wrestling / TV Reports
Winfree’s WWE Smackdown Review 7.03.26
Image Credit: WWE
Loading...Hello everyone, welcome to WWE Smackdown on this Friday evening. We’re post Night of Champions and the WWE title is now with a man who resembles a bag of milk. This episode was taped on Monday, so if you want spoilers you can find them right HERE. Sami Zayn is getting his perfunctory title run right now, which objectively isn’t the worst thing. The Smackdown main event scene is pretty poor these days, Cody Rhodes is fine in the main event but Kevin Owens is still injured, Drew McIntyre is off with his movie, Randy Orton is off doing whatever the hell he’s doing, CM Punk’s horse is sick, and Smackdown has in general done a piss poor job of elevating people like Carmelo Hayes, Ilja Dragunov, or anyone else from the midcard last year into the main event scene. In an ideal world Brock Lesnar would show up tonight, give Sami the old Kofi Kingston treatment, and his match with Oba Femi could be for the WWE title. But instead Femi, despite winning King of the Ring, is not getting a title shot and the guy who lost in the finals gets one anyway. Because this is all fake and you shouldn’t invest in any of it, the WWE is just going to do whatever they want whenever they want. Sorry, that’s my own hang ups around the artifice of this genre getting pulled down and I shouldn’t project it that much onto all of you. But to that end expect Jey Uso to show up tonight in some capacity. Rey Fenix will defend the AAA cruiserweight title, which is now serving the role of workhorse belt since Trick Williams doesn’t ever defend the US title. On the women’s side of things they’re trying to push Michin and B-Fab along with Jade Cargill, but since we’ve still yet to receive a real update on WWE women’s champion Rhea Ripley they’re all messing around with Tiffany Stratton, Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, and Chelsea Green. Blake Monroe showed up last week and attacked Giulia, which normally would be a good thing but I’ve just got no faith in Smackdown’s booking at this point so I can’t get super excited about it. The tag team scene is a wasteland, Damian Priest and R-Truth are champions but have spent that reign beating the Tongan Kids and one match with Fraxiom. Still nothing for Ilja Dragunov, Shinsuke Nakamura, Royce Keys, or anything like that. Oh but we’re building to a match between Gunther and Smackdown GM Nick Aldis. Aldis and Gunther got into things after Night of Champions so Aldis is currently not in charge of Smackdown, meaning Adam Pearce will be on hand tonight for official duties. So that’s the lay of the land, we’re mercifully back to just 2 hours now though so hopefully the show is good.
First a recap of Sami Zayn winning the WWE title at Night of Champions.
After that Sami heads to the ring to kick the show off. We’ve still got the RAW commentary team given how close this was to RAW in terms of taping. Some pyro for Sami before he gets a mic, he’s getting a very mixed reception, but runs through his new catchphrases of course. Then he thanks everyone for people giving him love for finally winning the WWE title. But it’s funny, he’s been booed out of the building the last 6 months by the same people who three years ago were dying to see him win the big one. Almost like the passage of time changes things, funny isn’t it? Sami could be petty right now, but he wont because he’s a good guy. Sami puts himself over for a bit, repeats the same points he just made in exactly the same way, then says tonight we’re celebrating him as new WWE champion. Now he forever goes down as an all time great and no one can ever take this away from him. Unless you murder your ex-wife and a waiter buddy, always gotta add the caveat because WWE has erased plenty of people over the years. Anyway once he’s done yapping out comes former champion Cody Rhodes. Cody gets a mic and congratulates Sami on winning the WWE title, much like Sami was the first to celebrate with Cody he wanted to return the favor then offers a handshake. Sami deliberates then shakes Cody’s hand. Cody goes to leave but Sami stops him, he doesn’t want to play games and asks Cody to drop the act. We both know that’s not the only reason Cody is out here, Sami’s got the title and he knows Cody wants back. Sami leans paranoid but before Cody can respond here’s Jey Uso because who doesn’t love a revolving door promo segment. Jey gives Sami a hug and gets a mic, he does the handshake bit with Sami then declines to run back his entrance. He’s proud of Sami, but warns him he’s here on Bloodline business. This is Sami’s warning shot, Jey needs to bring that title to the family. Cody interrupts asking what year this is, Sami is standing as WWE champion, Jey’s a former world heavyweight champion, and now Jey’s just running errands for Roman Reigns. Sami isn’t going to do this, he was happy for Jey when Jey won the world title, both other men have been champion and now it’s Sami’s time to be WWE champion. Oh and Jey, as far as Sami’s concerned the WWE title is in the family but is staying with Sami. So as a friend and family, both Cody and Jey need to stay away from him. Sami, coward that he is, goes to leave but here’s Adam Pearce to no pop. Pearce says he’s in charge tonight since Aldis is at home after his issue with Gunther. Pearce is going to find Sami a challenger, Sami asks for input into his challenger and Pearce says this isn’t about SummerSlam. If Aldis was here Sami might get everything he wanted, but Pearce is here and Sami will defend the WWE title on RAW on Monday against the winner of Cody vs. Jey in our main event. So the Smackdown title is being defended on RAW? OK then.
