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Hey there people, it’s another Friday night so it’s time for WWE Smackdown. Very little has actually been announced for this show apart from Talla Tonga vs. Shinsuke Nakamura. Someone please tell management that all the time and money they’re wasting on Talla would be better off set of fire because at least then it would provide warmth to someone. Gunther and WWE champion Cody Rhodes are likely to interact again after Gunther secured his title shot for Clash in Italy last week. Also last week Royce Keys threw a chair at Solo Sikoa, which we all appreciated, but now he’ll be stuck in that Island Boy vortex feuding with the Temu Bloodline’s Monumental Failure Team. Carmelo Hayes beat Ricky Saints last week and wants to get back to the US title picture, it’s unclear if Ricky will pursue him or try to find someone else to beat up on. Speaking the US title picture, it’s still just Trick Williams so there’s that. Kiana James and Giulia seem to be on the outs, women’s US champion Tiffany Stratton has no direction but Chelsea Green keeps trying to buddy up to her. Sami Zayn is whining about not getting preferential treatment and Rey Fenix might have had enough of him, though Fenix never wins so working Sami wont really help him. Rhea Ripley, Alexa Bliss, and Charlotte Flair will take on Jade Cargill, Michin, and B-Fab tomorrow at Saturday Night’s Main Event but one has to imagine Jade Cargill and her duo of jobbers will show up to complicate things both tonight and tomorrow. Because who doesn’t love more female centric heel factions? Danhausen looked to pull a Dr. Frankenstein with a large dead body, rumor has it that it’s Baron Corbin of all people. If Corbin does show up I will bust out Larry’s favorite aphorism for him in honor of the late great Mr. Csonka. Blake Monroe is allegedly traveling to Smackdown, still no sign of Randy Orton or Ilja Dragunov, the tag team division is still in shambles as well. Last week was at least a mild rebound from several weeks of terrible episodes, hopefully tonight continues the upward trend.

We open with a recap of the Gunther, Royce Keys, and unfortunately Solo Sikoa stuff from last week.

We see various wrestlers arriving at the venue, man I miss the old intros. Oh, they’re trying to have the women’s US title do the open challenge thing. That probably wont work as well as the men’s one.

Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett welcome us to Lexington, Kentucky, then here comes WWE women’s champion Rhea Ripley. Ripley gets a mic and says Jade Cargill really missed her last week. Now she’s back and itching for a fight, then says if Jade wants a rematch she’ll happily beat her again. She basically confirms the Clash in Italy title match. That brings out Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss. Bliss and Charlotte have mics as well and talk to the ring. Charlotte wants Ripley to focus on tomorrow against Jade, B-Fab, and Michin. Charlotte is annoyed Ripley wasn’t here last week, Ripley brings up Charlotte saying she didn’t need her. A little back tracking from Charlotte, Bliss tries to play peacemaker but Ripley just brings up that if Charlotte can’t have Bliss’s back then Ripley shouldn’t trust Charlotte. They keep bickering until Fatal Influence shows up. Thankfully only Jacy Jayne has a mic this time and she enjoys the bickering drama, though she does flub a few words. This whole thing started when Fatal Influence showed up, they’re trying to get heat but even the audio mixing isn’t saving this. Jayne puts over her group as ascending the women’s ranks and take opportunities. Like the one they see now. Bliss and Charlotte don’t really care, but Charlotte offers a tag team match with any two of them against her and Bliss. Jayne accepts to end the segment with a whimper instead of a bang.

Next a recap of all the just gripping, thrilling, scintillating actions from the Island Boys last week. They’ve got to be about ready to pull the plug on this crap right?

In the back Solo and goons walk, Cathy shows up and asks Talla Tonga for thoughts before working Shinsuke Nakamura. Solo doesn’t let him speak, about the only thing he’s done right, and just wants everyone to watch what happens tonight. Royce Keys shows up to say Solo cost him last week, and if they want issues they’ve got them. Solo says all Keys had to do last week was ask for him to stay out of things. They wont jump him because they’re family. The Islanders head to the ring after that and we head to break.

Post break in the back Charlotte talks with Bliss, Bliss is getting sick of Charlotte and Ripley bickering so she’s not working tonight. Instead Charlotte and Ripley will team up to get their act together. Bliss deserves better than this.

Back to the ring here comes Shinsuke Nakamura to do his darndest to make Talla look competent.

