Smackdown
Date: July 24, 2026
Location: Oakland Arena, Oakland, California
Commentators: Wade Barrett, Joe Tessitore

We’re done with Saturday Night’s Main Event and the main event of Summerslam is staying the same. CM Punk and Cody Rhodes defeated Gunther and Sami Zayn to avoid the title match becoming a four way, albeit with some help from Nick Aldis. That won’t sit well with Gunther so let’s get to it.

Here is Saturday Night’s Main Event if you need a recap.

We look at HHH making Gunther vs. Nick Aldis official for Summerslam.

Adam Pearce and Aldis are in the ring for the contract signing with Gunther, who joins them. Pearce gets to the point: Aldis has to vacate his role as GM to face Gunther and WWE is not responsible for what happens in the match. That’s fine with Aldis, who signs without a second thought, saying he’s willing to accept those terms. Gunther says that the match will be the greatest moment of Aldis’ career and this is beneath him.

The reality is that Aldis is jealous of him. Gunther knows that Aldis is a former NWA World Champion but he never really made it. But Gunther walked in and became a huge star, with a watch worth about half of Aldis’ salary. Gunther signs, saying that he’ll put Aldis’ name on a list of legends dumb enough to face him. As Gunther goes to leave, Aldis says that Gunther is trying to buy into this himself. Aldis knows that Gunther is scared because he can’t get out of this situation.

The reality is that Aldis hasn’t had a match in three years and has nothing to lose. When he beats Gunther, all that makes Gunther is the guy whose boss made him a little b****. The brawl is on and Gunther kicks him low, with the powerbomb putting Aldis through the table. The match should be pretty much a lock for Gunther, but it does help that Aldis is an accomplished wrestler so it’s not going to be some big mess.

Post break Sami Zayn interrupts an update on Aldis and says he won the title at Night Of Champions. It became clear that the higher ups didn’t want to be champion and he wound up facing Punk on a show they weren’t supposed to be on. Aldis and Gunther have a match at Summerslam but the guy who was champion EIGHTEEN DAYS AGO isn’t on the card? Adam Pearce comes in and Zayn wants it made right. Make the title match a triple threat

Pearce shuts that down and yells at him, but says that there is a four way match tonight. The winner of that can face Zayn at Summerslam in a #1 contenders match. Zayn hates having to earn it but takes it as Pearce says that’s all he’s getting. WWE doesn’t often do #1 contender matches on PPV so that’s a change of pace.

Brie Bella vs. Lainey Reid

Their associates are her too. Before the match, Reid says Saturday was a big night for them but Bella and Paige are the ones who will remember it forever. Jacy Jayne wants gold around her waist too so she wants the Women’s US Title. Reid jumps Bella to start and they go to the floor, with Bella sending her into the announcers’ table. Back in and the bell rings, with Bella being sent face first into the buckle. A cutter drops her again and we take an early break.

We come back with Bella hitting her running knee in the ropes, followed by a bulldog out of the corner. Bella tries a sunset flip out of the corner but Reid grabs the rope. That doesn’t work and said sunset flip gives Bella the pin at 5:48. Not enough shown to rate but they kept to the point here.

Post match Fatal Influence runs in to beat down Bella and Paige but Nikki Bella runs in for the save. The six woman tag is set for Summerslam.

Finn Balor, in the four way tonight, can’t help but think about his first Summerslam in 2016, when he won the title but got hurt. He has spent ten years trying to get back to that moment and now he is so close. Gunther comes in to say he’s next in line and says ten years is a long time.

Video on the six man tag at Summerslam, with LA Knight/Solo Sikoa/Royce Keys vs. the Bloodline.

Keys is warming up when Sikoa comes in to say Keys might be working twice at Summerslam. That’s fine with Keys, who is from this area and ready to fight in front of his friends and family. Knight comes in to say Keys can handle his business tonight as long as he stays ready for Summerslam. Sikoa continues to talk about the team, sounding more and more like an Uso every day.

Chelsea Green and Tiffany Stratton both want to win, with Green wanting the Interim Women’s Title. With Green gone, Bake Monroe comes in to say she likes Stratton, but wants her to shine that title up for her.

Interim Women’s Title Qualifying Match: Chelsea Green vs. Kiana James

James powers her into the corner to start but gets dropkicked out to the floor. They fight on the floor with James firing off some knees to the ribs and it’s time to go back inside. Green gets in a faceplant but James superkicks her into a Falcon Arrow for two. The Codebreaker connects for James, only for Green to come back with the Unprettier for the pin at 3:27.

Rating: C. They didn’t have much time here but Green going on to the ladder match is a great way to go, as she has done some very good things in previous ladder matches. The fans are behind her right now and that should be the case again at Summerslam. James is pretty firmly locked into this spot as the designated jobber of the division, which isn’t overly surprising.

R-Truth is confused about what Damian Priest is doing (hot dogs and four ways are involved) but Cody Rhodes comes up. Rhodes and Priest say they’ll be winning at Summerslam and Priest promises to win the title. That’s an attitude Rhodes can appreciate and he leaves in peace, which seems to surprise Priest.

We look at the Saturday Night’s Main Event tag match, where Cody Rhodes accidentally hit CM Punk, and the ensuing issues between the two of them.

Here is Rhodes for a chat and he’s in a hurry tonight, as he hits the catchphrase and brings in Punk to join him. Rhodes drops the mic as he hands it to Punk, which Rhodes calls an accident. Punk takes his jacket off though and they go face to face but goes to get his own mic. Punk says it’s a shame that it’s come to this because he doesn’t know if he can trust his friend. Rhodes says he’s going to explain why he needs to win and it isn’t about the title.

That’s what Punk doesn’t get, because the title is more than a good enough reason. Rhodes talks about how they respect each other but he doesn’t like Punk. Back in 2011, Punk cut the Pipe Bomb and Rhodes followed what he said to the letter. What Rhodes also knows is that while he was going around the world doing everything Punk talked about, everyone wanted it to be Punk instead of him.

Rhodes is tired of apologizing though because he’s become the star of WWE. He was on the Tonight Show and he’s going to be on ESPN. Everyone has come for him but the only one he worries about is Punk. For the story to have the proper ending, he has to beat Punk. With Rhodes done, Punk talks about how he casts a big shadow around here and it’s up to the people to decide what he’s done.

Back in 2022, Punk was learning from Rhodes as he showed Punk that there was a way back here. Now though, Punk knows that Rhodes is lying because he has to make himself the victim. If everyone is Rhodes’ enemy, Punk is his only friend but at Summerslam, he’s breaking Rhodes’ heart. Rhodes unbuttons his collar and talks about how they’re going to be teaming on the upcoming live events and he’ll give Punk the traditional main event gift.

Punk says he’s got a gift for Rhodes at Summerslam in the form of a loss. He’s CM Punk and no one can touch him in the ring or on the mic, including Dusty’s kid. Punk goes to leave but Rhodes stops him, saying we’ll play Kingdom so Punk can get a preview of what he’ll hear at the end of their match. Good exchange here and it was easy to follow, though Rhodes’ last ling was pretty weak.

Charlotte doesn’t regret costing Nia Jax a match last week. What she does regret is Alexa Bliss being injured and promises payback on Jade Cargill.

We look back at Fanatics Fest.

Charlotte vs. Nia Jax

Jax powers her into the corner to start so Charlotte kicks her in the face. Charlotte’s Flair Flip in the corner doesn’t do much good as Jax grabs a sitout powerbomb and we take a break. We come back with Jax knocking her down and hitting a middle rope legdrop for two. The Annihilator is countered into a better powerbomb for two more but here are Jade Cargill and the Baddies. Charlotte fights them off and escapes Jax’s Samoan drop, only to get hit in the face by Cargill for the DQ at 8:14.

