wrestling / TV Reports
Winfree’s WWE Smackdown Review 2.13.26
Image Credit: WWE
Loading...Hey there people, it’s time for another episode of WWE Smackdown. Last week was a good card, closing in on Very Good, so let’s hope this week can continue that trend. We’ve got a few more Elimination Chamber qualifying matches tonight, Cody Rhodes vs. Jacob Fatu vs. Sami Zayn in one while the women put forward Alexa Bliss vs. Zelina vs. Giulia. The men’s one is interesting, it’s very easy to see all three of those men in a Chamber match and honestly the two losers here likely are out of the title picture. Likely that means WWE champion Drew McIntyre shows up to help Sami win because Sami is a loser and Drew always beats him. The women’s one is down to Bliss and Giulia, and while Giulia would be more interesting it’s likely Bliss. Unless of course they have Charlotte cost Bliss again to further move us towards that inevitable break up. Trick Williams will take on Rey Fenix, and man Fenix needs something of substance to do because he’s so much better than being used like this. WWE women’s champion Jade Cargill will have her first on air title defense since she won the darn thing back in November, and her likely victim is Jordynne Grace. Solo Sikoa failed to qualify for the Chamber last week, in part because he couldn’t find any of his Manufactured Failure Tools so their thing with the Wyatt Sicks is likely still on and killing the Tag Team titles in the process. Carmelo Hayes is likely to hold another US open challenge, and they’ve been teasing another bout with Ilja Dragunov but might just keep teasing it here. That said the open challenge has been about the only consistently good thing on Smackdown for months. We don’t know a lot of the card for tonight, but let’s hope the action is good. Oh and don’t forget we’re on SyFy tonight since the Olympics are ongoing.
Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett welcome us to Dallas, Texas for this episode. Per usual we get the arrival of wrestlers.
First to the ring is Tiffany Stratton for some talking. Tiffany plays a bit with the crowd then brings up being out of action for months after a phenomenal rookie year. Now she’s ready for the Chamber, and she’s expecting to win that match. Frankly she thinks the women’s title misses her. Nia Jax now shows up to make everything worse, she and Lash Legend have mics and talk to the ring. Of all the things for Tiffany to do, the absolute last thing is more of her and Jax in any capacity. Lash claims Tiffany got lucky last week. Tiffany asks why Jax is still in her business. Lash interrupts and says after they win the tag team belts Jax will go on to win the Chamber. Jax and Lash threaten Tiffany but out come Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky before things can get physical. Rhea’s got a mic and talks while walking, warning Jax and Lash not to get ahead of themselves. They wont even be walking out of the Chamber, because Rhea and Iyo will be in that match and they’ll do what they do best. But first they’re going to beat Jax and Lash for thinking about taking their titles.
Match #1 – Women’s Tag Team Title Match: (c) Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky vs. Nia Jax and Lash Legend
Iyo and Jax start, Iyo starts pretty hot but then runs into a pop up headbutt. Elbow drop from Jax then a headbutt. Some corner work from Jax, because she looks even less mobile than usual at the moment. Iyo slips free and boots her then hits the ropes for some gymnastics then leg kicks and a shotgun dropkick. Rhea tags in and Jax takes some tandem moves. Dropkick from Rhea sends Jax out of the ring then she avoids Lash’s charge. Iyo tags in then hits an asai moonsault to the floor. Jax stalls things trying to get back in the ring, that allows Lash to show up as Iyo climbs the ropes and that distraction allows Jax to hit Iyo and then follow up with a Samoan Drop for a 2 count. That sends us picture in picture.
