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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rhea Ripley vs. Michin

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tama Tonga vs. Uncle Howdy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aleister Black vs. Matt Cardona

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

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

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

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

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

Charlotte/Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley/Lyra Valkyria

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We look at Roman Reigns and CM Punk on Raw.

Wrestlemania rundown.

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

US Title: Sami Zayn vs. Carmelo Hayes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Post break we look back at what we just saw.

IMG Credit: WWE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fraxiom vs. Motor City Machine Guns

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

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

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

We look at the McIntyre/Fatu brawls from earlier.

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

IMG Credit: WWE

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

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

Video on the Bella Twins’ return.

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

Aleister Black vs. Sami Zayn

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dennis Rodman is going into the Hall Of Fame.

US Title: Ilja Dragunov vs. Carmelo Hayes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here’s what’s coming next week.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MFT’s vs. Wyatt Sicks

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jade Cargill vs. Michin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Post match the Forces lay out both teams.

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

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

Damian Priest/R-Truth vs. Los Garza

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tiffany Stratton vs. Kiana James

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

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

Next week: Kit Wilson calls out Jelly Roll.

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

Jacob Fatu vs. Trick Williams

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

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

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

Post match McIntyre gives Fatu the Claymore.

Jelly Roll is back at ringside.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 27, 2026
Location: KFC Yum Center, Louisville, Kentucky
Commentators: Wade Barrett, Joe Tessitore

It’s the night before Elimination Chamber and the show’s namesake matches are finally set. This week’s Raw saw the final two qualifying matches and that means we can get to the last bit of the buildup. Other than that, the Women’s Tag Team Titles are on the line so let’s get to it.

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

Jey Uso has been attacked and is being taken away in an ambulance (that’s how they get around him qualifying when he wasn’t supposed to). Jimmy Uso says he’ll find out who did it, though Trick Williams says that’s one down. While it doesn’t seem that he’s saying he attacked Jey, Je’Von Evans doesn’t like it.

IMG Credit: WWE

We cut to Drew McIntyre in the arena, saying he didn’t do it. Cody Rhodes, on a split screen, doesn’t like it so here are Nick Aldis and security to get rid of McIntyre. Rhodes comes in to say let’s fight right here and right now, but McIntyre says no because it’s no benefit to him.

Rhodes shouts that McIntyre is “disengaging” and that he has run away his entire title reign but here is Randy Orton to interrupt. Orton wants to be in the main event of Wrestlemania, which draws out Williams to interrupt as well. He brags about getting mentioned by Bruno Mars and says that since we’re in the KFC arena, he can add something to the menu.

Cue Evans, who says he’s here to beat Orton’s record as youngest World Champion. Now it’s LA Knight interrupting, saying everyone here, including McIntyre, belongs to him. Williams: “WHOOP THAT TRICK!” Knight thinks that’s a good idea and the brawl is on, with the two of them fighting to the back and an RKO dropping Evens. Orton and Rhodes stare each other down but don’t get physical.

Tiffany Stratton is ready to win the Elimination Chamber but Asuka, with Kairi Sane, interrupts. Stratton is ready for Asuka and the match seems likely.

IMG Credit: WWE

Solo Sikoa vs. Uncle Howdy

They lock up to start and Sikoa shoves him out of the corner. A slugout doesn’t go anywhere so they head outside, with Sikoa’s Samoan Spike hitting the post by mistake. Howdy sends him into the timekeeper’s area but stops to look at the lantern. Sikoa gets in a knockdown of his own and we take a break.

We come back with a Samoan drop getting two on Howdy and the nerve hold going on. Spinning Solo and a Superfly Splash give Sikoa two more as the fans are behind Howdy. Sikoa loads up his own Sister Abigail but gets the Mandible Claw as a result. That’s broken up with the Samoan Spike but the hand is too banged up. Sikoa charges into Sister Abigail for the pin at 10:51.