Match #1: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Talla Tonga w/ Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga

They tie up and Talla overpowers Nakamura. Inside leg kick from Nakamura, then he struts away from a tie up. Knee from Nakamura but he runs into a right hand which is about a full third of what Talla can do in the ring. Some corner work from Talla to absolute crickets. The worlds worst knee drop from Talla, good Lord the daylight there would make Shane McMahon blush. Scoop slam from Talla. Nakamura avoids a corner rush and lands an enziguri then a second rope knee but Talla doesn’t bump. Nakamura eventually clotheslines Talla out of the ring then does the “come on” bit. Talla voids an ax kick through the ropes then drags Nakamura out and rams him into the barricade to send us to break.

Some more ringside stuff from Talla before they head back into the ring. Nakamura with some kicks but Talla cuts him off with an elbow. Talla then begs for heat, and the constant audio mixing issues are headache inducing at this point. They’re constantly upping the house mic to make the boos seem louder and it’s driving me nuts. Nakamura fights out of a neck crank but gets leveled with a clothesline. Talla clubs Nakamura to the floor. Nothing comes of it and Talla slams him back down upon reentry into the ring. That’s the state of things as we rejoin the broadcast and mercifully the audio mix goes back towards normal. Nakamura with some kicks to fight back then just runs into a powerslam. Talla again asks for heat, he reaches for a chokeslam but Nakamura counters into an armbar then a triangle choke. Naturally Talla just yanks him up, so Nakamura counters into a guillotine choke then slips free from a suplex. Leg kick from Nakamura then a second rope knee to the back. More kicks from Nakamura, including an enziguri. Talla misses a corner boot, Nakamura kicks him in the leg then hangs him up top for the running knee to the body. Scorpion Rising kick from Nakamura, then he lines up a Kinshasa but Solo shows up to break that up and allow Talla to hit a snap powerslam. Chokeslam follows and we’re done.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Talla Tonga won in 9:20

Rating: 1.5 stars
Thoughts: Talla’s control stuff is still bad, the obvious fellating on commentary is bad, and frankly the audio mixing to try and make him seem over makes things headache inducing. Seriously, I was half a second away from muting to save my ears. They’ve having Talla do more moves as though that’s the problem, it’s not. He just can’t get connective tissue in his matches, lumbers around way too much, sells awfully so no one believes anything related to him, and all the production tricks in the world can only hide for so long how bad he is at this.

Post match Solo goes to deliver a Samoan Spike but Tama stops him. Solo and Tama trade words, then Tama kills Nakamura with an enzui Cutthroat. Then Tama and Solo hug, followed by Solo trying another Samoan Spike only for Damian Priest to show up with a chair to drive the island goofs off. So, all that with Tama lead to. . . absolutely nothing. Good job WWE, just tremendous use of air time, talent, drama, all of it spaced so impeccably over weeks and weeks to lead to this singular moment of Tama reminding us he’s never going anywhere or doing anything that matters. Absolute cinema, as they’re saying.

Next a hype video for Roman Reigns taking on Jacob Fatu in Tribal Combat at Clash in Italy. Just having Fatu lose again I guess.

In the back Nick Aldis deals with flickering lights, that’s the second time it’s happened tonight. Wonder what that’s about. WWE champion Cody Rhodes shows up, apparently Gunther still hasn’t signed for Clash in Italy. Because we’re just dragging things out. Aldis says he’ll handle Gunther, and asks Cody to let him do so. Cody is willing to let him. Cody turns into Sami Zayn, Sami knows what it takes to beat Gunther and offers to help Cody, Cody says thanks but no thanks. Sami gets offended by this then asks Aldis what he’s doing tonight. Aldis says time is tight tonight, which is a bald faced lie, and he might not have space for him. Sami asks for respect and wants to know what he did so wrong. Cody shows up as Sami is whining about Cody getting preferential treatment. Sami tries to apologize, Cody says Sami has a point, he should have time tonight, he’s ready for a match tonight so Cody will take him on tonight. That’s been simmering for a bit so it tracks.

Back to the ring, here’s women’s US champion Tiffany Stratton to host her open challenge after this break.

Post break we get a recap of the Tongan drama. In the back Tama Tonga talks with Solo and says Solo is weak. That’s why everyone’s coming at them. Letting Tama talk is a mistake. He says Solo has to handle Priest on his own, and prove the family isn’t weak. What the hell is up with Tama’s voice? Solo does agree though and heads out to talk to Aldis.