In the back Cathy talks with Charlotte Flair, Charlotte gave Jade what Jade deserved and their issue is far from over. Alexa Bliss comes over to talk with Charlotte, they tease dissent between the pair over poor communication skills. Tiffany Stratton and Chelsea Green come over, Tiffany says she didn’t need Charlotte’s help then Green chimes in that Jade should be worried about them. Some awkwardness follows.
To the ring, here comes Charlotte for our first match and we head to break.
We come back to all the faces in the ring so the heels can enter as a unit.
Match #1 – 6-Woman Tag Team Match: Charlotte Flair, Tiffany Stratton, and Chelsea Green vs. Jade Cargill, Michin, and B-Fab
Almost 30 minutes before our first match is pushing it a bit with just a 2 hour show. Jade and Tiffany start us off, they tie up then Jade shoves Tiffany down. Tiffany hits a dropkick then Michin tags in and takes the mid rope hip attack. Michin avoids a cartwheel Alabama Slam then yanks Tiffany down by the hair. B-Fab tags in and Tiffany takes a double suplex, the crowd with a “we want Chelsea” chant. Tiffany flips out of a back suplex and tags Charlotte who comes in with a crossbody per usual. Charlotte boots Jade then punches down Michin. Fall away slam from Charlotte to B-Fab then some chops. Charlotte heads to the apron, boots B-Fab then hits a cannonball senton onto Michin but Jade levels her with a clothesline to send us to break.
We come back to Charlotte taking kicks from Michin and B-Fab then Jade lands a really uninspiring running uppercut. Jade with a fall away slam and a dance, but she misses a Stinger Splash and B-Fab tags in. B-Fab blocks a tag, cheap shots Tiffany, then we get a double clothesline spot. Michin tags in, as does Green to a big pop. Green with Japanese arm drags to Michin then an enziguri. Rough Rider from Green but B-Fab breaks up the pin. Everyone gets to run through and hit a signature spot before Michin rolls up Green for 2. Green slaps Michin then does a diving hurricanrana but she banged her own head badly there. Michin tags in Jade, Jade then counters an Unpretty Her into a Jaded attempt, Green counters into a Victory Roll but B-Fab shows up to complicate things leading to Jade hitting Jaded for the win.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Jade Cargill, B-Fab, and Michin won in 8:54
Rating: 2 stars
Thoughts: A few very awkward spots, Michin struggling to base for Green leading to Green ramming the back of her own head into the mat being chief among them. We’ve also seen this grouping quite a bit and they’re running out of ways to innovate or even iterate.
We get a recap of Gunther and Nick Aldis getting into things at Night of Champions.
In the back Pearce walks and talks on his phone, then finds Sami. Sami complains about having to actually defend the title, much less on RAW. Pearce tries to spin it then walks off. Sami is upset, then finds depressed Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae. Sami shows off the belt, Johnny doesn’t care, but Sami says he couldn’t have done this without Johnny. He asks Candice to take a picture of him and Johnny to end the segment.
To the ring, here comes Rey Fenix to defend his AAA cruiserweight title against El Hijo del Vikingo after this break.
Match #2 – AAA Cruiserweight Title Match: (c) Rey Fenix vs. El Hijo del Vikingo
Viking gets in the ring as we come back. Fenix offers a handshake, Vikingo turns that into a School Boy for 2. Corkscrew head scissors from Vikingo. Fenix runs into a back elbow then Vikingo with a back kick and lovely Pele kick. Fenix fights back with a thrust kick then crossbody, Frog Splash style, for a 2 count. Vikingo avoids the tiger feint wheel kick but Fenix with a handspring Cutter, great sell from Vikingo. Vikingo to the floor then catches Fenix in the apron skirt and follows with a diving dropkick, then punctuates with a lovely Arabian Press to the floor to send us to break.
