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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MFT’s vs. Wyatt Sicks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We look at Drew McIntyre attacking Jacob Fatu last week.

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

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

We look at the Wrestlemania set reveal.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tiffany Stratton vs. Jordynne Grace

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Charlotte/Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley/Lyra Valkyria

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

Post match the Forces lay everyone out.

Video on Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi.

Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wrestlemania rundown.

Video on CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MFT’s vs. Wyatt Sicks

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jade Cargill vs. Michin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Post match the Forces lay out both teams.

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

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

Damian Priest/R-Truth vs. Los Garza

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tiffany Stratton vs. Kiana James

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

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

Next week: Kit Wilson calls out Jelly Roll.

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

Jacob Fatu vs. Trick Williams

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

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

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

Post match McIntyre gives Fatu the Claymore.

Jelly Roll is back at ringside.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here is Elimination Chamber if you need a recap.

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

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

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

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

US Title: Carmelo Hayes vs. ???

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Giulia/Kiana James vs. Charlotte/Alexa Bliss

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

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

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

Jelly Roll will be here next week.

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

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

Tag Team Turmoil

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oba Femi vs. Johnny Gargano

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

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

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

Here’s what’s coming next week.

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

Smackdown World Title: Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre

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

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

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

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

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

Rhodes celebrates to end the show.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

Ilja Dragunov vs. Tama Tonga

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oba Femi vs. Kit Wilson

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

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

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

Tiffany Stratton vs. Alba Fyre

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Giulia vs. Rhea Ripley

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

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

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

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

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

Here’s what’s coming next week.

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

Randy Orton vs. Aleister Black

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

US Title: Carmelo Hayes vs. Ilja Dragunov

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Video on Cody Rhodes vs. Jacob Fatu.

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

IMG Credit: WWE

Trick Williams vs. Rey Fenix

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

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

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

Women’s Title: Jordynne Grace vs. Jade Cargill

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

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

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

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

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

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

Video on Oba Femi.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Smackdown
Date: January 23, 2026
Location: Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett

We’re back on this side of the Atlantic but not quite back to America, as it’s time to stop in Montreal before tomorrow’s Saturday Night’s Main Event. The big Smackdown match for that show is a four way for a shot against Drew McIntyre at the Royal Rumble, so tonight is time for some buildup. That’s a nice enough way to fill some time so let’s get to it.

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

Here is hometown star Sami Zayn to get things going and yeah they like him. We pause for the OLE chants, which do indeed go on for a bit. Zayn greets the fans in French before switching to English to talk about the momentum he feels he has right now. Right here in his hometown…he is interrupted by Trick Williams.

He calls Zayn Mr. Almost, while Williams knows how to get it done. Williams brings up Zayn losing to Roman Reigns here in his hometown, which Zayn says did happen. Yeah Williams looks like a million bucks, but they aren’t on the same level. Williams is brand new but he is just not as good as Zayn. That’s a NO from Williams, who says they can take care of this later.

Cue Damian Priest (facing Williams tonight) to say that Williams talks a lot but he sounds afraid. If Williams doesn’t want to talk here, he can do something, so Williams hits Zayn with the microphone. Williams goes after Priest but Zayn is back up and goes after Williams, with Priest breaking it up. They’re shoved together, allowing Williams to escape.

Randy Orton is asked what he thought about that and goes on quite the rant about how he’s going to beat all three of them and then go on to Saudi Arabia for the Royal Rumble.

Earlier today, Carmelo Hayes told Ilja Dragunov that he can have the US Title shot tonight, which works for Dragunov. Miz came in to say he doesn’t like this whole “everyone is friends era” and says Hayes is what the French call “les incompetants” (points for a Home Alone line) but Hayes isn’t overly bothered.

US Title: Carmelo Hayes vs. Ilja Dragunov

Hayes is defending and misses an early First 48 attempt. Dragunov German suplexes him down and grabs a waistlock but Hayes is back up with a double clothesline. We take an early break and come back with Dragunov favoring his arm but getting into an exchange of strikes anyway.

Hayes La Misticas him for two but Dragunov elbows him into the Constantine Special for two. Dragunov loads up Coast To Coast but has to stop to cut off First 48. Hayes is knocked down hard and we take another break. We come back with Dragunov hammering away in the corner, setting up an apron superplex to leave them both down.

They go out to the apron to chop it out until Hayes grabs the suplex cutter. Back in and Dragunov grabs the Death Valley Driver into the corner for two more. Dragunov goes up top but cue the Miz to shove him off the top, setting up the First 48 to retain Hayes’ title at 16:36.

Rating: B. These two work well together but this feels like their ceiling to what they’re able to do. You kind of know what they’re going to be doing and while the matches are good, it’s time to move on already. Like to an actual feud rather than just “here’s a title match and here’s another title match and hey, let’s have a title match”. Miz vs. Hayes is already set up so hopefully we get their big blowoff sooner than later.

Post match Hayes figures out what is going on and yells at Miz. That sounds like the setup for a triple threat at the Rumble.

We recap Cody Rhodes vs. Jacob Fatu, with the latter costing Rhodes the title against Drew McIntyre.

Earlier today, Michael Cole sat down with Rhodes on the bus, with Rhodes talking about the Royal Rumble. Cole shifts him over to Fatu, who comes in with Nick Aldis and some security. Fatu says he was locked in on Drew McIntyre but Rhodes attacked him. Rhodes says that Fatu didn’t look like he was thinking, which is why he was put in prison in the first place.

That gets Fatu on his feet to go off about how he came from nothing and is now a different man. If Rhodes thinks Fatu is like any other Samoan he’s faced before, he has no idea what he’s doing because Fatu is in control. As usual, Fatu can bring the intensity, though having him go over would be a big step.

Chelsea Green, with Alba Fyre, runs into Jordynne Grace and calls her a star. She can even be the newest Slaygent in the Secret Hervice. Grace can even start tonight and she…actually agrees? I’m sure.

Roman Reigns is back at the Royal Rumble.

IMG Credit: WWE

Chelsea Green vs. Jade Cargill

Non-title and Alba Fyre and Jordynne Grace are here with Green (who is in some Mountie inspired gear). Cargill yells at Grace during her entrance but Green gets in a suicide dive to start it fast. They get inside with Cargill whipping her hard into the corner, meaning it’s time for some pushups. A fall away slam sends Green rolling to the floor, where Cargill gets into it with Grace again. Green uses the distraction to get in a dive and a rollup gets two. Cargill isn’t having this and superkicks her into a powerbomb. Fyre gets kicked off the apron and Jaded finishes for Cargill 3:16.

Rating: C. This was basically a squash with Green being great as the delusional heel who can’t hang with these bigger stars. She’s just so over the top and goofy that it’s hard to not like her at least a bit. That being said, I’m almost scared to see what happens when Grace and Cargill face off. Either way, this was entertaining enough, as is everything Grace does.

Post match Grace gets in the ring to issue the challenge but Cargill walks off instead.

Charlotte and Alexa Bliss have a bit of tension before the Rumble, with Charlotte talking about how great it was because she won. Oh and Bliss returned! This time though, it’s about the team. Even though Charlotte won.

Solo Sikoa, with the MFTs and the Lantern, is ready for the Wyatt Sicks.

IMG Credit: WWE

Tag Team Titles: Wyatt Sicks vs. Solo Sikoa/Tama Tonga

The Wyatts are defending and both of their respective stables are here too. Tonga slams Gacy down to start and it’s quickly off to Sikoa, who wants the titles. A shot puts Gacy down again but it’s off to Lumis for some double teaming on Tonga. The Wyatts hit stereo flip dives off the apron and we take an early break.

