Smackdown
Date: August 7, 2026
Location: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re done with Summerslam and CM Punk is still World Champion, having turned back the challenge of Cody Rhodes thanks to the help of a returning Randy Orton. While Punk might still have to deal with Rhodes, he also has a new #1 contender in the form of the returning Kevin Owens. That’s quite the surprise as Owens had been gone for about a year and a half but now he wants the title again. Let’s get to it.

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

In Memory Of Dory Funk Jr.

Here is a ticked off Cody Rhodes who wants Randy Orton out here for a fight right now. With no Orton, Rhodes pays a quick tribute to Dory Funk Jr. and talks about winning the WWE Title right here in Philadelphia. He also brings up the loss to CM Punk, who comes out to join Rhodes. Punk asks if there is something Rhodes wants to ask him and Rhodes gets right to the point: did Punk know? Punk did not know and is willing to go help take care of Orton together.

Rhodes wants to do it himself and leaves Punk alone in peace. Punk stops him though, saying their unfinished business can be taken care of whenever he says when. As a pleased Rhodes leaves, here is Kevin Owens to join Punk. They waste no time in arguing but here is Nick Aldis to call it off. Owens and Punk say they’re both professionals and Punk thinks Owens is here in his gear.

That’s not true as Owens wrestles in shorts instead of pants, but yes he wants to wrestle. That’s all he’s wanted to do for seventeen months, with the fans saying he’s still got it. Owens: “I never lost it.” He’s been told that Punk is a changed man but Owens isn’t buying it. Rhodes can have his title match anytime but Owens is the #1 contender. That’s because Punk is arrogant enough to look past him, which doesn’t work for Punk.

The reality is that Punk is the best in the world and he acts like it. Were these people really standing around waiting for Owens? Punk thinks Owens should thank him for paving the way for him, as otherwise Owens would be working on the indies and calling Punk for tickets to the WWE shows. Owens says Punk must be lonely on that pedestal and calls him a piece of s***. Now the agents have to come in and hold them back. Yeah this worked, as Owens can hang with Punk on the mic and showed it here.

Charlotte has known Jade Cargill has something for years and tonight, Charlotte is giving her a beating.

Trick Williams is ready to beat up Baron Corbin and get his US Title back.

US Title: Trick Williams vs. Baron Corbin

Corbin is defending and comes in on a motorcycle. They go right to the brawling with Williams knocking him outside early on. Williams knocks him over the announcers’ table and we take a break. We come back with Williams kicking his way out of trouble and the Trick Kick connects.

The Trick Shot is countered into the Deep Six though and Corbin gets a breather. They slug it out from their knees and Corbin is knocked outside, where Corbin grabs the belt. That just lets Williams grab a Rock Bottom for two, followed by the Trick Shot, but Corbin is in the ropes. Corbin is knocked outside again and with the referee shoved away, it’s a belt shot to retain the title at 8:26.

Rating: C+. I still like Corbin winning like this, as he’s not doing anything insane or complicated to win. He’s literally just hitting Williams in the head with a hard object to win the matches and that’s a good way to make him look like a villain. Williams will be fine in the end I’m sure, though I’m not sure if he’s going to go after Corbin again or do something else.

Sami Zayn congratulates Nick Aldis for getting his GM job back before yelling at Aldis for adding Gunther to the #1 contenders match. Aldis doesn’t seem bothered as here is Kevin Owens to interrupt. Owens wants his title shot in two weeks in Toronto, which works for the departing Aldis. That leaves Owens and Zayn to do their usual semi bickering and suggest that they’re fine with fighting each other for the title. Owens: “Six days. I’ve been back six days.”

Baron Corbin does not like his wins being called upsets. The reality is Trick Williams will never get the title back and no one can take the title from him. Carmelo Hayes jumps him and the title match is already set for next week.

We look at the ladder match from Summerslam, with Chelsea Green becoming the new Interim Women’s Champion.

Here is Green for her championship celebration. She thanks herself for the win, but also the blonde bombshell best friend, Tiffany Stratton. Cue Stratton, with Green saying she knows their friendship can handle what happened at Summerslam. Green offers a toast but here is Fatal Influence to interrupt. The brawl is teased and….let’s do it for the Women’s Tag Team Titles, with Jacy Jayne getting a Women’s US Title shot next week in return.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Tiffany Stratton/Chelsea Green vs. Fatal Influence

Fatal Influence is defending as Green starts with Henley. Green quickly brings in Stratton for the armdrags and some double knees to the back send the villains outside as we take an early break. We come back with Stratton Swantoning Reid for two, allowing Green to slam Reid off the top. Everything breaks down and Jayne’s Rolling Encore knocks Green silly Henley comes back in and the Fatal Flaw to Green retains the titles at 7:28.

Rating: C+. I’m not sure about how much sense the title stipulation made, but I’m really not sure about seeing the new champion, who won as a huge underdog, getting pinned less than a week after winning the title. That’s something you see every so often and it’s annoying to see it happen. Even with the interference, there isn’t much good about seeing Green take the pin here as she only has so much status at the moment.

Post match the Irresistible Forces come in to beat down Green and Stratton to pose with their titles.

Damian Priest doesn’t get why the MFTs are coming for them again when the MFTs have already been beaten. The War Raiders come in to say they want their own title shot and R-Truth comes in to say the title match is on next week. Priest points out that the AAA Tag Team Titles aren’t on the line and isn’t pleased.

Video on Brock Lesnar’s career, which is still rather cool to see. Lesnar has officially announced his retirement, which I’ll believe when I don’t see it happening again.

Here is Randy Orton for a chat but before he can get anywhere, a ticked off Cody Rhodes (in different clothes than he was wearing earlier) interrupts. Orton immediately bails out and Rhodes demands an explanation, which has Orton confused. Remember during the road to Wrestlemania when Rhodes told him to be the evil Orton?

Yeah Rhodes beat him at Wrestlemania but that’s the time when Orton realized he needed to go full blast. The best version of Orton isn’t going to bring home #15, but the worst version of him sure will. From now on, he’s not going to let Rhodes be champion again. Rhodes doesn’t have to be a champion anymore, so now the worst version of him is coming out again. So now, who kills Orton?

Sami Zayn rants to Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae about being jealous of Kevin Owens getting a title shot but here is CM Punk to interrupt. Punk asks if they’re still doing this and says that if Zayn could do anything about this, he would have when he lost. Now Zayn is at the back of the line.

Jade Cargill and the Baddies want the Women’s Title.

Nikki Bella says she rebuilt Paige’s career and now it’s Paige’s fault that the Bellas aren’t together right now. Therefore, revenge is promised.

Shinsuke Nakamura says the MFTs need to remember who he is. He’s back and starting a war…but he isn’t coming alone.

Charlotte vs. Jade Cargill

They fight over a lockup to start and crash out to the floor without letting go. Back in and Cargill shoulders her down but Charlotte nips up and gets in a knockdown of her own. The Queen’s Decree (the flipping figure four necklock slams) connects but they head outside, with Cargill ramming her into the barricade.

We take a break and come back with Charlotte avoiding a charge in the corner and grabbing a German suplex. Cargill rolls through a high crossbody for two more though but Charlotte bridges up to try the backslide. That doesn’t work so Charlotte takes her up, where the Stratusphere is blocked.

Instead Cargill gives her a big jumping sitout powerbomb for two but a bit boot misses. That lets Charlotte come right back with a chop block into the Figure Eight so here are the Baddies to break it up. Cue the returning Alexa Bliss…and the lights go out. NXT’s Tatum Paxley is on the top and dives onto the Baddies, leaving Charlotte to grab a Sister Abigail DDT. A top rope Natural Selection pins Cargill at 13:17.

Rating: B-. This was kind of a weird way to debut Paxley but she’s a good choice to move up. Outside of a surprise NXT Women’s Title win, there wasn’t much left for her to do down there and she seems like she could be an interesting addition up here. Other than that, Charlotte beating Cargill with some help in the name of revenge isn’t a bad way to go, though I’d assume we’re far from this being over.

Overall Rating: B. This show was more about the talking and advancing the big developments coming out of Summerslam. The World Title situation is rather interesting here and they’re doing some good stuff by having so many people want the belt. That’s how you make the title chase hot and it’s working here. While there was only so much in the ring, the show felt very busy and flew by, which is a rather nice feeling to have. Good stuff here, as things are looking interesting at the moment.

Results
Baron Corbin b. Trick Williams – Belt shot
Fatal Influence b. Tiffany Stratton/Chelsea Green – Fatal Flaw to Green
Charlotte b. Jade Cargill – Top rope Natural Selection

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: May 29, 2026
Location: Olimpic Arena, Barcelona, Spain
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re overseas this week for this Sunday’s Clash In Italy show and we might as well stop here for a breather. The pay per view is mostly set up as Gunther is ready to challenge Cody Rhodes for the World Title. We should be getting some last minute pushes towards Sunday here so let’s get to it.

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

We look at Jade Cargill beating Rhea Ripley in a six woman tag on Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Here are Cargill and her goons for a chat. B-Fab and Michin tell the fans to shut up as they boo Cargill rather loudly. They know Cargill is going to win the title back on Sunday because the future is now. Cue Ripley to interrupt and yeah the fans seem to like her. Ripley says she’s beaten Cargill before and she can do it again, with Cargill looking up at the true champion. Cargill isn’t impressed but here are Charlotte and Alexa Bliss to interrupt. They don’t think much of Cargill either so Cargill insults Bliss, who says she’s dealt with bigger and better stars than her. Nick Aldis, get the referee, now.

Jade Cargill vs. Alexa Bliss

Their friends are at ringside. Cargill powers her out to the floor to start but Bliss is back in to hammer away. Bliss’ high crossbody is pulled out of the air though and a gorilla press drop has her in more trouble. They go outside and Bliss is powerbombed onto the barricade as we take a break.

We come back with Cargill elbowing her out to the floor and getting to pose on the apron. Bliss is able to hit a dropkick into the barricade and a flipping backsplash connects back inside. Sister Abigail is broken up and the other four brawl to the back. A DDT plants Cargill but Twisted Bliss hits her raised ankles. Jaded finishes Bliss at 9:33.

Rating: C+. This was the simple “villains beats up the champion’s friends before fighting the champion” and that’s something that has worked for the better part of ever. Cargill gets to smash through a big name on her way to the major title match. This was a perfectly acceptable match and that’s a good start to the show.

Post match Cargill grabs a chair and gives Bliss another Jaded onto said chair. Ripley and Charlotte run in to clear Cargill off.

We look at Cody Rhodes beating Sami Zayn last week despite Gunther’s interference. Gunther laid Rhodes out to end the show with Zayn walking away.

Rhodes is interrupted by Zayn and has nothing to say to him. Zayn wants an apology and says he helped Rhodes with Gunther last week but then Rhodes stabbed him in the back. Rhodes doesn’t remember it that way but Zayn thinks Rhodes could learn a lesson. After Rhodes deals with Gunther, he can teach Zayn a lesson too. Zayn vs. Rhodes could definitely headline a pay per view and they might be building in that direction.

Nick Aldis wants Danhausen to appear in front of the crowd, as he’s paid to do. Danhausen agrees and goes off, only to be replaced by Miz. As Danhausen is seen loading stuff into what appears to be his laboratory, Miz complains about Kit Wilson not being here. Aldis doesn’t want to hear it and says Miz’s match is next.

The Miz vs. Axiom

Miz is still getting his gear on as he comes to the ring and Axiom (with Nathan Frazer) gets the big home country welcome. Axiom takes him down by the arm to start and the lights flicker a bit, which can’t be a great sign. A middle rope armdrag has Miz in more trouble and he charges into a dropkick. Frazer cuts off Miz’s escape attempt but Miz gets in a cheap shot as we take a break.

We come back with Axiom nipping up and knocking Miz down for two as the fans are WAY into him, as expected. A DDT gives Miz two but the YES Kicks are countered, with Axiom hitting a big kick of his own. Axiom’s high crossbody gets two but the Golden Ratio misses. Miz powers out of a crossface and hits a slingshot powerbomb before going up for some reason. The lights flicker again and it’s a Spanish Fly to plant Miz. The Golden Ratio gives Axiom the pin at 9:16.

Rating: B-. It’s always nice to see someone get what is probably one of the most important wins of his career. Getting to be out there in front of his home country, likely with some family and friends out there, is a great thing for Axiom and he had a good match in the process. Axiom beating Miz is hardly a stretch, even with the electrical issues.

R-Truth is still injured but has gotten Damian Priest a tag partner for tonight. That would be Royce Keys, who will team up with Priest against the MFT’s. Priest doesn’t buy it and doesn’t trust Keys but R-Truth gets smart, asking if either of them are scared. Since they’re not, there’s no reason for them not to team up. Priest chases after R-Truth, mainly out of confusion.

Sami Zayn vents to Candice LeRae, but it’s actually to Johnny Gargano, who still isn’t moving. LeRae storms off and Matt Cardona comes in to try and talk some sense into Zayn. That’s not cool with Zayn and a match is set. They need to pay off the Gargano thing already as it’s been long enough.

Charlotte leaves Alexa Bliss in the trainers’ room and runs into Rhea Ripley, who better take care of Cargill. If she doesn’t, Charlotte will.

Damian Priest/Royce Keys vs. MFT’s

Solo Sikoa is here with the MFT’s. Talla slugs away at Priest to start and it’s off to Tama, who can’t do much against Keys. A running splash crushes Tama in the corner and there’s the powerslam. Tama gets shouldered out to the floor, leaving Keys and Priest to knock Talla outside as well.

We take a break and come back with Tama cutting off a tag attempt but Keys gets in a spinebuster. Priest comes in to clean house, including the running elbows in the corner. The lifting Downward Spiral plants Tama and a top rope clothesline gives Priest two. Sikoa gets in a cheap shot from the floor though, drawing out R-Truth. That’s fine with Sikoa, who goes after the bad arm. Keys goes over for the save but the distraction lets Talla chokeslam Priest for the pin at 9:05.

Rating: C+. The issues between R-Truth and Priest continue and they are likely to result in the titles changing hands sooner than later. At the same time, Keys continues to have issues with the MFT’s and it seems like Priest isn’t happy about it. That could go in a few ways and that is a nice situation to have.

Miz complains to Nick Aldis about the lights and goes in to see Danhausen’s laboratory. This earns him a blast from a fire extinguisher, sending Miz running. Aldis goes to look underneath the sheet, but Danhausen warns him to not do that. Oh dear.

Video on Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu.

Clash In Italy rundown.

Chelsea Green comes up to see Tiffany Stratton (they happen to be dressed alike) and has an idea for their entrance tonight. Stratton says it was just a one time thing last week so she’s passing. Green looks hurt.

Video on the battle of El Grande Americanos, mask vs. mask, on Saturday. That should be a great one.

