Smackdown
Date: May 22, 2026
Location: Rupp Arena, Lexington, Kentucky
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

It’s the night before Saturday Night’s Main Event and the show is not exactly looking huge. There isn’t much to be said about the card and I’m not sure we’re going to get anything else added here. On the other hand, Clash In Italy is just over a week away and is already looking strong. 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 contract signing between Cody Rhodes and Gunther. That was broken up by Royce Keys, whom Gunther had to beat to get the title shot anyway.

Here is Rhea Ripley to get things going. She got jumped by Jade Cargill last week and wants to face Cargill at Clash In Italy. Cue Charlotte and Alexa Bliss, with Charlotte saying they have a six woman tag at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Before that though, Charlotte gets on Ripley for not being there to help last week. Ripley says she was visiting her family and the bickering is on, with Fatal Influence interrupting them. Jacy Jayne laughs at them and says they take opportunities where they can. The result is a tag match against Bliss/Charlotte tonight.

We look back at Talla Tonga attacking Shinsuke Nakamura last week and Solo Sikoa getting taken out by Royce Keys in the main event.

Sikoa won’t let the MFT’s talk about Talla’s match with Shinsuke Nakamura. Keys comes in to yell but Sikoa says Keys was the one who got physical. Keys is going to need someone to have his back and since Sikoa is family, who could be better?

Alexa Bliss tells Charlotte that she’s sick so Charlotte and Rhea Ripley are teaming together. Charlotte is less than pleased.

Talla Tonga vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

The MFT’s are with Talla, who shoves the popular Nakamura into the corner to start. Nakamura gets choked in the corner and a hard whip sends him into another corner. Back up and Nakamura knocks him to the floor, where Talla reverses into a whip to the barricade. We take a break and come back with Nakamura grabbing a triangle choke. With that broken up, a middle rope knee to the back hits Talla, who misses a charge into the corner. Scorpio Rising gives Nakamura two but a Solo Sikoa distraction lets Talla grab a powerslam. The chokeslam finishes Nakamura at 9:20.

Rating: C+. This was pretty to the point, with Nakamura’s strikes still looking good despite not being in the ring very much as of late. Talla continues to look like a monster and that is exactly what he should be doing. You don’t see Talla get in the ring very often and that makes sense, but having him beat someone like Nakamura should help him a bit.

Post match the beatdown is on with Tama Tonga teasing turning on Sikoa but knocking Nakamura out anyway. Damian Priest makes the save with a chair.

Video on Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu.

Cody Rhodes comes in to see Nick Aldis and wants Gunther to sign the contract for Clash In Italy. Aldis says the match is made but he’ll get Gunther to sign. Sami Zayn comes in offer Rhodes his help with Gunther but Rhodes passes, leaving Zayn annoyed. Zayn rants to Aldis and Rhodes comes back in and says he’ll fight Zayn tonight.

Tama Tonga wants to take care of Damian Priest and Solo Sikoa seems to agree.

Women’s US Title: Tiffany Stratton vs. ???

Stratton is defending in an open challenge, as answered by…Lash Legend. Nia Jax is here with Legend and they promise to win both this and the Women’s Tag Team Titles on Saturday. Legend shoves her down to start but Stratton strikes away out of the corner. A dropkick doesn’t do much to Legend but a running version sends her outside. Stratton hits a dive, only for Legend to knock her down. Cue Chelsea Green to cheer Stratton on as we take a break.

We come back with Legend grabbing a chinlock until Stratton gets up and avoids a charge into the post. Stratton’s handspring elbow and handspring Stunner combine for two and a hurricanrana sends Legend into the corner. Legend is right back with a heck of a powerbomb but the Lash Extension is countered into a crucifix for two. Jax has to be kicked away so Green goes after her, leaving Legend to hit a pump kick. Legend grabs Green, allowing Stratton to get the rollup to retain at 9:04.

Rating: C+. They did this well, with Stratton escaping to keep the title again. Green helping Stratton is interesting as she seems to be the next important challenger, which is an interesting way to go. At the same time, enough with the open challenges. The idea has been done to death and it doesn’t exactly add anything. Just figure out something else.

Nick Aldis says the building has a power issue coming from a certain room. That seems to be Danhausen’s laboratory, with Aldis going in to yell at him. There is something under a sheet and Aldis goes to look. Danhausen: “DON’T TOUCH THAT!” Oh dear.

We look at Danhausen uncursing the New York Knicks…who then went on a nine game winning streak.

The Miz and Kit Wilson don’t care about what is in Danhausen’s laboratory and insist there IS NO CURSE. Miz complains about Danhausen causing the Cleveland Cavaliers their playoff series and sitting courtside. Cathy Kelly: “Why aren’t you sitting courtside?” As the fans give that a big OOOOOHHHHH, Fraxiom comes up to mock the idea of a curse. Miz vs. Axiom is set for next week.

Here are Trick Williams and Lil Yachty for a chat. They mock the Miz for losing last week, with Yachty putting down Miz’s accomplishments (Williams: “7 time Tag Team Champion.” Yachty: “7 times he was carried.”). Cue Carmelo Hayes, who says they knew this day was going to come. Hayes praises what Williams has done around here but the fans want to see them go at it for the US Title.

Yachty says Williams has a messy schedule and it won’t be easy. Hayes: “Can anyone understand what this guy is saying?” Hayes brings up Williams always being better playing second fiddle, which has Williams’ attention. The match is on, but Williams makes it clear that it isn’t for the title.

Carmelo Hayes vs. Trick Williams

Lil Yachty is here with Williams, who grabs a slam to start. Hayes chops him into the corner but Williams reverses into a chop of his own and stomps away. The Rock Bottom gives Williams two and he puts Hayes down again. A drop across the top rope has Hayes in trouble but he manages to send Williams outside. Yachty gets in the way of a dive though and we take a break.

We come back with Hayes fighting out of a chinlock but getting dropped with a jumping neckbreaker. Hayes’ springboard clothesline connects as Ricky Saints is here to sneer. Hayes strikes away as we hear some noise in the background, which doesn’t seem to be intentional. The Trick Shot is countered into the First 48 for two and they go outside, where Saints is knocked down. Back in and Hayes rolls Williams up but the referee is with Saints. Hayes goes to deal with him but walks into the Trick Shot to give Williams the pin at 13:24.

Rating: B. Believe it or not, two talented guys who have a history together were able to have a good match. That’s what we got to see here and Saints vs. Hayes gets to continue. I liked the match rather well, with multiple people getting to advance stories at once. That’s not bad for a pair of segments and it gave the midcard a boost.

Sami Zayn is livid in the back and runs into a still silent Johnny Gargano. Zayn talks about how things have changed, but he and Gargano have never changed. Gargano responds by…weakly knocking over a bottle of water.

Carmelo Hayes jumps Ricky Saints in the back.

We look at Brock Lesnar returning on Raw and attacking Oba Femi, setting up their Clash In Italy rematch.

Fatal Influence vs. Charlotte/Rhea Ripley

Jacy Jayne and Alexa Bliss are here too. Henley mocks Charlotte’s strut to start and gets clotheslined as a result. Ripley comes in to kick Reid into the corner and it’s right back to Charlotte. This time doesn’t go as well, with Charlotte being sent outside so Fatal Influence can pose over her as we take a break.

We come back with Charlotte still in trouble and Henley coming in for a chinlock. Back up and Charlotte kicks Henley off the top and out to the floor but Reid gets in a chop block. Charlotte kicks Reid away though and it’s back ti Ripley to clean house. A Razor’s Edge hits Reid, with Henley having to make a save. Ripley superkicks Charlotte off the apron by mistake before hitting Reid with Riptide. Charlotte tags herself in though and Natural Selection finishes at 10:56.

Rating: B-. They’re not hiding that this is setting up a big Charlotte vs. Ripley showdown and that’s a good idea. There are only so many stars who can really give Ripley a challenge and Charlotte is up there. It would be nice to see this version of Charlotte getting a chance and it might be happening in the next few months. Other than that, Fatal Influence continues to feel like they belong here, and now we get to see what happens after losing like this.

Post match Bliss tries to calm things down but here are Jade Cargill, B-Fab and Michin to lay all of them out.

Cody Rhodes is ready for Sami Zayn tonight and would love to have Gunther there in some way.

