, sending Balor over to the rope. Punk is frustrated but grabs the GTS to retain at 20:25.

Rating: B+. These two were in a tough spot as there was almost no reason to believe that Balor was going to win here but they put on a heck of a match anyway. It was a hard hitting fight and I was wondering what was going to happen with any interference, but thankfully it didn’t happen. Pretty awesome match here, which shouldn’t be a surprise.

Post match Balor gets up and shakes Punk’s hand before leaving in peace. AJ Lee comes out for the double champion celebration.

In the arena, the General Managers open the crate and find….a coffin. Which opens to reveal….yeah it’s Danhausen, complete with a group of cheerleaderhausens. He has his own theme song which keeps saying his name and repeating “YOU ARE CURSED”. Danhausen gives Cole a jar of teeth, gets in the ring, pyro goes off, and that’s it.

IMG Credit: WWE

Men’s Elimination Chamber: Trick Williams vs. LA Knight vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Logan Paul vs. Randy Orton

For the shot against Drew McIntyre at Wrestlemania. Evans is in at #1 and Rhodes is in at #2 to get us going. After showing some respect, Rhodes grabs a delayed suplex for two, only to get rolled up for the same. A running knee drops Rhodes for two more but he throws Evans over the top for a crash. Back in and Rhodes stomps him down but Evans knees his way out of another suplex. They trade right hands and it’s Trick Williams in at #3.

A flapjack on the steel drops Rhodes but Evans is back up with the OG Cutter. That’s blocked as well and Rhodes is knocked down again, giving Williams two each. Evans is up to chop Williams against the wall and it’s Paul in at #4. That earns him a triple teaming, with Paul being sent hard into a pod. Rhodes goes after Evans and they slug it out again. Paul is back up to go after Evans before choking Williams on the floor. Knight is in at #5 and goes right after Paul in the corner.

The jumping neckbreaker puts Williams down and it’s time to climb the pod. Paul, Knight and Evans all go up top, with Paul being thrown down onto Rhodes and Williams. A BFT drops Evans onto the pod and it’s Orton in at #6, giving us a rare instance of all six being active at once. The double hanging DDT drops Paul and Williams but Knight blocks the RKO.

Evans is back up on the pod though and gives Williams a frog splash. Paul be back up with the Paulverizer though and Evans is out at 15:59. Knight plants Rhodes down for…well eventually two as it takes him a bit to get Rhodes’ shoulders down. Knight loads up the top rope elbow on Orton but slips down, instead settling for a regular jumping elbow (that’s a bad stretch).

The BFT drops Williams but Paul hits Knight low for the rollup elimination at 18:34. Williams kicks Rhodes down and flips away from Paul, only to get caught with Cross Rhodes. Paul sends Rhodes into the post and steals the pin on Williams (that’s completely in line for him) at 20:17.

The Chamber is open to get Williams out…and the Masked Man is back. Security immediately grabs him and Adam Pearce unmasks him as….just another random guy (different from the one on Smackdown). Williams is taken out but ANOTHER Masked Man gets inside and kicks Paul down, setting up a Stomp. The Masked Man leaves and Rhodes gets the pin on Paul at 22:30.

And he unmasks as…..SETH ROLLINS and there’s a big time Wrestlemania match. Heyman: “NO! NO!” We’re down to Orton and Rhodes but here is McIntyre to miss a Claymore on Rhodes. An RKO and Cross Rhodes get rid of McIntyre but another RKO finishes Rhodes for the win at 24:56.

Rating: B. They had a lot of things going on here at once and it still worked. Orton winning is a fine way to go as he’s kind of the “break glass in case of no one better being available” safe pick, though I’m not sure on Orton vs. McIntyre as a Wrestlemania title match. The interesting match still feels like Rhodes vs. Fatu vs. Zayn, though I’m not sure how you get to that match. For now though, good match with Rollins’ return probably being the biggest story.

Orton celebrates and pyro goes off to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This was a show where all four matches felt like they could have been good and that’s pretty much what wound up happening. Even the weakest match was good and Balor vs. Punk felt like a big time showdown. We’re seven weeks away from Wrestlemania and most of the card seems to be clear, if not already set. That’s more than enough time to really turn this into a big time event and this was a good step there. Solid show, but it’s really the beginning of the big build to the most important show of the year.

Results
Rhea Ripley won the Women’s Elimination Chamber
AJ Lee b. Becky Lynch – Black Widow
CM Punk b. Finn Balor – GTS
Randy Orton won the Men’s Elimination Chamber

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Geez it only feels like it’s been about four weeks since the Royal Rumble, mainly because it’s been…well four weeks. This is the second half of the setup shows for Wrestlemania, which is somehow less than two months away. The big thing here is finding out the two other challengers for the World and Women’s Titles, though we also have a pair of grudge matches for titles of their own. Let’s get to it.

IMG Credit: WWE

Raw World Title: CM Punk(c) vs. Finn Balor

Somehow this is the least interesting match on the card, which is mostly due to the fact that Punk already pinned Balor clean. Now they’re fighting again, in Punk’s backyard, and this time around the question is whether Balor will have help from Judgment Day. Granted he didn’t before, so I’m not sure how much it is going to change things. That doesn’t leave much in the way of drama here, but stranger things have happened.

I’ll take Punk to retain here, as there is pretty much no reason to believe that Balor wins. While there is still time to change the title back to Punk for the match with Roman Reigns at Wrestlemania, I don’t think they would go that fast with things. Therefore, Punk retains after a heck of a match, though this definitely feels like a way to have Balor split off from Judgment Day. Maybe for a match with Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Title at Wrestlemania? Either way, Punk retains here.

IMG Credit: WWE

Women’s Intercontinental Title: Becky Lynch(c) vs. AJ Lee

Now this one has me curious as I could absolutely see this going either way. Lynch is a big star and has been for a very long time, but Lee is no slouch whatsoever and she’s basically in her adopted hometown (the fans will certainly accept her). The story is that Lynch is going completely insane over Lee, who is stringing her along the entire way. That makes for an interesting situation and I really don’t know who wins.

The more I think about it, the more I think I’ll go with Lynch retaining via some kind of shenanigans. She can find some way to cheat and set up a rematch for the title later on, probably at Wrestlemania, with Lee getting the big moment. It wouldn’t be a stretch to have Lee win the title at some point, but stretching it out seems like has more potential so I’ll take Lee winning the match but not the title, as we’ll go with a DQ or countout. The fans won’t like it, though they’ll be fine when Punk retains instead.

IMG Credit: WWE

Women’s Elimination Chamber: Tiffany Stratton vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Asuka vs. Kiana James vs. Raquel Rodriguez

The winner of this gets the title shot against Jade Cargill. As a result, we can probably eliminate a few names, such as James, Asuka and…actually that’s it. James isn’t going to happen and Asuka seems to be more in line for a tag match or something involving Kairi Sane. That leaves us with four options and I’m really not sure who to pick between them, which is a nice feeling.

Honestly I’m not sure where to go here, as one would think that Ripley and Bliss would be involved in their respective tag teams at Wrestlemania, but I’m not sure I can imagine Rodriguez or Stratton winning either. Stratton or Ripley seem like the best options and Cargill did take the title from Stratton in the first place. I think I’ll go with Ripley as that’s been teased for a bit and she’s always a safe bet, so we’ll go there for the closest thing to a safe pick in a match that could go any way.

IMG Credit: WWE

Men’s Elimination Chamber: Randy Orton vs. LA Knight vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Trick Williams vs. Logan Paul

This is for the title shot against Drew McIntyre. Again, we can eliminate a few names, as Evans and Williams aren’t going to win here. Again though, we do have some options for the winner and that makes for some interesting options. Rhodes seems to be the favorite for the whole thing and that would certainly be the safe pick, but there are still choices out there and I’m curious to see what happens.

I’ll take…geez Rhodes feels so tempting but I’m not sold on it being that much of a layup. Orton is always an option and Knight is a dark horse in his own right. I’m not sure I can imagine Paul winning and I’ll write Knight off (but he needs to get into the title picture again soon). Rhodes is the safe bet so I’ll go with him, though hopefully with Jacob Fatu and Sami Zayn being added into the match, as Rhodes vs. McIntyre again sounds dreadful. For now though, I’ll just take Rhodes for the win here, though hopefully that leads to a change.