Lash tags in and gets to work her power game against Iyo for a bit. Chin lock from Lash, Iyo fights free but Jax then tags in to hit a hip attack. Lash tags back in and Iyo keeps taking some team work offense from Lash and Jax. Jax back in and Iyo counters a Samoan Drop with a Crucifix Driver for a 2 count. Iyo tries to tag out but Lash yanks Rhea off the apron. That’s the state of things as we come back. Lash tags in but Iyo avoids a corner charge then dropkicks Lash. Hot tag to Rhea who gets to run wild on both Jax and Lash. Rhea chops away at Lash, seeing her be the smaller woman is definitely something. Jax blind tags as Rhea hits a hurricanrana on Lash. Sort of a satellite DDT to Jax, that was poorly executed. Iyo tags back in, but Jax fights off the sequence of finishers and then climbs up on the ropes with Iyo. Rhea goes to powerbomb Jax and does so, Iyo then hits Over the Moonsault but Lash shoves Rhea into the pin to save the match. Lash and Iyo head to the floor and rams Iyo into the ring post. Lash bounces Iyo off the announce table repeatedly then Rhea shows up with a diving dropkick. The ref throws the match out around this point.
OFFICIAL RESULT: No Contest in 9:01
Rating: 2.5 stars
Thoughts: OK match, but Jax still feels out of place here as Lash at least has the athleticism to hang with Rhea and Iyo. The finish isn’t surprising but it is a tad disappointing. That said until Rhiyo actually beat these two we’re unlikely to get the Bellas against them, and keeping those two off my screen is always a positive.
All four women brawl on the floor for a bit, ultimately Lash pump kicks Rhea down. Lash and Jax get a table set up, Rhea is put on it and Jax starts climbing the ropes, Rhea fights free of Lash while Iyo kicks Jax to the apron then hits a sick suicide cross body through the ropes through the table while Lash tackles Rhea through the barricade into the time keepers area and everyone’s down.
In the back Cathy talks with Cody Rhodes, Cody could be full of fire here or he could do the golden boy thing which Nick Aldis asked for. Well Cody knows the pressure of being in this spot and he centers himself by knowing he’s 2 matches away from a main event at WrestleMania. He puts over the location to close.
Elsewhere Carmelo Hayes walks and finds Matt Cardona and Apollo Crews. Apollo says he’d like a title shot, and all three men talk about being former champions. Hayes says the challenge is usually open, but tonight it’s closed and he walks over to find Miz. Miz wants to teach Hayes a lesson in respect, Hayes hopes he teaches better than he wrestles. Cardona and Apollo make fun of Miz too before we head to break with Hayes and the US title on deck.
We come back to Aleister Black in video format putting over Randy Orton for winning last week, but he has to wonder what will happen if Cody qualifies tonight. Perhaps Black will see Randy again soon. That wouldn’t work well for Black, we know his spot in the pecking order. Zelina chimes in and says tonight she’ll qualify for the Chamber and tonight change will arrive. Sure it will.
Back to the ring here’s Carmelo Hayes. Hayes, dressed to work, gets a mic and plays with the crowd a bit. He thanks the crowd for the love and says for 48 days he’s been working to keep prestige and honor synonymous with the US title. Whether we’re talking about Smackdown or RAW he’s had the best title matches week in and week out, that’s true. He’s going to be competing in a Chamber qualifying match next week, but before then he’s got to keep a promise. He owes Ilja Dragunov and calls him out. That does in fact bring out the Mad Dragon. Before they can get going though out comes Solo Sikoa with his face painted goons in tow. Solo tells Hayes that a title match wont start with Ilja, he tells Ilja to get to the back of the line. Ilja brings up how Solo was abandoned last week, Solo has no real response and just says things are about to get physical. Hayes and Ilja are ready for a fight for the tag team titles, Solo doesn’t want that and instead we get a big brawl. Solo and company of course overpower Hayes and Ilja, but Apollo and Cardona show up to try and even the odds. Everyone keeps fighting, then Shinsuke Nakamura shows up to truly even the odds. Nakamura gets to run wild for a bit and the faces stand tall. Naturally this leads to the predictable 10 man match once Aldis shows up and we head to break.
