Smackdown
Date: February 6, 2026
Location: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

It’s the first Smackdown after the Royal Rumble and since Raw had both Royal Rumble winners, so Smackdown needs to get its Wrestlemania matches in order. In this case, we have the first few Elimination Chamber qualifying matches and all of the fallout from Saturday. Let’s get to it.

Here is the Royal Rumble if you need a recap.

Long Royal Rumble recap.

Here is Drew McIntyre to get things going but an irate Cody Rhodes jumps him on the way to the ring. Security breaks it up and Rhodes jumps into the ring, saying things will never be the same. For the first time in history, Rhodes can’t fairly point to that sign. When people talk about Wrestlemania, Rhodes is the first name they say because they know what it means to him. He was born in this city with pizza boxes everywhere and Arn Anderson and Manny Fernandez fighting in the waiting room. McIntyre was jealous that Rhodes got the title instead of him and now McIntyre isn’t going to be champion all the way to Wrestlemania.

Giulia and Kiana James are ready to win the Women’s Tag Team Titles.

Nick Aldis tells Cody Rhodes to cool it or he’s out of his Elimination Chamber qualifying match next week. Rhodes leaves but isn’t happy.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Iyo Sky/Rhea Ripley vs. Giulia/Kiana James

Sky and Ripley are defending. Ripley and James start things off with a lockup before it’s Giulia forearming Sky in the face. Giulia mocks Sky’s dance and James gets in a cheap shot from the apron. James beats on Sky outside and we take a break. We come back with James hitting a running shoulder to the ribs in the corner but another charge misses.

The tag brings in Ripley to clean house, including a nice kick to James’ head. An electric chair faceplant gets two but James knocks Ripley down. A powerbomb sends Sky onto Ripley and the 401k gets two, with Ripley making the save. James gets knocked outside though and it’s the Riptide into Over The Moonsault to retain the titles at 11:04.

Rating: B. This was an action packed match and the last few minutes made it that much better. Sky and Ripley have turned into a rather good team and I would really hope that they aren’t being built up as the team who gets to lose the titles to the Bellas in some “historic” moment. James and Giulia weren’t the best challengers, but they worked well here.

Miz and Ilja Dragunov argue over who should get the US Title shot against Carmelo Hayes. Cue Hayes, who says Dragunov gets the title shot at some point, but tonight, Miz is getting a beating.

The Miz vs. Carmelo Hayes

Non-title and Miz jumps him to start fast but Hayes fights back up against the ropes. A springboard is cut off though and Miz mocks the basketball pose as we take a break. We come back with Hayes fighting out of trouble, including La Mistica getting two. Miz heads outside and gets taken down by a dive but a frog splash hits raised knees back inside. The Skull Crushing Finale is countered into a superkick for two but Miz’s slingshot sitout powerbomb gets the same. Another Skull Crushing Finale is loaded up but Hayes reverses into the First 48 for the pin at 9:31.

Rating: C+. I was worried they were going to give this one to Miz to set up a triple threat with Dragunov but thankfully this was more about Hayes getting to put Miz behind him. There’s no other reason to have the story continue so Hayes won here to wrap it up. Now just let us have a title match somewhere, likely against Dragunov, instead of another open challenge.

Tiffany Stratton is back and ready but Chelsea Green interrupts, saying she’s the news around here. Stratton says Green will only be in the obituary section after she gets done with her. You know you can just pin her rather than kill her right?

Uncle Howdy is not ok with Solo Sikoa stealing the lantern and is going to take it back.

IMG Credit: WWE

Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Lash Legend vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Chelsea Green

Nia Jax and Alba Fyre are here too. Green gets beaten up between the two of them and it’s a legend between Stratton and Legend. Stratton gets the better of things and Green steals the cover for two, earning herself another beating. Green goes up and dives onto Stratton and Jax but gets kicked down by Legend as we take a break.

We come back with Stratton and Green accidentally working together to send Legend into the corner. Legend is knocked outside, leaving Stratton to fight out of the Unprettier. A superplex gets two on Green, with Stratton making the save. The Lash Extension is broken up and Green actually goes Coast To Coast for two. Legend is knocked outside though and Stratton knocks Green down, setting up the Prettiest Moonsault Ever for the pin at 10:29.

Rating: B-. Stratton getting the win over one of the designated jobbers of the division isn’t a bad thing, as Green is someone who isn’t really hurt by losses. At the same time, I could go for Legend getting a bigger story sooner than later, as she needs something better than “she’s in this match too” after such a Rumble performance. Finally, it’s not great to have the second women’s match in about seventy minutes ending with another moonsault. Mix that up a bit.

Randy Orton talks about how he’s going to win tonight and move on to his tenth Elimination Chamber, which gives him the most experience. Aleister Black isn’t convinced. Maybe because Orton has been in nine in nine of them and only won once?

We look at NXT stars, past and present, in the Royal Rumbles. They must be proud of this as it’s aired on all three shows this week.

Here is Kit Wilson for a chat and I don’t like his odds. He was disgusted by the sweating and grunting at the Royal Rumble as the toxic masculinity was awful. They can’t handle a man who moisturizes and listens or who can move his hips like this. Anyone who is in the Rumble can come out here and yes indeed it’s Oba Femi time.

Oba Femi vs. Kit Wilson

Wilson declares Femi toxic and the Fall From Grace finishes Wilson at 48 seconds. It was obvious that it was going to be Femi from the second Wilson started talking and that’s not a bad thing.

R-Truth is impressed with Femi but Damian Priest doesn’t want to hear it (mainly because Femi eliminated him). Drew McIntyre comes in but walks away from Priest instead of getting into anything.

Here is McIntyre for a chat…but this time Jacob Fatu jumps him from behind and McIntyre is knocked over the barricade to run away.

Post break, Nick Aldis tells Fatu to qualify for the Chamber next week but for tonight, get out. Works for Fatu.

IMG Credit: WWE

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Tama Tonga

The MFTs are here with Tonga. Nakamura strikes away in the corner to start fast but they head outside, where Tonga takes over. Tonga knocks him onto the announcers’ table and hits an elbow as we take a break. We come back with Nakamura kicking away and hitting a middle rope knee to the steps for two.

Tonga grabs a lifting sitout Pedigree for two but Nakamura flips out of a dragon sleeper. A jumping DDT drops Nakamura, who pops right back up with a knockdown of his own. They trade forearms until Nakamura hits a spinning kick to the face. The Landslide gets two but Tonga Loa grabs the foot to break up the Kinshasa. The Cutthroat finishes Nakamura at 10:35.

Rating: C+. This was about what Nakamura does most of the time (save for the outstanding Styles match) as he looked fine but was ultimately there to put someone over. Tonga has been teasing a singles run for awhile now and I don’t see why not. It wasn’t some star making performance but it did what it needed to do.

Fraxiom and the Motor City Machine Guns run into Candice LeRae and Johnny Gargano, who is laying face down on a crate (labeled NXT). The Guns won’t talk to him because they don’t like being lied to.

Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky are ready to keep the titles and get ready for the Chamber. Nia Jax and Lash Legend come in to talk some trash and tease a challenge. Judgment Day comes in to get between the teams and head to the ring.

Kit Wilson runs into Matt Cardona and blames him for bringing back the toxic masculinity. Cardona is ready to fight anytime but Wilson needs a warm bath. Apollo Crews (who is here too, in a rare cameo) finds this funny.

IMG Credit: WWE

Nick Aldis brings in Liv Morgan, with Raquel Rodriguez, for a chat. Morgan brags about being really great at the Royal Rumble as well as the hottest, smartest, funniest, most charismatic, most talented and most iconic woman in WWE history. Anyway, Morgan has a decision to make between Jade Cargill and Stephanie Vaquer.

Cue Cargill to interrupt, saying she’ll beat up Morgan if given the chance. Cargill doesn’t like Rodriguez looking at her but Morgan threatens to have Rodriguez take the title from her. Cue Jordynne Grace, who says she might take the title as well. That has Morgan laughing but Cargill and Grace both cut her off. Aldis says if Morgan is here to talk, she can fight, so the tag match is made.

Jade Cargill/Jordynne Grace vs. Judgment Day

It’s a brawl to start with Judgment Day getting cleared out as we take an early break. We come back with Rodriguez powerslamming Grace and hitting some forearms to the chest. Morgan comes in and tries Three Amigos, with the third being blocked. A Michinoku Driver looks to set up Beast Mode but Morgan escapes with a Codebreaker. Cargill comes in and, ahem, accidentally kicks Grace down. Rodriguez kicks Morgan down as well and we get the Rodriguez vs. Cargill showdown. That doesn’t last long as Grace is back in to knock Cargill down and steal a rollup pin on Rodriguez at 8:18.

Rating: C+. This was pretty simple, as they kept the Rodriguez vs. Cargill showdown until the end, with both sides teasing issues. That could result in either, or perhaps both of them, getting into a Wrestlemania match down the road. The match wasn’t exactly great, but it did what it needed to do.

We look at Drew McIntyre beating Sami Zayn to retain the World Title at the Royal Rumble.

A depressed Sami Zayn runs into Dragon Lee, who calls him a big inspiration. Trick Williams comes in to mock Zayn but Lee tells him to shut up or get his teeth knocked out.

Jordynne Grace and Jade Cargill are arguing in the back so Nick Aldis makes their title match for next week.

We look at the Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk segment from Raw, setting up their title match at Wrestlemania. Yeah I’d want to show something that awesome again too.

Here is Drew McIntyre for a third time and he manages to get onto the announcers’ table. He has something to say and he’s going to say it. First of all, Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu should be banned from the Elimination Chamber qualifying matches after attacking him. As for Sami Zayn, he got crushed, just like everyone who is going to come after him for the title.

As for what he heard on Raw between Reigns and Punk, he was just disappointed. It came off as two people being insecure, as one of them would mock him but the other would defend him. The Smackdown roster should see that as a declaration of war. McIntyre didn’t walk away when the world shut down and he made this title, just like Austin, Hogan, not Dusty Rhodes, HHH, Michaels and more.

McIntyre gets why Reigns picks Punk, because it was either facing a Scottish warrior or a tattooed freak who is one loss away from losing it. That leaves the entire roster fighting to get to his title shot. The music ends and it sounds like he wasn’t quite done. Cue Trick Williams to say he’s going to watch the main event and get ready to take the title from McIntyre at Wrestlemania. McIntyre doesn’t seem impressed.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Solo Sikoa is ready to win but can’t find the MFTs.

Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Solo Sikoa vs. Randy Orton vs. Aleister Black

Zelina is here with Black. They all miss big shots to start until Sikoa is sent outside. Orton gets tripped down so Black knocks Sikoa off the apron, setting up a middle rope moonsault. We take a break and come back with Black working on Sikoa’s leg but Orton is back in for a save. Black is sent outside and Sikoa punches Orton down, followed by a pop up Samoan drop for two on Black as we take a break.

We come back with Orton superplexing Black but getting Superfly Splashed to give Sikoa two. Orton takes Sikoa outside and drops him onto the announcers’ table, with Black getting the same treatment. The hanging DDT drops Sikoa but Black kicks Orton in the face. Black is knocked outside and the RKO finishes Sikoa at 16:37.