We look at Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu setting up Tribal Combat on Raw.

Jade Cargill and company are ready to win their six woman tag and prove how dominant they really are.

Damian Priest vs. Solo Sikoa

The MFT’s are here with Sikoa, who gets jumped to start things fast. They get inside with Priest hitting a jumping elbow to the face but getting pulled into a Samoan drop. We take a break and come back with Priest clapping Sikoa’s ears on the top. That’s enough to set up a superplex before they trade forearms.

Sikoa misses a charge into the post and the Broken Arrow gives Priest two. The MFT’s offer a distraction though and Spinning Solo connects for two more. Back up and Priest kicks him in the head, followed by a lifting Downward Spiral. Talla Tonga gets up for a distraction though and the Samoan Spike finishes Priest at 9:43.

Rating: C+. Priest continues to not have the most success and it seems likely that he and R-Truth don’t have the longest future. The team never really felt like it was going to be the big champions of the future and we’re probably getting close to the time they drop the titles. The fact that Priest is already doing something on his own isn’t a great sign, but it’s not like this is a shock.

Post match the beatdown is on but Royce Keys runs in for the save. Priest grabs Keys by the throat but Keys says he’s here to help, which calms Priest down.

Saturday Night’s Main Event rundown. That card looks dire.

Blake Monroe debuts and doesn’t think much of Chelsea Green. Monroe leaves and the Irresistible Forces jump Green to lay her out.

Royce Keys wants to know what Damian Priest’s problem is but Priest yells at him for getting in his business. A match seems likely.

Sami Zayn vs. Cody Rhodes

Non-title. Zayn shoves him into the corner to start but doesn’t want to follow up. Rhodes tells him to bring it, earning himself a headlock. Rhodes knocks him down but a way too early Cody Cutter attempt is broken up. We take a break and come back with Rhodes still in trouble but managing a suplex. The Cody Cutter gets two but Rhodes’ knee is banged up. Rhodes is sent to the apron and knocked HARD onto the announcers’ table (that was a nasty bump).

That’s good for a nine count before Rhodes makes it back inside, where another Cody Cutter gets another two. The banged up knee lets Zayn grab the Blue Thunder Bomb for two of his own and they both need a breather. Zayn goes after a knee and grabs the Figure Four. That’s reversed with a turn into the ropes and Rhodes gets up for the Disaster Kick. Cue Gunther for the sleeper from the apron but Zayn knocks him down by mistake. Cross Rhodes finishes for Rhodes at 11:50.

Rating: B. Much like Williams vs. Hayes, there was no shock to these two being able to work well together. Zayn continues his downfall, with one more loss to add onto his failures. At some point he is going to hit his absolute rock bottom and it’s going to be interesting to see where it goes from there. In theory it is going to result in him winning the World Title, but we could be a long way from that happening.

Post match Gunther sleepers Rhodes again and Zayn looks at them and….eventually….walks away. Gunther poses over Rhodes and Zayn looks on from the aisle to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. You had a pair of good matches here and a lot of stuff being moved towards Clash In Italy. That’s a nice thing to see, as you don’t have a lot of time left before the show. Clash In Italy got a positive boost here and I’m a lot more interested than I was coming in. Oh and Saturday Night’s Main Event exists too. Yeah exists. That’s as high as we’re getting with that one and that’s pretty clear.

Results
Talla Tonga b. Shinsuke Nakamura – Chokeslam
Tiffany Stratton b. Lash Legend – Rollup
Trick Williams b. Carmelo Hayes – Trick Shot
Charlotte/Rhea Ripley b. Fatal Influence – Natural Selection to Reid
Solo Sikoa b. Damian Priest – Samoan Spike
Cody Rhodes b. Sami Zayn – Cross Rhodes

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

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

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:

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Main Event
Date: January 8, 2026
Location: Barclays Center, New York City, New York
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Blake Howard

So for some reason this was put up on the WWE YouTube channel. I have no idea if that’s going to be a regular thing, but I can’t imagine me doing this more than once anyway. This is as low on the main roster totem pole as you can get and you’ll see what I mean if you’ve never seen this before. Let’s get to it.

Opening sequence.

Talla Tonga vs. Apollo Crews

Solo Sikoa and the MFT’s are here with Tonga. Crews is wrestling his first match in WWE in nearly a year, allowing commentary to make snake jokes as he is from Stone Mountain, Georgia. Tonga knocks him into the ropes but gets kicked out to the floor, with a dropkick through the ropes making it worse.

Back in and Tonga hits a running corner clothesline, followed by a full nelson slam. A chokeslam doesn’t work though and Tonga misses a charge into the buckle. Crews starts going after the knee and hits an enziguri, followed by a moonsault onto the back for two. Tonga isn’t having this though and kicks him out of the air, setting up the chokeslam for the pin at 5:04.

Rating: C-. Well, Crews is indeed back and he’s in the same spot he was in before. There was nothing to see here other than Crews getting to do some quick athletic stuff. That’s been his issue for a long time, as he’s more than crazy athletic, but there’s just nothing to make him connect with…well anyone really.

From Raw.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Rhea Ripley/Iyo Sky vs. Kabuki Warriors

The Warriors are defending and we start fast with the champions being sent outside for the running flip dive from Ripley. We take a break and come back with Ripley missing a second flip dive off the apron, allowing the Warriors to kick her down inside. Ripley throws her way out of trouble though and it’s off to Sky to Sling Blade Asuka. Sky gets draped over the top though and a top rope knee to the back gives Sane two.

We take another break and come back again with Sky getting bent around in a Liontamer. Sky gets twisted too far though and kicks Sane in the ribs, allowing the tag back to Ripley. House is quickly cleaned with Ripley hitting a Razor’s Edge into a missile dropkick. Ripley gets kicked by Asuka and the ankle lock goes on. She gets up but Asuka traps the leg for a German suplex (Ripley: “OH S***!”) and the Warriors fire off the kicks. The assisted Insane Elbow gets two, with Sky making the save. Sky kicks Asuka into the Riptide from Ripley, setting up Over The Moonsault for the pin and the titles at 16:29.

Rating: B. This is the right call as they set the match up as a big deal and then paid it off with the title change. Ripley and Sky have been needing to get another big win sooner or later and this is about as big as you can get. Sky continues to establish herself as one of the top stars in the division and Ripley gets back to some success, which she’s been needing for a good while.

Video on Maxxine Dupri vs. Becky Lynch.

From Raw.

Women’s Intercontinental Title: Becky Lynch vs. Maxxine Dupri

Dupri is defending and we get a Stranger Things intro, saying this is Chapter Three: It’s Not Just Her Saying It. They take turns backing each other into the corner and Lynch knocks her into the corner to take over. A Thesz press lets Dupri hammer away and we take an early break. We come back with Dupri fighting out of trouble and hitting a running knee to the head. Dupri loads up a backslide but then drops down, leaving commentary unsure what that was supposed to be.

A high crossbody misses for Dupri and the threat of an ankle lock sends Lynch over to the ropes. Lynch misses a middle rope legdrop in the ropes though and gets caught in the ankle lock. The Disarm-Her is reversed into the ankle lock, which Lynch reverses into a DDT for two. Lynch’s ankle lock is broken up and Dupri suplexes her into a high crossbody for two. Lynch catches her on top but Dupri rolls into another ankle lock. This time though Lynch stacks her up and grabs the rope to get the title back at 10:35.

Rating: B-. It had to happen sooner or later and that’s ok. What matters the most here is that Dupri has gone from pretty much a joke to someone who looks like she can hang in there with bigger names. There is zero shame in losing to Lynch, who is simply on a higher level than Dupri. I’m not sure what is next for either of them, but this would be a fine enough way to close the story.

From Raw.

CM Punk isn’t worried about the spear because if he’s the underdog, Bron Breakker will underestimate him.

We look at (in rapid fire):

Matt Cardona returning
Trick Williams debuting on Smackdown
Je’Von Evans signing with Raw
Giulia regaining the Women’s US Title

War Raiders vs. Los Americanos

El Grande Americano is here too. Bravo shoulders Erik to no avail to start so Rayo comes in for a double shoulder. Rayo misses a charge into the ropes and gets atomic dropped, allowing Ivar to come in for a double clothesline. The Raiders launch them at each other for a midair crash and we take a break.