Match #2 – 10-Man Tag Team Match: Ilja Dragunov, Shinsuke Nakamura, Apollo Crews, Matt Cardona, and Carmelo Hayes vs. Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, JC Mateo, and Talla Tonga
Joined in progress, about 3 minutes of commercials. Cardona hits a Flatliner on Loa, then follows with a dropkick for a 2 count. Loa shoves Cardona into a Solo kick then lands a clothesline. Scoop slam from Loa then he tags in Tama who hits a hilo. Another cheap shot from Solo then Talla tags in to make everything worse. He legitimately makes Loa look competent, which I didn’t think was possible. Corner work from Talla then a Samoan Drop. Talla begs for heat and they change the sound levels to make it seem like he got it. Loa back in and Cardona hits a face buster then tags in Ilja. Ilja with chops then a leaping boot which Loa kind of messed up. Running boot from Ilja then he climbs up top for a senton, JC interrupts things though and Loa then knocks Ilja to the floor. Bless Ilja taking that bump. Talla tags in and runs over Ilja on the floor and we head back to break.
We come back to JC working a chin lock on Ilja. Ilja fights free and lays in chops but misses a leaping enziguri. Solo tags in but takes an enziguri from Ilja. Hayes tags in and unloads on Solo but can’t knock him over until he hits a springboard clothesline. Tama shows up but takes an eniguri then a springboard leg drop. La Mistica to Solo for a 2 count as Loa breaks up the pin. Nakamura with a kick to Loa, it’s time for the parade of signature moves so everyone takes turns hitting a big move. Rough Rider from Cardona to Solo and Tama but Talla takes him out with a discus clothesline. Hayes and Ilja team up to attack Talla, Talla cares not and hits a double chokeslam. Apollo and Cardona attack Talla now but the Kiss Demon reborn still takes some stuff from Nakamura before exiting the ring. Apollo dives onto Talla on the floor. JC with a swinging back suplex to Nakamura. Ilja then hits JC with a Torpedo Moscow and H-Bomb but Solo’s here to post him. Hayes then superkicks Solo, Solo misses a corner splash but Tama made a blind tag. First 48 from Hayes, Ilja and Solo then fight to the floor and Tama hits a Cutthroat to Hayes to get the pin.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Talla Tonga, Tonga Loa, and JC Mateo won in 11:38
Rating: 2.5 stars
Thoughts: House show style match, not a bad thing but the outcome was terribly obvious. Tama starting to quietly usurp Solo is a decent little narrative, assuming they do something with it.
Post match the lights go out and we see the Wyatt Sicks in the crowd, they don’t do anything of course though.
In the back Alexa Bliss warms up, Charlotte Flair comes over to apologize for the Rumble. Bliss blames Jax, Charlotte says Jax ruins everything which I can’t help but agree with. Charlotte has some gifts for Bliss and wants to woo Bliss, get it? Bliss grudgingly accepts and we head to break.
Post break Aldis talks with Damian Priest about being in a Chamber qualifier next week. Kit Wilson comes in to complain about things like getting squashed last week. He’s complaining via poetry. R-Truth is here and he keeps a straight face while Priest and Aldis laugh at Kit. Kit tries to make fun of Priest, Truth intervenes in poetry form and nearly gets Kit to break briefly and his superior poetry bullies Kit out of the room. Bless Truth, the man is a treasure.
Back to the ring, here’s Alexa Bliss with Charlotte in tow. We’re getting all three entrances for this match it looks like. Zelina is next, she’s using Aleister Black’s music now which is a definitive upgrade from what she had been using. Giulia is the last one out, she’s starting to get some reactions more consistently now which is a good thing.
Match #3 – Triple Threat Match: Alexa Bliss w/ Charlotte Flair vs. Giulia w/ Kiana James vs. Zelina
All three women circle then Bliss jackknifes Zelina and everyone starts trading roll up attempts but no one gets an edge. Bliss shoves Giulia into Zelina, then everyone teases a finisher but none actually connect. Zelina sends Bliss out of the ring then lines up with Giulia. Giulia avoids some strikes then lands an elbow and a suplex. Bit of a curb stomp from Giulia. Zelina fights back with a spinning back elbow then a back suplex. Bliss shows up and shoves Giulia down then hits a rolling senton. Giulia heads to the floor so Bliss hits a cannonball senton, then Zelina with a Meteora to Bliss, that was awkward but sends us to break.