Rating: C+. This was WAY too long and could have been cut in half to a better result. Orton going on is fine, and it was more a question of whether he would pin Sikoa clean or if the Wyatts were going to interfere to cost Sikoa the match. Orton moving on is fine and I’m glad Black didn’t take the pin, but this felt like it went on forever despite some good action.

Overall Rating: C+. This show was one of the annoying kind, as it was more about setting up a bunch of stuff for the next few weeks. That went well enough, but triple threat qualifying matches lost their luster a long time ago. It feels like they do these for every big match anymore and it gets tiring. Other than that, they did some stuff to set up the next week or so, but this was one of those shows where there wasn’t much worth seeing, as it was more about getting ready for the future than anything else.

Results
Rhea Ripley/Iyo Sky b. Kiana James/Giulia – Over The Moonsault to Giulia
Carmelo Hayes b. The Miz – First 48
Tiffany Stratton b. Lash Legend and Chelsea Green – Prettiest Moonsault Ever to Green
Oba Femi b. Kit Wilson – Fall From Grace
Tama Tonga b. Shinsuke Nakamura – Cutthroat
Jade Cargill/Jordynne Grace b. Judgment Day – Rollup to Rodriguez
Randy Orton b. Solo Sikoa and Aleister Black – RKO to Sikoa

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

Survivor Series 2024
Date: November 30, 2024
Location: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Commentators: Corey Graves, Michael Cole

It’s time to put some people in a cage big enough to wrap around a pair of rings. That’s pretty much all you need to know here, as you have Roman Reigns and the Bloodline facing Solo Sikoa and his version of the same thing. Normally I would say what else is going on here, but it’s not like anything else really matters. Let’s get to it.

Since we’re going to have two of them, here are the WarGames rules:

Two wrestlers start and fight for five minutes.

After five minutes, the team with the advantage (as determined before the match) gets a three minute advantage.

The teams alternate until all ten are in and then it’s first pin/submission to win.

The opening video looks at WarGames, mainly focusing on the men’s version. Nothing outside of WarGames is even mentioned.

The cage is lowered.

Team Ripley vs. Team Morgan

Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Naomi, Iyo Sky, Bayley
Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton, Candice LeRae

Bayley and Jax start things off with Bayley firing off the forearms. Jax charges into a boot in the corner and Bayley knocks her into the space between the rings. Some more forearms have Jax in trouble and Bayley gets smart by taking off part of her gear for some whipping. Unfortunately Jax takes it away and whips her right back to take over. The running hip attack rocks Bayley and Jax runs her over for a bonus.

Another hip attack crushes Bayley against the cage and it’s Naomi in….wearing a birthday hat and grabbing a colorful kendo stick…and a toilet seat. Oh here we go. Anyway Naomi strikes and kicks away at Jax and Bayley is back up as the fans chant HAPPY BIRTHDAY, which kind of takes away the violent thing. Jax is sent into the corner, where the toilet seat is put around her neck for the hips to the face from Naomi. Because of course.

Stratton is supposed to be in to even it up but LeRae comes in instead. She throws in a bunch of chairs before getting in herself, though thankfully everyone was standing around waiting on her anyway. That’s broken up rather quickly and the chairs are set up with another one bridged between them. Jax is back up and lays Bayley onto them for a very save moonsault from LeRae.

Belair is here to get the advantage back and she grabs a trashcan…and then gets a fire extinguisher. She’s STILL not in as she also finds a table, because we need about eight weapons in the double cage. That’s not enough either as she grabs another chair (because the five or so inside weren’t enough), which believe it or not somehow doesn’t let the villains take over. Instead Belair FINALLY gets in and helps beat Jax down, with the stomping slowly ensuing. Since it took Belair so long to get in, it’s already time for Stratton, who gets a trashcan and lid.

Belair gets clocked with the lid and Bayley is catapulted into Jax’s vicinity for a clothesline. Naomi gets crushed by the big legdrop and a middle rope G9 hits Belair. Some chair shots have Jax down and it’s Sky…running all the way over to the other side of the ring to find a purple trashcan. It comes with a rope attached so she can climb up with the can on her back, but LeRae is there to meet her.

Sky tries a sunset bomb but can’t make it work, eventually landing in the ring nearly two minutes after her entrance. A missile dropkick cuts LeRae down and it’s a flip off between Sky and Stratton (“I can do that too!”). The Bullet Train connects in the corners until Jax runs Sky over. Rodriguez is in to even things up again and she pulls out a table, which she leaves on the floor. Thankfully she gets in because NO ONE IS DOING ANYTHING.

Jax and Rodriguez powerbomb people into the cage and onto each other until it’s Ripley in to complete her team (with a horned facemask as a bonus). Ripley brings the table in and gets to clean house as her partners get up. Jax and Rodriguez are knocked into the corner with weapons, including the toilet seat and Bayley using Belair’s hair as a whip in a great spot. LeRae and Rodriguez get in a few shots, but it’s Ripley standing alone as Morgan is supposed to come in, only to be scared to death instead.

Morgan teases leaving but comes back with a baseball mat and gets inside, meaning the match is officially on and can end at any time. Ripley takes off the facemask and says bring it, before easily disarming Morgan. The Riptide is broken up though and Ripley is held for some baseball bat shots to the ribs. That’s broken up and we hit the parade of knockdowns until Jax Samoan drops Bayley for two.

Sky and Stratton both head up, with Sky putting on the trashcan, before they both flip dive onto a pile of people in different rings. There’s your big spot, and it allows Stratton to pull out…the Money In The Bank briefcase, as both Jax and Morgan (the reigning champions) are both down. Sky breaks that up with a blast from the fire extinguisher and Ripley handcuffs Rodriguez to a rope.

Jax cuts Ripley off though and drops a leg on Belair for two. Bayley vs. Sky is teased but quickly cut off by Jax, who doesn’t like the idea of fun. The Annihilator is loaded up but turned into a double powerbomb through a table. Riptide is broken up by the handcuffed Rodriguez and Morgan Codebreakers a chair into Ripley’s face. They go up top and Ripley fights back, with a super Riptide through a table finishing Morgan at 38:05.

Rating: C-. Yeah this hasn’t gotten any better in a year, as it was much more about getting in spots than anything else. There were so many sections that were little more than waiting around for someone to come in, which just made the match feel long. It had a few moments, but forgive me for not getting into stuff with a toilet seat and Belair taking so long to pick out various weapons. Cut out a lot of time and it’s better, which is rarely a good sign.

We recap LA Knight defending the US Title against Shinsuke Nakamura. Knight is the popular champion but Nakamura returned and attacked him, setting up the title match.

US Title: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. LA Knight

Knight is defending and backs away from some early kicks. Nakamura takes him down for a kick to the back but Knight is right back with the stomps in the corner. They go outside with Knight ramming him into the apron, followed by a ribs first drop over the top back inside. Nakamura goes simple by kicking him in the face for two and the slow kicks have Knight in more trouble.

Knight pops back up and blocks a spinning kick, setting up a Burning Hammer of all things for two. They go up top, where Knight slips a bit, allowing Nakamura to kick him back down. A belly to back superplex flipped into a faceplant gives Nakamura two but Knight knocks him right back down. The jumping top rope elbow connects but Nakamura bails from the threat of a BFT. They fight between the rings, where Nakamura manages a reverse DDT. Kinshasa gives Nakamura the title at 9:47.

Rating: C+. I couldn’t quite get into this one, as they never got out of the low gears. Knight losing is a bit weird as well, as he was on fire at this point and Nakamura just popped up and won the title. If nothing else, it does give Knight a fresh target, but it’s kind of a weird way to get there.

We recap the Intercontinental Title triple threat. Bron Breakker is the unstoppable monster, Sheamus is the old fighter wanting the title and Ludwig Kaiser is here to make it a triple threat.

Intercontinental Title: Bron Breakker vs. Sheamus vs. Ludwig Kaiser

Breakker is defending. Kaiser gets smart by heading outside, leaving the other two to slug it out. That doesn’t last long as Kaiser comes back in and gets planted so Sheamus Irish Curses Breakker. Kaiser breaks up a powerbomb and wedges a chair into the corner, earning himself a double beating. Breakker isn’t about to let Sheamus hit the ten forearms but Kaiser breaks up the running spear.

Sheamus is dropkicked into the steps and rammed into the announcers’ table, only for Breakker to suplex Kaiser on the floor. Back in and Breakker knocks Sheamus down again, meaning it’s time for the Scott Steiner pushups. Sheamus fights back so Kaiser makes the save and they all go outside. Sheamus and Kaiser fight on the announcers’ table, with Breakker diving off the apron for a double clothesline.

Kaiser breaks out of a gorilla press with a rake to the eyes….but Sheamus rises up (great visual) for the ten forearms to the chest. Breakker tries to cut it off and gets forearmed as well. Sheamus’ double clothesline off the barricade drops them both so Kaiser grabs the shillelagh. You never take another man’s shillelagh so Sheamus clotheslines him over the barricade and throws it down, leaving him to go after Breakker.

Sheamus gets the better of the brawl and hits a Celtic Cross for two but Breakker catches him on top with the super Frankensteiner. Back up and the Super Spear hits the chair in the corner, allowing Sheamus to hit the Brogue Kick. Kaiser pulls the referee though and Sheamus is not pleased. Back in and Sheamus knees Kaiser down but Breakker runs Kaiser over. The Super Spear to Sheamus retains the title at 14:25.

Rating: B+. I can always go for a match that is exactly as advertised and that’s what we got here. This was about three people beating the fire out of each other and they didn’t do anything else. Even Kaiser, who isn’t known for his power offense, was getting his stuff in against the monsters. It was a lot of fun and Breakker is thriving in this style.

We recap Gunther defending the World Title against Damian Priest. Gunther beat Priest for the title with an assist from Finn Balor at Summerslam. Now it’s a rematch, with Gunther calling Priest street trash, which doesn’t sit well with Priest, as you might expect. Gunther is also coming off a loss at Crown Jewel, with Priest suggesting that Gunther is losing his aura.

Raw World Title: Damian Priest vs. Gunther

Gunther is defending. They take their time looking at each other until Gunther’s early headlock takeover doesn’t get him very far. Priest’s armdrags into armbars have Gunther in trouble and the threat of a spinning kick to the head sends him bailing outside. Back in and Priest runs him over with a shoulder, followed by something like a flapjack. Priest comes up favoring his shoulder though and you know Gunther knows what to do with that.

Gunther rams the arm into various things, followed by a hammerlock for some knees into the arm. The first big chop drops Priest again and Gunther cranks on both arms at the same time. Priest fights up and they hit big shots at the same time for a double down. Priest gets up and hits a running elbow in the corner, followed by a lifting Downward Spiral for two. Gunther tries a crossface chickenwing but Priest pulls him into a triangle choke, using his still fine legs.

That’s broken up so Priest tries the Razor’s Edge, which is reversed into a sleeper. The powerbomb gets two and Gunther goes up top, only to get caught by Priest. A super hurricanrana brings Gunther back down and the Razor’s Edge gets two, as Priest can’t hook the leg. The chokeslam doesn’t work as the arm gives out and Gunther pulls him into a Kimura.