We come back to Vikingo landing an elbow. Fenix avoids a corner splash then heads up top for Adios Amigo, he missed that kick but Vikingo sold anyway, then follows with a lovely Frog Splash for a 2 count. Vikingo avoids a corner Meteora then lands a kick and hits his own corner Meteora. Next Vikingo goes up for an imploding flip into a hurricanrana for a 2 count. Tornado kick from Vikingo, but when he goes up top Fenix attacks him and climbs up with him. They fight for position, then Vikingo with a hop up into a wonderful avalanche Poisoned Rana for a near fall. Vikingo goes up top, he’s on the ring post then hops to the ropes but misses a springboard 450 Splash. Fenix with a corner attack, puts Vikingo up then hits the Mexican Muscle Buster to win.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Rey Fenix retained the title in 8:54
Rating: 2.5 stars
Thoughts: I’m sure the full match was better than this but I can only rate what I was shown. I will note that giving these two less than 10 minutes of ring time should be criminal, they’re both incredible.
A recap of Giulia beating Kiana James last week and the debut of Blake Monroe.
In the back Cathy talks with Giulia, Giulia wont back down from a fight and if Blake grows a spine Giulia will meet her anywhere. James comes over and says Giulia got lucky. Blake shows up and attacks Giulia, then blind sides James for good measure.
After this we’ll get a recap of RAW, because that’s a great use of air time on a 2 hour show. This time all about Roman and Seth, again. I can’t be the only one more than a little tired of those two together right? They’ve been doing the same stuff together for a decade at this point.
Post break we do get that recap of Seth Rollins claiming that the wolves are at the door of him and Roman given all their time here. Never mind that Seth just refused, yet again, to meaningfully put anyone over and the next big deal of Oba Femi said Roman’s title wasn’t worth the effort. But hey, more Shield chair lore right?
In the back Jimmy Uso talks with Jacob Fatu. Royce Keys comes over to talk with Fatu. Jimmy says they’re here looking for Solo Sikoa. Keys says loyalty is what makes family, and he’s been day one with Fatu for 14 years and is Fatu’s real family. Fatu ponders but walks off without saying anything. Man they really killed all momentum Fatu had in an impressively short amount of time, he got no pop for showing up.
Back to the ring, here’s US champion Trick Williams along with his chant and watercraft. Slightly better reaction for Trick this time but the man has to actually do something eventually right? The chants are diminishing over time and it’s becoming more noticeable. Before Yachty can talk here comes Carmelo Hayes. Hayes gets his own mic, decent “melo” chants as he says he wants to get to business with Trick. Ricky Saints couldn’t get the job done, now we’re going to run back Trick and Hayes for the US title. He puts over Trick, but Trick’s only unstoppable because Hayes hasn’t decided to stop him. Hayes made that US title a real championship, while Trick turned it into an accessory and if that’s all trick wants he can buy one on WWEshop. That is the workhorse title, the match of the night title, for guys who are hungry while Trick just looks well fed. He then tells Trick to prove him wrong, defend the title against Hayes. Yachty finally chirps up and puts over Trick again, because apparently that’s the whole thing here. The crowd want Hayes vs. Trick, and next week Hayes will get Trick in a non-title affair. Trick finally speaks up, he knows Hayes like the back of his hand, then backhands Hayes. Trick heads to the floor, then Hayes dives onto him to close the segment. Decent promo from Hayes but something about Trick’s presentation is starting to fall off and I’m not sure they’re going to realize it in time.
In the back Danhausen has Miz and Kit Wilson linked to a machine, Matt Cardona comes in and Danhasuen will be wrestling JD McDonagh on Saturday Night’s Main Event. Danhausen has a plan for that, and for Cardona he’d like Cardona to twist a dial. Cardona obliges and mist comes out of the box, Danhausen then leaves Cardona to help Miz and Wilson. It seems like they’re switching brains between Miz and Wilson if them spouting the wrong catchphrases is any indicator.
Back to the ring, here comes Brie Bella along with Paige as we head to break.
Post break we see Jey and Cody warming up in the back before heading to the ring for the Fatal Influence entrance.