Sami Zayn vs. Matt Cardona

Cardona’s wristlock doesn’t get him very far to start and we get an early standoff. Zayn is sent outside for a dropkick between the ropes but he’s fine enough to hit a suplex on the way back inside. Cardona scores with a missile dropkick though and we take a break. We come back with Zayn grabbing a chinlock, which doesn’t last long. A faceplant drops Zayn and the Broski Boot connects.

The Rough Ryder is countered so Cardona hits a nasty tiger driver for two more. Another Rough Ryder is countered into a big sitout powerbomb to give Zayn two. Zayn’s Helluva Kick misses though and now the Rough Ryder connects for two, with Zayn getting a foot on the rope. Cardona charges into an exploder though and the Helluva Kick finishes him off at 10:16.

Rating: B-. Cardona is someone who can lose all the time and be just fine, which is about all he does right now anyway. Zayn needed a win to boost himself back up as well, as he hasn’t been doing much in the way of winning lately. They had a good match too and that shouldn’t be a surprise given two veterans being in the ring.

Video on King and Queen Of The Ring, with qualifying matches starting next week.

We look at a new documentary called WWE: Made In America. Oh geez.

Nick Aldis asks Gunther to keep things civilized with Cody Rhodes tonight. Gunther doesn’t like the implication that he would do anything else, but he’ll do it anyway, even in a place like Barcelona.

Here is Trick Williams, with Lil Yachty, for a chat. Williams brags about his success since he came up to the main roster (fair) and now it means he should come for the King Of The Ring. This brings out Carmelo Hayes, who says Williams can be the king of the microphone and entrances, but the ring is Hayes’ place.

Williams thinks Hayes is being melo-dramatic because he’s just not as good as Williams is. If only Ricky Saints hadn’t interfered last week, their match would have been different you see. This brings out Saints, who doesn’t like that suggestion and is ready to beat Hayes and move on to Williams. That earns him a slap from Williams and the scheduled match is on. Odds are a triple threat is coming here one day.

Ricky Saints vs. Carmelo Hayes

Saints chops away to start and knocks him up against the ropes, only to get splashed in the corner. Hayes gets in some right hands of his own but gets sent outside. Saints sends him into the barricade a few times and we take a break. We come back with Hayes shoving him off the top but a frog splash hits raised knees.

A northern lights suplex gives Saints two but Hayes hits him in the face. Dirty Diana gets two on Saints, who is right back with a spinning Downward Spiral for two of his own. Hayes knocks him outside for the big running flip dive, only to get sent to the apron. The brawl continues and it’s a double countout at 11:11.

Rating: B-. That ending is more about keeping both of them active in the title picture and that’s a fine way to go. They’ve got something going here with the three way feud for the title and it’s a nice way of bringing up a few people at once. It’s fun to see the former stars of NXT getting to do this up on the main roster and it’s working thus far.

Post match Hayes lays him out with the First 48.

Video on Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi.

The Irresistible Forces threaten Tiffany Stratton.

Blake Monroe writes in her diary about some of the women in the Smackdown locker room. Rhea Ripley is sad and Monroe is going to have to make things better.

Nia Jax vs. Chelsea Green

Lash Legend is here with Jax. Green avoids a charge to start and sends her outside for a suicide dive as we take a break less than a minute in. We come back with Green in trouble and Jax grabbing a chinlock. Green fights out and goes after the knee, only to Rough Ryde her way into a powerbomb for two.

A Zig Zag gives Green two of her own and a missed charge sends Jax shoulder first into the post. Now the Rough Ryder can connect for two but Legend’s distraction lets Jax get in a Samoan drop. Cue Tiffany Stratton’s music so Jax sends Legend after her, only for Stratton to come through the crowd and hit Jax with the belt. Green steals the pin at 6:28.

Rating: C. This was more about Stratton coming in for the assist at the end and not much more. Granted that’s a good way to go, as Stratton and Green could do some nice stuff together. Green has been needing something to do for a long time now and this could wind up being the thing that finally lets her go over to the good side, as the fans seem to want.

Post match Stratton declines a hug. Give it time though, as Green as a face is such a layup.

Here is Cody Rhodes to wrap things up. We pause for the fans to sing Kingdom and Rhodes does his catchphrase in Spanish but here is Gunther to interrupt. Gunther says Rhodes is the perfect choice to represent America because the American Dream is crumbling. When he was growing up, Gunther was told that if he worked hard, he could achieve anything.

On the other hand you have Rhodes, who only had to make some phone calls. That just makes Rhodes an entitled brat. Gunther sees the fans’ approval as unnecessary while Rhodes is just a mark for himself. Rhodes calls Gunther a liar because he doesn’t believe Gunther doesn’t want the attention that comes with being WWE Champion. If Gunther didn’t care, he would be talking to a 330lb version of Gunther at an indy show, rather than one of the best in the world.

Paul Heyman has said that being champion is addictive and Gunther wants to find out. The only thing he’ll find though is the worst thing a pure wrestler can learn: he’s not good enough. Gunther talks about everyone he has beaten and all of the promises that he has kept. Now he promises to choke Rhodes out and take the title with him. This was good stuff, with both of them standing there and explaining their side of things in an intense way. It’s a hard sell for the title match and that’s what they were needing.

Overall Rating: B-. The crowd helped a lot here, but there were some rather good parts of this show. The ending was probably the highlight, with Gunther and Rhodes making their match feel like a big deal. You also have the tease of Green going good, which is one of the best things that could happen to the women’s division. Finally they did a nice job setting up Clash In Italy and I’ll take that as a way to spend a Friday night in front of a red hot crowd.

Results
Jade Cargill b. Alexa Bliss – Jaded
Axiom b. The Miz – Golden Ratio
MFT’s b. Damian Priest/Royce Keys – Chokeslam to Priest
Sami Zayn b. Matt Cardona – Helluva Kick
Ricky Saints vs. Carmelo Hayes went to a double countout
Chelsea Green b. Nia Jax – Belt 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:

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Saturday Night’s Main Event XLIV
Date: May 23, 2026
Location: Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett

It’s another one of these and the card isn’t exactly their strongest. The big main event appears to be Penta defending the Intercontinental Title against Ethan Page. Other than that we have Becky Lynch vs. Sol Ruca in what doesn’t seem to be a title match, though that has been changed a few times already. Let’s get to it.

The opening video is mostly tied into the nostalgia idea, with a look back at how big this show was in its heyday.

Rhea Ripley/Charlotte/Alexa Bliss vs. B-Fab/Michin/Jade Cargill

Ripley powers B-Fab around to start and drops her with an early clothesline. Bliss comes in to smile at Michin and then give her a choke shove. It’s off to Charlotte for the flipping clothesline but Cargill takes Bliss down on the floor. Cargill comes in to face off with Charlotte, allowing Michin to get in a cheap shot and take over. The villains take turns beating on Charlotte, with Cargill even getting in some mocking pushups.

Charlotte knocks Michin away but B-Fab cuts off the tag attempt. That’s fine with Charlotte, who drops B-Fab as well and now it’s back to Ripley to clean house. A missile dropkick gets two on Michin as the fans seem to rather approve of Ripley. Michin escapes Riptide though and hits a kind of nasty poisonrana.

It’s back to Bliss for a DDT so B-Fab comes back in for one of her own. A double DDT puts Michin and B-Fab down at the same time and Charlotte is back in with a high crossbody. Charlotte is almost kicked into Ripley but avoids a charge from Michin, who hits Ripley instead. Cargill superkicks Ripley but gets booed in the face by Charlotte.

Michin and B-Fab drop Charlotte and Bliss though and everyone is down. The tag brings in Ripley for the showdown with Cargill and the fans are way into this. Riptide connects but Michin makes the save, only to get attacked by Charlotte. Ripley and Charlotte make peace and Bliss approves but Cargill is back in with Jaded to pin Ripley at 16:50.

Rating: B+. This was WAY better than I was expecting as they got nuts in there and wound up having a very energetic match. B-Fab far exceeded what I was expecting from her and this was the good Michin, who certainly can show up if given the chance. The ending was the perfect way to wrap it up as it boosts us closer towards the showdown in Italy. Heck of a match here.

Ethan Page is ready to win the Intercontinental Title, which will have its biggest night ever.

We recap Sol Ruca vs. Becky Lynch. Ruca is the big new signing from NXT and got a huge welcome but Lynch interrupted her signing and mocked her. Ruca stood up for herself and the match is officially set, albeit non-title.

Ruca is ready to show Lynch that the next generation is here. It’ll just take one Sol Snatcher.

Lynch says her usual Sports Illustrated line and is ready to showcase herself.

Becky Lynch vs. Sol Ruca

Non-title. Lynch throws the belt at her to start and hammers away before the bell. Ruca is back with a shot to the face and the bell rings. Barrett: “That was a cheap shot from Ruca!” Cole: “….please.” A clothesline sends Lynch outside and Ruca moonsaults her down again. The Sol Snatcher is broken up so Ruca tries it again, only for Lynch to throw the referee in the way for the DQ at 2:24.

Post match Lynch teases leaving but then lays out Ruca with a belt shot. The Manhandle Slam leaves Ruca laying and Lynch does it again. This has been called “setting up a title rematch at next week’s much bigger show”.

Penta talks about the differences between himself and Ethan Page, saying he’s here to defend the title and such.

Video on the importance of the Intercontinental Title. As usual, WWE knows how to do these things very well.

Becky Lynch runs into Nick Aldis, who has just talked to Adam Pearce. The rematch with Sol Ruca is officially set for Clash In Italy and yes it’s for the title.

The Irresistible Forces are ready to get the Women’s Tag Team Titles back because they’re bigger and stronger. And the belts look better on them anyway.

Intercontinental Title: Ethan Page vs. Penta

Penta is defending and elbows him in the face a few times to start. A kick to the ribs has Page in more trouble and Penta drops him with a running hurricanrana. Penta’s springboard is dropkicked out of the air though and Page gets to sneer a bit. They head outside, with Penta charging into a backdrop onto the announcers’ table. Penta gets posted a few times and an elbow gives Page two back inside.

The chinlock doesn’t last long so Page hits a basement dropkick to set it up again. That means Penta can fight up again and hit a running faceplant. Page heads outside so Penta is right there with a running flip dive, leaving both of them down. Back in and a high crossbody (barely) hits Page and a springboard tornado DDT gets two. Page is right back with a powerslam for two of his own but Penta’s Backstabber out of the corner gets the same.

They trade kicks to the face for a double knockdown but Page is back up with the Confidence Breaker for two. The Penta Driver gets the same so Penta goes up top, where Page grabs a super powerslam for another near fall. That’s enough to frustrate Page into pulling off a turnbuckle pad, with the referee going over to fix it, allowing Page to pull off a second one. Penta is sent in for two but comes back and sends Page in. The springboard Mexican Destroyer retains the title at 14:29.

Rating: B. Another good match here, which shouldn’t be much of a surprise. Penta has had one solid match after another and Page has done more than very well in everything he’s done. Page is more than good and his day will come, but there is quite a bit of gas left in Penta’s title reign so this was the right call.

Paige and Brie Bella are ready to retain their Tag Team Titles. Paige knows this is supposed to be Nikki Bella but she’s going to fight anyway.

The Street Profits want the Tag Team Titles.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Irresistible Forces vs. Paige/Brie Bella

Paige and Bella are defending and knock the much bigger challengers down to start. Jax pulls a diving Bella out of the air to start but she gets some boots up in the corner. Bella dives underneath the boot and brings in Paige, who is quickly splashed for two. Legend whips Paige hard into the corner for two more and Jax adds some splashes.

Paige sends Legend outside and Jax misses a charge into the post, allowing the tag off to Bella. House is quickly cleaned and the YES Kicks connect, only for Jax to hit a Samoan drop. Legend adds a middle rope splash for two but Bella is right back up. Paige comes in and gets a rollup on Jax, with Bella offering an assist to retain the titles at 8:25.

Rating: C. They kept this moving and that’s probably the best for everyone involved. The limited charm of Paige and Bella surviving as champions is out of steam and it’s becoming more and more clear that they were never anything but a substitute for the Bellas. Get the titles off of them and get them back onto a regular team and move on already.

Clash In Italy rundown.

Video on the Tag Team Titles. As in a bunch of them, as the history of the titles is about as complicated as quantum mechanics.

Paul Heyman is ready for the Vision to retain the Tag Team Titles. The Vision seems to agree.

Raw Tag Team Titles: Street Profits vs. The Vision

The Vision, with Paul Heyman, is defending. Ford and Theory start things off, though Theory has to cover Paul’s ears to block out the booing. That lets Ford grab a rollup for two and he points out just how close that was. Back up and Theory hits a running shoulder, which works so well that he does it again. It’s off to Paul, who cheap shots Ford down and then drops him again with a running shoulder.

Ford finally snaps off some armdrags and dropkicks, allowing Dawkins to come in and help clear out the villains. That’s enough for the Vision, who try to walk out, but that doesn’t work for the Profits. Back in and Dawkins gives Paul the spinning splash in the corner for two but Paul is right back with his big right hands. The fans are all over Paul again and that isn’t well received, even as it’s back to Theory for a butterfly suplex.

A double clothesline drops Dawkins and Paul grabs the chinlock. Dawkins’ comeback is cut off with a clothesline as things slow back down. Back up and Dawkins fights out of the corner before making Theory DDT Paul (gah), allowing the tag back to Paul. House is quickly cleaned and a powerslam into a standing moonsault gets two on Paul. Theory offers a distraction though and Paul hits the flipping lariat for two of his own.

Everything breaks down and Ford suicide dives Paul, setting up the Doomsday Blockbuster for two on Theory, as Paul makes another save. Ford’s big running flip dive takes the champions out but here is Bron Breakker…who is knocked over the announcers’ table by Dawkins. The frog splash hits Theory, with Heyman making the save. That lets Paul hit the brass knuckles punch to knock Ford cold, giving Theory the retaining pin at 16:30.

Rating: B. It got going near the end, as the Profits tend to do, and it was the closest thing to a big match this show had. At the same time, this didn’t feel like a huge showdown, even with the Vision having to cheat to retain the titles. I did like Breakker’s interference being cut off, as it felt different, but ultimately the numbers game caught up with the Profits. Maybe they could use some Seth Rollins shaped help?

Post match the Vision goes to leave but Breakker comes back in for a double spear to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. All things considered, this was a heck of a show and rather entertaining. The problem is very simple though: it felt about as important as an edition of Main Event. There was nothing on here that really came close to feeling important and some of the matches were basically just previews for Clash In Italy. The scheduling for this show was horrible and while it’s good if you watch it, there is absolutely nothing on here that made a big impact going forward. The show was fun and better than I expected, but it’s the most skippable show WWE has presented in a long time.