Back up and Priest hits a heck of a clothesline before going up top. Gunther knocks him down and Priest seems to have hurt his other arm. Cue Finn Balor with a Coup de Grace off the steps to Priest. Gunther kicks him down as well, followed by the powerbomb and an arm trap sleeper to retain at 19:30.

Rating: B. It was good, though it was hard to buy that Priest had any kind of a chance to win here. The idea here was to have Gunther get his win over Priest without the interference…and then it was basically the same thing as Summerslam. The arm work was good stuff and Gunther knows how to pick an injury apart, which was exactly what we got here. Good match, though the ending was a bit disappointing.

We recap the men’s WarGames match, which is basically original Bloodline vs. Solo Sikoa’s new Bloodline. Bronson Reed joined the villains, but Paul Heyman brought in CM Punk to even it up, though he owes Punk a favor as a result.

Team Reigns vs. Team Sikoa

Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn, CM Punk
Solo Sikoa, Bronson Reed, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa

Sikoa and company get in their cage so Punk reaches in for a shove, as he knows how to keep things interesting. Tama and Jey start things off after some rather lengthy introductions. The lengthy continues as they stare at each other for over a minute without making contact. Eventually Tama wins an early slugout and hits a quick slingshot splash for a cover, only to realize it doesn’t matter yet.

The fans tell him that he censored up, which seems a bit harsh. There’s no need to swear. Jey knocks him back into the corner for the running Umaga Attack and it’s Bronson Reed coming in for the evil advantage. Reed brings in chairs, which Jey throws at him, only for Reed to knock out of the air. Jey gets knocked down and crushed with a backsplash so the double teaming can ensue.

The fans want Jimmy and get him a few seconds later, with Jimmy being smart enough to run in and start slugging away instead of looking for weapons and allowing the villains to beat Jey down even more. Man, when JIMMY USO is the smart one, you’re in trouble. Something like an extra spinny Whisper In The Wind drops Reed and Tama as the Usos get to fight back. The stereo ten right hands in the corner have Reed and Tama staggered some more and Reed gets sent into the cage.

Loa is set to come in next but Sikoa sends in Fatu instead, as the fans know things just got serious. Fatu runs both Usos over, with Fatu hitting a handspring body block to send Jimmy into the cage, setting up a moonsault to Jey. Tama is back up to flip a lifted Jey down for a slam as the dominance is on. CM Punk is about to go in next, but Reigns cuts him off and sends Zayn in instead. You can imagine how well this goes with Punk, though thankfully Zayn is also smart enough to ignore the weapons (again, because they’re REALLY NOT NEEDED).

A clothesline drops Tama and Zayn punches Reed down in the corner as Punk is looking ticked off in the cage. Fatu pulls Zayn out of the air but Jimmy makes the save with a superkick. Reed is back up to start pounding away though and things even up a bit. Loa is in next and, since his team is mostly in control, he throws in some tables. The Usos and Zayn get caught in the corners for quite the beatings and Reigns is set to go in next, but Punk goes in front of him, which is pretty much in line for him.

Most of the other team is waiting on him so Punk steps back down and grabs a tool box, which is bounced off four straight heads. A bulldog sends Fatu onto the toolbox but he pops right back up and hits Punk with the pop up Samoan drop. The brawl heads towards the area between the rings and Sikoa is in to complete his team (albeit after saying something to Reigns).

Sikoa slams the door on Zayn’s head and then does it again to the Usos. With Sikoa inside, the Tongas lay out the Usos again and it’s a moonsault from Fatu into a Tsunami from Reed as the destruction continues. The clock is almost down so Sikoa uses a padlock and chain to lock the door. Reigns is freed from the cage and Sikoa and company stop to look at him, which doesn’t seem to be the best idea.

Reigns looks around the outside of the cage to find a way in and eventually realizes there’s no roof on the thing and goes up the side. Quite the collection of punches allows reigns to get in and a high crossbody off the top takes out all five of them at once. Reigns goes over to help his teammates up (not Punk) and gets in a big staredown with Punk, but here is Paul Heyman to cool things off. NOW we get the announcement that WarGames have officially begun, as apparently the last two minutes didn’t count.

We get the big ten way staredown and the ensuing fight as everyone pairs off. Sikoa’s Spike misses Reigns, who spears Punk (holding Fatu at the time) by mistake. Now the Spike connects with Reigns to give Sikoa two, leaving him looking stunned. Fatu and Reed go after Punk but Fatu seems to injure his knee on a moonsault attempt. Zayn and Jimmy are back up but get taken right back down, allowing a table to be set up. Reigns fights back but gets knocked onto the table…and Reed goes up.

Make that all the way up, as he climbs to the top of the cage for the Tsunami but Punk pulls Reigns out of the way. The crash results in Reed breaking his ankle, which would keep him out of action for a LONG time. Sikoa is back up with another Spike to Reigns but Jey makes the save with a superkick.

The 1D hits Fatu, which actually keeps him down for a change. Fatu is laid on a table but Jey gets sent into the cage. Zayn cuts Tama off with the Blue Thunder Bomb and Jimmy goes up to the top of the cage for a Superfly Splash to crush Fatu. With everyone else down, Sikoa is left alone against everyone else and it’s finishers a go-go, including a GTS into Reigns’ spear for the pin at 41:56.

Rating: B. The best thing I can say here is that it felt like a fight. This came off like two teams, even with one of them makeshift, going into a battleground and fighting until one of them was defeated. It did go too long, which you know is coming with one of these matches, but at least it wasn’t full of a bunch of weapons. They definitely needed to trim it down again as a lot of the early stuff feels worthless by the time you get to the huge brawl, though that’s all you get with modern WarGames matches. Good stuff here, though not without the usual issues.

Post match the winners get the big celebration and Punk and Reigns seem ok, though Punk doing the GTS pose while everyone else does the point is great. Punk hugs Heyman and Reigns looks at Heyman and they all go to the entrance to pose again, with Punk again doing a different gesture in a funny bit to wrap it up.

The long highlight package finishes things off.

Overall Rating: B. The thing with a show like this is that it is basically two matches with three others, including a nearly twenty minute World Title match, feeling like bonus features. The men’s version was pretty awesome but the women’s match was quite the misfire. Throw in three other matches which were good enough to bring the show up a bit and we’ll call the whole thing a solid enough event. Just fix the women’s match.

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

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Saturday Night’s Main Event XLI
Date: November 1, 2025
Location: Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett

It’s a big show this time as we have the Raw World Title needing to be decided following Seth Rollins’ injury. Other than that, the Smackdown World Title is on the line as Drew McIntyre gets another shot at Cody Rhodes. The Intercontinental and Smackdown Women’s Titles are both on the line as well so let’s get to it.

The opening video features flashbacks to the original series before shifting to look at tonight’s edition.

Smackdown World Title: Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre

Rhodes is defending and can lose the title via countout or DQ. We get the Big Match Intros and McIntyre insists on being introduced as the REAL American Dream in a great bit of trolling. Rhodes slugs away to start and McIntyre heads outside to slow things back down. Back in and McIntyre tries to send Rhodes into the referee, which McIntyre thinks should be a DQ. McIntyre bites his head and Rhodes stomps away, which has him almost shoving the referee in frustration.

That’s enough of a distraction for McIntyre to get in a cheap shot from behind and post Rhodes for a bonus. Back in and an elbow drops Rhodes before McIntyre sends him flying with a suplex. McIntyre goes up top and gets superplexed down and…the stream freezes for a few moments. We come back with Rhodes winning a slugout and hitting the Disaster Kick.

The Cody Cutter connects (though it looked like McIntyre tried to counter) for two but McIntyre is back with a spinebuster and sitout powerbomb for two of his own. With frustration setting in, McIntyre grabs the title, which he throws to Rhodes. That’s not enough to get Rhodes to snap as he throws the title away, only to get Claymored for two. They head outside where McIntyre can’t hit another Claymore but can knock him off the apron and through the announcers’ table for a heck of a crash.

Back in and another Claymore misses so Rhodes tries to climb the corner, only to bang up his knee. The knee is fine enough to hit the Cody Cutter for two (the first one must have been a botch) before the referee gets bumped. McIntyre grabs the title, which is knocked away, and it’s a double crossbody to leave everyone down. They both crawl for the belt, with Rhodes giving him a DDT onto it for the knockout. Cross Rhodes retains the title at 18:43.

Rating: B. Good, hard fought match here, which is what you want to see out of these two. They had something interesting with the idea of Rhodes being in more danger than usual. The fans were into what they were doing and it felt like the title was in jeopardy a few times. Rhodes is likely gearing up for his feud with Randy Orton over the title and this was a great way to give him a boost on the way there.

We recap Jade Cargill challenging Tiffany Stratton for the Smackdown Women’s Title. Stratton beat her once but Cargill came back and turned evil, even injuring Stratton’s knee on the way here.

Nick Aldis makes sure that Stratton is good to go, which she insists she is.

Various celebrities are here.

Smackdown Women’s Title: Jade Cargill vs. Tiffany Stratton

Stratton is defending and slugs away to start fast. That earns her a quick chokeslam but Cargill misses a charge into the corner. Cargill is fine enough to catch her on top as Stratton gets caught in the Tree Of Woe. Some cranking on the knee has Stratton down on the floor and Cargill is not impressed. Stratton is able to send her into the steps for a breather and then drops her off the top inside. The Swanton hits Cargill for two but she’s right back with a fall away slam. It works so well that she does it two more times for another near fall. A pair of powerbombs puts Stratton down and Jaded gives Cargill the title at 5:32.

Rating: C+. This was built around the idea of Stratton’s knee being banged up and that’s a fine way to go. It turned into Cargill smashing through the injured Stratton, who got in a flurry to start but then just got overwhelmed. That’s a good way to end Stratton’s long reign, as she was beaten by someone she couldn’t stop. There are already people set to come after Cargill, including a likely soon to return Bianca Belair. This was how the title change should have gone down and it worked rather well.

Saturday Night’s Main Event is back in Montreal on January 24.

Intercontinental Title: Dominik Mysterio vs. Penta vs. Rusev

Mysterio is defending and gets knocked to the floor to start fast. Rusev dropkicks Penta for two and then powerbombs Mysterio, allowing him to sneer a lot. They fight to the floor where Mysterio posts Rusev before Penta flip dives onto both of them. Back in and Penta’s slingshot dropkick hits Mysterio in the corner, with Rusev pulling Penta outside for a ram into the barricade.

Mysterio gets dropped onto the announcers’ table, allowing Rusev to tell the title that he’s coming. Back in and Rusev chokes on the ropes but Penta breaks up the Accolade attempt. The Backstabber out of the corner gives Penta two on Rusev and some basement superkicks make it worse. Rusev shrugs that off and hits the swinging release Rock Bottom for two of his own. With Penta down in the corner, Mysterio grabs a chair and throws it to Rusev…apparently forgetting that it’s No DQ.