Rating: C+. This was another step in a long feud between the two families and that’s an interesting enough way to go. As has been the case, this fits Sikoa far better than the big boss of the top heel stable and it’s making things a lot easier. Howdy winning clean is a surprise, but it’s probably his biggest win on the main roster, which is nice to see.

Post match Howdy gets the lantern back and of course the MFTs jump him to take it back. The Wyatts come in just too late for the save.

Nick Aldis has Drew McIntyre leave when the Vision (all three healthy members) comes in. Paul Heyman is here to volunteer Logan Paul to take Jey Uso’s place in the Chamber. Aldis finds this all very convenient but he’ll make some calls.

Video on the Women’s Tag Team Title match.

Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky are ready for tonight but then they’re ready for Ripley to win the Chamber tomorrow night. Jade Cargill comes in to say Ripley is on her own tomorrow night.

Jacob Fatu comes up to Nick Aldis and accuses Drew McIntyre of taking out Jey Uso. Fatu wants in the Chamber, but Aldis doesn’t say yes.

Video on Damian Priest’s time in NXT and how it helped him get ready for the main roster.

Jelly Roll is here.

Asuka vs. Tiffany Stratton

Chelsea Green is on commentary but hang on, as Asuka says she’s resting before the Chamber so Kairi Sane can do this instead.

Kairi Sane vs. Tiffany Stratton

Chelsea Green is still on commentary as the switch didn’t make her wheel off. Stratton flips away from her to start and hits a hip attack, only to get distracted by Asuka. Sane rams Stratton into the buckle and we take a break. We come back with Stratton flipping into an Alabama Slam for two but Sane breaks up the Prettiest Moonsault Ever.

Sane’s top rope double stomp gets two but Stratton is back with a running basement dropkick. They go to the apron where Sane hits a quick DDT, only for Stratton to break up the Insane Elbow. Sane is sent flying onto Alba Fyre before missing Stratton and knocking Green into her wheelchair. Back in and the Prettiest Moonsault Ever finishes Sane at 10:21.

Rating: B-. The Green stuff was funny as usual, as she knows exactly how to do what she’s been up to lately. I’m expecting her to cost Stratton the Chamber tomorrow and that could set up a nice showdown. Sane as Asuka’s servant is still fun and it makes perfect sense for Asuka to have Sane to her dirty work here.

Nick Aldis finds the Vision in his office and Logan Paul is indeed in the Chamber…if he wins his qualifying match…against Jacob Fatu. Paul Heyman isn’t happy but Logan says he can do it.

Miz vs. Oba Femi

Miz says they don’t have to fight but Femi takes the mic from him and says get your own. Miz talks about being in developmental in this very city but not listening to the locker room leaders. Now he wants to be Femi’s Undertaker. Femi: “You do look like a dead man to me.”

Miz can get the fans chanting OBA, which they do, though Femi says that means he can do it on his own (not exactly). The fight is on and Femi knocks him out of the air but misses a charge into the corner. The Fall From Grace finishes at 4:48, though the physical part of the match was barely a minute.

Rating: C-. Ok so not much of a match, but Femi did just squash a former multiple time WWE Champion in short order. That’s how you make Femi feel even more like a monster and this was a total destruction. You don’t see someone brought in like this very often and it’s working well thus far, though those last two words are the key.

Carmelo Hayes still wants Ilja Dragunov to take up the US Open Challenge but Dragunov is in a suit. Hayes tells him to take the shot before someone beats him to it.

US Title: Carmelo Hayes vs. ???

Hayes is defending against…Matt Cardona. Feeling out process to start with Hayes ducking a clothesline but running into a dropkick. Cardona grabs a headlock before ducking a dropkick from Hayes for a change. Some choking has Hayes in more trouble as this is a more aggressive Cardona than usual. Hayes knocks him to the floor but misses a dive into the announcers’ table as we take a break.