Overall Thoughts

The show has grown on me in recent weeks as both Chamber matches look good. That’s along with what should be an awesome Punk vs. Balor match and the rather interesting Lynch vs. Lee fight. I can more than go for a card that has the potential to go four out of four, which is always a nice feeling. I’m really not sure who is winning the two Chamber matches and that should be more than enough to carry the show.

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Smackdown
Date: February 27, 2026
Location: KFC Yum Center, Louisville, Kentucky
Commentators: Wade Barrett, Joe Tessitore

It’s the night before Elimination Chamber and the show’s namesake matches are finally set. This week’s Raw saw the final two qualifying matches and that means we can get to the last bit of the buildup. Other than that, the Women’s Tag Team Titles are on the line so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Jey Uso has been attacked and is being taken away in an ambulance (that’s how they get around him qualifying when he wasn’t supposed to). Jimmy Uso says he’ll find out who did it, though Trick Williams says that’s one down. While it doesn’t seem that he’s saying he attacked Jey, Je’Von Evans doesn’t like it.

IMG Credit: WWE

We cut to Drew McIntyre in the arena, saying he didn’t do it. Cody Rhodes, on a split screen, doesn’t like it so here are Nick Aldis and security to get rid of McIntyre. Rhodes comes in to say let’s fight right here and right now, but McIntyre says no because it’s no benefit to him.

Rhodes shouts that McIntyre is “disengaging” and that he has run away his entire title reign but here is Randy Orton to interrupt. Orton wants to be in the main event of Wrestlemania, which draws out Williams to interrupt as well. He brags about getting mentioned by Bruno Mars and says that since we’re in the KFC arena, he can add something to the menu.

Cue Evans, who says he’s here to beat Orton’s record as youngest World Champion. Now it’s LA Knight interrupting, saying everyone here, including McIntyre, belongs to him. Williams: “WHOOP THAT TRICK!” Knight thinks that’s a good idea and the brawl is on, with the two of them fighting to the back and an RKO dropping Evens. Orton and Rhodes stare each other down but don’t get physical.

Tiffany Stratton is ready to win the Elimination Chamber but Asuka, with Kairi Sane, interrupts. Stratton is ready for Asuka and the match seems likely.

IMG Credit: WWE

Solo Sikoa vs. Uncle Howdy

They lock up to start and Sikoa shoves him out of the corner. A slugout doesn’t go anywhere so they head outside, with Sikoa’s Samoan Spike hitting the post by mistake. Howdy sends him into the timekeeper’s area but stops to look at the lantern. Sikoa gets in a knockdown of his own and we take a break.

We come back with a Samoan drop getting two on Howdy and the nerve hold going on. Spinning Solo and a Superfly Splash give Sikoa two more as the fans are behind Howdy. Sikoa loads up his own Sister Abigail but gets the Mandible Claw as a result. That’s broken up with the Samoan Spike but the hand is too banged up. Sikoa charges into Sister Abigail for the pin at 10:51.

Rating: C+. This was another step in a long feud between the two families and that’s an interesting enough way to go. As has been the case, this fits Sikoa far better than the big boss of the top heel stable and it’s making things a lot easier. Howdy winning clean is a surprise, but it’s probably his biggest win on the main roster, which is nice to see.

Post match Howdy gets the lantern back and of course the MFTs jump him to take it back. The Wyatts come in just too late for the save.

Nick Aldis has Drew McIntyre leave when the Vision (all three healthy members) comes in. Paul Heyman is here to volunteer Logan Paul to take Jey Uso’s place in the Chamber. Aldis finds this all very convenient but he’ll make some calls.

Video on the Women’s Tag Team Title match.

Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky are ready for tonight but then they’re ready for Ripley to win the Chamber tomorrow night. Jade Cargill comes in to say Ripley is on her own tomorrow night.

Jacob Fatu comes up to Nick Aldis and accuses Drew McIntyre of taking out Jey Uso. Fatu wants in the Chamber, but Aldis doesn’t say yes.

Video on Damian Priest’s time in NXT and how it helped him get ready for the main roster.

Jelly Roll is here.

Asuka vs. Tiffany Stratton

Chelsea Green is on commentary but hang on, as Asuka says she’s resting before the Chamber so Kairi Sane can do this instead.

Kairi Sane vs. Tiffany Stratton

Chelsea Green is still on commentary as the switch didn’t make her wheel off. Stratton flips away from her to start and hits a hip attack, only to get distracted by Asuka. Sane rams Stratton into the buckle and we take a break. We come back with Stratton flipping into an Alabama Slam for two but Sane breaks up the Prettiest Moonsault Ever.

Sane’s top rope double stomp gets two but Stratton is back with a running basement dropkick. They go to the apron where Sane hits a quick DDT, only for Stratton to break up the Insane Elbow. Sane is sent flying onto Alba Fyre before missing Stratton and knocking Green into her wheelchair. Back in and the Prettiest Moonsault Ever finishes Sane at 10:21.

Rating: B-. The Green stuff was funny as usual, as she knows exactly how to do what she’s been up to lately. I’m expecting her to cost Stratton the Chamber tomorrow and that could set up a nice showdown. Sane as Asuka’s servant is still fun and it makes perfect sense for Asuka to have Sane to her dirty work here.

Nick Aldis finds the Vision in his office and Logan Paul is indeed in the Chamber…if he wins his qualifying match…against Jacob Fatu. Paul Heyman isn’t happy but Logan says he can do it.

Miz vs. Oba Femi

Miz says they don’t have to fight but Femi takes the mic from him and says get your own. Miz talks about being in developmental in this very city but not listening to the locker room leaders. Now he wants to be Femi’s Undertaker. Femi: “You do look like a dead man to me.”

Miz can get the fans chanting OBA, which they do, though Femi says that means he can do it on his own (not exactly). The fight is on and Femi knocks him out of the air but misses a charge into the corner. The Fall From Grace finishes at 4:48, though the physical part of the match was barely a minute.

Rating: C-. Ok so not much of a match, but Femi did just squash a former multiple time WWE Champion in short order. That’s how you make Femi feel even more like a monster and this was a total destruction. You don’t see someone brought in like this very often and it’s working well thus far, though those last two words are the key.

Carmelo Hayes still wants Ilja Dragunov to take up the US Open Challenge but Dragunov is in a suit. Hayes tells him to take the shot before someone beats him to it.

US Title: Carmelo Hayes vs. ???

Hayes is defending against…Matt Cardona. Feeling out process to start with Hayes ducking a clothesline but running into a dropkick. Cardona grabs a headlock before ducking a dropkick from Hayes for a change. Some choking has Hayes in more trouble as this is a more aggressive Cardona than usual. Hayes knocks him to the floor but misses a dive into the announcers’ table as we take a break.

We come back with Cardona’s running boot in the corner connecting and a knee to the face putting Hayes on the floor. Back in and Hayes catches him in the ropes for the Fadeaway and a springboard clothesline drops Cardona again. La Mistica gets two on Cardona, who is right back with a tiger bomb for the same. The Rough Ryder is countered into a superkick for two but the second Rough Ryder gives Cardona two of his own. Hayes hits a quick First 48 to retain at 11:51.

Rating: B-. Cardona continues his return to WWE and is still doing about the same thing. By that I mean pretty much nothing important other than being a slightly more serious than usual star, which isn’t much of an upgrade over his Zack Ryder days. Hayes adds another title defense to his reign, which is fine, but it feels like another day of waiting before we have the big match with Dragunov.

Post match respect is shown.

The tag teams look at the crate and R-Truth teaches them how to use the ESPN app. Johnny Gargano is wheeled in but Candice LeRae has to get to the ring for her match. Kit Wilson comes in and calls the guys toxic, which they find hilarious.

IMG Credit: WWE

Jordynne Grace vs. Candice LeRae

Johnny Gargano, actually on his feet, is here with LeRae. Well at least he is before the break. Grace takes her down to start fast but gets enziguried for an early two. The chinlock doesn’t last long and they fight over a rollup for a bunch of ones. Grace catches her up top with a delayed vertical superplex but the Grace Driver is blocked. Gargano is at least sitting up now but goes to leave, which is enough of a distraction for Grace to grab a pumphandle suplex for the pin at 3:47.

Rating: C+. Well at least they’re finally doing something with Gargano, who is starting to cause all kinds of issues for LeRae. It’s certainly something different and hopefully leads to something better, as he hasn’t exactly been doing much in recent weeks. Grace doesn’t have much going on either, though at least she won.