Results
Jade Cargill/B-Fab/Michin b. Rhea Ripley/Charlotte/Alexa Bliss – Jaded to Ripley
Sol Ruca b. Becky Lynch via DQ when Lynch grabbed the referee
Penta b. Ethan Page – Springboard Mexican Destroyer
Brie Bella/Paige b. Irresistible Forces – Assisted rollup to Jax
The Vision b. Street Profits – Brass knuckles to Ford

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: May 15, 2026
Location: Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, South Carolina
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We are on the way to Saturday Night’s Main Event and then Clash In Italy, with Gunther set to come after Cody Rhodes and the World Title. That should be enough to make the latter show work, but there isn’t much time to get the rest of the two shows set up. We’ll need to do some work in that area this week so let’s get to it.

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

Long Backlash recap.

Here is local hero Trick Williams to quite the reaction (having the University of South Carolina mascot with him helps). Williams talks about his time at the local high school, university and restaurant. That’s where he dubbed the shoes the Lemon Pepper Steppers and now his family is here to watch him.

Cue the Miz and Kit Wilson, with Miz mocking the mascot and thinking Big Bird is next. Lil Yachty mocks them for being cursed so Wilson busts out the slam poetry book. After mocking Williams and Yachty, it turns out that trying to outrhyme a professional rapper is a bad idea, as Yachty destroys them both. Miz wants a fight right now so Williams smacks Wilson in the face and knocks Miz outside.

Quick sidenote here: Yachty continues to work well as Williams’ associate because he’s just that: an associate. Yachty is NEVER the main focus of these segments and is mainly there as a hype man for Williams, who is the real star. Compare this to Jelly Roll or Pat McAfee, who were regularly given so much more focus and became the biggest parts of some segments. That’s a key difference and it’s why Yachty hasn’t overstayed his welcome.

Miz vs. Trick Williams

Non-title. Miz is wrestling in a shirt as Williams starts fast with a jumping clothesline. Miz gets in a shot of his own and goes up top but dives into a right hand to the ribs. The comeback cuts Williams off again and Miz gets to rip the shirt off before mocking the parents. Williams gets in a neckbreaker and unloads with stomps in the corner. The threat of a Trick Kick sends Miz bailing to the floor, where Williams sends him into the barricade

Wilson gets in a cheap shot though and Miz kicks Williams through the ropes as we take a break. We come back with Williams striking away and getting two off a Rock Bottom. Miz’s short DDT gets one and he fires off the kicks to the chest. A flapjack cuts Miz off but he grabs the Skull Crushing Finale for two more. The frustrated Miz grabs a kendo stick but Yachty takes it away and beats up Wilson. The Trick Shot finishes Miz at 11:19 (and Williams is VERY fired up).

Rating: B. That might be high but I do love listening to a crowd carry a match to a much higher level. That was the case here, as the fans loved seeing Williams and he was clearly having the time of his life in front of his hometown crowd. Miz can still make someone look good and Williams kicking out of an established finisher is only going to help him. Good stuff here with Williams winning as a special moment.

Carmelo Hayes is ready to face Ricky Saints because when he shoots, he doesn’t miss. Saints comes in to say the world has changed since Hayes was here. Hayes is ready to humble him.

Sami Zayn apologizes to Nick Aldis for his recent actions and wants one more shot at Trick Williams. Aldis says Zayn has to earn it, which has Zayn losing his mind about how everything is changing. Rey Fenix comes up and doesn’t want to hear it.

Paige and Brie Bella are ready for anyone, including the invading Irresistible Forces.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Brie Bella/Paige vs. Giulia/Kiana James

Giulia and James are challenging. James easily shoves Bella down to start so Paige comes in for a kick to the ribs. A bulldog gives Bella two and it’s off to Giulia, who unloads on Paige in the corner. Back up and Paige hits a kick of her own, followed by the rapid fire knees in the ropes. James posts Paige though and we take a break.

We come back with Paige sunset bombing Giulia out of the corner and making the tag off to Bella. The running knees in the ropes and YES Kicks connect on both of them followed by the Bella Buster for two on James. A facebuster sets up Giulia’s northern lights bomb for two, with Paige making the save this time. The Rampaige finishes James to retain the titles at 9:01.

Rating: C+. They kept this fairly short when you factor out the commercial time and that makes sense. Giulia and James didn’t feel like major challengers for the titles so don’t stretch the match out any longer than it needed. At the same time, Paige and Bella don’t feel like a long term team so they feel a bit vulnerable every time they defend the belts. That helps a bit and it was a fine enough balance here.

We look at Gunther trying to jump Cody Rhodes last week and not having the most success.

Tiffany Stratton is interrupted by Kiana James and Giulia arguing. With that out of the way, Chelsea Green interrupts but Stratton isn’t impressed.

Here is Cody Rhodes with the contract to face Gunther. He builds his own contract signing set and Rhodes calls Gunther out. Cue Gunther who talks about how much time he put into planning this, but Rhodes was a typical American who has to make it all about himself. All Gunther wants Rhodes to do is ask nicely and not make it weird. Gunther tries to walk him through it but Royce Keys of all people interrupts.

If Gunther won’t say it, he will, and Keys goes to sign. Gunther cuts that off so here is Nick Aldis to say Gunther didn’t sign, so tonight it’s Keys vs. Gunther for the title shot. That’s fine with Rhodes, who respects Keys, but gives him the same “easy to find, hard to beat” line. Of note: Keys’ shirt looks a bit like an old Nasty Boys design so he’s on the right track.

Solo Sikoa tells Tama Tonga to deal with Damian Priest tonight and then leaves with Talla Tonga. Shinsuke Nakamura comes up to Tama…and gets jumped by Talla, who puts him through a table.

Gunther yells at Nick Aldis about the Keys match but Aldis says Gunther can only blame himself.

Carmelo Hayes vs. Ricky Saints

Saints hammers away to start fast before they trade armdrags. Hayes’ dropkick connects but Saints is right back with the strutting Old School. Hayes is fine enough to tie him in the ropes for the Fadeaway and there’s the running flip dive to the floor. We take a break and come back with Hayes tossing him off the top, where Hayes’ frog splash can launch for two. The First 48 is countered into a Snowplow for two and we hit a chinlock while going split screen for a movie trailer.

Hayes fights up and scores with a springboard shot to the face. The La Mistica faceplant gives Hayes two more but so does Saints’ Deep Six. Another First 48 attempt connects but Nothing But Net misses, allowing Saints to grab a tornado DDT for two of his own. The frustrated Saints sends him into the corner and a rollup with feet on the ropes gets two. Saints spends so much time yelling at the referee that Hayes gets a rollup (with his own feet on the rope) for the pin at 12:10.

Rating: B-. This was a good back and forth match, with the two of them trading near falls and big moves until Hayes gave Saints the same thing right back. I wasn’t sure who was going to win here so the result was something of a surprise. It’s also nice to see Hayes getting a win after a bad stretch so maybe he has a future around here.

R-Truth thanks Royce Keys for helping with the MFT’s and says he can get Keys in the Judgment Day. Damian Priest comes in to suggest he doesn’t trust Keys, who Solo Sikoa hasn’t touched. R-Truth can go with that, but he has to stay in the back tonight as he isn’t medically cleared.

Danhausen goes into his lab and answers his old phone. Then he wheels out what looks like a Frankenstein’s monster and types a lot.

Tama Tonga vs. Damien Priest

They slug it out to start until Priest gets in a big boot to the head. Tonga is sent outside but comes off the steps with a clothesline to put Priest down as we take an early break. We come back with Tonga reversing a Razor’s Edge attempt into a sleeper. That’s broken up as well so Tonga switches to a dragon screw legwhip.

Priest fires up and strikes away again, with the Broken Arrow connecting for two. The threat of the rebound lariat sends Tonga outside, where Priest sends him crashing over the announcers’ table. Back in and Tonga crotches him on top, setting up a neckbreaker for two. Priest gets fired up though and grabs the South Of Heaven for the pin at 9:56.

Rating: B-. This was a nice power match, with Priest taking what Tonga threw at him and getting the win. Priest is doing fine enough as part of a team but he needs some success on his own again. That was what he got here, and it made him look like that chokeslam is quite the weapon if used right.

Post match the MFT’s run in to beat Priest down.

Sami Zayn rants to Johnny Gargano, who still won’t move. Candice LeRae comes in and isn’t impressed, though Zayn rants some more.

We look back at Jade Cargill returning last week and laying out Rhea Ripley.

Here are Cargill and her lackeys for a chat. Cargill isn’t surprised that people change their tunes when she is in their face. At Clash In Italy, she gets her title back but here are Charlotte and Alexa Bliss to interrupt. Charlotte is ready to go after Cargill, who doesn’t seem impressed. Instead, Charlotte and Bliss are ready for their scheduled match.

Blake Monroe? Still on her way.

Charlotte/Alexa Bliss vs. B-Fab/Michin

Charlotte and Michin start things off, with Michin heading outside rather quickly. Back in and Charlotte easily wrestles her down, with Michin going after the leg. A headscissors drops Charlotte again and Michin kicks away. Charlotte is right back to knock her into the corner, meaning Bliss and B-Fab come in for a double change. Bliss takes her down but misses the flipping splash and dives into a swinging Downward Spiral.

We take a break and come back with Bliss still in trouble and Charlotte being suckered in. Bliss fights out of the double teaming and grabs a DDT. That’s enough to bring in Charlotte and house is quickly cleaned. Back to back fall away slams send B-Fab and Michin flying but Cargill distracts Charlotte. That’s enough for a double big boot to put Charlotte down but she’s fine enough to get the Figure Eight on B-Fab. Michin’s save doesn’t work, though Charlotte lets go anyway. It’s back to Bliss for a wind up DDT, only for Cargill to pull her out for the DQ at 11:59.

Rating: C+. Things got a bit wild at the end but it was the right way to go, as Cargill continues to annoy Charlotte, which is likely setting up a big showdown. B-Fab and Michin are at least more in their element as lackeys, though it felt like Charlotte could have wiped either of them out at any time. Bliss and Charlotte continue to work well together, and a lot of that is due to not splitting the team up far too early.

Post match Charlotte clears out the lackeys but Cargill doesn’t seem interested.

Fatal Influence doesn’t seem impressed because they’re a real team who will get all of the gold. And yes that’s a threat.

Charlotte isn’t happy with Rhea Ripley for not being here and isn’t used to needing help. Alexa Bliss doesn’t seem thrilled but says they need help no matter what.

We look back at the Roman Reigns/Jacob Fatu brawl from Raw, with Fatu smashing Reigns again.

Solo Sikoa still tries to get Royce Keys on his side and threatens violence otherwise. Keys still doesn’t buy this.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Here’s what’s coming at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Gunther vs. Royce Keys

For the title shot at Clash In Italy. Gunther flips him into the corner and shouts a lot, earning a shove out to the floor. Back in and Gunther grabs a headlock but loses an exchange of shoulders. Gunther charges into a powerslam for two, which had Gunther outside again. This time Keys sends him into the barricade a few times and then over the announcers’ table.

We take a break and come back with Gunther getting caught with a clothesline to leave them both down again. Keys wins a fight over a suplex but gets knocked down with the chops. Gunther gets pulled off the apron and dropped onto the announcers’ table but is fine enough to hit the big clothesline back inside. The top rope splash is cut off for a superplex though and they’re both down again.

Gunther is able to get the sleeper though…and here is Solo Sikoa. Keys gets up and wins a battle of the clotheslines but gets caught in the sleeper again. That’s broken up as well and Keys Pounces Gunther right into the referee. Sikoa throws Keys a chair, which he throws right back into Sikoa’s face. The distraction lets Gunther hit a clothesline and the powerbomb for the pin and the title shot at 15:52.

Rating: B. This was a solid back and forth power match, with Keys being able to hang with the monster Gunther. Not many people are able to say that but Keys made it work pretty well here. You can tell Keys still has a lot of polishing to go in the ring, though having Gunther there to walk him through things had to help a lot. It’s not some classic, but it did show that Keys can do something like this in the right situation.

Post match Cody Rhodes runs in to lay Gunther out with the Cross Rhodes to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. As has been the case a lot of the time with these three hour shows, it really does lose some steam in there, even with a pretty good main event. There just comes a point where fans are ready to do something else though and three hours is usually beyond that ending. It’s not even a bad show, but it would be so much better with less time to fill.

Results
Trick Williams b. The Miz – Trick Shot
Paige/Brie Bella b. Kiana James/Giulia – Rampaige to James
Carmelo Hayes b. Ricky Saints – Rollup with feet on the ropes
Damian Priest b. Tama Tonga – South Of Heaven
Charlotte/Alexa Bliss b. Michin/B-Fab via DQ when Jade Cargill interfered

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: May 8, 2026
Location: VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, Florida
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

It’s the night before Backlash and that should mean a pretty big Smackdown. WWE has turned the shows before the pay per views into a big preview, which is quite the use of three hours. Hopefully it’s quality to go with quantity this year, though it’s hard to make that work with such a long show. Let’s get to it.

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

In Memory Of Ted Turner. That’s a nice touch.

We open with a long recap of Jacob Fatu vs. Roman Reigns.

Here is Fatu for a chat. Tomorrow, he’s taking the title from Roman Reigns. Since they were kids, everyone has seen Reigns as the future and Fatu as nothing. Everyone has had it in for him but it’s been to protect Reigns. This brings out the Usos to interrupt, who say they aren’t out there to change Fatu’s mind. Jimmy understands that Fatu needs this, but what happens if he loses? Has he ever thought about that?

Jey doesn’t believe Fatu thinks like that but Jey has been there. Tomorrow night, Fatu’s family will be there to see him lose, and his wife and children will have to acknowledge the Tribal Chief. That doesn’t work for Fatu, because this isn’t just a main event. This is about his family because they are going to see him win the title. Oh and if the Usos try to interfere, he’ll burn this whole place down. I don’t think he’s going to win, but Fatu has sold me on him being a threat to Reigns.

We look at Gunther attacking Cody Rhodes last week.

Nick Aldis doesn’t like what Gunther has done, but here is Ricky Saints to interrupt. Matt Cardona comes in and doesn’t like Saints so they’re set for tonight.

Post break, Nick Aldis shakes Jacob Fatu’s hand and Fatu seems ready to leave in peace. As he’s leaving, Fatu runs into Royce Keys, who gives him a pep talk about winning the title. With Fatu gone, Keys runs into Solo Sikoa, who says Keys was in the wrong place at the wrong time last week. Sikoa needs an answer from Keys soon.

Women’s US Title: Tiffany Stratton vs. Kiana James

James, with Giulia, is challenging. We get a video from Chelsea Green, who is bedridden (in a lot of pink of course) and can’t be at the show tonight. James grabs a headlock to start but Stratton is right back with a clothesline. Stratton gets caught in the ropes though and a kick to the head knocks her down. The leg gets wrapped around the post and Stratton is in trouble and we take a break.