We come back with Cardona’s running boot in the corner connecting and a knee to the face putting Hayes on the floor. Back in and Hayes catches him in the ropes for the Fadeaway and a springboard clothesline drops Cardona again. La Mistica gets two on Cardona, who is right back with a tiger bomb for the same. The Rough Ryder is countered into a superkick for two but the second Rough Ryder gives Cardona two of his own. Hayes hits a quick First 48 to retain at 11:51.

Rating: B-. Cardona continues his return to WWE and is still doing about the same thing. By that I mean pretty much nothing important other than being a slightly more serious than usual star, which isn’t much of an upgrade over his Zack Ryder days. Hayes adds another title defense to his reign, which is fine, but it feels like another day of waiting before we have the big match with Dragunov.

Post match respect is shown.

The tag teams look at the crate and R-Truth teaches them how to use the ESPN app. Johnny Gargano is wheeled in but Candice LeRae has to get to the ring for her match. Kit Wilson comes in and calls the guys toxic, which they find hilarious.

IMG Credit: WWE

Jordynne Grace vs. Candice LeRae

Johnny Gargano, actually on his feet, is here with LeRae. Well at least he is before the break. Grace takes her down to start fast but gets enziguried for an early two. The chinlock doesn’t last long and they fight over a rollup for a bunch of ones. Grace catches her up top with a delayed vertical superplex but the Grace Driver is blocked. Gargano is at least sitting up now but goes to leave, which is enough of a distraction for Grace to grab a pumphandle suplex for the pin at 3:47.

Rating: C+. Well at least they’re finally doing something with Gargano, who is starting to cause all kinds of issues for LeRae. It’s certainly something different and hopefully leads to something better, as he hasn’t exactly been doing much in recent weeks. Grace doesn’t have much going on either, though at least she won.

Raquel Rodriguez thinks Judgment Day could get both Women’s Title shots at Wrestlemania but Jade Cargill comes in to cut her off. They bicker a bit and here are Michin and B Fab to threaten Cargill again. Can she please just wreck both of them already and get this over with?

We look at AJ Styles’ tribute from Raw, capped off by his Hall Of Fame announcement.

Cody Rhodes says he hopes it’s Jacob Fatu in the Chamber and walks off to see Sami Zayn. They shake hands and nothing is said. Zayn goes over to Fatu and asks how Jey Uso is doing. Apparently not too well, which has Zayn thinking Fatu might have done it. Fatu threatens violence and doesn’t like this, but Zayn goes on a rant about how he might have done it. That’s shot down as well, with Zayn telling Fatu to go win and then get upset about everything.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Irresistible Forces vs. Rhea Ripley/Iyo Sky

Ripley and Sky are defending and Legend blocks Sky’s early sunset flip attempt. Ripley comes in and gets kneed down but hands it back to Sky, who dropkicks Jax. The champs are cut off on the floor though and swung into the barricade as we take a break. We come back with Legend kicking Sky down for two, followed by Jax’s cheap shot getting the same. Sky comes back up with a kick to the head and it’s back to Ripley to strike away at Jax.

A missile dropkick gives Ripley two and Sky and Legend send each other into things on the floor. Ripley breaks up the Annihilator and powerbombs Jax out of the corner for two. Jax is sent outside for a cannonball off the apron as we take a break. We come back with Jax’s headbutt dropping Ripley and a Samoan drop putting her onto the announcers’ table.

Back in and Legend’s chokeslam sets up a middle rope legdrop to give Jax two but she misses a charge into the post. Sky comes back in to kick away at both Forces but legend launches her at Jax for…I don’t actually know, though it did put Jax down. The Bullet Train hits Legend and Over The Moonsault gets two, with Jax making the save. An Annihilator gets two on Sky with Ripley making the save. Back in and Riptide drops Jax but Ripley’s back is hurt, allowing Legend to hit the Lash Extension for the pin and the titles at 18:16.