We come back with Sikoa hammering away on Lumis in the corner but missing a charge. Lumis suplexes him down and Gacy comes back in to deck Tonga. Everything breaks down and Lumis goes up top to splash Tonga for two. Erick Rowan brawls with the MFTs on the floor as Talla Tonga comes out with the lantern. The MFTs offer a distraction though and Talla gets in the big boot to drop Rowan. Uncle Howdy Mandible Claws Talla but gets Samoan Spiked by Sikoa. The lantern to Lumis sets up the Cutthroat to give the MFTs the titles at 9:57.

Rating: B-. This was a big fight in the first place but it feels like it was designed to set up a big wild brawl at some point. It was more of a first act of a match and that’s a good idea. This feud feels like it has some more legs, at least partially because I have no idea what else the Wyatts are supposed to do after it’s over.

R-Truth wants to be in the Royal Rumble and gives Nick Aldis his balls again. AJ Styles comes in and is rather confused but Aldis gets to the point: he’s not sure about Styles putting his title on the line against Gunther. Aldis respects his opinion, but he has someone else here to speak to him. Shinsuke Nakamura comes in to say he wants Styles to prove he still has it. Say on Saturday Night’s Main Event. The match is on and they shake hands.

Nathan Frazer vs. Johnny Gargano

Axiom and Candice LeRae are here too and we actually get a tribute to Bobby Duncum Sr., who passed away earlier this year. They trade armdrags to start with Frazer taking him down into an armbar. With that broken up, Frazer hits a running forearm and puts Gargano on top. A super hurricanrana is dropped into a face first drop onto the buckle. Frazer gets knocked hard out to the floor as we take a break.

We come back with Frazer hitting a reverse layout DDT to leave both of them down. A springboard ax handle drops Gargano again and a sling blade sets up the frog splash for two. Gargano is back with a knockdown of his own but Frazer runs the corner for a superplex into a suplex neckbreaker for two more. LeRae’s distraction lets Gargano avoid the Phoenix splash but the distraction lets Axiom get the stolen mask back….and put it on her. The blinded LeRae accidentally knocks Gargano into a rollup to give Frazer the pin at 10:07.

Rating: B-. The story of the mask is a fine enough one to go as there is always something to stealing a personal object. That being said, Gargano is going to need a partner to make this feud work since Tommaso Ciampa seems gone. I’m not sure who that could be, but otherwise it isn’t exactly working.

Post match LeRae steals the mask again and runs off with it, making Axiom look like a moron.

Nia Jax and Lash Legend are ready to get a Women’s Tag Team Title shot. They’re ready to get the titles and go all the way to Wrestlemania.

IMG Credit: WWE

Here is Drew McIntyre for a chat. He gets right to the point by mocking the Montreal Canadiens but he can’t wait to see Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu destroy each other. If Rhodes wants the title back, he has to go through the Royal Rumble to make it happen. Before then though, there’s the fatal four way match tomorrow night.

That means Trick Williams (go get em kid), Damian Priest (McIntyre already wasted a year of his career on him), Randy Orton (who has already lost a title to McIntyre and can’t get a win when it counts)…and then there’s Sami Zayn. After the OLE chants, McIntyre says Zayn’s son is going to be disappointed that Zayn is his father. It doesn’t matter who wins because he’ll retain the title. Smirking ensues. There wasn’t much to this but McIntyre did his job well enough.

Trick Williams runs into Rey Fenix and says Fenix can thank him for the fame. Let’s talk about it. Fenix says Williams will remember him.

We recap Kit Wilson’s crusade against toxic masculinity, which isn’t going well.

Matt Cardona interrupts Wilson, who rants about MEN LIKE YOU, but Cardona doesn’t understand any of this. A challenge is issued, which Wilson says is choosing violence. Wilson is making me chuckle.

Charlotte/Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax/Lash Legend vs. Giulia/Kiana James

Charlotte and James drive Legend into the corner to start before Charlotte Buckshot Lariats James down. Legend is sent outside and it’s Bliss coming in for the dive onto the big group of people standing outside so she can dive onto them. We take a break and come back with Charlotte’s high crossbody dropping Legend for two with Giulia making the save.

Charlotte fights Giulia off so James comes in to load up a double suplex. That’s reversed into a double DDT to put Legend and James down but Jax is in to cut her off. A super Samoan drop is loaded up but James turns it into a powerbomb for two on Charlotte in quite the power display.

Charlotte is able to bring in Bliss to clean house, including a messy tornado DDT for two on Jax. Legend’s pump kick gets two on Bliss with Giulia making another save. James is in with the 401K but Legend gives Bliss the Lash Extension. Charlotte spears Legend outside and James steals the pin and the title shot at 10:58.

Rating: B. I was getting into this one by the end as they went with a bunch of saves and near falls. The surprise winners are a good way to go as well, as it gives us a fresh match and saves the bigger showdowns for a major show. That’s what we’re getting with Giulia and James, as James can take the fall to protect the champion. Either way, I liked this more than I was expecting and I’ll take the surprise.

Sami Zayn comes up to Damian Priest and says he’ll be watching the main event in case Trick Williams cheats. Priest cuts him off and says stay out of it. Zayn: “Or what?” Priest seems angry and walks off, with Zayn going over to slap the taste out of Drew McIntyre’s mouth (that looked great).

AJ Styles runs into Cody Rhodes, who says Styles will be at his best when his back is against the fire. Rhodes wishes him good luck and Styles leaves, with Rhodes seeing an autographed picture from Drew McIntyre on the bus door. The photo is signed “THE REAL AMERICAN DREAM” in a nice jab.

Giulia and Kiana James are ready to win the Women’s Tag Team Titles, with Giulia wanting to then go on and become a triple champion. Well it’s not like she’s doing anything as US Champion anyway.

Damian Priest vs. Trick Williams

Williams takes him down to start and they lock up against the ropes. Priest actually gets knocked into the corner and here is Sami Zayn to watch at ringside. Priest’s comeback lets him yell at Zayn, who doesn’t want to leave. Old School is broken up though and Williams kicks him out to the floor. Williams talks some trash to Zayn and we take a break.

We come back with an exchange of strikes leading to Williams hitting a kick to the face. Priest can’t hit South Of Heaven and they trade spinning kicks to the face for a double down. Williams’ swinging Rock Bottom gets two, as does Priest’s lifting Downward Spiral, meaning they need another breather. Williams heads outside and yells at Zayn but stops to drop Priest onto the announcers’ table. That’s not enough as he sends Priest into Zayn before heading back inside. Zayn runs in to jump Williams for the DQ at 15:33.

Rating: B-. Well, they couldn’t have Priest win and kill Williams’ momentum right off the bat so this was their best option. You don’t want one of the four people involved in the #1 contenders match taking a loss so this was about as good of an idea as they had. Williams more than hung with Priest too, which is rather impressive for someone still so new on the main roster. He hit the ground pretty much ready to go and that’s a good thing to see, as it gives him some promise for the future.

Post match Williams is knocked into the corner so Priest and Zayn can fight. Williams knocks them outside and obvious RKO is obvious. Zayn gets up and takes an RKO of his own to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This show felt like a last second push to make Saturday Night’s Main Event feel more important, which is what that even has been needing. Saturday’s show hasn’t felt very big and while this helped, I’m not sure it did enough. There was good action this week though and it did its intended job. Next week is the last show before the Royal Rumble so things are going to pick up even more, so hopefully expect more like this going forward.