Rating: B-. This was about all it needed to be as Cargill has a reason to go after Charlotte after last week. The good thing here is that Charlotte has evolved a good bit, as back in the day it wouldn’t have been insane to expect Charlotte to win here despite being down 4-1. It’s nice to see that isn’t the case anymore, as Charlotte has evolved a good bit and it has been a notable improvement.

Post match Cargill and the Baddies beat Charlotte down but Jax freaks out, as she’s lost another match due to a feud she isn’t involved in two weeks in a row.

Summerslam rundown.

Damian Priest vs. Trick Williams vs. Royce Keys vs. Finn Balor

Non-title and for a shot against Sami Zayn at Summerslam in the #1 contenders match. Keys takes over to start fast and we take a break about thirty seconds in. We come back with Balor escaping Keys’ powerslam and Priest faceplanting Williams. Back up and Williams sends Balor and Keys into the corner for a double stomping but has to deal with Priest. With everyone else on the floor, Balor is up with a big running flip dive but here is Solo Sikoa as we take another break.

We come back again with the Usos coming out to brawl with Sikoa so here is LA Knight to even things up a bit. Priest dives onto all four of them and Balor misses a Coup de Grace on Williams. That means a Trick Kick for two as Knight, Sikoa and the Usos brawl to the back. Priest gives Williams the South Of Heaven for two so Keys grabs the USB, only to be pulled out by Jacob Fatu. Keys is quickly wrecked and Balor Coup de Graces Priest for the pin at 12:03.

Rating: B. There was A LOT going on here but the good thing is that it all tied together and made sense. They had all of those other people involved and it fit with Keys being involved in both stories at once. Balor is the logical choice to move forward and I’m not completely sure who wins when he faces Zayn. Good main event here after a show without much wrestling.

Overall Rating: B. The wrestling wasn’t the focus here, as they pushed the stories towards Summerslam quite a bit. The six man got a nice bump and Balor vs. Zayn is interesting. Other than that you had the good talking segments and the Jax story has me oddly intrigued. They’re doing a nice job with Summerslam, though unfortunately it isn’t leading to the best in ticket sales. Either way, good PPV build show here.

Results
Brie Bella b. Lainey Reid – Sunset flip
Chelsea Green b. Kiana James – Unprettier
Charlotte b. Nia Jax via DQ when Jade Cargill interfered
Finn Balor b. Damian Priest, Trick Williams and Royce Keys – Coup de Grace to Priest

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: July 3, 2026
Location: Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re stateside for Smackdown and the big story this week is that Sami Zayn is the new World Champion, having beaten Gunther and reigning champion Cody Rhodes on Saturday at Night Of Champions. That means we have about a month to go before Summerslam and a lot of ground to cover so let’s get to it.

Here is Night Of Champions if you need a recap.

Here is Sami Zayn to quite the strong reaction to get things going. Zayn talks about how a lot of people are here to ride or die with the last real good guy. He appreciates the reactions he has gotten and gives the fans a genuine thank you. It’s funny though, because a lot of those people booed him and jumped on and off of the bandwagon. He won’t say he told you so though because he’s a good guy who won that title the right way.

We’re here to celebrate him and he will forever be known as a Wrestlemania main eventer and a Grand Slam Champion, but also as a WWE Champion. Nothing can ever take that away from him but here is Cody Rhodes to interrupt. Zayn asks what he wants to talk about but Rhodes wants to just congratulate him. Rhodes goes to leave but Zayn tells him to just say what he really wants one time. This brings out Jey Uso to give Zayn a big hug and say that he deserves it.

As much as he respects Zayn, Uso, has to do his business and bring the title back to the family. Rhodes asks what year it is because bringing it back to the family sounds ridiculous. Uso is already a former World Champion but we’re here to talking about Rhodes’ rematch. Zayn isn’t happy with Rhodes saying Zayn would never take the title from him, and as far as Uso is concerned, the title is still in the family.

They can both stay away from him, but here is Adam Pearce (acting GM as Nick Aldis is on leave due to an incident with Gunther) to interrupt. Pearce says it’s his job to find Zayn a challenger, but Zayn says he should have some say in who he faces at Summerslam. Pearce says no one is talking about Summerslam, because Zayn is defending the title this Monday on Raw, and tonight Rhodes and Uso have a #1 contenders match tonight. They’re certainly not wasting time with Rhodes, but Zayn very well could be like Mick Foley, as winning the title itself is what matters rather than a long reign (which is ok).

Charlotte says she cost Jade Cargill at Night Of Champions because Cargill cost her. Alexa Bliss pops up to say it would have been nice to have been told Charlotte would be there but Charlotte says Bliss didn’t tell her she would be teaming with Tiffany Stratton. This brings in Stratton, who says she didn’t need Charlotte but Chelsea Green comes in to have Stratton’s back and….awkwardly say she’ll see Charlotte out there.

Charlotte/Chelsea Green/Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill/B-Fab/Michin

Stratton and Cargill start things off with Michin quickly coming in for a sunset flip. It’s quickly off to Charlotte to kick Michin down and send B-Fab flying with a suplex. A Cannonball off the apron hits Michin but Cargill is right there with the clothesline to Charlotte as we take a break.

We come back with Cargill sending Charlotte flying and even throwing in a mocking victory dance. The splash misses in the corner though and it’s B-Fab coming in to cut off the tag attempt. Charlotte fights back and Green comes in to clean house, with a Rough Ryder getting two on B-Fab. The Unprettier is loaded up but Cargill reverses into Jaded, which is reversed into a rollup. B-Fab offers a distraction though and Jaded finishes Green at 8:51.

Rating: C+. Cargill gets to look dominant again, Green isn’t hurt by the loss (or by any loss really) and Charlotte continues to kind of annoy a lot of people. Michin continues to be a solid hand in the ring and B-Fab is acceptable enough as a lackey. Just don’t ask her to do much of anything else.

We look at the Gunther/Nick Aldis incident, leading to both of them being sent home and Adam Peace being put in charge of Smackdown for the time being.

Pearce is on the phone with Aldis and doesn’t seem pleased. Then he runs into Sami Zayn, who isn’t happy with the situation. Pearce suggests that he’ll bring some Smackdown stars to Raw for a supershow and Zayn will have an opportunity. Zayn is annoyed but goes over to Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae, saying he might not have won without Gargano being there for him. Zayn even has a reluctant LeRae take a picture of them together.

AAA Cruiserweight Title: Rey Fenix vs. El Hijo del Vikingo

Fenix is defending and Vikingo’s Latin American Title isn’t on the line. Vikingo snaps off a spinning headscissors to start but Fenix kicks him away. A springboard frog high crossbody gives Fenix two but Vikingo ties him in the ring skirt for a dropkick. Vikingo’s dive drops Fenix again and we take a break.

We come back with Fenix hitting his rope walk kick, setting up a frog splash for two. Vikingo is back up with his running knees in the corner, followed by his flipping hurricanrana out of the corner. A super spinning poisonrana (how do you even do that) drops Fenix again but he knees Vikingo back. That’s enough to set up the Mexican MuscleBuster to retain at 8:55.

Rating: B. “And then he did THIS and it was AMAZING!” That’s basically Vikingo in a nutshell and yeah that’s always going to work. This was the definition of a flippy match and as usual, it did its job. The fans get to have fun and it’s not like this is going to hurt either of them in AAA. In other words, it’s a nice use of some TV time.

We look at Blake Monroe attacking Giulia last week.

Giulia is happy to put Kiana James behind her and would love to fight Monroe face to face anytime. James comes in to say it would be like Giulia to bite the hand that feeds her, but here is Monroe to jump Giulia from behind. Not to be unfair, she jumps James too in a bit of a surprise.

We look at the Seth Rollins/Roman Reigns showdown from Raw, setting up their Summerslam title shot.