Post break Giulia stomps on Bliss in a corner. Zelina shows up and slaps Giulia then takes over abusing Bliss. Giulia isn’t happy and tosses Zelina by the hair then hits both of her opponents with corner attacks. Zelina distracts Zelian, Giulia climbs up with Zelina and tries an avalanche butterfly suplex which connects. Bliss then runs over Giulia with shoulder blocks. Bliss is the house of fire and takes down both Giulia and Zelina with strikes then hits a double walk over Blockbuster but can’t find a 3 count. now Bliss goes up top, Giulia intercepts and climbs up with her though. Zelina shows up and climbs up as well, she hits Giulia with an avalanche back suplex for a 2 count while Bliss is still up top. Giulia and Zelina trade strikes, Bliss has slumped to the mat. Giulia gets the better of things with a flurry of headbutts. Bliss gets back into things and clocks Zelina while Giulia knees the corner accidentally. Now Bliss goes up top, Twisted Bliss but Giulia blocks it with the knees, slow motion Code Red from Zelina to Giulia and Bliss has to break up the pin. Bliss with a DDT to Zelina but now it’s Giulia kneeing Bliss to break it up. Northern Lights Bomb to Bliss but Zelina saves the match. James jumps up to distract the ref and Zelina, Giulia misses a charge and she’s on the floor now. Zelina tries a dive but runs into a Sister Abigail’s DDT from Bliss who pins just before Giulia can break up the pin.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Alexa Bliss won in 11:20
Rating: 3 stars
Thoughts: The predictable outcome hurt this a bit but Zelina and Giulia both looked good here and Bliss is a very giving worker. Zelina’s ceiling is pretty well established now but Giulia is actually starting to gain some momentum in terms of fan reaction. Bliss was the obvious winner though, as she and Charlotte could have drama in the Chamber, or Bliss could cost Charlotte her Chamber spot next week.
In the back Tiffany walks and finds Jordynne Grace. Grace welcomes Tiffany back and says when she wins she wont mind facing Tiffany at Mania. Chelsea Green and her broken foot are wheeled into frame by Alba Fyre, Green complains about losing to Tiffany and Fyre wants an apology and compensation. Tiffany says all Green needed to do was step up and ask for an apology, but it looks like she can’t. OK then, that sends us to break.
Post break commentary tries to sell WWE as unpredictable, which is rich after the Rumble. Mostly they’re setting up a recap of the situation between Cody and Fatu with a side order of Drew McIntyre. It was kind of funny seeing Drew interrupted twice last week.
In the back Rey Fenix warms up for his match. Sami Zayn comes over and asks Fenix to teach Trick Williams a lesson. Fenix says he will. Sami then thanks Fenix for his words last week, he didn’t say it last week because he was messed up but it meant a lot to him. Fenix knows Sami will win tonight as we hear Trick’s music hit.
To the ring and here comes Trick Williams, and fans sure do love singalong time. Trick gets a mic and plays with the crowd before saying no one wants to hear from Sami. Mixed reaction for that, and there’s a “Sami sucks eggs” sign. Trick runs down Sami’s appearance and behavior. Sami’s got a qualifying match tonight, and if he’s moping around like usual Cody and Fatu will eat him up. Next week Trick will qualify for the Chamber, but as for tonight he’ll beat Fenix. Fenix might do flips and kicks, but people don’t go to the zoo to see a flying squirrel they see a lion stand up. The music of Fenix interrupts the punchline from Trick and here’s Fenix. That match will be up after this break.