Results
Carmelo Hayes b. Ilja Dragunov – First 48
Jade Cargill b. Chelsea Green – Jaded
Solo Sikoa/Tama Tonga b. Wyatt Sicks – Cutthroat to Lumis
Nathan Frazer b. Johnny Gargano – Rollup
Kiana James/Giulia b. Charlotte/Alexa Bliss and Nia Jax/Lash Legend – Lash Extension to Bliss
Trick Williams b. Damian Priest via DQ when Sami Zayn interfered

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

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

Smackdown
Date: January 16, 2026
Location: Wembley Arena, London, England
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Corey Graves

It’s another taped show overseas but in this case we have a pretty big focal point. This week’s show features four matches, with the winners going on to a four way for a future shot at Drew McIntyre’s World Title. That should make for a big and rather wrestling heavy night so let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Drew McIntyre winning the World Title last week when Jacob Fatu got involved.

IMG Credit: WWE

Here is McIntyre, played to the ring by some bagpipers of course, for his first chat as champion. He takes his sweet time with his entrance, this is the first time he has ever had an introduction as champion in front of fans. McIntyre says he prayed for this and it happened. He’s still the first and only British WWE Champion and talks about how no one did anything for him when he was champion.

There was only one person who believed in him before and that was….himself. McIntyre wants the fans to cheer for him before talking about the former (oh he loves that word) champion, Cody Rhodes. There’s no rematch clause, so he’ll be champion for a long time…and here is Randy Orton to interrupt. Orton talks about beating McIntyre before so he knows he can do it again. Cue Jacob Fatu to chase McIntyre through the crowd but the Miz (facing Orton tonight) sneaks up from behind with a Skull Crushing Finale.

IMG Credit: WWE

#1 Contenders Qualifying Match: The Miz vs. Randy Orton

We’re joined in progress with Miz hammering away, including an exchange of right hands. They go outside with Miz dropping him onto the announcers’ table for an Orton pose. Back in and Orton wins a slugout before hitting the hanging DDT. They go outside again, with Orton dropping him onto the announcers’ table a few times. The RKO is loaded up but Miz reverses into the Skull Crushing Finale for a near fall. Miz tries it again but has to settle for two off a rollup. Orton pops back up and the RKO (while getting to take a breather) finishes Miz off at 4:37.

Rating: C. Orton shrugged off Miz’s offense and took him out here, which was rather impressive. As old as he is, Orton can still make this stuff work with that RKO being as dangerous as ever. It’s one of the biggest finishers ever and it still works well. On the other hand you have the Miz, who is still a heck of a villain, even if he probably only has so much time left in the ring.

An anxious Drew McIntyre is trying to leave with the title but runs into Ilja Dragunov, who promises to take a step closer to the title tonight. McIntyre says he’ll beat him too and gets out as fast as he can.

The Wyatt Sicks aren’t wild on Solo Sikoa and the MFT’s taking the lantern, but they’ll get it back.

Charlotte comes up to see Alexa Bliss last week, with Bliss ranting about how terrible things went for her last week. She wants to know if Charlotte was really sick, which Charlotte insists was the case. Charlotte says she’s turned down a bunch of title matches for the good of the team. Bliss: “Name two.” Charlotte: “That’s beside the point.” She’s here now though and she’s stretching before her match. Bliss leaves and Nia Jax and Lash Legend come up to gloat. Charlotte isn’t pleased and makes some threats, along with saying Legend has changed.

Kiana James/Giulia vs. Charlotte/Alexa Bliss

Bliss strikes away at James to start but gets caught with a knee to the ribs. Charlotte comes in to send her into the corner, only to walk into a superkick. Everything breaks down and Bliss is in trouble as we take a break. We come back with Bliss kicking her way to freedom, allowing the tag off to Charlotte. Chopping abounds, followed by a big clothesline to James. A high crossbody gives Charlotte two but Giulia breaks up the moonsault. Giulia and Charlotte get to strike it out until Bliss is back in with the Sister Abigail DDT to finish James at 8:28.

Rating: C+. Charlotte and Bliss have turned into a heck of a team, which is nice to see as it means we have some actual teams rather than just doing the revolving door of title challengers. Let the division be built up a bit and see how well it can work. That’s what we’re getting here and it’s rather nice to see after such a long time of it not working.

Post match Nia Jax and Lash Legend run in to drop Charlotte and Bliss, with Giulia and James getting in Jax and Legend’s faces.

Solo Sikoa says if the Wyatts want their lantern back, put the Tag Team Titles on the line.

Here is Cody Rhodes for a chat (but only after hugging a young fan, which leaves her in tears). Normally he would tap his fist on the mat and we would all say WHOA and he’d move on to whatever he’s talking about. He was champion and saw the fans as his teammates. But now he got too complacent, but maybe it was that Drew McIntyre was just too good. Rhodes brings up the Royal Rumble, and since this is a special city, where he wrestled for What Culture Pro Wrestling to hone his skills and in a city that deserves a Wrestlemania, he is declaring himself for the Royal Rumble.

With that out of the way, he gets to Jacob Fatu, who Rhodes knew was going to be something special. Rhodes knows Fatu is a young veteran and that means he knows what RECEIPT means. Fatu can either come out here and get it or he can stay back there and Rhodes can find him. This was the intense Rhodes and that worked well.

Matt Cardona is disappointed that Cody Rhodes lost last week because he wanted to wrestle his buddy for the title. He’s back to win the title. Another intense promo here and it’s nice to see that he is feeling like something other than Zack Ryder.

#1 Contenders Qualifying Match: Trick Williams vs. Matt Cardona

Williams poses at him to start and gets powered into the corner. Some big shoulders drop Cardona, who is right back with a dropkick into a Downward Spiral. Cardona knocks him outside for a dropkick off the apron and we take a break. We come back with Williams forearming away but Cardona grabs a Zig Zag for two. Williams misses a Stinger Splash but he rolls away before the Reboot. Back in and Williams slingshots him over the ropes and hits the Trick Kick for two. The Rough Ryder misses and Williams Pounces him down hard. The Trick Shot gives Williams the pin at 8:50.

Rating: C+. Williams continues the hot start to his main roster career and that’s a good sign. There is no reason to believe that he’ll win the match at Saturday Night’s Main Event but at least he is getting a few wins like this one. As usual it’s all about the followup, but he’s doing well so far.

Post match Kit Wilson comes out and decks Cardona.

Damian Priest is ready to face Solo Sikoa, but he knows it won’t be one on one. He also knows he has to get to Drew McIntyre, one on one for the title.

Post break, Kit Wilson is still in the ring and says he is the solution to the problem around here. He’s going to solve the toxic masculinity…and Jacob Fatu is behind him. Destruction ensues and Fatu calls out Cody Rhodes. Cue Rhodes (who has changed clothes in the 15 minutes since he was in the ring) for the brawl with security and Nick Aldis not quite being able to break it up.

IMG Credit: WWE

#1 Contenders Qualifying Match: Solo Sikoa vs. Damian Priest

The MFTs are here with Sikoa, who headbutts him into the ropes, only to get caught with a superkick. Priest kicks him out to the floor, where the MFTs aren’t going to allow any shenanigans. Sikoa gets in a cheap shot though and the MFTs drop Priest as we take a break. We come back with Sikoa hitting a running Umaga Attack but Priest spinwheel kicks him in the face.

Priest kicks away and they trade big shots to the head, with Priest getting the better of things. Talla Tonga gets caught trying to interfere and gets ejected, leaving Priest to grab the Razor’s Edge for two. Another MFTs distraction lets Sikoa hit the Spinning Solo into the Superfly Splash for two of his own. Cue the Wyatt Sicks to go after the MFTs but Sikoa grabs the lantern. The distraction is enough for Priest to hit South Of Heaven for the win at 10:51.

Rating: B-. I got into this a bit more than I was expecting as Priest gets to move on to a pretty big match. That’s not the focal point though, as this was more about the MFTs vs. the Wyatts. That will likely be the cool down match at the Royal Rumble, or at worst at Saturday Night’s Main Event, and they are making it feel important.