Back to the ring and Tiffany’s challenger will be. . . Lash Legend. Lash has Nia Jax and both have mics, because we haven’t suffered enough tonight. Jax says tomorrow she and Lash are winning the women’s tag belts, but tonight Lash is taking the US title to start their golden weekend.

Match #2 – Women’s US Title Match: (c) Tiffany Stratton vs. Lash Legend w/ Nia Jax

They tie up and Lash overpowers Tiffany a few times. Lash tosses Tiffany around but runs into a corner kick. Tiffany cartwheels away from a slam then hits a dropkick only to be run over by Lash. Lash wanders around, misses a pump kick then Tiffany with a couple of chop blocks to send Lash out of the ring. Tiffany with a plancha, she gets caught up in the ropes doing it and they wind up tumbling to the floor. Pretty sure Lash was supposed to catch Tiffany there but failed. Lash with a chokeslam to Tiffany onto the apron. Chelsea Green moves down to check on Tiffany and try to support her while we head to break.

Tiffany gets back in the ring and Lash retains control. Tiffany jumps at Lash but gets caught and Lash with the worlds worst Snake Eyes. Good grief that was bad. Lash runs through a few of her usual spots then has some corner work going as we rejoin the broadcast. Lash puts Tiffany up top, Tiffany tries for a Sunset Flip, but only gets a 2 count. Hard elbow from Lash drops Tiffany but she only finds a 2 count. Chin lock from Lash, Tiffany fights free with a jawbreaker. Slow motion low bridge from Tiffany, then Lash posts herself back in the ring. Tiffany with some clotheslines then a sloppy Stunner to counter a chokeslam. Handspring back elbow from Tiffany then a handspring Stunner for a 2 count. Lash avoids the low double stomp then sort of takes a hurricanrana before stalling out an Alabama Slam and hitting a falling powerbomb for a 2 count. Tiffany avoids the Lash Extension with a Crucifix Bomb for a near fall. Probably should have let that be the finish with how sloppy this has been. Jax ties up Tiffany on the top so she misses a flying nothing, Lash with a pump kick but gets distracted by Green ramming Jax into the ring post. Lash grabs Green, Tiffany then with the deadly Surprise Roll Up for the win.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Tiffany Stratton retained the title in 9:05

Rating: 1 star
Thoughts: What the heck was up with Lash here? Everything felt off, sloppily done, meandering, just a giant misfire from start to finish. Tiffany has the athleticism and still has a solid enough connection to the crowd but her lack of direction or character work is really starting to hurt her.

In the back Lil Yachty gets Trick Williams and they head to the ring as we head to break.

Post break Aldis finds the source of the lights and power issue. It’s Danhausen’s lab. Danhausen is doing science, Aldis gets annoyed with him for all the power issues. The lights flicker and Danhausen leaves. Aldis checks out the body but before touching it Danhausen’s voice tells him not to touch it. OK then.

In the back Cathy talks with Miz and Kit Wilson. Miz insults Danhausen and both he and Wilson deny curses, Fraxiom show up to trade barbs. Comedy goes back and forth, and Miz offers to embarrass Axiom next week in Axiom’s home town. Axiom insults Miz in Spanish which Miz doesn’t understand.

Back to the ring, here comes Trick Williams with his diminutive water craft in tow. Trick is dressed to work so expect physicality whatever else happens here. Trick and Yachty get mics, Trick plays with the crowd then they put down Miz for his performance last week. Last week Miz got stepped on for interrupting, and anyone else will get the same. That brings out Carmelo Hayes with his own mic. Hayes is happy to see his boy and they both knew this day was coming. Hayes wants Trick to do the right thing, Trick screwed him out of the US title and now he should get a shot at the belt. He puts over Trick’s ascent, and he’s always believed in Trick, but Hayes was a champion while right now Trick is just carrying a belt. Hayes won the people over with hard work, blood, sweat, and tears, and give the people what they want, Trick vs. Hayes for the title right now. Yachty declines, the schedule for Trick is just too packed. A few insults from Hayes follow to Yachty, then Hayes says Trick was always better at playing second fiddle and now he’s taking orders from Yachty. Trick says there’s space and opportunity, both men are dressed for battle so they can have that match. Still no open challenges from Trick, but he respects Hayes and their history so he can get that match right now.

That sends us to break.