Jimmy Uso is talking to Jacob Fatu when Royce Keys comes in to say Fatu has been ignoring him. Did Roman Reigns not give him permission? Uso says they’re here to find Solo Sikoa and asks if Keys can help them or not. Keys says that blood doesn’t make you family (check). He’s been there for Fatu for fourteen years and that makes them family. Uso disagrees and leaves with Fatu.

Here are Trick Williams and Lil Yachty for a chat but here is Carmelo Hayes to interrupt. Hayes says he deserves another title shot and accuses Williams of turning that title, a title Hayes helped make, into an accessory. He can get Williams a discount code on WWE Shop if Williams just wants something to hold, so put the title on the line.

Yachty isn’t impressed and asks if we should give this “young small man” a match. Apparently the match is on for next week…but not for the title. That has to be earned and Williams knocks him down. Yachty and Williams go to leave but Hayes takes them out with a big dive.

Danhausen is on the phone (seemingly from the 30s) as Miz and Kit Wilson are there in the background. Matt Cardona comes in to say hello but Danhausen says he has a match with JD McDonagh at Saturday Night’s Main Event and has help coming in from New York. He was just on the phone with them, but Cardona points out that the phone isn’t plugged in

Danhausen says don’t worry about it and has Cardona twist a nob. It seems to fry Wilson and Miz even more, with Danhausen blaming Judgment Day and telling Cardona that he’s in charge of the two of them. Cardona mentions spiking your hair and Wilson might say AWESOME. Oh dear this won’t end well.

Brie Bella vs. Lainey Reid

Paige and the rest of Fatal Influence are here too. Bella takes her down by the arm to start fast but gets sent throat first into the middle rope. Reid misses a wind up elbow though and Bella sends her arm first into the corner. Some shots to the face slow Bella down but she fires off the YES Kicks. Bella pulls her down by the arm and rolls into the YES Lock, with Page cutting off Fallon Henley from interfering. Jacy Jayne gets posted but Henley is back up, with Bella going outside for the save. That lets Reid hitting a running knee for the pin at 3:19.

Rating: C. This was as standard of a booking trope as you can get on your way to a Women’s Tag Team Title match. That’s a good thing too, as I could go for Fatal Influence being the ones to end this title reign. Commentary hyped up Bella not having a singles match on Smackdown in years and while that’s true, it’s quite the stretch for something to brag about here.

R-Truth beats Nathan Frazer in a hot dog eating contest. Damian Priest wants ketchup but the War Raiders come in to say Priest and R-Truth should be focused on their challenge. R-Truth gets annoyed at Ivar eating Priest’s wiener but the match is on for some time in the future. It’s just going to take place on Smackdown, with R-Truth promising to take the masks too. There are no masks.

We look at the Brock Lesnar/Oba Femi segment from Raw, resulting in their match being set for the Cell.

Cody Rhodes is coming to the ring and runs into Finn Balor. Rhodes apologizes for not saying it yet but welcome to Smackdown. Balor says one of the reasons he came here was to face Rhodes and he wanted it to be for the title, so go start getting it back. Tama Tonga comes in to say he went to the family elders for guidance. Then the Tongas jump Balor, with Tama saying he’s closing the books on his past, with Balor being next.

Jey Uso vs. Cody Rhodes

For a shot at Sami Zayn on Raw. An early superkick and Cross Rhodes are both avoided so Uso sends him outside for the suicide dive. We take a break and come back with Rhodes hitting a Cody Cutter for two but Uso gets in a Samoan drop. Rhodes rolls outside where he cuts off a spear but gets sent onto the announcers’ table. Uso’s suicide dive is blocked as well and they go back inside for a double clothesline.

We take another break and come back with Uso hitting a Superfly Splash. Rhodes is up with another Cody Cutter for two of his own but Uso gives him a spear for two more. Another Superfly Splash misses though and Rhodes hits a spear, followed by Cross Rhodes for his own near fall. Uso knocks him down and tries a Superfly Splash, which hits raised knees. A sleeper works a bit better for Uso and they go into the corner where Uso tries…I’m not sure (neither is commentary). Rhodes slips away and grabs Cross Rhodes for the pin at 15:33.

Rating: B. There was just enough of a reason to believe that Uso could win here to keep things interesting. At the same time though, Rhodes is the right choice to move on to the title match, as either he gets the belt back and sets up a match with CM Punk or Zayn gets the big win in the singles match. This was a good main event though and it still helps to have Rhodes beat another former World Champion.

Overall Rating: B. Oh sweet goodness did losing an hour help this show. One of the most annoying things in wrestling is a show that just keeps going and Smackdown has been doing that since the show was extended to three hours. Switching back allowed it to feel much tighter with far less filler. It still has problems, but I wasn’t sitting there dreading how long it was going to go and that’s a great feeling. They’re flying through the World Title scene though and that almost has me worried for what they have planned at Summerslam. At least I’m wanting to see what it is though so they must be doing something right.

Results
Jade Cargill/B-Fab/Michin b. Charlotte/Chelsea Green/Tiffany Stratton – Jaded to Green
Rey Fenix b. El Hijo del Vikingo – Mexican MuscleBuster
Lainey Reid b. Brie Bella – Running knee
Cody Rhodes b. Jey Uso – 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:

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Smackdown
Date: June 26, 2026
Location: O2 Arena, London, England
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re taped from London and it’s the night before Night Of Champions. In this case that means the big final push towards to the pay per view and the previews for the finals of the two Of The Ring tournaments. Things have been looking up a bit around here as of late and it would be great to have that continue. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of last week’s World Title situation, resulting in Cody Rhodes defending against Sami Zayn and Gunther at Night Of Champions.

Here are Trick Williams and Lil Yachty for a chat. Williams was missing last week because he was in Jamaica…where he and Lash Legend got married. After stories about the celebration and what happened all night long, Williams declares it the greatest night of his life. He’s ready to go into Night Of Champions and retain the title and move on to Summerslam.

This brings out a ticked off Ricky Saints to interrupt, with Williams threatening him with his back hand. Saints isn’t impressed and says Williams is overlooking him. Tomorrow, you’re going to be looking at the new US Champion. Williams says the only person Saints needs to be focusing on is his dentist after Williams kicks Saints’ teeth down his throat. Saints gets annoyed at Yachty and gets in a cheap shot, with another dropping a distracted Williams.

Alexa Bliss wants to get revenge for Charlotte, even if it means teaming with Tiffany Stratton. Cue Stratton, who says this is a one night only thing and she wants to be left alone after. That’s a rather specific request.

Tiffany Stratton/Alexa Bliss vs. Michin/B-Fab

Stratton and Michin start things off with Stratton grabbing an early headlock takeover. A running basement dropkick gives Stratton an early two and it’s off to Bliss, who is apparently rather popular. The running Blockbuster puts Michin down but it’s way too early for Sister Abigail.

A not so great tornado DDT puts Michin down on the floor but B-Fab gets in a big boot to Bliss as we take a break. We come back with Michin missing an elbow, allowing Stratton to come back in and clean house. The Alabama Slam gets two on B-Fab and there’s a Regal Roll but cue Jade Cargill to break up the moonsault. A spinning X Factor gives B-Fab the pin at 7:41.

Rating: C+. This was a fine illustration of following the basic playbook to build towards Saturday’s title match. Stratton has a reason to be mad now and we might be seeing her more focused on revenge than retaining her title. It should make for an interesting match and this was a good way to set it up, as well as a good use of the minions.

Post match the villains surround Stratton so here is Chelsea Green…who drops her kendo stick. Green is able to send Cargill outside anyway though and Cargill leaves with her goons.

We look at Solo Sikoa costing Jimmy Uso on Raw.

