wrestling / TV Reports
Winfree’s WWE Smackdown Review 10.17.25
Image Credit: WWE
Loading...Hey there everyone, it’s Friday so it’s time for WWE Smackdown. Tonight seems like it’s a bit of flux, reports have come in that Jacob Fatu is dealing with a non-wrestling injury that might sideline him until next year. That really sucks if true, they cooled Fatu down for no good reason, kept him off TV for a few weeks, then finally put him in there with Drew McIntyre only for the rug to get pulled. The match tonight between Fatu and Drew is still on as of this writing, but we’ll see if it actually goes through. WWE champion Cody Rhodes will talk tonight about his loss to at Crown Jewel, and we’ll see if anyone gets into his business because the man needs a title challenger. The women’s tag team titles will be up for grabs with a couple of dysfunctional teams as Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss defend against Zaria and Sol Ruca. Also tonight the Wyatt Sicks and Solo’s Macabre Freeloading Tapirs likely continuing their beef, though it remains to be seen if Bo Dallas will show up or not. Miz and Carmelo Hayes are getting their feud up and running, Sami Zayn might have another US open challenge though Solo’s group are still waddling around his business as well. Tiffany Stratton lost to Stephanie Vaquer so she’ll need something to do now, but the Smackdown women’s scene is pretty weak so unless they’re going to run her against Giulia it’s going to be another retread against either Jade Cargill or Nia Jax. Well that’s the preamble folks, let’s get to the action because Survivor Series: WarGames will be here sooner than you might think.
UPDATE: A few outlets are reporting that Cody Rhodes is replacing Jacob Fatu against Drew McIntyre in the main event tonight.
We get a recap of Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed turning on Seth Rollins from Monday.
To the ring and Nick Aldis is standing there. Aldis brings up the Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu match, apparently it’s still on and will be a number one contenders match. That brings out WWE champion Cody Rhodes. Vic Joseph and Corey Graves are on commentary tonight. Cody gets a mic says Seth Rollins beat him at Crown Jewel, it took everything Rollins had though and Cody now says they probably don’t need to be in the ring again but they will eventually anyway. He moves on to how Rollins got betrayed by the Brons and Heyman, so Rollins has to handle that while Cody moves on to Smackdown business. That lets him hype up the main event of Drew vs. Fatu, the crowd is very pro Fatu which isn’t surprising since Fatu is from around this area. Cody will be ready for whoever it is, and now we’re on the road to Saturday Night’s Main Event. OK then.
In the back Solo and his schmucks walk, they find Rey Fenix doing a photo shoot and Solo is a jerk so we get a beatdown on Fenix. Solo’s whole schtick is beyond tired, can we just stop with these guys already?
Back to the ring Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss head to the ring for their title defense and we head to break.
Post break we get the entrances for Zaria and Sol Ruca. Oh hey, Blake Monroe is sitting ringside.
Match #1 – Women’s Tag Team Title Match: (c) Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair vs. Sol Ruca and Zaria
Charlotte and Ruca start us off, they tie up then Charlotte goes to an arm wringer and they trade counters to that hold for a bit until we get a stand off. Charlotte with a boot from the apron, then one to Zaria but Ruca lands a kick to the head. Corner kick from Charlotte then Bliss tags in and hits a head scissors. Zaria tags in but Bliss jumps on her back briefly then lands a flurry of strikes including a dropkick. Bliss gets caught charging but slips out of Zaria’s grasp then threatens her finish but Zaria counters into a spinebuster and we head picture in picture.