We come back with James grabbing a rather logical half crab, sending Stratton over to the ropes. The leg is fine enough to hit the handspring elbow in the corner and a handspring Stunner connects. A basement dropkick gives Stratton two but James sends her into the corner for a handspring (popular in this match) kick to the head. James misses a charge into the post though and Giulia gets on the apron, meaning the referee doesn’t see James grabbing a rollup for two. Stratton knocks Giulia down and hits a Regal Roll into the Prettiest Moonsault Ever to retain at 8:04.

Rating: C+. Oddly enough, Giulia gets my attention the most here as she feels like she is just falling lower and lower every single week. Hopefully they have something for her going forward as this hasn’t worked thus far. As for the people in the match, this felt like a way for Stratton to get a win over a challenger who didn’t feel like the biggest threat.

We go to the funeral for the Gingerbread Man (oh boy) where Sami Zayn asks Nick Aldis how he is letting this happen. Aldis says everyone needs some closure and Zayn is close to losing his mind when R-Truth comes up with a flower for him. R-Truth can see the resemblance between Zayn and Gingerbread Man, who talked about Zayn all the time. Zayn is ready to burst, mainly due to how ridiculous this whole thing is. To be fair, he has a point.

Video on Fatal Influence.

Rhea Ripley, Charlotte and Alexa Bliss are ready to take out Fatal Influence, but Charlotte and Ripley get into it all over again. Bliss has to calm them down, again.

R-Truth is sad about the Gingerbread Man but Damian Priest is more annoyed at Talla Tonga. R-Truth will be out there with him, but Priest wants him to stay in the back due to his shoulder injury. That’s good enough for R-Truth.

Talla Tonga vs. Damian Priest

Solo Sikoa is here with Tonga, who gets jumped by Priest to start fast. Tonga is knocked out to the floor but Priest’s spinning kick is sent into the post. Priest gets slammed onto the announcers’ table and we take a break. We come back with Tonga missing an elbow, allowing Priest to slug away.

Priest avoids a kick into the ropes and now the spinning kick to the face connects. After taking out Sikoa, the top rope clothesline gives Priest two but here is Tama Tonga for a distraction. Talla hits the discus lariat for two and here is R-Truth to even things up a bit. Priest sends Sikoa into Tama but gets dropped by Talla, who hits a chokeslam for the pin at 9:16.

Rating: B-. This was a big man fight and it seems like Priest and R-Truth are having some issues. That makes sense as the team never felt like it was supposed to be anything long term. At the same time, the MFT’s aren’t exactly doing well either, though it seems like we’ll be seeing a title match between the two sides sooner or later.

Post match the beatdown is teased but Royce Keys comes out to stare the MFT’s down, though he doesn’t get physical.

We recap Danhausen getting beaten down last week.

Danhausen is sitting at a table trying to find a partner when Miz and Kit Wilson interrupt. They’re not worried about the match because Danhausen doesn’t have any friends. Wilson holds up a mirror, saying the only person who would team with Danhausen is Danhausen. This gives Danhausen an idea, even though he goes the wrong way at first. I’m terrified.

Paul Heyman goes into Nick Aldis’ office.

We look at the Gingerbread Man being at various famous moments over the years.

Nick Aldis gives Paul Heyman a contract. Gunther comes in and Heyman hands him the contract, with Aldis welcoming Gunther to the Smackdown roster. They’re interrupted by Cody Rhodes coming to the ring, with Heyman saying he’ll handle this.

Here is Cody Rhodes for a chat. Rhodes wants to talk about Gunther but gets Heyman instead. Heyman has a solution in the form of the contract but Rhodes is ready to fight right now. That’s not going to work for Heyman, who makes it clear that this contract is the favor he owes Gunther (that’s interesting and nice job of wrapping up the point).

Heyman says he’s a fan of Rhodes and gets in the ring, saying that the title shot is for…Clash In Italy (later this month). By handing Rhodes the contract, Heyman’s part is done as Rhodes has to get Gunther to sign it himself. Rhodes stops him though and asks if he’s doing this because he’s out of options. Heyman says he’s not the one who’s out of options, because “sooner or later they all need the Wise Man.”

Heyman leaves and here is Gunther, who jumps Rhodes but gets knocked to the floor. Rhodes rants about how he doesn’t sweat Gunther because Rhodes is easy to find and hart to beat. Now that is a heck of a tease from Heyman, though Rhodes kind of forgetting that Heyman has the Vision with a healthy Bron Breakker is kind of odd.

Tama Tonga and Solo Sikoa argue about Royce Keys, with Tonga saying he’s going to go deal with Keys on his own. Sikoa won’t let Talla Tonga go too, because Tama needs to deal with this.

Matt Cardona vs. Ricky Saints

Cardona backs him into the corner to start and hits a running shoulder to annoy Saints again. A running forearm in the corner and a flapjack have Saints down again and he goes to the floor to kick the barricade. We take a break and come back with Saints in control but Cardona making a quick comeback. The Reboot gets two but Saints hits a spinning Downward Spiral for the same. Cardona is right back with Radio Silence as the fans seem to be thrilled that a fan is being ejected. Saints pops up with a tornado DDT into Roshambo to finish Cardona at 8:36.

Rating: C+. This was pretty much booking 101 as Saints lost a competitive match in his debut last week but came back to win here over an established name. Saints should be fine going forward as a midcard hand and this showed he can hang in there just fine. Cardona is pretty much resigned to his fate at this point, which is kind of a shame but he had to know what he was signing up to do.

Sami Zayn is still at the funeral and ranting about how he’s losing everything…to Johnny Gargano, who is still laying there in shock. Rey Fenix comes in and Zayn can’t believe he’s here.

Brie Bella and Paige are almost crushed by a falling piece of the set and Danhausen runs by. And we move on.

Blake Monroe is still on her way here.

Here are Brie Bella and Paige for a chat. Bella talks about how there are a lot of teams coming for the titles so bring it on. Paige has heard them referred to as a retirement tour but they’ve never been better. This brings out Fatal Influence, who say the champs should be worried about them. They’re about to have all the gold but here are the Irresistible Forces to say this isn’t NXT. The fans chant for Trick Williams, with Lash Legend laughing it off. The Forces lay the champs out while Fatal Influence stares on. This brings out Rhea Ripley, who stares at Legend on her way to the ring.

The Gingerbread Man was at other classic moments.

Fatal Influence vs. Rhea Ripley/Charlotte/Alexa Bliss

Henley and Bliss start things off with Henley dodging her and getting in a little dance. Bliss knees her in the face and does her own dance, which seems more popular. Bliss’ knee drop and flipping splash get two but Henley takes her into the corner. Jayne comes in for a boot choke and Reid mocks Bliss, who rolls over and brings in Ripley to start wrecking people. The flip dive off the apron connects and we take a break.

We come back with Reid hitting a neckbreaker on Ripley, who is back with that cool kick from the mat. Charlotte gets the tag and comes in to fire off the chops. The Flair Flip in the corner lets Charlotte hit a double high crossbody and Natural Selection gets two on Jayne. Bliss comes back in but walks into a superkick, as does Charlotte. Cue Jade Cargill to pull Ripley off the apron, allowing Cargill to hit the Rolling Encore to pin Bliss at 9:56.

Rating: B-. This was a good match, with the six person formula working as it usually does. You don’t get enough six person tags, as it worked rather well, allowing multiple combinations to keep things fresh. Cargill being back is good, but I don’t really need to see her going after Ripley again, at least not immediately. At the same time, Fatal Influence, with Jayne in particular, have hit the ground running on the main roster and that is rather impressive as that’s not something everyone can do.

Post match Cargill glares Fatal Influence away. Cargill goes after Bliss but Charlotte gets back in, only to be beaten down by Michin and B-Fab. Ripley tries to make a save and is beaten down as well.

Royce Keys is on his way to the ring but runs into the Usos. They talk about their history together and warn him to stay away from the MFT’s, or risk catching the eyes of Roman Reigns.

Gingerbread Man, classic moments, again. Do you get the joke yet?

Tama Tonga vs. Royce Keys

Solo Sikoa and Talla Tonga are here with Tama, despite what Sikoa said earlier. Tama hammers away to start and gets caught in a running powerslam. Keys punches him down in the corner but Tama slips out of a suplex and goes after the leg. Tama knocks him to the floor but a slide is countered into a World’s Strongest Slam onto the apron. A missed charge sends Keys into the steps though and we take a break.

We come back with the two of them slugging it out until Tama grabs a rolling neckbreaker for two. Keys gets up to fire off some clotheslines, meaning the straps can come down. Another powerslam gets another two but Tama’s reverse DDT gets the same. The comeback is on almost immediately and Tama is clotheslined outside, where Sikoa tells Talla to let Tama figure it out. Back in and the USB (Ultimate Spinebuster) finishes Tama at 7:53.

Rating: C+. This was about Keys getting to beat a name and it worked out well enough, though Keys still needs some more ring time to really polish things up (using the same running powerslam twice in a seven minute match isn’t a good idea). At least Keys keeps winning and, for now at least, he isn’t joining the MFT’s. The team needs some new recruits, though I’m not sure if Keys is the right choice.

Danhausen goes to his laboratory, where he has some chemicals, a microwave, and a cloning machine. This would be in the “well of course he does” category.

Shinsuke Nakamura comes up to Tama Tonga and asks if he’s still an MFT. Talla Tonga comes in to warn Nakamura about talking this brother. We’re still doing this?

Backlash rundown.

Trick Williams runs into Nick Aldis, who is letting the funeral have the rest of the broadcast.

It’s time for the funeral, with the casket and a choir in the ring as Trick Williams comes out to join them. Williams pours out a drink for the Gingerbread Man and hopes he can get through this. He speaks a song (with the choir joining in) about how the Gingerbread Man was destroyed and asking if someone can tell him why.

We get a package on the life of the Gingerbread Man, including him signing with the University Of South Carolina to play football, climbing a mountain, going to various national landmarks with Williams and Lil Yachty and participating in a dunk contest. Sami Zayn comes out to say this is ridiculous and asks if he’s losing his mind for this to go on so long. Closing Smackdown used to mean something and he asks why Williams spent this much money on one idea.

Zayn gets in the ring to yell at Williams about how he’s been doing this for twenty years and isn’t leaving. Zayn decks Williams and shouts about how the title is his life. Then the Gingerbread Man gets out of the casket and it’s Lil Yachty, who beats Zayn down with a kendo stick. The Trick Shot lays Zayn out to end the show.

So Zayn was right yes? Williams spent all this time and money for the sake of knowing that Zayn would interrupt (fair) and get beaten down for fifteen seconds to end the show? That’s quite a bit of effort and resources spent for not much of a payoff. And Aldis and everyone else hates Zayn enough to go with this? This feels like something from the Vince McMahon era and that’s not a good thing to see.

Overall Rating: C. It was a good enough show for the most part, but dang I didn’t care for that ending segment. The whole thing went on way too long and the lack of a big Smackdown match at Backlash made this a bit less than thrilling. Rhodes vs. Gunther being set up (pretty much) for Clash In Italy is fine, but it doesn’t make for the best build to Backlash. Fatal Influence continues to feel like a big deal and Heyman teasing Rhodes needing him in the future is interesting, but this show didn’t really have a big moment to go out on, which hurt things a lot.

Results
Tiffany Stratton b. Kiana James – Prettiest Moonsault Ever
Talla Tonga b. Damian Priest – Chokeslam
Ricky Saints b. Matt Cardona – Roshambo
Fatal Influence b. Rhea Ripley/Charlotte/Alexa Bliss – Rolling Encore to Bliss
Royce Keys b. Tama Tonga – USB

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

Wrestlemania XLII Night One
Date: April 18, 2026
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nevada
Commentators: Wade Barrett, Michael Cole

We have arrived. After a less than great build and some questionable choices, it’s time for the biggest weekend of the wrestling year. No matter what happens here, this is a special event and we have Cody Rhodes defending the Smackdown World Title against Randy Orton in the main event. Let’s get to it.

The opening video, as narrated by Lin-Manuel-Miranda, talks about the memories and moments that are made at Wrestlemania. Years from now, our children will ask us where we were when things happened at this show. Heck of an opener here and it still worked even though it aired on Smackdown last night.

Here is John Cena as the host. He seems actually taken aback by the reception and then talks about how the Road To Wrestlemania has been rough this year. As Michael Cole has said, it’s been polarizing, but the important thing is that we’re here now. Cena getting emotional was a great thing to see as you can tell this means a lot to him.

Usos/LA Knight vs. Vision/IShowSpeed

The Usos come through the crowd and Knight comes to the stage in a customized truck. The Vision and Speed have a unique entrance of their own, as they have nine different camera angles shown at once to cover everything. We officially start and the Vision is knocked to the floor, leaving Speed alone with Knight. Speed’s headlock doesn’t work as Knight just stands up and walks around with him, sending Speed running off.

Knight stomps on Paul in the corner and it’s back to the Usos for a double elbow. Theory comes in off a blind tag though and jumps Jimmy so the villains can take over. The stomping has Jimmy in trouble but he fights back on Paul and gets over to Jey. Theory comes in as well and gets punched in the face, followed by the spear. Paul dives in for the save and everything breaks down, with Speed snapping off a headscissors. Speed accidentally knocks Paul down so Theory tells at him, only for Knight to send them into each other. The BFT finishes Theory at 7:07.

Rating: C+. It’s no classic, but it did exactly what it needed to do. They go the celebrity in there and he didn’t embarrass himself, with Knight getting the pin in the end. It’s just a basic match, but I do like the idea of taking something simple and doing it well. Nice enough here and that’s a good way to start the show.

Post match Paul yells at Speed and drops him with the metal fist. Paul loads up the announcers’ table but Jimmy and Knight make the save. Knight helps him up and Speed goes up top for the huge splash through the announcers’ table.

Drew McIntyre vs. Jacob Fatu

Unsanctioned. Fatu comes out with fire dancers while McIntyre knocks down a stone wall and walks through the hole. The entrances take a long time so Fatu dives onto McIntyre to start fast. The weapons are thrown in early on but Fatu is smart enough to knock McIntyre down again. It takes too long to get a toolbox though and McIntyre decks him from behind. A catapult sends Fatu face first into the bottom of the ring and it’s time for a table.

Actually it’s time for McIntyre to continue his tradition of tweeting during a match, which allows Fatu to fight back. A pop up Samoan drop gives Fatu two but McIntyre knocks him down again. The chair is loaded up in the corner but they both avoid going into it. Instead Fatu misses a charge and goes face first into the post, allowing McIntyre to suplex him down. McIntyre gets knocked back down though and Fatu’s triple jump moonsault connects….for two.

