wrestling / TV Reports
Winfree’s WWE Smackdown Review 10.03.25
Image Credit: WWE
Loading...Hey there people, time for another episode of WWE Smackdown. Crown Jewel is coming up quickly so let’s see what’s on tap this week. WWE champion Cody Rhodes will team up with Randy Orton to take on the Brony Boys of Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. They’re still teasing Cody and Randy as a feud for down the line so expect more of that tonight but I also find it pretty unlikely that they’ll full on pull that particular trigger until we get closer to the Rumble or possibly even WrestleMania. Sami Zayn will have another US open challenge, Shinsuke Nakamura continues to lurk in the background but I imagine we’ll get another NXT guy tonight. Tiffany Stratton will talk, probably not about how badly the ending of the main event last week went, and will likely stare off with Stephanie Vaquer again. Damian Priest will be in action, probably squashing Kit Wilson and then getting jumped by Aleister Black again. Jacob Fatu finally returned last week and set his sights on Drew McIntyre, thankfully getting him away from the anchor that is Solo and his Multiple Flailing Tubemen who I’m sure will get another video segment because the sunk cost fallacy is real folks. Carmelo Hayes and Miz lost last week to the Street Profits but more importantly it looks like that duo is about ready to combust while the Profits are eyeing another tag team title shot. Speaking of tag teams, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss are in dire need of something to do so we’ll see if anything comes their way tonight. Well that’s the preamble folks, let’s get to the action.
Commentary welcome us to Cincinnati for the event. We’ve got Michael Cole and Booker T again, which is definitely a choice after last time they paired up.
First up here’s WWE champion Cody Rhodes, no visual of wrestlers arriving this week. Cody, suited and booted as the kids say, gets a mic and asks what we want to talk about. In response here’s Paul Heyman coming from the time keeper’s area to answer. He’s followed by Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker. Randy Orton shows up beside Cody and so Heyman backs down a bit to introduce himself first before they can actually talk. Anyway they’re not here to talk to Cody, they’re here to talk to Randy. Apparently Randy’s a tough guy to get a hold of and has been ignoring Heyman’s attempts to make contact. So they’re here to talk to Randy. It doesn’t matter what Cody and Randy came up with for tonight, they’re going to lose. But really Heyman wants to know what happens to Randy if they beat Cody tonight, because Randy will think he can take Cody. If they beat Randy then how can Randy not look at Cody and not question Cody’s loyalty. This thing with Cody and Randy can’t last, and that’s a prophecy from an oracle. The heels head out after that.
Now we see wrestlers arriving, Tiffany Stratton in particular. Next we see Carmelo Hayes walking, he finds Miz. Miz wants an explanation for last week, Hayes says he should have kicked out. They bicker and Hayes says their thing is done. Normally he shoots first on break ups but he’s trying to be cool. Hayes walks off and Miz looks jilted.
Sami Zayn now heads to the ring and we’ll get his US open challenge match after this break.
Post break Sami waits for his challenger, and out comes Carmelo Hayes. Hayes has a mic and talks himself to the ring, he says this time there’s no one holding him back or clouding his vision so he’s focused on taking the US title. Everyone knows how great Hayes is and tonight he’s the best he’s been. Miz shows up from behind Hayes to hit a Skull Crushing Finale. After that Aleister Black saunters by and picks up the mic, he sarcastically says that’s unfortunate. Then he decides to answer Sami’s challenge.
Match #1 – US Title Match: (c) Sami Zayn vs. Aleister Black
They tie up, Black hits the ropes then runs into a couple of arm drags from Sami. Black with a hard kick to the face and Sami drops. More strikes from Black including a nice boot as Sami comes out of the corner. A few more strikes from Black then Sami fights back but Black cuts him off with a springboard moonsault and we head to break.
We come back to Sami starting a comeback and hitting a 10 punch then some corner stomps. Sami clotheslines Black out of the ring then hits a springboard moonsault. Back in the ring Sami heads up top and jumps over Black then catches Black with a Michinoku Driver for a 2 count. Black avoids a suplex then lands a boot, head kick, and a bridging German suplex for a 2 count of his own. Sami avoids Black Mass, but Black with a jumping knee then a sweep and a nice cradle attempt for a near fall. Black heads up top, Sami attacks him then climbs up with him and hits a superplex to put both men down as we head to another commercial break.
We come back to Black kicking Sami on the top rope, they battle for position and eventually Sami jumps into a knee to the face but only a near fall. Black with some boots, then they start trading elbows. Leg kick from Black and that lets him take over with more kicks in the corner. Sami follows a running Black and misses a Helluva kick, Black then follows with a Meteora for another near fall. Damian Priest shows up ringside to distract Black so Sami lands a Helluva kick then a Blue Thunder Bomb to retain the title.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Sami Zayn retained the title in 15:19
Rating: 3 stars
Thoughts: I imagine this was pretty awesome for the live crowd without getting chopped up by the commercial breaks, probably at least half a star higher if not more. Black and Sami work well together, which shouldn’t surprise anyone and we all knew what was coming as far as the finish.