Post match Priest leaves and Uncle Howdy gets the lantern back but it’s Tama Tonga dropping Howdy to take it back.

Drew McIntyre runs into Sami Zayn, bragging that Zayn has never beaten him. Zayn promises to win twice in a row so he can go to the Royal Rumble and face McIntyre again.

US Title: Carmelo Hayes vs. ???

It’s open challenge time with…TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater answering (and not defending). They lock up to start and Hayes takes him down for an early exchange of rollups. A chop hurts Slater’s hand but Hayes might have banged up his knee. Slater kicks him in the face and adds a handspring elbow to send Hayes outside. The slingshot dive connects and a nice high crossbody puts Hayes down for two.

We take a break and come back with Slater kicking away until a suplex cutter gives Hayes two of his own. Slater kicks him in the face for two more and a slingshot ax kick to the back of the head has Hayes in more trouble. They trade rollups for two each until Slater sends him outside for the huge flip dive over the top rope. Back in and the Swanton 450 misses for Slater, setting up the First 48. Hayes goes up top with Scott following, only to get superplexed into a cutter to retain the title at 11:45.

Rating: B. This was your weekly “here are some talented stars doing their thing for awhile”. Hayes is getting into a groove of this thing, though the whole open challenge thing is getting a bit old. Slater coming to WWE full time sooner than later wouldn’t surprise me, as he seems ready to come over.

Shinsuke Nakamura is watching in the back but Tama Tonga interrupts, saying he’s coming for the US Title. Tonga tells Nakamura to stay out of his way but Nakamura doesn’t seem impressed.

Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae have Axiom’s mask, with Axiom popping up. He wants the mask back but LeRae walks off with it. Cue another Axiom to punch Gargano and of course it’s Nathan Frazer, who will face Gargano next week.

Video on Oba Femi.

Chelsea Green vs. Jordynne Grace

Alba Fyre is here with Green and Jade Cargill is watching from ringside. Grace powers her down to start and grabs a rather delayed vertical suplex. Back up and Green manages to sens her into the corner for a superkick from Fyre. Grace clotheslines her down and grabs a suplex, followed by a Death Valley Driver for the pin at 2:36. Well that was almost squashy.

Post match Grace calls out Cargill, who accidentally gets decked by a charging Green.

Trick Williams puts Smackdown on notice (uh oh) that he is that dog. Damian Priest comes in to say they’re both ready for Saturday Night’s Main Event, but on Friday, he’ll whoop that Trick.

IMG Credit: WWE

#1 Contenders Qualifying Match: Ilja Dragunov vs. Sami Zayn

They slug it out to start until Zayn hits a clothesline for the knockdown. The forearms in the corner don’t do much to Dragunov, who is right back with a running boot in the corner. Something off the top misses for Dragunov and Zayn gives him a suplex for two. Dragunov is back with some rolling German suplexes and goes up top, where Zayn catches him with a top rope superplex as we take a break.

We come back with Dragunov busted open and escaping the Blue Thunder Bomb. A missile dropkick gives Dragunov two but the H Bomb is blocked with a raised boot (quite the logical counter). The Helluva Kick misses as well and they fight to the apron. Dragunov hits Torpedo Moscow to leave both of them down on the floor. Back in and Dragunov hits a powerbomb (THUD) but the top rope backsplash hits raised knees. The Helluva Kick gives Zayn the pin at 12:27.

Rating: B. These guys beat each other up in the way you would expect them to do and it made for a good main event. Zayn feels like he is finally on the path towards the World Title, however long it might take for him to get there. Dragunov losing again is perfectly fine, but what matters here is that he didn’t feel too far over his head. If that can continue, they might have something with him.

Post match Trick Williams jumps Zayn to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This show had a theme running throughout, but at the same time, this was the first three hour show that felt every minute. It wasn’t a show that felt it needed to go that long and that made it a bit tedious. On the other hand, the positive was that the show featured four matches which had World Title implications, plus other stories getting coverage. This was a well put together show, but three hours a week can absolutely grind you down in short fashion.

Results
Randy Orton b. The Miz – RKO
Charlotte/Alexa bliss b. Kiana James/Giulia – Sister Abigail DDT to James
Trick Williams b. Matt Cardona – Trick Shot
Damian Priest b. Solo Sikoa – South Of Heaven
Carmelo Hayes b. Leon Slater – Superplex cutter
Jordynne Grace b. Chelsea Green – Death Valley Driver
Sami Zayn b. Ilja Dragunov – Helluva Kick

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

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Smackdown
Date: January 2, 2026
Location: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

It’s the new year and we are getting ready for some big stuff around here. The biggest change came last week, when Drew McIntyre announced that he and Cody Rhodes would be facing off in a Three Stages Of Hell match for the World Title. That alone should be enough to carry things for a bit, but we’re back to three hours a week and the Royal Rumble is in less than a month. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Drew McIntyre challenging Cody Rhodes to the Three Stages match last week before leaving Rhodes laying with a Claymore.

Here is a ticked off Miz, who wants to air his grievances of 2025. He was left out of John Cena’s retirement tour because he should have been the one to make Cena tap. Instead, he’s stuck here in BUFFALO. Then he offered people help but got mocked by the people backstage and every ones of the fans. Third, he was passed over for Marty Supreme so he’s coming for Timothee Chalamet.

Fourth, Joe Hen…he who shall not be named brought back a FAKE TRUTH about Miz’s anatomy. Miz lists off everything he has done and says he is the locker room leader, but Randy Orton is back. After quite a bit of posing, Miz asks the fans to give it up for Orton and then puts himself on Orton’s level. They could be Miz-KO! And that’s an RKO to leave Miz laying, followed by a HAPPY NEW YEAR and another RKO.

Nia Jax and Lash Legend interrupt the Kabuki Warriors and are ready to help them win tonight in exchange for a future title shot. The Warriors don’t seem impressed, though Sane seems scared of Asuka.

Post break, Randy Orton runs into Cody Rhodes and says after Rhodes is done with Drew McIntyre, he’s coming for the title. Rhodes seems to understand and Orton leaves, with Nick Aldis coming up to remind him that he can’t touch McIntyre, which Rhodes seems to understand as well.

Nia Jax/Lash Legend/Kabuki Warriors vs. Rhea Ripley/Iyo Sky/Charlotte/Alexa Bliss

The villains jump them from behind to start and the brawl is on fast. Asuka kicks Ripley in the face and then the ribs but the sliding knee is cut off. The Warriors are sent outside for a flip dive from the legal Bliss and we take a break. We come back with Bliss diving over for the tag to Charlotte to pick up the pace.

A flipping clothesline drops Legend and a moonsault gets two on Jax. Back up and Jax runs Charlotte over, setting up the legdrop for two more. Charlotte shrugs that off and puts Asuka in the Figure Eight, which is broken up by the Insane Elbow. Sky gets the tag and missile dropkicks the Warriors but Legend tags herself in. A pump kick knocks Sky out of the air and we take a break.

We come back again with Asuka forearming away on Sky, who manages to avoid a forearm. Sky flapjacks her way to freedom and it’s back to Ripley to clean house. Everything breaks down with the parade of knockdowns until Ripley pulls Sane out of the air. Riptide into Over The Moonsault finishes Sane at 14:33.

Rating: B-. Pretty standard match here but the extra time let them showcase themselves a bit more. It helped avoid everyone feeling like they had to rush through things, even with the two breaks. Ripley and Sky get some momentum before their title shot on Monday, which could even see a title change.

Nick Aldis talks to NXT’s Jordynne Grace, who he wants on the roster. Chelsea Green comes in with Alba Fyre and doesn’t seem interested in Grace, who says some people make her decision easier. Green has issues with people coming after her but Aldis threatens to strip of her of her title.

