wrestling / TV Reports
Winfree’s WWE Smackdown Review 7.10.26
Image Credit: WWE
Loading...Hello everyone, it’s Friday so it’s time for WWE Smackdown. Well Sami Zayn’s reign of mediocrity and terror came to an end in just 9 days, should have been sooner, when CM Punk returned from vacation and claimed the WWE title on RAW. That puts the Punker on Smackdown now, and with SummerSlam coming up very soon he’ll need an opponent. Former champion Cody Rhodes would be the obvious choice, but they will need some kind of a plan for Sami, Gunther is always a main event threat as well. The Smackdown main event scene remains a little diminished overall but Punk’s addition is a definite boost. Still no update on women’s champion Rhea Ripley. Finn Balor will be taking on Tama Tonga tonight, with big ugly himself Talla Tonga likely to cost Balor the bout. Trick Williams takes on Carmelo Hayes tonight, non-title of course because these days the AAA cruiserweight title is the one that gets defended and has good matches. The US title has been languishing with Trick since WrestleMania, hopefully he and Hayes can reignite the fire around that belt. Damian Priest went to AAA to accept the challenge of the War Raiders for a winner take all style match on Smackdown, it’s not been made official yet but we could get Priest and R-Truth against the War Raiders tonight for all the marbles. If Gunther isn’t going to play into the WWE title picture then he and Smackdown GM Nick Aldis are headed for a violent clash, and we’ll see if Gunther can get the old Magnus magic out of Aldis. I mean it sells itself right, the man who kicked AJ Styles out of TNA vs. the man who actually retired AJ Styles. The women’s scene is a bit confused at the moment, without Ripley involved it’s kind of just everyone thrown together into a goulash with Alexa Bliss, Tiffany Stratton, Charlotte Flair, and Chelsea Green on one side against Jade Cargill and her lackeys of Michin and B-Fab. The other women’s issue is Blake Monroe aiming at both Giulia and Kiana James. Still no sign of Shinsuke Nakamura, Ilja Dragunov has been MIA since before WrestleMania, and we’re still waiting to see who Danhausen is bringing back to team with him. Last week was a bit of a dud episode, between not only being taped but taped right after RAW it never really had a chance. Hopefully tonight starts turning things around as we start moving towards SummerSlam.
Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett welcome us to Oklahoma City for tonight, then we get a recap of the WWE title stuff from Monday and CM Punk winning the WWE title.
Smackdown GM Nick Aldis is in the ring, he brings up getting physical with Gunther and while he was justified he acknowledges he played a part in that happening. But he’s reinstated and now it’s his pleasure to bring out CM Punk. Punk, sporting a black eye, heads to the ring and shakes hands with Aldis. Aldis then gives Punk a mic and the floor to speak his mind. Punk plays with the crowd and says he’s been negotiating a new deal during his time away and he’s now on Smackdown. A title shot fell out of the sky on Monday and Punk caught it, put his gear on in his house and drove to the venue, now he stands here as WWE champion. He promises to be the same kind of champion on Smackdown that he was on RAW, he is here to defend his title and invite anyone in the locker room to step up and try to take what he has. To that end, anyone back there can come find him and he will defend this belt with blood, sweat, and tears for the fans. He knows why Sami Zayn feels like he does, and if Sami wants a rematch Punk will give him one. Gunther, he might regret naming him but they both remember what happened last time they wrestled. Punk keeps asking the crowd who else there might be, oh there’s Finn Balor as well. Royce Keys, Damian Priest, Trick Williams, no real pop for any of these, but the cavalcade of names does finally bring out the obvious name he omitted in Cody Rhodes. Cody examines Punk’s messed up eye in a nice little nod to their prior interaction, then gets his own mic. Cody asks Punk how the eye is, Punk asks Cody what he wants to talk about. That leads to Cody bringing up their last interaction being a mirrored one of this, Cody brings up some title matches fall out of the sky while others build for years. Punk knows Cody is talking about them finally locking horns, maybe they’ve both been avoiding this subconsciously, they’re friends and Punk figured this would happen as a Mania main event. But they can’t avoid each other anymore. Cody reminds us he told Punk to just say when the last time they were together, Punk chimes in with “when” and Cody names SummerSlam. That’s the obvious route to go but that’s not a bad thing. The two men shake hands and Aldis thinks that’s a great main event for SummerSlam. I’m curious who winds up leaning heel between them, they don’t need to rush either guy to the dark side ahead of the event but Cody likely does need that kind of character wrinkle. Punk heads out to end the segment.
In the back Cathy talks with Jade Cargill, Michin, and B-Fab. Jade will be stomping out Alexa Bliss tonight, she’s going to make Charlotte Flair’s life hell. Michin and B-Fab chirp but add nothing. Jade says she’s not responsible for what she does to Bliss, that’s on Charlotte.