McIntyre finds a piece of metal to jab into Fatu’s head and then sends him onto some open chairs for two more. That’s not ok with McIntyre, who grabs the referee’s belt, only to walk into a superkick. Fatu chairs him in the back a few times and now it’s his turn with the belt. The whipping ensues so Fatu goes to grab the toolbox, allowing McIntyre to hit a Claymore for two.

McIntyre screams at the referee some more but loses a slugout with Fatu, who fires off some headbutts. Fatu puts him on a table and hits him with a chair to keep him down. That doesn’t really work either as McIntyre is right back up to hit him with a chair as well. Fatu is shoved off the top and through a table at ringside, which somehow doesn’t do much to slow him down. Back in and Fatu hits him in the head with the toolbox, setting up the triple jump moonsault through the table to finish McIntyre at 14:17.

Rating: B. That’s what this should have been, as Fatu survived everything a former multiple time World Champion threw at him and then finished him off. Some of the no selling and things that were shrugged off were a bit much, but that was how the match needed to go. Fatu gets probably the biggest win of his career and can move on to…whatever is next, just like McIntyre. Good brawl.

We run down the remaining card.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Charlotte/Alexa Bliss vs. Bella Twins vs. Irresistible Forces vs. Bayley/Lyra Valkyria

The Forces are defending, there is one from each team in at all times and it’s one fall to a finish. Actually hang on as Nikki Bella says she can’t get medically cleared so she’s called in an old friend. And PAIGE is back, which is great to see after how bad her neck has been over the years. It’s a brawl to start with Jax taking over, only to get knocked outside by Charlotte.

Brie’s chops don’t get her very far as Valkyria hits a dropkick. Back up and Brie kicks away at Valkyria and Charlotte but the tag to Paige is cut off. Legend takes Brie outside for a drop onto the apron, leaving Bayley to middle rope elbow Bliss. Legend is back in to start taking over but she gets pulled out of the corner, allowing Brie to hit a middle rope dropkick. The tag brings in Paige, who strikes away at Jax and cleans house as everything breaks down.

The Paige Turner connects with Bayley making the save. A Lash Extension hits Valkyria so another save is made. Legend is knocked outside so it’s off to Paige vs. Charlotte for a big showdown. Paige wins the slugout and gets two off a small package. Charlotte is sent outside where Nikki beats on her with the crutch. Bliss tries Twisted Bliss but hits raised knees. The Rampaige gives Paige the pin and the titles at 8:29.

Rating: C-. Well that happened. As usual, these matches are kind of all over the place and it’s just a collection of spots that only kind of tie together. The ending was all about the big moment of the Bellas and Paige getting a special win. I’m not big on the Bellas, but it is good to have Paige back. Other than that, this was just kind of a mess with way too much going on to have a coherent match.

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

Lee is defending and comes out with an army of school girls dressed like her and carrying replica belts. On the other hand, Lynch is played to the ring live for a pair of cool entrances. Lynch is ticked off to start and gets sent outside, with Lee’s dive being powerslammed into the barricade. Back in and Lynch puts her down again and goes to take the turnbuckle pad off. The referee (Jessika Carr, who has had issues with Lynch) calls her insane and ties it back up.

Lee uses the delay to fight back for two but the Black Widow is countered. Lee’s standing Sliced bread connects but the Shining Wizard is countered into a powerbomb for two. A quick Black Widow attempt is swung into the corner and the Manhandle Slam gives Lynch two. Lynch gets into it with the referee again and they shove each other, allowing Lee to grab a Manhandle Slam for two of her own.

Lee grabs the Black Widow so Lynch pulls the hair to escape. The referee checks on Lee so Lynch gets the buckle off and pulls the referee over. That’s enough of a distraction for Lee to be sent into the buckle, setting up the Manhandle Slam to give Lynch the title back at 8:18.

Rating: C+. This felt like it should have been a Raw main event more than big time Wrestlemania title match. The stuff with the referee did fit well with the story, but these two just don’t have the best chemistry. Lee can go away for a bit again and come back to do something fresh, as anything she does now is pretty much bonus money. Lynch has a bunch of people who can come after the title, so this is the right result after an ok match.

Gunther vs. Seth Rollins

Rollins’ eyes are blacked out for a cool look. Gunther jumps him from behind before the bell though and hits the dropkick into the powerbomb to send him outside. Rollins goes to the eyes when they get outside and throws some chairs at Gunther as the bell hasn’t rung yet. Rollins flips him off and they get inside, with the bell ringing and Rollins taking over. Gunther gets knocked down again and stomped in the head but knocks Rollins down for a breather.

The pace slows way down and Gunther stands on Rollins’ head before trying a delayed vertical superplex. That’s broken up though and Rollins somehow gets him up for the Buckle Bomb. It’s too early for the Stomp so Rollins hits a clothesline and they’re both down. They kick away at each other until Rollins wins a chop off, only to get powerbombed for two more.

Gunther slowly hammers away but the clothesline is countered into a failed Pedigree attempt. Rollins hits a knee but the Pedigree is blocked again, only for tries it again and connects (though it didn’t look great). A Stomp gives Rollins two but Gunther pulls him into the sleeper. Rollins manages to get out and they trade big shots, with Gunther’s clothesline putting Rollins down.

Gunther takes too long going up though and gets superplexed into a Falcon Arrow for two. Rollins gets his own sleeper to send Gunther to the ropes and then out to the floor. The suicide dive is blocked and Gunther powerbombs him onto the apron and announcers’ table. Rollins shakes that off and counters the powerbomb into a Pedigree on the table. The Stomp drives Gunther into the table…and Bron Breakker is back with a Super Spear to Rollins. Back in and the sleeper finishes Rollins at 15:53.

Rating: B+. This took time to get going but they wound up having a heck of a fight. Gunther winning is fine as Rollins can get back to Breakker, where he belongs. Gunther is probably getting ready to retire Brock Lesnar at Summerslam so he needs all the build he can get. Good match here, despite a slow start.

Post match Breakker glares at Rollins…and runs all the way down the ramp to spear him again. Breakker hugs Paul Heyman as he leaves.

We meet the Hall Of Fame class:

Hulk Hogan vs. Andre The Giant (biggest match ever so that fits)
AJ Styles (yep)
Demolition (as overdue as it gets)
Dennis Rodman (someone had to get the celebrity spot)
Sycho Sid (how was he not in already)
Bad News Brown (put him in or he might hurt you)
Stephanie McMahon (yeah she’s probably still talking too)

Raw Women’s Title: Liv Morgan vs. Stephanie Vaquer

Morgan is challenging and basically does the music video to Trouble down the ramp. Vaquer goes after after her to start and Morgan is in early trouble. The Devil’s Kiss is blocked though and Morgan is right back up with a Backstabber. Morgan loads up her own Devil’s Kiss but Vaquer is grabs an SVB for two.

Vaquer hits her own Oblivion for two but here is Roxanne Perez for the distraction, allowing Raquel Rodriguez to knock Vaquer off the top. Oblivion gives Morgan two but Vaquer is back to dive onto Rodriguez and Perez. Morgan is up to send her into the steps though and a middle rope Codebreaker knocks Vaquer silly. Another Oblivion gives Morgan the title back at 6:52.

Rating: C+. Well that was quick. I’m not sure why they were flying through this match so fast but it didn’t feel like they had time to really do anything. At the same time, Vaquer only had so much of a chance in this one as Morgan has been on fire as of late. You could only stretch that out so far, as this was pretty much all about Morgan getting her coronation and it wasn’t a secret.

Here is John Cena for the attendance announcement: 50,816. Last year both nights had over 60,000.

Hold on though as here is Bianca Belair for a surprise. Belair says they need to add one more to that list and opens her rather feathery blue attire to reveal that she’s pregnant. Yeah ok that’s awesome.

We recap Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton. They were close back in the day and Rhodes considers him his mentor. Then Orton won the Elimination Chamber to get the title shot and Rhodes wants the old Orton, who listens to those voices. Orton turned evil thanks to someone calling him, who was revealed to be Pat McAfee of all people. This resulted in Orton attacking Rhodes to quite the positive reaction and beating up Jelly Roll. Yeah see why this has been kind of a mess?

Smackdown World Title: Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton

Rhodes is defending and his entrance is…a lot. He has basically a museum of his previous ring gear and clips of him in it before rising up through the stage as he does for big matches. Pat McAfee is here with Orton and handles Orton’s entrance. Also of note, not counting the Big Match Intros or the pre-match video, from the time McAfee’s name appeared on the Titantron to the end of Rhodes’ music: 15:18, or 35 seconds shorter than the longest match of the show.

McAfee jumps Rhodes before the bell but Rhodes fights back and sends Orton outside. Cross Rhodes takes McAfee out and here is Jelly Roll to put him through the announcers’ table. McAfee is taken out on a stretcher as Cole talks about Orton possibly having a back injury. As McAfee is wheeled out, he gives a thumbs up in a great moment. The bell actually rings and they fight over a top wristlock, which is quite the way to go for this kind of a feud.

Back up and Orton tries the over the back backbreaker…but he’s hurt. A poke to the eye lets Orton grab a chinlock but Rhodes fights up and puts him down again. That sends Orton out to the floor for a breather so Rhodes sends him back inside for a half crab. With that broken up, Rhodes switches to a waistlock but Orton fights out and…needs some time. Orton takes him up top for a superplex and then hits the powerslam, allowing him to shake his back a bit.

The hanging DDT slows Orton down again but the RKO is blocked. Rhodes sends him outside, where Orton cuts off a suicide dive. Orton drops him onto the announcers’ table for another breather but Rhodes stops him with a posting. Back in and Rhodes starts in with a few stomps (it looks like he’s trying a Garvin Stomp but doesn’t quite know how to do it). The Disaster Kick gets two so Rhodes rubs the blood on his own chest. A hanging DDT gives Rhodes two but Orton is back with a Cross Rhodes for two of his own.

The RKO is countered into a backslide to give Rhodes two, followed by an RKO to Orton for two more. They head outside again with a ticked off Rhodes being dropped onto the announcers’ table. Back in and a quick RKO gives Orton two and they slowly slug it out. Rhodes goes to the eye so Orton RKO’s the referee but the low blow is blocked. Rhodes kicks Orton low but the Cody Cutter is countered into an RKO. Cue Pat McAfee with a referee shirt (and a neck brace) to count two. That means an RKO to McAfee, allowing Rhodes to hit Cross Rhodes to retain at 23:40.

Rating: C. Well, it got better near the end (it couldn’t have gotten much worse) and Rhodes seemingly got rid of McAfee for good so we’ll call that a win. I still have no idea what is going on or how this is supposed to make sense, but I don’t think WWE is quite sure either. This felt like “throw a bunch of stuff out there and hope they’re confused enough by the time we’re done”, which is quite the way to go for the main event. It turned into a better match near the end and that was enough to save it (kind of) but wow this was a mess.

The problem is that’s just the insanity that went with it, as you also have the majority of the match being Rhodes working on the back in slow motion. I’d assume there’s a bit of truth to Orton being hurt but nothing terrible, which just leaves me wondering why they went in this direction. It’s not some terrible match overall, but sweet goodness it’s an amazing spectacle of nuttiness.

Post match Rhodes celebrates but Orton takes the title from him. A belt shot drops Rhodes and Orton Punts him before holding the title to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This show was ok enough for the most part, but as usual these two night Wrestlemanias just feel incomplete when you watch them this way. It’s a mixture of there being too much for one night but not enough for two and that leaves you with stuff like this, with short matches and some very questionable nuttiness.

Rollins vs. Gunther and Fatu vs. McIntyre were both good, but wow those things were few and far between. It’s not awful, but as usual it leaves you with a “that’s it?” feeling as there is so much left tomorrow. Overall, the good outweighs the bad and….whatever that main event was supposed to be, but just barely.

Results
LA Knight/Usos b. IShowSpeed/Vision – BFT to Theory
Jacob Fatu b. Drew McIntyre – Triple jump moonsault through a table
Brie Bella/Paige b. Irresistible Forces, Bayley/Lyra Valkyria and Charlotte/Alexa Bliss – Rampaige to Bliss
Becky Lynch b. AJ Lee – Manhandle Slam
Gunther b. Seth Rollins – Sleeper
Liv Morgan b. Stephanie Vaquer – Manhandle Slam
Cody Rhodes b. Randy Orton – 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

Well, here we go. It’s the biggest weekend of the year and…yeah the build for this one hasn’t been great. There are good parts to it, but a lot of what we’ve been seeing has been a bit less than a success. The ticket sales haven’t been great either, likely due to a variety of reasons. Hopefully they can make the wrestling side of things work and that’s what we’re looking at here. Let’s get to it.

Vision/IShowSpeed vs. Usos/LA Knight

So we’re starting with the celebrity match as Speed is dealing with Danhausen’s curse (assuming there is one) and accidentally got himself into this match as a result. Speed thinks he’s ready despite not being a wrestler, though almost everyone else thinks he’s going to get destroyed. This feels like a way to just get people on the show and I’ll take that over some multiman mess.

In theory (as opposed to Theory), this is one sided on paper and while Speed will get to do a thing or two, I can’t possibly imagine the villains win. I’ll take Knight and the Usos winning here as a way to get the crowd going in the right way. They’re a combination of popular stars against some unliked villains and that should be a simple enough formula. Knight and the Usos win a fun one here.

Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre

For the second year in a row, McIntyre is in a match with a monster which should be incredibly physical. Last year it was a street fight and this year it’s unsanctioned, meaning things should get nuts. That’s where Fatu should thrive and McIntyre can more than hang in a hard hitting match. They hate each other over previous brawls and it’s time for revenge all around.

I’ll go with Fatu here, as he needs the win a lot more than McIntyre, who has had all kinds of moments. Fatu is getting a chance for his first big personal feud match on the major stage and it wouldn’t make a ton of sense to have him lose. These two should beat the fire out of each other until one of them can’t get up anymore and in this case, the one who can’t get up should be McIntyre.

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

This feud has shown just how good Lynch can be when she goes insane and acts like a raving lunatic, but she has more recently switched into someone who just wants her title back. On the other hand you have Lee, who returned last week and is basically playing with the house’s money. That makes for a good enough story, as this feels like a personal feud where two people want to get at each other, however they choose to do that.

I’m really not sure who wins this one. Lee is doing well in her return and while it makes sense for her to keep it going, I’m not sure I can imagine Lynch losing again. I’ll go with a tentative pick of Lee winning, but this one has me rather confused. It could go either way and while that is usually a good feeling, I’m really not sure how this is going to go. It might wind up being one of the weaker matches, though we’ll say Lee retains either way.

Raw Women’s Title: Stephanie Vaquer(c) vs. Liv Morgan

Morgan won the Royal Rumble (after coming close so many times) and it wasn’t clear which champion she would choose. Eventually she and Vaquer argued enough that Morgan made her choice and it’s turned into a heck of a heated feud, as Morgan seems ready to smash through Vaquer. At the same time Vaquer is just kind of there, feeling like a total afterthought most of the time.