Rusev wrecks Mysterio with the chair but Penta kicks it into Rusev’s face. A springboard tornado DDT plants Rusev for two but he’s back with an Alabama Slam. Back up and the Penta Driver plants Rusev, only to have him pop back up and superkick Penta out of the air. The Accolade goes on and the bell rings….but there was no tap out. Mysterio rang the bell for the save, which earns him quite the beating. Rusev gets sent into the steps though and Penta grabs the bell hammer, which accidentally hits Rusev. Mysterio takes Penta out and frog splashes Rusev to retain at 12:37.

Rating: B-. There is something awesome about Mysterio’s “What if Honky Tonk Man was just a little bit smarter?” title reign. On paper, Mysterio should be getting wrecked in every title match but he’s just smart enough to find a way out. That’s all he needs to do, and he’s already approaching seven months as champion. It might not be great, but it makes sense and it’s working well enough, even as Rusev takes yet another fall.

We get a preview of a big interview with John Cena, which will be released in full in the coming weeks.

Cena narrates a video announcing a sixteen man tournament (The Last Time Is Now Tournament) to earn the right to be his final opponent. There will be entries from all three brands and maybe even some surprises.

We recap Jey Uso vs. CM Punk for the vacant Raw World Title. Punk earned the shot against Seth Rollins, who got hurt, so Uso won a battle royal to earn the shot. They’re friends, but they both need to be champion.

Raw World Title: CM Punk vs. Jey Uso

For the vacant title so of course they do the Big Match Intros. They take their time to start with Punk backing him into the corner and they go into the grappling. Uso rolls him up for a quick two before Punk grabs his headlock for the trademark SHOUTING IN HIS OPPONENT’S ear. Apparently the advice is “try to escape the GTS by going to the floor” before Punk takes him down for some elbows.

Punk’s neckbreaker drops Uso (after they seem to both try one at once for a weird visual) and they chop it out. Uso knocks him into the corner but the spear is countered with a front facelock and another neckbreaker gives Punk two. Back up and they slug it out with Uso getting the better of things. A quick GTS sends Uso outside though and Punk sends him back in, with Uso being smart enough to go towards the ropes. Punk grabs a suplex for two but Uso breaks up a superplex attempt.

Uso misses a dive off the top but starts hammering away, setting up the running Umaga Attack. Another is cut off so Uso hits a superkick and the spear into the Superfly Splash for a near fall. Punk catches him on top for a top rope superplex and they’re both down again. Back up and they slug it out until Punk takes over, including a leg lariat. Uso superkicks him out to the floor for a suicide dive and they’re both down for a breather.

Uso is back with a spear through the barricade but the Superfly Splash hits knees. Another GTS gives Punk two but Uso hits his own GTS. Punk hits an awful spear for two more and is back with a GTS. Another is attempted but Punk collapses, with Uso pulling him into the sleeper. That’s reversed into the Anaconda Vice so Uso makes the ropes. Another Vice attempt is countered into a rollup and Uso is back with some superkicks. Uso charges into a knee to the head though and a pair of GTS’s give Punk the pin and the title at 20:58.

Rating: B+. There were only so many ways to go after Rollins’ injury and Punk winning the title on a pretty big stage is the best option they have. Punk gets to show that he still has it without having a Money In The Bank cash-in waiting on him. At the same time, there are several people who could come for the title, including LA Knight, Sami Zayn and eventually Bron Breakker. It wound up being a rather good match as well, with Uso giving everything he could before falling in the end. Nice stuff here, with a limited amount of ways to go given the circumstances.

Punk celebrates as Uso looks up at him to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This show was entertaining and less than two hours so they certainly got in and out without wasting time. At the same time, the show really didn’t feel that important. None of the stories came off like they were overly important, even with a pair of World Titles on the line. Punk vs. Rollins would have felt bigger, but there just wasn’t much to see here that kept me engaged. It’s a good show due to the action, but hopefully they have something a bit better on the way to Survivor Series, because they’ll need the upgrade.

Results
Cody Rhodes b. Drew McIntyre – Cross Rhodes
Jade Cargill b. Tiffany Stratton – Jaded
Dominik Mysterio b. Penta and Rusev – Frog splash to Rusev
CM Punk b. Jey Uso – GTS

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

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Smackdown
Date: 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: October 24, 2025
Location: Mullett Arena, Tempe, Arizona
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re rapidly approaching Saturday Night’s Main Event and now we get to see what that might mean. We need to have something set for the show on the Smackdown side, which is what we will likely get here. There is a good chance this involves World Champion Cody Rhodes, who is still dealing with Drew McIntyre. 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 show, focusing on Jacob Fatu being attacked and setting up Drew McIntyre vs. Cody Rhodes in a surprise main event.

Jimmy Uso thanks Rhodes for standing up for Fatu last week. Rhodes asks if Jimmy and Jey are ok. Jimmy appreciates that and is off to talk to Nick Aldis.

Here is Rhodes for a chat. He mentions the upcoming title match against Drew McIntyre at Saturday Night’s Main Event, including mentioning hitting McIntyre with the belt last week. Cue McIntyre, who can’t believe the fans are still cheering for Rhodes. McIntyre lists off a variety of things Rhodes has done to him and promises to destroy the story next Saturday. As for Fatu, yeah he hates the family, but he didn’t do it. McIntyre suggests Rhodes did it so Rhodes wants to fight right now, only for Jimmy Uso to run out and go after McIntyre instead. Things are calmed down but here are Solo Sikoa and the MFT’s for their scheduled match.

Post break, Uso and McIntyre brawl in the back again.

MFT’s vs. Shinsuke Nakamura/Rey Fenix

Tonga strikes away at Nakamura to start but Nakamura slips away, allowing the tags off to Fenix and Mateo. Fenix quickly sends him into the corner and it’s a double Good Vibrations, followed by a double COME ON as we take a break. We come back with Tonga flipping Fenix inside out with a clothesline before Mateo grabs a nerve hold.

That’s broken up and Fenix kicks him in the head, allowing Nakamura to come in and kick away. It’s right back to Fenix for another kick to the head as everything breaks down. Sikoa offers a distraction though and Talla Tonga chokeslams Fenix onto the apron. Back in and Tama gives Fenix a running elbow (the Cutthroat) for the pin at 11:27.

Rating: B-. I can go for Nakamura getting a spot on the show helping to put people over, as it’s a nice way to wrap up his time in the company. On the other hand you have Fenix, who is basically the rotating tag partner, which isn’t a great sign for his current or future status. Then you have the MFT’s, who seem likely to be going for the Tag Team Titles again soon.

Jimmy Uso talks to Nick Aldis, who puts him in a No DQ match with Drew McIntyre tonight.

Chelsea Green and Kay Lee Ray interrupt Giulia and suggests a merger. Kiana James comes in to say not quite, with Giulia not seeming impressed.

Tiffany Stratton vs. Kiana James

Non-title and Giulia is here with James. Stratton’s wristlock is quickly escaped with a flip so she does some flips of her own, followed by an armbar. Some running knees to the back send James outside, where Stratton forearms her in the face. Giulia offers a quick distraction though and James gets in a cheap shot as we take a break.

We come back with James hitting a running shoulder in the corner for two. Stratton manages a knockdown for a double breather though and the clothesline comeback is on. It’s too early for the Prettiest Moonsault Ever though and James grabs a Falcon Arrow for two. James goes up but gets knocked down, setting up a Swanton. The Prettiest Moonsault Ever finishes for Stratton at 9:53.

Rating: C+. James is a good choice for the role of annoying assistant who can wrestle a match if needed. That was the case here, but the problem is that the bigger star isn’t doing much. Giulia might be a champion, though she’s not exactly doing much these days. That’s going to need to change, though at least James is getting better.

Post match Giulia runs in to take out Stratton, with Jade Cargill making the save….and then laying Stratton out as well. The big beatdown is on as we have a long overdue heel turn.

Sami Zayn congratulates Ilja Dragunov on his US Title win last week and Dragunov says he respects Zayn. Now it’s time for Dragunov to keep up the US Open challenge because Zayn knows he is the man to do it.

Jade Cargill is tired of not being rewarded so she’s going with power. That starts with her winning the Women’s Title.

Here is Ilja Dragunov for his open challenge, but first he talks about how he didn’t know if he was going to be back from his injury. He doesn’t know how to quit though and now he’s back, so get the challenger out here.

US Title: Ilja Dragunov vs. ???

Dragunov is defending against….Aleister Black, with Zelina Vega. Dragunov strikes away to start but it’s too early for the Constantine Special. Instead Black knocks him outside for a hurricanrana from Vega to send him into the barricade. We take a break and come back with Dragunov fighting back and going up.

Vega offers a distraction though and Black gets up for a Meteora. Dragunov kicks him into the corner but gets kneed in the face for two. Back up and Dragunov connects with the Constantine Special as we take a break. We come back again with Dragunov’s missile dropkick connecting for two, followed by a backsplash for two more.

Torpedo Moscow is kneed out of the air though and a brainbuster gives Black two. Back up and Torpedo Moscow connects but Dragunov can’t cover. Vega trips Dragunov and gets ejected…and here is Damian Priest, complete with a bad eye. Dragunov used the distraction to hit another Torpedo Moscow and retain at 15:42.

Rating: B+. It didn’t quite hit some great level but this was two guys beating the fire out of each other for a long time. That’s what matters the most here as Dragunov gets to retain, despite needing a bit of a distraction, just like last week. Either way, Dragunov is likely going to do this for a few weeks, which is a nice way to get him back in the fans’ minds after such a long time away.

Post match Priest goes after Black and loads up a Conchairto. Vega makes a save though and Black bails into the crowd.

We recap Carmelo Hayes and the Miz blowing up.

Hayes is glad Miz helped him get here, but Miz went too far when things got physical. Now it’s time to for him to work on being Him. Kit Wilson comes in to call Hayes toxic and a match is set for next week.

Ilja Dragunov runs into Fraxiom, who would love shots at the US Title. Dragunov says that’s the point of the US Open Challenge and he’ll see them later. With Dragunov gone, DIY comes in to mock Fraxiom, with Axiom saying Gargano is scared to face him. Tama Tonga pops up to…make noises at Fraxiom.

Charlotte and Alexa Bliss accept Bayley’s challenge for a Women’s Tag Team Title match on Raw. Nia Jax comes in to suggest that they’ll turn on each other and Jax vs. Bliss is set for next week.

Drew McIntyre vs. Jimmy Uso

No DQ. Uso starts the fight in the aisle and sends McIntyre into the barricade but McIntyre slugs away inside. Back up and Uso kicks him outside, where McIntyre cuts off a dive with a forearm. The fight heads into the crowd, where Uso snaps off a suplex. They go back to ringside, where Uso loads up a table and we take a break. We come back with Uso enziguring him out to the floor, where McIntyre snaps off an overhead belly to belly.

McIntyre cracks him in the back with a chair but the Claymore in the chair is cut off. A Whisper In The Wind gives Uso two and he chairs McIntyre down over and over. McIntyre fights up but charges into a Samoan drop through the table. Instead of covering though, Uso goes up and gets chaired out of the air. The Claymore gives McIntyre (who gives a great facial expression, which says “thank goodness that’s over”) the pin at 12:21.