Back to the ring, here comes Finn Balor. He’ll take on Tama Tonga after this break.
Post break here comes Tama along with Talla.
Match #1: Finn Balor vs. Tama Tonga w/ Talla Tonga
Almost 30 minutes before the first match, that’s pushing things just a bit. Balor immediately attacks at the bell and batters Tama in a corner. Tama cuts Balor off with a back elbow, Balor rolls through a Sunset Flip and lands a low dropkick then clotheslines Tama out of the ring. Balor lines up a dive, of course Talla trips him and Tama then jumps Balor from behind. Neckbreaker from Tama then a sliding clothesline. That seems to send us picture in picture, really odd layout as Punk and Cody must have gone long.
Tama retains control, and Talla gets in a cheap shot. Tama asks for heat, barely gets any from the crowd on the floor, then heads back into the ring. Balor is able to beat the count back into the ring where Tama keeps control. Chinlock from Tama. Some more strikes from Tama now, but Balor avoids a corner splash and School Boy’s Tama for 2 but Tama then hits a backbreaker for his own 2 count. Balor starts fighting back as we rejoin the broadcast, he hits the ropes and then a headscissors into a Russian leg sweep to put both men down. Now Balor rallies the crowd and starts unloading punches then stomps on Tama. Tama gets caught in an Eye of the Hurricane from Balor and that gets Balor a 2 count. Spinning back suplex from Tama connects and gets another 2 count. Corner splash from Tama, then a second but Balor intercepts the third with a Sling Blade. Shotgun dropkick from Balor, Talla jumps up to distract things though so his Coup de Grace is too slow and Tama then hits an Angels Wings but only a 2 count. Small Package from Balor gets 2, then he back drops Tama out of the ring and follows with a dive onto both Island Boys. Back in the ring Balor with another John Woooo style dropkick, then a Coup de Grace to win.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Finn Balor won in 9:47
Rating: 2.5 stars
Thoughts: The crowd helped this a lot, they were very invested in Balor. Tama is slowly growing into an acceptable singles guy, his connective tissue has come a long ways from before if nothing else.
In the back Cathy talks with Carmelo Hayes, he insults Yachty a bit then says Trick Williams can’t be saved by aura when he steps in there with someone as battle tested as Hayes is now. Tonight is his moment to remind Trick that Hayes is him.
Elsewhere in the back R-Truth has to pay on a lost bet to Axiom, then Axiom and Frazer head out. The War Raiders show up but get dismissed by Jimmy Uso and Jacob Fatu who want to talk with Truth. Jimmy wants to know where Solo Sikoa is, Truth says Solo is babysitting his kids. Fatu asks if Truth has seen Royce Keys, Truth doesn’t know who he is. Damian Priest comes over to exchange pleasantries, and Priest says Keys is here tonight. Truth isn’t happy about that. Fatu and Jimmy head out, then Priest tells Truth that Keys isn’t their problem and to let it go. That sends us to break.
We come back to confirmation of Punk vs. Cody for SummerSlam. You know, one of these times they need to subvert that and announce it couldn’t be finalized or something.
In the back Aldis talks on the phone with Sami, who’s taking a mental health break. He then hangs up to talk with Gunther who storms over. Gunther says Aldis made a mistake with that match and he’ll give him a chance to fix that mistake. Gunther deserves to be in the ring with the champion, whoever it is or both at the same time, that’s where he belongs. So Aldis has until the end of the night to fix this. Aldis says he’ll take that under consideration.
To the ring where Jimmy and Fatu are. Man look how they massacred my boy Fatu, he looks like such a nothing. Jimmy calls out Solo, no Solo but Royce Keys does come down. No real pop for Keys. Jimmy says Keys doesn’t look like Solo. Keys agrees, but last week Jimmy mentioned him and this week he did so again. So guess what, now he’s brought himself to Jimmy. The family business of Jimmy is screwing up things here, and it’s getting to Keys now. Jimmy says tonight is about Roman’s business. Keys mocks Roman not being here and that gets Fatu to step in. Fatu stares at Keys and says they’re tight, but keep it like that. Keys can say anything about anyone, but please don’t go there with Roman. Keys thinks it over, and says it doesn’t have to be like that. Jimmy talks again and says Keys isn’t part of this family. Keys says blood doesn’t make you family, loyalty does. Keys has lost family while all the Bloodline can do is fight other family members. He’d give anything to hug a family member, he’s got no family and Fatu has been his family for 14 years and he wont stand here and let him fall. Jimmy warns that Keys is about to cross a line he can’t go back over. Keys then steps over the metaphorical line. Jimmy says he and Fatu can beat down Keys, but Fatu objects to being included. There’s no “we” here Jimmy, this fight is all Jimmy’s. Fatu then leaves. Jimmy tries to recover and asks for a ref, then tries a cheap shot but Keys just levels him with a clothesline, then clotheslines him out of the ring to send us back to break.