Match #3: Trick Williams w/ Lil Yachty vs. Carmelo Hayes

Joined in progress as we get back from break. Trick hits the ropes and then hits a shoulder block and a scoop slam. Hayes avoids another scoop slam then they trade go behinds, then hit the ropes again for some rope running and Hayes lands a dropkick. Corner chop from Hayes, then another one. Trick can’t hit Hayes, the quickness of Hayes is a problem for the bigger Trick. Uppercut from Trick after he finally corners Hayes then lands a back hand. Corner stomps from Trick, but Hayes catches one and then drills him with an enziguri. Hayes runs into a few kicks then counters a Flapjack with a Sunset Flip for a 2 count. Trick counters a springboard clothesline with a Uranage for a 2 count. Hard corner whip from Trick, then a spinning side kick for another 2 count. Suplex from Trick then a Stun Gun. Hayes avoids a side kick and tosses Trick out of the ring, then follows with a dive attempt but Yachty is blocking his path as we head to break.

Hayes just rams Trick into the rings steps then menaces Yachty just a bit. Some ringside brawling from Hayes before they head back into the ring. Hayes with a 10 punch to the rhythm of “whoop that Trick”, OK that was kind of funny. Trick blocks corner stomps though and unloads punches but runs into a lovely superkick from Hayes for a 2 count. Hayes tries a springboard but Trick just shoves him over the ropes and to the floor. Now Trick gets to do the ringside brawling bit, Hayes is happy to fight with him but keeps coming up on the wrong end of things. Back in the ring now Trick grabs a chin lock as we come back to broadcast. Hayes fights out of that with a jawbreaker then they both trade strikes. Hayes takes a neckbreaker and Trick then kips up. Ricky Saints has showed up ringside at some point. They both land clotheslines, Hayes avoids a side kick and hits a springboard clothesline. Dirty Diana from Hayes but only a near fall. Ricky and Hayes jaw at each other for a bit, then Trick with a pop up uppercut, Hayes with a few super kicks but Trick blocks one and hits the tornado pump kick for his own near fall. Trick lines up a Trick Shot, Hayes counters with a First 48 for another near fall. Hayes goes up top, Ricky distracts things so Trick can hit an uppercut and everyone spills to the floor. Trick shoves Ricky, Ricky then distracts the ref, Hayes gets a visual 3 count on a roll up but winds up taking a Trick Shot for that and Trick wins.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Trick Williams won in 13:20 shown

Rating: 3 stars
Thoughts: Finally something unambiguously good on this episode. These two work well together and the addition of Ricky Saints to this mix might add a little spice that could be useful. Solid story of both men being familiar with each other but also Hayes starting to leverage his main roster experience to get the better of Trick in several spots.

In the back Sami throws a tantrum but finds depressed Johnny Gargano. Sami rants about the situation he’s in tonight, Johnny just lays there like a slug. Sami says you should always do what’s right, no matter how unpopular. Johnny slowly tips over a water bottle after Sami walks off.

After this break, a recap of RAW when Brock Lesnar returned after TKO fired enough people to get him to stick around until SummerSlam.

Post break Ricky walks in the back and finds Cathy. Ricky talks, but Hayes jumps him and tells him to stay out of his business.

Next that promised recap of Brock Lesnar returning to attack Oba Femi once the cheque cleared.

Back to the ring, here comes Charlotte Flair with Alexa Bliss in tow, that sends us to break.

Post break here comes Rhea Ripley, followed by the heels of Fatal Influence.

Match #4 – Tag Team Match: Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley w/ Alexa Bliss vs. Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid w/ Jacy Jayne

Charlotte and Fallon start us off, Charlotte clotheslines her down then cheap shots Reid. Fallon gets tripped down and Charlotte with the head scissors on the mat. Chops from Charlotte then Ripley tags herself in, Fallon escapes and tags Reid. Ripley then runs over Reid with her usual offensive spots. Reid avoids a corner charge and lands a back hand but misses a splash, then jumps but his caught by Ripley. Fall away slam from Ripley and Charlotte tags herself in by patting Ripley on the head. Jayne gets booted off the apron but that lets Reid punch her down. Fallon tags in and yanks Charlotte to the floor then rams her around the ringside area to send us to break.