In what might be the easiest pick of the weekend, I’ll take Morgan to win the title here. There is pretty much no reason to believe that Vaquer is going to keep the title. As much as I like Vaquer, Morgan is just that much bigger of a star and it fits so much more to have her win. It’s a good match, but the fans want to cheer Morgan and they’ll get a chance when she wins the title here.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Irresistible Forces(c) vs. Charlotte/Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley/Lyra Valkyria vs. Bella Twins

So here we have a question mark, as Nikki Bella is injured and might not be able to work the match. That leaves things a lot more wide open, as the Bellas winning the titles felt like the logical ending. If they can’t go though, it makes things a lot more interesting. It helps that you have three teams who could all conceivably leave as champions and the match has been put together rather well.

I’ll throw in an asterisk here, saying that if the Bellas are in then they win, but if they aren’t then the champions retain. The good thing here is I could easily see any of them leaving with the titles, which is more than you get to say about a lot of matches. Bayley and Valkyria feel like dark horses, but I’ll take the Bellas as the favorites but the Forces as the best alternative option. Somehow, this is one of the best built matches on the card and that’s a nice thing to see.

Seth Rollins vs. Gunther

Gunther jumped Rollins to save Paul Heyman a few weeks back, setting up the proverbial “you owe me a favor”. While that sounds like Gunther vs. Brock Lesnar in the latter’s retirement match this year at Summerslam, there is a bit more to it. Gunther has said that he wants to face Rollins because Rollins was all goofy while Gunther wanted to face the best competition in the world and it offended him. That might sound a bit ridiculous, but it makes complete sense for Gunther.

As for a winner…geez this could go either way. Rollins is fresh off his injury and in theory you would want to see him get the big win, but I’m also not sure how logical it is to have Gunther lose here. I’ll go with Rollins winning, as in theory Gunther will be rebuilt on his way to the match with Lesnar (assuming it happens, which it should) later on this year. This could go either way though and it has a lot of potential to be awesome.

Smackdown World Title: Cody Rhodes(c) vs. Randy Orton

We had to get here eventually. This is a match that was going in a weird direction as the fans did not want to boo Orton no matter what. Then Pat McAfee was revealed to be the man influencing Orton and…well they still wouldn’t boo Orton, but they certainly would boo McAfee. I’m not even sure if WWE knows what they’re doing with this story but it’s what we’re getting for a main event. There is also a stipulation that if Orton doesn’t win, McAfee leaves wrestling. Just in case you needed anything to tip this further.

Yeah of course I’m taking Orton here, as there is no reason to suggest that Rhodes retains and gets rid of McAfee. Rhodes has been in something of a holding pattern for a long time as he isn’t doing anything different lately and that needs a shake up. The fans want to see Orton win and while I’m not sure where it goes after that, Orton should win here and move on to whatever he’s doing next.

Overall Thoughts

As risky as it might be to say this, I’m kind of digging this show’s card. They’ve got some interesting stuff here and if these matches deliver, it could be an awesome first half. That being said, the main event has all the signs of being a train wreck and could drag things way down. We’ll call this one cautious optimism though and hope for the best, which has gotten me in trouble before.

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: April 17, 2026
Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
Commentators: Corey Graves, Joe Tessitore

Well, it’s a day before Wrestlemania and I’m not sure how much can be done to help the show. The big story continues to be Randy Orton with Pat McAfee vs. Cody Rhodes and…what are they supposed to do to make that work? This show is almost always light on wrestling and heavy on talking, but we do at least have the Andre Battle Royal. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a variety of wrestlers (and Jelly Roll) talking about various big Wrestlemania moments that meant the most to them over the years. This was good stuff and could have been on the Wrestlemania broadcast.

Randy Orton and Pat McAfee arrive, with Nick Aldis showing up with a contract for McAfee. He has to look at it before he signs it…and then signs it anyway. Orton is off to say something while Aldis can park McAfee’s truck.

Here is Orton for a chat. Orton gets to the point: he doesn’t need McAfee around but he wants him there. McAfee is the one who tells him what he needs to hear, which is how we got here. Orton talks about how he was ready to face Drew McIntyre for the title but then Rhodes became champion.

Then Rhodes told Orton to be himself and WHO DOES RHODES THINK HE IS TO SAY THAT??? Rhodes does nothing but take, like needing Seth Rollins at Wrestlemania XL, which got Orton put through a table. Then he gave Kevin Owens a title shot and Orton got attacked again. Now Orton is going to take something with an RKO.

Orton and McAfee leave, with Nick Aldis left holding the contract. That could be interesting.

MFT’s vs. Wyatt Sicks

Street fight so it’s a big brawl to start (of course) with the Wyatts clearing the ring early on. Rowan teases a dive but gets pulled outside, where Talla gets in a shot of his own. Talla grabs the steps and wrecks Gacy and Lumis before tossing them right at Rowan’s head (that always looks great).

We take a break and come back with Howdy getting stomped down in the corner until Gacy is back in for the save. Lumis nips up for a legdrop but Mateo is back in to start wrecking people. Talla does the same until Rowan is there to knock him outside. Rowan’s big dive connects and let’s get the weapons. The Wyatts clean house again and we take another break.

We come back again with Howdy cleaning house with a chair, with Sikoa being release Rock Bottomed onto said chair. Nikki Cross hits a dive of her own but Talla breaks up the Sister Abigail. A Superfly Splash gives Sikoa two but Gacy and Lumis are back in for the save. Rowan and Talla crash to the floor, with Rowan coming up holding his knee. Tama loads up the Cutthroat but Sikoa quickly Spikes Howdy for the pin at 14:36.

Rating: B. That ending seems designed to sew some tension in the MFT’s, which isn’t exactly a surprise. The MFT’s winning is a bit of a surprise but there is a good chance that this somehow isn’t over yet. That makes for some interesting options, though Tama splitting off is an intriguing concept.

R-Truth and Damian Priest are still confused over who is running around cursing people. It might be New Day, Asuka or Grayson Waller. It turns out they have a title defense tonight, which is news to Priest.

Earlier this week, Miz and Maryse were renewing their wedding vows, with Kit Wilson officiating…when Danhausen popped in. Danhausen says he’s ring bearer and maid of honor and maid of honor before cursing Maryse. This causes her to get hit in the face with some cake.

Video on Royce Keys losing his mother to an overdose and she never saw her kids getting to do what they loved. He wants to make her proud. This is quite the emotional video and that’s a good thing. Now let Keys do some more stuff in the ring.

We look at Drew McIntyre attacking Jacob Fatu last week.

A police car drives into the arena and it’s Fatu driving. Yeah he used to be a criminal but he’s changed his life. No he didn’t mind being put in handcuffs last week because he’s not that person anymore. Tomorrow it’s unsanctioned so there is no one to save McIntyre this time. McIntyre wants to put him back in the jail cell but that’s in the rear view. After Wrestlemania, McIntyre is in his rear view mirror too because tomorrow, it’s a beating.

Alexa Bliss and Charlotte want to win the titles tomorrow but they want to win tonight too. Charlotte wants the title more than friendship, which doesn’t seem to surprise Bliss.

We look at the Wrestlemania set reveal.

Tag Team Titles: R-Truth/Damian Priest vs. Grayson Waller/Kofi Kingston

R-Truth and Priest are defending in quite the random match. I’m going to assume R-Truth mentioned this in his talk earlier but….yeah it’s kind of easy to get lost listening to him. Waller slugs away at Priest to start and gets kicked in the face for his efforts. Priest sends him flying into the corner and hammers away before handing it off to R-Truth. Waller manages to knock R-Truth down but runs into Priest, with Kingston making a quick save.

We take a break and come back with R-Truth still in trouble but the illegal Waller’s cover not counting. Kingston isn’t happy with Waller and gets sent into him, allowing the tag back to Priest. House is quickly cleaned…and R-Truth gets on the apron for the tag from Kingston. R-Truth initiates John Cena’s finishing sequence and the champs hit stereo Shuffles. An elevated Little Jimmy retains the titles at 9:25.

Rating: C+. This is the kind of match that fits in perfectly on this show as it’s not like there was any doubt about the titles changing, but R-Truth and Priest got to do their thing. There were some stakes to the match and it was fine enough all things considered. If nothing else, it was nice to see the match get some extra time, which it probably wouldn’t have gotten on a regular Smackdown.

Video on Cody Rhodes vs. Pat McAfee from last week, with Randy Orton attacking Jelly Roll.

Here is Jade Cargill, with Michin and B-Fab, for a chat. Well she would be but here is Rhea Ripley to interrupt instead. Ripley could lay Cargill out right now but she doesn’t want Cargill to have any excuses at Wrestlemania. She accuses Cargill of hiding in any way she could find so this is Cargill’s last chance to say something to Ripley alone.

Cargill mocks the idea of being scared of some cosplaying goth girl. Ripley has had her way around here because of the weak locker room. If Ripley keeps talking, Cargill will make it quick at Wrestlemania. Ripley laughs off the idea that she wants to be like Cargill and says her insecurities are the reason she is the woman she is today. They go face to face and Cargill walks away.

Solo Sikoa says they won as a team and now Talla Tonga needs to win the Andre. Now though, it’s time to get the Tag Team Titles back. That’s what Tama Tonga wanted, but he doesn’t seem thrilled.

Tiffany Stratton vs. Jordynne Grace

For a Women’s US Title shot and I had forgotten Grace was on the main roster. Giulia and Kiana James are at ringside and we get a handshake before we’re ready to go. Stratton gets an early rollup for two and they’re right back up for a standoff. Grace sends her into the ropes, with Stratton flipping away with ease. Grace goes strong with an electric chair drop onto the rope and a clothesline for two.

We take a break and come back with Stratton reversing a suplex into a DDT to leave them both down. Grace can’t hit a powerbomb but Stratton can elbow her in the face, setting up a basement dropkick for two. Back up and Grace ties her in the ropes for some rapid fire headbutts, followed by a package powerbomb for two more. Stratton is back with a handspring Stunner into the Prettiest Moonsault Ever for the pin at 8:05.

Rating: C+. I was a bit surprised by the match as I had thought Stratton already was the #1 contender given how much she’s been around Giulia as of late. If nothing else it’s nice to see someone wanting to be the champion, which still doesn’t have much of a history. This was a perfectly decent match, though DANG Grace has felt like nothing in WWE.

Here is Trick Williams for a chat. He’s not happy with Sami Zayn, who went too far last week by going after Lil Yachty. Zayn hurt his friend last week and that hurt something much bigger: it hurt Williams’ Wrestlemania entrance! Williams wants Zayn out here right now…but he gets a gingerbread man instead, with Williams having quite the laugh. Williams thinks Zayn’s friends might be on Drury Lane but here is Zayn to interrupt.

Zayn says he’s not having a good time with this and hasn’t in a long time. What exactly did he do wrong? He doesn’t know and he doesn’t care, because this is for the ride or die Zayn fans. Those people will be in his corner at Wrestlemania and beyond…but can this Gingerbread Man get away? Zayn says that Williams has talked a lot but hasn’t shown Zayn anything in the ring. All Zayn sees is a little punk rookie about to walk into his first Wrestlemania with one of the best ever.

Williams says he is the plan and that he sees two gingerbread men. The fight is on with Zayn Helluva Kicking the Gingerbread Man but getting taken down by Williams, who holds up the title. They’ve basically done the double turn now and that’s what it should be. Williams is on fire right now so go with him.

Video on the four way Women’s Tag Team Title match, with the Bellas saying Nikki is still hurt. Bayley/Lyra Valkyria and the Irresistible Forces are ready, sans injuries.

Charlotte/Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley/Lyra Valkyria

They start fast…and the Irresistible Forces run in for the DQ at 30 seconds. As dumb as that might have been, it’s not like the match needs any more build.

Post match the Forces lay everyone out.

Video on Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi.

Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal

Royce Keys, Axiom, Psycho Clown, Zack Ryder, Ilja Dragunov, Shinsuke Nakamura, Johnny Gargano, Joe Hendry, Rey Fenix, Berto, Angel, La Parka, Otis, Kit Wilson, Original El Grande Americano, Alex Shelley, Aleister Black, Shiloh Hill, Chris Sabin, Nathan Frazer, Talla Tonga, El Grande Americano, Apollo Crews, Akira Tozawa, Cruz del Toro, Joaquin Wilde

It’s a brawl to start with Gargano laying on the mat…where Wilson trips over him to eliminate himself. Eh I chuckled, but then again I like Wilson. Frazer and Sabin brawl to the apron and Gargano gets rid of Frazer, with Sabin following. Talla dumps both Americanos and it’s Hill vs. Dragunov in the middle.

Dragunov kicks Hill out and Los Garza get rid of Parka. Fenix gets rid of Berto and Psycho Clown goes, uh, psycho, only to get clotheslined out by Keys. Gargano slingshot DDTs Axiom out and runs into Shelley on the apron. Fenix kicks Shelley out and Nakamura does the same to Crews. Hendry stops to pose and gets dumped by Black (that’s a natural feud). Talla tosses del Toro and Wilde with ease and it’s time for everyone to go after the giant.

Talla shrugs that off and chokeslams Fenix onto the apron for an elimination. A bunch of strikes drop Talla but Black throws Nakamura out. Black kicks Dragunov out as well and Black Mass is enough to eliminate Tozawa. Otis runs Black over and tosses Angel as Gargano drops to the mat again.

That’s an easy elimination for Otis and Cardona gets the same treatment. We’re down to Otis, Talla, Black and Keys, with Black kicking Otis down in a hurry. Keys throws Black out so Otis runs the other two over. Talla kicks Otis in the face though and we’re down to Talla vs. Keys. The spinebuster plants Talla and Keys wins at 10:01.

Rating: B-. Ok then. I said do something with him and while the track record for winners is hit and miss for these things, that is certainly a notable win. The rest of the match went by quickly enough and it was the kind of match that gets people around Wrestlemania. I was looking forward to this and that’s a nice feeling, as it means we’re at the biggest time of the year and with the right winner.

Wrestlemania rundown.

Video on CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns.

Here is Cody Rhodes for the big final speech. We’re not going to talk about the last three Wrestlemanias and the theory that someone is needling him. Tomorrow is simple: it’s two men having a match for the most important prize in this business. Earlier tonight, Orton was out here talking about Rhodes always taking things. That’s interesting as Orton has never taken responsibility for anything.

As good as wrestling has become…and here is CM Punk to interrupt. Rhodes: “Champ to champ and friend to friend, if I shake your hands and we hug right now, are you going to turn on me and kick me in the balls too?” They take some shots at each others’ formal wear due to the Hall Of Fame ceremony tonight, with Punk saying he hasn’t been in a suit on WWE TV since Teddy Long’s wedding.