Raquel Rodriguez thinks Judgment Day could get both Women’s Title shots at Wrestlemania but Jade Cargill comes in to cut her off. They bicker a bit and here are Michin and B Fab to threaten Cargill again. Can she please just wreck both of them already and get this over with?

We look at AJ Styles’ tribute from Raw, capped off by his Hall Of Fame announcement.

Cody Rhodes says he hopes it’s Jacob Fatu in the Chamber and walks off to see Sami Zayn. They shake hands and nothing is said. Zayn goes over to Fatu and asks how Jey Uso is doing. Apparently not too well, which has Zayn thinking Fatu might have done it. Fatu threatens violence and doesn’t like this, but Zayn goes on a rant about how he might have done it. That’s shot down as well, with Zayn telling Fatu to go win and then get upset about everything.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Irresistible Forces vs. Rhea Ripley/Iyo Sky

Ripley and Sky are defending and Legend blocks Sky’s early sunset flip attempt. Ripley comes in and gets kneed down but hands it back to Sky, who dropkicks Jax. The champs are cut off on the floor though and swung into the barricade as we take a break. We come back with Legend kicking Sky down for two, followed by Jax’s cheap shot getting the same. Sky comes back up with a kick to the head and it’s back to Ripley to strike away at Jax.

A missile dropkick gives Ripley two and Sky and Legend send each other into things on the floor. Ripley breaks up the Annihilator and powerbombs Jax out of the corner for two. Jax is sent outside for a cannonball off the apron as we take a break. We come back with Jax’s headbutt dropping Ripley and a Samoan drop putting her onto the announcers’ table.

Back in and Legend’s chokeslam sets up a middle rope legdrop to give Jax two but she misses a charge into the post. Sky comes back in to kick away at both Forces but legend launches her at Jax for…I don’t actually know, though it did put Jax down. The Bullet Train hits Legend and Over The Moonsault gets two, with Jax making the save. An Annihilator gets two on Sky with Ripley making the save. Back in and Riptide drops Jax but Ripley’s back is hurt, allowing Legend to hit the Lash Extension for the pin and the titles at 18:16.

Rating: B. This got pretty awesome at the end and that was cool to see, with Legend getting the big moment of pinning Ripley for a title. I do like this a lot better with Ripley on her way to a big singles match tomorrow, as there is little reason to have a tag champion in that kind of a match. Legend and Jax as monster champions could do well as they’ve been a nice pairing thus far. Good match here with the right result.

Charlotte and Alexa Bliss are not happy with the title change and Charlotte eats ice cream to get over Bliss possibly going to Wrestlemania without her. Giulia and Kiana James come in to mock them but Jade Cargill shows up to wish them all some sarcastic good luck.

Solo Sikoa and the MFTs want Nick Aldis to do something about the Wyatt Sicks. Aldis saw Sikoa lose clean, so it’s time to find some new #1 contenders to the Tag Team Titles, which we’ll find next week. Works for Sikoa.

The Irresistible Forces are very happy with their win and Cathy Kelly is NOT invited to their title party.

We get the opening to Elimination Chamber, which does indeed focus on Chicago and CM Punk. He’s used to the sides closing in, which is why he isn’t bothered by the Chamber.

Randy Orton runs into Aleister Black and Zelina. Black thinks the Black Mass woke him up but Orton promises to find him after the Chamber. That’s just what Black wants.

Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Logan Paul vs. Jacob Fatu

The rest of the Vision is here with Paul, who fires off a running elbow in the corner to start fast. Some clotheslines and a backsplash have Paul in trouble though and Fatu fires off headbutts in the corner. A running splash in the corner puts Paul down again and Fatu scores with a suicide dive as we take a break.

We come back with Fatu’s splash hitting the post but Paul misses a frog splash. A superkick and handspring moonsault give Fatu two but his Swanton hits raised knees. Paul is back with a Blockbuster and a Lionsault which overshoots Fatu for two. The Paulverizer is blocked though and Fatu hits the running Umaga Attack in the corner. Heyman gets up for a distraction, which lets Paul hit Fatu low. The big right hand and frog splash get two and Heyman can’t believe the kickout.

Cue the Masked Man to go after Austin Theory but Paul decks him and steals the mask to reveal…just some guy. Even commentary says they’ve never seen him before as security takes him away. Back in and Fatu hits the pop up Samoan drop but cue Drew McIntyre to knock him into a rollup to give Paul the pin at 11:21.

Rating: B. This was another wild one with all kinds of shenanigans as they had to find a fast way out of Jey Uso getting the spot. Paul getting the spot over Bronson Reed (who seems to have been the original planned winner) is just swapping in one member of the team for another, which is a perfect way to go. The Masked Man (apparently played by Seth Rollins (among others) student Don Furio) definitely feels like it’s going to continue, which is probably for the best as they need some time to figure all of this out.

Overall Rating: B-. The last two matches boosted it up a lot, but the middle hour definitely felt like a section that would have been cut from a two hour show. They had a lot to cover this week and most of it worked, but those US Open Challenges are starting to run out of steam. The good overpowers the bad here, though everything is going to change next week with only time before Wrestlemania.

Results
Uncle Howdy b. Solo Sikoa – Sister Abigail
Tiffany Stratton b. Kairi Sane – Prettiest Moonsault Ever
Oba Femi b. The Miz – Fall From Grace
Carmelo Hayes b. Matt Cardona – First 48
Jordynne Grace b. Candice LeRae – Pumphandle suplex
Irresistible Forces b. Rhea Ripley/Iyo Sky – Lash Extension to Ripley
Logan Paul b. Jacob Fatu – Rollup

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Smackdown
Date: February 20, 2026
Location: Amerant Bank Arena, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re just over a week away from Elimination Chamber and that means it’s time for another week of qualifying matches. That has been the case for the last few weeks and we are rapidly running out of spots. The good thing is the matches wind up being pretty good most of the time and it would be nice to see that continue here. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of last week’s main event with Cody Rhodes qualifying for the Elimination Chamber, despite Drew McIntyre’s interference.

Here is Rhodes to get things going. He hits the catchphrase but here is Jacob Fatu to cut him off. Fatu says Rhodes wouldn’t be out here without him and Rhodes knows it. Right now though, Fatu is concerned about Drew McIntyre and he wants McIntyre out here. Instead he gets Nick Aldis, who has given McIntyre the night off. Aldis suggests they go talk about Fatu come to his office and they can talk about Fatu getting his hands on McIntyre.

Cue McIntyre in a suite, which he says he bought to watch the show. McIntyre accuses Fatu of being all bark and no bite so Fatu charges, with Aldis and security cutting him off. Aldis somehow talks Fatu down and they leave, with McIntyre saying everyone is jealous of him. Rhodes: “The whole world is after you because you’re a censored.” Please go with the triple threat at Wrestlemania instead of Rhodes vs. McIntyre again. It’s right there.

We look back at Solo Sikoa and the MFT’s winning a ten man tag last week and having a staredown with the Wyatt Sicks. Ignore an Arby’s ad popping up for a second at the end.

Carmelo Hayes is warming up when Ilja Dragunov comes up to give him a pep talk. Hayes seems appreciative and tells Dragunov to use that intensity for his match. Dragunov says he’s coming for the title.

Nick Aldis tells Jacob Fatu that he has to be patient and he’ll get Drew McIntyre. Fatu agrees, but he won’t wait much longer.

IMG Credit: WWE

Ilja Dragunov vs. Tama Tonga

The MFT’s are here too. Dragunov fires off the chops in the corner to start but Tonga knocks him into the corner. That earns Tonga a German suplex and he rolls outside as we take an early break. We come back with the two of them hitting a double clothesline. Back up and Dragunov escapes a reverse DDT and rolls some German suplexes. Dragunov slams him down again, followed by the top rope backsplash. Tonga Loa offers a distraction though and the Cutthroat finishes Dragunov at 9:38.

Rating: B-. They didn’t have much time here with the break in the middle, but Dragunov needing help to fight off the MFT’s is a story that writes itself. If nothing else, Tonga has been teasing coming after the US Title for a long time now so this is a good way to get the title feud off the ground. They had a short but intense match here, which is pretty standard for Dragunov no matter how long the match goes.