Here is Kit Wilson to complain about the toxic fans but he has an opponent.

Kit Wilson vs. Matt Cardona

Apparently Cardona is officially back on Smackdown and shrugs off a dropkick to start fast. Some forearms and a clothesline put Wilson on the floor for a dropkick through the ropes. Back in and Wilson gets in some right hands in the corner but stops to call Cardona toxic, earning himself a middle rope dropkick. The Reboot connects and a tiger driver gives Cardona two but Wilson hits a Tourniquet (Twist Of Fate) for two of his own. That doesn’t get him very far though as Cardona is back with the Rough Ryder for the pin at 4:17.

Rating: C. Good for Cardona. He’s a prime example of someone who was told he had a ceiling in WWE, went out and recreated himself, and apparently got another chance. I have no idea how well it’s going to go, but it’s proof that you can change the company’s mind if you’re willing to put in the work. Nice job, and I’m curious to see what he does around here this time.

Damian Priest has spent six months fighting Aleister Black and everything is done tonight in an ambulance match. Tonight, it’s Black’s turn to fade to black.

The Wyatt Sicks ask Solo Sikoa what it means to be part of a family. Sikoa was kicked out of the Bloodline, but the Wyatts’ family have millions of Fireflies. It’s time to chop down Sikoa’s family tree at the root.

Here is Sami Zayn for a chat. Zayn talks about how he was in the crowd for John Cena’s last match and his son asked why Cena was the “Never Seen 17.” He explained that it was due to Cena being the first ever 17 time World Champion, but Zayn’s son asked how many times Zayn had won that title.

Zayn had to explain that it hadn’t happened….but that is changing this year. It is his time, but here is Trick Williams to interrupt. Yes he is indeed here and he is this tall, dark and handsome. He is 6’5, 250lbs and he looks like he could be a champion, but it won’t take him 20 years like Zayn has. Zayn is impressed, but is looking forward to humbling Williams. Violence does not ensue.

We look back at Carmelo Hayes winning the US Title last week.

Ilja Dragunov praises Hayes for his win last week and confirms that the US Open Challenge is staying open. They’re both interested in running it back. Hayes moves on to see Miz, who is responsible for Hayes winning the title. Without Miz leaving him alone, it would never happen so thank you very much.

Trick Williams comes up to Nick Aldis and Rey Fenix to rant about Sami Zayn. Aldis doesn’t like it and makes Williams vs. Fenix for next week.

US Title: Johnny Gargano vs. Carmelo Hayes

Gargano is challenging and has Candice LeRae with him. Hayes dropkicks him down to start fast but Gargano is back with the rolling kick to the head. A knee sends Gargano to the floor but he’s out of the way before the dive. The slingshot spear drops Hayes again and we take a break.

We come back with Hayes in trouble until a headscissors drops Gargano for a change. That’s enough to send Gargano outside and the big running flip puts him down again. The Fadeaway gives Hayes two back inside and he goes up top, where Gargano gives him a Kevin Owens swinging superplex for two as we take another break.

We come back with Hayes striking away but getting superkicked out of the air. Gargano gets out to the apron, where his slingshot cutter is kicked down. The Fadeaway misses and Gargano is back with a tornado DDT. A super Air Raid Crash gives Gargano two but he walks into the First 48. Hayes gets up top so the Fadeaway can retain at 16:46.

Rating: B+. This was two talented wrestlers getting the chance to showcase each their talents for a good while and it made for a solid match. What matters the most here is making Hayes feel like he belongs on this level, as he could still use some more success to really move up the ladder. This was a good start, as Gargano knows how to wrestle this style so well.

Shinsuke Nakamura has some tense words with Tama Tonga before leaving. Tonga turns to see Solo Sikoa, who announces an eight man tag, family vs. family match next week against the Wyatt Sicks.

Aleister Black, with Zelina, says Damian Priest can do whatever he wants but Priest has changed.

Jade Cargill says she didn’t intentionally hurt Michin at a recent live event. Jordynne Grace comes in and says she wants to see the competition. Cargill introduces herself as “that b****”, which Grace seems to confirm.

Cody Rhodes runs into Sami Zayn and heard what Zayn said about the title. Zayn seems to still respect Rhodes but wants the title….and here is Nick Aldis. He hasn’t seen Drew McIntyre, but Rhodes is heading to the ring.

Video on Oba Femi.

IMG Credit: WWE

Here is Cody Rhodes, rocking some suspenders, for a chat. He isn’t the biggest, strongest, fastest or youngest, but he’s still the champion. Every week, he gets here at 2pm and makes sure the younger wrestlers see him so they think of the title. Then comes the envy in the form of Drew McIntyre. Rhodes’ secret is that he plays dumb backstage but when he looks at McIntyre, he sees lunch.

McIntyre pops up on screen to call Rhodes predictable. They’re going to have a Three Stages Of Hell match so let’s get to the stages: regular match, falls count anywhere and steel cage. That’s assuming Rhodes is still champion next week because if he touches McIntyre, he’s no longer champion. McIntyre is in front of Rhodes’ bus, where he has been, and found a photo of Cody and Dusty himself. The photo is smashed and Cody gives chase, but McIntyre is in the ring, where he lights the photo on fire and throws it in a trashcan as Cody is held back.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Women’s US Title: Chelsea Green vs. Giulia

Green, with Alba Fyre, is defending and Kiana James is here with Giulia. They start fast with Green getting sent into the corner for the early stomping. A kick to the face sends Green outside but a Fyre distraction lets Green get in a suicide dive. We take a break and come back with Green slugging away, which just seems to annoy Giulia. The Un-Pretty-Her is blocked so Green settles for a Rough Ryder instead. Green goes up but gets butterfly superplexed back down. The northern lights bomb gives Giulia the title back at 7:35.

Rating: C+. That’s what it should have been, as the point of Giulia is that she’s a better and more physical star in the ring than Green. While Green is able to hang in there through cheating and her own skill, Giulia is on a different level and gets the title back. Now do something with Giulia already, as otherwise it’s just a waste of time.

Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky are ready to get the Women’s Tag Team Titles back. Charlotte and Alexa Bliss come up to say good luck, though Ripley isn’t sure if they are to be believed. Oh and Charlotte wants the first shot. That’s more like it for Ripley.

Video on Aleister Black vs. Damian Priest.

Fraxiom mocks Johnny Gargano on his loss and recommend that he grows up. They also want Axiom’s mask back but Gargano says no. Axiom says he’s going to get a match with Gargano to get the mask back. Rather than, I don’t know, punching Gargano and taking it.

IMG Credit: WWE

Damian Priest vs. Aleister Black

Ambulance Match and Zelina is here with Black, who jumps Priest at the bell to start fast. Black kicks him in the face and the fight heads out to the floor to open both ambulance doors. Priest fights back and whips out a stretcher, which he drops Black onto face first as we take a break.

We take a break and come back with Priest hitting a clothesline and a running elbow in the corner. A Pounce sends Black over the announcers’ table but Black manages to kick a chair into Priest’s face for a breather. Back in and Priest snaps off a super hurricanrana, earning himself a kick back to the head for the double down.

We take another break and come back with the fight up by the ambulance again, where Black sends him into the set. Zelina opens up the doors but finds Rhea Ripley, who takes her into the ring for the Riptide. Black knocks Priest into the ambulance but only closes one door, allowing Priest to kick him back out.

Priest is back out with a crutch but Black knees him in the face. A fire extinguisher blast and fireball knock Black down, allowing Priest to pull out a table tech equipment. The Razor’s Edge is blocked and they sent each other into the side of the ambulance. Black wheels out an ambulance case but Priest gives him a Razor’s Edge into the windshield. That sends Black climbing onto the ambulance, and Priest chokeslams him through the tables. Priest throws him inside and wins at 24:00.