Match #4: Trick Williams vs. Ren Fenix
The bell rings as we come back. Trick quickly grabs a side headlock then hits a shoulder block. Fenix with chops and punches, then a kick out of the corner. A few more kicks from Fenix then a handspring back elbow. Trick tosses Fenix into a corner and chops him. Fenix with a kick then springboard dropkick for a 2 count. Fenix runs into a wheel kick though. Trick with some corner work now, but Fenix hits chops only to get cut off with a scoop slam. Fenix with a School Boy for 2 but he runs into a tilt a whirl backbreaker then Trick follows with a leaping neckbreaker. Clothesline from Trick, nice sell from Fenix but they slightly mistimed it so the impact wasn’t there. Anyway that sends us to break.
Fenix lands chops as we come back but Trick cuts him off with a big toss into a pancake spot. Backhand from Trick but Fenix then hits the Tiger Feint wheel kick and both men are down. Superkick from Fenix, then another one and the corner spin kick. Adios Amigos kick from Fenix, he misses but Trick sells anyway because you’ve got to be careful with that spot. Fenix up top, Frog style crossbody then a Frog Splash for a near fall. Trick rolls out of the ring, Fenix with a double jump crossbody to the floor because he’s a madman. Back in the ring Fenix pulls himself up top but Trick with a palm strike. Trick climbs up with Fenix, they fight for position but Fenix with a sick double stomp to the back of the neck from the post to the seated Trick but he still can’t get a 3 count for love or money. Trick avoids a moonsault then Fenix runs into a Trick Shot and that’ll do it.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Trick Williams won in 12:00
Rating: 3.5 stars
Thoughts: I don’t know if you knew this, but Rey Fenix is really good at professional wrestling. Trick more than held up his end physically and the crowd was really with them down the stretch. Now please, WWE, give Fenix something worthwhile to do.
In the back Rhea and Iyo ice up and talk about getting ready for their Chamber matches. Giulia and James wander over, Giulia is pissed and everyone trades some verbal barbs before James has to drag Giulia away. Jade Cargill wanders over to stare down the other two but says nothing and just walks off.
We get a hype package for Grace that doubles as our recap of her getting to the title shot tonight and sends us to break.
Post break we get a Jacob Fatu video. Fatu mentions he’s never been in a Chamber but he knows what cold steel and isolation feel like first hand. People have said things about him, he’s been written off and scratched out, but Cody and Sami have been wondering what he’ll do tonight. Tonight he’s winning it, the Chamber he’s winning that too. He’s been locked down before, but there wasn’t a Mania sign to point at in that yard. By the time he wins at Mania everyone will know that he’s all gas, no brakes with it. Pretty good little package.
Jordynne Grace heads to the ring for our next match. The champ, Jade Cargill, follows. Before the match starts out come Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, and the soiled Dominik Mysterio. They talk to the ring and Liv wants to watch the match since Liv might choose her for Mania. God this is nails on a chalkboard, and all for naught because she’s not picking Jade.
Match #5 – WWE Women’s Title Match: (c) Jade Cargill vs. Jordynne Grace
Tie up for Grace and Jade, both women look for a power advantage but of course no one cares and would rather sing at Dom. Who thought this was a good idea? They trade shoulder blocks but neither woman is going down then Jade hits a suplex. Boot from Grace out of the corner then she moves to a Sleeper hold. Jade tries to slam herself free and has to roll to the floor. Grace is still holding the Sleeper, this is just stupid they were already in the ropes. On the floor Jade rams Grace into the ring post, Grace then posts Jade and hits a Divorce Court on the floor. Vader Bomb off the announce desk from Grace. Jade then back body drops Grace onto the barricade, gnarly landing. Jade breaks the 10 count then takes food from the dinner table for the pointless onlookers and we head to break.