Rating: B. I liked these two beating each other up, as while Uso didn’t win, he did get the revenge that he wanted here. There was no reason to believe that Uso was going to win without some huge interference, but at least it went as it should have. McIntyre gets momentum and Uso gets what he wanted, which is quite the nice result.

Post match McIntyre stays on Uso so Cody Rhodes makes the save. McIntyre Claymores Rhodes to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. This show came together well and pretty much everything worked well. That’s a nice way to push the show towards Saturday Night’s Main Event, which should be a major event if given the chance. Rhodes vs. McIntyre is interesting, as it’s either going to be totally flat or have some kind of a twist. This show did a nice job of getting things ready, which is one of the most important parts in the whole thing. Nice show here.

Results
MFT’s b. Rey Fenix/Shinsuke Nakamura – Cutthroat to Fenix
Tiffany Stratton b. Kiana James – Prettiest Moonsault Ever
Ilja Dragunov b. Aleister Black – Torpedo Moscow
Drew McIntyre b. Jimmy Uso – Claymore

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 17, 2025
Location: SAP Center, San Jose, California
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Corey Graves

We’re back in the states for Smackdown and the scheduled big match this week is Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre in a grudge match that has been built up for a long time now. We are also coming up on Saturday Night’s Main Event and that means the card is going to need to be set up. Let’s get to it.

Here is Crown Jewel if you need a recap.

We open with a long recap of Crown Jewel, including Seth Rollins beating Cody Rhodes in the Crown Jewel Title match. We also look at the Vision turning on Rollins the following night on Raw.

Here is Nick Aldis in the ring for a chat. He brings up the Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre match for later tonight, which is now a #1 contenders match to face Cody Rhodes, who joins us right now. Rhodes talks about the loss to Rollins, who has his own issues on Raw. As for tonight, Rhodes will handle Smackdown business, like that #1 contenders match. The road to Saturday Night’s Main Event runs through San Jose.

Solo Sikoa interrupts Rey Fenix in the back and the MFT’s beat him down.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Charlotte/Alexa Bliss vs. Zaria/Sol Ruca

Zaria and Ruca are challenging and NXT’s Blake Monroe (facing Ruca next weekend at Halloween Havoc) is here in the crowd. Charlotte and Ruca start things off with Charlotte flipping out of a wristlock. Ruca and Zaria get booted in the face and it’s off to Bliss for a dropkick to stagger Zaria. A big spinebuster plants Bliss and we take a break.

We come back with Bliss fighting out of a chinlock and elbowing Zaria down. Ruca is right there with a spinning belly to back faceplant but Bliss kicks her way out of trouble. The big tag brings in Charlotte for a high crossbody and it’s time to fire off the chops. Charlotte kicks Zaria in the face and snaps off a suplex for two.

Ruca is back in with a springboard clothesline but dives into a quickly broke Liontamer. The Sol Snatcher gets two with Bliss having to make the save. Zaria cuts off a hurricanrana from the apron and Ruca moonsaults onto Charlotte on the floor. Hold on though as Monroe offers a distraction, allowing Charlotte to chop block Ruca. The Figure Eight retains the titles at 12:07.

Rating: B-. Ruca and Zaria getting a title shot is a good way to go as they’re certainly a thing in NXT and have a story of their own. It’s not like there are a ton of teams on the main roster coming for the titles, so go with whatever you have available. It wound up being a good match as well, as Charlotte and Bliss continue to work well together.

Post match, respect is shown.

Cody Rhodes runs into Jacob Fatu, who promises he’s coming for Rhodes after tonight. Works for Rhodes.

Aleister Black is glad to be back with his wife, Zelina Vega, who describes them as the mirror that shows the infections around here.

We look back at Solo Sikoa and the MFT’s interrupting last week’s US Open Challenge.

Nick Aldis is in the back with the Miz, when Sami Zayn interrupts. The US Open Challenge seems to be off for tonight, as Aldis wants Shinsuke Nakamura to get a fair rematch but he’s not here tonight. Zayn says the challenge is important and he’s going to the ring. Miz leaves as well.

We look at Hulk Hogan’s Rock N Wrestling, which are being added to the WWE Vault YouTube channel every Saturday.

US Title: Sami Zayn vs. ???

Zayn is defending against….well it was supposed to be the Miz, but Carmelo Hayes jumps him from behind. Then ILJA DRAGUNOV returns and we’ve got a title match. We get a handshake to start before they fire off the forearms. An exchange of clotheslines goes to Zayn but Dragunov is back with a running boot in the corner.

We take a break and come back with Zayn grabbing a tornado DDT but Dragunov blasts him with a running boot to the face out of the corner. Zayn wrestles him down for some slow rolling German suplexes. Dragunov plants him down but charges into a Michinoku Driver for two. They fight to the apron, with Zayn hitting an implant DDT to drive Dragunov’s shoulder into the ropes (that’s different) as we take a break.

We come back with Dragunov’s backsplash connecting for two and a top rope superplex plants Zayn again. Zayn cuts him off but misses the Helluva Kick, allowing Dragunov to muscle Zayn up with a suplex. The Constantine Special connects for Dragunov but the Torpedo Moscow is cut off with a boot to the head. The Blue Thunder Bomb gives Zayn two more and it’s Solo Sikoa time. That slows Zayn down and the Helluva Kick is countered into the Torpedo Moscow. The H Bomb gives Dragunov the pin and the title at 19:20.

Rating: B+. As tends to be the case with Dragunov, he gave this everything he had and it made for an awesome performance. That’s what you expect from him and I’m glad to see him finally win something on the main roster. While I’m sad to see Zayn’s Open Challenge come to an end, it wouldn’t have made sense for Dragunov to come back and lose so soon.

Post match the MFT’s run in and beat down both guys. Rey Fenix runs in for a failed save attempt. Solo Sikoa asks if we’ve all forgotten that they run Smackdown. The team will get everything his family lost and they will be champions again. The Wyatt Sicks pop up on screen to say seek and you will be find, but be worried about what is on the other side. That brings the Sicks up behind the MFT’s and the fans REALLY like this. Sikoa and company lose though.

Video on the Australia/Japan tour.

We look at the Women’s Crown Jewel Title match, with Stephanie Vaquer beating Tiffany Stratton.

Stratton isn’t happy with the loss but she’s moving forward. Kiana James comes in to say that attitude is why she wanted to represent Stratton. That doesn’t work for Stratton, who agrees to face James next week. So Rhodes and Stratton have both basically said that losing at Crown Jewel meant nothing, much like the show in general. Good to know.

Earlier today, Los Garza interrupted the Motor City Machine Guns and mocked them, with a match being set up for later tonight.

Motor City Machine Guns vs. Los Garza

Shelley and Angel start things off, with Sabin coming in with a missile dropkick into a Downward Spiral to send Angel outside. Back in and Angel gets in a shot of his own before avoiding Shelley’s charge in the corner. We take a break and come back with with Shelley still in trouble but managing to grab a neckbreaker. The diving tag brings in Sabin to clean house, with a crucifix getting two on Berto.

Everything breaks down and the Guns get the better of a slugout until Berto powerbombs Sabin for two. The Gory Bomb/slingshot flipping cutter combination gets two on Shelley and they go to the floor. Berto hits a big flipping dive but Sabin makes a blind tag. Stereo shots in the corner rock Angel and Skull & Bones connects for the pin at 9:26.

Rating: B-. That’s what I’ve been missing from the Guns, as they’re a guaranteed good match no matter who they face. It’s good to see them back in the ring, even if they aren’t in the title picture at the moment. They don’t take time to reheat so let them do their thing and get some momentum going. It’s not like they have anything better to do right now.

Fraxiom wants to find their spot but they aren’t sure how to make that happen. DIY comes in to laugh at them for saying nothing has changed in the last two months. A match is teased.

Jacob Fatu has been attacked in the back and is bleeding from the mouth. Post break Fatu is awake but won’t answer any questions about what happened.

Here is Drew McIntyre for his scheduled match with Jacob Fatu but instead he mocks Fatu’s injury. Nick Aldis comes out to threaten McIntyre if he did this but McIntyre denies the whole thing. Cue Cody Rhodes to say McIntyre knows what he did so let’s do this title match right now. The fight is on and we take a break before the opening bell.

Smackdown World Title: Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre

Rhodes is defending and in street clothes. We come back for the opening bell and McIntyre tosses him with an overhead belly to belly. Rhodes spears him down and hammers away but gets elbowed in the face for two. The Futureshock gets two and McIntyre pounds him down in the corner. Rhodes manages to fight back and scores with a Cody Cutter to send McIntyre outside. The suicide dive is cut off and McIntyre sends him into the timekeeper’s area, where Rhodes comes up with a belt shot for the DQ at 4:51.

Rating: C+. They didn’t have much time here and it was basically the best idea that they had given the circumstances. That’s perfectly fine, but it makes me wonder if Rhodes was the one behind the attack. He’s been frustrated due to the loss, he’s been very enthusiastic to face Jacob Fatu, and he was very direct in accusing McIntyre. Or maybe it’s someone else, but Rhodes seems to be a strong possibility.

Post match Rhodes loads up the announcers’ table but McIntyre rakes his eyes. They fight onto the table, where security breaks it up, only for Rhodes to dive off the top and take a bunch of people out to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. Solid show here, even with the screwy change that wasn’t WWE’s fault. The wrestling was good tonight, with the US Title match being quite the fight and the opener being rather entertaining as well. They kept things moving here and I liked the show, which has me wondering where a lot of things are going, so nice job of setting up for the future.

Results
Charlotte/Alexa Bliss b. Zaria/Sol Ruca – Figure Eight to Ruca
Ilja Dragunov b. Sami Zayn – H Bomb
Motor City Machine Guns b. Los Garza – Skull & Bones to Angel
Drew McIntyre b. Cody Rhodes via DQ when Rhodes used the title belt

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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Crown Jewel 2025
Date: October 11, 2025
Location: RAC Arena, Perth, Australia
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett

It’s time for the annual champion vs. champion show and that should make things interesting. The word there is should, as the build has been hit or miss at best. We have Seth Rollins vs. Cody Rhodes and Tiffany Stratton vs. Stephanie Vaquer, plus AJ Styles vs. John Cena for the last time. Let’s get to it.

We open with a video of the Crown Jewel titles being transported from Saudi Arabia to Australia. This aired on Smackdown.

The opening video focuses on Rhea Ripley (makes sense) and talks about the sounds they make around the world. Those sounds don’t need translations because it’s real. Now it’s Australia’s turn.

Roman Reigns vs. Bronson Reed

Street fight and Paul Heyman is here with Reed. Reigns slugs away to start and sends Reed into some buckles before raining down the right hands. It’s already time to go outside, which has Heyman waddling away. Reigns knocks him over the barricade and throws some Prime at him, which is quite the product placement. Some trashcan shots to the back have Reed in trouble and they get back to ringside, where Reigns finds a cricket bat and a rugby ball.