Rating: B. This was a rather long match and that made it feel like a match worthy of being on a pay per view. Priest winning isn’t a huge surprise, as the idea seemed to be more about Black getting inside his head than winning. At the same time, Priest absolutely needed a big win, as he has fallen way off the map since losing the World Title. They had a big time main event here though and that helps both of them quite a bit.

Overall Rating: B. This was a good start to the three hour era of Smackdown, but I have a feeling that this isn’t going to be the way the show goes most of the time (shocking there I know). They packed in a bunch of stuff into one night and the same will be true next week. What matters the most here is the fact that the show didn’t feel long, which is one of the biggest issues that a three hour show can face. Next week should be huge as well, but for now the new Smackdown is off to a good start.

Results
Rhea Ripley/Iyo Sky/Alexa Bliss/Charlotte b. Kabuki Warriors/Nia Jax/Lash Legend – Over The Moonsault to Sane
Matt Cardona b. Kit Wilson – Rough Ryder
Carmelo Hayes b. Johnny Gargano – Fadeaway
Giulia b. Chelsea Green – Northern lights bomb
Damian Priest b. Aleister Black – Priest put Black in the ambulance

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

Guerra De Titanes 2025
Date: December 20, 2025
Location: Arena Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
Commentators: John Bradshaw Layfield, Konnan, Corey Graves

It’s a AAA pay per view and there are quite a few WWE wrestlers to go around. That should make for a big time card, with Rey Mysterio filling in for the injured Penta in the likely main event. Two WWE stars are going to be getting title shots as well, along with what could be a wild eight man tag. Let’s get to it.

The opening video (with English captioning) talks about how WWE has purchased the promotion and now it is going worldwide. Tonight, they rewrite the rules to change lucha libre forever.

LWO vs. Los Americanos vs. Octagon Jr./La Parka vs. Mr. Iguana/Nino Hamburguesa

One fall to a finish. Parka gets sent into the corner by Rayo to start but jumps over him, meaning it’s time for some skeleton dancing. A dropkick staggers Rayo and it’s Bravo coming in for a double clothesline to Parka. That earns Bravo a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker but del Toro tags himself in to take Bravo into the corner. The LWO neckbreakers Bravo out of the corner for two but Hamburguesa comes in to clean house.

Iguana adds an iguana to the head, followed by a rather spinning headscissors to drop Parka. Octagon is in with a top rope armdrag and it’s a four way dropkick for a standoff, followed by a quadruple dive from one member of each team. Los Americanos crotch Parka on the ropes and it’s a super hurricanrana to Octagon, setting up a frog splash for two.

Del Toro missile dropkicks the Americanos to the floor and the big flip dive drops them again. An iguana shot staggers del Toro though and Parka hits a huge springboard moonsault. Back in and del Toro rolls Octagon up for two. A poisonrana gives Octagon the same and Hamburguesa is back in, only to get jumped by Los Americanos.

Hamburguesa cannonballs the LWO but Bravo torture racks him into a reverse airplane spin (must be Bate). Instead of covering though, Bravo gets dropkicked by del Toro. Octagon hits a huge corkscrew dive to the floor onto the pile, leaving Parka to hit a spinning (and dancing) Tombstone (apparently The Thriller) for the pin on del Toro at 9:37.

Rating: B. This was all about going out there and having the people involve go nuts for about ten minutes. That would certainly be mission accomplished, as this was nonstop action with everyone flying all over the place. It’s nice to see some of the WWE guys who don’t have much going on getting in some reps, as they’re more than good enough to warrant a spot, especially when they showcase it like this.

Post match Parka celebrates with a man in a Parka mask….and it’s boxer Canelo Alvarez (that’s a big deal).

We look at Ethan Page attacking El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. last month as part of a pretty long running feud.

Latin American Title: Ethan Page vs. El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr.

Page is challenging/not defending his NXT North American Title. They immediately slug it out to start but Page can’t hit the Twisted Grin. Instead Wagner knocks him into the corner for a running shot to the back. Wagner’s rope walk is pulled out of the air with a powerslam though and it’s time to rip at the mask. Wagner isn’t having that and fights out as the fans certainly seem to approve.

They (the people in the ring, not the fans) slug it out until a spinning sitout powerbomb gets two on Page. A Best Moonsault Ever hits Page for two more but page is back with a powerbomb for two of his own. It’s time to grab a belt but the distraction lets Page get in a foreign object shot. That’s enough for the pin and title…and here is Mr. Iguana to say what happened. The referee finds the object and restarts the match, allowing Wagner to hit the Wagner Driver to retain at 6:39.

Rating: C+. They were smart to keep this fast and to the point here, as the ending coming so out of nowhere did a good job of selling the drama of a potential title change. I still don’t get much out of Wagner, but the fans are certainly into him and he’s part of a big wrestling family so it makes sense to have him in this spot. He’s certainly not bad, but this is about all he should be doing at the moment.

We recap the Psycho Circus vs. the Wyatt Sicks. They’re both creepy and they’ve fought a lot so let’s have a big weapony brawl.

Los Psycho Circus/Pagano vs. Wyatt Sicks

Carnival Of Carnage (anything goes) and the Fireflies are out for the entrance (that Wyatts song is creepy). The clowns pop up on the screen and want the Wyatts to start this in the back and of course they’ll do it. They head to the back and find a mini carnival waiting for them, with Psycho Clown in a bounce house.

Gacy dives right in to start the brawl and the other Clowns and Pagano show up, but so is Mascarita Sagrada to jump Lumis with a kendo stick. There are various people in some of the booths so the Wyatts beat them up before powerbombing Pagano through one of the booths for a heck of a crash. One more booth’s tent is pulled off and it’s Pimpinela Escarlata to kiss Gacy. The brawl comes into the arena for the first time and Psycho Clown gets quadruple teamed in the ring.

A table is put up in the corner but here is Murder Clown for the showdown with Rowan. Pagano is back with a kendo stick and the Clowns make the comeback. Howdy is right there to Sister Abigail Psycho Clown but Psycho is back up to beat on the Wyatts with…something. Psycho pulls off his face and reveals…a rather red face. Gacy gets knocked off the apron and it’s a Psycho Driver to send Lumis through a table for the pin at 10:28.

Rating: B. I had a good time with this as the carnival stuff was a lot of fun. I’ll take some kind of a theme like that over just doing the same weapons stuff over and over and the Circus/Pagano are an entertaining collective. They fit perfectly well with the Wyatts and this went rather well.

The Lucha Bros and Rey Mysterio are ready for the main event, with the injured Penta being here to show support.

We recap the Cruiserweight Title match. Laredo Kid has been champion for over a year (not even close to his longest title reign) and he wants the best competition, so he’s defending against two people tonight.

IMG Credit: AAA Wrestling

Cruiserweight Title: Laredo Kid vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Jack Cartwheel

Kid is defending. They run the ropes to start and trade some rapid fire rollups, including a double crucifix. Back up and they try dropkicks at the same time (worked better earlier when it was four people at once) until Evans is sent outside. Cartwheel’s slingshot spinning splash gets two on Kid before Kid is back in for a springboard hurricanrana to Lee. Cartwheel cuts off the big dive though and hits a Space Flying Tiger Drop onto Kid on the floor.

A slingshot 450 gives Cartwheel two on Evans but Kid is back in with a running flipping DDT. Evans gives Kid a springboard cutter on the apron and then busts out the big no hands dive to the floor to drop Cartwheel. Back in and one heck of a frog splash gives Evans two Kid Lee is back in to clear the ring. A huge dive to the floor sets up a 450 to both Evans and Cartwheel at the same time to give Kid another near fall.