We come back to Jade working a chin lock. The crowd still cares more about the antics of Dom. Grace fights free and hits headbutts through the ropes. Jade rolls through a backslide but Grace hits a Uraken then a Jackhammer for a 2 count. Both women avoid power moves then Jade lands a superkick, but Grace avoids a back suplex then hits a spinebuster. Jade with a spinebuster of her own for a 2 count. Grace avoids a pump kick then tries a few roll ups but can’t find a 3 count, then Grace winds up hitting a powerslam for another 2 count. Both women start trading strikes back and forth, Grace with a back elbow then Jade hits a pump kick and a Jaded to win.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Jade Cargill retained the title in 10:32
Rating: 2.5 stars
Thoughts: Decent match, it was nice seeing Jade actually wrestle and Grace kept up with her power game to make for a decent little conflict. The group ringside was a major distraction though, bordered on disrespectful to the workers with how much oxygen they took up.
Post match Jade tells Liv if she challenges her at Mania she’ll leave her laying just like that.
In the back Fraxiom and the Motor City Machine Guns watch depressed Johnny Gargano. Johnny talks with Candice, he’s got no partner, no friends, no title, nothing left. Candice is hurt by that and wheels him down a hallway. Alex Shelley feels a little bad for him, no one else does. Solo and company wander by because they just have to take up more oxygen and air time. There’s a sketch for a Solo lantern on a door and Solo isn’t happy. Good grief, who cares at this point? That “feud” has produced no good matches, killed the tag team scene, and thus far hasn’t helped anyone involved in it. That sends us to break.
Post break we get an Oba Femi hype video. People struggle with change, but change is inevitable. Change isn’t coming anymore, it’s here. Now you will see his strut and know change has sent Oba Femi. Decent video.
In the back Aldis offers Femi a contract, Kit Wilson comes over to interrupt and Aldis chews him out for interrupting. Aldis takes Wilson’s poetry book and reads a poem about Femi, Femi wants to hear it. It’s of course insulting. Femi asks if that’s how Wilson feels, Wilson says it is and Femi offers him a match next week to discuss their feelings. Aldis is down for it and Wilson sobs away with a “toxic”. Femi killing him again will be pleasant viewing, but bless Wilson for maximizing his time as he’s getting over.
Commentary run down next weeks card, Charlotte vs. Jax. vs. Kiana James, Hayes vs. Priest vs. Trick both in Chamber qualifying matches.
In the back Cathy talks with WWE champion Drew McIntyre. Drew mentions the two already qualified for the Chamber and says none of them are threats, then he promises Cody that Cody will be nowhere near him at Mania. Fatu might have the best chance in the Chamber with his history behind bars, and as for Sami. . . oh here’s Sami. Sami trades some words with Drew, Drew says a big part of him wants Sami to win tonight. Sami’s a good man and has earned it, he might even win the big one tonight so good luck. Well that was odd, but again Drew just wants Sami because he can so easily beat him.
Sami heads to the ring for our main event and we head to break.
Post break Sami his hyping himself up in the corner as the Samoan Werewolf Jacob Fatu makes his entrance. Cody Rhodes follows
Match #6 – Triple Threat Match: Cody Rhodes vs. Sami Zayn vs. Jacob Fatu
All three men stare down and talk then Fatu superkicks Sami out of the ring. Cody calls on Fatu and they get into a hockey fight with Fatu backing Cody into a corner and unloading there. Drop down right hand from Cody but Fatu avoids a Cody Cutter and hits a superkick. Cody avoids a senton then clotheslines Fatu out of the ring. Sami shows up and Cody chops him but Sami is happy to trade strikes then clotheslines Cody out of the ring before diving onto both of them to a mixed reaction. That sends us picture in picture.