We come back with the Americanos starting in on the leg, including a double wishbone. A quick distraction draws Erik in so the double stomping can ensue. Ivar clotheslines his way to freedom and brings Erik back in to clean house. Everything breaks down and Grande hits a loaded headbutt to Ivar, setting up a Russian legsweep/top rope headbutt combination to give Rayo the pin at 7:36.

Rating: C+. It’s so strange to see the War Raiders fall this far. They have gone from being the champions to losing on Main Event in less than a year. The entire Raw tag division has just collapsed and they’re certainly on the list. At the same time, Los Americanos are fun, but they’re just kind of there. Much like El Grande Americano actually.

Video on CM Punk vs. Bron Breakker.

From Raw.

Here is Gunther for a chat. Gunther has been asked to show respect, but what about respect for him? He brings up making John Cena tap out but here is AJ Styles to interrupt. Gunther immediately cuts him off though, saying Styles is punching above his weight. He’s the man who made Cena tap out like a little B****, so what is little AJ going to do about it? Gunther gives him a You Can’t See Me so Styles slaps him in the face. They get in each others’ faces and Styles says that’s what he thought.

From Raw.

Raw World Title: CM Punk vs. Bron Breakker

Breakker, with Paul Heyman, is defending. Punk grabs a headlock to start and cranks on the arm, including a takedown. Breakker catches him with a powerslam though and we take an early break. We come back with Breakker slamming him down again and hammering away with right hands. Another throw drops Punk again and he is looking rather rocked.

Some trash talk wakes Punk up though and he strikes away but the GTS is escaped. Breakker’s fireman’s carry gutbuster gets two but the running spear around the ring is cut off with a clothesline. We take a break and come back with Breakker not being able to hit the super Frankensteiner and crashing backwards. Punk’s top rope elbow gets two so he goes back up, where a super Frankensteiner brings him back down for two.

The gorilla press is countered into a DDT for two and they slug it out. Punk knocks him down but goes after a distraction Heyman. Cue the Vision for a distraction, allowing Theory to hit a Stomp. Cue Dragon Lee, Penta and Rey Mysterio to brawl with the Vision, leaving Breakker’s spear to hit the post. The GTS gets two and dang they had me on that one. Punk hits a piledriver for two so he tries the GTS, which is reversed into a Fujiwara armbar.

That’s reversed into the Anaconda Vice but Breakker powers up and hits a hard clothesline for two. Breakker tries a GTS but Punk reverses into the STF. Heyman gets on the apron for a distraction though and gets punched in the face, only for Breakker’s spear to miss. Punk tries a suicide dive, which is punched out of the air for a nasty landing. Breakker knocks him onto the announcers’ table for the big elbow from the top, through said table in a nasty crash. Back in and the spear is kneed away and the GTS gives Punk the pin at 26:45.

Rating: A-. There were multiple times in there when I wasn’t sure who was going to win and there is no better feeling to have in a match. They did a great job of having Breakker look like a monster with Punk just barely surviving, including NOT having Breakker hit the spear, which can be saved for later. Awesome match here as Punk still has it and Breakker’s time will come one day.

Punk celebrates to end the show, including dropping the title in a funny bit.

Overall Rating: B. Welp, the show continues its run of doing the exact same thing for the better part of ever. It’s an exclusive match, recaps, another exclusive match, and more recaps. That’s what this show has been for longer than I can remember and it’s kind of hard to get mad about that. The fact that it’s just on YouTube (at least this week) makes it better, as it’s not like it’s taking up a valuable space. Nothing show of course, but it featured highlights from a stacked Raw so call it a success.

Results
Talla Tonga b. Apollo Crews – Chokeslam
Los Americanos b. War Raiders – Russian legsweep/top rope headbutt combination to Ivar

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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Monday Night Raw
Date: December 1, 2025
Location: Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, Arizona
Commentators: Wade Barrett, Joe Tessitore

We’re done with Survivor Series, which was a good night for the villains. While the good group of women won WarGames, the Vision took the main event and Dominik Mysterio regained the Intercontinental Title from John Cena. This week’s show is going to be focused on the Last Time Is Now Tournament semifinals so let’s get to it.

Here is Survivor Series if you need a recap.

Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett are in the crowd to open the show and throw us to a long recap of Survivor Series.

Various people arrive, including Solo Sikoa, who isn’t pleased with Jacob Fatu’s picture being on a truck.

Here are Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky to get things going. They won at WarGames, but now they want revenge. Sky calls out Asuka but gets Charlotte and Alexa Bliss instead. Bliss says she heard them wanting the Women’s Tag Team Titles and they’re going to need Ripley and Sky to take a step back. They’re cool with Ripley and Sky but yeah not yet. Ripley says they need to go to the back of the line, but a match is set up for later tonight.

Adam Pearce is in the back and makes the women’s tag official, only to be interrupted by Ivy Nile. She wants to face Maxxine Dupri, with Pearce suggesting that it will happen eventually. Paul Heyman and Bron Breakker show up and Pearce isn’t happy. Heyman doesn’t like being accused of sending in the masked man at WarGames (he’s guilty of everything else, but not that). Now though, he wants to talk about Breakker pinning CM Punk, which Pearce is willing to talk about in his office.

We look at John Cena vs. CM Punk, with Punk saying he knows he was Cena’s greatest rival. He’s certainly in the running.

Last Time Is Now Tournament Semifinals: Jey Uso vs. LA Knight

Uso misses a charge to start and they stare at each other. Knight gets knocked into the corner, where he avoids the running Umaga Attack as commentary says the women’s tag is official. Were they just not paying attention when that was confirmed five minutes ago? Anyway, Knight misses a Razor Ramon’s discus punch and gets sent outside for the big suicide dive.

We take a break and come back with the two of them on the top and crashing out to the floor. Uso is back up with a kick to the head but Knight grabs a Burning Hammer for two. The spear gives Uso two and they’re both down again. Uso goes up and gets superplexed down, only to hit a quick superkick. The Superfly Splash connects but Knight reverses into a rollup for the pin at 9:42.

Rating: B. This got going near the end and I was surprised by the result, as I was all but sure this was going to be Uso winning to face Gunther. At the same time, it’s great to see Knight getting a clean pin, which is the kind of thing that can boost him up a long way. Solid match here and I could have gone with more of it.

Post match Knight leaves and a distraught Uso breaks stuff. Uh oh.

Bayley and Lyra Valkyria want a Tag team Title shot but Adam Pearce says we’ll figure that out after the main event. The Kabuki Warriors come up, with Asuka mocking Bayley for not getting what she wants while Charlotte does. Sane wraps the green chain around Bayley, who isn’t happy.

Here is Judgment Day for a chat, with Dominik Mysterio showing off the John Cena side plates on the Intercontinental Title. Mysterio brags about beating the greatest of all time, so he’s the Greatest Mysterio of all time. It makes him the greatest luchador of all time and the King of the luchadores. He thanks Judgment Day for their help, including Liv Morgan, who gets her own entrance (you can see the fans stand up, as it’s a big deal to have her back).

She says the people didn’t see her coming back but neither did John Cena. Mysterio talks about how they played the one ace up their sleeve and got his title and Morgan back. Morgan says Judgment Day runs Monday Night Raw, slaps Mysterio again, and jumps into his arms.

We get a rather intense video of Maxxine Dupri training in Natalya’s dungeon. Natalya makes her tap a few times and tells her to get out of the ring but Dupri wants to keep going. Natalya approves.

Adam Pearce talks to a referee about the masked man at Survivor Series. Pearce knows it can’t be Seth Rollins so he wants the referee to see if he can find anything out and report back.

Tag Team Titles: AJ Styles/Dragon Lee vs. New Day

New Day, with Grayson Waller, is challenging. Styles gets jumped to start fast, with Woods sending him into the corner for a beating from Kingston. A monkey flip sends Styles flying but he knocks Kingston into the corner. The slingshot dropkick connects for Lee, who follows it up with a big dive to the floor. We take a break and come back with Woods and Styles both getting tags.

Styles strikes away, including the basement forearm, but Kingston is back in for a wheelbarrow faceplant Fameasser combination for two (that was cool). A quick Calf Crusher is broken up by Woods and a sitout powerbomb gives Lee two. Operation Dragon is blocked though and Woods comes back in to strike away. A hiptoss puts Lee in the Tree Of Woe, leaving Woods to dive on Styles. Back in and Lee kicks Kingston into the Styles Clash and dives onto everyone else, leaving Styles to get the retaining pin at 9:04.