Punk says he isn’t Rhodes’ teacher now but on Monday, the two of them will be there and he wants the fans to be there too. Go get it done tomorrow and have some fun. Punk goes to leave but Rhodes says hang on. This Sunday, Punk is up against someone who is so good they’ve had to invent names for him.

Punk wasn’t born into this like Reigns and Rhodes were but Punk came here because WWE wanted him. Now Punk is back and better than ever and making a case to be the new Mr. Wrestlemania. Rhodes thanks him for everything he’s done and Dusty would be proud of Punk (that has Rhodes near tears). Punk thanks him and they go into the crowd to celebrate with the people.

We get what looks like the opening video to Wrestlemania, as narrated by Lin Manuel Miranda. It’s about being there for the moments and how one day, you’ll tell your kids about where you were this weekend when more moments take place and more memories are made. Great stuff here, as WWE knows how to turn up the nostalgia.

Overall Rating: C+. This is one of the most unique shows of the year every single year and you know what you’re getting with it. The wrestling is usually a few midcard matches to go along with the battle royal and a lot of talking about Wrestlemania. That’s exactly what we got here and the show was completely acceptable for what it was supposed to be. It’s little more than a big Wrestlemania preshow and tomorrow the real stuff starts. In other words, this was the Wrestlemania Week Smackdown.

Results
MFT’s b. Wyatt Sicks – Samoan Spike to Howdy
R-Truth/Damian Priest b. Kofi Kingston/Grayson Waller – Elevated Little Jimmy to Waller
Tiffany Stratton b. Jordynne Grace – Prettiest Moonsault Ever
Charlotte/Alexa Bliss b. Bayley/Lyra Valkyria via DQ when the Irresistible Forces interfered
Royce Keys won the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal last eliminating Talla Tonga

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: April 3, 2026
Location: Enterprise Center, St. Louis, Missouri
Commentators: Wade Barrett, Joe Tessitore

We could be in for a big one here, as we are in Randy Orton’s hometown and Orton has teased what we’ll be finding out who has been calling him lately. That opens up a bunch of options, but hopefully it gets the fans to actually boo him. Unfortunately, the whole “it’s Orton’s hometown” might make that difficult. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Stephanie McMahon slapping Cody Rhodes on Raw, warning him that he needs to wake up before Randy Orton knocks him into tomorrow.

Here is Orton to quite the hometown reception. After picking something off the microphone, Orton talks about how this is his hometown, but he’s not doing it for everyone here. He’s doing this for the six people right here in the front row, meaning his family. At Wrestlemania, Orton is winning his fifteenth World Title and bringing it back to St. Louis while Rhodes loses empty handed.

Rhodes gave him permission to listen to the voices and now Rhodes has no idea what is waiting for him. Orton saw him at the Garden with Stephanie McMahon on Raw and McMahon was absolutely right about what this is going to mean. Cue Rhodes for the fight and beats Orton down in the corner….but Pat McAfee comes in and kicks him low. Yes that McAfee.

The big beatdown is on, with Orton beating on Rhodes with a chair while McAfee insults the St. Louis sports teams. McAfee talks about how he said he felt WWE passed him by but Orton called him to talk about how things should be. The reality is that McAfee is sick of modern wrestling and watching 5’5 guys have an Iron Man match while RANDY ORTON is available.

There are tickets still available for Wrestlemania while Orton is on the card and we’re coming off the lowest rated Smackdown in a long time. Rhodes is leading this company in the wrong direction and at Wrestlemania, Orton is going to save it. The beating continues with McAfee confirming that he’s been the one on the phone and the villains leave as Nick Aldis and company come in.

We see them going back through the gorilla position as Rhodes is helped up. I have absolutely no idea how this is seen as their best option, as the idea is McAfee is standing up for the good old days? As in the McAfee who has been the biggest WWE cheerleader imaginable? It doesn’t make much sense and the fans really weren’t booing Orton at all (shocking in his hometown) so I have no idea what this accomplished.

Post break Orton and McAfee leave in McAfee’s truck (which is of course a Dodge Ram, which is the big logo in the middle of the ring).

Rhea Ripley vs. Michin

B-Fab is here with Michin. Ripley powers her into the corner to start and here is Jade Cargill as Ripley hits a fall away slam. Michin’s German suplex takes Ripley down and Michin hammers away as we take a break. We come back with Ripley still in trouble but she fights up with some clotheslines. The belly to back faceplant sets up a basement dropkick and a not great Razor’s Edge. The running knee gives Ripley two but Michin is back with a poisonrana. A sitout powerbomb gives Michin two but Ripley knocks her down again. The Prism Trap finishes Michin at 9:15.

Rating: C. This was WAY too much offense from Michin, as the win didn’t make Ripley feel like a big star ready to come after Cargill but rather made her look a lot weaker. At the end of the day, Michin and B-Fab have been made to look rather ineffective in recent months and Ripley should be running through either of them. I’m not sure what they were thinking here and Ripley’s finisher did look good, but this wasn’t the right way to go.

Post match the villains are in for the beatdown but Iyo Sky runs in for the save as the numbers even up a bit.

Matt Cardona is getting his wrist looked at when Aleister Black and Zelina come in. Black suggests that Cardona deserved this and a match is set for tonight.

Solo Sikoa says Uncle Howdy wants to fight for the lantern tonight but Sikoa isn’t letting the lantern out of his sight. So who is stepping up? Tama Tonga asks why they’re fighting for the lantern when it’s so much of a problem. Sikoa tells him to go face Howdy and don’t screw this up.

Rhea Ripley is glad to have Iyo Sky here because she needed backup and they are bloody unstoppable.

Tama Tonga vs. Uncle Howdy

Howdy pounds him into the corner to start but Tonga is back with some right hands and headbutts in the ropes. We take a break and come back with Tonga mocking Howdy but diving into the Mandible Claw. That’s broken up and here comes Sikoa, which is enough of a distraction for Sister Abigail to finish Tonga at 7:15.

Rating: C+. There was barely any time here and the point of the match was to further the issues between Tonga and Sikoa more than anything else. At the same time, this feud has been going on for a long time now so it’s time to wrap it up already. I’d rather they do something like this than have a huge showdown at Wrestlemania, though that might still be happening.

Post match Sikoa and Tonga argue over the lantern but Howdy gets it back.

Kit Wilson is complaining about his bad luck to Miz, who insists there is no curse. They run into R-Truth, who is insisting on how water in the hot tub in the new Judgment Day clubhouse. Wilson and Miz don’t like him because he keeps getting lucky despite never taking anything seriously. They want him to take one thing seriously….and Truth accepts their challenge for a Tag Team Title shot tonight. Granted they didn’t ask, but they’ll take it. Miz/Wilson: “Master, inspire, zone-in.”

So we…wait. Master, inspire, zone-in. In today’s “I’m an idiot”, I never before realized that spelled MIZ.

Jacob Fatu is ready for Drew McIntyre. Yes he has a criminal past, but he’s ready to get violent at Wrestlemania.

Sami Zayn talks to Nick Aldis and is ready for the US Title celebration…but Trick Williams’ music kicks him off.

Here is Williams, along with rapper Lil Yachty. Williams talks about how he brought out his own star power because he’s ready to take out the ginger at Wrestlemania. He doesn’t want any ginger ale, ginger tea or ginger snaps. For now, he wants Zayn’s pyro (which Zayn was so happy about), which goes off, but comes complete with Zayn interrupting

Zayn thinks Williams is getting a bit too excited and that he’s never been about the over the top reactions. At Wrestlemania, he’s going to humble Williams’ a**. Zayn: “I think ginger snap is pretty upset.” Williams says he’s the reason Zayn won the US Title, which brings out Carmelo Hayes to interrupt. Hayes says he and Williams have a long history and they’ll deal with that later. Zayn did something last week that Hayes didn’t like and Hayes isn’t letting Zayn get into the endzone after Hayes did the work.

The fans here want Melo instead of Zayn and he wants his rematch. Zayn says he thinks the world of Hayes, but the Wrestlemania match is set. They’ll just have to do this after Wrestlemania. Williams: “AWW COME ON GINGER ALE!” Zayn says he thinks he had Hayes beat last week but we’ll never know because Williams got involved.

The reality is Zayn has called out a bunch of people for taking advantage of things. Hayes tells Zayn to do the right thing so Zayn eventually agrees to the rematch tonight. Works for Hayes, who leaves. Williams says “Ginger Snap” could have said that a long time ago so Zayn clotheslines him to the floor. Williams continues to have so much charisma and comes off as such a star.

Solo Sikoa yells at Tama Tonga about losing the lantern but Tonga wants the team to get back to getting all the titles. Sikoa agrees and says they should finish the Wyatts and then get back to business. Tonga agrees and they seem good.

Aleister Black vs. Matt Cardona

Zelina is here with Black, who gets armdragged down. That banged up Cardona’s bad arm though and he can’t hit a backdrop. Black goes after the arm and takes over, including a legsweep to knock Cardona off the apron. We take a break and come back with Cardona fighting back, but Black escapes a double underhook….something. A neckbreaker drops Black and the Reboot gives Cardona two. Cardona manages a double underhook powerbomb for two but Black goes after the arm again. Black Mass takes Cardona out at 9:51.

Rating: C+. You’re only going to get so far with Black against an injured Cardona, as Black is treated like a much bigger star most of the time. If nothing else, Black Mass is something that can wipe out anyone and it looked good again here. I’m not sure how far Cardona is going on Smackdown but he’s fine enough in this role.

Bayley and Lyra Valkyria don’t think Charlotte and Alexa Bliss are real friends as they haven’t been through the same issues.

R-Truth talks to Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae, who are ready to get back to normal at Stand & Deliver. The two of them leave and Damian Priest comes in to ask why R-Truth gave a random team their first title defense. R-Truth: “They’re cursed!” And he thinks Asuka did it! Priest points out that Asuka is on Raw, but R-Truth says it was the little girl with the facepaint running around. Priest: “….you mean Danhausen???” Anyway, R-Truth thinks it should be an easy title defense and Priest eventually gives in.

Drew McIntyre talks about how he had everything ready for him but then Jacob Fatu ruined it all. Fatu is just a filthy convict and he’s only here because of his family. You can’t outrun your past and next week, McIntyre is showing everyone who Fatu really is.

Charlotte/Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley/Lyra Valkyria

Valkyria takes Charlotte down to start fast but Charlotte sends her into the corner. Bliss comes in with a less than smooth tornado DDT and we take an early break. We come back with Valkyria still in trouble. A crossbody gets her out of trouble and it’s back to Bayley to take over on Charlotte.

Bayley knees her in the head and Valkyria helps knock Charlotte off the top. The top rope elbow gives Bayley two on Charlotte and it’s back to Valkyrie, who dives into the Figure Eight. Bayley breaks that up and Valkyria pulls Bliss out of the air. Nightwing is broken up though and Bliss tries the Sister Abigail. That’s blocked as well so Bliss hits her running Blockbuster to pin Valkyria at 10:30.

Rating: B-. This got better near the end and I’ll take this over another big run in and everything falling apart. The story makes sense for the titles and the division at the moment, though the title match has the potential to be quite the mess. Bayley and Valkyria still feel like underdogs, but hopefully they can do something other than just take the fall at Wrestlemania.

Post match the Irresistible Forces run in to beat down both teams.

Miz and Kit Wilson are ready for their match and Miz insists that there is no curse. Danhausen pops in with his jar of teeth, saying he’ll be at ringside with them tonight. Wilson calls him a spooky little goblin and toxic. Danhausen says he can come to the ring with them and uncurse them, which has Wilson interested. Miz isn’t having this but Danhausen disappears.

Tag Team Titles: Miz/Kit Wilson vs. Damian Priest/R-Truth

Miz and Wilson are challenging. R-Truth takes over on Wilson to start so it’s off to Miz, who gets caught in the Cena finishing sequence. Miz breaks that up and sends him outside for a running elbow from Wilson as we take a break. We come back with R-Truth escaping a Skull Crushing Finale attempt and handing it off to Priest. Everything breaks down and Priest drops Wilson on the floor.

Back in and Miz and R-Truth clothesline each other…and here is Danhausen. He gets on the apron to offer Miz a tag but Miz isn’t doing this. R-Truth however will dive over to tag Danhausen in (Priest is lost watching this) so Miz glares at him…and the referee gets cursed by mistake. Miz loads up the Skull Crushing Finale on Miz but the lights go out and Danhausen escapes. Miz hits the Skull Crushing Finale on R-Truth but the referee suffers a crippling injury at two. South Of Heaven pins Miz (with the referee using his good arm to count) at 9:47.

Rating: B-. This was a case where the match itself was nothing special or even notable, but it was a lot of fun because they rolled with the joke. The Curse thing is working well and while it might not last very long (though it could), they’re getting a lot of value out of the thing. Hopefully Miz and Wilson interact with him some more, because it’s working rather well thus far.

Post match here is Cody Rhodes to take out Kit Wilson and yell about how he got dressed up to find out who Randy Orton has been talking to. It was Pat McAfee, which would be like the Third Man being Disco Inferno instead of Hulk Hogan. McAfee is a stoner, grifter and Logan Paul without muscles and he has a receipt coming and can kiss Rhodes’ a**. If you don’t like that, fire him. It sure worked out for you the last time.

He needs to be a bad guy to beat Orton but he doesn’t know if he can do that anymore. Rhodes talks about every record WWE has been setting with him on top. Yes he was wrestling Roman Reigns and John Cena but they were wrestling him too. Now the voices are talking to him, but you don’t want to hear what they’re saying. Rhodes was showing fire here but this whole story is just spiraling right now and it might need to be reset hard before Wrestlemania.

We look at Roman Reigns and CM Punk on Raw.

Wrestlemania rundown.

Classic Wrestlemania Moment: Kevin Owens vs. Steve Austin. Yeah that qualifies.

US Title: Sami Zayn vs. Carmelo Hayes

Zayn is defending and Trick Williams/Lil Yachty are at ringside. Hayes blocks an early leapfrog attempt and hits a dropkick, followed by some chops in the corner. Zayn fights up and hits a clothesline, only for Hayes to hit a springboard clothesline of his own. The Fadeaway connects for Hayes and the running flip dive to the floor takes Zayn out. Hayes comes up holding his leg though and we take a break.

We come back with Hayes’ leg banged up and Zayn hammering away in the corner. Hayes is able to get in a knockdown of his own but the First 48 is blocked. Zayn exploders him into the corner but charges into a superkick. A top rope splash gives Hayes two, only for Zayn to reverse into a rollup for two of his own. The Blue Thunder Bomb is countered and Hayes goes up, where he misses Nothing But Net. The referee checks on the bad leg…but Zayn fires off the Helluva Kick for the pin to retain at 10:55.