Back in the ring now Charlotte lands body blows but Fallon clotheslines her down, she’d going to give herself laryngitis with all her screams. Reid tags in and Charlotte takes the heat for a bit. Chin lock from Reid, Charlotte fights free eventually but runs into a back elbow. Some corner work to Charlotte in the heel corner as Reid and Fallon with some quick tags. The state of things as we come back is Charlotte fighting off both women with chops. Reid with a superkick to cut her off though. Charlotte does the apron stuff she always does, but Jayne trips her up on the apron to break up that bit of regularity. Fallon tags in, Reid with a twisting suplex before getting out. Face lock from Fallon, Charlotte fights free and lands an elbow. Ripley reaches for a tag, but Fallon blocks it. Charlotte fights free anyway, boots Fallon off the top rope but Reid tagged in and chop blocks Charlotte. Charlotte and Reid with a double clothesline spot and both women are down. Ripley finally gets the hot tag and unloads on Reid and Fallon. German suplex to Fallon then a capoeira kick to Reid. Reid takes a Razor’s Edge then a Shining Wizard but Fallon breaks up the pin. Charlotte boots Fallon out of the ring then cannonball’s onto both Jayne and Fallon on the floor. Ripley again tries a Razor’s Edge, Reid slips free but superkicks Charlotte. Ripley with a Riptide to Reid, but Charlotte tagged in and follows that up with Natural Selection and the stolen pin.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley won in 10:59

Rating: 2.5 stars
Thoughts: Acceptable match, and Charlotte taking the heat was a nice change of pace. Reid and Fallon don’t lose much by taking the L here overall.

Predictably post match here’s Jade Cargill and her jobbers, Michin and B-Fab. Fatal Influence attack as well, that group batters Charlotte and Bliss to the back leaving Jade along with Ripley. Jade pump kicks Ripley and follows with a Jaded. Same thing as the last several weeks, nothing new or interesting to see here.

In the back Cathy talks with Cody about his match with Sami tonight, Cody gets some of what Sami’s doing being passive aggressive and condescending. 10 years ago Cody felt all that too but chose accountability, and as far as Gunther is concerned he makes his own choices but will have to face Cody in Italy.

Next a hype video for Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu in Tribal Combat. Still a shame we’re just rehashing more of the same old Bloodline stuff, Fatu at least injects some energy into things but we’ve seen this story so many times before it’s almost impossible to actually care.

In the back Solo and company walk, he’ll take on Damian Priest after this break.

Post break a recap of what just happened with the women, you know in case you missed it. In the back Jade and goons walk and find Cathy. Michin gets to talk, that’s a mistake, she says they just proved they’re the truth and the most dominant team. B-Fab chimes in to say nothing of value. Jade says they’re the only thing that matters, and luck wont be with Ripley in Italy. That wasn’t good.

To the ring and Damian Priest heads to the ring first, followed by Solo and his support staff.

Match #5: Solo Sikoa w/ Talla Tonga and Tonga Loa vs. Damian Priest

Priest clotheslines Solo out of the ring right away then does the leaping ax handle off the ring steps. Priest rams Solo into the ring steps and knocks them all the way over. Into the ring now and Solo lands a right hand but his right arm is messed up from the step spot. Leaping back elbow from Priest, then he heads to the apron and kicks Solo in the face. Tama trips up Priest so Solo can then yank him off the ropes into a Samoan Drop. That sends us to break.

Solo with his usual control work, Tama lays in a cheap shot as well. Because why should he care about saying Solo needed to handle this on his own? If the actual writers and wrestlers don’t care about any of this why should the audience? Solo with headbutts and corner work. Some more cheap shots from Tama. Solo begs for heat, but his spot calling is Cena levels of audible so Priest floors him with an overhand chop. Super kick from Solo to get back in control. Hip attack from Solo, and that’s the state of things as we rejoin the broadcast. Solo goes up top for a Splash, Priest cuts him off up there with an elbow. Priest climbs up with Solo and they fight for position, ultimately Solo with headbutts but he taunts so Priest boxes his ears and hits a superplex. Now Priest rallies the crowd and fires up, he starts trading strikes with Solo and gets the better of things with a flurry of kicks, a discus punch and leaping shoulder block. Corner attacks from Priest, he avoids a Solo counter then hits an ugly Broken Arrow for a 2 count. Tama distracts Priest yet again and Talla with a cheap shot so Solo can hit a Spinning Solo for a 2 count. Solo wants another hip attack but Priest intercepts with a few tornado kicks then a rebound clothesline. Tama gets hit off the apron, then Priest with a Flatliner to block a Samoan Spike. Talla on the apron, Priest kicks him a few times and the big goof stays upright and Priest runs into a Samoan Spike and Solo wins.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Solo Sikoa won in 9:20

Rating: 2 stars
Thoughts: Yawn, Solo’s stuff is just tired at this point. I lived through the much better version of this same story, this feels cheap, uninteresting, and ultimately pointless as there’s nothing at stake and no crowd investment.