Reigns hits him in the back with the bat but poses too much, allowing Reed to run him over. That doesn’t work for Reigns, who is back with a posting and some kendo stick shots. Reigns grabs the mic and says if Perth wants tables, they have to acknowledge him. That’s at least a smart way to get them brought in so nice job. Reed uses the delay to get in a cheap shot and send the table back underneath the ring. They head back inside where Reed hammers away with chairs.

One of the chairs is set up, which isn’t a great idea as Reigns gives him a Samoan drop through said chair. Some rapid fire clotheslines against the ropes rock Reed and a jumping version puts him down. Reed’s Jagged Edge gets two and it’s time for the stop sign. A chair is wedged into the corner before a release Rock Bottom onto the sign gives Reed two. Reed’s charge goes into the chair (of course) but Reed bails outside before the spear can launch.

They go outside and here’s Bron Breakker with a Super Spear. A double powerbomb sends Reigns through the announcers’ table so cue the Usos (who Reigns didn’t want to get involved) for the save. The 1D drops Breakker but he’s right back up with a gorilla press gutbuster to Jey. The Super Spear sends Jimmy through the barricade but Reigns is up to cut off the Tsunami to Jey. Back up and Jey accidentally spears Reigns through a table, leaving the Tsunami to give Reed the pin at 21:07.

Rating: B. I had fun with this and it makes Reed look like an absolute monster. Yeah he had help, but pinning Reigns is a big deal no matter who you are. At the same time, Reigns isn’t going to be happy with the Usos for not listening to him and now we’ll have some fallout. Good stuff here, and probably the right way to go.

Post match Reigns and the Usos are sitting on the mat, where Reigns yells at them for saying no one thinks he can do this on his own. It only works one way and he doesn’t want to see their faces. Fans: “SOMEONE’S IN TROUBLE!” With Reigns gone, the Usos argue as well, with Jey saying Reigns is always going to be himself and leaves on his own.

Women’s Crown Jewel Title: Stephanie Vaquer vs. Tiffany Stratton

They go with the grappling to start with Stratton working on a headlock but getting reversed into a wristlock. A rollup gives Vaquer two and it’s an early standoff. Stratton knocks her down but charges into a superkick for two. Something like a standing STF (that’s a new one) has Stratton in trouble until it’s broken up to leave both of them down. Stratton cartwheels into an Alabama Slam for two and Vaquer is in trouble for the first time.

That doesn’t last long as Vaquer gets in a dragon screw legwhip out of the corner but the knee is fine enough for Stratton to hit End Of Heartache for two. The Devil’s Kiss attempt is countered into a boot to the face to give Stratton two more and some frustration is setting in. A Swanton hits raised knees though and now the Devil’s Kiss connects. The SVB gets two but Stratton gets in the Regal Roll. The Prettiest Moonsault Ever misses though and Vaquer’s corkscrew moonsault finishes at 10:17.

Rating: B-. This was about what I was expecting, as they had a perfectly fine match but it didn’t feel overly important no matter what they were doing. There was no way around the lack of heat on the story and they were running with an anchor here. Vaquer needed the win a lot more than Stratton, but it’s not like this is going to mean much in the long term.

Post match HHH presents Vaquer with the title, which is massive on her (or on anyone for that matter). She talks about how this is for everyone and now she is the Crown Jewel Champion.

Paul Heyman and Bron Breakker praise Bronson Reed for his win. Heyman also says no matter what, they cannot help Seth Rollins tonight because he has to win tonight.

AJ Styles vs. John Cena

There’s no recap here, which makes sense as even Styles has said there’s no story. It’s just two guys who have had a great rivalry facing each other one last time. Styles is even in the old school shorts, which I haven’t seen him wear in at probably fifteen years. The roof comes off for Cena’s entrance as this guy might have a future. We get the Big Match Intros and Styles gets a specialized entrance of his own, being described as the definition of Total Nonstop Action and hopes to get to BEAT UP JOHN CENA one last time.

Styles grabs a headlock before having to grab the rope to avoid an armdrag. The fans are already declaring this awesome and…yeah fair enough in this case. Cena’s headlock works a bit better but Styles pops up for a dropkick to cut him down. The AA attempt is countered and Styles hits the sliding forearm for two. Another sliding forearm gets another two but the Phenomenal Blitz is countered with the ProtoBomb.

There’s the Shuffle into the AA for two, which shouldn’t be a shock as it’s only the first finisher. Styles is back up with the fireman’s carry backbreaker onto the knee but Cena busts out a Skull Crushing Finale for two more. Styles’ torture rack slam gives him two of his own and they have to pull themselves up. A Scorpion Death Drop (without the moonsault) drops Cena for another near fall but the Styles Clash is countered into most of an STF. That’s reversed into a crossface but Cena reverses into an Accolade (oh it’s one of THOSE matches).

Styles escapes into a Koquina Clutch…which is reversed into the Walls Of Jericho (Cole: “You have got to be kidding me.”). Styles escapes that so Cena pulls him into the STF, which Styles reverses into the Clash for two more. Styles tries the Phenomenal Forearm but dives into Sister Abigail (complete with the Kiss) for two and the Fireflies are out. Cena smiles at that and looks up for a second in a great moment. Styles grabs Angel’s Wings for two and it’s time to strike it out.

Neither finisher can connect so Cena tries a Pedigree, which is reversed into a Deadeye for two. Cena is back up with a Randy Orton hanging DDT and the fans want an RKO. That’s exactly what they get for a near fall…so Cena loads up the Punt. Styles counters that into an AA for two as Barrett compares this to watching a video game. The Shuffle is loaded up but Cena reverses that into a chokeslam for two as the fans want a 619. Cena actually does the drop toehold into the ropes and the crowd is ready to lose it.

That’s cut off with a clothesline, which is probably better as Cena might have torn everything in his body. The springboard 450 connects for Styles and he tunes up the band for Sweet Chin Music and another near fall. The Phenomenal Forearm gets two more so the fans chant YES. Cena cuts that off with a quick AA for two so he takes Styles up. The super AA is reversed…so it’s a Tombstone to Styles, followed by the AA for the pin at 27:12.

Rating: A+. There are certain matches where you just know you’re seeing something special and that was the case here. They were out there having a great time and paying tribute to everyone they could think of and it was an instant all timer. In addition, the fans more than boosted this up and took it from something great to something incredible. I loved this.

Post match respect is shown (of course) and even commentary gives them a standing ovation.

We recap Rhea Ripley/Iyo Sky vs. the Kabuki Warriors. Ripley and Sky are friends and that’s not ok with Asuka, who wants Sky with them alone. Sky is torn and now it’s time to fight.

Rhea Ripley/Iyo Sky vs. Kabuki Warriors

Ripley somehow gets a reaction that can rival Cena’s, which is an amazing feat. The Warriors charge at them to start and clear Ripley out, with Asuka sending her head first into the post. Asuka and Sky have the big showdown with Sky flipping around and tripping her to the mat. Sky hammers away next to the ropes and hits a running dropkick as Barrett has to remind us that this is in fact a tag match.

Asuka is sent outside for a suicide dive but comes back with a hard kick to take over. That’s good for an eight count and Sane grabs the upside down triangle choke back inside. Asuka comes back in to yell at Sky and then fire off some kicks before Sane comes back in. Sky rolls over for the tag but the referee doesn’t see it (of course) so it’s a pair of spinning backfists to Sky’s head. Sane sends Sky crashing into the corner for two but she manages a flapjack to Asuka. The tag brings Ripley in and yeah the fans approve.

A running kick to the head gets two on Sane, who has to escape a Razor’s Edge. Asuka comes back in for two off a Shining Wizard but Ripley kicks Sane’s head off. Sky is back in with a missile dropkick for two more, followed by a top rope armdrag. Over The Moonsault is broken up and Ripley is sent into the steps, only for Sky to drop the Warriors with an Asai moonsault. Back in and Over The Moonsault hits Sane for two, with Asuka making the save.

Ripley comes back in and gets caught with the assisted Insane Elbow, with Sky making the save this time. Sky hits a painful looking missile dropkick to Asuka and everyone is down. Ripley wins a slugout with Asuka and Sane has to break up a super Riptide. That means a regular version to Sane and Over The Moonsault finishes for Sky at 19:02.

Rating: B. The match went a bit longer than it needed to but this worked for what it needed to be. The fans wanted to see Ripley and Sky gets to knock the Warriors back a few steps. We’re all but guaranteed to see Sky vs. Asuka one on one at some point and that should be awesome, with this being a nice stepping stone to get there.

We recap Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins. They’re both big stars but Rollins is going nuts because he can’t beat Rhodes. The idea is supposed to be that this is about who is the future of WWE but it hasn’t exactly clicked. Rollins’ self doubt has been a much better way to go and thankfully has become the focal point of the build.

Men’s Crown Jewel Title: Seth Rollins vs. Cody Rhodes

Rollins has gear inspired by his previous matches with Rhodes and the camera makes sure to show him taking off his watch. Rollins’ headlock doesn’t do much to start as Rhodes reverses into a release gordbuster. It’s already time for a breather on the floor, with Rollins having to yell at the fans. Back in and they argue a lot before slugging it out, with Rhodes hitting the drop down uppercut.

Rollins needs another breather on the floor, where he gets to throw some things around. He even goes after commentary, which allows Rhodes to send him face first into the announcers’ table. Rollins dropkicks him through the ropes and hits a double stomp to the back for two back inside. A running clothesline gives Rollins two and he counters the Disaster Kick into a sitout powerbomb for two more, which means it’s time to yell a the referee.

Rollins starts in on the arm but Rhodes fights up, only to get pulled into the Figure Four. Rhodes escapes and the fans chant for CM PUNK to get on Rollins’ nerves. A Vertebreaker drops Rollins hard and the Disaster Kick does it again. The Bionic Elbow sends Rollins outside for the suicide dive, followed by a Cody Cutter for two back inside. Another Disaster Kick is countered into the Pedigree to give Rollins his own two. Rhodes gets up and misses a Cody Cutter attempt, meaning it’s a Pedigree into a Stomp for another near fall.

Rollins is stunned so he goes outside to grab his watch but changes his mind and puts it down. The distraction lets Rhodes score with Cross Rhodes for two but Rollins catches him on top. That means Rhodes is tied in the Tree Of Woe for a coast to coast headbutt for two more. Rollins comes up favoring his own arm so Rhodes goes up, with Rollins catching him with a super Spanish Fly for another near fall.

Now it’s Rollins going up, with Rhodes pulling him down in a super Cross Rhodes for two of his own. They slug it out until Rollins has to escape a Pedigree before grabbing the watch. The referee is bumped and the watch to the head sets up the Stomp. The Super Stomp gives Rollins the pin at 29:44.

Rating: B. This was WAY longer than it needed to be as it was almost all about setting up the watch, which was telegraphed all the way from the beginning. The problem with the build to this match was Rhodes had nothing to gain, which made Rollins winning almost the only way to go. The match was good, but it doesn’t really change anything for either of them, which is the big problem with the whole thing.

Post match HHH comes out to put the title on Rollins. Cathy Kelly comes in to talk to Rollins, who takes the mic and goes on about his greatness. Rollins hits the catchphrases and Stephanie Vaquer comes out so the two champions can pose to end the show.