Sikoa brags about taking Uso out but the MFT’s say he’s obsessed with Roman Reigns. They’re out, which leaves Sikoa ranting about how no one leaves him.

Jade Cargill demands a match with Chelsea Green for tonight and Nick Aldis obliges.

AAA Cruiserweight Title: Nathan Frazer vs. Rey Fenix

Fenix is defending. They run the ropes to start fast and trade the flips and dives into an early standoff. Frazer flips away from him out of the corner so Fenix is up with a springboard crossbody to put Frazer down. Fenix sends him outside for the big dive but Frazer catches him with a kick of his own. The big running flip dive hits Fenix and we take a break.

We come back with Fenix fighting out of a chinlock and firing off the fast chops. A Roode Bomb gives Fenix two but Frazer catches him up top. The superplex connects but Fenix pops up for a double kick to the head and they’re both down. Back up and Frazer’s middle rope reverse Spanish Fly gets two and he kicks Fenix out to the floor for a big crash. Frazer’s big dive is cut off though and the Mexican MuscleBuster retains the title at 10:48.

Rating: B. This is another one of those matches where you knew it was going to be entertaining based on whom was involved. That was the case again here, with Fenix getting to showcase himself and Frazer being a perfect choice to hang in there with him. I still don’t want to see the AAA title involved around here, but this was good while it lasted.

Post match respect is shown.

Damian Priest and R-Truth don’t see things the same way on rebuilding the Judgment Day clubhouse but the War Raiders come in to say they want a winner take all title match. R-Truth gets confused and Priest has to take him away.

LA Knight arrives and is on his way to the ring. He also asks why Cathy Kelley, who is supposed to be on Raw, was waiting on him. Fair question.

We recap the King Of The Ring semifinals.

Here is Knight for a chat. Knight talks about how he laid Jimmy Uso out on Raw but he had an unexpected assist. He’d like an explanation on that so Solo Sikoa needs to get out here right now. Cue Sikoa, with the fans chanting for him and Knight finding it a bit catchy. Sikoa says his entire family has left him but Knight isn’t impressed as the MFT’s were useless. Knight doesn’t know what happened on Monday but maybe it was a Roman Reigns initiation.

Sikoa snaps, ranting about how much he hates the Bloodline and he knows he and Knight have that in common. Knight says they should both hate Roman Reigns, just like everyone else in the Bloodline. They’ve all gone back into the Bloodline though so why should Knight trust Sikoa? What’s different here?

The difference is that Sikoa has nothing to lose and they could watch each other’s back and take out the Bloodline. Knight has heard “it’s just me uce” before and he probably needs help, but he’s going to live and die doing things his own way. Thanks but no thanks. That’s an interesting twist, though I liked it better when Montez Ford turned down Seth Rollins to go after the Bloodline about a month ago.

Sami Zayn talks about how no one listens to him, save for Johnny Gargano, but now he can redeem himself by winning the WWE Title.

Paige vs. Jacy Jayne

Brie Bella and the rest of Fatal Influence is here too. Jayne starts fast with the boot choke in the corner so Paige sends her throat first into the top rope. The fans declare this to be Paige’s house as she sends Jayne face first into the buckle over and over. An STF sends Jayne over to the ropes and Paige has to flip dive onto the rest of the team. Jayne uses the distraction to get in a cheap shot though and we take a break.

We come back with Paige fighting up and hitting a clothesline, meaning it’s time to slug it out. Paige snaps off a suplex and the Paige Turner gets two. Rampaige is broken up though and Jayne kicks her down for two of her own. The Rolling Encore is broken up so Jayne grabs a rollup, with Bella cutting off the cheating. Paige takes out an interfering Reid and rolls Jayne up for the pin at 8:34.

Rating: C. It’s nice to see Paige getting a win in her home country, though I could have gone with not seeing Jayne take another pin. She was off to such a hot start when she debuted and has come crashing back down to earth rather quickly. At least Paige and Bella are getting a chance though, as they certainly never have before.

Danhausen continues his experiments on Miz and Kit Wilson when Matt Cardona comes in. Cardona is happy with the New York winning but Danhausen steps away. Los Garza come in to ask where Danhausen is but Cardona tells them to get lost. Danhausen is back to Cardona not to touch whatever is under the sheet.

Finn Balor runs into the Tongas, with Tama saying they do have a past. He has one with Shinsuke Nakamura too and look how that went. The Tongas leave together.

Here are Danhausen and Miz and Kit Wilson (still mostly catatonic) for a chat. Danhausen greets the fans and calls the two of them the Legion Of Danhausen, meaning we get the zombified catchphrases. Los Garza interrupts and jumps Miz and Wilson but Matt Cardona makes the save. Nick Aldis comes in to make the tag match.

Matt Cardona/Danhausen vs. Los Garza

We’re joined in progress with Cardona beating up Berto but getting sent out to the apron. Angel gets in a cheap shot to take over and the alternating beating begins. With that not working, Los Garza beat up Wilson on the floor but the distraction lets Cardona get in a flapjack. Danhausen gets to come in and clean house as everything breaks down. Miz won’t let Angel get a chair so Danhausen grabs a rollup for two on Berto. A kick to the head puts Danhausen down but he curses Berto on top, causing pyro to go off. That and a reverse DDT give Danhausen the pin at 4:32.

Rating: C. This is a completely acceptable way of putting one of the hotter stars on the show as the fans get to see Danhausen live. It’s not like there was anything serious to the whole thing as you had curses, zombies and…whatever Danhausen is this week. Either way, it’s more fun stuff as they’re keeping Danhausen low on the card where he belongs.

Gunther isn’t pleased with Sami Zayn saying their Night Of Champions match is about Zayn’s redemption. A question about his less than great win/loss record against Cody Rhodes makes it worse and he’s off to deal with Zayn.

Video on Liv Morgan vs. Iyo Sky in the Queen Of The Ring finals.

Chelsea Green vs. Jade Cargill

Green strikes away to start and gets in the salute. James sends her outside and grabs a fall away slam as we take a break. We come back with Green striking away again and hitting a missile dropkick for two. Cargill isn’t having any of this and hits her in the face, setting up Jaded for the pin at 6:12 (Cargill looking bored after such an easy win is exactly on point for her).

Rating: C. Yeah this was about all it needed to be, as Cargill smashes through Green on the way to her title match against Green’s one sided friend. It’s a perfectly logical way to go, as is Green not being able to do much with Cargill. I’m sure Green having Tiffany Stratton fully on her side will do the trick though and that seems to be the coming up pretty soon. Just like Cargill’s title shot.

Post match B-Fab and Michin run in but Tiffany Stratton and Alexa Bliss run in for the save. That earns Stratton a Jadeding.

Solo Sikoa is asked about being alone but Royce Keys interrupts. Keys tells him good luck and walks off.

Video on Bron Breakker vs. Seth Rollins.

Night Of Champions rundown.

Lil Yachty and Trick Williams are ticked off at Ricky Saints and ready for revenge. Williams is prettier than Saints too.

Giulia vs. Kiana James

They were friends, they got into a fight and now they’re not. James kicks her in the face at the bell and they’re on the floor in a hurry. Giulia takes over on the outside and they go back inside where Giulia connects with some hard kicks. A headbutt sends James outside again, where she gets in a slam onto the steps as we take a break.

We come back with Giulia hitting a missile dropkick to leave both of them down. They slug it out with Giulia getting the better of things and snapping off a headscissors. A belly to back suplex gives Giulia two but James slams her off the top for a big crash. Giulia pulls her down by the hair but the big knee is countered into a powerbomb for two more. James gets her in a fireman’s carry but gets sunset bombed out of the corner. The northern lights bomb finishes for Giulia at 9:43.