Rating: B. What has happened to New Day? They were one of the most successful teams of all time but now they are coming off as the most “well they’re here too” things I’ve seen in a long time. The heel turn has absolutely not worked but I’m not sure how well a simple turn back would work. They absolutely need something though, because this is somehow getting worse every week.

We look at Stephanie Vaquer retaining the Women’s Title against Nikki Bella.

Vaquer says she’s ready for her next challenger so here is Liv Morgan to says he’s back. Yeah they have to go there sooner than later.

Here is the Vision for a chat. Paul Heyman gives a shoutout to Brock Lesnar and Drew McIntyre before moving on to the three people still in the ring. Bronson Reed Tsunamied everyone on the other side. Logan Paul is the biggest mainstream star on the face of the earth (Paul’s eyes going side to side during this is great). And shoutout to WWE executives, who have made CM Punk vs. Bron Breakker for the January 5 Raw in Brooklyn.

The fans chant for Punk but Breakker says he’s upset tonight. It’s not because of where he is or because of the masked man, but rather how easy it was to pin Punk at Survivor Series. He thought he was going to have to dig deeper than ever and go to a level he’s never reached before. Then he found out that Punk is just a soft a** b****. Punk is no different than any veteran who has lived off of past greatness, just like Seth Rollins.

The reality is Punk isn’t even the biggest star in his own house, and we pause for a Punk chant. Breakker is ready for a fight in Brooklyn because Punk tried to break his neck at Survivor Series. He’s coming for everything in January and wants to take every great memory he’s ever had.

Last year at Wrestlemania, Punk came up to him and said let’s see if you can cut a promo with the big dogs. Well consider the promo cut because he’s going to leave Punk looking up at the lights and realizing that he’s not as good as Bron Breakker, the real best in the world. Well. That worked. I’m not sure what else there is to say there. Breakker just cut the promo of his life and it feels like Punk is about to get crushed in every possible way.

Jey Uso doesn’t have anything to say and says people in his head need to get out. The only person he has to blame is the one looking back in the mirror. Roman Reigns said it best: those titles look the best on Reigns’ shoulders, not Jey’s.

Last Time Is Now Tournament Semifinals: Gunther vs. Solo Sikoa

Talla Tonga is here with Sikoa. Gunther grabs a lockup to start but gets backed up against the ropes. The threat of a chop has Sikoa ducking so Gunther slaps on a headlock instead. An exchange of shoulders goes to Sikoa but Gunther knocks him hard out to the floor, leaving Sikoa looking rocked as we take a break.

We come back with Sikoa hammering on the back but not being able to slam him. Gunther tries a slam of his own, with Sikoa falling on him for two. Sikoa goes up and gets caught with a chop, meaning it’s a superplex to leave both of them down. They collide again and then chop it out, followed by an exchange of kicks to the face. Sikoa gets in a Samoan Spike and they’re both down again as we take a second break.

We come back with Sikoa hitting the running Umaga Attack in the corner but Gunther drops him with a clothesline. Another big clothesline gets two but Gunther has to block the Samoan Spike. Instead Sikoa grabs the Samoan Spike for two so Gunther stuns him with some chops. Spinning Solo cuts the comeback off and a Superfly Splash gets two, with the fans being impressed by the kickout. Gunther reverses the Samoan Spike into a sleeper and then a German suplex, with Sikoa pulling the turnbuckle pad off.

Tonga gets knocked off the apron but Gunther goes after him and gets kicked in the face. The referee sees Tonga holding Gunther, who kicks Tonga low and slams Sikoa’s thumb into the apron. Back in and a low blow stops Sikoa, setting up a powerbomb to give Gunther the pin at 17:52.

Rating: B+. These guys beat the fire out of each other and it was great to see. Sikoa can wrestle a physical style when he’s given the chance and they had a heck of a fight. Gunther is at his best when he activates his version of Beast Mode and gets to a point where he isn’t going to be stopped. That’s what we got here and Sikoa was hanging in there with him for a very long time. Awesome match here and a heck of a lot better than I was expecting.

Post match LA Knight gets in the ring to talk some trash. The finals are set for Smackdown.

We get the women’s version of the Wrestlemania promo, with the women at a bar in a casino.

The referee doesn’t have any information on the masked man. Adam Pearce says keep him posted but AJ Styles and Dragon Lee come up to say they want another title defense next week. Maybe against the War Raiders. Pearce makes the match.

Here’s what’s coming next week, including Rey Mysterio vs. Finn Balor.

Mysterio is sick of Dominik and he’s ready to go through Judgment Day one at a time. There’s a chance he might even come after the Intercontinental Title. Logan Paul comes in to say that sounds crazy, with Mysterio saying that Paul might be the only person worse than Dominik. Paul mocks Mysterio’s height and says the Intercontinental Title belongs to the Vision, so step down. Mysterio asks who is going to stop him, with Paul issuing some threats. That earns him a slap to the face so here is security to break it up. I’ve heard worse ideas.

Charlotte/Alexa Bliss vs. Rhea Ripley/Iyo Sky

Sky rolls Charlotte up to start fast and gives her a double stomp as we take an early break. We come back with Bliss forearming away at Ripley, who snatches her up into the Prism Trap. That’s reversed with a ramp into Charlotte, with Ripley holding up her arms in an “oh well”. Sky comes back in with a 619 to the back and Ripley’s running knee gets two.

The Bullet Train missed in the corner and Bliss gets in a knockdown, allowing the big tags off to Charlotte and Ripley. They fight over some waistlocks before trading the shots to the face. Charlotte gets in the Downward Spiral into the corner but Ripley pops up with an enziguri (that looked awesome) and we take a break. We come back with Sky hitting some running knees to Charlotte, allowing Ripley to come back in.

What looks like a powerbomb doesn’t work as Ripley falls down, with the second attempt resulting in a Razor’s Edge to Charlotte. Sky adds a missile dropkick but Riptide is countered into a DDT. Charlotte superkicks her into a DDT from Bliss but Twisted Bliss hits raised knees. Sky comes back in but charges into a boot to the face.

Natural Selection and the Sister Abigail DDT plant Sky, with Ripley making a save. Bliss slips out of another Razor’s Edge so Ripley headbutts her into Riptide. Over The Moonsault connects but Charlotte drives Ripley into the cover for the save. Everyone is down and cue the Kabuki Warriors to jump both of them for the double DQ at 14:32.

Rating: B. Sweet goodness I cannot stand that finish. How can villains be so stupid to never get that this won’t work? It’s something that plagues all kinds of villains around the wrestling world and here we are again. That’s a shame too as it came at the end of a pretty strong match, with the Ripley vs. Charlotte showdowns feeling huge. Both teams worked well together and I liked what we were getting until the lame ending.

Post match the beatdown is on but Lyra Valkyria and Bayley run in for the save. The big brawl is on and here is Liv Morgan, along with Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez to wreck everyone. Perez and Rodriguez pose with the titles and Morgan says she’s back to end the show. That was a bit better than I was expecting, though hopefully this doesn’t result in some messy group match.

Overall Rating: A-. Give the main event a better main event and the show would have been one of the best Raw’s in a long time. They moved stories forward, the wrestling was rather good throughout, and the Breakker promo was outstanding to cap it off. Awesome show here, and hopefully they can keep up the momentum as they’re wrapping up the year.

Results
LA Knight b. Jey Uso – Crucifix
AJ Styles/Dragon Lee b. New Day – Styles Clash to Kingston
Gunther b. Solo Sikoa – Powerbomb
Rhea Ripley/Iyo Sky vs. Charlotte/Alexa Bliss went to a double DQ when the Kabuki Warriors 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: November 28, 2025
Location: Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

It’s the night before Survivor Series and in this case that means we have a Survivor Series match. That’s a nice thing to see, as the pay per view has been taken over by WarGames, leaving little time for the more traditional matches. Thankfully we get one here, plus some Last Time Is Now Tournament matches as a bonus. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening recap looks at the women’s WarGames match.

LA Knight is told that he’s facing another mystery opponent. This doesn’t sit well with him, as the tournament is starting to get on his nerves. Just say who he is dropping with the BFT, YEAH.