Sami sends Cody back into the ring then goes to work in the corner. Cody turns that around and they trade some chops before Sami hops to the second rope for a double ax handle. They fight over a suplex for a bit then Cody eventually connects with one. Fatu shows back up to club down Cod and stomp on him in the corner. Corner avalanche to Cody then a headbutt for Sami, Fatu is pretty roundly in control now. Sami takes a corner bump on an Irish whip, then Cody gets sent hard into the corner. Fatu and Cody trade punches as we come back, Cody then kicks Fatu out of the corner and avoids a Splash. Cody with a snap powerslam to Sami, then one for Fatu as well. Jabs to Sami then Sami avoids the Bionic elbow but Cody hits a Disaster Kick for a near fall. Cody tries a Cross Rhodes but Sami avoids it then Fatu runs into both men in the corner. Pretty loud “Fatu” chant then he hits a handspring standing moonsault on Sami for a 2 count. Cody runs into a pop up Samoan Drop but fights free then Fatu avoids a Cross Rhodes and Sami tries a School Boy for 2. Jackknife from Cody and Fatu breaks things up with a senton. Some corner work to Sami from Fatu then an avalanche for Cody. One for Sami too. Fatu with punches to a downed Cody, Sami is down in the opposite corner so Fatu hits Cody with a hip attack then catches Sami with the pop up Samoan Drop for a 2 count as Cody breaks up the pin. That sends us picture in picture again.
Cody and Fatu start trading strikes again, Fatu tosses Cody out of the ring and follows with a suicide dive. Sami shows up and attacks Fatu on the floor and they fight in front of the announce table. Fatu then rams Sami into the ring steps, because he’s a beast. Next Fatu gets a table from under the ring, then puts it back but Cody’s got one too and Fatu then runs him over and shoves the table back under the ring. Well we know who’s supposed to be the heel here at least, because faces don’t put tables back. Back in the ring Fatu goes up top, but Cody cuts him off and climbs up with him. Cody looks for a superplex, Fatu pushes him off but Sami climbs up with Fatu now. Sami looks for the superplex but doesn’t have any more luck than Cody did as Fatu headbutts him down. Cody climbs up with Fatu and tries a superplex, Fatu shoves him down as we come back. Sami and Cody team up to climb the ropes and hit a double superplex because Fatu wasn’t going over for either one individually. Fatu rolls out of the ring so Sami and Cody start trading punches from their knees. They fight up to their feet and keep trading strikes, the crowd is pro Cody here pretty vocally as they get into a hockey fight. Cody gets the better of things but runs into a corner Exploder suplex. Sami lines up a Helluva kick to boos, but Fatu cuts him off with a superkick and the one for Cody too. Sami boots Fatu in the back of the head and Fatu rolls out of the ring, Sami tries a Victory Roll on Cody but only 2. Cody tries to fight off a Blue Thunder Bomb but Sami counters a Cody Cutter with one for a 2 count. The crowd try to rally Fatu and Cody, man they do not want to cheer Sami. Chop from Sami and he points at the sign, Cody chops him back. They keep trading punches, Cody then goes to jabs and hits the Bionic Elbow. Fatu then attacks Cody from behind and tosses him out of the ring. Corner attack from Fatu to Sami and he trash talks Sami, he lines up another corner clothesline and connects. Sami follows Fatu looking for a Helluva Kick but Fatu dodges, he tries a Splash but Sami counters with a Small Package for a near fall. Cody shows up for a super Cody Cutter to Sami, Fatu then tosses Cody and hits a Mighty Moonsault to Sami only for Drew McIntyre to fly in with a Claymore to Fatu to break up the pin. Drew then rams Fatu into a ring post then throws him over the announce table. Drew clears off the table but Cody hits him with a suicide dive. Mounted punches to Drew but Drew recovers and throws Cody into the ring post. Now Drew powerbombs Fatu through the announce table. Back in the ring Drew with a Claymore to Cody and he drags Sami over Cody to let Sami pin, but Cody kicks at 2.9! Drew is pissed and comes back in to attack Cody in the corner. Sami pulls himself up and goes to Helluva Kick, which hits Drew. Cody then with a Cross Rhodes to Sami and the win.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Cody Rhodes won in 21:44
Rating: 3.5 stars
Thoughts: This bordered on 4 stars, the slightly split crowd affected it a bit though. The interference at the end made sense and added a ton of energy to the finishing sequence, and Drew favoring Sami because he’s an easy win makes sense. The three men of course are really good at this and put together a good match.
Post match Cody looks at the Mania sign but doesn’t point, instead he celebrates with the crowd while we do see some of the wreckage from the match. That ends the episode.
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