wrestling / TV Reports
Winfree’s WWE Smackdown Review 10.31.25
Image Credit: WWE
Loading...Happy Halloween everyone, and since it falls on a Friday this year that means we get Halloween WWE Smackdown. Smackdown is in Salt Lake City, UT tonight and I’m forced to wonder just how many of my tax dollars went to TKO’s site fee to bring this and tomorrow’s Saturday Night’s Main Event here. Speaking of this is the last chance for WWE to convince you that show will be worth watching. To that end Jade Cargill will be talking after her heel turn last week. WWE champion Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre are still going at it, Alexa Bliss will take on Nia Jax, Carmelo Hayes battles Kit Wilson though Miz probably gets involved there. Still no word on Randy Orton, he should be back in action soon though. Solo Sikoa continues Manically Flinging Tomatoes around while the Wyatt Sicks show up intermittently to look at them. Giulia is still looking for something to do. WWE women’s champion Tiffany Stratton will likely confront Jade, but with a potentially bum leg that’s a dicey proposition for Tiffany. Rey Fenix really needs something to do, as does Shinsuke Nakamura. Ilja Dragunov looks like he’ll continue the open challenge thing so there’s that. Well that’s the preamble, so let’s get to the action.
Michael Cole and Corey Graves will be on the call. We see Drew McIntyre and WWE champion Cody Rhodes arrive, they’ll be doing a contract signing. Nia Jax shows up trying to troll for cheap heat with college sports references, that doesn’t work. Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair are both here. Jade Cargill has some Punisher gear on and walks then we get a recap of Jade attacking Tiffany Stratton last week.
Tiffany Stratton walks in front of commentary and gets a mic. She has a bone to pick with Jade Cargill, and she’s not waiting for tomorrow or even later tonight. Nick Aldis comes out and says she can’t have physical contact before her title defense tomorrow. Tiffany doesn’t care what the doctors say and again calls out Jade. This time Jade’s music hits and Jade, in a different outfit now Burton’s Catwoman inspired, she comes out to talk. Jade says this doesn’t serve her interests, she knows what she wants and tomorrow she’s ending “taffy time”. Tiffany goes after Jade but is blocked by security. Jad walks backwards while Tiffany limps a bit but Tiffany then poses with the belt in the ring.
Next a video package for Ilja Dragunov then he heads to the ring. He’ll have his open challenge match after this break.
Post break we find R-Truth as Sana Claus giving out Halloween Candy. Comedy ensues. Solo Sikoa then wanders over to trade some insults with the Motor City Machine Guns. They all bicker about who gets the next tag team title shot and the Guns offer a match, Solo thinks that’s a good idea and goes to bore Nick Aldis with the request.
Back to the ring, Ilja awaits his challenger. It’s Fraxiom, well Nathan Frazer is dressed to wrestle while Axiom isn’t. But after that here’s Tommaso Ciampa and he runs down saying he should get the title shot. Frazer and Ciampa shove, Ilja shuts them both up and says Frazer was here first and there’s no award for jack asses. Ciampa heads out.
Match #1 – US Title Match: (c) Ilja Dragunov vs. Nathan Frazer
Running knee from Frazer to start then he unloads chops in the corner. Ilja fights back with a knee then an uppercut. Chop from Ilja but Frazer then lands an enziguri that sends Ilja out of the ring. Frazer with a suicide dive then they head back into the ring, Frazer goes up top but Ilja avoids his flying nothing then lands a chop to floor Frazer. Another chop from Ilja then he lays in grounded knees to Frazer. Frazer fights back by snapping Ilja over the top rope then he fakes a springboard move but Ilja then boots him from the apron and Frazer face plants into the announce table. German suplex on the floor to Frazer and that sends us to break.