Post match Solo Sikoa says he and his family are coming for everything so Dragunov jumps him, earning a big beatdown. Matt Cardona and Apollo Crews’ attempts at saves are easily thwarted but Uncle Howdy pops up on screen to say it’s time for Sikoa to show he can stand on his own. He wants Sikoa one on one, but will Sikoa show up?

Nick Aldis blames Drew McIntyre for causing chaos around here and threatens him if he does anything else. McIntyre leaves.

Randy Orton talks about Cody Rhodes but is interrupted by Zelina and Aleister Black. They talk about how there was a time when no one could get this close to Orton because he would lay them out. What happened to that man? Orton says he’ll get a match with Black made for tonight.

Lash Legend and Nia Jax dub themselves the Irresistible Forces and are ready to go to the Chamber, as well as win the Women’s Tag Team Titles next week.

Here is Jade Cargill for a chat. She defends her title on her own time, which is what she did last week against Jordynne Grace. Cargill knows that Liv Morgan is making her Wrestlemania decision on Raw in Atlanta and that’s where Cargill resides, so she’ll be there in person. Whether it’s Liv or anyone in the Chamber, she’s still coming out of Wrestlemania with the title because she’s that b****.

IMG Credit: WWE

Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Charlotte vs. Kiana James vs. Nia Jax

Charlotte comes out as Cargill is leaving and we get the big staredown. Jax and Charlotte ignore James to start and then hit her in the face. James suggests an alliance with Jax and that’s not happening so Jax headbutts both of them down. The running hip attacks connect in the corner but Jax’s running shoulder hits the post.

We take a break and come back with Charlotte high crossbodying James and chopping away at both of them. A flipping clothesline (Buckshot Lariat without the ropes) puts James down again but Jax sends Charlotte to the apron. James is there to superkick Charlotte but she’s back up to drop both of them. The double moonsault gets two so Jax gives Charlotte a pop up Samoan drop. James Samoan drops Jax (and makes it look WAY too easy) for two before going up, where Charlotte catches her with a super Spanish Fly.

Jax breaks up the cover and posts Charlotte but misses a charge into the steps. Back in and James charges into a powerbomb but Jax is there to break up the Figure Eight. The Annihilator hits James so Charlotte makes the save this time and, after the camera cut for the wardrobe issue, Jax misses a charge into the corner. Charlotte is there with a sunset bomb out of the corner and the Figure Eight, only for James to run in with a rollup to pin Charlotte at 12:30.

Rating: B. That was a surprising result and it was nice to see James win over one of the two most likely results. James isn’t likely to win the Chamber, but much like Je’Von Evans in the men’s version, you have to do something with these people to get them out there. They’re the future (even the future of the midcard) and at some point they have to pick up some wins, just like this one.

Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky are ready to win tonight, at Raw, next week, and at Elimination Chamber. That’s a busy schedule.

Oba Femi vs. Kit Wilson

The bell rings so Wilson grabs the mic and wants to read Femi a poem. Femi looks intrigued at the Ode To Oba Femi, which praises him as dominant, but thinks he looks like a teddy bear. Femi wants another one, but Wilson only has one. Femi: “READ!” Wilson reads Nine Things He Hates About Men, including how they strut every time they get in the ring. The last thing he hates is Femi himself. Clotheslines, a toss slam, Fall From Grace (pop up sitout powerbomb) finishes Wilson at 3:50. Wilson was 31.

Rating: C. This was barely a match, as the wrestling aspect of it lasted about thirty seconds, which is how it should have gone. The poem stuff before the match was fine, and I like that they added in a little something other than Femi comes in and crushes him. Of course that’s how the match should have gone, but they spiced it up a bit. That’s always appreciated.

R-Truth comes up to Nick Aldis, who is standing in front of the mystery crate, and thinks it’s a prestigious award. Aldis says send it back to Raw and leaves. Question: does that mean it’s going back to the same arena Raw was in on Monday? Or does Raw just exist as some strange omnipresent entity in WWE lore? Anyway Damian Priest comes up and R-Truth says only one of them can go to Wrestlemania. Aldis explains that Priest is the only one in the qualifying match and R-Truth complains about the usage of his balls again.

Tiffany Stratton vs. Alba Fyre

The wheelchair bound Chelsea Green is here with Fyre and throws out her newspapers on the way to the ring. Stratton grabs a headlock to start and walks the ropes to take Fyre over. A basement dropkick puts Fyre down again but she’s back up with a tornado DDT of her own as we take a break.

We come back with Stratton making the clothesline comeback, followed by the handspring elbow in the corner. Stratton brainbusters her into a Falcon Arrow for two but Fyre is back with a Gory Bomb for two. An Alabama slam plants Fyre but the Prettiest Moonsault Ever is broken up. Green’s distraction lets Fyre take over, only for her Swanton to hit raised knees. The Prettiest Moonsault Ever finishes for Stratton at 9:50.

Rating: C+. This was fine as a way for Stratton to get some momentum built before the Chamber. Green in a wheelchair, whether or not she needs it, is ripe with potential and you know she’s going to be right there with whatever she thinks of for the idea. Fyre…geez it’s a shame after seeing her be so good as Kay Lee Ray.

Cody Rhodes runs into Sami Zayn, who isn’t doing great. Rhodes tries to give him a pep talk for having nothing to be ashamed of, but Zayn says Rhodes should be ashamed. He says Rhodes took advantage of things last week. Rhodes says he did because you have to and that’s why Zayn has never been WWE Champion.

That hits a nerve with Zayn, who talks about how everything always works out for Rhodes. Speaking of nerves being touches, Rhodes asks where Zayn was in Germany when Jacob Fatu cost Rhodes the title. The only thing in Zayn’s way is Zayn himself and Rhodes leaves. Zayn is ticked but Trick Williams comes in (to a BIG reaction) to say he’s going to take care of things tonight, which Zayn couldn’t do last week.

Zayn runs up to Rhodes and apologizes for what he said (the fans don’t approve). He knows Rhodes will be WWE Champion again, but don’t forget that he had some help on the way there (pointing at himself). Rhodes says he won’t forget and everything seems mostly ok. The Zayn stuff feels like they’re setting up something big and it has the chance to be a heck of a moment.

Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Carmelo Hayes vs. Trick Williams vs. Damian Priest

Non-title. Williams is knocked outside to start and Priest hammers on Hayes in the corner as we hear about Hayes and Williams’ partnership in NXT. Priest cleans house and the lifting Downward Spiral drops Williams. A bulldog driver gets two on Hayes but Williams flips out of a chokeslam attempt. Hayes gives Williams a springboard crossbody but gets dropped by Priest for two as we take a break.

We come back with Hayes hitting a running flip dive to Priest, followed by a running dropkick to Williams. A frog splash gives Hayes two on Priest but Williams kicks Hayes in the face. Back up and Hayes chops at Williams to cut off his trash talk before they all go outside. Williams drops Priest onto the announcers’ table and the Trick Kick gets two.

Priest is back up with a Razor’s Edge to Williams but Hayes hits Nothing But Net, with Williams making the save. Hayes and Priest get together to knock Priest down, only to argue over who gets the cover. The First 48 drops Williams but Priest loads up a Razor’s Edge on Hayes. That’s broken up with a Trick Shot each to give Williams the pin on Priest at 12:34.

Rating: B. Williams is this close to getting a rocket attached to his back, though I’m not sure how long the fans are going to be asked to boo him. It’s easy to see why too, as he has the look, the skill and the attitude. You don’t often find people main roster ready with pretty much no changes from NXT and it’s working here.

The tag division is around the crate, with Johnny Gargano on top of it. Candice LeRae wants Nick Aldis to fix this but Jordynne Grace comes in. LeRae doesn’t want her to interrupt so Aldis makes a match between them for next week.

B Fab and Michin interrupt a Jade Cargill photo shoot and threaten her. Good grief these two could not feel like bigger losers.

Giulia vs. Rhea Ripley

Non-title. Ripley powers her against the ropes to start so Giulia spins around into a choke. That’s broken up and Ripley reverses a tornado DDT into a suplex for two. Giulia is back up with a missile dropkick into the corner and Ripley misses a charge into the post (for a sickening thud) as we take a break. We come back with Ripley kicking her in the face to leave both of them down. Ripley catches her on top for a faceplant but Riptide is blocked. The big knee gives Giulia two so Ripley tries Riptide again, only for Lash Legend to run in for the DQ at 9:11.