Match #2: Royce Keys vs. Jimmy Uso
20 minutes between matches, not great. The bell rings as we come back, Jimmy grabs a side headlock then gets shoulder blocked down by Keys. Keys with corner jabs then another clothesline. Jimmy with a body kick then tries a suplex but Keys easily overpowers him and hits a stalling suplex. Jimmy powders, Keys follows and charges but Jimmy avoids him and Keys wipes out into the ring steps. Both men head back into the ring, Jimmy goes up top and hits a crossbody for a 2 count. Keys fights off a headlock then hits a running crossbody. Jimmy misdirects Keys out of the ring and follows with a suicide dive, that didn’t connect so Jimmy has to grab and throw Keys over the announce desk to send us to break.
Jimmy with some ringside brawling to Keys, then everyone heads back into the ring. Headlock from Jimmy, Keys fights back but runs into a Samoan Drop. Jimmy lines up a hip attack but Keys intercepts with a clothesline. Keys works to fire up and hits a corner splash, then another one, and a third for good measure. Jimmy blocks a fourth splash but then jumps into a powerslam from Keys. We come back to broadcast with Keys punching away at Jimmy. Keys with the pull up powerslam, that was awkward and Jimmy’s right arm or shoulder might be hurt. The straps come down for Keys, Jimmy powders but Keys follows and hits a Worlds Strongest Slam onto the announce desk, then another one for good measure. Keys breaks the count, the crowd are finally pretty much awake now, but Jimmy rams Keys into the ring post. Jimmy sends Keys into the ring, Solo shows up behind Jimmy and we get comedy but before Solo can drop a Samoan Spike here’s Jacob Fatu. Fatu and Solo square up and get to brawling with Fatu getting the Tongan Death Grip on Solo. Back in the ring Jimmy hits a Spear to win.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Jimmy Uso won in 9:25
Rating: 1.5 stars
Thoughts: This didn’t need 9 minutes, and really didn’t need Jimmy going over. Jimmy as a singles guy is still not good and Keys could have really used a win here. That’s all even more true since this was largely just an excuse for Solo to get attacked and set up an angle for Monday. The Bloodline vortex isn’t going to do Keys any favors.
Post match Fatu tosses Solo into the ring and stomps him out in the corner. Keys shows up though and despite just losing a match tries to talk to Fatu. The two trade words then Fatu superkicks Keys and hits him with a senton. Jimmy sends a chair into the ring, Fatu wraps it around Solo’s head in the corner and looks for a hip attack but stops himself and yells that this is the last chance for Solo. Solo better be there for the family on Monday because next time Fatu wont stop.
We get another airing of Sami’s whining from after RAW.
In the back Cathy talks with the Punker, Punk wants everyone to get in line for a shot at him. He’s interrupted by depressed Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae. Candice says Sami might be annoying but never gave up on Johnny. There was hope for people like them with Sami, and Punk stole it from them. Punk hopes Johnny can hear him, he remembers the real Johnny and Candice, they should be in the ring doing what they do best because this isn’t working. Punk walks off and finds Balor who welcomes him to Smackdown.
Alexa Bliss along with Charlotte Flair head to the ring and we head to break.
Post break we get a sponsored video from Fatal Influence. They run down Brie Bella and Paige and next week they’ll take the tag titles at SNME.
Back to the ring and here comes Jade along with her flunkies.
Match #3: Alexa Bliss w/ Charlotte Flair vs. Jade Cargill w/ Michin and B-Fab
Jade jaws with Charlotte and ignores Bliss for a bit, Bliss jumps her from behind but Jade just slings her down. Bliss hits a chop block then some work in the ropes. Knee from Bliss, but then Jade stalls a satellite head scissors and hits a backbreaker to send us to break.
Jade tosses Bliss out of the ring then jaws with Charlotte more. Bliss tries to fight back but Jade overpowers her again and launches her into the barricade. Back in the ring now Jade retains control. Some strikes from Jade then she drops Bliss with a back elbow. Jade grabs a chinlock then slams Bliss down by the hair. We rejoin the broadcast with Bliss countering a few corner attacks with kicks. Bliss with a double knee drop to the knee of Jade then a striking flurry. Running Blockbuster from Bliss gets a 2 count. Jade has had enough of this and tosses Bliss into a corner then catches the jumping Bliss, Bliss avoids a Fall Away slam though. Thrust kick from Bliss after some counters, both women get attacked by the goons and Bliss rolls up Jade for 2. Charlotte boots down Michin but gets attacked by B-Fab, Bliss kicks down B-Fab but that lets Jade hit the pump kick and Jaded to win.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Jade Cargill won in 7:00
Rating: 2 stars
Thoughts: A little bit too chaotic, and frankly this misses the mark in terms of having a match that is designed to make you uncomfortable. This should have been Jade imposing herself and making us all feel a little gross watching what she can do to Bliss, instead it was just a bog standard layout.