Last Time Is Now Tournament Quarterfinals: Rusev vs. Jey Uso

After Uso runs his entrance back, we’re ready to go. Rusev sends him flying with a suplex and pulls him out of the air for a swinging release Rock Bottom. We take a break and come back with Uso fighting out of a bearhug. Rusev is sent outside for a dive, followed by a spear back inside for one. Uso dives into the Machka Kick for two and the Accolade goes on. The rope is grabbed for the escape and Uso hits another spear, followed by the Superfly Splash for the win at 9:35.

Rating: C+. It’s hard to imagine that the finals are anything but Uso vs. Gunther, so we’ve got some matches to get through on the way there. It should be an entertaining tournament and this was another nice enough stop on the way there. That being said, Rusev getting pinned clean in less than ten minutes, even by Uso, is not the best sign for his future.

Miz begs Nick Aldis to put him in Sheamus’ spot in the tournament. Aldis has to do it himself but R-Truth comes in to do his balls joke. The name is picked…and it happens to be Miz. Truth: “You just couldn’t take my balls could you?”

Damian Priest doesn’t know what Aleister Black and Zelina are talking about with making him break his code. Zelina comes in to mock him and another fight with Black is teased. With Zelina gone, Rhea Ripley comes in to hug Priest and has an idea for him later. Works for Priest.

Here is Chelsea Green, with Alba Fyre, to address the “Patrihots” as the new Women’s US Champion. She thanks the fans and brags about her success but here is Jade Cargill to interrupt and clean house. And then Green’s scheduled pyro goes off in a funny bit.

Rhea Ripley and company are fired up for Charlotte’s advantage match with Asuka.

Jade Cargill has a problem with anyone who runs their mouth. B-Fab comes up for a staredown but doesn’t say anything. Michin thinks something might have to be done about Cargill.

Last Time Is Now Tournament Quarterfinals: The Miz vs. LA Knight

Knight hammers away to start and knocks him down, followed by the stomping in the corner. Miz gets in a knee to get a breather, only to walk into a swinging neckbreaker. They head out into the aisle, where Miz kicks him in the face as we take a break. We come back with Knight suplexing his way out of a sleeper.

Another neckbreaker gives Knight two and a superplex gets the same. The BFT is escaped and Miz’s DDT gives him two of his own. Knight fights back and goes up, only to dive into the Skull Crushing Finale for two. Miz slaps on an STF, with Knight making it over to the ropes. Another Skull Crushing Finale is loaded up but Knight reverses into the BFT to advance at 11:07.

Rating: C+. I’m a bit surprised that Miz lost here but Knight piling up another win is a good sign. I can’t imagine he gets beyond Jey Uso to get a shot at Gunther but at least he’s getting to do something. Knight hasn’t seemed happy as of late so a heel turn could be in the cards, though he likely has at least one more match before he gets there.

Becky Lynch wants the team to follow her lead in WarGames because she’s kind of great at the thing. The team says they have this though, with Asuka being ready.

Video on tonight’s Survivor Series match.

Ilja Dragunov is talking about how he’s ready for Tama Tonga but Tommaso Ciampa comes in. Ciampa took Axiom’s mask next week and next time, it’s going to be the US Title. Dragunov calls him a jackass again.

Charlotte vs. Asuka

For the WarGames advantage. They fight over a rather aggressive lockup to start with Charlotte taking her into the corner for a kick to the head. The fight heads to the apron, where Asuka gets in a head fake and kicks her in the face as we take a break. We come back with Charlotte getting two off a high crossbody so Asuka kicks her in the face. Charlotte’s big boot gets two and the moonsault connects for the same, leaving Charlotte unsure of what to do next.

Asuka gets German suplexed for two more but she comes back with a sliding knee to the head. The cross armbreaker is countered into a powerbomb to give Charlotte another near fall. They head outside, where Asuka loads up the mist but hits the timekeeper instead. Charlotte knocks her over the announcers’ table and rams her face first into it before heading back inside. A quick Asuka Lock attempt is broken up so Charlotte hits Natural Selection for the pin at 11:24.

Rating: B-. This was starting to pick up when it just ended, though I’m curious about how the heroes having the advantage will go. That’s something you see a lot more often in modern wrestling, though it doesn’t guarantee much of anything. As for this match, it was two of the best ever getting to do their thing, though it never got to that top level.

Video on the men’s WarGames match.

Team Zayn vs. Team Sikoa

Sami Zayn, Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Shinsuke Nakamura, Rey Fenix
Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Talla Tonga, JC Mateo

Survivor Series rules. Sikoa takes Sabin down to start and hammers away and it’s off to Tama for some chops. A bulldog gets Sabin out of trouble and it’s off to Shelley for a front facelock. Zayn comes in and gets dropped by Mateo, who hits the standing moonsault for two. Sikoa’s chinlock doesn’t last long and it’s off to Nakamura to fire off the kicks. Everything breaks down and most of the villains are sent outside, setting up Sabin’s rapid fire dive.

More dives ensue until Mateo is rolled up for the first fall at 6:17 (giving us a REALLY nice graphic showing Sikoa’s team and Mateo being listed as eliminated, which we somehow haven’t done in nearly forty years of these matches). Nakamura comes in and fights off an invading Sikoa, only to get dropped by Tama. The Cutthroat gets rid of Nakamura at 8:28 to tie us up and Loa’s spinebuster gets a fast two on Fenix. Back up and a hurricanrana gives Fenix the pin on Loa at 10:01 and it’s Sikoa coming in next.

Sikoa misses a Samoan Spike and gets crossbodied by Sabin, allowing the Guns to come in and clean house. Skull & Bones is broken up by Talla, who chokeslams Shelley onto the apron for the pin at 12:25. A clothesline gets rid of Sabin 12:57 (THERE IT IS) so it’s down to Zayn/Fenix vs. Talla/Tama/Sikoa. Fenix kicks away and shrugs off a crotching to hurricanrana Sikoa. Tama runs him over with an elbow though and Fenix is out at 14:34. So Zayn is all alone and starts with Talla, who sends him into the corner. Tama adds a splash but Zayn hits a quick Helluva Kick for the pin at 16:28.

Talla takes Zayn outside and misses a running boot, which is enough for the countout at 17:43. Back in and Spinning Solo gives Sikoa two, followed by Spinning Solo giving Sikoa two. A Superfly Splash gives Sikoa two but Zayn manages a sunset bomb for the same. Zayn exploders him into the corner but the Helluva Kick is countered with a superkick. The Blue Thunder Bomb gets two, only for Sikoa to hit a quick Samoan Spike for the pin at 20:59.

Rating: B. It was the fast forwarded version of the match, with Zayn doing his best Shawn Michaels 2003 impression. Zayn did his usual thing here and it went well, though Sikoa winning in the end is a good move, especially with him having the upcoming tournament match. The rest of the eliminations just kind of came and went, which granted is about all you can expect out of this kind of thing. Good enough though for a big warmup for Survivor Series.

Post match the Wyatt Sicks come out for the staredown, with Uncle Howdy giving Sikoa the Sister Abigail to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. It was a show that did a good job of setting up the semifinals of the tournament and giving us a push towards the pay per view. That’s more than I was expecting out of this show and it went by rather quickly, which helps with so much more coming from WWE tomorrow. Good show here, and hopefully they can keep that going with the bigger event.

Results
Jey Uso b. Rusev – Superfly Splash
LA Knight b. The Miz – BFT
Charlotte b. Asuka – Natural Selection
Team Sikoa b. Team Zayn last eliminating Zayn

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

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

Smackdown
Date: October 31, 2025
Location: Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

It’s the night before Saturday Night’s Main Event and that means it’s time for the big push before the show. That could make for some interesting builds to tomorrow, including the final setup of Drew McIntyre challenging Cody Rhodes for the Smackdown World Title. That should be enough to carry this week, plus all of the holiday shenanigans. Let’s get to it.

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

We have a theme of the University of Utah vs. the University of Cincinnati football game tomorrow.

We look at Jade Cargill turning heel last week and attacking Tiffany Stratton.

Cue Stratton to say she wants Cargill out here right now but Nick Aldis says it can’t get physical. This brings out Cargill, with Aldis calling for security. Cargill says she wants the title so Stratton goes into the aisle for the brawl, with Cargill getting away before it gets started.