Zaria follows Bliss to the floor briefly and rams her into the side of the ring before they head back into the ring. Some corner work from Zaria as she gets to show off her strength against the smaller Bliss. Bliss fights back with kicks then a Thesz Press and some mounted punches but Zaria cuts her off with a clothesline. Ruca tags back in and Bliss takes some corner work then an assisted dropkick from the challengers. Bliss trips Ruca out of the ring then tries to tag out but Ruca cheap shots Charlotte to block that. Zaria back in and they keep working over Bliss with tandem offense. Zaria works a chin lock as we come back, Bliss starts working to fight free but Zaria goes to the hanging chin lock in the corner. Bliss fights free and kicks Zaria until they both spill down to the mat. Zaria yanks Bliss back to their corner and Ruca tags in to hit a spinning back suplex into a face buster. Zaria tags in and helps Ruca try a Keg Stand but Bliss avoids it and Ruca wipes out. Bliss kicks Zaria then sends Ruca out of the ring. Charlotte finally gets the hot tag and comes in with a double cross body and she starts laying into both women with chops. Walk over clothesline from Charlotte then a few thrust kicks to Zaria and a fall away slam. Corner Lethal Combination from Charlotte. Ruca blind tags, Charlotte boots Zaria but Ruca comes in with some elbows and then cheap shots Bliss. Rebound German suplex from Ruca then Charlotte counters a dropkick into a Boston Crab but Ruca counters through into a rana pin for 2. Ruca blocks a Figure 8 then hits a Soul Snatcher and Bliss has to save the match. Zaria and Bliss fight to the floor where Zaria stalls out a hurricanrana then swings Bliss into the barricade. Charlotte boots Zaria down, then Ruca comes off the second rope with a modified moonsault that only hits Charlotte. Ruca sees Blake ringside and talks at her so Charlotte chop blocks Ruca. Back in the ring Charlotte locks in the Figure Four, then switches to the Figure 8 and gets the tap.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss retained the titles in 12:07
Rating: 3 stars
Thoughts: Might be more 2.5 stars but it was enough better than average to get to 3 I think. All four women got to work, though Bliss wound up doing the least amount of work but Ruca and Zaria didn’t look out of place with Bliss and Charlotte.
Post match we get respect between the teams.
In the back Cody walks and finds Jacob Fatu, Fatu with some local references then says he’ll show Cody that he’s all gas no brakes. Cody hopes he’s right. That sends us to break.
Aleister Black and Zelina Vega video, Black is proud of how he’s set up this whole thing with Priest for the last months. This has all been calculated and he feels accomplished realigning with his wife. They’re not the infection, just the mirror that shows it. They are a necessary evil. OK then.
Next a recap of Solo’s goons ruining the Sami Zayn and Shinsuke Nakamura match from last week.
In the back Miz talks with Aldis, then Sami wanders over. Sami wants to know why his US open challenge isn’t on the card. Aldis explains that Nakamura isn’t here but gets a fair rematch, and Solo’s squad are complicating things. Sami objects and wants his open challenge to go on, he’s going out there for the open challenge. Miz, still there, seems interested and follows Sami as we head to break.
Sami Zayn heads to the ring as we come back from break. Out comes Miz behind him, he’s got a mic and says he’s sick of these open challenges, but Carmelo Hayes attacks him from behind. Hayes batters Miz around the entrance stage and officials pull the two men apart before they brawl to the back. Up next, Ilja Dargunov to answer the challenge. OK, I’m down.
Match #2 – US Title Match: (c) Sami Zayn vs. Ilja Dargunov
Big old brace on Dragunov’s right knee. Both men rally the crowd then Sami offers a handshake, Dragunov accepts then they start trading elbows. Back elbow from Dragunov but Sami then lands a clothesline. Chop from Sami then Dragunov avoids a suplex, both men with go behinds and counters then Sami with elbows but Dragunov lands an enziguri. Corner knee from Dragunov then a running boot in the corner to send us to break.
We come back to Sami hitting a clothesline. Chop from Sami, Dragunov responds with uppercuts and they start trading strikes. A combination of strikes from Dragunov backs Sami into a corner, Sami fights back with a tornado DDT though. Sami lines up a Helluva Kick but Dragunov intercepts with a boot and a 2 count. German suplex from Dragunov, then another one and he’s keeping the hands locked so he can try a third one but Sami counters into a Victory Roll for 2 then hits his own German suplex and keeps his hands locked. Another German suplex from Sami, he wants a third one but Dragunov counters into the hammer and anvil elbows then a release back suplex almost an ore ga taue for a 2 count. Dragunov heads up top, but misses a flying nothing then Sami hits a Michinoku Driver for a 2 count. Chop from Sami and Dragunov slumps to the apron. Both men on the apron now, Dragunov tries to pick Sami up but Sami elbows free and hangs up Dragunov in the ropes for what was supposed to be an apron style Brainbuster and we head back to break.