An exchange of kicks to the head leaves all three of them down though and we get a needed breather. Evans tells them both to bring it but gets caught with something like a reverse Sliced Bread. Cartwheel shooting stars into a cutter from Evans, followed by a springboard cutter to give Evans two on Kid. Cartwheel goes up but Kid cuts off Evans and hits a kind of reverse super Spanish Fly to retain at 12:33.

Rating: B+. Awesome stuff here and that shouldn’t be a surprise. This was the kind of match where you take talented wrestlers and let them go nuts for awhile. All three of them can do some incredibly athletic stuff and it was on display here, with some of those flips and dives being must see. It was exactly what I was expecting and that’s a great thing in this case.

Las Toxicas vs. Lola Vice/Faby Apache/Natalya

Natalya takes Hiedra down to start and brings her into the corner, where Apache can come in for a quick rollup. It’s off to Vice for the rapid fire kicks and some running hip attacks in the corner. Vice misses a charge on the floor though and Flammer hits a running hip attack against the steps. Maravilla comes in to work on the arm and it’s already back to Hiedra for a chinlock.

Vice gets crotched against the post for two but she manages to fight out of trouble without much trou…uh, difficulty. It’s off to Natalya to clean house, including something like a Hart Attack. Apache gets a boot up in the corner for two on Hiedra and everything breaks down. A series of strikes to the face leaves most of them staggered but Apache dragon suplexes Hiedra for the pin at 7:41.

Rating: C+. This was another fast paced match and it went well enough, though I’m still not entirely sure why I’m supposed to dislike Las Toxicas. I guess they’re the resident heel stable, but nothing about them really stands out. If nothing else, they feel like a way to get the other three on the show and that’s only so interesting. Not bad, but probably the weakest match thus far (which still isn’t that bad).

We recap El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Dragon Lee. The fans have turned hard on Vikingo and Lee brought it up, so Vikingo went full on evil and turned on Lee, kicking off a rather personal rivalry and setting up this match.

IMG Credit: AAA Wrestling

El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Dragon Lee

Lee jumps him with a kick to the face at the bell but Vikingo is back with one heck of a clothesline that even has JBL impressed. A running dropkick sends Lee outside, where he sends a charging Vikingo into the steps. Back in and they knock each other down with Vikingo getting the better of things and tying Lee to the ropes. Lee runs the ropes and snaps off a running hurricanrana, only to get dropkicked out to the floor.

Vikingo’s Arabian press drops Lee again, setting up a running shooting star from the apron. A shooting star press gives Vikingo two back inside and a poisonrana drops Lee again. Lee is right back with a sitout powerbomb for two and they both need a breather. Vikingo gets caught in a half crab until a single finger on the rope gets him out. They both go up top and Lee hits the Tree Of Woe stomp, followed by one heck of a running flip dive onto the announcers’ table.

Back in and a running elbow drops Vikingo for two but he’s back with a kick to the face. A top rope crucifix driver sends Lee into the corner for the running knees. Lee is able to reverse an inverted top rope hurricanrana (geez) into the Styles Clash for two more. Lee’s running hurricanrana sends Vikingo to the floor but the running flip dive hits the referee by mistake.

That means it’s time for a chair, but Lee grabs Operation Dragon for no count. Vikingo goes even more evil with a low blow and here’s Omos to make things a lot worse. Lee goes after him (despite Omos not doing anything but getting on the apron) and is put down with a powerbomb for his rather dumb efforts. Vikingo’s 450 connects and Omos throws the referee back in to count the pin at 17:29.

Rating: B. This felt like a long running grudge match, though the ending wasn’t exactly the strongest. At the same time though, there is something to having Omos there as a heavy for the hot heel isn’t a bad idea. Lee certainly felt like a big deal too and I liked the action, even with the storyline heavy ending.

Post match here is Dorian Roldan, as Vikingo and Omos are apparently now part of El Ojo. Roldan puts over the team and welcomes us to the new version of the Eye, which sees everything.

El Grande Americano/Dominik Mysterio vs. Rey Mysterio/Rey Fenix

For the sake of simplicity: Rey Fenix is “Fenix”, Rey Mysterio is “Rey” and Dominik Mysterio is “Dominik”. Americano takes Fenix down into a chinlock to start but switches into a hammerlock. That includes the headstand to keep Fenix in trouble but he gets up and grabs the running hurricanrana. Dominik comes in to face Rey and the fans are rather into this. The pro-Rey chants are enough to send Dominik outside and he comes back in to hand it off to Americano.

Fenix comes back in to help Rey strike Americano down for two but Americano gets in a shot to the face. Now Dominik is willing to come in and hammer on a downed Fenix, followed by a shot to the back from Americano. Dominik’s slingshot hilo (ala Eddie Guerrero) gets two and a basement dropkick connects for the same. The fans seem to be chanting for UNCLE EDDIE as Fenix fights out of a double team.

Dominik is smart enough to run outside and pull Rey off the apron, leaving Americano to clothesline Fenix for two more. Fenix kicks his way out of trouble though and it’s Rey coming in to pick the pace way up. Dominik’s sunset flip doesn’t work as Rey kicks him in the head and a Lionsault gets two. Back up and Dominik gets Two Amigos, with the third being reversed into a DDT for two more.

The 619 is countered into a Michinoku Driver to give Dominik two so Rey is back with a sitout bulldog to Americano. Rey gets caught in the Tree Of Woe, which is enough of a distraction for Americano to load up the foreign object. Cue Penta to take it away and use it on Dominik though, meaning it’s 619 into the slingshot splash to give Rey the pin at 17:31.

Rating: B. Well nothing else was going to make sense in the main event spot and the match wound up being rather entertaining. Rey can still do just about anything you want from him in the ring and seeing him beat up Dominik is going to work every time. This was good stuff, with Fenix doing a lot of the work and Rey coming in for some well earned glory in the end. Throw in Penta being there for a nice reaction and it went well.

Post match Dominik (who seems to be favoring his arm) shoves Americano and leaves. Americano leaves without shaking hands so the good guys can pose and strut with some kids to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. I’m still not entirely sure what is going on with some of these people, as the backstories don’t seem to be the most in-depth, but I get the stories they are trying to tell (English commentary helps so much) and the action is certainly entertaining. This was another fun show and it seems that they are getting the most out of having the WWE stars around. Rey Mysterio is often going to be the biggest name on a show no matter where he goes so putting him in the main event is a nice bonus. Rather fun show here and it felt like a big one, so well done.

Results
La Parka/Octagon Jr. b. LWO, Los Americanos and Mr. Iguana/Nino Hamburguesa – Thriller to del Toro
El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. b. Ethan Page – Wagner Driver
Los Psycho Circus/Pagano b. Wyatt Sicks – Psycho Driver through a table to Lumis
Laredo Kid b. Je’Von Evans and Jack Cartwheel – Reverse susper Spanish Fly to Cartwheel
Faby Apache/Lola Vice/Natalya b. Las Toxicas – Dragon suplex to Hiedra
El Hijo del Vikingo b. Dragon Lee – 450

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: December 19, 2025
Location: Giant Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’ve got a rare taped show this week, as WWE is airing this while taping next week’s shows tonight for the sake of a holiday break. We’re also fresh off of the end of John Cena’s career at Saturday Night’s Main Event. The Royal Rumble is starting to come up over the horizon but there are some big Smackdowns on the way to Saudi Arabia. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a long recap of Saturday Night’s Main Event, with John Cena losing to Gunther in a good match and the tributes rolling in.

Apparently Cody Rhodes has invaded Drew McIntyre’s house. More on this later.