Rating: B-. That’s the way this needed to end as you don’t want Ripley to lose but you also don’t want her to beat a champion. Instead they moved her further towards the Women’s Tag Team Title match next week. That’s what you should have done here and it come after a pretty good match. If nothing else, it’s nice to see Giulia getting a chance to show what she can do on her own, which isn’t something you often see.

Post match Legend and Nia Jax jump Ripley until Iyo Sky makes the save.

Oba Femi runs into the Miz, who offers to show Femi the ropes inside and outside. That works for Femi, who will go talk to Nick Aldis about it for next week. Miz is happy, until he realizes what that means.

Charlotte tries to keep herself calm about her loss but Alexa Bliss says it’s ok to be upset. Giulia and Kiana James come in to mock them but Bliss seems to issue a challenge. This results in Giulia screaming and having to be dragged off.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Solo Sikoa is ready for Uncle Howdy next week and praises Tama Tonga on his win. For now though, the team needs to focus on the Wyatt Sicks. Sikoa leaves and Shinsuke Nakamura comes in to say that Sikoa is holding Tonga back. A rematch seems to be teased.

Randy Orton vs. Aleister Black

Zelina is here with Black. They circle each other a bit to start until Orton drops him with a shoulder and poses. Some right hands in the corner have Black in trouble and another puts him on the floor as we take a break. We come back with Orton doing the circle stomp so Vega gets on the apron for a distraction.

That allows Black to hit a jumping knee to the back and a running knee to the back connects as well. The chinlock goes on for a bit, followed by a running forearm to drop Orton again for two. The chinlock goes on again but this time Orton fights up, only to get kicked down again. We hit the third chinlock (in less than nine minutes) so this time Orton, who is well experienced in this spot this time, suplexes his way to freedom.

The hanging DDT plants Black but he gets outside to avoid the RKO. Orton follows him and gets kicked in the face, only to come back with a poke to the eye. The hanging DDT drops Black onto the floor but here is Drew McIntyre to hit Orton with the belt (as the referee is with Black). Cody Rhodes runs in to chase McIntyre through the crowd and Black Mass finishes for Black at 13:09.

Rating: B-. It’s nice to see Black getting a win like this, as beating Orton in any fashion means something. Black has at least been doing something here and there since his return, with the devil on your shoulder being a nice place for him. I’m not sure what is next for him, but this is still one of the biggest wins he’s ever had in WWE.

Rhodes runs back in to check on Orton to end the show.

The show is dedicated to Kerwin Silfies to really wrap things up.

Overall Rating: B-. There were some good parts on this show, but it felt every bit of its three hours. That’s the kind of thing that can hurt any show, as the good action felt stretched out over a long time. The good thing is we’re pretty much done with the qualifying matches (at least on Fridays) and can move on to the more important stuff. That should help, as you can see some interesting things being set up, including from some of the newer stars.

Results
Tama Tonga b. Ilja Dragunov – Cutthroat
Kiana James b. Charlotte and Nia Jax – Rollup to Charlotte
Oba Femi b. Kit Wilson – Fall From Grace
Tiffany Stratton b. Alba Fyre – Prettiest Moonsault Ever
Trick Williams b. Damian Priest and Carmelo Hayes – Trick Shot to Priest
Rhea Ripley b. Giulia via DQ when Lash Legend interfered
Aleister Black b. Randy Orton – Black Mass

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Smackdown
Date: February 13, 2026
Location: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re about two weeks away from Elimination Chamber and that means some people need to gain some qualifications. A few of those will be taking place this week, which has been the case in recent weeks. This time around we have quite the big main event though and I’m wondering about who is going on to Chicago. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Here is Tiffany Stratton to get things going. She had the best rookie year anyone could imagine and it’s time for her to get the title back. That means winning the Elimination Chamber but here are Nia Jax and Lash Legend to interrupt. Stratton asks Jax why she’s so obsessed with her, but Legend isn’t having that.

They’re ready to win the Women’s Tag Team Titles and then have Jax win the Chamber. Or they could just take her out right now, which brings out Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky to interrupt. Ripley says the two of them are going to the Chamber and clear it out before fighting each other to go to Wrestlemania. For now though, they’ll keep their titles.

IMG Credit: WWE

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Rhea Ripley/Iyo Sky vs. Nia Jax/Lash Legend

Jax and Legend are challenging with Jax shrugging off Sky’s dropkicks to start. An elbow crushes Sky but she picks up the pace and kicks at the leg. Sky’s double stomp to the ribs sets up a running knee from Ripley so it’s off to Legend. That’s fine with Sky, who Asai moonsaults onto the two of them as this is one sided so far. Back in and Legend catches Sky on top and it’s a Samoan drop to put her down as we take a break.

We come back with Ripley coming in off the big tag and getting to clean house. Legend blocks a springboard hurricanrana but Ripley is able to hit a spinning DDT (or something like one) to Jax. A good looking powerbomb out of the corner drops Jax hard and Over The Moonsault connects, with Legend shoving Ripley onto the cover for the break. Legend takes Sky outside for a ram into the announcers’ table so Ripley goes to make the save, which is enough for the match to be thrown out at 8:59.

Rating: C+. They were starting to roll near the end there and the result seems to be setting up a rematch where they can go completely insane. For now though, this was an interesting match as you had the two monster powerhouses going up against the team with some pretty great chemistry. I wanted to see where this was going and I could go for a rematch so call it well done.

Post match the brawl stays on, with Legend grabbing a table. Ripley has to fight off of the table and Sky sends Jax through the table, leaving Legend to spear Ripley through the barricade.

Cody Rhodes says he could go on a rant about what happened last week or he could be the golden boy that Nick Aldis wants him to be. The pressure adds up on you over the years, but he is two wins away from main eventing Wrestlemania again. He’s ready to fight tonight.

Carmelo Hayes runs into Apollo Crews and Matt Cardona, who would love to be in the US Title Open Challenge. Hayes is fine with either of them, but tonight’s challenge has been taken. Hayes keeps walking and runs into the Miz, who says Hayes is testing Miz’s three core values. Those would be “master, inspire and zone in”, with Miz wanting to teach Hayes a lesson. Hayes hopes Miz teaches better than he wrestles and walks away. Cardona and Crews come in to mock Miz for saying zone in was one word instead of two.

Aleister Black doesn’t seem done with Randy Orton, while Zelina wants to take out Alexa Bliss and Giulia so she can go on to the Elimination Chamber.

Here is Carmelo Hayes for a chat. He’s been on a roll lately and he has a chance to make Wrestlemania, so he’ll start going there next week in the Elimination Chamber qualifying match. For now though, Ilja Dragunov can come get his shot.

US Title: Carmelo Hayes vs. Ilja Dragunov

Hayes is defending…and hang on as here are Solo Sikoa and the MFTs to interrupt. Sikoa wants the title shot but Dragunov brings up the MFTs abandoning him last week. That’s too far for Sikoa so Hayes issues a challenge for a Tag Team Title match. Instead the whole team runs in, which draws out Apollo Crews and Matt Cardona, who are beaten down as well. Cue Shinsuke Nakamura and the good guys clear the ring. Nick Aldis comes out to make the big ten man tag.

Solo Sikoa/MFTs vs. Carmelo Hayes/Ilja Dragunov/Shinsuke Nakamura/Apollo Crews/Matt Cardona

We’re joined in progress with Crews chopping Mateo in the corner and it’s off to Cardona to work on the arm. Loa comes in and gets middle rope dropkicked but manages to bring Tama in to take over. A faceplant gets Cardona out of trouble though and a diving tag brings in Dragunov. That means a bunch of chops can put Loa into the corner but Mateo offers a distraction. Loa knocks Dragunov off the top and the villains are in control as we take a break.

We come back with Dragunov fighting out of a chinlock and bringing Hayes in for the fast paced comeback. Everything breaks down and Cardona hits some Rough Ryders but Talla is back in. Crews, Cardona and Nakamura are able to knock him to the floor, with Crews hitting a running flip dive. Torpedo Moscow and the H Bomb hit Mateo and the First 48 connects. Hayes goes up but gets shoved into the Samoan Spike, only for Dragunov to Torpedo Moscow Sikoa. Tama is back in for the Cutthroat for the pin on Hayes at 11:44.

Rating: B. I could have gone for more of this as it was the kind of wild tag match that you want. It also keeps Tama’s rise up the ranks going, as pinning the champion in a tag match is a tried and true way to set up a title match. Hayes holding onto the title with so many people coming after him is a good story, though I could still go for fewer of the open challenges. At the same time, Sikoa is SO much better in this role than he was as the main event guy, as this suits him far better. Keep going with this.