Overall Rating: A-. Well, they managed to make it work. This show is pretty much all about the wrestling rather than anything major happening storyline wise and that’s ok. Nothing is bad and there’s an all time classic with Cena vs. Styles, plus a fun opener and a good enough main event. If nothing else, I’m rather happy because we don’t have to act like the Crown Jewel Titles mean anything for another year, mainly because we won’t even see the belts. Pretty awesome show here, with a rare instance of a match actually feeling special.

Results
Bronson Reed b. Roman Reigns – Tsunami
Stephanie Vaquer b. Tiffany Stratton – Corkscrew moonsault
John Cena b. AJ Styles – Attitude Adjustment
Rhea Ripley/Iyo Sky b. Kabuki Warriors – Over The Moonsault to Sane
Seth Rollins b. Cody Rhodes – Super Stomp

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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We’re going to a rather different place for this year’s Crown Jewel, which is quite the relief as we’re away from Saudi Arabia. At the same time though, the Crown Jewel Titles are a thing again, as we have the annual champion vs. champion matches. The two of them have been built up rather differently and now we’re going to see happens as we get into the last quarter of the year. Let’s get to it.

Women’s Crown Jewel Title: Tiffany Stratton vs. Stephanie Vaquer

We’ll start here as this match just does not feel important. I get why they have to have it on the card, but it’s just not that interesting. Vaquer has been champion for a few weeks now and that doesn’t make for a big showdown against a long reigning champion like Stratton. They’ve been trying and the match should be good, but I’m only getting so much out of the setup.

That being said, I’ll take Vaquer winning here, as there is not much of a reason to have her lose in one of her first big matches as champion. Stratton might not be the biggest star in the women’s divisions, but she’s more established than Vaquer at this point. It should be a nice match and they’ve been putting in the effort, but I’m just not that thrilled with it, even with Vaquer winning as she should.

Rhea Ripley/Iyo Sky vs. Kabuki Warriors

To say the build for this has been melodramatic and over the top would be an understatement, but this is more about getting Ripley on the card in her home country. That’s the kind of thing that should make for quite the reaction but thankfully she has also been tied into the story rather well. It’s the idea of Sky being torn between her friend in Ripley and someone who has been so important to her career in Asuka.

I’ll go with the Warriors to win here, as they’re being turned into quite the force on Raw and need this kind of win to move forward. You can have Sky get pulled in different directions and ultimately get caught, likely with some mist, to wrap it up. WWE isn’t crazy enough to have Ripley take the fall here and while there is a chance she Riptides Sane into next week, I’ll go with the Warriors getting the win.

Roman Reigns vs. Bronson Reed

This is a rematch from earlier this year in France and in this case it’s a street fight, which should play into both of their strengths. The interesting thing here is that it started over Reed stealing Reigns’ shoes and has turned into quite the feud as a result. Reigns has already been put out on a stretcher by Reed so he has even more of a reason to want revenge, which should help as well.

Give me Reigns to win here, as taking Reigns out once is a big enough deal and I can’t imagine that Reed is going to get to do it again (even if Reed didn’t win in the first place). Reigns isn’t around all the time and oddly he kind of needs the win to show that he’s still a force. Let him take a beating and then make the big comeback to win before moving on to…whatever it is that’s next for him.

John Cena vs. AJ Styles

Styles kind of summed up the issue with this match on Raw, as he said there isn’t exactly a story to the whole thing. It’s a match that is taking place because Cena is ending his career soon (as is Styles) and the fans wanted to see it one more time. That’s not a bad thing at all as these two have quite the history together. The quality isn’t going to be an issue here and that should make for quite the match.

As for a winner though….I’m honestly not sure. Cena winning would make the most sense, but I said the same thing last month against Brock Lesnar. They might be doing something where Cena goes on a losing streak before his big final match in December, though that’s quite the odd way to go. I’ll take what feels like the safe bet here and say Cena, even if it’s a pick I am not confident about whatsoever.

Men’s Crown Jewel Title: Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins

This is a very different story than what is being done with the women’s version, but it’s also not a traditional story in the slightest. The interesting thing here is that Rhodes is barely a factor in the whole thing. Instead, this has been almost entirely about Rollins and his self doubt about whether or not he can beat Rhodes. That makes for a unique situation and I’ll take that over what we usually get with this kind of a match.

I can’t imagine Rollins losing again, mainly because Rhodes has absolutely nothing go gain by winning. Rhodes won this thing last year and has beaten Rollins time after time. There is pretty much no need for him to win here so I’ll take Rollins, who actually needs to win this match. I know that’s thrown around a lot, including by me, but it seems to really be the case this time around.

Overall Thoughts

I have never cared about this champion vs. champion stuff and that is really the case again here. WWE has shown that these matches mean next to nothing and that doesn’t make for an interesting build. Hopefully the wrestling can overcome that and I’m sure a red hot crowd will help, but there is only so much you can do when the stakes do not feel like they matter whatsoever. With no real titles on the line, the stakes couldn’t feel much lower and it is going to take a lot of work to overcome that issue.

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

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Smackdown
Date: October 10, 2025
Location: RAC Arena, Perth, Australia
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett

We’re on the road (and likely a boat or plane) this week as the show comes to Australia. In addition to being in a special location, we are also about twelve hours away from Crown Jewel, which should mean a strong push towards the pay per view. The Tag Team Titles are on the line as well here so let’s get to it.

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

We open with a look at the Crown Jewel titles being flown from Saudi Arabia to Australia for the show. So they can do this but not have them show up on Raw or Smackdown one time?

The men’s Crown Jewel title is in the ring and here is Cody Rhodes for a chat. Rhodes says we can talk about Seth Rollins, who has a doom and gloom thought about their upcoming Crown Jewel match. Then Rhodes heard Paul Heyman talking about the match and maybe Rollins is right. Maybe Rhodes is Rollins’ Achilles heel and maybe getting rid of the Vision is his responsibility. He thinks the people here love WWE (and the fans sing his name) and knows that there are people here who are ready to take this title from him or become the new star of the company.

He’s talking about people like Randy Orton, Rhea Ripley, Roman Reigns, Jey Uso or CM Punk, but he could be talking about Rollins as well. The fans boo and chant something about Rollins. Rhodes says he’s going to need Michael Cole to translate it. Cole has no clue but hands the microphone to Wade Barrett, who confirms the chant is “SETH IS A WA****.” Rhodes (who catches the mic with one hand) says that if the world revolves around Rollins, who is Rhodes in that world? He’s the one wrestler that Rollins cannot beat. This is a weird story, as it’s pretty much all about Rollins and Rhodes is just kind of there.

Chelsea Green comes up to Stephanie Vaquer in the back and offers her a spot in the Secret Hervice. Tiffany Stratton would never get such an offer, and here is Stratton to scare her off. Vaquer and Stratton still seem cool enough with each other before their match.

Cody Rhodes runs into Jacob Fatu, who says they’re cool but he’s coming for the title after Crown Jewel. Rhodes: “Good.” Rhodes leaves and Nick Aldis comes in to say he needs to talk to Fatu tonight. That’s fine with Fatu and Aldis leaves, with Drew McIntyre running in to jump Fatu (there is no way Aldis didn’t see him). Aldis cuts McIntyre off from crushing Fatu with a cart and McIntyre says he needs to talk to him tonight.

US Title: Sami Zayn vs. ???

Zayn is defending against…Shinsuke Nakamura, who is back with his original music and seems to be the good guy version again. Somehow this is the first time the title has ever been defended in Australia. Not even on a house show? They fight over wrist control to start but neither gets anywhere so Nakamura kicks him down. The sliding German suplex in the corner drops Zayn again and we take a break.

We come back with Zayn winning a slugout but Nakamura gets in a suplex. A running kick to the face gives Nakamura two but Zayn springboards over him for a hard clothesline. The Michinoku Driver gives Zayn two and he exploders Nakamura into the corner. It’s too early for the Helluva Kick and Nakamura hits a middle rope knee to the back of the head for two of his own.

We take another break and come back with Nakamura kneeing him in the back of the head to send Zayn outside. An exploder sends Nakamura into the barricade and the Helluva Kick connects outside. Back in and Kinshasa connects but Zayn gets his foot on the rope. Scorpio Rising hits Zayn and Kinshasa is loaded up again…but someone in a hoodie pulls Nakamura to the floor for the DQ at 15:30.

Rating: B. These two have some excellent chemistry together but there is only so much that you can do when about half of the match is cut off by commercials. I do like that we got to see this again before Nakamura leaves WWE though, as he can still do well with just about anyone. Good stuff here, even with the issues holding it back.

And it’s…the returning Tama Tonga, complete with face paint. Cue all three of the MFT’s (all with face paint) to lay Zayn out. Nakamura’s save is cut off and Solo Sikoa strolls around ringside as the beatdown is on.

Drew McIntyre comes up to Nick Aldis, who makes McIntyre vs. Jacob Fatu next week. Fatu comes in and the brawl is on.

Stephanie Vaquer/Tiffany Stratton vs. Giulia/Kiana James

James offers Vaquer a handshake but then knees her in the ribs instead. Not the best business offer there. Vaquer pulls her straight into the Devil’s Kiss and we take a break. We come back with James hitting a running shoulder in the corner and Giulia’s missile dropkick gets two. Vaquer enziguris her way out of trouble though and brings Stratton in to clean house.

Giulia offers a distraction but Stratton kicks James in the face. Back in and a quick northern lights bomb plants Stratton, with Vaquer having to make a save. An Alabama Slam lets Vaquer come back in as everything breaks down. Stratton makes a blind tag as Vaquer dives onto Giulia. That leaves Stratton to Regal Roll James into the Prettiest Moonsault Ever for the pin at 9:29.

Rating: C+. They’re trying with Vaquer vs. Stratton but there is little that can be done to make their Crown Jewel match feel important. It feels like something that is only kind of happening and this didn’t really make it any bigger. I’ll take it over another Nia Jax match, but only by so much.

Post match we get the big staredown.

Charlotte and Alexa Bliss come up to Zaria and Sol Ruca to grant them a Women’s Tag Team Title shot. Ruca and Zaria bump into each other, with the champs saying they have no communication. Charlotte and Bliss turn to leave and go different ways. Bliss: “Charlotte, this way.” Charlotte: “I knew that.” See, that’s how you make people like Charlotte. Instead of talking down to everyone and winning the Women’s Title over and over, she had a funny little moment with her partner that made her look human. Notice how much easier it’s been to watch her with Bliss?

Tag Team Titles: Street Profits vs. Wyatt Sicks

The Wyatts are defending and B-Fab is here with the Profits. The fight starts fast with Gacy being put down and a double flapjack dropping Lumis on top of him. Dawkins Pounces Lumis into the barricade and we take a break. We come back with Dawkins putting both champs on his shoulders (GEEZ) for a double Doomsday Blockbuster. Nikki Cross and B-Fab get into it on the floor, with Ford diving onto Erick Rowan. Back in and Ford misses his frog splash, allowing the Wyatts to hit the Plague and retain at 6:33. Not enough shown to rate but it was action packed while it lasted.