Here is Damian Priest to get things going and praise John Cena, who is the greatest of all time. With that out of the way, Priest talks about last week, when he and Rhea Ripley took out Aleister Black and Zelina. Cue Zelina, who points out that Priest didn’t even get the pin and says Black broke him. Priest has to live with his decision and here is Black to jump him from behind. The fight is on and Priest gets the better of things, allowing him to load up a table. Black is back with a chair and hits a Meteora to drive Priest through the table.

Lash Legend and Nia Jax do not like the implication that Legend beating Alexa Bliss was an upset. They want the Women’s Tag Team Titles.

Aleister Black attacks Damian Priest again, including hitting him in the back with a shovel.

IMG Credit: WWE

Kabuki Warriors vs. Lash Legend/Nia Jax

Non-title. Sane headscissors Legend down to start but Legend runs her over with a running elbow. Jax and Legend hit running splashes in the corner but it’s off to Asuka, who helps kick Jax down. A headbutt to the chest drops Asuka but she and Sane dropkick Jax outside. Sane’s big dive takes out Legend and Jax as we take a break.

We come back with Legend chinlocking Sane and handing it off to Jax, who knocks Asuka off the apron. Sane manages to turn a double suplex into a double DDT though and it’s Asuka coming in with a double missile dropkick. Jax powers out of the cross armbreaker but misses a sitdown splash as everything breaks down. A missed charge sends Jax into the post but Sane dives into a chokeslam. The Annihilator finishes Sane at 12:04.

Rating: C+. I’m not sure about the champs losing clean like this, though it was a nice way to make Jax and Legend look dominant. At the same time, Jax has seemed to have trimmed down a bit and is moving better out there. If that is the case, she is instantly a lot more valuable, as it means more people can work with her.

Post match Charlotte and Alexa Bliss run in to take out Jax and Legend.

Giulia, with Kiana James, warns Chelsea Green that she is coming for the Women’s US Title.

Earlier this week, Nick Aldis and referees came to Drew McIntyre’s home to negotiate. Aldis offers McIntyre a title shot against Cody Rhodes, but he wants a public apology to referee Dan Angler. There’s also a fine, but Aldis doesn’t think it’s going to be an issue. McIntyre seems ok with this, though he wants to pick the stipulation for the match. Also, he wants a document saying Rhodes cannot lay a finger on him. It turns out that Rhodes is at McIntyre’s house and the fight is on. Eventually things are cleared up.

Aldis is annoyed but Miz comes in to say he wants a match with “him”. No not Carmelo Hayes, though Miz wouldn’t mind that, but rather that guy….whose name he won’t say. Aldis seems to agree but here is R-Truth to say he believes in Joe…Pesci. Eh I can see that.

Alba Fyre vs. Giulia

Chelsea Green and Kiana James are here too. Giulia jumps her to start fast and takes Fyre down but stops to glare at Green. That’s enough for Fyre to come back with a DDT for two but a missed charge lets Giulia grab an abdominal stretch. Back up and Fyre kicks her down for another near fall, only for Giulia to knee her in the head. The northern lights bomb finishes for Giulia at 3:48.

Rating: C. Giulia wants to face Green for the title so she beat up Green’s lackey to get the shot. That’s about all you need to happen and it worked well enough here. Fyre got in just enough offense to feel like a threat before getting taken out. It’s not an overly competitive match but that’s not what it was supposed to be.

The Wyatt Sicks don’t like Solo Sikoa’s quest for power and promise there will be nowhere for Sikoa to run.

Here is Cody Rhodes for a chat. Rhodes talks about Drew McIntyre calling WWE an unsafe working environment. There are second generation wrestlers, former MMA stars and NIL talents. What would be a safe working environment? Staples? Cue Nick Aldis to say Rhodes went too far by going to McIntyre’s house. If McIntyre does what he is required to do, he’ll get his shot and Rhodes can’t lay a finger on him or he’ll be stripped of the title. Rhodes explains that he works for the people and Aldis works for him before leaving.

Ilja Dragunov thanks Carmelo Hayes for what he did last week (since wrestlers apparently do not see or talk to each other at any other time during the week). Hayes says it’s cool as Tama Tonga watches in the background. Fraxiom comes in to wish them luck against DIY tonight but wants them to save a piece for them. Dragunov just wants revenge.

DIY vs. Carmelo Hayes/Ilja Dragunov

Candice LeRae is here with DIY. It’s a brawl to start with Ciampa getting crushed in the corner, including Dragunov hitting a running boot to the face. We settle down to Hayes elbowing Ciampa into a jumping legdrop, followed by a suplex from Dragunov. LeRae’s distraction lets Gargano knock Dragunov off the top though and we take a break.

We come back with Dragunov still in trouble but he manages a quick Constantine Special. Hayes comes in with his springboard clothesline into La Mistica before flip diving onto Gargano. Dragunov’s top rope backsplash gets two but DIY manages to send Hayes into their corner.

Project Ciampa gets two on Hayes with Dragunov making a save so LeRae offers a distraction. Dragunov gets taken down and it’s the superkick/Fairy Tale Ending combination for two. Meet In The Middle is cut off by Torpedo Moscow though and Hayes hits Nothing But Net finishes Ciampa at 10:26.

Rating: B. Good stuff here and it’s nice to see Hayes getting to do something and being successful as a result. He and Dragunov had some nice chemistry and while I don’t expect that to lead to a long term team, there is a good chance that Hayes will get a US Title shot. I’m not sure what is next for DIY, but it’s not like the tag division means much at the moment anyway.

Charlotte and Alexa Bliss want the Women’s Tag Team Titles back. Jade Cargill comes in and some glaring ensues. Cargill is asked about Michin and gets jumped from behind by Michin and her kendo stick.

Solo Sikoa promises that his family will humiliate the Wyatt Sicks. He has his own fireflies and the Wyatts can’t run.

IMG Credit: WWE

Tag Team Titles: Wyatt Sicks vs. MFT’s

The Wyatts are defending. Lumis Russian legsweeps Loa to start and it’s off to Gacy, who gets driven into the corner. The stomping doesn’t last long as Gacy gets over to Lumis to clear the ring. It’s already back to Gacy, who can’t launch a dive but can go outside, where Loa drops him with a clothesline. The Wyatts are both knocked down on the floor and we take a break.

We come back with Lumis still in trouble and getting sent into the corner. Sikoa seems to improve until Lumis flips over and brings Gacy back in to pick up the pace. Gacy misses a Lionsault though and gets planted but Lumis is back in. The belly to back suplex/powerbomb combination sets up Lumis’ top rope splash, with Loa making the save. Talla Tonga boots Gacy down and all of the associates get in a fight. The referee throws it out at 10:32.

Rating: C. The match wasn’t a disaster, but it might as well have had a big countdown clock until the match wound up being a big brawl. It wasn’t exactly a surprise, but that didn’t make it any more interesting. This is a feud that has been built up for a good while and there wasn’t much of a reason to believe that the lowest members of the MFT’s were going to take the titles here.

Post match the big brawl is on, with everyone, including Nikki Cross, getting involved. Sister Abigail is broken up to save Sikoa and end the show.

Overall Rating: C. Maybe it was this being part of a double taping or something but there was an energy missing from this show. It felt like one of those shows that was there because it has to be and was more designed to set something up later on. I liked the tag match but you could have easily skipped this week and watched Santa Jaws instead.

Results
Nia Jax/Lash Legend b. Kabuki Warriors – Annihilator to Sane
Giulia b. Alba Fyre – Northern lights bomb
Ilja Dragunov/Carmelo Hayes b. DIY – Nothing But Net to Ciampa
Wyatt Sicks vs. MFT’s went to a no contest

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