Rating: B-. That ending feels like a step towards Zayn going evil, which wouldn’t be the biggest surprise. He wants to go to Wrestlemania no matter what and that’s what he seems to be doing after that win. The match worked out well enough, though I’m hoping Hayes finds a way onto Wrestlemania somewhere.

Post match Yachty gets in to promise that Williams will win. Williams jumps Zayn and lays him out with the Trick Shot. The villains pose to end the show.

Overall Rating: C-. This is a situation where the overall rating could have been just about anything and it would have been appropriate. The thing here is there are two sides to this show: the Orton/Rhodes/McAfee stuff and everything else. For the most part, the “everything else” wasn’t exactly thrilling, but it was ok. The US Title stuff has my attention and R-Truth/Danhausen were rather funny. While some of the matches were just ok (or misguided in the opener), they were acceptable enough to a bit closer to Wrestlemania. It’s not great, but it’s ok enough.

The problem though is the show doesn’t end there. I have absolutely no idea what WWE was expecting out of the McAfee reveal/segment, but it just did not work. Orton has been cheered since the beginning of this story and…well why wouldn’t he be? Rhodes told him to go all aggressive and evil and that’s exactly what Orton has done. Orton is easy to cheer and while Rhodes has his fans, it’s really hard to get more excited about Rhodes right now. We’ve covered him as champion for a long time now and Orton would feel fresh.

Unfortunately that brings us to the issue of how we’re getting here. Unless there is some wacky double turn coming, the match at Wrestlemania could be an absolute circus. I really do not know what they are going for here and unfortunately I’m not sure I can believe WWE knows either. This was the kind of train wreck segment that really seemed to go opposite how WWE was hoping and I have no idea how to get around that situation. Not a great show overall, but the opening segment and the rest of the show are on different planets.

Results
Rhea Ripley b. Michin – Prism Trap
Uncle Howdy b. Tama Tonga – Mandible Claw
Aleister Black b. Matt Cardona – Black Mass
Charlotte/Alexa Bliss b. Bayley/Lyra Valkyria – Running Blockbuster to Valkyria
Damian Priest/R-Truth b. Kit Wilson/Miz – South Of Heaven to Miz
Sami Zayn b. Carmelo Hayes – Helluva Kick

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

Monday Night Raw
Date: March 30, 2026
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

It’s back to the home place for WWE and that means they’re going to make things even bigger than usual. That’s not a bad thing either as this year’s Wrestlemania build has been a bit hit and miss. Hopefully something other than Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk and Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi gets to take off this week. Let’s get to it.

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

Here is Cody Rhodes to get things going. He hits the catchphrase but here is Stephanie McMahon of all people to cut him off. She talks about how she wants to talk about Randy Orton because they’re all third generation people in the wrestling business. We’re coming up on Wrestlemania and she sees Orton being all crazy. This version of Rhodes can’t beat this version of Orton and so far, Cody isn’t as good as his father.

Rhodes says he doesn’t know who Orton is because he knows everything about Orton. The reality is that Orton has done some great things and some things that are so violent that we can’t even show them around here anymore. At one point Rhodes was having to babysit Orton by making sure he was still breathing when Orton passed out in the car. With all due respect, no he isn’t his father, but Stephanie isn’t her father either.

That gets one heck of a gasp from the audience and one heck of a slap from Stephanie to Rhodes. She’s out here because she cares about him because Rhodes needs to become more like Orton if he wants to keep the title. Orton is listening to the voices in his head and someone else on top of that. Rhodes says he has two words for her, which are THANK YOU, and he leaves as Stephanie smiles. The message was good, but this felt like a way to get Stephanie on the show whether it fit or not.

IShowSpeed is in the back and demands to see Danhausen. Cue Danhausen, with Speed wanting the curse to be reversed because Speed’s week has been terrible. Danhausen will do it for ten million dollars and the rights to Speed’s streaming service, but Speed can’t do that. Instead, Adam Pearce gives Speed front row seats and introduces him to LA Knight, who will be a guest commentator for the Tag Team Title match. Danhausen doesn’t disappear because Pearce is watching.

Tag Team Titles: The Vision vs. Usos

The Usos are defending in a street fight and LA Knight is on commentary. It’s a brawl to start and the Usos send them outside to start, setting up Jey’s big dive to take them out as we take a break. We come back with the Vision in control and a bunch of weapons in the ring. Some running trashcan shots miss though and the Usos get to fight back, with a trashcan being put on Paul’s head. Stereo superkicks knock him outside and Theory is put in the trashcan for a beating with the kendo stick.

The table is loaded up and Theory gets double superplexed through it for the big crash. Paul goes over to the barricade where his mom gives him some brass knuckles. Knight goes over to go after Paul (Mr.) but IShowSpeed is pulled over with him. Speed picks up the knuckles and accidentally knocks Knight down. That sends Speed bailing as he knows he’s in trouble. Paul misses the knuckles shot and gets superkicked, with Theory getting the same. Jey spears Theory but Paul uses the knuckles to knock Jimmy out. Jey dives on Paul but Theory gets the pin and the titles at 8:53.

Rating: B-. That feels like a way to set up a six man tag for Wrestlemania and….eh I’d take it over seeing these teams fight again. The title change is a good way to go as the Vision desperately needed something good to happen and it’s not like the Usos need the titles. Nice enough match here, with the street fight aspect helping a bit.

Speed realizes he’s in trouble but stays with the Vision, who know Knight and the Usos are going to want to kill him. That would be quite the six man at Wrestlemania.

We look back at the end of last week’s show, with CM Punk getting under Roman Reigns’ skin and laughing when Reigns hurt him.

We look at CM Punk winning the WWE Title in this building at Survivor Series 2011.

IMG Credit: WWE

Here is Liv Morgan for a chat. She gets right to the point by saying that Stephanie Vaquer is done at Wrestlemania. Vaquer attacked her family, including Dirty Dom, but she doesn’t have any family of her own here. Morgan is ready to fight on sight so here is Vaquer to interrupt. Vaquer kicks her down and grabs a chair but Roxanne Perez is back to jump Vaquer from behind. Oblivion onto a chair leaves Vaquer down and Morgan is rather pleased. Morgan is all but guaranteed to win the title so she doesn’t need the help, but it’s good to have Perez back.

We look back at Paul Heyman getting attacked by Seth Rollins last week, resulting in Rollins being arrested.

IShowSpeed tries to explain that he didn’t mean to help the Vision and it was an accident. Heyman comes in and says Speed is in good hands so the three of them should go to dinner. With the three of them gone, Heyman says the Usos are going to kill Speed. Adam Pearce comes in to say he needs to talk to Heyman, who didn’t get his email. Heyman leaves without finding out the message. That’s dumb for Heyman.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Lyra Valkyria/Bayley vs. Irresistible Forces

The Forces are defending. Legend throws Valkyria around to start and it’s off to Jax to crush her in the corner. Legend comes back in so Valkyria flips over her and brings Bayley in for a change. Legend knocks both of them down and it’s back to Jax to take over on Valkyria. Bayley sends Jax outside for a dive and we take a break.

We come back with Valkyria trying to get over for a tag but Jax knocks Bayley off the apron. Valkyria manages a DDT to Legend though and it’s back to Bayley for the middle rope elbow. A kick to the face cuts Bayley off though and Jax drops the big leg for two. Bayley actually breaks up the Annihilator though and hits a powerbomb, with Valkyria adding a moonsault.

Legend makes the save and everything breaks down, leaving all four of them down. Cue the Bella Twins, followed by Charlotte and Alexa Bliss, who show up to argue with them. Valkyria yells at them all so Jax shoves Valkyria into Bliss and Charlotte. Legend jumps the Bellas and drives Bayley into the apron. Back in and Jax headbutts Valkyria but Bliss comes in to jump Jax for the DQ at 10:42.

Rating: C. This has pretty clearly been building towards a multi-team match of some kind for the titles and that ending almost guarantees one is getting set up. It’s nice to have this many viable teams coming for the titles and it lets us get the Bellas title match, which absolutely has to happen. Either way, the match wasn’t great, but it served it purpose.

Post match the six non-champions knock the Forces out to the floor.

We look back at Oba Femi and Brock Lesnar in recent weeks.

Danhausen announces the Saturday Night’s Main Event will be back in the Garden on July 18. Having him be this weird backstage guy who makes the occasional announcement is the best use of Danhausen.

Here is Brock Lesnar, in fighting gear and with Paul Heyman, for a chat. Heyman says he’s here to talk about Oba Femi, with the fans seemingly being on Femi’s side. What Femi needs to learn is that a ticked off Lesnar is a different kind of beast and various people have taken some beatings over the years. Lesnar grabs the mic and calls Femi out but instead it’s Adam Pearce, with security.

Pearce says this isn’t happening tonight…and here is Femi to interrupt. Femi wrecks security, and Pearce, and takes his time walking around the ring. The fans are WAY into this as Femi gets inside for the staredown but HHH himself comes out to get between them. Lesnar goes to the floor and grabs the steps (Femi tells him to bring it) but Lesnar throws them down and leaves instead. Lesnar gives a security guard an F5 to blow off some steam. I want to see these two fight and that’s a good sign.

IMG Credit: WWE

Finn Balor talks about how he wasn’t happy with some of the things he did in the Judgment Day. Dominik Mysterio turned on him because Mysterio is a coward and a villain. He created Mysterio and now it’s time to destroy him at Wrestlemania.

IMG Credit: WWE

Intercontinental Title: Penta vs. Kofi Kingston

Penta is defending and Grayson Waller is here with Kingston. They start fast with Kingston sending him into the corner. That’s broken up and Penta strikes away but Kingston is able to get up top. Kingston dives into a Codebreaker though and the slingshot dropkick in the corner gives Penta two. They fight out to the apron with Kingston getting in a shot to take over but calling Waller off as we take a break.

We come back with Penta fighting out of trouble and hitting a reverse Sling Blade. The SOS gives Kingston two, followed by a jumping Fameasser to send Penta outside. Waller picks Penta up but Kingston says he wants to do this on his own. Kingston’s dive over the top is cut off though and Waller drops him onto the announcers’ table. Waller leans over to mock Kingston and gets taken down by a Mexican Destroyer. Back in and Penta dives into Trouble In Paradise, leaving Kingston’s eyes bugging out. Penta is right back up with the Mexican Destroyer to retain at 10:02.

Rating: B-. These two working well together isn’t exactly a surprise and it’s a good idea to have a veteran like Kingston out there to give Penta another nice title defense. Penta is getting some momentum going as champion but I’m not sure what he’s supposed to do at Wrestlemania. He doesn’t have a big challenger right now and they’re running out of time to set one up.

Post match Penta is asked what he’s going to do with the Intercontinental Title at Wrestlemania. Penta says it’s pain for himself and anyone who dares because it’s going to be….a ladder match. Well of course it will be.

Paul Heyman is discussing a sandwich when Adam Pearce comes in. Pearce asks about Brock Lesnar, who has left the arena. That’s fine with Pearce, who asks if Heyman checked his email yet. Heyman says he hasn’t and there’s nothing overly interesting, so he’s got something to say in the ring.

Here is Heyman, who mocks the lighting guy as possibly being from New Jersey (the fans approve of the mocking) before praising the Vision for winning. He tries to give something back to the fans, like Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar, but here is Pearce to interrupt. Apparently the email said that all charges against Seth Rollins have been dropped, which Heyman seems to lie about knowing in advance.

Heyman isn’t worried because he’s the last manager standing from the 1980s and the last promoter standing from the 1990s. Pearce gets to the second part of the email: Rollins is medically cleared to compete (how this really changes much for Heyman isn’t clear). Cue Rollins from behind with a chair to knock Heyman down. The Stomp is loaded up…but Gunther pops up to choke Rollins out. Gunther even points at the sign (and got his eye cut up somewhere in there). That’s an interesting way to go and it’s certainly a big match for Gunther at Wrestlemania.

Post break we look at what we saw pre-break.

IMG Credit: WWE

Raquel Rodriguez vs. Iyo Sky

Neither get an entrance. Sky is sent into the corner to start but comes back with a quickly broken octopus. A dropkick to the knee sends Rodriguez outside but she cuts off a dive and hits a hard clothesline. Back in and Sky can’t get very far on an armbar so Rodriguez kicks her in the face. A hurricanrana sends Rodriguez into the corner though and Sky hits an Asai moonsault as we take a break.

We come back with Sky hitting a springboard missile dropkick into the running knees in the corner. Over The Moonsault hits raised knees though and Rodriguez Pounces her for two. Cue the Kabuki Warriors as Sky fights up and hits a top rope diving DDT. The running knees connect in the corner again as Asuka yells at Kairi Sane. Sky dives onto Asuka (and lands on her head for a scary crash), which she says she did for Sane. Back in and the Tejana Bomb finishes for Rodriguez at 10:28.

Rating: C+. This was another match that felt a bit tacked on to get us to something at Wrestlemania. Sky doing something against Asuka, possibly for Sane’s freedom, could be interesting, though I’m not sure where that leaves Rodriguez. The match was fine, though it never really got going.

Wrestlemania rundown, with Rey Fenix, Je’Von Evans, Rusev and JD McDonagh now in the ladder match. Also added: Finn Balor vs. Dominik Mysterio and a four way tag for the Women’s Tag Team Titles, featuring the four teams from earlier tonight.

Oh and John Cena is hosting Wrestlemania.

Adam Pearce makes Seth Rollins vs. Gunther for Wrestlemania.

Here is Roman Reigns for a chat. He soaks in some dueling chants and hits his catchphrase…but here is a ticked off CM Punk, who marches to the ring and starts the fight fast. Reigns gets the better of things by knocking Punk outside, where Adam Pearce and security are here again. Reigns loads up the powerbomb but Punk gets out and tries a GTS.

Reigns manages to spear Petey Williams but walks into the GTS. Punk teases leaving and then comes back to powerbomb Reigns through the announcers’ table. Punk sits down next to him and does the crazy laugh before mocking the Roman Reigns chants. Celebrating/posing ends the show. This was a hot angle and it’s nice to see Punk fired up, as this feud is ready to go for Wrestlemania.

Overall Rating: B-. There wasn’t much in the way of great action this week but there was more than enough build to Wrestlemania. You had a few title matches added, plus Gunther vs. Seth Rollins, which should be quit the undercard match. The Reigns vs. Punk stuff is still good and I want to see where it goes at Wrestlemania, which is a good feeling. This wasn’t a great show , though it did get some important things accomplished, which is the bigger deal.

Results
The Vision b. Usos – Brass knuckles punch to Jimmy
Irresistible Forces b. Bayley/Lyra Valkyria via DQ when Alexa Bliss interfered
Penta b. Kofi Kingston – Mexican Destroyer
Raquel Rodriguez b. Iyo Sky – Tejana Bomb

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