Rating: B. This got pretty awesome at the end and that was cool to see, with Legend getting the big moment of pinning Ripley for a title. I do like this a lot better with Ripley on her way to a big singles match tomorrow, as there is little reason to have a tag champion in that kind of a match. Legend and Jax as monster champions could do well as they’ve been a nice pairing thus far. Good match here with the right result.

Charlotte and Alexa Bliss are not happy with the title change and Charlotte eats ice cream to get over Bliss possibly going to Wrestlemania without her. Giulia and Kiana James come in to mock them but Jade Cargill shows up to wish them all some sarcastic good luck.

Solo Sikoa and the MFTs want Nick Aldis to do something about the Wyatt Sicks. Aldis saw Sikoa lose clean, so it’s time to find some new #1 contenders to the Tag Team Titles, which we’ll find next week. Works for Sikoa.

The Irresistible Forces are very happy with their win and Cathy Kelly is NOT invited to their title party.

We get the opening to Elimination Chamber, which does indeed focus on Chicago and CM Punk. He’s used to the sides closing in, which is why he isn’t bothered by the Chamber.

Randy Orton runs into Aleister Black and Zelina. Black thinks the Black Mass woke him up but Orton promises to find him after the Chamber. That’s just what Black wants.

Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Logan Paul vs. Jacob Fatu

The rest of the Vision is here with Paul, who fires off a running elbow in the corner to start fast. Some clotheslines and a backsplash have Paul in trouble though and Fatu fires off headbutts in the corner. A running splash in the corner puts Paul down again and Fatu scores with a suicide dive as we take a break.

We come back with Fatu’s splash hitting the post but Paul misses a frog splash. A superkick and handspring moonsault give Fatu two but his Swanton hits raised knees. Paul is back with a Blockbuster and a Lionsault which overshoots Fatu for two. The Paulverizer is blocked though and Fatu hits the running Umaga Attack in the corner. Heyman gets up for a distraction, which lets Paul hit Fatu low. The big right hand and frog splash get two and Heyman can’t believe the kickout.

Cue the Masked Man to go after Austin Theory but Paul decks him and steals the mask to reveal…just some guy. Even commentary says they’ve never seen him before as security takes him away. Back in and Fatu hits the pop up Samoan drop but cue Drew McIntyre to knock him into a rollup to give Paul the pin at 11:21.

Rating: B. This was another wild one with all kinds of shenanigans as they had to find a fast way out of Jey Uso getting the spot. Paul getting the spot over Bronson Reed (who seems to have been the original planned winner) is just swapping in one member of the team for another, which is a perfect way to go. The Masked Man (apparently played by Seth Rollins (among others) student Don Furio) definitely feels like it’s going to continue, which is probably for the best as they need some time to figure all of this out.

Overall Rating: B-. The last two matches boosted it up a lot, but the middle hour definitely felt like a section that would have been cut from a two hour show. They had a lot to cover this week and most of it worked, but those US Open Challenges are starting to run out of steam. The good overpowers the bad here, though everything is going to change next week with only time before Wrestlemania.

Results
Uncle Howdy b. Solo Sikoa – Sister Abigail
Tiffany Stratton b. Kairi Sane – Prettiest Moonsault Ever
Oba Femi b. The Miz – Fall From Grace
Carmelo Hayes b. Matt Cardona – First 48
Jordynne Grace b. Candice LeRae – Pumphandle suplex
Irresistible Forces b. Rhea Ripley/Iyo Sky – Lash Extension to Ripley
Logan Paul b. Jacob Fatu – Rollup

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

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

Here is the Royal Rumble if you need a recap.

Long Royal Rumble recap.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Miz vs. Carmelo Hayes

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oba Femi vs. Kit Wilson

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Tama Tonga

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

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

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: WWE

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

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

Jade Cargill/Jordynne Grace vs. Judgment Day

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here’s what’s coming next week.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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