Post match Priest takes apart the announce table as Sami heads up the ramp. Priest then drags Black out and hits a Razor’s Edge through the announce table.
Earlier today Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre talked themselves into a match with Sol Ruca and Zaria. that leads to Green and Fyre heading to the ring as we head to break.
Post break here come Ruca and Zaria.
Match #2 – Tag Team Match: Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre vs. Sol Ruca and Zaria
Zaria and Fyre start, they tie up and Fyre gets Zaria in a corner. Zaria turns that around and hits a corner avalanche then misses a second but boots Fyre. Some strength displays from Zaria then she hits a second rope clothesline. Green tags herself in, she gets tossed around then takes a headbutt. Ruca tags in and Green takes a few tandem moves before Ruca lands an X-Factor for 2. Fyre blind tags in and sets up Ruca for a slingshot dropkick. Green tags back in and kicks Ruca from the apron then Fyre with a suicide dive into Zaria that the broadcast misses. Back in the ring Green overs Ruca for 2. Fyre tags back in, then tags right away and hits a gordbuster then both women land superkicks and Green slams Ruca face first into the mat for another 2 count. Zaria yanks Fyre off the apron and rams her into the barricade. Ruca then hits a Soul Snatcher to win.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Zaria and Sol Ruca won in 3:50
Rating: 2 stars
Thoughts: Acceptable enough for an introduction on the main roster for Ruca and Zaria. This really just sets up them for Bliss and Charlotte at some point in the future but that’s not a bad thing.
In the back Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair talks with Cathy, they were moderately impressed with the outing and know a little bit about tag teams that have a little friction. Bliss declines to “woo”.
Elsewhere in the back Stephanie Vaquer walks and gets a pop, the contract signing with her and Tiffany Stratton will be up after this break.
We come back to a recap of RAW, mostly focused on the return of Roman Reigns.
Randy Orton warms up for his match and Cody comes over, Randy doesn’t care what Heyman says and both men say they’ve got each others backs.
To the ring, and Smackdown GM Nick Aldis brings out the participants for the women’s Crown Jewel title. Tiffany comes out first, decent pop, followed by Vaquer who gets a slightly louder one. Vaquer declines to sit, both women have mics. Decent “Tiffy time” chant. Vaquer respects Tiffany and knows Tiffany has a longer reign, but she’ll show her who she is and the best woman will win next week. Tiffany has been waiting to wrestle Vaquer since Vaquer got signed to WWE, they’ve both proven they’re the best but only one woman will win at Crown Jewel and it’ll be Tiffany. It doesn’t matter where they are, it’s always Tiffy time. Both women sign the contract then shake hands and we get some posing. No physicality, well you’ve got to shake that up every now and then I guess. Tiffany heads out first and gets attacked on the ramp by Giulia. Kiana James talks and says they’ve got a proposal for Vaquer. James says Vaquer has worked to become a champion and that’s commendable, she puts over Vaquer as a star but not a superstar. . . yet. James can get her over the hump. Vaquer listens to James give the hard sell about all she’s done for Giulia and James gets attacked by Tiffany. Giulia and Vaquer get tangled up, Giulia avoids an SVB and the heels powder. Tiffany and Vaquer stare down again in the ring.
Earlier today Aldis talked with Je’Von Evans about maybe coming to Smackdown, Rey Fenix showed up and talks with Evans about a singles match. Los Garza come over and talk some trash, this leads to the predictable tag team match for tonight.
Evans and Fenix then head to the ring and we head to break.
Post break we get a Jacob Fatu video, he’s tired of people whining and wasting time on BS stories. He had to set Drew straight. Everyone likes to talk until things get spicy, well Fatu was born foaming at the mouth so what do you think he’ll do if he’s disrespect? Let’s keep in 100, you don’t come for him, he’ll send you straight to the bottom. Fatu is all gas, no brakes with this. Pretty good stuff from Fatu.
Back to the ring and Los Garza are most of the way to the ring.
Match #3 – Tag Team Match: Je’Von Evans and Rey Fenix vs. Los Garza (Berto and Angel)
26 minutes between matches. Evans and Berto start, Evans with a springboard crossbody. Swinging kick from Berto drops Evans then he looks to try and take over with mounted strikes. They trade some strikes but Berto has the upper hand so far, Evans runs into a dropkick. Hurricanrana from Evans, Angel blind tags and boots Evans then Angel lands a punch. Fenix jumps in and hits a double arm drag then dives with a corkscrew plancha onto Angel. Berto now dives onto Fenix, and Evans punctuates everything with a big leap over the top onto everyone to send us to break.