Post match the Wyatt Sicks pop up for the staredown with Sikoa and company.

We look at Charlotte eliminating Alexa Bliss from the Royal Rumble.

Charlotte apologizes to Bliss and asks her to be her valentine, complete with black flowers and an autographed photo. She’ll even be in Bliss’ corner tonight in an effort to WOO her. How can Bliss turn that down?

Damian Priest and R-Truth are in Nick Aldis’ office, with Aldis saying Priest is in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match next week with Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams. Kit Wilson comes in to read a poem about Aldis being toxic. R-Truth finds it funny and rhymes about Wilson getting beaten up.

Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Alexa Bliss vs. Zelina vs. Giulia

Non-title and Charlotte and Kiana James are here as well. They go for the rapid fire rollups to start until Bliss is sent outside. A belly to back suplex drops Zelina and Giulia stomps her down again. Bliss is back in for the choke shove but Zelina takes her down with a Meteora off the apron as we take a break.

We come back with Bliss in trouble in the corner before Giulia takes Zelina up top for a butterfly superplex. They all go up top with Zelina belly to back superplexing Giulia and getting dropped by Bliss. Giulia gets the knees up to block Twisted Bliss and knees Bliss in the face. Giulia’s northern lights bomb hits Bliss but Zelina makes the save. Zelina knocks Giulia outside but walks into the Sister Abigail DDT to give Bliss the pin at 11:22.

Rating: B. This was better than I was expecting as they had a heck of a match with everyone working hard out there. Bliss going all serious to cut Zelina off at the end looked great and some of the near falls were awesome. Good stuff here and thankfully the seconds didn’t do much so they had a mostly clean match.

Tiffany Stratton meets Jordynne Grace, with the two of them agreeing that they would love to face each other at Wrestlemania. Grace leaves and Chelsea Green, riding in a wheelchair due to a foot injury, comes in to want an apology from Stratton for injuring her. Stratton says if Green wants one, she should step up and ask…but she can’t so never mind.

Video on Cody Rhodes vs. Jacob Fatu.

Rey Fenix is warming up when Sami Zayn comes in to tell him to teach Trick Williams a lesson. Zayn says he wasn’t all there last week and thanks Fenix for his kind words. Fenix is ready to fight.

IMG Credit: WWE

Trick Williams vs. Rey Fenix

Before the match, Williams mocks Sami Zayn and says he’ll win here before going on to qualify for the Elimination Chamber. Fenix knocks him down a few times to start and gets in a kick out of the corner. Williams is right back with a spinning kick to the face to drop Fenix cold. A tilt-a-whirl backbreaker sets up the jumping neckbreaker to drop Fenix, followed by a clothesline to send us to a break.

We come back with Fenix kicking his way out of trouble, including the springboard kick in the corner. The frog splash gives Fenix two and there’s the big springboard dive to put Williams down on the floor. Back in and Fenix puts him on top for a jumping double stomp to the back of the neck. Fenix runs the ropes but charges into the Trick Shot to give Williams the pin at 12:02.

Rating: B-. Williams continues his hot start on the main roster, which is rather nice to see. He’s someone who has the potential to become a star he was ready to go right out of the package. That isn’t something you get most of the time and it is working this far. Fenix’s high flying looked great as usual, though Williams deserves the focus right now, as he’s quite the prospect.

Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky are banged up but Giulia and Kiana James come in to threaten them. Giulia has to be dragged away but Jade Cargill comes in for a staredown.

Video on Jordynne Grace vs. Jade Cargill in a heck of a hoss fight.

Jacob Fatu knows what it’s like to be locked up with no one to hear you. He’s not scared of the Elimination Chamber because now there’s a Wrestlemania sign to point to while he’s locked up.

IMG Credit: WWE

Women’s Title: Jordynne Grace vs. Jade Cargill

Cargill is defending but hold on as here is Judgment Day to interrupt. They’ll be having a romantic Valentine’s Day date at ringside because Liv Morgan wants to watch the match. After the fans lose it booing Dominik Mysterio, Cargill and Grace fight over a lockup to start. Grace jumps on her back with a sleeper and they fight outside. Cargill forearms the post by mistake but manages to backdrop her onto the barricade. A glare at Judgment Day takes us to a break.

We come back with Grace trying a backslide but ramming her into the buckles instead. A spinebuster drops Cargill, who is right back up with a spinebuster of her own. Some rollups give Grace two and she plants Cargill with a powerslam. They get up and slug it out until Grace tries a torture rack. Cargill slips out and hits a pump kick, followed by Jaded (one armed version) to retain at 10:27.

Rating: B. Take two powerhouses, let them hit each other really hard and do power moves to each other until one of them is done. That’s a formula that has worked forever in wrestling and it still worked here. Cargill had to earn that one and you don’t see her have to do that very often. Very fun match here, with Cargill getting an impressive win and Grace still not being able to win the big one.

Post match Cargill goes outside and gets in Morgan’s face for a threat.

Johnny Gargano rants to Candice LeRae that he has nothing left. LeRae: “I’m right here!” Gargano is done and LeRae says she’ll fix this before wheeling him away. Fraxiom and the Motor City Machine Guns are amused but the MFTs show up. They don’t like being stared at and say get in line. There’s a Wyatt Sicks inspired drawing of Solo Sikoa on the door of his locker room and Sikoa is not pleased.

Some stars went to the National Medal Of Honor Museum earlier this week.

Video on Oba Femi.

Femi is in the back with Nick Aldis, who seems to be offering him a contract. Kit Wilson comes in and Aldis yells at him, but Wilson has another poem. Aldis grabs the book and it’s a poem about Femi being a little man. Femi wants a match next week and gets his wish.

Drew McIntyre isn’t worried about anyone who has qualified for the Elimination Chamber or anyone who might qualify later. This includes Sami Zayn, who pops up and thinks McIntyre still hates him. Actually McIntyre says Zayn should win tonight because he’s earned it. Zayn is very confused.

Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Sami Zayn vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Jacob Fatu

Fatu superkicks Zayn out tot he floor to start and fires off shoulders to Rhodes in the corner. The backsplash misses though and Zayn is back in to knock Rhodes to the floor. The big running flip dive takes out Rhodes and Fatu and we take a break. We come back with Rhodes powerslamming both of them and hitting the Disaster Kick for two on Zayn. Fatu is back up with a handspring moonsault to Zayn and a backsplash to Rhodes, leaving only Fatu standing.

The running Umaga Attacks connect in the corner and Zayn gets caught in a pop up Samoan drop. Rhodes makes the save and we take another break. We come back with a double superplex dropping Fatu, leaving the other two of them to slug it out. Zayn exploders Rhodes into the corner but Fatu is back up. A running boot sends Fatu outside again, leaving Rhodes to walk into a Blue Thunder Bomb. Fatu gets back in and goes up top but dives into raised knees, allowing Zayn to small package him for two.

The Cody drops Zayn but Fatu runs him over and hits Zayn with the triple jump moonsault. Cue Drew McIntyre to break it up and post Fatu. McIntyre powerbombs Fatu through the announcers’ table and goes inside to Claymore Rhodes. Zayn is put on top for two, leaving McIntyre rather perturbed. McIntyre gets back in to hammer on Rhodes but Zayn Helluva Kicks McIntyre down. That earns him a Cross Rhodes to give Rhodes the win at 21:46.

Rating: B+. Much like a lot of the rest of the show, they were working hard here and it wound up being rather awesome stuff, with everyone feeling like they had a chance to pull it off. The McIntyre interference makes sense as he doesn’t want to face Rhodes or Fatu but knows he can beat Zayn. I liked that it didn’t work in the end, though I really hope we’re not actually gearing up for another Rhodes vs. McIntyre match at Wrestlemania.

Overall Rating: A-. This was an awesome show with pretty much nothing but good matches up and down the card. The weakest match, which would have been the opener, was perfectly acceptable and they moved a lot of stuff forward. If nothing else, we have Oba Femi ready to smash Kit Wilson next week, along with more qualifying matches. Heck of a show here, as tends to be the case with the wrestling heavy episodes.