Video on Ilja Dragunov.

R-Truth, dressed as Santa Claus, gives the Motor City Machine Guns some candy. He doesn’t believe that it’s Halloween and leaves but Solo Sikoa comes in to mock the Guns. A tag match seems set for later.

US Title: Ilja Dragunov vs. ???

Dragunov is defending against….Nathan Frazer. Wait hang on though as Tommaso Ciampa comes to the ring, saying Dragunov can’t possibly give him the shot. Dragunov says it’s for everyone but Frazer was here first. Also Ciampa is a jackass. Frazer knees him down to start fast and a spinning enziguri sends Dragunov outside. The suicide dive connects but Dragunov is fine enough to hit a spinning chop back inside.

Frazer manages a necksnap across the top but a springboard is cut off with a jumping knee. Dragunov tells him that it’s nothing personal before giving him a German suplex on the floor. We take a break and come back with Dragunov rolling more German suplexes but missing the Constantine Special. Frazer’s running shooting star press gets two and they trade strikes to the head. Dragunov misses a charge out to the floor but is back in with a shot to the face.

The top rope backsplash misses though and Frazer’s frog splash gets two as we take another break. We come back again with Frazer fighting out of a powerbomb and kicking Dragunov in the head. A superbomb is countered into a super hurricanrana to send Dragunov outside, meaning it’s another dive. The phoenix splash gets two back inside as Frazer can’t believe the kickout. Frazer elbows him off the top but Dragunov is right back up with a nasty middle rope German superplex for two of his own. A powerbomb into the H Bomb retains the title at 18:51.

Rating: B. These guys beat each other up and it’s nice to see Frazer getting to show off a bit. Dragunov is the story again here though, as he continues to look like he leaves everything he has in the ring and that makes for some awesome moments. Do more of this, which seems to be the idea at the moment.

Post match respect is shown but Tommaso Ciampa runs in to jump Frazer again. During the break, Axiom and Johnny Gargano ran in to join the brawl, with Dragunov trying to break it up.

Post break, the brawl continues until Tama Tonga comes in to grab the title and stare at Dragunov.

Kit Wilson vs. Carmelo Hayes

And Hayes is now a good guy. Ok then. Wilson tries to jump him from behind to start and manages a running elbow. A cross arm choke lets Wilson call Hayes toxic before stomping him down. Something like a spinning DDT gets two on Hayes, who fights up and hits a springboard clothesline. Wilson bails out to the floor and gets taken out with a dive…and here is Miz to post Hayes. A top rope elbow gives Wilson two but the First 48 gives Hayes the pin at 3:11.

Rating: C. Not much to the match other than to establish that Hayes is now a good guy. That worked out well enough as he did fine in the role in NXT and it’s not like he’s set the world on fire so far. A feud with Miz has worked for others before and at least he has a nice starting point.

Post match Miz drops Hayes with the Skull Crushing Finale.

Charlotte and Alexa Bliss aren’t worried about the Kabuki Warriors. As for tonight, Charlotte says Nia Jax is still in fear because she’s displaying classic Gemini behavior. Bliss isn’t sure what to make of that.

Nick Aldis won’t let Sami Zayn be ringside for the Motor City Machine Guns vs. MFTs as he isn’t cleared. Cody Rhodes comes in and pleasantries are exchanged. Aldis flat out asks Rhodes if he attacked Jacob Fatu and Rhodes gives a definitive no. He’s fine with the contract for the title match against Drew McIntyre.

Nia Jax vs. Alexa Bliss

Charlotte is here with Bliss. Jax jumps her from behind to start so Bliss gets in a slap to the face. That earns a big shout from Jax, who runs Bliss over. A hurricanrana is cut off but Jax misses a charge into the post. Instead she sends Bliss into the barricade and takes a bow as we take a break.

We come back with a splash in the corner setting up the running hip attack. Jax misses a second attempt and Charlotte offers a distraction, allowing Bliss to get in a neck snap over the ropes. Bliss strikes away and gets two off a basement crossbody. Jax is right back with a Samoan drop for two of her own, with the referee losing his shoe. Back up and Charlotte offers another distraction to break up the Annihilator, allowing Bliss to kick the leg out and get the pin at 9:35.

Rating: C+. This worked about as well as these two are ever going to do, as the size difference hurts it a good bit. What matters here though was that Charlotte and Bliss are still working together and turning into a rather nice team. They’re the team that the division has been needing and hopefully it can last for a long while.

The MFTs run into Rey Fenix, with Solo Sikoa asking if he’s looking for a fight. Fenix says no, because he wants to fight Talla Tonga. Sure.

Damian Priest says it’s now personal with Aleister Black and punishment is coming.

Saturday Night’s Main Event rundown.

Tiffany Stratton runs into Kiana James and Giulia. James says Stratton should have accepted their offer and Nick Aldis has to keep Stratton from jumping her. Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre come in, with Green not being happy about Giulia coming up on the record for longest Women’s US Title reign. Green wants a match and Giulia is in for next week. Nikki Cross pops in to scare them off.

Earlier today, the Utah Utes mascot beat the Cincinnati Bearcats’ mascot. Eh if they air like 30 seconds of it, fine enough for some crossover appeal.

MFTs vs. Motor City Machine Guns

Shelley and Mateo start things off with Shelley striking away and a missile dropkick/Downward Spiral combination putting Mateo down. The MFT’s are sent outside for the dives and it’s the Dream Sequence for two on Tonga. We take a break and come back with Shelley fighting out of a chinlock and hitting the Downward Spiral into the buckle.

That’s enough for the tag off to Sabin so house can be cleaned, including a tornado DDT to Tonga. It’s already back to Shelley, who knocks Tonga outside for a big dive from Sabin. Back in and Solo Sikoa offers a distraction, allowing Tonga to break up the Skull & Bones. The Cutthroat gives Tonga the pin at 8:42.

Rating: B-. As usual, the Guns are able to work well with anyone and that’s always fun to see. At the same time, I could go for seeing them have some more success, but they got their title win so now it seems to be time to have them job quite a bit. We’re also looking towards the MFTs coming after the Wyatt Sicks and the Tag Team Titles, so it makes sense for them to win here.

Post match the beatdown stays on so Rey Fenix runs in for the save, with Shinsuke Nakamura having to save him. This goes rather badly for Nakamura.

Drew McIntyre has no issues with the contract for Saturday Night’s Main Event and tells Nick Aldis to relax.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Nick Aldis is in the ring for the main event contract signing. Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre join him but McIntyre says he can’t sign this. Rhodes certainly can and does, but McIntyre says it’s a one sided contract. If either of them get disqualified or counted out, Rhodes keeps the title and that’s not fair. Aldis is done with McIntyre’s games and threatens to replace him in the title match. McIntyre says ok and goes to leave but Rhodes tells him to sit down.

Rhodes knows what McIntyre wants: a clause that says if he gets counted out or disqualified, the title changes hands. That’s exactly what McIntyre wants and Rhodes is cool with it, so Aldis makes the change. McIntyre signs and talks about how he made the blueprint that Rhodes followed to end the story. He works to get everywhere he goes because he’s the real American Dream.

Rhodes says McIntyre did indeed write the blueprint but the difference is Rhodes walked away instead of getting fired. Rhodes: “Nice guys used to finish last. Then I showed up.” McIntyre cuts him off from leaving and says that the people will eventually turn on Rhodes too. He brings up Rhodes not being there to take his daughters trick or treating and that touches a nerve.

McIntyre asks what Rhodes’ daughters are named and the fight is on, with Rhodes missing a belt shot. A Claymore drops Rhodes and McIntyre puts him through the table. Some promises of taking the title end the show. They’ve got me thinking that a title change is possible and that’s a nice feeling to have.

Overall Rating: B+. I liked this show quite a bit with the good opener and solid main event segment. The World Title match needed the build to get ready for Saturday and they accomplished that rather well. This felt like a show where they were setting up things and then getting it done, which is what they needed to do. Solid show here and I want to see what happens tomorrow.