We come back to Fenix landing a palm strike in the corner but Angel fights off the Mexica Muscle Buster while Evans with a Cactus style crossbody to Berto. Everyone winds up back in the ring and both Evans and Fenix take a double team move but only a 2 count on the cover of Fenix. Fenix with a jawbreaker then an enzigrui but Angel lands a clothesline and both men are down. Both men tag out and Evans gets to run wild on Berto for a bit, including almost diving onto the cameraman. Berto tries a dirty pin back in the ring but the ref catches it. Evans with a modified Busaiku knee and Angel has to save the match. Twisting kick from Evans to Angel. Fenix blind tags and kicks Berto in the face in the corner then hits the Mexican Muscle Buster as Evans hits an OG Cutter to Angel and Fenix pins Berto to win.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Je’Von Evans and Rey Fenix won in 9:10
Rating: 3 stars
Thoughts: Appropriate athleticism from both teams, and Evans is clearly getting over with the audience which is a good thing. Fenix got the short end of the stick when Andrade left apparently so it’s nice that they’ve finally got him doing stuff again because he’s also awesome.
In the back Priest talks with Cathy, he says everyone’s luck runs out eventually. Kit Wilson is here in his wheelchair again to deliver a pointless diatribe. Wilson stands out of his chair, Priest pushes him back into it, then shoves it down a ramp into the distance for comedic effect. Priest then says he’ll take this thing with Black as far as he has to, then offers Black a Last Man Standing match next week on Smackdown.
Another Solo video, this time talking about Tala Tonga. The sooner this second tier of goons goes away the better. Tala loves Solo. Solo says there’s still a piece missing, and when he finds it everyone is on notice. I imagine he’s talking about talent, good luck finding that buddy.
Cody heads to the ring for the main event and we head to break.
Post break we find the Street Profits talking with Cathy in the back. Next week they’ll get their title shot, and B-Fab says the Profits are on the same page. They’ve realized this isn’t worth giving up, the Wyatts can play games but next week they’re fighting for each other as well as the belts. They want the smoke. Wyatt transmission interrupts them on a TV behind them, Erick Rowan says they can come into this fight as brothers but their house is burning and they’ll lose everything. From their family, to yours. No sign of Bo Dallas though.
Commentary run down next week, the tag team title match as well as another Sami Zayn US open challenge match. Tiffany and Vaquer will team up against Giulia and James, because of course they will. Also we get confirmation of Priest vs. Black in Last Man Standing action as well.
Back to the ring and here comes Randy Orton, he takes his sweet time. Bron and Reed follow along with Heyman.
Match #4 – Tag Team Match: Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton vs. Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman
Randy and Bron start, they tie up and Randy corners Bron then fakes a clean break before laying in strikes. 10 punch from Randy than he punctuates by clotheslining Bron out of the ring and we go picture in picture.
Bron returns to the ring and kicks Randy then starts with some corner work. Randy gets out of all that with an eye poke then he tosses Bron out of the ring. Randy follows Bron and they fight in front of the announce table for a bit, eventually Randy hits the release back suplex onto the table, then does it again because he’s an obliging fellow. Reed attacks Randy to cut him off and let Bron get some momentum back. Back in the ring Reed tags in and starts trading strikes with Randy as we rejoin the broadcast. Chin lock from Reed, Randy fights free of that then lets Reed post himself. Cody gets a moderately hot tag and unloads on Reed with strikes then a Disaster Kick. Reed gets tossed, then Bron gets sent out of the ring as well and Cody hits a suicide dive. Back in the ring Cody goes for the arm of Reed but Reed slings free of that only to run into a boot but Bron clocks Cody from behind. Cody fights back but gets caught in a World’s Strongest Slam. Bron tags in and hits the ropes to land a clothesline and send us picture in picture again.
Bron blocks a few tag attempts then throws Cody over head, Cody almost over rotates dangerously. Reed tags in and gets in some rest holds. Cody with some kicks to Reed then he clocks Bron but Reed then drops him. Bron tags in and stomps away at Cody for a bit. We come back as Bron does the old catapult guillotine spot. Cody lands a kick but Bron blocks the tag and corners Cody in the heel side of the ring. Reed tags in and lands some punches then Bron tags back in. Bron goes for a 10 punch but Cody slips free and trips Bron down. Cody kicks Bron off, but Reed tags in and prevents the tag. Cody avoids a corner attack and then dodges a senton from reed. Randy finally gets the hot tag and he gets to unload on Bron who also tagged in. Snap powerslam to Bron. Reed tags in but runs into a snap powerslam of his own. Randy seems pleased with himself but Reed then hits a Jagged Edge. Reed goes up top but Randy cuts him off then climbs up with him and hits a superplex for a 2 count as Bron breaks up the pin. Cody comes over to attack Bron, they fight out of the ring and Bron jumps at Cody from the apron and both men get driven through the barricade into the time keepers area. Reed is still kind of down so Randy hits him with a hanging DDT. Randy wants the RKO, Heyman distracts the ref so Seth Rollins can Stomp Randy. Reed then heads up top for a Tsunami and that’ll do it.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker won in 15:17
Rating: 2.5 stars
Thoughts: House show style main event for the most part. A little over wrought as well as 15 minutes felt a bit like a drag by the end of it. The newer team getting a win over Randy and Cody is a decent call overall though.
Post match Seth tells Reed and Bron to leave when they think about turning around to attack Cody, then Seth of course turns around tries to attack Cody despite Heyman telling him not to do it. Seth goes for a Stomp but Cody dodges then drills him with a Cross Rhodes to end the episode.