Post match Michin gets a chair, Charlotte shows up and fights off Michin and B-Fab but eats a superkick from Jade. Jade then wraps the arm of Bliss in the chair and uses the chair to aid a Sacrifice style armbreaker. Bliss being double jointed in her elbow makes that look pretty great.
In the back Trick Williams has misplaced the US title, Yachty comes over and says he’s got Trick a unique title. It’s the same belt but with a white fur strap. The legacy one, on sale right now for a limited time. That last bit wasn’t me chiming in, Trick said it.
Hayes heads to the ring for our main event, that match will be up after this break.
We come back to a recap of Jade wrecking Bliss’s arm. In the back Charlotte walks with Bliss and helps her into the doctor’s office.
Back to the ring, here’s Trick and his chant.
Match #4: Carmelo Hayes vs. Trick Williams w/ Lil Yachty
Quick tie up and Trick shoves Hayes down then poses. Another tie up, this time Trick tosses Hayes into the corner then hits a shoulder block. Some corner stomps from Trick, in the back Ricky Saints is watching the match on TV. Not an odd angle for him at least. Hayes into the ropes, he out moves Trick then hits a dropkick followed by a springboard clothesline. Trick fights back with a Flapjack and a back hand. That sends us to break.
Spin kick from Trick gets a 2 count then he tosses Hayes out of the ring. On the floor Hayes lands a chop but Trick lands a back elbow to retain control. Some ringside brawling from both men before things head back into the ring where Trick hits a delayed vertical suplex, but takes a bit too long so Hayes counters into a Small Package for 2, then Trick lands a back elbow to retain control. Some hard corner whips from Trick, his posing isn’t getting a reaction now though. Hayes kicks the knee of Trick then hits a springboard fade away DDT for a 2 count. Both men land some strikes from their knees as they fight upright. That’s the state of things as we come back to broadcast and Trick hits a pop up right hand, but Hayes comes off the ropes with a Dirty Diana for a near fall. Hayes flips out of a back suplex but runs into a couple of side kicks, then a Book End from Trick gets another 2 count. A couple boots from Hayes out of the corner then a leaping DDT but he still can’t find a 3 count. Hayes blocks a back hand, Trick then hits a cross chop and neckbreaker for a 2 count. Trick puts Hayes up top and climbs up with him, Hayes is able to knock him down though then hits a gorgeous Frog Splash for a near fall. They trade roll ups now then Hayes lands a superkick. Hayes up top, but misses a Frog Splash then Trick hits the tornado pump kick for another near fall. Trick gets knocked off the apron, Hayes then jumps at him, and winds up shoving Trick into Yachty on the floor. Back in the ring Trick hits the ropes but runs into a First 48. Hayes up top, but here’s Baron Corbin to get the match thrown out.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Carmelo Hayes won via DQ in 10:29
Rating: 3 stars
Thoughts: This was really cooking down the stretch before Corbin showed up. Trick and Hayes have worked well together before and this was no exception, pity about the non-finish.
Post match Constable Fuckface (still miss you Larry) attacks Hayes and Trick. End of Days to both Hayes and Trick, the Corbin poses with the gaudy US title.
We see Gunther walk in the back, he and Aldis will talk to close the show.
Post break here’s Gunther. Gunther gets a mic and says he gave Aldis the whole show, he’s waited long enough, and wants Aldis out here to announce his decision. Aldis walks and talks, he’s thought about Gunther’s position and in spite of everything he is going to give Gunther what he wants. Gunther wants Cody, Punk, well he can have them in SNME next week in a tag match where Gunther has to team up with Sami. That annoys Gunther, he wants Aldis to fix things. Aldis is not swayed and Gunther attacks Aldis from behind. Hammer and anvil elbows to Aldis then a lariat. Gunther locks up the Sleeper hold, other officials show up and separate the two men. Running boot from Gunther then another Sleeper application. Gunther puts Aldis to sleep then heads out. Aldis slowly recovers, but Gunther shows up to put on the Sleeper again, then land more elbows and another Sleeper. Gunther finally lets go and then puts another Sleeper. There were half a dozen other men in that ring and none of them could do anything? Cody Rhodes shows up as the episode ends. Feels like that was mistimed.