We come back to both men fighting on the top rope, Dragunov punches Sami down then hits a top rope senton for a near fall. Dragunov puts Sami back on the top rope, they trade chops then Dragunov climbs up with Sami. Sami chops Dragunov down but Dragunov fires up and climbs back up with him then hits a superplex. Sami blocks an H Bomb with a boot then misses a Helluva Kick and Dragunov with a pump handle throw for a 2 count. Running knee from Dargunov into a mounted pin but again only a near fall. Spinning chops from Dragunov but Sami fights free only for Dragunov to hit the Constantine Special. Torpedo Moscow is intercepted by a boot from Sami then a Blue Thunder Bomb but only a near fall. Sami lines up a Helluva Kick again, but Solo is on the entrance ramp because he’s just here to ruin this entire freaking episode. Solo just walks away. Sami with a corner Exploder suplex to Dragunov but Dragunov hits the Torpedo Moscow to intercept a Helluva Kick then connects with an H Bomb to get the win!
OFFICIAL RESULT: Ilja Dragunov won the title in 19:21
Rating: 4 stars
Thoughts: Had to knock off half a star for the Solo appearance. Dragunov coming back and winning was a surprise but the right kind of surprise and I’m quite happy to have Dragunov on Smackdown, and Sami got some decent mileage out of the open challenge gimmick. Now Sami will turn his attention to rallying the troops against Solo’s goons.
Post match Solo’s goon squad show up to attack Sami and Dragunov. So the Bloodline B-Team, or Black and White if you prefer, are here to ruin things. Rey Fenix runs down and gets some hope spots before Tala Tonga spikes him with a chokeslam. Solo’s got a mic, God help us, and asks if we forgot. No my man, we just hoped creative had turned a corner away from this same stupid thing. Solo says he’ll make his group champions again. The lights turn out and here comes a Wyatts video, Bo Dallas quotes the Bible and warns them about what’s on the other side of the door their knocking on. The Wyatts show up behind the monochromatic goofs for a stare down but Solo and company retreat. Bo is not with the Wyatts in the ring, for what it’s worth. And that sends us to break. I’m fine with the Wyatts and Solo group, but stop with Solo being on air so often because it’s just tiring.
We come back to a recap of WWE’s Australia and ongoing Japan tour, then a recap of Stephanie Vaquer beating Tiffany Stratton at Crown Jewel.
In the back Cathy talks with Tiffany, Tiffany isn’t happy about losing but one loss doesn’t define her. Kiana James wanders over and says she knows Tiffany isn’t quality enough to warrant her services. Tiffany insults her and challenges her to a match next week, James accepts.
Motor City Machine Guns video, they talk about being in WWE for a full year now and wanting to celebrate with another tag team title win. Los Garza wander over, both teams getting a break from catering this week I guess. Both teams trade some barbs then agree to a match.
The Guns head to the ring for said match. Los Garza follow, you know it’s been a while since Santos Escobar was seen what’s he up to?
Match #3 – Tag Team Match: Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) vs. Los Garza (Angel and Berto)
Shelley and Angel start, Angel with a cheap shot and tries for early control. Sabin with a blind tag and Angel takes the dropkick assisted Flatliner then Berto gets a cheap shot. That all lines up Shelley holding the ropes open for a Sabin suicide dive. Berto slows Sabin getting in the ring and Angel lands a kick to take over. Some corner work from Angel then Sabin avoids a splash and Shelley tags in. Shelley with chops but Berto pulls Angel out of the way of a kick. Berto tags in and Los Garza clear the ring to send us to break.