Match #3: Brie Bella w/ Paige vs. Lainey Reid w/ Jacy Jayne and Fallon Henley
27 minutes between matches, that wouldn’t be acceptable with 3 hours and at just 2 it’s very much bad. Thesz Press from Brie but nothing to follow up. Reid lands a punch, then Brie lands a clothesline out of the corner and a tornado Divorce Court. Reid then yanks Brie into the ropes and hits a back suplex. Brie avoids an elbow drop, Brie tries to crib from her husband’s move set and kicks the arm then rams the shoulder of Reid into the corner a few times. Corner gamen giri from Reid then she puts Brie up top and punches her. Brie shoves Reid away and hits a top rope dropkick. Kicks from Brie, but Fallon distracts her to break them up. Brie flips out of a back suplex then grabs the Yes Lock, she tries to transition into a version but Paige attacks Fallon, then posts Jayne. Fallon attacks Paige, Brie comes out to attack Fallon then on getting back in the ring is caught with a running knee and that’ll end things.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Lainey Reid won in 3:17
Rating: DUD
Thoughts: The crowd was dead quiet for this, I’m pretty sure any noise was added in post given what the crowd looked like. Way too short to mean anything, and while Fatal Influence really need the rebuild I’m not sure this was the right execution of that.
In the back R-Truth out eats Nathan Frazer and celebrates. Axiom carries Frazer away while Priest and Truth talk. The War Raiders show up and ask about their offer from last week. Truth with genital jokes about wieners. Priest eventually says they’re on for a title for title match, but on Smackdown. Truth warns they’ll lose their masks and balls.
After this break, a recap of the Brock Lesnar and Oba Femi stuff from RAW. Because who doesn’t want more RAW recaps when watching Smackdown?
We come back to that recap of Brock Lesnar laying down the Hell in a Cell challenge for Oba Femi while Femi foregoes his title shot in favor of the Brock fight.
Cody walks in the back and finds Finn Balor. Balor really wanted a title shot against Cody, and now hopes Cody wins the title back so he can get that. Cody walks off then Tama Tonga and big lug Talla Tonga attack Balor. I’m not sure even Balor can make Talla look good as Tama says he’s closing the book on his past. WWE really over estimates how much people care about Tama from New Japan, because even most of the time NJPW didn’t care that much about him.
Jey Uso heads to the ring for our main event and we head to break.
Next week we’ll get Tama vs. Balor, and confirmation of the SNME card which now includes another women’s tag team match against Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid.
Back to the ring and here comes Cody.
Match #4: Cody Rhodes vs. Jey Uso
Cody rallies the crowd, which hasn’t been given a whole lot to be excited about tonight. They tie up then break without incident. Jey removes his compression sleeves, then misses a superkick but does avoid a Cross Rhodes. Cody catches a running Jey with a Kitchen Sink knee lift then goes to work with punches. Jey sends Cody spilling out of the ring and follows with a suicide dive to send us to break.
We come back to Cody landing jabs but Jey fights back with rights. Cody with a drop down right hand but Jey counters with a kick. Cody Cutter connects for a 2 count. Jey avoids a Cross Rhodes then hits a Samoan Drop which sends Cody out of the ring again. Both men wander around the ringside area and meet up in front of the announce table, Cody tosses Jey over the table and climbs on top of it but Jey sweeps his legs. Some punches from Jey as Cody’s laid out on the table, then Jey goes back into the ring to try a suicide dive but Cody intercepts with a right hand. Cody sends Jey into the time keeper’s area then jumps onto him off the barricade. Both men fight back to the ring, then we get a double down spot off of clotheslines to send us back to break. Did they only have a 90 minute show on hand and just had to stretch it all to hell to hit 2 hours?
We come back to Jey shoving Cody off the top rope then following with a Splash for a 2 count. Cody counters a Spear with a kick then hits a Super Cody Cutter for another 2 count. Jey counters a Disaster Kick with a superkick then hits a Spear for another near fall. Jey pulls himself to the top rope again but misses his flying nothing and Cody hits a Spear then a Cross Rhodes for a pretty good near fall. Now Cody goes up top, but Jey gets his knees up to block a really ugly Frog Splash. Both men start trading punches as they fight up to their feet, Jey then ducks a punch and grabs a Sleeper hold. Cody counters with a back suplex but Jey flips free then tries an O’Connor Roll but has to fight around to the corner. That got awkward, then Cody ducks a clothesline and hits a Cross Rhodes to win.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Cody Rhodes won in 15:31
Rating: 3 stars
Thoughts: A pretty good closing stretch elevated this above average but man they had some poorly paced stretches of it. Jey and Cody still do largely work well together in the WWE style of matches, and Cody winning here but likely having some shenanigans take place in his title match is more or less par for the course.
Post match Cody celebrates to end the episode.
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