Ilja is landing headbutts and chops in the corner as we come back. Frazer tries to fight back but gets caught in the repeating German suplexes from Ilja, he gets two then Frazer flips out of the third. Frazer avoids a Konstantin Special then hits a Phenomenal DDT then a running Shooting Star Press for a 2 count. Frazer’s chest is a mess and Ilja might be bleeding a bit from the forehead. They start trading elbows, that seems like it favors Ilja and he keeps calling Frazer on for more. Superkick from Frazer sits down Ilja but Ilja the catches a follow up kick and hits a spinning chop sequence then a Ore Ga Taue for a near fall. Ilja heads up top, but misses a flying nothing. They trade kicks then Ilja with a knee to the downed Frazer. Frazer avoids a charge and Ilja spills to the floor, then Frazer with a springboard but flies into a right hand from Ilja. Ilja up top, senton misses though. Frazer up now and hits a Frog Splash for a near fall of his own. That sends us to break again, for crying out loud could these guys get the picture in picture treatment because this is cooking.
Ilja with hammer and anvil elbows as we come back, Frazer fights out of a powerbomb though and punches Ilja to the corner. Frazer puts Ilja up top and kicks him then climbs up for an avalanche hurricanrana but Ilja stalls at first but eventually Frazer hits. Ilja powders and Frazer dives onto him. Shotgun dropkick from Frazer sends Ilja into the steps, then back in the ring Frazer wants a Phoenix Splash and hits it for an incredibly close near fall. A few mounted punches from Frazer, he tries to get to the corner but Ilja keeps grabbing his ankle. Eventually Frazer gets up top but Ilja is up and climbs up behind him. Frazer elbows Ilja down then Ilja chops his knees out. Back chops from Ilja, that’s just mean, then he climbs up behind Frazer again for a slightly awkward avalanche German suplex for another near fall. Ilja is pissed and they trade some elbows. Powerbomb from Ilja then an H-Bomb and that’ll do it.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Ilja Dragunov retained the title in 18:52
Rating: 3.5 stars
Thoughts: Probably closer to 4 if you saw the whole thing. Ilja working as the bigger and more seasoned guy was a nice change for him, he’s spent so much time working from behind or underneath that seeing this side of his game was refreshing. Frazer performed well even if the ending wasn’t really in doubt.
Post match Ilja gives respect to Frazer and raises his hand briefly. Ciampa then shows up to hit Frazer from behind and send us to break.
We come back to a quick recap of what just happened. During the break Fraxiom and DIY got into it until Ilja got involved and they all brawled to the back. That brawl is ongoing and Ilja breaks it up actually. Ilja stares down Tama Tonga who picked up his belt, Tama, stupid face paint and all, hands the belt back to Ilja.
To the ring, Kit Wilson is here in the ring for our next match. Carmelo Hayes follows.
Match #2: Carmelo Hayes vs. Kit Wilson
Wilson attacks at the bell but Hayes counters pretty easily and chops away at him. Eye poke from Wilson then a running back elbow. Double giftwrap spot from Wilson then a bit of a DDT, kind of like a hybrid DDT and Twist of Fate. Hayes avoids a suplex and fires up with strikes. Springboard clothesline from Hayes then he spikes Wilson with a head scissors and follows up with a Black Crush for a 2 count. I’m still saying he should retire that move, it’s not good for him. Wilson powders, Hayes dives onto him then Wilson distracts the ref in the ring and Miz rams Hayes into the ring post. Elbow drop from Wilson but only a near fall. Wilson runs into a First 48 and that’ll do it.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Carmelo Hayes won in 3:16
Rating: 2 stars
Thoughts: Not much to say here, Wilson got to show off a bit of his moves while the new babyface seemed like a bit of a goof despite the win.
Miz hits Hayes with a Skull Crushing Finale post match.
Cathy talks with Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair in the back. They say the Kabuki Warriors are just chasing what they have. Charlotte feels she’s made Bliss’s life better by being in it. Jax has no friends, and Bliss is going to remind her why she left her behind.
Back to the ring and here comes Nia Jax, she’ll take on Bliss after this break.
We come back to Sami Zayn talking with Aldis, he knows he’s not cleared to wrestle but wants to be with the Guns tonight to try and counterbalance Solo’s chicanery. Aldis says no, Sami says he will. Cody Rhodes walks into frame and hugs Sami and Sami says he might come after the WWE title once he’s done with the Solo quagmire. Aldis asks Cody if he attacked Jacob Fatu, Cody knows it’s just his job and says he didn’t have anything to do with. That’s enough for Aldis. They go over the contract terms briefly then Cody heads out.