Results
Ilja Dragunov b. Nathan Frazer – H Bomb
Carmelo Hayes b. Kit Wilson – First 48
Alexa Bliss b. Nia Jax – Rollup
MFTs b. Motor City Machine Guns – Cutthroat to Sabin

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: August 8, 2025
Location: Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Commentators: Wade Barrett, Joe Tessitore

We’re done with Summerslam and the big surprise was that not only did John Cena stay on the good side, but he lost the World Title to Cody Rhodes and was then attacked by a returning Brock Lesnar. That should make for a heck of a big build towards Clash In Paris later this month so let’s get to it.

Here is Summerslam if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of the Rhodes/Cena/Lesnar issues from Summerslam.

Here is Cena to get things going. We get the big special introduction and Cena is impressed by the reaction he is receiving. Cena talks about WWE being afraid to come to Montreal for such a long time because the audience might hijack the show. He’s never been afraid of that though because the people here are so nuts that he can barely hear himself talk. Imagine someone in the back trying to prepare a show around these people.

Cena brings up the fans singing and of course they’re off to the races. Some wrestlers might be afraid of being out here in front of this crowd but Cena has learned to let the fans be themselves and enjoy every single second. He has learned that it doesn’t last forever and that means a THANK YOU CENA chant, which seems to get to him a bit.

Cena says that after tonight, he only has eleven appearances left and every night that goes by, he gets more and more afraid. He’s afraid that no matter what he does, he’ll leave the people down. On top of that, he’s afraid that people will forget about him. He has all these fears on his mind and heck he’s even afraid of Brock Lesnar. The thing is there is no universe in which he’ll back down from Lesnar and he is afraid that Lesnar and everyone else has a Cena sized problem.

The last time is now so if you want some, come get some…and here is Logan Paul. He’s not impressed with Cena, who says Paul might have just made the biggest mistake of his life. Whether you like it or not, Cena was right when he said Paul does wrestling better than anyone else in WWE. Cena did indeed say that and also calls Paul the biggest dumba** he’s ever seen.

Paul accuses Cena of saying whatever the bosses want him to say and wants a match. Cena is down, with Paul saying we can do it in a lovely French speaking country….like France. The match seems to be on but here is Drew McIntyre to jump Cena from behind. Cody Rhodes runs in for the save and the good guys stand tall. Cena accepts the match for Clash In Paris and issues the challenge for the tag match tonight. That seems to be on as well. So I’m guessing the Lesnar match is in Australia or at Survivor Series?

The Motor City Machine Guns are banged up from TLC but ready to face Solo Sikoa’s MFT’s. Yeah they’re hurt, but they’re ready to bring it as well as they can.

Motor City Machine Guns vs. JC Mateo/Talla Tonga

The Guns start fast by sending Mateo outside for the suicide dive. Some kicks from the apron have Tonga in trouble but he swats Shelley to the floor as we take a break. We come back with Sabin striking away at Mateo and hitting a springboard tornado DDT for two. Mateo is right back with the swinging belly to back suplex and Shelley has to make the save. Tonga isn’t having that and chokeslams Sabin for the pin at 7:45.

Rating: C+. They didn’t have much time here due to the break and it was little more than the Guns starting fast, getting beaten down and then losing after a comeback. That’s not exactly rewriting the tag team formula but it worked well for a short form match. The MFT’s getting into the title picture could open up some nice doors for the division as they could use some fresh matches.

Post match Solo Sikoa says the MFT’s are the next Tag Team Champions and he’s ready for a fight…but he’s leaving this terrible city. Cue Nick Aldis who says someone is ready for a fight with Sikoa right now.

Sami Zayn vs. Solo Sikoa

Non-title and the MFT’s are at ringside. They stare at each other for a good while to start until Zayn knocks him into the corner for some right hands. Sikoa reverses into right hands of his own but Zayn reverses right back and unloads. Zayn knocks him to the floor and hits the big running flip dive but Talla Tonga gets in a cheap shot as we take a break.

We come back with Zayn getting two off a sunset bomb but the Blue Thunder Bomb is blocked. Sikoa knocks him down and loads up the Samoan Spike, which is kicked away. The exploder into the corner but Tonga Loa offers a distraction to break up the Helluva Kick. Zayn has to deck JC Mateo and Talla Tonga gets on the apron, allowing Sikoa to hit a superkick. The Samoan Spike misses though and Zayn gets a rollup pin at 10:30.

Rating: B-. They got me there with the ending as I was expecting Zayn to lose to crush the fans’ hope all over again. Letting him get a nice win in front of his hometown was a good little surprise and the match went well enough. Zayn is on a bit of a winning streak and that is a promising sign for his future, at least for the time being.

Charlotte has plans for Alexa Bliss’ birthday tomorrow and we’ll see that out on the big stage. Bliss is more than a bit nervous.

The Wyatt Sicks say they will never lead us astray. This is about something so much bigger and there are more lessons to be learned. The Wyatts’ story has only just begun.

The Street Profits and B-Fab are not impressed but DIY and Candice LeRae come in. They bicker over whose fault it is that the Wyatts are still the champions so Nick Aldis comes in to make a match between the two of them next week.

Here are Alexa Bliss and Charlotte for a championship/birthday celebration. We start with a big cake, dedicated to Charlotte, with Alexa in far smaller letters. There is a present, which neither wants to open, with Bliss saying she is scared. It’s actually a Lily doll with a WE’RE NOT FRIENDS shirt, which Bliss likes. That’s not all though as Charlotte brings out the Charlie doll that Bliss gave her years ago, now with a matching shirt. Charlotte says she needs something from Bliss though…and Bliss is now allowed to hug her.

The hug is teased but here are Chelsea Green and the Secret Hervice. Green mocks the Montreal Canadiens and Charlotte reveals she has one more gift: beating up Green tonight. Green goes to leave but Nick Aldis introduces a new referee, who can debut with Charlotte vs. Green right now. Charlotte and Bliss continue to be outstanding together.

First though, Carmelo Hayes goes to find Nick Aldis but runs into the Miz in his office instead. Hayes isn’t happy with Miz leaving him high and dry for months and is on his way to getting a US Title shot. Miz cuts him off though, because he has them a tag match for next week. Hayes leaves and Aldis comes in, with Miz asking to talk to him.

Charlotte vs. Chelsea Greens

Charlotte spins out of a wristlock to start and knocks her outside for an early breather. Back in and Charlotte chops away in the corner but has to go after the Secret Hervice. A high crossbody gives Charlotte two but Green kicks her into the corner and salutes as we take an early break.

We come back with Charlotte chopping away and hitting a flipping clothesline. A German suplex drops Green again and Natural Selection gives Charlotte two. Green catches her on top with a superplex for two more…and she wants the cake brought in. Nothing good can come from this so Bliss takes out the Hervice. Charlotte reverses the Unprettier into one of her own, sending Green into the cake. The Figure Eight finishes at 9:45.

Rating: B-. This was another entertaining match with Charlotte giving Green what she had coming to her. As soon as you saw the cake at ringside during the match, you knew where this was going and the question became how we got there. Sometimes you don’t need to reinvent the wheel and just have fun, which is what we got here. Good, amusing match with the exact right payoff.

Tiffany Stratton is happy with her win at Summerslam but Jade Cargill comes in to say it’s not over. Stratton says it’ll always be the same and leaves. Kiana James, with Giulia, comes up to offer Cargill her services. James and Giulia leave and Michin comes in, asking for the card. She might try to get a Women’s US Title shot, which leaves Cargill confused.

Aleister Black talks about the difference between good and evil, saying that he’s an eye for a head kind of guy. Violence begets violence and that’s why Damian Priest is at home with a broken jaw. If that makes him a scapegoat, so be it.

John Cena runs into Ron Killings in the back and he’s happy Cena is back. Cena talks about how weird Killings was for five months, with his different hair and making a kid cry. It’s good to have the real Killings back. Killings is more confused than usual. Funny segment, and the fact that they’re basically doing “it was all a dream” with Cena’s heel turn is great.

John Cena/Cody Rhodes vs. Logan Paul/Drew McIntyre

Rhodes slugs away at Paul to start and does the drop down uppercut. The delayed gordbuster is enough for Cena to want to come in but Rhodes gets caught with a Glasgow Kiss. Paul adds a clothesline on the floor and we take a break. We come back with Rhodes avoiding a charge in the corner, allowing the diving tag off to Cena. House is quickly cleaned and the finishing sequence into the AA gets two on Paul, with McIntyre making the save. Paul hits Cena low for the DQ at 8:16.