Rating: B-. This was a case where Giulia needed the win a lot more than James, who can be fine as a lackey or assistant etc. On the other hand, Giulia has felt like she has been floating all over the place and looking for something to stick. Maybe this is a step forward for her, as she certainly needs something to work.

Post match Giulia celebrates but Blake Monroe runs in to lay her out.

Here is Cody Rhodes for a chat but before he can get anywhere, Sami Zayn cuts him off. Zayn thanks his fans for being with him no matter what and he’s sorry for interrupting but he’s the last good guy around here. He apologizes for what happened last week, including hitting Rhodes with the title by mistake. Rhodes: “Was it a mistake?”

Zayn goes on about how this isn’t about how he wanted things to go and Rhodes doesn’t buy that at all. Look at what is going on. Zayn is getting a title shot in a country where he is beloved. The reality is that Zayn is exhausting as he keeps trying to take things. Rhodes wishes Kevin Owens was here because Owens would at least stab him in the front. And at least Owens has been WWE Champion (not quite).

Zayn gets in his face and yells about how Rhodes needs to keep Owens out of his mouth but here is Gunther to say that he doesn’t care about all of the drama around here. If not for Zayn, Gunther would be the WWE Champion but Zayn isn’t a threat to him as a wrestler. Rhodes needs to enjoy his last night as champion because Gunther is taking the title. This brings out Jey Uso to interrupt but Gunther won’t let him run it back.

Uso brings up making Gunther tap out at Wrestlemania and the brawl is on. Gunther and Zayn are cleared out and Rhodes squares off with Uso…and here is Oba Femi. Gunther Zayn get back in and are taken right back out, leaving Rhodes and Femi to stare it down to end the show. They’re doing something interesting here as you could have a few combinations here and they’re all good enough. Nice job here and I’ll take that over having the obvious result that takes forever to come together.

Overall Rating: B-. This did a good enough job of giving a final push towards the pay per view and that’s all it needed to do. They didn’t really add much of anything but the tease at the end did make me more interested. The best thing out of all of this though is we’re back to two hours next week, which is LONG overdue. That should do wonders for Smackdown and I want to see just how well things go when we’re on the road to Summerslam with one less hour to deal with a week. Not a great show here, but it did what it needed to do.

Results
Michin/B-Fab b. Alexa Bliss/Tiffany Stratton – Spinning X Factor to Stratton
Rey Fenix b. Nathan Frazer – Mexican MuscleBuster
Paige b. Jacy Jayne – Rollup
Danhausen/Matt Cardona b. Los Garza – Reverse DDT to Berto
Jade Cargill b. Chelsea Green – Jaded
Giulia b. Kiana James – Northern lights bomb

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: June 5, 2026
Location: Unipol Arena, Bologna, Italy
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett

We’re still in Italy after last Sunday’s Clash In Italy and there is some controversy around the World Title. Cody Rhodes did retain the title over Gunther but Gunther’s foot was underneath the rope on the pin. That is going to have some issues going forward and Gunther has a big time complaint. Other than that, the King and Queen Of The Ring tournaments are on and get to continue here. Let’s get to it.

Here is Clash In Italy if you need a recap.

Clash In Italy recap.

Commentators welcome us to the show and here is Gunther to wreck the announcers’ table. He wants justice for what happened, because he is the Ring General and put his foot underneath the rope on purpose. Gunther calls out Cody Rhodes and here he is to answer. Rhodes says Gunther is absolutely right but Gunther is also a pro. Has he never had a finish go against him before?

Anyway, Rhodes only needs to make one phone call so let’s do the rematch right here tonight. Gunther is ready to go but Sami Zayn interrupts to say this is nonsense. Gunther doesn’t want to hear this but Zayn says he knows what it’s like to beat Gunther for a title. Rhodes says he’s kind of busy right now, with Zayn thinking Rhodes is ducking him. Last week, Rhodes said if he beat Gunther, he would teach Zayn a lesson, so when is Zayn getting his lesson? Gunther gets in and jumps Rhodes but he and Zayn clear Gunther out. Zayn isn’t interested in a handshake though.

Miz follows some cables into Danhausen’s laboratory. Danhausen tells him not to touch stuff but Miz touches it anyway…and gets electrocuted.

Gunther yells at Nick Aldis to fix this situation and threatens lawsuits.

Queen Of The Ring First Round: Raquel Rodriguez vs. Bayley vs. Jacy Jayne vs. Kiana James

Everyone else goes for Rodriguez to start and she gets knocked outside. The Bayley To Belly gets two on James, who backslides her for the same. Jayne is back in for a rollup of her own but Rodriguez crossbodies everyone. We take a break and come back with Jayne in control and grabbing a running neckbreaker for two on Bayley. A backsplash gives Jayne two more and she adds a cannonball in the corner.

Rodriguez is back up with a Pounce though and a double spinning Vader Bomb elbow gets two. A powerbomb sends Bayley crashing into Jayne, followed by a double chokeslam and James making the save. We take another break and come back again with James flipping out of Rodriguez’s chokeslam. Rodriguez clotheslines James down instead but Jayne makes the save.

Bayley’s top rope elbow gets two on Jayne with James making a save of her own. The Dealbreaker into a standing moonsault gives James two so she rolls Bayley up, with Jayne making a save. Giulia takes Jayne out but James thinks Giulia broke up the cover. Rodriguez Tejana Bombs James for the pin at 15:41.

Rating: B-. This was a fast enough paced match and it wound up going well, as I wasn’t sure who was going to win until the ending. That’s a good feeling to have, even if I’m really not big on the whole four way stuff. Rodriguez is a good choice to move on and while I don’t think she’s winning, at least she can serve as a solid monster for someone to beat.

Post match Giulia helps James up and James shoves her away, earning a beating from Giulia. If you want to give Giulia a big moment, this makes as much sense as anything else.

Sami Zayn rants to Johnny Gargano until Nick Aldis comes in. Aldis tells Zayn to stay out of Gunther and Cody Rhodes’ business. Aldis has someone else to talk to, in the form of the returning Chad Gable (who gets a ROAR).

Royce Keys vs. Talla Tonga

The rest of the MFT’s are here with Tonga. Keys slugs away to start but can’t get in the slam. Some running clotheslines put Tonga on the floor though and we take a break. We come back with Keys avoiding a running boot in the corner and firing off some clotheslines to the front and back. Keys still can’t slam him so he goes with a pounce instead, followed by the running powerslam (that’s how you build to the slam working). He has to go after the MFT’s though and Tonga hits a chokeslam for the fast pin at 8:01.

Rating: C+. This was pretty to the point with Keys fighting back against the monster and managing to hit the big slam. That was a simple story that worked perfectly well, as did the interference to cost Keys the win. I’m not sure if I’d have Keys losing again, but it seems like this is part of a feud that will keep going.

Post match the beatdown stays on but R-Truth runs in for the failed save attempt. Damian Priest has to save R-Truth and Keys is left laying.

Judgment Day praises Raquel Rodriguez on her win but Liv Morgan makes it all about herself again.

Video on Finn Balor, who is making his debut next week.

Damian Priest isn’t happy with the injured R-Truth getting involved, especially since he doesn’t trust Royce Keys. R-Truth insists that he’s ok and his brother, a doctor, told him. Priest says R-Truth doesn’t have a brother but R-Truth says he does, and said brother is a Doctor Of Thuganomics. That makes Priest walk off so here are the War Raiders (the new AAA Tag Team Champions), who seem to want a title shot. R-Truth has no idea who they are and walks off.

Here is Rhea Ripley, with her knee wrapped up and clearly limping, for a chat. She’s glad to put the Jade Cargill chapter behind her, but her knee is a bit banged up. The reality is Cargill blew her chance thanks to, I guess we’ll say a friend, helping Ripley. This brings out Charlotte (to quite the reaction) to say she’s had fun teaming with Ripley. The Queen Of The Ring is starting up though and she’s a competitor, so she’s coming for the title. Ripley doesn’t seem to mind but here is Tiffany Stratton to interrupt.