We come back to Angel working the leg of Shelley. Sabin avoids a cheap shot then Shelley hits a swinging neckbreaker and both legal men are down. Berto tags in, Shelley kicks him off then tags in Sabin. Sabin with a double crossbody and he gets to run wild on Angel and Berto for a bit. Some pin attempts from Sabin but he can’t find a 3 count. Shelley tags back in and they double hip toss Berto. Sabin back in and everyone gets some kicks then Berto is able to powerbomb Sabin for a 2 count. Angel tags back in and ties up Sabin in a Gory Special then Berto tags in to hit the facebuster out of it and Shelley has to save the match. Shelley clears the ring but Angel superkicks him, then Sabin with a punt kick off the apron. Berto knocks Sabin down then hits a dive onto both men. Sabin is sent back in the ring and Berto tags in Angel, they want their finish but Shelley breaks that up then tags in and Angel winds up taking the Skull and Bones and the Guns get the win.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Motor City Machine Guns won in 9:37
Rating: 2.5 stars
Thoughts: Fun little match but I really wish I thought it would lead to anything. As it stands it’s just a minor showcase for them while the tag belts are tied up with faction warfare.
In the back Fraxiom lament the situation for tag teams on Smackdown, then DIY wander over to remind us they exist. DIY have been staying out of the way the last couple of months so the Street Profits have no excuses for what happened to them. Tommaso Ciampa complains about things, then Axiom and Frazer stick up for themselves so DIY back off.
Back to the ring here comes the Samoan Werewolf Jacob Fatu. . . or not as we cut to the back to find Fatu trapped under equipment and spitting up blood. That visual sends us to break.
We come back to Aldis and officials checking on Fatu and Drew McIntyre heads to the ring. Drew’s all smiles as he heads to the ring and then gets a mic. He says bleeding gums Fatu wont be making it to the ring then asks the ref to raise his hand. The ref refuses and Aldis comes out with a mic. He doesn’t know what happened to Fatu but it’s bad, and he swears that if Drew had anything to do with it – but Drew cuts him off saying he had nothing to do with that. Drew jumps through hoops to get what’s his and wants to be named number one contender. Cody interrupts this in his suit and says Drew knows what he did, and the people don’t want Drew talking. Cody thinks the people still deserve a match so Cody calls on Drew for a title match. The men start brawling, Cody’s still in a suit and coat as we head picture in picture.
They brawl through the fans, no bell has sounded. Cody gets a chair and whacks Drew with it then lays in some punches. Eventually they brawl back to the ringside area. They fight in front of the announce desk as we come back to broadcast. The crowd want tables as Cody launches Drew into the ring steps.
Match #4: Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre
They head into the ring and the bell rings then Drew hits an overhead throw. Mounted punches from Drew, not sure if this is for the title or not. Double leg from Cody and he lays in punches from top half guard. Drew with a cross chop then release suplex. Cody fights back with a chop and a 10 punch and forehead biting. Back elbow from Drew then he grabs a rest hold. Cody fights free and lands jabs but Drew cuts him off with a Future Shock DDT and a 2 count. Chops from Drew then corner offense. Cody fights back and they start trading chops and Drew gets the better of things. Drop down right hand from Cody then a Cody Cutter to follow up. Drew heads out of the ring, Cody tries a suicide dive but Drew intercepts with a right hand. Outside the ring now Drew tosses Cody into the time keepers area, Cody cracks Drew with the WWE title and that gets the bell to ring.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Drew McIntyre won via disqualification in 4:51
Rating: 2 stars
Thoughts: They did what they could given that they had to throw this together on fairly short notice, and the ending was designed to let Drew have a win as he heads into a title match with Cody. I appreciate the effort here but the cloud of the Fatu situation does cast a pall over it.
Post match Cody clears off the announce table, Drew then rakes the eyes of Cody. Drew picks Cody up, Cody fights free and bounces Drew onto the table. Both men on the table now, Cody wants a Cross Rhodes on the table but a gaggle of security and officials show up to pull the two men apart. Cody runs around the ring, climbs up top and dives onto Drew and a bunch of goons because he’s a mad man. Drew retreats up the ramp as Cody stands tall in the ring to end the episode.
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