Back to the ring and here comes Alexa Bliss along with Charlotte.
Match #3: Nia Jax vs. Alexa Bliss w/ Charlotte Flair
Jax attacks at the bell then headbutts Bliss. Some corner work from Jax. Bliss jumps for a sleeper, then after getting thrown over she hits Jax. Standing avalanche from Jax then a headbutt. Bliss avoids an elbow drop. Jax avoids a hurricanrana then posts Bliss. Bliss avoids getting squished into the ring post then knocks Jax to the floor and follows with a crossbody but Jax catches her and drops her onto the barricade. That sends us picture in picture. Seriously, this gets that treatment but Ilja and Frazer don’t? Who’s making this call?
Jax looks to take a count out win, Charlotte helps Bliss up and Bliss gets back into the ring. Some body blows from Bliss then a dropkick to the knee but Jax lands a clothesline to retain overall control. Jax tosses Bliss out of the ring again. This is genuinely less interesting than the commercials. Bliss fights back with a jawbreaker but Jax again cuts her off. Rest hold from Jax, because this just needs to be slower. That’s the state of things when we rejoin the broadcast. More corner work from Jax then Bliss avoids a hip attack. Head kick from Bliss, Jax then lands a headbutt and tosses Bliss out of the ring but Charlotte kind of catches her. Bliss drops Jax over the ropes then boots Jax in the face. Head scissors from Bliss then some leg kicks. A striking flurry from Bliss then a low crossbody that had no impact on it at all. Jax posts herself, then apparently there’s a miscommunication as Bliss though about an X-Factor but Jax dropped like a jawbreaker. Ultimately Jax just lands a Samoan Drop. They both head out of the ring, Jax runs over Bliss then shoves Charlotte. Back in the ring Jax tries an Annihilator but Charlotte distracts Jax so Bliss can kick her in the leg then hit a low dropkick and stack up Jax for a 3 count.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Alexa Bliss won in 9:29
Rating: 2 stars
Thoughts: Well that was rough. Jax in control is mostly boring and very repetitive. Bliss’s comeback was awkward, not sure if she and Jax just couldn’t get on the same page or what but it felt very disjointed. Then the ending was pretty flat as well, this just felt off all around.
In the back Solo and his Juggalos walk, they find Rey Fenix. Fenix doesn’t want to fight Solo, but wants a match with Tala Tonga. Solo says he can have that next week. Fenix slaps Tala and Tala tries to emote. There’s a Wyatt dude in the background but I can’t tell which one and that basically sends us to break.
We come back to a Damian Priest video, he should hate Aleister Black but he doesn’t. He says Black wins, this is personal now. He wont know when or how, but he’ll know why and he says Black can feel his venom when punishment comes for him. OK then.
Commentary run down tomorrow’s Saturday Night’s Main Event card.
Tiffany walks in the back with Aldis, she wants to defend her title. Kiana James and Giulia walk into them and James and Tiffany trade barbs. Giulia says Tiffany wont be talking at all tomorrow. Tiffany leaves and Chelsea Green comes over to complain about Giulia about to surpass her US title reign. Green wants a match, Giulia says OK for next week. Everyone heads off so Nikki Cross can jump scare Green and Alba Fyre.
Back to the ring, ugh here’s Solo and company. Tama Tonga and JC Mateo will take on the Guns after this break.
Post break here come the Motor City Machine Guns.
Match #4 – Tag Team Match: JC Mateo and Tama Tonga w/ Solo Sikoa, Tala Tonga, and Botcha Loa vs. Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin)
JC overpowers Shelley to start, Shelley fights back with chops then Sabin tags in and they hit the dropkick assisted Flatliner for a 2 count. Tama tags in and he and JC attack Sabin in the corner. Some strikes from Tama then Shelley tags in and they hit a double clothesline. JC and Tama both wind up on the floor for a stereo plancha spot. Back in the ring Tama cuts off Sabin and hits a scoop slam. Knee from Sabin then Shelley tags in and Tama takes The Facial. That sends us picture in picture.