Charlotte thinks Stratton is here to apologize but Stratton is here to talk about Ripley’s title. This brings out Jade Cargill and company, who says Charlotte is next for her. Cargill doesn’t think much of Stratton either and the fight seems imminent. Cue Nick Aldis to say not so fast, if nothing else because Ripley isn’t cleared to compete. Charlotte suggests a tag match instead and we seem good to go.

Charlotte/Tiffany Stratton vs. Michin/Jade Cargill

Charlotte powers Michin into the corner to start but an O’Connor roll is blocked. The Figure Four necklock works a bit better and Michin gets rolled around. Stratton comes in with a basement dropkick but Cargill sends her flying with a fall away slam. A blind tag brings Charlotte back in though and a high crossbody takes Michin down again. Another crossbody from the apron hits B-Fab and Cargill but Michin is back up with a suicide dive to Charlotte as we take a break.

We come back with Charlotte dropping Michin but getting cheap shotted by Cargill. That means Michin can Styles Clash Charlotte, who is able to avoid a charge into the post. Stratton comes back in to a heck of a reaction and cleans house, with a Swanton getting two on Michin. Cargill is back in with a sitout powerbomb to Stratton and Charlotte posts Michin. Back in and Jaded is reversed into a rollup for two but a second attempt finishes Stratton at 12:20.

Rating: B. The crowd was on fire for this one and it made for a rather awesome atmosphere around a rather good match. Cargill gets some momentum back and you can see some pretty big matches coming up for the women’s division. It’s smart to give Cargill a win back, though it’s not a great sign to see a champion get pinned, even in a tag match.

Jacy Jayne rants to Fatal Influence about her loss and they take out some anger by jumping Brie Bella and Paige. They also hold up the Women’s Tag Team Titles. I’ll absolutely take that as a way to save us from this reign already.

Royce Keys thanks R-Truth for his help. R-Truth suggests that Damian Priest can help against the MFT’s, but Keys doesn’t think that’s going to work.

Ricky Saints vs. Carmelo Hayes

Saints jumps him before the bell but gets sent outside. That means a big running dive and frog splash for two on Saints before Hayes can even take his jacket off. Hayes clotheslines him out to the floor and we take a break. We come back with Saints hammering away and grabbing a bulldog for two.

Hayes reverses a northern lights suplex into a DDT though and they’re both down for a bit. They strike it out until Dirty Diana gives Hayes two more. Saints’ tornado DDT out of the corner gets the same but he gets caught in the First 48. Hayes loads up Nothing But Net and gets crotched down, followed by a crash out to the floor. That’s good for a nine and a half and Hayes hits a superkick, only to get rolled up for the pin (with tights) at 10:10.

Rating: B. Hayes is someone who can wrestle that fast paced style and make it look effortless, which is quite the talent. He’s incredibly smooth in the ring and that isn’t something you can just manufacture. Saints continues to find himself around here and a win over a former champion is a good step in the right direction.

Trick Williams says he is concerned with himself only and he isn’t worried who is coming after his title. Then he wants to win the King Of The Ring and he starts tonight. Bron Breakker comes in for a staredown.

Chelsea Green asks Tiffany Stratton why she didn’t ask for help tonight. Stratton said it was ok and has to go to the trainers instead of being in Green’s corner. Green’s disappointed face is great, as her one sided enthusiasm is working very well.

Blake Monroe is still coming and seems interested in Tiffany Stratton. Tiffy Time is about to run on Monroe Minutes.

Chelsea Green vs. Lash Legend

Nia Jax is here with legend. Green chops away to start and immediately has to run from a chasing Legend. Back in and Legend stomps her down for a splash with Jax getting in a cheap shot. Green’s sunset flip is blocked and a pump kick gives Legend two. Green fights up and seemingly accidentally takes Jax out before hitting a big dive onto both of them. Back in and a missile dropkick puts Legend down for two but the Unprettier is countered into the Lash Extension for the pin at 4:26.

Rating: C+. Green held her own in there for a bit but it would have been too far for her to be able to beat a monster like Legend, especially with Jax out there. The match showed what Green can do when she is allowed to actually open it up in the ring a bit and that’s a rare sight. The good thing is that the fans are already behind her and it’s easy to see why when she’s that talented.

We look at Jacob Fatu acknowledging Roman Reigns on Raw.

Solo Sikoa comes up to Royce Keys and says Keys needs some support. Sikoa talks about how he’s the only one to call Keys and they need to get ready for war. This seems to have Keys thinking, though Sikoa says to stop making this difficult or Sikoa will make it difficult.

Video on the mask vs. mask match from last weekend’s AAA. It’s worth seeing if you haven’t yet.

Rey Fenix is talking to Fraxiom when Chad Gable comes up. Gable talks about how he and Fenix had a match last year at Wrestlemania but Gable was doing it to mock lucha libre. He has since learned how great the Mexican culture is and wants to apologize. Fenix says he forgives Gable, but he’s not the only person Gable has to apologize to. The fans applauding Gable for what he said shows this thing is working well so far.

Cody Rhodes runs into Nick Aldis, who asks if the offer for a rematch with Gunther is still good. Rhodes says it absolutely is and he wanted to do it tonight but Gunther is already gone. Aldis has been talking to Gunther’s legal team (“They’re no fun.”) and Gunther wants a stipulation, which he’ll announce next week. That’s fine with Rhodes, but he doesn’t want to wait much longer, so the title match is two weeks from tonight. Works for Aldis. This was a rare case of a backstage conversation that actually sounded natural.

King Of The Ring First Round: Damian Priest vs. Trick Williams vs. Dominik Mysterio vs. Bron Breakker

Non-title. Breakker immediately suplexes Williams to start fast and Mysterio bails out to the floor. Another suplex drops Priest and Breakker gives him a running clothesline. The big flying shoulder drops Mysterio on the floor and Breakker shows off by jumping from the floor onto the announcers’ table as we take a break.

We come back with everyone but Breakker fighting in the ring until Williams is knocked to the floor as well. Priest hammers on Mysterio and cuts off Breakker as he gets back inside. Williams and Breakker are sent to the floor again but Mysterio manages to kick away at Priest. Breakker is back in to super Frankensteiner Priest and gorilla press powerslam Mysterio.

Williams makes a save and slugs it out with Breakker with the former getting the better of things. A neckbreaker drops Priest and dang the fans like Williams. The Rock Bottom gives Williams two on Breakker with Priest making the save and taking over. Priest goes up top and gets double superplexed down and we take another break.

We come back with Breakker missing a charge into the post and Priest Razor’s Edges Mysterio. Liv Morgan offers a distraction though and Breakker is back up to wreck people. The spear hits Priest and Mysterio sends Breakker outside, with Williams getting two as Mysterio pulls the referee. Breakker clotheslines Williams through the announcers’ table and cue JD McDonagh to distract Priest. Morgan gets in a low blow and Mysterio’s 619 into the frog splash are enough to pin Priest at 16:53.

Rating: B-. I like Mysterio stealing the win, as it means he gets to face Oba Femi in the next round and that could be quite the situation. Priest losing again isn’t a great sign for him, as it’s kind of his designated role in these spots. At the same time, they might have something down the line with Williams vs. Breakker, which definitely had an aura to it that could go somewhere.

Overall Rating: B. The tournament stuff is giving the show a nice focus and I liked what the women were doing here too. Smackdown has turned around a good bit since Wrestlemania and that is a great sign, as those shows around that time were getting very hard to watch. You can’t do the tournament stuff forever, but it’s working well enough at the moment, with Rhodes vs. Gunther II looking like it has some major potential in a few weeks.