Rating: B-. There was little way that Cena or Paul was going to be involved in a pin/submission here so the DQ is a good way to go. It was either that or McIntyre pinning Rhodes to set up the next title match but maybe that comes later. For now though, this was a way for Cena to have one last match in Montreal, if not all of Canada, and it was basically a house show main event with a not so great ending.

Post match Rhodes and McIntyre keep brawling until McIntyre knocks him down. McIntyre looks a the title and then hits a Claymore through the front of the announcers’ table.

Overall Rating: B-. They started setting up Clash In Paris here and that went pretty well for an overall theme. Cena being back as his old self and the fans seemingly agreeing to just move on is a good thing and hopefully that whole thing is as forgotten as….well if it wasn’t forgotten I would remember it. This might not have been an all time show, but it did a nice job of getting things moving in the right direction for the big show in a few weeks.

Results
JC Mateo/Talla Tonga b. Motor City Machine Guns – Chokeslam to Sabin
Sami Zayn b. Solo Sikoa – Rollup
Charlotte b. Chelsea Green – Figure Eight
John Cena/Cody Rhodes b. Drew McIntyre/Logan Paul via DQ when Paul hit Cena low

Remember to follow me on Twitter @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: August 1, 2025
Location: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

It’s the last show before Summerslam and the big story is John Cena and Cody Rhodes being in the same building tonight. That should be enough for the big go home push towards the show and everything else can come along with it. Other than that, I’m sure we’ll get some build towards this weekend, which has some interesting prospects. Let’s get to it.

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

There is a cage above the ring.

Here is John Cena to get things going. Before he can say anything though, here is Cody Rhodes to interrupt. Cena says that he told Rhodes he was exhausted and a match at Summerslam would be too much. Then Rhodes forged Cena’s signature to a match to one of the most dangerous matches at Summerslam, for the most important prize in WWE.

Cena thanks Rhodes for giving him the motivation that he needed. The reality is that Cena threw everything away after twenty years of hard work for the sake of a shock. Cena wants to walk away as champion after his last match so people won’t forget about him. He realizes how stupid he was acting and Rhodes forced him to face it and fight.

If Cena doesn’t show up for war, he shouldn’t show up at all. The fans are VERY pleased with Cena’s change of attitude as he says the only platinum rapper coming after Rhodes is Cena himself. Rhodes takes off his jacket, welcomes Cena back, and shares a beer with him. That’s good to see as the Cena heel run was a mess, but this is either a way for Rhodes to turn or a swerve from Cena. Neither of those is exactly promising.

Earlier today, Logan Paul interrupted Jelly Roll’s training session and helped Drew McIntyre beat him down.

Women’s US Title: Giulia vs. Zelina Vega

Giulia, with Kiana James, is defending. Vega charges at her and gets thrown down to start, followed by Giulia muscling her up with a suplex. Back up and Vega sends her to the floor for a dive as we take a break. We come back with Giulia hitting a wheelbarrow faceplant, followed by a modified camel clutch. A hard stomp drops Vega again but she’s right back with a suplex.

Giulia goes up and gets German superplexed back down as the fans are (rightfully) impressed. That’s shaken off and Giulia hits a hard knee to the face, followed by a sitout hammerlock powerslam for a rather near fall. Giulia and James are stunned by the kickout and Vega scores with a Backstabber. The moonsault hits raised knees though and Giulia gives her the northern lights bomb to retain at 12:11.

Rating: B. This was the title match before the pay per view and they worked well together. It made for a good, hard hitting match with Vega fighting a match where she had no chance to win. Giulia is the big new star and even has a manager. That isn’t the kind of person who loses a title so soon, but they had a good match on the way there.

Solo Sikoa and the MFTs are ready for Jacob Fatu at Summerslam and they have plants for tonight as a bonus.

AAA Tag Team Titles: Los Garza vs. ???/???

Los Garza are defending in an open challenge and it’s….Mr. Iguana/Psycho Clown from AAA answering. Clown slugs away at Garza to start and even forearms Berto off the apron. A pop up forearm gets two on Garza but Berto comes in to take over. Garza cranks on both arms as commentary argues over Iguana’s puppet.

Clown fights up and dives over for the tag to Iguana, meaning it’s time to pick up the pace. The Iguanarana into a crucifix bomb has the champs on the floor but they catch a running flip dive. Iguana gets thrown into Clown for a big crash and the double super gorilla press drops Iguana for two. Clown comes back in and gets caught in the NTY for the pin to retain at 7:00.

Rating: C+. This was a way to have Iguana on the show and that’s all it needed to be. Iguana made a big impact at the AAA show earlier this year and the fans were into him again here. The AAA Tag Team Titles don’t mean anything here so let Los Garza get a win and probably sell some Mr. Iguana merch. Simple and to the point here.

Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre will address attacking Jelly Roll later tonight.

Video on the Tag Team Title situation, leading to this weekend’s TLC match, featuring a look at each team.

Aleister Black vs. Damian Priest

Feeling out process to start with Priest’s kicks to the chest sending Black outside. Back up and Black kicks him in the head for a crash to the floor and we take a break. We come back with Black hitting a knee in the face for two, which has Priest firing himself up. The Old School crossbody connects and a big clothesline gives Priest two. Priest superkicks him to the floor but dives into a knee to the face. That doesn’t do much good though as Priest hits a Pounds over the announcers’ table. Back up and Black throws a chair at Priest’s face for the win at 8:47.

Rating: B-. I was getting into this one and then the ending felt like it was designed to set up something else later. That’s not the most thrilling feeling as it was more like part one of a series than a big match. As usual I’ll take the DQ over one of them getting pinned, but this feud hasn’t exactly caught fire yet and I’m hoping that the second round picks up a good bit.

Post match Black beats him up with the chair, followed by Black Mass to leave Priest laying.

We look at Tiffany Stratton saving Jade Cargill last week.

Cargill tells Stratton that she didn’t need help last week but now there will be no distractions at Summerslam.

Talla Tonga vs. Jimmy Uso

Solo Sikoa is here with Tonga. Uso strikes away in the corner to start but gets slapped down with a single chop. Tonga slowly hammers away and gets in a slam but misses a charge to the apron. An enziguri puts Tonga on the floor and a dive…doesn’t actually drop him but it does send us to a break. We come back with Uso trying, and failing, to chop his way out of trouble. Uso slips out of a chokeslam attempt and fires off some superkicks, followed by the spear. The Superfly Splash is pulled out of the air though and a chokeslam finishes Uso at 9:41.

Rating: C+. Tonga is a good choice for the monster as he’s looking like someone who can do damage, which has been the calling card of the MFT’s. Uso is going to be the same no matter what he does so the loss doesn’t hurt him. It helps when the match was little more than a way to get Sikoa, and likely Jacob Fatu, around for after the match and it was good enough to see Uso fighting from underneath for about ten minutes.

Post match the MFT’s run in for the beatdown as the cage is lowered. Jacob Fatu runs in to make it inside the cage just in time though and cleans house as Fatu and Tonga escapes.

Summerslam rundown.

Charlotte and Alexa Bliss begrudgingly admit they’re getting alone but they still don’t want to use the F word. Fondue?

Here are Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul for a chat. Paul talks about how they are here to defend this place from outsiders like Jelly Roll. They think Jelly Roll needs to consult Weight Watchers but here are Roll and Randy Orton arriving at the arena in a card. The brawl is quickly on but security breaks it up. Orton RKO’s two of the cards and Roll adds a chokeslam to the third to end the show. This was a quick and to the point segment to set up the match, which is what you have to do when Roll isn’t a wrestler.

Overall Rating: B-. The opening segment was the big focal point here and now we get to find out where things are going from here. Other than that, this wasn’t a show meant to shake things up before Summerslam, which is understandable. They basically played it safe and reinforced what was already set up. It was a breezy two hours, with only the Cena deal feeling like it make a big impact on this weekend’s shows. Hopefully Summerslam is good, as this was a nice setup for the big stuff.

Results
Giulia b. Zelina Vega – Northern lights bomb
Los Garza b. Mr. Iguana/Psycho Clown – NTY to Clown
Damian Priest b. Aleister Black via DQ when Black used a chair
Talla Tonga b. Jimmy Uso – Chokeslam

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

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