JC tags in and hits a powerslam on Shelley. Cheap shot to Sabin and JC gets to some ringside brawling with Shelley. Back in the ring JC with his usual control stuff before tagging in Tama. Suplex from Tama then JC tags back in. Shelley tries to chop his way back into things but JC clotheslines him down. More control stuff from JC then Tama tags in and they do some corner work. Tama has a chin lock going as we come back. JC tags back in, Shelley fights out of the heel corner and drops JC into the corner with a Flatliner. Tama tags in, Shelley kicks him off and tags in Sabin. Sabin gets to run wild including a top rope dropkick then a tornado DDT to JC off of Tama, then a diving DDT onto Tama for a 2 count. Shelley tags in as Sabin hits a monkey flip, then he clotheslines Tama out of the ring. Sabin tags in as Shelley hits a baseball slide. Sabin then with a suicide dive into JC and Tama. Tala and Loa think about getting involved but the Guns dissuade them then hit a flurry of kicks on Tama. Solo gets up to distract the ref so Loa can shove Shelley off the top rope. Cut Throat from Tama gets the win.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Tama Tonga and JC Mateo won in 8:48
Rating: 1.5 stars
Thoughts: Oh look, another Solo crew paint by numbers match. I saw more than enough from this group in New Japan under different names, if they’re not going to do something new or interesting I’m beyond bored of all of this schtick. The Guns deserve better, frankly I’d rather they take the belts from the Wyatts then let the Wyatts and the Insane Islander Posse feud.
Post match Tala with a chokeslam to Sabin. Rey Fenix comes down and kicks Tala in the face then dropkicks him. Tala boots Fenix down though. Shinsuke Nakamura comes down next, he deals with Loa on the floor then Tama and JC. Head kick to Tala but Tala then chokelsams Nakamura. Ugh, we’re really killing Rey and Nakamura for these guys? They’re going no where, just cut bait.
In the back Aldis talks with Drew. Drew has no issues with the contract for the match tomorrow and he’ll see Aldis out there for our main event segment. That sends us to break.
Next week we’ll get another open challenge but Fenix vs. Tala was confirmed. Also we’ll get Charlotte vs. Jax, because reasons.
In the ring Smackdown GM Nick Aldis has a table set up and brings out the competitors for the WWE title match for tomorrow. First out is WWE champion Cody Rhodes. Cody gets a mic and wishes everyone a happy Halloween. After that here comes Drew McIntyre. Aldis has the contract and asks both men to sign. They both defer signing first, ultimately Drew takes it then says he can’t sign this. Cody takes it and signs. Drew says that contract is lopsided, Aldis says the contract is standard in every way and everyone knows it so just sign. Again Drew declines and complains about the champions advantage, specifically that Cody can keep the title if he gets himself disqualified again. Aldis says if Drew wont sign he’s had it with him, fine as there are tons of people who will take his spot tomorrow and he’ll easily find one. Drew says that’s OK and goes to leave, Cody gets his mic and tells Drew to sit down. Cody isn’t a fool, he hears what Drew’s saying and asks if Drew wants a stipulation where the title can change hands via count out or disqualification. Drew does in fact want that. Cody is fine with that. Aldis advises against this, but Cody says he doesn’t want an easy way out against Drew. Now Drew will sign, Aldis isn’t happy about this though. Cody asks for his blessing, everyone needs this to end. Drew asks Aldis to do the right thing and Aldis goes along so Drew signs. This is a happy moment for Drew but also said, they should be friends after 20 years in this business but Cody is just corporate America now and the people still cheer for him. He agrees that Cody is the American Nightmare. Drew has worked hard, is from a different country but became an American citizen and now he’s the real American Dream. That seems to annoy Cody, he says he’s glad Drew keeps bringing up their parallels and puts over Drew’s career path. There are people still following Drew’s path as Drew had to climb the mountain all over again. He puts him over pretty hard and says we owe him a debt of gratitude for what he did and how he built himself up until WWE called him back. This is where they’re different though, Cody walked out and wasn’t fired. Things break down of course and get physical, culminating with Drew powerbombing Cody through the table then posing with the belt and swearing he’s taking the title tomorrow. That’ll end the episode.