Results
Raquel Rodriguez b. Kiana James, Bayley and Jacy Jayne – Tejana Bomb to James
Talla Tonga b. Royce Keys – Chokeslam
Jade Cargill/Michin b. Charlotte/Tiffany Stratton – Jaded to Stratton
Ricky Saints b. Carmelo Hayes – Rollup with tights
Lash Legend b. Chelsea Green – Lash Extension
Dominik Mysterio b. Damian Priest, Trick Williams and Bron Breakker – Frog splash to Priest

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:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bella Twins vs. Charlotte/Alexa Bliss

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tiffany Stratton NXT Origins video.

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

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

Rhea Ripley vs. B-Fab

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

Post match the trio lays Ripley out without much trouble.

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

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

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

Jelly Roll vs. Kit Wilson

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

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

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

Post match Roll celebrates with his son.

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

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

US Title: Carmelo Hayes vs. ???

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Giulia vs. Tiffany Stratton

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wrestlemania rundown.

Randy Orton vs. Matt Cardona

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Smackdown
Date: March 20, 2026
Location: Lenovo Center, Raleigh, North Carolina
Commentators; Wade Barrett, Joe Tessitore

We’re less than a month away from Wrestlemania and the big story around here is Randy Orton snapping on Cody Rhodes last week and leaving him a bloody mess. That’s the kind of thing that could make for a heck of a Wrestlemania showdown, though we have a few weeks to get there first. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a look back at Orton attacking Rhodes last week.

Various people arrive but referees and Nick Aldis run to the parking lot, where Drew McIntyre pulls Jacob Fatu through a windshield of a car that has been t-boned by another car. McIntyre hammers him with right hands and Fatu is left bleeding.

Here is McIntyre in the arena to ask what you thought would happen. He wanted to go to the main event of Wrestlemania and you took it from him. Cue Aldis and security, with Aldis saying that the only thing McIntyre is heading towards is unemployment. McIntyre brings up Aldis’ son and how horrible of a father Aldis is, but here is Fatu to start the brawl all over again. Fatu gets the better of things and splashes him through the announcers’ table.

Post break we look back at what we just saw.

IMG Credit: WWE

Tag Team Titles: Damian Priest/R-Truth vs. MFT’s

The MFT’s are defending. Priest grabs the lifting Downward Spiral to start fast on Mateo and takes Tonga down as well. Talla Tonga takes R-Truth off the apron and we take an early break. We come back with Mateo’s standing moonsault hitting Priest for two but Priest kicks him in the face.

There’s the Tag off to R-Truth as everything breaks down. Priest gets knocked outside and R-Truth hits a Stunner of all things into an STF. That’s broken up and Talla chokeslams R-Truth onto the apron. Cue the Wyatt Sicks to go after the non-involved MFT’s, leaving R-Truth to hit an AA for the pin and the titles at 8:44.

Rating: C+. In theory this clears the Wyatts and MFT’s for a match about the lantern, which could be a heck of a wild brawl. Other than that, I cannot imagine that R-Truth and Priest hold titles for very long, but it’s certainly a twist in the title picture. If nothing else, this could bring some of the other teams into the fold, which is long overdue.

Priest’s stunned look (Priest: “WHAT??? WHAT???”) is great and he’ll take it.

The Bella Twins are ready for the Irresistible Forces and the Women’s Tag Team Titles. Charlotte and Alexa Bliss (with ice cream) come up to mock them for being selfish and jumping the line. Brie takes Bliss’ spoon.

Candice LeRae doesn’t know how to fix Johnny Gargano but Danhausen pops in. Danhausen thinks something is wrong and Candice asks if he can fix it. He asks if she has $20 million so she reaches into Gargano’s pocket and pulls out some cash. Danhausen takes it, examines it, and leaves. The Motor City Machine Guns come up, with Chris Sabin telling Alex Shelley to keep walking because they have a match.

We look at fan reactions to Randy Orton attacking Cody Rhodes.

Sami Zayn can’t stop thinking about Rhodes, who always tries and goes the extra mile. Now look at what happened to him. Maybe that ends with Randy Orton winning the title so maybe Zayn’s worldview is wrong. Trick Williams comes in to mock him so Zayn is ready to fight but Williams will have to check his PalmPilot and get back to him.

Fraxiom vs. Motor City Machine Guns

Fraser grabs a headlock on Shelley to start with Sabin coming in to knock Axiom off the apron. Fraxiom get back up to clear the ring and we take a break. We come back with Fraser hitting a running flip dive to take out both Guns on the floor. Back in and Chasing The Dragon gets two on Sabin but he breaks up a super hurricanrana attempt.

The tag brings in Shelley to keep up the comeback as Candice LeRae is here to watch. Everything breaks down again and Fraxiom knocks them outside for the pair of dives. Back in and Sabin kicks out of a rollup, allowing LeRae to cheap shot Fraser, giving Sabin the rollup pin at 8:03.

Rating: C+. That ending is a bit curious but I’ll take something that has the Guns both back in the ring and winning. I’m not sure where the LeRae/Gargano stuff is going and that’s a nice feeling to have. What matters the most is that the tag division is starting to do something outside of just fighting over the belts, which is nice to see for a change. Just keep it going.

We look at the McIntyre/Fatu brawls from earlier.

We look at Roman Reigns and CM Punk’s interaction on Raw.

IMG Credit: WWE

Here is Randy Orton for a chat as he has a seat in a chair. Orton talks about how much love he had received from the fans since he came back. Yeah he signs autographs and tells kids happy birthday and all that, but it’s such an empty feeling. He wants his legacy to be about World Titles and he was ready to get another one against Drew McIntyre. Then Cody Rhodes took the title and Orton wasn’t sure if he could win.

Rhodes helped him out though by telling him to be the best version of Orton that he could be, because he started listening to the voices. He doesn’t always stay in control when that happens, but this time they are telling him that he’s going to win the title at Wrestlemania when he beats Rhodes with the RKO. The fans seem to be way behind Orton here.

Video on the Bella Twins’ return.

Post break Randy Orton is in the back when he runs into Matt Cardona, who doesn’t know how Orton could do that to Cody Rhodes. Orton calls him a “mark a** stooge” and lays him out with a shot to the head.

Aleister Black vs. Sami Zayn

Zelina is here with Black and Trick Williams comes out to sit on the announcers’ deck. Black strikes away to start fast but Zayn pounds him into the corner to fight back. We take a break and come back with Black striking away. Zayn fights back but gets elbowed in the face as Williams has a drink from somewhere. Black’s leglock is broken up but the Helluva Kick misses, allowing Black to hit a middle rope Meteora.

Zayn manages to get up and knocks him outside for some rams into the barricade. Back in and Black rolls to the floor again to avoid a Helluva Kick. Zayn follows and knocks Williams’ feet off the ropes so Williams throws the drink at him. That’s enough for Zayn to unload on Williams, only to walk into Black Mass (with Black shrugging as if to say “you asked for this”) and the pin at 9:31.

Rating: B-. Zayn vs. Williams is an interesting way to go, if nothing else as it shows how hot of a start Williams is on as part of the main roster. That could open up more than a few doors and I’m curious to see where it goes for Wrestlemania, where they would likely be facing off. It’s nice to see Black getting a win and hopefully this gives him a bit of momentum.

Matt Cardona wants Randy Orton tonight but Nick Aldis says no. Carmelo Hayes comes up to ask about the US Open Challenge but someone has already taken him up on the title shot tonight. Ilja Dragunov pops up and seems ready for the match, with Hayes approving.

The Irresistible Forces aren’t worried about losing to the Bella Twins. They’re not worried about any of the other teams either.