Results
Nia Jax/Lash Legend vs. Rhea Ripley/Iyo Sky went to a double DQ when the two teams brawled
Solo Sikoa/MFTs b. Carmelo Hayes/Ilja Dragunov/Shinsuke Nakamura/Apollo Crews/Matt Cardona – Cutthroat to Hayes
Alexa Bliss b. Zelina and Giulia – Sister Abigail DDT to Zelina
Trick Williams b. Rey Fenix – Trick Shot
Jade Cargill b. Jordynne Grace – Jaded
Cody Rhodes b. Sami Zayn and Jacob Fatu – Cross Rhodes to Zayn

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Royal Rumble 2026
Date: January 31, 2026
Location: Riyadh Season Stadium At KAFD, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Commentators: Wade Barrett,

We’re overseas for the show and that means it’s time for the Road To Wrestlemania to begin. I’m not sure what that is going to mean this year as the Rumbles are not feeling quite as important as years past. In addition though, Sami Zayn is challenging for the World Title and AJ Styles is facing Gunther in what might be Styles’ retirement match. Let’s get to it.

The opening video is narrated by HHH and talks about how people can move up the ladder in one night. This is a decision and it means going to Wrestlemania.

IMG Credit: WWE

Women’s Royal Rumble

90 second intervals, Charlotte is in at #1 and, surprise, Alexa Bliss is in at #2. They start tentatively until Bliss teases Sister Abigail. With that out of the way, the two of them pose together until Kiana James is in at #3. James gets double teamed down, including a spike DDT, and it’s Nia Jax in at #4. Jax wrecks both of them and James adds a double splash for some yelling. Ivy Nile is in at #5 and gets to suplex some people but can’t pick Jax up.

Lola Vice is in at #6 and kicks away, followed by the running hip attack in the corner. Jax cuts that off and does her own hip shake but everyone goes after Jax on the ropes. Candice LeRae is in at #7 and tornado DDTs Charlotte before helping Jax. The pile breaks up and it’s Jordynne Grace in at #8. Grace tosses Vice, Nile and LeRae in a hurry but gets taken into the corner by Jax. The Stinkface is on before Jax goes after Charlotte and Bliss. The two of them put Jax on the apron and Charlotte boots Jax out but Bliss is pulled out too. Bliss is distraught and Becky Lynch is in at #9.

Charlotte and Lynch slug it out and Charlotte’s missed big boot almost gets her eliminated. They fight to the floor (not eliminated) but get back inside as Sol Ruca is in at #10. That gives us Charlotte, James, Grace, Lynch and Ruca. A springboard double clothesline drops Charlotte and Lynch, with the latter getting up for a standoff. Roxanne Perez is in at #11 and gets to clean some house before slapping it out with Lynch. Maxxine Dupri is in at #12 and gets to kick away, even taking the straps down. A step up Fameasser hits James but Dupri stops to glare at the entrance…..and then Natalya is in at #13.

Natalya and Dupri strike it out until Lynch tosses Dupri, only to get eliminated by Natalya in something of an upset. Liv Morgan is in at #14 and hits a quick Oblivion. Things slow down a bit and it’s Lash Legend in at #15 for her own house cleaning. At least she gets in a point to the sign and actually tosses Grace. Zelina Vega is in at #16 and picks up the pace a bit, only to get dropped by Legend.

Raquel Rodriguez is in at #17, meaning all three women in the Judgment Day are now active. James is sent to the apron, with Perez and Morgan offering a distraction. Rodriguez adds a big boot for the elimination but the trio saves Charlotte for some reason. Chelsea Green is in at #18 and tries to team up with the Judgment Day. Alba Fyre (not an entrant) runs in for the save and is quickly clotheslined out. That leaves Green to get dropped on the top rope and Giulia is in at #19.

Green is sent over the top but lands on Fyre’s back, allowing Fyre to crawl her to safety. Iyo Sky is in at #20, giving us Charlotte, Ruca, Perez, Natalya, Morgan, Legend, Vega, Rodriguez, Green, Giulia and Sky. Asuka is in at #21 and takes her sweet time getting inside before teaming with Giulia to go after Sky. That doesn’t work as Asuka kicks Giulia by mistake and it’s Rhea Ripley in at #22.

Giulia gets rid of Vega and Ripley knocks out Green (and Fyre, again) before blocking Pop Rox. Perez is tossed with a Razor’s Edge and Bayley is in at #23. She trips Ruca up on the apron but Ruca does a handstand and then pulls herself up by the feet in a nice save. Bayley and Charlotte chop it out until NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne is in at #24. Jayne gets in more wrecking than most and Morgan eliminates Natalya. Nikki Bella is in at #25 to quite the reaction, with Cole explaining that she’s a part of pop culture.

Lyra Valkyria is in at #26 and kicks Morgan in the head before helping Bayley get rid of Giulia. Kelani Jordan (NXT) is in at #27 and hits a quick phoenix splash. Kairi Sane is in at #28 as the ring is WAY too full. Asuka has to grab Sane’s arms to save herself (with some painful looking contorting) but Sky knocks Sane into Asuka for the elimination. Sky knocks Sane out as well and it’s Brie Bella in at #29.

The kicks are fired off and Daniel Bryan is once again the most popular star in WWE. Tiffany Stratton is in at #30, giving us Charlotte, Ruca, Morgan, Legend, Nikki, Brie, Jayne, Jordan, Legend, Sky, Ripley, Stratton, Bayley, Rodriguez and Valkyria (I think). The Bellas send Rodriguez into the corner and we get a staredown with Bayley and Valkyria. Double hurricanranas get rid of Valkyria and Bayley to get us down to twelve. Jayne kicks Jordan out but gets caught with the Sol Snatcher so Ruca can dump her out as well.

Legend dumps both Bellas at once, with the fans NOT being pleased. Charlotte and Legend chop it out on the apron and Legend boots her out for quite the upset. We’re down to Sky, Ripley, Rodriguez, Morgan, Legend, Stratton and Ruca. Legend and Sky both go over but wind up on the apron, where Sky grabs a leglock of all things. One heck of a boot to the face gets rid of Sky and we’re down to six.

Ripley stares Legend down and they get in a slugout, with Legend actually kicking her to the mat. Rodriguez gets up for the staredown with Legend and knocks her into the ropes, where Ripley gets the big elimination (with Legend getting a huge pop). Rodriguez hits a SCARY Tejana Bomb to send Ripley onto the apron (cringe) for the elimination and Morgan dumps Rodriguez in quite the mean move.

We’re down to Stratton, Ruca and Morgan with Stratton hitting Morgan with the Prettiest Moonsault Ever. Morgan pops up to try Oblivion but Ruca gives them both a Sol Snatcher. They all crash over the top but manage a triple skinning the cat (cool) and land on the apron. The Sol Snatcher doesn’t work for Ruca and she’s out, followed by an Oblivion to give Morgan the win at 1:06:13.

Rating: B. This started really boring and then picked WAY up around Jordynne Grace’s entry. It got a lot better with a lot of hard work (albeit with some laying around, as is always the case) and I like Morgan getting the win. At some point you have to go there as she’s finished in second place time after time. Legend got the Diesel style run of smashing through a lot of people and that’s a very bright sign for her future. I was into this way more than I expected to be by the end so it was a nice job all around.

Post match the referee has to remind Morgan to point at the sign….and dang that looks like a lot of empty seats. I’m hoping that’s just a trick of the light or something because otherwise, dang that’s terrible.

We recap AJ Styles vs. Gunther. The idea is Styles is planning to retire this year, but Gunther cheated him out of a recent win. Therefore, Styles is putting his career on the line here against the man who has finished off Goldberg and John Cena in the last year.

AJ Styles vs. Gunther

Styles grabs a headlock to start and that goes absolutely nowhere. Some shots to the leg don’t slow Gunther down as he grabs his own headlock to grind away. A big boot puts Styles on the floor and Gunther sends him hard into the announcers’ table. Styles’ looks to be cut open and more chops have him in more trouble.

The Pele Kick puts Gunther down though and Styles’ fireman’s carry backbreaker gets two. One heck of a clothesline cuts Styles off again for two and Gunther blocks a Calf Crusher. The powerbomb gets two but Styles is back with the Calf Crusher in the middle of the ring. This time it’s countered with the sleeper but Styles reverses into one of his own. Gunther gets out to the floor and that means the slingshot forearm to put him down again.