Post match the MFT’s come out for a staredown with the Wyatts and the fans REALLY like this. Nikki Cross gets up close to Solo Sikoa and the MFT’s leave.

We look at Carmelo Hayes and Miz splitting up last week.

Miz blames the split on Hayes, who didn’t want Miz to be the kind of mentor Miz never had. Melo missed.

Video on Damian Priest vs. Aleister Black.

Earlier today at the Kickoff Event, Seth Rollins walked off the stage with nothing to say. Even Paul Heyman seemed stunned.

Crown Jewel rundown.

Aleister Black vs. Damian Priest

Last Man Standing. Priest shrugs off some kicks to start and hammers away in the corner to knock Black outside. It’s already kendo stick time but Black kicks it out of Priest’s hands. That earns him a steps shot to the head and they fight up the aisle as we take a break. We come back with Priest kicking a kendo stick away from Black and whipping him into the barricade.

The steps are brought in and Black trips Priest face first into them, followed by a Meteora onto the steps (that looked good). Priest is up at seven and gives Black Snake Eyes onto the steps. They head outside with Priest being sent into the steps over and over. That’s good for another seven before Priest Pounces him over the announcers’ table. We take another break and come back again with Black having to beat the count for a change. Priest hits him with a kendo stick but Old School is kicked out of the air.

Black finds a chair on the floor but also finds a chokeslam onto the apron. A Razor’s Edge sends Black onto the announcers’ table (which doesn’t give) for nine so Priest does it again. Black kind of stumbles onto the floor, which counts as standing up so we keep going. They fight into the crowd and go to the tech area, where Zelina Vega pops up from the crowd. Priest will have none of Vega’s pleas for mercy but the distraction lets Black throw a fireball in Priest’s face. Black Mass off a crate and through a table gives Black the win at 18:15.

Rating: B. This was two hard hitting people beating the daylights out of each other and that worked well for a main event. I like Black and Vega being paired together as Vega going after the United States Title was beyond played out. This could be the trick that Black needs (it certainly worked for Andrade back in the day) so hopefully everyone can move on.

Black and Vega mock the injured Priest to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. Rather strong show this week, even with the less than thrilling Crown Jewel being the focus. I liked the refocus on the MFT’s, who are fine as a midcard monster group, as they’ve been away long enough now. Just get us through the pay per view and build on what you did here, as the non-Crown Jewel stuff was quite good.

Results
Shinsuke Nakamura b. Sami Zayn via DQ when Tama Tonga interfered
Tiffany Stratton/Stephanie Vaquer b. Giulia/Kiana James – Prettiest Moonsault Ever to James
Wyatt Sicks b. Street Profits – Plague to Ford
Aleister Black b. Damian Priest when Priest couldn’t answer the ten count

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 3, 2025
Location: Heritage Bank Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
Commentators: Michael Cole, Booker T.

We’re just over a week away from Crown Jewel, meaning it’s time to keep going with the build to the champion vs. champion matches. In this case though, we have Cody Rhodes teaming up with Randy Orton to face the Vision, which should make for a heck of a big time match. In addition, we have a contract signing and you know those always go well. Let’s get to it.

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

Here is Cody Rhodes for a chat. Rhodes asks what the fans want to talk about but gets cut off by Paul Heyman, with the Vision. Randy Orton runs in to even things out a bit but Heyman hits the catchphrase instead of sending in the monsters. Heyman says they’re here to talk to Orton, who is a hard man to reach.

They knew that they could get Orton here by cornering Rhodes and, after mocking the RKO chants, Heyman moves to tonight’s tag match. Heyman wonders how it’s going to go, as Orton will either be thinking he could be a better champion than Rhodes or Rhodes will wonder where Orton was when they lose. Rhodes vs. Orton is going to happen someday and Wrestlemania wouldn’t shock me.

Miz yells at Carmelo Hayes for not helping him last week. Hayes tells them that this is done, and Miz should be happy because Hayes usually shoots first.

US Title: Sami Zayn vs. ???

Zayn is defending against…Carmelo Hayes, who says they’ve done this before but this time there is no one holding him back. Cue Miz with a Skull Crushing Finale to Hayes though and it seems we’ll need a new challenger.

US Title: Sami Zayn vs. Aleister Black

Zayn is defending and snaps off some armdrags to start fast. Back up and Black scores with a kick to the face to take over, followed by another to the chest. We take a break and come back with Zayn striking away in the corner and clotheslining him out to the floor. A springboard moonsault drops Black again and a Michinoku Driver gives Zayn two. Black goes with another kick though and gets two off a bridging German suplex.

The Blue Thunder Bomb is blocked and Black sweeps the leg into an Oklahoma roll for two. Zayn catches him on top though and gets in a superplex as we take another break. We come back again with Black kneeing him out of the air for two before striking away in the corner. Zayn misses a quick Helluva Kick attempt and gets Meteoraed down for two more. Cue Damian Priest for a distraction though and it’s the Helluva Kick into the Blue Thunder Bomb to retain Zayn’s title at 15:19.

Rating: B. You can almost pencil in Zayn for a good match every time he does one of these things and that’s the right idea. Black is a nice choice for something like this and the ending should set up at least one more big Priest vs. Black match. At the same time, I’m curious to see where Miz vs. Hayes goes, along with whomever Zayn gets to face next.

Post match Priest sends Black through a table.

Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre interrupt Sol Ruca and Zaria with Nick Aldis. Green wants them in the Secret Hervice but gets a match against them instead.

Chelsea Green/Alba Fyre vs. Sol Ruca/Zaria

Fyre backs Zaria into the corner to start but gets choked for her efforts. Zaria’s middle rope clothesline drops Fyre and it’s off to Green, who has about the same luck. Ruca gets two off an X Factor but Fyre gets in a cheap shot so Green can kick Ruca in the face. A gordbuster into a basement superkick gets two on Ruca, who pops right back up with a Sol Snatcher to pin Green at 3:49.

Rating: C+. Oh they know what they have with Ruca, who is coming off as more and more of a star every time she’s out there. She has the look, the athleticism and the charisma to become a big deal. If that continues to build, we very well could be in for a heck of a star run from her in the coming years. Zaria is a bit harder to figure out, but WWE seems to be ready to give Ruca a chance, as they should.

Charlotte and Alexa Bliss are impressed and sure, Ruca and Zaria might get a title shot one day.

We look back at Roman Reigns’ return on Raw.

Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton are cool with each other.

Here is Nick Aldis to run the contract signing between Tiffany Stratton and Stephanie Vaquer. They stare at each other a bit and Vaquer says may the best woman win. Stratton says she’ll win because it doesn’t matter where they are, as it will ALWAYS be Tiffy Time. They both sign and Aldis hypes up the match before Stratton leaves. Cue Kiana James and Giulia to jump Stratton and say Vaquer isn’t a superstar just yet. James offers to represent Vaquer but Stratton is back up to pull James to the floor. Vaquer goes after Giulia, who escapes an SVB attempt.

Earlier today, Je’Von Evans talked to Nick Aldis, who thinks Evans has a big future on Smackdown. Rey Fenix came in to talk to Evans but Los Garza came in to mock them. A tag match was set for tonight.

Jacob Fatu is tired of hearing people whining, which is why he interrupted Drew McIntyre last week. He’s going to the top and McIntyre isn’t stopping him.

Je’Von Evans/Rey Fenix vs. Los Garza

Evans springboards into a rollup for an early two on Berto, who comes back with a dropkick for two of his own. Angel gets a blind tag and catches Evans with a kick to the head but Fenix comes in for a heck of a running flip dive. Evans hits an even bigger dive and we take a break.

We come back with Fenix slipping away from Angel and hitting him with a running shot to the face. Everything breaks down and Los Garza hit a powerbomb/World’s Strongest Slam combination for two on Evans. Back up and Evans kicks both of them down, including knocking Angel outside. Berto’s rollup with the ropes gets two but Fenix makes a blind tag. Evans’ top rope cutter drops Angel, leaving Fenix to hit the MMB for the pin on Garza at 9:09.

Rating: B-. I’m not sure what is next for Evans, but he’s another case where WWE seems to think quite a bit of him and that means he is likely going to be getting a lot more focus sooner than later. While it might be a bit too early for him, he is living up to the hype thus far and that is impressive. Fenix on the other hand is just kind of “the guy who teams with everyone else” and that’s only going to get him so far.

Damian Priest says he is the consequences for Aleister Black. Kit Wilson, in his wheelchair, comes in to call Priest out for his toxicity. Priest sends the wheelchair crashing into various things. He’ll also face Black next week, Last Man Standing.

Tala Tonga loves Solo Sikoa, who thinks there is still something missing.

The Street Profits, with B-Fab, are ready for the Wyatt Sicks next week and they’re fighting for each other. The Wyatts pop up on a screen behind them to point out the issues the Profits have been having.

Randy Orton/Cody Rhodes vs. Vision

Paul Heyman is here with the Vision. Orton and Breakker start things off with Breakker being knocked outside. We take an early break and come back with Orton fighting out of Reed’s chinlock. Reed gets sent shoulder first into the post, allowing the tag off to Rhodes. The Disaster Kick into a suicide dive connects but Reed is up at one back inside.

Breakker gets in a cheap shot from behind though and Rhodes is in trouble for a change. Reed knocks him down again and mocks Roman Reigns’ pose as we take another break. We come back again with Breakker powering Rhodes into the corner for some shoulders to the ribs. Breakker mocks the fans’ RHODES chants before raining down some right hands, mainly because Breakker is an awesome villain.

Rhodes slips out though and drops Reed, allowing the diving tag off to Orton. Powerslams abound but Reed catches Orton with the Jagged Edge. The Tsunami is broken up though and Orton gets in a superplex to Reed, with Breakker breaking it up. Breakker also breaks the barricade with a spear to Rhodes and take him out. Cue Seth Rollins to Stomp Orton, meaning Reed can hit the Tsunami for the pin at 15:16.

Rating: B. This was a good way to go with the main event and it felt like a main event tag match. Rollins coming in to screw Rhodes over makes sense, even if it came by attacking Orton. That’s a logical way to go and now we could be in for Orton getting some revenge sooner than later. Or maybe after Crown Jewel, which is the big deal that WWE is focusing on at the moment.

Post match Rollins wants to go after Rhodes again but Heyman says no, as Rhodes is in his head. Rollins goes in anyway and is promptly Cross Rhodesed to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This week saw a nice mixture of up and coming stars, plus some matches that helped boost the bigger stories around here. If nothing else, it was nice to see less of a focus on the Crown Jewel Title matches, as those are both pretty much set. The ending was a nice way to go and boosted up Rhodes vs. Rollins without hammering it into the ground again. Rather nice show here, and the future is looking nice around here.

Results
Sami Zayn b. Aleister Black – Blue Thunder Bomb
Sol Ruca/Zaria b. Chelsea Green/Alba Fyre – Sol Snatcher to Green
Je’Von Evans/Rey Fenix b. Los Garza – MMB to Garza
Vision b. Randy Orton/Cody Rhodes – Tsunami to Orton

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