Here is Jade Cargill for a chat and she wastes no time in calling out Rhea Ripley. Cue Ripley as they’re not wasting time here. Ripley doesn’t want to talk to Cargill anymore and hopes she’s out here for a fight. Cargill says this is about what Ripley needs, because Cargill doesn’t need anything, including the fans. Ripley says she needs this because she lives for this. She’s been doing this since she was sixteen and it’s what matters the most to her.

Cargill says Ripley is just Iyo Sky’s b**** but Ripley says that title needs her so she’ll be taking it. Welcome to the big leagues b****! She offers Cargill the first shot but “on my time”. Cue Michin and B-Fab…who surround Ripley and the big beatdown is on. Maybe they’ll be better lackeys than pitiful challengers.

Kit Wilson isn’t sure what to think of what is going on and Miz talks about having a horrible week. His family vacation was ruined because of bad weather in Hawaii and he has a horrible sunburn on his back. Cue Danhausen to slap both of them on the back but Miz still won’t mentor him. Then a ladder falls down behind them as Miz tells Wilson to go do this on his own. Then another ladder falls on Miz.

Solo Sikoa yells at the MFT’s and doesn’t want to hear about the Wyatt Sicks. Tama Tonga says Sikoa is starting to sound like Roman Reigns. That’s broken up as Jacob Fatu and Drew McIntyre pop up for another fight, with McIntyre going for the eyes.

Dennis Rodman is going into the Hall Of Fame.

US Title: Ilja Dragunov vs. Carmelo Hayes

Dragunov is challenging. They fight over a rather aggressive lockup to start until Hayes hits him in the face. Dragunov hits himself in the face and powers him across the ring, followed by a Constantine Special. We take a break and come back with Dragunov kicking away at the downed Hayes. That doesn’t last long as Hayes is back up with La Mistica, followed by a running clothesline to the floor. The running flip dive connects, with Hayes crashing into the announcers’ table.

Back in and a frog splash gives Hayes two but bangs up his own ribs in the process. Dragunov gets in a German suplex into a top rope backsplash for two, meaning it’s time for the Coast To Coast. Hayes is back up to First 48 him out of the air, with Dragunov managing an H Bomb on the way down. Hayes gets a foot on the ropes for the break and Dragunov can’t believe it.

We take another break and come back again with Dragunov hitting a Death Valley Driver onto the apron. Back in and Dragunov takes him up top but the superplex is reversed into a cutter for two. They strike it out with Hayes hitting an enziguri but Dragunov stomps him for two. Torpedo Moscow is countered into the First 48 for two and Hayes is stunned. That’s enough to set up Nothing But Net, only for Dragunov to come back with a Torpedo Moscow but doesn’t cover. Instead Dragunov loads up a powerbomb, which is countered into a sunset flip to give Hayes the pin at 15:57.

Rating: B+. This was a match that has been built up for a long time now, though it felt like they were going to build Dragunov back up a bit before we got to the title match. The good thing is that Hayes won clean here and can move on to someone else. I’m not sure who that is, but hopefully it’s a big name at Wrestlemania, as it would be nice to see the title treated that way.

Jelly Roll praises Damian Priest and R-Truth on their win. Roll goes up to Randy Orton, who apologizes for last week. Roll understands it and hopes that Orton realizes what he means to these people. Orton has worked so hard to get here and doesn’t know why he would want to be the old version. Roll even offers to help him get back to the good version and Orton seems interested.

We look at Oba Femi beating up Brock Lesnar on Raw.

Here is Kit Wilson to call out Jelly Roll. He wants to settle this like men so Roll needs to get out here right now. Cue Roll, with Wilson rolling straight to the floor. Roll wants a referee out here to have a match but Wilson says he fights with his words. Roll: “Do what?” He thinks Wilson brought him all the way here for a rap battle, but this is SLAM POETRY. The lights go down a bit and Wilson pulls out his book.

Roll: “YOU GOT A BOOK??? YOU BROUGHT A BOOK???” Wilson starts reading about Roll’s criminal past as Roll’s jaw is hanging open. He also gets in an Ozempic line but Roll comes back with various jokes about sleeping with Wilson’s mother. Wilson jumps him from behind and drops a top rope elbow. Roll was hilarious here as he really sold Wilson’s absurdity.

Giulia isn’t happy with Kiana James for losing and James doesn’t want to hear it. Alba Fyre rolls Chelsea Green in so Green can offer to team up against Tiffany Stratton but Giulia doesn’t want any help.

Jelly Roll wants Kit Wilson and Nick Aldis gives him the match next week.

IMG Credit: WWE

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Bella Twins vs. Irresistible Forces

The Bellas are challenging and dropkick the champs’ knees out to start. Jax and Nikki start things off with Nikki working on the arm. Brie comes in to do the same and a double bulldog connects. Cue Charlotte and Alexa Bliss for a distraction, allowing Legend to clean house. We take a break and come back with the Brie Mode knee hitting Jax. Brie fires off the YES Kick but Jax hits a headbutt.

The champs head outside for a breather so Nikki dives onto the two of them. Back in and a super Samoan drop into a middle rope splash has Nikki in trouble but Brie makes the save. Nikki gets the Fearless Lock on Legend so Jax grabs a belt, only for Charlotte to cut her off and brawl for the DQ at 8:00.

Rating: C. The Bellas are going to be around for the time being and it wouldn’t surprise me if they won the titles at Wrestlemania for their big special moment. I’m still not sure how interesting that is going to be but the Bellas are stars and that means we are going to see them for the coming weeks. The match was rather generic and could have been a lot worse, but I just cannot bring myself to care about the Bellas.

Post match the Bellas go after Charlotte and Bliss, but the Forces take out both of them and wreck everyone.

Randy Orton is on the phone with someone, who needs to watch him go back out to the ring.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Here is Randy Orton with his chair for a chat, though he does shake hands with a kid on the way to the ring. He takes his time doing his full entrance before saying he has an apology to make to Matt Cardona, so if Cardona could please come out here. Cue Cardona, with Orton immediately apologizing. They hug and of course Orton kicks him low for the RKO. Orton takes him outside and loads up the steps but agents run out for the save (as the fans chant for RANDY). Orton throws Cardona back inside and pounds on him before Pillmanizing his arm. Fans: “ONE MORE TIME!” That’s going to be an issue, especially at Wrestlemania.

Nick Aldis comes out to yell at Orton but has to run to the back as we see Jacob Fatu and Drew McIntyre brawling outside. They climb onto a tower as Aldis and company run to the back. The two of them go over a rail and crash down onto….whatever is behind the fence holding Aldis and company back as the show ends. Their upcoming street fight or Last Man Standing or whatever match at Wrestlemania should be fun.

Overall Rating: B. I liked this show more than most recent Smackdowns, as they covered quite a few things, with some steps being taken towards Wrestlemania. Zayn vs. Williams has me interested, and I’m also curious to see what WWE does get the fans to boo Orton. I want to see where some of these stories go and that is a nice feeling. Throw in some good action and this was a rather good show, especially for Smackdown.

Results
R-Truth/Damian Priest b. MFT’s – AA to Mateo
Motor City Machine Guns b. Fraxiom – Rollup to Fraser
Aleister Black b. Sami Zayn – Helluva Kick
Carmelo Hayes b. Ilja Dragunov – Sunset flip
Irresistible Forces b. Bella Twins via DQ when Charlotte 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:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MFT’s vs. Wyatt Sicks

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jade Cargill vs. Michin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Post match the Forces lay out both teams.

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

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

Damian Priest/R-Truth vs. Los Garza

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tiffany Stratton vs. Kiana James

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

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

Next week: Kit Wilson calls out Jelly Roll.

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

Jacob Fatu vs. Trick Williams

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

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

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

Post match McIntyre gives Fatu the Claymore.

Jelly Roll is back at ringside.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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