Post match everyone attacks Priest but here’s Royce Keys. Keys goes after Tama and floors him, low bridges and knocks over Talla as well. Keys and Solo stare off, but Solo just walks away. Priest almost attacks Keys afterwards, Keys and Priest yell at each other while Solo tries to instigate.

Cody vs. Sami will be up after this break to serve as our main event.

We come back to some hype for the women’s tag team title match tomorrow.

After that commentary hypes up SNME tomorrow, which I’ll be covering.

In the back Green walks and finds Blake Monroe. Blake introduces herself and insults Green. Jax then attacks Green along with Lash until officials come over. That was about the most underwhelming way to debut Blake possible.

Sami Zayn heads to the ring for our main event, which will be up after this break.

Post match in the back Keys finds Priest and they yell at each other for a bit. Priest doesn’t know or trust Keys, and because he doesn’t watch the product thinks Keys might still be with Solo’s group. Keys warns Priest that if he wants an issue he’ll get one with him. OK then.

Back to the ring and here comes Cody.

Match #6: Cody Rhodes vs. Sami Zayn

Sami offers a hand shake, Cody accepts. They tie up, Cody grabs a side headlock then some rope running and Sami hits an arm drag. We get another handshake but Cody was a bit aggressive on the break there. Another tie up, again Cody with the side headlock and rope running, he misses a kick and drop down punch but Sami sells anyway. Gordbuster from Cody, then Cody offers another handshake and Sami declines because he’s a disingenuous jackass. Sami backs Cody into a corner and lands chops but Cody turns that around with chops of his own then hits the snap powerslam. Sami hits the ropes to crotch Cody on a super Cody Cutter attempt and that sends us to break.

Cody heads to the floor and limps around a bit, Sami follows him and hits a chop block. Back in the ring Sami starts targeting the left leg of Cody. Some chops from Sami then he goes for a 10 punch but Cody slips free and yanks him down face first on the buckles but Cody’s left leg is too messed up to follow up. Clotheslines from Sami then a Michinoku Driver but no cover. Sami with some more leg work, he’s got sort of a spinning toe hold going. Cody punches his way out of that as we come back to broadcast. Sami tries a suplex but Cody counters with one of his own. Cody fires up with jabs and the Bionic Elbow, then a one legged Cody Cutter for a near fall. Sami avoids a Cross Rhodes and sends Cody to the apron then knocks Cody from the apron all the way onto the announce table, and Cody falls to the far side of the desk. Sami looks for the count out win, but Cody beats the count at the last second. Next Sami lines up a Helluva Kick, Cody dodges though and hits the Super Cody Cutter for another near fall. Sami with a Victory Roll for 2, then a Blue Thunder Bomb for another 2 count. Now Sami goes back to the leg and locks up a Figure 4 leg lock. Cody suffers but then works to roll things, eventually he turns the hold over and now Sami’s in agony. Sami crawls to the ropes and forces the break. They start trading strikes, Cody then hits a Disaster Kick. Gunther shows up behind Cody and locks in the Sleeper behind the refs back, Sami charges Cody but hits Gunther, allowing Cody to hit the Cross Rhodes and win.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Cody Rhodes won in 11:53

Rating: 3 stars
Thoughts: Not at all surprising to see those two deliver a good match. The story of Cody’s leg and Sami’s pathetic desperation growing by the minute worked quite well. The finish was pretty predictable but not in a bad way, they’ve got to start moving Sami back into the main event scene at some point to justify his main eventing Mania in Saudi and this worked well enough to start that ball rolling.

Post match Gunther attacks Cody, clotheslines him down then hits a powerbomb. Sami shows up to stare down Gunther, but does nothing as Gunther locks up the Sleeper hold. Sami just walks away as Gunther strangles the life out of Cody. Gunther eventually releases the hold and poses with the belt while the useless sack of garbage Sami limps his way up the ramp. That ends the episode.