Back in and the springboard 450 sets up the Styles Clash for two and Styles is stunned. They get back up and Gunther kicks him low, setting up the powerbomb for two. Gunther chops the living daylights out of him in the corner and Styles even goes down, only to pull himself up. Styles strikes away but gets pulled into the sleeper. He fights up and gets close…until he’s out and Gunther wins at 24:04.

Rating: B. Well, it’s interesting to see Gunther actually make someone retire, as the previous two instances were both him pinning someone who had already announced they were done anyway. It’s another case of Gunther calling his shot and then doing it, which is a good way to go, though I’m not sure what is next for him. You can only retire so many people before it needs to get you somewhere, and I don’t know where that goes. At least Gunther feels like a big villain though, and Styles got to go out with a good enough match.

Post match Styles gets the big sendoff of respect. He teases taking the gloves off but puts them back on for the pose instead.

IMG Credit: WWE

Smackdown World Title: Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn

McIntyre is defending and catches an early kick to the ribs. That means Zayn is shoved down and slowly stomped but manages to send McIntyre outside. The dive connects but Zayn bangs up his back, meaning McIntyre has an opening. Back in and McIntyre slowly starts working on the back, including taking Zayn up top.

That lets Zayn hit a sunset bomb to take McIntyre down but he can’t hit the Blue Thunder Bomb. Said Blue Thunder Bomb connects for two a few seconds later and McIntyre misses the Claymore. The super Air Raid Crash gets two so McIntyre grabs three straight Futureshocks for two.

Back up and Zayn misses a desperation Helluva Kick and gets Claymored for two more. The Helluva Kick does connect for a rather near fall, mainly due to the back giving out. They head outside with McIntyre dropping him onto the announcers’ table to wear the back out even more. Back in and Zayn somehow pulls himself up for a Helluva Kick, only to walk into a Claymore. One more Claymore retains the title at 16:09.

Rating: C+. I really wasn’t feeling this one as even Zayn’s hope spots didn’t feel huge. They just kind of came and went without much going on. The Helluva Kick got a decent near fall, but then McIntyre just beat him clean. I’m not saying Zayn should have won the title here, but I was hoping for something closer to Randy Orton vs. Jeff Hardy from 2008 rather than…this. It’s not a terrible match, though it certainly wasn’t living up to the hype.

Earlier today, Paul Heyman yelled at Adam Pearce for Bron Breakker being #2 in the Royal Rumble.

IMG Credit: WWE

Men’s Royal Rumble

90 second intervals and Oba Femi is in at #1 and Bron Breakker is in at #2. Hold on though as a hooded man jumps Breakker and gives him a Stomp on the floor. Breakker is sent inside and clotheslined out in about three seconds as the hooded man leaves. Solo Sikoa is in at #3 and Femi jumps him to start fast. The running uppercut connects in the corner but Femi is sent shoulder first into the post.

Rey Mysterio is in at #4 and can’t give Sikoa an early 619. Instead Femi boots Sikoa down with Mysterio crashing as well and Rusev is in at #5. Some dropkicks stagger Femi but Mysterio cuts him off. Femi knocks Rusev out and shrugs off a 619 before knocking Mysterio out. Matt Cardona is in at #6 and is out just as fast. Damian Priest is in at #7 and hits a running shoulder, only for Femi to knock him down. A superkick puts Femi into the corner, where he pulls Priest out of the air. Some spinning kicks rock Femi and a clothesline puts him down as Je’Von Evans is in at #8.

Evans’ OG Cutter is blocked by Femi but he’s back to kick Priest down. Mr. Iguana is in at #9 and takes Evans down, including some shots from the stuffed iguana. An enziguri just annoys Femi and Priest chokeslams Iguana and the iguana. Trick Williams is in at #10, giving us Femi, Priest, Evans, Iguana and Williams, the latter of whom eliminated Iguana/iguana.

The four in the ring pair off and it’s Cody Rhodes in at #11. House is quickly cleaned, including the Cody Cutter, and El Grande Americano is in at #12. The loaded mask takes Evans down….and the ORIGINAL El Grande Americano is in at #13. They do the staredown with Original tossing out the replacement and Williams dumping the Original. Rhodes gets rid of Williams and POWERHOUSE HOBBS…..whose name graphic changes to ROYCE KEYS is in at #14.

Keys gets rid of Priest almost immediately tosses Priest out for quite the debut. Austin Theory is in at #15 and starts slugging away, with Bronson Reed in at #16 to give him some backup. Ilja Dragunov is in at #17 and goes after Rhodes without getting very far. La Parka of all people is in at #18 and Cole reveals the result of a match he’s in which hasn’t aired yet so thanks for the spoiler. Dragon Lee is in at #19 and adds another body to the rapidly filling ring.

With nothing else going on, Logan Paul is in at #20, giving us Femi, Evans, Rhodes, Keys, Theory, Reed, Dragunov, Parka, Lee and Paul. The Vision gets together to toss Keys, Lee and Parka until LA Knight is in at #21. The Vision jumps him but Knight manages to get rid of Theory, followed by a BFT and clothesline to eliminate Reed. Brock Lesnar, with Paul Heyman, is in at #22 and it’s Suplex City time. Femi is the only one left standing…and Miz is in at #23.

More suplexes abound and Dragunov is out, leaving us with Femi vs. Lesnar again. They stare at each other some more until Rey Fenix is in at #24. Lesnar suplexes Femi and tosses Fenix before telling Femi to bring it again. Femi goes after Paul and gets tossed by Lesnar (no shame there), leaving Paul to get suplexed. Jey Uso is in at #25…and Rhodes and Knight toss Lesnar out. Huh. Uso comes in, hits a superkick, runs it back, and gets cut off by Roman Reigns being in at #26.

That means Uso tries to run it back AGAIN, thankfully earning himself a punch to the face. Reigns fires off the Superman Punches and spears Miz, followed by the elimination. Rhodes and Reigns have their big staredown and Jacob Fatu is in at #27. Rhodes teases a dive but gets punched in the face and beaten up on the floor before both of them get inside. Fatu gets punched down and Reigns/Uso give Rhodes a 1D.

Penta is in at #28 and kicks at Fatu but gets powerslammed by Knight. Rhodes Disaster Kicks Knight out and it’s Randy Orton in at #29. The snap powerslam hits Uso and the fans sing Orton’s song. The double hanging DDT drops Penta and Uso, followed by an RKO to Paul and Penta. The clock ticks down and it’s Gunther in at #30 to annoy the crowd all over again, though he does at least limp to the ring. That gives us a final grouping of Evans, Rhodes, Paul, Uso, Reigns, Fatu, Penta, Orton and Gunther.

Evans kicks away at Orton and dives into the RKO for the elimination. Penta does his handstand in the corner and gets tossed out by Gunther. That earns Gunther an RKO and it’s time for Rhodes and Orton to double team him. The Cody Cutter accidentally hits Orton so Rhodes is set over the top….and Drew McIntyre runs in to Claymore him out. Fatu is tossed but Uso spears Reigns down.

The elimination is reversed though and Uso is out, leaving us with Reigns, Orton, Paul and Gunther. Reigns dumps Paul and Gunther dumps Orton to get us down to two. Reigns backdrops Gunther to the apron but he blocks the Superman Punch and comes back in for the sleeper. That’s broken up and it’s a spear to send Reigns to Wrestlemania at

Rating: B-. It was ok, but they didn’t exactly stick the landing. There was some good stuff in the beginning with Femi looking dominant and then some big names coming in, but once Lesnar got eliminated, it felt like the top stars were just tossed one after another without much going on. I liked some of the surprises (Knight, the other Americano, Keys) though and they teased some interesting stuff. The problem here really came down to no one being a favorite and Reigns getting the win almost in a “well, let’s just go with him” way. Not a terrible Rumble, but a decent sized letdown in the end.

Reigns celebrates for awhile to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This felt like the “play it safe” Rumble, with the World Title match not meaning much, Gunther doing his same old (but good) stuff and Reigns getting back towards the main event scene. I do rather like Morgan winning though, as she has more than earned her spot at or near the top of the division. This wasn’t the worst Rumble by far, but it didn’t have anything you really need to see either. Hopefully they have something better for Wrestlemania though, because this level isn’t quite good enough for the biggest show of the year.

Results
Liv Morgan won the Women’s Royal Rumble last eliminating Tiffany Stratton
Gunther b. AJ Styles – Sleeper
Drew McIntyre b. Sami Zayn – Claymore
Roman Reigns won the Men’s Royal Rumble last eliminating Gunther

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6